Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds

Twenty days!

They had been gone for a full twenty days!

Fortunately, Gu Zhao had given them a heads-up. Everyone in the palace knew the Ink Flood Dragon’s Dao Practice was profound, but also that there were no reports of it ever appearing to cause harm. They understood this would be a protracted fight, so they had settled in to wait patiently.

But they couldn’t help but worry.

Zhuo Qingyan had practically taken root on the summit of Cuiluo Mountain, gazing silently toward the West like one of the fabled statues of a wife awaiting her husband’s return.

When she saw over a dozen figures streaking across the sky in multicolored trails of light, a radiant smile bloomed on Zhuo Qingyan’s face. Then she saw Gu Zhao at the head of the group, flying straight toward her without slowing down at all.

Zhuo Qingyan froze for a moment, then saw Gu Zhao open his arms in mid-air.

"Ah!"

With a soft cry, Zhuo Qingyan found herself swept into Gu Zhao’s embrace as he carried her skyward.

...

"Haaa—"

Gu Zhao rose early and went to the back mountain of Daluo Palace to practice a set of the Eight Pieces of Brocade. Afterward, he returned to the dining hall for breakfast.

Taoist Yi Hong and the other Observatory Masters from the various branch temples had already hurried back to their posts. Most of the remaining Daoists had gained a great deal from the battle and were now staying on the mountain to consolidate their cultivation, with no plans to leave for the time being.

Bai Fei arrived at the side dining hall with Li Qingshuang.

Bai Fei delicately picked up a hibiscus shrimp dumpling—served by a Silk Embroideress—and nodded in satisfaction. "I dare say the food at Daluo Palace is even better than in the Central Province Imperial Palace."

"If you like it, Sister Fei, please have some more," Gu Zhao said with a smile. "Daluo Palace might not have much else, but we have plenty of delicious food."

Li Qingshuang, sitting between Bai Fei and Gu Zhao, picked up a spring roll. She preferred crispy textures. "I don’t know about the Central Province Imperial Palace, but I’m certain the Jiangzhou Prefectural Magistrate and the Spirit Court Jiangzhou Branch don’t have anything this delicious."

Bai Fei smiled faintly and looked at Gu Zhao. "Since the Dragon King gave his word, you should head to the remaining two of the Jiangzhou South Five Prefectures—Pingjiang Prefecture and Lianshan Prefecture—and claim them soon."

Gu Zhao smiled and nodded. "Understood."

Bai Fei continued, "Jiangzhou also has three prefectures in Jiangbei, such as Jiangyang Prefecture. You could send people there, too."

Gu Zhao shook his head. "I hear that under the watchful eyes of the Spirit Court and White Spirit Mountain, the three prefectures of Jiangbei don’t have many Demons and Ghosts, so we won’t be going."

Although Daluo Palace does need Incense—for Taoist Ming Yu to summon Celestial Warriors and Taoist Jing Feng to manifest the Taoist Divine Prison, for example—the demand isn’t infinite. Frankly, such needs are for techniques, not the Dao itself. The true foundation of the Taoist Sect’s cultivation lies within oneself.

Honestly, the lands of Changping Prefecture, Bai Shi Prefecture, and Qianshan Prefecture alone are more than enough for all the Daoists of Daluo Palace to practice their cultivation.

So, while it might seem like Daluo Palace is opening branch temples everywhere, the goal isn’t to seize territory. It’s simply to make it easier to gather intelligence on the surrounding areas and allow our Daoists to exorcise demons and evil spirits more efficiently.

The Wanling Jiangbei Region is still under the thumb of the Xuanwei Divine Sect and the Spirit Court. Plus, there are local lawful-good factions like White Spirit Mountain maintaining basic order. The proportion and number of evildoers there are much lower than in Wanling Jiangnan.

In that case, what would they even do in Jiangbei?

The senior Daoists were only in their seventies and eighties—an age for passion, hot-bloodedness, and building a legacy. How could they go to Jiangbei to retire?

Just then, a few Daoists who had finished their morning cultivation and were looking to treat themselves to a good meal entered the side hall, greeting Gu Zhao and Bai Fei as they came in.

"Martial Uncle Qingyuan, Martial Uncle Qingwei," Gu Zhao greeted two Daoists from the Sanfeng Sect as they entered the dining hall.

The two men got themselves some steamed buns, congee, and a side of pickled vegetables, then sat down at the table next to Gu Zhao’s. "Good morning, Sect Leader, Mountain Master Bai, Miss Li!"

"Martial Uncles, the Daluo Temple in Pingjiang Prefecture still needs an Observatory Master. Would one of you be willing to take on the role?" Gu Zhao asked bluntly, not beating around the bush.

"Him!"

Taoist Qingwei and Taoist Qingyuan pointed at each other simultaneously.

"My senior brother is a respected elder of his sect and has management experience. He’s the perfect person to be an Observatory Master for a branch temple," Taoist Qingyuan explained. "I’m just an old farmer. I can’t do anything but till the land; I’m not fit to be an Observatory Master."

"Is being an Observatory Master here the same as it was back there?" Taoist Qingwei said, exasperated. "Here, the Observatory Master can delegate management to others. All you have to do is hold down the fort in the Prefecture City."

"This is a crucial time for me to travel and improve my cultivation. It’s too early for me to be tied to one place. My junior brother’s Dao Practice is higher than mine, so he’s a much better fit for the role."

"No, no, I’m really not cut out for it," Taoist Qingyuan said, waving his hand dismissively.

Taoist Qingwei caught Taoist Qingyuan’s hand. "Just think of it as cultivating in the mortal world, a trial to temper your heart."

Taoist Qingyuan: "..."

Gu Zhao burst out laughing and made his decision. "Martial Uncle Qingyuan it is, then."

He then looked at the Dragon Gate’s Double Assassins, who had just walked in, and continued, "And I’ll ask Martial Uncle Jing Hong to go to Lianshan Prefecture, west of Pingjiang Prefecture and north of Qianshan Prefecture, to establish a Daluo Temple and serve as its Observatory Master."

Taoist Jing Hong: ???

’I just woke up to get some breakfast. How did I inexplicably end up with the job of Observatory Master for a Daluo Temple branch?’

Taoist Jing Hong was old in body but not in spirit and had no desire to be tied down for a long time. "Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Ming Yu are highly respected and have profound Dao Practice," he argued hastily. "Why aren’t they going?"

Taoist Ming Yu entered the side hall with Taoist Ming Chong. "Because Daluo Palace needs to keep some powerful mobile forces on hand, of course."

Taoist Jing Hong was speechless. He turned to look at Taoist Ming Chong, then sighed and looked away.

Taoist Ming Chong was the Steward of Daluo Palace’s Alchemy Hall. No matter who else was assigned to a remote post, it would never be him.

’Let’s see...’ Taoist Jing Hong did a quick mental calculation. ’Of the old Daoists who came in before me, besides Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Ming Yu, the only one left is Yunyang, who’s still out gallivanting. I can’t ask a youngster, can I?’

At this thought, Taoist Jing Hong sighed. "Fine, I’ll go."

Then he saw a smile touch the corner of Taoist Jing Fa’s lips. He immediately grabbed his sleeve. "However, my Dao Practice isn’t that high. Junior Brother Jing Fa will have to come with me."

Taoist Jing Fa: "..."

Listening to the senior Daoists banter and joke, Bai Fei couldn’t help but smile. In other factions, people would be scrambling for a powerful remote appointment like this. At Daluo Palace, it was the exact opposite.

But this also spoke to the wonderful atmosphere at Daluo Palace. Everyone was single-mindedly focused on their cultivation, their original aspirations unwavering, their resolve firm.

Thinking about Daluo Palace’s methods, the deity they worshipped, and the Daoists before her whose Dao Practice was advancing by leaps and bounds, Bai Fei was suddenly struck by a powerful premonition.

The premonition felt absurd. Daluo Palace still seemed so weak at present; both the Dragon King of Ten Thousand Spirits and the Chaoyang Ancestor were far more powerful. But the thought in Bai Fei’s mind was irrepressible.

’Perhaps this time, with the awakening of the Demon Ancestor and the coming of the Celestial Demon calamity, it will truly fall to Daluo Palace to solve the problem...’