Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds

"Palace Master Yun!"

"Palace Master Gu!"

Gu Zhao and Yun Fei’ang cupped their hands in salute from a distance, nodding to each other.

"Your presence graces Daluo Palace, Palace Master Yun. Please!" Gu Zhao said, making a welcoming gesture.

"Forgive my presumptuous visit. I hope I am not intruding," Yun Fei’ang said, forcing a smile.

The beautiful woman by his side and the two large men behind him were all curious, their gazes toward Gu Zhao filled with a mix of inquiry and reverence.

Yun Fei’ang was usually aloof and exceedingly proud. Even when speaking of the Great Mountain Dharma King, he would only mention his great age and profound Dao Practice, rarely showing any admiration. Only someone as proud as the Mountain Master of Iron King Mountain could earn Yun Fei’ang’s genuine respect.

For this master of Daluo Palace to actually make their own Palace Master use words like "presumptuous" and "intruding"—how could they not be filled with reverence for Gu Zhao?

Gu Zhao invited Yun Fei’ang and his retinue straight into the main hall for tea, but Yun Fei’ang politely declined. "I’ve heard that Daluo Palace houses many gods. I would like to have a look around."

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Since you’re interested, Palace Master Yun, I’ll give you all a tour."

With that, he led them to land outside the mountain gate, where he introduced the Cyan Dragon Mountain Gate and the Cyan Dragon Seven Stars along the mountain path.

Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Ming Yu accompanied them, chiming in to introduce the Vermilion Bird Forest, White Tiger Cliff, and Xuanwu Lake.

They walked up the mountain path and soon arrived outside the Spirit Official Hall, home to Daluo Palace’s first Mountain Guardian.

"This is the first Guardian Divine General of our Taoist Sect, the Thunder Duke of the Five Chariots, Wang Spirit Official," Gu Zhao said, introducing the three-eyed, golden-whip-wielding leader of the five hundred Spirit Officials who trod on wind and fire.

Yun Fei’ang didn’t quite catch the rest of Gu Zhao’s introduction; he only heard the first two words Gu Zhao mentioned: "Taoist Sect."

’The Taoist Sect! It really is a legacy from the Taoist Realm!’ Yun Fei’ang confirmed this in his heart, while outwardly agreeing, "Truly worthy of a Spirit Realm Upper God. His might is indeed unparalleled."

Gu Zhao led the group through the Spirit Official Hall and on to the Four Imperial Lords Hall, where he introduced Emperor Ziwei, Emperor Gouchen, the Emperor of Longevity, and Houtu Huangdi Qi to Yun Fei’ang.

Gu Zhao noticed a sharp glint in Yun Fei’ang’s eyes. His expression was solemn, as if he were trying to commit to memory every single god Gu Zhao introduced.

This greatly puzzled Gu Zhao.

Daluo Palace had hosted other powerful experts before. While they were all shocked by the sheer number of gods worshiped there, they also knew it had little to do with them. A moment of admiration and praise was sufficient; there was no need to take it so seriously.

But Yun Fei’ang’s reaction was completely different. It was as if he would have to deal with these gods in the future and needed to understand them in advance.

If it weren’t for the fact that Yun Fei’ang seemed to be earnestly memorizing each of Gu Zhao’s introductions, Gu Zhao would have assumed he already had a deep understanding of the gods of Daoism.

Next, they passed the Jade Emperor Hall and paid their respects to The Three Pristine Ones in the Three Pristine Hall. Gu Zhao casually introduced the God of Wealth, the Medicine King, the Savior Celestial Venerable, and the Thunder Ancestor in the side halls before leading Yun Fei’ang and the others to the guest area in the rear courtyard.

Zhuo Qingyan arrived with Bi Yingying to keep the beautiful woman company. Nominally, this woman was Yun Fei’ang’s disciple, but from her behavior and speech, it was clear she was his partner, making Zhuo Qingyan the most suitable person to entertain her.

As Yun Fei’ang accepted the tea from Taoist Yan Song, he was still thinking, ’I wonder what the cultivation level of that Demon Venerable who passed down the Demon Technique and can communicate with my Sea of Consciousness is. What is his status in the Demon Realm?

’The Demon Venerable can transmit his voice across realms, and the gods of the Taoist Realm can use Dream Transmission to impart techniques. They must be at a similar level of cultivation, at least stronger than the Spirit Realm Upper Gods, and also stronger than a Golden-Winged Roc like me, who can only rely on bloodline inheritance.’

Yun Fei’ang thought carefully and came to a conclusion. ’I suppose even if this Demon Venerable isn’t comparable to The Three Pristine Ones, he should be on par with the Jade Emperor worshiped in Daluo Palace, right?’

In the depths of the Celestial Court, an unknown distance away, a certain existence was writing with a brush. He pressed down heavily on a final stroke, the force penetrating the back of the paper, the calligraphy powerful and vigorous.

And in a space within this world’s ley lines, a certain being, sleeping and healing, frowned slightly as if having a bad dream.

Yun Fei’ang took a light sip and nodded in feigned satisfaction. "Good tea."

"I’m glad you like it, Palace Master," Gu Zhao said with a slight smile. "You seem very interested in the gods we worship."

Yun Fei’ang’s eyes shifted. He set down his teacup. "Since ancient times in this world, only certain beings have been able to practice cultivation. Fairies can achieve Ascension to the Spirit Realm, and Ghost Gods can be revered on earth. Now, a path for mortals to achieve Ascension has suddenly appeared. Naturally, I am interested."

Gu Zhao chuckled. "Palace Master Yun, you have the inheritance of the Golden-Winged Roc, an Ancient Divine Beast in no way inferior to the Vermilion Bird. Why would you care about a Taoist Sect legacy that mortals can cultivate?"

Yun Fei’ang smiled faintly but said nothing. He didn’t actually know how powerful the Golden-Winged Roc was and assumed Gu Zhao was just being polite. Besides, he already had a much better option now.

Gu Zhao’s expression flickered. He then set down his cup and picked up the teapot beside it.

Seeing this, Zhuo Qingyan said to the beautiful woman, "I have some pastries in my room, specially made by the kitchen. They’re quite tasty."

The beautiful woman looked at Yun Fei’ang, who gave a slight nod.

The woman didn’t practice the Demon Technique, and he was happy to let her get closer to Gu Zhao’s woman. ’When the time comes to invite them to Cloud Celestial Divine Palace, it should be much simpler this way,’ he thought.

After watching Zhuo Qingyan leave with the woman, Gu Zhao spoke again. "Both the Golden-Winged Roc and the Vermilion Bird divine beast are related to the Phoenix. Since you are a guest at Daluo Palace, Palace Master, how about I show you around the Vermilion Bird Forest?"

Yun Fei’ang had no objection. He rose and said, "Please."

Just as the group was leaving the main hall, He Cailian and Xu Sirou arrived together. One approached Taoist Yan Song, the other Taoist Ming Yu, saying that a letter had arrived from Taoist Yan Ling of Bai Shi Prefecture and that Taoist Ming Chong was having a problem in the Alchemy Hall. They requested the two Elders to attend to these matters.

"But we still need to accompany these two gentlemen..."

"Yellow Guardian and Protector He just opened a jar of Wuliangye in the rear courtyard. If you two are interested, you could go have a drink," He Cailian said with a bright, charming smile.

At that, the two large men’s eyes lit up.

Previously, when Yun Fei’ang and Gu Zhao had met for a drink at the foot of Rainbow Mountain, Taoist Yan Song had brought out several jars of Daluo Palace’s fine liquor, including Wuliangye and Jiannanchun. The men had been fortunate enough to taste them and were deeply impressed.

Yun Fei’ang waved his hand. "Go on."

The two large men bowed, accepted the order, and left with He Cailian and Xu Sirou.

Now only Gu Zhao and Yun Fei’ang remained. The two of them walked south toward the Vermilion Bird Forest.

Although it was late autumn, the grounds of Daluo Palace were still lush and shaded with green trees. The paths were clean and tidy, and the Daluo Palace disciples they occasionally met would all bow and greet them. Their serene and composed temperament was a testament to a great sect’s bearing.

"The Cyan Dragon Mountain Path has the Cyan Dragon Seven Stars, and the Vermilion Bird Forest also has the Vermilion Bird Seven Stars outside it," Gu Zhao explained to Yun Fei’ang one by one.

As the two walked into the Vermilion Bird Forest, they were met with the clear and pleasant sound of birds chirping in unison.

Yun Fei’ang’s eyes narrowed as if in enjoyment. He said with a pointed tone, "Next time you visit my Cloud Celestial Divine Palace, Palace Master Gu, I will take you on a tour of Heaven-Reaching Cliff. The cliff is home to all sorts of eagles, vultures, and falcons. It’s quite a sight."

Gu Zhao shook his head and smiled. "I’m afraid I don’t dare visit Cloud Celestial Divine Palace."

Yun Fei’ang’s heart skipped a beat. He turned his head and asked, "Why not?"

Gu Zhao told him bluntly, "I’m afraid you would lead me to the divine palace’s catacombs, Palace Master. That place is now a three-hundred-mile Demon Realm. If I went in, I might never come out."