Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds

The new arrivals were, of course, the three elder Daoists from Lao Mountain and the two from Zhenwu Mountain.

Taoist Huai Yi of the Golden Mountain Sect, Taoist Tai Xian of the Sui Mountain Sect, and Taoist Xuan Yong of the Yu Mountain Sect—three old Daoists from the same generation as Taoist Xu Ning—had finally broken through five hundred years of Dao Practice and could now fly through the air.

However, Taoist Gao Yue of Zhenwu Mountain’s Qingwei Sect and Taoist Xu Xing of the Dragon Gate Sect were even more impressive. Despite being from a later generation, they had achieved the same milestone.

So, as they landed in Daluo Palace, Taoist Huai Yi and the others were happy, but not *that* happy.

Taoist Gao Yue and Taoist Xu Xing, on the other hand, were genuinely delighted. Though they were all fellow Quanzhen Friends and the other three were even their seniors in age, Taoist Xu Xing still winked and raised his eyebrows at them. This prompted Taoist Huai Yi to take a hard drag from his pipe while Taoist Tai Xian rolled his eyes.

They were truly full of childish fun—old men acting like children!

Taoist Huai Yi rubbed his hands together eagerly and looked at Gu Zhao, full of anticipation. "What’s the reaction from Sakura Paste? Should we teach them another lesson?"

According to the unwritten rules of Daluo Palace, only after a breakthrough in one’s realm could one reveal their powers in the modern world.

Gu Zhao waved his hand. "No rush. Let’s wait a bit longer. We’ll strike them when they’re getting too cocky. Control the rhythm. We can’t let up too much, but we can’t push them too hard either."

Taoist Tai Xian nodded in understanding. "Training a dog. I get it."

Everyone was speechless.

"Since you Martial Uncles have just broken through, why don’t you spend some time in secluded cultivation here at the palace?" Gu Zhao changed the subject. "There are plenty of materials in the warehouse. You can pick some out to forge some suitable Magical Treasures for yourselves."

The old Daoists all nodded in unison.

Taoist Huai Yi chuckled. "Martial Sister Xu Ning is very skilled with her hands. She showed us several of the Magical Treasures she’s forged, and they’re quite marvelous."

When Daluo Palace was first founded, they had few materials and didn’t forge any Magical Treasures. They relied on sharp weapons and their own refined Magical Power to walk the path of justice, Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits.

Later, they built Daluo Palace on Cuiluo Mountain, occupied Changping Prefecture, established temples and branches throughout the prefectures and counties, recruited disciples, and created a point system. As a result, the variety of materials in the warehouse grew.

That was why Gu Zhao was able to forge Magical Artifacts and distribute Magical Treasures before the attack on the Nether Fire Sect.

Since then, the many old Daoists would occasionally take materials from the warehouse to forge Magical Treasures. Some they kept for personal use, while others they returned to the warehouse for Daluo Palace disciples to redeem with points.

Everything had entered a virtuous cycle.

What Daluo Palace disciples loved most now was redeeming Magical Artifacts forged by the various Elders from the warehouse. Getting just one was enough to brag about to their peers for a long time.

Taoist Xu Ning, being dexterous and fond of crafting little trinkets, put many of her creations in the warehouse. She also kept quite a few for herself. While they weren’t necessarily powerful, they each had their own clever uses.

For example, the Duster and Treasure Mirror she used last time had caused considerable trouble for that red-bearded brute.

Seeing Taoist Huai Yi’s eagerness, Gu Zhao couldn’t help but ask curiously, "What kind of Magical Artifact are you planning to forge, Martial Uncle?"

"A dry tobacco pipe, of course!" Taoist Huai Yi replied without hesitation. On that note, he couldn’t help himself and fished a pack of Huazi out of his gourd, lighting one with a wave of his hand.

Then he nodded gravely. "It’ll definitely have more of a kick than this."

Everyone was at a loss for words.

...

After seeing Taoist Huai Yi and the other four off to the rear courtyard, Gu Zhao heard that Taoist Ling Ya of Feiyun Mountain’s Purple Sun Sect had returned to Cuiluo Mountain with two friends. He was introducing them to join Daluo Palace, and one of them, a Wolf Demon, was interested in the position of Kuimu Wolf.

Gu Zhao went to the front courtyard to greet them and saw Taoist Ling Ya arriving with the Wolf Demon, Feng Qinglang, and the Scholar Ghost, Li Mu. The Magical Power of both was pure, devoid of any Evil Qi.

"Sect Leader!" Taoist Ling Ya bowed with the Meridian Technique salute.

Feng Qinglang and Li Mu were already anxious. Hearing Taoist Ling Ya address the man as "Sect Leader," they were both startled and hurriedly clasped their hands in a respectful salute.

"Greetings, Daluo Palace Master!"

"Greetings to you both." Gu Zhao returned the salute with a smile, then raised a hand to help them up. "Please, rise."

A gentle yet irresistible force supported them under their elbows, easing them upright. The force seemed light, yet it perfectly counteracted their bowing momentum. Once they were straight, it vanished instantly, even giving a slight tug to prevent them from overbalancing backward.

Feng Qinglang and Li Mu looked up and saw that although Gu Zhao was young, he was graceful and composed, with a calm and steady demeanor. He was approachable yet majestic—truly possessing the air of a great sect’s leader.

Gu Zhao was indeed only twenty-five years old. But two years ago, he had started from nothing. He had crossed over to this Otherworld as an ordinary person, then fought his way up, recruited followers, established Daluo Palace, expanded its territory, and became the leader of a great sect.

Perhaps in front of Zhuo Qingyan and the Silk Embroideress, he still seemed like the boy next door; in front of Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi, like a gentle boyfriend; and even in front of Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Yi Hong, like a peer or even a junior...

But in the eyes of the many old Daoists who joined later, their reverence for Gu Zhao far outweighed any sense of intimacy—to say nothing of the numerous Inner Sect Disciples, Outer Sect Disciples, and Registered Disciples with weaker Cultivation.

It was the same for Feng Qinglang and Li Mu. Although they had around three hundred years of Dao Practice, Gu Zhao’s was more than ten times greater. A single gesture, a single glance from him, was enough to place immense pressure on them.

"I am but a Mountain State Barbarian. To behold your esteemed presence fills me with awe. I wish to join Daluo Palace and listen to your teachings," Li Mu said respectfully.

Feng Qinglang hesitated. He wanted to say something too but couldn’t come up with such scholarly words. He grew anxious, and sweat began to bead on his temples.

"Martial Uncle Ling Ya told me about you two. Brother Feng, you have a pure heart. Brother Li, you are filled with righteous spirit. You have wandered the world freely without committing evil deeds for selfish desires. You are both models for us cultivators."

Gu Zhao smiled. "It is Daluo Palace’s honor that you both wish to join. Brother Feng, your true form happens to be an azure wolf, and the position of Kuimu Wolf among the twenty-eight Guardian Star Officials is currently vacant. Brother Li, you may serve as a temporary Outer Elder."

Feng Qinglang’s eyes lit up. He shot a grateful glance at Taoist Ling Ya before turning back to bow. "Thank you for this honor, Sect Leader! I, Feng Qinglang, will go through fire and water for you!"

Li Mu had heard about Daluo Palace’s system from Taoist Ling Ya.

Ordinary people could only be Firework Taoists. Martial Arts Experts could become Outer Sect Disciples. Successful cultivators could become Inner Sect Disciples, and those whose Dao Practice crossed the five-hundred-year threshold could be called Elders.

However, ordinary cultivators in this Otherworld didn’t have a Thunder Seed to cheat their way up. Five hundred years of Dao Practice was not a realm just anyone could reach, so most would struggle their entire lives without breaking through.

Therefore, Gu Zhao had created another level above Inner Sect Disciple: those with over three hundred years of Dao Practice were considered Outer Elders.

Li Mu breathed a sigh of relief. ’Strictly speaking, my Dao Practice is right on the borderline. If I only got the status of an Inner Sect Disciple, it would have been a bit humiliating.’

So, Li Mu also gave a grateful nod to Taoist Ling Ya to express his thanks.

Taoist Ling Ya stroked his beard and smiled. ’It’s not like I recommended them recklessly. This demon and this ghost not only have pure hearts, but they are also quite talented. Both have the potential to break through the five-hundred-year Dao Practice threshold.’

’But the Sect Leader was certainly being generous.’

Gu Zhao clapped his hands and said to a few disciples waiting outside, "Prepare a banquet for this evening to welcome Star Official Feng and Elder Li."

"Yes!"