Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds

The three old Daoists from Lao Mountain and the two old Daoists from Zhenwu Mountain were all working tirelessly.

As for the other members, from the middle-aged to the new generation, it went without saying. With their Mental Realms and Dao Practice on solid footing, every one of them possessed an inexhaustible drive.

They not only swept through the Jiangzhou South Five Prefectures, but some also ventured to Jiangbei, while others delved deep into Yongzhou, Yazhou, and Shanzhou. They weren’t just Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits; they were also making friends along the way.

This world wasn’t entirely filled with malevolent Demons and Ghosts. There were also kind-hearted ghosts, demons who were friendly to humans, and even more beings who were neither good nor bad, concerned only with their own cultivation.

These beings were not the targets of Daluo Palace.

And when these beings encountered the old Daoists from Daluo Palace—who possessed knowledge from Blue Star, had cheerful and humorous personalities, were upright and kind, and boasted profound Dao Practice—they were always sincerely won over.

Take Taoist Ling Ya of Feiyun Mountain’s Purple Sun Sect, for example...

"Please!"

"Please!"

Beneath an ancient pine tree on a mountain in Shanzhou, a man, a demon, and a ghost sat peacefully.

On the stone table before them sat a small porcelain bottle. Despite its size, Taoist Ling Ya had already poured out a full pound of wine. Through the liquor, the colorful, star-like patterns within the three ceramic cups shimmered with a brilliant glow.

The three raised their cups and drained them in one gulp.

"After drinking Brother Ling Ya’s Wuliangye, I can hardly stomach the thought of that crude, unfiltered wine I used to drink!" Feng Qinglang smacked his lips.

Feng Qinglang’s true form was that of an ordinary green wolf. When he was just a pup, the Wolf King of his pack was killed. The new Wolf King sought to kill the other cubs, forcing him to flee in a blind panic. He accidentally fell from a cliff into a deep ravine, where he drank from a pool of thousand-year-old stalactite milk. This awakened his spiritual intelligence and set him on the path of cultivation.

"Hahaha, it’s not that bad. The monkey wine Brother Li brought the day before yesterday was quite good," Taoist Ling Ya said with a laugh.

Li Mu, who sat on the other side, chuckled. "The monkey wine tastes good, but it’s not strong enough, and the supply is unreliable. It can’t compare to your Wuliangye and Xinghua Village wine, Brother."

In life, Li Mu had been a scholar from a poor family. To make ends meet, he worked part-time as a scribe for a shop. During a trip that took him across county lines, he was captured by mountain bandits, who tried to force him to become their stronghold’s bookkeeper.

Li Mu refused, and so they killed him.

Fortunately, however, Li Mu was gifted. After death, he transformed into a ghost and immediately annihilated the entire bandit stronghold. He then took up residence there, hidden from the world of the living.

Feng Qinglang’s cave was not far from Li Mu’s stronghold. The two soon met, and after cautiously testing one another, they became friends.

Neither of them felt they had any special talent, nor did they believe they could achieve true longevity. As a result, they lived carefree lives, almost free of desire. Occasionally, they’d hunt some game for a feast or wander down the mountain to see the sights. A century passed in this manner.

A few days ago, the cave of a neighboring Female Ghost—one who lured travelers into her clutches to absorb their vital essence—was suddenly destroyed. The pair went to investigate out of curiosity and saw Taoist Ling Ya manifesting a purple sun, which completely overpowered the Female Ghost, leaving her unable to resist.

The Female Ghost cried for help, and the two instinctively stepped in. She was a neighbor, after all, and had never caused them any trouble. Besides, they were afraid this unfamiliar old man would kill them next.

So, Feng Qinglang and Li Mu joined the fray. It became a three-on-one battle, but Taoist Ling Ya simply used the Golden Light Curse, withstood their combined Attacks, and killed the Female Ghost.

They had seen it clearly. Taoist Ling Ya had held out his hand, and a purple sun materialized in his palm. The violet light wasn’t blinding, but arcs of lightning flickered within it. At the same time, a vast and righteous aura spread out, pressing down on them with such force that they could barely breathe.

This was a Magic technique Taoist Ling Ya had created by releasing his body’s Elixir Qi and fusing it with his Inner Alchemy Thunder Skill. They watched as he gave the orb a gentle toss. The ball of purple light appeared before the Female Ghost, rolled forward, and engulfed her completely.

The two watched, transfixed. Within that sphere of purple light, the Female Ghost resisted for only a few breaths before her entire ghostly form was melted by the Elixir Qi and Thunderbolt within, dissolving into a wisp of smoke that was subsequently obliterated by the glow.

Terrified, the pair turned to flee, only to find Taoist Ling Ya already blocking their path. And then...

...they discovered that Taoist Ling Ya’s previous intimidating majesty had vanished. His entire demeanor shifted to one of gentle elegance as he offered them a slight bow with cupped fists and began to explain.

And so they learned that a new power had risen in Jiangzhou: Daluo Palace. It helped those in peril, aided the weak against the strong, and protected the good while punishing the wicked. It treated ordinary people with more kindness than the Xuanwei Divine Sect or the Spirit Court, yet its methods against Demons and Ghosts were far more ruthless.

But Feng Qinglang and Li Mu had never committed any evil acts. Aside from occasionally hunting a forest deer or a meadow sheep for a feast, they had never harmed another soul. Daluo Palace’s ruthless methods would never be turned on them.

Thus, Taoist Ling Ya became friends with the pair. He spent the next two days staying at Li Mu’s stronghold, discussing the path of cultivation and the principles of moral conduct with them, which earned him their profound admiration.

And so, today, Feng Qinglang had hunted a pheasant, Li Mu had prepared a couple of side dishes, and they had invited Taoist Ling Ya to take the seat of honor. They feasted, discussed the Dao, and humbly sought his guidance.

"This Wuliangye and the Xinghua Village wine are both products of mortal ingenuity," Taoist Ling Ya said with a pleasant laugh.

Feng Qinglang and Li Mu both nodded in agreement.

Li Mu laughed. "Brother Ling Ya, Daluo Palace acts more like an official arm of the Court than the Xuanwei Divine Sect or the Spirit Court. Why don’t you just establish your own kingdom here in Jiangzhou?"

Taoist Ling Ya shook his head. "We can uphold righteousness, ward off evil, and guide people toward goodness. But mortal affairs must be handled by mortals themselves. No one is anyone else’s savior."

In truth, the Great Ning Dynasty’s territory was vast, and its agriculture and industry were reasonably developed. As long as it was managed properly, the lives of ordinary people were not bad, leaving little need for relief from Daluo Palace.

By now, Daluo Palace rarely brought over basic necessities like rice, flour, and oil from the modern world. Instead, they brought plenty of seasonings, liquors, and fruits to serve as perks for its members, a move that was extremely popular.

Feng Qinglang and Li Mu understood, and their respect for Daluo Palace deepened.

Li Mu rubbed his hands together and asked expectantly, "Brother Ling Ya, I heard you mention before that besides Mages, Daluo Palace also recruits beings from the Demon Race and Ghost Gods?"

Taoist Ling Ya raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you interested, Brother Li?"

Li Mu nodded. He had originally been a human scholar, and even after unexpectedly becoming a ghost, he had no wish to harm people, choosing instead to hide in the mountains and befriend a wolf.

But deep down, he still longed for human interaction. Now that he had encountered a faction that aligned with his principles, he couldn’t help but be tempted. At the same time, he was apprehensive. "My Magical Power is rather lacking. Would I even be qualified?"

Taoist Ling Ya laughed heartily. "Brother Li, with over three hundred years of Dao Practice, you’d be considered an expert anywhere you go. Why would the palace refuse you?"

Li Mu’s face lit up with joy. Feng Qinglang couldn’t help but point to himself. "What about me?"

Taoist Ling Ya smiled. "Daluo Palace’s Twenty-Eight Constellation Guardians still has an opening for the Kuimu Wolf. The status and responsibilities are comparable to an Elder. As for whether you can take that seat... well, that will depend on your own abilities, Brother Feng."