One day in heaven.

One year on earth.

In the blink of an eye, Lu Qingfeng has been in office for over three months.

In the mortal realm.

That would be a hundred years.

On this day.

The former "Mountain-Shifting, Sea-Turning Iron Armor General" of the house of General Capturing God, now "Water Boundary Overseer, Disaster Sand Officer" of the Tianpeng Water Mansion, Iron Feather Daoist, found some leisure to leave the heavenly river and come to the Dragon Mountain Range.

This Dragon Mountain is located in the Eastern Realm of the Nan Zhanbu Continent.

It is said that, in ancient times, a dragon fell here and transformed into the sprawling mountain range.

Hence its name.

The Dragon Mountain rises and falls, with countless peaks and valleys, streams and rivers, where mortal nations thrive, revering the Dao and Buddhist teachings.

It is also a nest of demons. Within deep mountains, great demons and old demons hide, and many dwellers there cook hair and drink blood, known as mountain barbarians, who worship demons.

In this one place.

It is said to contain eight hundred small countries, three thousand mountain barbarians, ten thousand mountain peaks.

Immortals, demons, and Buddhist figures converge, intertwined and complex.

From above the Nine Heavens, directly descending from the Capturing God General Mansion, lands the Dragon Mountain.

When Lu Qingfeng was in charge of the Capturing God General Mansion, the recruitment site was established in the southeastern area of this Dragon Mountain territory, on Smoke Cloud Peak. As he stepped down from the position of Capturing God General, and took charge of Tianhe, this recruitment site was dismantled, leaving only a few True Immortals to guard.

It is considered Lu Qingfeng's private land.

No longer associated with the Capturing God General Mansion.

This place has interwoven mountains and waters, but few cultivators excel in water techniques, making it not an ideal recruitment location. Coincidentally, Lu Qingfeng wanted to establish a Dao lineage in the Earth Immortal World, so he took over this area, erected the banner of "Guangyuan Immortal Sect," to accommodate ascended disciples from Five Directions Realm, Nanhua Realm, Black Star Realm, and in the future Barbarian God Realm, Guangyuan Realm.

Meanwhile, the sect widely opened its doors to accept disciples.

In no time.

It also had a bustling atmosphere.

Iron Feather Daoist descended to the mortal world, came to the Dragon Mountain territory, but did not go to Smoke Cloud Peak. Instead, he traveled seventy thousand miles north of Smoke Cloud Peak, to a beautiful place with mountain scenery and pleasant feng shui.

He stopped at the foot of the mountain.

A young boy was waiting outside, upon seeing Iron Feather Daoist, his face lit up with joy, he hurried forward and said, "Greetings, Iron Feather Master Uncle."

Iron Feather Daoist recognized the boy, who was a Spirit Grass turned young boy from the mountain, and asked, "Is your master in the mountain?"

"Yes, yes indeed."

"Iron Feather Master Uncle sent a message a hundred years ago. Master has been waiting in the mountain ever since he returned."

The boy replied.

Then he led Iron Feather Daoist up the mountain.

At the mountainside, there was a cave mansion.

"Daoist Brother."

As Iron Feather Daoist and the boy arrived at the cave mansion, a Daoist cloaked in black, with a hat covering half of his face, exuding a sinister gloom, emerged from within and greeted Iron Feather Daoist.

"Master."

The boy hurriedly paid respects.

Iron Feather Daoist looked at this Daoist, sniffed the air slightly, caught a whiff of decay, and frowned a little: "Is the injury on my junior brother flaring up again?"

This unnamed Daoist often carried a scent of decay and foulness, thus he self-identified as "Fu Daoist."

The Fu Daoist, having once clashed with disciples from the Eternal Youth Sect, was afflicted with the "Five Decays Technique," which penetrated deep into the Primordial Spirit, making it difficult to eradicate. Even after cultivating to Earth Immortal, he couldn't eliminate it, and it became more serious. The "Five Decays Technique" often flares up; when dormant, the decay can be concealed.

But once triggered, it becomes hard to hide.

When the Five Decays flare, it might cause dirty clothing, withered hair, sweaty armpits, a foul-smelling body, or unhappiness.

With each cycle, the symptoms intensify.

Fu Daoist was able to endure these episodes only by cultivating to Earth Immortal. But if it doesn't get eradicated, in tens or hundreds of cycles, even Earth Immortal Dao abilities might not withstand it.

Ultimately, there would be no escape from death.

The Eternal Youth Sect.

The Five Decays Technique.

Its viciousness is notorious throughout Dragon Mountain territory. Iron Feather Daoist sniffed the air and knew the Fu Daoist's injuries were flaring up again.

"I am used to it."

"It doesn't matter."

The Daoist spoke, his voice low, sounding weak.

He led Iron Feather Daoist into the cave mansion.

The two sat down.

Iron Feather Daoist spoke first: "Junior brother's injuries can't wait any longer. I have come down from the realm this time to take you to the Eternal Youth Sect and have 'Shangchun Daoist' remove the 'Five Decays Technique' from you."

"Daoist Brother, I appreciate your concern."

"However, Shangchun Daoist early pledged allegiance to the Thunder Department Four Bright Gongbin Yuanjun, and is difficult to provoke. This injury of mine looks serious, but is actually nothing. Daoist Brother need not worry so much."

The Fu Daoist smiled.

He knew Iron Feather Daoist's pure intentions.

The two have been acquainted since the Red Smoke Realm; their relationship was ordinary back then.

But he had no sect bindings, so after cultivating to True Immortal, he soon ascended to the Earth Immortal World, without going through the great calamity of the Red Smoke Realm.

Unexpectedly.

Over ten thousand years ago, he encountered Iron Feather Daoist, an old friend from the past. Back then, when they met, both were in True Immortal Realm, just passing acquaintances.

When meeting again in the Earth Immortal World, both had ascended to Earth Immortal.

Attaining longevity.

Old acquaintances and disciples mostly have passed.

Thus.

Their reunion in the Earth Immortal World seemed especially precious, fostering intimacy.

Over the years.

Iron Feather Daoist, serving as a general in the Capturing God General Mansion, whenever encountering challenging figures, often sought the Fu Daoist's assistance.

The Fu Daoist answered every call.

Helping many times.

He is even considered an unofficial general in the Capturing God General Mansion.

Iron Feather Daoist wasn't one to simply seek favors.

He commands many troops, often traveling, and keeps an eye out for various Spiritual Medicines that purify the Primordial Spirit and replenish vitality, assisting the Fu Daoist in recovering from his injuries.

With time passing.

Their friendship naturally deepened.

Iron Feather Daoist even considered recommending Fu Daoist for a general position at the Capturing God General Mansion.

Unfortunately.

The Capturing God General Mansion has five major generals, each holding his position, making it difficult to find a suitable position for Fu Daoist. An Earth Immortal taking on a first-grade heavenly general position may not be ideal.

Plus.

Soon after.

The Capturing God General disappeared.

This thought was suppressed by Iron Feather Daoist. Even the idea of asking the Capturing God General to intercede with the Eternal Youth Sect was abandoned after hitting a wall himself.

Then afterwards.

The Eternal Youth Sect connected with the path of Four Bright Gongbin Yuanjun, leaping to become a God General in the Primordial Monarch Mansion, a status not below that of the Capturing God General.

Iron Feather Daoist, merely a senior general, could not possibly influence.

The road with the Eternal Youth Sect was completely blocked.

Until today—

"Almost forgot."

Iron Feather Daoist, seeing Fu Daoist's hesitation, slapped his forehead and remembered.

When the marshal dispatched the Zi Day Straight Talisman Envoy to the house of General Capturing God to bring them to Tianhe, he left in a hurry and was not fully aware of the situation, so he only sent a subordinate down to inform Fu Daoist to not go out yet and wait in the mountain.

However.

He did not expect that upon reaching Tianhe, he would be promoted by the former Capturing God General, who had ascended to 'Tianpeng True Monarch', and appointed as the 'Upper Officer of Water Boundary Misfortune and Sand' in the Tianpeng Water Mansion.

His status suddenly rose, equal to the eleven Divine Generals in the Heavenly Observation Marshal Mansion.

The God General position that Shanchun Daoist of the Eternal Youth Sect had sought for tens of thousands of years.

Iron Feather Daoist had not long been promoted to Earth Immortal.

Due to Shangguan's rise, he easily achieved this.

And comparatively, his position as 'Upper Officer of Water Boundary Misfortune and Sand' in the Tianpeng Water Mansion, although of the same rank, was of a significantly higher status and background than that of the Capturing God General or the Primordial Monarch God General.

Suddenly becoming an upper officer.

As his marshal was newly in charge of the Water Mansion, entangled with numerous trivial matters, Iron Feather Daoist dared not slack off, lest he disappoint the marshal's favor. Diligently and tirelessly, he labored for over three months, finally clearing his thoughts and getting half a day's leisure.

Thinking of Fu Daoist.

The first time he descended to the mortal world.

"How foolish!"

"How foolish!"

Thinking of this, pondering his promotion, Iron Feather Daoist laughed aloud, saying to the bewildered Fu Daoist: "I forgot to tell you, junior brother, I am now serving in the Tianpeng Water Mansion in Tianhe, as the 'Upper Officer of Water Boundary Misfortune and Sand'."

The few old friends left in the Red Smoke Realm were all juniors in the sect.

Peers, old friends.

Also Earth Immortals.

There was only one, Fu Daoist.

Iron Feather Daoist, upon arriving, mentioned this in front of Fu Daoist, his heart filled with boundless joy, as if returning home in splendid attire. The joy of his rapid promotion, which he hadn't had time to savor due to three months of busy toil, now surged forth like a rich, ambrosial wine.

This is human nature.

Even Immortals cannot avoid it.

"Tianhe?"

"Tianpeng Water Mansion?"

Fu Daoist, upon hearing this, was astonished, never expecting Iron Feather Daoist to 'jump' from the house of General Capturing God to the legendary North Pole Exorcism Mansion.

"Indeed!"

"Indeed!"

Seeing this, Iron Feather Daoist laughed, explaining the inside story to Fu Daoist.

After finishing.

"So that's it!"

Fu Daoist suddenly realized, his eyes filled with joy and envy, saying: "Congratulations, Daoist Brother. Daoist Brother was an old subordinate under the marshal's command, now that the marshal has risen high, you are sure to be relied upon greatly. This 'Upper Officer of Water Boundary Misfortune and Sand' is probably just a transition, sooner or later you will rise even higher!"

He had a deep friendship with Iron Feather Daoist.

Truly happy for him.

But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

Both hailing from the Red Smoke Realm, Iron Feather Daoist had the help of Capturing God General, ascended to Earth Immortal with little danger, and secured a senior general position in the General Mansion, with favorable benefits, power, and status.

This time, becoming even more prosperous.

The future boundless.

In contrast, in his early years, his mentor was killed by the Demon King, forcing him to flee in panic with his elder brother. The hardships of the escape were unspeakable; after settling down through countless trials, during an adventure he fell into a perilous place, trapped for hundreds of years.

Finally, he managed to form his core.

Returning with great joy.

Only to find the elder brother who had once led him to safety had already passed away from old age. All his joy turned into water, his heart filled with regret.

In the years after.

Alone, cultivating in solitude.

Fortunately.

He achieved True Immortal, ascended to the Earth Immortal World.

During which he faced countless dangers, even being cursed by the True Immortal of the Eternal Youth Sect with the 'Five Decays Technique', suffering endlessly, living as neither truly human nor ghost.

All these experiences.

How difficult?

Seeing Iron Feather Daoist's spirited demeanor, Fu Daoist was sincerely happy, yet inevitably felt a tinge of bitterness.

Iron Feather Daoist also noticed, so he restrained his laughter, solemnly saying: "Previously, due to the absence of a suitable position in the house of General Capturing God, and the general's long disappearance, it allowed you to idle away in this Dragon Mountain Earth Realm. But now, with the marshal newly taking over Tianhe, it's a time of needing talents. After we visit the Eternal Youth Sect, you can return to Tianhe with me, and I shall introduce you to the marshal. Even if it's not possible to secure a God General position, a position no less than my former 'Ironclad General overturning mountains and seas' isn't difficult. With some achievements later, there will be no worry about a God General position."

Iron Feather Daoist was determined.

This was no idle boast.

As an officer in Tianhe, and a trusted aide to the marshal, he knew the situation of the Tianhe Water Army and Tianpeng Water Mansion well. Plus, as a former subordinate of the marshal himself, he dared to make this promise to Fu Daoist.

However.

Meeting the marshal, he must not be discourteous.

The 'Five Decays Technique' on Fu Daoist must be addressed swiftly.

Iron Feather Daoist, having a half-day of leisure, in the human world, amounts to three or five months. He must resolve this matter in that time.

"Thank you, Daoist Brother!"

Upon hearing this, Fu Daoist's bitterness vanished, replaced by great joy.

He did not covet the God General position; serving as a general in Tianhe was not highly esteemed, but if he could indeed remove this 'Five Decays Technique', it would fill him with overwhelming joy.

Thinking of Iron Feather Daoist's current status.

Thinking of Iron Feather Daoist's current backing.

Fu Daoist didn't futilely decline, agreeing with heartfelt gratitude and expectation, noting the favor in his heart.

At this moment.

The two didn't exchange many words, heading straight to the Eternal Youth Sect of Canglan Mountain.

...