Xuanyuan Water Realm.

    Feiyun Island.

    Lu Qingfeng sits cross-legged within his cave dwelling, a cyan three-legged tripod in front of him, constantly shifting between illusion and substance. The tripod''s interior and exterior surface occasionally reveals the face of a person who bears a striking resemblance to Lu Qingfeng.

    Time flows by.

    Mana surges continuously, as pieces of Soul Swinging Stone fall into the tripod.

    From within the tripod, a vague human shadow flickers, sticking its head out of the furnace and swallowing a Soul Swinging Stone in a single gulp. The ethereal figure solidifies slightly before merging back into the tripod and vanishing.

    The cycle repeats.

    This process continues.

    Apart from the Soul Swinging Stones, Lu Qingfeng occasionally stops to consume a handful of Spirit Pills that restore and replenish the power of the Divine Soul.

    The energy envelops the cave dwelling, concealed by an array, leaking nothing to the outside.

    Time is lost to the process.

    Lu Qingfeng stops his practice, waves his large sleeves, and the cyan tripod spirals into the air, reducing in size until it tucks into his sleeve, leaving only the size of a palm, and vanishes.

    "Barbarian God Realm."

    After concluding his practice,

    he shifts his thoughts, diluting the memories of over three thousand years in the Barbarian God Realm, sweeping away the weariness from his heart.

    Lu Qingfeng stands up.

    Casting aside all the affairs of the Barbarian God Realm, he exits the cave dwelling and heads for ''Peak Rain Mountain'' on Gathering Immortal Island.

    In the middle of Peak Rain Mountain.

    Lu Qingyu sits there leisurely, holding a scroll in one hand and a wine pot in the other. Flipping through the pages now and then, savoring wine intermittently. The three-story pavilion in front of him is tranquil, with no visitors in sight.

    "What a free-spirited drunkard shopkeeper."

    Lu Qingfeng strides over and, upon seeing this scene, teases aloud.

    "Big brother."

    Lu Qingyu, rarely resting in the Xuanyuan Water Realm and delighted to see his elder brother emerge from seclusion, pays no mind to the jest. He pulls out a pot of wine from his storage bag and hands it to Lu Qingfeng, presenting it like a treasure, "This is some fine wine I acquired a few days ago, called ''Immortal Trip''. One pot sends you down the gut, guaranteeing to transport you to the carefree realm of immortals and gods."

    "Immortal Trip."

    Lu Qingfeng takes it, sits beside Qingyu, and joins her in drinking and chatting.

    Qingyu seldom stays in the Xuanyuan Water Realm, and Lu Qingfeng is frequently in closed-door cultivation, mostly investing his energy in gaming, with little leisure time. Taking the opportunity of the sixteenth life coming to an end and a two-month break, it''s the perfect time to spend more time with Qingyu.

    As for Qing Peak.

    He had long since left, traveling unknown distances north out of the Xuanyuan Realm, venturing alone with his power.

    Leaving only Lu Qingfeng and Lu Qingyu behind.

    The siblings drink and converse over wine, their chat spanning from the skies of Tian Nan to the seas of the south.

    Talking about cultivation.

    Discussing their experiences.

    Debating the strategic situations in Xuanyuan, White Bone, and Heavenly Travel Three Realms.

    Due to the ferocity of ''Changqing Daoist'', the White Bone Realm is scattered like sand. Whenever a Jiedan True Man from the White Bone Demon Sect emerged, Changqing Daoist would appear out of the blue, promptly executing them.

    The White Bone Demon Sect is trapped in a stalemate.

    Things are somewhat better in the Heavenly Travel Realm.

    ''Fiery Fire Wanderer'' paid a visit, obliterating Heavenly Travel Mountain. The Heavenly Travel Realm was initially thrown into chaos for over a decade. Then, with the White Bone Realm and White Bone Demon Sect preoccupied, the Xuanyuan Realm and Xuanyuan Sect wary of provoking ''Fiery Fire Wanderer'', the Heavenly Travel Realm ended up being claimed by the four wanderers once under the command of the Yellow Robed Old Monster of Yellow Robe Mountain.

    The four banded together with myriad Demon Kings, roaring through the forests. With the exception of the Gathering Law Realm True Men holding fort, their sway was not inferior to Heavenly Travel Mountain''s former might.

    They continue to bear the ''Yellow Robe Mountain'' name.

    In fact, surpassing the now rapidly declining White Bone Demon Sect, and the Xuanyuan Sect which has secretly dispatched plenty of disciples and even some long-renowned Jiedan True Men have silently disappeared, they''ve jumped to become the strongest of the Three Realms.

    The shifting landscape is dazzling and confusing.

    Most eye-catching of all remains the ''Fiery Fire Wanderer'' of the Illusion Wave Sea, who with his own strength repelled the Annihilation Divine Sect. Still, the Fiery Fire Wanderer remains in seclusion and hasn''t emerged for over thirty years, though that''s not enough to make the Cultivators of the Three Realms forget such a terrifying existence.

    But the matters of yesteryear have gradually quieted, now only occasionally brought up in conversation.

    To the north, the Annihilation Divine Sect, unsatisfied yet not daring to act rashly again.

    To the south, Feiyan Pavilion dispatched Supreme Elder Zhuge Ziyang to meet with the Fiery Fire Wanderer. The specifics of what was discussed remain unknown, but the Fiery Fire Wanderer did not align with Feiyan Pavilion; from that point on for over thirty years, no ''Mingqing Spirit Water'' has been sold out of Illusion Wave Sea, nor in the Three Realms.

    ...

    Two months of leisure.

    Lu Qingyu also rested for two months in the Xuanyuan Water Realm.

    Then Lu Qingyu departs, and Lu Qingfeng continues his seclusion.

    In reality.

    All is calm.

    With the two months up, Lu Qingfeng once again immerses himself in "Primordial."

    ...

    Qi Country.

    Within the Feng Lin Road Realm.

    Among the mountains, dark clouds hang low.

    A mighty General stands above the clouds, head covered by a helmet, body clad in mysterious black armor, wielding a Golden Stick. Behind him, a solemn group of over a hundred Armored Soldiers follow in silence, pressing down upon a youth dressed in hempen clothes and sandals. He appears to be only sixteen or seventeen, flanked by two Armored Soldiers gripping his shoulders, feet resting on an auspicious cloud, heading to an unknown destination.

    Though young, the youth shows no panic in such a display.

    His eyes dart around in all directions, falling on the soldiers before and behind him, especially on the leading General. His eyes are clear, revealing curiosity.

    He is the image of an inexperienced, unflinching Human Clan youth.

    The leading General, sensing the youth''s gaze upon him, turns his head to reveal a face as blue as indigo, hair like cinnabar, a mouth full of sharp teeth, truly frightening.

    The youth is unafraid.

    His eyes meet the General''s.

    "Ha ha."

    "What gall!"

    The General grins from ear to ear, his sharp teeth looking all the more sinister. Any commoner would have been overcome with fear; the youth, however, responds with an equally bright smile.

    The General stretches out his hand, and the youth involuntarily falls beside the General.

    "You, lad, possess profound fate, might well catch the Dragon Lord''s eye. Then I, the General, would be ''close to water''... close to what''s it called?!"

    The blue-faced General turns, looking at the hundred-plus Armored Soldiers behind him.

    The armored soldiers looked at each other with puzzled faces.

    None had an answer.

    "Proximity to the water pavilion allows one the first reflection of the moon," Lu Qingfeng said with a smile, his youthful voice clear and crisp.

    "That''s right, that''s right!"

    "It''s exactly ''Proximity to the water pavilion allows one the first reflection of the moon''!"

    The General slapped his forehead, laughing with delight, and said to Lu Qingfeng with a toothy grin, "When you strike it rich, lad, remember to look out for this general."

    "May I ask for the General''s name?"

    Lu Qingfeng played along, seizing the opportunity to continue the conversation.

    "Name?"

    The General was startled for a moment, then burst into laughter, turning to the soldiers behind him and bellowed, "This little fellow really does plan to take care of me in the future."

    "Ha ha!"

    Over a hundred armored soldiers joined in the laughter.

    Their General, highly regarded by the Dragon Lord, was a notable figure throughout Qi Country. The young boy, fearless and naive, readily pledged his word.

    Amidst the uproarious laughter,

    The General didn''t make it hard for Lu Qingfeng, his booming voice sending a buzzing through Lu Qingfeng''s head, "Listen well, lad! I am General Lan Feihu, under the command of the Min River Dragon Lord." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "So, you''re General Lan."

    As Lu Qingfeng responded, he mentally noted down details such as "Qi Country" and "Min River Dragon Lord."

    "General Lan?"

    Lan Feihu shook his head, "That''s unpleasant sounding. I''m known as ''Flying Tiger General.'' You shall address me as such from now on."

    This Lan Feihu was indeed a simple soul.

    Or rather.

    There was no need for him to be cunning with Lu Qingfeng, a sixteen-year-old youth.

    "Guang Yuan pays respects to Flying Tiger General."

    Lu Qingfeng smiled inwardly and quickly corrected himself.

    Evidently, Lan Feihu was really enjoying the conversation, talking non-stop to such a young man, and his hearty laughter could be heard through the dark clouds above.

    They bypassed Feng Lin Road and rushed straight towards the Min River.

    While dealing with Lan Feihu, Lu Qingfeng checked his system notification—

    [Realm Name: Immortal Qin Realm]

    [Introduction: In ancient times, a cultivator named Qin Zhen established the Immortal Qin Empire with peerless talent, contending against the Immortal Sect, the Demon Sect, the Dragon Palace, and the Demon Clan. He created systems of ''Sexual Cultivation'' and ''Life Cultivation'' beyond the paths of immortals and gods, formed the mighty Immortal Qin Army, vanquished countless enemies, and dominated the entire Immortal Qin Realm. However, the Immortal Qin was tyrannical and ruthless. As Emperor Qin Zhen ascended to the Immortal Realm, the paths of immortals and gods retaliated, leading to the collapse of the Immortal Qin. Emperor Qin Zhen, as a precaution, banished the Immortal Qin Realm into the Void, severing ties with the Immortal Realm...]

    ...

    "Immortal Qin Realm."

    After reading the system''s introduction and understanding a bit about this seventeenth world he had descended into, Lu Qingfeng reflected quietly.

    According to the system.

    The Immortal Qin Realm had once shone with extreme brilliance. The Immortal Qin Empire commanded the entirety of the realm, dominating its nine continents. Beyond the paths of immortals and gods, it had developed the systems of ''Sexual Cultivation'' and ''Life Cultivation.''

    While the system did not elaborate, to be spotlighted in the ''Introduction'' and categorized alongside the immortal and godly paths, these two cultivation systems were undoubtedly exceptional.

    Upon closer inspection,

    Lu Qingfeng gained a deeper understanding of the Immortal Qin Realm—

    "The Immortal Qin Realm, since Emperor Qin Zhen established the ''Immortal Qin Empire,'' transitioned from the ancient era to the ''Immortal Qin Era.'' After Emperor Qin Zhen''s ascension, the Immortal Qin Empire collapsed, the Immortal Qin Realm was banished, plunging into darkness and chaos, known as the ''Post Immortal Qin Era.''"

    "The Post Immortal Qin Era includes the short-lived and less influential ''Immortal Han Empire Era'' and the ''Dark Age'' of chaos and wars among the immortals, gods, demons, and fiends following the fall of the Immortal Han Empire."

    "After the darkness, came the ''Heavenly Court Era'' with the Immortal Sect, Demon Clan, and Demon Sect establishing the Heavenly Court, jointly governing the nine continents."

    A general introduction.

    Lu Qingfeng thus had a rough grasp of the Immortal Qin Realm. However, specifics about the ''Heavenly Court Era'' were scarce.

    He only knew that

    given the Immortal Qin Realm had been cut off from the Immortal Realm and cast into the unknown, this so-called ''Heavenly Court'' was certainly not the central Heaven located above the Earth Immortal World in the Primordial Great Heaven and Earth, where it reigns over the Thirty-three Days.

    "Heavenly Court."

    Wagering some guesses in his mind but lacking sufficient information to confirm anything, Lu Qingfeng momentarily set aside these thoughts.

    Beside him, Lan Feihu chatted ceaselessly, his fangs spreading his wide mouth, spraying saliva. He boasted of his own achievements and how esteemed he was by the Min River Dragon Lord, leaving no opportunity for Lu Qingfeng to interject.

    "Min River Dragon Lord."

    Amused by the situation, Lu Qingfeng pondered and recalled the recent events—

    It was today.

    Just an hour earlier.

    Lu Qingfeng emerged from the Rebirth Pool, embarking on his seventeenth life. However, before he could peruse the realm''s information through the system notification, two armored warriors descended from the skies and snatched him up.

    It was Lan Feihu and his company.

    Lu Qingfeng was once again starting from scratch but only had 30,000 Experience Value, barely enough to advance to the Sixth or Seventh Level of the True Qi Realm. Not to mention Lan Feihu, Lu Qingfeng couldn''t hope to break free from even the weakest soldier.

    So he decided not to use it for the time being.

    "These armored soldiers and Lan Feihu hail from that Min River Dragon Lord. They captured me to present me for the Dragon Lord''s selection."

    "It seems there is no ill intent."

    Sensing no ill will,

    Lu Qingfeng did not resist, allowing the armored soldiers to take him towards the Min River, "I am interested to see what the Min River Dragon Lord is up to."

    He had faced great tempests and little scenes like these certainly didn''t count for much.

    Along the way,

    He took in the scenery, familiarizing himself with the surroundings.

    Then, catching Lan Feihu''s attention, he conversed with the Flying Tiger General, gathering many additional precise details.

    From the system, he learned the generalities of the Immortal Qin Realm.

    From Lan Feihu, he understood various specifics.

    As they traveled on clouds,

    After about three or four hours, the sound of roaring river water reached his ears.

    Looking ahead, Lu Qingfeng saw a vast river akin to the Milky Way, as broad as the ocean, powerful and majestic—surpassing the Azure Dragon River in the Black Star Realm''s Two Pole Star and the Chengyang River among the Three Mountains and Nine Waters—

    "We''ve arrived at the Min River."