Chapter 16

The Soul Scattering Gourd spewed Crimson Sand Mist, and Hongyun seized the chance to turn into a streak of light and flee. But the Netherworld Sea of Blood was Ming He's natal Dao field; every drop of blood was like an extension of his limbs, and countless scarlet pupils surfaced amid the blood-colored waves.

Even with the Golden Immortal Escape Technique raised, several blood arrows still pierced through his shoulder blades. Hongyun's front robes were stained with blood. Suddenly, he felt the space around him twist, and his entire body vanished from amid the blood waves without the slightest warning.

At the summit of Shouyang Mountain, Nuwa abruptly opened her eyes. Her slender jade fingers calculated the secrets of heaven, and her gaze suddenly turned toward the Land of Ultimate Bliss in the West.

"Eldest Sister?" Lin Fan, who was weaving a grass wreath, lifted his head in confusion, a few bits of broken leaves still clinging to his hair.

Nuwa could not help laughing. She crooked a finger and flicked away the grass scraps by the Youth's temple. "Wait here." As her fair hand cut open the void, the seven-colored radiance of the Patching Heaven Stone flickered faintly from within her sleeve.

At the foot of Mount Sumeru, Hongmeng Purple Qi flickered and flowed in Jieyin's palm. Zhunti was just about to speak when he suddenly heard the clear chime of jade pendants from the Ninth Heaven. He looked up to see a white-robed fairy arriving on clouds, the draped silk embroidered with the River and Mountain Spell Painting moving by itself though there was no wind.

"Senior Sister's words are too serious." Jieyin's treasure-like visage was solemn, yet his fingertips quietly gathered the purple qi. "Daoist Friend Hongyun has met with calamity. The two of us were just about to..."

Nuwa curved her lips in a smile that was not quite a smile, her gaze falling on the Primordial Spiritual Light leaking from Jieyin's sleeve. "So this is the compassionate heart with which you two ferry others?"

The

An icy question came from the clouds. "Why did you conceal the secrets of heaven?"

With a light sweep of her plain white sleeve, frost filled Nuwa's eyes. "Had I not appeared, Daoist Friend Hongyun would have long since fallen to a hidden plot."

Jieyin and Zhunti looked at each other and smiled. How could ones of Venerable Saint status personally stain themselves with the karma of killing? Borrowing another's knife to ** was the superior plan. Yet this fine abacus of theirs had been exposed by a single sentence from Nuwa.

Hongyun stood frozen on the spot. So that seemingly compassionate helping hand had actually been a life-hastening curse. What had come in exchange for the grace of yielding his seat was a treasure-seizing murder plot calculated with the utmost malice.

"Well, isn't that a clean settlement of cause and effect!" Hongyun laughed from sheer fury. "The ** in Zixiao Palace was yielded, and what it yielded were two man-eating venomous snakes."

The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree unfolded in the sky, and Zhunti's smile turned sinister. "Senior Sister, are you truly going to stand up for an outsider?"

Rosy light surged from the Red Embroidered Ball within Nuwa's sleeve. "You want to discuss the affection of fellow disciples with me? First ask whether the Red Embroidered Ball agrees!"

Behind Jieyin, the Twelve-petal Golden Lotus suddenly released brilliant light, and the entire void was instantly wreathed in Buddhist chants. Nuwa lightly tapped with a slender finger, and the River and Mountain Spell Painting swept up ten thousand li of misty clouds.

"A battle between saints—everyone had best watch carefully." A light laugh came from the clouds; it was Tongtian arriving with a sword on his back.

Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions changed abruptly, and they hurriedly circulated their power to resist.

Nuwa had no intention of tangling with them.

As her hands formed seals, the Yin Yang Law erupted, and resplendent divine light poured down like a galaxy.

A thunderous boom rang out, and the two Saints were instantly blasted a thousand zhang away.

Their golden bodies cracked, and saintly blood spilled through the void.

"Paltry fireflies dare vie with the bright moon?"

Nuwa stood with her hands behind her back, her skirt hems flying.

Jieyin and Zhunti looked at each other in horror, their eyes full of disbelief. Two Heavenly Dao Saints joining hands had actually been unable to withstand a single blow!

Ever since she founded the Human Teachings, Nuwa's Dao cultivation had long since transcended common sense.

She had stepped into an entirely new and profound realm.

With a light beckon of her fair hand, the Hongmeng Purple Qi turned into a streak of light and fell into her palm.

Nuwa then turned and gazed at Hongyun.

"Do you still want to keep this thing?"

Having survived calamity, Hongyun's thoughts surged.

Only after experiencing life and death did he understand that this wisp of purple qi was truly a life-hastening talisman.

A man who carried jade for no reason would naturally invite disaster.

The mighty beings of all the heavens were watching like tigers eyeing prey.

If he did not give it up, he would never escape the ill fortune of ** for all eternity.

Rather than that, offering it to a Saint in exchange for protection was the wiser choice.

Thinking of this, Hongyun bowed respectfully.

"I humbly ask Empress to accept this item, in repayment for the grace of giving me a second life."

Nuwa nodded slightly and carried his Primordial Spirit away on the clouds.

Jieyin and Zhunti stood there in a daze, furious yet not daring to speak.

A thousand schemes had all come to nothing.

Not only had they lost a supreme treasure, they had also allowed Hongyun to escape alive.

The cause and effect of their past sanctification had not yet dispersed, remaining like a fishbone lodged in the throat.

Such an outcome would likely damage the West's fortune.

Deep within Zixiao Palace.

The Dao Ancestor suddenly opened his eyes, his brows dark with clouded gloom.

Nuwa had interfered and saved him, actually throwing the secrets of heaven into chaos once more?

Hongyun, who should have died at the hands of Taiyi and Di Jun, had now broken free of the trap. Even the hidden layout of the Two Sages of the West had been broken.

Where had Nuwa learned of it?

It was truly strange.

Where exactly had something gone wrong?

Suspicion rose in Hongjun's heart, and he began to circulate his art of deduction.

Yet, just as usual, he found no clue at all.

The River of Time was calm and waveless; Nuwa seemed to have known of this matter from the start.

After pondering it over and over to no avail, Hongjun had no choice but to let it go.

So long as Nuwa did not interfere in the war between the witches and demons, and did not alter the great trend of the Heavenly Dao, then let her do as she pleased.

At the summit of Shouyang Mountain.

Lin Fan awoke from cultivation.

Another layer of restriction had been refined by him; this restriction contained the laws of space.

From this moment on, by borrowing the power of the Primordial Pearl, he could control the power of space.

Afterward, Lin Fan stepped into the inner world of the Primordial Pearl, took out the newly acquired Immortal Apricot spiritual root, and planted it in a corner of space.

The Glazed Bottle tilted gently, and Three Lights Divine Water spilled down.

Spiritual radiance flowed around the Immortal Apricot, its leaves like green jade, its origin rapidly strengthening.

The Star Fruit Tree noticed her new neighbor and lightly probed with her divine sense, carrying a hint of curiosity.

"Little Master, is this a newly found spiritual root?"

"That's right. From now on, she'll be your younger sister, so you must take good care of her."

Lin Fan brushed over the Star Fruit Tree's branches and leaves, smiling faintly as he spoke.

"Don't worry, Little Master. I'll be sure to look after her thoroughly."

The Star Fruit Tree replied cheerfully.

This Hongmeng world had always been lonely, with only her all by herself.

Now that this spiritual root had been added, she was naturally delighted.

After chatting for a short while, Lin Fan left the Primordial Pearl.

He had just returned to the hall when he heard a cheerful cry:

"Little Lin Fan, Sister is back!"

A graceful figure drifted over.

Lin Fan was secretly puzzled. This time, Sister had returned looking even more joyful than usual. He wondered what exactly the purpose of this trip had been.

Before he could think further, Nuwa had already arrived before him. She bent down and lightly pinched his cheek, her eyes full of smiles.

"Little Lin Fan, guess what gift Sister brought you?"

"I can't guess."

Lin Fan simply shook his head.

"Guess again, come on."

"Just guess once, okay? Consider it Sister begging you."

Nuwa gently shook Lin Fan's arm.

What a little temptress, so good at acting spoiled.

Between the two of us, who's more like a child?

Lin Fan felt rather helpless and ventured:

"Could it be... Hongmeng Purple Qi?"

"How clever. You guessed it right away."

Nuwa felt slightly bored and reached out to take out the Hongmeng Purple Qi.

Lin Fan froze instantly. He had actually guessed right?

He had only said it casually just now.

"Sister, where did you filch this treasure from?"

Lin Fan asked with his eyes wide.

Hearing this, Nuwa snorted in annoyance:

"Hah! You're looking down on Sister too much. Do I need to steal something I want?"

"This was taken from Hongyun."

"I saved him just now, and he took the initiative to give me this purple qi."

Lin Fan was shocked after hearing it.

She had actually obtained it from Hongyun?

He knew very well that Hongyun's matter might involve Hongjun's arrangements.

After four Saints had appeared one after another, the Hongmeng Purple Qi in Hongyun's possession had not only been coveted by the Demon Race and other mighty beings of the primordial world—even Zhunti and Jieyin had long since set their eyes on it. Given those two's way of doing things, they would definitely strike from the shadows, veil the heavenly secrets, and seize the purple qi without a sound.

He had not expected that Sister could still perceive it under those circumstances.

It seemed that when Hongyun passed by Shouyang Mountain last time, Sister had taken everything he had said to heart and had been secretly keeping an eye on Hongyun's movements all along. That was why she could act decisively at the critical moment and seize the purple qi.

Nuwa handed the purple qi to Lin Fan and asked with a smile:

"Sister went out of her way to find this for you. Are you happy?"

"I'm happy."

Lin Fan answered.

It was more than happiness. He was a little moved as well.

Sister had gone to such lengths, even not hesitating to clash with Jieyin and Zhunti to seize the Hongmeng Purple Qi—wasn't it all for his sake?

With such a wonderful Sister, how could he not cherish her?

What did it matter if she drank a little fruit juice usually?

Nuwa leaned her face closer.

Lin Fan immediately understood what she meant and happily gave her a kiss.

A delighted look appeared on Nuwa's face, her happiness overflowing beyond words. "Sister, you dote on me the most," Lin Fan said sincerely.

Nuwa gently stroked Lin Fan's cheek and smiled softly. "Fanfan, you're my little brother. If Sister doesn't dote on you, who would I dote on?"

"You must focus on cultivating. If you need any precious spirit medicines, just tell Sister. I'll definitely think of a way to get them for you."

Lin Fan nodded obediently. "Mm, I'll remember, Sister."

Thinking that Lin Fan had already established a cultivation place here, Nuwa decided not to return to her own residence for the time being and would cultivate here instead.

At times, she could also explain Daoist teachings to the people and guide Lin Fan in his cultivation. However, judging from the looks of it, the latter probably would not happen often.

Inside the quiet room, Lin Fan began sorting through his recent gains.

This time, he had obtained two more precious treasures: the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner and the Twenty-four Sea Calming Pearls. Both were top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasures.

The Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner excelled at defense. Using it to protect oneself allowed one to avoid evil beings, fear no spells, and stand innately in an undefeated position.

The Sea Calming Pearls were mainly used for attack, containing twenty-four small worlds within them. When strung together, they could emit five-colored radiance that confused an enemy's perception, and they could also mobilize the power of the ocean. Their might was terrifying.

Aside from that, he had also obtained a strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi and a precious spiritual root called the Immortal Apricot.

With a thought from Lin Fan, the Hongmeng Purple Qi appeared in his hand, radiating powerful purple Dao rhythm, profoundly mysterious.

Looking at this strand of purple qi, a smile appeared on Lin Fan's little face. If he could completely refine this wisp of purple qi, his origin would become even stronger. By then, he should not be far from the realm of Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

At this moment, Lin Fan remembered that he still had one special opportunity. Now that he happened to have this Immortal Apricot spiritual root, using it to prepare for breaking through to Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal was perfectly suitable.

Thinking of this, Lin Fan directly entered the internal space of the Primordial Pearl and said to the system, "System, help me enlighten the Immortal Apricot."

Ding, enlightening the Immortal Apricot.

As soon as the voice fell, the Immortal Apricot before his eyes suddenly underwent a tremendous transformation, growing from a hundred zhang tall to ten thousand zhang tall in an instant.

Its crown was like a gorgeous canopy, and its emerald-green leaves sparkled with beautiful light like gemstones.

The veins on the leaves were undergoing a wondrous transformation, becoming increasingly intricate and exquisite, as if inscriptions of the Heavenly Dao were appearing.

This kind of miraculous sight was not the slightest bit inferior to the Star Ancient Tree.

Under the feedback of vast Dao rhythm, Lin Fan's cultivation instantly broke through to the perfected Primordial Unity Golden Immortal realm.

Enlightenment complete. The Immortal Apricot has received the favor of the Great Dao of Creation and advanced to a High-Grade Chaos Spiritual Root. Its maturation cycle remains one hundred thousand years.

Host has received a Dao rhythm gift from the Chaos Spiritual Root. Additional reward: Chaos Origin Essence.

In an instant, a cluster of lustrous substance appeared in Lin Fan's sea of consciousness.

It bloomed with dazzling immortal radiance, containing majestic energy within.

With just a brief probe, he knew that this was origin essence nurtured by the chaos world. It could cleanse and refine one's foundation, multiply one's magical power, defy the heavens and change one's fate. It was extraordinarily mysterious.

Such a supreme treasure was precisely an excellent aid for charging into the Grand Unity Realm.

Lin Fan turned to examine the Immortal Apricot tree.

Although it had advanced from a top-grade innate root to a high-grade chaos one, its fruiting cycle had not shortened.

It could be seen that one hundred thousand years was already the limit for a Chaos Spiritual Root to mature.

Even with the system's enlightenment, it was difficult to shake such Rules.

However, the number of fruits had already increased to seven.

Amid the screen of emerald leaves, seven Chaos Immortal Apricots hung thick upon the branches.

Dao patterns were branded into their skins, and Primordial Spiritual Energy surged forth.

Lin Fan breathed in their fragrance, and at once felt saliva flood his mouth.

Their flavor was utterly different from Star Fruit, yet each had its own marvels.

As if sensing his thoughts, the immortal apricot gently shook its branches and leaves, scattering starlight.

A divine sense transmission flowed into his ears:

Hee-hee, little master, are you well~

The voice was crisp and lively.

Little Apricot is well too.

I'm not little! Oh, right, thank you for enlightening me, Master. If you need anything in the future, just call me~

No need to be so formal. Just call me good big brother.

Good big brother?

Just "big brother" is fine. Why add the word "good"?