The three present were all dumbstruck, completely stunned!
Good heavens!
Was this brat even trying to steal this poor Daoist's catchphrase?
Zhun Ti did not know whether to laugh or cry.
But on second thought, Chen Ku had spoken at exactly the right time.
It saved him the trouble of speaking himself, allowing him to wait here openly and justifiably for the banana tree to mature.
Moreover, even if Laozi was displeased, he could hardly lash out at a junior like Chen Ku.
Laozi, meanwhile, looked deeply vexed.
It was confirmed!
This Chen Ku truly was the personal disciple of Jie Yin and Zhun Ti.
Even a nominal disciple could not have learned such profound essence.
Though he grumbled inwardly, he could not be bothered to argue with Chen Ku. Laozi simply looked at his nose, his nose at his heart, and ignored them outright.
After all, as the foremost of the Three Pure Ones and the chief disciple of the Mystic School—
No matter how shameless Jie Yin and Zhun Ti were, would they really dare drive him away directly?!
For a moment, the atmosphere became rather subtle.
Yet this scene did not last long.
At a certain moment, a sudden change occurred!
Boom!
The banana tree suddenly trembled. Immortal music fluttered through the air, carrying an indescribable mystery.
Then spiritual radiance swayed, auspicious light burst forth, and divine rays cascaded from the heavens.
At once, everyone present brightened.
"It has matured!"
Indeed!
This was the sign of the banana tree reaching maturity.
The three quasi-sages immediately fixed their gazes on the four most miraculous leaves upon the tree.
Earth, water, fire, and wind—four streams of innate astral energy gathered around them, each wrapping around a single leaf.
Boundless divine brilliance emerged, dazzling beyond compare.
One had to know that when Pangu had created heaven and earth, it was by calming earth, water, fire, and wind that the primordial world had truly taken shape and stabilized.
Thus, these four elements could be called the elements of creation itself, the most fundamental forces that formed the primordial world.
One could well imagine just how extraordinary those four banana leaves were.
Watching this, Chen Ku's heart stirred, his thoughts churning.
"The four elements of creation have gathered... does that mean they will become the Four Banana Leaf Fans in the future?"
"The rumors... were indeed true."
Chen Ku recalled even more information.
According to legend, the four leaves borne by the Innate Banana Tree would later become the renowned Four Banana Leaf Fans.
The first was the Plantain Fan that gathered the earth element—the Earth Banana Leaf Fan. Moving mountains and driving peaks would be effortless for it; it could even alter the course of earth veins and create geomantic killing formations.
However, the Earth Banana Leaf Fan existed only in legend. No one knew where it had gone.
The second was the Water Banana Leaf Fan. It could summon wind and rain, stir the waters of the Four Seas, and wield unfathomable power. Its whereabouts were likewise unknown.
The third was the Fire Banana Leaf Fan, capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas, with the power to command fire.
The last was the Wind Banana Leaf Fan. With a single wave, it could send someone flying one hundred and eight thousand li away; none but great cultivators could withstand it.
Legend had it that this Wind Banana Leaf Fan would fall into Old Ancestor Ming He's hands, after which he would give it to Princess Iron Fan.
During the later Journey to the West Tribulation, it would display immense might and be celebrated by all beings for countless ages.
The Four Banana Leaf Fans each carried a different aura, yet all were suffused with vast spiritual radiance that gripped the soul.
At this thought, Chen Ku's heart skipped a beat.
That was right!
Since Old Ancestor Ming He was destined to receive one of the Four Banana Leaf Fans—
Why had he not appeared yet?!
One had to know that Old Ancestor Ming He had emerged from and cultivated within the boundless Sea of Blood. He was one of the foremost great powers of the current age.
The Blood God Doppelgangers divine art he had created was even more unfathomable and bizarre beyond measure.
The saying, "So long as the Sea of Blood does not run dry, Ming He shall not die," was enough to reveal his power.
Could it be that Old Ancestor Ming He had yet to sense this opportunity?!
That would be perfect!
It would avoid a battle over the treasure.
The more carefully Chen Ku examined them, the brighter his eyes became.
"What a pity..."
"How wonderful would it be if I could obtain all Four Banana Leaf Fans?"
Chen Ku thought to himself.
After all, who would ever think they had too many spiritual treasures?!
Perhaps because his "greed" was too obvious—
Laozi shot Chen Ku a glance that carried a subtle warning.
This western trio might do anything once they saw such a great opportunity.
Thus, Laozi's gaze sharpened, and he took the lead in speaking.
"This Fire Banana Leaf Fan is fated with me!"
As soon as he spoke, Laozi waved his hand. Laws and order intertwined as he plucked it from the tree and stored it away.
Seeing this, though Chen Ku revealed a reluctant expression, he naturally said nothing.
Jie Yin and Zhun Ti also watched in silence.
Although they usually took other cultivators' opportunities whenever they could—
Laozi's opportunity was clearly not something they could seize!
Not to mention that Laozi was faintly stronger even than Jie Yin and Zhun Ti.
More importantly, he had two brothers who were equally powerful: Yuanshi and Tongtian.
Making enemies of the Three Pure Ones over this was clearly not worth it.
Having done all this, Laozi did not hesitate in the slightest.
"My opportunity is already in hand!"
"Junior Brothers, farewell."
After leaving behind those words calmly, Laozi turned and departed, vanishing into the high heavens in the blink of an eye.
This made Jie Yin, Zhun Ti, and the others secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
Had Laozi still coveted the other Banana Leaf Fans, things would truly have been troublesome.
Chen Ku also nodded inwardly.
Laozi cultivated the path of "acting through non-action." He followed the decrees of fate in all things and never forced anything.
Since fate had decreed that he had only one opportunity with the Fire Banana Leaf Fan, taking it and leaving suited his nature.
Of course, in Chen Ku's eyes, this could only be described as "rigid."
Such an opportunity was free for the taking!
"Hehe, Senior Brother Grand Supreme has already departed."
"Perfect. Of the remaining three Banana Leaf Fans, each of us master and disciples may take one."
Jie Yin said this with a smile.
Zhun Ti and Chen Ku both nodded, smiling as well.
However, just as Jie Yin and Zhun Ti prepared to act and pluck the remaining Three Banana Leaf Fans—
A sudden change occurred!
Whoosh!
A violent tearing sound rang through the air.
Immediately afterward, a scarlet blood-red gleam abruptly appeared in the void, swift beyond measure and impossible to track.
Within that bloody light, a figure shot forward at terrifying speed.
At the same time, an arrogant voice rang out.
"Ha ha... splendid, splendid!"
"The Innate Plantain Fan is one of the treasures fated with me."
The words sounded sinister and eerie.
They also confirmed that the figure had indeed come for the Innate Plantain Fan here.
Everything had happened without warning.
Hearing the words and seeing the sight before him, Chen Ku was initially startled.
But then understanding dawned upon him, and he realized something.
It seemed Old Ancestor Ming He had arrived!
Sure enough!
Jie Yin and Zhun Ti also saw the scene clearly. Their expressions shifted as they murmured:
"Old Ancestor Ming He?!"
As they uttered the quiet exclamation, Jie Yin and Zhun Ti's expressions suddenly darkened.
Before you continue