Yangmei Emerges from Chaos

Countless people wandered like headless flies in the chaos, searching for the so-called Purple Cloud Palace.

Though the guidance spoke of opportunity within, once they entered the chaos, all were equally blind, unable to find the path.

Nuwa also crashed about at random, a trace of irritation rising within her.

Staying in this chaos was uncomfortable to begin with, and now she had to search for the Purple Cloud Palace inside it.

Thinking of that so-called three-thousand-year journey, Nuwa seemed to understand why.

So the millennia were spent finding the place, and only then would the lectures begin, right?

Yet a phrase came to mind: the Dao is not lightly transmitted.

This search for the Purple Cloud Palace in the chaos was likely Hongjun's doing.

His purpose was to weed out those with weak resolve.

While the masses sought the Purple Cloud Palace, Hongjun, having opened it, headed into the chaos.

He sensed that there was something he needed to do within it.

"This time, proving the Dao and stealing some authority from the Heavenly Dao—it was a gamble for gain, but worth it!"

Though Hongjun said this, whenever he recalled that white light hurtling toward him, his Primordial Spirit and true spirit both trembled, and that deathly intent was etched into his bones.

If such a thing happened again?

Just thinking about it made Hongjun shiver uncontrollably.

Wandering through the chaos, his divine sense seemed to have a goal.

"There is karma of mine in this chaos. What kind of karma could it be?"

In an instant, space began to warp, and a ripple Appeared Out of Thin Air.

Hongjun stopped in his tracks.

Looking at the spatial fluctuation before him, it felt somewhat familiar.

Such a thing—one of his old friends could do it, but if that were truly the case, the matter would not be easy to resolve.

"Which fellow Daoist is here? Please show yourself!"

As the words left his mouth, a figure stepped out from the space.

Seeing Hongjun before him, the Daoist was momentarily stunned, then understood the karma involved.

"Hongjun, old friend, you look well!"

Hongjun sighed with some helplessness upon hearing this. So it really was someone he knew.

"Yangmei, old friend, I didn't expect you to survive."

Yangmei flicked his sleeves, then stood there, his aura thick and profound—even Hongjun had to regard him with new eyes.

"Fellow Daoist, have you proven Primordial Unity?"

Yangmei nodded, a faint smile on his face.

"I was merely a bit luckier, fellow Daoist. Have you come to settle the karma between us?"

Hongjun nodded, a trace of bitterness at the corner of his mouth.

He had thought himself the first Sage.

And in a sense, that was true—he was indeed the first Sage, but that didn't mean he was the first Primordial Unity Grand Unity.

Cheng Yue before him—he couldn't gauge him, but he was definitely far stronger than Hongjun now.

And now another had appeared, Yangmei, who had achieved it even earlier.

Moreover, Yangmei had clearly used the method of Prove the Dao by Force.

Such great perseverance stirred a hint of envy in Hongjun's heart.

He had schemed through the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, schemed through the Dao-Demon Conflict.

And now, only by relying on the Heavenly Dao could he reach the realm of Primordial Unity Grand Unity.

Why should so many others reach this realm merely by Prove the Dao by Force?

"Fellow Daoist, fight me once, and this karma between us will be cleared. How about it?"

Hongjun nodded upon hearing this, then looked at Yangmei before him.

He unleashed his aura, bringing out one spiritual treasure after another.

As for Yangmei, he merely held a willow branch in his hand.

Yangmei couldn't help but speak again.

"Fellow Daoist is quite wealthy, with so many spiritual treasures. I imagine the Universe Cauldron of fellow Daoist Universe is also in your hands."

Hearing this, Hongjun's heart jolted. His scheming against those few back then was partly for the merit of the Dao-Demon conflict, but also for the greed of the spiritual treasures in their hands.

After all, the spiritual treasures held by Chaos Demon Gods, even if not chaos-level treasures, were still rare finds.

Universe's Universe Cauldron possessed the ability to turn post-heaven into pre-heaven—a power unique even across the entire Primordial World.

"Indeed, it is in this poor Daoist's possession. Could it be that you intend to seize such a spiritual treasure?"

Yangmei shook his head, then fixed his gaze on Hongjun.

"Though there is some anger in my heart, I would not go so far as to take this treasure. Since you have obtained it, keep it."

Hongjun let out a faint, wry laugh.

"If someone else were here and you spoke thus, I might not call you out. But, friend, you are the Hollow Willow Branch—where is your heart to speak of?"

At this, the corner of Yangmei's mouth twitched slightly. This fellow.

Unable to hold back, he shot back a retort.

"My True Body is the Hollow Willow, which is still passable. But if the beings of the Primordial World were to learn that their first Heavenly Dao Saint's True Body is actually a Primordial Earthworm—if that news were to spread, I imagine your face would be the one to suffer."

Hongjun's expression twitched as well. He had once been a Chaos Demon God, and after reincarnating into the Primordial World, he had transformed into a Primordial Earthworm.

Earthworms were of the lowest origins. Looking upon the myriad beings of the Primordial World, countless were Great Powers, yet among earthworms, none had ever surpassed the Golden Immortal realm.

Not even a single Heavenly Immortal had ever emerged from their kind.

This was his secret. The beings of the Primordial World all believed he was a reincarnated Chaos Demon God.

But no one knew that his origin was merely an earthworm.

"Friend, you are sharp-tongued. Let us settle this with a bout, so you may know the power of this Heavenly Dao Saint."

With that, the spiritual treasure in his hand burst with radiance, and a series of fierce attacks shot straight toward Yangmei's face.

Yangmei watched, then gently shook the willow branch in his hand.

A wave of spatial power bloomed, dissolving the assault. Then Hongjun realized that all the spiritual treasures he had brought out had lost their connection to him.

Turning his head, he saw that the treasures behind him had vanished.

His expression shifted drastically. Looking at his own hands, he found that even the treasures he held had been seized.

With some helplessness, he drew out more treasures to fight.

But the moment they appeared, the slender willow branch swept them away.

A hint of a smile tugged at Yangmei's lips.

"Friend, relying on the sharpness of spiritual treasures against me is truly a poor strategy. I am the Space Demon God, and my manifested True Body treasure, the Hollow Willow Branch, sweeps away all things—it is specifically designed to counter spiritual treasures."

Hongjun's face flushed red. He had no more treasures to use, except...

He pondered whether to bring out that extraordinary treasure. As he hesitated, he caught the smug smile on Yangmei's lips, and rage flared in his heart.

Gritting his teeth, four Long Swords flew out from behind him.

As they spun, a killing intent slowly seeped forth.

Yangmei glanced at them, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"So this extraordinary treasure is indeed in your hands."

"Not metal, not iron, nor steel—once hidden beneath Mount Sumeru. Though not forged by Yin Yang, nor tempered by Water and Fire. The Immortal-Slaying Sword is sharp, the Immortal-Trapping Sword brings death. The Immortal-Annihilating Sword changes endlessly—Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals stain their robes with blood."

"But, friend, this treasure is useless against me as well!"