As he spoke, Haotian gently tapped the point where the two types of runes converged on the light screen with his jade ruler.
Buzz! The Heaven-Measuring Ruler gave a faint tremor, and a thin strand of Merit Ruler Light shot toward the screen.
The runes on the light screen immediately fell into disorder for an instant, and the water-attribute and ice-attribute runes briefly disconnected.
Now! Haotian's gaze sharpened. With a turn of his wrist, the Heaven-Measuring Ruler struck three times in succession.
The first strike landed on the Formation Eye of the water formation, the second on that of the earth formation, and the third once again on the junction between the two formations.
After the three strikes fell, the runes on the light screen cracked like a shattered mirror before finally dispersing with a crack.
As the grand formation vanished, the scene at the center of the gorge gradually came into view.
Two jade platforms, each half a person's height, stood side by side. On the platform to the left rested a lustrous white porcelain bottle, its surface carved with wave patterns.
A silver-white longsword was embedded in the platform to the right. Faint white light lingered around its blade, while the character for Jade Pool was engraved upon its hilt.
Haotian stepped forward, picked up the porcelain bottle and longsword, and infused them with spiritual power to begin refining them.
A moment later, his expression turned somewhat strange. This porcelain bottle was actually the Four Seas Bottle. It contained the Origin of the waters of the Four Seas and could draw upon their power.
The longsword was called the Jade Pool White Light Sword. Its blade contained Innate Ren Water Power, making it most suitable for water-attribute cultivators.
He recalled that, in the original timeline, these two treasures seemed to have been Princess Longji's protective treasures. And Long Ji was the future daughter of himself and Jade Pool.
"Interesting." Haotian chuckled softly and handed the Four Seas Bottle and Jade Pool White Light Sword to Jade Pool.
"Junior Sister, the Four Seas Bottle and Jade Pool White Light Sword suit you. Take them and refine them first."
Jade Pool accepted the porcelain bottle and longsword. Feeling the pure water-attribute spiritual qi within, her eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" She did not ask why Haotian knew the uses of these treasures. She merely carefully stored the porcelain bottle in her spatial treasure.
Ever since they had leaned against each other in Chaos, she had grown accustomed to trusting Haotian.
After putting away the treasures, the two were about to leave the gorge when Haotian suddenly furrowed his brow.
"Something's wrong. The Innate Spiritual Qi beneath the sea seems to be in turmoil. Let's get out and take a look first."
He summoned the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud, and its protective barrier instantly expanded to envelop them both.
The barrier carried them swiftly upward. The moment they broke through the surface of the East Sea, Haotian's expression changed at once.
In the distance, an immense aura was rapidly gathering over the sea. It was the pressure of the Dragon Clan, brimming with fierce battle intent.
"Hide, quickly!" Haotian grabbed Jade Pool's hand. With a thought, the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud released a wisp of Seven-colored Rosy Clouds, completely concealing them.
The instant the rosy clouds hid them, excited dragon roars rang out from every direction, shaking the sea into towering waves.
Dragon Clan members from all across the East Sea transformed into their true forms and converged in the same direction.
Some were Azure Dragons a thousand zhang long, their scales gleaming with azure light. Others were yellow dragons clad in golden scales, their drifting whiskers carrying an air of majesty.
The most conspicuous were the Five-Clawed Golden Dragons. Every one of them radiated an aura above the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, while the leading Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon possessed the imposing might of a peak Primordial Origin Golden Immortal.
Haotian made a rough estimate. More than two hundred million Dragon Clan members had gathered, and even the weakest among them were Golden Immortals.
There were over a million Grand Unity Golden Immortals, more than two thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals, and dozens of Primordial Origin Golden Immortals. Such a massive force was clearly setting out to accomplish something momentous.
The leading Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon seemed to have sensed something. Its gaze swept toward the direction where Haotian and Jade Pool were hiding.
Haotian's heart tightened as he suppressed the aura of the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud to its utmost limit.
That Golden Dragon's cultivation was incredibly high. If they were discovered, they would have no chance of escape.
Fortunately, the Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon only glanced in their direction before withdrawing its gaze.
The Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud was a Heavenly Dao treasure bestowed by Hongjun and carried Hongjun's Dao Rhythm.
Though the Dragon Clan was tyrannical, it did not dare lightly provoke a powerful Rogue Cultivator like Hongjun.
Thus, after that glance, it let out a long roar and led the multitude of Dragon Clan members in a mighty flight toward the Central Continent of the Primordial Wilderness.
Only after the Dragon Clan army disappeared beyond the horizon did Haotian loosen his clenched fist and put away the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud.
Jade Pool's face had gone somewhat pale. She asked softly, "Senior Brother, is the Dragon Clan... going to war?"
Haotian gazed in the direction the Dragon Clan had departed, his expression grave.
"Yes. The war between the Three Clans is bound to erupt in the end."
Haotian knew very well that, although the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and Qilin Clan appeared to stand in a three-way balance in the current Primordial Wilderness, friction between them had long been unceasing.
While that friction naturally stemmed from the ancient grudges between the Three Clans, someone was also stirring up trouble.
Grudges, provocation, and the struggle to seize the position of ruler of the Primordial Wilderness, gather Fortune, and break through to Hunyuan—this war was destined to erupt sooner or later. He simply had not expected them to encounter it now.
Now that the Dragon Clan had mobilized in full force, the Phoenix Clan and Qilin Clan must have already finished preparing as well. A war that would sweep across the entire Primordial Wilderness was about to begin.
"What should we do, then?" Jade Pool tugged at Haotian's sleeve, concern filling her eyes.
Though she was young, she knew the dangers of war. Back on Jade Capital Mountain, Hongjun had told them of the horrors of the great calamity that followed the opening of heaven.
Haotian pondered for a moment, a trace of resolve flashing through his eyes. "We cannot return to Jade Capital Mountain, but we cannot leave either."
He stroked Jade Pool's head, his tone firm. "Although the war of the Three Clans is a calamity, it is also an opportunity."
"The ancient Three Clans have accumulated countless Innate Spiritual Treasures and resources. Once they are defeated, vast amounts of treasure will inevitably scatter throughout the Primordial Wilderness."
"We can follow them from afar. We can observe the battle while also taking advantage of the chance to gain some opportunities. Besides..."
"But Senior Brother, the battlefield is very dangerous." Jade Pool still felt worried.
"Don't worry." Haotian took out the Eastern Green Lotus Treasure-Colored Flag. As the banner unfurled, a green lotus-colored light screen enveloped the two of them.
"With the Green Lotus Treasure Color Banner and the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud, even if we encounter a Primordial Origin Golden Immortal, we can still retreat unharmed."
"Besides, my comprehension of the Space Law now far exceeds that of my peers. If danger truly arises, we can flee at any time."
Jade Pool looked into Haotian's steady eyes and finally nodded. "All right. I'll listen to you, Senior Brother."
The two stepped onto the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud and slowly flew in the direction the Dragon Clan army had departed.
They did not draw too close. They merely followed far behind, like two observers watching the opening of a war that would change the entire structure of the Primordial Wilderness.
The sea breeze brushed against their Daoist robes. Haotian gazed toward the distant horizon and thought to himself.
The war of the Three Clans, the Dao-Demon Conflict, the rise of the Witch-Demon Two Clans, the Investiture of the Gods War... the calamities of the Primordial Wilderness have only just begun. It is time to start preparing.
With that thought, Haotian willed it, and the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud wrapped around them and accelerated, chasing after the Dragon Clan like a streak of light.
Before you continue