One day, he suddenly felt a stir in his heart, as if something connected to him had come into being.
Yet after some divination, he found no useful information. His main body was in seclusion, and the Chaos Shovel was with it as well. His ability to divine was limited.
"Since that's the case, I'll go out and travel for a while." Li Xinghe's clone remained utterly calm.
The clone had its own cultivation abilities, and his cultivation had improved somewhat during this period. Though he was still far from the Middle Golden Immortal of the Origin, it was still progress.
On a towering peak somewhere in the Primordial Wilderness stood a cave abode known as Luofu Cave.
At this moment, a Daoist was cultivating within Luofu Cave. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with an upright face. He was Zhao Gongming, transformed from the first wisp of Qingfeng between Heaven and Earth.
He would later become Tongtian's chief outer disciple of the Jie Sect.
But at present, he was merely a Golden Immortal. In the vast Primordial World, he did not even rank among the insignificant nobodies.
Suddenly, spiritual energy swirled through Luofu Cave, clearly signaling the birth of a spiritual treasure.
The commotion was astonishingly great. It was likely at least a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.
At the same time, a figure rapidly made his way toward Luofu Cave.
If Li Xinghe had been here, he would certainly have recognized him. This man was the young man who had once stood beside Taishang Laozi on Kunlun Mountain.
However, when Li Xinghe had seen him before, he had still been in the Golden Immortal Realm. Now, he was already a Taiyi Golden Immortal. His cultivation speed was truly remarkable.
At that moment, a beam of light shot into the sky from Luofu Cave. Zhao Gongming's expression changed drastically. Such a treasure had stirred the heavens—if powerful enemies came, he would never be able to keep it.
When the radiance faded, Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls floated within Luofu Cave.
"This treasure is fated for me." Zhao Gongming was overjoyed.
In the unseen depths, he sensed the connection between himself and the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls.
Sure enough, in the next instant, the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls transformed into a bracelet and flew into Zhao Gongming's hand.
Just then, a distant sigh came from outside. "Was I still too late?"
"Who are you? State your name." Zhao Gongming's face changed. As expected, the treasure had drawn someone's attention. He just did not know the other party's cultivation level.
At that moment, a young figure appeared before Zhao Gongming. "I am Ye Chen, chief disciple of Laozi of Taiqing, one of the Three Pure Ones of Kunlun Mountain."
"So you are a disciple of the Three Pure Ones. I am Zhao Gongming. Greetings, fellow Daoist." Zhao Gongming returned the salute.
Although the Three Pure Ones rarely ventured through the Primordial Wilderness, the name Pangu Orthodox was no joke. Many knew of their existence; even reincarnated Chaos Demon Gods did not dare provoke them.
"Fellow Daoist, the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls are fated for me. Would you be willing to part with them?" Ye Chen wore a smile, but his ambition was plainly exposed.
Zhao Gongming's expression changed. Sure enough, he had come for his treasure.
"Sir, the Sea-Calming Pearls belong to Luofu Cave. Even as a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, you cannot use your status to bully others, can you?" Zhao Gongming knew full well that his opponent was stronger than him.
Even if he possessed the Sea-Calming Pearls, Ye Chen was a disciple of the Three Pure Ones and one of Pangu Orthodox. How could he possibly lack treasures?
Zhao Gongming had a fiery temper and naturally would not hand over his treasure just like that. "If that is so, then let our hands decide the matter. I would like to see what is so impressive about a disciple of the Three Pure Ones."
With that, he directly brought out the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls. The aura of a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure erupted, forcing Ye Chen to retreat several steps.
Yet Ye Chen's eyes lit up. What a fine treasure.
"In that case, I can only ask for your guidance." A fly whisk appeared in Ye Chen's hand—the Taiyi Fly Whisk that had once been alongside the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi and Qingping Sword.
As Taiqing's personal treasure, its grade was naturally no weaker than the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls.
"Zhao Gongming, this is my master's treasure. Today, I will show you the foundation of Pangu Orthodox." Ye Chen sneered.
As the two clashed, Zhao Gongming was clearly at a severe disadvantage. His cultivation was only at the Golden Immortal Realm, while Ye Chen was a Taiyi Golden Immortal, a full major realm above him.
Moreover, Zhao Gongming had only just acquired the Sea-Calming Pearls and had not had time to refine the Innate Divine Restrictions within them. He could not unleash their true power.
The Dao Arts of Pangu Orthodox were also far superior to those of a lone cultivator like him. After only a few exchanges, Zhao Gongming was gravely wounded.
Ye Chen calmly collected the Sea-Calming Pearls. "Zhao Gongming, if you had obediently handed them over, I might have spared your life. But you insisted on courting death."
It had to be said that Ye Chen was ruthless. Not only had he stolen the treasure, he even intended to kill its owner. The Taiyi Fly Whisk in his hand swept directly toward Zhao Gongming.
Just as Zhao Gongming gave up resisting, a streak of sword qi shot over and knocked the Taiyi Fly Whisk aside.
"Show mercy when possible, Ye Chen. You have already taken his treasure, so why must you take his life as well?"
Ye Chen was startled. Upon seeing the newcomer, he hurriedly saluted. "Greetings, Martial Uncle."
The newcomer was none other than Tongtian. As he passed through this place, he had happened to sense the birth of the Sea-Calming Pearls.
According to the original course of the Primordial Wilderness, Tongtian should have obtained this treasure and bestowed it upon Zhao Gongming. Since the treasure itself was fated for Zhao Gongming, Tongtian, as one of Pangu Orthodox, naturally could not covet another's treasure.
"Since Martial Uncle has spoken, this disciple will spare his life." Ye Chen did not dare act presumptuously before Tongtian.
Tongtian nodded, then looked at Zhao Gongming. "With your strength, you cannot keep this treasure. Ye Chen is my nephew-disciple. Today, he owes you Cause and Effect, and I will repay it on his behalf."
Zhao Gongming was also deeply shaken. He had never expected this to be Tongtian, one of the Three Pure Ones, transformed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit.
"I will leave everything to Great God's decision." Before Tongtian, he had not the slightest thought of resistance.
Tongtian hesitated for a long time before finally speaking. "Since we have met today, it is fate. Are you willing to enter my sect and become an Outer Disciple?"
Zhao Gongming immediately performed three kneels and nine prostrations. "This disciple, Zhao Gongming, pays respects to Master."
Although he had lost the Sea-Calming Pearls, becoming Tongtian's disciple was still an immense opportunity.
The reason Tongtian accepted him only as an Outer Disciple was that he feared Zhao Gongming and Ye Chen might come into conflict in the future. He could only pass down Dao Arts and let Zhao Gongming cultivate on his own in Luofu Cave.
Just then, a giant hand descended from the heavens. Ye Chen was greatly alarmed and used the Taiyi Fly Whisk to block it.
However, the giant hand was incomparably terrifying. It directly knocked the Taiyi Fly Whisk aside, then seized the Sea-Calming Pearls from Ye Chen's hand.
Ye Chen was caught completely off guard. Zhao Gongming's mark still remained within the Sea-Calming Pearls. Ye Chen had originally planned to kill Zhao Gongming and claim the treasure, but Tongtian had stopped him.
Yet the suddenly appearing giant hand had taken the treasure away, leaving him furious beyond measure.
"Insolence!" Tongtian was furious as well. He had not expected anyone to dare seize a treasure before his very eyes.
The Qingping Sword tore through the void, as if it intended to split the hidden person in two.
Yet just as before, the Qingping Sword was knocked back. Even Tongtian was greatly shocked this time.
He was only at the Peak Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, but with the Qingping Sword's power, he could even fight an Early Golden Immortal of the Origin. Yet his opponent had effortlessly sent the Qingping Sword flying back.
"Who is it? Get out here!" Ye Chen was enraged. He had finally obtained a treasure, only for someone to steal it from him.
"What, you are allowed to rob others, but others are not allowed to rob you?" Li Xinghe's clone, Shadow Daoist, strode through the air. However, he had altered his appearance, so even Tongtian could not recognize him.
Yet Li Xinghe's heart was in turmoil, and it was all because of the man before him named Ye Chen.
Wasn't that name supposedly reserved for legendary cheaters? Could there be another transmigrator in this Primordial Wilderness besides him?
Before you continue