Demonic Shadow Emerges

Qing Xuan turned back in confusion and looked at the mysterious old man with an immortal air about him. Following the principle of lying low when necessary, Qing Xuan chose to follow his heart.

"I am Qing Xuan of the Three Immortal Islands. May I ask what guidance you have for me, Senior?"

"Hehe, I am Hongjun. I saw you collecting corpses along the way and wished to ask about it." Hongjun looked at the man before him, whose blessings ran deep, and wished to forge a good connection.

"Hongjun!" Qing Xuan was greatly shocked. He had not expected to encounter such a major figure just while traveling.

"Senior Hongjun, as an Innate Being born into this world, I truly cannot bear to see the beings of the Primordial World slaughtered, with corpses strewn everywhere. Thus, I gathered these bodies and will eventually bury them all in one place, so as to return to us a clean, green world." Qing Xuan spoke to Hongjun with profound sincerity. Whether Hongjun believed him or not, Qing Xuan believed it himself.

Hongjun looked at the fellow spouting nonsense before him but did not expose him. He merely smiled and said,

"Hahaha, your actions are admirable, little friend. I see that you possess an Extraordinary Foundation. Why not find a place to sit, chat, and discuss the Dao?"

Qing Xuan was overjoyed. Although Hongjun had not yet merged with the Dao, his cultivation was still among the very best in the Primordial World. Calling it a discussion of the Dao was less accurate than saying Qing Xuan would be listening to Hongjun's sermon. For Qing Xuan, who was only a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, this was no small Opportunity.

"It is my great honor that Senior is willing to expound the Dao to me. I shall listen with utmost attention."

The two then found a mountain peak shrouded in immortal mist. With a casual wave of his hand, Hongjun set two Cushions on the ground. Qing Xuan sat down cross-legged and felt his mind become clear while the Magic Power within him grew stronger. He immediately understood that this was the Cushion's effect, and realized that these were the Cushions that would later be used for Hongjun's Sermon at Zixiao Palace.

Hongjun then began to expound the Dao. His voice drifted melodiously through the air, and the surrounding spiritual energy shifted with his words, carrying an extraordinary divine intent. All the Spiritual Birds and Exotic Beasts in the mountains gathered beside them and listened quietly. Qing Xuan held his breath and focused completely on every word Hongjun spoke. He listened in rapt attention, and the spiritual energy around his body began to stir unconsciously.

Just like that, a Hundred Years passed. Hongjun stopped speaking and looked at Qing Xuan, who had gained some insight. A satisfied expression appeared on his face.

"You are teachable. Our karmic bond has run its course, so I shall take my leave." With that, Hongjun rode the clouds and departed, leaving Qing Xuan alone. Several more decades passed in this manner.

Qing Xuan gradually regained consciousness. Seeing that he was the only one left, he sensed that his cultivation had reached the perfection of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. He rose to his feet and gave a sincere bow toward the distance.

"Thank you, Senior, for expounding the Dao to me!"

The Cushion beside him suddenly vanished, and Qing Xuan understood that Hongjun must already know of this.

"I never expected such an Opportunity. I must hurry back to the Three Immortal Islands and prepare to break through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm."

Qing Xuan had originally intended to wander around longer and collect more corpses, but breaking through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm now took priority. He needed to enter Closed-door Cultivation once more, so it was best to return at once. Qing Xuan hesitated no longer and unleashed Vertical Ground Golden Light at full force, flying toward the East Sea.

At this moment, Hongjun sensed the Cushion's return and understood that Qing Xuan had awakened.

"Daoist, you seem pleased. Has something good happened?" A cool voice came from beside him.

A beautiful mature woman stood nearby, asking Hongjun this question.

"Hahaha, Daoist Yuan Feng, I encountered a young friend named Qing Xuan on my way here. His blessings are quite profound, so I expounded the Dao to him. Just now, I sensed what he did after awakening, and it brought me considerable comfort."

"Oh? For someone to earn praise from you, Daoist Hongjun, I am rather interested in this person."

"Hahaha, those fated to meet will meet eventually. Daoist Yuan Feng, I came this time to persuade the Phoenix Clan to declare war on the Dragon Clan," Hongjun said solemnly.

"Hmph, that is absolutely impossible. The Dragon Clan dared to send someone to assassinate an elder of my clan, so they must bear our wrath. The nine remaining elders of my clan are all Quasi-Saints. Why should we fear the Dragon Clan?" Yuan Feng snorted coldly. If Hongjun's cultivation had not surpassed hers, anyone else who dared bring up such a matter would have been thrown out by the Phoenix long ago.

"Daoist Yuan Feng, may I examine the remains of that deceased elder? I have some suspicions."

Yuan Feng considered it and ultimately decided not to offend Hongjun. She said,

"Follow me."

Yuan Feng transformed into a massive Five-Colored Phoenix and flew toward a certain place within the Southern Bright Undying Volcano. Hongjun followed close behind. Before long, Hongjun saw the remains of the deceased Phoenix Clan elder.

Hongjun formed a hand seal, and a stream of clear light covered the remains. Suddenly, a surge of black qi emerged from the Phoenix's bones. The black qi collided with the clear light, producing a sizzling sound.

Yuan Feng's expression changed drastically upon seeing the black qi, while Hongjun beside her revealed an expression of understanding.

"Daoist Yuan Feng, this was the work of a demon. Its purpose was to frame the Dragon Clan and trigger a great war between the two clans."

"A demon... what a demon indeed! Whoever it is, if they dare kill a member of my Phoenix Clan, I will make them die!"

Yuan Feng's fury soared to the heavens. She immediately rose into the sky and stood high in the air.

"Phoenix Clan, heed my command! The one who killed our elder was a demon. From this day forward, any clansman who encounters anyone tainted with demonic qi, kill them!"

"By your command! Kill the demons!"

Killing Intent filled the skies above the Southern Bright Undying Volcano, and the voices of countless Phoenix Clan members echoed in every direction. Yuan Feng transformed into Human Form and descended beside Hongjun.

"Thank you, Daoist Hongjun, for preventing my clan from being used by others and allowing us to truly avenge our clansman."

"Daoist Yuan Feng, there is no need for thanks. I am also acting for the sake of the Primordial World. In truth, I visited the Kirin Tribe and the Dragon Clan in succession. The son of the Kirin Tribe's patriarch was killed in the same way. It was all the work of demons."

"So that is it. It seems they seek to stir up conflict among the Three Clans. The Three Clans were already constantly clashing; they only needed a spark for a great war to erupt." Thinking of how she had nearly been used by someone else, Killing Intent surged uncontrollably in Yuan Feng's heart.

"By the way, what about the Dragon Clan? Who died among them?" Yuan Feng asked Hongjun.

"Ahem, ahem. The Dragon Clan would not let me in," Hongjun answered calmly. As for what he truly thought, no one could say.

"Hmph, that does fit their usual behavior."

"Hehe, indeed."

Qing Xuan looked at the distant Three Immortal Islands, and a feeling of returning home welled up in his heart.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion came from Penglai Immortal Island. Qing Xuan's expression changed, and Killing Intent surged around him.

"Bold indeed. It seems today calls for blood!"

At this moment, Da Bai the Fuzhu looked disdainfully at the giant dragon outside Penglai Immortal Island.

This damned dragon is truly annoying. It has been attacking Penglai Immortal Island for a Hundred Years. Once Master returns, he will definitely make you pay, Da Bai thought.

Ao Bao greedily eyed the spiritual treasures on Penglai Immortal Island. A Hundred Years had passed, yet he had still failed to break the island-protecting formation. He had intended to monopolize the island's Opportunity, but if this continued, he would have no choice but to return to the Dragon Palace and call for help. By then, how much of it he would get was anyone's guess.

The thought made Ao Bao's heart ache, and even his dragon face twisted bitterly. Suddenly, Ao Bao saw a streak of golden light shooting toward him. It drew closer and closer.

"Little dragon, die for your grandpa!"