Grand Unity, Achieved!

A flicker of surprise crossed Laozi's otherwise placid face, followed by understanding. It seemed this bout of "nonsense" had accidentally become the opportunity for a breakthrough.

"Focus your mind, calm your Qi, guide your mana, and break through the barrier!" Laozi ordered succinctly. At the same time, he swept his sleeve and accelerated, transforming into a streak of clear light that spanned the heavens before instantly returning to the Three Pure Ones Dojo on Kunlun Mountain.

Laozi directly tossed Chen Song into the small courtyard outside the Thatched Hut.

"Break through here. I will protect you."

Chen Song did not dare delay. He immediately sat cross-legged, cast aside all distracting thoughts, and guided the surging Innate Five Elements Qi within him with all his strength, launching an assault on the barrier leading to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm!

Inside the quiet chamber, five-colored radiance soared into the sky as Dao resonance filled the air! Chen Song's path of cultivation in the Primordial World was finally about to enter an entirely new stage!

Yuanshi and Tongtian also sensed the fluctuations in the courtyard and appeared beside Laozi outside the Thatched Hut.

"So that's why you hurried out, Elder Brother—you were bringing Senior Disciple Nephew back for his breakthrough! Elder Brother truly is Elder Brother!" Tongtian praised, giving a thumbs-up. He had learned that gesture from Chen Song over the years.

Yuanshi nodded as well, tacitly agreeing with Tongtian.

Would you believe me if I said this was actually an accident?

I'd only gone out to drag an internet-addicted brat home and make him study properly, all right?

"Quick, help me set up some concealment formations. Especially you, Third Brother. Of the three of us, your attainments in formations are the greatest," Laozi said gravely.

The heavenly phenomenon when Chen Song had taken human form last time had been far too extravagant, attracting those two shameless creatures, Jieyin and Zhunti.

Laozi placed Chen Song in the courtyard, then stood with Yuanshi and Tongtian in the positions of the Three Talents, instantly setting up three grand formations. Judging by their might, even an ordinary Quasi-Saint would be unable to break them.

One layer of Taishang Immortal Light transformed into the phantom of the Taiji Diagram, shrouding the skies. One layer of Yuqing Immortal Light became golden lotuses and jade pendants that hung around the surroundings. One layer of Shangqing sword Qi concealed itself within the void, severing all outside prying. With the formations complete, the aura atop Kunlun Mountain was immediately cut off from the outside world, as though it had become a world unto itself.

In the courtyard, Chen Song had already entered a state where he had forgotten both self and surroundings.

The surging Innate Five Elements Qi within him was like wild horses breaking free of their reins, yet also like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea. It raced along the circulation route of the Taishang Immortal Method at an unprecedented speed. His body seemed to turn into a massive vortex, madly drawing in Kunlun Mountain's vast innate spiritual Qi and even stirring deeper layers of heaven and earth's spiritual energy.

The first phenomenon to emerge was the Five Qi in his chest. Azure, yellow, crimson, white, and black radiance of incomparable purity rose from the positions of his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. At first they were like smoke and mist, but they soon grew increasingly solid, becoming five lifelike Qi dragons that coiled and danced around him!

The azure Yi Wood Qi dragon brimmed with vitality, and its roar carried the rustling sound of growing grass and trees.

The yellow Wu Earth Qi dragon was thick and steady, its body seemingly condensed from the boundless earth.

The crimson Bing Fire Qi dragon was blazing and unrestrained, sparks scattering with every sweep of its claws.

The white Geng Metal Qi dragon was peerlessly sharp, sword light seeming to flicker whenever its eyes opened and closed.

The black Ren Water Qi dragon was deep and distant, its tail stirring shimmering ripples with every sway.

The five Qi dragons flew faster and faster until they finally converged and fused above Chen Song's head, transforming into a vast Chaos Qi Stream that shot straight into the crown of his head! This was Five Qi Facing Primordial, signifying that the Five Elements within his body had reached perfection and that his energy had returned to its origin.

Tongtian's eyes gleamed as he said in a low voice, "Good lad! His Five Elements foundation is absurdly solid! Even I was no better back then!"

Though Yuanshi said nothing, a hint of satisfaction flashed through his eyes. The deeper one's foundation, the greater one's future potential.

Laozi remained expressionless, but the fingers hidden in his sleeves moved in calculation, as though he were deducing something. It would be a lie to say he was not nervous. After all, this was his own eldest disciple, the First Senior Brother of their Three Pure Ones lineage!

As Five Qi Facing Primordial took shape, Chen Song's primordial spirit began to undergo a qualitative transformation under the impact of the Chaos Qi Stream. Brilliant light flared from the crown of his head as three hazy spheres of light began to condense and gestate.

Everyone's gaze focused there. A Grand Unity Golden Immortal's potential was determined to a great extent by how many grades these "Three Flowers" could bloom! For ordinary great cultivators, three grades were common, while six grades were already rare. Those who could reach seven or eight grades were outstanding figures of the Primordial World. As for nine grades... that was legendary aptitude, with the hope of becoming a Saint!

The first flower bud bloomed first!

Its petals unfolded one by one, elegant and unworldly, containing an understanding of the laws of "heaven and earth." First grade, second grade, third grade... It advanced at incredible speed, reaching the sixth grade in the blink of an eye! Yet it did not stop. Seventh grade, eighth grade! Its radiance grew ever more dazzling! In the end, it firmly stopped at the ninth grade! Heavenly flowers rained down, and the sound of the Great Dao seemed to echo through the void!

"Nine grades!" Tongtian could not help crying out, his face full of delight.

Immediately afterward, the second flower bud bloomed! This flower represented the vitality of "all things" and was especially compatible with Chen Song's innate Wood Element foundation. It bloomed even more fiercely, directly breaking through the barrier of nine grades and reaching the tenth! The phenomenon grew even more astounding as phantoms of golden lotuses springing from the earth appeared throughout the courtyard.

Lord of the Beginning was finally moved. "He actually surpassed nine grades? This child's fortune truly runs deep!"

A glint of light also flashed through Laozi's eyes.

At last, the third flower bud began to bloom. It was the most crucial one, representing the "self," one's true heart, and the firmness of one's Dao Heart. This bloom was visibly slower, as though it had encountered some resistance. A trace of struggle also appeared on Chen Song's face, as though he were fighting inner demons.

Tongtian clenched his fists nervously, while Yuanshi held his breath and focused. Laozi, however, spoke calmly, his voice entering the depths of Chen Song's primordial spirit directly. "Hold fast to your true heart. Do not forget your roots."

Chen Song's body trembled, and the struggle on his face gradually faded, replaced by clarity and resolve.

The third flower bud seemed to receive boundless aid and suddenly burst into bloom! From the first grade to the ninth, it happened in one go! Its momentum did not diminish, and its petals continued to unfurl, breaking through the tenth grade! Finally, amid indescribable Dao resonance and rosy light, it settled at the eleventh grade!

Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, with flowers blooming to the eleventh grade! Heavenly flowers rained down, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, and the sounds of the Great Dao rang without end! The spiritual Qi of all Kunlun Mountain boiled in response. Were it not for the Three Pure Ones' formations concealing it, such a phenomenon would surely have shaken the entire Primordial World again!

"Eleven grades! It's actually eleven grades!" Tongtian was so excited he nearly jumped up. "Hahaha! I knew my Senior Disciple Nephew was no ordinary man! In the future, he will surely surpass us!"

Yuanshi also let out a long breath, a remarkably rare and distinct smile appearing on his face. "Excellent! Truly excellent! Our Three Pure Ones lineage has a worthy successor!"

Laozi looked at Chen Song in the courtyard, with eleven-grade Three Flowers above his head, Five Qi surrounding his body, and a flawless Dao body free of all impurity. At last, a clear, gratified smile appeared on his normally placid face. He nodded gently and murmured, "Excellent."

Thank goodness, thank goodness.

Chen Song's various outrageous antics over the years had truly shattered much of the calm he had cultivated through the Dao of Non-action. He had been terrified that Chen Song would pull some ridiculous stunt even during his breakthrough to Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

Wait, wasn't this eleven-grade bloom itself a pretty outrageous stunt?

At this point, Chen Song had officially entered the early stage of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm! His primordial spirit was stable, his lifespan matched heaven and earth, and he had gained the preliminary qualifications to glimpse the laws of the Great Dao.

Chen Song slowly opened his eyes after completing his breakthrough. The five-colored radiance in his eyes withdrew, and his aura was as deep and unfathomable as the sea. Feeling the surging power within him and his entirely new perception of heaven and earth, he could barely contain his joy. Rising to his feet, he bowed deeply to the Three Pure Ones who had protected him.

"Disciple Chen Song thanks Master and my two Martial Uncles for protecting me during my breakthrough!" There was only gratitude, without any outrageous antics.

Laozi nodded slightly. "Your foundation has been established, but your Dao path has only just begun. From this day forward, cultivate diligently at all times. Do not grow lax." Though his tone remained calm, Chen Song clearly felt the concern and expectations within it.

Tongtian stepped forward and gave Chen Song's shoulder a hard pat. "Good lad! Well done! You haven't embarrassed this Martial Uncle of yours! Later, I'll teach you a few of my hidden sword techniques!"

Yuanshi also said with rare gentleness, "Now that you have entered Grand Unity, you must understand your own Dao. If there is anything you do not comprehend, you may come seek me as well."

At that moment, Big White, who had been anxiously pacing outside the formation, finally felt the pressure vanish. It charged in at once, barking excitedly as it circled Chen Song. "Woof woof! Elder Brother! You succeeded! You smell even better now... no, I mean, you're even stronger! Hurry up and take out some pine nuts for me to try!"

Chen Song: ???

Stupid dog, do you even hear what you're saying? So the breakthrough I earned by trading away my freedom was just so you could taste the pine nuts produced by this Grand Unity Golden Immortal me?

(Please tap to urge updates, QAQ)

He stood before the mirror, adjusting his collar.

Let's get this over with.

System Activated!

(Love you all (?˙?˙?))

I set the time wrong again...