A Variable, Born of a Cow?

The next moment, the void above the valley silently split open.

Endless mystical Dao radiance poured forth, and three blurry yet supremely majestic figures slowly stepped out from the rift.

The moment they appeared, time throughout the Primordial World seemed to freeze for an instant.

The wind stilled, the clouds scattered, and even the flowing spiritual energy meekly prostrated itself.

Every disciple present, whether previously arrogant or secretly delighted by others' misfortune, stiffened all over. Their expressions instantly turned into indescribable reverence and terror.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Greetings, Great Martial Uncle, Second Martial Uncle!"

Led by Duobao and Guangchengzi, the two groups of disciples dropped to their knees in unison, not daring to raise their heads.

The two disheveled figures who had just struggled out of the mountainside, Guangchengzi and Cihang, were even more frightened out of their wits. Enduring their injuries, they pressed themselves fully to the ground.

Niu Ben raised his head and looked at the three figures.

Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian.

He was not the least bit surprised.

His earlier words had seemed directed at lecturing the two groups of disciples, but how much of it had not been intended for these three as well?

As a transmigrator, he knew better than anyone else.

If the Three Pure Ones did not split apart, they would be the most unbeatable existence beneath the Heavenly Dao in the Primordial Wilderness.

Today, he had already made his point clear and taken matters to the extreme.

As for where these three would ultimately head in the future, that was not something a mere cow like him could influence.

In the void, Taishang Daoist's detached eyes slowly swept across everyone below before finally settling on Niu Ben.

"What this cow said just now was quite right."

His voice was as calm as water, yet it contained the ultimate truths of Heaven and Earth. "You are all from the same lineage of the Three Pure Ones, sharing the same roots and origin. You should stand united, not slaughter one another like brothers turned against brothers."

Beside Taishang Daoist, Primordial Heavenly Lord, who radiated authority and order, did not refute him for once.

He looked at his bedraggled disciples, then at the unruly Interception Sect disciples opposite them. Finally, his gaze settled on Niu Ben, his expression complicated.

"Correct."

Primordial Heavenly Lord snorted coldly, his imposing voice echoing through the valley. "You do not understand the bond between fellow disciples, you do not respect your elders' teachings, and you fight over external things, disgracing the Three Pure Ones! All of you, return and face the wall for a hundred years. Reflect properly!"

At these words, Guangchengzi and the others went pale, yet they did not dare utter a single complaint. They could only bow and accept their punishment.

On the other side, Tongtian looked at his disciples and let out a sharp shout as well.

"You are no different! Get back and reflect upon your mistakes!"

Duobao and the others shrank their necks and obediently accepted the order.

With all three of the Three Pure Ones speaking at once, who would dare disobey?

"Cow, come to Taiqing Hall."

Taishang Daoist's voice rang out again.

As his words fell, the three figures and Niu Ben instantly vanished from the valley, leaving behind only a group of dejected disciples staring at one another.

Within Taiqing Hall, immortal mist swirled, and Dao resonance arose naturally.

The figures of the Three Pure Ones appeared, seated separately upon three cloud couches.

The Great Hall fell into prolonged silence.

In the end, Taishang Daoist, as the eldest brother, sighed softly.

"Who would have thought that we three brothers would see less clearly today than this cow?"

A rare trace of self-mockery appeared on Primordial Heavenly Lord's usually stern face.

"Yes, Elder Brother. We have clung to differences in doctrine and divisions among our disciples, yet forgotten the foundation."

"The Three Pure Ones are one family." Tongtian's voice carried a trace of emotion. "Yet without realizing it, we have already changed."

At this moment, the slight estrangement born from disputes over their teachings miraculously dissolved considerably under Niu Ben's seemingly crude interference.

The three immense Fortunes that shared the same roots yet remained independently distinct now showed signs of converging and blending once more.

And at that very moment.

Beyond Chaos, within the Purple Sky Palace.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun, seated cross-legged upon a high platform, slowly opened his eyes. His Dao consciousness seemed to transcend time and space, instantly perceiving the changes in the Three Pure Qi Fortunes.

"Interesting."

Hongjun's face showed neither joy nor sorrow as he merely uttered two words.

"Who would have thought that the fortunes of the Three Pure Ones would become linked again? A variable, born of a cow?"

He made a calculation with his fingers, but the Heavenly Mechanism was a blur of Chaos, impossible to see clearly.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun then waved his hand.

An invisible Power of the Great Dao instantly descended, completely concealing the Three Pure Qi Fortunes that had only just begun to converge, preventing the outside world from peering into them in the slightest.

After doing all this, his gaze seemed to pierce through endless Chaos and look toward some unknown place.

Within Taiqing Hall, Niu Ben's figure appeared as well.

He respectfully saluted the three figures above him.

"This cow greets Master, Second Martial Uncle, and Third Martial Uncle."

Primordial Heavenly Lord looked at Niu Ben below, and the complexity in his eyes deepened.

This cow had beaten his disciples, yet also awakened him. His heart was now filled with mixed emotions.

A rare trace of approval appeared in Primordial Heavenly Lord's usually tranquil eyes. His authoritative yet indifferent voice seemed to descend from the Nine Heavens Above.

"Cow, you have done well this time."

As soon as he spoke, Primordial Heavenly Lord flicked his finger.

Buzz!

A thumb-sized wisp of Mysterious Yellow Origin Qi, radiating endless ancient, weathered, and weighty energy, lightly floated before Niu Ben.

That aura seemed to contain the supreme principles of World-Creating. Merely looking at it made Niu Ben's soul tremble!

"This is a strand of Heaven and Earth Origin Qi. It will greatly benefit your cultivation, so I bestow it upon you."

Niu Ben's breathing instantly stopped, and his heart pounded wildly, nearly leaping from his throat!

Heaven and Earth Origin Qi!

I've struck it rich!

This time, I've really struck it rich!

He trembled with excitement and hurriedly knelt down, even his voice shaking slightly.

"This disciple, Niu Ben, thanks Second Martial Uncle for his generous gift!"

Seeing this, the burly Tongtian let out a hearty laugh and waved his sleeve just as generously.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Whoosh!

An Azure Sword Light, so fast that Niu Ben had no chance to react, instantly shot into the Purple Mansion between his brows!

Boom!!!

Niu Ben only felt as though a universe containing endless Formation Diagrams had exploded within his sea of consciousness, countless profound runes circulating without end!

"You cow, you are decisive in battle and your temperament suits me perfectly! I see that your physical body is incomparably strong, but your understanding of the Dao of transformations is somewhat crude. I shall bestow upon you this understanding of the Great Dao of Formations from my early years. Study it well, and do not disgrace my name!"

This was an unparalleled opportunity that would make even a Grand Luo Golden Immortal green with envy!

Having just obtained Heaven and Earth Origin Qi, he had now received the True Solution of Formation Dao. The successive immense surprises had left Niu Ben somewhat dazed, with only wild delight remaining!

Almost by instinct, he bowed deeply again.

"This disciple thanks Third Martial Uncle!"

On the foremost seat, Taishang Daoist, who governed through nonaction, merely watched him quietly with a smile in eyes that seemed to see through eternity.

"Go. Return to your cave dwelling and enter seclusion properly. Do not waste this opportunity."

"Yes, Master!"

Niu Ben forcefully suppressed the surging excitement in his heart, bowed respectfully, and only then slowly withdrew from Taiqing Hall.

He almost transformed into a streak of light and returned directly to his cave dwelling on Kunlun Mountain.

Feeling the strand of Heaven and Earth Origin Qi within his body, as though it possessed life and was cheering with joy, along with the vast Formation insights in his mind, his burning gaze nearly burst forth!

At this moment, he had no further hesitation!

With a thunderous boom, the ten-thousand-jin stone gate to his cave dwelling was completely sealed by a Formation!

Seclusion!