One of the Three Thousand Guests in the Purple Cloud Palace; I've Come to Pay My Respects to the Three Senior Brothers Today!

At this moment, Zhao Gongming, who was within Kunlun Mountain, sensed the aura emanating from a Quasi-Saint and immediately flew toward the entrance.

Zhao Gongming had originally taken form from the first breeze between heaven and earth, later becoming a disciple under Shangqing Tongtian.

The Interception Sect had yet to formally establish a religion, but when Tongtian lectured on the Dao, he had personally appointed Zhao Gongming as the eldest outer disciple. His status was equivalent to that of Shangqing Tongtian's Personal Disciples.

The closer he drew to the entrance of Kunlun Mountain, the more startled he became by that aura. The visitor was undoubtedly a Quasi-Saint.

Though shocked inwardly, he felt no fear.

His master was Shangqing Tongtian, a heaven-ordained future saint and the Dao Ancestor's personal disciple. As a disciple of a saint, he had no need to fear even a Quasi-Saint.

Upon reaching the entrance of Kunlun Mountain, he looked at the visitor and found him somewhat familiar, yet could not recall who he was for the moment.

"What do you want?"

Zhao Gongming's attitude was fairly polite, neither servile nor overbearing.

The Quasi-Saint looked at Zhao Gongming standing at the entrance and easily sensed that he was at the late Golden Immortal stage.

He felt indignant. A mere late-stage Golden Immortal not only failed to salute him upon meeting him, but even dared to put on such an attitude. Outside, a single glance from him could have destroyed both body and soul.

But this was Kunlun Mountain, the Dao Field of the Three Pure Ones.

If he dared act rashly, the Three Pure Ones could pull out his soul and use it to light a sky lantern.

His demeanor was exceedingly gentle, and his voice was like a spring breeze. "I am the Purple Mansion Immortal Court Envoy, also one of the Three Thousand Guests of Purple Cloud Palace. I have come today to pay respects to the Three Senior Brothers!"

The Three Thousand Guests of Purple Cloud Palace could indeed, in polite terms, be considered fellow disciples. They had listened to Dao Ancestor Hongjun expound the Dao and called him Teacher.

Yet his status could at most be considered bottom-tier.

But he was still a Quasi-Saint. Calling them senior brothers was the last shred of his pride.

Zhao Gongming finally recalled the identity of the man before him. So he was East Prince Gong's Immortal Court Grand Protector. He had thought him some peerless great power, but he was merely East Prince Gong's lackey.

He was also quite aware of the events that had recently unfolded in the Primordial Wilderness. His character was upright and unyielding, and he could not tolerate any wrongdoing.

East Prince Gong had committed countless killings. Had he not been personally designated the Head of Male Immortals by the Dao Ancestor, he would likely have long since had his body and soul destroyed.

But the other party had come courteously and represented the Purple Mansion Immortal Court, so he could not simply offend him.

"Please wait. I will report this to Senior Disciple Brother!"

Unable to make the decision himself, he headed straight for the cave dwelling where Niu Ben resided.

Naturally, he knew Niu Ben had returned. His three younger sisters had all run off to Niu Ben's place, leaving him, their eldest brother, alone once again.

He arrived before Niu Ben's cave dwelling.

Cupping his hands, he bowed, his voice carrying into the cave dwelling.

"Senior Disciple Brother, are you in the cave dwelling?"

Though Niu Ben was Taishang's mount, in terms of seniority, he was naturally the Senior Disciple Brother among the Disciples of the Three Pure Ones.

The Three Pure Ones had not yet gone their separate ways. A mount held a status even closer than a Personal Disciple. Personal Disciples might be left behind for major matters, but a mount would certainly remain at its master's side.

His position as Senior Disciple Brother was therefore fully deserved.

At that moment, Niu Ben was lying in a rocking chair beneath the sun, squinting contentedly as he enjoyed fruit Bixiao held to his lips.

Behind him, Yunxiao kneaded his shoulders.

Qiongxiao, meanwhile, massaged his legs.

If Zhao Gongming had seen such treatment, he would have felt heartbroken before growing envious.

But outside the cave dwelling, he could not see what was happening within.

Niu Ben was living a carefree, comfortable life. Hearing the voice from outside, he lazily called out.

"Come in!"

When he saw Zhao Gongming enter the cave dwelling, Niu Ben turned his head and asked doubtfully, "Junior Brother Zhao, what is it?"

Zhao Gongming stared blankly at the sight before him, feeling his heart shatter.

His three younger sisters had never treated him like this. Their brotherly affection was gone!

Sensing Niu Ben's gaze, he finally snapped back to his senses. He coughed lightly to conceal his embarrassment before saying, "An Immortal Court Envoy has come to visit. He says he wishes to pay respects to the two senior uncles and Master."

An Immortal Court Envoy had come to visit?

Niu Ben sat upright in surprise, his thoughts racing.

He had not miscalculated. The Purple Mansion Immortal Court should be about to suffer misfortune.

East Prince Gong, that unlucky fellow, might nominally be the Head of Male Immortals, but he was merely a fuse pushed forward by Dao Ancestor Hongjun. His end was certainly death.

And he would bring it upon himself.

Getting involved with him was absolutely no good!

Besides, the man was petty, extremely arrogant, and wildly conceited. Since he had sent an envoy, it would be fine to meet him.

With that in mind, he rose with a smile. "I'll go meet him!"

With that, he flew out of the cave dwelling and soon arrived at the entrance of Kunlun Mountain.

Looking at the Quasi-Saint, he was secretly surprised. East Prince Gong had not acted foolishly this time and had sent a Quasi-Saint, though this fellow could only be considered bottom-tier among the Three Thousand Guests of Purple Cloud Palace.

But no matter what, he was still a Quasi-Saint.

Niu Ben cupped his hands in greeting, then asked, "Are you the envoy from the Purple Mansion Immortal Court?"

The Quasi-Saint hurriedly returned the salute.

The status of the Senior Disciple Brother among the Disciples of the Three Pure Ones was far greater than that of a Quasi-Saint like him.

"Greetings, young friend. I have come to visit the Three Pure Ones, fellow Daoists. Might you convey my request for me?"

Niu Ben put on a hesitant expression. "Well..."

Yet inwardly, he was delighted. Wasn't this a perfect opportunity?

Though the man before him had reached the Quasi-Saint realm, he had merely been born early. He was likely an Innate Being of the Primordial Wilderness and surely possessed some valuable treasures.

If he wanted to meet the Three Pure Ones, he would first have to get past him.

The man had likely chosen to align himself with East Prince Gong because he lacked any backing.

When dealing with someone like that, one had to reach out when the time was right.

Seeing Niu Ben's hesitant expression and how he clearly did not take him seriously, the Quasi-Saint was enraged inwardly, though he could only maintain a gentle smile.

With a wave of his hand, several Innate Spiritual Treasures appeared.

"These are but a small token of my respect. I hope, young friend, that you can make an exception for me!"

After following East Prince Gong for so long, he had already learned how to read people's expressions.

Niu Ben accepted them without hesitation. They were not top-tier treasures, but they were still rare valuables in the Primordial Wilderness. This man was willing to spend heavily.

A smile appeared on his face as well. "Please wait a moment, fellow Daoist!"

The Immortal Court Envoy felt deeply depressed. This fellow truly was shameless. Without benefits, he would simply leave him waiting. If he failed to meet the Three Pure Ones, then given East Prince Gong's temperament, he certainly would not have an easy time of it.

The items he had just offered were all part of his personal collection. He did not dare use inferior goods to deceive someone like the Senior Disciple Brother among the Disciples of the Three Pure Ones, who had surely seen every kind of treasure. If he botched the matter, that would be the greatest trouble.

Niu Ben had already arrived at Taishang's Dao Field.

Taiqing Taishang Daode Tianzun was currently sitting with his eyes closed, comprehending the Great Dao. Yet he had long sensed Niu Ben's arrival and opened his eyes.

They seemed to contain endless profundities of the Great Dao, making one's mind and soul tremble.

Niu Ben was already accustomed to it. He bowed and recounted what had just happened.

"Master, should we see him?"

Taishang stroked his beard and smiled lightly.

"Let him in. A visitor is a guest, after all!"