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

Zhao Gongming was originally the first wisp of clear wind in the world to take form, and later became a disciple of Shangqing Tongtian.

Though the Jie Teachings had not yet been formally established, when Tongtian preached the Dao, he personally appointed Zhao Gongming as the Outer Sect Senior Disciple Brother, placing him on equal footing with Tongtian's Personal Disciples.

The closer he got to the entrance of Kunlun Mountain, the more the aura shook his heart—the visitor was undoubtedly a Quasi-Saint Great Expert.

Despite his shock, he felt no fear.

His master was Shangqing Tongtian, a future ordained Saint and a Personal Disciple of the Dao Ancestor. As a disciple of a Saint, he had no need to fear even a Quasi-Saint.

Arriving at the entrance of Kunlun Mountain, he saw the figure of the visitor and felt a flicker of familiarity, but couldn't place it at once.

"What business do you have?"

Zhao Gongming's tone was polite, neither servile nor arrogant.

The Quasi-Saint looked at Zhao Gongming at the entrance and easily sensed his late-stage Golden Immortal cultivation.

Indignation rose within him. A mere late-stage Golden Immortal, when meeting him, not only failed to bow but dared to put on such airs. If this were outside, a single glance could obliterate the man's form and spirit.

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

If he dared to act rashly, the Three Pure Ones could rip out his soul and use it as a lamp wick.

His demeanor was gentle, his voice like a spring breeze: "I am an Envoy of the Purple Mansion Immortal Court, one of the three thousand guests of the Purple Firmament Palace. Today, I have come to pay respects to the three Senior Brothers!"

Among the three thousand guests of the Purple Firmament Palace, it was polite to address one another as fellow disciples, having listened to Dao Ancestor Hongjun's lectures and called him Teacher.

But his status was barely that of a minor figure.

Still, as a Quasi-Saint, calling them Senior Brother was his last shred of pride.

Zhao Gongming finally remembered who this person was—the Immortal Court Grand Protector of East Prince Gong. He had thought it was some supreme Great Expert, but it was just East Prince Gong's lackey.

He was well-informed about recent events in the Primordial Wilderness, and his character was upright and unbending, with no tolerance for wrongdoing.

East Prince Gong had committed countless killings. If not for being the Dao Ancestor's appointed Head of Male Immortals, he would have long been annihilated in both form and spirit.

But the visitor had come politely, representing the Purple Mansion Immortal Court. He couldn't afford to offend him outright.

"Wait a moment. I'll go inform the Senior Disciple Brother!"

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

He knew Niu Ben had returned. His three younger sisters had all run off to Niu Ben's place, leaving him, the Big Brother, alone once more.

Arriving before Niu Ben's cave, he cupped his hands in a bow and sent his voice inside.

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

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

The Three Pure Ones had not yet split their households. A mount was closer than a Personal Disciple—whether for major matters or minor, Personal Disciples might be left behind, but the mount was always by their side.

His title of Senior Disciple Brother was well-deserved.

At that moment, Niu Ben was lounging in a rocking chair, basking in the sun, eyes half-closed as he enjoyed fruit Bixiao fed to his lips, his expression utterly relaxed.

Behind him, Yunxiao massaged his shoulders.

Beside him, Qiongxiao kneaded his legs.

Such treatment would make Zhao Gongming's heart ache with envy if he saw it.

But he was outside the cave and couldn't see what was inside.

Niu Ben was living a life of ease and comfort. Hearing the voice from outside, he called out lazily.

"Come in!"

Seeing Zhao Gongming enter the cave, Niu Ben turned his head and asked with curiosity, "Junior Brother Zhao, is something the matter?"

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

His three younger sisters had never treated him like this. The bond was gone!

Feeling Niu Ben's gaze, he snapped back to reality, coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment, and said, "An Envoy of the Purple Mansion Immortal Court has come, saying he wishes to pay respects to the two Senior Uncles and our master."

An Envoy of the Immortal Court?

Niu Ben sat up in surprise, his mind racing.

If his calculations were correct, the Purple Mansion Immortal Court was about to run into trouble.

That unlucky fool East Prince Gong, though nominally the Head of Male Immortals, was merely a fuse pushed forward by Dao Ancestor Hongjun. His end was certain death.

And he was digging his own grave.

Getting involved with him would bring nothing good!

Besides, the man was petty, arrogant, and conceited. Sending an envoy for a visit—it was worth meeting him once.

With that thought, he stood up with a smile. "I'll go have a word with him!"

With that, he flew out of the cave and soon reached the entrance of Kunlun Mountain.

Looking at that Quasi-Saint, East Prince Gong was surprised but not foolish this time—he had arranged for a Quasi-Saint Great Expert to come. Yet even among the three thousand guests of the Purple Firmament Palace, this fellow could only be considered mediocre.

Still, a Quasi-Saint was a Quasi-Saint nonetheless.

He cupped his hands in a perfunctory salute, then asked, "Are you the envoy of the Purple Mansion Immortal Court?"

That Quasi-Saint hurriedly returned the greeting.

The status of the Senior Disciple Brother under the Three Pure Ones far surpassed that of a mere Quasi-Saint.

"Greetings, young friend. I have come to visit the Three Pure Ones. Might I trouble you to pass along a message?"

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

Inside, however, he was gleeful. This is a good opportunity, isn't it?

Though this fellow before him had reached the Quasi-Saint realm, he was merely born early—likely an Innate Being of the Primordial Wilderness. He must have some good stuff on him.

If he wanted to see the Three Pure Ones, he'd have to get past him first.

Choosing to side with East Prince Gong probably meant he had no background and could only pick a faction.

When dealing with this kind of person, you take what you can get.

Seeing Niu Ben's hesitation and complete disregard for him, the Quasi-Saint was furious inside, but he forced a gentle smile on his face.

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

"These are a small token of respect. I hope the young friend will grant me this favor!"

Having followed East Prince Gong for so long, he had long since learned to read the room.

Niu Ben accepted without hesitation. Though not top-tier treasures, they were rare gems even in the Primordial Wilderness. This guy really knew how to invest.

A smile spread across his face. "Please wait a moment, fellow Daoist."

The Immortal Court Envoy was deeply frustrated. This bastard is truly shameless—if I don't grease his palm, he'll just leave me hanging. If he failed to meet the Three Pure Ones, given East Prince Gong's temperament, there would be hell to pay.

The items he had just taken out were his prized possessions. He dared not offer anything too shoddy to fool the Senior Disciple Brother of the Three Pure Ones, who had seen it all. Botching this task would be the biggest trouble of all.

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

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

Within them seemed to contain endless Dao principles, enough to shake one's soul.

Niu Ben was long accustomed to this. He bowed deeply and recounted what had just happened.

"Master, should we see him?"

Taiqing stroked his beard with a light chuckle.

"Let him in. After all, a guest has come."