The Boiling Primordial Wilderness

The news that Hong Yun had given the Hongmeng Purple Qi to Kunpeng was like a massive boulder cast into a tranquil lake, instantly whipping up towering waves across the entire Primordial Wilderness.

Kunlun Mountain, the Three Pure Ones' Dao Field.

Primordial Lord Tianzun raised a brow slightly. "Hong Yun's move truly exceeds this humble Daoist's expectations."

"Abandoning the foundation of becoming a Sage merely to settle a karmic debt... Hmph, how pedantic!"

Laozi sat with his eyes closed, his fingers absently rolling together. Only after a long while did he slowly speak. "Great courage. Great resolve."

"Only... what a pity."

Tongtian Sect Master burst into laughter, looking thoroughly unrestrained. "Splendid! That old Hong Yun usually looks so wilted and listless. Who would've thought he actually had some fire in him!"

"Pedantic or not, at least he dares to act and take responsibility. Far better than certain people who hide their heads and show their tails!"

Primordial Lord Tianzun snorted coldly and said no more.

Phoenix Nest Mountain.

Upon hearing the news, Nuwa furrowed her brows slightly.

She let out a soft sigh. "Daoist Friend Hong Yun... ah."

In the end, he was not a disciple of a Sage. Receiving the Hongmeng Purple Qi—whether it was fortune or disaster—was truly hard to say.

Even she, a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor, had chosen to stay far from the Heavenly Court and return to Phoenix Nest Mountain to avoid the limelight, had she not?

Why?

Was it not because she feared Di Jun and Taiyi would entertain certain thoughts?

A Saint Position moved people's hearts!

Even she, a rightful future Sage, had to tread with the utmost caution. For Hong Yun, a rogue cultivator with neither roots nor support, obtaining the Hongmeng Purple Qi was itself the crime of possessing a jade ring.

Now that he had given it away, though it was regrettable, it might not have been a way to extricate himself.

"Elder Brother," Nuwa said, looking toward Fuxi at her side, "why do you think Daoist Friend Hong Yun suddenly saw the light and handed the Hongmeng Purple Qi to Kunpeng?"

Fuxi plucked at the strings of his zither, producing several clear, ringing notes.

Fuxi stopped his hands and sighed. "This matter is likely inseparable from Daoist Friend Wu Ming."

"After the Treasure Distribution Rock at Purple Cloud Palace, Daoist Friend Wu Ming spoke to Hong Yun, telling him to seek him out once he had thought things through."

"I expect it was all for today's matter."

"Daoist Friend Wu Ming..." Nuwa murmured.

She recalled that after Purple Cloud Palace concluded, she and her elder brother had hurried back to Phoenix Nest Mountain without lingering in the Heavenly Court.

Though Di Jun and Taiyi had treated her politely, the Demon Race was powerful, and with something as scalding-hot as the Hongmeng Purple Qi in hand, she had never felt truly secure.

Looking at it now, although Hong Yun had lost his chance at a Saint Position, leaving that whirlpool behind might... truly have been a good thing?

"But now that Kunpeng has obtained the Hongmeng Purple Qi, will Di Jun and Taiyi truly let him refine it in peace?" Nuwa asked again.

Fuxi shook his head. "Difficult. Di Jun is a man of grand talent and sweeping strategy, while Taiyi's combat power is unrivaled. How could they tolerate an uncontrolled 'future Sage' at their side?"

"Kunpeng's fortune and calamity are entwined this time."

Nuwa said no more, but her wariness of Wu Ming deepened by several degrees.

This Ancestral Wu of the Wu Clan seemed always able to see through the fog and make the most correct choice.

The west, Mount Sumeru.

When Jieyin and Zhunti heard the news, their expressions turned exceedingly grim.

Zhunti wore a bitter look as he asked anxiously, "Elder Brother! What are we to do?"

"Hong Yun gave the Hongmeng Purple Qi to Kunpeng! The karma between those two has been settled!"

"But what about the karma we owe Hong Yun, as well as Kunpeng? What do we do with that?"

He gritted his teeth.

"Back then in Purple Cloud Palace, if not for the two of us..."

"If the Hongmeng Purple Qi were still in Hong Yun's hands, we would at least have had a chance to maneuver and find a way to resolve the karma with both of them."

"Now that the Hongmeng Purple Qi has fallen into that Kunpeng's hands, having obtained the foundation of a Saint Position, he will likely hate us even more over the matter of the Cushion!"

"This karma of ours will likely be even harder to settle!"

Jieyin sighed, the sorrow on his face deepening. "Junior Brother, be calm."

"What is done is done. There is no use in overthinking it."

"As for Kunpeng..." Jieyin paused. "He has obtained the Purple Qi, but he has also entered the mire that is the Demon Court."

"Di Jun and Taiyi see him as a thorn in their eyes and a barb in their flesh. Whether he can refine the Purple Qi in peace remains uncertain."

"Our most pressing task is to comprehend the Hongmeng Purple Qi as soon as possible and attain the Saint Position!"

"So long as you and I attain the Saint Position, what are mere karmic debts worth?"

With that, Jieyin closed his eyes, his countenance solemn and dignified, and began to meditate.

"But..." Zhunti still wanted to say something, but seeing that Jieyin had already entered meditation, he could only swallow his words.

"Ah! This is the only way!" Zhunti gritted his teeth, then sat cross-legged as well, forcing himself to calm down and comprehend.

Yet the urgency and unwillingness between his brows could not be dispelled no matter what.

In the depths of the Sea of Blood, Ancestor Minghe sat atop the Karma Red Lotus.

Upon hearing the news that Hong Yun had relinquished the Hongmeng Purple Qi, a strange light flashed through his blood-red eyes.

"Hong Yun... Kunpeng... Hongmeng Purple Qi... Demon Race..."

Minghe murmured softly, a meaningful curve lifting at the corner of his mouth.

"Interesting, truly interesting..."

"The waters of this Primordial Wilderness are growing muddier by the day."

"Muddy waters are best for fishing..."

Eastern Sea, Penglai Immortal Island.

When East King Duke heard this news, he sprang straight to his feet and began cursing loudly.

"Hong Yun! You fool! You pig-brained idiot!"

"You really are mud that can't be plastered onto a wall!"

"What a waste of the Dao Ancestor's regard for you!"

"The Hongmeng Purple Qi was already in your hands! A chance to become a Saint! And you just gave it away?"

"If I had the Hongmeng Purple Qi, whoever dared snatch it from me, I'd kill him!"

"You couldn't even seize hold of such a heaven-sent opportunity. No wonder you'll never become a Saint!"

East King Duke was so furious that his beard bristled and his eyes bulged. In his view, Hong Yun was simply foolish beyond all measure.

For a time, the entire Primordial Wilderness was thoroughly thrown into an uproar by Hong Yun's action.

Countless Great Powers and Rogue Cultivators discussed the matter heatedly.

Some admired Hong Yun's resolve, some mocked his stupidity, some gloated over his misfortune, while others made calculations in secret.

Yet Hong Yun, the instigator behind it all, was currently within Pangu Hall on Buzhou Mountain.

The atmosphere in the hall was relaxed.

Hong Yun wore a smile of immense relief, his entire person radiating the lightness of one who had finally been unshackled.

He lifted the tea before him toward Wu Ming and Zhen Yuanzi. "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, today's matter was only resolved thanks to the aid of you two!"

"If not for the two of you, this humble Daoist would likely have... ah!"

Remembering the peril outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, Hong Yun still felt lingering fear.

Had Wu Ming not promptly proposed the method of making an oath, he might truly have fought Kunpeng to the death, even dragging Zhen Yuanzi and the Wu Clan into it.

Zhen Yuanzi helped Hong Yun up. "Fellow Daoist, you give us too much credit."

"You were able to see through the temptation of the Hongmeng Purple Qi, hold fast to your true heart, and bring an end to karma and consequence. This humble Daoist is happy for you as well."

Though he regretted his friend's loss of the Saint Position, seeing Hong Yun's peaceful state of mind now, no longer entangled by karma and consequence, Zhen Yuanzi felt that this might perhaps be the best outcome.

Hong Yun sighed. "Yes. Without the Hongmeng Purple Qi, there is still an emptiness in my heart, but the great stone weighing upon it has finally been moved away."

"From now on, this humble Daoist may cultivate in peace, no longer troubled by this matter."

Wu Ming looked at Hong Yun and nodded slightly. "That Fellow Daoist can let go of his obsession is a virtue beyond measure."

"Though the Hongmeng Purple Qi is good, it is accompanied by endless turmoil."

"Kunpeng has obtained the purple qi. Though he appears glorious, he has in truth already fallen into a dangerous predicament."

"Di Jun and Taiyi will absolutely not sit by and watch him become a Saint without hindrance."

Zhen Yuanzi agreed. "Indeed. Kunpeng entered the Demon Court; he is seeking counsel from a tiger."

"If he wishes to peacefully refine the Hongmeng Purple Qi, it will be difficult."

Listening to his two friends' analysis, the last trace of disappointment in Hong Yun's heart gradually faded away.

Perhaps losing the Hongmeng Purple Qi was truly a good thing for him.

The three chatted idly for a while longer, exchanging some insights from cultivation.

Having settled the great matter weighing on his heart, Hong Yun was in high spirits for conversation.

Zhen Yuanzi, too, was happy for his friend.

The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

After a while, Wu Ming looked toward Zhen Yuanzi, his expression turning solemn.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."

Seeing that something was amiss in Wu Ming's expression, Zhen Yuanzi put away his smile as well. "What matter does Fellow Daoist Wu Ming have?"

Wu Ming slowly said, "This humble Daoist indeed has a matter for which I wish to ask Fellow Daoist's assistance."

"This matter... is of great importance. It cannot be entrusted to anyone but you, Fellow Daoist."

Zhen Yuanzi's heart stirred. For Wu Ming to treat it with such gravity, it was certainly no trifling matter.

He had known Wu Ming for many years and understood his temperament well; he never asked others for help lightly.

"Speak freely, Fellow Daoist Wu Ming."

Zhen Yuanzi straightened in his seat.

"So long as this poor Daoist can do it, I shall not refuse."