Duobao, Jinling, Wudang, Guiling, Zhao Gongming, and Sanxiao were the Eight True Disciples of Biyou.
Their prestige surpassed that of all other immortals.
They were regarded by all as role models.
Thus, Wuyun Xian was greatly shocked upon hearing that all eight disciples had entered the list.
In truth, he was not the only one. All the disciples of Biyou were terrified.
In their view, even if rankings were based on cultivation, the eight disciples should not have been listed.
Many disciples even believed that they themselves ought to be the ones on the list!
Duobao raised his voice. "Junior brothers and sisters, calm yourselves."
He spoke solemnly.
"Master's actions must conceal some deeper meaning."
"We need only obey Master's orders."
Yunxiao said in a clear voice,
"Master's Dao sees through the Heavenly Secret and seizes a thread of opportunity."
"Master expelled the inferior disciples and dissolved the Jie Sect himself, leaving only us behind precisely to fight for that thread of opportunity."
"I believe Master has his own plans."
The immortals of Biyou immediately felt relieved.
Yunxiao was absolutely right!
Upon reflection, Master had foreseen the immeasurable calamity long ago, which was why he had not hesitated to dissolve the Jie Sect himself.
Was it not precisely to protect a thread of opportunity for his disciples?
Master had always practiced his Dao.
If entering the list meant certain death, why would Master allow the Eight True Disciples to enter it?
Would that not be a joke?
Tongtian nodded approvingly.
"The affection you share is Biyou's greatest treasure."
His expression turned solemn.
"Once immortals and mortals are separated and the Three Realms are set upon their proper paths, the Heavenly Court's heavy responsibilities will become apparent."
"Its influence will eventually surpass that of all Saints."
"The faith of the mortal beings in the Heavenly Court may even exceed that given to the Saints."
"The Heavenly Court will become an excellent path for gathering virtue."
The immortals of Biyou were stunned.
He still intended to place the eight disciples on the list?
Had they misunderstood?
Tongtian explained,
"Listing the names of the eight disciples is the best way to silence the other Saints."
"Even the Dao Ancestor acknowledges it, without a single objection."
"Without them, all your names would be on the list."
All the immortals of Biyou bowed to the Eight True Disciples. "Thank you, senior brothers and sisters, for protecting us."
Their gratitude was sincere.
They were Daluo immortals, and becoming Quasi-Saints was within reach. How could they be willing to enter the Heavenly Court as officials and be bound by the list?
Moreover, the immeasurable calamity was terrifying.
Tongtian had traded these eight for the cultivation prospects of two hundred immortals. His resolve was astonishing!
Tongtian smiled. "Rest easy. The eight disciples are your opportunity, and I will secure a thread of opportunity for them."
"Perhaps they will encounter another destiny, or perhaps glimpse the secret of Hunyuan!"
The immortals looked at one another. Even Wuyun Xian and Golden Hoop, who believed in their master most firmly, were left speechless.
It was not that they did not believe the eight disciples could attain Hunyuan.
Those at the Daluo realm were always supremely confident.
They believed they themselves could attain Hunyuan, but it would take several epochs.
There were only a thousand years until the Investiture of the Gods calamity.
Even with a miraculous encounter, could it really allow the Eight Immortals to leap into the Quasi-Saint realm?
Tongtian did not argue. He merely instructed them, "Guard our home well. When the great calamity begins a thousand years from now, do not associate with any cultivators."
All the immortals of Biyou bowed together and loudly accepted the order.
No Daluo immortal was foolish.
With the great calamity approaching, making friends everywhere and becoming entangled in unclear Karma was simply courting death.
How could they make such a mistake?
Tongtian instructed the Eight Immortals, "Come with me to visit a senior. Remember to listen more and speak less. This will be your opportunity."
The Eight Immortals were puzzled.
Duobao's heart stirred as he cried out in surprise, "Master, could it be that peerless being you often mentioned, whose cultivation surpasses yours by ten thousand times?"
Tongtian praised him. "A teachable child. You understood at once."
The immortals of Biyou were dumbfounded. So the Hua Tuo Master had mentioned truly existed!
Who could possess cultivation ten thousand times greater than their master's?
Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun would not dare make such a claim!
Yet their master seemed to be serious.
Tongtian waved his sleeve and brought the Eight Immortals to the East Sea.
The Eight Immortals were curious. The East Sea stretched endlessly, with no island or islet in sight.
Where were they going?
Though they were Daluo immortals and true disciples, they remembered their master's instructions and observed more while speaking less.
Penglai Immortal Island was not fixed in place.
Its entrance appeared and vanished throughout the East Sea.
In truth, after Penglai had been covered by the immeasurable formation, it had fallen into an extremely independent space.
It was not in the Primordial Era, nor was it even within the chaos.
Thus, after Senior Lin Dong entered the island, the Heavenly Dao had been unable to trace him—he was not in the Primordial Era, so how could the Heavenly Dao know of him?
What Tongtian sought was Penglai's exit.
After extensive calculations, Tongtian's eyes lit up. He formed a hand seal. "Reveal yourself!"
Amid the Eight Immortals' shock, an island appeared. Verdant immortal peaks towered above, forests blotted out the sun, and rare birds and strange beasts filled the land.
This was merely a scene from one corner of the East Sea.
Tongtian waved his sleeve and brought the Eight Immortals onto the island.
The Eight Immortals stood there in a daze.
Spiritual energy crashed over them like ocean waves—Biyou was already a blessed land of the Primordial Era, where spiritual energy had liquefied.
Yet compared to Penglai, it was like a stream meeting a great river, worlds apart.
Penglai's spiritual energy was a boundless ocean.
Without even waiting to be absorbed, endless spiritual energy surged madly into the Eight Immortals' Dharma bodies.
Daluo immortals required immense quantities of spiritual energy, which was why they often monopolized blessed grotto-heavens.
Even though the Eight Immortals needed a vast amount,
within the time it took to burn one incense stick, their bodies were completely filled.
The spiritual energy churned, and their cultivation rose wildly until they all reached the absolute peak of Daluo.
It seemed they could enter the Quasi-Saint realm at any moment.
"Oh? Little Friend Lingbao, you actually brought your disciples for a visit."
A vast voice resounded through everything.
The Eight Immortals' Dharma bodies trembled, and upon hearing it, countless thoughts arose in their minds.
Tongtian hurriedly bowed. "I came without first obtaining your permission, Senior. Please forgive me!"
The Eight Immortals were shocked again. Their master was actually so respectful toward the owner of that voice.
They were quick-witted and immediately followed Tongtian in bowing.
Then their vision blurred, and they had already arrived atop a mountain peak.
The Eight Immortals' breathing quickened, their eyes filled with Dao intent!
Where exactly was this place?
The Eight True Disciples of Biyou had often heard Tongtian speak of Penglai's great expert.
Tongtian had said that his cultivation surpassed his own by ten thousand times.
He was nearly omnipotent!
To be honest, they had not believed it.
Could someone ten thousand times stronger than Tongtian even exist?
Absolutely not!
Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun could not surpass him by ten thousand times!
Let alone Hongjun—even the Heavenly Dao could not!
Yet when they truly faced Senior Lin Dong, whom Tongtian had brought them to meet, they were shocked to find that their master had not exaggerated in the slightest!
What kind of cultivator was this?
He was simply an incarnation of the Great Dao!
Lin Dong's figure was reflected in Dao Talismans. At a single glance, countless insights into the Dao surged within their Seas of Primordial Spirit.
The Eight Immortals felt the barrier to Quasi-Sainthood loosen, as though they could enter the realm at once.
They fell into enlightenment!
Tongtian looked silently at his eight disciples.
His face flushed as though scorched by fire.
He had intended to bring them to seek Senior Lin Dong's guidance and fight for a thread of opportunity.
He had never expected that the Eight Immortals' cultivation would be so shallow that they would fall into an enlightenment trance before even seeing his true form.
As their master, Tongtian was extremely embarrassed.
Tongtian hurriedly lowered his head and bowed. "Senior, my disciples have acted rashly. Please do not blame them."
He had brought the Eight Immortals to seek a thread of opportunity.
He had not brought them here to offend him.
Lin Dong had no intention of blaming them. He watched the Eight Immortals with amusement.
"Interesting. Little Friend Lingbao, your disciples are quite interesting."
Tongtian was delighted. It was good enough that Senior did not blame them.
"These eight little true immortals have grasped your true teachings. Their Dao foundations are as solid as rock. Their path has taken a slight shortcut, but considering their age, they are acceptable."
Tongtian did not know whether to laugh or cry.
His eight disciples were at the peak of Daluo and could become Quasi-Saints at any time.
Yet in Lin Dong's eyes, they were merely eight little true immortals.
But then he remembered that he himself, a Hunyuan expert, was still only barely a Daluo in Lin Dong's words—and one who had entered through a shortcut!
Tongtian felt relieved.
Lin Dong explained, "After I attained the Dao, my flesh became eternal, my primordial spirit immortal. I gathered my past, present, and future selves, could pluck the stars of the Primordial Era at will, and overturn the universe."
Tongtian was dumbfounded!
Senior, please wait!
Did you say true immortals?
Even Quasi-Saints could not make their flesh eternal or their primordial spirits indestructible!
Only Saint Hunyuan experts could achieve that.
Were the Eight Immortals worthy of being called true immortals?!
No! Were they worthy of being called "true immortals" by Lin Dong?!
Absolutely not!
Lin Dong pondered slightly.
"Little Friend Lingbao, your lineage is very interesting."
"You actually attained the Dao through a single law, entering the realm through clever means."
"Though you later completed it, it was indeed a shortcut."
"Interesting, very interesting."
Tongtian's mind was in chaos.
What was interesting about that?
Lin Dong's realm had frightened him senseless!
A true immortal attained the Dao and possessed an eternal body?
Was that truly not Hunyuan?!
Furthermore, he was at the peak of the ninth layer of Hunyuan, only a step away from the tenth layer.
Yet in Lin Dong's words, he was merely a minor cultivator who had cleverly entered Daluo.
Lin Dong continued,
"I see that the Eight Little Friends are about to enter the Golden Immortal realm."
"Golden Immortals wield the laws of the Great Dao. Their concepts endure forever; a wisp of their True Spirit can be reborn. They enter the River of Time and Space, roam through the ages, possess immortal blood, and form supreme Dharma manifestations with boundless Dharma bodies."
"This was the true Golden Immortal realm. They could hardly attain it; even with clever cultivation, reaching it would require endless years."
"Yet one could cultivate in reverse from True Immortal, grasp the essentials, make up for deficiencies from above, and achieve it more easily."
Tongtian was completely stunned.
So this was what he called a Golden Immortal?!
Did that not mean his true cultivation was merely at the Golden Immortal level?!
No! He was not even equal to a true Golden Immortal in Senior's eyes!
Tongtian was utterly convinced.
No wonder he spoke of cleverly entering Daluo.
By this standard, among the Primordial Era's Saints, who could reach Golden Immortal?
His own Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Dao Realm was insufficient. Taishang, Yuanshi, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti were insufficient as well.
Hongjun seemed insufficient too!
With Concept Immortality, the Saints could achieve it by borrowing the authority of the Heavenly Dao.
But roaming the River of Time and Space?
They could not!
Lin Dong's Dao was unfathomably profound.
Tongtian bowed in complete submission.
Lin Dong smiled. "The Eight Little Friends are just one step from the threshold. Since this is our first meeting, I shall give you a small gift."
Tongtian was overjoyed.
He knew that Lin Dong's "small gift" would certainly be anything but small.
Tongtian had already understood that Lin Dong's concepts were entirely different from his own.
Lin Dong smiled faintly and made a slight motion with his finger. Eight Great Dao laws appeared, enveloping the Eight Immortals.
Tongtian's mouth fell open.
Among the laws were force, time, space, karma, fate...
Each was the strongest and most suitable law for the eight disciples, directly merging into their bodies.
The Eight Immortals' auras surged explosively.
Tongtian watched in delight.
Once the eight laws completely fused, their realms naturally crossed into the Quasi-Saint realm, becoming Quasi-Saints!
Well, by the Primordial Era's standards!
Before it was over,
Lin Dong pointed again, and immeasurable Primordial Era Merit descended!
It enveloped the Eight Immortals. Not only did it stabilize their cultivation, it also greatly elevated it.
Primordial Era Merit was an exceedingly rare treasure.
With its assistance, the Eight Immortals' Dao advanced greatly once more.
Their realms rapidly stabilized and steadily rose.
In the blink of an eye, they went from early Quasi-Saint to high-level Quasi-Saint.
Merit scattered like flowing water.
Even with Tongtian's discernment, he found it painful to watch.
Yet Lin Dong did not care at all—it was standard equipment from the Sign-in System and did nothing for his Dao cultivation.
The Eight Immortals' Dao finally stopped at the peak of high-level Quasi-Saint. The remaining Merit formed massive Golden Wheels behind their heads.
Tongtian was beside himself with joy. With those Golden Wheels, the Eight Immortals would surely avoid the Investiture of the Gods List.
Tongtian's face overflowed with barely restrained excitement.
Why had he brought the Eight Immortals along to visit?
Was it not precisely to beg Senior Lin Dong to grant the Eight Immortals a chance at survival?
Tongtian's teachings aimed to comprehend the mysteries of heaven and earth and seize that fleeting hope.
He had always practiced what he preached, following his own Dao through action.
When all the Saints had gathered in Zixiao Palace to jointly sign the Investiture of the Gods List,
Tongtian had keenly caught an unnoticed mystery—
Those listed on the Investiture of the Gods List did not necessarily have to send their True Spirits onto it!
He had specifically asked Hongjun about it.
He learned that those with deep virtue and lasting blessings should cultivate the Immortal Dao rather than switch to the divine path.
At that moment, inspiration had struck Tongtian.
He suddenly realized that the names on the Investiture of the Gods List did not necessarily require their True Spirits to be listed!
Even physical bodies could be entered onto the list!
After confirming it, Tongtian decisively wrote the names of his eight true disciples onto the list.
When he saw Taishang actually write the name of his Good Corpse, Taishang Laojun, onto the Investiture of the Gods List—and succeed in listing him—
It further strengthened Tongtian's judgment: cultivators could indeed be listed with their physical bodies!
However, sending his eight true disciples onto the list was ultimately a gamble.
Even though he was certain that all his disciples were virtuous True Immortals,
Under the Immeasurable Calamity, there were endless variables. Who could predict the unforeseen twists ahead?
One had to know that all the Saints would personally enter the fray!
When Saints acted, slaughter incurred no Karma!
How could Tongtian not seek some protection for his disciples?
He himself lacked the ability to carve out a path of survival for them,
But he firmly believed that Senior Lin Dong could do it.
In Tongtian's heart, Senior Lin Dong's Dao cultivation surpassed his by tens of millions of times.
Senior Lin Dong was omnipotent!
Before Tongtian could even speak, Senior Lin Dong had already given him a shocking surprise.
With a mere wave of his hand, he raised the Eight Immortals from Grand Unity Golden Immortals to Quasi-Saints.
Immeasurable Merit descended, not only stabilizing the Eight Immortals' Quasi-Saint cultivation but pushing it to a high level.
He had even bestowed Golden Wheels of Merit sufficient to protect them!
This far exceeded Tongtian's expectations!
Who did not know that True Immortals of Merit faced neither disasters nor tribulations? Even when a great calamity struck, they could protect themselves without worry.
Tongtian's reverence for Senior Lin Dong grew even deeper!
Lin Dong smiled indifferently. "When walking the Primordial Era, cultivation alone is far from enough."
"Since you have fate with me, I shall give you a few Dharma treasures that I personally refined."
With a light tap of his finger, nine plain and unadorned Dharma treasures appeared.
These Dharma treasures looked ordinary, yet they radiated a mysterious yellow light, as though Chaos had just opened.
Apart from the color of Chaos, they bore no other hues.
Tongtian's heart immediately trembled!
Divine treasures concealed their brilliance, hiding their true nature!
What surprised him even more was that there was one for him as well!
This was truly an enormous surprise!
Tongtian examined the Dharma treasure that had merged into his primordial spirit,
And was utterly astonished.
It was clearly an axe, its quality surpassing every Innate Supreme Treasure he had ever seen!
"Could this... be a Chaos Spirit Treasure?!"
Tongtian was so shocked that he nearly lost his voice.
Lin Dong pointed again. "The Investiture of the Gods Calamity is approaching. I shall help you refine them!"
Nine streams of Great Dao light entered the bodies of Tongtian and his eight disciples.
Tongtian only felt the restrictions within the axe vanish instantly as it merged with his primordial spirit.
Powerful!
Unprecedentedly powerful!
He was shocked to discover that, driven by the axe, his Dao cultivation had risen to the peak of the Twelfth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm!
Only a thin line remained before he could touch the Dao Integration Realm!
"A Chaos Spirit Treasure—it is absolutely a Chaos Spirit Treasure!"
Tongtian was now completely certain!
This surprise was simply unparalleled!
He suddenly came back to himself.
Then he remembered something. Even he had been elevated so greatly by this Dharma treasure—what about his disciples?
Turning to look, he found that the Dao cultivation of his eight true disciples had all reached the peak of Quasi-Saint!
Even Tongtian, a mighty being at the peak of the Twelfth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm in the Origin Realm,
Felt a wave of dizziness.
What kind of astonishing rate of advancement was this?
Unseen before, unheard of before!
Lin Dong lightly shook his head and solemnly instructed him:
"Little Friend Lingbao, your Dao cultivation has reached its threshold."
"But your foundation is unstable, and you must diligently strengthen it."
"On the path of cultivation, there is still much you must make up for!"
Tongtian was completely convinced. He respectfully bowed down and performed a solemn salute.
"This disciple thanks Senior for your guidance!"
Lin Dong said seriously:
"Although you entered the Daluo realm through a fortunate opportunity and possess a slight Charm of Daluo,"
"In truth, you have not even laid a firm Golden Immortal foundation!"
"I do not know the calculations of the Shangqing Saint, but in my view,"
"A Daluo attained through shortcuts cannot even defeat a true Golden Immortal!"
"Do you understand?"
Tongtian answered with utmost sincerity, "This disciple understands."
He had not the slightest intention of refuting him.
In Senior Lin Dong's eyes, Golden Immortals were entirely different from Tongtian's understanding.
The Golden Immortals in Lin Dong's eyes could command Great Dao laws, possess Concept Immortality, and be reborn from a single thread of True Spirit.
They could roam the River of Time and Space, their immortal blood undying and their Dharma bodies boundless.
Within the Primordial Era, even Saints of the Dao Integration Realm might not reach such a realm!
Against such Golden Immortals, Tongtian knew he truly could not prevail!
Lin Dong added, "The same is true of your eight disciples."
"Although they entered the Golden Immortal realm through fortunate opportunities, they are actually only at the True Immortal level."
Tongtian was ashamed.
He knew that Senior Lin Dong was already being tactful.
By Lin Dong's standards, Duobao and the other eight did not even qualify as True Immortals!
Even so, Tongtian still felt incomparably satisfied.
Bringing his disciples to visit Senior Lin Dong this time had truly been the right choice!
Lin Dong said with a smile, "Little Friend Lingbao, you have not visited in a long time. The changes in the Primordial Era have truly amazed me."
"The separation of immortals and mortals, the establishment of order among the Three Realms—what a grand undertaking!"
He asked with a smile, "After the Shangqing Saint relinquished his Saint position, whose hands did the Primordial Violet Qi he cast away fall into?"
Tongtian froze.
He truly had not paid attention to this matter.
He respectfully asked, "Senior, who received the violet qi?"
Lin Dong smiled. "With immortals and mortals separated and the Three Realms set in order, the Heavenly Dao values balance."
"The Netherworld Realm is so vast. How could it lack a Saint to guard it?"
Tongtian's heart jolted. "The Netherworld Realm?"
He thought rapidly.
There were only two people in the Netherworld Realm qualified to attain the Dao.
Sect Master Minghe and Pingxin within the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
Minghe possessed no great Karma, so he could not be considered.
Tongtian said joyfully, "Senior, could it be the Emperor Houtu of the Six Paths of Reincarnation?"
To attain the Dao in the Primordial Era, it appeared that one needed Dao cultivation, Merit, and Primordial Violet Qi.
Yet Tongtian knew it was far from that simple.
Without great Karma, there was no hope of attaining the Dao!
Hongjun's six Saints all had profound origins.
The Three Pure Ones were formed from Pangu's primordial spirit, containing the Merit of opening heaven and destined to become Saints.
Nuwa was the mother of all living beings. With the merit of mending the heavens upon her, her Saint position had been ordained by Heaven.
Jieyin and Zhunti were the representatives of the West.
Hongjun owed the West Karma, so he ceded two Saint positions.
Therefore, even if Tongtian had abolished his own Saint position, the Saints still regarded him as a Saint.
The Heavenly Dao had decreed that Tongtian would eventually return to his Saint position!
Conversely, without great Karma, even if one possessed cultivation, Merit, and violet qi in full,
not only would one fail to attain the Dao, one might instead invite disaster.
Ancestor Hong Yun was a cautionary example.
Though he possessed the Primordial Violet Qi, he was ambushed by the Three Great Demon Emperors and died, reincarnating afterward.
Therefore, Tongtian absolutely did not believe Minghe had a chance to attain the Dao.
But he sincerely thought highly of Pingxin and was willing to offer his congratulations at once.
Pingxin was Houtu, one of the Twelve Ancestral Witches.
With a heart of great compassion, she transformed herself into reincarnation and benefited the Primordial Era.
She possessed immense Merit and great Karma; all the Saints owed her a debt.
If she attained the Dao, none would dare object.
Tongtian asked in confusion, "Senior, why did I sense nothing if Pingxin has become a Saint?"
When a new Saint was born, all under heaven should celebrate!
Yet apart from the separation of immortals and mortals and the Three Realms settling into their ordained course, nothing else of note had happened in the Primordial Era.
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