Pangu's essence blood? The Earthly Dao?

Even though currently Nan Ji is the only one under the entire Three Pure Ones' tutelage.

Nan Ji also knew that, aside from his junior martial uncle, his martial uncle and master were still quite particular about etiquette.

Thus, Nan Ji bowed towards the Eight Sceneries Palace and said, "Senior Martial Uncle!"

"The door isn't closed, come in," Laozi's voice came from within the Eight Sceneries Palace. Nan Ji, with Niu Niu, walked into the palace hall.

Immediately, Nan Ji noticed that Laozi had already placed a giant alchemy furnace in the center of the main hall.

As soon as Nan Ji entered the Eight Sceneries Palace, the palace doors instantly closed.

"You've put in effort this time."

Laozi handed a palm-leaf fan to Nan Ji, signaling him to fan the flames.

Nan Ji readily took the fan, returned the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda to him, and then placed the leaves from the Enlightenment Tree, as well as the jade pot and cups he had received, before Laozi.

"Senior Martial Uncle, this is the Enlightenment Tree I acquired last time at Wuyi Mountain."

Then, while fanning the flames, Nan Ji recounted his experiences starting from Wuyi Mountain to Laozi.

He even told Laozi about the Treasure Dropping Coin and how Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao had held back.

Niu Niu, on the side, was very well-behaved and listened attentively. She couldn't help but widen her small mouth when she heard that ancient demon gods were involved.

Laozi wasn't overly surprised by everything that had happened.

Instead, he casually tossed two portions of spiritual herbs into the alchemy furnace before speaking, "As my Three Pure Ones' chief disciple, you are connected to the Three Pure Ones' destiny."

"This destiny, while it cannot allow you to defy heaven and change fate, will bring you many opportunities and help you turn danger into safety."

Hearing Laozi say this, Nan Ji thought it made sense.

Although he had transmigrated into the Great Desolation, the things he had encountered so far were truly beyond what ordinary second-generation disciples could experience.

So, Nan Ji nodded and said, "So that's how it is."

Laozi looked at Nan Ji's thoughtful expression and nodded, continuing, "Although you enjoy the Three Pure Ones' enduring destiny, you must also uphold the Three Pure Ones."

Nan Ji pondered for a moment, feeling a bit puzzled, "I'm not sure what Senior Martial Uncle means?"

"Your Master and your Junior Martial Uncle have completely different Daos. They will inevitably have disagreements in the future, and you must do your best to mediate."

After Laozi finished speaking, he added, "Also, the disciples under the Three Pure Ones in the future will depend on you."

If it weren't for the tea in front of him, Nan Ji would have truly raised his cup to toast Senior Martial Uncle Laozi.

This foresight! He had already identified the problem before even becoming a saint!

However, thinking of the Three Pure Ones, his home in the Great Desolation, Nan Ji said firmly, "Nan Ji will do his utmost."

Laozi was very pleased with Nan Ji's response and continued, "Your cultivation is still insufficient. Take out your Pangu's essence blood!"

Hearing Laozi's words, Nan Ji smacked his forehead; he had almost forgotten.

He quickly extracted Pangu's essence blood from within his body.

Before his Master's seclusion, Nan Ji had intended to return the pagoda to Senior Martial Uncle. He had then stored the wine brewed by the Twelve Ancestor Witches and this Pangu's essence blood within his body.

Laozi stared at the drop of Pangu's essence blood, swallowed slightly, and then said, "As expected of Great God Pangu's essence blood. Even from afar, I feel the urge to refine it."

Nan Ji nodded upon hearing this, "I'll leave it entirely to Senior Martial Uncle's discretion!"

He secretly thought: After all, Laozi's talent is maxed out. With both essence blood and Primordial Spirit, if he were to achieve the Dao through sheer force in the future... then his powerful backers would become even stronger.

Niu Niu, listening from the side, glared at Laozi, giving the impression that she would fight him to the death if he dared to take it for himself.

Laozi was very satisfied with Nan Ji's words and frankly said, "However, this is your fortune. How could Senior Martial Uncle do such a thing? Senior Martial Uncle will help you refine it."

Then, Laozi explained its uses: "This item can reshape the physical body, cultivate divine abilities, forge spiritual artifacts..."

After listing the various uses, Laozi slowly said, "You have innate deficiencies. Using it to reshape your physical body would be best. However, your Primordial Spirit will slowly dissipate thereafter. What are your thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, Nan Ji became hesitant.

In fact, Nan Ji had been hesitant since he first obtained it, which was why he hadn't used it sooner.

If he used it to reshape his physical body, he would truly become an Ancestor Witch in the Great Desolation.

But, let's not forget Houtu's cycle of reincarnation!

"Senior Martial Uncle..."

Nan Ji hesitated for a long time because he thought that if Houtu were to establish the cycle of reincarnation in the future, this drop of Pangu's essence blood might be able to help her.

With the help of the essence blood, Houtu's achievement of the Earthly Dao would be more complete, and could it potentially contend with the Heavenly Dao in the future?

In an instant, Nan Ji made his choice.

Seeing Nan Ji's long silence, Laozi could only say, "Very well. Senior Martial Uncle will help you seal it within the Soul Slaying Staff for now. While forging your spiritual artifact, it can also nourish your physical body."

"When you've made up your mind, come and tell Senior Martial Uncle."

Laozi's words were a promise.

Receiving Laozi's promise, Nan Ji was overjoyed.

You know, among the Three Pure Ones, Yuanshi, who excels at artifact forging, crafted the Heaven-Overturning Seal, allowing Guangchengzi to shine brightly in the Investiture of the Gods by specializing in attacking formidable foes from the Intercepting Sect.

And Laozi, who hid his true strength the deepest, only had his good corpse, Taishang Laojun, forge the Nine-Toothed Rake for Tianpeng.

Although it didn't make a significant appearance in Journey to the West, it could still contend with the Sea-Calming Divine Needle, a treasure of great merit.

Its forging process and the materials used also reflected Taishang Laojun's pursuit of perfection.

Therefore, Nan Ji was overjoyed by Laozi's promise. "Thank you, Senior Martial Uncle!"

Then, Nan Ji gave his Soul Slaying Staff to Laozi, watching as he sealed Pangu's essence blood within it.

This artifact forging took nearly several decades once more.

When the final incantation was cast, Laozi returned the Soul Slaying Staff to Nan Ji. "You will understand its mysteries with careful consideration in the future."

Huh?

Why not just say it directly?

Just as Nan Ji was about to ask something, Laozi descended from his cloud bed. "Let's go, accompany me and your Master and Martial Uncle to Buzhou Mountain!"

What?

Nan Ji, somewhat dazed, gripped his Soul Slaying Staff and found that its weight had changed from cumbersome to remarkably light.

But before Nan Ji could feel it out, the closed door of the Eight Sceneries Palace suddenly opened again.

Seeing Laozi walk out first, Nan Ji turned and asked, "Niu Niu, are you coming with us?"

Niu Niu heard him but shook her head.

It was fine to act like a child in front of the Three Pure Ones, but it would be embarrassing to continue like that outside.

"Alright! Then you stay home and wait for us to return obediently."

Nan Ji assumed Niu Niu just didn't like going out, so he patted her head before following Laozi out.

As Laozi and Nan Ji emerged, they found that the door to the Jade Void Palace had also opened.

Although Yuanshi was full of energy, his expression was solemn. Tongtian, while somewhat haggard, had an indescribable joy about him.

Nan Ji looked at Tongtian and kindly advised, "Martial Uncle, you should also pay attention to rest when discussing the Dao with Master."

"Little Nan Ji..."

Tongtian looked at Nan Ji with a choked voice, unable to speak further.

Yuanshi ignored Tongtian and looked at Laozi. "Brother, you've sensed it too?"

Laozi nodded. "This is our fortune. Let's hurry to Buzhou Mountain!"

Nan Ji suddenly thought, could it be that the Three Pure Ones sensed a treasure emerging? That would be truly wonderful.

After all, the current Three Pure Ones were truly... too poor.

Then, the Three Pure Ones, with Nan Ji in tow, headed towards Buzhou Mountain.

This time, seeing the Three Pure Ones in a hurry, Nan Ji didn't act conspicuously by offering to fly them.

Indeed, the Three Pure Ones were much faster than Nan Ji. On the way, Nan Ji thought: if there's time, I should go visit the Ancestor Witches of the Witch Clan.

However, the departure was too hasty, and I didn't prepare anything.