Although Nan Ji was now the only disciple under the Three Pure Ones.
Nan Ji also knew that aside from his little martial uncle, his martial uncle and master both cared greatly about etiquette.
Thus, Nan Ji bowed toward Eight Sceneries Palace. "Eldest Martial Uncle!"
"The door isn't locked. Come in."
After Laozi's voice came from within Eight Sceneries Palace, Nan Ji led Niu Niu into the hall.
Nan Ji then discovered that Laozi had already placed a massive pill furnace in the center of the hall.
The moment Nan Ji entered Eight Sceneries Palace, its doors slammed shut.
"You were thoughtful this time."
Laozi handed Nan Ji a palm-leaf fan, signaling for him to tend the fire.
Nan Ji took the fan naturally, returned the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda to him, then placed the Enlightenment Tree leaves he had obtained, along with the jade pot and jade cups, before Laozi.
"Eldest Martial Uncle, this is the Enlightenment Tree I found at Wuyi Mountain last time."
As he fanned the fire, Nan Ji told Laozi about everything that had happened since Wuyi Mountain.
He even told Laozi about the Treasure Dropping Coin and how Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao had held back.
Niu Niu sat obediently to one side and listened attentively. When she heard that ancient demon gods had even been involved, her little mouth fell open.
Laozi was not overly surprised by any of it.
Only after casually tossing two portions of spiritual herbs into the pill furnace did he speak. "As the first disciple of our Three Pure Ones, you are connected to our fortune."
"This fortune cannot allow you to defy fate, but it will bring you countless opportunities and help you avert danger."
Nan Ji thought it over after hearing Laozi's words and found them reasonable.
Although he had transmigrated into the Great Desolation, the things he had encountered thus far truly were not experiences an ordinary second-generation disciple could have.
Thus, Nan Ji nodded. "So that's how it is."
Seeing Nan Ji's contemplative expression, Laozi nodded and continued, "Though you enjoy the enduring fortune of our Three Pure Ones, you must also protect us."
Nan Ji thought for a moment, somewhat puzzled. "What does Eldest Martial Uncle mean?"
"Your master's Dao and your martial uncle's Dao are entirely different. Disagreements will inevitably arise between them in the future, and you must do your utmost to preserve harmony."
After saying that, Laozi added, "And the disciples under our Three Pure Ones in the future will also have to rely on you."
If there had been wine before him instead of tea, Nan Ji truly would have raised his cup to toast his Eldest Martial Uncle Laozi.
What foresight! He had noticed the problem before even becoming a saint!
But thinking of the Three Pure Ones, his home in the Great Desolation, Nan Ji said firmly, "Nan Ji will certainly give it his all."
Laozi was very pleased by Nan Ji's response and continued, "Your cultivation is still insufficient. Take out that drop of Pangu's essence blood."
Hearing Laozi's words, Nan Ji smacked his forehead. He had nearly forgotten about it himself.
He hurriedly drew Pangu's essence blood from within his body.
Before his master emerged from seclusion, Nan Ji had planned to return the pagoda to his Eldest Martial Uncle, so he had stored the wine brewed by the Twelve Ancestor Witches and this drop of Pangu's essence blood within his body.
Laozi stared at the drop of Pangu's essence blood and swallowed faintly before saying, "As expected of the essence blood of Great God Pangu. Even gazing at it from afar makes one wish to refine it."
Nan Ji nodded at once. "I'll leave it entirely to Eldest Martial Uncle!"
After all, Laozi's talent is maxed out. With essence blood and a primordial spirit, what if he achieves the Dao through strength someday... Then my backers will become even stronger.
Niu Niu, standing nearby, glared at Laozi as though she would fight him to the death if he dared keep it for himself.
Laozi was very pleased to hear Nan Ji's words, but he spoke frankly. "However, this is your own blessing. How could your martial uncle do such a thing? I will help you refine it."
He then explained its uses. "This item can reshape the physical body, cultivate divine abilities, forge spiritual artifacts..."
After listing its many uses, Laozi slowly said, "Your innate foundation is lacking, so using it to reshape your physical body would be ideal. However, from then on, your primordial spirit will gradually dissipate. What do you think?"
Nan Ji hesitated after hearing that.
In fact, he had hesitated ever since obtaining it, which was why he had never been willing to use it.
If he used it to reshape his physical body, he would become a genuine Ancestor Witch within the Great Desolation.
But he could not forget Houtu's reincarnation!
"Eldest Martial Uncle..."
Nan Ji hesitated for a long time because he thought that if Houtu transformed into reincarnation in the future, this drop of Pangu's essence blood might be able to help her.
With the assistance of the essence blood, Houtu's achievement of the Earthly Dao would be even more complete. Might she then be able to contend with the Heavenly Dao in the future?
In that instant, Nan Ji made his choice.
Seeing Nan Ji remain silent for so long, Laozi could only say, "Very well. Your martial uncle will first help you seal it within the Soul Slaying Staff. It will temper your spiritual artifact while nourishing your body."
"Once you have made up your mind, come tell your martial uncle."
Laozi's words were a promise.
Having received Laozi's promise, Nan Ji was overjoyed.
After all, among the Three Pure Ones, Yuanshi was skilled at artifact forging. He had forged the Heaven Overturning Seal, allowing Guangchengzi to shine in the Investiture of the Gods by specializing in defeating powerful enemies of the Interception Sect.
As for the most deeply hidden Laozi, even his good corpse, Supreme Lord Lao, had forged a nine-toothed rake for Tianpeng.
Though it had not stood out much in Journey to the West, it could still trade blows evenly with the merit treasure, the Sea-Subduing Divine Needle.
Its forging process and materials also reflected Supreme Lord Lao's meticulous nature.
Therefore, Nan Ji was delighted by Laozi's promise. "Thank you, Eldest Martial Uncle!"
Nan Ji then handed his Soul Slaying Staff to Laozi and watched him seal Pangu's essence blood within it.
This artifact refinement took nearly several decades more.
After the final incantation was cast, Laozi returned the Soul Slaying Staff to Nan Ji. "The mysteries within it are for you to comprehend diligently in the future."
"Hm? Why not just tell me directly?"
Nan Ji was just about to ask something when Laozi rose directly from the cloud couch. "Come. Follow me to Buzhou Mountain with your master and martial uncle!"
"Huh?"
Nan Ji gripped his Soul Slaying Staff in confusion, only to find that its weight had changed from cumbersome to extraordinarily light.
But before Nan Ji could examine it closely, the tightly shut doors of Eight Sceneries Palace suddenly opened again.
Watching Laozi walk out first, Nan Ji turned and asked, "Niu Niu, are you coming to Buzhou Mountain with us?"
Niu Niu shook her head.
It was fine to pretend to be a child before the Three Pure Ones, but it would be embarrassing to keep doing that once they went outside.
"Fine! Then stay home and wait obediently for us to return."
Nan Ji merely assumed Niu Niu disliked going out, so he patted her head and followed Laozi outside.
Just as Laozi and Nan Ji emerged, they discovered that the doors of Jade Void Palace had opened as well.
Although Yuanshi was full of energy, his expression was solemn. Tongtian looked somewhat haggard, yet there was an indescribable joy about him.
Seeing Tongtian, Nan Ji kindly advised, "Martial Uncle, you should rest too when discussing the Dao with Master."
"Little Nan Ji..."
Tongtian looked at Nan Ji with choked emotion, but he could never bring himself to say it.
Yuanshi ignored Tongtian and looked toward Laozi instead. "Big Brother sensed it too?"
Laozi nodded. "This is a blessing for us. Hurry to Buzhou Mountain!"
Nan Ji suddenly thought, Could it be that the Three Pure Ones sensed the birth of a treasure? That would be wonderful.
After all, the current Three Pure Ones were truly... too poor.
The Three Pure Ones then took Nan Ji and headed for Buzhou Mountain.
This time, seeing how anxious the Three Pure Ones were, Nan Ji did not show off by offering to fly them there.
Sure enough, the Three Pure Ones were far faster than Nan Ji. Along the way, Nan Ji thought that if he had time, he could visit the Witch Clan and see the Ancestor Witches.
However, they had departed too hastily, so he had not prepared anything at all.
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