Xuanqing Peak of the Three Pure Ones' Dao Field

Nan Ji gazed at the surrounding scenery, thinking that the Great Desolation's landscapes were indeed unlike any other.

He looked up at the thatched hut and saw Boundless Dao Rhyme slowly spreading from within, continuous and lingering.

"Master and the others should still be cultivating. I'll explore the surroundings first."

Nan Ji had long been unable to contain his yearning for the Great Desolation. He figured that since cultivation in the Great Desolation could take tens of thousands of years, wandering around for a mere century should be fine.

The key was that, according to legend, the Great Desolation at this time was filled with treasures; even a blade of wild grass was an Innate Treasure.

After the Witch and Demon tribes' final battle, it would be too late to find such things.

However, Nan Ji didn't know that the moment he woke up, the Three Pure Ones had already opened their eyes.

Nan Ji assumed his three masters were still cultivating. Regardless of whether they could hear him, out of politeness, he cupped his hands towards the thatched hut and said, "Masters, Nan Ji has just finished cultivating and wishes to explore the surroundings. I won't go far."

Without waiting for a response, Nan Ji's figure flickered, transforming into his true form as a celestial crane.

With a flap of his wings, spiritual mist scattered, and he flew outwards.

"Disciple, be careful. Do not easily leave Kunlun Mountain. Return in a hundred years!"

Just as Nan Ji began to fly, Yuan Shi's voice echoed in his sea of consciousness.

Hearing Yuan Shi's voice suddenly appear startled Nan Ji so much that he almost fell from mid-air.

But then he realized his master wasn't scolding him but was actually concerned about him. This made Nan Ji, who had transmigrated from a later era, feel a bit unaccustomed.

Is this what a master is like in the Great Desolation?

With this thought, Nan Ji circled in the air twice before powerfully flapping his wings and leaving.

After Nan Ji departed, Laozi said to Yuan Shi with satisfaction, "This child has a good disposition. Calm and unhurried, which is even more suitable for comprehending the Heavenly Dao."

Yuan Shi nodded in agreement.

Tongtian, however, seemed about to retort.

But seeing his two elder brothers' attitudes, he finally opened his mouth and said nothing.

In truth, the Three Pure Ones were aware of Nan Ji's cultivation level. Therefore, while Nan Ji was comprehending, the Three Pure Ones had left a trace of their consciousness, fearing that Nan Ji might rush his cultivation and destabilize his foundation.

However, Nan Ji's comprehension was not low, and he had also fully solidified his foundation.

Thus, the Three Pure Ones were satisfied with Nan Ji.

Tongtian didn't say anything, but that didn't mean Yuan Shi wouldn't. Yuan Shi said earnestly, "Third brother, taking Nan Ji as a disciple is excellent. He is knowledgeable and adheres to etiquette, neither hasty nor impatient. Thus, breakthroughs in the future will be a natural progression."

Tongtian's face darkened, but he helplessly listened to Yuan Shi's teachings.

In fact, Yuan Shi himself didn't realize that while he was usually a man of few words with others, Tongtian was an exception.

Meanwhile, it took Nan Ji a long time after leaving the thatched hut to gradually adapt.

Initially, even seeing a spirit grass would prompt Nan Ji to collect it, leaving nothing behind like a swarm of locusts.

He even took spirit fruits and spirit trees, along with the soil they were rooted in, and stored them in his spatial storage.

Of course, this convenient storage technique came from the Three Pure Ones Primordial Scripture taught by the Three Pure Ones, which was also one of the foundations Nan Ji had solidified during his cultivation.

But gradually, Nan Ji realized that Kunlun Mountain was truly vast, and he couldn't possibly collect everything.

This was probably why, after Gonggong broke Buzhou Mountain, not many treasures remained in the Great Desolation.

After all, besides Jieyin and Zhunti, who else would think to collect these treasures?

Therefore, after collecting for a few years, Nan Ji abandoned his "locust" behavior and began to explore while selectively collecting.

"Wait!"

As Nan Ji wandered to a rugged mountain peak, his heart suddenly trembled, as if a great opportunity was about to unfold.

Seeing that the surroundings seemed shrouded in mist, Nan Ji flew into the air to carefully examine the mountain peak before him.

Xuanqing Peak!

Nan Ji recalled the records in the Three Pure Ones Primordial Scripture and also the stories that circulated in later generations.

Legend had it that Xuanqing Peak was the place where the Three Pure Ones cultivated in Kunlun before they parted ways.

Although it was called a peak by name, Kunlun Mountain was already immense, and this so-called peak was even larger, a veritable mountain.

The base of the mountain was thick, and the summit pierced the clouds, enveloped by waves of profound spiritual patterns, forming an Innate Guardian Array.

Seeing this, Nan Ji understood the reason for the impending opportunity.

For the Three Pure Ones to choose this place as their dojo before becoming saints, there must be a great opportunity here.

Thus, Nan Ji slowly landed at the foot of the mountain. While comprehending the array formations recorded in the Three Pure Ones Primordial Scripture, he attempted to break through the mountain's protective array.

Nan Ji continued to deduce, and sweat gradually trickled down his forehead, his breathing becoming unsteady.

But Nan Ji couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief. Others who transmigrated either found batches of Innate Spirit Treasures or piles of Innate Spirit Roots.

Why was it so difficult for him to break through a mere mountain protection array?

Perhaps this thought distracted Nan Ji, and he carelessly suffered a backlash from the array.

"Pfft!"

Nan Ji couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood. He then struggled to open his eyes and sighed, "So, opportunities are truly important. Things that aren't meant to be yours can't be forced."

Although he felt a trace of dejection, Nan Ji also felt that being accepted as a disciple by Yuanshi was the greatest opportunity of all.

No matter how bad things got, he could at least survive the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. At worst, he would become the Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole.

Therefore, he didn't feel too dejected about not having a grander opportunity.

"Not bad. To have such insight is not a bad thing." Yuanshi's voice echoed from behind Nan Ji.

Hearing the voice, Nan Ji turned around and saw that it was indeed Yuanshi.

Laozi and Tongtian were also by his side.

"Disciple greets Master, Martial Uncle, and Martial Nephew," Nan Ji quickly bowed to the three of them.

As if sensing Nan Ji's confusion, Yuanshi spoke, "I left a strand of divine sense on you. When I sensed you were in danger, I rushed over."

Hearing this, Nan Ji's emotions became complicated, and a wave of bitterness welled up in his heart.

Everyone said that Yuanshi in the Great Desolation was famously protective of his own.

But when he actually encountered danger, Yuanshi's appearance was hard not to be moved by.

So, Nan Ji choked up slightly, "Master, it was my disciple's impatience. I just felt a connection to this place and was thinking..."

Before Nan Ji could finish speaking about wanting to give it to the Three Pure Ones to reside in, Yuanshi interrupted him, "Overestimating yourself! If this array were not a guardian array, at best your divine soul would be unstable and your foundation damaged. If it were a killing array, you... Fortunately, your comprehension is good, and you've learned a lesson."

Yuanshi's words, at first listen, were forceful and decisive, his tone severe.

But upon closer reflection, Nan Ji could understand Yuanshi's care for him and honestly replied, "Yes, Master. Your disciple knows his mistake."

Laozi, who had been watching them, nodded and said, "Second Brother, don't blame Nan Ji. This Xuanqing Peak does indeed have a connection with us Three Pure Ones!"

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi and Tongtian began to examine the Xuanqing Peak before them.

A moment later, Yuanshi also nodded, "This place is destined to be our Daoist dojo for the Three Pure Ones."

"Second Brother, you too. Little Nan Ji isn't wrong, this place truly has a connection with us..."

However, before Tongtian could finish speaking, Yuanshi interrupted him, "Do I need your guidance in teaching my disciple?"

The Three Pure Ones had not yet achieved sainthood. At Yuanshi's words, Tongtian instinctively flinched and then quickly turned to Nan Ji, saying, "Little Nan Ji, you must not have cultivated the path of arrays properly. Uncle will teach you properly another day!"

Hearing this, Yuanshi glanced at Tongtian with some displeasure, thinking to himself: Why would my disciple need you to teach him?

But in the end, Yuanshi did not voice his thoughts. After all, the Three Pure Ones had not yet achieved the supreme and unique status of Saints, so they had a more tolerant and patient relationship with each other.

"Uh..."

This, this was the benefit of being the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones?

Nan Ji felt that the future division of the Three Pure Ones would have something to do with his Master's personality.

So, he braced himself and replied, "Thank you, Martial Uncle!"