"Though this grand formation is profound, with the combined strength of us Three Pure Ones, it is not impossible to break!"
After observing for a long while, Yuanshi spoke.
"Furthermore, this place is destined to become the Daoist sanctuary of us Three Pure Ones. Second Brother, Third Brother, join me in breaking the formation!"
As Laozi spoke, he flew into the air. Yuanshi and Tongtian followed, wind gathering beneath their feet as they soared skyward.
The Three Pure Ones surrounded Xuanqing Peak from three directions. All three moved their hands at once, and streams of azure light flowed from their sleeves.
Unlike Nan Ji earlier, the streams of light released by the Three Pure Ones encountered no resistance upon touching the formation. Instead, they merged into the operating formation.
Nan Ji watched the three with a grave expression, secretly thinking that every step higher in cultivation truly spanned a thousand miles.
Though he had already reached the Mid-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, he was still utterly baffled as he watched his three elders use wave after wave of spiritual energy to break the formation.
Still, that did not stop Nan Ji from sensing what was happening.
After receiving the spiritual energy of the Three Pure Ones, the grand formation began to turn slowly. The spiritual energy that should have been violent now crumbled and dispersed like snow beneath the warm winter sun.
As the final strand of spiritual energy sank into the earth, the Three Pure Ones descended as well.
"Hahaha, this truly is a treasure land!" Tongtian said excitedly.
Yuanshi looked at the great mountain before him and could not help sighing. "This peak is blessed with beauty and creation. It ought to be the Daoist sanctuary of us Three Pure Ones."
Laozi narrowed his eyes slightly as he gazed at Xuanqing Peak, his satisfaction impossible to conceal.
Nan Ji, however, could no longer restrain his eagerness. "Master, there should be treasures within this mountain, right?"
As the Three Pure Ones looked at Nan Ji's delighted expression, an indescribable feeling of happiness rose in their hearts.
Ever since taking form, they three brothers had shared fortune and misfortune alike. Now, they had gained a young disciple as well.
Yuanshi could only shake his head with a smile, patting Nan Ji on the shoulder. "Follow your master!"
With that, the Three Pure Ones brought Nan Ji and teleported beneath a cliff.
"This is Kirin Cliff of Xuanqing Peak," Yuanshi introduced.
Tongtian said animatedly from the side, "Little Nan Ji, when we broke the mountain-protecting formation, we already sensed the treasures within. Guess what's here?"
"Uh..."
So this was Kirin Cliff?
Nan Ji looked around. The cliff face was as sheer as if carved by a blade, while spiritual mist churned around it. It was an excellent place for cultivation.
Yet in Nan Ji's memories, during the Investiture of the Gods, his master Yuanshi had suppressed Yunxiao of the Three Fairies here, and Yunxiao had ultimately died.
At first, Nan Ji had thought this place must be some desolate and dangerous land. Who would have thought otherwise?
Seeing Nan Ji sink into deep thought because of Tongtian's words, Yuanshi shot Tongtian a displeased glare. Then he waved both hands. "Disciple, look!"
Hearing Yuanshi's words, Nan Ji jolted and hurriedly came back to his senses.
Yuanshi sent out a streak of light. As it slashed toward the center of Kirin Cliff, the surrounding clouds and mist slowly dispersed.
An enormous lotus emerged from the mist. It bloomed with twenty-four petals, their tips tinged red while the bodies of the petals were verdant.
Below the lotus lay a pool of milky-white water, though one-third of it had already vanished. Even from afar, one could feel the unceasing vitality of the Dao of Creation.
Nan Ji felt the dense spiritual energy. After absorbing just a little, his soul became clear and lucid, and the distracting thoughts in his mind were washed away by that pure aura.
"Master, this... this pool water seems extraordinary."
"Correct. This lotus is the Twenty-Four-Petal Verdant Creation Lotus, while this pool is a Chaos Spirit Spring formed from Pangu's Marrow!" Yuanshi explained.
"However, if this Creation Lotus fully matures, it may have a chance to advance into the Chaos Supreme Treasure, the Thirty-Six-Petal Verdant Creation Lotus. That, too, is something the Heavenly Dao cannot tolerate," Laozi added.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, stop talking!" Tongtian said anxiously as he looked at Laozi and Yuanshi, who were eager to instruct. "This spirit spring benefits our primordial spirits. Quickly, use it to temper them!"
"Good!"
After Laozi answered, the Three Pure Ones closed their eyes and sat cross-legged on the ground. Then three primordial spirits emerged from their bodies.
Nan Ji looked at the spirit spring before him and swallowed.
He knew that if his primordial spirit left his body and he used it for tempering, his future accomplishments would certainly be far from ordinary.
But as he watched the primordial spirits of the Three Pure Ones head toward the spirit spring, Nan Ji restrained himself despite the instinctive attraction it held for him.
After all, what would absorbing more of the spirit spring accomplish?
Could it possibly make him a saint on the spot?
It would be better to give it all to the Three Pure Ones. Their cultivation would rise even higher in the future, and the thighs he clung to would become even thicker.
Thus, while the Three Pure Ones continuously used the Chaos Spirit Fluid to temper their primordial spirits, Nan Ji obediently sat down and cast a barrier to protect them.
Though the barrier would not be of much use, whether it could protect them or not was one matter; whether he did it at all was another.
As the primordial spirits of the Three Pure Ones entered, the Chaos Spirit Fluid was absorbed completely in an instant, leaving only the impurities expelled by their primordial spirits at the bottom of the pool.
After using up the pool water, the primordial spirits of the Three Pure Ones returned to their bodies.
When the Three Pure Ones opened their eyes, Yuanshi looked at Nan Ji and asked, "Disciple, why did you not use it to temper your primordial spirit?"
Laozi and Tongtian also looked at Nan Ji curiously. They knew that every living being in the Great Desolation felt an instinctive allure toward Pangu's marrow.
Nan Ji cupped his hands and said to the Three Pure Ones, "Master, Martial Uncle, Martial Uncle, this Chaos Spirit Fluid is exceedingly precious. The three elders are precisely the ones who need it now. This disciple is already satisfied with his current cultivation. If I were to use it, I feared it might affect the three elders."
Nan Ji spoke with a sincere and earnest attitude.
Instead, he made the Three Pure Ones feel somewhat embarrassed. Laozi then said, "Mm. Your master, your martial uncle, and I have indeed benefited greatly from it. But you are the chief disciple of us Three Pure Ones. How could we let you suffer a loss?"
As he spoke, Laozi looked toward Yuanshi and Tongtian. They seemed to understand his meaning and both nodded.
Having received his two brothers' approval, Laozi continued, "In that case, this Twenty-Four-Petal Verdant Creation Lotus shall protect you."
After Laozi finished speaking, Yuanshi added, "Since you entered my sect, your master has not given you much. Take this Creation Lotus."
Huh?
This... this was not right.
What Nan Ji did not know was that his actions had already created a butterfly effect, causing the Three Pure Ones to develop feelings for him.
The Three Pure Ones had never been stingy. That could be seen from how they rewarded disciples in the future, so this gift was only natural.
But Nan Ji did not want it.
This Twenty-Four-Petal Verdant Creation Lotus was the iconic treasure of the three sects of the Great Desolation.
If he took it, something just felt wrong.
Tongtian, meanwhile, saw Nan Ji standing there foolishly and reached out toward the lotus.
The lotus, white lotus root, and lotus leaves in the pool transformed into streams of light and merged together. Then a Lotus Platform appeared before Nan Ji.
Smack!
Tongtian slapped Nan Ji on the back and said, "Quit overthinking it, kid. Take it!"
Nan Ji subconsciously accepted the Lotus Platform Tongtian handed him.
Before you continue