The Two Saints' Surprise, Playing with the Immortals

"It's Big Brother's disciple?"

"That aura is unmistakable—it's indeed the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique!"

"Who would've thought Big Brother's disciple would show up there, and even snatch two gourds right under our own disciples' noses."

Inside the Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi Tianzun looked at the scene of Gourd Mountain on the mirror before him, the corner of his mouth twitching, his expression somewhat ashen and grim.

It wasn't that he was displeased with Li Yun's meddling; rather, he could tell Li Yun seemed to have sensed the true nature of this trial. That was why, despite clearly being able to take three gourds, he only took two.

And he had hinted as much to Nanjixianweng, just as he believed Sect Master Tongtian had hinted to Zhao Gongming.

Because of this, the disciples of both the Chan and Jie Sects had no chance to pursue at all. They could only watch helplessly as Li Yun disrupted the situation and even made off with two gourds.

As for those rogue cultivators and San Xiao chasing after him.

As a Saint, Yuanshi Tianzun had long seen through Li Yun's situation. Though his cultivation was merely at the Mysterious Immortal Realm, he cultivated the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique—a method to Attain Dao through Strength. Not only was he unmatched within his own realm, even True Immortal Realm existences might not be his match.

Add to that his miraculous Transformation Art, unless one's cultivation surpassed Li Yun by several major realms, capturing him was nothing short of a fool's dream.

Thinking of this, Yuanshi Tianzun couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Big Brother, oh Big Brother, how did such a fine seedling end up as your disciple?"

"No, I have to go ask. This child is not only exceptionally sharp but also possesses immense potential. I even feel a faint connection to him."

With that, Yuanshi Tianzun ceased paying attention to the battle at Gourd Mountain. He waved his hand to dispel the mirror's image, and with a flicker of his form, he sped off toward the Palace of Supreme Purity.

"Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique!"

"Miraculous Transformation Art!"

"This child belongs neither to the Jie Sect nor the Chan Sect, so he must be Big Brother's disciple?"

"Who would've thought that the trial my Second Brother and I casually set for our disciples would be poached by Big Brother's disciple!"

Inside Biyou Palace, Sect Master Tongtian also let out a wry laugh.

Even with his Saintly state of mind, he was amused by Li Yun's sudden intervention and poaching.

But since the boy was a Disciple of Taiqing and thus part of the Three Pure Ones' Lineage, he naturally wouldn't reclaim the gourds. Doing so would cost him his Saintly dignity.

Still, Li Yun's actions piqued his interest considerably. Subconsciously sensing Yuanshi Tianzun's movements, he curled his lips and stood up. "Well then, it's been a while since we brothers gathered. I might as well go visit and congratulate Big Brother on acquiring such an excellent disciple~"

With that, Sect Master Tongtian lingered no longer. He waved his hand to dismiss the mirror's content, left Biyou Palace, and sped straight toward the Palace of Supreme Purity.

"Collect~"

On the other end, Li Yun had already flown out of Gourd Mountain's range. Without any hesitation, he stowed the two gourds into his Sea of Consciousness.

After doing this, he sensed the rogue cultivators chasing from behind. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he looked up at a cloud in midair.

Without a moment's delay, he spread his wings and flew directly into it. Then he took out a feather, transformed it into an Old Eagle, and sent it flying out of the cloud toward a distant region. He himself activated the Seventy-Two Transformations once more, turning into a patch of cloud hidden within the cloud layer, patiently waiting for the cultivators to arrive.

Not long after, a series of whooshing sounds rang out.

A large number of rogue cultivator teams arrived, completely oblivious to the changes within the cloud layer. One after another, they sped off in pursuit of the Old Eagle decoy flying away.

"Tsk tsk, still too inexperienced. Not a single one noticed me."

Seeing this, Li Yun chuckled inwardly.

He held no regard for those rogue cultivators. Any rogue cultivator with real skill wouldn't stay in Kunlun Mountain. This was Saint territory, and with the Three Pure Ones establishing their sects, the resources here were long beyond the reach of rogue cultivators like them.

The reason these people remained here was their own lack of potential and strength. Though they couldn't join the Human, Chan, or Jie Sects, the area around Kunlun Mountain still offered safety, since with the Three Pure Ones stationed here, no one dared to cause trouble in their domain.

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Just then, more whooshing sounds rang out, drawing Li Yun's attention.

Peering through the gaps in the clouds, he saw Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao—the three sisters—speeding toward him.

But the three sisters also failed to notice the changes within the cloud layer, unaware that Li Yun had already executed his Substitution Art. They continued their frantic pursuit toward the distant region.

"The San Xiao of the Jie Sect!"

"Aside from Yunxiao, the other two are dead weight."

Watching the three sisters' retreating figures, Li Yun couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

Yunxiao's maturity, Qiongxiao's aloofness, and Bixiao's playfulness—each sister had her own charm and beauty.

But unfortunately, the three women's futures were utterly tragic.

Yunxiao and Qiongxiao were fine; they knew when to advance and retreat.

During the Investiture of the Gods tribulation, they deployed the Nine Bends Yellow River Formation and crippled the Twelve Golden Immortals. That was arguably the closest the Jie Sect ever came to victory.

After all, with the Twelve Golden Immortals disabled, no one else was a match for the three sisters. Barring any accidents, they could have ended the Investiture. If enough mortals died, the positions on the Investiture of the Gods would dwindle. Once the roster was full, the tribulation would naturally dissolve.

But Bixiao was a brainless fool.

Yuanshi Tianzun himself had descended to save his disciples, and she still dared to provoke him, even attacking him. Wasn't that suicide? What did she take a Saint for? Someone a mere junior could provoke?

She died and dragged Qiongxiao down with her into the Investiture of the Gods. Yunxiao was spared by Laozi and suppressed beneath Qilin Cliff, later achieving Sainthood through her physical body and entering the Investiture of the Gods, preserving a spark of the Jie Sect. But entering the Investiture meant facing restrictions and control, ultimately reducing Yunxiao to a mere backdrop.

"Still, the San Xiao's origins aren't weak. I wonder what Traits I'd get from defeating them~"

After his lament, Li Yun suddenly felt a flicker of anticipation.

But he did not give chase at that moment. Instead, he manifested his true form, flew out from within the clouds, and turned to head toward the territory of Kunlun Mountain, where Taiqing resided.

So many years had passed since he left; it was time for him to return and make preparations. After all, only a little over a hundred years remained until the Three Teachings Exchange Conference. Once he sorted out his own situation, it would be about time to begin.

With his current cultivation at the Mysterious Immortal Realm, it was inevitable that he would face San Xiao in the coming confrontation. Defeating them then to obtain the Trait would not be too difficult.

On the other end, San Xiao and a group of Rogue Cultivators, going all out, quickly caught up to the clone of Old Eagle, whose Magical Power was running low.

Just as the crowd of cultivators was about to strike, Old Eagle exploded directly. A single strand of hair manifested in midair, then slowly drifted down toward the ground.

For a moment, every cultivator present was dumbfounded.

Someone stepped forward to grab the hair and inspect it, then said with a dark expression, "Damn it, we've been played!"

"This was merely a clone. That Old Eagle was a cultivator in disguise, and he slipped away long ago."

Having said this, the cultivator tossed the hair aside, turned around, and left without hesitation.

His departure made the remaining Rogue Cultivators' faces twist with displeasure. Having confirmed they had been tricked, they had no other recourse. One by one, they turned and left, not daring to approach the Gourd Mountain area again.

Only after everyone had gone did San Xiao fly forward. Yunxiao grabbed that strand of hair and said, "Beyond the mountains, there are always higher mountains; beyond the people, there are always greater people. What Master said is indeed true!"

"Though I don't know exactly who it was, someone who could seize the gourd in such a manner can't be much stronger than us. Let's go—we need to return and help Big Brother."