Primordial Heavenly Venerate

Just as the giant palm of magic power was about to hit Laozi, two spatial rifts suddenly tore open in front of him.

Primordial and Tongtian, the two newly promoted Saints, instantly blocked in front of Laozi.

Li Peng was not surprised by their appearance, his palm strike unabated, and he slammed down with a roar!

"Boom--"

The Three Pure Ones, like three streaks of light, were sent flying by the palm strike.

Western Spirit Mountain, Zhunti and Jieyin watched, dumbfounded.

"Li Peng is actually this strong? He broke through the combined efforts of Primordial and Tongtian with one move! The gap between Saints... is it really this big?" Zhunti couldn't believe it.

"They haven't used their Supreme Treasures yet..." Jieyin weakly retorted.

"But Li Peng didn't use his either." Zhunti reminded him.

Jieyin immediately fell silent.

Zhunti asked again, "If it were us, could we block Li Peng's attack?"

Jieyin's expression changed slightly, and he finally sighed, falling silent.

Heavenly Court, Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi were equally shocked.

"Li Peng is already this strong?" Eastern Emperor Tai Yi found it hard to believe.

"That's right!" Di Jun nodded with a solemn expression.

Immediately, Di Jun circulated his magic power and issued an order outwards: "Pass down the decree, all members of the Demon Clan near the East Sea coast are to withdraw immediately. I do not wish for any conflict between the Demon Clan and the Human Race at this time!"

His voice boomed like thunder, spreading throughout the entire Heavenly Court.

The other Great Powers of the Primordial Era witnessed this scene and were all shocked. They never imagined that Li Peng, fighting against two Saints, Primordial and Tongtian, alone, could win so easily.

This almost overturned their understanding of the world.

At the same time, their resolve was strengthened: Li Peng was not to be provoked, Nuwa was not to be provoked, Fuxi was not to be provoked, the Human Race was not to be provoked—anyone related to Li Peng was not to be provoked.

After Li Peng struck the Three Pure Ones out of the Human Race, the System's prompt finally sounded:

"Congratulations to the Host for severely punishing Laozi, successfully expelling him from the Human Race, and heavily damaging his Dao heart, completing Option Three."

"Reward obtained: Ten million years of magic power, Yin-Yang Great Dao Law increased by one-tenth."

As the System's voice faded, a vast torrent of magic power surged into Li Peng's body. Without hesitation, he circulated the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique to refine it.

As the magic power was refined, Li Peng's physical body strengthened by another sliver.

Although it was only a sliver, progress in the physical body became increasingly difficult in the later stages, especially for a Dao of the Physical Body like the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique.

Once the magic power was completely refined, an understanding of the Yin-Yang Great Dao flooded into Li Peng's mind.

Instantly, Li Peng was immersed in comprehending the Yin-Yang Great Dao.

A moment later, his comprehension of the Yin-Yang Great Dao rose to the fifth level.

Upon completing his comprehension, Li Peng awoke from his state of enlightenment. Feeling the power within him, he was quite satisfied with his progress this time.

Afterward, he turned his gaze towards the Three Pure Ones.

Laozi, at this moment, had disheveled hair and blood at the corner of his mouth, clearly injured.

Although Primordial and Tongtian were not injured, they also watched Li Peng with solemn expressions.

Clearly, the previous exchange had made them realize that there was still a gap between themselves and Li Peng.

Primordial held the Pangu Banner, his expression wary; Tongtian had also taken out the Immortal Slaying Four Swords and the Immortal Slaying Formation Diagram, clearly preparing to go all out.

Seeing this, Li Peng frowned, "Are you really going to interfere in this matter? You should be able to see the gap between us."

"Laozi is my eldest brother! The Three Pure Ones are one. If you attack my eldest brother, you are making an enemy of me!" Tongtian said heroically.

"That's right! Even if we may not be able to defeat you, we have a reason to act," Primordial said, looking at Li Peng, Nuwa, and Fuxi.

Clearly, Primordial was dragging Nuwa and Fuxi into this to save some face for himself.

Upon hearing Primordial and Tongtian's words, Li Peng immediately understood that today's matter would be difficult to resolve peacefully.

So Li Peng proposed, "Our attacks are too powerful. How about we fight in the Chaos?"

Primordial and Tongtian exchanged glances. Primordial asked, "Fellow Daoist, can this matter not be resolved peacefully? Saints are immortal and indestructible. What is the point of continuing to fight like this?"

Li Peng frowned upon hearing this, thinking, If they are unwilling to go to the Chaos and insist on fighting here, I'm afraid it won't take many moves before this place turns into nothingness, and the Human Race will all be annihilated. Moreover, I've already obtained the reward I chose. It's better to know when to stop.

With this thought, Li Peng asked, "Then what do you two mean?"

"We are willing to pay some price to resolve this karma. What do you think?" Primordial proposed.

Li Peng nodded, "Alright. But what price are you willing to pay?"

The Three Pure Ones exchanged thoughts via divine sense for a moment. Primordial then said, "We are willing to offer three High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures to resolve this karma."

Li Peng sneered, "High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures are of little use to Saints. It seems you have no sincerity."

The Three Pure Ones' expressions darkened upon hearing this, sensing Li Peng's intention.

However, to preserve their dignity, they had to pay a price. After all, even with Yuanshi and Tongtian working together, they might not be Li Peng's match, let alone with Nuwa and Fuxi watching from the sidelines.

After another moment of discussion, Laozi gritted his teeth and said, "I am willing to offer the Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure—the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner—to resolve this karma."

Li Peng was overjoyed. He hadn't expected to obtain the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner, one of the Five Directional Banners of Heaven and Earth. It was a huge profit.

"Good!" Li Peng nodded in agreement.

The Three Pure Ones breathed a sigh of relief.

Laozi immediately took out the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner and threw it to Li Peng.

After the matter was concluded, Yuanshi opened a space channel and left with Laozi and Tongtian.

Li Peng watched the retreating figures of the Three Pure Ones and sneered inwardly, "Since your bond is so deep, I shall help you part ways sooner."

With a thought, his aura erupted, and immense pressure enveloped the surroundings. Countless beings involuntarily knelt under this might.

The next moment, Li Peng channeled his magic power, his voice echoing through the Primordial Era: "I am Li Peng, Daoist name Golden Peng! I have now attained the Dao and become a Saint! In a thousand years, I will set up a great formation on Three Immortal Island in the East Sea. All beings in the Primordial Era may come and challenge the formation. Those who can break through will be accepted as my disciples!"

This voice, like thunder, spread to every corner of the Primordial Era.

The news sent shockwaves throughout the entire Primordial Era.

A Saint opening his sect to take disciples was a once-in-ten-thousand-years opportunity!

Instantly, countless beings set off, rushing towards the East Sea.

At the same time, the Three Pure Ones, who had just returned to Kunlun Mountain, also heard this declaration.

Their faces instantly turned extremely grim.

"Hmph! They embarrassed us just now, and now they want to recruit disciples widely? Don't even think about it!" Yuanshi said angrily.

"What are your plans, second brother?" Laozi asked.

"Isn't he recruiting disciples? We will too! Since we've already established our lineage, it's better to start early than late. We can't let him pick all the best talents," Yuanshi said coldly.

Tongtian nodded in agreement with Yuanshi's proposal.

Laozi, however, remained silent—his elder brother had not yet become a Saint and didn't even have the qualification to recruit disciples.

Seeing this, Yuanshi didn't ask further and immediately used his Saintly power to declare to heaven and earth: "I am Primordial Heavenly Venerate. I have now set up a great formation at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. All beings in the Primordial Era may come and test the formation. Those who break through will be accepted as my disciples!"

As this decree spread, the beings of the Primordial Era rushing towards the East Sea were thrown into a dilemma. They didn't understand why two Saints would open their sects to recruit disciples simultaneously today, nor did they know which Saint's path was the correct one to follow.

Just as everyone hesitated, another voice rang out:

"I am Tongtian. I have now set up a formation at the foot of Kunlun Mountain. All beings in the Primordial Era may come and break the formation. Those who succeed will join my sect!"

Before his voice faded, two more decrees came from the West:

"We, Zhunti (Jieyin), are now widely recruiting disciples in the West. All those who have affinity with the West may enter our Western Teachings, listen to the supreme profound dharma, and attain the Bodhi righteous path."

The beings of the Primordial Era were completely bewildered. They never imagined that so many Saints would recruit disciples simultaneously today, leaving them unsure of how to choose.

Everyone was unsure which Saint's sect to join.

Some with higher cultivation, who knew of Li Peng's power, set off for the East Sea to find Three Immortal Island.

Others with outstanding talent but lower cultivation, who had not witnessed Li Peng sending Yuanshi and Tongtian flying with a single palm, headed directly for Kunlun Mountain.

The remaining mediocre or even inferior talents all headed west to join Zhunti and Jieyin.

For a time, the beings of the Primordial Era went their separate ways, very busy.

Meanwhile, in the Pangu Hall of the Witch Clan, the Ancestor Witches were filled with worry due to Li Peng's announcement.

"We offended Saint Li Peng in the past, and now they have three Saints. If we don't resolve this karma soon, I fear they will side with the Demon Clan," Houtu said with a heavy tone.

"What are you afraid of! At worst, we can return to Father God's embrace!" Zhu Rong said nonchalantly.

"Exactly! Our Witch Clan stands tall; why should we fear!" Gonggong immediately agreed.

Whenever matters concerning the Witch Clan's dignity were involved, Gonggong's stance was always the same as Zhu Rong's.

Houtu and Xuan Ming exchanged glances, speechless.

Though they knew Zhu Rong and Gonggong were reckless by nature, they hadn't expected them to be so foolish.

"Shut up, you two idiots!" Di Jiang reprimanded sternly.

Zhu Rong and Gonggong immediately fell silent.

This elder brother held great prestige among the Ancestor Witches.

After subduing the two brutes, Di Jiang instructed Houtu, "Sister Houtu, go to the treasury and take half of the Spiritual Treasures to gift to Saint Golden Peng, thereby resolving this karma."

Houtu accepted the order: "I obey my brother's command."

Zhu Rong grumbled nearby, "Why give away these broken things? It's better to give some food."

Di Jiang rebuked, "You scoundrel! These Spiritual Treasures are useless to us, so they are stored in the treasury, but they are precious items to others!"

Only then did Zhu Rong fall silent.

Houtu looked at her brothers and reluctantly went to select the treasures.

On Three Immortal Island, Li Peng sat opposite Nuwa and Fuxi.

"Eldest Brother Li, you've always disliked trouble. Why go to such lengths to accept disciples today?" Nuwa asked curiously.

"It's simply because I don't like the Three Pure Ones," Li Peng replied with a faint smile.

"What does accepting disciples have to do with the Three Pure Ones?" Nuwa asked, confused.

Li Peng then explained his plan in detail.

After listening to Li Peng's explanation, Nuwa couldn't help but praise, "Eldest Brother Li's schemes are truly brilliant."

Fuxi, on the other hand, felt a chill run down his spine. He felt fortunate to be Li Peng's friend and not his enemy. With that thought, he couldn't help but shiver.

Li Peng smiled calmly. "You two should cultivate first. It's time to let the Three Immortal Island appear before the beings of the Primordial Era. Otherwise, it would be nearly impossible for them to find this place."

With that, he teleported to Three Immortal Island and made a series of hand seals, temporarily disabling the island's concealment formation.

In an instant, the location of Three Immortal Island became apparent in the heavenly secrets. As long as beings in the Primordial Era calculated the heavenly secrets, they would know its whereabouts.

Afterward, Li Peng moved a small island from afar and set up the "Nine-Strength Heart-Refining Great Formation."

Although this formation had no offensive power, it could eliminate those with unstable Dao-seeking hearts, improper conduct, or impure minds, making it an excellent choice for selecting disciples.

Five hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. Countless beings had gathered on the small island outside Three Immortal Island, mostly from the water tribes. Beings from the Primordial Continent had yet to arrive due to the long distance.

Despite the large number of beings on the island, order was maintained. Whether it was the Dragon Clan or shrimp soldiers and crab generals, they all waited quietly, not daring to act recklessly, for fear of losing the opportunity to become a disciple.

However, one day, the arrival of a woman broke the peace.

She walked straight past the small island and approached the formation of Three Immortal Island. Channeling her power, she announced, "I am Houtu, Ancestor Witch of the Witch Clan, here to visit Saint Golden Peng."

Li Peng, who was setting up his Dao field on Penglai Island, was taken aback.

He hadn't expected Houtu to visit at this time. After all, his relationship with the Witch Clan was not harmonious, and he had even fought against three Ancestor Witches in the past.

What was Houtu's purpose in coming now?

Could it be to apologize for past grievances?

But the Witch Clan had always been defiant and unyielding, fighting against heaven and earth. In the original course of the Primordial Era, they had dared to confront Dao Ancestor Hongjun head-on, so why would they easily back down?

Unable to figure it out, Li Peng shook his head, casting aside the jumbled thoughts.

If it were another Ancestor Witch, Li Peng might not have even opened the gates of Three Immortal Island.

But since it was Houtu, Li Peng decided to invite her in.

This was not because of Houtu's exceptional beauty, but because Li Peng was filled with curiosity about such an extraordinary woman.

In the original course of the Primordial Era, Houtu had sacrificed herself, transforming into the cycle of reincarnation, completing the rules of heaven and earth, and making the Primordial Era more complete.

Li Peng felt both admiration and curiosity towards such a selfless being.

After all, he knew he couldn't do what Houtu did, sacrificing himself for all beings in the Primordial Era.