Chapter 38

Just as the massive palm of magical power was about to strike Laozi, two spatial rifts suddenly tore open before him.

Yuanshi and Tongtian, the two newly ascended Saints, instantly stood in front of Laozi.

Li Peng was not at all surprised by their appearance. His palm strike did not slow as it crashed down!

"Boom—"

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

Western Spirit Mountain.

Zhunti and Jieyin stared in stunned disbelief.

"Li Peng is actually this strong? He broke Yuanshi and Tongtian's joint attack with one move! Is the gap between Saints... really this vast?" Zhunti asked incredulously.

"They haven't used their supreme treasures yet..." Jieyin barely managed to argue.

"But Li Peng hasn't used any supreme treasure either," Zhunti reminded him.

Jieyin immediately fell silent.

Zhunti asked again, "If it were us, could we block even one strike from Li Peng?"

Jieyin's expression changed slightly. In the end, he merely sighed and said nothing more.

Heavenly Court.

Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi were equally shocked.

"Li Peng has already become this powerful?" Eastern Emperor Tai Yi found it hard to believe.

"That's right!" Di Jun nodded solemnly.

Then, Di Jun circulated his magical power and issued an order outward. "Pass down my command: all demons near the Eastern Sea shore are to withdraw immediately. I do not wish for any conflict between the Demon Clan and the Human Clan at this time!"

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

The other Primordial Great Powers who witnessed this scene were all stunned. They had never expected Li Peng, fighting Yuanshi and Tongtian alone, to win so easily.

This nearly overturned everything they knew.

At the same time, a conviction took root in their hearts: Li Peng could not be provoked, Nuwa could not be provoked, Fuxi could not be provoked, and the Human Clan could not be provoked—no one connected to Li Peng could be provoked.

After Li Peng sent the Three Pure Ones flying out of the Human Clan, the system notification finally sounded.

"Congratulations, Host, for severely teaching Laozi a lesson, successfully expelling him from the Human Clan, and heavily damaging his Dao heart. Option Three has been completed."

"Reward obtained: ten million years of magical power. Comprehension of the Yin-Yang Great Dao laws increased by ten percent."

As the system's voice faded, vast magical power surged into Li Peng's body. Without hesitation, he circulated the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique and refined it.

As the magical power was refined, Li Peng's physical body grew stronger once more.

Though it was only a slight improvement, the further one progressed, the harder it became to advance the physical body—especially with a technique like the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, which sought enlightenment through the flesh.

Once the magical power had been fully refined, a flood of insight into the Yin-Yang Great Dao entered his mind.

In an instant, Li Peng immersed himself in comprehending the Yin-Yang Great Dao.

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

After completing his enlightenment, Li Peng awoke from his meditative state. Feeling the power within him, he was quite satisfied with this improvement.

Then, he turned his gaze toward the Three Pure Ones.

At this moment, Laozi's hair was disheveled and blood stained the corner of his mouth. He had clearly been seriously injured.

Though Yuanshi and Tongtian were uninjured, they watched Li Peng with grave expressions.

Clearly, the clash just now had made them realize that there was still a gap between themselves and Li Peng.

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

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

"Laozi is my elder brother! The Three Pure Ones are one body. If you strike my elder brother, then you are my enemy!" Tongtian declared boldly.

"That's right! Even if we may not be able to defeat you, we still have reason to act," Yuanshi said as he looked at Li Peng, Nuwa, and Fuxi.

Clearly, Yuanshi had deliberately included Nuwa and Fuxi in order to preserve some of his dignity.

Hearing Yuanshi and Tongtian's words, Li Peng immediately understood that today's matter would be difficult to settle peacefully.

Thus, Li Peng suggested, "Our attacks are too destructive. Why not go fight in the chaos?"

Yuanshi and Tongtian exchanged glances. Yuanshi then asked, "Fellow Daoist, can this matter not be resolved peacefully? Saints are immortal and indestructible. What meaning is there in continuing to fight like this?"

Li Peng frowned upon hearing this and thought, If they refuse to go to the chaos and insist on fighting here, this place will likely be reduced to nothing within a few moves, and the Human Clan will all be **. Besides, I have already received the reward for the choice. It would be better to stop while I am ahead.

With that in mind, Li Peng asked, "Then what exactly do you two mean?"

"We are willing to pay a certain price to settle today's karmic cause and effect. What do you think?" Yuanshi proposed.

Li Peng nodded. "That is acceptable. But what price do you intend to pay?"

The Three Pure Ones communicated through divine sense for a moment. Then Yuanshi said, "We are willing to offer three High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures to settle this karmic cause and effect."

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. They could hear that Li Peng intended to **.

But in order to preserve the Three Pure Ones' dignity, they had no choice but to pay a price. After all, even Yuanshi and Tongtian joining forces might not be Li Peng's match, not to mention Nuwa and Fuxi watching them like tigers nearby.

The Three Pure Ones discussed matters again for a moment. Laozi gritted his teeth and said, "I am willing to offer a Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure—the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner—to settle this karmic cause and effect."

Li Peng was overjoyed. He had not expected to obtain the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner, one of the Five Heavenly Directional Banners. This was truly a tremendous profit.

"Good!" Li Peng nodded in agreement.

The Three Pure Ones sighed in relief upon hearing this.

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

With the matter settled, Yuanshi opened a Space Channel and departed with Laozi and Tongtian.

Watching the Three Pure Ones' retreating figures, Li Peng sneered inwardly. Since your relationship is so deep, then I shall help you separate your household sooner.

With a thought, his aura erupted. Vast pressure covered the surroundings, and countless living beings involuntarily fell to their knees beneath this might.

The next moment, Li Peng circulated his magical power, and his voice shook the Primordial World. "I am Li Peng, the Golden Peng Daoist! Today, I have attained the Dao and become a Saint! In one thousand years, I shall establish a grand formation at Three Immortal Island in the Eastern Sea. All living beings of the Primordial World may come to break the formation. Those who emerge from it may enter my sect!"

His voice spread like thunder into every corner of the Primordial World.

As the news spread, the entire Primordial World was shaken.

A Saint opening a mountain gate to accept disciples was an opportunity that appeared only once in ten thousand years!

In an instant, countless living beings set out and raced toward the Eastern Sea.

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

The three of them immediately wore incomparably ugly expressions.

"Hmph! He humiliated us just now, and now he wants to widely recruit disciples? He can forget about getting his wish!" Yuanshi said furiously.

"What does Second Brother intend to do?" Laozi asked.

"Isn't he accepting disciples? Then we will accept disciples as well! Since we have already established our Dao lineage, it is better to recruit early than late. We cannot let him select all the most gifted **," Yuanshi said coldly.

Tongtian nodded upon hearing this, agreeing with Yuanshi's proposal.

But Laozi remained silent—he, the eldest brother, had yet to become a Saint and did not even possess the qualifications to accept disciples.

Seeing this, Yuanshi asked no further questions. He immediately wielded the power of a Saint and proclaimed to heaven and earth, "I am Primordial Heavenly Venerate. Today, I shall establish a grand formation beneath Kunlun Mountain. All living beings of the Primordial World may come test the formation. Those who break through it may enter my sect!"

As this decree spread, the Primordial Great Powers who were heading toward the Eastern Sea immediately fell into a dilemma. They did not understand why two Saints were accepting disciples at the same time today, much less which Saint's sect would be the proper path to join.

Just as all living beings hesitated, another voice rang out.

"I am Tongtian. Today, I shall establish a formation beneath Kunlun Mountain. All living beings of the Primordial World may come break it. Those who succeed shall enter my sect!"

Before his words had faded, two more decrees came from the west.

"I, Zhunti (Jieyin), am now widely accepting disciples in the west. All those fated with the west may enter my Western Teachings, hear the supreme wondrous Dharma, and attain the true path of Bodhi."

The living beings of the Primordial World were utterly bewildered. They had never expected that all the Saints would accept disciples at the same time today, leaving them at a loss over how to choose.

No one knew which Saint's sect they should join.

Some figures of high cultivation, who understood Li Peng's strength, set out for the Eastern Sea in search of Three Immortal Island.

Others, exceptionally talented but lacking in cultivation, who had not witnessed Li Peng send Yuanshi and Tongtian flying with one palm strike, headed directly toward Kunlun Mountain.

The rest, those with average or even poor talent, all traveled west to seek refuge with Zhunti and Jieyin.

For a time, the living beings of the Primordial World all went their separate ways, busier than ever.

Meanwhile, within Pangu Hall of the Wu Clan, the ancestral witches were deeply troubled by Li Peng's announcement.

"We once offended Saint Li Peng. Now they have three Saints. If we do not settle this karmic cause and effect soon, I fear they may side with the Demon Clan," Houtu said heavily.

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

"Exactly! Our Wu Clan stands upright between heaven and earth. Why should we fear anyone?" Gonggong immediately echoed.

Whenever the Wu Clan's dignity was involved, Gonggong always stood on the same side as Zhu Rong.

Houtu and Xuan Ming looked at each other speechlessly.

They knew Zhu Rong and Gonggong were reckless by nature, but they had not expected them to be this foolish.

"You two fools, shut up!" Di Jiang shouted sharply.

Zhu Rong and Gonggong immediately fell silent.

This eldest brother held great prestige among the ancestral witches.

After suppressing the two brutes, Di Jiang instructed Houtu, "Sister Houtu, go to the treasury and take half the spirit treasures to Saint Golden Peng as gifts. Use them to settle this karmic cause and effect."

Houtu accepted the order. "I shall obey Eldest Brother's command."

Hearing this from the side, Zhu Rong muttered under his breath, "Why give away all that junk? Some food would be more practical."

Di Jiang angrily rebuked him, "Fool! Those spirit treasures are piled in the treasury only because we cannot use them. To others, they are precious treasures!"

Only then did Zhu Rong close his mouth.

Houtu looked at her brothers and helplessly went to select treasures.

Over at Three Immortal Island, Li Peng sat facing Nuwa and Fuxi.

"Big Brother Li has always hated trouble. Why are you making such a grand show of accepting disciples today?" Nuwa asked curiously.

"I simply find the Three Pure Ones unpleasant to look at," Li Peng replied with a faint smile.

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

Li Peng could only explain his plan to her in detail.

After hearing Li Peng's explanation, Nuwa could not help but praise him. "Big Brother Li, your scheme is truly brilliant."

Fuxi, sitting beside them, felt a chill run through his entire body. He rejoiced inwardly that he was Li Peng's friend rather than his enemy, and he could not help shuddering at the thought.

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

After saying this, he flashed to Three Immortal Island. His hand seals shifted continuously as he temporarily halted the island's concealment formation.

In an instant, Three Immortal Island's exact location appeared within the Heavenly Secrets. As long as living beings of the Primordial World calculated the Heavenly Secrets, they would be able to learn its location.

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

Though this formation possessed no killing power, it could eliminate those whose hearts in seeking the Dao were not firm, whose character was improper, or whose hearts were impure. It was truly the perfect choice for selecting **.

In the blink of an eye, five hundred years passed. Countless living beings had gathered on the small island outside Three Immortal Island, most of them aquatic creatures. Living beings from the Primordial World's mainland had yet to arrive because of the vast distance.

Though the island was crowded with living beings, order prevailed. Whether members of the Dragon Clan or shrimp soldiers and crab generals, all waited quietly and did not dare act recklessly, fearing they would lose their chance to become disciples.

However, on this day, the arrival of a woman broke the calm.

She passed directly over the small island and arrived before Three Immortal Island's formation. Circulating her magical power, she said, "I am Houtu, ancestral witch of the Wu Clan. I have come to visit Saint Golden Peng."

Li Peng, who was arranging his Daoist venue on Penglai Island, was stunned when he heard this.

He had not expected Houtu to visit at such a time. After all, his relationship with the Wu Clan was not harmonious, and he had even fought three ancestral witches in the past.

Why had Houtu come now?

Could she be here to apologize for past matters?

But the Wu Clan had always fought heaven and earth, unyielding and resolute. In the original course of the Primordial World, they had even dared to confront Dao Ancestor Hongjun head-on. How could they so easily lower their heads?

Unable to understand it, Li Peng shook his head and cast the cluttered thoughts from his mind.

If another ancestral witch had come, Li Peng might not even have been willing to open the gates of Three Immortal Island.

But this time, it was Houtu who had come, and Li Peng decided to invite her inside.

This was not because Houtu was exceptionally beautiful, but because Li Peng was filled with curiosity toward such an extraordinary woman.

In the original course of the Primordial World, Houtu sacrificed herself and transformed into reincarnation, completing the laws of heaven and earth and making the Primordial World more complete.

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

After all, he knew that he himself could not do as Houtu had done and abandon himself for the living beings of the Primordial World.