Chapter 15

Arrogant! Duobao secretly rejoiced and seized the chance to speak. "Master, look at how Tai Cang disregards everyone and completely ignores the Jie Sect's reputation. He must be severely punished!" His followers immediately echoed, "Master, please punish him!"

Tongtian frowned deeply. Though displeased with Tai Cang, he remembered his earlier promise and could only wave his hand. "Let this matter end here. Those not participating may leave on their own. Next, I will expound the Dao for the contestants."

Returning to the back mountain of Kunlun, Tai Cang looked at his residence, now reduced to ruins. His expression shifted before he mounted a cloud and departed. Since everything had been destroyed, there was nothing left for him to miss here.

This place was too close to the Upper Clarity Palace. In the future, quite a few Jie Sect disciples would likely come to disturb him, inevitably affecting his cultivation.

What had happened today made Tai Cang understand that in this world, only he himself was worthy of trust. The so-called bonds between fellow disciples were not always harmonious.

Tai Cang rode the wind through the Kunlun Mountains, searching for a new place to stay.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

A call came from below, interrupting his thoughts.

Looking down, he saw True Person Yuding waving at him from within a valley.

"Senior Brother Yuding!"

Only then did Tai Cang realize that he had arrived within the territory of the Primordial Clarity Palace.

An idea immediately formed in his mind. Since he could not find peace near the Upper Clarity Palace, he might as well settle here.

After the Three Purities attained the Dao, Kunlun Mountains had been divided into three regions: Laozi resided in the east, Yuan Shi in the center, and Tongtian in the south. Western Kunlun belonged to the Jade Pond, and none of the three sects were permitted to enter.

If he could settle within the Primordial Clarity Palace's domain, perhaps he could avoid much of the trouble...

"Greetings, Senior Brother Yuding!"

Tai Cang landed and bowed, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

When he had first joined the Jie Sect, he had held considerable hostility toward the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect. After all, the cause of the Battle of the Investiture of the Gods had been the Twelve Golden Immortals seeking to avoid their tribulations, thereby bringing a great calamity upon the Jie Sect.

But after this incident, Tai Cang suddenly found himself somewhat envious of the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Though Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning was also partial, he treated everyone equally. Even though he disliked Huanglong's Demon Race origins, he had still planned a way for him to escape his tribulation. Sect Master Tongtian, by contrast, showed exceptional concern only for a small number of direct disciples.

No wonder the Jie Sect had suffered such a crushing defeat—countless outer disciples had fallen in the early stages of the Battle of the Investiture of the Gods, yet Tongtian had remained indifferent until Zhao Gongming and the San Xiao encountered disaster. The so-called teaching without distinction ultimately could not escape the difference between close and distant.

"Junior Brother, it has been a while!" Yuding said with a hearty laugh. "I heard that you fought the Ten Golden Crows alone and defeated nine Grand Unity Golden Immortals in succession. It was truly admirable."

If Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning had not personally confirmed it, anyone would have taken it as a joke. How could a Golden Immortal possibly contend against a Grand Unity expert?

Yuding suddenly lowered his voice. "Junior Brother, have you cultivated the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill? Otherwise, how could you contend with Grand Unity while only at the Golden Immortal realm?"

The Nine Revolutions Cang Skill!

Tai Cang's gaze flickered. Yuding had actually inherited this cultivation method?

Looking more closely, Tai Cang found Yuding's aura thick and powerful. Though only at the early stage of Grand Unity, his mana was comparable to that of cultivators in the middle or late stages.

"Senior Brother overpraises me."

Tai Cang smiled faintly and cupped his hands. "I am merely an inner disciple. How would I dare covet the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill, the supreme art that suppresses the three sects?"

"On the other hand, Senior Brother's cultivation is profound. You must have already cultivated the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill to the sixth revolution. Among your peers, you likely have few rivals."

These were not empty pleasantries.

The Nine Revolutions Cang Skill had been created by the Three Purities after comprehending Pangu's legacy.

The first revolution was Heavenly Immortal, the second Cang Immortal, the third True Immortal, the fourth True Immortal of Grand Unity, the fifth Golden Immortal, the sixth Grand Unity Golden Immortal, the seventh Grand Unity Golden Immortal, the eighth Quasi-Saint, and the ninth could rival the might of a Saint.

"Junior Brother flatters me!"

Yuding shook his head with a bitter smile. "My aptitude is dull. Though I was fortunate enough to enter the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, I remain at the fifth revolution of the Cang Skill."

Changing the subject, Yuding asked, "Why have you come here, Junior Brother?"

"When I saw you riding the clouds earlier, you seemed distracted. Have you encountered some difficulty?"

He was genuinely curious.

Tai Cang had lived alone here for hundreds of years and was the first visitor. Given Tai Cang's cultivation and temperament, he should not have been so unsettled.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

Tai Cang only smiled without answering. Naturally, he would not mention those troubling matters.

They were not fellow disciples, so why should he confide in him?

After a brief pause, he said, "My original residence was damaged, and I was looking for a new place to live."

His residence had been destroyed?

A trace of surprise flashed through Yuding's eyes.

Though Tai Cang had not said so directly, Yuding had already guessed part of what had happened.

After pondering for a moment, Yuding suddenly suggested, "If Junior Brother Tai Cang does not mind, why not live here with me?"

"This valley is rich in spiritual energy and vast in area. Living here alone is truly too empty. Besides, I happen to have some questions about cultivation that I would like to ask Junior Brother."

He spoke from the bottom of his heart.

Primeval Lord of Heaven had praised Tai Cang repeatedly, and as direct disciples, they had heard it all too often. Though they were unconvinced, they did not dare underestimate him. This was a perfect opportunity to test his true abilities.

"Very well."

Tai Cang nodded in agreement. "Then I will impose on you, Senior Brother."

He saw through Yuding's intentions but did not expose them. Compared to the Jie Sect's schemes and intrigues, Yuding's straightforwardness made him feel more at ease.

At that moment, he finally understood why Laozi had always accepted only Cang Du as a disciple. Perhaps that senior uncle had long seen through everything and avoided disputes at their source.

"Junior Brother, you are far too formal!"

Delighted, Yuding immediately led Tai Cang into the valley.

"Guangchengzi and the others will be coming in the next few days. When they arrive, we can celebrate properly."

Guangchengzi and the others were coming?

Tai Cang's brows twitched, but he did not ask further. He followed Yuding in choosing a place to stay and began building a cottage.

Before long, bursts of laughter came from outside the valley.

"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Junior Brother Yuding!"

"Today, we must drink three hundred cups!"

"I hunted a strange beast. Senior Brother is in for a treat!"

Guangchengzi and the other Chan Sect Golden Immortals chatted and laughed as they arrived one after another, every face filled with sincere smiles.

He had broken through!

What a joyous occasion!

So that was it!

Tai Cang immediately understood. Glancing at Yuding beside him, he guessed that Yuding had only recently broken through. No wonder Yuding had seen through his cultivation at a glance earlier.

"Hm, Tai Cang!"

"Why are you here?"

When Guangchengzi and the others approached, they had intended to speak with Yuding, only to unexpectedly spot Tai Cang. Surprise flashed through all their eyes. The Jie Sect and Chan Sect belonged to different camps. Though both were under the Three Purities, they had never interacted. Tai Cang's appearance truly caught them off guard, and they even guessed that Yuding had specifically invited him.

"Greetings, Senior Brothers!"

Tai Cang cupped his hands and said, "I happened to pass by today and encountered Senior Brother Yuding, who kindly invited me here. I did not expect that all of you Senior Brothers would come as well."

"So that was it!"

"Just as expected!"

Guangchengzi and the others exchanged smiles of understanding and returned the greeting. "Greetings, Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

"Greetings, Junior Brother Tai Cang."

In the primordial world, strength was respected. Tai Cang's feat of defeating the Ten Golden Crow princes had already spread throughout the three sects. Combined with Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning mentioning him repeatedly before them, Guangchengzi and the others held this junior brother in high regard. Had it been any other Jie Sect disciple, they certainly would not have been so warm.

Whew—

Seeing everyone getting along harmoniously, Yuding secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had originally worried that the two sides would not get along, but now he could finally relax. He immediately stepped forward and said, "Thank you, Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers, for coming to celebrate. As it happens, I obtained some fine brew from the monkey tribes in Kunlun's back mountain. Let us taste it together."

With a sweep of his sleeve, several jars of monkey wine appeared before everyone. The rich fragrance of alcohol spread through the air, drawing not only Guangchengzi and the others, but even Tai Cang could not help glancing over. This monkey wine was truly rare, even more precious than what Cang Du had stored away in the past.

"Junior Brother Yuding, then this senior brother will not stand on ceremony!"

Guangchengzi gave a strange cry and pounced toward the wine jars first.

"Senior Brother is cheating!"

"Senior Brother, that is too much!"

The other Golden Immortals berated him with their mouths, but their hands were not slow in the slightest. They snatched up jars of wine and began drinking heartily. The scene instantly became lively, filled with endless laughter. Seeing this, Tai Cang could not help feeling emotional. Compared to the open and hidden struggles within the Jie Sect, the bond between the Twelve Golden Immortals was far more precious.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

Yuding approached with a smile and took out a jar of monkey wine. "I knew they would act like this, so I specifically saved a jar for you. Otherwise, you would have missed such fine wine."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Tai Cang accepted the jar. Yuding took out another and said, "Why be so polite? Come, let us drink! Leave all your troubles behind. Today, we must enjoy ourselves to the fullest!"

As he spoke, he pulled Tai Cang into the group.

"Come, Junior Brother Tai Cang, cheers!"

"Junior Brother Tai Cang, let us have a drink!"

"Junior Brother Tai Cang, drain this cup!"

"Come on, Junior Brother Tai Cang. You are not being fair. There is still so much wine left."

Gradually, Tai Cang blended into the atmosphere.

He cast aside the unhappiness from the Upper Clarity Palace and drank freely with the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Only late at night did the banquet finally come to an end.

Tai Cang and the Twelve Golden Immortals lay side by side on the ground, gazing up at the stars. Guangchengzi suddenly spoke. "Junior Brother Tai Cang, you will participate in the Three Sects Tournament, right?"

As soon as he said this, all the Golden Immortals looked toward Tai Cang.

After spending time together, they had all sincerely accepted Tai Cang, including Cihang, who had once had a conflict with him.

If Tai Cang participated, they would surely become opponents.

Though quite a few of the Golden Immortals had reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, judging by Tai Cang's record of defeating the Ten Golden Crows, there was still a gap between them.

"No, I did not register, so I will not participate." Tai Cang shook his head and tipped back a mouthful of wine. "But I can help you Senior Brothers win."

As he said this, a cold glint flashed through Tai Cang's eyes.

Fueled by the alcohol, all his dissatisfaction toward Tongtian finally erupted.

Didn't you want the Jie Sect to achieve good results? What if all your direct disciples were defeated?

"What is going on?"

Guangchengzi and the others were stunned.

Tai Cang was not participating in the Three Sects Tournament? This was an assembly held by the three Saints, where great powers from across the primordial world would gather. The winners could even receive treasures bestowed by Saints.

"Junior Brother, how can you give up?" Yuding blurted out. "The Three Sects Tournament concerns the ownership of innate spirit treasures. Do you not want one?"

Innate spirit treasures!

The Three Sects Tournament would be followed by treasure bestowal!

Tai Cang was struck as if by lightning and instantly understood why Duobao and the Jie Sect direct disciples had targeted him.

Innate spirit treasures!

No one could resist such temptation. Tai Cang's existence was an obstacle. Only if he did not participate would the Jie Sect direct disciples have a better chance of obtaining superior treasures.

Most importantly, Tongtian had tacitly permitted such behavior. Did that not expose his selfishness?

"There is no need." Tai Cang took a deep breath. "Spirit treasures may be good, but a cultivator's foundation lies in oneself."

"Besides, innate spirit treasures contain innate restrictions. To fully wield their power, one must at least possess the cultivation of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Before that, their value is limited."

"When I fought the Great Golden Crow on the Sun Star, he possessed a high-grade innate spirit treasure. Yet with only mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation, he could not refine many of its restrictions. Its power was only slightly stronger than that of a top-grade acquired spirit treasure."

"Rather than relying on spirit treasures, it is better to focus on one's own cultivation. Only by becoming strong oneself can one wield stronger treasures."

Guangchengzi and the others fell into thought.

Tai Cang's words enlightened them, and their desire for innate spirit treasures gradually faded.

Just as Tai Cang had said, a cultivator's foundation lay in oneself, not external objects.

"Thank you for your guidance, Junior Brother Tai Cang." Guangchengzi raised his wine jar in salute. "We truly were somewhat obsessed."

"Innate spirit treasures may be good, but with our current cultivation, they are difficult to wield. We should indeed focus on cultivation."

"You Senior Brothers are too polite." Tai Cang smiled calmly and raised his jar to drink deeply.

Though innate spirit treasures had limited use for beings at their level, that did not mean he would refuse them.

However, things had already reached this point, and he could no longer change anything.

Duobao!

Tongtian!

A cold glint flashed through Tai Cang's eyes. He abruptly rose from the ground and fixed his gaze on Guangchengzi and the others. "Senior Brothers, are you willing to fight me?"

"A fight!"