The Primordial World

Tai Cang smiled faintly, knowing the matter was settled. Now that he had gained another opportunity for One-Click Max Level, he needed to find new ways to improve his strength after his Supreme Five Qi reached Grand Perfection.

With this thought, he spoke again, "Also, I refined the Yinghuo Sword before the battle. With this top-grade acquired spiritual treasure, my combat power has increased significantly."

"Although it's an acquired spiritual treasure, it can multiply my strength. This is also one of the reasons I could easily defeat all the Senior Brothers."

"Lingbao!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's breathing quickened.

Tai Cang had previously promised to help them refine acquired spiritual treasures. They had accumulated many rare materials in the Kunlun Mountains over the years. If they could refine Lingbao, their strength would undoubtedly surge.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!" Guangchengzi asked impatiently, "You said before that you could help us refine artifacts. Is that true?"

Yuding and the others also stared intently at Tai Cang, their eyes full of anticipation. Having witnessed the power of acquired spiritual treasures, they naturally did not want to miss the opportunity.

"Naturally," Tai Cang readily agreed.

He had originally intended to use the Twelve Golden Immortals to vent his dissatisfaction. Now that Guangchengzi and the others had taken the bait, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

He thought of the scene where the Twelve Golden Immortals, wielding top-grade acquired spiritual treasures, defeated the personal disciples of the Intercepting Sect, causing Tongtian to lose all face. A cold sneer grew in his heart.

Tongtian favored his personal disciples, and Duobao schemed in secret. He wouldn't let these debts go easily.

"Good!"

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Guangchengzi and the others were overjoyed. They didn't even bother to drink their wine and hurriedly got up, "Junior Brother, please wait a moment, I'll be right back!"

With that, he rode the clouds straight towards his cave dwelling.

"Senior Brother, wait for me!"

"Senior Brother, you're too impatient!"

Seeing this, how could Cihang and the others sit still? They quickly cupped their hands towards Tai Cang, "Junior Brother, please wait a moment, we'll be right back!"

Everyone rode the clouds and mist, swiftly leaving the valley.

Yuding walked to Tai Cang's side and handed him a Qiankun bag. "Junior Brother Tai Cang, please see if these materials are suitable." His expression was slightly nervous; this was all his savings.

Tai Cang took the bag and, after a moment of divine sense exploration, looked up and said, "The materials are good. They can be used to refine two top-grade acquired spiritual treasures. What kind of artifacts do you want, Senior Brother?"

"A sword and a whisk!" Yuding was ecstatic and quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

"It's just a small effort," Tai Cang smiled indifferently and then sat cross-legged to begin refining the artifacts.

Seven days later, Tai Cang had finished refining magic treasures for all the Twelve Golden Immortals. Everyone gathered for a joyous feast and dispersed the next morning.

Tai Cang returned to his residence, set up numerous restrictions, and then took out a water-element spiritual item, closing his eyes in concentration. "It's time to condense the Supreme Water Qi."

As he circulated his technique, the essence of the spiritual item was continuously absorbed. One day, Tai Cang suddenly opened his eyes.

The water qi merged with the metal qi, and his mana surged more than tenfold.

Next was the Supreme Wood Qi. Tai Cang continued to cultivate without slacking.

More than ten years passed in the blink of an eye.

The wood qi took shape. As the three energies converged, his physical body's strength greatly increased, and his innate potential showed signs of breaking through.

"It's time for the Supreme Fire Qi." Tai Cang took out a branch of the Fusang Tree and cultivated wholeheartedly for over thirty years.

Once the fire qi was formed, he immediately began condensing the earth qi.

Outside the valley, the three San Xiao fairies arrived gracefully.

"Sister, are you sure it's here?" Bixiao asked, looking around doubtfully.

"It's definitely here!"

Qiongxiao's expression was solemn. "I went to great lengths to find this out."

"After Junior Brother Tai Cang left the Upper Clarity Palace, he has been living next to Yuding of the Heavenly Origin Sect here."

"The acquired spiritual treasures that Cihang and the others are using were indeed refined by Junior Brother Tai Cang."

At this point, Qiongxiao pouted. "Junior Brother is truly something. Knowing that the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect will soon be our enemies, he still refined magic treasures for them."

Yunxiao and Bixiao exchanged glances, speechless.

They thought more deeply than Qiongxiao and understood the complex stakes involved.

Whether it was Duobao or Tongtian, their actions were too excessive. Tai Cang had suffered much injustice simply because of his status as an inner disciple.

"Eldest Sister!"

Bixiao spoke first. "Why don't we go in and take a look?"

"If Junior Brother Tai Cang is truly here, we can persuade him to return to the mountain."

"Alright!"

Yunxiao's gaze was firm. "Let's go."

The three of them then headed towards the valley.

"Stop!"

A cold shout rang out.

A sword light slashed down, leaving a line on the ground.

Yuding floated over, frowning, "Three from the Intercepting Sect, why have you trespassed into my humble abode?"

He knew the San Xiao were here for Tai Cang, but he feigned ignorance.

Tai Cang had come here back then precisely because of the unfair treatment from the Intercepting Sect.

After these days of getting along, Yuding and the other Heavenly Origin Sect Golden Immortals had come to greatly appreciate Tai Cang. How could they allow the San Xiao to disturb him again?

"Senior Brother Yuding, why pretend to be confused?"

Yunxiao said in a deep voice, "We are only here to see Junior Brother Tai Cang. We hope Senior Brother will grant us convenience."

The three of them looked at the long sword and whisk in Yuding's hand, feeling uneasy.

These two acquired spiritual treasures were extraordinary in power, clearly forged by Tai Cang.

Thinking of the upcoming Three Sects Competition and facing the fully armed Twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect, the three felt even more burdened.

"Heh!"

Yuding let out a cold laugh, "You three seem to have come to the wrong place. Tai Cang is not here."

"If you have no important business, please leave quickly. I still need to prepare for the Three Sects Competition."

"Don't try to deceive us!"

Qiongxiao said angrily, "Junior Brother Tai Cang is clearly in the valley. My information will never be wrong."

"The Lingbao in your hands all came from Junior Brother Tai Cang. Are you blocking us now because you're afraid he'll forge magic treasures for us that surpass yours?"

As soon as she said this, Yunxiao and Bixiao also looked sharply at Yuding.

No matter what, they were determined to achieve their goal today.

If they couldn't bring Tai Cang back, the Intercepting Sect would have no chance of winning the Three Sects Competition.

"So that's how it is!"

Yuding suddenly seemed to understand, and he sneered, "What a way to burn bridges after crossing them. What a typical Intercepting Sect move."

"When you need someone, you call them brother; when you don't, you discard them like worn-out shoes. Truly arrogant to the extreme."

"San Xiao, I'll make myself clear today. This valley is my place of cultivation. No one from the Intercepting Sect is allowed to enter. Those who do--kill without mercy!"

Yuding's body suddenly erupted with the powerful aura of a mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal. The long sword and whisk in his hand shone with dazzling light, ready to strike.

Yuding, how dare you be so rude!

The San Xiao were furious upon seeing this.

Yuding's actions were clearly meant to prevent them from meeting Tai Cang.

In an instant, the three fairies simultaneously released their early-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal pressure, glaring angrily. The atmosphere in the field immediately became extremely tense.

San Xiao, do not be presumptuous!

Members of the Intercepting Sect, how dare you cause trouble here!

Several sharp shouts suddenly rang out.

Guangchengzi, Taiyi, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Cihang appeared, standing in the air. In a flash, they landed beside Yuding. The five of them took out their magic treasures, and their bodies were also surging with Grand Unity Golden Immortal level mana fluctuations.

"Junior Brother, what happened?"

Guangchengzi asked in a deep voice.

Taiyi and the others also looked puzzled.

Yuding had always lived a secluded life, only interacting with his fellow disciples and never going out. How could he have incurred the wrath of the Intercepting Sect's San Xiao?

"Senior Brother, please listen."

Yuding cupped his hands in a salute and immediately revealed everything about the San Xiao's attempt to find Tai Cang to forge acquired spiritual treasures for the Intercepting Sect.

Shameless!

People from the Intercepting Sect are truly shameless!

Upon hearing this, Guangchengzi and the other four were furious, their eyes flashing with cold light, and the magic treasures in their hands hummed: "San Xiao, if you know what's good for you, retreat quickly."

"Otherwise, today you will have a taste of the methods of the Intercepting Sect's personal disciples!"

"If you want to fight, we'll fight! Are we afraid of you?"

Qiongxiao said, showing no weakness, and stepped forward, ready to act.

"Youngest Sister, wait!"

"Don't be rash!"

Yunxiao and Bixiao quickly intervened to stop her.

If it were just Yuding alone, the three sisters would not be afraid. But now that Guangchengzi and the others had arrived, the six-against-three situation had no chance of victory, not to mention that the other side possessed magic treasures forged by Tai Cang.

"Eldest Sister!"

Eldest Sister!

Qiongxiao, pulled back, was still unwilling: "Are we just going to let it go like this?"

She retreated first.

Yunxiao made a decisive move, swept Guangchengzi and the others a cold glance, and dragged Qiongxiao away.

Seeing the San Xiao retreat, Guangchengzi and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Although they did not fear conflict, the Three Sects Competition was imminent, and causing trouble rashly would surely incur their master's punishment.

Watching the San Xiao leave, Guangchengzi said gravely, "This matter will not end here."

"Since the Intercepting Sect has set their sights on Tai Cang, they will definitely resort to other means."

"Junior Brother Yuding, let us temporarily guard this place and leave only after the Three Sects Competition begins."

Yuding nodded, "With all you Senior Brothers here, I can rest assured."

"If they sincerely sought an audience, that would be one thing, but they insist on using Fellow Daoist Tai Cang. How can we let them succeed!"

"Exactly."

Guangchengzi pondered for a moment, then turned to Taiyi and said, "Junior Brother Taiyi, quickly go and summon Qingxu and the others."

"With the combined power of my Twelve Golden Immortals, who would dare to disturb Fellow Daoist Tai Cang's cultivation?"

"I shall obey your command, Senior Brother."

Taiyi cupped his hands in response and immediately turned into a stream of light, leaving.

After he departed, Guangchengzi and the others also turned and walked into the depths of the valley.

Thunder roared, and the heavens and earth changed color.

Dark clouds churned above the valley, and amidst lightning and thunder, the entire space became oppressive.

"What happened?"

"What is going on!"

Guangchengzi and the others' expressions changed drastically, thinking that Intercepting Sect cultivators were attacking. They immediately flew towards the depths of the valley.

As soon as they arrived at Tai Cang's residence, they saw that the vast dark clouds were actually converging and swirling there.

A clear shout suddenly rang out.

The wooden house exploded, and amidst flying wood chips, Tai Cang stood in mid-air. His mana surged around him. Although he was still at the Grand Perfection stage of Golden Immortal, the pressure he exuded was already comparable to the late stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

"Such a powerful aura!"

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang has improved again."

Guangchengzi and the others looked astonished, their eyes filled with shock and envy. They knew Tai Cang had been in seclusion for a hundred years and had initially thought he was attempting to break through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal. They never expected such an astonishing improvement.

"It's finally done."

Tai Cang slowly opened his eyes, feeling the surging power within him, a smile appearing on his lips. He looked up at the sky and lightly drew a sword finger with his left hand.

Chii--

Sword qi shot into the sky, instantly tearing through thousands of miles of dark clouds. Sunlight poured down, making him look like a god descending to the mortal realm.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Tai Cang."

Guangchengzi and the others stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Although shocked by his breakthrough, they were genuinely happy for him.

"Greetings, everyone..."

Just as Tai Cang was about to respond, he suddenly felt the address was inappropriate. Seeing that Guangchengzi and the others addressed him as "Fellow Daoist," clearly intending to interact without regard for their sects, he immediately changed his words and said with a smile, "Greetings, fellow Daoists!"

This response made Guangchengzi and the others feel gratified. It meant that their relationship was now purely one of fellow Daoists, no longer bound by sect affiliations.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, why didn't you directly advance to Grand Unity Golden Immortal?" Guangchengzi couldn't help but ask. In his current state, breaking through should have been a natural progression.

Yuding and the others also cast curious glances.

"The time is not yet right." Tai Cang's eyes flashed with brilliance. "I will make plans after the Three Sects Competition."

"He has already cultivated Five Qi Towards Origin, and the Grand Unity realm is within his grasp. However, to ensure his plan proceeds smoothly, breaking through now might lead to unforeseen complications. If he were to be sent to participate in the competition by Sect Master Tongtian because of this, wouldn't his previous support for the Twelve Golden Immortals be in vain?"

"Eldest Senior Brother!"

An urgent shout came. Taiyi rushed over, cupped his hands, and said, "Master has ordered us to quickly gather at the Primordial Clarity Palace."

"The great powers of the Primordial World are about to gather, and the Three Sects will hold a banquet before the grand event."

The great powers of the Primordial World arrived one after another.

"Three Sects Banquet!"

Tai Cang and the others exchanged glances, all showing surprise.

They had not expected such an arrangement before the grand event.

Guangchengzi was the first to regain his senses and hurriedly said, "Since that is the case, we should not linger."

"Let us quickly head to the Primordial Clarity Palace to rendezvous."