The Gate of Opening

Eldest Brother!

Tongtian pondered for a moment and stepped forward, asking, "How should we proceed?"

Most of the Three Sects have already reached Grand Unity Golden Immortal, but advancing to Grand Unity Golden Immortal within ten thousand years is already difficult. To possess the combat power to contend with top Ancestral Witches is even more difficult.

Yuanshi immediately agreed, "Indeed. It is easy to improve cultivation, but to give them the strength to rival top Ancestral Witches, even with the help of supreme innate spiritual treasures, is extremely difficult."

"My two worthy junior brothers need not worry."

Laozi smiled slightly, no longer playing coy. He flipped his hand and produced a wheel: "With this in hand, victory is ours."

"This is..."

Yuanshi and Tongtian's pupils contracted, then they suddenly understood, their faces filled with ecstatic joy.

The next moment, the Primordial Clarity Palace echoed with their hearty laughter: "Haha, with this divine artifact, victory in this battle is assured!"

"Pangu's Destiny, this belongs to us Three Pure Ones, how can the Witch Clan dare to lay claim to it!"

On the Kunlun Mountain Peak in the East, Tai Cang and Cang Du descended one after another.

"Senior Brother Cang Du, what business do you have seeking me?" Tai Cang asked directly.

Cang Du turned and gazed at Tai Cang, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes before he said firmly, "Junior Brother Tai Cang, fight me! Let me see the gap between us!"

Before he finished speaking, a supreme innate spiritual sword appeared in Cang Du's palm. The Grand Clarity sword energy erupted, its sharpness not inferior to the Shangqing Sword Art.

"Sword cultivation!" Tai Cang's pupils contracted, his heart shaken. He had not expected Cang Du to possess such hidden mastery. He then recalled the ancient texts that stated Laozi's sword mastery in the past surpassed Tongtian's, and only after proving his Dao and taking control of the Taiji Diagram did he shift to cultivating the Great Dao of Non-Action.

Tai Cang immediately summoned the Yinghuo Sword. "Since Senior Brother has this intention, I, your junior brother, shall oblige!"

Two earth-shattering sword intents clashed violently, and the entire mountain peak was annihilated inch by inch by the surging sword energy.

As sword light crisscrossed, Shangqing and Grand Clarity sword energies collided fiercely in the void, the sound of metal striking metal echoing incessantly. After a hundred moves, Cang Du began to show signs of weakening—Tai Cang had already brought the Shangqing Sword Art to a state of perfection, his sword foundation being superior.

Blood splattered as Cang Du was struck on the shoulder. As he retreated rapidly, he unleashed waves of Grand Clarity sword energy to block his opponent. Seeing that his sword path was inferior, he formed a hand seal with his left hand, summoning the Grand Clarity Divine Thunder, and countless bolts of lightning struck down.

Tai Cang's figure flickered, evading the brunt of the attack. Seizing an opening, he formed a Primordial Clarity Thunder Art, condensing destructive lightning in his palm. With a clear shout, all the Grand Clarity Divine Thunder was absorbed.

"In the end, I was still a step behind..." Cang Du murmured to himself.

A hint of helplessness flashed in Cang Du's eyes, quickly replaced by determination. He suddenly retracted his sword and looked directly at Tai Cang, saying, "Junior Brother, receive my final move."

Before he finished speaking, Cang Du's fingers danced, forming hand seals. The aura around him suddenly became violent, growing sharper with the changes in the seals, faintly touching the Grand Unity realm.

"What powerful pressure!"

Tai Cang's expression turned solemn. Although he didn't recognize this technique, he knew that if he allowed Cang Du to complete the spell, he would be unable to resist.

"I must interrupt him!"

With a flash of thought, Tai Cang thrust out his left palm. The Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder transformed into a dark thunder dragon, charging towards Cang Du with the force of earth-shattering destruction. This strike was unleashed without reservation, fully displaying the fearsome might of the divine thunder.

"Not good!"

Cang Du's hand seals quickened. As the thunder dragon approached, he suddenly sealed the final hand gesture. Amidst a surge of golden light, an ancient seal appeared in mid-air.

"Grand Clarity Secret Art: Wuji Seal!"

The golden seal grew larger as it faced the wind, instantly transforming into a colossal mountain that crashed head-on with the roaring thunder dragon.

BOOM--

Amidst the earth-shattering roar, both men fully channeled their magic power. The thunder dragon roared, the golden seal boomed, and after a full quarter of an hour of stalemate, the sound of shattering was finally heard.

CRACK!

The lightning scattered, and the golden seal cracked. The violent aftershocks swept over them, and both men's lips bled as they looked at each other with both apprehension and admiration.

"Laozi's eldest disciple, truly lives up to his name."

Tai Cang gripped the Yinghuo Sword, his figure suddenly blurring. Waves of sword energy erupted, transforming into a colossal sword that shattered the residual energy and instantly pierced before Cang Du.

Ssss--

As blood splattered, countless sword marks appeared all over Cang Du's body. With a flash of cold light, the Yinghuo Sword was at his throat. Where the sword energy dissipated, Tai Cang's figure appeared.

"Senior Brother Cang Du, I concede."

Ding! You have defeated a Ren Sect direct disciple, rewarding you with one One-Click Max Level Privilege.

The system notification made Tai Cang smile even wider.

"I have lost."

Cang Du gazed at the blade at his neck and said magnanimously, "Junior Brother Tai Cang is indeed a prodigy of the Cang Gate. My master said your achievements surpassed mine in the past, and I was still doubtful. Today, I realize my vision was narrow."

With that, he stepped back and withdrew, taking out a pill and consuming it. His wounds healed at a visible rate, and in an instant, apart from his torn clothes, there was no sign of injury.

"The art of alchemy is truly essential for traversing the Primordial World."

Tai Cang witnessed this scene, his heart filled with emotion. He secretly resolved to diligently practice the Grand Clarity Alchemy Technique upon his return.

A supreme-grade pill could instantly heal injuries; this was merely a sparring match. If this were a life-or-death battle, such a pill could reverse the outcome.

Thinking of this, Tai Cang retracted the Yinghuo Sword into his sea of consciousness and cupped his hands towards Cang Du, "Senior Brother is too kind. You have received the true inheritance of the Ren Sect, how could I possibly compare.

"Furthermore, I see that Senior Brother's sword mastery has reached a state of perfection; only the foundation is slightly lacking. If you could spare some time daily to practice your sword, and once your sword path reaches perfection, combined with Eldest Senior Uncle's Grand Clarity Sword Art, you will surely ascend to a higher level in the way of the sword."

These words were far from mere pleasantries. Cang Du's Grand Clarity Sword Art was complete and flawless, even more profound than Tai Cang's Shangqing Sword Art. If not for Cang Du's lack of practice and Tai Cang's use of the system to bring his Shangqing Sword Art to Grand Perfection, the outcome of their spar would have been uncertain.

"Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist!"

Cang Du felt as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes. He solemnly returned the bow and said, "I have indeed been lax in the past, brother. I will diligently cultivate from now on."

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, I sought you out today not just for a spar, but to share important news."

Tai Cang's spirits lifted, knowing Cang Du was about to get serious. He immediately focused his attention and listened intently.

Cang Du spoke directly, "Junior Brother, while your rejection of the Jie Sect direct disciple position was graceful, you have also missed a great opportunity."

"Master possesses a supreme treasure called the Time-Space Roulette."

"This item contains a special space where one day outside is ten years inside."

"When the Ancestral Witches initiate their challenge, Master will surely consult with my two uncles to select ten individuals for secluded cultivation within. However, since you have given up your direct disciple status, I fear you will have difficulty securing a spot."

"Master once said he would only reserve one spot for me. The remaining nine will be allocated to Senior Uncle Yuan Shi and Senior Uncle Tongtian, so..."

Tai Cang's expression shifted drastically.

Before Cang Du could finish, he understood the gravity of the situation.

The Time-Space Roulette!

One day outside, ten years inside. This was Laozi's ultimate trump card in his bid for Pangu's Destiny.

One must remember that the agreed-upon deadline with the Witch Clan was ten thousand years.

Based on this, they could cultivate for 3.6 million years within the Time-Space Roulette. With three kalpas of time, even those with mediocre talent could achieve Grand Unity Golden Immortal, let alone the direct disciples of the Three Sects?

Even more crucial was that the Three Pure Ones would personally impart their teachings. After three kalpas, Cang Du and the others' cultivation would undoubtedly reach the Grand Perfection of Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

No wonder Cang Du wanted to fight me!

If we don't fight now, there might be no chance for an equal contest in the future.

Tai Cang took a deep breath and cupped his hands towards Cang Du, "Then I wish you success, fellow Daoist."

Cang Du shook his head, "Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I did not come to boast, but to urge you to humble yourself before Senior Uncle Tongtian. As long as you regain your position as a Jie Sect direct disciple, you will surely have a place among those selected."

A flash of understanding crossed Tai Cang's eyes. He finally grasped Cang Du's good intentions.

Cang Du wished to secure a spot in the Time-Space Roulette, and thus, he risked informing Tai Cang of the truth in advance.

Ten thousand years of secluded cultivation, equivalent to three kalpas, was indeed a powerful incentive. Coupled with the guidance of the Three Pure Ones, Tai Cang was confident that he would reach at least the Grand Perfection of Grand Unity Golden Immortal after ten thousand years of seclusion.

However, Tai Cang quickly calmed his emotions and cupped his hands towards Cang Du, "Thank you for your kind intentions, fellow Daoist, but there is no room for negotiation on this matter."

"I have already refused once, and there is even less possibility of compromise now."

"Even if I miss this opportunity, I will never regret it."

Tai Cang's tone was resolute. He possessed the system, and advancing to Grand Unity Golden Immortal within ten thousand years was not a difficult task. If he were to bow to Tongtian and become a direct disciple, it would mean being completely bound to the Intercepting Sect. The next great tribulation was the Battle of the Investiture of the Gods, and the destruction of the Intercepting Sect was a foregone conclusion. While the past Tai Cang might have wished to defy fate, after experiencing various events, he had become completely disillusioned with the Intercepting Sect.

Becoming a direct disciple was absolutely impossible.

Compromising with Tongtian was an even greater delusion.

His only thought at this moment was to rapidly increase his strength, complete more system tasks, and obtain more One-Click Max Level Privileges.

"Fellow Daoist, you..."

Seeing Tai Cang's firm attitude, Cang Du eagerly tried to persuade him further. Just then, Kinkaku's voice called from a distance: "Young Master Cang Du, Master summons you back quickly."

Kinkaku arrived on a cloud, his expression hurried. Tai Cang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, took a step back, and cupped his hands, "Fellow Daoist Cang Du, please excuse me for not seeing you off."

"Eldest Senior Uncle summons you, please hurry."

Cang Du sighed deeply, knowing his persuasion was futile. He returned the bow and said, "Since that is the case, fellow Daoist, take care."

With that, he and Kinkaku hurried towards the Grand Clarity Palace.

Watching Cang Du depart, Tai Cang felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He truly didn't know how to respond to such kindness. But one thing he knew for sure: he had to act quickly. Only by becoming sufficiently powerful could he deal with all unforeseen circumstances.

Having made up his mind, Tai Cang was about to leave when he stopped. Yuding and the others were likely also summoned by Yuan Shi into the Time-Space Roulette. Returning now would inevitably lead to further persuasion.

Since that's the case...

I might as well go into seclusion here first.

Tai Cang surveyed his surroundings and chose a valley rich in spiritual energy. Upon entering, he set up a protective barrier and took out his recent spoils: Thirty-Six Transformations, Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique, and the Innate Yin Yang Sword.

Skipping the Innate Yin Yang Sword, Tai Cang focused his attention on Thirty-Six Transformations and Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique. The former contained thirty-six divine abilities, which would greatly enrich his combat methods once mastered. The latter was a desperately needed escape technique, perfectly compensating for his current shortcomings.

The Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique was the foremost escape technique in the Primordial World, making it extremely precious. Earlier, in the Beast Realm, Tai Cang had suffered greatly due to his lack of escape techniques. Although he eventually subdued a pure-blooded exotic beast, the process was fraught with danger.

First, cultivate the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique!

Then, practice Thirty-Six Transformations!

Finally, refine the Innate Yin Yang Sword!

Tai Cang set his cultivation order and waved his hand, summoning the exotic beast: "Go guard outside the valley and don't let anyone disturb me."

The exotic beast leaped out of his embrace in response and disappeared at the valley entrance in an instant.

Seeing the exotic beast depart, Tai Cang sat cross-legged and immersed himself in comprehending the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique. After a quarter of an hour, he had memorized the core principles of the escape technique and immediately began practicing it above the valley.

In the flash of golden light, Tai Cang's figure flickered in and out of sight, occasionally crashing into the mountain walls, appearing quite disheveled. He paid it no mind, however, failing repeatedly but persisting, adjusting his casting techniques through each failure.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for mastering the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique!

On this day, the system prompt finally sounded. Tai Cang landed gracefully, a slight smile on his lips. "System, upgrade the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique to max level!"

Ding! Consuming max level privilege, the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique has reached its peak!

In an instant, a torrent of insights flooded his sea of consciousness. In mere seconds, Tai Cang felt this technique had reached perfection. Although it couldn't match the Demon Sovereign due to his cultivation limitations, it far surpassed the attainments of the Golden Crow Prince at the same level.

Excellent!

Tai Cang couldn't hide his joy. With his escape technique perfected, his final shortcoming was finally filled. Even if he encountered a powerful enemy, he could retreat with ease using this technique.

Now, it was time to cultivate the Thirty-Six Transformations.