"Peak of Quasi-Sage..."
Qing Huan murmured to himself, feeling the surging, perfectly balanced Yin-Yang Origin energy within his body, which was more than ten times stronger than before his seclusion...
"However, the gate to the holy path ultimately requires Luck as its key."
He stood up, stretched his limbs, and his body emitted soft crackling sounds, a sign that his strength was at its peak.
He glanced at the temporary Cave Mansion. He had basically achieved his goal of this seclusion. Although he had not become a saint in one fell swoop, the improvement in his foundation and the perfection of the Yin-Yang Great Dao had laid an extremely solid foundation for him.
Fengqi Mountain is a place of outstanding natural beauty and spiritual energy, one of the most Blessed Land in the Primordial Wilderness.
The Dao Field of the Empress Nuwa is located here.
After the three lectures at the Purple Cloud Palace concluded, Dao Ancestor Hongjun bestowed upon them the Hongmeng Purple Qi, explicitly stating that all of his disciples had the potential to become saints. Nuwa then frequently meditated and contemplated there, hoping to attain the Hunyuan Dao Fruit as soon as possible.
However, recently, Nuwa has been feeling uneasy.
The mysterious opportunity to achieve sainthood seemed so close, yet it was veiled by an impenetrable barrier, making it impossible for her to reach it.
She sat upright on the cloud bed, her body radiating Daoist energy, resonating with heaven and earth. The Hongmeng Purple Qi deep within her primordial spirit trembled slightly, guiding her in a vague direction.
"What exactly is missing?"
Nuwa frowned slightly, her beautiful face showing a hint of confusion and solemnity.
With a light pinch of her jade-like fingers, her magical Magic Power surged, drawing upon the trajectory of the Heavenly Dao, and she began to fully deduce its workings.
In an instant, countless fragments of celestial secrets flashed through her mind like streaks of light. She saw the Primordial Chaos, the differentiation of yin and yang; she saw the evolution of the Primordial Wilderness world, with all things vying for life.
Finally, the scene freezes on two treasures exuding Innate Dao Rhyme —a winding vine flowing with Seven-colored Auspicious Light, and a clump of divine soil floating uncertainly, containing endless Creation vitality.
"Innate Gourd Vine! Nine Heavens Breathing Soil!"
Nuwa suddenly opened her eyes, a flash of understanding crossing her gaze, which was then replaced by a solemn expression.
She remembered.
Long ago, on Mount Buzhou, the Innate Gourd Vine matured and bore seven precious gourds containing different laws and Dao principles, attracting Primordial Great Powers to gather.
She, along with Three Pure Ones, Hong Yun, Di Jun and Tai Yi, and others, each obtained one. However, the vine that nurtured the treasure gourd, as well as the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil that its roots intertwined and was imbued with the power of origin, were collected by Qing Huan Venerable of the Demon Clan.
At that time, everyone was focused on the magic gourd and didn't pay much attention to this, since although the vines and the breathing soil were miraculous, their functions were far less clear than those of the magic gourd.
Heavenly Venerate Qing Huan was not particularly close to her or her brother Fuxi, who were relatively independent demon race beings of Innate Deities, and they did not have much interaction.
Unexpectedly, the key to her enlightenment today lies in these two things.
The Heavenly Venerate Qing Huan's Dao Field on Yingzhou Island in the Eastern Sea. His cultivation is unfathomable. Long before he listened to the Primordial Wilderness at the Purple Cloud Palace, he was already famous throughout the prehistoric world and held a revered position among the demon race. He is associated with both Di Jun and Tai Yi.
Asking this person for the treasure that is related to one's own sanctification is by no means an easy task.
Nuwa sighed softly, knowing that this matter could not be avoided.
She stood up, straightened her dress, and looked towards the Eastern Sea.
To prove her worth, she had to make this trip no matter what.
The Eastern Sea is vast and boundless, its misty waves stretching endlessly.
Yingzhou Island, as the Daoist Dao Field of the Demon Clan's Celestial Venerable, is a place of ever-changing scenery, surrounded by celestial light, where countless demon soldiers and generals can be vaguely seen patrolling in perfect order.
Nuwa arrived riding on a cloud, her holy aura naturally emanating from her, quite different from this place where demonic energy was rampant.
As soon as she reached the edge of the island, she saw a celestial light part, and a young boy came out to greet her, bowing respectfully.
"We have met the Empress Nuwa. The Heavenly Venerable already knows the purpose of your visit and has specially ordered this young servant to lead the way."
Nuwa nodded and followed the boy inside. Along the way, they saw that the island was covered with exotic flowers and rare herbs, and Spirit Beast and immortal birds roamed freely. There were also many demon cultivators cultivating here, making it an extraordinary place.
Arriving at a magnificent yet ancient palace, the palace doors were wide open, and Heavenly Venerate Qing Huan stood with his hands behind his back in the hall. Beside him stood a spirited young Daoist with golden wings on his back, who was none other than his disciple, the Golden-Winged Great Peng.
At this moment, Qing Huan forced out a drop of essence blood, flowing with chaotic light and containing boundless Daoist essence, from his fingertip and handed it to the Golden-Winged Great Peng, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable power:
"You were born with an imbalance of Yin-Yang Qi, and your foundation is flawed. This is my Essence Blood. Refine it carefully to complete your foundation, and your future achievements may not be inferior to those of your elder brother, Kong Xuan."
The Golden-Winged Great Peng received the essence blood with both hands, feeling its immense power. His body trembled slightly with excitement, and his face was filled with uncontrollable joy. He immediately bowed in gratitude.
"Disciple kowtows to express gratitude for Master's grace! I will certainly live up to Master's high expectations!"
Qing Huan smiled slightly, waved his hand, and signaled him to step back and continue cultivating. The Golden-Winged Great Peng bowed again, then carefully held the essence blood and transformed into a golden light to depart.
At this moment, Qing Huan turned around and looked at Nuwa, a knowing smile on his face. His aura was as deep as the sea, indicating that he had already reached the peak of the Quasi-Sage realm.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, instead of quietly meditating on the Great Dao at Fengxi Mountain, how could you have time to come to my desolate island overseas?"
Nuwa felt a chill run down her spine; the speed at which the other party's cultivation had improved was beyond her imagination.
She suppressed her thoughts and stated her purpose directly:
"Qing Huan, to be honest, I have come here to seek the Innate Gourd Vine and the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil that you obtained in the past."
These two items are crucial to my attainment of the Dao. I am willing to exchange them for spiritual treasures. I humbly request your permission, fellow Daoist."
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible glint flashed in Qing Huan's eyes; this was the moment he had been waiting for.
He laughed loudly, his tone tinged with amusement:
"Oh? Fellow Daoist intends to use these two items to prove the Dao? It seems you have glimpsed the secrets of heaven and are about to perform the work of Creation."
He paused, then changed the subject.
"However, fellow Daoist, you should know that although these two items are not supreme offensive treasures, they are the roots of innate Creation, and their value is far beyond that of ordinary spiritual treasures, probably not comparable."
Nuwa was prepared; she took out a scroll, and when it was unfurled, the phantoms of mountains, rivers, and the land appeared, displaying a magnificent spectacle.
"This is the River Mountains Diagram, containing a world within it, evolving the Earth, Wind, Water, Fire. It Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. What do you think of exchanging it for, fellow Daoist?"
Qing Huan's gaze swept over the River Mountains Diagram, he nodded, then shook his head:
"The River Mountains Diagram is indeed a supreme spiritual treasure with endless uses. However... this one item alone is probably not enough to lay the foundation for your sainthood."
Nuwa frowned slightly. "What else do you desire, fellow Daoist?"
Qing Huan's smile remained unchanged, but his gaze sharpened as he slowly said, "Alright then, besides this River Mountains Diagram, I also want the White Jade Pure Gourd that you obtained from the Innate Gourd Vine..."
Seeing Nuwa's expression change slightly, he continued, "Furthermore, whatever you do with these vines and soil, whatever race you create in the future, I want twenty percent of that new race's future Luck!"