"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan, my Dao Field is somewhat humble, with no rare treasures to offer an esteemed guest. I only have a few homegrown Innate Spiritual Fruits that are barely fit to eat, as a small token of my sincerity."
East Prince smiled broadly and flicked his sleeve. Several crimson spiritual fruits, wreathed in flowing firelight and emitting a dense aura of pure yang, floated onto the jade table—they were Innate Fire Jujubes.
"Fellow Daoist East Prince, you are too courteous."
Qing Huan smiled calmly and took several fruits from his sleeve as well. They shimmered with Pure Light and radiated the pure vitality of yi wood.
"It is discourteous not to reciprocate. Fellow Daoist, try these Jiao Pears and see how they taste."
"Hmm? Innate Jiao Pears?"
A flash of surprise passed through East Prince's eyes. He picked one up and examined it carefully before taking a bite. The pear juice was crisp and sweet.
Vitality entered his organs.
"Fellow Daoist, your wealth is truly extraordinary. You have hidden yourself well!"
Qing Huan casually picked up an Innate Fire Jujube and tasted it, smiling as he said,
"I merely obtained them by chance. They are not worth mentioning."
As the fire jujube entered his stomach, a warm current of pure yang qi spread through him. It tasted excellent, but its effect on a Grand Unity Golden Immortal's Magic Power was already negligible; it could only provide nourishment.
After sampling the spiritual fruits, East Prince set down the pits. His expression turned solemn as he probed,
"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan, what are your views on Dao Ancestor's decree appointing me to oversee the male immortals of the Primordial Wilderness and maintain its order...?"
East Prince fixed his gaze on Qing Huan, intending to catch even the slightest change in his expression.
For a moment, Qing Huan did not know what to say...
What could I possibly think? If you keep that title and honestly stay on Purple Mansion Continent as a carefree immortal, you might still enjoy a peaceful future.
You might even become Lord of the Three Realms of the Primordial Wilderness...
But if you insist on making a grand show of "governing" the world and establishing a force...
Heh, Di Jun and Tai Yi's fury or the Witch Clan's iron fists—either one could condemn you to eternal damnation!
Naturally, he could not say such things aloud.
After pretending to ponder for a moment, a gentle yet inscrutable smile appeared on his face.
"Fellow Daoist East Prince, Dao Ancestor possesses penetrating insight. Since he has entrusted such a heavy responsibility to you, he must naturally recognize your virtue and ability.
"As for how to govern the Primordial Wilderness... its waters run deep and its waves are fierce. I imagine Fellow Daoist already has the Universe firmly in hand. How would I dare offer presumptuous remarks?"
With a few light words, Qing Huan pushed this scalding problem, along with East Prince's intention to recruit him, right back.
East Prince nodded slightly. It seemed that even an Innate great power like Qing Huan acknowledged Dao Ancestor Hongjun's decree.
Yet Qing Huan's expression remained indifferent, and he had not revealed a single opinion. Clearly, he had no desire to involve himself too deeply.
East Prince understood.
Still, a warm smile appeared on his face as he turned directly to the heart of the matter.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan, I see the Primordial Wilderness in chaos, with all things lacking order. I have often wished to emulate Dao Ancestor's work of enlightenment.
"I wish to establish a force, regulate yin and yang, define order, and bring peace to the myriad spirits of the Primordial Wilderness. Fellow Daoist possesses great divine abilities and a clear Dao Heart. Would you be willing to lend me a hand and help accomplish this grand undertaking?"
Qing Huan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Refuse?
Then Shaoyang Essence Blood would likely remain beyond his reach, and he could only wait quietly for the day East Prince might fall in the future.
Agree?
Such immense Karma ran contrary to the tranquil and carefree Dao he followed. Besides, he had no desire to declare his allegiance to any force...
His thoughts raced, but none of it showed on his face. He deftly avoided answering directly and instead posed a series of questions.
"Oh? Fellow Daoist East Prince has such lofty ambitions. I truly admire them.
"However, since Fellow Daoist wishes to establish rules and determine the order of the Universe, where will this force be founded?
"Have you decided on its name?
"You must know that the Luck of the Primordial Wilderness is as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea. Although Purple Mansion Continent is a Blessed Land, if it is to bear the Heavenly Mandate of ruling one side of the Primordial Wilderness, I fear it is still... insufficient."
The question struck East Prince like a blow to the head, leaving him speechless.
Though his heart was filled with soaring ambition, the details of his plans had indeed been rushed. Qing Huan had struck directly at the crux of the matter, and for a time, he had no response. He sank into deep thought.
Seeing East Prince's flustered, deeply contemplative appearance, a trace of barely noticeable amusement flashed through Qing Huan's eyes.
He has lofty aspirations but no careful plans, yet he wants to establish a force based solely on Dao Ancestor's words! Such a temperament truly resembles a reckless fool... Qing Huan thought, lowering his estimation of East Prince by several more degrees.
Just then, an unfathomable yet vast and powerful sense of opportunity suddenly descended upon both of them at once!
This faint, intermittent pull had persisted for several Huiyuan Eras, but it suddenly became incomparably clear and intense, as though something destined was about to be born!
The two raised their heads at nearly the same instant, their gazes colliding in the air like lightning!
"Fellow Daoist sensed it as well?"
They spoke in unison, surprise and understanding flashing through both their eyes.
"Hahaha!"
Qing Huan laughed heartily, instantly casting aside their previous discussion.
"The heavenly signs are clear—the opportunity has arrived! Fellow Daoist East Prince.
"An Innate Spiritual Treasure is about to emerge. How can we miss it? Let us go and take a look. Perhaps we may find a great Creation!"
"Good!"
This was exactly the moment Qing Huan had been waiting for; he simply had not expected it to come so quickly...
The emergence of Penglai Island also meant that East Prince's fall was drawing near...
Though East Prince was somewhat displeased at being stumped by Qing Huan's questions, the opportunity represented by the emergence of such a treasure was simply too enticing. Moreover, both had sensed it at the same time and could restrain one another. If he did not go, would he not be surrendering a golden opportunity for nothing?
As for whether they could obtain it, that would depend on their respective abilities! East Prince suppressed his stray thoughts and nodded.
"To travel with Fellow Daoist is exactly what I desire! Let us go!"
Two magnificent streaks of escaping light instantly tore through space, racing toward the depths of the Eastern Sea along the guidance of the unseen heavenly signs.
Deep within the Eastern Sea, an unnamed sea region.
"Faster! Put some more effort into it! This Innate Restriction is already on the verge of collapse! Delay any longer, and other great powers will follow the opportunity here. We will regret it too late!"
A massive black dragon with a somewhat muddled aura and strands of ominous black qi curling around its body circled in the air. It roared at several true dragons below that were attacking a curtain of chaotic light with all their might.
Greed and frantic urgency intertwined in its enormous dragon eyes.
He was Black Jiao, one of the Dragon Clan's few remaining Grand Unity Golden Immortals.
The Karma of the Dragon-Han Calamity clung to him like maggots to bone, tormenting and eroding his origin Dao Fruit day and night.
Even as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, under the terrifying attrition of Heavenly Dao Karma, he could feel the heavy threat of falling. His Dao Cultivation even showed faint signs of regressing.
This island, discovered by chance and shrouded in a powerful Innate Grand Formation, was the lifeline he had seen in his death throes!
If he could obtain the treasures within, perhaps he could suppress his Karma, raise his cultivation to resist it, and fight for a Thread of Life!
"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan, I did not expect these lingering remnants of the Dragon Clan to have such sharp noses."
East Prince's voice carried undisguised contempt. His figure had already appeared soundlessly above the Innate Grand Formation, his cold gaze sweeping over the disordered Dragon Clan below.
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