Opportunity Arrives

"Daoist Friend Qing Huan, this Dao Field is rather crude, lacking any rare treasures worthy of an honored guest. I only have some homegrown innate spiritual fruits that can still grace the palate—a small token of regard."

East Prince beamed, his robe sleeves brushing lightly as several spiritual fruits, crimson-red with flowing flames and radiating a dense pure yang aura, floated above the jade table—they were none other than the Innate Fire Jujubes.

"You are too kind, Daoist Friend East Prince."

Qing Huan smiled calmly, likewise withdrawing from his sleeve a few fruits shimmering with pure light, exuding a pristine vitality of the Wood element.

"It is discourteous not to reciprocate. Do try these Jiaoli of mine and see how they taste."

"Oh? These are actually Innate Jiaoli!"

A flicker of surprise passed through East Prince's eyes. He picked one up, examined it closely, then took a bite. The pear juice was crisp and sweet.

Vitality seeped into his viscera.

"Your assets are truly extraordinary, Daoist Friend—a hidden depth indeed!"

Qing Huan casually picked up a Fire Jujube and tasted it, laughing:

"Merely something stumbled upon by chance, hardly worth mentioning."

As the Fire Jujube entered his belly, a warm, soothing pure yang energy spread out. The flavor was excellent, but it did little to enhance a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal's magic power—only a nourishing effect remained.

After savoring the spiritual fruits, East Prince set down the pit, his expression turning serious as he probed:

"Daoist Friend Qing Huan, what is your esteemed opinion on the Dao Ancestor's decree charging me with overseeing all male immortals in the Primordial Wilderness and maintaining its order?"

East Prince's gaze locked onto Qing Huan, intent on catching the slightest reaction.

Qing Huan looked at East Prince, momentarily unsure what to say...

How could I see it? If you bear this title and just lie low here on Purple Mansion Continent as a carefree immortal, you might yet find peace in the future.

You might even stumble into becoming the Lord of the Three Realms...

But if you truly go out in grand style to "manage" and establish a force...

Heh, the wrath of Di Jun and Tai Yi, the iron fists of the Witch Clan—any one of them could send you into eternal ruin!

Of course, he couldn't voice this aloud.

Feigning a moment of deliberation, he wore a gentle yet inscrutable smile:

"Daoist Friend East Prince, the Dao Ancestor's eyes are keen as torches. Since He has entrusted this great task to you, He must recognize your virtue and ability.

As for how to manage... the Primordial Wilderness—its waters are deep and its waves fierce, its mysteries profound. Surely you already hold the Universe in your heart. How dare I presume to meddle?"

With these light words, Qing Huan deflected the hot-potato problem, along with East Prince's hint of recruitment, right back at him.

East Prince nodded slightly. It seemed that even a great innate being like Qing Huan acknowledged the decree of Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Yet his demeanor was indifferent, offering not a single word of insight, clearly unwilling to wade too deep.

East Prince understood in his heart.

But on his face, he conjured a warm smile, steering the conversation straight to the core:

"Daoist Friend Qing Huan, I see the Primordial Wilderness in chaos, all things without order, and often think to emulate the Dao Ancestor's civilizing work.

I wish to establish a force, to regulate Yin and Yang, to set rules, and to bring peace to the myriad beings of the Primordial Wilderness.

You possess great divine powers and a clear Dao heart. Would you be willing to lend me a hand and join in this grand endeavor?"

Qing Huan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Refuse?

Then the Shaoyang Essence Blood would be far out of reach, leaving only the hope of waiting for East Prince's eventual fall.

Agree?

This immense Karma would clash with his cherished path of pure detachment, and he had no desire to openly align with any force...

His mind raced, but his face betrayed nothing. Skillfully sidestepping a direct answer, he instead fired back a series of questions:

"Oh? Daoist Friend East Prince, such grand ambitions earn my admiration.

But since you wish to establish rules and set the Universe in order, where will this force's foundation lie?

Have you settled on a name?

Know that the Luck of the Primordial Wilderness is as deep as an abyss, vast and boundless. Though Purple Mansion Continent is a Blessed Land, to bear the Heavenly Mandate of governing the Primordial Wilderness... I fear it falls short."

This question struck like a thunderbolt, leaving East Prince momentarily speechless.

Though his chest burned with towering ambition, the details of his plan were truly hasty. Exposed by Qing Huan's pointed words, he found himself at a loss, sinking into deep thought.

Watching East Prince's flustered, brooding expression, a trace of barely perceptible amusement flickered in Qing Huan's eyes.

Great aspirations but no careful planning, relying only on the Dao Ancestor's words to start a force!

Such a temperament—like a reckless club... he mused inwardly, lowering his estimation of East Prince another notch.

Just then, a mysterious, profound, and overwhelmingly thick resonance of opportunity suddenly descended upon both their hearts!

This pull had been faintly present for several Huiyuan Eras, but now it abruptly became crystal clear and intense, as if something destined by fate was about to emerge!

In the same instant, both raised their heads, their gazes clashing like lightning in the air!

"Daoist Friend, you sense it too?"

The two spoke in unison, astonishment and understanding flickering in their eyes.

"Hahaha!"

Qing Huan let out a clear laugh, the previous topic instantly cast aside.

"The Heavenly secrets are clear, the opportunity has arrived! Daoist Friend East Prince. It seems an Innate Spiritual Treasure is emerging—how could we miss it? Let us go together and observe; perhaps we may find a great Creation!"

"Well said!"

Qing Huan had been waiting for this moment, only he hadn't expected it to come so soon...

The emergence of Penglai Island also signified that the East Prince's fall was near...

Though the East Prince felt a slight displeasure at being pressed by Qing Huan, the pull of such a treasure's birth was far too tempting. Moreover, since both had sensed it simultaneously and were mutually restraining each other, would it not be a wasted opportunity to stay behind?

As for who would claim it, that depended on each one's skill! Suppressing his stray thoughts, the East Prince nodded in agreement:

"Traveling alongside you, Daoist Friend, suits my intent perfectly! Let's go!"

Two magnificent beams of light tore through space in an instant, following the faint guidance of the Heavenly secrets as they sped deep into the Eastern Sea.

...Deep within the Eastern Sea, an unnamed stretch of waters.

"Faster! All of you, put your backs into it! This Innate Restriction is already on the verge of collapse! If we delay any longer, other great powers will surely follow the trail, and we will regret it forever!"

A black dragon, its aura somewhat impure and wreathed in strands of ominous black qi, coiled in the air, roaring in urgency at the several true dragons below who were furiously attacking a chaotic, glowing barrier.

Its massive dragon eyes were a tangled mess of greed and frantic impatience.

He was Hei Qiu, one of the few remaining Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals of the Dragon Clan.

The karmic sins of the Dragon-Han Calamity clung to him like a bone-gnawing parasite, day and night eroding and tormenting his original Dao Fruit. Even as a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, the terrifying attrition of this Heavenly Dao karma made him keenly feel the threat of imminent fall, his Dao Cultivation even showing faint signs of regression.

This island before him, discovered by chance and shrouded in a powerful Innate Grand Formation, was a lifeline grasped in his death throes!

If he could obtain the treasures within, either to suppress his own karma or to elevate his Cultivation Level to resist it, he might yet fight for a Thread of Life!

"Daoist Friend Qing Huan, I never expected these lingering wretches of the Dragon Clan to have such keen noses."

The East Prince's voice carried undisguised contempt as his figure silently appeared above the Innate Grand Formation, his gaze sweeping coldly over the panicked Dragon Clan below.