Eastward Journey Ten Thousand Li, First Encounter with the Three Pure Ones' Pressure

Buzhou Mountain's silhouette gradually blurred behind him, finally transforming into a hazy colossus where heaven and earth met. Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi) stepped onto the Primordial land, officially beginning his journey eastward.

He didn't rush to travel at full speed. The Primordial world was vast and boundless, fraught with peril; reckless haste was no different from suicide. Following the guidance of the "Primordial Great Map" in his mind, he chose a relatively safe path, traveling by day and resting by night, advancing cautiously.

The first priority was to master the newly acquired divine ability—[Shrink Ground into Inches].

The first time he cast it, the sensation of space distorting and scenery stretching still made his spirit sway. He took a step, his figure blurring and vanishing from his original spot, reappearing a hundred zhang away in the next instant, leaving only faint ripples in the air. This near-instantaneous movement capability far surpassed the speed of any transportation from his previous life, bringing an unprecedented sense of freedom and exhilaration.

However, after a few attempts, the limitations of reality became apparent. This divine ability consumed a considerable amount of magical power. With his current cultivation of the First Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique reaching perfection, he could only cast it about ten times consecutively before his dantian's sea of qi felt depleted, requiring him to meditate and recover. Simultaneously, the spatial traversal also placed a significant burden on his physical body, as if each leap subjected his bones and muscles to invisible tearing forces. If not for his solid foundation in the Profound Technique, he would likely have been injured long ago.

"It seems this divine ability can only be used as a means of acceleration or escape in critical moments for now, not as a daily mode of transportation," Lin Xuan quickly concluded. He adjusted his strategy, relying primarily on his own footwork for regular travel, supplemented by light body techniques. Only when encountering insurmountable chasms or needing to quickly pass through dangerous areas would he use "Shrink Ground into Inches."

Even so, his travel speed far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators. As he journeyed eastward, the landscape gradually changed. The wild, oppressive aura around Buzhou Mountain slowly faded, replaced by more diverse scenery: rolling hills brimming with spiritual energy; primeval forests with ancient trees reaching for the sky, harboring lurking demonic beasts; and desolate Gobi deserts with strange, jagged rocks and the smell of sulfur.

With the help of [Insight Technique] and map warnings, he repeatedly avoided powerful demonic beast lairs and natural hazards in advance. He also encountered several battles along the way, his opponents mostly being Fierce Beasts lacking intelligence and acting purely on instinct. Lin Xuan took the opportunity to hone his newly acquired powers and combat skills learned from the Witch Tribe, combining the formidable physique of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique with precise energy application. He could often end battles quickly, obtaining some low-level demonic beast materials and inner cores, which served as a small supplement to his supplies.

One day, he arrived at the edge of a vast, boundless lake. The lake water was clear, its misty expanse stretching as far as the eye could see. Lush aquatic plants grew along the shore, and the spiritual energy here was even more concentrated than in the outer regions of Buzhou Mountain.

"The map marks this lake as 'Cloud Dream Marsh,' a renowned great marsh in the east of the Primordial world," Lin Xuan mused inwardly, deciding to rest for a while. He found a hidden patch of reeds and was about to sit in meditation when suddenly—

An indescribable feeling surged into his heart.

It wasn't killing intent, nor was it oppressive pressure, but rather a feeling... as if the entire world had become a few degrees "heavier." The spiritual energy in the air seemed to stagnate, the wind ceased, and even the ripples on the lake's surface smoothed out. A grand, distant, indifferent will, as if originating from the very source of the Heavenly Dao, like an invisible tide, spread from the extremely distant west, enveloping this land.

In the face of this will, Pangu's pressure from Buzhou Mountain was majestic, kind, and imprinted with the mark of life; however, this present will was pure "order," "rules," the "Dao" from high above, looking down upon all beings.

Lin Xuan felt his breath catch, and a primal tremor ran through the depths of his soul. The Nine Revolutions Profound Technique within him automatically accelerated its circulation, and the Chaos Bead also vibrated slightly, emitting a faint glow, helping him resist the pressure of this omnipresent "Dao charm."

[Warning! Detected diffusion of extremely high-level Heavenly Dao pressure! Analyzing source... Originating from the direction of Kunlun Mountain in the west! Suspected to be the natural manifestation of the Dao charm of the Three Pure Ones!] The System's prompt carried an unprecedented seriousness.

"Three Pure Ones' pressure?!" Lin Xuan's heart trembled violently, and he abruptly looked west. Although separated by an unknown number of miles, he couldn't see Kunlun Mountain at all, yet he could clearly feel that the source of the Dao charm, which made the heavens and earth pale, was in that direction.

Was it the pure inaction of Heavenly Lord of Morality Laozi? The majestic order of Primal Heavenly Lord? Or the Heavenly Lord of Spiritual Treasure's interception of a thread of opportunity? Perhaps it was a combination of all three. This pressure was not directed at anyone; it was merely the ripple naturally generated when three supreme beings, on the verge of or already touching the threshold of sainthood, had their Dao merge with heaven and earth.

Yet, this ripple was like heavenly might to the beings of the Primordial world who had not yet achieved immortality!

Some low-level aquatic creatures by the lake were already trembling, diving into the water and not daring to show themselves. A few frightened beast roars echoed from the distant mountains and forests, quickly falling silent thereafter.

Lin Xuan endured the discomfort, sat down cross-legged, and channeled his cultivation technique with all his might to resist. He realized that this was both a test and an opportunity! To be able to experience the Dao charm of future Heavenly Dao Saints at such close proximity (relatively speaking), even if it was just a minuscule trace, would bring immeasurable benefits to his comprehension of heaven and earth and the clarity of his own path.

He cast aside all distracting thoughts, sinking his mind into his body, carefully experiencing the essence of this pressure. It was an absolute control over rules, a profound understanding of the workings of all things. In the face of this Dao charm, he felt his own insignificance more acutely, yet his determination to pursue the Great Dao also became firmer.

After an unknown period, the vast pressure slowly receded like a tide, and heaven and earth returned to normal. The wind began to blow across the lake again, and spiritual energy flowed once more.

Lin Xuan exhaled a long breath of stale air and slowly opened his eyes. A trace of fatigue flickered in his gaze, but more prominent was a clarity after undergoing a baptism. His cultivation had not improved, but his Dao heart seemed to have become a touch more transparent.

"Kunlun Mountain, the Three Pure Ones..." He looked west, his gaze deep. That was the pinnacle of the Primordial world, a place where countless powerful beings gathered, and a destination he would inevitably set foot in the future.

This unexpected "first encounter" was like a silent invitation, and also like a wake-up call, allowing him to truly feel the terror of the top-tier existences in the Primordial world, and adding another distant and grand direction to his eastward journey, besides Longevity Mountain.

After recuperating, Lin Xuan rose and set off again. The shimmering waves of Cloud Dream Marsh reflected his determined figure as he gradually walked further away.