Chapter 11

In the cave dwelling of Chessboard Mountain, a single lamp burned like a bean, its dim light seemingly illuminating the vast world.

Before Zhou Yuan, an ancient golden lamp floated.

This golden lamp was the spoils of war he obtained after slaying a True One Realm divine bird that coveted his Yin and Yang Qi.

Now, it was perfect for forging a Merit Spirit Treasure.

Within the golden lamp, two streams of fire intertwined endlessly, embodying the essence of the Yin and Yang and the Tai Chi.

These were none other than the Southern Bright Leaving Fire and the Innate Golden Flame that came with the lamp itself.

Zhou Yuan's expression was solemn as he gazed at the spirit treasure before him, his hands continuously shifting hand seals. Merit, like a gentle stream, converged into the golden lamp from the void.

By refining the golden lamp with merit, if Zhou Yuan accumulated enough, this lamp might one day rival the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Exquisite Pagoda of later ages. Once unleashed, it would stand invincible from the outset.

However, achieving this required an immense amount of merit.

With Zhou Yuan's current accumulation, it was far from enough.

"Although this treasure is far inferior to Dao Lord Taiqing's Innate Pagoda."

"Yet, after being tempered by merit, the flames within the golden lamp are supremely rigid and yang, possessing the power to scorch the heavens and boil the seas. Killing enemies with it will not incur karma."

"For the current stage, it is more than sufficient."

Gazing at the golden lamp in the void, Zhou Yuan nodded slightly.

His mind stirred.

The Crimson Bright Profound Sky Golden Lamp blazed with light, and thirty-six crimson lamp flowers appeared in the void. Even Zhou Yuan's Dao body, tempered by Innate Yin and Yang Qi, couldn't help but feel a searing pain.

With this treasure, his offensive capabilities were further enhanced.

With a wave of his sleeve, the golden lamp naturally descended into Zhou Yuan's sea of consciousness, where a golden shield rose, nourishing his Primordial Spirit.

Zhou Yuan counted on his fingers:

"This closed-door cultivation has lasted for nearly ten thousand years."

He gently tapped his Bamboo Staff against a jade chime.

Before long, the Rat Ancestor Zishu, from the Rat Clan among the twelve races of Chessboard Mountain, transformed into a gray streak of light and descended into the cave dwelling.

"Rat Ancestor Zishu pays his respects to the Great Master."

"Rise. How has the investigation your Rat Clan was tasked with progressed?"

Zishu was short in stature, clad in a gray robe, his eyes glinting with sharp light.

Upon hearing Zhou Yuan's inquiry, he nodded repeatedly.

"It's all investigated, all investigated."

"Although our Rat Clan's strength is low, our numbers are vast, and our kin are spread across millions of miles. The matter you are investigating is easily handled by the Great Master."

With that, he respectfully presented a jade slip.

"Please, Great Master, examine it."

Zhou Yuan took the jade slip, and various pieces of information rapidly flowed through his mind.

"Hmm, the Wei River is shrouded in mist, and the spiritual energy tides are surging. It is suspected that a major change is imminent."

Zhou Yuan had tasked the Rat Clan in the mountains to investigate clues related to water-element spiritual beings.

He wished to comprehend the laws of water by using the Dao patterns contained within water-element spiritual beings.

Over the past ten thousand years, the Rat Clan had explored far and wide, finding several clues.

However, the most intriguing to Zhou Yuan was the piece of information related to the Wei River.

This Wei River was a tributary of the Huai River.

While not as significant as the Four Seas and Four Rivers in the Primordial World's water system, it was still a renowned water vein in the Primordial World, a tributary of the ancestral river of the Four Rivers, the Huai River, and known as one of the Eight Streams.

Zhou Yuan's fingers moved subtly as the Five Elements Mystic Gate operated.

His light golden eyes reflected shimmering water, depicting the scene of the Wei River.

But in an instant, mist rolled in, not only obscuring Zhou Yuan's calculations but also stirring up Heavenly Secrets and Karma.

"What exactly lies within this Wei River? It can conceal Heavenly Secrets and block this humble one's perception?"

Zhou Yuan was somewhat curious.

The Way of Heaven reduces the excess and replenishes the insufficient.

The Way of Heavenly Secrets was precisely about observing the trajectory of the Heavenly Dao's operations, intercepting the path of Karma and Destiny. Even with the aid of the Heavenly Machine Chessboard, Zhou Yuan's desire to perceive all Heavenly Secrets and Karma as clearly as observing lines on his palm was a futile fantasy.

There must be an entity of extremely high status within the Wei River, automatically shielding Heavenly Secrets and Karma, or a powerful being must have employed means to obscure all causes, thus obstructing Zhou Yuan's investigation.

"This Wei River shields Karma. Although I do not know what treasures are hidden within."

"However, the Heavenly Machine Chessboard has not issued any warnings, so it is likely there is no danger of perishing."

Of course, if a being with Greater Divine Abilities had set up a scheme, distorted the Heavenly Secrets, and presented falsehoods as truth, Zhou Yuan, with his current cultivation, would naturally be unable to see through it.

But such a being with Greater Divine Abilities should have no karmic connection with him.

Cultivation should be approached with the caution of treading on thin ice, while simultaneously pursuing vigorous progress.

There's no need to be timid.

Zhou Yuan mused to himself.

A trip to the Wei River would take tens of thousands of years for a round trip.

He wondered if he could avoid the chaos in the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range.

"My esteemed self feels restless and wishes to venture out. You all shall guard the mountain gate and the dojo diligently, and do not slack off."

After giving instructions to the various tribes under his command, Zhou Yuan gathered his belongings, rode the clouds, and headed towards the Wei River.

Not long after Zhou Yuan departed.

The void outside Chessboard Mountain suddenly trembled, and then a burly man clad in golden armor, leading hundreds of armored soldiers exuding a pervasive slayer aura, appeared in the sky.

Such a commotion caused great panic among the many beings within Chessboard Mountain.

In a short while, twelve streams of light flew out from Chessboard Mountain.

These were the patriarchs of the twelve tribes, including Rat Ancestor Zishu.

Rat Ancestor Zishu's pupils constricted as he gazed at the aura of the Golden Armored Divine General before him, which was as vast as an abyss.

"Is it a True One Realm cultivator, or a Grand Unity Great Sage?"

He exchanged glances with Ugly Ox and the others, then stepped forward a few paces and bowed:

"Junior disciples pay respects to the esteemed cultivator."

"May we ask why the esteemed cultivator has come to our Chessboard Mountain?"

Before the Golden Armored Divine General could speak, Guizhenzi, standing beside him, stepped forward and said with a smile:

"Is Daoist Brother Taiyuanzi in his residence? Quickly go and inform him that a distinguished guest from Phoenix Perch Mountain has arrived."

Upon seeing Guizhenzi, Rat Ancestor Zishu and the others breathed a long sigh of relief.

This old Daoist was a friend of their master, and the Canglan River lineage had frequent interactions with Chessboard Mountain.

It seemed the visitor was a friend, not an enemy.

"Reporting to senior, your arrival is unfortunately not opportune."

"Master felt restless and has already left Chessboard Mountain. We do not know his specific whereabouts."

Guizhenzi frowned upon hearing this and stomped his foot.

He muttered to himself:

"Why is Daoist Brother Taiyuanzi faltering at such a crucial moment?"

I had already made it very clear to him.

There would be great upheaval within this primordial era.

He should not leave the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range carelessly.

Now that an envoy has arrived, if things are not explained clearly, what if he is treated as a fugitive cultivator?

Not only would his Chessboard Mountain lineage be utterly destroyed and turned to ashes, but his Canglan River lineage would also suffer greatly.

"I'll have to smooth things over for him."

Thinking this, the old turtle smiled at the Golden Armored Divine General beside him:

"Fellow Daoist, it is truly unfortunate."

"Daoist Brother Taiyuanzi likely heard from this old man a few days ago that cultivators from the Divine Demon Dao Lineage were acting suspiciously near the Four Rivers and the Huai River. He has gone to investigate."

The Golden Armored Divine General nodded slightly upon hearing this.

He mused to himself.

He hadn't expected Daoist Taiyuanzi to be such an impetuous person.

According to the adults in the mountain, this fellow is exceptional in both alchemy and artifact refining.

It's possible I might need his help in the future.

We should befriend him, not antagonize him.

"Daoist Taiyuanzi is truly a loyal subject of our alliance."

"Those Divine Demon Dao Lineage cultivators lingering by the Huai River are not simple."

"I will report this matter to the higher-ups."

The implication was that he would not hold Taiyuanzi accountable for leaving the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range without permission at this time, which could be construed as fleeing.

"Daoist Taiyuanzi dedicates himself to our Myriad Races Alliance, and we should protect his dojo."

"There will be great changes in the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range. You all should sharpen your weapons and guard the mountain gate well."

The Golden Armored Divine General took out a jade token and instructed Rat Ancestor Zishu and the others:

"If anything happens, you may crush this token, and I will come to your aid upon seeing it."

Rat Ancestor Zishu respectfully accepted the jade token upon hearing this:

"Master gave us instructions long ago. We will certainly guard the mountain gate well and dare not slack off."

The Golden Armored Divine General nodded, then, leading his cultivators, they gathered their energy, condensed clouds, and majestically converged towards the center of the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range.