The One Behind It

On this side.

Liu Xuan rode the clouds into Wuyi Mountain and went straight to Palace of Hearing the Dao.

Outside the palace, the gates were wide open.

They entered the Dao Palace.

Then he saw Zhou Yuan already had a cloud bed raised in the Dao Palace, looking at him with a smile.

So he quickly kowtowed and said gratefully:

"This disciple is deeply grateful for the guidance of my esteemed master."

"Today I have broken free of my shackles, Born from Death."

"I wish to formally become your disciple, and I hope you will grant my request."

Zhou Yuan swung his bamboo staff, and an invisible force lifted Liu Xuan up.

"Rising from annihilation, reviving from ruin."

"To be able to return from the state of selflessness of Daluo Golden Immortal is your good fortune."

Zhou Yuan never expected that the few words he left behind on a whim that day would actually pave a Tongtian Great Dao for Liu Xuan.

This demonstrates Liu Xuan's exceptional talent for cultivation and his unwavering determination to seek the Dao.

"I once said that if you can truly attain your true self..."

There is a teacher-student relationship between us.

Now that you have arrived at Wuyi Mountain...

"I hereby formally accept you as my disciple and make you my true successor."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xuan was overjoyed:

"Disciple greets Master!"

At that moment, Zhou Yuan held a formal apprenticeship ceremony, and under the witness of heaven and earth, recorded Liu Xuan's name in the magic disc, thus linking him with the cause and effect of fate.

After completing these steps...

Zhou Yuan then took out a jade slip and a jade tablet.

"This jade slip contains the Fundamental Great Law of our lineage, the [Primordial Abyss True Scripture]. It encompasses everything and blends with all kinds of classics."

"Although you have already achieved the Daluo Golden Immortal, you have long since forged your own path."

"But the [Primordial Abyss True Scripture] is indispensable."

After Liu Xuan respectfully agreed and accepted the jade slip,

With a flick of his sleeves, Zhou Yuan caused the jade tablet in the void to immediately emit endless rosy light.

Around it, the energies of life and death swirled and permeated, while a magnificent and illusory Yellow Springs surged endlessly.

"Although you practice the way of the sword..."

"But under the Great Dao, there is only one begetting two, two begetting three, and three begetting all things."

"One is nothingness, the other is Yin and Yang; Yin and Yang are life and death."

"You have already experienced life and death once, you should have some understanding."

"This [Yellow Springs Life and Death Jade] is Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure."

"It can help you comprehend the principles of Yin and Yang, life and death, and perceive the changes of the Great Dao and the mysteries of the universe."

Knowing that Liu Xuan already possessed the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure [Kunwu Sword] as a reliance, and that sword cultivators were powerful in combat, Zhou Yuan decided not to bestow upon him that kind of killing spiritual treasure.

"This disciple has just joined the sect and has not yet accomplished anything."

"Master has bestowed upon me this Fundamental Great Law, and I am already deeply grateful. How could I possibly accept this precious treasure of our sect?!"

Liu Xuan's expression was sincere as he refused to accept the offer.

Zhou Yuan raised an eyebrow:

"Your assistance to Wu Zhiqi this time, and your decisive victory at Red Maple Mountain, is a great achievement."

"Moreover, this Innate Spiritual Treasure is not unique to you."

"Even your senior brother, I have already bestowed upon him a spiritual treasure."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xuan respectfully accepted the [Yellow Spring Life and Death Jade], a hint of joy appearing in his eyes.

After all, any cultivator would accept any Innate Spiritual Treasure.

Once these trivial matters are dealt with.

With a flick of his sleeve, Liu Xuan released the imprisoned Lady Mingyan.

The female fairy had just appeared.

Then one could see a Daoist priest in a green robe sitting upright on Dao Platform not far away, holding a bamboo staff.

The Daoist priest sat on a cloud bed, his face handsome and his eyes gentle.

But Lady Mingyan looked up and examined it closely.

Yet, one could see that his body was surrounded by a vast expanse of purple aura stretching for thirty thousand miles, as if he stood at the source of time and space, his brows reflecting the galaxy of the universe.

Chaotic and indistinct, shrouded in darkness.

Like a true dragon whose head and tail are unseen, like the profound and mysterious Great Dao.

She was both shocked and frightened, knowing full well that she had been brought to the Wuyi Mountain Grotto by the white-robed Dao Lord.

The Daoist priest before them was none other than the Mystic Gate Ancestor, the master of the Wuyi Mountain grotto-heaven, and the Taiyuan Heavenly Venerate.

With a thud.

Lady Mingyan knelt on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for mercy:

"Heavenly Venerable One, have mercy! Heavenly Venerable One, have mercy!"

"I do not intend to oppose the Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage or the Heavenly Venerable Daoist tradition."

"There were truly unavoidable difficulties."

"I had no choice, I had no choice!"

Zhou Yuan shook his head and smiled faintly:

"Fellow Daoist is also a powerful figure in his own right."

"He is a person who has attained the fruit of the Dao."

Have you not heard that misfortune and fortune have no fixed gate, but are brought about by one's own actions?

"Since greed has taken root in your heart, how can you explain your predicament?"

Upon hearing this, Lady Mingyan opened her mouth to speak, intending to offer a rebuttal.

Liu Xuan, who was standing to the side, had already spoken up with a smile:

"I hope my fellow Daoists will understand."

"Although Master manifests his supernatural powers and is exceptionally skilled in magical combat..."

"But in Myriad Heavens and Universes and the Primordial World universe, in terms of Heavenly Mechanism Calculation, there are probably only a handful of people who can compare with Master."

"The cause and effect of this matter, though concealed by others, are the secrets of Heavenly Secrets."

"But in his eyes, even after peeling back the layers, he could still see the whole picture."

So, you'd better stop talking nonsense.

The Mingyan Goddess looked surprised, but the next moment, she felt endless causal lines extending towards her from all directions, crossing time and space, and crossing endless dimensions.

Zhou Yuan's eyes held an extreme calmness, as if it were the very essence of Heavenly Dao.

The Mingyan Goddess felt that before her, everything and everything was impossible to hide or avoid.

The next moment.

The Celestial Venerable seated on the Dao Platform finally spoke, his tone ethereal and indifferent, like the vast clouds of the heavens, chilling to the bone:

"Tell me, where did you get those four clusters of Innate True Fire?"

Upon hearing these words, Lady Mingyan was immediately thrown into turmoil.

'He knew, he definitely knew.'

'However, those four had already concealed their Heavenly Secrets and Fortunes with the spiritual treasures they possessed.'

Even if the Taiyuan Heavenly Venerate knew about my spiritual fire, he probably couldn't fathom the mastermind behind it all.

But the next moment, she was suddenly startled, and a sense of great Great Terror and Great Annihilation rose from her soul.

She looked up and met Zhou Yuan's calm, indifferent eyes.

It's like looking at ants, like observing all living beings.

'You'll die!'

This thought welled up in my mind.

Then, without hesitation, the Mingyan Goddess changed her mind and revealed everything:

"Reporting to the Heavenly Venerable."

"Although Mingyan harbored greed, he was indeed powerless to resist and could not refuse."

"Those four forces are all backed by some of the most powerful figures in the Primordial World."

"..."

She recounted in detail how the person behind her approached her, how they lured her with benefits, and how they instructed her to do what she was told.

Then he knelt on the ground and refused to get up.

"I humbly beg the Heavenly Venerable to forgive me, considering my sincere submission."

"From now on, I will serve the Heavenly Venerable and never leave Wuyi Mountain again."

Zhou Yuan chuckled softly:

"You've got a good plan."

"They took the Innate True Fire from those people and then sold them for a good price."

"But I choose to hide away in this In Wuyi Mountain to cultivate in seclusion."

The Mingyan Goddess's face stiffened, realizing that her little scheme had been seen through by the Heavenly Venerable.

So he didn't dare to speak.

They could only anxiously await Zhou Yuan's decision.

It seemed like a moment had passed, yet it also felt like a long time.

Zhou Yuan sized her up for a moment.

He pondered in his heart:

'The Daoist Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage is ultimately shallow in its foundation.'

'However, beings like the Innate Dao Lord cannot be cultivated in a short period of time.'

'Although this Mingyan Goddess is cunning and harbors greed.'

'But he is also decisive and has a strong inclination towards Daoism.'

'If they truly submit, they can serve as a foundation for protecting the Dao lineage.'

'If there's anything urgent in the future, there will be someone we can rely on.'

Thinking this, he also suppressed the murderous intent that lingered in his heart.

But simply letting her go isn't an option either.

And we need to temper her temperament.

Only then can it be put to great use in the future.

'If, during this period, resentment arises and one's temperament remains unchanged.'

'Then we cannot keep them.'

A thousand thoughts swirled in my mind.

However, he showed no sign of it on his face.

He had made up his mind.

Zhou Yuan then stopped hesitating.

He lightly tapped his bamboo staff, sealing away the five senses Six Consciousnesses of the Mingyan Goddess.

With a flick of his sleeve, he tossed it out of the cave.

The Mingyan Goddess felt a sudden darkness before her eyes.

The next moment.

They found themselves below a cliff.

The cliff was shrouded in dense clouds on all sides.

There was nowhere to shelter from the wind and rain.

The four walls were all made of stubborn rocks, with only a futon placed in the center of the area below the cliff.

"Although you confessed to being the mastermind at the last moment."

"But while the death penalty may be avoided, punishment is inevitable."

"I have sealed your magical powers."

"Let us reflect upon our mistakes amidst this boundless sea of clouds."

"Keep the cave entrance tightly shut, quietly recite a few volumes of the Yellow Court Classic, and one day you will be released from this world."

The Mingyan Goddess's face lit up with joy.

Even though the conditions here were simple, she didn't mind at all.

She understood that Zhou Yuan intended to protect her.

Therefore, he respectfully bowed and thanked all directions.

"I will obey the Heavenly Venerable's Imperial Decree."

"Mingyan dares not disobey!"

"Is Master going to keep her here?"

Zhou Yuan nodded:

"If he were truly calm and composed, and had completely controlled his temper."

"It might be useful in the future."

Having said that, he stopped paying attention to the Mingyan Goddess.

Instead, he asked Liu Xuan:

"The person behind this is now known."

"In your opinion, what should I do?"

Liu Xuan remained silent for a moment before slowly saying:

"The people behind this are divided into four factions."

"Master already nominally controls the Authority of Water Element of the Heavenly Court. If he were to gain control of the Primordial Continent as well, the one in the Heavenly Court would likely become too powerful and difficult to control. Therefore, for the sake of balance, a move was made."

"Gonggong, the Ancestral Witch, purely sought to seize control of the Primordial World Authority of Water Element. Although the Witch Clan tacitly approved of his actions, it seems that apart from Ancestral Witch Zhurong, no other Witch Clan were involved."

"As for that one from the Purple Mansion Continent, I heard that he has already gained the allegiance of the Dragon Clan and controls the Water Essence. This time, he is merely testing whether he can come to this Primordial Continent to get a share of the spoils."

"Although these three have made their moves, they have all made relatively insignificant moves."

"I don't want to offend my master too much."

"If it succeeds, great; if it doesn't, so be it."

"Therefore, they chose the same person, the Mingyan Goddess, to show that they would share the Master's wrath if things were exposed."

At this point, Liu Xuan frowned, seemingly puzzled, and asked:

"I just don't know why that North Sea Demon Master Kunpeng Ancestor also couldn't resist making a move!"

"This guy's got some nerve."

"If I remember correctly, this person is probably only a Great Divine Ability User."

Zhou Yuan listened to his analysis, nodded slightly, and smiled:

"You're right."

"But that Kunpeng is probably more than just a great Great Divine Ability User now."

The Mystic Gate Immortal Path was founded, and the battle at Kunlun Mountain severed the backbone of the Divine Demon Dao Lineage.

The lich horde, of course, would not let this opportunity pass them by.

The Three Mountains and Five Peaks, the Four Rivers and Eight Streams, except for the territories occupied by some Great Divine Ability User, have probably all fallen to the witches and demons.

The Demon Race Fortune are rising, and although the Demon Master of the Demon Clan race is not as high-ranking as Fuxi and others, it is not difficult for him to eliminate one of his corpses by taking advantage of this great fortune.

"So, it's possible that Old Ancestor Kunpeng has quietly advanced to Quasi-Saint Heavenly Venerate?"

Liu Xuan was somewhat surprised.

It's important to understand that the step from Great Luo Dao Lord to Primordial Origin Golden Immortal is no easy feat.

If you haven't found your own Path to Primordial Chaos.

Even if one wastes countless eons, it will all be in vain.

"Old Ancestor Kunpeng was a seeker of the Dao."

"Moreover, he is a top-tier Innate Divine Being born in this era, and also possesses the blessing of being a demon Demon Master of the Demon Clan."

As the saying goes, when the time is right, heaven and earth lend their strength.

"I am not surprised by his achievements."

"Why did he so eagerly intervene in the matter of the Authority of Water Element after becoming Quasi-Saint Heavenly Venerate?"

"It's nothing more than gathering fortune, wanting to advance further among the Demon Clan, and even facilitating the formation of an emperor-level status."

"Thus acquiring more resources for spiritual practice."

At this point, Zhou Yuan gave a cold laugh:

"But he misjudged me by Ruyi to take advantage of his master."

"He believed that even if I, a humble Daoist, felt anger, would have to consider the consequences of my actions in all directions."

"Little did they know, I was simply making an example of them."

"In order to bring about the unification of the Authority of Water Element over the Primordial Continent."

"This will make the Lich King and those three from the Purple Mansion Continent feel like they have thorns in their backs, and they will take the initiative to apologize."

A single punch can ward off a hundred more.

Although many powerful beings in the Primordial World knew that their own supernatural abilities were extraordinary.

But very few people actually witnessed him using his full power.

Dignity resides only on the edge of a sword, and truth lies only within the range of a cannon.

Only by hurting them can these naturally divine and celestial beings truly understand.

Do not interfere with the interests of the Wuyi Mountain Daoist tradition; if you do, you will be caught.

A divine light flashed in Liu Xuan's eyes, and a wisp of sword Tongtian pierced the heavens and the earth, stirring up the clouds in all directions.

"Master, this disciple is willing to go."

Zhou Yuan waved his hand:

"He is, after all, Quasi-Saint Heavenly Venerate."

"This humble Daoist priest does not truly intend to fight him to the death."

"You don't need to come along."

Northern Darkness)

This place is located in the far north of the primordial Primordial World.

It is covered by heavy snow all year round.

In that endless, deep place.

But there stood a Dao Palace there.

The palace was entirely black, yet it seemed to shimmer with the light of flowing water. It was covered with 129,600 Demon Script, which shone brilliantly.

It was the residence of the Demon Clan Demon Master Kunpeng, the North Nether Palace.

Inside the Dao Palace.

The Old Ancestor Kunpeng sat cross-legged on a cloud bed.

The surrounding clouds sometimes transform into a Kun (a mythical fish), sometimes into a Peng (a mythical bird), ever-changing and shrouded in endless divine light.

"Taiyuanzi's teachings were effective."

"But it did allow him to turn the tide."

The stern-faced old man whispered:

"But we can't truly ignore the Authority of Water Element over this Primordial Continent."

"The one in the Sun Palace has now become quite powerful."

"Even if I, the Ancestor, have attained the status of Primordial Origin Golden Immortal, I fear I still cannot withstand the Eastern Emperor Bell."

"If this continues, they will truly become appendages of those two brothers."

However, if one obtains the Authority of Water Element, one can use its power to elevate their cultivation to another level.

"Perhaps I can reclaim the opportunity that originally belonged to me on my own."

"From now on, we will never have to worry about being controlled by others again!"