Pledging Allegiance

During this closed-door cultivation, Zhou Yuan's greatest gain was naturally reaching the Grand Unity realm.

However, his progress in other areas was also significant.

"The divine abilities and secret arts left behind by the Wei River Water Mansion since the Primordial Era, as well as the divine treasures of the Tianshui Imperial Dynasty, have played a huge role in perfecting my Primordial Abyss True Scripture," Zhou Yuan marveled inwardly.

Indeed, one cannot get rich without windfalls, nor can a horse grow fat without night fodder.

The inheritances and scriptures he had accumulated over many years in Chessboard Mountain within the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range, through various means, couldn't compare to the harvest from this endeavor.

But Zhou Yuan also knew this was due to the unique nature of the Wei River Water Mansion. After all, the first Wei River Water Lord was a being who had survived since the creation of heaven and earth. His lifespan was incredibly long, and even leaving behind a small portion of his legacy in the Wei River was enough for Zhou Yuan to benefit greatly.

If it were an ordinary Grand Unity Great Sage's influence, he would never have gained so much.

Therefore, one must eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.

"Now that I have become a Grand Unity Great Sage, I can be considered a notable figure even in the vast Universe. I am no longer an ordinary passerby."

"The Wei River is vast and sustains countless beings on both its banks."

"If I can properly manage the Wei River's water veins, with a steady stream, it should be enough to sustain the Myriad Dao Book's Dao deduction."

While the path of management might not be as swift as exploring mysteries or engaging in combat, it was secure.

The Primordial Era is boundless; hidden mountains harbor deities, and shallow waters conceal true dragons.

Zhou Yuan dared not guarantee that his own path would be without pitfalls.

Recalling his scattered thoughts, he immersed his mind back into the Myriad Dao Book.

Currently, the Primordial Abyss True Scripture not only served as a cultivation technique but, after years of comprehension and deduction, was sufficient to become the foundation of a Dao Lineage and the overarching principle of all techniques.

It not only recorded the cultivation methods of the Turbid Fiend Divine Demon path, which directly led to the Grand Unity Great Sage realm, but also detailed hundreds of auxiliary skills within its various sections, such as alchemy, formations, artifact crafting, beast taming, planting, and mystical arts.

If Zhou Yuan intended to establish a Dao Lineage, this True Scripture could serve as its foundation.

"After advancing to the Grand Unity Great Sage realm, comprehending the Dao of Laws, and with the aid of the Myriad Dao Book's Dao Essence, my Lesser Divine Abilities have all advanced to Divine Abilities."

Divine Ability [Five Elements Mystic Gate] Divine Ability [Myriad Transformations Divine Mechanism] Divine Ability [Innate Yin-Yang Primordial Chaos Divine Light] Divine Ability [Black Water Divine Thunder] ...

With a slight movement of his palm, a mass of dark, profound thunder gathered in his hand. A majestic heavenly might brewed, emitting two diametrically opposed auras – one of extreme yin and darkness, the other of extreme yang and hardness. These two auras, in turn, formed the profound mystery of Yin and Yang, nurturing great destruction and great life.

"The Tianshui Imperial Dynasty originates from the Tianshui Dao Lord, who cultivated the Great Dao of Water Element. Black Water Divine Thunder is a divine ability passed down by him."

Having inherited the position of Wei River Water Lord and comprehending the laws of the Water Element, Zhou Yuan's cultivation of Black Water Divine Thunder was twice as effective with half the effort.

"The Five Elements generate each other. By deducing Black Water Divine Thunder into Wood God Thunder, then into Fire God Thunder and Earth God Thunder, and finally Metal God Thunder, all Five Elements are present, capable of deriving a Greater Divine Ability: Innate Five Elements Divine Thunder."

Zhou Yuan's eyes shone brightly. Thunder techniques are the vital mechanisms of heaven and earth, possessing the most formidable offensive power. If he could master a technique like Innate Five Elements Divine Thunder, his combat strength would soar.

After thoroughly reviewing all the gains from this closed-door cultivation, he slowly opened his eyes after a long while. He glanced at the Primordial Dao Embryo still floating within the Innate Water Eye.

Hesitation flickered through his mind.

"Never mind, the path of cultivation requires both effort and rest."

"Moreover, according to the information obtained from the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range at that time, the Demon Clan should be making their grand entrance onto the Primordial stage soon."

"As such, the Primordial World will undoubtedly not be peaceful."

"And the countless beings and tribes along the Wei River will inevitably be caught in this calamity."

At that time, if the Wei River were disturbed and unforeseen events occurred, his own cultivation would also be disrupted. Now was not the opportune moment to merge with this Primordial Dao Embryo.

"We pay our respects to the Divine Lord."

In the Water God Palace, Zhou Yuan sat at the head of the main seat. Old Man Qingrong and the other four cultivators who had reached the Heavenly Human and Divine Demon realms bowed in greeting.

This Water God Palace was the foundation of the Wei River Water Mansion. Now that the master of the Water Mansion had attained the Grand Unity Great Sage realm, the Water God Palace itself manifested various divine wonders. Rays of rosy clouds condensed into a magnificent canopy, adorned with seven-colored glazed tiles and eight precious tassels, radiating divine light, fully displaying the majesty of the Divine Path.

Zhou Yuan glanced at the four of them. In nearly a Yuan Epoch's time, their cultivation had also made significant progress, but it was estimated that their foundations were insufficient, preventing them from breaking through to the True One realm.

He flicked his sleeve and retrieved several jade slips presented by Old Man Qingrong.

His divine sense swept over them, and his gaze softened.

It seemed that during his seclusion, the Wei River Water Mansion had been managed quite well.

Initially, he had just found an excuse to keep these beings confined for a while, preventing them from speaking carelessly after leaving the secret realm and revealing the successor to the Wei River Water Lord position, which might attract the Tianshui Dao Lord's covetous gaze.

But he hadn't expected these beings to be so diligent.

"You have all diligently managed the affairs of the Water Mansion, and your hard work and contributions are undeniable. You shall be rewarded."

Zhou Yuan smiled slightly at the four people in the hall, pondering for a moment.

Four streams of spiritual light immediately flew from his hands, landing on Old Man Qingrong and the other three.

"These four inheritances are all cultivation methods that directly point to the True One Realm, and they align with the Great Dao you cultivate."

"I hope you will cultivate them diligently and step into the True One Realm as soon as possible."

This…

Old Man Qingrong and the other three were both surprised and delighted.

They were surprised that Zhou Yuan, having spent so little time with them and only glancing at them a few times, could discern the foundations of their cultivation and accurately find suitable methods.

They were delighted because, as rogue cultivators, they had hesitated for countless years, struggling through hardships for methods and the Dao path, and now they finally saw a clear path to the Great Dao.

"We have drifted for half our lives, only regretting not meeting a wise lord."

"If Your Excellency does not disdain us, we are willing to pledge ourselves to your tutelage and serve you with utmost loyalty."

Old Man Qingrong and the other three cultivators at the Heavenly Human Divine Demon realm, seeing Zhou Yuan's generosity, did not hesitate any further.

Their impassioned declaration directly conveyed their desire to join the Wei River Water Mansion.

In their eyes, the Wei River Water Mansion now had the Grand Unity Great Sage presiding over it, the mansion was filled with treasures and was exceptionally prosperous, and the Wei River Water Lord, who controlled the central hub of the Wei River's water element, was a generous person.

They felt they had finally seen a glimmer of hope.

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly upon seeing the sincerity of the four in seeking refuge.

Although these four were not exceptionally high in cultivation, for rogue cultivators to have cultivated to the Heavenly Human Divine Demon realm in the Primordial World, and even to faintly touch the threshold of the True One Realm, was already very difficult.

Moreover, the Wei River Water Mansion was newly established, and he needed to build a foundation and properly manage the Wei River.

After all, according to his plans, for a long time to come, he would have to strive to increase his share of the Primordial water element in the Primordial World, which meant slow expansion.

Expansion required beings to help rally support and manage territories. Otherwise, even if he alone occupied the Four Rivers of the Primordial World, without diligent management, it would only leave hidden dangers.

"Since you have joined my command, you must be diligent in your duties and strive in your cultivation. If you handle matters well, this Lord will not be stingy with rewards."

"Your Excellency, rest assured, we will do our utmost, diligently manage our affairs, and repay your grace of recognition."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said:

"Coincidentally, this Lord has made some gains during my recent seclusion and breakthrough to the Grand Unity Great Sage realm."

"The beings of the Water Mansion have contributed greatly over these tens of thousands of years."

"I intend to ascend the platform and preach the Dao to reward their merits."

Old Man Qingrong and the others exchanged glances, overjoyed.

"Your Excellency is benevolent."