The Isle of Penglai, Soul Divided into the Azure Lotus

Two hundred years had passed since the Green Flood Dragon acknowledged Li Yi as its master, and it had truly broadened its horizons. Along the way, it had witnessed Li Yi annihilate no fewer than ten million ferocious beasts, many of which had reached the Mystic Immortal realm—a level that even the elders of the Golden Carp Clan barely attained.

What shocked the Green Flood Dragon most was that fifty years ago, Li Yi had crushed a Golden Immortal with a wave of his hand. The event left the dragon dazed for over a month. With a casual gesture, a colossal hand materialized out of thin air, tens of thousands of zhang wide and gleaming with golden light. With a single clench, the entire Golden Immortal was reduced to dust.

"Awesome, too awesome!" The Green Flood Dragon was so thrilled it nearly cramped. Following a master like this, who in the Primordial Continent would dare bully it? It almost wanted to carry Li Yi to the Dragon Palace to flaunt their might—but that was just a passing thought.

Still, the Green Flood Dragon understood that Li Yi was no Golden Immortal. What Golden Immortal could be this powerful? It had no idea what his actual cultivation level was, because since the world's evolution began a million years ago, aside from Li Yi, only Hongjun and Yang Mei had attained the Great Luo Dao Fruit, and they rarely appeared. Thus, the highest openly known realm in the Primordial Continent was the Golden Immortal position.

After the Green Flood Dragon pledged itself to Li Yi, it began cultivating the Green Flood Dragon Emperor Body Art, a technique Li Yi had specially created for it. The art had six layers, distinct from Dragon Clan techniques that focused on purifying bloodlines. Instead, it built upon the flood dragon's body, gradually drawing in the power of Water Origin to forge a Kui Water bone structure.

Heavenly Immortal had three layers, Mystic Immortal had three. Cultivating to the sixth layer would transform the entire flood dragon body into a Kui Water physique. When the opportunity came, awakening the self and drawing Kui Water power to cleanse the soul would allow it to attain the Golden Immortal position.

The Green Flood Dragon was now at the peak of Heavenly Immortal, the third layer. Its entire dragon body was wreathed in water vapor, and the slightest movement summoned myriad waters to follow. Compared to before, the difference was like heaven and earth.

One day, the Green Flood Dragon was carrying Li Yi through the sky as usual. "Stop," a voice commanded. The Green Flood Dragon dared not delay and halted.

"I've finally found it. This should be Penglai Immortal Island," Li Yi said, a flicker of excitement crossing his face as he gazed at a hazy expanse. Anyone who had searched for centuries would be a bit annoyed.

Li Yi flew to the edge of the thin mist. For the first time in hundreds of years, the Main Body's soul took command of the body, instantly becoming a different person. His cold Silver Eyes stared icily toward Penglai Immortal Island.

Before the Main Body (hereafter, the absolutely rational clone will be called the Main Body, and the clone Li Yi), a complex formation slowly appeared. The Silver Eyes were a special divine ability the Main Body had gained after the soul split. Normally, when the Main Body controlled the body, the eyes turned silver. By channeling mental energy, he could see through illusions to a certain extent and perceive the essence of things.

The Main Body casually waved his hands a few times, and surging Magic Power swept across several formation eyes. The entire Penglai Island was revealed before him. His eyes slowly turned black again as the Main Body withdrew to comprehend the Great Dao, leaving Li Yi in control.

When the Main Body had appeared, the Green Flood Dragon felt a chill run through its entire body, especially from those eyes—cold and emotionless, making the Main Body seem like an exalted Deity, indifferent to all living beings.

Now that Li Yi had returned, it asked curiously, "Master, what happened to you just now? It was terrifying."

Li Yi smiled. "You'll know in time." He offered no further explanation and flew straight toward the center of Penglai Island.

Though curious, the Green Flood Dragon figured that if Li Yi didn't say, there must be a reason. It dared not ask further and followed him.

Penglai Island truly lived up to its reputation as the foremost of the three great immortal islands, the sacred cultivation ground of the later Overseas Loose Immortals. Immortal qi swirled around it, and bizarrely shaped stones were scattered everywhere. The main peak soared tens of thousands of zhang high, spanning three thousand kilometers. Towering trees rose straight up, blotting out the sky, and several inner rivers wound through the island.

What delighted Li Yi most was the abundance of spiritual treasures on the island: hundred-thousand-year-old fleeceflower roots, seven-leaf silver flowers, fruitless mind-condensing fruits, twisted-stem purple sunflowers... and even many spiritual beings that had taken form and were playing on the ground, such as ginseng babies and Lotus Root Saplings.

In Li Yi's eyes, Penglai Immortal Island was a treasure trove, no less than Blessed Lands like Kunlun or Emei. But from today onward, they all belonged to the Li family.

Li Yi flew cheerfully toward the island's center, never expecting an even greater surprise awaited him. From afar, he spotted a Twelve-Petal Azure Lotus standing tall in a small lake, solitary, proud, and elegant.

This was the Twelve-Petal Azure Lotus, a supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. No wonder Li Yi was overjoyed. During the Calamity of World Creation, the thirty-six-petal Chaos Green Lotus had shattered, and its petals had transformed into four supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures. The other three were the World-Destroying Black Lotus, the Purifying White Lotus, and the Karma Fire Red Lotus.

What satisfied Li Yi most was that this Azure Lotus still had its roots, stems, and leaves intact, brimming with vitality. It was the perfect choice for a clone vessel.

"Ha, ha, even the clone vessel problem is solved now!" Li Yi had long wanted to find a vessel for his clone. The reason he had stopped and started so often on his journey to the East Sea was partly to search for a suitable vessel. Although the clone wouldn't be the main body, a vessel with low potential would hinder future development. He had never found an ideal one, so he kept putting it off.

He never expected to find such a perfect clone vessel here. These few hundred years in the East Sea were worth it—more than worth it. But Li Yi didn't immediately take over the Azure Lotus. He needed to think things through carefully first. He also had to build a proper residence; he didn't want to spend his days Cultivating Immortality and Comprehending Dao in a dog's den.

Li Yi flew in the air, his hands waving continuously as he formed one Hand Seal after another. "Rumble!" Earth and stone flew everywhere. A spiritual flame appeared out of thin air, constantly refining and combining various earth and stone essences, along with materials Li Yi had collected from the Primordial Continent.

Before long, a series of ancient and majestic divine palaces appeared on Penglai Island: one main hall and four side halls. The main hall bore the inscription "Green Lotus Hall," clearly prepared for the clone. The other four were left unnamed for now.

"Green Flood Dragon, cultivate well on the island. Your master needs to go into seclusion for a while," Li Yi said to the dragon beside him.

"Yes, Master." Though the Green Flood Dragon found it a bit strange that its master wanted to go into seclusion so soon after arriving on the island, it didn't ask further.

This time, Li Yi's seclusion was mainly to calmly consider the division of labor between the Main Body and the clone. This would affect his future path to enlightenment, so he couldn't afford to be careless.

"Right now, my situation is: I've attained the Great Luo Merit Position; aside from the Azure Lotus, my innate spiritual treasures include the Green Lotus Ancient Sword, the Void Battle Armor, the Black Demon Cauldron, and some materials; my divine abilities are 'Nirvana Samsara,' the 'Nine-Colored Pagoda,' and the Silver Eyes." These were mostly advantages, Li Yi thought.

"But there's a major flaw: I attained the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal position too early. As a result, I lack experience. I don't even have a clear understanding of my own Dao. It was merely a product catalyzed by the Great Dao Rhythms. I know many things but not the reasons behind them. This will definitely affect my future enlightenment." Li Yi didn't shy away from his own shortcomings.

"What suits you best is the best." As Li Yi analyzed his strengths and weaknesses, he sought the path that fit him. "My strength lies in my body. I already have the potential to charge toward immortality. Another is my innate divine ability, 'Nirvana Samsara.' Because my body is strong, I chose the path of an indestructible body. So, I should formulate my own laws based on my innate divine ability. Yes, that's it." Having finally found his direction, Li Yi's mind became clear, and he even advanced slightly in cultivation.

After another ten-plus years of deliberation, Li Yi finalized the division of labor:

The Main Body would be primarily responsible for strengthening the Demon Body and comprehending the laws. The clone would focus on the sword path—breaking through nirvana with the sword, manifesting samsara through the sword, and entering the Dao by way of the sword.

This seclusion lasted only fifty years, but it was a crucial step.

From afar, the Green Flood Dragon heard the palace doors open. Knowing its master had emerged from seclusion, it let out a roar and flew over to greet him.

"Heh heh." Li Yi patted the Green Flood Dragon. "Let's go to the lotus pond."

Li Yi gazed at the Twelve-Petal Azure Lotus, his eyes sharpening. The clone's soul flew out from his right eye and instantly entered the Azure Lotus. The lotus swayed and transformed into a second Li Yi—the clone was complete.

The moment the clone's soul left his body, the Main Body's eyes immediately turned silver, and his hair turned snow-white.