Closed-Door Cultivation of Primordial Unity, Western Teachings Discuss Tongtian's Whereabouts Again

Within the Dragon Palace of the East Sea's secret treasury, treasure light shot towards the heavens, and Spiritual Power condensed into mist, almost becoming tangible.

Tongtian stood before this vast, boundless ocean of resources. Even with his Saintly disposition, his heart couldn't help but ripple. These resources were enough to cultivate dozens of Grand Unity Golden Immortals, yet they were all at his disposal now. The Dragon Clan's "investment" could not be considered light.

However, he was not overwhelmed. He knew that the prerequisite for all of this was that he must demonstrate value and potential sufficient for the Dragon Clan to follow him.

"Ao Guang, you are thoughtful," Tongtian said calmly, his voice betraying little emotion. "These resources are truly a timely gift for me. I will surely repay you one day."

Ao Guang quickly bowed. "Sect Master, you are too kind! Since the Dragon Clan has made its choice, we will naturally do our utmost. We only hope that the Sect Master can recover his Spiritual Power soon and lead us to a glimmer of hope!" His posture was extremely humble, but his tone was incredibly firm.

Tongtian nodded slightly and said no more. His gaze swept over the treasure vault, and his divine sense spread out like a net, instantly grasping the type, quantity, and quality of all the resources.

"Wudang, Kui Niu," he commanded. "You two will guard here. You may also use what you need according to your own situations to recover your injuries and cultivation as quickly as possible."

"Yes! Master!" Saint Mother Wudang and Kui Niu responded in unison, excitement and anticipation evident in their eyes. Such a treasure trove was also a tremendous opportunity for them.

Tongtian then strode towards the deepest part of the treasure vault, where the Spiritual Power was most concentrated, almost liquefied. With a wave of his hand, countless top-tier divine materials and immortal ores, shimmering with various colored lights, flew over. They settled into place according to some profound formation, instantly setting up a simple yet extremely effective Spirit Gathering Grand Formation.

As the formation was completed, a rumbling sound arose. The Spiritual Power within the entire treasury space surged like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, converging madly towards the formation's core. Ultimately, a visible vortex of Spiritual Power formed. At the center of the vortex, the Spiritual Power was so dense it was like liquid treasure jade.

Tongtian stepped into the formation's core and sat down cross-legged.

He did not immediately begin absorbing. Instead, he first took out the Chaos Bead (incomplete) that he had obtained from the Sea of Blood and partially refined. The grayish bead floated before his chest, rotating slowly and exuding an ancient, vast aura.

Immediately after, with a thought, spiritual herbs emitting chaotic light and possessing strange forms flew out from the treasure vault. These were the Chaos Spirit Plants he had casually picked in that secret realm. These spirit plants had a miraculous effect on nourishing the Chaos Origin.

He arranged these Chaos Spirit Plants around the Chaos Bead, used his own Method Power to activate them, and slowly refined them. The purest essence of Chaos Qi was channeled, bit by bit, into the Chaos Bead.

Hum!

Nourished, the Chaos Bead immediately shone brightly, its rotation speed increasing. The grayish luster on its surface became deeper and more contained. The tiny Chaos vortex within seemed to have grown slightly, and the Chaos Qi it exhaled became even more refined.

After completing this step, Tongtian truly began his seclusion.

He formed hand seals, and the nascent illusion of his Primordial Dao Fruit emerged from his dantian. It passed through his Saint Body and manifested externally, hovering above his head. The pigeon-egg-sized illusion of the Dao Fruit had a Chaos vortex spinning within it, emitting a suction force.

RUMBLE!!!

The entire Spirit Gathering Grand Formation was fully activated! The boundless Spiritual Power, like a river that had broken its banks, surged madly into the Primordial Dao Fruit!

This scene was too terrifying! One had to know that for an ordinary Grand Unity Golden Immortal in seclusion, forming a pillar of Spiritual Power when absorbing Spiritual Power was already considered astonishing. But now, what was pouring into Tongtian's body was the terrifying tide formed by the immense amount of Spiritual Power accumulated in the Dragon Palace's secret treasury over countless eons!

His body was like a bottomless pit, greedily devouring everything. The hideous cracks on his Saint Body, nourished by both the majestic energy and the Chaos Origin, began to writhe and heal at a visible rate!

His skin regained its luster, his broken bones were reshaped to be even tougher, and his damaged meridians were widened and reinforced, shining with a chaotic light.

His aura began to climb steadily!

Quasi-Saint early stage, early stage peak, steadily advancing towards the Quasi-Saint middle stage!

This was not merely an accumulation of Method Power, but another transformation of his life level! After abandoning his Saint Position and falling to the bottom, he was now using the Primordial Dao as his foundation to climb to the peak once more!

Saint Mother Wudang and Kui Niu watched from the side, their hearts swaying and their minds filled with shock. They dared not disturb him and each found a place to absorb suitable resources, diligently cultivating. Saint Mother Wudang's damaged Dao Foundation slowly healed under the nourishment of the Dragon Palace's precious medicines, and her cultivation advanced towards the Heavenly Immortal late stage. Kui Niu, on the other hand, consumed a large amount of water-attribute spiritual essence, and his bloodline seemed to become purer, his aura growing heavier.

Just as Tongtian was cultivating frantically in the Dragon Palace's secret treasury, the outside world was stirred by new ripples due to his previous actions.

In the West, at the Spirit Mountain Holy Land, by the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin sat opposite each other, their expressions somewhat solemn.

"Senior Brother, Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra have reported that there are no obvious anomalies on Golden Ao Island in the East Sea. The strange fluctuation earlier seemed to be caused by a disturbance in the earth's veins," Daoist Zhunti said slowly, but his brow remained furrowed. "However, I still feel uneasy. Tongtian abandoned his Saint Position and fell to the mortal world, yet the Dao Ancestor made no move. This matter itself is strange."

Daoist Jieyin's face was filled with sorrow. He chanted a Buddhist name softly. "Amitabha. Fellow Daoist Tongtian has a fiery temperament and is by no means someone who will remain in obscurity. His whereabouts are unknown, like a hidden dragon in the abyss. I fear complications. That East Sea Dragon Palace..."

"Dragon Palace?" Daoist Zhunti's eyes flashed. "That old mudfish Ao Guang, though seemingly obedient, is slippery. A few days ago, a Heavenly Court inspector suddenly went to investigate but returned in disgrace. Rumor has it that Saintly Might was sensed in the Dragon Palace?"

When he spoke the words "Saintly Might," even he himself found it hard to believe, his tone laced with doubt.

"Saintly Might?" Daoist Jieyin raised his eyelids and shook his head. "Tongtian's Saint Position is abolished, how can there be Saintly Might? Could it be our Junior Sister Nuwa? Or perhaps Senior Brothers Grand Pure and Jade Pure are setting a trap?"

"It's possible," Daoist Zhunti pondered. "But regardless, the Dragon Palace must be hiding something. Tongtian's whereabouts may be related to this. Even if it's not related to him, the Dragon Palace's movements cannot be ignored. The Four Seas are burdened with heavy karma but are rich in resources. They are crucial sustenance for the prosperity of my Western Teachings and must not be lost."

Daoist Jieyin nodded. "Indeed. Regarding Tongtian, it is better to believe it than not. We should send someone to investigate the East Sea again, thoroughly. Not only the Dragon Palace, but the ruins of Golden Ao Island must also be explored again, even if we have to dig three feet deep!"

A wise glint flashed in Daoist Zhunti's eyes. "Ordinary disciples may not be up to this task, and they might alert the enemy. Why not let Ksitigarbha go? His cultivation has already reached the peak of Grand Unity, and he possesses great wisdom and perseverance. He is very familiar with matters of the Netherworld and may be able to find some clues from the Land of Reincarnation. Ostensibly, he can go under the guise of superintending the souls of the dead from the East Sea battles to accumulate merit."

"Ksitigarbha... very good," Daoist Jieyin agreed. "Also, let Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light King Buddha provide covert support, and keep an eye on the movements of all parties. If Tongtian's trace is truly found... if he can be brought into our Western Teachings, it would be a great blessing. If not..."

Daoist Jieyin did not finish, merely lowering his gaze and fingering his prayer beads, a trace of compassion yet resolute aura emanating from him.

Daoist Zhunti smiled knowingly. "It is as it should be."

Two imperial decrees were quietly sent out from Spirit Mountain.

At the same time, within the Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain.

Venerable Lord of Primordial Beginning sat high on a cloud bed, listening expressionlessly to the report from White Crane Boy below.

"According to a report from the Heavenly Court's East Sea Star Lord, the previous anomaly has been investigated and confirmed to be caused by a change in the earth's veins, with no other abnormalities. The Bodhisattvas Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra of the Western Teachings also secretly investigated but returned without success. Furthermore, a Heavenly Court inspector recently went to the Dragon Palace of the East Sea to investigate but returned hastily, the reason unclear."

Venerable Lord of Primordial Beginning spoke indifferently, his voice devoid of any emotion. "The people of the West are quite diligent. Ao Guang seems to have had too many peaceful days."

He did not connect Tongtian with the Dragon Palace of the East Sea. In his eyes, Tongtian, having abandoned his Saint Position, was already a cripple. It was fortunate enough that he could still linger on; how could he have the ability to collude with the Dragon Clan? Nor would the Dragon Clan offend the Saints and the Heavenly Court for a crippled Saint.

Most likely, that old mudfish Ao Guang had hidden some good stuff again, was detected by the Heavenly Court, and managed to fool them with some tricks.

"No need to pay attention," Venerable Lord of Primordial Beginning closed his eyes. "The Great Tribulation is approaching, and the workings of the Heavenly Dao have their own logic. Ants cannot stir up waves."

"Yes," White Crane Boy respectfully withdrew.

Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, in the depths of Chaos, the Wa Imperial Palace.

Empress Nuwa sat quietly before the Map of Mountains and Rivers. The scene within the map shifted, revealing the scenery of the East Sea. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she calculated with her fingertips, only to find the Heavenly Secrets shrouded in chaos.

"After abandoning the Saint Position, Chaos Qi, the Dragon Palace," she murmured to herself, a flicker of curiosity and inquiry flashing in her beautiful eyes. "Senior Brother Tongtian, what exactly are you trying to achieve? This path is fraught with peril..."

She pondered for a moment, then lightly waved her sleeve, and the scene in the map dissipated.

"So be it, I shall observe the changes."

Shouyang Mountain, Eight Sceneries Palace.

Grand Supreme Elder Laozi maintained his usual demeanor of effortless detachment, as if all external disturbances were irrelevant to him. Only when the young attendant mentioned "East Sea" and "Saintly Might" did a subtle, almost imperceptible gleam flash in the depths of his placid eyes, before they returned to their tranquil state, as if he had heard nothing.

And in the Nine Netherworld Underworld, within the depths of the Reincarnation Disk.

Empress Pingxin (Houtu) seemed to sense something. Her gaze appeared to pierce through infinite space, looking towards the direction of the East Sea, then towards the direction of the Sea of Blood. Finally, it transformed into a faint sigh that dissipated into the Wind of Reincarnation.

Various factions, due to Tongtian's actions, harbored different thoughts, and undercurrents quietly surged.

All of this was, for the moment, unrelated to Tongtian.

Within the Dragon Palace's secret treasury, the passage of time seemed to lose all meaning.

After an unknown period, the terrifying tide of spiritual energy finally began to subside.

In the center of the Spirit Gathering Grand Formation, Tongtian slowly opened his eyes.

Two beams of tangible Chaos divine light shot out from his eyes, extending over a foot long, before finally ceasing.

He gently clenched his fist, feeling the surging and roaring Chaos Method Power within his body, which was ten times more refined and vast than before. He also felt his Saint Body, which had almost completely healed and was now even stronger than before. A satisfied curve finally appeared at the corner of his lips.

The phantom image of the Primordial Dao Fruit had solidified considerably. The Chaos vortex within was stable and powerful, inhaling and exhaling Chaos Qi on its own.

Quasi-Saint, mid-stage!

With the help of the Dragon Palace's immense resources, he had not only completely repaired the damage to his Saint Body but had also broken through to the mid-stage Quasi-Saint! His strength had undergone a qualitative leap!

Although he was still far from his peak, he was no longer the man he once was! Now, facing that Blood God Son's clone again, he had at least a fifty percent chance of defeating it! Even facing someone like Guangchengzi, he would not be at a disadvantage!

His gaze swept to the side. Saint Mother Wudang and Kui Niu had also gained immense benefits. Wudang's injuries were completely healed, and her cultivation had broken through to the early-stage Golden Immortal! Kui Niu's aura was also surging, seemingly only one step away from becoming a Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

"Master! You've come out of seclusion!" Saint Mother Wudang felt Tongtian's unfathomable aura and was overjoyed.

Tongtian stood up and stretched his limbs, a crackling sound like thunder emanating from his body.

"It's time to leave," he said, looking at Ao Guang. "Ao Guang, I will remember this kindness. The Dragon Clan should lie low for now and await the opportune moment. Do not reveal any connection to me lightly."

Ao Guang respectfully replied, "Ao Guang understands! Sect Master, rest assured, the Dragon Clan knows what to do."

Tongtian nodded. He stored the remaining half of the resources from the treasury into a temporary space opened by the System (this action caused Ao Guang to secretly marvel), then, with Saint Mother Wudang and Kui Niu, under Ao Guang's secret escort, he quietly left the Dragon Palace of the East Sea and returned to the ruins of Golden Ao Island.

Returning to a familiar place, his mindset was entirely different.

Tongtian stood on the ruins, gazing at the Great Desolation Continent with deep eyes.

Resources were prepared, injuries healed, and cultivation advanced.

It was time to truly gather the remnants of the Intercepting Sect and make the first move in this Great Desolation world!

His first target would be the True Spirits of the Sanxiao disciples, who suffered the most on the Investiture of the Gods!

The gaze of the Western Teachings had already turned towards him. And his counterattack would now begin.