Chaos Derivation Scripture Breaks Through the Shackles; Maitreya Arrives with a Knife Behind His Smile

Longevity Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple, the western wing's Quiet Room.

The room looked plain, but it stood where the spiritual energy of the Ginseng Fruit Tree's spiritual root converged, and was one of the core areas covered by the Earth Book. The spiritual energy within was so dense and pure that it had nearly liquefied. With every breath, one's magic power grew more active and one's Dao Heart clearer. All outside prying and divinations of heavenly secrets were completely cut off. It was truly one of the finest secluded cultivation sanctuaries in the Primordial World.

Tongtian sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his mind more tranquil than ever before. Since transmigrating, he had endured the loss of his Saint Position, seized treasures from the Blood Sea, dealt with the turmoil of rescuing his disciples, faced danger in the void, and even clashed with Ksitigarbha. He had been constantly on edge and on the move. Now, at last, he could rest and enjoy time and space that truly belonged to him.

He did not begin cultivating right away. Instead, he carefully took stock of what he had gained.

Cultivation: Late Quasi-Saint, with a firm foundation. His Chaos Dao Fruit had begun to take shape, and his combat strength was comparable to Quasi-Saint Peak.

Treasures: The Chaos Bead (fragment) was his foundation. The Qingping Sword was damaged and awaiting repair. He had various materials obtained from the Dragon Palace and the void.

Allies: Wudang had been rescued; Sanxiao and Kui Niu were loyal; he had a secret alliance with the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, Qiushou Xian as a covert agent, a preliminary alliance with Zhen Yuanzi, and an agreement with Empress Pingxin.

Threats: The Saints were hostile, the Celestial Court had issued a wanted notice, he had made an enemy of the Western Teachings, the Otherworld Great Tribulation was approaching, and his disciples who had been placed on the list were in grave danger.

The way ahead: The Primordial Dao would be difficult to attain; he needed the guidance of the Chaos Derivation Scripture.

With his review complete, Tongtian's gaze grew ever more resolute. His most urgent task was to increase his own strength! Only strength was the foundation of everything!

He focused his thoughts on the system and selected the exchange without hesitation.

[Exchange the first volume of the Chaos Derivation Scripture. Cost: 3,000 Contribution Points.]

An immense torrent of information, beyond description, surged into Tongtian's Nascent Soul! It was no mere text or image, but countless profound insights into the Chaos Opening, the derivation of laws, and the Great Dao Origin—a boundless wisdom like the birth of the universe!

Even though Tongtian's Nascent Soul had once possessed the nature of a Saint, he felt as if his head were about to explode! He groaned and circulated his Chaos Dao Fruit with all his might, struggling to absorb and digest this knowledge as vast as the sea.

After who knew how long, the impact of the information gradually subsided. Fine beads of sweat covered Tongtian's forehead, yet his eyes blazed with dazzling light!

"So that's how it is. This is the true secret of the Chaos Great Dao!" he murmured, utterly shaken.

The Chaos Derivation Scripture was not a specific cultivation method. It was more like a key, a guiding outline, showing one how to comprehend Chaos and derive one's own Great Dao, ultimately becoming Chaos itself and transcending all things! Its vision was loftier and its path more magnificent than anything he had previously understood!

It also explained in detail the entire process of condensing and nurturing the Primordial Dao Fruit until it eventually transformed into a "Chaos Green Lotus Seed"—the Dao Foundation of a Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal—as well as the critical trials and tribulations at every stage.

Comparing the scripture with his own state, Tongtian immediately understood where he stood. His Primordial Dao Fruit was still at the "phantom" stage. He needed to keep devouring all kinds of origin energy and insights into the Great Dao, making it real from unreal, until he could open a true "Chaos embryonic form" within the Dao Fruit. Only then would he have crossed the threshold into Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortality!

Devouring Ksitigarbha's vows, refining the Demon God's severed limb, and even absorbing the resources from the Dragon Palace had all been ways of accumulating what he needed for this step.

"Devour, derive, open." The light of understanding in Tongtian's eyes grew brighter and brighter. "If so, then let it begin today!"

He hesitated no longer. His hands formed the ancient seals recorded in the Derivation Scripture, and the Chaos Bead above his head thrummed, releasing billions of strands of Chaos Qi, purer and more vibrant than before.

Within his dantian, the pea-sized phantom of the Primordial Dao Fruit trembled violently. The tiny Chaos Vortex inside spun at an unprecedented speed, producing a terrifying suction force!

The Quiet Room's intensely concentrated innate spiritual energy surged into the Dao Fruit like rivers flowing into the sea! But it was not enough!

With a thought, Tongtian drew out the immense Buddhist vows he had devoured from Ksitigarbha and already partially refined, along with the pure Chaos Demonic Qi extracted from the One-Eyed Demon God's severed limb and sealed within the Chaos Bead. He guided them together into the Dao Fruit!

Rumble! The Dao Fruit seemed to have been fueled with the most potent of substances, blazing with light! It began to swell and solidify before his very eyes! The Misty Grey sheen on its surface grew deeper, while the Chaos Vortex within expanded rapidly, as if it were truly about to evolve into a newly formed world!

The process was not without its dangers. The conversion obsessions within the Buddhist vows and the violent Will of Destruction within the Chaos Demonic Qi repeatedly assailed Tongtian's mind, trying to corrupt his Dao Foundation.

"Be still!" Tongtian steadied his mind. Using the supreme heart-refining method recorded in the Derivation Scripture, he envisioned the Chaos Primordial and a state beyond the reach of all laws. He crushed and refined every distracting thought and external demon, turning them instead into nourishment for the Dao Fruit's growth!

His aura climbed steadily, and his understanding of the Chaos Great Dao deepened with every passing moment. Many obstacles that had once seemed unclear suddenly opened before him. His magic power became more condensed, imbued with pure Chaos properties and far surpassing that of others at the same level.

After who knew how long, all the vows and demonic energy had been completely devoured and refined. The Primordial Dao Fruit had grown a full size larger, its color deep and rich. As it spun, it radiated a weighty, majestic Dao Charm. The Chaos Vortex within had stabilized, and faint images of Earth Water Fire Wind appeared and vanished!

The Primordial Dao Fruit had become real from unreal, formally entering the "solid phantom" stage! It was still a long way from a true "Chaos embryonic form," but this was a qualitative leap! Tongtian's cultivation rose with it, stabilizing completely at the pinnacle of Late Quasi-Saint. He was now only one opportunity away from attempting to break through to Quasi-Saint Peak!

Tongtian slowly opened his eyes. Chaos rose and fell in his pupils, as if countless worlds were being born and passing through cycles of rebirth. He clenched a fist lightly, feeling power surge through him, far greater than before. A powerful confidence welled up within him.

Now, if he faced Ksitigarbha again, he was confident he could suppress him completely within ten moves! Even against an old Quasi-Saint Peak powerhouse like Kunpeng, he could hold his own!

"Congratulations on your great progress, Master!" Yun Xiao, keeping watch outside, sensed the aura within the room settle and grow even deeper. She sent him her delighted congratulations.

Tongtian smiled faintly and rose to his feet. He had no idea how long he had been in seclusion, but surely changes had taken place outside.

He pushed open the Quiet Room door. Sunlight streamed in, and Yun Xiao and Zhen Yuanzi were both waiting in the courtyard.

"You've emerged from seclusion, fellow Daoist? Your bearing shows that the Great Dao is within your reach. Truly, this is cause for celebration!" Zhen Yuanzi stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes filled with even greater admiration. He could sense that Tongtian was now far more unfathomable than before. Even he felt a faint unease at the Chaos Dao Charm that Tongtian seemed to radiate.

"I gained a little. Thank you, elder brother, for providing such a fine place," Tongtian said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

"You're too kind, fellow Daoist." Before Zhen Yuanzi could finish, his brow suddenly furrowed. He looked toward the temple gate. "We have a visitor—and an unwelcome one."

Almost at the same time, Qingfeng and Mingyue's somewhat tense voices came from outside the temple. "Master! Venerable Maitreya of the Western Teachings has come to pay a visit!"

Maitreya Buddha? The Future Buddha? The direct disciple of Saint Zhunti, the second-ranking figure in the Western Teachings?

Tongtian and Zhen Yuanzi exchanged glances, both understanding at once. Ksitigarbha had only just been driven off, and now Maitreya had arrived. The Western Teachings had not given up—and this time, they had sent someone of greater weight!

"He's quick," Tongtian said with a cold laugh.

"We'll meet whatever comes," Zhen Yuanzi replied calmly. "You can wait in the side hall, fellow Daoist. Let me handle this."

Tongtian nodded and quietly slipped into the side hall with Yun Xiao, their auras perfectly concealed by the Earth Book.

Zhen Yuanzi straightened his robes and walked at an unhurried pace toward the front courtyard.

Outside Wuzhuang Temple stood a portly monk with a broad face, large ears, and a round belly. He wore a beaming smile and was accompanied by several Bodhisattvas and Vajra attendants. Draped in a kasaya and holding a cloth bag, he seemed all smiles even before he spoke. It was Maitreya Buddha.

"Amitabha! I am Maitreya. Greetings, Great Immortal Zhen Yuan! I hope you'll forgive me for this unannounced visit!" Maitreya bowed with a cheerful smile, his tone warm and familiar.

"So it is Venerable Maitreya. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. Please, come in." Zhen Yuanzi returned his greeting coolly, led them into the temple, and seated them as host and guests in the reception hall.

Qingfeng and Mingyue served tea.

Maitreya took a sip and praised it repeatedly. "Excellent tea! Excellent tea! The immortal grounds of Longevity Mountain truly live up to their reputation." After a few pleasantries, he casually changed the subject. "I heard that some time ago, my junior brother Ksitigarbha had a clash with Tongtian of the Interception Sect at the far end of the East Sea and suffered some injuries. Have you heard about this, Great Immortal?"

Zhen Yuanzi did not so much as raise an eyelid. He answered unhurriedly, "I live in seclusion in the mountains and have little contact with the outside world. I have not heard of it."

Maitreya's smile did not waver. "Is that so? But the secret arts of my sect sensed that Tongtian's aura vanished somewhere near Longevity Mountain. As the master of the Earth Book, you oversee the earth's ley lines. Did you truly sense nothing unusual?"

His words were now an unmistakable probe, edged with suspicion.

Zhen Yuanzi set down his teacup and looked at Maitreya, his tone still calm. "What do you mean, Venerable? Are you accusing me of harboring a wanted criminal? My Longevity Mountain may be small, but it is a place of serenity. It will not tolerate outsiders snooping around at will. If you have evidence, speak plainly. If not, choose your words carefully."

His voice remained mild, but it carried the authority of the Ancestor of Earth Immortals and left no room for courtesy.

Maitreya's smile stiffened for a moment, then grew even brighter. "You're taking it too seriously, Great Immortal! How could I dare suspect you? It's just that Tongtian is a ruthless criminal. He destroyed our Buddhist treasure, injured my fellow disciples, and even consorted with an Outer Realm Demon God. The safety of the Primordial World is at stake. I was so worried that I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me."

His tone was sincere, as if he truly had the Primordial World's safety at heart. "Since you noticed nothing, then my senses must have been mistaken. Perhaps Tongtian used some secret art to flee elsewhere. I must continue my search in other places, so I won't impose on you any longer."

With that, he actually rose to take his leave, making no attempt to prolong the visit.

Zhen Yuanzi did not try to detain him. He stood and saw him out. "Take care, Venerable."

When they reached the temple gate, Maitreya suddenly stopped and turned back with a smile. "By the way, I hear your Ginseng Fruit will soon ripen. Might I trouble you for a fruit when the time comes?"

"The fruit comes from a spiritual root of Heaven and Earth. It goes to those with the proper affinity. If you're free then, Venerable, you're welcome to come," Zhen Yuanzi replied coolly.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Farewell!" Maitreya laughed heartily and led his followers away on their clouds, looking carefree.

Only after they had left the bounds of Longevity Mountain did Maitreya's smile slowly fade, turning grim.

"Venerable, that Zhen Yuanzi..." A Bodhisattva beside him spoke in a low voice.

"Hmph, that old fox!" Maitreya said coldly. "He must know something. There's a very good chance Tongtian is hidden in his temple! But the Earth Book keeps everything concealed. We can't find proof, so there's nothing we can do to him."

"What should we do, then?"

"Nothing to worry about." A sly glint flashed in Maitreya's eyes. "Since he admitted the Ginseng Fruit will soon ripen, that gives us an opportunity! When the fruit gathering comes, all kinds of people will arrive, making it a chaotic mix. That will be the perfect chance for us to investigate! Besides, Master has already made arrangements. He'll invite an 'old acquaintance' to come, and we'll see how Zhen Yuanzi can refuse us then!"

"An old acquaintance?"

"Heh. You'll find out when the time comes." Maitreya said no more. He looked back toward Longevity Mountain. "Tongtian, Zhen Yuanzi... I'll let you enjoy a few more peaceful days. When the fruit gathering comes, we'll see how you handle things!"

Back in Wuzhuang Temple, Zhen Yuanzi returned to the rear courtyard. Tongtian and Yun Xiao emerged from the side hall.

"The smiling tiger is gone, but he certainly won't let this go," Zhen Yuanzi said coolly. "Especially since he brought up the Ginseng Fruit Gathering. I fear that will be when he finally reveals his true intentions."

Tongtian's gaze was profound. "We'll meet whatever comes, and use whatever comes to our advantage. This fruit gathering may even give me a chance to meet a few 'old friends' again."