Golden Ao Island, the Sage's sacred ground, floated above the East Sea.
Four streaks of light pierced the clouds and descended onto the White Jade Square on the island's outskirts.
Ye Xuan looked up. The entire island was shrouded in purple mist, with towering sacred mountains. Countless cranes and other spiritual birds flew among the clouds, their cries clear and melodious.
From time to time, powerful cultivators rode their Magic Treasures between the mountains, either traveling in groups of three or five or discussing and testing their Dao.
"This is Golden Ao Island, the ancestral home of the Interception Sect."
Yun Xiao Fairy smiled as she introduced the place to Ye Xuan.
"Ten thousand immortals paying homage—it truly lives up to its reputation." Ye Xuan marveled. Even in the Primordial Wilderness, such a grand display of an immortal realm was one of a kind.
Before the group had even found their footing,
"Hahaha! My three sisters, you're finally back!"
A hearty, thunderous laugh rang out from afar.
A majestic Black Tiger came galloping toward them on a gust of demonic wind, carrying a Dark-faced Man on its back.
The man had a thick beard and wore a white robe. His whole body radiated the formidable aura of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
He was none other than Zhao Gongming, the senior disciple among the Interception Sect's outer disciples.
The Black Tiger stopped before them. Zhao Gongming leaped down and glanced over the Three Fairies. Only after confirming that they were safe did he finally relax.
Then his sharp, lightning-bright eyes fell on Ye Xuan.
"And who might this young fellow be?"
Zhao Gongming raised an eyebrow slightly. He could sense the unique, powerful aura about Ye Xuan. Though Ye Xuan was only in the Golden Immortal Realm, the sheer vitality of his flesh and blood was enough to make even Zhao Gongming take notice.
Bixiao hurried forward with a grin and linked her arm through Zhao Gongming's.
"Elder Brother, let me introduce you. This is Daoist Ye, Ye Xuan."
"He's the current Human Emperor! Not only does he bear great merit, he also saved us once in the East Sea!"
Bixiao didn't mention Penglai Immortal Island or the Yellow Middle Plum at all.
The four of them had already sworn a Dao Oath before Heaven. Not a fifth person could learn of the matter, or they would all be burdened by Great Karma.
"Oh? The Human Emperor?"
A flash of light gleamed in Zhao Gongming's eyes. Then he burst into laughter and strode over to clap Ye Xuan on the shoulder.
"Hahaha! So you're the Human Emperor, Daoist Ye! I've heard so much about you!"
"I've long heard that the human race had produced an extraordinary figure. I never thought I'd meet you in person today. Thank you for looking after my three good-for-nothing sisters!"
The slap from Zhao Gongming's fan-sized hand made Ye Xuan's shoulder tremble slightly, but he kept a modest smile on his face.
"You're too kind, Daoist Zhao."
Ye Xuan cupped his hands. "Actually, the three fairies have looked after me a great deal. If they hadn't shown me the way, I'd never have had the chance to see the wonders of Golden Ao Island."
"Ah, don't call me Daoist Zhao. That's far too formal!"
Zhao Gongming waved his hand, his nature exceedingly generous.
"If you're my sisters' friend, you're a friend of mine too! Just call me Big Brother Zhao!"
"Come on, come on! Meeting today must be fate. Let's head to my cave and have a good drink together!"
As he spoke, Zhao Gongming didn't wait to see whether Ye Xuan agreed. He took him by the arm and led him into the island.
Ye Xuan was won over by his enthusiasm and didn't refuse.
Zhao Gongming's cave was located atop a mountain rich in spiritual energy.
They sat together around a stone table.
Zhao Gongming took several jars of immortal wine that had been sealed away for ages from his storage pouch and knocked off the mud seals. The rich fragrance of wine filled the air.
"Come on, little brother Ye! This is my treasured Drunken Immortal Brew. I wouldn't bring it out for just anyone!"
Zhao Gongming filled a bowl for Ye Xuan.
Ye Xuan didn't hold back either. With a sweep of his sleeve, he took the flesh of the Red Dragon King he had hunted earlier from the System Space.
He flicked a finger, and Vermilion Bird Divine Fire flared to life. In moments, a platter of fragrant roast Dragon Meat sat on the table.
"Good wine deserves good meat."
Ye Xuan smiled. "Big Brother Zhao, this is the flesh of a True Dragon in the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm. It should taste all right. Give it a try?"
"Dragon Meat from a Grand Unity Golden Immortal?"
Zhao Gongming's eyes lit up. He picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth. After chewing a few times, he couldn't stop praising it.
"Excellent! What a bite! The meat is firm and packed with the Dragon Race's origin. It's truly nourishing!"
"Little brother Ye, you've really outdone yourself!"
The two drank and exchanged toasts, quickly growing familiar with each other.
The Three Xiāo Fairies kept them company, occasionally bantering and joking. The atmosphere was lively and warm.
After a few rounds,
Zhao Gongming found himself liking Ye Xuan more and more.
Though Ye Xuan was young, he was an engaging conversationalist and forthright, without a trace of scheming. He was exactly Zhao Gongming's kind of person.
"Little brother Ye."
Zhao Gongming set down his wine bowl and suddenly reached out into the air.
A divine sword wreathed in azure light appeared in his hand, its blade engraved with the pattern of seven stars.
"This is our first meeting, and as your big brother, I don't have much to give you."
"This Seven Star Dragon Abyss Sword is a top-grade Houtian Spirit Treasure. It was forged with seven ancient stars and the bones of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal-level dragon. It can't compare to an innate treasure, but it's still quite sharp. Take it to protect yourself!"
As he spoke, he tried to push the sword into Ye Xuan's arms.
Ye Xuan was taken aback and couldn't help but laugh wryly.
Was this the legendary Zhao Gongming, so rich he was practically dripping with wealth? He was giving away a top-grade Spirit Treasure at their first meeting?
"Big Brother Zhao, this is far too valuable. I can't accept it." Ye Xuan hurriedly tried to refuse.
"What do you mean, too valuable? Are you looking down on your big brother?" Zhao Gongming glared and pretended to be angry. "Take it since I'm giving it to you! It's just a broken sword. I have plenty more!"
Yun Xiao smiled and urged him as well. "Daoist Ye, accept it. Elder Brother has always been like this. If you refuse, he'll only be unhappy."
Bixiao chimed in, "That's right! Elder Brother is famous for being wealthy. This is barely a drop in the bucket for him!"
Ye Xuan had no choice but to cup his hands and accept it.
"In that case, thank you, Big Brother Zhao."
Now that he had received a gift, it was only proper to return the favor.
Ye Xuan pondered briefly, then turned his hand over. The jade box containing the sealed Yellow Middle Plum appeared on the table.
"Big Brother Zhao, they say it's impolite not to return a gift."
"I have something here for you too. I hope you won't think it's too humble."
Zhao Gongming looked at the jade box curiously. "Oh? What's inside?"
He didn't think Ye Xuan could produce anything to rival a top-grade Spirit Treasure. After all, the human race's foundations were still shallow.
However,
the instant Ye Xuan opened the jade box,
an incredibly dense aura of Chaos Origin filled the entire cave.
A crystal-clear fruit engraved with Dao Patterns lay quietly inside.
"Clatter."
The wine bowl fell from Zhao Gongming's hand and shattered on the ground.
His tiger eyes widened as he stared fixedly at the fruit. His breathing instantly grew as heavy as an ox's.
"This... This is..."
"The Yellow Middle Plum?!"
As the Interception Sect's senior disciple, he had naturally heard of this Innate Spiritual Root.
But this was a Divine Object of legend, one rarely seen even once in tens of thousands of years.
"Exactly."
Ye Xuan's expression was calm. "I came by it through a fortunate coincidence while traveling the East Sea. This one is for you, Big Brother Zhao. May it help you achieve Grand Unity perfection sooner."
Zhao Gongming abruptly looked up at Ye Xuan, shock and conflicting emotions filling his eyes.
A fruit from an Innate Spiritual Root!
Even a hundred top-grade Houtian Spirit Treasures couldn't match its value!
"Little brother, this... This is far too precious!"
Zhao Gongming waved his hands repeatedly, trying to refuse. "This is the foundation of the Dao! I can't accept it!"
"Elder Brother, take it."
Yun Xiao spoke then, her tone gentle yet firm. "This is a shared opportunity for all of us. Since Daoist Ye is offering it willingly, wouldn't it be rather distant of you to refuse?"
Zhao Gongming looked at Yun Xiao, then at Ye Xuan.
He took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
"Very well!"
"Since we're brothers, I won't stand on ceremony!"
Zhao Gongming took the jade box and put it away carefully.
Then he rose to his feet and fixed his bright gaze on Ye Xuan.
"Little brother Ye, from this day forward, you're my sworn brother!"
"If anyone in the Primordial Wilderness dares to bully you, come to me! I may not be much to speak of, but I'll risk my life to get you justice!"
His words rang with conviction, clearly coming straight from the heart.
Hearing them, Ye Xuan felt a warmth in his own heart.
He blinked, then suddenly smiled. "What if Yun Xiao Fairy and her sisters bully me?"
"Uh..."
Zhao Gongming froze. He glanced at his three smiling sisters beside him, his face reddening as he struggled to find an answer.
Help his brother beat up his sisters? Of course not.
Help his sisters beat up his brother? That wouldn't be honorable either.
It was a question that could get him killed either way!
"Heh."
Bixiao gave a soft snort and raised her chin, pouting playfully. "Hmph! Daoist Ye, don't tease us. We'd never bully you!"
"Exactly. We sisters care about you too much for that." Qiong Xiao even made a rare joke.
Yun Xiao shook her head helplessly, her beautiful eyes full of laughter.
Seeing them, everyone burst into laughter, and the cave filled with cheerful voices and laughter.
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