The Primordial World was vast and boundless. At its very center stood a pillar that had existed since the world was first created: the root of all earth, Buzhou Divine Mountain.
No one knew how high the divine mountain rose. Its summit reached beyond the Nine Heavens and their Gang Clouds, while its base descended to the end of the Nine Netherworlds and Reincarnation. It was formed from the essence of the earth, more substantial than the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil. This peerless mountain was the true manifestation of the Great Dao of Earth.
Even just approaching it, Ye Xuan could feel the peerless pressure that had existed since the creation of heaven and earth. An ordinary Grand Unity Golden Immortal would struggle to move an inch under that immense pressure. Its powerful gravity could even distort space and time, making the mountain appear to twist and preventing anyone from seeing its peak.
"Mount Buzhou..."
Looking at the divine mountain, Ye Xuan's face turned solemn. Yet as he stood there, the true seed of his Great Dao of Earth and a trace of his Great Dao of Strength resonated with it. A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.
"The mystery of a mountain doesn't lie in its height, but in its ability to bear. The ultimate expression of earth isn't its thickness, but its capacity to carry all things. That is why we speak of virtue as deep as the earth, bearing all things..."
An aura of supreme profundity rose from Ye Xuan. In that moment, he gained a trace of Pangu's true intent.
Within Pangu Temple, Daoist Houtu sensed a trace of Ye Xuan's aura coming from the divine mountain and awoke from Secluded Cultivation. A hint of delight appeared in her beautiful eyes. She went up the mountain and saw Ye Xuan, her gaze filled with astonishment.
"Fellow Daoist Jieyin has gained enlightenment again..."
Such a thing was something others could only hope for, yet it had happened to Ye Xuan again and again. After a moment's thought, Daoist Houtu set up a protective formation around him, to keep others from barging in.
A hundred years later, Ye Xuan came back to himself and saw that Daoist Houtu had been guarding him the entire time. Curiosity showed in his eyes.
"Fellow Daoist Houtu?"
At his words, Daoist Houtu gave him a respectful greeting and smiled.
"Fellow Daoist, we meet again. Have you come to Mount Buzhou to seek treasures?"
"That's one reason. I've gained some insight into the Great Dao of Earth, so I came to Mount Buzhou to study it further."
"Study the Great Dao of Earth on Mount Buzhou?"
Daoist Houtu looked even more astonished.
Countless years had passed since she came into being. She had always lived on Mount Buzhou, yet had never sensed a trace of the Great Dao of Earth there. Could it be that she was simply a mediocre talent, relying entirely on the legacy of her Father God, with no aptitude for the Great Dao of Earth?
Daoist Houtu had always been confident in Ye Xuan, and couldn't help but doubt herself.
But after a moment of reflection, she brightened again. Ye Xuan was her guest, after all, so she invited him to Pangu Temple to discuss the Dao.
Ye Xuan demurred briefly, then accepted her invitation and went with her to Pangu Temple to rest.
When the other Ancestral Witches saw Ye Xuan arrive, they looked at him with curiosity. Unlike the others, Di Jiang was the strongest of the Twelve Ancestral Witches. He could tell that Ye Xuan's physical strength was even greater than his own, and exclaimed in disbelief, "Fellow Daoist Jieyin, has your path of physical cultivation reached the Quasi-Saint Late Stage?"
Ye Xuan nodded slightly.
"Indeed."
"By a stroke of luck, I gained an opportunity, and my physical strength has reached the Quasi-Saint Late Stage."
Daoist Houtu was dumbfounded. Ye Xuan's mastery of the Great Dao of Earth had already left her in awe, and now he had reached the Realm of Quasi-Saint in physical cultivation as well. She drew in a sharp breath. "Fellow Daoist, do you have insights into the path of physical cultivation, too?"
"It was just luck. It's nothing worth mentioning!"
"When you stopped the aftershock of our battle in the West, you used the Way of Five Elements and an Innate Spiritual Treasure. But you also have a path of physical cultivation. Could there be other methods you haven't revealed?" Ancestral Witch Xuanming asked coldly. A hint of fighting spirit showed in her eyes. She was the Ancestral Witch of Ice.
Before they arrived, Houtu had already explained that Xuanming was the most combative of the Twelve Ancestral Witches. Though she was a woman, she was bold and straightforward. Usually, she was a quiet beauty as cold as ice, and she spoke just as coldly even to Houtu and the others. Ye Xuan didn't take her tone to heart and simply replied, "I do have a few methods. My Three Corpses Becoming Saint Method has already severed two corpses, and my primordial spirit has long since reached the Quasi-Saint Mid-Stage. By luck, I also developed a method of becoming a Sage, though after countless years it's still only a rough outline. It's just a few unorthodox tricks, nothing worth mentioning!"
The Twelve Ancestral Witches: "..."
Looking at Ye Xuan's regretful expression, the Twelve Ancestral Witches could only think: Is this something a person would say?
Counting the Power of Great Dao Laws, he had five paths to Sainthood. Any one of them gave him better odds of becoming a Sage than anyone present. This was practically defying heaven!
After Ye Xuan's explanation, the fighting spirit in Daoist Xuanming faded. She might enjoy fighting, but she had no taste for getting beaten up. If Ye Xuan had only reached the Quasi-Saint Late Stage in physical strength, she might still have fought him, hoping to push herself to greater heights.
But he had one method after another. If she really fought him, it would be a one-sided beating. The other Ancestral Witches could only chuckle awkwardly and look at Di Jiang.
After a moment's thought, Di Jiang spoke again. "You've come a long way, Fellow Daoist. If you only came to seek treasures on the mountain, you might be disappointed. Mount Buzhou requires Immeasurable Luck to find an Innate Spiritual Treasure, and most of the treasures here have already been taken by others. Would you be willing to stay and discuss the Dao with us?"
"We still have a few Innate Spiritual Treasures ourselves."
Back then, after Houtu returned, Di Jiang had learned that Ye Xuan had insights into the Dao Path and had wanted to meet him. Now that Ye Xuan had come, he took the opportunity to ask for his guidance.
The path of physical cultivation could also lead to Sainthood.
But among Sages, Dao Lords were the most revered, supreme above all, with a clear path ahead of them.
As Di Jiang spoke, an electronic sound rang in Ye Xuan's ear.
[Ding-dong!] [It has been detected that Daoist Di Jiang wishes the host to stay and guide the others in their Dao Paths. He has also offered an Innate Spiritual Treasure to trade. Please select one of the options below.] [Option One: Agree to the trade. You will receive a lump of Demonic Dao Origin Power.] [Option Two: Decline, explaining that your strength is insufficient and you cannot help. Complete the task to receive the true hiding place of the Ancestor Demon Rahu Inheritance.]
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