On the shore of a vast ocean in the Western Ox Continent, Lingxuan Dao Field lay hidden at sea, surrounded by auspicious mists and rising purple qi.
[ Ding! Your eldest disciple, Sun Wukong, has obtained the Water of the River of Forgetfulness. ]
[ Ten Billion Times Share: The host has obtained the Chaos Celestial River. ]
[ Ding! Your eldest disciple, Sun Wukong, has obtained Seeds of the Other Shore Flower, Fruit of Reincarnation, and Seeds of the Grass of Forgetfulness. ]
[ Ten Billion Times Share: The host has obtained the Supreme Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Twelve-Grade Reincarnation Purple Lotus. ]
[ Ding! Your eldest disciple, Sun Wukong, has obtained Netherworld Ghost Fire. ]
[ Ten Billion Times Share: The host has obtained the Supreme Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus. ]
[ Ding! Your eldest disciple, Sun Wukong, has obtained Seeds of the Mandara Flower and Heart of the Netherworld Lotus. ]
[ Ten Billion Times Share: The host has obtained the Supreme Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Twelve-Grade Karma Fire Red Lotus. ]
As the system's pleasant, ethereal notifications gradually faded, a sudden rumble shook the sky above Lingxuan Dao Field. Clouds roiled, and bolts of lightning streaked across the heavens.
A mighty river of silver light, the Chaos Celestial River, descended from the Ninth Heaven like the Milky Way turned upside down. It shattered the clouds and poured straight into Lingxuan Dao Field.
When the river first fell, the surrounding forests shuddered violently, and birds and beasts all crouched low, crying out.
The river shimmered beneath a haze of water vapor, its surface broad as the sea. Five-colored light swirled through its emerald waves, the red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet blending together in a dreamlike display.
Wherever its waters flowed, barren rocks and sparse vegetation turned lush in an instant. All life flourished, as spiritual herbs sprouted from the cracks in the stone and greedily absorbed the chaos energy, growing into a forest.
Even stranger, patterns of the Chaos Laws flickered across the water, appearing and vanishing. Wisps of primordial energy darted through it like swimming dragons, while the four innate elements of earth, water, wind, and fire intertwined. Faint Immortal Music accompanied the river's surging flow, echoing through heaven and earth like the Great Dao whispering.
At the center of Lingxuan Dao Field, Zhou Xuan slowly closed the book in his hands. Its title was long, its cover gaudy: After Transmigrating into the Male Lead of a Smutty Action Movie, I Fought Nineteen Men Alone, Rampaged Across the Battlefield, and Swept My Spear Through the "Enemies," Leaving Them Disarmed and Screaming—From Then On, I Lived a Life of Poverty and Plenty.
He casually tossed the book onto a jade table nearby, stretched out his arms, rose to his full height, and yawned. His joints crackled like dragons roaring and tigers growling.
Zhou Xuan first looked toward Zhao Gongming, who was sitting cross-legged in the orchard. Zhao Gongming was wrapped in golden light, his skin smooth and lustrous as jade. Faint arcs of lightning coursed over his body, while a Primordial Golden Immortal Pill revolved slowly above his spiritual platform, emitting substantial immortal energy that he absorbed completely.
Zhao Gongming's brow flickered with divine light. The energy around him ebbed and flowed like the tides, and the faint sound of the Great Dao Laws circulating could be heard. Clearly, he was only a hair's breadth away from regaining the Primordial Golden Immortal realm!
Zhou Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then looked up at the Chaos Celestial River cascading down from the distant Ninth Heaven.
The river wound through the sky like a true dragon soaring aloft, pouring down from a snow-capped mountaintop. Trees sprang back to life wherever it passed, and the mountains and rivers seemed to roar in response.
At its widest, the river stretched thousands of zhang across. Its current ran fast but not harshly, instead carrying a surging vitality that nourished all things in silence.
A breeze swept past, carrying wisps of mist. The aura of the Primordial Chaos Origin spread throughout Lingxuan Dao Field, and the air brimmed with a faint sweetness and fragrance that intoxicated the soul.
With his hands behind his back, Zhou Xuan gazed at the spiritual energy gathering into mist below him. His voice was lazy, yet tinged with pride.
"This is the Chaos Celestial River..."
He murmured quietly, as if speaking to himself.
"If a mortal merely breathes in a wisp of its mist, all their ailments will vanish. They'll feel light as a swallow and gain three hundred years of life!"
"If they sip a single drop, they'll immediately ascend to immortality and embark on the path of cultivation. But if they take too much—even one drop more—the endless power of chaos will shatter their bones and scatter their souls."
At that, the corners of his lips curved in amusement, and he chuckled.
"As for cultivators... bathing in it lets them soak in the Primordial Chaos Origin, cleanse their bodies, purify their souls, and temper themselves day and night. A hundred years of arduous cultivation can't compare to a single moment sitting in the river. The stronger they are, the longer they can stay, and the greater the benefits they'll gain. Whether they can seize the opportunity... well, that depends on their own fortune."
Before he had finished speaking, ripples stirred across the sky once more. An auspicious cloud of seven colors drifted down from the depths of the Ninth Heaven, and amid its swirling mist, three lotus flowers slowly appeared before Zhou Xuan's brow. They were crystal clear and radiated boundless spiritual light.
One was purple!
Faint traces of the Law of Reincarnation shimmered across its petals. Life and death revolved within it, and faintly, countless departed souls seemed to wail.
One was black!
It was as dark as ink. Demonic patterns glimmered faintly in its heart, while ghostly qi and killing intent emanated from it.
One was red!
Karma fire coiled over its petals. Amid the flames, endless causes and effects seemed to rise and fall, burning away the past and incinerating countless tribulations.
All three lotus flowers were Supreme Grade Innate Spirit Treasures, formed from the seeds of the Chaos Green Lotus.
The purple one was the Twelve-Grade Reincarnation Purple Lotus. It specialized in defense and could nourish the soul. Within it lay the Dao of the Law of Reincarnation, governing life and death. Empress Pingxin also had one.
The black one was the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus. It possessed powerful defenses and could absorb violent energy. During the Dao-Devil War, Demon Ancestor Luohu had used it to protect himself, rampaging across the Primordial Wilderness and swallowing all techniques without ever being destroyed. The mere mention of it had made people tremble. After Luohu fell, the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus vanished without a trace.
The red one was the Twelve-Grade Karma Fire Red Lotus. It offered both offense and defense, and could turn karmic burdens into karma fire. It could break all techniques when attacking, and protect its bearer with flames when defending. Ancestor Minghe also had one.
The three Twelve-Grade Lotus Flowers floated before him, turning slowly. Their light illuminated Zhou Xuan's face as he gazed at them and said calmly,
"The Twelve-Grade Reincarnation Purple Lotus, the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus, and the Twelve-Grade Karma Fire Red Lotus... They're all Supreme Grade Innate Spirit Treasures, and today, they've all ended up in my hands."
"Hahaha, my monkey went to the underworld once and came back with all these amazing treasures for me!"
"I wonder how much he'll gain when he gets to the Heavenly Court!"
Zhou Xuan spoke gleefully and swept his sleeve. The three lotus flowers spun together, transformed into three streaks of light, and entered his body.
At that moment, above the Thirty-three Heavens, clouds surged and immortal light swirled.
Deep within Miro Palace, it was the hour of the morning court in the Hall of Miraculous Mist.
The hall's eaves soared high, and golden pillars coiled with dragons. Above nine tiers of jade steps, the Jade Emperor Haotian sat upon his throne. He wore a black imperial robe embroidered with nine dragons, his expression solemn and imposing, his presence as unfathomable as an abyss.
The civil and military immortals below stood in two rows, holding their breath.
Suddenly, one of the Four Heavenly Masters, Perfected Qiu Hongji, stepped forward. He cupped his hands, bowed, and announced in a clear voice,
"Your Majesty, Dragon King Ao Guang of the Eastern Sea is bowing outside the Tongming Hall and requests an audience."
Before his voice had faded, the white-bearded, elegant-looking Immortal Elder Ge bowed and reported from the other side,
"Your Majesty, King Yama of the underworld is also waiting outside the hall. He wishes to meet with Your Majesty and report on a matter. I ask Your Majesty to grant him an audience."
The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea and the King of Yama of the underworld—one dragon and one man—had arrived together, as if they had planned it!
Before you continue