Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi Gift Treasures

Seeing him like this, Zhenyuanzi could not bear to say any more. He could only sigh to himself.

The two had kept each other company through endless ages; no one knew this close friend's nature better than he did.

Every time he was admonished, he would sincerely admit his fault—but within less than a hundred years, he would return to his old self, ever eager to help others and meddle in every affair.

Time Flies, and in the blink of an eye, several hundred years had passed...

Purple Firmament Palace stood at the heart of chaos, a place that ought to have been rife with countless calamities.

Yet, suppressed by the supreme Dao laws laid down by Hongjun, this stretch of void showed not a single terrifying phenomenon. Instead, it revealed an unnatural stillness.

As time flowed on, more and more Great Powers gathered before the palace gates, their number already exceeding several thousand.

The Great Powers who arrived later also learned of what had happened earlier through Daoist friends they knew.

Thus, the gazes the gathered Great Powers cast upon East Prince and Kunpeng carried a few shades of something unusual.

Those silent stares made the Two People feel as though Mang were pressing against their backs, deepening their hatred for Hongyun all the more.

On this day... Haotian and Yaochi were seated in meditation on either side of the palace gates, comprehending the Dao.

Suddenly, a wisp of Breeze drifted past. The two opened their eyes at once, exchanged a glance, and nodded.

"The auspicious hour has arrived..."

"Purple Firmament Palace opens!"

The clear shout rang out, and the chaos that had lain silent for so long abruptly boiled over!

Thousands of gazes converged upon the palace gates.

Under the expectant eyes of the Great Powers, the two doors, shut tight for nearly a thousand years, slowly swung open with a deep creak.

In an instant, endless Dao resonance and spiritual radiance surged forth from within, evolving into Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and the Stars of the Heavens.

Even the Great Powers, long accustomed to the wondrous sights of the Primordial World, could not help but feel their hearts and minds sway at this moment.

"Enter!" someone shouted lowly. The crowd immediately surged toward the palace gates like a tide.

At the forefront were three Daoists—one old, one robust, and one youthful. Their bearing was majestic, their Dao resonance innate. They were the Three Pure Ones.

Behind them came two young men clad in Golden Crow yellow robes, Solar True Fire faintly flickering around them. They were none other than Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi.

Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi also moved forward with the crowd, but as they neared the gates, Haotian raised a hand to stop them.

With a solemn expression, he said, "Please wait a moment, Dao Brothers."

Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi exchanged startled looks, then stopped as instructed.

The Great Powers nearby were also puzzled, but with the Primordial Chaos Great Dao before them, no one was willing to waste time lingering to watch.

Zhenyuanzi's thoughts turned slightly. Cupping his hands, he asked, "Does Saint Child have some guidance to offer?"

Haotian nodded, his gaze falling upon Hongyun. In a gentle voice, he said, "I see that Fellow Daoist is eager to help others and possesses a pure, kind heart. Thus, I have a few words for you."

Hongyun's eyes lit up. "Please speak, Daoist."

Haotian first glanced at Zhenyuanzi before slowly saying, "Within the Primordial World, all things arise with both benefit and harm."

"Fellow Daoist often performs good deeds, and will surely be sheltered by merit and favored by Heaven and Earth."

"But you must also remember..."

"The arising and passing of fate, the blooming and withering of flowers—all have their appointed time."

"Fortune and Misfortune lean upon one another; when things reach their extreme, they must turn in the opposite direction. This is the natural order."

"The arising and passing of fate, the blooming and withering of flowers... Fortune and Misfortune lean upon one another; when things reach their extreme, they must turn in the opposite direction?" Hongyun softly repeated, his brows drawing together.

Zhenyuanzi repeated the words silently in his heart as well.

Yet the meaning of those words encompassed far too much, and the two could not grasp their deeper intent for the moment.

Hongyun was broad-minded by nature. Unable to reason it out, he stopped dwelling on it.

Zhenyuanzi, however, was meticulous in thought and deeply concerned for Hongyun's safety. Knowing that Haotian's words must carry some hidden meaning, he immediately bowed deeply. "Saint Child's words are profound. This Daoist is dull-witted and unable to penetrate their meaning."

"Could you... offer a little further guidance?"

But Haotian shook his head. "Heavenly Secrets cannot be fully revealed."

"By speaking as I did just now, I have already taken on a matter of enormous consequence. We cannot discuss it any further."

At those words, both Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi were deeply shaken.

Then the two bowed in unison. "We have been presumptuous. Many thanks, Daoist, for your guidance."

Neither of them doubted the truth of Haotian's words.

After all, he was a disciple of a Saint.

After a moment of silence, Zhenyuanzi thought urgently, then took a jade box from his Great Dao Space.

Inside lay two spiritual fruits shaped like infants, lustrous and smooth as jade.

The moment the box opened, pure spiritual qi spread through the air.

Seeing Zhenyuanzi's move, Hongyun, who had accompanied him through endless ages, immediately understood his intent and promptly took out a string of crimson bead chain from his own Great Dao Space.

Each precious bead upon it was round and lustrous like a cherry, with wisps of cloud-and-mist aura flowing within.

Zhenyuanzi presented a jade box with both hands. "Daoist, you took an enormous risk to warn us Two People, yet we have nothing with which to repay you."

"These two Ginseng Fruits shall serve as a token of our gratitude. Please, do not refuse."

Hongyun likewise respectfully offered up the bead chain. "My Elder Brother is wealthy enough to gift spirit fruits produced by a Top-grade Innate Spirit Root, but this Daoist possesses nothing of value."

"I have only this Cloud Net Soul Guarding Bead Chain, which I refined in my spare time and have carried with me for many years."

"I shall give it to you as a trinket to play with, to barely convey my sincerity."

At the sight of these two treasures, Haotian secretly rejoiced.

The Ginseng Fruit came from a Top-grade Innate Spirit Root and ranked among the Top Ten Spiritual Roots of the Primordial World.

Its preciousness needed no further words.

As for the Cloud Net Chain in Hongyun's hand, though it was an acquired magic treasure, one could tell at a glance that the materials used to forge it were extraordinary.

Moreover, having followed Hongyun for many years, it had long since absorbed his Dao rhythm. If wielded properly, its might would surely be far from ordinary.

Of course, most importantly, accepting these two treasures meant forging a bond with Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi.

Making connections with Great Powers of the Primordial World, strengthening his own influence, and thereby expanding his power—this was Haotian's true aim.

Yet although he had already decided to accept the two treasures, Haotian still had to make a token refusal for the sake of his reputation.

He deliberately put on a troubled expression. "You two Dao Brothers have misunderstood."

"The reason I spoke to warn you was because I respect your character, not because I sought a gift of thanks."

"Please take these gifts back."

Hearing Haotian say this, the straightforward Hongyun was immediately at a loss, unsure what to do.

But Zhenyuanzi replied calmly, "Daoist, those words are mistaken."

"We are offering these treasures not to settle our Karma with you."

"Rather, we admire your exceptional character in being willing to shoulder heaven-sized consequences to warn us. That is why we offer these small gifts—the purpose... is to form a good affinity with you, Daoist."

Listening to Zhenyuanzi's explanation, Hongyun's eyes immediately filled with admiration as he looked at him.

Then he hurriedly echoed his words.

Seeing this, Haotian pondered for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "Since that is the case... very well. I shall accept these two treasures and form a good affinity with you two Dao Brothers."

With that, he stored the jade box and bead chain in his own Great Dao Space.

Haotian then said seriously, "Please keep my earlier words firmly in mind."

"Opportunities to listen to the Primordial Chaos Great Dao are rare. Please enter the palace quickly, Dao Brothers."

At this, though Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi still harbored doubts, they dared not delay any longer. After offering their respects, they hurried through the gate.

Though this exchange had been somewhat lengthy, as they were all cultivators, it had ultimately taken only a few breaths.

Moreover, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi's cultivation and Origin/Foundation ranked among the foremost of the Great Powers, so when they entered the palace, they were still near the front of the Cultivators.

In less than the time it took an incense stick to burn, several thousand Great Powers had all entered the palace.

At the side of the palace gate, Yaochi, who had kept her little face taut as she pretended to be a "clay statue," finally relaxed.