Heading to Wuzhuang Temple

Compared to how they themselves had secretly schemed and set their auras against one another over a single high-grade Innate Spiritual Object, the Great Powers could not help but feel an indescribably complex emotion well up within their hearts.

At this moment, however, Haotian had no time to concern himself with what others were thinking.

He could clearly sense that, under the unique power of rules possessed by the Treasure Dropping Gold Coin, the Purple-Black Gourd's process of "self-destruction"—caused by its insufficient origin yet forced emergence into the world—had been forcibly halted.

The gourd and its mother vine had returned to a tranquil state akin to deep slumber, their final thread of fundamental vitality preserved.

"As expected... the Great Dao has fifty, Heaven unfolds forty-nine, and one slips away."

"This Purple-Black Gourd is not wholly without a path to survival. It is only that this sliver of vitality is far too obscure, beyond the reach of ordinary methods," Haotian realized inwardly.

Forcibly "sealing" the spiritual consciousness of a Top-grade Innate Spirit Root—aside from Saint Hongjun, who stood high beyond the heavens, perhaps throughout the entire Primordial Wilderness, only Haotian, who possessed a peculiar rules-based spiritual treasure like the Treasure Dropping Gold Coin as well as memories of the future, could accomplish such a thing.

Seeing the aura of the gourd vine and Purple-Black Gourd stabilize, Haotian's heart settled. He immediately summoned the Pure Glazed Bottle.

Tilting its mouth slightly, he released a gentle yet irresistible suction force, drawing the Innate Gourd Vine—and the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil beneath it, an innate divine soil radiating a dense, weighty innate aura—into the bottle together.

There was no Three Lights Divine Water in the Pure Glazed Bottle at present, but it contained sweet dew spirit fluid that had naturally accumulated over the years. It would be enough to temporarily nourish the gourd vine and ease its loss of vital energy.

Seeing that Haotian had truly preserved the spiritual object destined to perish, the Great Powers were shaken anew.

In but a few moments, Haotian had astonished the Great Powers three times.

His methods, temperament, and foundations had stirred waves in the hearts of the Great Powers present. Never again would they dare underestimate him in the slightest because of his cultivation.

"Dao Brothers, all matters here have now concluded, and each has obtained his destined fortune. This Daoist shall take his leave first." Haotian put away the Pure Glazed Bottle and prepared to bid them farewell with cupped hands.

He was still thinking of heading to Zhongnan Mountain to seek the Wind Lightning Immortal Apricot.

Unexpectedly, Zhenyuanzi stepped forward with a sincere smile and invited him with cupped hands. "Daoist Haotian, if you have no urgent business, would you honor this Daoist by visiting my humble temple on this desolate mountain for a brief stay?"

"The three of us can brew a pot of fresh tea and discuss the Great Dao together. Would that not be wonderful?"

At this, the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and Fuxi merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment before transforming into clear light or rosy mists and departing in their separate directions.

After Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi exchanged a glance, Solar True Fire surged around them as they abruptly fled into the distance.

Yet hesitation arose in Haotian's heart.

His entry into the Primordial Wilderness this time had three primary objectives.

First, to acquire the gourd vine; second, to collect the newly produced spirit tea from Mount Wuyi; and third, to travel to Zhongnan Mountain in search of the Wind Lightning Immortal Apricot.

Of these, the gourd vine was the most important.

It concerned whether Haotian could smoothly extend his influence into the Human Race in the future, and whether he could use the Human Race to influence Fuxi and persuade Nuwa to help him remold his aptitude and innate physique.

Second in importance was the Wind Lightning Immortal Apricot.

This Treasure was likewise a Top-grade Innate Spirit Root.

Consuming its fruit could improve one's aptitude, while refining its roots could greatly increase one's fortune...

After weighing the matter for a moment, Haotian reached a decision.

He decided to accept Zhenyuanzi's invitation.

First, because the time for the Wind Lightning Immortal Apricot's emergence was still far off, so delaying it posed no problem.

Second, because Zhenyuanzi was also connected to one of Haotian's important plans.

If Haotian wished to completely control the Three Realms and Six Paths in the future, he had to obtain the Earth Book in Zhenyuanzi's possession—a treasure formed from the Earth Fetal Membrane, capable of regulating Mountains and Earth Veins and controlling the authority of the earth.

Yet obtaining this treasure, which Zhenyuanzi regarded almost as his own life, would be anything but easy.

Only by establishing profound trust and friendship with him would there be even a sliver of hope.

This invitation was precisely an excellent opportunity to deepen their bond.

The weighing of gains and losses took but an instant.

The smile on Haotian's face grew brighter. Returning the gesture with cupped hands, he readily agreed, "Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan's gracious invitation is so heartfelt—how could this Daoist refuse?"

"During the previous discussion of the Dao at Purple Firmament Palace, I benefited immensely from hearing Fellow Daoist expound upon the Dao of the earth's profound virtue. There are still many points I do not understand, and I wish to seek Fellow Daoist's guidance."

"Then I shall impose upon you!"

Seeing Haotian agree so readily, Zhenyuanzi laughed heartily. "It is this Daoist's fortune that Daoist is willing to grace us with your presence. How can it be called an imposition?"

"Daoist, please follow me!" With that, he swept his large sleeve, and Auspicious Clouds arose beneath his feet as he prepared to lead the way toward Longevity Mountain.

Hongyun, standing nearby, was also all smiles, clearly delighted to see his old friend form a bond with Haotian.

The three then mounted their cloud lights and traveled together toward the Western Continent.

Since he was traveling alongside Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, Haotian naturally could not use the Purple Firmament Token to hurry on his way.

Moreover, he was presently only at the Golden Immortal Mid-stage, and his escape speed was far inferior to that of the two Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals.

Thus, to accommodate him, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun could only slow their pace to an extreme.

Even so, after the three traveled together for several thousand years, they had yet to completely leave the territory of Buzhou Mountain.

Seeing time slip away in vain, Haotian felt helpless and could only take the initiative to speak. "You two Dao Brothers, This Daoist's cultivation is shallow and my escape speed is slow, delaying your journey."

"How about... you two Dao Brothers take me along, so we do not tarry for too long?"

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun quietly let out a breath of relief.

Upon hearing those words, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun exchanged a glance, both showing expressions of having a weight lifted from their hearts.

Zhenyuanzi said frankly, "To be honest with you, Daoist, This Daoist had long intended to do so, but feared Daoist might find it embarrassing, and thus did not dare bring it up rashly."

"Since Daoist has mentioned it of your own accord, let us travel together at once."

Immediately, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi moved to Haotian's left and right, gently supporting his arms.

The next instant, the power of the two Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals stirred slightly. The Dao rhythm around them resonated with the Space Law, and the figures of all three suddenly blurred as they directly tore through the stable space of the Primordial Wilderness before them, carrying out a long-distance teleportation!

Their speed was not merely tens of millions of times faster than before!

Streams of light flashed past, and who knew how many more years went by...

One day, after crossing endless Cloud Seas, mountains, and rivers, an Immortal Mountain blessed with spiritual beauty and overflowing with Dao rhythm came into the sight of the three.

Within the mountain, Spirit Deer carried sacred ganoderma in their mouths, immortal cranes wheeled and danced, spiritual springs chimed like jade chimes, and strange flowers and exotic herbs carpeted the ground. Rosy light and spiritual energy intertwined into a hazy mist, while a hundred birds sang in clear, winding melodies—a sacred realm of immortals.

It was none other than Longevity Mountain!

This mountain stood at the border between the eastern and western continents of the Primordial Wilderness.

It was the hub where the endless dragon energy of the Earth Veins from the two great regions converged and flowed, granting it an extraordinary status.

Zhenyuanzi took the initiative to introduce it. "Daoist, this is This Daoist's place of quiet cultivation—Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain."

"It is but a rustic mountain retreat, unable to compare to the sacred realm of Purple Cloud. I hope Daoist will not disdain it."

Hongyun smiled and chimed in from the side. "Daoist, my Elder Brother's Dao Field is far from simple. In the Mountain lies a most remarkable treasure!"

Haotian understood inwardly, yet still feigned curiosity and asked doubtfully, "Could Fellow Daoist be referring to the Ginseng Fruit that Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi gave This Daoist last time?"

Hongyun nodded with a smile. "Precisely—the Ginseng Fruit!"