Treasures Obtained

The Innate Gourd Vine shone with boundless radiance, its seven-colored treasure light shooting straight into the heavens.

The seven treasure gourds swayed violently upon the vine as though alive, impatient to break free of their restraints and seek out their respective masters!

The entire Buzhou Mountain seemed to hum faintly in resonance. The Mysterious Yellow Qi winding around its slopes began circulating faster, emitting a deep droning sound.

It was as though it were offering praise for the final maturation of this spiritual root of heaven and earth.

"The spiritual auspices are sufficient. The treasure gourds should ripen!"

Laozi held a jade-handled whisk, his voice calm and unruffled, yet carrying unquestionable authority.

His gaze swept over the seven treasure gourds, each shining differently, before finally settling upon the entirely purple-gold gourd whose Dao patterns were the most profound and mysterious.

"This gourd is fated with me."

Laozi was concise. With a single step, he appeared before the vine.

He did not immediately pluck it. He merely extended a withered finger that contained endless Dao essence and pointed from afar at the Purple-Gold Gourd.

Buzz!

The Purple-Gold Gourd drew in its radiance and instantly detached from the vine, transforming into a streak of light that obediently fell into Laozi's broad sleeve. No further phenomenon appeared.

Laozi nodded slightly and returned to his place, as though he had merely taken an ordinary object.

"Since Elder Brother has taken one, I should take one as well."

The Jade Pure Primordial Heavenly Venerate wore a stern expression, his gaze flashing like lightning as it locked onto the gourd that was entirely mysterious yellow and radiated dense Wutu Qi.

He likewise stepped forward and lightly swept his sleeve. The Mysterious Yellow Gourd then rose on its own and entered the space within his sleeve.

"Haha, my turn!"

The Upper Pure Heavens Master had a bold disposition. He laughed heartily and looked eagerly at the entirely azure-green gourd, where faint sword qi lurked.

He joined two fingers like a sword, drawing it with an invisible sword qi. The Azure-Green Gourd fell in response and was tucked into his robes.

The three legitimate heirs of Pangu, leaders of the Dao Sect, acquired their treasures with smooth, effortless movements, without the slightest trace of worldly fuss, fully displaying the bearing of Saints.

Then it was Eastern Emperor Taiyi's turn.

This emperor of the Demon Clan wore a Golden Crow imperial robe that fluttered without wind. The phantom of the Chaos Bell above his head trembled faintly, releasing a deep bell toll that suppressed time and space.

His gaze was sharp as a blade as he directly fixed upon the entirely crimson-gold gourd, which radiated an exposed edge and faintly carried an aura capable of severing all things.

"This gourd shall serve as an instrument of slaughter for my Demon Clan!"

Taiyi's voice carried innate pride as he reached out and beckoned.

The Crimson-Gold Gourd let out a clear metallic cry, becoming a dazzling golden rainbow that landed in Taiyi's hand. Golden light surged from it, its sharpness pressing upon all around it.

Old Ancestor Hongyun approached with a pleasant smile and a harmonious air. "This poor Daoist's fortune is shallow. Obtaining this treasure is already a blessing from heaven."

He had chosen the entirely crimson gourd, within which a phantom of misty red sand faintly circulated.

The Crimson Gourd seemed to sense the uniquely amicable aura around Hongyun. Its radiance softened, and it flew into Hongyun's arms of its own accord.

Finally, it was Empress Nuwa's turn.

Her lotus steps moved gently as the aura of creation circulated endlessly around her. Her tender gaze fell upon the entirely emerald gourd, which brimmed with the most vigorous vitality and seemed to contain infinite creation.

"This gourd may align with my Dao."

Nuwa lightly beckoned with her fair hand, and the Emerald Gourd, carrying rich life force, fell into her palm.

Thus, the six resplendent treasure gourds of limitless power each found their masters.

Laozi obtained the Purple-Gold Gourd (which would later hold elixirs and collect all things).

Primordial Heavenly Venerate obtained the Mysterious Yellow Gourd (which would later hold Three Lights Divine Water).

Sect Master Tongtian obtained the Azure-Green Gourd (which would later be refined into a Water-Fire Gourd or Sword Gourd).

Taiyi obtained the Crimson-Gold Gourd (which would later be refined into the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife).

Old Ancestor Hongyun obtained the Crimson Gourd (which would later be refined into the Ninety-Nine Soul-Scattering Red Gourd).

Empress Nuwa obtained the Emerald Gourd (which would later be refined into the Demon Banner).

Every one of these gourds would shine brilliantly in the future, shaking the prehistoric world and becoming renowned Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures!

The radiance upon the vine abruptly dimmed by more than half, leaving only a single gourd hanging there alone.

This gourd was a murky gray-white all over, and it was a size smaller than the other six.

Its treasure light was much weaker as well. Even the final trace of origin power transmitted by the vine seemed unable to support its complete maturation, leaving it somewhat listless.

Everyone's gazes naturally fell upon Dao Xuan.

Old Ancestor Hongyun still smiled warmly. "Little friend, it seems this last one is your destined fortune."

Dao Xuan looked at the small gray-white gourd, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Sure enough... it was this underdeveloped one.

He smiled bitterly to himself. Compared to the Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures those six big shots got, this can only barely count as high-grade—and it's defective besides... My fate really is stubborn!

Though he grumbled inwardly, even a mosquito leg was still meat, let alone something borne by an Innate Spirit Root.

Dao Xuan took a deep breath, suppressed his distracting thoughts, and stepped forward. He respectfully bowed to the vine. "This junior, Dao Xuan, thanks the spiritual root for bestowing this treasure."

He reached out and carefully plucked the gray-white gourd.

It felt faintly cool in his hand, yet smooth and warm to the touch. Though its radiance was unimpressive, it did contain a trace of Innate Chaotic Dao essence, albeit an exceedingly weak one that seemed liable to dissipate at any moment.

It barely counts as the embryo of a High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure...

Dao Xuan assessed inwardly. If I find an opportunity to nurture it in the future, it may be able to advance further.

The instant he plucked the gourd, the Innate Gourd Vine that had supported seven treasure gourds and exhausted its final vitality—

rapidly withered and dimmed at a visible speed. Its jade-like body turned dry yellow, its leaves shriveled and fell, and it resembled a candle flame in the wind, ready to turn entirely into ash at any moment.

Dao Xuan's heart abruptly skipped a beat!

A legend passed down in later generations flashed through his mind—when Nuwa created humanity, the vine she used had been transformed from this Innate Gourd Vine and was called the Human-Creating Whip!

It was a merit-bestowing sacred artifact!

Though this vine has withered, its origin has not been severed! It still has great use!

The thought flashed through Dao Xuan's mind like lightning.

Almost as an instinctive reaction!

Before anyone else could react, Dao Xuan moved with lightning speed. He suddenly reached out and grabbed the root of the withering vine!

His movements were incredibly swift. In one motion, he put it, along with the small, inconspicuous clump of soil around its roots, into his storage artifact!

The entire operation was as swift as a hare taking flight and a falcon swooping down!

The scene instantly fell silent.

The gazes of the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Hongyun, and Taiyi—the six great powers—all focused on Dao Xuan, carrying a trace of astonishment and scrutiny.

Old Ancestor Hongyun blinked, asking somewhat uncertainly, "Little friend... what are you doing...?"

Even Laozi, whose state of mind was as still as an ancient well, had an almost imperceptible flash of surprise in his eyes.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate's brows furrowed slightly, seemingly displeased and feeling that this action lacked decorum.

Sect Master Tongtian, however, became even more interested. He felt that this little grandnephew of his had quite a bit of the unconventional spirit of "interception."

The corner of Eastern Emperor Taiyi's mouth curled in an indistinct sneer. Clearly, he thought Dao Xuan was collecting trash.

Only Empress Nuwa felt her heart inexplicably tremble at the instant the vine was taken away, as though she had lost some extraordinarily important destined connection intimately tied to her future Dao path!

Her delicate brows furrowed. Her clear eyes looked toward Dao Xuan with confusion and a faint sense of loss, but she ultimately said nothing.

Dao Xuan felt the pressure of those six gazes. Though his skin was not thin, his face grew somewhat hot at this moment.

He hurriedly gave everyone, especially Laozi and Nuwa, a deep bow and explained:

"Please allow this junior to explain, seniors. This junior saw that this spiritual root had exhausted its origin in birthing the treasure gourds and was about to perish. I truly could not bear it.

This vine was born upon Buzhou Mountain and inherited Pangu's legacy. Even withered, it still contains a trace of creative life force.

This junior boldly wished to put it away. Perhaps I may find a sliver of hope to keep it from completely vanishing between heaven and earth.

If this junior has acted presumptuously, I hope the seniors will forgive me!"

His words were sincere, and he had invoked Pangu's legacy and the banner of creative life force. It was reasonable enough.

Upon hearing this, the trace of surprise in Laozi's eyes turned into understanding. He nodded slightly.

"Good. All things possess spirit, and it lies within one's heart. That you hold such a thought is also fate."

With his master setting the tone, Primordial Heavenly Venerate's furrowed brows eased somewhat, and he spoke no further.

Sect Master Tongtian laughed. "Haha, this little grandnephew is quite sentimental. Not bad, not bad!"

Old Ancestor Hongyun clapped his hands. "Little friend, you have a kind heart. This is an act of benevolence."

Taiyi neither agreed nor disagreed.

Though the faint sense of loss in Empress Nuwa's heart had not fully faded, after hearing Dao Xuan's explanation and seeing Laozi approve, she nodded slightly as well. "You are thoughtful, Daoist friend."

Yet that vague, lingering tremor in her heart refused to disappear.

Dao Xuan had just breathed a sigh of relief and was about to retreat behind Laozi.

Suddenly!

He sensed an indescribably dense, gentle, and majestic aura containing infinite vitality coming from the inconspicuous clump of soil around the Gourd Vine's roots inside his storage pouch!

This aura was so unique and powerful that it far surpassed any spiritual soil he had encountered before!

He sent his consciousness into the storage pouch and was so shocked that he nearly cried out!

The clump of dirt around the vine roots, originally dull and gray, was now emitting gentle, soft nine-colored radiance!

The soil was fine as ointment and squirmed faintly as though alive, giving off a supreme earth-element origin aura capable of bearing all things and nurturing all life!

This... this is... Nine Heavens Breathing Soil?!

Dao Xuan roared inwardly, so excited that he nearly jumped on the spot!

It was said to be the foremost divine soil of the prehistoric world, a supreme treasure indispensable to both Nuwa's creation of humanity and Yu the Great's flood control!

It contained immeasurable creative life force. A single grain could become a mountain, while a handful could fill the Four Seas! It was a truly priceless treasure!

It was countless times more precious than that immature gourd!

He forcibly suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart and tried to maintain a calm expression. Yet the wild joy and excitement in his eyes could not be hidden, and the corners of his mouth nearly stretched to his ears.

Naturally, the great powers present did not miss this change in his expression.

Old Ancestor Hongyun was the most curious and could not help asking, "Little friend, what has made you so happy? Could there be some mystery in that vine's roots?"

Dao Xuan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself, but his voice still carried a trace of excitement. "In reply to Senior Hongyun, this junior... this junior found a small clump of soil beneath the vine's roots. It seems... it seems somewhat extraordinary."

He did not dare state its name outright, lest it invite unnecessary trouble.

"Oh?" Laozi's gaze shifted slightly as his divine sense swept across Dao Xuan's body, mainly toward the storage pouch.

Given his cultivation, he instantly sensed the unique creative origin aura of Nine Heavens Breathing Soil leaking through the gaps in the storage pouch!

Even Laozi, with his detached temperament, showed genuine surprise before it turned into a pleased smile.

"It is actually Nine Heavens Breathing Soil? This is a divine artifact of prehistoric creation, the foundation that bears all things, containing immeasurable life force.

Your destined fortune is indeed extraordinarily profound."

"Nine Heavens Breathing Soil?!" Old Ancestor Hongyun cried out, his face full of disbelief.

Empress Nuwa's delicate body trembled slightly. Brilliant light flickered in her beautiful eyes as she looked at Dao Xuan with a complicated expression.

She cultivated the Dao of creation, and her perception of Nine Heavens Breathing Soil was the strongest. This object held extraordinary significance for her!

The tremor in her heart instantly found its source!

So the feeling brought by the lost vine had been here all along!

Sect Master Tongtian clapped his hands and laughed loudly. "Haha! Good lad! You picked up a 'broken gourd,' yet found a piece of real gold! Even I envy this luck!"

A trace of surprise also flashed through Primordial Heavenly Venerate's eyes. He reassessed Dao Xuan and nodded faintly, acknowledging this stroke of fortune.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi raised his brows slightly. For the first time, the way he looked at Dao Xuan held a degree of seriousness, though there was even more scrutiny.

Even the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court treasury possessed no Nine Heavens Breathing Soil!

"Congratulations, little friend!" Hongyun, Tongtian, and Nuwa all spoke in congratulations, their tones much more sincere.

Dao Xuan hurriedly bowed in return, his smile radiant. "Thank you, seniors! This junior was merely fortunate, all thanks to my master's blessings and protection!" He took the opportunity to flatter Laozi.

Laozi stroked his beard and smiled, evidently quite pleased with Dao Xuan's response and this unexpected gain.

This child possessed abundant fortune and profound destined connections. He was indeed worthy of cultivation, and the position of chief disciple was well deserved.

With the great figure Laozi at his side, Dao Xuan felt completely at ease. He knew that the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil was now firmly his, and no one would dare entertain any improper thoughts.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, everyone's attitude toward Dao Xuan, the newly appointed chief disciple of the Supreme Pure, became noticeably more cordial.

Old Ancestor Hongyun smiled. "Today, the treasure gourds have each found their masters, and Fellow Daoist Supreme Pure has gained an excellent disciple. This is truly a grand event for the prehistoric world. This poor Daoist has a furnace of pills nearing completion in his cave abode, so I shall take my leave first."

Empress Nuwa also said, "I must return to Phoenix Perch Mountain to contemplate creation. Fellow Daoists, until we meet again."

Before leaving, she gave Dao Xuan another deep look, her gaze meaningful.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi was the most direct. He gave the Three Pure Ones a slight cupped-fist salute. "Three Daoist brothers, farewell."

With that, he transformed into a golden rainbow, carrying the phantom of the Chaos Bell as he tore through the air and departed.

Hongyun and Nuwa also each mounted auspicious clouds and drifted away.

In the blink of an eye, only the Three Pure Ones and Dao Xuan remained atop the cliff.

Laozi looked at Dao Xuan, his voice gentle. "Disciple, return to Kunlun with your master."

"Yes, Master!" Dao Xuan answered respectfully, his heart full of anticipation.

Kunlun Mountain, the sacred Dao grounds of Saints—he was finally going to set foot there!

Sect Master Tongtian laughed. "Elder Brother has accepted an excellent disciple. Congratulations! Let us quickly return to Kunlun so our grandnephew may witness the splendor of our Dao grounds!"

Primordial Heavenly Venerate also said, "Good."

Laozi nodded slightly and gently waved the jade-handled whisk in his hand.

In an instant, a stream of clear light descended from the ninth heaven, transforming into a white jade golden bridge that spanned hundreds of millions of miles. One end rested upon the cliff of Buzhou Mountain, while the other vanished into the northwestern void!

"Go."

Laozi stepped onto the golden bridge first.

Dao Xuan followed closely behind, while Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian stepped onto it as well.

The golden bridge shimmered as it carried the four of them, ignoring the distance of space and vanishing into the vast horizon in an instant.

The wind on Buzhou Mountain continued to howl. On the cliff, only a small shallow pit remained where the vine had rooted, bearing witness to the distribution of spiritual treasures and the beginning of a master-disciple bond that would shake the future prehistoric world.

The golden bridge stretched across the sky, crossing the boundless prehistoric world.

Standing upon it, Dao Xuan felt as steady as if he stood upon a mountain. The scenery around him rapidly receded, becoming blurred streaks of light and shadow.

Gale winds, turbulent currents, and spatial folds were all smoothed by the clear light radiating from the golden bridge, making the journey feel as easy as walking on level ground.

In only a short while, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

Behold:

Misty clouds gathered into auspicious haze, while sun and moon cast forth blessed light.

Ancient cypresses stood verdant amid mountain mists, blending with the autumn waters and vast sky;

Wildflowers glowed crimson beside the morning glow, blooming alongside jade peaches and vermilion apricots.

Colors whirled and coiled, as the radiant virtue of the Dao flew through purple mist;

Fragrant smoke drifted ethereally, all exhaling pure fragrance from the Innate Limitless.

Immortal peaches and spirit fruits, each one seeming like a golden pill;

Green poplars and willows, every branch like a strand of jade.

At times, yellow cranes cried from the marshes; at every turn, blue luans soared and danced.

Not a trace of mortal dust remained—truly a blessed land and sacred realm;

Azure mist blanketed the heavens, a genuine immortal homeland within a heavenly grotto.

This was the ancestor of all mountains, the sacred land of immortals—Kunlun Mountain!

The golden bridge descended onto an enormous White Jade Plaza before the mountain.

At the far end of the plaza stood an ancient yet magnificent Daoist palace. Three characters, naturally imbued with the Dao, were inscribed upon its plaque—Jade Pure Palace!

This was the sacred ground of Primordial Heavenly Venerate.

Deep within the Kunlun Mountain range, two other palaces of boundless grandeur faced each other from afar. One was tranquil and detached, where Purple Qi Comes from the East—it was Laozi's Taiqing Palace;

The other pierced the heavens with sword qi and brimmed with vitality—it was Sect Master Tongtian's Shangqing Palace.

The sacred grounds of the Three Pure Ones stood like three legs of a tripod, jointly supporting the holy realm of Kunlun!

"Disciple, this is Kunlun."

Dao Xuan gazed upon the immortal splendor before him and felt Innate Spiritual Energy even purer and richer than that of Buzhou Mountain, yet incomparably gentle. He was overwhelmed with shock.

"Disciple... disciple..." For a moment, he did not know how to describe it.

Sect Master Tongtian laughed. "Haha, little martial nephew, there will be plenty of time to look around later. First, follow your master to Taiqing Palace and get settled."

Laozi said to Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian, "Second Brother, Third Brother, I shall take my disciple back to the palace first."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate and Sect Master Tongtian nodded.

With a sweep of Laozi's sleeve, a gentle clear light wrapped around Dao Xuan.

The next moment, the two had arrived in another tranquil place.

Behold:

The pine-covered slopes were cool and serene, the bamboo paths quiet and secluded.

White cranes passed to escort drifting clouds, while monkeys above and below occasionally offered fruit.

Before the gate, the pond was broad and tree shadows long; split stones bore scattered moss flowers.

The palaces rose in lofty violet grandeur, while pavilions drifted amid falling crimson clouds.

Truly, it was a blessed land and spiritual domain, a cloud grotto of Penglai.

With few worldly affairs, the Dao heart arose in stillness.

An ancient Daoist palace stood within. It lacked the grandeur and majesty of Jade Void Palace, yet possessed an even greater air of returning to simplicity, its Dao essence naturally formed.

There was no plaque above the palace gates, yet the Dao essence of "Taiqing" flowed naturally around them. This was Laozi's place of quiet cultivation—Taiqing Palace!

The palace gates opened soundlessly. Auspicious clouds arose on their own, and blessed qi condensed into spirit. No attendant boys stood waiting; all was tranquil and effortless.

Laozi led Dao Xuan into the palace. Its furnishings were extremely simple: a meditation cushion, a pill furnace, and a Cloud Bed. Yet everywhere carried the flavor of the Great Dao's utmost simplicity.

"Since you have entered my school, you must understand my Dao."

Laozi settled onto the Cloud Bed, his voice calm. "My Dao is called 'non-action,' and it is called 'naturalness.' The highest goodness is like water. Water benefits all things without contention. It dwells where others disdain, and thus comes close to the Dao..."

Laozi began explaining the foundations of the Taiqing Great Dao to Dao Xuan. Every word was a precious gem, containing the ultimate principles of heaven and earth.

Dao Xuan held his breath and focused his mind, sitting cross-legged upon the meditation cushion as he listened intently.

Within his primordial spirit, the Dao essence he had obtained from the Enlightenment Tea Tree verified itself against the Great Dao Laozi expounded. Many cultivation bottlenecks that had troubled him in the past suddenly became clear!

The phantom of the Top Three Flowers faintly appeared above his head, while the five qi circulated without rest. His perfected True Immortal realm showed faint signs of loosening!

When Laozi taught the Dao, no phenomena appeared, yet it was like spring wind and rain, nourishing all things soundlessly as it quietly nurtured Dao Xuan's Dao foundation and primordial spirit.

After an unknown length of time, Laozi stopped teaching.

"You have only just entered the gate, and your foundation still requires tempering. This is the fundamental method of the Taiqing Immortal Art, along with the body-refining method of the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique. Cultivate them diligently."

Laozi pointed a finger, and two streams of clear light entered Dao Xuan's brow.

Vast and profound scriptures instantly imprinted themselves deep within Dao Xuan's Sea of Consciousness.

"Thank you, Master, for transmitting the method!"

Dao Xuan bowed in gratitude, deeply excited. This was a fundamental cultivation art personally passed down by a Saint!

"Behind the palace are Quiet Rooms and pill chambers. Choose one yourself for secluded cultivation." Laozi closed his eyes. "Go."

"Yes, this disciple takes his leave." Dao Xuan respectfully withdrew from the great hall.

Outside, all was empty and still. Only the Clear Wind brushed through the pines and bamboo, carrying waves of fresh vegetation qi.

Dao Xuan took a deep breath of Kunlun's immortal qi and immediately felt refreshed in spirit, his mind clear and bright.

He looked back at the tightly shut palace doors, his heart filled with gratitude and resolve.

Kunlun Mountain, Taiqing Palace, the chief disciple of Taiqing!

Only now had his path through the primordial world truly stepped onto the stairway to heaven!