Distribution of Treasures

Seeing that the violet qi had been distributed and the bonds of master and disciples settled, Dao Ancestor Hongjun no longer paid heed to the undercurrents below.

His gaze shifted to Laozi, and he lightly flicked his sleeve again.

A scroll intertwined in black and white, with yin and yang flowing through it as though it contained the ultimate principles of cosmic birth and death, flew from his sleeve and slowly descended toward Laozi.

As the scroll unfurled, the Taiji Two Modes, Four Symbols, and Eight Trigrams all lay within it, evolving endless profound mysteries!

"This is a Primordial Supreme Treasure, the Taiji Diagram."

"It can stabilize Earth Water Fire Wind, suppress the Primordial World, and evolve the mysteries of the Heavenly Dao."

"I bestow it upon you. Take charge of the Mystic Sect and safeguard its lineage."

At last, a trace of solemnity appeared on Laozi's placid face. He respectfully accepted the Taiji Diagram with both hands.

The moment the scroll landed in his hands, it transformed into a stream of light and entered his primordial spirit, shining in harmony with the Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda and the Primordial Violet Qi. His Dao aura became even more unfathomable.

"This disciple Laozi thanks Master for bestowing this treasure!"

Laozi bowed deeply.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun turned his gaze toward Primordial Heavenly Venerate.

Another banner-shaped shadow flew forth.

The instant this banner appeared, it emitted a terrifying aura capable of tearing apart chaos and shattering all laws!

The banner was the color of chaos, and the phantom of Pangu's Heaven and Earth Creation flickered across its surface. It seemed capable of commanding the heavens and ruling over myriad laws!

"This is a Primordial Supreme Treasure, the Pangu Banner."

"It was formed from the blade of Pangu's axe. It can break chaos, create Heaven and Earth, and evolve the Dao of the Limitless."

"I bestow it upon you. Take charge of the great sect and expound the Heavenly Dao."

A sharp gleam burst from Primordial Heavenly Venerate's eyes, and his imposing aura intensified. He accepted the Pangu Banner with both hands.

The Pangu Banner transformed into Chaos Qi and merged into his auspicious cloud, becoming one with the Pangu Banner phantom as its power surged.

"This disciple Yuanshi thanks Master for this generous gift!"

Primordial Heavenly Venerate's voice carried excitement.

Finally, Dao Ancestor Hongjun looked toward Sect Master Tongtian.

"Tongtian."

"This disciple is here!"

Battle intent blazed in Sect Master Tongtian's eyes.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not take out a single Dharma treasure. Instead, he spread his sleeve. "Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!" Four earth-shaking sword cries rang throughout the Purple Firmament Palace!

Four ancient swords, carrying boundless killing intent from execution, slaying, trapping, and annihilation, shot through the air!

One was entirely crimson, brimming with murderous intent!

One was black as ink, deathly still and utterly annihilating! One was deep, shadowy blue, capable of trapping all things!

One was bleak grayish-white, extinguishing all life!

They were the Four Swords of Execution: the Immortal Execution Sword, Immortal Slaying Sword, Immortal Trapping Sword, and Immortal Annihilation Sword!

The moment the four swords emerged, the temperature throughout the Purple Firmament Palace seemed to plummet. Chilling sword qi filled the air, making many great powers feel stinging pain on their skin and tremors in their primordial spirits!

A formation diagram followed close behind. Sword qi crisscrossed its surface, evolving into a terrifying sword formation that was neither living nor dead, filled with limitless killing intent! "These are the Four Swords of Execution and their formation diagram."

"When the four swords form an array, they are neither bronze nor iron, nor are they steel; once hidden beneath Mount Meru. Without refining them through inverted yin and yang, how could water and fire temper their sharpness?"

"Immortal Execution is sharp, Immortal Slaying means death, Immortal Trapping causes red light everywhere. Immortal Annihilation's changes are infinitely wondrous; even Great Luo Immortals shall have their robes stained in blood!"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's voice was indifferent, yet it revealed the terror of this formation.

"Once this formation is deployed, it cannot be broken unless four Saints gather!"

Boom!

Those words were like thunder, exploding in everyone's hearts!

It could not be broken without four Saints gathered?!

What kind of heaven-defying killing treasure was this?!

It was simply the greatest vicious formation of the Primordial World!

An unprecedented radiance burst from Sect Master Tongtian's eyes. His heroic spirit soared to the heavens as he laughed loudly.

"Good! What a formation that cannot be broken without four Saints!

It perfectly suits the Dao of our Severing Sect—seizing a single thread of life!

This disciple Tongtian thanks Master for bestowing such a precious treasure!"

With a sweep of his hand, the Four Swords of Execution and the formation diagram transformed into four streams of heaven-shaking sword light and merged into his auspicious cloud. The Green Ping Sword also let out a joyful cry, its sword qi piercing the sky with unstoppable sharpness!

Dao Ancestor Hongjun turned his gaze toward Empress Nuwa.

"Nuwa."

"This disciple is here." Empress Nuwa stepped forward.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun took out two treasures.

One was a painting scroll. When unfurled, Mountains and Rivers, State Treasury, and all living things lay within it, while its aura of creation was so dense it nearly seemed to drip like water.

The other was a crimson embroidered ball covered in golden patterns, emitting an aura of marriage, creation, and enduring blessings.

"This is a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the River Diagram of Mountains and Rivers."

"It contains the Mountains and Rivers, State Treasury of the Primordial World, with boundless creation within. It can trap enemies, protect its wielder, and evolve the Dao."

"This is a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Red Embroidered Ball."

"It governs the three marriages of Heaven, Earth, and humanity, along with marital destiny, creation, and enduring blessings. It may also be used to attack enemies."

"I bestow them upon you, so that you may perform the work of creation."

Joy appeared on Empress Nuwa's face. With a light gesture of her delicate hand, the River Diagram of Mountains and Rivers and the Red Embroidered Ball became streams of light and entered her primordial spirit. Her aura of creation became even more mysterious and unfathomable.

"This disciple Nuwa thanks Master for his grace!"

Thus, the bestowal of treasures upon the personal disciples was complete.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun fell silent, seemingly having nothing further to say.

Below, Jieyin and Zhunti watched eagerly as the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa received Primordial Supreme Treasures and Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures. Looking down at their own empty hands, the wild joy they had felt upon receiving the Primordial Violet Qi was instantly replaced by immense disappointment and resentment!

"Master!"

Daoist Zhunti reacted the fastest. He threw himself to the ground again, his voice choked with sobs. "Master, have mercy! Though the two of us are Registered Disciples, we are still members of the Mystic Sect!

The West is barren, and we possess nothing of value. How can the two of us establish a sect, pass down the Dharma, and deliver the beings of the West? We beg Master to take pity on us and bestow treasures to protect our Dao!"

Daoist Jieyin hurriedly bowed as well, the sorrow on his sallow, thin face becoming even deeper.

"Master! The West is bitter and desolate, and the Dao path of the two of us is difficult. Without treasures to protect us, we fear it will be hard to fulfill our duty of delivering the world, and we will fail Master's expectations! We beg Master to show mercy!"

The two began another tearful plea, recounting how difficult the West was and how hard their own circumstances had been.

Within the Purple Firmament Palace, many great powers' faces twitched as they fought the urge to roll their eyes.

Here they go again... These two from the West have truly taken "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" to the extreme!

Dao Xuan complained inwardly, though he secretly admired the pair's shamelessness and mental fortitude.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's brows seemed to furrow ever so slightly again.

He remained silent for a moment before ultimately sweeping his sleeve.

Two streams of treasure light flew out.

One was a weapon entirely golden in color, neither a pestle nor a mace, radiating a fierce aura capable of subduing demons, vanquishing fiends, and breaking evil obstructions.

The other was a small green banner. Lotus flowers could faintly be seen on its surface, its treasure light shining brilliantly as it emitted the Dao aura of purity, protection, and being Invulnerable to All Laws.

"This is a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Blessing Divine Pestle."

"This is a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Green Lotus Treasure Banner."

"I bestow them upon you two, to protect your Dao paths and deliver the West."

The Blessing Divine Pestle flew toward Jieyin, while the Green Lotus Treasure Banner flew toward Zhunti.

Jieyin and Zhunti hurriedly accepted them. Though they harbored some dissatisfaction that these Dharma treasures were inferior in grade to the Primordial Supreme Treasures of the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa's supreme-grade treasures, they were still better than nothing.

The two forced grateful smiles onto their faces. "This disciple Jieyin (Zhunti) kowtows in thanks for Master's treasure! Master is merciful!"

Just as everyone thought the distribution of treasures had completely ended and prepared to take their leave,

An abrupt change occurred!

"Martial Ancestor—!!!"

An incomparably miserable wail, as if its source had suffered a tremendous injustice, suddenly rang throughout the Purple Firmament Palace!

The voice was so abrupt and so tragic that it even drowned out the earlier lamentations of the two from the West!

Whoosh! Everyone instantly followed the sound with their gazes!

Behind the Three Pure Ones stood Dao Xuan, the first disciple of the Supreme Pure One, who had remained as quiet as a quail all this time!

Yet now, he actually imitated Jieyin and Zhunti. With a "thud," he dropped to his knees!

He pounded the ground with both hands, tears and snot streaming down his face—whether real or not was anyone's guess. With utter grief and indignation in his voice, he cried out to Dao Ancestor Hongjun atop the high platform.

"Martial Ancestor! You cannot favor one over another!"

"This disciple Dao Xuan is an orthodox member of the Mystic Sect, a proper third-generation chief disciple!

I am the Founding Disciple of Supreme Pure One Laozi, your personal eldest disciple!"

"Look at me!" Dao Xuan pointed at himself, his face filled with grief and indignation.

"This disciple's cultivation is meager, merely at the early stage of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. In this Primordial World, I am just a little nobody!

Any random cat or dog could crush this disciple to death!"

"This disciple bears the heavy responsibility of expanding the Mystic Sect and promoting the supreme Great Dao of your venerable self, Martial Ancestor!

But this disciple is now so poor that he jingles when he walks. I only possess a single Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd—and I painstakingly refined and upgraded it from my own innate companion treasure!

How... how can I shoulder such a great responsibility?"