"Grandmaster! Think about it! If this disciple goes out and gets bullied, but can't beat the other party...
Then it won't just be this disciple's face that is lost. It will be the face of your orthodox Mystical Sect, the face of Master Taiqing, and even the face of you, Dao Ancestor Hongjun!"
Dao Xuan beat his chest and stomped his feet, tears streaming down his face. His voice was so miserable that it sounded as though his cave abode had just been ransacked.
"This disciple is the foremost disciple of the Mystical Sect's third generation, entrusted with the grave responsibility of spreading your supreme Great Dao throughout the Primordial World and bringing glory to our lineage!
But this disciple possesses nothing of value, has meager cultivation, and does not even have a proper defensive treasure!"
He suddenly pointed at the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd at his waist, which had only just advanced to high-grade, and said in grief:
"Look! This is all I have! This disciple painstakingly saved and scrimped for it, and it was even born alongside me!
How... how could this possibly display the majesty of the Mystical Sect?
How could it intimidate petty villains?
How could this disciple fulfill the glorious mission you assigned me, Grandmaster?"
"Grandmaster! Please take pity on this disciple!
Bestow upon this disciple a defensive treasure!
It need not be too good, merely something worthy of this disciple's status as the foremost disciple of the Mystical Sect's third generation!
This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently, spread the Dao with all his might, and never bring shame upon you or Master!"
Dao Xuan's words were filled with genuine emotion—at least on the surface—clear logic—though it was twisted nonsense—and a very explicit goal: asking for a treasure.
He repeatedly emphasized such golden titles as "foremost disciple of the Mystical Sect's third generation," "Grandmaster Hongjun," and "Master Taiqing." Every word practically radiated—
"I have shed blood for the Mystical Sect! I have rendered meritorious service to the Dao Ancestor!"—with tragic grandeur.
Purple Sky Palace fell utterly silent.
Every great expert, including Jieyin and Zhunti, who had just been crying and begging, stared dumbfoundedly at Dao Xuan kneeling on the ground and crying even more miserably than they had.
Their expressions seemed to say: This... this fellow... how could he be even more shameless than the two of us from the West?!
They had seen shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless!
This was no longer bootlicking. He was practically going to lick the skin off the soles of the Dao Ancestor's feet!
That line about being the "foremost disciple of the Mystical Sect's third generation" especially made everyone's mouths twitch.
A junior at the early Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm actually dared to boast so shamelessly!
Among the Three Pure Ones, Primordial Heavenly Venerate frowned tightly, a trace of displeasure flashing through his eyes. Clearly, he felt this boy was far too frivolous and lacking in decorum.
Sect Master Tongtian, on the other hand, watched with great interest. The corner of his mouth even curled into an amused smile, as though he found this junior nephew rather interesting.
As for Taiqing Laozi...
A rare flush appeared on Laozi's normally placid face!
It was not excitement. It was awkwardness! Embarrassment!
He felt countless gazes stabbing into him like needles, as though they were asking:
Taiqing Saint, what exactly did you take in as a disciple?!
Laozi even began seriously considering whether it was still possible to immediately sever his master-disciple relationship with this disgraceful disciple.
His lifelong reputation was likely about to be ruined by this wretched disciple!
He had never seen anyone so brazenly shameless!
This simply shattered the lowest limit of his understanding of the word "shameless"!
Yet Dao Xuan remained utterly unaware—or perhaps he simply did not care about anyone else's gazes.
He continued kneeling there, looking eagerly at Dao Ancestor Hongjun on the elevated platform. His eyes were filled with the longing of someone "weak, pitiful, helpless, but hungry"—hungry for treasures.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's indistinct face seemed to tilt slightly as his gaze fell upon Dao Xuan.
That gaze was profound, as though it could see through every illusion and reach directly into the depths of Dao Xuan's primordial spirit. It even... swept over the dormant Chaos Bead.
Dao Xuan's heart suddenly tightened, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
But the Dao Ancestor's gaze did not linger long, as though he had merely considered the matter briefly.
A moment later, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's indifferent voice rang out once more:
"What you say does have some merit."
The entire hall was shocked!
Some merit?!
Dao Ancestor, had this fellow's crying muddled your mind?!
Laozi's vision darkened, and he nearly lost his Dao heart.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun slowly raised a hand. In his palm, Mysterious Yellow Qi suddenly surged!
It was not the defensive aura of the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda, but an incomparably sharp force carrying the supreme edge of Heaven and Earth Creation and the destruction of all laws!
The Mysterious Yellow Qi condensed and compressed, ultimately transforming into a long ruler!
The ruler was entirely mysterious yellow, neither metal nor jade. Countless Dao Runes flowed endlessly across its body, as though it bore the mighty power and merit of Heaven and Earth Creation!
A vast, majestic, all-destroying, terrifying aura instantly filled the entire Purple Sky Palace!
"This is the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's voice remained indifferent, yet it carried the authority to settle heaven and earth.
"It was formed from half of Pangu's Heaven and Earth Creation merit, the foremost acquired merit treasure of attack!"
"It measures heaven and earth and destroys all laws! With merit upon one's body, all evil shall not invade!"
"Today, I bestow it upon you, Dao Xuan."
"Carry this ruler to protect yourself, bring glory to the Mystical Sect, promote the righteous path, and do not disgrace the title of foremost disciple of the Mystical Sect's third generation."
As his voice fell, the Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler, radiating supreme authority and destructive intent, transformed into a streak of light and landed steadily in Dao Xuan's hands!
Buzz!
The moment the Merit Ruler entered his hand, Dao Xuan felt a vast, unmatched force of pure yang pour into his body, blending perfectly with the mana of his Taiqing Immortal Art!
Within his primordial spirit, the Three Flowers that had only just bloomed seemed nourished, becoming even more solid and stable! An unprecedented sense of security and power arose within him!
The foremost acquired merit treasure of attack! Formed from half of Heaven and Earth Creation merit!
This... this was simply a heaven-defying opportunity!
It was even more powerful than many Innate Spiritual Treasures!
Dao Xuan was overjoyed. He hurriedly kowtowed, his voice shaking with excitement:
"This disciple, Dao Xuan, thanks Grandmaster for your heavenly grace!
Grandmaster is merciful!
This disciple will surely give his all and serve until death, devoting himself entirely to glorifying the Mystical Sect until death!
Grandmaster, you are this disciple's reborn parent, guiding beacon, the thickest thigh in the Primordial World..."
Overcome with excitement, his flattery came in an endless torrent.
Purple Sky Palace once again fell into strange silence.
One could hear a pin drop.
Every great expert, including those who had just looked down on Dao Xuan, mocked him, and considered him utterly shameless, was now completely dumbfounded!
Contempt? Mockery? Disdain?
All of it vanished without a trace!
What replaced it was envy so tangible it nearly burst into flames! Jealousy!
And... deep regret!
Especially Jieyin and Zhunti!
The two stared at the Merit Ruler in Dao Xuan's hands, wreathed in Mysterious Yellow Qi and radiating destructive intent.
Then they looked at the Blessing Divine Pestle and Green Lotus Treasure Banner they had just received—though they too were Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures—and immediately found them far less appealing!
Why?!
Why could this low-cultivation, shameless junior receive such a heavy treasure from the Dao Ancestor?!
It was the foremost acquired treasure of attack, formed from half of Heaven and Earth Creation merit!
Its power likely rivaled a Primordial Supreme Treasure!
Old Ancestor Kunpeng's eyes were so filled with jealousy that they nearly bled, and he roared inwardly:
"Heaven and earth are unjust! The Dao Ancestor is biased! Such a precious treasure was actually bestowed upon such a shameless junior!"
Old Ancestor Minghe's blood aura surged around him. As he looked at the Merit Ruler, his eyes were filled with greed.
Dijun and Taiyi's expressions also shifted repeatedly, clearly shocked by this sudden bestowal of a supreme treasure.
Zhenyuanzi, Red Cloud, and the others looked at one another in disbelief.
As for Taiqing Laozi... the flush on his face had faded, replaced by an extremely complicated expression.
He looked at his disciple kneeling on the ground, clutching the Merit Ruler and babbling incoherently in excitement, then at the envious and jealous gazes surrounding them.
Suddenly, he felt... perhaps... it was not that embarrassing after all?
There was even... a little... pride?
This wretched disciple might be shameless, but... it seemed he had really licked his way into a treasure?
Laozi silently withdrew his thought of severing their master-disciple relationship. He looked at his nose, then his heart, as though nothing had happened.
"Dao Ancestor! This disciple is poor too!"
"Please bestow a treasure upon this disciple!"
"Dao Ancestor, be merciful! This disciple is willing to brave fire and water for the Mystical Sect!"
"Dao Ancestor! This disciple is more loyal than Dao Xuan!"
After the brief silence, Purple Sky Palace completely exploded!
This time, they were no longer kneeling and begging for Primordial Violet Qi. They were doing so for treasures! For opportunities!
All the great experts who had not received supreme treasures, and even some who had already received spiritual treasures but felt they were not good enough, had gone red-eyed!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
It was even more frenzied and more uniform than before!
A dense mass of people fell to their knees. Their crying, pleas, and declarations of loyalty were deafening, shooting toward the heavens!
The situation completely spiraled out of control!
Dao Xuan's "successful example" was like a fuse igniting a powder keg, allowing everyone to see the ultimate truth: the crying child gets milk!
Dao Ancestor Hongjun looked at the noisy, chaotic scene below, which was even more disorderly than a marketplace. On his indistinct face, his brow seemed to furrow quite noticeably.
He appeared thoroughly vexed by the endless clamor.
"Enough!"
His indifferent voice was like Nine Heavens' Thunderclap, instantly suppressing all the noise.
"Outside Purple Sky Palace, within the chaos, stands a Treasure Distribution Rock."
"The spiritual treasures upon it were all refined by me in my leisure time. Keeping them serves no purpose."
"You may go and take them according to your own karmic fortune."
With that, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's figure faded completely, leaving behind only one sentence:
"Take care of yourselves."
Then he vanished without a trace, along with the elevated platform and prayer mat.
The Dao teachings at Purple Sky Palace had thus completely come to an end!
"Treasure Distribution Rock?!"
"The Dao Ancestor's collection?!"
"Move!"
"Opportunity lies ahead!"
Boom!
Like floodwaters released from a dam!
The three thousand Purple Sky guests instantly became countless streams of light, rushing out of the palace gates and charging toward the Deep Chaos!
Dao Xuan was ecstatic after obtaining the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler, but when he heard the words "Treasure Distribution Rock," his eyes shone even more brightly!
"Master! Martial Uncles! Hurry!"
He hurriedly reminded the Three Pure Ones, who were still maintaining their "composure."
Laozi, Primordial Heavenly Venerate, and Sect Master Tongtian exchanged glances and no longer lingered. Clear light enveloped Dao Xuan as they instantly shot out of Purple Sky Palace.
Chaos churned, making direction impossible to discern.
Yet ahead, a point of dazzling treasure light shone as Dao Rhyme surged into the heavens like a lighthouse in the night!
It was the Treasure Distribution Rock!
There, in the Deep Chaos, a massive boulder floated in the air.
Its size was unknown, stretching for tens of thousands of miles. It was a chaotic grayish-white, ancient and vast.
Treasure light soared from the rock into the heavens, while auspicious qi erupted into violet clouds!
Sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, forks, bells, cauldrons, pagodas, seals, diagrams, banners, pearls, mirrors... they were dazzling and countless!
Treasure light swirled as Dao Rhyme flowed. Even the lowest-ranked treasures were High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, and quite a few emitted the terrifying aura of Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures!
"Treasures!"
"They're mine!"
"Get lost!"
Countless streams of light instantly lunged at the Treasure Distribution Rock!
The most intense battle for treasures in the history of the Primordial World erupted at once!
The Three Pure Ones were the most composed—and the most domineering!
Taiqing Laozi held the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda over his head. Mysterious Yellow Qi descended, rendering him Invulnerable to All Laws.
He held the Primordial Supreme Treasure Taiji Diagram in his hand and gave it a gentle shake!
Buzz!
The Taiji Diagram transformed into a golden bridge spanning the Treasure Distribution Rock. Yin and yang qi flowed, stabilizing Earth Water Fire Wind!
Wherever the golden bridge passed, dozens of spiritual treasures with the brightest treasure light and strongest auras—whether sabers, swords, bells, or cauldrons—were seized by an invisible force. Like fish caught in a net, they obediently flew into Laozi's sleeve!
"Excellent move, Senior Brother!" Primordial Heavenly Venerate praised, the primordial supreme treasure Pangu Banner in his hand snapping loudly!
He aimed at the core region of Treasure Distribution Rock and gave it a fierce shake!
Screech!
Chaos Qi was torn apart! A terrifying strand of Chaos Sword Qi swept out!
Wherever the sword qi passed, space split open. Dozens of spiritual treasures were swept up by it as though seized by an invisible hand, instantly falling into Primordial Heavenly Venerate's sleeve!
Seeing this, Sect Master Tongtian became even more high-spirited. He laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Watch my methods!"
"Four Swords of Execution, rise!"
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The four swords—Execution Immortal, Slaughter Immortal, Trap Immortal, and Annihilation Immortal—rang out together, their sky-piercing killing intent stirring the chaos!
The formation diagram unfolded, instantly setting up a terrifying sword formation spanning ten thousand miles! Sword qi crisscrossed through it, giving rise to endless killing intent!
Within the sword formation, in the region where treasure light was most concentrated, over a hundred spiritual treasures were drawn in, suppressed, and subdued by that peerless sword qi.
Like countless rivers flowing into the sea, they were continuously sucked into the sword formation before ultimately falling into Sect Master Tongtian's broad sleeves!
The Three Pure Ones had acted with absolute dominance, instantly dividing up nearly half the essence of Treasure Distribution Rock!
Empress Nuwa was protected by creation qi. The phantom of the River Diagram of Mountains and Rivers unfolded, sweeping away several supreme spiritual treasures containing the Dao Rhyme of creation.
Jieyin and Zhunti's eyes turned red. The phantom of the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree brushed frantically while their golden Dharma forms grabbed treasures everywhere. They shouted, "This treasure is fated with our Western Land!"
They managed to seize quite a few fine treasures as well.
Dijun unfolded the River Diagram and Luo Book, evolving the Stars of the Heavens and sweeping away a portion.
Taiyi's Chaos Bell trembled, freezing time and space as he forcibly collected several treasures.
Zhenyuanzi unfolded the Earth Book, its heavy earth qi sweeping away several defensive spiritual treasures.
Old Ancestor Hongyun possessed deep fortune and also obtained two decent treasures.
Old Ancestor Kunpeng revealed his true form, his wings blotting out the sky and his hooked claws striking wildly as he seized several treasures.
Old Ancestor Minghe unleashed both the Yuantu and Abi swords. Blood waves surged as he swept away several treasures of slaughter.
The other great powers also displayed their divine abilities, competing fiercely.
With the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler in hand, Dao Xuan had gained considerably more confidence, but his cultivation was ultimately still his weakness.
He did not dare contend with those great figures in the core region and merely moved around the outskirts.
"Even a mosquito's leg is still meat!"
He activated the Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler. Mysterious Yellow Qi flowed across its body, emitting an aura of destruction that intimidated several spiritual treasures with weaker auras.
At the same time, he unleashed the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd, turning it into a streak of golden light that precisely stabbed toward neglected corners where the treasure light was somewhat dimmer.
Screech! Screech! Screech!
Golden light flashed, and three spiritual treasures were struck by the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd before falling into Dao Xuan's hands.
One was a palm-sized ancient bronze mirror with a hazy surface and an obscure aura (Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Sky-Gazing Mirror).
One was a dull gray bead containing wind and thunder qi (Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Wind and Thunder Pearl).
The last was a short sword, scarlet from end to end and shaped like a feather. It felt warm in his hand, and the aura of Solar True Fire flowed across its blade (Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Li Fire Feathered Sword)!
"A supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!" Dao Xuan was overjoyed! This was absolutely an unexpected windfall! To fish up a supreme-grade treasure from the outskirts was simply absurdly good luck!
He hurriedly put away the three treasures.
At this moment, the treasure light on Treasure Distribution Rock had visibly dimmed.
The fierce contest gradually subsided.
The treasures on the rock had almost all been divided up.
Those who had obtained treasures were thoroughly satisfied.
Those who had obtained little, or nothing good, sighed in regret.
Everyone began preparing to leave.
The Three Pure Ones also prepared to take Dao Xuan back to Kunlun.
Dao Xuan followed behind Laozi, but his gaze could not help falling upon that enormous Treasure Distribution Rock, now bare and devoid of any treasure aura.
The gray-white rock floated quietly in the chaos, as though it had completed its mission.
"Treasure Distribution Rock... Treasure Distribution Rock..."
Thoughts raced through Dao Xuan's mind as vague fragments of memories from his previous life surfaced.
"According to the legends... this Treasure Distribution Rock itself seemed to be an extraordinary treasure?"
Once that thought arose, he could no longer suppress it!
Who cared whether it was true or not? He would collect it first! No one wanted it now anyway!
Dao Xuan immediately stopped and said to Laozi, "Master, please wait! This disciple feels that this rock is fated with me!"
Before Laozi could react, Dao Xuan immediately circulated all his mana, unleashing his early Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation without reservation!
At the same time, he brought out the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler he had just obtained!
Buzz!
Mysterious Yellow Qi surged from the Merit Ruler, its aura of destruction locking onto Treasure Distribution Rock!
"Come to me!"
Dao Xuan shouted. His divine sense surged toward Treasure Distribution Rock like a tidal wave as he simultaneously activated the collection technique from the Taiqing Immortal Art!
Under the shroud of Dao Xuan's divine sense and the aura of the Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler, the enormous Treasure Distribution Rock actually began to tremble slightly!
The ancient patterns on the rock's surface seemed to awaken, releasing a faint chaotic radiance!
"Hm?" The great powers who had been preparing to leave all stopped, looking at Dao Xuan with uncertainty and suspicion.
"What is that kid doing?"
"Collecting that broken rock?"
"Has he lost his mind over gains and losses?"
"Treasure Distribution Rock? Isn't that just an ordinary rock used to hold treasures?"
Even the Three Pure Ones cast puzzled looks his way.
However, in the next moment!
Buzz—!
Treasure Distribution Rock suddenly shook, its entire body erupting with dazzling chaotic radiance!
A heavy Dao Rhyme capable of suppressing chaos and bearing all things erupted with a boom!
This aura had clearly reached the level of a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!
Under everyone's stunned gazes, the incomparably massive Treasure Distribution Rock rapidly shrank at a speed visible to the naked eye!
In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a palm-sized stone seal, gray-white throughout and covered in profound natural Dao patterns, landing steadily in Dao Xuan's hand!
The stone seal was incomparably heavy in his hand, as though he were holding up a small world! Dao Rhyme flowed across it, with suppression power contained within!
It was precisely the Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Nine Dragon Myriad Treasure Seal!
"Hiss—!"
"This... this Treasure Distribution Rock itself is actually a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure?!"
"Suppressing chaos and bearing all things! What a treasure!"
"Heavens! We... we were all blind!"
"That kid picked up an enormous bargain!"
"Shameless! Too shameless! He wouldn't even spare a rock!"
The great powers in Purple Sky Palace regretted it so badly their intestines turned green!
One after another, they beat their chests and stomped their feet in utter remorse!
The way they looked at Dao Xuan was filled with unbelievable shock, along with intense envy, jealousy, and hatred!
This kid had first fawned his way into obtaining the greatest postnatal offensive merit treasure. Then he had picked up a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure at the edge of Treasure Distribution Rock. Finally, he had taken away the "broken rock" that everyone else had ignored, only for it to turn out to be another Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!
That luck! That eye for treasures! That... that shamelessness!
It was simply ridiculous!
Old Ancestor Kunpeng trembled with rage, nearly spitting out a mouthful of old blood.
Jieyin and Zhunti looked at the Nine Dragon Myriad Treasure Seal in Dao Xuan's hand, then at their own Blessing Divine Pestle and Green Lotus Treasure Banner. For the first time, they felt that their treasures seemed somewhat shabby.
Laozi looked at this disciple of his, who kept bringing him "surprises." The corner of his mouth twitched slightly before it finally turned into an almost inaudible sigh.
"Let's go."
Clear light swept up Dao Xuan, who was still grinning foolishly.
The Three Pure Ones took this "bountifully rewarded" foremost third-generation disciple and transformed into three majestic streams of clear light, vanishing into the vast chaos.
Behind them remained only the envy, jealousy, and hatred in the eyes of the immortals of Purple Sky Palace, along with that completely empty and silent Purple Sky Palace.
A new era, accompanied by the division of magical treasures and the assignment of Saint positions, had already opened its magnificent and tumultuous prelude.
Before you continue