Bathed in clear light, Dao Xuan returned to the Kunlun Immortal Mountain with the Three Pure Saints.
The moment he landed, Dao Xuan plunged straight into his own cave abode.
"Seclusion! I must enter seclusion!"
His heart burned with excitement.
This time, he had listened to the Dao at the Purple Cloud Palace, received the baptism of Primordial Dao Rhyme, seen his Top Three Flowers begin to bloom, and greatly advanced in cultivation.
He had also obtained three great treasures: the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler, the Li Fire Feathered Sword, and the Treasure Distribution Rock Seal, as well as spiritual treasures such as the Sky-Gazing Mirror and Wind and Thunder Pearl.
If he did not enter seclusion to digest these gains, would that not be a waste of heaven's gifts?
The Great Desolation World was much the same.
The Purple Cloud Palace's three lectures had ended, and the true words of the Great Dao had been imprinted upon all heavens.
The Saint positions had been decided, the purple qi had owners, and every great treasure had found its rightful place.
The Entire Great Desolation seemed as though someone had pressed pause.
Every great cultivator, whether they had gained treasures or purple qi, followed Dao Xuan's example and sought out places for secluded cultivation.
Some comprehended the Great Dao imparted by the Dao Ancestor, some refined newly acquired spiritual treasures, and some sought an opportunity to sever their corpses.
For a time, the Great Desolation earth displayed a rare measure of tranquility.
Yet beneath that tranquility, undercurrents surged.
After developing through countless epochs, the Witch and Demon Clans had long become irreconcilable enemies.
The minor frictions of the past had gradually evolved into towering waves sweeping across the Great Desolation as both sides expanded their influence and their ambitions grew.
At the foot of Buzhou Mountain, in the ancestral land of the Witch Clan, baleful qi shot into the sky.
Within Pangu Hall, the auras of the Twelve Ancestral Witches grew increasingly profound, and the power of their bloodlines shook the earth.
Above the Heavenly Court, Dijun and Taiyi of the Demon Clan commanded the Stars of the Heavens, their Demonic Aura permeating the firmament.
Friction between the two sides never ceased, conflicts escalated, blood flowed like rivers, and resentment condensed, already causing the baleful qi of the calamity to quietly take root.
At the summit of Kunlun Mountain, deep within Jade Void Palace.
Dao Xuan sat cross-legged upon a meditation cushion.
The Top Three Flowers above his head swayed gracefully, while the Five Qi in the Chest circulated without end.
Within his Mud Pill Palace, the Chaos Bead remained silent as ever, yet slowly and steadfastly absorbed the Dao Rhymes of heaven and earth.
Within his primordial spirit, the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler rose and fell, Mysterious Yellow Qi circulating around it as the Dao Rhyme of destruction lay hidden within.
The Li Fire Feathered Sword hung at his side, radiating the scorching aura of Solar True Fire.
The Treasure Distribution Rock Seal suppressed his Sea of Consciousness, its heavy Dao Rhyme stabilizing his Divine Soul.
The Taiqing Immortal Art circulated through the heavens, drawing in Kunlun Immortal Spiritual Qi like a hundred rivers returning to the sea and pouring it into Dao Xuan's body.
The Nine Revolutions Profound Technique tempered his body. His sinews and bones rang in unison, his blood and qi roared like dragons, and precious light shimmered around him.
His early Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation steadily climbed under the nourishment of the Dao Ancestor's Dao Rhyme, the tempering of Kunlun immortal qi, and the refinement of the profound technique.
Mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal... late-stage... Peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal!
The Top Three Flowers grew increasingly solid, dao rhymes flowing through them, faintly showing signs of becoming one with the primal chaos.
The Five Qi in the Chest returned to their origin, cycling endlessly and giving rise to each other without end.
His cultivation advanced, and his mana surged.
The Nine Revolutions Profound Technique also broke through.
First Revolution: copper skin and iron bones.
Second Revolution: blood and qi like mercury.
Third Revolution: strength capable of uprooting mountains and rivers.
Fourth Revolution: indestructible vajra body.
Fifth Revolution: rebirth from a drop of blood.
Sixth Revolution: Law Manifests as Heaven and Earth!
Boom!
When the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique entered the realm of the Sixth Revolution.
Dao Xuan's body suddenly shuddered!
Every bone in his body cracked and popped as his flesh, blood, sinews, and bones expanded in an instant!
A tyrannical force from the ancient Great Desolation erupted from the depths of his bloodline!
With a thought from him.
His form expanded with the wind!
Thirty feet... three hundred feet... three thousand feet!
In an instant, he transformed into a towering giant holding up heaven and earth!
His head was like a mountain, his eyes like the sun and moon. Wind and thunder surged with every breath, and with every movement, he seemed capable of plucking stars and seizing the moon!
This was the great divine ability of Law Manifests as Heaven and Earth!
Though limited by his cultivation and unable to truly reach the Great Desolation Sky, such might already far surpassed that of ordinary Grand Unity cultivators!
The power of his physical body was unstoppable!
"Good! With the profound technique at the Sixth Revolution, I have taken another step down the path of becoming a Saint through the flesh!"
Dao Xuan felt utterly exhilarated.
Yet the bottleneck at Peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal stood before him like an impassable chasm.
Though his Three Flowers had condensed and his Five Qi had returned to their origin, they had never fully merged to nurture that indestructible, immortal Grand Unity Dao Fruit.
"I am still missing a sliver of opportunity..."
Dao Xuan understood.
The path of cultivation could not be completed through bitter cultivation alone.
He needed to enter the world, gain experience, and comprehend the workings of the Heavenly Dao before he could find an opportunity to break through.
Just then.
Dao Xuan's primordial spirit stirred, and the Top Three Flowers above his head trembled lightly.
In the unseen depths, a thread of heavenly guidance seemed to point toward the Great Desolation earth, in the direction of Buzhou Divine Mountain.
"My opportunity has arrived!"
A sharp gleam flashed through Dao Xuan's eyes.
He withdrew his dharma body and returned to normal.
The aura around him became perfectly harmonious and restrained. Though he had not broken through, both his cultivation and mana had reached the utmost limit of the Grand Unity realm.
His profound technique had reached the Sixth Revolution, granting him an incomparably formidable physical body.
He also possessed numerous great treasures.
It was time to leave seclusion!
Dao Xuan rose and straightened his robes.
He wore a Blue Gauze Headband upon his head, an Apricot Yellow Bagua Immortal Robe, a Qiankun Silk Sash around his waist, and Cloud-Treading Boots on his feet.
His face was like polished jade, his eyes like bright stars. He was handsome and refined, possessing the bearing of an immortal and the bones of one who had attained the Dao.
He left his cave abode and made his way before Eight Sceneries Palace.
Inside the palace, Saint Laozi sat upon a Cloud Bed, his aura one with primal chaos. Above his head, the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda lowered Mysterious Yellow Qi, while the phantom of the Taiji Diagram evolved yin and yang.
"Master."
Dao Xuan bowed.
Laozi slowly opened his eyes. His gaze fell upon Dao Xuan, and a trace of approval appeared on his ancient, unruffled face.
"The profound technique has reached the Sixth Revolution, and you have perfected the Grand Unity realm. Your progress is acceptable."
"Thank you for your guidance, Master."
"Stillness has reached its limit, and you wish to move. Do you intend to travel through the Great Desolation?"
"Master sees clearly. This disciple senses the guidance of heavenly fate and wishes to enter the world for experience, seek an opportunity to break through, and comprehend the workings of the Heavenly Dao."
Laozi nodded slightly.
"Good. The calamity is about to rise, baleful qi pervades all, and the Great Desolation is filled with danger. Though you have achieved success in the profound technique and possess treasures to protect you, remember to preserve yourself wisely and do not lightly involve yourself in disputes."
"This disciple shall obey Master's teachings!"
"Go."
"This disciple takes his leave."
Dao Xuan bowed once more, turned, and descended Kunlun Mountain.
The immortal mountain stood towering as clouds rolled like an endless sea.
Leaving the Kunlun immortal realm, he stepped onto the Great Desolation earth.
A vast and ancient aura of the Great Desolation, thick and heavy and mixed with faint strands of calamitous baleful qi, rushed toward him.
Compared to thirty thousand years ago, this aura carried more solemn killing intent and unrest.
The mountains and rivers remained unchanged, and the great rivers continued to flow.
Yet what he saw along the way was no longer the harmony of old.
Across the earth, enormous footprints, deep pits, and cracked ravines could often be seen, clearly the result of the Witch Clan's immense strength.
In the skies, demon clouds gathered from time to time, demon winds howled in bursts, and mournful cries of birds and beasts mingled within them.
Many places still bore the remnants of great battles.
For thousands of miles, the land was scorched. Baleful qi condensed, and resentful souls wailed.
The conflict between the Witch and Demon Clans had already escalated from localized friction into the prelude to a war sweeping across the Great Desolation.
Standing atop an auspicious cloud, Dao Xuan used a flight technique and headed toward Buzhou Divine Mountain, the direction indicated by heavenly fate.
Buzhou Mountain was formed from Pangu's Spine, the Heavenly Pillar of the Great Desolation.
Its height was immeasurable, piercing straight into the nine heavens, supporting the firmament above and suppressing the earth below.
The mountain was majestic, coiled like a dragon, displaying countless grand vistas.
Clouds and mist wreathed its waist, while fierce winds howled at its peaks.
Ancient trees towered between the mountains, spiritual springs and waterfalls flowed freely, and strange flowers and exotic grasses carpeted the land. It truly was the foremost divine mountain of the Great Desolation, a place blessed with extraordinary spiritual essence.
Yet at the foot of Buzhou Mountain that day, there was not the slightest trace of peace.
The sounds of battle shook the heavens! Baleful qi soared into the sky!
There, at one side of the foothills, stood a group of burly men.
Their leader stood twelve feet tall, with an indigo face, vermilion hair, protruding fangs, and eyes like bronze bells.
He wore a helmet made from the bones of some unknown beast and crude animal-hide armor. His muscles knotted like dragons, and he gripped a massive stone axe that radiated baleful qi.
He was Chi You, a fierce general under the great witch Kuafu and the leader of a Witch Clan tribe—one who merely shared the name of the figure from later generations.
Behind him stood dozens of Witch Clan warriors, each tall and powerfully built. Some carried stone axes and bone clubs, while others fought barehanded. Their blood and qi rose like wolf smoke, and their baleful qi gathered into clouds.
On the other side of the foothills stood a group of figures shrouded in Demonic Aura.
Their leader had a human face and a bird's body, with a pair of wings upon his back. His bluish-black feathers were covered in scales.
His face resembled a hawk's, his eyes gleamed with ferocity, and his hooked beak was sharp.
He wore feathered battle armor and held a bronze halberd that flashed with cold light.
Demon winds swirled around him, sweeping up sand and stones.
He was Li Feng, a hawk demon who had achieved cultivation and a Demon General of the Heavenly Court.
Behind him stood dozens of demon soldiers in the forms of jackals, wolves, tigers, leopards, birds, and beasts. Each held a weapon as demon clouds churned around them, standing in equal opposition to the Witch Clan's baleful qi.
At the center of their confrontation was not some blood feud, but a spiritual root they were fighting to claim!
There stood the spiritual root:
It grew beside a spiritual spring in a mountain ravine. It was no more than three feet tall, jade-green from top to bottom, its branches and leaves spread wide with naturally formed Dao Rhyme.
At its crown grew four strange leaves.
One was fiery red, with flame patterns flowing over it and a scorching aura radiating from it.
One was deep blue like water, with ripples spreading across it and an icy chill contained within.
One was lush green, with faint wind patterns appearing upon it as though fierce winds howled within.
One was thick and earthy yellow, its patterns resembling the veins of the land and radiating the essence of earth.
The four leaves belonged respectively to fire, water, wind, and earth. Their Dao Rhymes flowed together as one, precious light swirling around them and auspicious qi spreading in a thousand streams!
It was the Banana Tree, one of the ten Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Roots of the Great Desolation!
The tree's four spiritual leaves were all treasures nurtured by the innate world, each with boundless wondrous uses!
"Hey! You feathered beasts! This is a divine treasure of Buzhou Mountain, a legacy left by Pangu Father God. How dare you demons covet it? Get lost at once!" Chi You roared like a great bell, pointing his stone axe directly at Li Feng.
"Hmph! Ignorant savage witches! This spiritual root was born of heaven and raised by earth. Those with fate may claim it! My Demon Clan governs the heavens, so this treasure ought to belong to my Heavenly Court! Retreat at once, or do not blame this general's halberd for showing no mercy!" Li Feng shrieked sharply, his halberd spitting cold light.
"Bullshit! Take my axe!"
"You are courting death! Kill!"
There was no point in further words!
Chi You roared in fury and struck first!
His twelve-foot body stamped down violently, and the ground exploded with a thunderous crash!
Like a savage beast from the primordial wilderness, he swung the door-sized stone axe. Carrying mountain-splitting, rock-shattering power, it tore through the air and cleaved down at Li Feng's head!
The Witch Clan warriors roared together, their blood and qi erupting as baleful qi condensed into substance and transformed into a surging torrent charging at the demon soldiers!
"Form the formation! Kill these savages!"
Li Feng shrieked. With a beat of his wings, demon winds swept out wildly. His body flashed like lightning as he dodged the stone axe's edge, while his bronze halberd became a serpent-like streak of green light that stabbed directly toward Chi You's ribs!
The demon soldiers churned their demon clouds and formed a battle formation. Their Demonic Aura linked together, transforming into phantoms of swords, spears, sabers, and halberds that met the Witch Clan's torrent!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In an instant, metal clashed, and flesh and blood flew!
The Witch Clan warriors possessed boundless strength and were protected by baleful qi. They met the demon soldiers' weapons head-on, and wherever their fists and feet landed, bones broke and sinews snapped!
Relying on their formation and strange demonic arts, the demon soldiers unleashed poisonous smoke, wind blades, ice spikes, and fireballs that rained down upon the Witch Clan, inflicting no small number of casualties.
Chi You and Li Feng were locked in battle.
Chi You's stone axe was immensely powerful, every strike seeming capable of cleaving mountains apart. Li Feng did not dare meet it head-on and could only rely on speed to circle around him, his long halberd vicious and elusive as it struck at vital points.
The two sides were evenly matched, fighting fiercely without either gaining the upper hand.
At the center of the battlefield, the Banana Tree swayed beneath the violent energy shocks. Treasure light flowed across its four spiritual leaves, making it appear even more miraculous.
Dao Xuan had already silently approached the battlefield.
He concealed his aura and hid behind a massive boulder. The Blue Gauze Headband above his head glimmered faintly, concealing his form.
"Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Root, the Banana Tree! Four innate spiritual leaves!"
A sharp gleam burst from Dao Xuan's eyes.
"What an enormous opportunity!"
"With the witches and demons fighting, this is the perfect time for the fisherman to profit!"
He observed patiently.
On the battlefield, both sides had already gone blood-crazed.
The witch warriors feared no death, trading wound for wound. Several demon soldiers had already been torn apart alive.
The demon soldiers shifted their formations and unleashed their demonic arts in unison, severely injuring several witch warriors as well.
Chi You and Li Feng had truly begun fighting in earnest.
Several halberd wounds deep enough to expose bone had appeared on Chi You's body. Blood streamed down him, yet only made him look more ferocious as his stone axe whirled like the wind.
One of Li Feng's wings had been grazed by the stone axe, sending feathers flying. His speed slowed slightly, but the vicious light in his eyes only intensified.
Now!
Dao Xuan seized the opportunity!
The elites of both sides were entangled, their leaders locked in fierce combat. Their guard over the Banana Tree had fallen to its lowest point!
He suddenly activated his magic power!
"Go!"
He gave a low shout!
The Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd at his waist transformed into a dazzling streak of golden light. Swift as lightning, it did not target either combatant, but shot directly toward the roots of the Banana Tree!
At the same time!
Dao Xuan's figure darted out like a phantom!
Treasure light flashed from the Blue Gauze Headband above his head, and his speed abruptly surged!
His target was the Banana Tree!
"Not good!"
"Someone is stealing the treasure!"
Chi You and Li Feng noticed at almost the same instant!
Both were shocked and enraged!
Unable to continue fighting, Li Feng beat his wings frantically, whipping up a demonic gale as he lunged toward the golden light!
Chi You roared in fury and hurled his stone axe, turning it into a streak of black light that smashed toward Dao Xuan's back!
But it was too late!
How sharp was the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd? And it had struck by surprise!
Rip!
Golden light flashed, and the spiritual soil around the Banana Tree's roots was instantly torn open!
The entire spiritual root was uprooted by a deft force!
At the same time!
Dao Xuan had arrived!
He swept his sleeve!
"Receive!"
Sleeve Universe!
The Banana Tree, shrouded in treasure light, along with its four spiritual leaves, vanished into his sleeve in an instant!
The entire process unfolded as swiftly as a hare leaping and a falcon swooping, too fast to react!
"How dare you, thief!"
"Leave the spiritual root behind!"
Chi You's eyes nearly split with rage! His stone axe missed and crashed into the ground, blasting out a massive crater!
Li Feng shrieked, his long halberd flashing like lightning as it stabbed toward Dao Xuan's face!
"Those who stand in my way die!"
Having succeeded, Dao Xuan felt utterly at ease, and a surge of boldness rose within him!
Facing Li Feng's furious strike, he neither dodged nor retreated!
He flipped his right hand!
Buzz!
Mysterious Yellow Qi surged forth!
The Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler was already in his hand!
Mysterious yellow light flowed over the ruler's body, Dao Runes gleamed, and a supreme aura capable of destroying all laws erupted!
"Break!"
Dao Xuan swung the ruler!
There were no flashy techniques, only pure force and the Dao intent of annihilation!
An incomparably condensed phantom of the Mysterious Yellow Ruler tore through space. Though launched later, it struck first, meeting the bronze halberd head-on!
Clang—!!!
A deafening metallic explosion rang out!
Li Feng felt an irresistible, terrifying force mixed with Dao intent capable of destroying everything surge wildly through his long halberd!
Pfft!
As if struck by lightning, he spat out a mouthful of demon blood!
The fine bronze long halberd in his hand shattered inch by inch!
His demon body flew backward like a torn sack, slamming viciously into the mountainside. Feathers scattered everywhere, and who knew how many of his bones and tendons had broken!
"What?!"
Chi You was horrified out of his wits!
What kind of treasure was that ruler? How could it be so terrifying, severely injuring Demon General Li Feng in a single strike?
But his ferocity was completely provoked!
"Roar! Return my spiritual root!"
Ignoring his injuries, Chi You unleashed the baleful aura around his body to its limit. Like a primordial savage beast, he charged barehanded at Dao Xuan, his fist roaring through the air with explosive force!
Wherever his fist wind passed, even space twisted slightly!
"Stubborn fool!"
Dao Xuan snorted coldly.
The Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler swung again!
This time, the ruler's phantom condensed, and Mysterious Yellow Qi became an incomparably sharp blade of light!
Rip!
Where the ruler light passed, space itself seemed to be cut apart!
Chi You's fist, containing all his baleful aura and strength, collided head-on with the Mysterious Yellow ruler light!
There was no earth-shattering boom.
Only a faint slicing sound.
Chi You's fist, harder than refined iron, along with half his arm, was cleanly severed by the Mysterious Yellow ruler light as easily as a hot knife through butter!
Mysterious Yellow Qi wound around the severed stump, preventing flesh and blood from regenerating. A strand of annihilating Dao intent also eroded his primordial spirit!
"Argh—!"
Chi You let out a miserable scream. His massive body staggered backward, his eyes filled with unbelievable terror!
"Chief!"
"Kill him!"
Seeing their leaders severely injured in an instant, the remaining witch warriors and demon soldiers were shocked and enraged. They actually set aside their hatred for the moment and rushed toward Dao Xuan with furious roars!
"Hmph! A rabble of chickens and dogs!"
A cold glint flashed in Dao Xuan's eyes.
He formed a hand seal with his left hand.
"Wind and thunder, rise!"
Buzz!
The Wind and Thunder Pearl was unleashed!
In an instant, wild winds howled and sand and stones flew!
Purple lightning writhed like dragons and serpents, bursting from the pearl and covering dozens of yards ahead!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Violent wind blades slashed through the air, while destructive lightning struck down!
The witch and demon warriors rushing forward were at most Golden Immortals. How could they withstand the might of a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure?
Screams rose one after another!
The witch warriors were sliced bloody and mangled by the wind blades, then blasted black and smoking by the lightning!
The demon soldiers were even more thoroughly suppressed by the lightning. Their demon bodies exploded, and their demon souls were annihilated!
In the blink of an eye, dozens of witch and demon warriors were reduced to flying ash!
Only the severely wounded, one-armed Chi You and Li Feng, embedded in the mountainside and barely clinging to life, remained in the field.
"Y-you... who exactly are you?!" Chi You clutched his severed arm, staring at Dao Xuan in utter horror.
Dao Xuan did not answer.
His gaze swept over the battlefield. His divine sense detected several powerful witch auras deep within Buzhou Mountain being alerted and rapidly approaching!
One of them had blood energy like a blazing furnace and baleful aura soaring into the heavens. It was unmistakably at the level of a Great Witch!
"I cannot stay here long!"
Dao Xuan did not hesitate.
Without even looking at Chi You and Li Feng, he transformed into a streak of light and fled toward Kunlun Mountain at full speed!
The Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler broke through the obstacles ahead, while the Li Fire Feathered Sword became a streak of flame beneath his feet, pushing his speed to the utmost limit!
"Thief, do not run!"
A heaven-shaking roar came from deep within Buzhou Mountain!
The sound waves rolled outward, making the surrounding mountains echo!
A towering figure, massive as a mountain, stomped upon the earth. Covering a thousand zhang in a single step, he pursued at terrifying speed!
He stood several zhang tall, with a face like a dark red date, a thick curled beard, and eyes like bronze bells.
He wore a helmet made from the skull of an unknown gigantic beast, crude yet heavy bronze armor, and held an enormous axe the size of a door.
His blood energy billowed like smoke, his baleful aura condensed into tangible armor, and the earth trembled beneath his running feet. He was none other than the Great Witch Kuafu!
Sensing that Chi You's tribe had been attacked and their spiritual root stolen, he was furious beyond measure!
"Leave the spiritual root behind, and I will spare your life!"
Before you continue