Settling Karma

Time flowed like water. Unbeknownst to Dao Xuan, hundreds of years had passed as he meditated and discussed the Dao with two great beings at the Wuzhuang Temple.

The Three Flowers atop his head grew more solid, the Five Qi within his chest flowed as he pleased, his Grand Unity Dao Fruit was stable, and his Profound Skill, Seven Revolutions, had also advanced considerably.

However, Dao Xuan's heart was set on his East Sea dojo, and the aura of the Calamity grew stronger with each passing day.

One day, their discussion concluded.

Dao Xuan rose and solemnly bowed to Zhenyuanzi and Old Ancestor Hongyun.

"Seniors, I have overstayed my welcome and benefited greatly. I am deeply grateful."

"However, the matters of my East Sea dojo have always weighed on my mind."

"Furthermore, observing the rising Calamity Qi in the Great Desolation, I fear this is no place to linger."

"I wish to take my leave and head to the East Sea to establish my foundation. I hope you will grant my request."

Zhenyuanzi stroked his beard and nodded upon hearing this.

"Little friend, your aspirations lie in purity, which is only right."

"The East Sea is vast, dotted with immortal islands like stars; it is indeed an excellent choice for establishing a dojo."

He paused for a moment, a hint of recollection in his eyes.

"When I traveled the East Sea in my younger days, I once encountered an island in a certain sea region."

"The island was hidden within a void illusion, not visible to ordinary eyes. One had to wait for the Stars of the Heavens to shift and the illusion to slightly dissipate before its trace would appear."

"The abundance of spiritual energy and the marvels of Creation on that island were truly the most I had ever seen in my life."

"However, I already had the blessed land of Longevity Mountain and was content, so I did not stay long, nor did I claim it."

Old Ancestor Hongyun, listening from the side, clapped his hands and laughed.

"Brother Dao speaks the truth! That island was truly divine!"

"When I traveled with Brother Dao back then, it was also by chance that I managed to enter."

"Inside, it was a world unto itself, with countless spiritual roots and immortal flowers, bathed in auspicious light and swirling mists. It was truly a superb dojo!"

"Alas, alas! We both already have our foundations, so it's a lucky break for you, little friend!"

Dao Xuan's heart rejoiced upon hearing this.

An island that Zhenyuanzi and Old Ancestor Hongyun praised so highly could not be ordinary!

"There is such a treasure land? Do you know its location..."

Zhenyuanzi smiled slightly and flicked a speck of spiritual light from his fingertip, which entered Dao Xuan's brow.

"This is the sea region coordinates I recorded back then, along with the timing of the star shifts."

"Little friend, you may proceed there and await the opportune moment."

"Remember, though the opportunity is good, patience is also required."

Dao Xuan felt a star map and sea region marker appear in his Sea of Consciousness, along with a sensation related to a specific celestial phenomenon.

He quickly bowed deeply once more.

"Seniors' immense kindness, Dao Xuan will never forget!"

Old Ancestor Hongyun waved his hand and chuckled.

"Little friend, you are too polite. When your dojo is established in the future, don't forget to invite us for a cup of tea."

"I certainly will! I certainly will!" Dao Xuan solemnly agreed.

After bidding farewell to Zhenyuanzi and Old Ancestor Hongyun, Dao Xuan mounted the Five Spirit Qilin, transforming into a five-colored auspicious cloud. He departed Longevity Mountain and headed straight for the East Sea.

The Five Spirit Qilin trod upon auspicious clouds, its four hooves stirring up the wind, moving at extreme speed.

Before long, the vast and boundless East Sea came into view.

Waves stretched for miles, water and sky merged into one, occasionally dotted with immortal islands, and spiritual birds and auspicious beasts soared through the air.

Dao Xuan suppressed the urge to immediately head to the sea region marked by Zhenyuanzi.

"The time is not yet right, the stars have not shifted, going there would be in vain."

His mind turned.

"Why not go back and check out the place where I transformed?"

He had fled in haste back then, and now that he had achieved Grand Unity, it was time to return and see.

Following his memory, Dao Xuan, riding the Five Spirit Qilin, flew towards the nameless island from years ago.

Before he even got close, he could sense faint demonic energy emanating from the island, and the light of formations flickered, clearly indicating it already had an owner.

Dao Xuan lowered his cloud and landed on the sandy beach by the island.

Immediately, a figure flew out from the island.

The newcomer wore a Fish Tail Golden Crown, a dark cloud-patterned Daoist robe, a silk sash around his waist, and straw sandals on his feet.

His complexion was sallow, with a sparse, short beard of three strands on his chin. His eyes darted about; he was a cultivator of Grand Unity Golden Immortal level.

It was the same Daoist with the Fish Tail Crown who had chased Dao Xuan back then, forcing him to jump into the sea to escape!

Tens of thousands of years have passed, and this person's cultivation has indeed advanced to the mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

Seeing Dao Xuan riding the Five-Colored Qilin, exuding an extraordinary aura with profound and unfathomable Dao rhythm flowing around him, clearly indicating the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, the Daoist's heart tightened. He dared not be negligent and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully with an extremely humble posture.

"Junior Xuan Yin greets the esteemed immortal! May I ask why the esteemed immortal has graced my humble island and what guidance you may have?"

Dao Xuan sat atop the Five Spirit, looking down at him with calm eyes.

The Five Spirit snorted, surrounded by five-colored auspicious energy, further accentuating Dao Xuan's transcendent immortal demeanor.

"Guidance?"

A half-smile played on Dao Xuan's lips.

"Xuan Yin? It's been tens of thousands of years, and you don't even recognize an old acquaintance anymore?"

Xuan Yin was stunned by the words. He looked up and carefully examined Dao Xuan.

That handsome and refined appearance, that Blue Gauze Headband, that apricot-yellow Eight Trigrams robe...

Sealed memories were suddenly pried open!

The image of a pathetic, newly transformed being, a mere True Immortal he had chased relentlessly with nowhere to run or hide, slowly merged with the dignified and unfathomable Grand Unity Golden Immortal before him!

"It... it's you?!"

Xuan Yin's face instantly turned ashen, as if he had seen a ghost, his eyes filled with disbelief and horror!

"Impossible! You... you were just a tiny True Immortal back then. Jumping into the East Sea was surely a death sentence! How could you..."

"How could you have achieved Grand Unity?"

Dao Xuan finished his sentence for him, his tone flat but carrying an invisible pressure.

"The Heavenly Dao cycles, and retribution is never absent."

"Back then, you relentlessly pursued me to seize my accompanying spiritual treasure. Did you ever consider that today might come?"

Xuan Yin trembled violently, a chill shooting straight up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head!

He had indeed believed back then that Dao Xuan had long since become fish food or been devoured by a great sea demon.

Who would have thought that not only had the other party survived, but he had also achieved Grand Unity Golden Immortal in a mere tens of thousands of years!

This utterly overturned his understanding of the world!

Fear instantly seized his heart!

Run!

He must escape!

With almost no hesitation, Xuan Yin transformed into a streak of dark light and shot out of the island!

He didn't even care about his established foundation on the island!

"Hmph! With karma unresolved, do you think you can escape?"

Dao Xuan snorted coldly, remaining seated.

With a slight movement of his mind, the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd at his waist transformed into a blinding golden light, striking faster than Xuan Yin's escape!

Its speed was like lightning, its momentum like a rainbow, containing the true meaning of shattering all laws!

"No--!"

Xuan Yin felt a deathly aura envelop him. He turned back in terror, only to see a golden light tearing through space!

Puchi!

The golden light pierced through his body!

Xuan Yin's figure stiffened abruptly, the light in his eyes rapidly dimming.

His protective immortal light and Grand Unity Dao body were like paper before the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd!

He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but only a mouthful of foul blood mixed with internal organ fragments spewed out.

In the next moment, his body, along with his Primordial Spirit, exploded with a bang!

Dispersing into specks of spiritual light, vanishing into heaven and earth.

His Dao extinguished and his body perished!

The karma from tens of thousands of years ago was finally settled today.

Dao Xuan retracted the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd, his expression neither joyful nor sorrowful.

The strong prey on the weak; this is the iron law of the Great Desolation.

If his cultivation had not far surpassed the other party's today, the outcome would likely have been entirely different.

He rode the Five Spirit and slowly walked into the island.

When he had first taken form, although this island was small, it was still spiritually beautiful.

It had a few companion immortal herbs and a small spiritual spring.

Now, looking again, it was a scene of devastation.

On the island, Xuan Jizi had haphazardly opened up many cave dwellings, set up crude formations, and damaged the earth veins.

The spiritual spring was polluted, and the immortal herbs were all plucked, leaving only some crooked, inferior spiritual plants.

Demonic energy lingered, and turbid energy permeated the air, completely lacking the clear, spiritual aura of the past.

"Such a good blessed land, ruined into this state."

Dao Xuan frowned slightly.

He leaped off the Qilin and landed in the center of the island.

"Never mind, since I'm back in my old haunt, I'll clean it up a bit."

Dao Xuan formed a hand seal and recited a true incantation.

"Heaven and Earth are boundless, Pure Xuan True Law! Foul energy recede!"

Grand Unity magic power surged forth, transforming into a pure and sacred wind that swept across the entire island!

Wherever it passed, the lingering demonic energy, turbid energy, and foul energy melted away like ice and snow, being completely cleansed!

He then invoked the spiritual energy of the earth veins and communicated with the power of water essence.

"Earth Veins Return to Origin! Water Spirit Purifies the World!"

Hum!

The island trembled slightly. The damaged earth veins were slowly sorted out and returned to their natural state.

The polluted spiritual spring bubbled and gurgled, emitting clear spring water, and spiritual energy revived.

Dao Xuan then took out a few spiritual seeds obtained from Wuzhuang Temple and scattered them with a wave of his hand.

The spiritual seeds took root upon landing and grew rapidly, exuding vibrant life.

In just a moment, the entire island was renewed.

Although it couldn't compare to the natural spiritual beauty it possessed when it was formed with him, it was now serene, elegant, and filled with spiritual energy.

Dao Xuan looked at the island, which had regained its clarity, and nodded slightly.

"This island was once where I took form, so we have a connection."

"The island is long and narrow, with slightly upturned ends, subtly resembling a flood dragon emerging from the sea..."

He pondered for a moment.

"I shall name it 'Golden Flood Dragon Island'."

"If I am fortunate enough to take in a disciple in the future, perhaps I can grant them permission to cultivate here."

Dao Xuan raised his hand, and the Myriad Treasures Nine Dragon Seal flew out from his sleeve.

The seal hovered above the heart of the island, with illusory nine-dragon projections swirling around it, exuding profound Daoist charm.

"Nine Dragons Suppress the Earth! Conceal!"

Dao Xuan activated the magic seal.

Nine streams of chaotic energy descended, integrating into the island's earth veins and the void.

Instantly, the entire Golden Flood Dragon Island became hazy, as if shrouded in an invisible veil, its aura completely hidden.

From the outside, only an ordinary stretch of sea remained, with no trace of the island.

"This way, it can be considered a memento."

Dao Xuan put away the Myriad Treasures Nine Dragon Seal and leaped back onto the Five Spirit Qilin.

He looked towards the depths of the East Sea, in the direction of the sea coordinates given by Zhenyuanzi.

"The time is approaching. It's time to find the true Dojo!"

The Five Spirit Qilin understood, let out a clear neigh, and its four hooves trod on clouds, transforming into a five-colored stream of light, speeding towards that mysterious sea region.

Vast blue waves, ethereal immortal traces.