Hugging a thigh? Let's fleece our own sheep first!

Dao Xuan's exhilarating, unrestrained laughter echoed in the vast expanse between sea and sky, shaking the scorched black reefs beneath his feet, sending fine stone fragments tumbling into the ocean.

Within the laughter was the relief of surviving a calamity, the elation of obtaining a heavenly treasure, and even more so, an infinite yearning for the glimmer of hope that had suddenly appeared on the boundless road ahead!

The Chaos Bead!

Even though it was tattered and worn, covered in spiderweb-like cracks, and even missing some fragments, the trace of primordial Dao rhyme within it, of chaos yet unformed and primordial chaos yet unjudged, was undeniable!

Just by sensing it with his Primordial Spirit, his newly condensed Dao Foundation of a True Immortal vibrated, as if a fledgling bird had encountered a phoenix, instinctively feeling reverence and desire.

"With this treasure by my side, obscuring heavenly secrets and forming a small world of its own, even when the Great Tribulation begins, there will be an extra sliver of hope for survival!

The chance to become a Saint... may not be a mere illusion!"

Dao Xuan's heart surged, and the faint light of the Chaos Bead in his sea of consciousness became like an unquenchable lighthouse on his path of cultivation.

The wild joy subsided slightly, and his mind gradually calmed.

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged on the reef, about to sink into his sea of consciousness to carefully savor the mysteries of the Chaos Bead and the various changes in his own True Immortal Dao Foundation.

Suddenly, he sensed something unusual beside him.

A beam of treasure light, warm and resilient, yet carrying an unparalleled sharpness and destructive intent, quietly seeped out from the cracks in the reef where he was sitting. It illuminated the hem of his apricot-yellow Eight Trigrams robe, flowing with a cold, dark golden radiance.

"Hmm?"

Dao Xuan's thoughts stirred, and he lowered his head to look.

He saw that in the crack of the scorched, rough reef, an object lay quietly.

This object was no more than a foot long, shaped like a short halberd. Its entire body displayed an ancient, heavy, dark golden hue, neither gold nor jade, yet possessing a peculiar metallic texture, as if it had condensed the purest Geng Metal origin of heaven and earth.

On the body of the halberd, natural, profound, and complex patterns were engraved. Counting them, there were exactly twenty-seven!

Twenty-seven Innate Restrictions!

These restrictions were not dead things but flowed slowly on the halberd like living veins, waxing and waning. Each flow would cause the surrounding sparse Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth to fluctuate slightly, emitting a sharp, unparalleled, all-breaking, and obstacle-severing killing aura!

The treasure light was contained within, not revealing itself, yet it exuded a heart-palpitating pressure, as if with this halberd's appearance, all laws could be broken!

"This..." Dao Xuan was stunned at first, then a surge of immense joy washed over him once more!

A clear resonance and call came from the depths of his bloodline!

"A companion spiritual treasure! My companion spiritual treasure!"

As if divinely inspired, a name naturally emerged from the depths of his Primordial Spirit—the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd!

"Hahaha! Heaven helps me! Truly, heaven helps me!"

Dao Xuan couldn't help but laugh again, and with a beckoning gesture, the dark golden short halberd, as if possessing sentience, let out a low, joyful hum. It transformed into a dark golden stream of light and "swished" into his palm.

It felt slightly heavy in his hand, cool to the touch, and a sense of connection, like an extension of his own arm, arose spontaneously.

His divine sense probed inward. The twenty-seven Innate Restrictions were like layers upon layers of a maze, profound and deep. With his cultivation as an Early True Immortal, he could only vaguely glimpse the surface of the outermost restrictions. To refine it would not be a task accomplished in a day or two.

But even this initial sensing allowed him to feel the terrifying power contained within this halberd—law-breaking! Restriction-breaking!

Destroying all tangible and intangible obstacles!

"Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd! For attacking, protecting the Dao, slaying demons and eradicating evil, it is invincible! What a treasure!"

Dao Xuan caressed the ancient patterns on the halberd's body, unable to put it down, feeling the sharp will within it that could sever everything.

"Starting with a (fragmented) Chaos Bead and a mid-grade Innate offensive spiritual treasure? This transmigration is worth it! A definite double yolk opening!"

He weighed the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd in his hand, his gaze unconsciously drifting to the fragment of the Chaos Bead quietly suspended in the depths of his sea of consciousness.

"One is for internal use, obscuring heavenly secrets and nurturing the Dao Foundation; the other is for external use, breaking laws, attacking, and protecting me. Cultivating both internally and externally, with this setup, as long as I don't act recklessly, surviving until the era of Saints should be no problem, right?"

Dao Xuan pondered in his heart, his sense of security greatly increased.

However, this sense of security did not last long.

In the Great Desolation, the most abundant thing was variables.

Dao Xuan reined in his thoughts and decided to deduce the current general trend of the Great Desolation.

Although he was a True Immortal, as the first Golden Flood Dragon to transform in heaven and earth, his bloodline carried a trace of the primal imprint of creation. He was more sensitive to the changes in the world's Qi than ordinary True Immortals.

He closed his eyes, his hands forming profound hand seals, the Heavenly Star Evolution Technique from his bloodline inheritance.

This technique specialized in deducing heavenly secrets and sensing the flow of luck.

His Primordial Spirit's power connected with the mysterious void, drawing down the power of the stars of the heavens.

In an instant, Dao Xuan's mind seemed to soar, transcending the isolated island, overlooking the entire Great Desolation.

A grand, vast, impartial, and righteous, yet cold and emotionless will, like the eternally existing wheel of the Heavenly Dao, slowly revolved between heaven and earth.

This will was even more magnificent, more profound, and more... complete than the killing intent that had locked onto him before!

"Dao Ancestor Hongjun... has already merged with the Dao!"

Dao Xuan's mind trembled violently!

Immediately after, he "saw" that high above the nine heavens, in the endless depths of chaos, an ancient and magnificent purple palace faintly appeared, exuding supreme majesty that educated all beings and expounded the Great Dao.

Around the palace, purple energy surged for thirty thousand miles, and a thousand strands of auspicious mist descended. Countless profound Daoist sounds lingered in the void, as if a grand event that shook the universe had just concluded.

Purple Heaven Palace... the second sermon... just ended not long ago?

Dao Xuan's heart sank!

The timing was too crucial!

Dao Ancestor Hongjun achieved sainthood, lectured in Zixiao Palace, took the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, Zhunti, Hongyun, Kunpeng, and others as disciples (registered or direct), distributed saint seats, and set the number of Heavenly Dao Saints.

The second lecture expounded on the path of the Quasi-Saint.

The third lecture would be the Primordial Dao, distributing Innate Spiritual Treasures (Treasure Distribution Rock). After that, Hongjun would merge with the Dao, and would not appear unless a great calamity befell heaven and earth!

"The second lecture just ended... doesn't that mean the third lecture is also coming soon? The Treasure Distribution Rock will distribute treasures soon? And then... the Witch-Demon Calamity will officially begin?!"

Dao Xuan felt a chill rush straight from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head!

The Witch-Demon Calamity!

That was the second-greatest calamity in the Great Desolation!

The Witch Clan ruled the earth, the Demon Clan ruled the heavens. The two clans fought for supremacy, shattering the Great Desolation, causing stars to fall, and plunging all living beings into misery!

Grand Unity Golden Immortals fell like rain, and even Quasi-Saints could not escape the calamity!

In the end, both sides were severely injured and withdrew from the stage of the Great Desolation, allowing the Human Race to rise.

He, a mere Early True Immortal, would be utterly insignificant in such a world-destroying calamity, not even qualified to be cannon fodder! Any stray ripple of combat would be enough to turn him to dust!

"No! Absolutely not!" Cold sweat beaded on Dao Xuan's forehead. "I must improve my strength as quickly as possible! I must find a backer! It's easier to grow under a big tree. The end of the Great Desolation universe is a government position—a Saint's position!"

"Hugging a thigh!"

This was the only thought that flashed through Dao Xuan's mind!

In the Great Desolation world, all below Saints were ants.

Only by becoming a disciple of a Saint, receiving their protection and true inheritance, could one fight for a sliver of survival during a calamity, and perhaps even hope for the supreme Primordial Dao fruit!

"The first choice, naturally, is Pangu's orthodox lineage, the Three Pure Ones!" Dao Xuan's mind raced.

"Grand Pure One Laozi, who practices inaction and purity, the orthodox lineage of the Xuanmen. If I could become his disciple and receive the Grand Pure Immortal Method or the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, my foundation would be the most stable!

The Jade Pure Primordial Heavenly Venerate values one's origins the most. I am the first Golden Flood Dragon to transform, so my origins are considered that of an innate divine being. Perhaps there is a chance?

The Upper Pure Heavens Master accepts disciples regardless of their background, seizing a sliver of opportunity. This offers the greatest chance!"

"The second choice, Empress Nuwa! The Human Race's Holy Mother, with immeasurable merit in the future. Moreover, she has not yet become a Saint. If I can forge a good relationship with her now, the future benefits will be endless!

However, Empress Nuwa's temperament... seems a bit unpredictable?"

"As for those two in the West..." Dao Xuan curled his lips, recalling those two future Saints who would say, "This item has a connection with me."

"Jieyin, Zhunti... Hmm, as backups! If there's really no other choice, to survive, I'll have to accept them grudgingly! After all, the title of Saint's disciple is a golden pass to avoid death in the Great Desolation!"

With his mind made up, Dao Xuan suddenly stood up, his gaze burning, looking towards the northwest of the Great Desolation Continent!

"Kunlun Mountain! The Three Pure Ones' dojo! I'll go there!"

His heart surged, as if he could already see the bright prospect of becoming a Saint's disciple, listening to the Great Dao, and roaming the Great Desolation at will.

However, just as he was about to conjure his escape light and fly directly to Kunlun, his steps paused again.

Dao Xuan's gaze, with a trace of indescribable "affection," slowly swept over the isolated island beneath his feet—the island that had nurtured him (though only in his flood dragon form), helped him transform, and hid the Chaos Bead and the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd.

"Just leaving like this?" he muttered softly, his eyes flickering. "I feel like... I'm missing something?"

The soul of a transmigrator was restless!

"What a joke! This is an overseas immortal island! Although it's not big, it was formed from a fragment of chaos, is filled with abundant Innate Spiritual Energy, and even gave birth to spiritual beings with my origins!

According to the laws of Great Desolation novels, aside from bugged locations like Buzhou Mountain, which was formed from Pangu's spine, overseas immortal islands have the most treasures!"

"What Penglai, Fangzhang, Yingzhou... aren't they all incredibly rich?

Even though my island can't compare to those three great immortal islands, a mosquito's leg is still meat!

If I don't thoroughly ransack it, am I worthy of my identity as a transmigrator?

Am I worthy of the fine tradition of 'not leaving empty-handed'... Bah! I mean, 'plucking feathers from a passing goose'?

"To pull wool, of course, you start from your own home! This is called rational resource utilization, avoiding waste!"

Dao Xuan instantly convinced himself, a sly smile appearing on his face. Where was the solemnity and decisiveness he had just shown when calculating heavenly secrets?

He immediately unleashed his divine sense, like mercury flowing across the ground, meticulously scanning every inch of the isolated island.

Reefs, caves, ancient trees, deep pools, secluded valleys... not a single corner was missed.

As his divine sense passed over, the various scenes on the island appeared in vivid detail.

There were Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruits, as red as fire, with spiritual energy swirling around them.

There was Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade, entirely azure, exuding a chilling aura.

There was a Geng Metal ore vein, containing hidden sharpness, buried within the mountain's belly.

These were all rare Postnatal Spiritual Materials, treasures in the eyes of ordinary cultivators.

Dao Xuan merely glanced over, not lingering.

His appetite had grown; these postnatal items no longer caught his eye.

His divine sense finally focused on the deep pool at the island's heart!

The pool's water remained dark and deep, faintly shimmering with golden light. This was where Dao Xuan, in his Flood Dragon form, used to coil, absorbing spiritual energy.

Beside the pool, on the damp spiritual soil, nestled against several smooth, water-worn black rocks, grew a peculiar spiritual root!

This tree was not tall, only about ten feet. Its trunk was gnarled like a dragon, possessing a warm, jade-white luster with a subtle flow of light. The canopy was sparse, bearing only nine leaves.

These nine leaves varied in shape: some like swords, some like fans, some like hearts, some like clouds... Each was crystal clear, as if carved from the finest jade. Their veins were clearly visible, flowing with seven-colored auspicious light that swirled and rose, illuminating the surrounding area for several yards with a vibrant, breathtaking spectacle.

Even stranger, at the top of the canopy, at the center surrounded by the nine leaves, hung a fruit!

The fruit was only the size of a pigeon's egg, perfectly round, and its color was chaotic – not green, not white, not black, not purple. It seemed to contain all the colors of the world, or perhaps it was the purest colorless.

The surface of the fruit's skin bore nine naturally formed, profound cloud patterns, like imprints of the Great Dao, slowly circulating. It exuded a peculiar Dao charm that calmed the mind and clarified the Dao heart.

The entire spiritual root, though lacking immense power, possessed a unique aura of innate purity that nourished the Primordial Spirit.

"Innate spiritual root!" Dao Xuan's eyes lit up, his heart pounding!

His divine sense carefully sensed its origin. The root's essence was pure and ancient. Though not even one ten-thousandth of the Chaos Bead's power, it was far superior to any postnatal item, reaching the mid-grade Innate level!

"Nine-Orifice Transparent Jade Heart Tree? Or... Myriad Phenomena Return to Origin Chaos Fruit?" Dao Xuan's mind rapidly recalled several famous mid-grade Innate spiritual roots from the Great Desolation, but none matched perfectly. But that didn't matter!

What mattered was that it was here! In his own backyard!

"I'm rich! I'm truly rich!" Dao Xuan beamed, rubbing his hands together like a glutton who had discovered a peerless treasure.

"This spiritual root contains pure Dao charm, best for nourishing the Primordial Spirit, clarifying the Dao heart, and aiding in enlightenment!

The fruit it bears is an supreme treasure for nurturing the Primordial Spirit and dispelling inner demons! It will greatly benefit in stabilizing one's foundation and breaking through bottlenecks!"

"Transplant it! I must transplant it! When I later establish my cave dwelling, I'll plant this tree there. Bathed in its Dao charm daily, wouldn't cultivation be twice as effective with half the effort?"

Dao Xuan hesitated no longer and immediately took action.

He proceeded with utmost care, fearing he might damage the spiritual root in the slightest.

First, he enveloped the entire spiritual root with his divine sense, investigating the direction of its roots and their connection to the earth veins.

Next, he circulated his magic power, condensing sharp Geng Metal energy at his fingertips (enhanced by the Dao charm of the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd, allowing for more precise control).

He began to cut through the spiritual soil and rocks around the spiritual root, preparing to excavate its roots along with the attached spiritual soil and earth vein essence in one piece.

His movements were gentle, his focus absolute. He even muttered to himself:

"Don't be scared, little treasure. Come with me. I'll take you to a big house, where you'll eat and drink well. It's much better than drinking the northwest wind on this deserted island..."

Just as he was about to completely detach the Nine-Orifice Transparent Jade Heart Tree (he'd call it that for now) along with a large chunk of spiritual soil beneath it.

At this critical juncture!

"Halt--!!!"

A world-shattering roar, like divine thunder from the highest heavens, carrying with it furious rage, greediness, and unparalleled pressure, rolled in from the distant horizon!

The sound waves caused the sea surface to erupt in hundred-foot waves! On the island, sand and stones flew, and ancient trees were snapped!

Dao Xuan, caught off guard, was shaken by this terrifying sonic wave infused with immense magical power. His blood churned, his vision darkened, and his movements faltered!

Immediately after, a streak of crimson light, like a falling meteor, carrying a scorching heat that could incinerate mountains and boil seas, tore through the sky and slammed down onto the cliff opposite the deep pool!

As the light dissipated, a figure appeared.

Behold this person:

He wore a "Nine-Cloud Blazing Crown," surrounded by crimson auspicious light, with flames rising from its peak, and the faint cries of fierce birds.

He was clad in a "Great Red Eight Trigrams Blazing Robe," the flame patterns on which leaped and burned like living things, radiating intense heat.

Around his waist was a "Crimson Gold Lion Barbarian Belt," its buckle a ferocious, roaring lion's head.

On his feet were a pair of "Fire-Treading Wind-Chasing Shoes," with faint flames flickering beneath them.

Looking at his appearance:

His face was like ripe dates, fiery red. A full, bushy beard jutted out, each strand like a needle, as red as blood!

His eyebrows were turned upward, like two burning blades of fire, pointing directly towards his temples!

His eyes were like bronze bells, radiating fierce light with every blink, as if molten lava flowed within!

His wide mouth stretched open, revealing pearly white teeth, exuding an aura of savage dominance, ferocity, and bloodlust!

Truly:

Crimson hair and beard like fiery clouds, Bronze bell eyes capture demonic souls. The Nine-Cloud Crown blazes with fierce flames, The Eight Trigrams robe swirls with baleful energy. The Lion Barbarian Belt holds the power to burn mountains, The Fire-Treading Shoes chase with earth-splitting strides. A single roar shakes the vast sea, A fierce god and evil spirit descends to the mortal realm!

The moment this person landed, his gaze, as ferocious as a primordial beast, locked onto Dao Xuan, who was by the pool preparing to transplant the spiritual root, and the Nine-Orifice Transparent Jade Heart Tree shimmering with auspicious light!

Greed flared intensely in his eyes, like a starving wolf spotting a plump lamb!

"Audacious!" the red-faced Daoist boomed, his voice like a thunderous bell, causing the pool water to boil.

"What wild Daoist dares covet the 'Nine-Orifice Transparent Jade Heart Tree' that this ancestor has guarded for ten thousand years!

Hurry and scram, and offer this treasure to me! Perhaps this ancestor will spare your dog's life!"