Battle

Dao Xuan's calm gaze swept across the summit of Falling Gold Mountain.

His divine sense spread out like spilled mercury.

The Demon Clan's great sages had blood qi like blazing furnaces, their demonic aura piercing the heavens.

The War Witches of the Witch Clan exuded killing qi condensed almost into substance, their knotted muscles resembling mountain ranges.

Among the independent cultivators were hidden experts, immortal light flickering around them, Dharma treasures suspended overhead, their eyes shifting constantly.

Several more auras were deep and obscure, concealed in the shadows like primordial ferocious beasts lying in wait. They were clearly at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm!

One of them possessed blood qi and killing qi nearly rivaling that of an ancestral witch. It was a great witch!

Another had exceptionally pure demonic aura, carrying an ancient, savage air. It was likely a Demon Clan magnate.

Several others were either clear and ethereal or strange and secretive, all long-famous old monsters among the independent cultivators of the primordial world.

Grand Unity Golden Immortals were everywhere.

This place had become a dragon's pool and tiger's den!

Once the spiritual treasure emerged, a bloody storm would be unavoidable.

Dao Xuan was unafraid, but in the chaos of battle, they could easily be caught in the crossfire.

He slightly turned his head and said to Gourd Baby, who sat beside him atop the Seven-Colored Gourd,

"Gourd Baby, take Six-Eared and leave this place. Find somewhere safe to hide for now."

"Master?" Gourd Baby had been watching with great interest, but his little face immediately fell when he heard this. Somewhat unwilling, he said, "This disciple wants to stay and help Master!"

"Nonsense." Though Dao Xuan's voice was mild, it carried unquestionable authority. "This battle is beyond your ability to join. Staying here would only distract me."

Gourd Baby still wanted to say something.

The Six-Eared Macaque at his side had long since been trembling with fear.

Its cultivation was the weakest, yet its senses were the sharpest. The undisguised killing intent and greed radiating from all around made it feel as though thorns were pressed against its back.

It hurriedly advised in a low voice, "Young Master! The Immortal is absolutely right! This place is exceedingly dangerous, with mighty experts gathered everywhere. One careless step, and we will die with our Dao extinguished!

"Our cultivation is shallow. Not only would we be unable to help if we stayed, we would become a burden to the Immortal! If the Immortal were distracted because of us and missed an opportunity or suffered injury, that would be a sin beyond redemption even in ten thousand deaths!"

Every word from the Six-Eared Macaque made sense, and it struck precisely at Gourd Baby's greatest concern—his fear of dragging down his master.

Gourd Baby looked at Dao Xuan's calm yet profound eyes, then at the terrifying figures around them watching like tigers stalking prey. His little face tightened, and at last, he nodded heavily.

"Master, you must be careful! This disciple... this disciple will wait outside with Six-Eared!"

"Mm." Dao Xuan gave a slight nod.

Gourd Baby slapped the Seven-Colored Gourd with his small hand.

Whoosh!

The Seven-Colored Gourd carried him and the Six-Eared Macaque away in a streak of light. In an instant, it flew beyond the summit of Falling Gold Mountain and landed on an inconspicuous hill hundreds of miles away, where they anxiously watched from afar.

Seeing them leave, Dao Xuan finally let go of his last concern.

His gaze returned to the pillar of golden light piercing the sky. He stood with his hands behind his back, the Blue Gauze Headband fluttering lightly in the wind, his aura growing ever deeper and more unfathomable.

Sensing its master's intent, the Five Spirit Qilin gave a low roar. Five-Colored Divine Light flowed around its body as its four hooves stepped on clouds, faintly shielding Dao Xuan at its center.

Time slowly passed amid the tense, oppressive atmosphere.

More and more cultivators gathered atop Falling Gold Mountain, and the atmosphere grew increasingly grave, like the dead silence before a storm.

Several more months passed like this.

On that day.

At noon, the blazing sun hung like fire.

Buzz—!

The golden pillar of light, dormant for months, suddenly erupted with unprecedented brilliance!

The light was so dazzling that no one could open their eyes, as if a great sun had risen from within the mountain!

Rumble—!

The entire Falling Gold Mountain shook violently!

The dark-gold mountain body groaned beneath the strain as countless boulders tumbled down!

A vast and pure innate spiritual aura, carrying supreme Dao charm, burst forth like a flood breaking through a dam and swept across heaven and earth!

"The spiritual treasure has emerged!"

Someone let out a hoarse roar!

It was like igniting a powder keg!

Boom!

The summit of Falling Gold Mountain instantly boiled over!

"The treasure is mine!"

"Get lost!"

"Kill!"

Countless figures pounced madly toward the very core of the golden light!

Greed, killing intent, and madness instantly drowned out reason!

The radiance of Dharma treasures, the thunderous roars of divine abilities, the howls of demonic aura, the furious shouts of the Witch Clan, the clashing of weapons, the tearing of flesh... all wove together into a symphony of death!

The great battle had completely erupted!

The first to suffer were the cultivators at the Heavenly Immortal and True Immortal realms.

Before Grand Unity Golden Immortals, and even Grand Unity Golden Immortals, they were as fragile as ants!

"Hmph! Even ants dare covet such a supreme treasure? Die!" A Demon Clan Grand Unity Golden Immortal snorted and swept his sleeve. A sheet of sickly green demonic fire surged forth, instantly burning dozens of Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals charging at the front into ash!

"The Witch Clan is here! All who block me shall die!" That great witch was even more savage. He swept a massive bone spear through the air, and its terrifying force warped space itself. More than a dozen cultivators, along with their Dharma treasures, were instantly smashed into bloody mist and pulp!

"Boundless Heavenly Venerate! This treasure is fated for this poor Daoist!" An immortal-looking old Daoist produced a Bagua Mirror. Wherever its mirror light shone, several Grand Unity Golden Immortals screamed as their primordial spirits were forcibly frozen in place, only to be blasted apart by other divine abilities!

Brutal!

Bloody!

Merciless!

This was a naked purge!

The Grand Unity Golden Immortals and great witch-level beings tacitly agreed to first clear away all the potential nuisances—the "small fry"!

Some were driven away, while others were directly slaughtered!

In but a moment.

The summit of Falling Gold Mountain was littered with corpses, and blood flowed like a river.

The thick stench of blood mixed with fragments of Dharma treasures and shattered spiritual aura, permeating the air.

The previously crowded platform was instantly much emptier.

Only a dozen or so figures remained standing.

Every one of them possessed an aura as vast and boundless as a deep sea abyss!

The weakest among them was at the early Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm!

That great witch's aura even pressed toward the late Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm!

The Demon Clan magnate's demonic aura soared into the heavens, his gaze sinister and cold.

The old independent cultivators had Dharma treasures suspended overhead, their eyes flickering.

Everyone's eyes were fixed upon the core of the golden light.

A bronze coin with a round outer edge and square hole, transparent wings growing from both sides, and Chaos Qi flowing across its surface slowly rose from the pillar of light!

It was the Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin!

It emitted enticing treasure light and supreme Dao charm, tugging at the hearts of every mighty expert present!

"Move!"

Someone shouted in a low voice.

More than a dozen Grand Unity-level beings moved at once!

Their target was the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin!

"Roar!" The great witch roared. The bone spear in his hand became a streak of black light that tore through the heavens, carrying the force to shatter stars as it stabbed forward! At the same time, he clenched his other hand into a fist and punched out. His fist intent condensed into substance, suppressing everything like a Primordial Divine Mountain!

"Shriek!" The Demon Clan magnate revealed part of his true form. He was actually a Golden-Winged Great Peng that blotted out the sky! With a spread of his wings, gale winds like blades tore through space. His sharp claws flashed with cold light as they snatched toward the spiritual treasure!

"Go!" The old independent cultivator raised the Bagua Mirror, and its mirror light turned into eight chains that coiled around the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin!

The other mighty experts also displayed their abilities. Dharma treasures flew forth, and divine abilities surged chaotically!

There was only one goal—seize the spiritual treasure!

Terrifying might collided in an instant!

Boom—!!!

The space above the summit of Falling Gold Mountain shattered inch by inch like a mirror!

Earth Water Fire Wind raged wildly, and the laws fell into disorder!

Had this mountain not been innately formed and contained the essence of gold and iron, making it extraordinarily solid, it would already have been completely erased by that terrifying force!

Just as the chaos reached its peak, when the divine abilities and Dharma treasures of the dozen mighty experts were about to strike the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin!

A calm voice clearly rang within the primordial spirits of every mighty expert:

"Boundless Heavenly Venerate. This treasure is destined to belong to this poor Daoist."

The voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty and Dao charm.

Then!

Buzz!

A vast, majestic pressure carrying supreme Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi descended with a boom!

Above Dao Xuan's head, an ancient Jade Ruler had appeared at some unknown time!

It was three feet, six inches, and five fen long, entirely Mysterious Yellow in color. Mountains and rivers, sun, moon, and stars, and the rise and fall of humanity were engraved upon it!

It was the Houtian Merit Supreme Treasure—the Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler!

Once this ruler appeared, all techniques retreated!

The chaotic energy storm capable of tearing apart the flesh of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal was effortlessly calmed by an invisible current of Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi upon approaching within a hundred zhang of Dao Xuan!

Like Clear Wind brushing over water, it raised not a single ripple!

"A merit supreme treasure?!"

"The Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler?!"

"He is... Dao Xuan, the First Disciple of Xuanmen?!"

Several well-informed mighty experts cried out in shock, their voices filled with deep apprehension!

Yet what truly horrified them was still to come!

Dao Xuan took one step forward!

Beneath his feet, a flawless white Twelve-Ranked Lotus Platform radiating pure crystalline light appeared from nowhere!

The lotus platform slowly revolved, casting down countless cleansing divine lights and shielding Dao Xuan completely!

The Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Root—Pure World White Lotus!

Once this lotus appeared, no evil could invade it, and all techniques found it difficult to harm!

Standing atop the lotus platform, Dao Xuan flipped his left hand.

A treasure fan appeared in his grasp.

The fan surface was divided into four colors—green, red, white, and black—corresponding respectively to the four elemental origins of earth, fire, wind, and water!

The fan ribs were crystalline as jade, with Chaos Qi faintly flowing through them!

It was the Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Four Symbols Banana Fan!

Without even looking, Dao Xuan fiercely swung the fan at the great witch and the Demon Clan's Golden-Winged Great Peng charging at the front, along with several other rushing Grand Unity Golden Immortals!

Whoosh—!!!

In an instant!

Heaven and earth darkened!

Sun and moon lost their light!

The four primal forces of Earth Water Fire Wind were drawn forth by the treasure fan, transforming into four chaotic torrents capable of destroying heaven and earth!

Green gale winds tore through space!

Red flames incinerated all things!

White ice froze time itself!

Black heavy water annihilated divine souls!

The four-colored torrents twisted together like four roaring chaotic dragons, sweeping toward the mighty experts!

"Not good!"

The great witch's expression changed drastically. Sensing the terrifying primal force contained in those torrents, he dared not receive them head-on. With a furious roar, he held the bone spear horizontally before him as killing qi around his body condensed into tangible armor!

Qingluan let out a piercing shriek and frantically beat its wings, unleashing countless spatial blades in an attempt to sever the torrents!

The other Grand Unity Golden Immortals also brought out their strongest defenses!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Four Symbols torrents struck them head-on!

The terrifying explosion completely transformed that stretch of space into chaos!

The great witch's killing-qi armor shattered inch by inch. His bone spear wailed, and his massive body was blasted backward as blood sprayed from his mouth!

Large patches of Qingluan's feathers were scorched black. One wing was frozen by ice, then torn open by gale winds, leaving bone-deep wounds. It screamed miserably as it crashed down into the dust!

The defensive Dharma treasures of the other Grand Unity Golden Immortals dimmed, some even shattering outright. Every one of them was wounded and in a miserable state!

The power of one fan strike was terrifying beyond measure!

Yet Dao Xuan's attack did not stop!

He raised his right hand!

A great seal rose into the air!

The seal was entirely purple-gold, with nine dragons coiled around it!

The nine dragons were lifelike, their dragon eyes wide with fury, their mouths opened as they released earthshaking dragon roars!

Four ancient Dao characters were engraved on the base of the seal—Nine Dragon Myriad Treasures!

It was precisely a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Nine Dragon Myriad Treasure Seal!

The moment this seal appeared, an imperial majesty capable of suppressing the heavens and commanding all treasures erupted with a thunderous boom!

"Suppress!"

Dao Xuan spoke the true word.

The Nine Dragon Myriad Treasure Seal expanded with the wind, instantly becoming as massive as a mountain. Carrying unmatched might, it crashed down upon the other Grand Unity Golden Immortals who were trying to launch sneak attacks from the sides or attack with their magic treasures!

Rumble!

Space froze!

The laws wailed!

Those Grand Unity Golden Immortals felt their primordial spirits locked onto by a supreme authority, and even the circulation of their mana became sluggish!

The flying swords, treasure pagodas, divine bells, and other treasures they had unleashed instantly dimmed before the imperial dragon qi of the Nine Dragon Myriad Treasure Seal. They trembled with mournful cries, on the verge of losing control!

"Puh!"

"Agh!"

Several Grand Unity Golden Immortals were sent reeling by the sudden, terrifying Suppression Power. Their out-of-control treasures lashed back at them, and they all spat blood as they flew backward!

Dao Xuan stood atop the Pure World White Lotus, with the Mysterious Yellow Ruler above his head, pouring down merit to protect him. He held the Banana Fan in his left hand and the Myriad Treasures Seal in his right.

With a single step, he sent several Grand Unity Golden Immortals flying and suppressed them!

No one could stand in his way wherever he passed!

He moved as though through an empty land!

Overbearing!

Dominant!

The bearing of one who was invincible!

The remaining great experts, including the injured great shaman and the Demon Clan behemoth, looked at Dao Xuan as though they were seeing a walking Chaos fiendgod. Their eyes were full of shock and disbelief!

How could the First Disciple of Xuanmen be this terrifying?!

Those treasures in his hands... the Mysterious Yellow Ruler, the Pure World White Lotus, the Four Symbols Fan, the Nine Dragon Seal... any one of them was enough to drive a Grand Unity Golden Immortal mad with desire!

Yet he possessed four of them by himself?! And he wielded them with such effortless mastery?!

How were they supposed to fight this?!

Dao Xuan gave them no chance to catch their breath or join forces.

His gaze flashed like lightning as it locked onto the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin slowly rising into the air.

The divine light beneath the Pure World White Lotus flashed, and he instantly crossed space to appear beside the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin.

"Come!"

With a sweep of Dao Xuan's sleeve, a gentle yet irresistible force instantly enveloped the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin, which radiated enticing treasure light!

The Treasure Dropping Golden Coin trembled slightly. The wings on either side fluttered softly, as if it wanted to resist.

Yet the orthodox Xuanmen aura around Dao Xuan, serene and detached, together with the vast power of merit emanating from the Mysterious Yellow Ruler above his head, gave it a sense of intimacy at its source.

Its struggle lasted only an instant before it turned into a streak of light and obediently flew into Dao Xuan's sleeve!

The treasure was in hand!

The entire process had flowed as smoothly as clouds and water, as swift as a flash of lightning!

From Dao Xuan making his move, to driving back the enemies, to collecting the spiritual treasure, only a few breaths had passed!

By the time everyone reacted, the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin had already changed owners!

"Dao Xuan! Leave the spiritual treasure behind!" The great shaman's eyes nearly split open. Ignoring his injuries, he roared and charged forward again!

"Hand over the treasure! Otherwise, we will fight to the death!" Qingluan shrieked as well, her eyes filled with greed and madness!

The other Grand Unity Golden Immortals had reddened eyes too. Disregarding their injuries, they once again unleashed their strongest divine abilities and treasures, bombarding Dao Xuan!

For a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, risking their lives was worth it!

Dao Xuan collected the Treasure Dropping Golden Coin and sensed the ancient, warm copper coin within his sleeve, which contained boundless Dao essence. His heart settled completely.

Facing the enemies rushing at him once more.

A cold curve touched his lips.

"Obstinate fools."

The Mysterious Yellow Qi from the Mysterious Yellow Ruler above his head surged, shielding his entire body.

Divine light flowed around the Pure World White Lotus beneath his feet, rendering him Invulnerable to All Laws.

The Four Symbols Banana Fan in his left hand rose once again!

This time, he did not fan out a torrent. Instead, he fiercely swung it at the empty air!

Whoosh—!

An invisible yet utterly terrifying spatial storm erupted with Dao Xuan at its center!

Space shattered inch by inch like fragile glass!

Terrifying void currents swept forth!

"Agh!"

"No!"

The great shaman, the Demon Clan behemoth, Qingluan, and the others charging at the front bore the brunt of it!

The great shaman's formidable body, in which he had taken such pride, was instantly carved with countless bone-deep wounds by the spatial storm and void currents. Blood sprayed wildly!

Qingluan's vaunted speed and spatial talent instead became a death sentence within the chaotic spatial storm. Her feathers scattered as she screamed and was swept deep into the turbulent currents, her fate unknown!

The other Grand Unity Golden Immortals were forced back again and again by the terrifying spatial storm. The light of their treasures flashed frantically as they narrowly escaped disaster!

Seizing the chance, Dao Xuan patted the Five Spirit Qilin beneath him.

"Go!"

The Five Spirit Qilin let out a long roar. Its four hooves stepped upon auspicious clouds as Five-Colored Divine Light blazed around its body. Carrying Dao Xuan, it became a streak of light and shot away from the chaotic summit of Falling Gold Mountain, vanishing into the vast horizon.

Only a scene of devastation remained atop Falling Gold Mountain.

The shattered space slowly repaired itself.

All that remained were the heavily injured great shaman, the vanished Qingluan, and several shaken, bedraggled Grand Unity Golden Immortals.

They stared in the direction where Dao Xuan had disappeared, their eyes filled with unwillingness and rage, but even more so with deep apprehension and helplessness.

Dao Xuan, First Disciple of Xuanmen...

One man, four treasures—he crushed all opponents and seized the treasure before leaving!

This battle would surely shake the primordial world!

Several hundred li away.

Gourd Baby and the Six-Eared Macaque watched anxiously from afar.

When they saw the earth-shattering battle, both of their little faces turned deathly pale with fright.

Especially when they saw Dao Xuan besieged by so many terrifying figures, Gourd Baby was so anxious that he nearly rushed over.

"Teacher!"

"Immortal!"

Fortunately, what happened next left them completely stunned.

Dao Xuan stood with the Mysterious Yellow Ruler above his head, the white lotus beneath his feet, and a treasure fan and great seal in his hands. Every step was a divine ability; one sweep of his fan drove back all enemies, and one seal suppressed every direction!

Like a war god descending into the mortal realm, he was unstoppable!

In the end, he even raised a spatial storm and withdrew with perfect ease!

"Wow! Teacher is amazing!" Gourd Baby's little face flushed red with excitement as he bounced atop the Seven-Colored Gourd.

The Six-Eared Macaque trembled with excitement all over. His six ears stood straight up, and his eyes were filled with incomparable worship and fervor!

"The immortal's divine might! The immortal's divine might!"

Before long.

Five-colored light descended.

Riding the Five Spirit Qilin, Dao Xuan drifted down before them.

His Blue Gauze Headband remained in place. His face was like mutton-fat jade, his features refined and his brows clear. His aura was calm and peaceful, as though the earth-shattering battle just now had nothing to do with him.

"Teacher! Are you all right?" Gourd Baby hurriedly rushed over and hugged Dao Xuan's leg.

"I am fine." Dao Xuan smiled and rubbed his little head.

"Immortal!" The Six-Eared Macaque respectfully knelt in worship, his voice trembling with excitement.

Dao Xuan gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the distant Falling Gold Mountain, where remnants of treasure light still lingered amid utter silence.

This matter was settled.

He flicked his sleeve.

"Let us go."

The Five Spirit Qilin rose upon the clouds.

The Seven-Colored Gourd carried the cheering Gourd Baby and the Six-Eared Macaque, who was still immersed in shock, as it followed close behind.

Three streaks of light drifted leisurely into the distance.

Only the devastated summit of Falling Gold Mountain remained, along with its legend.