Mount Sumeru, the council hall.
Taiyuan sat in the seat of honor, with a table piled high with all kinds of storage bags and jade slips before him.
Jieyin and Zhunti sat on either side, taking stock of the spoils they had plundered from Three Immortal Island.
"Elder Brother, those three old geezers sure were rich."
Zhunti rummaged through the storage bags, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"Look at this: Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Ganoderma, a full three hundred stalks."
"And this—Supreme Star Sand, enough to fill an entire bag."
"This one's even more ridiculous. It's a Chaos Primordial Stone the size of a fist. You can't even buy one of these outside, no matter how much you offer."
Jieyin was just as astonished. He had even forgotten to roll the Prayer Beads in his hand.
"Three Immortal Island had been hidden away for countless years. The fortune they'd amassed was even greater than we imagined."
He picked up a piece of jade that glowed with a deep blue light, his eyes filled with wonder.
"This is Nether Cold Jade. It's perfect for crafting defensive Magic Treasures. A single piece is worth a fortune."
"And there are more than a dozen of them here."
Looking at the dazzling array of treasures, Taiyuan smiled with satisfaction.
Their trip to the East Sea had been immensely rewarding.
He had helped Nuwa become a Saint, advanced to the mid-stage Quasi-Saint realm, plundered the entire fortune of Three Immortal Island, and even captured East King Duke to serve as free labor.
More importantly, it was all for the Human Race—and for his own stake in the venture.
This was a massive win.
Just then, that familiar mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
[ Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the epic quest: Disrupt Nuwa's Sainthood ]
[ Quest evaluation: Perfect ]
[ Distributing rewards... ]
[ Primordial First Immortal Mountain Construction Blueprint x1 ]
[ Innate Five Elements Spirit Gathering Array Blueprint x1 ]
[ Chaos Divine Wood Seed x10 ]
[ Nine Heavens Mysterious Iron x1,000 jin ]
[ Creation Divine Spring Eye x1 ]
Taiyuan's eyes lit up as he looked over the series of rewards.
Good stuff.
All of it was good stuff.
The Primordial First Immortal Mountain Construction Blueprint in particular was practically made for him.
With a thought, he summoned the blueprint and examined it closely.
The blueprint detailed the layout of all kinds of buildings and the materials needed, from the main hall to the side halls, from spiritual springs to medicinal gardens. It had everything.
Built according to this blueprint, Mount Sumeru would undoubtedly become the greatest immortal mountain in the Primordial World, more magnificent even than Mount Kunlun.
"Second Brother, Third Brother."
Taiyuan put away the blueprint and looked at Jieyin and Zhunti.
"We're expanding Mount Sumeru."
At his words, both men looked up, their eyes brimming with anticipation.
"Expanding? How?"
Zhunti rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Elder Brother, just give the word. Digging and paving are my specialties."
Taiyuan rose and walked to the window, gazing down at the immortal paradise that had already taken shape below.
"We're Quasi-Saints now. Our abode should reflect the stature of Quasi-Saints."
"The buildings we had before were decent, but they were still too small and unimpressive."
"This time, we're going all out. We'll turn Mount Sumeru into the finest blessed land in the entire Primordial World."
He turned around, excitement shining in his eyes.
"We'll pave the plazas with Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, build palaces from Chaos Divine Wood, dig spiritual springs with Three Lights Divine Water, and cover the entire mountain with the Primordial Five Elements Spirit-Gathering Array."
"I want everyone who comes to Mount Sumeru to be awestruck the moment they step inside."
Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged glances, both seeing the same excitement in each other's eyes.
Elder Brother was making another grand move.
In the days that followed, Mount Sumeru was swept up in a fever of construction.
Zhunti hefted the Sky-Turning Shovel and carved out level plazas across the mountain. Then he carefully paved them with Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, every inch of earth brimming with the vitality of creation.
Jieyin was in charge of arranging the Primordial Five Elements Spirit-Gathering Array. He enveloped the entire mountain in it, drawing a steady stream of spiritual energy from heaven and earth.
Taiyuan personally planted the ten Chaos Divine Wood Seeds and watered them with the water from the Merit Pool.
The moment they touched the ground, the seeds began growing at a frenzied pace. In just three days, they had become towering trees, each a hundred zhang tall, with trunks so thick that ten people linking arms couldn't encircle one.
Palaces built from this divine wood were not only incredibly sturdy, but could also purify baleful energy. Cultivating inside one doubled the results for half the effort.
They placed the Creation Divine Spring Eye in the rear mountains. The spring water that bubbled from it was rich in the power of creation. A single sip could prolong one's life, and bathing in it could temper the body.
Mount Sumeru was completely transformed.
The immortal paradise, already quite luxurious, now became breathtakingly beautiful, exuding an almost overwhelming sense of wealth and splendor at every turn.
The Chaos Green Lotus in the rear mountains also grew rapidly amid the construction frenzy.
The shoot, once a mere inch tall, had now become a small lotus three feet high, radiating an ever more potent aura of chaos.
Taiyuan visited it every day, as if checking on his own child.
This lotus was his greatest trump card.
Once it fully matured and produced more seeds, he would have the means to mass-produce Saints.
When that day came, who would dare look down on the Western Sect?
The changes to Mount Sumeru soon caught the attention of the various factions across the Primordial World.
The spiritual energy, so dense it seemed almost tangible; the divine trees soaring into the sky; and the magnificent, resplendent Sumeru Hall—all proclaimed the rise of the Western Sect to the entire Primordial World.
Many mighty figures began visiting of their own accord, hoping to build ties with the Western Sect.
Some brought gifts, some sought medicine, some wanted to trade, and some even hoped to become disciples.
Taiyuan welcomed all who came, but neither fawned on them nor acted arrogantly.
They were welcome to make friends, but they had to show sincerity.
Trying to get something for nothing? Not a chance.
Those who arrived bearing generous gifts were greeted with smiles and treated to fine tea and fruit.
Those who tried to take advantage were sent packing by Zhunti, who beat them black and blue and rolled them down the mountain.
Before long, the Western Sect's rules were common knowledge.
Anyone dealing with the Western Sect had to abide by its rules.
Those who didn't could expect the same fate as East King Duke.
Standing before the newly built Sumeru Hall, Taiyuan nodded with satisfaction.
Now this was what a Quasi-Saint's abode should look like.
The magnificent golden halls, lush divine trees, crystal-clear spiritual springs, and exotic flowers and plants covering the mountainside.
Compared with the cold, imposing grandeur of Mount Kunlun, Mount Sumeru had a touch of worldly warmth while still retaining the bearing of an immortal paradise.
"Elder Brother, we have another guest."
Zhunti came running from afar, wearing a rather peculiar smile.
"This time, it's someone important."
Taiyuan raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Sovereign of Heaven."
Zhunti chuckled. "He says he's here for a free meal."
At that, Taiyuan's lips curled into a smile as well.
Tongtian really knew how to make himself at home.
"Come on. Let's go welcome our old friend."
He straightened his robe and headed for the mountain gate.
Now all that remained was to wait for the "guests" who would come knocking.
After all, the Western Sect had made a name for itself.
Business wouldn't be in short supply.
Before you continue