"Waaah! Waaah!"
"Teacher, please grant us some spiritual treasures! We have no Innate Spirit Treasures to sever our Three Corpses or protect ourselves. Without them, we have no place in the Primordial Wilderness!"
At once!
The Zixiao Palace filled with wails and cries, tears streaming down like rain.
Mournful sounds echoed through the palace, as if they were holding a funeral, and even the heavens and earth grew unbearably dim.
The Innate Deities who had received no spiritual treasures wept bitterly. By any measure, they could still be considered students of Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
Even if they couldn't receive the same treatment as Old Master Taiqing, Nuwa, and the other disciples of the Mystic Gate, surely they should at least get something. Otherwise, once Dao Ancestor Hongjun merged with the Dao, they would be left with nothing.
"Enough!"
"Stop your weeping. I have established Treasure Distribution Cliff countless miles from the Zixiao Palace. Many spiritual treasures I collected are sealed there!"
"Go and seek the treasures meant for you. Once you have obtained them, you may return to the Zixiao Palace to witness the ceremony of my merging with the Dao!"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun let out a long sigh and gently raised his right hand.
The doors of the Zixiao Palace swung open. Vast immortal energy guided the Innate Deities, and without hesitation, they used their divine abilities to head for Treasure Distribution Cliff.
In an instant, the Zixiao Palace fell quiet. Only the few people seated on the cushions and Dong Wanggong remained there. They had already gained tremendous opportunities and didn't want to be too greedy.
Seeing this, Dao Ancestor Hongjun smiled kindly.
"You may go and seek spiritual treasures as well!"
"After I merge with the Dao, the Primordial World will need to continue developing under your leadership. Once you Prove Dao and Become a Saint, however, you must not involve yourselves too deeply in the affairs of the Primordial World, or the Heavenly Dao will bring down tribulations!"
"Go!"
With a gentle sweep of his jade sleeve, Dong Wanggong and the others were sent out of the Zixiao Palace. They crossed an immeasurable distance and descended toward Treasure Distribution Cliff.
At that moment, divine abilities filled the skies above Treasure Distribution Cliff, as powerful beings had already begun fighting over the treasures.
Endless rays of mystic light shone through the heavens. Innate Spirit Treasures filled the area, dazzling everyone, but they were sealed by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, so it would take some effort to claim them.
West Queen Mother, Nuwa, Fuxi, Qiongqi, and the others stood beside Dong Wanggong in midair. Without his permission, none of the four made a move.
"Go and each seek out the treasure meant for you. I have sensed no supreme spiritual treasure here, so these treasures aren't fated to be mine!"
"Besides, I wouldn't be interested in them anyway!"
Dong Wanggong spoke slowly. A glimmer passed through his eyes as he focused his gaze on Treasure Distribution Cliff. He felt that it seemed to conceal some kind of mystery.
After all, in his previous life, he had written Primordial Wilderness novels. In every one, Treasure Distribution Cliff appeared after Dao Ancestor Hongjun's lecture, and the protagonist always had to obtain some supreme treasure there.
Yet, judging by its appearance, Dong Wanggong couldn't see anything mysterious about it.
"Could Treasure Distribution Cliff really be so ordinary?"
Dong Wanggong furrowed his brows slightly. At that moment, the World Tree Seed in his primordial spirit suddenly radiated divine light, conveying a vague message.
It seemed the World Tree Seed could devour Treasure Distribution Cliff!
In no time, the countless spiritual treasures on Treasure Distribution Cliff had all fallen into the hands of the Three Thousand Innate Gods. Among them, the Three Pure Ones, Zhen Yuanzi, Nuwa, and other top-tier deities had gained the most.
Among the countless spiritual treasures, Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures were few and far between. The Four Spirits of Heaven Opening had also appeared.
The Water Spirit of Heaven Opening was devoured by Old Ancestor Kunpeng.
The Wind Spirit of Heaven Opening fell into Ancestor Hong Yun's hands.
The remaining Earth Spirit of Heaven Opening belonged to Nuwa, while the Fire Spirit of Heaven Opening matched Qiongqi's Heavenly Gang Thunder Fire divine ability. He collected it with the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Chaos Gourd.
The Four Spirits of Heaven Opening were innate spiritual objects, treasures of the Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure level.
"Fellow Daoists, since you have all collected your spiritual treasures, Treasure Distribution Cliff now belongs to me!"
"Collect!"
Boundless primordial spirit power appeared and drew Treasure Distribution Cliff directly into his primordial spirit.
At that moment, the World Tree Seed trembled in the sea of Dong Wanggong's primordial spirit, unleashing a fearsome radiance and Dao Resonance. It gradually absorbed Treasure Distribution Cliff through supreme laws.
[ Ding! ] [ The World Tree Seed has absorbed a Chaos Creature. Growth Value increased by 20%! ]
The system's voice echoed softly, and only then did Dong Wanggong understand.
Treasure Distribution Cliff had originally been a Chaos Creature from the Chaos Era. It had died at the hands of a Chaos Demon God, and its body and origin had fallen dormant, waiting to be reborn.
Its realm and rank at the time of its death must have been at the Peak Hunyuan Grand Unity Golden Immortal level.
Unfortunately, it had been an ordinary Chaos Creature, not one of the Three Thousand Chaos Demon Gods, so the World Tree Seed's Growth Value had increased by only 20%.
Even so, Dong Wanggong was delighted.
He had obtained the Space Willow Tree and part of Old Ancestor Yangmei's source blood, but feeding them to the World Tree Seed would have been too extravagant. After all, they were treasures used to cultivate the Space Dao.
Treasure Distribution Cliff had arrived just in time to solve his urgent problem.
20% Growth Value was quite a lot!
After dividing up the spiritual treasures, everyone flew back toward the Zixiao Palace.
"Eldest Brother, what spiritual treasures did you get?"
Tongtian smiled as he looked at Old Master Taiqing.
At his words, the latter stirred his magical power, and one phantom after another appeared before Tongtian.
The Eight Scenery Palace Lantern, the Taiji Bagua Furnace, the Purple Mansion Sword, and other Top-grade Innate Spirit Treasures appeared, along with numerous mid- and high-grade Innate Spirit Treasures. It was a truly bountiful haul.
Yuanshi and Tongtian couldn't help but feel envious.
"Eldest Brother really is amazing!"
They said admiringly, then displayed the treasures they had obtained as well. In both quantity and quality, however, their haul couldn't hold a candle to Old Master Taiqing's.
In the blink of an eye!
The Three Thousand Innate Gods returned to the Zixiao Palace.
"The Third Sermon is over. I have achieved Perfection of Merit, and now it is time for me to merge with the Dao!"
"Before that, however, I have one more matter to announce!"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke slowly. He glanced at the Yaochi Boy beside him and Dong Wanggong below, then sat upright on the Cloud Platform, his aura vast and serene.
Yaochi and Haotian had been enlightened by Dao Ancestor Hongjun during the Dragon-Han Initial Tribulation and had served by his side for countless years. Their character and aptitude were both beyond reproach.
Haotian, however, was destined to endure countless tribulations. He also bore the fate and destiny of becoming the Lord of Heaven and Earth.
As for the Yaochi Boy, Dao Ancestor Hongjun didn't want her to bear too many responsibilities. He therefore wanted to entrust her to Dong Wanggong.
After all, once he merged with the Dao, Hongjun would become the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao would no longer be Hongjun.
All bonds of teacher and student, friendship, and family would have to be set aside. Only by putting the greater course of Heaven and Earth first and the interests of the Primordial World above all could Dao Ancestor Hongjun fulfill his immortal Dao mission.
"Yaochi, Dong Wanggong!"
"I see that Yaochi is pure of heart and Dong Wanggong is a man of fine character. I therefore grant you a marriage and issue this decree: you shall become Dao Companions."
"What do you think?"
As Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words fell, discussion erupted throughout the Zixiao Palace, and the powerful beings wore a variety of expressions.
Dong Wanggong really was Dao Ancestor Hongjun's favorite!
First he had granted him a supreme treasure and Primordial Violet Qi. Now he was giving Dong Wanggong the Yaochi Boy, who had served him for countless years, as a Dao Companion. Wasn't it obvious they were one family?
"Fellow Daoist Dong Wanggong doesn't even spare the Yaochi Boy. How shameless!"
"Yet, for some reason, I can't help feeling envious. This is really unsettling my Dao heart!"
Ancestor Hong Yun whispered into Zhen Yuanzi's ear.
Best friends for countless years!
Still, having a Dao Companion by your side was hard to beat. She could even keep your bed warm at night.
"Hmph!"
"Want me to find a few female immortals for you?"
Zhen Yuanzi punched Ancestor Hong Yun.
Instead of staying at his own dojo, this fellow had been mooching off him at Wuzhuang Temple for years, eating his food and sleeping under his roof. He had taken full advantage of him.
Zhen Yuanzi felt deeply aggrieved.
In the Zixiao Palace, the Yaochi Boy blushed shyly and couldn't help looking at Dong Wanggong. Her eyes sparkled with admiration, and she looked exceptionally lovely.
His towering presence and magnificent bearing stirred Yaochi's heart.
The Haotian Boy clenched his fists, then relaxed them.
Yaochi was his younger sister. He couldn't entertain such thoughts!
"I have no objections. I am willing to become Dao Companions with Yaochi, to rely on each other in life and death and never betray the kindness Dao Ancestor has shown us. If I break this vow, may Heaven and Earth strike me down!"
Dong Wanggong rose to his feet and bowed to Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
West Queen Mother and Nuwa exchanged glances in midair. They could both see the helplessness in the other's eyes, and an invisible murderous intent engulfed Dong Wanggong.
They had gained another sister. Although they bore no ill will toward her, it seemed only right to fight Dong Wanggong in a Bloody Battle and vent their frustration.
But would this Bloody Battle be proper?
"Yaochi will abide by whatever my lord decides!"
A ray of immortal light enveloped the Yaochi Boy, and her once petite figure fully matured. Her ample curves and long, shapely legs stirred a desire to possess her.
Seeing that Yaochi agreed, Dao Ancestor Hongjun gave a slight nod.
Haotian had ambition and strength. He could contend to become the Co-Lord of Heaven and Earth and scheme for Merit and Destiny, but Yaochi wasn't cut from the same cloth.
By matching Yaochi and Dong Wanggong as Dao Companions, Dao Ancestor Hongjun also hoped to sever Haotian's worldly attachments, so he could devote himself to cultivating the Great Dao and take on his destined role sooner.
"Now, it is time for me to merge with the Dao..."
Before you continue