East King Duke had already planned to take part in this Dao-Devil War. Before that, however, he had only intended to earn some merit and see whether he could obtain something that would aid his Dao Path.
After meeting Hongjun this time, he would have to revise his plans. Having accepted Hongjun's spiritual treasure, he had to shoulder the Karma and offer his full assistance.
After agreeing on the matter of slaying demons, East King Duke took his leave of Hongjun and headed east toward the Primordial Continent.
Unable to wait until he returned to his own Daoist abode, he traveled several hundred thousand li, set up a formation, and plunged inside.
He took out the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner and began examining it.
Another Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Including the Pure Yang Sword and the Twelfth-grade Innate Yin-Yang Dao Lotus, it was the third Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure East King Duke had obtained.
He might not have cared so much for some other treasure, but this was one of the Five Innate Five-Elements Banners. He simply couldn't refuse it.
The treasures transformed from the Chaos Green Lotus were all incomparably precious, such as the Four Great Lotus Platforms and the Five Innate Five-Elements Banners. As for this Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, setting aside its other abilities, its defensive power ranked among the very best of all the Innate Spiritual Treasures in the Primordial World.
With the Twelfth-grade Innate Yin-Yang Dao Lotus beneath his feet and the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner above his head, East King Duke was protected by two supreme treasures. With his abilities, his defense was unmatched. Among those of the same rank, he was already invincible by nature; he might even be able to fight a Quasi-Saint.
The Apricot Yellow Banner contained forty-three Innate Restrictions, one more than his Yin-Yang Dao Lotus. It simply lacked the latter's ability, as a lotus-platform-type Innate Spiritual Treasure, to aid in comprehending the Dao.
East King Duke was now at the Late-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm. After spending several centuries on its basic refinement, he could already unleash ninety percent of the banner's power, despite its being a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.
He summoned the Apricot Yellow Banner and set it above his head. Strands of spiritual energy hung down from it, driving away evil and filth and rendering him All Laws Invulnerable.
Satisfied, he put it away and set off at once.
"Fellow Daoist, please stay!"
As East King Duke used his escape technique, a voice sounded behind him. He stopped and turned around. Scarlet clouds filled the sky and drifted toward him, then descended and transformed into a tall cultivator. He wore a robe as red as blazing fire, and his face bore a springlike smile. An innate Dao Rhyme about him carried an air of ease and freedom.
At the sight of the newcomer, East King Duke's expression turned strange.
"I am Hong Yun. Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"
So it really was him. With a calamity looming, he was probably the only one who would leave the mountain and wander about for no particular reason. In his previous life, East King Duke had been unlucky and met an untimely end. But if there was anyone among the top Innate Divine Demons more unfortunate than him, it was Ancestor Hong Yun. Known as the nicest person in the Primordial World, he had ultimately met a tragic end: dead, his True Spirit gone, his soul scattered.
"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, I am East King Duke. My respects."
After they exchanged greetings, Hong Yun said, "I just saw your escape technique. It was exceedingly wondrous, and the righteous aura about you was immense. I could tell you must be a Great Supernatural Being who had attained the Dao, so I took the liberty of stopping you. Please forgive my intrusion."
"Not at all!"
East King Duke smiled faintly, thinking that Hong Yun's nature was just as the stories had described.
"May I ask where you are headed, Fellow Daoist?" Hong Yun asked.
"Back to my Daoist abode on the East Sea."
"So you're a cultivator from beyond the sea. No wonder you're so blessed by heaven and earth." Hong Yun looked surprised, then continued, "A million li from here stands Longevity Mountain, where a good friend of mine has his Daoist abode. He, too, is a True Immortal who has attained the Dao. Why not come with me? We can discuss the Dao and confirm our own understanding."
East King Duke naturally knew who Hong Yun meant: Zhenyuanzi of Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals in later generations.
It was said in his previous life that the two were close friends. Now it seemed the stories were true.
Zhenyuanzi was blessed with great fortune. Although he had failed to attain the Dao in East King Duke's previous life, he was undeniably a carefree immortal. It was only later, when the Buddhist and Daoist schools fought and schemed against each other, that he was caught in a plot. That Monkey destroyed the spiritual root he had been born with, and in the end, Zhenyuanzi's own fortune suffered.
East King Duke felt quite favorably toward Zhenyuanzi, so he nodded.
"Certainly!"
Hong Yun looked delighted. "Wonderful. My friend also enjoys making friends with fellow cultivators. Come, let's be off."
The two rode clouds and soon reached the foot of a magnificent mountain shrouded in immortal aura. A stele of spiritual stone stood at its base, four scarlet Dao Script characters written upon it in cinnabar:
"Longevity Immortal Realm."
As soon as they landed, the formation on Longevity Mountain opened wide. A staircase of spiritual jade stretched straight up the mountain, leading through the clouds to a grand Daoist palace standing at its peak.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
Three chimes rang out from the Daoist palace, and its main doors swung open. Two lines of disciples in plain-colored Daoist robes filed out and stood on either side. Then a man emerged from the palace, with a Daoist Boy on each side. He wore a Purple Gold Crown and a Carefree Crane Cloak, with a silk sash around his waist. Three wisps of beard hung from his chin, and raven-feather-like sideburns fell at his temples. He looked every inch a master who had attained the Dao.
"Honored guests have come to my humble abode, and I failed to welcome you from afar. I am deeply honored."
The Daoist stood before the palace and spoke in a clear voice.
East King Duke followed Hong Yun up the jade stairs and reached the mountain's summit.
"Daoist Zhenyuan, we've been friends for tens of thousands of years, yet you've never welcomed me with such a grand display."
After reaching the top, Hong Yun laughed heartily.
Zhenyuanzi shot him a glare and replied crossly, "You greedy fellow, you come to my abode several times every ten thousand years. More than half the fruit in my temple ends up in your belly. I've never thrown you out, and that's only because we've known each other for so long."
It was clear that Hong Yun and Zhenyuanzi were indeed close. Neither held back when they spoke to the other.
After speaking, Zhenyuanzi bowed to East King Duke.
"I am Zhenyuanzi. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."
"I am East King Duke, from Mount Fang Island in the East Sea. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan."
"So you are a renowned cultivator from beyond the sea. Your visit to my humble temple brings it great honor. Please, come in."
As they followed Zhenyuanzi into the temple, East King Duke saw a plaque hanging above the temple gate, with the words "Wuzhuang Temple" written on it. On either side of the courtyard gate were the two famous couplets.
They were written in Dao Script and exuded an extraordinary spirit.
"Immortal Mansion of Longevity, dwelling of Daoists who live as long as Heaven."
Just as the stories had said, East King Duke thought to himself.
Though Zhenyuanzi seemed indifferent to worldly affairs, he was also quite proud. He had simply lacked the right opportunities; in his previous life, he had never had the Chance to Attain Dao.
Later, that so-called Ancestor of Earth Immortals was nothing more than a title. His standing diminished considerably, especially after the Great Teachings of the Saints emerged in later generations.
Once they had entered the Daoist palace and taken their seats as host and guests, Zhenyuanzi instructed his Daoist Boys.
"Qingfeng, Mingyue, hurry to the rear courtyard and pick nine fruits. I'll share them with our two Fellow Daoists!"
"Yes, Master!"
"Daoist Zhenyuan, you're so stingy. Only nine fruits? There are three of us. How could that possibly be enough?"
As soon as the Daoist Boys left, Hong Yun spoke impatiently.
"You greedy Hong Yun! My Ginseng Fruit Tree bears only thirty fruits every ten thousand years, and you were here just three thousand years ago. If East King Duke hadn't come today, I wouldn't have given you a single one!"
Zhenyuanzi scolded him furiously.
At Hong Yun's words, he didn't get angry. He simply chuckled.
Soon, the two Daoist Boys returned with the fruits. Zhenyuanzi said, "There's little to offer in this mountain wilderness. Please enjoy these few Spiritual Fruits, Fellow Daoist East King Duke."
"Please, help yourself. These fruits are Daoist Zhenyuan's treasure. They grew on his companion Innate Spiritual Root, the Ginseng Fruit Tree, and taste wonderful."
As Hong Yun spoke, he had already popped a fruit into his mouth.
East King Duke smiled faintly and took out an item.
"I have a few fruits as well. Please enjoy them with me, Fellow Daoists."
As he spoke, he sent one dark-yellow Spiritual Fruit each to Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun.
The two were astonished at the sight of the fruits and blurted out in unison:
"Yellow Middle Plum!"
Before you continue