Encountering Hongyun on the Road, Longevity Immortal Realm

East King Duke had intended to participate in this Dao and Demon Conflict from the start. However, before that, he had merely wanted to see if he could obtain something to aid his pursuit of the Dao, provided he could secure some merit along the way.

After this meeting with Hongjun, he found he had to rethink his plans. Having accepted a spiritual treasure from Hongjun, he had to bear the resulting karma and would need to assist him with all his might.

Having agreed upon the matters of demon-slaying and bidding Hongjun farewell, East King Duke departed and headed east toward the Primordial Continent.

Unable to wait until he returned to his own Daoist temple, he set up a formation after traveling several hundred thousand miles and dove straight inside.

He took out the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner to toy with it.

It was yet another top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Counting the Pure Yang Sword and the Twelfth-grade Innate Yin-Yang Dao Lotus, this was the third top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure East King Duke had obtained.

Had it been any other treasure, he might not have paid it much mind, but faced with one of the Five Innate Banners, he could not refuse.

Treasures born from the Chaos Green Lotus were all incomparably precious, such as the Four Great Lotus Platforms or the Five Innate Five-Elements Banners. As for this Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, putting aside its other powers, its defensive capabilities alone ranked among the very best of all 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 hovering above his head, East King Duke possessed peerless defense with these two supreme treasures protecting him. Among those of the same rank, he was already effectively invincible, and he might even have the strength to fight against a Quasi-Saint.

The Apricot Yellow Banner contained forty-three Innate Restrictions—one more than his Yin-Yang Dao Lotus—though it lacked the latter's ability to aid in enlightenment, which was common to lotus-type Innate Spiritual Treasures.

At this time, East King Duke was already at the late stage of the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm. After spending several hundred years, he had basically finished refining it. Even as a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, he was already able to unleash ninety percent of its power.

He deployed the Apricot Yellow Banner and let it hover above his head. Strands of spiritual energy hung down, capable of repelling filth and evil, rendering him immune to all myriad methods.

Satisfied, he put it away and immediately set off to leave.

"Fellow Daoist, please stay your step!"

As East King Duke was employing his escape technique, a voice came from behind him. He stopped and turned around to see a sky full of red clouds drifting over. Upon landing, they transformed into a tall cultivator. He wore a red robe like a raging fire, his face full of smiles like a spring breeze, and his entire being carried an air of casual, free-spirited Dao Rhyme.

Seeing the appearance of the person who had arrived, East King Duke wore a strange expression.

"This poor Daoist is Hongyun. Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"

It was indeed him. With the calamity imminent, he was likely the only one who would wander out of his mountain without a care. In his past life, East King Duke's luck had been poor and he had not met a good end, but if there was anyone among the top Innate Divine Demons who was even more unlucky than him, it was this Old Ancestor Hongyun. Known as the "Old Good Guy" of the Primordial world, he had ultimately met a miserable end where his body died, his Dao vanished, his True Spirit ceased to exist, and his soul was scattered.

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, this poor Daoist East King Duke offers his greetings."

After the two exchanged courtesies, Hongyun said, "Just now, I observed that your escape technique was incomparably exquisite and your aura of righteousness was vast to the extreme. I felt certain you must be a Great Supernatural Being who has attained the Dao, so I took the liberty of disturbing you. Please forgive me."

"It is no matter!"

East King Duke smiled slightly, thinking that Hongyun's personality was exactly as the legends described.

"I wonder where you are headed, Fellow Daoist?"

Hongyun asked.

"Returning to my Daoist temple in the East Sea."

"So you are a cultivator from overseas; you truly possess a refined and spiritual aura." Hongyun looked surprised, then continued, "A million miles from here, at Longevity Mountain, lies the dojo of a good friend of mine. He is also a true immortal who has attained the Dao. Why don't you accompany me there? We can discuss the Dao together and verify our own understandings!"

East King Duke naturally knew who Hongyun was referring to: Zhenyuanzi, the master of Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, who would later be known as the Ancestor of Earth Immortals.

In his past life, it was said that the two were close friends; now, it seemed that was indeed true.

This Zhenyuanzi was blessed with great fortune. Although he did not attain the ultimate Dao in his past life, he was a genuine, carefree immortal. It was only later, as the Buddhist and Daoist sects vied for power and schemed against one another, that he was manipulated, his innate spiritual root was ruined by that monkey, and his own destiny was ultimately diminished.

He had quite a favorable impression of Zhenyuanzi, so he nodded.

"Very well!"

Hongyun's face lit up with joy. "Excellent! My friend also enjoys making the acquaintance of fellow practitioners. Let us be off, then."

The two rode clouds and soon arrived at the foot of a magnificent mountain wreathed in immortal energy. At the base of the mountain stood a monument of spiritual stone, upon which four red characters were inscribed in the Dao Script.

"Longevity Immortal Realm."

As soon as they landed, the formations on Longevity Mountain opened wide, revealing a staircase of spiritual jade leading straight to the summit. Amidst the clouds and mist, a grand Dao palace stood atop the peak.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Three tolls of a bell rang out, and the main gate of the Dao palace swung open. Two rows of disciples dressed in plain Daoist robes filed out, lining up on either side. Then, a man emerged from the palace, followed by two young acolytes. He wore a Purple Gold Crown on his head, a Carefree Crane Cloak, and a silk belt around his waist. With three wisps of beard flowing from his chin and raven-feather-like sideburns, he looked every bit the high-attaining master.

"Distinguished guests have arrived. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner; it is a great honor."

The Daoist stood before the palace and spoke in a clear, resonant voice.

East King Duke followed Hongyun as they swept up the jade stairs to the summit.

"Brother Dao Zhenyuan, we have known each other for tens of thousands of years, yet you have never welcomed me with such a grand display."

After reaching the top, Hongyun laughed and said.

Zhenyuanzi glared at him and retorted, "You gluttonous fellow, you visit my dojo several times every ten thousand years. More than half of the fruits in my temple have ended up in your stomach. The only reason I haven't kicked you out is for the sake of our long acquaintance."

It was clear that Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi were indeed very close, as neither held back in their conversation.

After speaking, Zhenyuanzi bowed to East King Duke.

"Zhenyuanzi greets you, Fellow Daoist."

"I am East King Duke of Mount Fang Island in the East Sea. Greetings, Daoist Zhenyuan."

"So you are a master from overseas. East King Duke, your visit to my humble temple brings great splendor. Please, come inside."

As they followed Zhenyuanzi into the temple, they saw a plaque hanging above the gate with the three characters "Wuzhuang Temple" inscribed upon it. On either side of the courtyard gate hung the legendary couplet.

Written in the Dao Script, it possessed an extraordinary charm.

"The immortal mansion of eternal life, the Daoist home with a lifespan equal to Heaven."

It was exactly as the rumors described, East King Duke thought to himself.

Although Zhenyuanzi appeared to be indifferent to the affairs of the world, his pride was quite high; he simply lacked a bit of opportunity, and in his previous life, he never had the chance to attain the Dao.

Later on, that so-called Ancestor of Earth Immortals was merely a title, especially after the Great Sects of the Sages emerged in later ages, causing his status to diminish significantly.

After entering the Daoist palace and taking their seats as host and guests, Zhenyuanzi instructed his attendant boys.

"Qingfeng, Mingyue, you two go to the backyard at once and knock down nine fruits. I shall enjoy them with my two fellow Daoists!"

"Yes, Master!"

"Brother Dao, you are quite stingy. Only nine fruits? How are the three of us supposed to divide them?"

Once the boys had left, Hongyun spoke up impatiently.

"You gluttonous Hongyun, my Ginseng Fruit Tree only produces thirty fruits every ten thousand years. You were here just three thousand years ago; if it weren't for the visit of fellow Daoist East King Duke today, I wouldn't give you a single one to eat."

Zhenyuanzi scolded him in annoyance.

Upon hearing this, Hongyun was not offended, merely chuckling.

Soon, the two boys returned, holding the fruits in their hands. Zhenyuanzi said, "This is a wild, remote place with little to offer in the way of hospitality. Please, fellow Daoist East King Duke, sample these few spiritual fruits."

"Fellow Daoist, please, help yourself. These fruits are the treasures of Brother Dao Zhenyuan; they grow on his companion Innate Spiritual Root, the Ginseng Fruit Tree, and they taste excellent."

As Hongyun spoke, he had already popped a fruit into his mouth.

East King Duke smiled slightly and reached out to produce an item.

"I also have a few fruits here. Please, fellow two Daoists, join me in enjoying them."

As he spoke, he presented a mysterious yellow spiritual fruit to both Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun.

Upon seeing the fruits, both men were greatly astonished, blurting out in unison:

"Yellow Middle Plum!"