"You seem to have left the Path of Pure Yang!"
East King Duke had expected Queen Mother of the West to ask. The Great Dao he followed had already shifted to Supreme Yang, and given the bond of their Heavenly Mandate, she would naturally sense it soon.
Even if Queen Mother of the West had not asked, he would have brought it up himself. His plans concerned not only his own Dao Path, but also the refinement of Queen Mother of the West's Pure Yin Origin. He wanted his future Heavenly Dao Companion to go further.
East King Duke briefly explained how he had refined the Fusang Origin and transformed Pure Yang into Supreme Yang.
"The extreme of Pure Yang is Supreme Yang..."
Queen Mother of the West murmured to herself, falling into thought. Soon, a glint returned to her eyes.
"Fellow Daoist Dong Hua, can my Pure Yin Origin become Supreme Yin?"
East King Duke smiled. As expected of a bond ordained by the Heavenly Mandate, they thought alike.
"It can!"
East King Duke's guidance suddenly enlightened Queen Mother of the West. The Dao Path ahead, once obscured by layers of mist, had become clear. In that instant, she understood the path she would follow.
"Then where can I find the Supreme Yin Origin?"
At that moment, with her Dao Path at stake, Queen Mother of the West was eager to know.
"There is a source!"
East King Duke nodded firmly.
"Where?"
"In the starry sky—the Taiyin Star!"
"Taiyin, Sun..." Queen Mother of the West furrowed her brows and pondered for a moment before asking hesitantly, "The Lord of Taiyin Star?"
"The Taiyin Origin could certainly help refine your origin, but she isn't the only way. You could do as I did."
Queen Mother of the West paused, then her eyes lit up. "Fellow Daoist Dong Hua, do you mean there is also a spiritual root on the Taiyin Star that can transform my Pure Yin into Supreme Yin?"
"Precisely!"
"If the spiritual root already has an owner, what should we do?"
Queen Mother of the West was concerned.
"Fellow Daoist Tai Zhen, there's no need to worry. I know a way to obtain that origin. I can accompany you there."
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist. When shall we go?"
Seeing Queen Mother of the West's eagerness, East King Duke rose to his feet. "Shall we set off at once?"
Queen Mother of the West could not have been happier. She smiled radiantly. "Excellent!"
Once they had agreed, East King Duke summoned the twelve-grade Yin-Yang Dao Lotus. Queen Mother of the West also brought out her own priceless treasure. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a spiritual banner surging with Five Elements Power: one of the Five Innate Banners, the supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Western Plain Colored Cloud Boundary Banner.
Riding their respective treasures, the two flew toward the ninth heaven, one following the other. Yin and Yang Qi shimmered together as they streaked across the sky, a unique sight to behold.
The Myriad Stars still glittered brilliantly. The Sun Star, in particular, seemed even brighter than when East King Duke had last visited. Di Jun Tai Yi must have already been born, but they were not the target of this journey.
The Gale Wind of the starry sky posed no threat to two Great Luo Golden Immortals. In less than a century, they reached the Taiyin Star. The Taiyin Divine Mountain was somewhat cold and desolate, yet two Daoist palaces already stood atop its peak.
The two landed at the foot of the mountain, and East King Duke stepped forward.
"I am East King Duke, Supreme Yang Dao Lord of the East Sea. I have come with Queen Mother of the West of Kunlun Mountain to pay a visit to the Taiyin Goddesses."
His Dao Sound carried to the mountaintop. Soon, the palace doors opened, and two figures flew down.
They wore five-colored starry robes and elaborate phoenix crowns. Both were beautiful female immortals, but unlike Queen Mother of the West's ethereal bearing, these two Taiyin Star immortals possessed a resplendent, regal beauty.
"Xi He and Chang Xi greet you both, Fellow Daoists."
As expected, they were the two. East King Duke nodded to himself.
"Greetings, Taiyin Goddesses."
East King Duke and Queen Mother of the West returned their greetings.
"Fellow Daoists, your visit honors us. Please, come to Moon God Palace and talk."
The two Taiyin Goddesses led them into the palace. The immortal aura of Taiyin mingled with the Power of the Myriad Stars, giving the place a chilly air.
Xi He and Chang Xi were both Great Luo Golden Immortals, but only at the early stage. They were somewhat perplexed. Having dwelt in the starry sky for so long, they had never ventured into the Primordial World and did not recognize East King Duke or Queen Mother of the West.
The two visitors across from them both had profound auras. East King Duke, in particular, was clearly unfathomable—far more powerful than the sisters. They were Great Supernatural Beings, but the Taiyin Goddesses could not fathom what had brought them here.
Puzzled, Xi He asked outright, "Fellow Daoists, what brings you to the Taiyin Star?"
East King Duke smiled faintly. "We have come to seek an item."
Xi He and Chang Xi exchanged a glance, concern showing in both their eyes. Xi He asked, "What item do you seek?"
"I've heard that one of the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots, the Osmanthus Tree, grows on the Taiyin Star."
At East King Duke's words, the two Taiyin Goddesses' expressions changed. The Moon Laurel Tree was indeed their companion spiritual root, but they did not know how he had found out.
If he sought some other item, perhaps they could negotiate. But the Moon Laurel Tree's origin was closely bound to theirs; it was a treasure that would help them attain the Dao. Xi He and Chang Xi knew they could never part with it.
Seeing their reaction, East King Duke knew his guess had been right. He continued, "We wish to obtain four tenths of the Moon Laurel Tree's origin."
Just as they had feared!
Xi He's heart sank. East King Duke did not want the entire Moon Laurel Tree, but taking four tenths would still severely damage its origin. The Taiyin Goddesses were unwilling from the bottom of their hearts. Yet their visitors were powerful, and if they seized it by force in anger, the sisters would likely be unable to protect it.
At that thought, both sisters looked troubled.
Knowing they were reluctant, East King Duke had no intention of robbing the two female immortals. Instead, he produced a treasure—a Jade Bottle—and held it out to them. "We'll offer this in exchange."
Hearing that East King Duke would not take it by force and was willing to trade a treasure, Xi He and Chang Xi relaxed somewhat. Xi He accepted the bottle and took a look, then was startled.
"Three Lights Divine Water!"
"Indeed. This bottle contains a hundred drops of Three Lights Divine Water, enough to restore the Moon Laurel Tree's origin. If you need anything else, you may ask."
At East King Duke's words, Xi He and Chang Xi fell into thought. After conferring through their souls, both decided that with the Three Lights Divine Water as payment, they would not lose out.
Even if four tenths of the origin were taken, the divine water would nourish the Moon Laurel Tree and help it recover quickly. The bottle held a hundred drops, far more than they needed to restore the spiritual root, so they would even have some left over.
The Three Lights Divine Water was an unparalleled treasure in the Primordial World, and it would be of great use to them as well.
After only a moment's consideration, Xi He accepted the Jade Bottle and smiled. "I'm willing to make the exchange, but my sister and I have a request as well. We hope you'll grant it."
"Go ahead!"
Xi He said, "Once we've taken the Moon Laurel Tree's origin, my sister and I would like to discuss the Dao with you both. Would that be acceptable?"
East King Duke and Queen Mother of the West exchanged a glance, understanding one another without a word.
"Certainly!"
The two Taiyin Goddesses brightened and rose to their feet. "In that case, please come with us to take the Moon Laurel Tree's origin."
Following the two goddesses to the formation in the rear courtyard of their abode, they saw the Osmanthus Tree. One of the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots, it naturally possessed extraordinary Dao Rhyme. Unlike the fiercely yang Fusang Tree, the Moon Laurel Tree belonged to the Supreme Yin Attribute, so Queen Mother of the West would be the one to take its origin.
Fortunately, East King Duke assisted her, and the process went quickly. In less than ten years, a mass of pure white Moon Laurel Origin—four tenths of the whole—was successfully extracted.
Before you continue