On Buzhou Mountain, ever since their defeat at the hands of East King Duke, the Three Pure Ones had gained an even deeper understanding of the importance of spiritual treasures. Yet despite having been out in the world for so many years, they, who prided themselves on being Pangu Orthodox, had never received Heaven's favor. This had left the three future Saints somewhat discouraged.
They had been traveling for tens of thousands of years. Seeing the Calamity Qi growing stronger throughout the world, even the powerful Three Pure Ones did not want to become too entangled in it. Just as they were planning to return to Kunlun Mountain for secluded cultivation, they passed a certain place. Taiqing Laozi's expression suddenly changed. His eyes gleamed, and he descended from the clouds.
"Eldest Brother, it seems an opportunity is calling to me!"
Yuqing and Tongtian beside him blurted out almost simultaneously.
"Haha! Heaven's way is impartial, Heaven's way is impartial! After roaming Buzhou for tens of thousands of years, the opportunity meant for us Three Pure Ones has finally arrived."
The Three Pure Ones laughed heartily at one another and headed toward the source of the opportunity.
An Innate Formation concealed the place, so whatever lay within had to be extraordinary. The three of them broke through the formation and entered.
It was a valley, with a Spiritual Pond spanning ten thousand mu at its center. Spiritual Mist swirled over the water, concealing its secrets. The Three Pure Ones all sensed that their opportunity lay in the pond, and hurried forward.
The mist had a spirit of its own. As those destined to find it arrived, the fog dispersed to reveal the treasure. Ripples shimmered across the pond, and in the center, a lotus dais swayed gracefully, its spiritual light dazzling. The flower was in full bloom. As its petals opened and closed, they seemed to resonate with Heaven and Earth, releasing waves of supreme innate Qi of Creation.
"The Twenty-four-grade Creation Green Lotus!"
The Three Pure Ones possessed profound innate inheritances and recognized the treasure at a glance.
When Pangu created Heaven and Earth, the Chaos Green Lotus he bore was damaged, and it split into dozens of spiritual treasures that fell into the newly formed world.
Among them, five lotus seeds had received the greatest share of its origin. After descending into the Primordial World, these Chaos Green Lotus seeds gestated anew and became lotus dais. Four of them had been only half-ripe, forming two pairs of mutually opposed lotus dais: the Twelve-grade Merit Golden Lotus and the Twelve-grade Karma Red Lotus, and the Twelve-grade World-Destroying Black Lotus and the Twelve-grade World-Purifying White Lotus.
After these four lotus dais came into being, they were each acquired by creatures of the Primordial World. The remaining, fully mature seed, however, had hidden itself away.
Now it had appeared before the Three Pure Ones, having grown into a twenty-four-grade supreme treasure.
With their opportunity before them, Inspiration Strikes the Three Pure Ones. Laozi stepped forward first, pointed, and said softly, "White Lotus Root!"
The Green Lotus responded at once. It trembled slightly, and the water surged as a section of jade-like immortal lotus root shot out of the pond and flew before Taiqing. A burst of pure Qi passed over it, and by the time it landed in his hand, it had become a six-foot-long Coiled Dragon Flat Shoulder Pole, gleaming with innate spiritual light.
Primordial Heavenly Lord followed close behind and called out, "Red Flower!"
The Green Lotus's petals fell at his words. A breeze swept them into Yuqing's hand, where they transformed into a Three-Treasure Jade Ruyi inlaid with golden threads and precious gems.
Then it was Daoist Tongtian's turn. He strode forward and declared, "Green Lotus Leaf!"
Three Green Lotus Leaves flew out like three small boats and rose into the air. A flash of rosy light passed over them: one became a sword hilt, another a blade, and the last a scabbard. In an instant, they joined together into a spiritual treasure sword, which fell into his hand.
After the Creation Green Lotus split into three spiritual treasures and each returned to one of the Three Pure Ones, its main body dissolved on the spot.
"What wonderful treasures!"
The Three Pure Ones all laughed with delight and clapped their hands. All three treasures were Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, and each harmonized with its new owner's origin and Dao, making it a Dao Proving Treasure.
As the saying went, the Red Flower, White Lotus Root, and Green Lotus Leaf—the Three Pure Ones had always been one family!
Having each obtained a treasure, the Three Pure Ones were thoroughly satisfied. Meanwhile, on East Sea Mount Fang Island, East King Duke had also emerged from secluded cultivation.
"The Calamity has begun. All of you must remain in your Dao Fields and cultivate diligently. Starting today, Mount Fang Island will close its gates. No living being on the island may leave for the next ten thousand years!"
He summoned his two disciples and the attendant, then gave his orders. There were few disciples in the Supreme Yang Lineage, and neither Xuan Yang nor Qing Ling was restless by nature. Both were devoted to cultivation and had each made progress.
East King Duke's concern lay with the creatures born on Mount Fang Island. Even if they were not part of the Supreme Yang Lineage, losing too many of them in the Calamity would still damage his fortune to some degree.
"We shall obey your decree, Master (Lord)."
"I am about to travel west and will not return for ten thousand years. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, go to Pure Yin Palace and ask your Martial Aunt Tai Zhen for guidance."
The Calamity had erupted, and the Dao Demon War was approaching. He had to travel west to honor his agreement with Hongjun and carry out his plans. Before leaving, he needed to make proper arrangements for his disciples.
"Yes! Master (Lord)."
After the disciples withdrew, Queen Mother of the West appeared in his Dao Palace.
"Daoist Dong Hua, the west is perilous, and the Path Ahead is uncertain. Why not let me go with you? That way, we can look out for one another."
Queen Mother of the West spoke calmly, but a hint of worry showed on her otherworldly face.
The two were bound by the Heavenly Mandate, and after more than ten thousand years together, they had grown extremely close. East King Duke smiled faintly and shook his head. "Your origin has not been fully refined, so you shouldn't take any risks. Don't worry, Tai Zhen. Hongjun and the others will deal with the Demon Ancestor. I'll only be there to assist, so there shouldn't be any danger."
Ever since Queen Mother of the West had obtained the origin of the Osmanthus Tree on Taiyin Star, she had been in secluded cultivation, refining it. Though she had completed most of the process, her Pure Yin Origin had yet to advance. At this critical juncture, East King Duke naturally would not let her accompany him.
Besides, Queen Mother of the West was only at the Mid-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal level, which was somewhat low. It would be better for her to remain on Mount Fang Island, far from the Calamity, where she could refine her origin in peace and improve her cultivation.
"All right. Just be careful. I'll look after the Supreme Yang Dao Field, so you can leave without worry."
Queen Mother of the West hesitated for a moment, then agreed. She knew her own condition and understood that she should not leave.
After giving his instructions, Queen Mother of the West returned to Pure Yin Palace to continue refining her origin, while East King Duke set off atop the Twelve-grade Yin-Yang Dao Lotus.
His destination was clear. After leaving Mount Fang Island, he immediately used the Supreme Yang Lotus Escape Technique, traveling west through the Primordial World without stopping. Less than a thousand years remained until his appointment with Hongjun, and he needed to arrive on time.
He left the East Sea and entered the continent, flying onward.
When he reached the border between east and west on his way to Wanshou Land, Zhenyuanzi was already waiting for him at Wuzhuang Temple, as they had agreed.
At their reunion, Zhenyuanzi—the future Ancestor of Earth Immortals—had clearly made considerable progress. After discussing the Dao with East King Duke and the others, he had not only broken through to the Mid-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, but had also advanced considerably over the past hundred thousand years. His powerful Wutu Qi now gave him hope of reaching the Late-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.
"Daoist Supreme Yang, you've arrived!"
Hong Yun was no longer at Wuzhuang Temple this time. Perhaps the Calamity had erupted, and he had returned to his own Dao Field at Huoyun Cave.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Daoist Zhenyuan."
The two exchanged a few words. After resting at the temple for ten years, they prepared to set out for the west.
That day, one rode atop a precious lotus while the other wielded a Precious Scroll. They turned into streaks of light and left the Longevity Immortal Realm.
It had been more than a hundred thousand years since East King Duke had last set foot in the western lands. It felt like a lifetime ago. His fierce battle against Luohu's clone and his stand against the Demon Ancestor himself still seemed fresh in his mind.
Compared to a hundred thousand years ago, the west had almost entirely become a demonic domain. Malevolent Qi filled the world, carrying the aura of the Calamity and constantly eroding the Dao bodies of living beings. Without a superior Grotto-Heaven, ordinary creatures of the Daoist Sect could barely survive there.
Even though this could not affect Great Supernatural Beings at the Great Luo level in the slightest, Zhenyuanzi could not help but look grave at the sight.
"The western lands have already been transformed by the demons to this extent."
East King Duke smiled calmly.
"The true catastrophe has yet to begin!"
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