On the Sun Star, tens of thousands of miles from where the Fusang Tree stood, within another Innate Formation, two enormous blood cocoons enveloped two remarkably magnificent, giant three-legged birds.
Inside the giant birds floated two illusory figures of their primordial spirits.
Both primordial spirits were wreathed in solar fire and radiated powerful auras. Though they had yet to fully solidify, Imperial Aura permeated them, and every gesture carried the majesty of rulers over the Primordial World.
Beside each blood cocoon hovered a spiritual light. Within them were a bell and a book—two spiritual treasures.
These were the Sun Star Lord whom East King Duke had searched for in vain, and the future emperors of the demon race: Di Jun and Tai Yi.
"That Daoist has already taken human form and reached such a level of cultivation. He's ahead of us brothers. What's more, I have a vague feeling that he's destined to become our formidable rival."
"Elder brother, we're almost the Sun Star Lords ourselves. We could hide the Fusang Tree from him. Why didn't we? We just let him benefit for nothing."
"If that Daoist doesn't get something, I'm afraid he won't leave easily. We're on the verge of taking form, and we can't afford any mishaps. The Innate Spiritual Root is precious, but it's not something we can't give up."
"Tai Yi, focus on your cultivation. You must understand that forming an Innate Dao Body is our top priority right now."
"Don't worry, elder brother. I understand. Once we take form, I'll have it out with him."
East King Duke had no idea that Di Jun and Tai Yi were hidden nearby. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared much. With his strength, he had no reason to fear two three-legged Golden Crows who had yet to take form.
After leaving the Sun Star, he didn't linger in the starry sky, but headed straight down to the Primordial Continent.
First, he went to his disciple's cultivation grounds. When he arrived, Xuan Yang was still cultivating. Upon seeing his master, he emerged from seclusion and paid his respects.
"Late-stage Mysterious Immortal. Not bad—you haven't slacked off."
In just over ten thousand years, Xuan Yang had advanced from the early stage of the Mysterious Immortal realm to the late stage, breaking through two levels. It was clear he had been diligently focused on cultivation.
East King Duke was very pleased.
"Thank you for your praise, Master."
"Then come with me to Mount Fang Island in the East Sea."
East King Duke was eager to return and refine the Fusang Origin, so he didn't stop along the way. Even with his disciple Xuan Yang in tow, their journey back to his cultivation grounds was much faster than the trip out.
After tens of thousands of years away, Mount Fang Island remained quietly hidden in the depths of the East Sea. But after being revealed to the world for so long, the island had undergone some changes: many native beings had been born, though most had yet to take form.
The proliferation of life was a law of Heaven's Dao, and East King Duke naturally wouldn't interfere. Besides, Mount Fang Island had indeed been a little too quiet.
"Xuan Yang, you may establish a Cave Abode on Supreme Yang Mountain and cultivate diligently. In a thousand years, I'll preach the Dao for you."
"Yes, Master!"
After making arrangements for Xuan Yang, East King Duke returned to Supreme Yang Dao Palace.
The Fusang Origin was within his primordial spirit and concerned his Dao Path. He didn't want to waste a moment, so he prepared to refine it at once.
With a thought, the fist-sized mass of Origin Qi appeared before him again. It still tried to break free, but East King Duke cast several Magic Arts and bound it in place.
Next, he released streams of Pure Yang Energy and swept them toward the Fusang Origin, slicing it apart and breaking down the Origin Qi. Given his strength, he didn't dare immediately merge an external origin into himself.
Especially since the Fusang Tree was a supreme Spiritual Root. Even though it shared his Yang nature, he couldn't afford to be careless. One mistake could cause his own origin to collapse, ending in his death and the destruction of his Dao.
He slowly broke down the Fusang Origin, then merged it bit by bit into the Origin of his Pure Yang Energy. Although the origins resisted one another, East King Duke had enough power to suppress them.
After a hundred days, he had completely merged the mass of Fusang Origin into himself.
But the process was far from over. Next, he had to refine and integrate the Origin Qi with his own origin. Only then could his Pure Yang transform into Supreme Yang.
A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye. East King Duke remained in seclusion, refining the origin. One day, spiritual energy surged above Supreme Yang Dao Palace, and an overwhelming pressure spread across Mount Fang Island. All its living beings bowed in submission.
Inside the palace, East King Duke smiled.
The Fusang Origin had been completely refined. His own origin was now full, having reached Supreme Yang. Supreme Yang Power spilled out, and he had involuntarily released an aura that weighed down all of Mount Fang Island.
He raised a hand and sent out a surge of magical power. His once-white Pure Yang Power had turned faintly purple. Over the course of a thousand years, the magical power within East King Duke had also completely transformed.
"I am East King Duke, Supreme Yang Dao Lord. Seeing that the living beings of Mount Fang Island are ignorant and know nothing of the Dao Path, I shall preach the Great Dao in a hundred years. All living beings of Mount Fang Island are welcome to attend!"
The Dao Sound spread across the entire immortal island. The beings had been startled by the pressure from Supreme Yang Palace, and now, hearing that East King Duke would soon preach the Dao, they were overjoyed.
Most of the beings on Mount Fang Island had come into existence only recently. They had merely heard that an immortal's dwelling stood on the sacred mountain at the island's center, but none had ever seen it. From the awe-inspiring presence they had just felt, it was clear that the High Immortal atop the mountain was a mighty senior.
Most of the island's inhabitants had no innate inheritance. How could they miss the chance to hear a Great Supernatural Being preach?
"So the High Immortal on the sacred mountain is called Supreme Yang Dao Lord. With such an imposing presence, he must be a Great Supernatural Being."
"He knows we have no inheritance, so he's come out of seclusion to preach for us. The Dao Lord is benevolent."
"We should hurry over. Perhaps we'll even be able to become his disciples..."
Though the sermon wouldn't begin for another hundred years, many beings had already set out for Supreme Yang Mountain.
A hundred years passed in a flash. As the day of the sermon drew near, the foot of the mountain was already filled with seated cultivators.
"Clang!"
The Dao Bell rang. Supreme Yang Mountain blazed with ten thousand feet of light, and East King Duke appeared on the Dao Platform at the entrance to Supreme Yang Palace atop the mountain.
An enormous image of his primordial spirit, towering ten thousand feet high, appeared above his head, gazing down at the beings gathered at the foot of the mountain.
In an instant, a pressure descended, and everyone fell to the ground in prostration.
"Greetings, Master."
"We pay our respects to Supreme Yang Dao Lord!"
"Rise and sit quietly. Listen to the Great Dao I shall teach, and reflect on it with care. I shall begin now."
East King Duke's words reached the ears of every being present, and all felt as if a gentle breeze were washing over them.
"The Great Dao is formless, yet gives birth to Heaven. The Great Dao is impartial, yet governs the sun and moon. The Great Dao is nameless, yet nurtures all things. I know not its name, but for now I shall call it the Dao. The Dao has its pure and turbid aspects, its movement and stillness. Heaven is pure and Earth is turbid; Heaven moves and Earth is still..."
East King Duke began with an explanation of the Dao, gradually delving deeper, from transcending the mortal realm to ascending to immortality. Every word was precious counsel, and the Dao Sound flowed into the ears of every being present.
Though the sermon of a Great Luo Golden Immortal didn't conjure visions across the heavens like the Sages of later ages, immortal music still filled the air, and every plant and tree seemed to welcome spring.
As he preached, each being gained their own insights. At times, beings who had yet to attain a Dao Body took form; at others, cultivators entered sudden enlightenment and broke through.
From the mortal realm to the immortal realm, from Earth Immortal to Heavenly Immortal...
The sermon grew ever more profound, and the beings present gradually became bewildered. By the realms of True Immortal and Mysterious Immortal, few could understand him. Most could sense the profound mysteries but not grasp their meaning.
After five hundred years, he finished speaking on the Golden Immortal realm and abruptly stopped. The Dao Sound vanished, and the visions faded.
All the beings of Mount Fang Island had gained something. Seeing that his disciple Xuan Yang had reached the peak of the Mysterious Immortal realm and would soon break through to Grand Unity Mysterious Immortal, East King Duke nodded in satisfaction.
"That concludes today's sermon. You must all cultivate diligently. All beings of Mount Fang Island must heed Heaven's will and cultivate virtue. No one may cause strife within these grounds. Those who disobey will be executed without mercy!"
"We shall obey the Dao Lord's decree!"
As the lord of Mount Fang Island, East King Duke naturally set the rules for the immortal island. His menacing pronouncement left all the cultivators present trembling with fear.
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