Back on Fangzhang Island, Qing Xuan gathered everyone beside the Three Lights Divine Water Pool.
The Five Great Lotus Platforms in the pool sensed the Twelve Petals Merit Golden Lotus and began to glow in unison.
Qing Xuan gently lowered the newly acquired Golden Lotus into the water. The six Lotus Platforms immediately reflected one another's radiance.
Nuwa rested her chin in her hand as she watched. Suddenly, she asked, "Little Gourd Vine, what are you planning to do next?"
Qing Xuan gazed at the Lotus Platforms and pondered for a moment. "I'll go into seclusion first and digest what I gained from listening to the Dao."
Fu Xi nodded. "The Dao Ancestor's Method of Severing Three Corpses is profound. We'll need to study it in quiet contemplation."
Houtu, however, seemed uneasy. The Netherworld Spiritual Treasures in her hands occasionally emitted a faint glow.
Qing Xuan noticed her odd behavior and asked softly, "Are the Spiritual Treasures responding to something?"
Houtu nodded hesitantly. "They seem to be drawing me toward somewhere in the Primordial Great Land."
"Don't rush." Qing Xuan reassured her. "When the time comes, the reason will naturally become clear."
Everyone went to their own quiet rooms to cultivate, and Fangzhang Island returned to its usual tranquility.
In his quiet room, Qing Xuan took out the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud. It unfurled, and countless golden lamps sent down strands of beaded tassels.
He tried to refine it using the Method of Severing Three Corpses, but discovered that his Nascent Soul resonated with it on a profound level.
Strange. This Qing Yun seems to share my very origin. Qing Xuan pondered to himself.
Suddenly, fragments of images appeared within the Qing Yun. They showed the scene of Pangu's Creation.
Qing Xuan focused his mind and contemplated the images, gradually realizing that this treasure contained Heaven Opening Merit and the origin of Pure Qi.
As he was studying it, someone knocked on the door of his quiet room. Ao Gan's voice rang out:
"Master, my second brother, Ao Kun, has also broken through. He's at the Qian Position now, guarding it alongside me."
Qing Xuan ended his cultivation and stepped outside. Seeing Ao Gan's delighted expression, he couldn't help feeling pleased.
"Very good. Take me to see him." Qing Xuan followed him to the northwest of Fangzhang Island.
A black dragon coiled among the mountain ranges. His draconic might was already beginning to take shape.
When Ao Kun saw Qing Xuan arrive, he transformed into human form and knelt. "Thank you for raising me, Master."
Qing Xuan helped him up. "You have your own diligence to thank. Now make sure you stabilize your cultivation."
When they returned to the main hall, Nuwa had already emerged from seclusion and was playing with the Precious Lotus Lantern.
The flame inside the lantern reflected on her thoughtful face. "Severing a corpse doesn't seem easy."
Qing Xuan smiled. "If it were easy, wouldn't everyone be able to become a Quasi-Saint?"
Nuwa pouted. "What about you? Have you made any progress during your time in seclusion?"
Qing Xuan shook his head. "To sever a corpse, I need an Innate Spiritual Treasure to serve as a vessel. I'm still weighing my options."
In truth, he had other plans. The Hongmeng Liangtian Ruler was a Merit Supreme Treasure.
If he used it to sever a corpse, he might be able to forge a path unlike anyone else's.
But the matter was far-reaching, and Qing Xuan had no intention of revealing his plans too soon.
Fu Xi came out of his quiet room just then, a phantom of the River Diagram and Luo Book resting in his hands.
"I observed the Celestial Phenomena. The Demon Clan seems to be making moves at Buzhou Mountain," Fu Xi said.
Qing Xuan looked toward Buzhou Mountain. "Di Jun Tai Yi have established the Demon Court."
"The Dao Ancestor bestowed a title on them, so naturally they'll want to quickly establish their authority in the Primordial Wilderness."
As they spoke, waves of energy suddenly rippled outside Fangzhang Island.
Qing Xuan looked up and saw a figure appear beyond the Island Protection Grand Formation.
The visitor was none other than Ancestor Hong Yun. He looked hurried and worried.
Qing Xuan activated the formation and ushered him inside. "What brings you here, fellow Daoist?"
Ancestor Hong Yun gave a bitter smile. "To be honest, I came here to avoid disaster."
After obtaining the Primordial Violet Qi, he had been watched by others as soon as he left Zixiao Palace.
Kunpeng had secretly joined forces with several Great Beings, intending to seize his Saint Creation Opportunity.
Relying on his superb escape techniques, Ancestor Hong Yun had fled all the way here. He remembered that Qing Xuan had once given him a gourd.
"I haven't forgotten your kindness in giving me that treasure, fellow Daoist. I've come to impose on you..."
Nuwa spoke bluntly. "Then just give them the Primordial Violet Qi."
Ancestor Hong Yun shook his head. "The Dao Ancestor bestowed it upon me. How could I simply hand it over?"
Qing Xuan sighed inwardly. Ancestor Hong Yun was still as naive as ever. Possessing Treasures is a Crime.
After a moment's thought, Qing Xuan said, "You can stay on Fangzhang Island for now, fellow Daoist. It's safe here."
Ancestor Hong Yun bowed gratefully. "Thank you for taking me in. I'll repay this kindness."
After Ancestor Hong Yun went to rest, Nuwa frowned. "Won't this cause trouble?"
Fu Xi added, "Kunpeng is ruthless. If he finds out Ancestor Hong Yun is here, he may cause trouble."
Qing Xuan only smiled. "It's fine. I was just thinking of meeting this Demon Master."
He had other plans in mind. The calamity surrounding Ancestor Hong Yun had far-reaching consequences.
If he could change the course of Ancestor Hong Yun's fate, perhaps he could disrupt certain Heavenly Secrets.
Besides, Fangzhang Island was protected by a grand formation. Anyone but a Saint would be held at bay.
Several days later, Demonic Qi indeed spread across the area beyond the island, and Kunpeng's voice rang out:
"Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, now that you've obtained the Primordial Violet Qi, why not come out and discuss the Dao?"
Qing Xuan stepped outside the grand formation and saw Kunpeng standing atop the clouds with three Great Luos.
"Demon Master, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. May I ask what brings you to Fangzhang Island?"
Kunpeng's gaze was icy. "Fellow Daoist Qing Xuan, this has nothing to do with you."
"Ancestor Hong Yun stole my Saint Creation Opportunity. He must answer for it today."
Qing Xuan chuckled. "The Primordial Violet Qi was bestowed by the Dao Ancestor. How can you call that theft?"
"And as for you, Demon Master, giving up your seat in Zixiao Palace was your own choice."
Kunpeng flew into a rage. "If Ancestor Hong Yun hadn't meddled, I wouldn't have lost my place!"
The three Great Luos behind him released their pressure at once, and Demonic Qi surged into the sky.
Qing Xuan showed no fear. The Hongmeng Liangtian Ruler had already appeared faintly in his hand.
"You want to fight?" He swept his gaze over the four of them. "Have you thought this through?"
Kunpeng knew Qing Xuan's abilities well, and he was even more wary of the power of that Merit Supreme Treasure.
After a brief standoff, Kunpeng snorted. "Are you truly going to protect Ancestor Hong Yun, fellow Daoist?"
"And what if I am?" Qing Xuan replied coolly. "Demon Master, please leave."
Kunpeng's eyes shifted. In the end, he swept his sleeve and departed. "This isn't over!"
Watching them leave, Qing Xuan felt no sense of relief.
Kunpeng had retreated this time, but the next time he came, it would be with overwhelming force.
Back on the island, Ancestor Hong Yun looked apologetic. "I've dragged you into this."
Qing Xuan waved a hand. "Since I agreed to let you stay, I'll naturally keep you safe."
Several months later, a dragon's roar suddenly shook the heavens to the east of Fangzhang Island.
Ao Li broke through to Great Luo Golden Immortal, transforming into a Crimson Dragon and soaring into the sky, flames swirling around him.
One after another, breakthrough auras then rose from the south, the west... and all eight directions.
The Eight Sons of Ao had all achieved Great Luo in a mere century.
Standing at the center of the island, Qing Xuan watched the dragon aura converge from all eight directions and smiled.
"The time has come." He summoned the Eight Dragons. "Come with me to the Dragon Tomb."
The eight sons were thrilled. They had waited far too long for this day.
Nuwa and the others also agreed to go, and so the group left Fangzhang Island.
The Dragon Tomb was located deep beneath the East Sea, and reaching it required passing through layers of restrictions.
Qing Xuan cleared the way with the Hongmeng Liangtian Ruler, and Chaos Qi parted the fog.
After an unknown length of time, a vast abyss appeared ahead beneath the sea.
Within it, they could just make out dragon bones piled like mountains and the drifting remnants of Dragon Souls.
Ao Gan and the others felt their bloodlines surge, and one after another they revealed their true forms and let out long roars.
The Dragon Tomb seemed to awaken. Countless Dragon Souls rose from the abyss.
An ancient, desolate voice echoed through its depths: "Descendants have come..."
"We are the Ancient Dragon Clan Remnant Souls. We have guarded this inheritance for ages."
Qing Xuan stepped forward and bowed. "This junior is Qing Xuan. I have brought the descendants of the Dragon Clan here."
The voice fell silent for a moment. "You are not of the Dragon Clan, yet you carry Ancestral Dragon Qi."
"Since fate has brought you here, you may enter the Inheritance Land with them."
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