Journeying Through Honghuang

Dongwanggong's face went green, then white. In the end, he could only cup his hands resentfully. "Yes... I was too presumptuous."

Yuanshi Tianzun gave a cold snort and swept his sleeve, rolling up the three Merit Spiritual Treasures and sending them before Xuanqing.

"Take them. This is your destined opportunity."

"Thank you, Master." Xuanqing bowed respectfully and put the three treasures away.

Having done all this, Yuanshi Tianzun could not even be bothered to spare the others another glance. He directly turned into a streak of clear light with Xuanqing, Taishang, and Tongtian, vanishing into Chaos.

Only after the Three Pure Ones' auras had completely disappeared did the foot of Treasure Distribution Cliff regain its clamor.

But no one dared set their sights on Xuanqing anymore.

Within the Demon Race camp, Eastern Emperor Taiyi watched the direction in which the Three Pure Ones had departed, his battle intent soaring.

"Brother, these Three Pure Ones will surely become great enemies of our Demon Race in the future!"

Dijun nodded, his gaze profound. "No matter. Once our Demon Race unifies Honghuang and gathers the world's fate upon ourselves, even Sages may not be beyond our ability to fight!"

On the other side, the Twelve Ancestral Mages seemed rather uninterested.

"What kind of junk is this? All flash and no substance." Zhurong curled his lip.

Dijiang said gravely, "We do not cultivate Primordial Spirits, so most of these Magic Treasures are useless to us. Let us go. Return to Mount Buzhou and marshal our forces. Those feathered beasts of the Demon Race have gained so many benefits—they will certainly stir up trouble!"

The Witch Clan members answered in thunderous unison and departed in a mighty procession.

As for the great Rogue Cultivators, such as Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, having gained a few benefits, they knew when to quit and took their leave one after another.

Thus, the treasure distribution gathering came to an end.

Kunlun Mountain, Jade Void Palace.

Xuanqing returned to his Cave Abode, his heart still surging with excitement.

Today's trip had truly been exhilarating.

Just as he was about to take stock of his earlier gains, light footsteps sounded outside the Cave Abode.

"Master, Luyao requests an audience."

"Come in."

Luyao walked in timidly, carrying a plate of Spirit Fruits washed with immortal dew.

"Master, these are fruits I just picked. Please have a taste."

Xuanqing looked at her and smiled faintly.

After spending so long together, she could be considered one of his own.

With a thought, he took out one of the treasures he had just obtained—a small, exquisite mid-grade Postnatal Spiritual Treasure he had casually picked up at Treasure Distribution Cliff: a Heart-Protecting Mirror.

"Take this."

Xuanqing handed the Heart-Protecting Mirror to her.

"This... this is for me?" Luyao's eyes widened, unable to believe it.

Treasure light flowed across the mirror's surface. One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary item.

"Keep it for protection. Your cultivation is still shallow. Outside Kunlun Mountain is not like inside the palace; people's hearts are treacherous. It is always good to have a Magic Treasure for self-defense." Xuanqing's tone was calm.

"Master, this is far too precious. I can't accept it!" She repeatedly waved her hands. As a living being of Honghuang, she naturally understood the importance of Spiritual Treasures.

"If I tell you to take it, then take it. Why so much nonsense?" Xuanqing put on a stern face.

Luyao looked at Xuanqing, then at the Heart-Protecting Mirror. In the end, she accepted it with trembling hands.

"Thank you, Master! Luyao... Luyao has no way to repay you!"

As she spoke, she was about to kneel and kowtow.

A surge of Xuanqing's magic power held her up.

"Enough. Don't bother with these empty formalities. Cultivate properly and do not disgrace me."

"Mm!" Luyao nodded heavily, clutching the Heart-Protecting Mirror tightly to her chest.

After sending Luyao away, Xuanqing did not have time to comprehend the Great Dao of Purple Heaven. Instead, he went to Jade Void Palace, for there was still one matter he needed to handle.

Inside the Main Hall of Jade Void Palace.

Yuanshi Tianzun sat high upon a Cloud Bed, Dao Rhyme flowing around him.

"Disciple Xuanqing greets Master." Xuanqing bowed with utmost respect.

"Rise." Yuanshi Tianzun opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon Xuanqing with a hint of a smile. "You seem to be in quite a hurry. Is it because of that Merit Spiritual Treasure from some time ago?"

"Master sees clearly." Xuanqing did not conceal it and said directly, "This disciple obtained that Merit Spiritual Treasure and has long wished to enter seclusion to refine it, thereby advancing my cultivation, so that I may share Master's burdens in the future."

He had thought his Master would gladly agree, perhaps even lend him a hand.

Yet after hearing him out, Yuanshi Tianzun slowly shook his head.

"This is inappropriate."

"Huh?" Xuanqing froze. "Master, this... why is it inappropriate?"

Yuanshi Tianzun smiled faintly at his anxious expression. "Do you know what a supreme treasure is?"

"A supreme treasure is an artifact capable of suppressing the karmic fortune of a sect," Xuanqing answered.

"Correct." Yuanshi Tianzun nodded. "Though its Innate grade is high, it is ultimately a Merit Treasure. It has more than enough killing power, but lacks the ability to suppress karmic fortune. Yet its true might is far from as simple as you imagine."

"Refining an Innate Merit Treasure involves immense Karma. You are only a Golden Immortal now, and your cultivation is still shallow. If you forcibly refine it, not only will you fail to unleash even a fraction of its power, you may also attract unwanted attention."

"In Honghuang, capable figures emerge in endless numbers. Though Hongjun Dao Ancestor has spoken of Merging with Dao, the Heavenly Dao has yet to fully stabilize. At this very moment, the workings of fate are at their most chaotic. If you refine this supreme treasure now and let its aura leak out, I fear it may bring down a towering calamity."

Xuanqing's heart shuddered. Wasn't this exactly what he had been thinking before?

Come to think of it, he had indeed been too hasty. Although Yuanshi Tianzun was protecting him now, his Master could not keep watch over him every moment. If some old monster set his sights on him and casually used some underhanded trick, he would be in for a bitter drink.

"This disciple... this disciple understands." Xuanqing bowed in salute. Better to obediently heed his Master's words.

"It is good that you understand." Yuanshi Tianzun's tone softened. "Keep that Innate Merit Treasure properly stored away for now. Wait until you attain the Daluo Dao Fruit before refining it. That would be the surest course."

"This disciple shall heed Master's teachings."

"Mhm." Yuanshi Tianzun acknowledged him, then changed the subject. "I summoned you here because there is another matter I must tell you."

"Please speak, Master."

"Since returning from Purple Cloud Palace, I have gained some insight into the Great Dao of the Sage. Before long, I will enter secluded cultivation. At the shortest, it may last several epochs; at the longest, endless years. Unless I attain the Dao, I will never emerge from seclusion."

Xuanqing's heart jolted.

It was here!

The age of the Sages was truly about to begin!

He knew that after this sermon, the Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, Jieyin, and Zunti would all enter seclusion one after another, all for that final leap.

Once they succeeded, the entire balance of Honghuang would be utterly transformed.

"This disciple congratulates Master. The Great Dao is within reach!" Xuanqing said with wholehearted sincerity.

A trace of gratified warmth appeared on Yuanshi Tianzun's face. "You need not belittle yourself, either. Your foundation and karmic fortune are both among the finest in Honghuang. Your future accomplishments will be without limit. After I enter seclusion, Kunlun Mountain will have to rely on you."

"This disciple will certainly not disappoint Master's great expectations!"

"I am naturally at ease about you." Yuanshi Tianzun looked at him and continued, "However, blindly cultivating in hardship is not the proper path. The Dao Ancestor has yet to fully Merge with Dao, and there remains a sliver of vitality and uncertainty in the Heavenly Dao's workings. This is the best time for you to travel through Honghuang and build up your foundation."

"You may descend the mountain and walk about more, see more. Experience the customs of Honghuang's Myriad Races, form some good affinities—this will greatly benefit your future path of cultivation."

Travel through Honghuang?

Xuanqing's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he wanted!

He had long wanted to see this world of Honghuang for himself—Mount Buzhou, the Shores of the East Sea, the Blood Sea and Minghe—he wanted to witness them all.

Before, his strength had been insufficient, so he had not dared to roam recklessly. But now? With Golden Immortal cultivation and several decent spirit treasures for protection, as long as he did not take the initiative to provoke those peak great powers, protecting himself should be more than enough.

"This disciple understands."

"It is good that you understand." Yuanshi Tianzun seemed highly satisfied with Xuanqing's comprehension.

With a flick of his finger, a mysterious spiritual radiance containing boundless information instantly sank into Xuanqing's glabella.

Boom!

Xuanqing felt as though an ocean of information had exploded within his mind.