Jade Void Palace

Three beams of treasure light shone, each distinct.

They were a Daoist robe, a Great Seal, and a jade pendant.

"These three treasures are the Mysterious Yellow Merit Robe, the Heaven-Covering Seal, and the Calm Mind Jade Pendant. They are all Postnatal Treasures. I obtained them while traveling through the Primordial World."

"The Mysterious Yellow Merit Robe can withstand any attack from someone below the Golden Immortal realm. The Heaven-Covering Seal is meant for offense; once unleashed, its weight can crush mountains and rivers. The Calm Mind Jade Pendant can keep your mind clear and protect you from inner demons and outside influences."

Xuanqing's heart burned with excitement.

What a haul! Three Postnatal Treasures, just like that!

They might not compare to the Innate Merit Treasure he'd barely had time to warm in his arms, but these had been given to him by his master for free!

"Your cultivation is still shallow. These three Magic Treasures will be enough to protect you. If you continue to make progress, I may even grant you an Innate Spiritual Treasure in the future," Yuanshi Tianzun added.

The meaning was clear: work hard, and there'd be plenty of rewards!

Xuanqing immediately bowed, his tone sincere. "Thank you for bestowing these treasures, Master! This disciple will not let you down!"

"Mm." Yuanshi Tianzun nodded with satisfaction. "Come with me."

With that, he swept his sleeve, and a gentle force lifted Xuanqing. They turned into a streak of pure light and flew straight toward the immortal palace atop Kunlun Mountain, suspended above a sea of clouds.

They passed through layers of immortal mist, and Xuanqing's eyes lit up.

White jade formed the steps, gold the beams. The entire palace had been built from some unknown immortal stone, its surface naturally covered in countless Dao Runes that resonated constantly with Heaven and Earth.

Immortal cranes danced before the palace, while spirit deer raced about.

Dao Rhyme filled the air. Just one breath made Xuanqing feel his primordial spirit seethe with vitality.

This was the Jade Void Palace!

The Three Pure Ones' cultivation ground truly was extraordinary.

As Xuanqing gazed in awe, two figures emerged from the Jade Void Palace.

They were Taishang Laojun and Tongtian Cult Leader.

"Second Brother, your disciple's impressive!" Tongtian Cult Leader boomed. "In just ten thousand years, he's not only taken human form, but built an incredibly solid foundation too. Not bad, not bad!"

Taishang Laojun stroked his long beard and nodded slightly. His eyes held a note of approval as he looked at Xuanqing. "A pure Dao Heart and a firm foundation. Good."

"This disciple, Xuanqing, pays respects to Senior Grand Uncle and Third Martial Uncle!" Xuanqing hurried forward and bowed respectfully.

"Hahaha, good nephew! Up you get!" Tongtian Cult Leader said heartily. He stepped forward and looked Xuanqing up and down, growing more pleased with every glance.

"You're the first disciple of the Three Pure Ones. That makes you quite special. Since we're meeting for the first time, your uncle here can't be stingy."

As he spoke, he flipped his hand, and a small sword gleaming with blue light appeared in his palm.

"This sword is called 'Azure.' Though it's only a Postnatal Spiritual Treasure, it contains one of my sword intents. An ordinary Golden Immortal would be in for a world of pain after taking a hit from it."

Tongtian Cult Leader casually tossed the Azure Sword to Xuanqing.

Xuanqing fumbled to catch it, marveling inwardly.

A Postnatal Spiritual Treasure to play with? That was Tongtian Cult Leader for you!

"Thank you for the treasure, Third Martial Uncle!"

"It's nothing." Tongtian Cult Leader waved it off.

Then Taishang Laojun spoke from beside them. "Your Third Martial Uncle is right. You're the First Disciple of the Mysterious Gate, and must not be treated lightly."

He flicked his horsetail whisk, and a Purple-Gold Gourd flew in front of Xuanqing.

"This gourd contains three Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs. They can bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bare bones. Anyone below Daluo who still has a breath left will recover instantly after taking one. Keep it safe."

Xuanqing bowed again in thanks. "Thank you for your great generosity, Senior Grand Uncle!"

He was thrilled.

Being looked after like this, with his elders constantly showering him with gifts, was just too good!

Seeing his two brothers give Xuanqing gifts, Yuanshi Tianzun smiled faintly. He looked at Xuanqing and said, "Hurry and thank your two uncles."

"This disciple thanks Senior Grand Uncle and Third Martial Uncle once more!" Xuanqing bowed solemnly.

After the introductions, Yuanshi Tianzun said to Xuanqing, "You've just entered the Jade Void Palace. I've already found you a cave dwelling for cultivation. Come with me."

He led Xuanqing around the Jade Void Palace to a sheer cliff on the Back Mountain.

Clouds and mist swirled around them. A ten-thousand-foot abyss lay below, and an endless sea of clouds stretched before them. A natural stone platform jutted out from the mountainside, surrounded by incredibly dense spiritual energy.

"This mountain is called He Mountain. From today onward, it will be your place of cultivation." Yuanshi Tianzun pointed to the platform.

"Thank you, Master!" Xuanqing was delighted with the place.

It was quiet, rich in spiritual energy, and scenic—a perfect place for secluded cultivation.

Yuanshi Tianzun looked at Xuanqing, pondered for a moment, then continued. "Your true form is a Merit Spiritual Root, naturally capable of purifying the Malevolent Qi of Heaven and Earth. This is a great divine ability, and the foundation of your Dao."

"Today, I will teach you another method to help you develop this divine ability to its fullest."

As he spoke, he raised a finger and touched Xuanqing's brow.

"Buzz!"

A vast torrent of information poured into Xuanqing's Consciousness Sea.

An supreme method called the Myriad Qi Returning to Yuan Purification Technique was imprinted upon his primordial spirit.

The technique was profoundly mysterious.

It could not only let Xuanqing purify the Malevolent Qi and karmic sin of Heaven and Earth, but also refine any impure spiritual energy he absorbed—even an enemy's magic power—purifying and concentrating it into the purest, most fundamental energy for him to absorb.

It was practically a cheat-level cultivation technique tailor-made for him!

"Study this method carefully. It will be of great use to you when you attain the Dao in the future." As soon as Yuanshi finished speaking, his figure gradually faded and disappeared.

Standing on Crane Mountain Cliff, Xuanqing watched his master depart, his heart unable to settle for a long time.

With the Myriad Qi Returning to Yuan Purification Technique, his cultivation speed would likely reach a whole new level.

No sooner said than done. Xuanqing immediately sat cross-legged on the stone platform and began studying the technique.

In the blink of an eye, several thousand years passed.

One day, as Xuanqing cultivated in seclusion, his magic power surged through him. He had already reached the Xuan Immortal Peak, just one step away from becoming a Great Yi Mysterious Immortal.

Faint blue divine light swirled around him—the sign that the Myriad Qi Returning to Yuan Purification Technique had reached its peak. The spiritual energy throughout Crane Mountain Cliff was drawn toward him, forming a giant vortex.

Just as he prepared to seize the moment and break through to the True Immortal realm,

suddenly!

A grand, boundless voice rang out, resounding throughout the entire Primordial World!

It belonged to no living being, seeming to originate from the Great Dao itself.

"I am Hongjun!"

"Today, my merits are complete, and I have attained sainthood!"

"Three thousand years from now, I will expound upon the Great Dao at Zixiao Palace, beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens. All those in the Primordial World who are fated to hear it may come!"

The voice rolled across the land, reaching every corner of the Primordial World.

Whether they were creatures of the deep sea or spirits in the mountains and forests, mighty beings in seclusion or newly born creatures, they all heard it.

At that moment, the entire Primordial World erupted into unprecedented turmoil!

A Sage!

Hongjun had attained sainthood!

Xuanqing abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of light blazing within them.

The lecture at Zixiao Palace!