Kunlun Mountain.
In front of Jade Void Palace.
The void rippled faintly, and a Green Clad Figure slowly emerged.
Xuandu landed before the palace gates and stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calmly fixed on the tightly shut doors.
Beyond them, Jade Purity Immortal Light flickered unsteadily.
That aura was oppressive, aggrieved, and furious.
Yet beneath the anger, there was more helplessness than anything else.
Xuandu said nothing.
He simply stood quietly before the gates and waited.
Three breaths.
Five breaths.
Ten breaths.
"Creak..."
The palace gates slowly opened.
Beyond them, Yuanshi stood atop the jade steps. Jade Purity Immortal Light flickered unsteadily around him, and the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi hovered above his head, its radiance dim.
His dignified face was now dark with gloom.
Yet beneath that gloom lay a trace of fatigue he could barely conceal.
He looked at Xuandu, at those eyes as still as an ancient well, and at that young face radiating boundless composure.
He said nothing.
He merely raised a hand.
Two Treasure Banners quietly appeared in his palm.
One was apricot yellow, its banner streaming with Wutu Qi, Central Essence coiling around it. It was as weighty as a mountain and as steadfast as the earth.
The Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner.
The other was crimson, its banner wreathed in Lihuo, Southern Li Palace Essence coiling around it, scorching like fire and burning through the void.
The Southern Lidi Flame Light Banner.
The two Treasure Banners hovered in Yuanshi's palm, their Innate Dao Rhymes flowing without end as they shone in tandem.
Xuandu looked at the two Treasure Banners, his eyes brightening slightly.
The Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner.
The Southern Lidi Flame Light Banner.
Two of the Innate Five Directions Banners.
Together with the Green Lotus Treasure Color