Steady Retreat, Ling Xiao Palace

Sun Star.

Three thousand years passed, and Di Jun and Tai Yi finally broke through to the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.

The eldest brother, Di Jun, had assumed his cultivation was ahead of his two younger brothers, yet he never expected that not only was Tai Yi's cultivation on par with his own, but Ling Xiao's was actually even higher.

Over these three thousand years, Ling Xiao had gained insights into the Law of Yang and the Law of Fire, raising his cultivation to the mid-stage of the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.

Just as he had anticipated, once he stepped into the Zenith Heaven realm, his advantages began to manifest.

With the Chaos Bead and the Fragment of the Jade Plate of Creation, comprehending the laws felt as natural as a fish in water or a gentle breeze.

"Third Brother, now that we have attained the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, we can be considered experts in the Primordial World. Why don't we go out and travel for a while? Even in cultivation, one must balance work and rest."

On this day, Di Jun and Tai Yi found Ling Xiao and spoke thus.

The moment they took human form, Ling Xiao had told them that the Primordial World was too dangerous and that one needed at least the cultivation of a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal to ensure self-preservation.

Now, they had finally reached the Zenith Heaven realm, and it was time to go out and see the world.

It was no exaggeration to say that since taking human form, the furthest place they had been was the Lunar Star; they were nearly stifled from boredom.

Hearing Di Jun's words, Ling Xiao smiled helplessly and said, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, times have changed. In the current Primordial World, just entering the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm is no longer enough to stand out."

Calculating the time, Hongjun's first sermon had already concluded, and the batch of innate mighty figures like the Three Pure Ones should have reached the late stage of the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm by now.

When they first took human form, even the early stage of the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm would have been sufficient, but now, the gap was a bit too wide.

How many went to Purple Cloud Palace to listen to the sermon?

The "Three Thousand Guests" was merely a general term; the true number was likely far greater.

Hongjun's sermon had directly raised the cultivation level of the current mighty figures in the Primordial World by a whole tier.

"Is it really that terrifying?" Tai Yi asked in astonishment. He did not doubt Ling Xiao's words, for in his view, his Third Brother possessed the divine ability of foresight; there was no reason for him to deceive his own kin.

"There is nothing to fear. We aren't going out to stir up trouble, and even if trouble arises, we have nothing to worry about. With the three of us brothers together, if we can't win, we can still run."

"Growth through experience is the fastest way!"

Di Jun waved his hand, speaking with great spirit and pride.

Ling Xiao hesitated for a moment, feeling that Di Jun's words made sense. Most importantly, now that Hongjun had just finished his sermon, those who had attended were likely not yet back.

The current Primordial World was in a vacuum period; it was a good time to go out and stir things up.

Thinking of this, Ling Xiao's interest was piqued, and just as he was about to nod in agreement, the long-absent system voice rang out again.

[Detection: Hongjun's first sermon has concluded, and the Witch-Demon Catastrophe has officially begun. Please make the following choice.]

[Option One: Step out of the Sun Star and carve out a resounding reputation. Reward: A strand of Primordial Violet Qi.]

[Option Two: Remain steady and do not go out; continue to lie low. Reward: Ling Xiao Palace.]

Ling Xiao, who had been about to set off, saw these options and immediately sat back down.

"Ling Xiao Palace?"

Is this prepared specifically for me, or is it that same palace belonging to the Jade Emperor of later generations?

Ling Xiao became interested. He felt a spiritual connection to this palace that shared his name and liked it very much.

"Let me click to take a look first..."

Ling Xiao did not rush to choose, but instead opened the description of Ling Xiao Palace.

Ling Xiao Palace: A post-celestial exotic treasure that can grow alongside its master. It is a defensive magic treasure with its own domain; any living being that enters the palace will have their cultivation suppressed, or in severe cases, have their cultivation stripped away.

It restricts flight; apart from the master, outsiders can only walk, thereby manifesting the master's majesty.

"A fine treasure!"

Ling Xiao's eyes lit up. From this, it appeared that this Ling Xiao Palace was somewhat different from the one belonging to the Jade Emperor.

This thing could actually grow with its master, potentially reaching the level of a Chaos-grade magic treasure.

At this moment, Ling Xiao had already made his choice. He had originally wanted to go out for a stroll, but now he had changed his mind.

Lying low is better after all!

"System, I choose option two."

Ling Xiao made his choice immediately. How could he easily give up a treasure named after himself?

He didn't even want to look at the Primordial Violet Qi.

"Third Brother, let's go quickly. This brother of yours can no longer wait," Di Jun said, urging him when he saw Ling Xiao suddenly stop moving.

"Third Brother must be homesick. Why not refine the Sun Star and carry it with you, making your home wherever you go?" Tai Yi teased, his tongue as sharp as ever.

Ling Xiao came back to his senses, smiled helplessly, and said, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, I'm afraid I cannot go."

"Just now, I had a sudden epiphany, and I must stay home to enter seclusion."

Having no other choice, Ling Xiao casually found an excuse to brush him off.

"I see! Your natural talent is truly monstrous."

"Since that's the case, you stay home and go into seclusion; Tai Yi and I will head out."

Di Jun's expression revealed a smile of surprise and envy. He knew the gravity of the situation and naturally understood that it was not the right time to go wandering.

Ling Xiao nodded and cautioned, "Don't go too far, and try to avoid dangerous places. Come back in a thousand years at most."

He did not try to persuade Di Jun and Tai Yi to stay and lay low with him; since they wanted to go out, it wouldn't be right to keep holding them back.

Moreover, during this current period, those great powers who had gone to Purple Cloud Palace to listen to the Dao had not yet returned. With the cultivation levels of Di Jun and Tai Yi, they were more than capable of handling themselves.

"Rest assured, Third Brother, we know what we're doing. You just focus on your seclusion at home; if Big Brother finds any treasures, there will definitely be a share for you."

Di Jun said with a smile.

Shortly after, the two of them left Sun Star, unable to contain their eagerness.

Once they had departed, Ling Xiao's thoughts stirred, and he released Ling Xiao Palace to begin refining it.

He split his focus, not forgetting to contemplate the laws and cultivate while refining the artifact.

When all is said and done, the Primordial World is a place where the strong are respected.

Without formidable strength, disaster could come knocking at any moment.

For instance, the North Sea Black Turtle.

Its four limbs were severed by others to prop up the heavens; not only did it lose its life for no reason, but the merit went to someone else entirely.

It is clear that without strength, everything else is just empty talk.

In the blink of an eye.

A thousand years passed.

The group of great powers who had gone to Purple Cloud Palace to listen to the Dao returned to the Primordial World one after another.

Some went into seclusion to digest their insights, while others wandered about in search of opportunities.

Among them, Houtu, the only Ancestral Witch who had gained nothing, also returned to the Witch Clan.

Subsequently, the Twelve Ancestral Witches gathered in Pangu Temple to listen to the insights Houtu had gained from the sermon.

Houtu bit the bullet, wanting to make something up, but being naturally honest and straightforward, she simply lacked the ability to do so.

In the end, she could only truthfully tell them the reality.

Four words.

Gained nothing at all.

The other Ancestral Witches heard this and immediately laughed, though they had no intention of blaming Houtu.

"Haha, little sister, I told you long ago that we Ancestral Witches are the authentic descendants of Pangu. Father God's inheritance is what suits us best; why bother listening to others preach?"

Dijiang, the eldest of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, burst into laughter immediately. He had said these words before, but Houtu hadn't listened, insisting on going to hear the sermon.

It was a complete waste of several thousand years.