Treasure Distribution

Outside the Purple Cloud Palace, atop Treasure Distribution Cliff, treasure aura surged into the heavens. After Hongjun departed, no one inside the Purple Cloud Palace spoke again.

Treasure Distribution Cliff lay just outside. Whoever was a step too slow could only watch the opportunities of the magical treasures outside be snatched away by others.

Zhunti was the first to move. Golden light flashed beneath his feet, and he shot straight out through the palace gates.

Receiving Guide followed close behind. Though his face was filled with suffering, he was by no means slow on his feet.

Kunpeng transformed into a streak of black light, sweeping past the crowd and racing straight for Treasure Distribution Cliff outside the palace.

Just as Red Cloud was about to leave, Zhenyuanzi stopped him.

"Stay with me. Don't act alone anymore."

Red Cloud nodded, slowed his pace, and walked shoulder to shoulder with Zhenyuanzi.

Watching this scene, Xuan Heng felt somewhat reassured. It was still unclear whether Red Cloud had taken his warning to heart, but Zhenyuanzi certainly had.

Xuan Heng followed the Three Pure Ones out of the Purple Cloud Palace at an unhurried pace. The supreme treasure aura bestowed upon his three elder brothers by Hongjun still clung to them, so no one else dared draw too close.

Xuan Heng directly put on the Profound Pure Treasure Robe, a symbol of favor. The moment he wore it, he discovered its first effect: shielding against scrutiny. Since donning the Profound Pure Treasure Robe, the probing and deductions directed at him had weakened considerably.

Once everyone emerged from the Purple Cloud Palace, Treasure Distribution Cliff had fully manifested within the chaos. It was a towering stone precipice, with spirit treasures suspended above it and myriad rays of treasure light shining forth.

The moment Zhunti arrived, treasure light flashed from the Seven Treasures Wonder Tree, and seven or eight spirit treasures were immediately swept into his possession.

Receiving Guide raised a hand in summons and took several golden spirit treasures as well.

Kunpeng specifically targeted the spirit treasures at the edges, those heavy with frigid yin aura, taking several in succession. Seeing this, the many great powers behind him also began unleashing their divine abilities.

For a time, treasure light flew chaotically throughout the chaos.

The Three Pure Ones and Xuan Heng followed close behind. Taiqing moved first, lightly brushing his right hand, and more than a dozen spirit treasures flew toward him.

A palace lamp fell into his palm. Its flame flickered dimly, as though Eight Sceneries flowed within it. It was the Eight Scenery Palace Lamp.

Next, a crimson treasure flag flew over. Fire patterns flowed across its surface, its aura blazing yet contained—the Southern Ground-Flame Radiance Flag among the Five Direction Flags.

After that, the Wind-Fire Cushion, Taiyi Whisk, Diamond Bracelet, Purple-Gold Bell, Yin-Yang Furnace, and Alchemy Treasure Cauldron successively entered Taiqing's sleeve.

Yuanshi was not remotely polite either. With a stir of the Pangu Banner's aura, more than a dozen spirit treasures atop Treasure Distribution Cliff immediately responded.

An apricot-yellow treasure flag flew over first. When its surface unfurled, thousands upon thousands of golden lotuses blossomed, its protective presence incomparably weighty. It was the Central Wuji Apricot-Yellow Flag among the Five Direction Flags.

Yuanshi reached out and took it. Then, a glazed lamp rose from the treasure light, its flame like jade as it descended to his side. Yuanshi also took the Jade Void Glazed Lamp into his possession.

Afterward, the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover, Immortal-Binding Rope, Dragon-Escaping Pillar, Yin-Yang Mirror, Soul-Falling Bell, Primal Chaos Box, Heart-Piercing Nail, Demon-Revealing Mirror, and Jade Pure Dharma Seal flew over in succession.

Yuanshi collected them one by one, his expression unchanged.

Tongtian's eyes lit up. Looking at Yuanshi, he said, "Second Brother, you truly showed no restraint in making your move today."

Yuanshi gave a soft laugh. "If there is affinity, take it."

Tongtian laughed heartily. Then the Green Duckweed Sword flew from his hand, immediately returning with more than a dozen streams of treasure light.

The first to arrive were twenty-four treasure pearls.

Each pearl contained watery radiance. When their pearl light linked together, they faintly carried the manifestation of twenty-four layers of heaven and earth. They were the Sea-Calming Pearls, Zhao Gongming's magical treasures in ages to come.

Tongtian raised a hand and took them.

Next, a golden dipper spun toward him. Primal Chaos aura rose and fell within it, as though it could gather in all things. Tongtian took the Primal Chaos Golden Dipper as well.

Two dragon-shaped streaks of golden light tore through the air close behind, twisting around each other with peerless sharpness. They were the Golden Dragon Shears.

The Dragon-Binding Rope, Heart-Piercing Lock, Four Symbols Pagoda, Fisherman's Drum, Purple Lightning Hammer, Six Souls Banner, Dragon-Tiger Ruyi, and Myriad Immortals Formation Diagram Prototype Scroll also fell into Tongtian's sleeve one after another.

Tongtian gathered treasures with the greatest abandon, without the slightest hesitation or delay. So long as something came near him and its aura suited him, he swept it all into his possession.

The commotion caused by the Three Pure Ones collecting treasures was so great that some great powers near them watched with burning envy. Yet none dared step forward to interfere. After all, the Three Pure Ones had just obtained supreme treasures, and they were Hongjun's direct disciples.

Seeing his three elder brothers make their moves, Xuan Heng no longer remained a bystander.

He raised his head toward Treasure Distribution Cliff. Profound Pure immortal light slowly circulated between his brows, and the first treasure light to answer him came from the eastern side of the cliff.

A green treasure flag trembled gently, faint lotus patterns flowing across it. The treasure light it cast down was clear, moist, and serene. It was one of the Five Direction Flags: the Eastern Blue Lotus Treasure-Color Flag.

At the same time, Zhunti's eyes flashed sharply as he, too, fixed his gaze on the Eastern Blue Lotus Treasure-Color Flag.

"Senior Brother, this flag has affinity with our Western lands!"

Before his words had faded, the Seven Treasures Wonder Tree had already swept toward the Eastern Blue Lotus Treasure-Color Flag.

The Calamity-Suppressing Gourd within Xuan Heng's sleeve trembled softly, and Profound Pure immortal light spread forth at the same time. The profound blue clear radiance moved after yet arrived first, landing directly upon the Eastern Blue Lotus Treasure-Color Flag.

Zhunti's Seven Treasures Wonder Tree swept empty air.

"Senior Brother Zhunti, this flag also has affinity with me."

Xuan Heng caught the treasure flag and cupped his hands toward Zhunti as he spoke.

Yuanshi glanced at Zhunti. "The treasure flag chose its own master. The thread of affinity is already clear."

The smile on Zhunti's face froze, and he could only say, "Junior Brother Xuan Heng has excellent affinity."

Tongtian chuckled from the side. "Junior Brother Zhunti, do not be hasty. There are still many treasures atop Treasure Distribution Cliff. Why fuss over the gain or loss of a single spirit treasure?"

The look of suffering on Zhunti's face deepened. How could other spiritual treasures compare to this? This was one of the Five Innate Directional Flags. Yet there was nothing he could do.

Xuan Heng put away the Eastern Blue Lotus Treasure-Color Flag.

Before long, another black treasure flag rose from the northern side of Treasure Distribution Cliff.

The banner was like water, its mysterious radiance deep and heavy. As its shadow swayed, even the surrounding currents of chaos seemed to quiet by several degrees. Another of the Five Directional Flags—the Northern Black Origin Water-Control Flag.

Patriarch Styx, who had come from the direction of the Blood Sea, stirred at the sight and reached out to seize it.

Xuan Heng acted as well. A thread of deep blue clear light flew from the mouth of the Calamity-Suppressing Gourd, suppressing the surging tribulation aura all around.

The Northern Black Origin Water-Control Flag spun, evaded Patriarch Styx's blood-colored light, and fell toward Xuan Heng.

Patriarch Styx's face darkened at the sight.

Xuan Heng looked at Patriarch Styx, cupped his hands, and said, "My fellow Daoist, thank you for yielding."

Patriarch Styx said no more. He turned and reached for other spiritual treasures.

In the span of mere moments, two of the Five Directional Flags had fallen into Xuan Heng's hands. The looks everyone present gave him changed.

But at that moment, a segment of green bamboo appeared atop Treasure Distribution Cliff. The bamboo was jade-green throughout, its joints clearly defined, with six faint patterns upon it—the Six Pure Roots Bamboo.

Xuan Heng's gaze sharpened. The Six Pure Roots Bamboo sealed the six senses, cleared away distracting thoughts, and steadied the mind. His first thought was of Six Ears. Those ears of Six Ears were both a gift and the root of disaster.

If the Six Pure Roots Bamboo aided him in the future, it could help him rein in his six senses and keep him from being dragged into the vortex of karma by the voices of all things.

Zhunti fixed his eyes on the green bamboo at the same time. This time, he did not even say "fated"—the Seven Treasures Wonder Tree swept out once more.

Xuan Heng had long been prepared. The Calamity Severing Sword flew from his sleeve and gave a light slash.

The sword light struck precisely at the edge of the Seven Treasures Wonder Tree's precious radiance. Though it failed to shatter that radiance, it disrupted its trajectory, causing it to veer slightly from its original course. In the end, it did not fall upon the Six Pure Roots Bamboo.

With a sweep of his hand, Xuan Heng gathered the Six Pure Roots Bamboo into his palm with clear Xuan light.

After Xuan Heng had snatched away two spiritual treasures in succession, Zhunti could no longer keep himself together. He could not help saying, "Junior Brother Xuan Heng, does this bamboo have fate with you as well?"

Xuan Heng nodded, looking at Zhunti with an utterly serious expression. "It is indeed useful."

Xuan Heng was not lying. This truly was useful.

Tongtian laughed. "Junior Brother Zhunti, matters of fate cannot be forced."