The Primordial World

In the blink of an eye, all immortal essence vanished, leaving behind a stiff, lifeless snake corpse.

From great demon to common creature, cultivation, bloodline, life force—all annihilated.

The young man in the white robe stepped over the remains, his sleeves unstained by dust.

The Phoenix Forest stirred with renewed bloodshed.

This upheaval arrived swiftly and subsided even faster.

When the young man departed three days later, the entire forest had become a silent graveyard.

Within the spatial passage, Lu Tian's footsteps echoed the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Thump, thump, thump—

Each dull beat made the void tremble slightly.

"Four Golden Immortals, six hundred True Immortals, three thousand Profound Immortals... and they haven't even filled one ten-thousandth of the cracks in my foundation?"

He frowned, sensing the changes within him.

The improved version of the Demon Heart Swallowing Heaven Scripture was indeed effective, but the nourishment it required far exceeded his expectations.

If his damaged foundation were to be compared to the vast ocean—

Profound Immortals were merely a cup of water, True Immortals barely a bucket of paste, Only the Golden Immortal realm was akin to filling a lake.

"I underestimated the origin of this vessel."

A blood-red ripple appeared in the depths of his eyes.

At the end of the passage, the wails of countless cultivators could be heard.

My foundation should have been extraordinary; it's only because it's damaged that I've fallen to this state. Otherwise, why would I need so much origin power to repair it?

Lu Tian pondered to himself, Could my foundation originally have been among the top tier?

After repeated deliberation, since other factors were fine, the problem must lie with himself.

Lu Tian focused his gaze inward.

In his sea of consciousness, the purple bamboo was wilting, as if it might wither at any moment.

Fortunately, the origin power he had just absorbed left a few traces of green at the roots, barely sustaining his life force at the Golden Immortal cultivation level.

In his memory, there seemed to be no legends of purple bamboo in the West.

If he hadn't transmigrated here, this purple bamboo would likely have perished long ago, let alone successfully taken human form.

Since there was an opportunity to make amends, there was no need to worry.

The East was vast and abundant; not to mention a hundred thousand Golden Immortals, even a hundred thousand Taiyi wouldn't be difficult to find. How could he worry about not being able to fully repair his foundation?

Lu Tian quickly calmed his mind.

A journey to the East was imperative—if Golden Immortals were insufficient, he would hunt Taiyi; if Taiyi were not enough, he would fight Grand Unity. There would come a day when his foundation was complete.

For now...

Lu Tian gazed at the majestic Spiritual Mountain.

He should go pay his respects to his two masters and senior brothers, lest they worry.

This excursion had taken more than twice the expected time.

Since he had returned, come to the great hall quickly.

Jieyin's telepathic message sounded in his ear.

They detected me as soon as I reached the foot of the mountain?

Lu Tian flew through the air, arriving at the great hall of the Western Teachings in an instant.

Jieyin and Zhunti were still playing a game of Go.

It seemed that every time he paid his respects, his two masters were engaged in a game.

"Greetings, Master. I encountered some unexpected events on the way, which delayed my return."

The two Sages simultaneously put down their chess pieces, their gazes piercing.

"It's good that you are unharmed," Zhunti nodded slightly.

Jieyin's golden eyes flickered, his gaze fixing on Lu Tian's chest: "You have obtained... a demonic inheritance?"

Lu Tian pondered inwardly.

He had never been bound by the distinctions between orthodoxies—immortal, Buddha, demon, devil, all were merely steps on the path to heaven.

He just didn't know his masters' attitude towards the demonic path.

I imagine the two Sages are the most pragmatic, willing to do anything to prosper the West without being bound by sectarian prejudice.

"This inheritance's profundity actually resonates with the Dao rhythm within your body. Could it be left by Luohu?"

He was seen through with just one glance!

Lu Tian's lips curved slightly as he calmly replied, "Master has eyes like torches. I **have indeed received the true inheritance of the Demonic Path."

In front of a Sage, nothing could truly be hidden.

As his thoughts flowed, the spiritual energy around his body suddenly solidified, transforming into a brilliant Vajra Dharma Form.

"Master, please look. **Inspired by Luohu's inheritance, I have improved the Vajra Body to this point."

"I have even found a way to mend the flaws in my foundation from it."

Lu Tian displayed his golden body without reservation.

Since he couldn't hide it, he might as well show it openly.

Jieyin lightly spun a white piece between his fingers, his gaze scrutinizing the Vajra Dharma Form like a torch.

Zhunti also suppressed his smile and observed intently.

Although Luohu had not become a Sage, his talent was unparalleled in the Primordial World, and the mysteries of the Demonic Path were extraordinary. How could the two Sages dare to underestimate him?

"The Demonic Path inheritance... is quite interesting."

"It's a pity I couldn't discuss Dao with Luohu in the same era. It is truly regrettable."

Jieyin spoke with emotion.

The Western Dao lineage had once suffered a break, and after Luohu's fall, all things perished.

They started from scratch and eventually achieved Sainthood; only they knew the hardships involved.

Zhunti nodded in agreement and solemnly cautioned, "This inheritance shows no abnormalities for now."

"But it ultimately originates from Luohu, so you must remain vigilant at all times."

"This Jade Ruyi is for your self-defense. Although its grade is not high, it can transmit messages through the barriers of all heavens."

As he spoke, he tossed a piece of pale white jade.

Lu Tian respectfully accepted it, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure."

This acquired spiritual treasure appeared ordinary, but its material contained hidden mysteries.

"Elaborate on the method to mend your foundation."

Zhunti was more concerned about this matter and directly asked.

"After **I comprehended the Demon Heart Swallowing Heaven Scripture..."

Lu Tian recounted the process of deduction, Luohu's revelations, and the experimental verification in detail.

The two Sages occasionally asked for details, and the master and disciple discussed Dao for a long time. Jieyin suddenly clapped his hands in admiration:

"Devouring the essence of living beings to complete one's foundation? Such profound mystic arts..."

"Disciple, are you saying that this method was something you comprehended and improved upon yourself?!"

Zhunti's Sage heart was shaken, and he repeatedly sought confirmation.

"It is precisely what **I attained through sudden enlightenment."

Lu Tian calmly replied.

Jieyin and Zhunti looked at each other, a flash of surprise in their eyes.

As the two highest Sages of the Primordial World, the most noble among the Six Sages in heaven and earth, and Lu Tian's own teachers, even with their status and knowledge, they could not hide their astonishment at this moment!

The Daoist inheritance left by Luohu was clearly a supreme method leading directly to the Great Dao of Sainthood!

Lu Tian was actually able to forge a new path based on it. Such comprehension was truly astonishing!

If not for their profound cultivation, extensive knowledge, and their own exceptional talent.

Anyone else would likely have jumped up in shock long ago!

Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!

Jieyin clapped his hands and laughed, not hiding his joy.

With such a fine disciple, the great prosperity of my Western Teachings is just around the corner!

He looked at Lu Tian with burning eyes, filled with admiration.

With Lu Tian's potential, as long as his congenital deficiencies were mended and his foundation stabilized, achieving the peak of a Quasi-Saint would be a natural progression, and even achieving Sainthood was highly possible!

You mentioned earlier that repairing your foundation requires devouring the essence of countless living beings...

Jieyin pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at Zhunti.

Just then, Zhunti also had a flash of inspiration. The brothers looked at each other and smiled, their minds in sync.

Lu Tian, however, was completely bewildered by this.

Jieyin smiled and explained, "Do you know of Ancestor Minghe?"

Ancestor Minghe?

Lu Tian naturally knew that this figure was a top existence below the Sages, ranking among the top five Quasi-Saints.

His true form was the Blood Sea, formed from Pangu's impure blood, possessing extraordinary origins.

He had even independently created the Blood God Son divine ability, imitating Nuwa in creating the Asura Race and following the example of the Sages in establishing teachings.

It was said that as long as the Blood Sea did not dry up, Ancestor Minghe would not die, and indeed, no one below the Sages could completely annihilate him.

Even the Wu and Yao tribes, who now controlled the world, had to show him three parts respect.

When traveling in the East, I heard of Senior Ancestor Minghe's great reputation.

Lu Tian replied cautiously, wondering why his master suddenly mentioned Ancestor Minghe.

Jieyin nodded slightly: "Ancestor Minghe once created the Asura Race."

"This race was born from the Blood Sea, and there are not a few strong individuals among them."

"To improve the strength of his clan members, Ancestor Minghe set up the Blood Sea Trial to select elites to join his ranks."

Blood Sea Trial...

This was a secret that Lu Tian had never known.

It was also understandable; although he had read ancient texts of the Primordial World, how could he know everything?

The so-called Blood Sea Trial involved throwing a million Asura into a secret realm, forcing them to fight each other, and finally selecting the strongest to bring under his command.

Hearing this, Lu Tian's heart trembled violently.

One million two hundred and ninety-six thousand Asura fighting each other, just to select the strongest to join his ranks?

Ancestor Minghe truly lived up to his reputation as someone who achieved enlightenment through slaughter; his methods were indeed ruthless!

The Blood Sea Trial was held once every 129,600 years. Participants were at least True Immortals of the Asura Race, with many Golden Immortals and Taiyi Golden Immortals among them.

Calculating the time, the trial for this epoch was about to begin.

"You mentioned earlier that you needed to devour a large number of cultivators above the Golden Immortal level to repair your foundation. With the scale of the Blood Sea Trial, it should be able to satisfy your needs."

"If you are interested in participating, I can arrange for you to enter the trial grounds. However, whether you can contend with the strong individuals within and how much origin you can devour will depend entirely on your own abilities."

"As far as I know, Daoist Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning traded with Ancestor Minghe in the last epoch, sending his personal disciple **Xuandu into the trial, and reaped considerable rewards."

Lu Tian bowed respectfully to Jieyin and Zhunti.

I am willing to go to the trial, and I will certainly not fail Master's expectations, bringing glory to our Western Teachings!

He knew very well that even Sages could not forcibly take things. Sending him into the trial must have come at a considerable cost.

With the foundation of the Western Teachings, this time the loss must have been significant.

However...

How could such a golden opportunity be missed? After he went to patrol the East, he could use the rewards from the sign-in system to repay the Western Teachings.

"Why so serious!"

"We have been operating in the East for countless years; we can afford this small price."

"You have just returned, go and rest first. We will go and visit Ancestor Minghe now."

After Jieyin finished speaking, he did not allow Lu Tian to bid farewell and sent him back to his cave dwelling.

Two figures disappeared from the main hall in an instant, speeding towards the East where the winds and clouds gathered.

Jieyin and Zhunti, two Sages, set off simultaneously and arrived in the Eastern territory in the blink of an eye.

They skillfully found their way to the Blood Sea.

It was a vast expanse of crimson, entirely scarlet, exuding a heavy smell of blood.

The stench was pungent and unbearable, yet it was mixed with a strange fragrance.

As soon as they reached the shore of the Blood Sea, the seawater churned violently, and a wave transformed into a human form.

"I did not expect two fellow Daoists to visit. I failed to welcome you from afar, and I hope you will forgive me."

A black-robed Daoist cupped his hands in greeting, maintaining his composure even when facing two Sages.

It was the master of this boundless Blood Sea—Daoist Ancestor Minghe.

"We apologize for the abrupt visit and for not sending a formal invitation. We hope Ancestor Minghe will forgive us."

Jieyin also cupped his hands in return.

He treated Ancestor Minghe with the courtesy of an equal.

"You two are rare guests indeed; please come inside."

Ancestor Minghe smiled and led the two into the Blood Sea, arriving before a grand hall in the center.

The wave-formed clone returned to the Blood Sea, while the true body was already waiting in the hall.

After Jieyin and Zhunti were seated, they directly stated their purpose.

Ancestor Minghe was somewhat surprised by their frankness.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Allowing you to participate in the Blood Sea trial is not difficult; it can be opened at any time. However..."

"The Asura Race, after all, originated from me. If I were to let you enter and slaughter indiscriminately, it would be hard for me to stand by and watch."

"Moreover, the trial is meant to select elites and replenish the forces under my command..."

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a smile—the meaning behind his words was as clear as could be.

"We understand your predicament, fellow Daoist." Jieyin turned his palm and produced a verdant bamboo branch. "This is a branch and leaf from the Bitter Bamboo, capable of sealing one's six senses. One branch can be used seven times, and one leaf is limited to a single use."

Three tender leaves on the bamboo branch trembled slightly. Ancestor Minghe accepted it without a change in his expression, his tone shifting: "During the trial, I will protect your disciple's life, but if you require me to intervene and save them, it will count as elimination."