Chapter 28

What a tough shell! Drool dripped from the tiger demon's fangs. "Today, I'll let you see the gulf between a Golden Immortal and a Taiyi!" Its tiger claws swelled to a hundred zhang, carrying the force of wind and thunder as they smashed toward the light formation.

Though the purple python said nothing, its tail shot through the void like a rainbow from beyond the heavens!

Cries of alarm erupted from within the formation:

"The formation is about to break!"

"If we retreat now, Senior Brothers..."

At the critical moment, a snow-bright blade light tore through the sky!

Whoosh—

Blood surged skyward from the purple python's severed tail. The blade's momentum did not diminish, and it cleaved the great demon in half from head to tail!

At the same time, the white-browed tiger was swallowed by boundless holy light and instantly reduced to ashes.

Pharmacist, who had looked somewhat bedraggled within the rift in space moments earlier, now fully displayed the bearing of a saint's chief disciple. Yet the burning gazes of his fellow senior brothers were all fixed on Lu Tian.

Who could have expected it? An enemy that four Golden Immortals had been unable to defeat together had been slain by this youth with a single stroke!

Defeating an opponent above one's realm might still have been expected, but such overwhelming destruction... was simply unheard of!

Lu Tian appeared and swallowed the giant purple-scaled python whole.

It truly was of no help at all.

After devouring it, Lu Tian shook his head inwardly.

In the past, devouring Taiyi Golden Immortals had noticeably repaired his foundation, but now he could no longer make any further progress.

To improve his foundation, he could only rely on the placenta Styx had given him, or some similar rare treasure.

With that thought, he turned and exchanged a few casual words with his senior brothers.

The looks his senior brothers gave him had become entirely different—

Three parts admiration, seven parts...

Fear!

There was little left to interest them at Two Realms Mountain. They might as well look elsewhere.

Kunlun Mountain was still far away. Two thousand years would pass in the blink of an eye, so they had to hurry.

Lu Tian made the suggestion casually, and his senior brothers immediately agreed.

Even Pharmacist, the eldest senior brother, subtly began to follow Lu Tian's lead in both word and action.

Six streaks of escaping light tore across the sky and sped into the distance.

A thousand years passed like a white colt flashing by a crack in the wall.

As Lu Tian's group gradually neared Kunlun Mountain, they passed through many Blessed Lands along the way, and all of them marveled at the abundance of the East—

It was as different from the barren West as heaven was from earth.

Over the past thousand years, each of the senior brothers had encountered their own opportunities.

Those who could attain enlightenment and take form in the impoverished West had always possessed considerable fortune.

Those lacking in fortune had long since perished before they could even take form.

Just like Lu Tian in the past—

Had a soul from another world not possessed him, how could there have been a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root in this primordial world that astonished the Three Pure Ones?

Even with the system, Lu Tian had gained greatly along the way.

The group traveled by following spiritual veins. Though they had no map to guide them, they always headed toward places thick with spiritual energy.

They had only just fled from a certain Blessed Land, and every one of them was still shaken.

"We nearly ended up in a dragon's belly! A Grand Unity Golden Immortal was actually hiding in that wilderness mountain pool!"

"Wasn't it because Senior Brother Maitreya coveted that Deep Pool Grass..."

Sunlight could not help complaining.

"This Maitreya is truly mischievous!"

When he saw the glowing spiritual herb in the middle of the pool, he had immediately tried to pluck it without a second word.

Fortunately, Lu Tian had sensed the danger and dragged everyone away before the demon dragon at the bottom of the pool awoke.

"Cultivators defy the heavens. Naturally, we must fight for every opportunity."

Maitreya gave an awkward laugh in defense, then said sourly, "Still, Junior Brother is truly blessed. Nine times out of ten, he finds treasures wherever he goes."

They had traveled together for a long time, yet the gains of the other five combined did not equal Lu Tian's alone.

"Along the way, the spoils of the five of us combined haven't even matched Junior Brother's!" someone said, staring at Lu Tian with a face full of frustration.

Lu Tian secretly grew wary, afraid the other man might suddenly declare that the item was fated with him and seize it. When it came to smearing one's own sect, Lu Tian was an expert.

"Senior Brother, didn't I share everything I found with all of you?" Lu Tian rolled his eyes at Maitreya and spread his hands. "Look, I'm not carrying anything now."

That was indeed true. They had passed through over twenty Blessed Lands, and Lu Tian had distributed nearly all of the more than twenty treasures they had found while exploring the mountains among his senior brothers. It was always a good thing for them to improve their strength. Unfortunately, they had never encountered another top-tier Blessed Land. The items they obtained were merely low- to mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures and spiritual roots, and they had yet to find suitable Five Elements Spiritual Items. Otherwise, he would have broken through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm long ago.

"Hehe, don't worry, Junior Brother. I'll remember your kindness." Maitreya slung an arm around Lu Tian's shoulders and waggled his brows. "Once we beat Chan and Jie Sects until they're crawling on the ground, I'll definitely have Master give you credit for the greatest merit!"

Lu Tian shoved him away with a look of disgust.

"Once I break through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, just tell me if anyone bullies you. I'll flatten his cave abode!"

Lu Tian was speechless. Still, he had to admit that Senior Brother Maitreya was a real source of cheer. Without him over these years, how much less enjoyable would the journey have been?

"Even if you break through to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, you might not necessarily be a match for Junior Brother Lu," Pharmacist said helplessly as he dragged Maitreya away. "You're boasting now, but wouldn't it be embarrassing if you had to ask Junior Brother Lu for help later..."

Maitreya had no other talent besides optimism. His strength **, yet every day he dreamed of trampling Chan Sect beneath his feet and punching Jie Sect into submission. Seeing him dragged away by the ear, all the brothers burst into laughter.

The group continued on their journey. Half a month later, Lu Tian suddenly perked up.

"Senior Brothers, this way!" Without another word, he opened a spatial passage.

The others followed close behind. After passing through the passage, they saw an immortal mountain soaring with spiritual energy before them. Verdant mountain ranges stretched for a million li, with deep karst caves and spiritual clouds curling through the air.

"What a fine place!" Maitreya blurted out excitedly. From experience, a spiritual mountain like this was bound to contain great treasures. This immortal mountain was the Blessed Land with the richest spiritual energy they had encountered on their journey.

Joy appeared on the faces of the other fellow disciples, and their eyes held a trace of anticipation.

The moment Lu Tian stepped into the territory of the spiritual mountain, a hint of delight flashed through his eyes.

[The host has entered the Blessed Land of Qianyuan Mountain. System reward obtained: Kunyuan Dao Robe]

His Spiritual Sense swept through his personal space, and he discovered that this Kunyuan Dao Robe was actually a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!

The terrain of Kun was earth; with great virtue, it bore all things.

This robe was not only a supreme earth-element treasure, but also possessed abilities similar to the Earth Book. It could draw upon the power of Earth Veins to protect its wearer, making it an exceptional defensive treasure with formidable protective power.

Though it possessed only thirty-eight restrictions and had barely crossed the threshold of a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, it was more than sufficient for use.

"Not bad. Its quality is slightly inferior, but it can wield the power of Earth Veins. In terms of refining earth-element spiritual energy alone, it is no weaker than other treasures."

"The Five Elements are still balanced. This was not a loss."

Having obtained a treasure, Lu Tian was in an excellent mood. He immediately suggested, "Senior Brothers, why don't we search the mountain? We might come across a spiritual treasure appearing in the world and pick up a free opportunity."

He smiled brightly.

Qianyuan Mountain was a famous spiritual mountain that would later become Taiyi Zhenren's Daoist grounds.

Taiyi Zhenren was one of Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals and Nezha's master. He had performed admirably in the Investiture of the Gods and was a renowned Quasi-Saint powerhouse. Since he had chosen this mountain as his Daoist grounds, it was surely extraordinary.

But now?

The Three Pure Ones had not yet split apart, the Witch-Demon Calamity had not ended, and the personal disciples of Chan and Jie Sects were still in the Taiyi Realm. Naturally, no one had gone out to establish Daoist grounds.

There was a great chance that they could get there first and pick up something valuable.

Upon hearing Lu Tian's words, the senior brothers all agreed.

They had already been itching to explore, but had held back out of consideration for Lu Tian's arrangements.

"Haha, then I'll be going on ahead!"

Maitreya laughed loudly and transformed into a streak of escaping light, speeding away.

The others shook their heads with amused smiles, but their feet were not slow in the least. Each chose a direction and flew off.

The brothers had long agreed upon rules for traveling together—treasures went to whoever found them first, no one would fight over them, and their routes would not overlap. If outsiders contested a treasure, they would rely on their own abilities, and the victor would claim it.

Lu Tian casually chose a direction and strolled leisurely through the mountains.

His search lasted several years.

Unfortunately, he found very little.

The other senior brothers, on the other hand, each had their own encounters.

Lu Tian was in no hurry. He simply treated it as sightseeing and relaxation.

With the Kunyuan Dao Robe in hand, he was already satisfied.

Of the Five Qi in the Chest, he now lacked only a fire-element treasure to achieve completion.

Lu Tian had never expected such good fortune to truly fall into his lap, granting him a fire-element treasure out of thin air.

But as he walked, his expression suddenly changed.

"Could such good fortune really exist?"

His figure flashed, and he vanished into the void, appearing eight thousand li away in an instant.

The scene here was entirely different from elsewhere—

Nine fire dragons circled through the sky, breathing flames that burned the surrounding mountains red.

At the center of the battlefield, Pharmacist held a priceless pearl in his left hand and formed the Three Realms Seal with his right. Spiritual light flowed around him as he fiercely battled another man.

That man wore a golden Daoist robe. His right hand wielded a sword to fend off Pharmacist's attacks, while his left controlled a Golden Brick that occasionally smashed toward his opponent.

Boom!

He suddenly closed in and swung the Yin Yang Sword, fighting Pharmacist desperately to restrict his movements.

The Golden Brick abruptly changed, crashing down fiercely from the void and actually attacking both of them at once!

Such ruthless methods were alarming.

Pharmacist ultimately lacked experience. Caught off guard for a moment, he was slammed heavily into the ground by the Golden Brick.

In a flash, the victor had been decided. By the time Lu Tian arrived, the battle was already over.

The man emerged from the other side of the void with mockery on his face.

"I didn't expect the Western Teachings to produce a Taiyi Golden Immortal. That truly surprised me."

"Unfortunately, you are too weak."

"I heard that you even want to participate in the Mystic Gate Grand Ceremony?"

"The struggle between my sect and Jie Sect is a struggle for Mystic Gate orthodoxy. You Western Heterodox Path followers dare call yourselves orthodox?"

"If someone with methods like yours can be considered a great power of the Western Teachings, then the Western Teachings are nothing much."

He was thin, with a cold and gloomy face, and his cutting words suited his appearance perfectly.

"When a treasure appears, the fated shall obtain it. This treasure is mine."

"Go back to the West. Do not come to the East again and make fools of yourselves!"

As he sneered, disgust flashed through his eyes.

Thousands of years ago, his master had greatly admired a certain mighty figure from the Western Teachings and had even regretted being unable to take him as a disciple.

His master had never praised anyone else so highly. Even toward his personal disciples, he had always been stern.

This had made him resent the Western Teachings.

Now, it seemed that the Western Teachings were indeed vulnerable.

Had this so-called great power of the Western Teachings not been defeated by his hand as well?

Just as he was about to subdue the nine fire dragons raging in the sky—

They were clearly the manifested spirits of some Innate Spiritual Treasure, which he and Pharmacist had happened upon.

Suddenly!

A blade light sliced through the air toward him!

He reacted swiftly, immediately halting his attempt to claim the treasure. With a flash of his figure, he appeared elsewhere.

Lu Tian rose into the air with the Moon Washing Blade in hand, facing the newcomer from afar.

"If I am not mistaken, you are Taiyi Zhenren, one of Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals?"

Though he had never met him, Lu Tian was certain that the man who had defeated Pharmacist was Taiyi Zhenren.

Though he ranked fifth among the Twelve Golden Immortals, both his cultivation and his schemes were outstanding. More importantly, Qianyuan Mountain and the Nine Dragon Fire Cover should originally have been his destined opportunity.

Lu Tian had intended to intercept it, but he had not expected Taiyi Zhenren to suddenly appear.

"Another person from the Western Teachings?"

Taiyi Zhenren was first startled, then sneered disdainfully. "I thought you were some great expert. You are merely a Golden Immortal."

He shook his head in disappointment. An opponent like this simply could not stir his interest.

Thinking of the Lu Tian his master had mentioned, whose whereabouts were unknown, Taiyi Zhenren casually formed a hand seal. The Yin Yang Sword tore through the sky and shot straight toward Lu Tian's throat!

The sword strike was as swift as a startled rainbow. Though he looked down on Lu Tian, he did not hold back in the slightest.

Lu Tian gripped the Moon Washing Blade tightly and prepared for battle.