Expounding the Dao for Ten Thousand Years, Chen Xuan Enters the East Sea

Compared to the Three Pure Ones, the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers found it rather difficult to follow. After all, Ancestral Sorcerers cultivated only their physical bodies, not their primordial spirits. Naturally, they could comprehend very little of the Tao Te Ching Chen Xuan expounded.

However, Houtu was an exception among the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers. Although her primordial spirit was incomplete, she was indeed the only one among the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers who possessed a primordial spirit.

Thus, although she could not understand much of the Tao Te Ching Chen Xuan expounded, she still surpassed the other Ancestral Sorcerers. Gradually, she too entered a state of sudden enlightenment.

Unlike the other Ancestral Sorcerers, three flowers also bloomed above Houtu's head, though they had only reached the sixth grade.

Chen Xuan naturally saw all of this, and it gave rise to a bold thought: could he help Houtu complete her primordial spirit?

In the original trajectory of the Primordial World, Houtu did not complete her primordial spirit until she transformed herself into the Six Paths of Reincarnation. With the blessing of merit, she became Lady Pingxin.

As for the other Ancestral Sorcerers, they failed to develop primordial spirits even until their deaths. This became the key reason behind the Witch Race's eventual defeat.

Otherwise, with each of the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers possessing peak Quasi-Saint strength, how could they have possibly lost to the two Demon Race emperors? In the end, they had no choice but to detonate their physical bodies in exchange for mutual destruction.

Yet Chen Xuan had no idea how to make Ancestral Sorcerers develop primordial spirits. After all, even in later Primordial World novels, few authors ever allowed the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers to possess primordial spirits.

Therefore, all Chen Xuan could do now was search within his own true body for Dao laws that could allow the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers to develop primordial spirits.

Chen Xuan first expounded the Tao Te Ching, then began preaching about laws. The laws he taught corresponded to the laws possessed by those present, as this would help them comprehend their own laws.

At the same time, it gave everyone some understanding of one another's laws. Tongtian in particular had developed a strong interest in the laws mastered by the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers.

Time passed in a flash. Ten thousand years went by without anyone noticing, and Chen Xuan finally stopped expounding the Great Dao.

He then said, "As your master, I have already given you a detailed analysis of the laws each of you possesses."

"However, this is merely external assistance. Whether you can comprehend your own laws to perfection will ultimately depend on your own aptitude."

"Moreover, you cannot place all your attention on comprehending laws. Opportunities cannot be gained through comprehension alone; you must seek them out."

"Dijiang, if you brothers wish to improve, the most direct method is to develop primordial spirits."

"Only by cultivating both primordial spirit and physical body can you reach the peak of the Golden Immortal of Chaos realm, and perhaps one day break through into the Great Luo Golden Immortal of Chaos realm."

"Otherwise, whether you cultivate only the physical body or only the primordial spirit, you will stop at the late stage of the Golden Immortal of Chaos realm. Advancing even half a step further will be impossible."

Chen Xuan had not said this casually. It was the answer he had reached after ten thousand years of contemplation.

This was even the reason why, in the original trajectory of the Primordial World, the twelve Ancestral Sorcerer brothers could only fight the two Demon Race emperors to a draw even when they joined forces.

After all, Dijun and Taiyi had long since reached the Half-Step Saint realm. Though they had not attained sainthood, they were still far beyond those at the peak Quasi-Saint realm.

In truth, Chen Xuan's words were not directed solely at the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers. He was also warning the Three Pure Ones not to cultivate only their primordial spirits while neglecting their physical bodies.

Chen Xuan had said everything that needed to be said. As for how they would walk their own paths from here on, that depended on themselves. After all, Chen Xuan could not cultivate in their stead.

Chen Xuan then sent the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers back to the Ancestral Sorcerer Hall. He took the Three Pure Ones and left Kunlun Mountain, heading for the East Sea.

The reason Chen Xuan had not brought Houtu along was not because he treated her differently. Rather, the Twelve Ancestral Sorcerers needed to remain united if they wished to travel farther along their paths.

Along the way, Chen Xuan still did not forget to strip everything in sight. So long as something caught his eye, not a single item remained where it was.

After traveling for several hundred years, Chen Xuan and the Three Pure Ones finally reached the shores of the East Sea. Gazing at the vast, boundless sea, Chen Xuan could not help shaking his head.

After all, finding the secluded Three Immortal Islands Overseas within the enormous East Sea would not be an easy task.

Thus, Chen Xuan had the Three Pure Ones split up, increasing the scope of their search through the East Sea in hopes of finding the Three Immortal Islands Overseas as quickly as possible.

Chen Xuan did not remain idle either, and began searching over the East Sea himself. That search lasted a full ten thousand years.

Although he came across quite a few islands that could be considered blessed lands and heavenly grottoes, Chen Xuan ultimately failed to find the Three Immortal Islands Overseas.

Only after thoroughly searching the entire East Sea did master and disciples meet again. Seeing the helpless looks on the Three Pure Ones' faces, Chen Xuan knew they had likewise found nothing.

Although this did not surprise Chen Xuan, he could not help feeling disappointed. He told the Three Pure Ones to return to Kunlun Mountain first, then began searching the East Sea once more.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Xuan searched the East Sea for another thirty thousand years. He investigated the entire sea from beginning to end once again, but still failed to discover the Three Immortal Islands Overseas.

Left with no other choice, Chen Xuan decided to visit the Dragon Clan. After all, the East Sea was Dragon Clan territory. Perhaps he could obtain some information from them.

Having made up his mind, Chen Xuan pointed at the sea, and a watery path immediately appeared before him.

Chen Xuan followed the watery path directly toward the East Sea Crystal Palace, sending every member of the Dragon Clan in the East Sea into a panic.

Chen Xuan's search across the East Sea over the past tens of thousands of years had long since alerted the Dragon Clan. At the same time, they knew just how terrifying Chen Xuan's cultivation was.

They had silently prayed that Chen Xuan would leave soon, but not only had he failed to depart, he was actually heading for the Crystal Palace. How could the Dragon Clan not be worried?

Even so, Ao Ping, the Dragon Clan patriarch, had no choice but to lead his descendants out of the Crystal Palace to welcome Chen Xuan personally.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ao Ping invited Chen Xuan into the Crystal Palace and had a lavish banquet laid out to entertain him.

Chen Xuan did not stand on ceremony, fully embracing the principle of doing as his host did.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, Ao Ping finally asked Chen Xuan, "Senior, you have been searching the East Sea for tens of thousands of years. May I ask what you are looking for?"

Ao Ping's heart was uneasy as he asked this. Yet unless he learned Chen Xuan's ultimate purpose, he would never truly be at peace.

Chen Xuan did not beat around the bush. He immediately asked Ao Ping, "When Pangu split open the heavens, three fragments of Chaos fell into the East Sea and transformed into three islands. Has your Dragon Clan ever seen them?"