If Things Go South, Let's Run

With a wave of Chen Xuan's hand, ripples stirred across the Three Lights Divine Water Lake. Then, a column of water shot into the sky and fell directly onto Ao Ping.

Before Ao Ping could react, a warm sensation spread through his physical body and soul alike.

At the same time, the life force that had nearly run dry began to slowly recover. The wounds he had suffered during the Dragon-Han Calamity also began to heal rapidly at this moment.

Only then did Ao Ping recall what Chen Xuan had said earlier. His face filled with shock as he spoke.

"Master, could this be Three Lights Divine Water?"

Chen Xuan shot Ao Ping a fierce glare. "Hurry up and repair your body and soul. Now is not the time for nonsense."

Ao Ping nodded gratefully and began absorbing the Three Lights Divine Water around him. In the end, he even assumed his true dragon form, though he compressed his body to roughly one meter in length.

This allowed Ao Ping to absorb the Three Lights Divine Water more conveniently and let his injuries recover to the greatest extent possible.

Only when Ao Ping could no longer absorb any more Three Lights Divine Water did Chen Xuan withdraw it back into the Three Lights Divine Water Lake.

Looking at Ao Ping now, the life force that had been on the verge of vanishing had recovered somewhat.

Chen Xuan could not help sighing. "This is karma. Once karmic burden clings to you, no matter how many sacred healing medicines you possess, they will be of no use."

Ao Ping naturally understood what Chen Xuan meant. It was the karmic burden staining his body. Even if he bathed in Three Lights Divine Water, he still could not return to his peak condition.

Yet Ao Ping was utterly satisfied. He knelt before Chen Xuan and spoke in a voice brimming with gratitude.

"Master, my life force can now last for at least one yuanhui. To this subordinate, that is already an immense opportunity."

"From this day onward, this subordinate is willing to transform into a dragon pillar on Azure Lotus Island. I will guard this sacred ground for Master and never permit any petty scoundrel to step within half a pace."

After speaking, Ao Ping transformed into his true dragon form once more and headed toward the entrance of Azure Lotus Island.

Chen Xuan had not expected Ao Ping to turn himself into a dragon pillar. He could not help sighing. "So be it. This way, your life force can last a while longer."

"As long as your Dragon Clan can obtain sufficient merit, it can also help cleanse your karmic burden. When the time comes, it may not be impossible for you to break through to the Great Luo realm and restore your life force."

As he spoke, Chen Xuan directly tossed out the dragon pearl, allowing it to hover above the dragon pillar formed by Ao Ping.

For a time, dragon aura shook the entire East Sea. Countless aquatic races bowed in grand worship toward Azure Lotus Island.

Just then, Yang Mei Ancestor arrived outside Azure Lotus Island and called out directly, "Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus, this old Daoist has come to offer congratulations."

Hearing Yang Mei Ancestor's voice, Chen Xuan naturally went out to greet him in person.

They had exchanged only a few pleasantries, and before Chen Xuan could invite Yang Mei Ancestor onto the island, Heaven-and-Earth Ancestor and Yin-Yang Ancestor arrived one after another.

After another round of courtesies, the four entered Azure Lotus Island and took their respective seats as host and guests within Azure Lotus Palace.

Only then did Chen Xuan remember something: there was not even a single attendant boy at his side. Now, even if he wished to entertain these three fellow Daoists, he had to do everything himself.

Left with no choice, he said, "My sacred ground was only just established, and I have not yet had time to enlighten any attendant boys. Please wait a moment, fellow Daoists. I shall fetch some tea."

Although Yang Mei Ancestor and the others did not know what this tea Chen Xuan spoke of was, they had no mood to taste it now. They immediately held Chen Xuan in place.

Yang Mei Ancestor spoke bluntly, "Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus, stop fussing about. Let us hurry and discuss the serious matter."

"Does Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus know that Hongjun is about to attain the Primordial Dao Fruit?"

Chen Xuan nodded without the slightest hesitation. To Chen Xuan, the fact that Hongjun was about to attain the Dao and preach to the Primordial World within Purple Cloud Palace was no secret.

Of course, that was only true for Chen Xuan. Even for the other three present, it was not public knowledge.

Thus, seeing Chen Xuan remain so calm, Yang Mei Ancestor and the other two even suspected that Chen Xuan had some hidden move prepared.

Yin-Yang Ancestor immediately asked, "Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus is so calm. Could it be that you are also about to break through into the realm of Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal?"

Chen Xuan shook his head again without hesitation and said, "Fellow Daoists, how could attaining Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal be so easy?"

"That Hongjun received the favor of the Heavenly Dao and sold himself to it. Only because he will merge his body with the Dao in the future did he obtain this opportunity to attain the Dao."

"No one favors me, so how could I possibly attain the Dao Fruit of Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal before Hongjun?"

Hearing Chen Xuan say it so lightly, the three present froze for a moment. At the same time, they kept repeating the words, "sold himself to the Heavenly Dao."

A moment later, all three burst into hearty laughter. Heaven-and-Earth Ancestor even looked in the direction of Purple Cloud Palace on Jade Qiong Mountain and said,

"So what if you attain Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal? You still have to be the Heavenly Dao's dog. This poor Daoist would rather be carefree and unfettered as a Primordial Golden Immortal."

Seeing even Yin-Yang Ancestor and Yang Mei Ancestor nod in agreement, Chen Xuan could not help pouring a basin of cold water over them.

"Fellow Daoists, when Hongjun merges with the Dao will depend on Hongjun himself."

"Once Hongjun merges with the Dao, his cultivation will no longer be merely that of a Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal. At that time, his cultivation will certainly break through into the Dao Realm."

The smiles on the three men's faces instantly vanished. Yang Mei Ancestor spoke with a worried expression.

"Right now, none of the three of us can defeat Hongjun alone. If Hongjun attains the Dao and becomes a Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, will he not strike at us at the first opportunity?"

"After all, only by putting us to death can he become the sole overlord of this Primordial World without any future worries."

"How about we leave the Primordial World and hide from disaster in the chaos? Once we too reach the Dao Realm, it will not be too late to return and settle accounts with Hongjun."

Chen Xuan had not expected Yang Mei Ancestor to urge them to flee into the chaos together. He immediately smiled and said, "Do not worry. Hongjun still cannot do anything to me."

Yin-Yang Ancestor nodded after hearing this. "Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus is right. After all, Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus's cultivation is already no weaker than Hongjun's."

"But we are different. Hongjun has already made a move against us once. To settle this karma, he will not let us live."

The moment Yin-Yang Ancestor said this, even Heaven-and-Earth Ancestor could not help nodding. Before long, the three reached a consensus.