The mountains stretched on, the clouds endless.
A graceful young man in white walked on foot between the mountain peaks.
"First stop: Wuzhuang Temple. Let's see if I get a chance to taste Zhen Yuanzi's Ginseng Fruit."
This young man in white was Lu Chen, who had descended from Kunlun Mountain to travel the Primordial World. He was currently making his way toward Zhen Yuanzi's Wuzhuang Temple.
With every step, he traversed thousands, even tens of thousands, of miles.
At this moment, within Wuzhuang Temple,
Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun sat facing each other beneath an ancient tree.
"Dao Brother, you received the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi bestowed by the Dao Ancestor decades ago, yet you still have not comprehended even a fraction of its mysteries?"
"No. Perhaps my comprehension is lacking."
Hong Yun shook his head and smiled freely.
"Or perhaps the opportunity has yet to arrive."
At that moment, a voice carried in from outside the temple.
"This humble Daoist is Lu Chen, here to pay respects to Immortal Zhen Yuanzi."
"Lu Chen, Tongtian's disciple? What is he doing here?"
Zhen Yuanzi was secretly puzzled, but since Lu Chen had already come to call, it would not be proper to turn him away. He gave an instruction to the attendant beside him.
"White Cloud, go invite Junior Nephew Lu Chen inside."
"Yes."
White Cloud, who stood beside Zhen Yuanzi, cupped his hands in salute before turning to leave.
"Dao Brother Hong Yun, why do you think Lu Chen has come to visit me?"
"We will know once he enters."
Hong Yun smiled faintly.
"That is true. Dao Brother, have some tea."
"Drink."
Lu Chen stood before the gates of Wuzhuang Temple, respectful and courteous.
"My master has instructed me to bring you inside. This way, please."
White Cloud came out from Wuzhuang Temple and bowed to Lu Chen.
"Thank you."
Lu Chen casually took out a Golden Core and pressed it into White Cloud's hand.
Delight appeared on White Cloud's face as he secretly put away the Golden Core.
"Master, Lu Chen has arrived."
"Junior Nephew Lu Chen, please sit."
Zhen Yuanzi smiled when he saw Lu Chen following behind White Cloud.
"Thank you, Immortal Zhen Yuanzi."
"This junior, Lu Chen, greets Immortal Hong Yun."
Lu Chen approached, saw Hong Yun, and offered a salute before sitting on a stone stool nearby.
Hong Yun asked with a cheerful smile, "Did you come this time to deliver a message from your master?"
"No. This junior felt somewhat stifled while cultivating in seclusion on Kunlun Mountain, so I came to travel the Primordial World. I happened to pass by Wuzhuang Temple and came to pay my respects."
"I see. White Cloud, go pick some Ginseng Fruit."
Zhen Yuanzi instructed White Cloud.
"Hahaha, Brother Zhen Yuanzi, I have been craving your Ginseng Fruit for a long time."
"If Dao Brother craves them, simply come and eat. White Cloud, pick a few more."
Seeing Hong Yun, Zhen Yuanzi revealed a helpless smile and called another instruction to White Cloud, who had not yet gone far.
White Cloud left. Zhen Yuanzi looked at Lu Chen and said calmly, "Junior Nephew, you must have some matter to discuss if you came to visit this time."
"Yes."
Lu Chen nodded.
"What matter?"
"I came to save Immortal Hong Yun."
"Save me!?"
Hong Yun was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion.
"I have never made enemies with anyone. What disaster could possibly befall me?"
"This calamity is not man-made. Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, please conceal the heavenly secrets. This matter must not be known by outsiders."
"Very well."
Half-convinced and half-dubious, Zhen Yuanzi nodded and formed seals with his hand.
He activated Wuzhuang Temple's protective formation and summoned his innate treasure, the Earth Book.
The Earth Book emitted a heavy pale-yellow glow that enveloped the entire Wuzhuang Temple.
Sensing something unusual, White Cloud looked up at the temple wrapped in the formation, and his steps unconsciously slowed.
After finishing all this, Zhen Yuanzi turned his gaze toward Lu Chen. "I have now concealed the heavenly secrets. Little friend, you may speak freely."
"A man is innocent, but possessing a treasure invites disaster."
Lu Chen smiled faintly.
"A man is innocent, but possessing a treasure invites disaster?"
Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun both lowered their heads, their brows slightly furrowed as they pondered the meaning behind those words.
"The Primordial Chaos Purple Qi?"
Uncertainty flickered in Hong Yun's eyes as he tentatively spoke.
"That's right."
Lu Chen did not keep him guessing. Seeing that Hong Yun had thought of the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi, he nodded.
"This Primordial Chaos Purple Qi was personally bestowed by the Dao Ancestor. Who would dare seize it? Who would come to seize it?"
Zhen Yuanzi looked at Lu Chen with doubt in his eyes, his expression turning colder.
"If you have nothing else to say, then leave."
There was a clear intent to send him away in his words.
At this moment, Zhen Yuanzi regarded Lu Chen as nothing more than a petty thief coveting the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi.
Lu Chen's expression remained unchanged in the face of Zhen Yuanzi's attitude. He casually picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and set it down. A faint smile appeared on his face as he spoke slowly. "Are you certain it was personally given by the Dao Ancestor, rather than received by the fortunate person chosen by the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi?"
"This..."
As Hong Yun's usual spokesman, Zhen Yuanzi opened his mouth. Memories surged forth as he recalled the day the Dao Ancestor had distributed the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi at Zixiao Palace.
"This... the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi was indeed not personally bestowed by the Dao Ancestor."
Hong Yun answered, his expression somewhat blank.
He recalled the details. The Dao Ancestor had said that those fated for it could obtain the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi, and then it had flown into his spiritual altar. It could not be considered a personal gift; it was more like a casual act, and he had simply been the fortunate one chosen.
Zhen Yuanzi spoke to reassure him. "So what? The Primordial Chaos Purple Qi chose you, Dao Brother. You are the one fated for it. What difference is there from receiving it personally?"
However, Hong Yun, who had always been optimistic and carefree, was no longer so optimistic now. He stared straight at Lu Chen. "There are seven strands of Primordial Chaos Purple Qi in total. Could they all be the source of calamity?"
"Of course not. Only the one in your possession is."
Lu Chen shook his head.
"Only the one in my possession... You mean the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi choosing me was itself a scheme?"
Hong Yun did not speak the name of the one who had plotted against him, because uttering that name would alert him.
"That's right."
"What evidence do you have?"
"That day at Zixiao Palace, you gave up your cushion. It was because..."
Hong Yun frowned, somewhat confused. "Could it be that giving up that cushion was a mistake?"
"When the body perishes and the Dao dies, all karma disperses."
As soon as Lu Chen said this,
A stormy sea rose within Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi's hearts, and their thoughts instantly became clear.
Neither of them was foolish, and they quickly understood everything.
"I never expected it. I thought I would become the eighth person of the Primordial World, but it turns out that all of this was a scheme. No wonder I have spent every day comprehending the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi, yet failed to perceive even a trace of its mysteries..."
Hong Yun let out a long sigh toward the heavens.
"Is there a solution?"
Zhen Yuanzi looked at Lu Chen. The coldness on his face had entirely vanished, replaced by urgency.
"How to solve it? You already have an answer in your hearts, do you not?"
"Yes."
"Little Friend Lu Chen, I wish to give the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi to you. Are you willing to accept it?"
!!!
A look of astonishment appeared on Lu Chen's face.
They said Hong Yun loved making friends and had a free-spirited nature, but was he really this free-spirited?
This was the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi! It was something more than two thousand great powers left behind at Zixiao Palace dreamed of obtaining, and he was just giving it to him?
"One does not dare refuse a gift from an elder."
Lu Chen quickly rose to his feet and cupped his hands in salute to Hong Yun.
Before you continue