At last, he could not help but summon all the Calabash Kids back and sternly instructed them, "You are responsible for guarding Western Kunlun. Do not allow any outsiders inside."
The Calabash Kids became exceedingly excited upon hearing they had a task. Each rubbed their hands eagerly and directly stopped anyone who tried to enter Western Kunlun.
Much time passed like this. Just when everyone thought Queen Mother of the West would remain in seclusion, the grand formation surrounding the mountain suddenly opened.
Queen Mother of the West slowly emerged from within. She wore magnificent immortal robes, and her beautiful face was cold and aloof.
It turned out that she had heard Xiao Teng and White Lotus discussing the Dao within the mountain, and their discussion had piqued her interest.
With graceful steps, she approached Xiao Teng and White Lotus, slightly bowed, and said, "My apologies. Since becoming the leader of the female immortals, peace has been hard to come by. I neglected the two of you before, fellow Daoists. Please forgive me."
Xiao Teng quickly rose and returned the gesture. "There is no need for such courtesy, Queen Mother of the West. We all attended Hongjun's teachings at Purple Cloud Palace, so we can be considered fellow disciples to some extent. Fellow Daoist White Lotus and I came here to discuss the Dao with you."
Hearing that they wished to discuss the Dao, a flicker of interest flashed through Queen Mother of the West's eyes. "In that case, let us enter the formation and speak within."
Thus, Xiao Teng and White Lotus followed Queen Mother of the West into the formation.
Afterward, Xiao Teng and White Lotus discussed the Dao with Queen Mother of the West.
For Queen Mother of the West to become the leader of the female immortals, her talent and comprehension were naturally both exceptional.
During their discussion of the Dao, Xiao Teng gained a great deal.
When their discussion temporarily paused, Queen Mother of the West parted her red lips. "The two of you have traveled such a great distance to come here. I fear you did not come merely to discuss the Dao, did you?"
Xiao Teng answered frankly, "To be honest, fellow Daoist, I came this time because I wish to exchange something with you."
A trace of curiosity appeared in Queen Mother of the West's eyes as she softly asked, "Oh? What treasure could weigh so heavily on your mind, fellow Daoist?"
Xiao Teng said solemnly, "What I seek is the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner that the Dao Ancestor bestowed upon you."
Queen Mother of the West was slightly stunned upon hearing this, surprise appearing on her face. She then asked, "What do you intend to use the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner for, fellow Daoist?"
Xiao Teng's expression softened. "To be honest, through a series of fortunate coincidences, I have obtained four of the Five Directional Banners. Only your Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner remains."
Queen Mother of the West was greatly astonished by Xiao Teng's words.
Each of the Five Directional Banners was a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure. If assembled, they could form the powerful Five Elements Formation, whose might was enough to rival an Innate Supreme Treasure.
For any living being, possessing even one would already be an immense blessing. Yet Xiao Teng actually possessed four.
Queen Mother of the West understood that Xiao Teng was determined to obtain the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner.
"In that case, what do you intend to offer in exchange, fellow Daoist?"
Xiao Teng fell silent for a moment before saying after careful consideration, "I am willing to exchange an opportunity to become a Sage."
Queen Mother of the West and White Lotus were both stunned. For a moment, neither understood what Xiao Teng meant.
Queen Mother of the West looked puzzled and could not help asking, "What exactly is this opportunity to become a Sage? Please explain."
Xiao Teng replied, "I cannot speak of the specifics at present. However, fellow Daoist, rest assured. Once Dao Ancestor Hongjun's third teaching ends, I will be able to give you a certain and unquestionable opportunity to become a Sage."
Queen Mother of the West was inwardly shocked. The path to becoming a Sage was what all cultivators of the Primordial World dreamed of. Xiao Teng seemed to hold the method of becoming a Sage in his hands. How could she not be curious and astonished?
If what Xiao Teng said was true, then this transaction would be no small matter.
The opportunity Xiao Teng spoke of was naturally the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi. He was willing to exchange the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi with Queen Mother of the West.
In terms of value, the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi was certainly more precious than the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner. Once one became a Sage, even a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure would no longer count as much of a treasure in a Sage's eyes.
However, Xiao Teng had no intention of relying on the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi to become a Sage, so its value was not so great to him.
Still, Xiao Teng could not be certain that he would obtain the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi. If he failed to obtain it then, he could only find something else to exchange.
After thinking for a while, Queen Mother of the West said, "In that case, let us discuss this again after the third teaching ends."
"Very well." Xiao Teng also knew he could not make an empty-handed deal.
He also knew that this transaction could not be rushed. He already possessed four banners, and with the formation of the Calabash Kids, his overall strength was sufficient. Even if he could not gather all Five Directional Banners for the time being, he would remain safe.
Aside from this transaction, another important purpose of this visit was to befriend Queen Mother of the West and lay a solid foundation for future dealings.
Xiao Teng and White Lotus stayed in Western Kunlun.
They were fortunate enough to see the Yellow Center Plum, one of the ten great innate spiritual roots.
The Yellow Center Plum tree was not particularly tall, but its branches and leaves were lush, bearing nine golden fruits.
The Yellow Center Plum fruits were round and plump, giving off an enticing fragrance. The words "Yellow Center" seemed naturally formed upon their skins, carrying an ancient aura.
The Yellow Center Plum blossomed once every ten thousand years, bore fruit once every ten thousand years, and took another ten thousand years to ripen. In thirty thousand years, it produced only nine fruits.
Because the words "Yellow Center" appeared upon both its flowers and fruits, it was called the Yellow Center Plum.
Legend had it that the Yellow Center Plum possessed miraculous effects. Eating one could immediately attain the Dao Fruit of a Great Luo Golden Immortal.
Yet after Xiao Teng ate one, he found that it was not as exaggerated as the legends claimed.
However, it truly contained immense spiritual energy. For those below the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, it could still allow them to break through a minor realm.
Although the Yellow Center Plum could not directly help someone become a Great Luo Golden Immortal, when used to aid cultivation, it could produce Golden Immortals of Grand Unity in batches.
However, if one relied solely on this fruit to break through a realm, it would become exceedingly difficult to advance further afterward. Perhaps one would remain forever fated never to reach the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.
Seeing that Xiao Teng and the others were quite interested in the Yellow Center Plums, Queen Mother of the West laughed heartily, picked every Yellow Center Plum from this batch, and gave them all to Xiao Teng.
Xiao Teng, White Lotus, and the seven Calabash Kids each ate one.
Seeing this, Xiao Teng hurriedly expressed his thanks. "Thank you for your generous gift, fellow Daoist."
Queen Mother of the West waved her hand and smiled. "It is nothing. They only ripen once every thirty thousand years. There will be several more batches to eat before the next teaching. I have grown rather tired of eating them myself, so they are perfect for giving away."
Xiao Teng understood that with the Yellow Center Plums aiding her cultivation, Queen Mother of the West's realm could not possibly be low.
He could tell that Queen Mother of the West had already reached the Middle Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm and was not far from the Late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm. In other words, she should be able to break through to the Late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm during the third teaching.
Xiao Teng silently reminded himself that the Primordial World was filled with powerful experts. If he did not hasten his cultivation, he feared that the other cultivators would leave him far behind, making it difficult for him to keep pace with the great trend of heaven and earth.
Once the third teaching at Purple Cloud Palace ended, people would successively become Sages. Even if Xiao Teng did not become a Sage, his strength could not fall too far behind.
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