Touring the Eastern Sea, First Meeting the Three Xiaos and Obtaining a Spiritual Root

The Wild Continent was still whole and had yet to be shattered into the four great continents. Though the seas were vast, there were not many islands within them, and even fewer suitable for use as cultivation grounds.

Fortunately, Li Yu was in no hurry. He simply rode the clouds and drifted leisurely above the Eastern Sea. Sooner or later, he would find one.

One day, as Li Yu drifted atop the clouds, the sounds of battle suddenly rose from below. Looking closely, he saw two Azure Dragons locked in fierce combat with three female cultivators over the sea.

Li Yu became interested and drifted down from the clouds. He first stood to one side and quietly observed the situation.

The three female cultivators were all of celestial immortal beauty. Unfortunately, their cultivation was somewhat lacking; they were only in the Heavenly Immortal Realm. Aside from the female cultivator in the white gauze dress, who held a decent magic treasure, the treasures wielded by the other two were rather unimpressive.

With another person suddenly appearing, both the Dragon Clan and the three female cultivators noticed Li Yu.

"I am an elder of the Dragon Clan, capturing wanted criminals. Daoist, leave at once and do not seek trouble for yourself!" Before Li Yu could make a move, one of the Azure Dragons spoke threateningly.

"You wicked dragons are spouting nonsense! Clearly, you were seized by lust and sought to force yourselves upon us three sisters, yet you dare twist black into white and hurl insults!" The female cultivator in the pale yellow gauze dress retorted.

"My name is Bixiao. Please, fellow Daoist, lend us your aid. My sisters and I will be endlessly grateful!" The female cultivator dressed in emerald green also pleaded for help.

Bixiao? Then could the other two be Yunxiao and Qiongxiao?

If so, the three of them should have nothing to fear from this calamity. But since Bixiao had asked for help, refusing to act would not look good. It would make future meetings rather awkward.

"Daoist, do you intend to interfere in the Dragon Clan's affairs as well? Do not bring ruin upon yourself!"

Li Yu merely chuckled at the Azure Dragon's threat and paid it no mind. Although the Dragon Clan had not, like the Phoenix Clan and Qilin Clan, nearly suffered the extinction of their bloodlines, few of the remaining old dragons still held any standing in the Primordial World. They were fortunate enough merely to hide within the Four Seas and protect themselves. Even if they were given the courage, they would not dare stir up trouble in the Primordial World.

Li Yu could not be bothered to waste words on the two Azure Dragons. He directly brought out the Cosmos Ruler and gave them a merciless beating. However, he did not strike to kill. In the end, the two Azure Dragons fled in disgrace, their scales battered and their bodies covered in wounds.

"Yunxiao, together with her two younger sisters, thanks you for your aid, fellow Daoist!"

Yunxiao, dressed in white, walked gracefully across the water toward Li Yu to thank him, with Qiongxiao and Bixiao following behind her.

"Just two little dragons. It was nothing more than a small effort, hardly worth mentioning. But I see that the spiritual treasure in your hand is no ordinary item. Why were you unable to defeat them?" Li Yu asked.

"You may not know this, fellow Daoist, but this spiritual treasure is called the Primordial Golden Dipper. My sisters and I only found it not long ago, and we have yet to fully comprehend its mysteries."

"So that was it. Those two little dragons truly found an opening to exploit."

"May I ask how to address you, fellow Daoist?"

"My name is Li Yu, an independent cultivator of the Primordial World!"

"Brother Li, the place where my sisters and I cultivate lies nearby. Would you be willing to come with us, so that we may show our gratitude?" Yunxiao invited him naturally.

"I have been drifting across the Eastern Sea for many days myself. I can just borrow your treasured land to rest for a while. I hope you will forgive the intrusion!"

Li Yu then followed Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao to their place of cultivation. From far away, he could see an island blessed with spiritual beauty. Amid the boundless sea, it shone brilliantly like a pearl, making it especially rare.

After entering the island, he found clear springs babbling, immortal qi carrying fragrant scents, and spiritual mist filling the air. It truly had the bearing of an overseas immortal island. Li Yu was deeply envious. Even if he were given an identical island, he was not confident he could arrange it so well, and he could not help praising it several times.

"This was all arranged by my two younger sisters. I spend my days cultivating and comprehending spiritual treasures, so I have not paid much attention to such matters.

"Yunxiao said with a smile. As they spoke, Li Yu was led to a pavilion.

"You two sisters and Brother Li, please take your seats first. I will fetch some spiritual fruits and fine wine." Bixiao, the youngest, said.

"Thank you for your trouble, Fairy Bixiao," Li Yu said.

After Bixiao left, Qiongxiao asked, "I heard Brother Li say earlier that you have been in the Eastern Sea for some days. May I ask what brought you here?"

"It is nothing important. I merely wished to find a place in the Eastern Sea suitable for quiet cultivation," Li Yu said.

"Brother Li has no cultivation ground?" Yunxiao asked in surprise.

"I had one before, but the location was not very good, so I came out to seek another."

At this point, Li Yu asked Yunxiao and Qiongxiao, "You two fairies arrived in the Eastern Sea before I did. Do you know of any other places suitable for quiet cultivation? Something barely usable would be enough."

"Brother Li is truly easygoing!" Yunxiao said with a laugh.

"There is such a place, about a thousand li to the northwest. However, there is a demonic bamboo on that island, and it is quite strange. If the demonic bamboo can be removed, that island would be an excellent place for quiet cultivation," Qiongxiao said.

"There is such a place? Why did I not know about it?" Yunxiao asked with a frown.

"That... it was... it was discovered by Bixiao. She told me about it," Qiongxiao stammered.

"Hmph, you two actually left the island without permission. You are utterly outrageous!" Yunxiao scolded.

"Elder Sister, Brother Li is still here!" Qiongxiao said somewhat aggrievedly.

At that moment, Bixiao returned with many spiritual fruits and fine wines to entertain Li Yu, utterly unaware that Qiongxiao had already let slip the matter of her leaving the island without permission.

After staying on the island for two days, Li Yu took his leave and headed toward the island Qiongxiao had mentioned.

Before departing, Li Yu asked Qiongxiao in detail about the demonic bamboo. She said it could affect the Dao heart of those who approached it, causing feelings of sorrow and despondency to arise, even thoughts of ending one's own life. Fortunately, she and her sisters had not gone too close. Once they realized something was wrong, they had quickly retreated.

A distance of a thousand li was nothing to Li Yu, and he soon arrived. From atop the clouds, he indeed saw a solitary island.

Li Yu descended onto the island and took out the turtle shell Fuxi had previously given him. As soon as the treasure appeared, it emitted a radiant glow. This was an auspicious sign; the same had happened when he found the Cosmos Ruler.

Very soon, Li Yu found the demonic bamboo Qiongxiao had mentioned. It looked little different from ordinary bamboo, but it was the only stalk of emerald bamboo on the island, making it hard not to notice.

Although the turtle shell foretold great fortune, Li Yu still did not dare lower his guard. Caution came first, and he slowly approached the bamboo.

Sure enough, Li Yu gradually began to feel something strange within his heart. Yet his realm was profound, and this slight anomaly could not threaten him.

However, as he drew ever closer to the bamboo, the discomfort grew increasingly intense. The negative emotions had already begun to affect him. Li Yu summoned the Pure World White Lotus, which blocked the bamboo's negative influence.

Upon reaching it, Li Yu plucked a bamboo leaf and performed a divination with his fingers. Only then did he learn the origin of this thing.

It was one of the innate spiritual roots, known as Bitter Bamboo.