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When Pangu split open heaven and earth, he also shattered the World-Creating Azure Lotus that had nurtured him.
Following the grand trend of the primordial world, the shattered World-Creating Azure Lotus transformed into several Top-Grade Innate Treasures.
One of its lotus seeds fell upon Mount Buzhou. Nourished by the Nine Heavens Breath Soil, the source of earth, and the Three Lights Divine Water, it took root, sprouted, and grew into a lotus platform.
On this day, the lotus platform glowed with azure light. Its flower bloomed into thirty-six grades—it was the renowned Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus.
The emergence of the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus naturally alarmed the great powers between heaven and earth.
The first to sense its emergence were, naturally, Great God Fuxi and Goddess Nvwa within Mount Buzhou.
At the same time, three streaks of clear light flew over from the direction of Kunlun Mountain. They were the Three Pure Ones of the Authentic Pangu Sect.
Immediately afterward, two streaks of golden light flew in from the west. They were Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti of the West.
Before Daoist Zhunti even arrived, he laughed loudly and said,
"This Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus is destined for the West.
Today, this humble Daoist has come to guide it across and take it to the West for cultivation."
Tongtian could not help but snort coldly. "Junior Brother Zhunti, just how thick is your skin? This is clearly a treasure of the East. Since when did it become destined for your West?"
Daoist Zhunti paid no attention to Tongtian's words. Instead, he directly swept the Seven Treasure Wonderful Tree in his hand toward the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus.
Naturally, Tongtian would not simply watch Daoist Zhunti steal it. At once, they each revealed their treasures and blocked the Seven Treasure Wonderful Tree.
What no one noticed was that beneath the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus, hidden within the Three Lights Divine Water, was a small flag glowing with mysterious light—the northern Profound Origin Water Control Banner of the Innate Five Direction Banners.
"Those are the Three Pure Ones and the Two Sages of the West. If they discover me, will they erase me? Is my life, Chen Xuan's life, really this miserable?"
That voice came from within the Profound Origin Water Control Banner, though it was not because the banner itself had developed intelligence.
Rather, a soul from the future had, by chance, merged with the Profound Origin Water Control Banner.
After an unknown number of years spent in a muddled slumber, Chen Xuan had only recently awakened.
He had barely figured out his situation when the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus emerged.
Chen Xuan had originally intended to keep a low profile and develop quietly, but now, even if he wanted to hide in peace, he likely no longer had the chance.
Just as Chen Xuan was considering how to escape, a thunderbolt suddenly fell from the sky and struck the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus directly.
The Heavenly Dao did not permit the existence of the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus and had sent down tribulation lightning to destroy it.
Taishang Laozi seized the opportunity and waved his hand toward the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus before him.
Then he said, "Red flower."
At once, the flower of the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus transformed into a Coiled Dragon Crutch and flew into Taishang Laozi's hand.
Next, Yuanshi Tianzun likewise said, "Lotus root." The lotus root transformed into the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi and flew into Yuanshi Tianzun's hand.
Naturally, Tongtian did not hesitate either. He immediately called out, "Green leaf." The green leaf instantly transformed into a Qingping Sword and flew directly into Tongtian's hand.
In the blink of an eye, the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus had been divided among the Three Pure Ones. This inevitably filled Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti with raging fury.
At that moment, Goddess Nvwa stepped forward and reached out to collect the Nine Heavens Breath Soil that had nurtured the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus.
With the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus taken by the Three Pure Ones, the Nine Heavens Breath Soil became Goddess Nvwa's possession.
Daoist Zhunti then turned his gaze toward the Three Lights Divine Water, but before he could act, it vanished.
It had been completely absorbed by the Profound Origin Water Control Banner that Chen Xuan had fused with.
This left the Profound Origin Water Control Banner with nowhere to hide, and it appeared directly before everyone.
Daoist Zhunti's face immediately lit up with delight. He said, "The Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus has gone to the three senior brothers.
The Nine Heavens Breath Soil has gone to Senior Sister Nüwa. Then this little flag shall not be refused by this humble Daoist."
With that, he reached out to seize it. The Profound Origin Water Control Banner immediately darted aside and spoke in human words, "Stay away from me. I don't want to become a monk."
The Profound Origin Water Control Banner had spoken, leaving everyone present utterly shocked.
The Three Pure Ones, who had originally intended to turn a blind eye, no longer planned to let the Profound Origin Water Control Banner go to the two from the West.
Yuanshi Tianzun immediately threw out the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi and directly blocked Daoist Zhunti.
Taishang Laozi also raised the Coiled Dragon Crutch, blocking Daoist Jieyin, who was about to step forward.
"Do not be impatient, junior brothers. This Profound Origin Water Control Banner has already developed intelligence. It is no longer something that any of us can simply take away if we wish."
"Senior Brother Laozi, what do you mean by that? Are you planning to make the two of us come all this way for nothing?" Daoist Jieyin said with a miserable expression.
"Whether you came for nothing has nothing to do with me. In any case, I won't go with you to become a monk." Chen Xuan muttered quietly.
At the same time, he fixed his gaze on Goddess Nvwa. If he absolutely had to be taken away by someone, Chen Xuan was willing to choose Goddess Nvwa.
Seeing the Profound Origin Water Control Banner actually fly toward her, Goddess Nvwa could not help but smile.
Just as she was about to reach out and seize it, Great God Fuxi, standing beside Goddess Nvwa, stopped her.
"Little sister, you must not."
Naturally, Goddess Nvwa understood what Fuxi meant. If she took the Profound Origin Water Control Banner now, she would inevitably become enemies with the Three Pure Ones and the two from the West.
Thus, she could only look reluctantly at the Profound Origin Water Control Banner, which made Chen Xuan panic.
He was just about to speak and reveal his choice, but at that moment, dark clouds suddenly gathered across the sky.
An Innate Spiritual Treasure developing intelligence was not tolerated by the Heavenly Dao. It was preparing to send down heavenly lightning and blast it into ashes.
Originally, with the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus, the Nine Heavens Breath Soil, and the Three Lights Divine Water concealing him, Chen Xuan's aura had not been discovered by the Heavenly Dao.
Now that the Nine Heavens Breath Soil, the Three Lights Divine Water, and the Thirty-Sixth Grade Creation Green Lotus were all gone, Chen Xuan's trouble arrived as well.
Seeing the heavenly tribulation gathering in the sky slowly transform into Heavenly Punishment, Goddess Nvwa could not help but feel as though she had narrowly escaped disaster, and she gratefully glanced at Great God Fuxi beside her.
If Goddess Nvwa had taken the Profound Origin Water Control Banner into her hands just now, that Karma would have been formed.
At that time, even if Goddess Nvwa had been unwilling, she would have had to risk her life to block this Heavenly Punishment for Chen Xuan.
Whether the Three Pure Ones or the two brothers from the West, their cultivation was only at the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.
As for Goddess Nvwa, her cultivation was the lowest among them. Trying to resist Heavenly Punishment alone would be no different from courting death.
Chen Xuan, within the Profound Origin Water Control Banner, naturally sensed that his crisis was approaching.
But with only a trace of intelligence in his current state, how could he possibly have the ability to resist Heavenly Punishment?
At that moment, Yuanshi Tianzun had already retreated to the side and said to Daoist Zhunti, "Junior Brother Zhunti, since you believe this Profound Origin Water Control Banner is destined for your West, why not step forward and take it to the West?"
Daoist Zhunti's face turned livid. He shot Yuanshi Tianzun a vicious glare.
If he took the Profound Origin Water Control Banner now, would he not be bringing this boundless Karma back to the West?
He immediately snorted coldly and said, "Did Senior Brother Tongtian not just say that a treasure of the East could not possibly be destined for the West?"
Before you continue