The Mortal World, River Perch Valley.
Once the locust-sandalwood Immortal Tree was lifted out by supreme magic power, the entire Sandalwood Palace began to totter on the verge of collapse.
The Purple Mansion cultivators of the various households scrambled to act, bringing their juniors out of the secret realm.
Some households rejoiced while others grieved, but most wore at least a trace of a smile.
Clearly, with the secret realm fallen and spirit treasures scattered everywhere, the households had reaped rich rewards. Some had eaten until grease dripped from their mouths; others had filled their pots and bowls to overflowing.
"Congratulations, True Person! Congratulations! What wonderful news!"
"I have fulfilled my mission. I secured several mystic artifacts and won a share of Purple Mansion spirit resources for you, True Person."
"Good. You've put your heart into this."
Seeing his junior present a Jade Box, the True Person nodded in satisfaction. He took only the spirit resources, leaving the assorted other items untouched.
Where some rejoiced, others naturally grieved. Elsewhere, a monk in a golden kasaya stood in the Great Void and hauled out his two disciples.
A gilded figure tumbled onto the clouds. The old Monk frowned as he looked at the pair, inwardly invoking the Buddha over and over.
Other households' disciples had seized this and obtained that, yet these two brothers had returned covered in wounds.
One had a face riddled with cracks and a damaged golden body, clearly having suffered serious injuries. The other had outright lost his Dharma body and returned with nothing but his head.
"What were you two doing? How did you end up in such a sorry state?"
The old Monk sighed as he asked.
Jing Wu hurriedly knelt properly. The two heads on his shoulders bowed to the ground, their faces full