Within an unnamed immortal mountain.
Tongtian thought about what lay ahead, and his emotions inevitably grew complicated.
Ao Li and the Xihe sisters were deeply shocked.
They had not expected Tongtian to have obtained such a tremendous opportunity so soon after bringing them back to the Primordial World.
This was a Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!
Not only had Tongtian obtained one, but each of the three brothers had received one as well.
What astonishingly profound fortune was this?
Such fortune was simply beyond the reach of ordinary Innate Gods.
The Pangu Sect Disciples truly lived up to their name!
The Xihe sisters could not help sighing inwardly. They had acquired a Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure so casually.
Their decision to follow Tongtian into the Primordial World
had certainly not been wrong.
With the protection of the Three Pure Ones, their safety in the Primordial World would also be assured.
"Now that we have collected the treasures, it is time to return."
Laozi spoke with a smile.
One spiritual treasure apiece was truly an immense gain.
This trip had been more than worthwhile.
Just as everyone was preparing to leave, Tongtian noticed a cyan lotus seed in the spot where the Creation Green Lotus had been destroyed by the heavenly tribulation.
There was no doubt that it was a Creation Lotus Seed.
If it could mature, it might very well become a new Creation Green Lotus!
Tongtian was overjoyed and said directly, "This lotus seed is a Creation Lotus Seed."
"Take it with us. It will surely be useful someday."
Laozi and Yuanshi both looked surprised upon hearing this.
They had naturally noticed the Creation Lotus Seed as well.
But to them, this Creation Lotus Seed was already completely useless.
The heavenly tribulation had ended and dissipated, yet endless lightning still gathered within the Creation Lotus Seed.
The lotus seed, which should have been brimming with the power of creation, was now filled with deathly stillness from within and without.
All of its life force had long since been thoroughly stripped away.
It could be said that this Creation Lotus Seed had been completely ruined, without even a trace of spirituality remaining.
What use would there be in taking it back?
"Third Brother, are you thinking of bringing it back and nurturing it?"
"Forgive me for speaking frankly, but this Creation Lotus Seed has lost all life force."
"Taking it back would be of no use whatsoever."
Yuanshi shook his head.
Laozi also said, "Such a lotus seed was never tolerated by Heaven and Earth."
"That is why not even a shred of life force was left within it."
As he spoke, a hint of regret flashed through his eyes.
If this Creation Lotus Seed still possessed even the slightest trace of life force, neither of them would have let it slip away.
Whether or not they could nurture it into a Creation Green Lotus, they would at least have taken this opportunity for themselves.
Tongtian did not care in the slightest about their words.
So what if it had no life force at all!
The heavenly tribulation had only just departed, so it was perfectly normal for the seed to be filled with the destructive power of the tribulation.
Yet the heavenly tribulation had not completely destroyed it, which meant there was still a chance to save it.
As long as there was even a sliver of possibility, he would never be willing to give up like this.
Besides, what Laozi and Yuanshi could not accomplish was not necessarily impossible for him.
After all, he possessed an entire stream of Three Lights Divine Water!
At worst, he could simply toss the Creation Lotus Seed into the stream. He refused to believe that years of soaking in Three Lights Divine Water would fail to save it.
If he truly managed to cultivate the Creation Green Lotus anew, would he not become invincible at once?
A complete Creation Green Lotus was an Innate Supreme Treasure!
Buzz!
With a wave of his hand, the Creation Lotus Seed immediately flew into Tongtian's palm.
Seeing that Laozi and Yuanshi paid it no heed, Tongtian could not help but chuckle inwardly.
That was a good thing too.
If the Creation Lotus Seed still had life force, he likely would not have obtained it so easily.
Having just put away the Creation Lotus Seed, Tongtian noticed the ground that had endured the baptism of Tribulation Lightning.
Tongtian had seen clearly just how violent the Tribulation Lightning had been.
That was precisely the issue.
Even if the soil possessed some spirituality, it should have lost all spiritual essence beneath that overwhelming bombardment of lightning.
Yet this patch of soil still concealed spiritual essence within it. Only wisps of tribulation aura pervading it made that less apparent.
"Could this soil also be some kind of treasure?"
"Otherwise, the Creation Green Lotus would not have appeared here."
Tongtian was startled. He crouched down to examine it carefully and soon recognized it.
Nine Heavens Breathing Earth!
He had never expected this entire patch of soil to be Nine Heavens Breathing Earth!
This was Innate Spiritual Soil, one of the rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures of the world.
The soil Nüwa would use to create humans in the future would be Nine Heavens Breathing Earth.
Delighted, Tongtian did not tell Laozi or Yuanshi. Instead, he directly collected the entire patch of soil.
Laozi and Yuanshi both looked bewildered at his actions.
The two exchanged glances, neither understanding Tongtian's intentions.
"Could Third Brother really be planning to nurture the Creation Lotus Seed again?"
Yuanshi muttered.
Laozi shook his head slightly. "You and I both know that is impossible."
"Unless he possesses powerful heavenly materials and earthly treasures, there might still be a slim chance."
But treasures of that caliber were undoubtedly extremely difficult to find.
They would not go to such great lengths for a ruined Creation Lotus Seed.
As for Tongtian wanting to fuss over it, they would simply let him be.
Ao Li's beautiful eyes flickered slightly. Having followed Tongtian for so long, no one understood better than she did just how profound his fortune was.
This fellow would certainly not do anything pointless.
Could the Creation Lotus Seed truly still have a chance to be nurtured?
"Let's go!"
After finishing everything, Tongtian took the initiative to speak.
Thus, the group rode clouds and mist back toward Kunlun Mountain.
"Someone actually dared intrude upon my Kunlun Mountain?"
As they approached, Tongtian and the others saw a tall old Daoist with an ancient and unfathomable aura.
The old Daoist stood atop Kunlun Mountain as if he had already known they were returning.
He was waiting for them there.
Tongtian narrowed his eyes. This old Daoist gave him an incomparably profound feeling.
His cultivation was already at the peak of the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm.
Yet he could not see through this old Daoist's cultivation, meaning the other party must have an extraordinary origin.
There were not many Primordial Golden Immortals in the Primordial World at present, but every one of them was an individual of great renown.
This put him on guard, as though facing a formidable enemy.
Laozi and Yuanshi also felt that the man's bearing was extraordinary, but they were Pangu Sect Disciples and feared no one!
Moreover, this fellow had stepped directly onto Kunlun Mountain without their permission.
That was truly arrogant beyond measure!
Yuanshi said haughtily, "Bold indeed!"
"You stepped onto Kunlun Mountain without the permission of us Three Pure Ones."
"Old Daoist, do you not know that this is the cultivation ground of us Three Pure Ones?"
"Get out of Kunlun Mountain at once, and we may overlook this. Otherwise, do not blame the spiritual treasures in our hands for showing no mercy."
A smile appeared on the old Daoist's face.
The next moment, he casually waved his hand through the air.
Buzz!
An immense invisible force instantly descended upon Yuanshi. Yuanshi was horrified. He had not expected this old Daoist's strength to be so terrifying!
He tried to resist, but the mana within his body was as still and deep as an ocean.
Damn it! What great being is this?
I cannot even mobilize the mana within my body.
Is the gap truly this enormous?
Yuanshi was shaken to the core and could only look to Laozi for help.
Laozi's expression darkened as he rebuked him, "Your cultivation is indeed formidable."
"But acting in such a manner shows that you hold us Three Pure Ones in no regard!"
As his voice fell, he directly unleashed the Taiqing Celestial Light.
In an instant, strands of celestial light gathered through the void, transforming into thousands upon thousands of profound attacks.
The old Daoist watched calmly. Faced with the attacks filling the sky, he merely waved his hand again.
Rumble!
In an instant, the endless celestial light shattered amid thunderous roars.
Laozi's divine ability was utterly useless against him!
Before Laozi could strike again, the Daoist pointed through the air.
An immense force instantly suppressed Laozi.
The Xihe sisters, who had been following behind the Three Pure Ones, also realized that something was wrong.
This old Daoist had clearly come with hostile intentions!
Although he had easily suppressed Laozi and Yuanshi, they felt no fear whatsoever.
They immediately prepared to attack the old Daoist.
Tongtian frowned and stopped them. "Do not attack!"
"We are no match for this senior."
Xihe and Changxi both found that difficult to believe.
Tongtian's cultivation was the highest among them.
If even he feared this old Daoist so much, who exactly was this person?
Tongtian then cupped his hands toward the old Daoist and said, "Shangqing Tongtian greets Senior Hongjun!"
Surprise appeared on the old Daoist's previously unchanged face.
He had not expected the other party to see through his identity.
That was rather interesting.
Laozi and Yuanshi were filled with shock upon hearing Tongtian's words.
Daoist Hongjun?!
This plain-looking old Daoist was actually the renowned Daoist Hongjun?
Naturally, they were no strangers to this name.
He was one of the foremost Innate Great Beings in the Primordial World!
He had once personally ended the most chaotic Ferocious Beast Calamity of the Primordial World.
No wonder the two of them had been so easily suppressed. This man was a Primordial Golden Immortal!
But why had he come to seek out the Three Pure Ones?
After all, the two of them had been cultivating on Kunlun Mountain all these years.
Although Tongtian had traveled outside, judging from their expressions, this should have been their first meeting as well.
How had they provoked this Primordial Great Being?
Hongjun could no longer suppress his curiosity and took the initiative to ask, "I have never met you before."
"How did you recognize my identity?"
At present, those in the Primordial World who knew his identity were all old acquaintances.
And this truly was his first meeting with the Three Pure Ones.
Tongtian said softly, "Kunlun Mountain is the foremost of all mountains. As far as I know, it is not far from your cultivation ground, Jade Capital Mountain."
"And there are not many in the Primordial World with the strength to easily suppress my two elder brothers."
"Looking across the Primordial World, there are likely only you, Great Immortal Yang Mei, and Rahou of the Western Region."
"Thus, I merely made a bold guess. But judging from this, it seems I guessed correctly."
A profound glint flashed through Hongjun's eyes.
Interesting!
He had not expected Tongtian to be the wisest among the Three Pure Ones, and for both of his elder brothers to be so easily suppressed by him.
Yet Tongtian had remained unruffled and continued conversing with him.
This child was destined for extraordinary achievements!
This made him even more satisfied with Tongtian.
"Very good! Not only can you suppress the anger in your heart, but you can also see through to the essence of the matter."
"That is also a rare talent."
After Hongjun finished with a soft laugh, he beckoned with one hand, and the force suppressing Laozi and Yuanshi vanished at once.
Laozi and Yuanshi regained their freedom.
Together, they cupped their hands and bowed to Hongjun.
Then Laozi took the initiative to ask, "We should not have offended you in the past, Senior."
"May I ask why you have come to Kunlun Mountain?"
Hongjun's expression remained calm. "This Daoist has been cultivating in the mountains."
"By chance, I felt a sudden impulse and realized that you Three Pure Ones share a master-disciple affinity with me."
"Therefore, I came here personally to take disciples."
Take disciples?
Why would it be at this point in time?
The Dragon-Han Tribulation had not even ended yet!
Tongtian's expression did not change, but he was greatly astonished inwardly.
Shouldn't Hongjun have waited until after attaining sainthood, then formally accepted disciples in the Purple Cloud Palace?
Why had it happened so much earlier?
Could it be that the stories he had read were all wrong, and Hongjun had actually accepted the Three Pure Ones as disciples long ago?
Only announcing it to the entire Primordial World during his final lecture at the Purple Cloud Palace?
Laozi and Yuanshi had likewise not expected Hongjun to come in order to take the three brothers as disciples.
They immediately felt somewhat hesitant.
Indeed, Hongjun was currently one of the foremost experts in the Primordial World, a great Mixed Origin powerhouse.
But the three of them were Pangu Sect Disciples, and they all had confidence that their future cultivation would certainly not be inferior to Hongjun's.
Since that was the case, why should they acknowledge Hongjun as their master?
Laozi pondered before saying, "Senior has come personally, and we are deeply honored."
"However, I do not wish to take a master."
Yuanshi followed, "Nor do I have any intention of taking a master."
"I fear we must disappoint your kind intentions, Senior."
Tongtian did not speak. He was still considering the deeper meaning behind this matter.
At the same time, he wanted to see what methods Hongjun would use to persuade Laozi and Yuanshi.
Having been directly rejected by the two, Hongjun revealed no anger. Instead, he chuckled lightly. "It seems you still doubt this Daoist's words."
"Since that is so, this Daoist will let you see for yourselves."
As his words fell, a Creation Jade Plate appeared in Hongjun's palm.
The instant the Creation Jade Plate appeared, boundless power of creation spilled into the void.
Hongjun continued, "This is the Chaos Supreme Treasure, the Creation Jade Plate!"
"With such a supreme treasure under my control, I should preside over the path of enlightenment."
"You three brothers were formed from Pangu's primordial spirit, and each of you bears immense merit."
"Thus, the three of you will ultimately attain the Dao."
"But attaining the Dao is no easy matter. If you are willing to acknowledge this Daoist as your master, I can guarantee that you will certainly attain the Dao."
"I can also guarantee that you will safely pass through the immeasurable calamity."
"Even if there are thirty-seven thousand tribulations, they will not harm you in the slightest."
As Laozi and Yuanshi listened, their breathing could not help growing rapid.
Safely pass through the immeasurable calamity!
And he could guarantee that they would ultimately attain the Dao.
It had to be said that this was an unparalleled temptation for them.
In other words, so long as they agreed to become his disciples, they would immediately surpass the countless billions of living beings in the Primordial World.
They would have one foot through the gate of attaining the Dao!
Who could resist such temptation?
Ao Li and the two Xihe sisters were also deeply shaken as they listened.
This was simply a heaven-sent opportunity!
To be fair, if it were them, they likely would not have been able to resist either.
Tongtian, however, showed no change in expression as he listened.
Hongjun indeed had the ability to guarantee their attainment of sainthood.
But sainthood was not the end.
Moreover, the drawbacks of becoming a Sage of the Heavenly Dao were numerous, and he knew them all too well.
If he had no other choice, becoming Hongjun's disciple would not have been a bad option.
But now that his wings had grown full, he was confident he could walk the path Pangu had once taken.
Therefore, Hongjun's words held little temptation for him.
"Well? This is your only chance! Make your own choice."
Before you continue