How could the Moon Cassia Tree, one of the Innate Spiritual Roots, possibly wither?
And why had her sister lost so much of her origin? Could it be that someone had harmed her?
Her mind in turmoil, Xihe took out all the spiritual herbs she had and piled them around her sister, trying to save her.
But these resources were absorbed in an instant, and Changxi showed no signs of improvement.
Xihe grew anxious. She couldn’t just watch her sister die. Without hesitation, she opened up her own Taiyin Origin for her sister to absorb.
This was equivalent to sharing her own life force. Xihe’s face rapidly turned deathly pale, and her Great Luo Dao Fruit teetered on the brink of collapse.
Even so, Xihe’s gaze remained resolute. Cultivation could be regained, but her sister could not be brought back once lost.
Just as her cultivation began to decline, the absorbed origin returned. The weakened little white rabbit opened her blood-red eyes.
“Sister.”
Xihe wept with joy. “Changxi, you’re awake!”
Changxi nudged Xihe’s palm with her head, her voice faint. “Sister, the Heaven-Suppressing Coffin can temporarily suppress the loss of my origin. I also need the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus to stabilize it.”
As Xihe took out the Heaven-Suppressing Coffin, she was inwardly shocked. How did her sister know she had the Heaven-Suppressing Coffin?
And the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus belonged to Demon Ancestor Luohu. Wasn’t her sister cultivating Taiyin? Why would she need something from the Demonic Path?
Her mind was filled with questions, but Changxi fell unconscious again.
Seeing that the Heaven-Suppressing Coffin could indeed control the loss of Changxi’s origin, Xihe breathed a deep sigh of relief.
No matter what, her sister’s life was the most important. She had to find the World-Destroying Black Lotus!
Demon Ancestor Luohu had once been in the West, attempting to harness spiritual veins to prove the Slaughter Path. He was defeated by Hongjun, who joined forces with Daoist Yangmei, Daoist Qiankun, and Daoist Yinyang. The four of them broke the Zhu Xian Sword Array, and Luohu perished, his Dao extinguished.
Treasures like the Zhu Xian Sword ended up in Hongjun’s hands, but the whereabouts of the World-Destroying Black Lotus were unknown. To find it… she would have to go to the West.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully attaining the Great Luo Dao Fruit. Reward: Three drops of Phoenix Essence Blood, Great Dao Divine Ability—Dharma Form Heaven and Earth.]
[Issuing a show-off task: Please sweep through the forces of the West and spread the name of the Taiyin Goddess. Reward: Supreme Spiritual Treasure Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus, Twelve-Grade Karmic Fire Red Lotus.]
Xihe was stunned. This was like receiving a pillow just as she was about to doze off. Even if someone told her now that the System had nothing to do with her sister, she wouldn’t believe it.
With the Twelve-petaled Pure World White Lotus in hand, and if she obtained these two as rewards, only the Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus, which would eventually fall into Jieyin’s hands, would remain. Then, the four immature Chaos Lotus Seeds would be fully collected…
Before leaving, Xihe took a deep look at Changxi. No matter what schemes were at play, she only knew she didn’t want anything to happen to Changxi.
So… what did it matter if she followed the path laid out for her?
As Xihe left Taiyin, the little rabbit, with her eyes closed, smiled faintly at the corner of her mouth, murmured “sister,” and fell back into a deep sleep.
The journey to the West was long, but fortunately, Xihe had comprehended the Space Law, making travel swift.
Along the way, she pondered how to make a name for herself. Finally, she realized that since the Dao Ancestor’s lecture had not yet concluded, the two troublesome beings in the West who posed a threat to her did not exist. She didn’t need to worry too much.
But committing killing karma was not her way. The System said to sweep through the West, not slaughter it. She could simply change her approach…
Taiyin was actually a branch of the Path of Yin and Yang. The Buddhist Sect emphasized guiding people to enlightenment. Why not shift her thinking and bring about an Ultimate Bliss through the Path of Yin and Yang?
“Hahaha!” At the thought of some imagined scene, Xihe laughed heartily, rocking back and forth.
Her once plain and simple Dharma Robe had become alluring and revealing, and paired with this moonlit countenance, her demeanor transformed into that of a seductive enchantress capable of toppling kingdoms.
Xihe descended upon a region in the West teeming with life, where Immortal Melodies fell from the heavens.
“I am the Taiyin Goddess, here to expound upon the path of Ultimate Bliss for all living beings. The Great Dao encompasses yin and yang, and the virtue of dual cultivation…”
As one Palace of Ultimate Bliss after another advanced toward Lingshan, the final lecture at the Purple Heaven Palace was also drawing to a close.
“With the three lectures concluded, I shall soon merge with the Heavenly Dao to complete it. Unless matters of great importance arise between heaven and earth, I shall not emerge again. Those who have listened to my teachings are thus fated. As my discipleship remains vacant, today I shall accept a few disciples.”
“The Three Pure Ones are manifestations of Pangu’s Primordial Spirit and may enter my discipleship as direct disciples. Nuwa shall have great fortune in the future and may become my closing disciple. Are you willing?”
The four rose together and bowed respectfully: “Disciples pay respects to our master.”
Hongjun waved his hand grandly: “I bestow upon Taiqing the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Taiji Diagram; upon Yuanshi, the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Pangu Banner; upon Tongtian, the Supreme Slaughter Treasure, the Four Zhu Xian Swords and the Array Diagram; and upon Nuwa, the Top-grade Primordial Spiritual Treasures, the Red Embroidered Ball and the Rivers and Mountains Map!”
“We thank our master for bestowing these treasures!”
Hongjun then addressed: “Tongtian, the Four Zhu Xian Swords are Supreme Slaughter Treasures. When one person forms the array, it cannot be broken except by four individuals of equal cultivation. These swords are domineering, and the Great Luo Sword Embryo within you may be used to nurture them.”
Tongtian lowered his eyes respectfully in acknowledgment, yet his pupils contracted slightly.
Xihe’s voice echoed in his mind.
[“Fellow Daoist Tongtian, though I was born from the right eye of our father god Pangu, I am truly weak in this Primordial World. Some matters cannot be spoken of clearly. I have only one word of advice: if one day you face the choice of abandoning your Great Luo Dao Embryo, I hope you will think thrice.”
Tongtian smiled: “Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist. This Dao Embryo is integral to my path; naturally, I would not abandon it.”
Xihe mocked: “Empty words are best spoken less. If a supreme treasure sword of slaughter were to recognize you as its master now, would you abandon your Great Luo Sword Embryo to nurture it?”]
She had foreseen this long ago. Could it be that the Great Dao Double Pupils also allowed her to glimpse Heavenly Secrets?
Was her refusal to become a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor also because she had foreseen some unfavorable outcome?
“We beseech the Dao Ancestor to accept us! The West is impoverished; please have mercy, Dao Ancestor!” Jieyin and Zhunti knelt and kowtowed, once again playing the part of the pitiful.
Their shamelessness was truly admirable.
Hongjun glanced at the two: “Enough. The impoverishment of the West is ultimately tied to my karma. You two may become my registered disciples. I bestow upon Jieyin the Top-grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure, the Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus, and upon Zhunti, the Top-grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure, the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree.”
“Furthermore, sensing the mandate of heaven, there shall be six Saints among my disciples. Thus, I bestow upon you all Primordial Purple Qi. May you cultivate diligently and attain sainthood soon!”
As the six wisps of Primordial Purple Qi emerged, the others could no longer remain seated.
Old Ancestor Blood River knelt: “Dao Ancestor, even if we are unworthy to enter your discipleship, please guide us to the Foundation for Sainthood. Billions of years of cultivation have not been easy; we beg the Dao Ancestor to grant us this opportunity!”
Hongjun sighed: “Very well. I shall bestow one more wisp of Primordial Purple Qi, allowing it to choose its own master.”
A wisp of purple qi seized the attention of all present, finally coming to rest before Hongyun.
“How could it be him!”
“A mere red cloud as his Root and Foundation—is he worthy?!”
Piercing hostility jolted Hongyun from his joy. His face filled with reluctance and contorted as he struck the purple qi toward Kunpeng.
“Fellow Daoist, I give this to you. May it settle the karma between us?”
Kunpeng was overjoyed and immediately responded: “Agreed.” At least he knew his place!
Hongjun did not intervene in Hongyun’s actions, then spoke again: “The Heavenly Dao is incomplete and requires order. East Prince Gong, as the leader of male immortals, is bestowed with the innate spiritual treasure Dragon Head Cane. West Queen Mother, as the leader of female immortals, is bestowed with the Kunlun Mirror. From now on, all male and female immortals must be registered!”
The two bowed in unison: “We respectfully obey the Dao Ancestor’s command.”
“There are still some treasures left on the Treasure Distribution Cliff. Those with fate may obtain them. The three lectures have concluded, and you all…” Hongjun’s closing words suddenly halted as he waved his wide sleeve, and everyone appeared outside the gates of the Purple Heaven Palace.
Suddenly, a vision of the Western Lands appeared in the sky. On the barren land stood statues of the Taiyin Goddess, and the Palace of Ultimate Bliss spread across the Western Lands.
Upon Lingshan, the Goddess’s True Body was delivering a lecture: “Yin and Yang are the Dao of Heaven and Earth, the guiding principles of all things, the parents of transformation, the origin of life and death. When Heaven and Earth’s Yin and Yang resonate with each other, all things are nurtured and grow…”