Taiqing Laozi reprimanded: “Cease this insolence! As disciples of our master, we naturally need not avoid the Celestial Court. However, this is the Witch-Demon Tribulation. Our master fears we may become entangled in the tribulation, and once Tribulation Power attaches itself to us, how will you continue your cultivation?”
Yuanshi immediately bowed: “Master, this disciple acted impulsively.”
Hongjun sighed: “It is of no consequence. The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Derivation is forty-nine, and humanity flees one. Even I cannot fully control destiny. As for Taiyin Xihe…”
Tongtian’s eyes flickered slightly, but he lowered his gaze without speaking.
Zhunti, however, could not wait: “Master, this disciple does not understand. Xihe shows no respect for you, acts recklessly on our Lingshan, and now the Western Heaven-bestowed Merit cannot sever the Dao Lineage of the Palace of Ultimate Bliss. If this continues, how can my senior brother and I, who rely on the Western Region for our existence, attain Sagehood?”
“Very well. You two have indeed suffered injustice this time. I shall make it clear. Xihe is also within this Tribulation of Measurement. The Great Dao of Taiyin and Taiyang attract each other. This woman is destined to become the Heavenly Emperor’s Empress. Nuwa should seize the opportunity to facilitate this matter.”
Nuwa’s Red Embroidered Ball is a Merit Sacred Artifact and also a Marriage Fate Treasure. Whenever lovers are united, it continuously infuses the Red Embroidered Ball with Merit Power. Hearing her master’s words, Nuwa immediately showed delight.
The Celestial Court is the master of heaven and earth. If she could preside over the Emperor’s marriage, what an immense amount of merit that would be!
But then, as if remembering something, her expression turned peculiar.
“Master, this disciple observes that Xihe does not seem to be of a gentle temperament and has repeatedly clashed with Dijun and Taiyi. What if they refuse to marry…”
Hongjun’s figure gradually blurred.
“Heaven’s decree cannot be defied. If you attain Sagehood and the Demon Clan reveres you, you can witness the Heavenly Marriage for them. Under the Tribulation of Measurement, all beings are like ants. Each must cultivate their own path. Go.”
After Hongjun disappeared, Nuwa wore a strange expression: “Does our master mean for me to force them into marriage using the authority of a Saint?”
Compared to Nuwa’s bewilderment, Zhunti was furious.
“No wonder our master ignored our grievances—it was out of deference to the Emperor and Empress. What a Xihe, what a Celestial Court! We of the Western Region shall see how many great powers remain in their Celestial Court after this Tribulation of Measurement. Senior brother, let us go!”
Nuwa, also preoccupied with thoughts, hurried back to her Dao Abode to discuss with her brother Fuxi. After bowing to the Three Pure Ones, she departed.
When only the Three Pure Ones remained, Tongtian was about to leave but was stopped by his eldest brother.
“Third Brother, where have you been all this time, not cultivating with us in the Dao Abode?”
“Hah, eldest brother, are you not asking what you already know? Born of the same root, how could we not understand each other? Third Brother is clearly infatuated with beauty. If he is not by that demoness’s side, where else could he be?”
Seeing Tongtian offer no rebuttal, Taiqing’s eyes darkened: “Third Brother, did you hear our master’s words? Turn back before it is too late. Under the Tribulation of Measurement, all beings are like ants. If you become entangled, we…”
Tongtian looked back: “Are eldest and second brothers afraid I will implicate you? That is simple. I will establish my own Dao Abode, and eldest and second brothers need not worry henceforth.”
“Outrageous! Your elder brother is concerned for your cultivation. What attitude is this?” Taiqing scolded.
Tongtian released his cultivation aura: “Eldest brother, do you see? My cultivation still surpasses yours. What is there to worry about?”
“You…” Taiqing’s face turned ashen, greatly angered.
Yuanshi immediately said: “Eldest brother, pay him no mind. He willingly involves himself in the tribulation; it has nothing to do with us. We have advised him, and our master will not blame us.”
Turning his back on his elder brothers’ cold gazes, Tongtian felt indescribable emotions. He flew aimlessly far away from Zixiao.
The male voice in his ear continued, “The path of the Dao is long and lonely, eternal in its solitude. Your two elder brothers harbor no good intentions toward you—be on your guard.”
Tongtian offered no response. As he passed over the East Sea, he noticed a skirmish below but paid it no mind and flew on.
“Hmm? The Dragon Clan has long been in decline since the Dragon-Han Tribulation. Yet, this little dragon maiden’s bloodline shows signs of atavism… Something is off here. Very off. Let me calculate… Tsk, tsk, the rabbit’s shadow is involved again. This…”
Before he could finish, Tongtian had already turned back. With a casual wave, he annihilated a group of demons and rescued the severely injured dragon maiden.
The pure white silver dragon transformed into human form and bowed. “Ao Ling of the East Sea Dragon Clan thanks the Great Immortal for saving me. May I ask how to address you, Immortal Elder? Would you honor our clan with a visit?”
“I am Tongtian.”
“Tongtian!” Ao Ling had not expected to encounter him so soon and momentarily lost her composure.
A flicker passed through Tongtian’s eyes. “You know of me?”
Ao Ling inwardly cursed her own foolishness for nearly exposing herself and quickly explained, “Of course I know of you. The Dao Ancestor took the Three Pure Ones as his personal disciples. As a Sage’s Disciple, Great Immortal, who in the Primordial World does not know of you? It was my lapse in manners. Please do not take offense, Great Immortal.”
Tongtian followed Ao Ling on a tour of the Dragon Clan. After the copper coin informed him that the Dragon King, the Third Prince, and the little dragon maiden all had karmic ties with Xihe, Tongtian smiled and straightforwardly expressed his desire to establish a Dao abode in the East Sea.
The Dragon Clan had not expected things to proceed so smoothly and naturally offered their finest island.
Tongtian named it Golden Ao Island and accepted Ao Bing and Ao Ling as his disciples. Ao Bing dared not reveal that he already had a master and could only reluctantly bow in acceptance. Fearing Xihe’s wrath, the Dragon Clan leader hastily sent a message.
When Xihe received the message, she was in a forbidden land searching for the Metal Spirit Pearl. After reading the letter, she was utterly bewildered.
Why did this plot feel so incongruous at every turn?
According to legend, Ao Ling was merely an outer sect disciple of the Jie Sect, while Ao Bing was a disciple of Shen Gongbao under the Chan Sect. How had they both become Tongtian’s personal disciples now?
So, after all her efforts to plant chess pieces, before she could even use them, Tongtian had already poached them for himself? Could this get any more absurd?
Replying with a simple “wait and see,” Xihe embraced a numb resignation and focused on searching for the Metal Spirit Pearl.
This place was an abandoned battlefield, littered with countless weapons. It was not unusual for the Metal Spirit Pearl to appear here.
She still possessed the Four Spirits. Following the principle of the Five Elements’ mutual generation, she would naturally sense the Metal Spirit Pearl’s proximity.
As Xihe attuned her senses in this area, following the vibration frequency of the spirit pearl, she discovered that the Metal Spirit Pearl was already in someone else’s hands.
“Jin Ling, hand over the Metal Spirit Pearl, or today will be your last!”
The woman in a golden dress, now tattered and torn, had a pale yet icy-cold expression. “Handing it over means death as well. Go ahead and attack. Even in death, I will not let you off easily.”
A golden phoenix illusion appeared behind Jin Ling but gradually began to fracture.
The Daoist in purple-red robes opposite her held the Yin-Yang Dual Mirrors, utterly unafraid. “You are merely at the Taiyi Realm, with a fading phoenix bloodline. Your phoenix flames are no match for my Li Fire. What good will self-detonation do? I am a Great Luo Golden Immortal!”
As the Yin-Yang Dual Mirrors were invoked, Jin Ling immediately felt her Primordial Spirit suppressed. Despair filled her heart. If she died here today, her physical body would likely be refined into a treasure. She was of the Phoenix Clan’s imperial bloodline, yet today she faced such humiliation.
Just as tears fell from the corners of her eyes, a female immortal bathed in moonlight essence appeared before her.
With a casual wave, Jin Ling found she could move again.
Chijingzi roared in fury, “Who dares interfere?”
Xihe smiled gently, “Fellow Daoist, you seem quite proficient in Fire Element Dao Arts. I happened to pass by and heard about it, so I came specifically to discuss the Dao. I cultivate Taiyin Power, but I also know one Fire Attribute Divine Ability. What do you think of this palm strike? I would appreciate your guidance—Sky-Burning Palm.”
A giant hand formed of flames descended, carrying with it a trace of Sage’s Pressure.
Chijingzi’s expression changed drastically. He summoned all his Magical Treasures and desperately tried to block it, but even that faint trace of Sage’s Pressure was enough to shatter all his defenses.
“Fellow Daoist, spare me! We have no enmity between us. Fellow Daoist, spare my life!”
Xihe stroked his chin, thinking to himself, should he spare this future member of the Chan Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals?