So that’s how it is!
Xihe, carrying memories from a later era, couldn’t help but overthink when encountering corresponding figures. These individuals possessed formidable cultivation and could sense such thoughts.
Tongtian’s reminder served as a warning—she must never act this way again!
As for Tongtian himself… though he had followed out of curiosity and been tricked, he showed no trace of anger. His temperament seemed amiable enough. Recalling the fate of his followers being wiped out and himself suppressed by his master and senior brother, Xihe pursed her lips.
“Fellow Daoist Tongtian, though I was born from the right eye of Father God Pangu, I am truly weak in this Primordial World. Some matters cannot be spoken of clearly. I have only one thing to say: if one day you face the choice of abandoning your Daluo Dao Embryo, I urge you to think thrice.”
Tongtian smiled. “Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist. This Dao Embryo is integral to my path; I would never abandon it.”
Xihe scoffed. “It’s better to speak less of empty words. If a supreme treasure sword of slaughter were to recognize you as its master now, would you abandon your Daluo Sword Embryo to nurture it?”
Tongtian, inexplicably mocked, thought to himself that Xihe truly was an odd one.
In the Primordial World, lineage and cultivation were paramount. In terms of lineage, he was born from Pangu’s primordial spirit, far surpassing Xihe. In cultivation, he was a full major realm above her. Yet, not only did this Xihe dare to trick him, but her words were also laced with sarcasm, as if he were unworthy of befriending…
As for innate supreme treasures, only twelve had appeared since the beginning of heaven and earth. Even the Dao Ancestor would covet them.
If such a sword were to recognize him as its master, what harm would there be in abandoning his Daluo Sword Embryo? After all, it was merely nurtured within his body and could not compare to an innate supreme treasure. Yet her tone made it seem as though abandoning it would be foolish.
Unable to understand or fathom her, Tongtian found Xihe increasingly intriguing.
He changed the subject. “The lecture at Purple Heaven Palace is about to begin. How about we travel together and exchange insights along the way?”
Xihe gave him a strange look. This guy was a full major realm above her in cultivation. Listening to her lecture would be pointless for him, whereas she could gain many benefits. So… had he lost his mind?
Well, failing to seize an advantage would be foolish. She nodded gracefully. “Thank you, fellow Daoist.”
There it was again—that indifferent, lukewarm tone that teased his nerves.
Tongtian watched Xihe’s every expression as he slowly began to expound the Dao. With each word, wondrous phenomena manifested around him.
It had to be said, this was indeed Tongtian—his Dao path held much worth. Xihe gradually became engrossed, closing her eyes and entering meditation.
The Pure World White Lotus within her primordial spirit automatically manifested to protect its master.
At that moment, Tongtian’s Green Lotus Sword, which he carried with him, trembled and then floated autonomously, circling around the Pure World White Lotus.
Its fawning, eager-to-get-close demeanor made Tongtian’s brow twitch slightly.
After the Great God Pangu opened the heavens, the Chaos Lotus that nurtured him could not withstand the force of creation and disintegrated.
One mature lotus seed transformed into the Thirty-six-petaled Creation Green Lotus, which then split into three parts: the red flower became the Coiling Dragon Staff, owned by his eldest brother; the white lotus root became the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, owned by his second brother; and the green lotus leaf became the Green Lotus Sword, which belonged to him.
Apart from this mature lotus seed that transformed into the three treasures, the Chaos Lotus had several immature seeds. One of them became this Twelve-petaled Pure World White Lotus. Although the Green Lotus Sword shared the same origin, its lineage seemed far nobler. Why, then, was it acting so unusually fawning?
Why was everything about this Taiyin Goddess so peculiar?
Just as Tongtian was puzzling over this, the Green Lotus Sword, seeing itself isolated by the divine light of the Pure World White Lotus and unable to get close, grew anxious.
With a tremble of its blade, a strand of emerald divine light forcibly broke through the protective barrier and entered Xihe’s sea of consciousness.
Tongtian’s casual smile froze at the corner of his mouth as he watched Xihe, who was deep in meditation, gradually flush with a rosy hue that eventually turned into a deep crimson.
After the emerald divine light was abruptly expelled from her consciousness, Xihe opened her eyes and gripped the Qinglian Sword, which seemed as lifeless as death itself.
She swung it fiercely at Tongtian: “I’ll kill you!”
Tongtian hastily dodged: “Fellow Daoist, let me explain. It’s not what you think.”
“Explain my *! Die!”
Xihe was truly enraged. Practitioners held their consciousness sea in the highest regard—even some Dao companions were unwilling to engage in dual cultivation of their souls.
Yet Tongtian, relying on the shared origin of the Qinglian Sword and the Pure World White Lotus, had used some unknown sinister method to infiltrate a trace of his divine power into her consciousness sea, giving it a shake.
This was akin to the wedding night, during the prelude—clearly, he was toying with her!
Later generations spoke of Tongtian as benevolent, tolerant, and upholding the principle of teaching without discrimination, widely accepting beings of the Primordial World and providing countless low-level practitioners with the opportunity to attain immortality—a magnanimous and great being.
But now, having personally arrived in the Primordial World, Xihe felt he was nothing more than a lecherous fool with a squeezed brain!
What leader of the Jie Sect, what Saint of the Primordial World—come and die!
Consumed by rage, Xihe didn’t realize she was wielding the Qinglian Sword, assuming only that Tongtian knew he was in the wrong and dared not fight back. She attacked with increasing ferocity, but she soon came to her senses, knowing she was no match for him.
In the Primordial World, strength was paramount. What was purity compared to life and death?
Seeing that Tongtian truly had no intention of retaliating, she decided to put on a show and demand compensation. She hadn’t forgotten the incident where she was swindled out of three Moon Cassia Tree leaves.
But who could have expected that Tongtian, in his frantic escape, gave her no chance to demand compensation and resolve the matter.
One fleeing, the other pursuing—their chase lasted a full century, all the way to the gates of the Purple Heaven Palace!
The longer Xihe chased, the angrier she became. She couldn’t just let herself be toyed with for nothing. If Tongtian apologized and offered sufficient compensation, she would let it go.
But what was Tongtian’s intention? Did he want to take advantage without paying?
The Purple Heaven Palace’s next lecture was less than a century away—a mere blink of an eye for practitioners. Many had already arrived early.
Someone exclaimed in surprise: “Look! Isn’t that Tongtian, one of the Three Pure Ones, being pursued?”
Among the three thousand guests of the Purple Heaven Palace, the Three Pure Ones were universally acknowledged as the strongest. At these words, everyone turned to look.
“Heavens, it really is Fellow Daoist Tongtian!”
The other two of the Three Pure Ones were already inside the Purple Heaven Palace. They now stepped forward, blocking Tongtian as he landed.
Together, they spoke: “Who dares bully one of the Three Pure Ones?”
“Who is bullying whom? Or is it your Three Pure Ones who bully others too much!”
Xihe landed, pointing her sword angrily at the Three Pure Ones. Outside, one’s identity was self-proclaimed. This was the Dao Ancestor’s territory at the Purple Heaven Palace—the Three Pure Ones absolutely wouldn’t dare to act. So what did she have to fear?
Everyone watched the spectacle.
“My Dao Ancestor! It’s that woman again! A mere Taiyi pursuing a Daluo—how many more does she want to offend? Isn’t she afraid of perishing, body and Dao alike?”
Nuwa and her brother Fuxi were also observing Xihe. Suddenly, Nuwa’s eyes widened: “The Qinglian Sword!”
What about the Qinglian Sword? That was Tongtian’s personal sword—its appearance was normal!
Dijun’s eyes darkened: “Has Fellow Daoist Tongtian been disarmed?”
The realization dawned on the crowd, nearly causing their eyes to fall out. They hazily understood that it wasn’t Tongtian holding the Qinglian Sword—it was Xihe!
Heavens! Even his personal sword had been taken. Could it be that Xihe had concealed her true cultivation, overpowering Tongtian?
Amidst the murmurs, the eldest of the Three Pure Ones stepped forward.
“Fellow Daoist Xihe, please tell us exactly what happened. If it truly was my brother’s fault, we will certainly not shield him!”
Upon hearing this, Tongtian’s long, narrow eyes flickered as he stared unblinkingly at Xihe.
Though it was indeed his fault, how could a female cultivator speak of such private matters openly in broad daylight?