Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 725 Zi

Inside the Demon Palace.

The murals before them were rapidly dissipating, replaced by countless almost living creatures of twilight surging in, engulfing the space, and carrying Tian Tuo down into this grotto.

Tian Tuo looked at the void one last time, his spiritual sense stirring.

The Long-Stayed Cave Heaven resembles a wooden nest clung to by a vine, connecting to the heavens and crisscrossing in all directions. However, at the very top, countless streaks of azure-purple lightning crackle, connecting to the highest point, causing the cave heaven to tremble violently.

The tremor spread throughout the void, even throwing Tian Tuo away, where he drifted down like a fallen leaf and landed in the sea.

A gentle breeze stirred, and blue flowers rose, lifting his Dharma body up.

At this moment, there were indeed countless golden and bronze peaks all around, and many golden spirits could be seen wandering around. The autumn air was desolate, and white mist filled the sky. It was a golden scenic spot. Where else could it be but the autumn sea?

Tian Tuo suspiciously scanned the area with his spiritual sense to confirm that there was no mistake before taking flight on the wind. He then saw an old man dressed in a golden brocade robe on the mountain peaks by the sea, looking slightly anxious as he flew towards the area.

"Fellow Daoist Qingyuan, are you alright?"

Bao Qiu's gaze sharpened slightly. He had prepared spiritual treasures for this trip, just waiting to have a showdown with the Chang Su Demonic Path. However, his Uncle Ku would not allow him to leave Qiu Hai, so he could only anxiously wait here.

But how come after so long, Ruan Yuan has become a supernatural being again?
The opponent's breakthrough speed was already terrifying, even far exceeding many of the geniuses recorded in the Duobao Daoist lineage. However, this third divine ability gave people the feeling that it had just been achieved, which was really strange.

"Senior Baoqiu, don't worry, it was just a slight delay."

Tian Tuo spoke calmly, but inwardly he was full of complaints. It was all Duo Bao's invitation that caused this trouble, but now it seemed as if the True Lord of this path was helping to cover something up.

"The one who 'hides gold' must be extremely skilled at concealing it. This True Lord is also getting involved in matters concerning the Wood element; what is His attitude towards the current Lord of Fire?"

The old demon felt something was strange, and even had some secret associations.

'The names 【长宿】, 【长决】, and even the Daoist title of this True Lord of Hidden Gold contains the character 【长】, so perhaps there's some connection.'

He looked at Bao Qiu, as if trying to glean some information from her expression, but ultimately decided against it. After all, Bao Qiu genuinely seemed unaware of these matters, and her anxiety couldn't be faked.

"There's no time to lose, please follow me into the cave."

Baoqiu looked up at the distant sky, his expression slightly worried. There were probably several True Lords watching this place now, so it would be safer to go to the cave to discuss it.

"Indeed, the great battle in the distance has not yet ended, so this is to be expected. But wait for me to send a message."

Tian Tuo activated the pre-prepared token to convey the message that he had safely arrived at Qiu Hai, and that the Zi Fu guards who had been protecting him could now withdraw.

Baoqiu's eyes held a hint of apology as she simply said:
"The matter here is complicated. It is not that I am unwilling to help, but this is all I can do. I hope Fellow Daoist Qingyuan will understand."

Tian Tuo nodded slightly, but in his heart he was thinking about how to pry something out of the Duobao Daoist lineage. This time, his voyage into the sea had almost cost him his life, so he had to get some compensation.

"Fellow Daoist, close your eyes and silently recite 'Duobao' three times to enter the cave heaven."

Bao Qiu spoke solemnly, revealing the secret to entering the cave, a method that was extremely rare.

Tian Tuo immediately closed his eyes, silently chanted "Duo Bao" three times in his heart, and when he opened his eyes again, the scenery around him had changed. He saw rows of golden palaces and silver buildings, copper mountains and iron peaks, and the sky was filled with the desolate autumn colors. He was standing in front of an extremely tall and majestic gate.

The entire gate is cast from precious gold, gleaming brightly, and carved with mysterious patterns. At the very top is a plaque in white gold inscribed with the words "Tianbao Sends Autumn".

An extremely vast aura of metal virtue gathers here, not only in the realm of gold, but also in other realms, making it a suitable place for cultivating metal virtue.

Even within this grotto-heaven, there are numerous spiritual lands, where one can vaguely see water and fire soaring into the sky, spiritual energy surging, and emerald light shimmering. These are clearly the dwelling places of cultivators of other paths, with extremely complex lineages that cover almost all the cultivation paths in the world.

Not to mention that this cave is so vast that it is almost comparable to the Azure Leaf Sky, resembling a country, with a magnificent golden mountain at its very center supporting the heavens and the earth.

This mountain of gold is like a treasure trove that has collected all the world's riches and resources, like a full belly, or an inexhaustible divine treasury, constantly absorbing more and more.

"A certificate of treasury location?"

Tian Tuo's eyes gleamed with an unusual light, and he murmured aloud.

"Indeed, this is the [Kunangjinlou], also known as [Kulou], which is proof of the fruition of the hidden gold, and its position is the same as the Jianmu tree in the Panhai."

Baoqiu stepped out from behind Tiantuo and looked at the golden mountain, her tone much more relaxed.

Tian Tuo, however, was carefully observing the golden mountain, his heart trembling.

This treasure trove was built on the foundation of the Golden Core Realm, no wonder this True Lord was able to support such a vast trove with his Golden Core Realm status!

The ancient Qingye Kongtian was a lineage of immortals, but it only found the broken spiritual root of the Jianmu tree. It ultimately relied on the [Yuejia] crafted by that Xuanye and used the Dao certificate, which enabled it to be extremely vast. However, the certificate used here is clearly a position certificate!

In terms of superiority between the two, it is naturally more difficult and more stable to use the Dao proof to support the cave heaven. After all, this thing is cultivated within oneself and is not damaged by changes in causal position. This is why the Azure Leaf Sky Heaven has been preserved to this day without the Golden Core to guard it.

However, the current Duobao Cave Heaven is guarded by a Golden Core cultivator, who, together with this Dao Rank Certificate, stabilizes the heavens and earth, and may even expand this cave heaven to a scale similar to a world!

'No wonder this Hidden Gold True Lord rarely appears in the world; his Dao must be closely connected to this grotto-heaven.'

Tian Tuo was even more shocked by the True Lord's methods, wondering how he had managed to push the Hidden Gold Certificate into the cave heaven. It was truly a method close to that of an immortal! However, this should be related to the characteristics of the Hidden Gold.

"Please, Senior Brother Baozi has been waiting for a long time, eager to see Fellow Daoist Qingyuan."

Baoqiu led Tiantuo straight into the gate, wanting to see the senior brother who had been waiting for a long time.

'Bao Zi, this must be the catalpa tree Dong Qing mentioned. It seems he's already a cultivator with many treasures.'

Tian Tuo's heart stirred slightly, and he looked around.

Along the way, you can see a great many cultivators, encompassing all kinds of beings, including humans, demons, spirits, and even some more strange beings. There are even a few monks!
The differences between immortals, shamans, demons, and monsters are minimized here, with few conflicts. Moreover, there are quite a few purple palaces within this cave. With a slight sense, at least seven or eight spiritual senses swept over when Tian Tuo entered.

'Although the Jinde clan as a whole is not thriving, these two True Lords, one openly and one secretly, are both extremely capable individuals.'

Tian Tuo's heart stirred slightly, but this was also due to the nature of the Daoist lineage. It should be known that the metal of Geng and Xin is capable of changing and is involved in military affairs. That True Lord Bai Yi would never be able to work behind closed doors, otherwise he would definitely not be able to hold the position of metal.

In contrast, the practice of hiding gold is an extremely suitable Taoist tradition for escaping the world.

He continued onward, but Baoqiu stepped ahead, entering a long path, and called out loudly:

“Uncle-Master Ku Ying, True Person Qing Yuan has already reached the highest level of the Cave Heaven.”

Tian Tuo followed and entered, looking ahead, his heart stirred slightly.

Ahead was a precious platform, where countless cultivators were listening to the sutras. On the platform stood a tall and majestic golden deity, his entire body shrouded in a golden autumn light, wearing a lacquered gold robe, with countless strange phenomena manifesting around him.

Envoy!

More importantly, this golden figure gave Tian Tuo a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
'Isn't this the man from Nakudo?'

Tian Tuo finally remembered that when he was enthroned, it was the time when he began to travel the world. At that time, many Purple Mansions were fighting for a secret realm, and this Precious Golden God was among them.

'So it's from the Duobao lineage. No wonder they were so generous back then, casually giving away spiritual treasures.'

His thoughts gradually settled, and at that moment, the golden-haired deity's gaze fell upon him, as if observing him. "Greetings, Your Excellency."

Tian Tuo bowed respectfully, never failing in his manners. Although he didn't hold these envoys in high regard, they were nonetheless possessed the power of the Golden Elixir, making them far more noble than those from the Purple Mansion.

"You are indeed quite extraordinary to be the successor of the Qingyang Yiyuan Dao lineage."

Ku Ying was examining the Yuanmu Zifu before her, but found that the other party was in a state of chaos, and it was difficult to discern anything about him. Even if a True Monarch were to arrive, it would be difficult to find any clues.

"It seems the esteemed officials have resorted to underhanded tactics. Are we truly relying on him to prove the Yuanmu? This man... I always sense he acts somewhat recklessly, not following the rules."

Although the fire is raging, to be honest, having provoked so many True Lords is already a dead end. The reason why the leaders of the Wood Virtue lineage have not made a move is only because they are wary of that "Guangmu".

Otherwise, Tian Yu alone would be no less capable than Li Huo, and Li Di indeed had the means to seize the key to Guang Mu's Wood Virtue.

Ku Ying's mind settled down somewhat. He cultivated the Metal element and didn't usually pay much attention to matters of Wood and Fire, but since the Fire element was something the Jiang family cared about, he had to take it seriously as well.

After all, he was an envoy serving others, not some self-cultivating immortal.

"Go to [Autumn Abode] first. Your senior brother Baozi's condition is getting worse and worse. He rarely even has time to be awake anymore. Don't delay any longer."

As soon as he finished speaking, the divine being opened his mouth and blew out a gust of autumn wind. Bao Qiu and Qing Yuan were seen riding the wind and disappearing in an instant.

Tian Tuo felt a blur before his eyes and a slight dizziness, and then he had been transported to this barren land with green and yellow vegetation and desolate soil.

The land was a bluish-yellow color, clearly constructed using materials imbued with earth. Among the withered grass and trees, countless locusts could be faintly seen jumping and howling.

'They actually allowed a Yuanmu cultivator to live here.'

Tian Tuo felt strange. Yuan Mu was spring wood, which disliked autumn, let alone the earth that harmed and deviated from the virtue of wood. It was extremely incompatible. He felt uncomfortable all over after standing there for only a short while.

Bao Qiu, standing to the side, remained calm and composed; in fact, his supernatural powers seemed to have grown even stronger. Seeing the other party frown, he explained:
"My senior brother was originally a seed of a catalpa tree that flowed out of the Jian Shi Hall. He was planted by the True Lord and cultivated all the way to perfection. However, his life is in trouble now and he has to recuperate here."

Upon hearing this, Tian Tuo became somewhat concerned. However, he did not expect that this Yuanmu cultivator from Duobao could also be considered to be from the Qingyuan Dao lineage, since the Jian Shi Hall was the place where the Jian Sui Immortal once lectured.

It's strange that this seed ended up in Duobao Cave Heaven, but wasn't taken by the Golden Core cultivators of the two true disciples, Qingxiao and Qingxu.

The two continued on their way, and finally the scenery changed.
It was a towering platform built of greenish-yellow soil, with a green ox lying peacefully as if asleep, its lower body covered with many tangled root galls, which were extremely ugly.

"Brother!"

Bao Qiu stepped forward, his hand glowing with golden light, and swept forward, instantly waking the blue ox. Its strange head looked at the two people in front of it.

"This is the Azure Primordial True Man of the Upper Heavens, Yuanmu Zhengxiu."

He looked at the person beside him and introduced the blue ox.

The blue ox's eyes widened, and it let out a long roar. It then struggled to its feet and transformed into an old man in a blue robe, his face full of wrinkles, as he shakily descended from the treasure platform.

"It's finally here. It's finally here."

An extremely powerful supernatural aura swirled and changed around him, manifesting various strange phenomena such as a white wooden temple, howling winds, radiant sunshine, melodious music, and a king issuing decrees.

These were all supernatural abilities recorded in the book of Qingyuan Yiyang, and the opponent even cultivated the [Playing the Jade Flute], which allowed him to escape the matter of Yuan Huanjiao Yin.

The old man in blue robes, named Bao Zi, bowed respectfully and said:
"A son of Prince Jianshi greets Your Excellency."

"Senior, this..."

Tian Tuo felt very comfortable being addressed as "Master," but he still had to maintain appearances and declined several times. However, Bao Zi shook his head and said only:
“You are the sole inheritor of the Qingyang Yiyuan Dao lineage. In ancient times, you would be the Venerable One, and this would not change based on your cultivation level.”

Bao Qiu, who was standing nearby, helped the senior brother up, sighed, as if she wanted to say something, but couldn't bear to interrupt him.

As Tian Tuo witnessed this scene, a thought secretly stirred within him.

'What, is everyone at Duobaotian an old man?'

He paused and continued:
"Since you have attained perfect supernatural powers, senior, you probably don't want to ask me for cultivation techniques. Could it be that you want gold?"

Bao Zi stepped forward and said solemnly:

"No, I would never ask for gold. My lord, you need not worry. In this world, you are the only one qualified to ask for the position of Yuanmu!"

"My lord, do you know my origins?"

"please say."

Tian Tuo felt a little curious. It seemed that this Bao Zi still had some memories of Dong Hua from the past. He wondered if she could reveal some secrets.

Bao Zi's tone grew increasingly somber as she said:
“In the past, the Jian Shi Palace was located in the Qi Xun Immortal Court under the Eastern Hua Heaven Realm. I was originally a catalpa tree in front of the palace. After listening to the sutras for a long time, I gained intelligence. So one day, when the Immortal Jian Sui rode away, I shook my branches and leaves to attract attention.”

“The immortal ordered the golden boy and jade girl to stop their carriage, and I took the opportunity to beg Him for mercy so that I could cultivate. He said, ‘It is not the right time. If you cultivate, you should do so to support the return of the primordial wood to its rightful place.’”

He spoke slowly, and as he recounted the story, there was a sense of deep emotion in his voice.

"Later, the Yan Dynasty perished, the immortals departed, and Donghua fell into chaos. The various lords quarreled with each other, leading to a battle of magic and killing. True Lords Qingxiao and Qingxu also left at that time, and I was also sent out of Donghua at that time, taken in by Lord Duobao."

"It's gotten to this point."

Tian Tuo was shocked. He had never thought that such a thing could happen. What kind of dispute could make the two disciples of the immortal have to leave? How many True Lords did Donghua have at that time?
"I entered Duobao and endured the calamity of the hidden gold for 1,961 years, finally surviving and being able to cultivate. At this time, I still remember the Taoist teachings that the Qingxiao True Lord taught me, so I cultivated all the way to the perfection of the Yuanmu."

Bao Zi's tone grew somber, somewhat melancholic, and even revealing a hint of genuine sadness.

“At that time, this great man was serving as a sage to prove the Way, but I was still in the process of taking human form and could not meet him. He once came to Duobao Heaven to see me and instructed me to wait patiently to assist Qingyuan. However, after his death, he suddenly disappeared, and some of his arrangements fell through.”

“Back then, there was also a Yuanmu cultivator in Shangxiao who had reached perfection. He was a seed personally selected by the True Lord, but he died after He left.”

Tian Tuo did inquire about this matter, but the mountain immortals mostly avoided discussing it, probably because it was something that would severely damage their reputation, or perhaps it was something that their venerable ones would avoid.

"Is there something wrong with your life, senior?"

"Indeed, I am a spirit, and the primordial wood cannot contain me. In fact, the five supernatural powers within my body are constantly calming my afflictions, gradually transforming me back into a spirit wood."

Bao Zi's tone grew increasingly somber, and she simply said:
"Two hundred years, only two hundred years left. After that, I will turn into a spirit tree and completely lose my intelligence. Before that, if you ask for gold, I can help you."

"May I ask, how is it—"

Upon hearing this, Tian Tuo was slightly surprised, but then he saw that Bao Zi had produced an extremely strange autumn-yellow precious gold in his hand, which shone brightly and seemed to be related to the imperial treasury.

False!
“I will leave the grotto and transform myself to create the right time. At that time, the land for thousands of miles will be transformed into springtime, and I will take this hidden gold false nature to nourish the wood.”

Bao Zi's tone grew increasingly serious as she solemnly stated:
"At that time, I will be executed for the death of Yuanmu, and you will be in your rightful place to punish me, thus preserving my integrity and proving my true nature!"

(End of this chapter)