Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

Qinglian, accompanied by the two beasts, Qingniu and Kui Niu, leisurely traveled on the blue waves of the East Sea.

The blue ox with its flat horns treads the waves, its four hooves as steady as mountains, and wherever it passes, the surging waves are smoothed out by an invisible force.

The one-legged Kui Niu sometimes leaps out of the sea, bringing up sparkling water droplets. When its one leg lands, lightning flashes, stirring up the clouds and attracting wind and rain, creating a myriad of phenomena.

Qinglian sat upright on auspicious clouds, her divine sense spreading out, comprehending the depth and vastness of the ocean, and also keeping an eye out for any spiritual opportunities that might exist along the way.

After traveling for several days, they arrived at a rich sea area deep in the East China Sea, a place teeming with spiritual energy and teeming with aquatic creatures.

Qinglian felt something and wanted to find a quiet island to rest for a while.

Suddenly, the sea ahead began to churn as if boiling, with countless colorful schools of fish and majestic shrimp and crab soldiers breaking through the waves and standing in neat rows, as if welcoming a king!

The seawater parted to both sides, forming a wide and calm waterway.

A magnificent procession, constructed from giant giant clams, dazzling corals, and warm white jade, slowly rises from the deep sea.

In the center of the ceremonial procession, a middle-aged king, dressed in a nine-clawed golden dragon imperial robe and wearing a crown with tassels, with a majestic yet wise face, walked across the waves, surrounded by many important ministers of the Dragon Palace.

Beside him stood Ao Guang, the third prince of the Dragon Palace who had been saved by Qinglian!

"My benefactor! Immortal Qinglian!"

When Ao Guang saw Qinglian from afar, his face immediately lit up with excitement and joy, and he was the first to shout out loud.

The king, clad in imperial robes, was Ao Yuan, the Dragon King of the East Sea. His dragon eyes, sharp as lightning, instantly locked onto the blue lotus atop the auspicious clouds, as well as the two strangely shaped and powerful ancient beasts beside him.

He was secretly impressed; this young man possessed extraordinary bearing, and his attendant was such an extraordinary being. Truly worthy of being the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones! Ao Yuan's face broke into a sincere and enthusiastic smile. With a powerful stride, he led his men forward and bowed deeply to Qinglian.

"I, Ao Yuan, the Dragon King of the East Sea, along with my unworthy son Ao Guang and all the staff of the Dragon Palace, respectfully welcome the esteemed Immortal Qinglian to the East Sea!"

The immortal saved my son's life, a kindness akin to giving him a second life. I, Wang, am deeply grateful and have no way to repay this debt!

Hearing that the esteemed immortal is traveling in the East Sea, I have led my followers to welcome you. I humbly request that you move to the Dragon Palace, where I, your humble servant, may offer you a small feast to express my sincere gratitude!

The voice was as loud as a bell, carrying the unique majesty of the dragon race and the boundless power of water element, resounding throughout the sea and sky, showing even more sincerity.

Seeing this, Qinglian understood. It must be that Ao Guang, relying on the Reverse Scale token containing his life essence, sensed that she had entered the East Sea and immediately reported it to his father.

He gracefully descended from the auspicious cloud, stood on the sea surface, returned the greeting, and said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty the Dragon King is too kind. It is the duty of us cultivators to help those in need. Your son is blessed with good fortune, and I merely happened to be there. I am unworthy of Your Majesty's kindness."

"Your Excellency is mistaken!" Ao Yuan waved his hands repeatedly, his attitude earnest. "What is a small favor to you is an immense debt of gratitude to my East Sea Dragon Palace, protecting our bloodline from a great calamity! I cannot rest easy until I repay this debt! Please, Your Excellency, do not refuse!"

His gaze swept over the green ox and the Kui ox, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes, but he didn't ask any further questions. He simply stepped aside warmly to invite them, "Immortal, please! And two more fellow Daoists, please!"

Seeing Ao Yuan's sincerity, Qinglian realized that refusing again would seem unreasonable, so she smiled and nodded, "In that case, I will trouble Your Majesty the Dragon King."

"The presence of an immortal is an honor to our humble abode! How could we possibly disturb you!" Ao Yuan was overjoyed and personally led the way.

The procession led the way, with shrimp soldiers and crab generals guarding both sides, while the sea creatures watched curiously from afar.

The Azure Lotus and the Dragon King walked side by side, with the Azure Ox and the Rhinoceros following steadily on the waves, and the Kui Ox leaping on one leg. Wherever they passed, wind and rain followed, creating a unique spectacle.

Ao Guang followed respectfully behind his father, his gaze towards Qinglian filled with reverence.

Before long, the sea ahead suddenly opened up, and a colossal crystal palace complex, shrouded in colorful light and a soft curtain of water, appeared before them! It was the legendary Dragon Palace of the East Sea!

The palace gate is a hundred feet high and is carved from a single piece of ten-thousand-year-old black ice jade. Nine lifelike dragon reliefs are coiled around it, and huge water-repelling luminous pearls are inlaid in the dragon eyes, emitting a soft yet majestic light.

Upon entering the palace gates, the scene before one's eyes is even more breathtaking.

Beneath our feet lies a wide imperial road paved with warm, white jade, flanked by towering palaces and pavilions constructed entirely of various crystals, corals, pearls, and gemstones, shimmering with light and breathtaking beauty. Countless graceful aquatic maidens, radiating ethereal light, move about among them.

Exotic flowers and rare herbs abound, all of them spiritual plants that can grow in the deep sea, emitting a refreshing and delightful fragrance.

Above them was not seawater, but a "starry sky" composed of giant luminous pearls and strange jellyfish. The soft light illuminated the entire Dragon Palace as if it were daytime, yet it was not dazzling at all. Moreover, spiritual springs gurgled and converged into streams, in which spirit fish swam, emitting seven-colored light.

The entire Dragon Palace is a dreamlike crystal world that combines the wonders of nature and the essence of marine treasures!

Its luxury and grandeur far surpass any immortal mountain or cave dwelling on the primordial land, fully demonstrating the supreme heritage that the ancient dragon race still retains even in its decline.

Ao Yuan led Qinglian and her party to the main hall of the Crystal Palace, the core of the Dragon Palace.

The hall was incredibly spacious, with a high-hanging dome constructed from a single, massive piece of blue crystal, upon which a natural star map pattern formed. The floor was covered with a thick, soft, ancient seaweed carpet. A grand feast had already been prepared within the hall.

The banquet was so lavish that it featured all the rarest delicacies from around the world!

The main seat is a huge, ancient jade dragon throne, naturally belonging to the Dragon King Ao Yuan.

Qinglian's seat was located in the most prestigious position to the left of the main seat, on a cloud-shaped bed carved from a single piece of warm jade, soft and comfortable. The blue ox and the kui ox were also arranged on the side of the hall, with specially made huge jade platforms for them to sit on.

On the table, a dazzling array of items were displayed:

Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow (alternative): It is not made from real dragons or phoenixes, but from the liver of a ten-thousand-year-old black tortoise containing dragon energy from the depths of the East Sea and the marrow of a seven-colored divine luan with a rare phoenix bloodline. It is full of spiritual energy and can strengthen the body and nourish the primordial spirit when consumed.

Starry Shell Pearl Soup: Made primarily from the mother pearl of a giant deep-sea clam, which contains the power of stars, and supplemented with hundreds of kinds of spiritual algae, it is simmered over low heat for a thousand years. The soup is crystal clear and contains specks of starlight. Eating it can brighten the eyes, clear the mind, and enhance spiritual awareness.

Ten-thousand-year-old coral marrow: Taken from the core marrow of a seven-colored coral that has grown for ten thousand years in the depths of the East China Sea, it is as solid as amber and contains incomparably pure water essence and life essence. A single drop is enough to transform an ordinary person.

Ice Soul Jade Liquid: Primarily made from the melted jade liquid of the heart of ten thousand years of mysterious ice, blended with the essence of a hundred kinds of deep-sea spiritual fruits, served in a cold jade cup, it is icy and sweet, and drinking it can cleanse the mind of impurities and stabilize the Dao heart.

Other examples include: the claw meat of the nine-headed deep-sea giant claw (tender and chewy, containing immense strength), pearl cake made from millennium-old blood pearl powder (nourishing and replenishing blood), and the Azure Sea Spirit Rice cultivated with spiritual spring water (each grain is crystal clear and contains pure spiritual energy)... and so on, the list goes on.

Furthermore, the Dragon Palace possesses a rare celestial brew called "Azure Sea Tide," whose liquid is emerald green and whose aroma is rich and lingering. Drinking it is as if one can hear the ebb and flow of the tides and the sounds of the Great Dao, which is of great benefit to comprehending the laws of water.

During the banquet, Ao Yuan, the Dragon King of the East Sea, personally accompanied the guests, displaying a respectful and warm attitude.

The Dragon Palace's high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Turtle, Marshal Whale, and General Yaksha, also stepped forward to offer their toasts, expressing their gratitude to Qinglian for saving the prince.

The clam maiden offered a graceful fairy dance, and the mermaid sang ethereal and dreamlike songs. The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments were melodious and pleasant, creating a peaceful and prosperous scene.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. Ao Yuan and Qing Lian's conversation deepened, and Ao Yuan inquired more thoroughly about Qing Lian's identity, background, and lineage. When he learned that Qing Lian was not only the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones but also the grand-disciple personally acknowledged by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and that her three masters possessed the Primordial Purple Qi and were on the verge of becoming saints, Ao Yuan's eyes showed even greater reverence, and his attitude became even more humble and cautious.

"Your Excellency is deeply blessed to have the honor of becoming a disciple of a sage; your future achievements are limitless! I, Wang, am filled with admiration!"

Ao Yuan raised his cup again, expressing his sincere admiration. His gaze shifted to the blue ox and rhinoceros lying quietly to the side of the hall, their breath deep and concentrated, and the one-legged Kui ox that stirred the slight flow of water vapor within the hall. He tentatively asked, "May I ask who these two extraordinary fellow Daoists are with the Immortal...?"

Qinglian put down her jade cup and smiled, "This is an unexpected gain from my travels in the East Sea. Fellow Daoist Si (pointing to the Green Ox) and Fellow Daoist Kui (pointing to the Kui Ox) are both extraordinary beings from the primordial era, with profound roots and extraordinary potential. I observe that their characteristics subtly resonate with the Dao of non-action and naturalness of my Grandmaster Taiqing Laozi and the sharp edge of the third master Shangqing Tongtian Jietian. Therefore, I invite you two fellow Daoists to return to Kunlun with me to await an opportunity. Perhaps you can be my two masters' substitutes, which would be quite a stroke of luck."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment.

The Dragon Palace officials looked at the Azure Ox and the Kui Ox with astonishment and envy. To be the mounts of a future sage! What unparalleled honor and opportunity! Countless primordial beasts would covet such a thing!