Primordial Era: Cultivation level equals the sum of the Jie Sect's total; the Three Pure Ones a

Duobao Peak is a secluded and deep cave.

The spiritual energy, like mist, condensed into substance, transforming into strands of clear light that fell down, nourishing the golden figure sitting cross-legged in the center of the cave.

Daoist Duobao slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes shone with a light that seemed to hold a wealth of treasures, yet deep within them lay a trace of barely perceptible bewilderment.

He exhaled a long breath, the air deep and drawn out, yet slightly sluggish.

Late stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

With this level of cultivation, one would be worthy of being called an ancestor and revered by all living beings anywhere in the prehistoric world.

Among the myriad immortals of the Jie Sect, he was undoubtedly the eldest disciple, second only to his master, the vice leader, and the four guardians.

But Duobao felt no sense of pride whatsoever.

There was only a heavy, almost suffocating sense of oppression.

"century......"

He muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the silent cave, tinged with bitterness.

"Deputy Master of Xuandu... A Hundred-Year-Old Primordial Grand Luo Immortal."

"And what about me?"

Duobao slowly raised his hand, and in his palm, a wisp of Jade Pure Immortal Light quietly flowed, evolving into various illusory images of treasures, which then vanished in an instant.

He was born with good genes.

It was transformed from the most treasure-filled rat in the world, and its origin is also top-tier innate origin.

After joining the Jie Sect, he received the Shangqing Immortal Techniques personally taught by Master Tongtian. Due to his own talent, he had a deep understanding of weapon crafting and formations. Many of the magical treasures of the Jie Sect disciples were forged and perfected by him.

Among all the immortals, he held extremely high prestige.

His cultivation path has been smooth sailing, progressing from True Immortal to Taiyi, and now to the late stage of Daluo Golden Immortal. It seems that he has made steady and solid progress step by step.

But this "steadiness" pales in comparison to the soaring martial light of Xuandu and the colossal grandeur of Hunyuan that withstands the tribulation of the Great Dao...

It appeared so pale, so... ridiculous.

"Floating, I see the blue sky..."

Duobao smiled wryly, withdrew his palm, and the wisp of Jade Purity Immortal Light completely dissipated.

He seemed to see an endless blue sky, vast and boundless, where the laws of the Great Dao rotated like a galaxy—that was the realm of the Primordial Great Luo.

And I am but a speck of dust under the blue sky, a mayfly that lives only a day.

They flapped their wings with all their might, thinking they had flown over the mountains, but they hadn't even touched the edge of the sky.

What unsettled him even more was the road ahead.

Above the Great Luo Golden Immortal is the Quasi-Saint.

The path to becoming a quasi-saint by severing the three corpses is now recognized in the prehistoric world as the most reliable path.

The Taiqing Immortal Technique of Laozi's senior master, the Yuqing Immortal Technique of Yuanshi's senior master, the Shangqing Immortal Technique of the master... and even the two Western Saints all point to this path.

By severing the three corpses of good, evil, and self, and entrusting them with the innate spiritual treasure, the three corpses can be united, thus enabling one to attempt to attain sainthood.

Although difficult, there are ways to follow.

But the Vice Master of Xuandu took a different path...

Hunyuan Daluo!

It does not sever the three corpses, does not borrow the primordial purple energy, and does not rely on the authority of the Heavenly Dao.

Only have faith in yourself, only fight without defeat, prove the Dao with strength, and confront the Great Dao head-on!

The strength of this route was clearly demonstrated in the battle on the coast of the East China Sea.

Upon entering the Primordial Chaos realm, she was able to overpower Nuwa, a fourth-level Heavenly Saint, deposing her as the Holy Mother and severing her foundation in the Holy Path.

But the danger of this road... is terrifying.

The Great Dao undergoes nine tribulations, the reckoning of cause and effect, and the judgment upon oneself... The slightest carelessness will result in death and the annihilation of one's true spirit, leaving no chance for reincarnation.

"How should I...choose?"

Duobao frowned, and deep within his Daoist heart, two thoughts clashed fiercely.

On one side is the safe but inevitably limited path of severing the three corpses; on the other side is the perilous but potentially transcendent path of primordial chaos.

He was drawn to the latter.

As the chief disciple of the Jie Sect, how could he be content to forever remain subservient to others? How could he be content to forever look up to the blue sky?

But does he have the qualifications?

Do you have that foundation, that Dao heart, to challenge that unprecedented path of transcendence?

"well......"

Another long sigh echoed through the cave.

Duobao slowly closed his eyes, trying to immerse himself in cultivation again, but his mind was in turmoil and he could not find peace.

Just now.

"Buzz..."

The cave's protective barrier silently rippled outwards.

A calm, undisturbed yet vast aura, as boundless as a starry sea, quietly descended from outside the cave.

There was no forced entry, no coercion.

It is like a spring breeze and rain, naturally seeping in.

Duobao was jolted awake and suddenly opened his eyes!

This aura...

"Vice Leader?!"

He dared not delay. In a flash, he arrived at the entrance of the cave. With a wave of his hand, the restriction was completely dispelled.

Outside the cave, a figure in green robes stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calm as he looked at the distant sea of ​​clouds.

It was Xuandu.

"Disciple Duobao greets the Vice Master!"

Duobao bowed respectfully, his voice trembling with emotion.

Why would the vice-leader personally visit his cave?

Xuandu slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Duobao, looking him up and down.

Xuandu still has a high opinion of Duobao.

Originally, in the middle of the journey, during the Investiture of the Gods, Duobao, at the peak of Quasi-Saint, swung his sword at Laozi, the Heavenly Saint.

This alone is enough to make Xuandu look at him in a different light.

As for his eventual joining the Buddhist order, it was only because Zhunti and Jieyin forcibly converted him, just like Kong Xuan.

As his thoughts settled, Xuan Du nodded slightly:

"Solid foundation, inner radiance, late-stage peak of the Great Luo realm... only a hair's breadth away from perfection."

Duobao felt a chill run down his spine.

The vice-leader saw through his entire background at a glance.

"Vice Master, you flatter me. This disciple...is ashamed."

Xuan Du shook his head:

"This is not false praise."

He paused, his voice calm:

"Your bottleneck is not due to a lack of foundation or insufficient power."

"But rather, his Dao heart... wavered."

Duobao's pupils contracted sharply, and he looked up abruptly into Xuandu's deep, unfathomable eyes.

It was as if all thoughts and feelings could not be hidden from those eyes.

"Vice Leader...I..."

Duobao opened his mouth, but didn't know how to start speaking.

Xuandu turned around and slowly walked into the cave.

Duobao quickly followed.

Inside the cave, the furnishings were simple, with only a jade platform and a few futons. On the walls, however, hung many magical treasure embryos and array diagrams, their precious light flowing and their Daoist charm faintly discernible.

Xuandu walked to the jade platform, sat down cross-legged, and gestured for Duobao to sit as well.

Duobao sat down as instructed, feeling uneasy.

"You're hesitating whether to take the path of severing the three corpses, or... follow my example and take the path of primordial chaos."

Xuan Du got straight to the point; his voice wasn't loud, but it resonated like thunder deep within Duobao's Dao heart!

Duobao shuddered, his face revealing undisguised astonishment for the first time:

"Vice Leader...you..."

"Don't be surprised."

Xuan Du slowly raised his hand, and in his palm, a wisp of chaotic-colored martial arts rune quietly emerged, its light flowing and illuminating the entire cave:

"That is why I have come today."

Duobao stared intently at the rune, feeling that the martial arts essence contained within it was as vast as the sea, and even more so, a supreme Daoist charm that transcended all laws and transcended heaven and earth!

Is this... the foundation of the Primordial Great Luo?

"May I ask, Vice Leader...?"

Duobao's voice was dry:

"The Path of Primordial Chaos...disciple...is there any chance?"

His heart pounded as he asked the question.

I felt both anticipation and fear.

I'm hoping to get a positive answer.

Fear was met with a desperate response.