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

Zhen Yuanzi gazed at Xuan Du, at those calm yet profound eyes, at that young face that exuded boundless composure.

His lips trembled, and he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence:

"You...you want to steal my Book of the Earth?!"

Xuan Du shook his head:

"It is not about taking."

"It is refining."

He raised his hand and pointed at the Qiankun Cauldron:

"Use this cauldron to refine the Earth Book, allowing it to return to its original, earthly origin."

"When the Earth Book returns to its proper place and the Earthly Dao is perfected, nine Earthly Dao Saints can be born."

"At that time, as the one who donated the Earth Book, you will have performed immeasurable merit, and the Earth Way will naturally reward you."

"You may lose your innate spiritual treasure, but you can still attain the Dao and become a Saint of the Earthly Path."

"One loss, one gain; what is lost is a priceless treasure, what is gained is a sacred position."

He gazed at Zhen Yuanzi, his eyes calm.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."

"You're trapped in a multi-billion dollar quasi-saint level situation, what do you seek?"

"Isn't it all for that supreme, saintly status?"

"Now that the opportunity is before you, are you still going to hide?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhen Yuanzi trembled violently.

Deep within those clear eyes, which held the weight of billions, a light flickered wildly.

The attainment of a true sage?

Nine Venerables?

Can one attain enlightenment by offering up the Earth Book?

Even if Houtu Niangniang occupies one seat, there are still eight.

He stared intently at Xuan Du, at those eyes as calm as an ancient well, at that young face that exuded endless composure.

Countless thoughts exploded in my mind like thunderclaps.

saint.

That was a realm he could only dream of, even if it cost him hundreds of millions.

That was the root cause of his helpless watching Hongyun fall.

That was the only reason he hid in Longevity Mountain, in the Earth Book Formation, and under the Ginseng Fruit Tree to preserve his life.

If he had been a saint long ago, how could Hongyun have fallen?

If he were already a saint, why would he need to hide away and hold a multi-million dollar gathering?

If he were already a saint...

Zhen Yuanzi slowly closed his eyes.

a long time.

a long time.

When he opened his eyes again, there was a deep and unfathomable complexity in the depths of those once clear eyes.

"Fellow Taoist Xuandu."

He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse:

"Do you know how long we have waited for this moment?"

Xuan Du stared at him without saying a word.

Zhen Yuanzi asked and answered himself:

"A meeting worth hundreds of millions of yuan."

"After returning from listening to the Dao at Zixiao Palace, from the moment Hongyun fell, I wondered, if I were a sage, if I possessed the power of a sage, how could Hongyun have fallen?"

"But I am not."

"I am merely a quasi-saint, the ancestor of earth immortals, and a coward hiding in Longevity Mountain, barely surviving."

He smiled.

The laughter was soft, yet it carried endless bitterness and self-mockery.

"The billion-dollar prize, I pondered day and night, practiced day and night, and tried day and night to take that step."

"But we can't step out."

"With the Earth Book in hand, I will be forever trapped at the peak of Quasi-Saint, and will never be able to reach the threshold of Sainthood."

"I know."

"I've always known."

"The Earth Book has been with me for billions of years, and our minds and spirits have long been intertwined, making it a part of my path."

"But it is precisely this book of the earth that has become my shackles."

He raised his eyes, looking towards Xuandu, towards the Qiankun Cauldron suspended in the void, and towards the frozen Earth Book:

"I've considered abandoning the Earth Book, considered seeking another path, considered..."

"I can't bear to part with him."

"This treasure will accompany me through billions of dollars, be with me from birth, grow with me, and cultivate with me."

"It is no longer just a magical treasure, but a part of me, my path, my destiny."

"If I abandon it, my path will surely be damaged, my cultivation will surely decline, I..."

He paused, his voice trembling:

"I'm afraid."

"I'm afraid that if I lose the Earth Book, I won't even be able to hold onto the peak of Quasi-Saint level."

"I fear that what happened to Hongyun back then will be repeated."

"I fear that my billions of dollars might vanish in an instant through spiritual practice."

After the sound faded, a deathly silence fell beneath the ginseng fruit tree.

The branches and leaves swayed gently, as if sighing for this ancestor of earth immortals.

Xuan Du stood under the tree, his green robes fluttering slightly, his gaze calmly fixed on Zhen Yuanzi.

He saw it.

Seeing the unfathomable fear and struggle in the eyes of this ancestor of earth immortals, this ruler who lived in harmony with the world, this great power who roamed freely for billions, one can see the depths of fear and struggle in his eyes at this moment.

That was the despair of being trapped in a bottleneck with hundreds of millions of dollars.

That is the pain of losing a close friend or loved one and being powerless to help.

That was the agonizing dilemma of being caught between a rock and a hard place when faced with a choice.

Xuan Du spoke slowly, his voice calm:

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."

"I understand everything you just said."

"The Earth Book has been with you for billions of dollars, and our hearts and minds have long been intertwined; this is a fact."

"But you also said that it is this Book of Earth that has become your shackles."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Zhen Yuanzi:

"If you don't give up, you will be forever trapped at the peak of Quasi-Saint, and you will never be able to take that step."

"Forever we can only hide in Longevity Hill, forever we can only watch helplessly, forever we can only... eke out a living."

"Is this the carefree life you sought?"

The last four words exploded like a thunderclap!

Zhen Yuanzi trembled violently!

He stared intently at Xuan Du, his lips moving, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Xuandu continued:

"After you've attained sainthood, do you still need to hide?"

"Do you still have anything to fear?"

"Are you just going to stand by and watch, powerless to do anything?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi's eyes flashed wildly.

Yes.

After attaining sainthood, does he still need to hide?

Below the sage, all are ants.

If he is a saint, what is there to fear about countless eons?

If he is a saint, why should he fear cause and effect?

If he is a saint, then he is the same person Hongyun was back then...

Thinking of this, Zhen Yuanzi's eyes suddenly sharpened.

He abruptly looked up at Xuan Du, his voice carrying an undisguised urgency:

"Fellow Taoist Xuandu!"

"If I attain the Dao and become a Saint of the Earthly Path, could... could I bring Hongyun back?!"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Du's eyes flickered slightly.

He looked at Zhen Yuanzi, at those eager yet expectant eyes, at the hope that finally appeared on that gaunt face.

He spoke slowly:

"Do you possess the last wisp of Fellow Daoist Hongyun's true spirit?"

Zhen Yuanzi nodded:

"exist!"

"When Hongyun fell, I risked my life to protect his last trace of true spirit, nourishing it with ginseng fruit and the earth's energy. The billion-dollar gathering has never stopped."

He raised his hand and pointed to the towering ancient tree behind him:

"Right under this ginseng fruit tree!"

"The true spirit of Hongyun lies dormant within, awaiting the opportune moment to be reincarnated!"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Du's lips slowly curled into a smile.

The smile was faint, yet it carried a profound understanding that saw through everything.

He looked at Zhen Yuanzi and slowly spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."

"Do you know how the Earth Goddess will treat you if you attain the Dao and become a Saint of the Earthly Path?"

Zhen Yuanzi was taken aback.

Xuandu continued:

"Houtu Niangniang, the sage of the earth, in charge of reincarnation."

"She has a past with me, a connection with the witch clan, and compassion for all living beings in the primordial world."

"If you attain the Dao of the Earthly Path and become a Saint, ranking alongside her, then you will be fellow cultivators of the Earthly Path and fellow practitioners of the Nine Netherworlds."

"At that time, if you ask Fellow Daoist Hongyun's true spirit to enter reincarnation and be reborn, will she refuse?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi's eyes suddenly lit up!

Yes!

Empress Houtu!

The Earthly Saint who governs reincarnation!

If he attains enlightenment and becomes a saint of the earthly path, ranking alongside Houtu, wouldn't they be... one family?

If she were to ask Hongyun's true spirit to enter the cycle of reincarnation and be reborn, how could she possibly refuse?

"not to mention......"

Xuan Du's voice rang out again, carrying a hint of profound meaning:

"If you attain the Dao of the Earthly Dao, based on your relationship with the Goddess Houtu and the merit of offering the Earthly Book to complete the Dao of the Earth."

"It's not impossible to make Fellow Daoist Hongyun's reincarnation even more advanced."

Zhen Yuanzi trembled violently!

A step up from the top!

Hongyun was originally a primordial deity with an extraordinary background.

However, if even a trace of true spirit is reincarnated, its origins will inevitably be damaged.

If one can advance to the next level, it's not impossible to restore one's top-tier innate abilities!

When you are reincarnated and return, won't your path of cultivation be smooth sailing?

Returning to the peak of Quasi-Saint level is a piece of cake!

Even a sage could do it!