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

Xuandu instantly understood Houtu's meaning.

To break free from the constraints of the Heavenly Dao.

This is a very big deal.

It was so large that it alarmed the Heavenly Dao and attracted the attention of the Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Houtu was trapped in the Netherworld for billions of years, unable to take even a single step out due to the suppression of the Heavenly Dao.

Now that the path to enlightenment is complete, she can finally break free from these shackles.

The moment one breaks free from shackles, Heaven will surely respond.

The Dao Ancestor Hongjun will surely cast his gaze upon us.

What will he see then?

You will see the complete and perfect passage.

We will see Houtu escape from her predicament.

You will see the root of all this, the Earth Book returns to its rightful place.

But how did the Earth Book manage to return to its proper place?

Because Zhen Yuanzi offered it up.

Why would Zhen Yuanzi offer it up?

Because of Xuandu.

If Hongjun Daozu were to find out that all of this was Xuandu's doing...

Xuan Du took a deep breath and looked up at the pale yellow figure.

Houtu was looking at him, her gaze calm, yet carrying an indescribable concern.

She was trying to avoid the storm.

The Earthly Dao reached perfection, the Heavenly Dao trembled, and Hongjun's gaze descended.

All of this has nothing to do with Xuandu.

He was merely the deputy leader of the Jie Sect who, after mending the heavens, returned the Qiankun Cauldron and went back to Jin'ao Island for quiet cultivation.

That's it.

"Your Majesty..."

Xuan Du spoke, his voice slightly deep.

Houtu raised her hand to interrupt him.

"No need for further explanation."

Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority:

"I will remember what you have done for humanity."

"Today, I will repay this favor to you."

The words fell.

She flicked her sleeve.

"Buzz!"

A beam of earth-yellow light suddenly erupted from the Samsara Seal!

The radiance was so profound, so vast, so pure that it instantly enveloped Xuandu!

The power of the earth!

Xuan Du felt a warm and heavy force enveloping his entire body.

The power was gentle, yet irresistible.

The power was immense, yet it had no intention of harming anyone.

She simply took him with her when she left.

"Your Majesty!"

Xuan Du let out a low cry.

However, the power of the underground passage had completely sealed off the void around him.

He didn't even have a chance to resist.

Or rather, Houtu didn't give him a chance to resist at all.

next second.

"Buzz!"

The void trembled violently!

Xuandu's vision blurred, and he felt the world spinning, yin and yang reversed!

……

Wanshou Mountain.

Wuzhuang Temple.

Under the ginseng fruit tree.

Zhen Yuanzi sat cross-legged, his aura weak and his face still pale.

He gazed at the earthen-yellow pillar of light, at the source that was gradually merging into the tunnel, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Once he has achieved perfect enlightenment, he can attain sainthood.

The red clouds have returned, and they are right before our eyes.

suddenly.

"Buzz!"

The void trembled violently!

A beam of earthy yellow light shot out from the void and landed directly under the ginseng fruit tree!

The light faded.

A figure in green staggered out.

It is indeed Xuandu!

His face was slightly pale, his black hair was disheveled, and his aura was slightly disordered.

Houtu attacked too quickly; he didn't even have time to react.

Zhen Yuanzi suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with horror:

"Fellow Daoist Xuandu? You..."

Xuandu raised his hand to interrupt him.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, and his gaze pierced through the void, landing in the direction of the Netherworld.

Houtu Niangniang (Goddess of the Earth).

She sent herself away.

Using the power of the underworld, they moved him out of the underworld.

It was sent to Longevity Hill.

It was delivered to the ginseng fruit tree.

It was delivered to Zhen Yuanzi's side.

Why?

Because of worry.

He was worried that Hongjun would attack him, that Hongjun would discover the matter of the Earth Book, and that Hongjun would take his anger out on him.

So she used the power of the underground tunnels to send him away.

In this way, even the Dao Ancestor Hongjun could not deduce that Xuandu had been to the Underworld.

Moreover, Houtu Niangniang sent herself here, not to Jin'ao Island.

Xuan Du's mind raced with thoughts.

The Chaos Pearl here conceals the secrets of heaven; even the Dao Ancestor Hongjun would not be able to sense what is happening here unless he deliberately investigates.

Houtu sensed it.

Sensing the unusual nature of this place, sensing that it was being concealed, they guessed that all of this was the work of Xuandu.

That's why she sent him here.

The safest place.

"Fellow Taoist Xuandu?"

Zhen Yuanzi's voice came from behind him, tinged with surprise:

"What happened? Why are you in such a sorry state?"

Xuandu slowly turned around and looked at Zhen Yuanzi.

This ancestor of earth immortals stood under the ginseng fruit tree, his aura weak and his face still pale.

Having lost his companion spiritual treasure, his cultivation path was damaged, and his cultivation level plummeted to the mid-stage of Quasi-Saint.

Yet, deep within those clear eyes, there remained a sense of anticipation and hope.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."

Xuan Du spoke, his voice calm:

"Go to the underworld immediately."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi was taken aback:

"The underworld? Why?"

Xuan Du gazed at him, his eyes deep and unfathomable:

"Later, the Goddess Houtu will break free from the shackles of Heaven and the constraints of the Billion Dollar Association, and truly take control of the Earthly Dao."

"At that time, the Heavenly Dao will tremble, and the gaze of Dao Ancestor Hongjun will descend."

"Although the tunnel is perfect, it has only just awakened and needs someone to oversee it."

"You are the one who offered up the Book of Earth, and your karmic connection with the Earth is the deepest. You are safest in the Underworld right now."

He paused, his voice turning deep:

"not to mention......"

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun's true spirit is still in your hands."

"Go to the underworld now and meet with the Earth Goddess Houtu, and ask her to personally arrange Hongyun's reincarnation."

"At that time, Hongyun will be reincarnated, his foundation will be improved, and his return will be anticipated."

"Furthermore, fellow Daoist, you can better comprehend the Dao of Earth, thus attaining the status of a Daoist Saint more quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi trembled violently!

On that gaunt face, first came astonishment, then disbelief, and finally... a surge of ecstatic joy!

"Fellow Taoist Xuandu!"

His voice trembled, and his eyes suddenly shone brightly:

"Are you... are you telling the truth?!"

"Going to the underworld now will allow Hongyun to enter the cycle of reincarnation?!"

Xuan Du nodded slightly:

"With the Earthly Dao fully realized, Houtu Niangniang broke free of her shackles and was no longer suppressed by the Heavenly Dao."

"She controls the cycle of reincarnation, and her word is law."

"Your offering of the Earth Book completes the Earthly Path; your merit is immeasurable."

"How could she refuse if you just asked?"

Zhen Yuanzi was stunned.

Then, he threw his head back and laughed!

The hearty laughter echoed throughout Longevity Hill!

Within that laughter lay the anticipation of a multi-million dollar gathering, the grief of losing a close friend, the regret of countless midnight dreams, and the ecstasy of finally seeing hope!

"Red Clouds!"

After Zhen Yuanzi laughed loudly, his voice became hoarse:

"You just wait!"

"My old friend is coming to pick you up!"

He turned around abruptly and looked at the towering ancient tree behind him.

The ginseng fruit tree is lush and verdant, with thirty ginseng fruits hanging from its branches, swaying in the wind.

Deep within the tree roots, a faint, ethereal spirit slumbered peacefully.

That's red clouds.

It is the only remaining trace of the true spirit of Daoist Hongyun after his death.

The billion-dollar gathering, nurtured by Zhen Yuanzi with ginseng fruit and nourished by the earth's energy, has never ceased.

All for the day he could return.

Now, that day has finally arrived.

Zhen Yuanzi took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, and pointed a finger.

"Buzz!"

The ginseng fruit tree trembled violently!

Deep within the tree roots, a crimson halo slowly emerged.

The halo was extremely faint, so faint that it was almost imperceptible.

Yet, it contained an extremely faint fluctuation of true spirit.

Red Clouds are truly divine.

Zhen Yuanzi held up the crimson halo with both hands.

He turned around, looked at Xuandu, and bowed deeply:

"Fellow Taoist Xuandu!"

"This kindness and virtue will be etched in Zhen Yuanzi's heart forever!"

"If I am ever ordered to do anything in the future, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Xuandu turned aside, refusing the courtesy.

He looked at Zhen Yuanzi, at those slightly reddened eyes filled with excitement, and slowly spoke:

"Fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formalities."

"Go."

"In the underworld, the Goddess Houtu awaits you."

Zhen Yuanzi nodded emphatically.

He raised his hand, carefully put the Red Cloud True Spirit into his sleeve, turned around, and took a step forward.

But after taking just one step, he stopped.

Turn around and look towards Xuandu.

"Fellow Taoist Xuandu."

Zhen Yuanzi spoke, his voice tinged with concern:

"And you?"

"Aren't you coming with me?"

Xuan Du smiled slightly upon hearing this.

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

"I have other important matters to attend to."

He spoke, his voice calm:

"not to mention......"

He raised his eyes and looked up at the heavens.

There, purple mist swirled, and the Purple Cloud Palace hung suspended in the chaos.

"The gaze of Dao Ancestor Hongjun will soon fall upon the Underworld."

"It would be inappropriate for me to go."