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

Hongjun's gaze sharpened.

Unless there is external assistance.

external force.

What kind of external force could help Houtu break free from the shackles set up by the half-step Heavenly Dao?

Complete and perfect.

The Earth Book has been returned to its place.

Ground book...

Upon realizing this, Hongjun Daozu's expression changed drastically.

Ground book!

Only by restoring the Earth Book to its proper place and perfecting the Earthly Way can Houtu break free from its shackles.

But the Book of Earth had always been in Zhen Yuanzi's hands, accompanying the ancestor of the Earth Immortals for hundreds of millions of years. Their minds and spirits had long since merged, and it had become the foundation of his path to immortality.

Why would Zhen Yuanzi agree to give it up?

Even if he were willing to offer it, how could Houtu allow the original source of the Earth Book to return to its rightful place?

The Earth Book is a treasure of the earth, containing the origin of the earth. It has been separated from the earth for billions of years and has long been an independent entity.

Without external refinement, forcibly returning it to its original position will only shatter the foundation of the underground passage, rather than repair it.

That external force...

Hongjun's gaze sharpened.

The Qiankun Cauldron.

Only the supreme treasure of the Dao Ancestor, the Qiankun Cauldron, possesses such unparalleled power to refine heaven and earth and forge the origin!

But he lent the Qiankun Cauldron to Xuandu.

After the heavens were mended, Xuandu was returned.

When he returned it, he saw with his own eyes that the Qiankun Cauldron was intact, and the chaotic energy on the cauldron was flowing normally, without any abnormality.

Is it...

Hongjun's mind stirred, and his divine sense suddenly spread out, sweeping across the prehistoric world like a tidal wave!

In the blink of an eye, the vast landscape of billions of miles was within his perception!

Shouyang Mountain, Bajing Palace.

Laozi sat alone in the palace, his purple-purple light dimmed, his face as pale as paper.

Kunlun Mountain, Yuxu Palace.

Yuanshi sat cross-legged on the cloud bed, with the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi hanging above his head, its radiance flickering uncertainly.

Mount Sumeru, beside the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

Jieyin and Zhunti sat side by side, cracks spreading across their golden bodies, their Buddha-light flickering like a candle in the wind.

The energy at all three practice sites was weak and listless.

No abnormalities found.

Hongjun's divine consciousness continued to spread.

Jin'ao Island in the East China Sea.

The power of the Jie Sect soared to the heavens, and golden light, like a sea, enveloped the entire immortal island.

Tongtian stood with his hands behind his back in front of Biyou Palace, his whole body exuding a chilling sword aura, as he looked up towards the direction of Youming.

In those eyes, the light of swords flickered, but there was no trace of panic, only a bottomless calm.

It seemed... like something I had expected.

Hongjun's gaze darkened slightly.

He focused his consciousness and descended straight towards Longevity Mountain.

Wuzhuang Temple.

There was no one under the ginseng fruit tree.

The ancient tree still stands tall and lush, with thirty ginseng fruits hanging from its branches, swaying in the wind and emitting a refreshing fragrance.

But the figure in the green robe sitting cross-legged under the tree... was gone.

Zhen Yuanzi is not in the temple.

Hongjun's pupils contracted slightly.

Just as he was preparing to thoroughly search the Wuzhuang Temple...

From the direction of the Netherworld, a figure in a green robe slowly appeared.

Zhen Yuanzi stood before the Reincarnation Seal, his aura weak and his face pale.

Behind him, however, the Samsara Seal shone with light, and the six realms of reincarnation rotated endlessly.

Before him, Houtu stood alone in the void, her body surrounded by the cyclical patterns of reincarnation flowing as if they were real.

Hongjun's gaze sharpened.

Zhen Yuanzi...is he in the underworld?

With a sweep of his divine sense, he instantly perceived the aura surrounding Zhen Yuanzi clearly.

Mid-stage Quasi-Saint.

His cultivation level plummeted.

The companion spirit treasure... has disappeared.

The Earth Book is truly gone.

Hongjun's expression darkened completely.

It really is a book written on the ground!

As expected, Zhen Yuanzi offered up the Book of Earth to complete the underground passage!

But why?

Zhen Yuanzi cherished the Earth Book as his lifeblood, and would never abandon it even in death.

But now he has voluntarily offered it up, allowing the original source of the Earth Book to return to its rightful place?

Who persuaded him?

Who can persuade him?

Hongjun's eyes flashed, and his thoughts raced.

Houtu?

impossible.

Houtu was trapped in the Netherworld for billions of years and never took a single step out. Although she had a past relationship with Zhen Yuanzi, it was nothing more than a nodding acquaintance.

Moreover, Houtu may not even know about the Earth Book.

When she reincarnated, the underground passage had just awakened and was incomplete. How could she know that the Book of Earth was the foundation for completing the underground passage?

Even if she knew this, she had no way to refine the Earth Book.

Without the Qiankun Cauldron, forcibly returning the Earth Book to its original position would only shatter the foundation of the underground passage, rather than complete it.

Qiankun Cauldron...

Hongjun's gaze sharpened.

He recalled the scene when Xuandu returned the Qiankun Cauldron.

The colossal Xuanhuang cauldron hovered in Xuandu's palm, with chaotic energy flowing around its body, and the illusory images of the sun, moon, and stars rotating, while the patterns of mountains and rivers were clearly visible.

In good condition.

There was nothing unusual about it.

But if there are no abnormalities, how can the Earth Book be refined?

Hongjun's mind stirred slightly, and he began to deduce the secrets of heaven.

The secrets of heaven are shrouded in chaos, a complete blur.

He then deduced the cause and effect of the Earth Book.

The cause and effect are broken, and there is no way to trace it back.

Hongjun's gaze darkened.

He suddenly remembered someone.

An unexpected person.

Yangmei Daoren.

Hollow Willow attained enlightenment and was born from the Chaos Demon God. During the Daoist-Demon War, he, along with Yin Yang Ancestor, Qiankun Ancestor, and Yangmei Daoist, broke Luo Hou's Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.

The Yin-Yang Ancestor and the Qian-Kun Ancestor were killed by Rahu's self-destruction.

Yang Mei Daoist was seriously injured and left the prehistoric world after that, heading to the Chaos.

If there is anyone in the primordial world who could deceive his senses and silently refine and return the Earth Book to its rightful place.

Only Yang Mei.

But Yang Mei was in the chaos, isolated from the primordial world for countless years. How could she suddenly return?

Moreover, he returned so secretly that even he, the Dao Ancestor who was in harmony with the Heavenly Dao, did not notice him at all.

unless......

Hongjun's gaze sharpened.

Unless Yang Mei's cultivation has surpassed the Heavenly Dao?

Hongjun remained silent.

The idea was astonishing, but upon closer examination, it wasn't impossible.

Yang Mei was originally a Chaos Demon God, and he was a Chaos Demon God like Yang Mei, having lived for countless years.

After disappearing into chaos, there is no trace left, no cause and effect, and no more entanglements.

It is not impossible for such a person to truly attain the Great Dao amidst chaos.

But if that's really the case, why would he interfere in matters of the primordial world?

Why should we help the earth achieve perfection?

Why help Houtu break free from her shackles?

Hongjun's eyes flickered, his mind racing.

If it were truly Yang Mei making the move, with his cultivation surpassing even the Heavenly Dao, refining the Earth Book would be as easy as lifting a hand.

And it can be done so flawlessly that everyone will believe it was the work of the Qiankun Cauldron.

Including him, Hongjun.

Hongjun slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, the depths of those eyes, which had been indifferent for countless years, were now filled with an unfathomable solemnity.

Whether it was Yang Mei or not, he had to see for himself.

Go and see Houtu, go and see Zhenyuanzi, go and see the completed tunnel.

Let's go and see who exactly orchestrated this scheme right under his nose.

Hongjun took a step forward.

"Buzz."

Before the Purple Cloud Palace, the void rippled slightly.

The gray figure vanished into the chaos in an instant.

......

Underworld.

Before the seal of reincarnation.

Zhen Yuanzi stood beneath the seal, his aura weak and his face as pale as paper.

He lowered his head, seemingly trying to regulate his breathing, but his mind was extremely tense.

He had sensed that gaze just now.

That was the gaze of Hongjun Daozu.

It fell from the heavens like ancient ice, landing on him.

In just a moment, his soul trembled, and he almost lost his balance.

But that gaze only lingered for a moment before shifting away.

Zhen Yuanzi didn't know why.

All he knew was that he had been so nervous he almost suffocated.

Just before that gaze fell upon him, the voice of the Goddess Houtu rang in his ears.

"Release your aura so that Hongjun can sense it."

Zhen Yuanzi didn't understand, but he did as he was told.

He released his aura without reservation, allowing the gaze cast from the heavens to see him clearly.

Mid-stage Quasi-Saint.

His cultivation level plummeted.

The companion spirit treasure disappeared.

This is what he wanted Hongjun to see.

This was also what Houtu Niangniang wanted him to see.

But he didn't understand why it had to be this way.

He only vaguely guessed it when that gaze moved away.

Attract attention.

This diverted Hongjun Daozu's attention from elsewhere and focused it on him.

It fell into the netherworld.

It landed... somewhere else?

Zhen Yuanzi's mind raced, and he suddenly remembered Longevity Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple, and the figure in green under the ginseng fruit tree.

Xuandu.

Xuandu is still at Wuzhuang Temple!

If Dao Ancestor Hongjun were to thoroughly investigate Longevity Mountain, he would inevitably discover Xuandu's presence!

But if the Dao Ancestor's attention were drawn to the Netherworld, or to Zhen Yuanzi...

Then Xuandu will be safe.

Zhen Yuanzi felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He looked up and gazed at the pale yellow figure imprinted on the Wheel of Reincarnation.

Houtu stood with her hands behind her back, the cycle of reincarnation patterns flowing around her, her beautiful face serene.

But deep within those chaotic-colored eyes, a very faint... solemnity flashed.

She is waiting.

Waiting for that person to arrive.

Zhen Yuanzi took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, and stood quietly in front of the Samsara Seal.

Then the Earth Goddess instructed him to release his aura so that he could attract the attention of the Dao Ancestor.

So he waited there.

Waiting for that gray figure to arrive.