Primordial Era: If I remain in Longevity Mountain, I will steadily attain sainthood.

Chapter 40 Hongjun Merges with the Dao

Looking over, Hongyun saw that the two treasures bestowed upon Zhenyuanzi by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun were an apricot-yellow flag and a jet-black spear.

It turned out to be the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, one of the Five Primordial Banners, and the God-Slaying Spear transformed from the stem of the Chaos Green Lotus.

The Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner is one thing, but since the five banners cannot be gathered together, this banner is at best only slightly stronger in defense.

It's not even as good as Zhen Yuanzi's own Earth Book.

But that God-Slaying Spear is quite extraordinary; in the primordial world, there are few things that can threaten even a saint.

And coincidentally, this god-slaying spear was among them.

Moreover, this God-Slaying Spear was once a treasure of the Demon Ancestor Rahu, and it was no less powerful than the Four Swords of Zhuxian.

The Dao Ancestor Hongjun actually gave it to Zhenyuanzi?

The Dao Ancestor said, "There is no need to say more about the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner. Only this God-Slaying Spear, like the Four Swords of Zhuxian, was once the treasure of the Demon Ancestor Rahu. It has extremely strong killing power and was once a supreme innate treasure. However, it was damaged later, so its innate indestructible spiritual light was damaged, and it was downgraded to a top-grade innate spiritual treasure."

"It is also because of your great fortune, Zhenyuan, that you possess the Earth Book. If you nourish this treasure with the spiritual energy of the earth's veins, given time, you might be able to restore it to its original innate treasure. It is precisely for this reason that this treasure is destined for you, and it is fitting that you possess it. However, remember not to fall into evil ways and use it with caution."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi bowed deeply and said, "Master, how could Zhen Yuanzi dare not listen to your earnest teachings?" He then put away the two treasures, bowed again to Hongjun Daozu, and returned to sit down on the prayer mat.

Then, Hongjun Daozu said to Hongyun, "Hongyun, you may come up as well." Hongyun then went up to the high platform and bowed to Hongjun Daozu, saying, "I wonder what Master wishes to bestow upon his disciple?"

Hongjun Daozu then waved his sleeve, and two objects appeared before Hongyun: a red flag and a black lotus platform.

It was the Southern Flame Banner, one of the Five Primordial Banners, and also the Twelfth-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus, a treasure once owned by the Demon Ancestor Rahu.

However, the Pure World White Lotus obtained by Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi, as well as several other lotus platforms, all share the same origin.

These are treasures that were formed from the seeds of the original Chaos Green Lotus after the lotus platform shattered and fell into the primordial world.

Among these lotus platforms, the most powerful one is the Twenty-Four Petals of Creation Green Lotus. Unfortunately, although this lotus platform is powerful enough to be comparable to a supreme innate treasure, it was divided into three parts, becoming the respective Dao-proving treasures of the Three Pure Ones.

This is also the origin of the saying "Red flowers, white lotus roots, and green lotus leaves, the three religions were originally one family" from the Three Pure Ones.

Their treasure for attaining enlightenment was formed from a twenty-four-petaled Creation Lotus.

Hongyun didn't mind the two treasures given to him by Dao Ancestor Hongjun. He immediately thanked Dao Ancestor Hongjun and put them away.

However, after Hongyun sat back down on the futon, Dao Ancestor Hongjun stopped calling for people, seemingly having given up on bestowing any more gifts.

Seeing this, Jieyin and Zhunti, who were sitting next to Hongyun, became anxious. They exchanged glances and understood each other perfectly.

Before Hongjun could even call out, the two stepped forward and pleaded, "Master, please have mercy! Our Western region is barren and has few treasures. Please grant us some spiritual treasures to protect us."

Hongjun Daozu looked at the two of them and nodded, saying, "Very well, you two do have great perseverance and wisdom. Although our connection is somewhat shallow, we should treat each other equally."

Therefore, Hongjun Daozu gave the Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus of Merit and the Azure Lotus Banner to Jieyin, and the Blessing Pestle to Zhunti.

The two hadn't held out much hope, but now that they had received the gift, they were overjoyed and quickly bowed in gratitude before leaving.

Seeing this, the others also began to ask for the treasures. Hongjun Daozu shook his head and said, "With such clamor, what do you take this Zixiao Palace for? Besides, there are so many of you that I cannot distribute them all. Therefore, I will place the remaining spiritual treasures on the Treasure Distribution Cliff, and you may collect them yourselves. Innate spiritual treasures possess spirituality; those with affinity will obtain them, and those without affinity should not force it."

After saying that, he waved his sleeve, and the gates of Zixiao Palace swung open to both sides with a loud bang.

Then, in the distance outside the Purple Cloud Palace, a precious cliff appeared. The cliff was shimmering with iridescent light, filled with a dazzling aura of precious treasures.

It was obvious that countless treasures were piled up on it.

Seeing this, everyone could no longer contain themselves and rushed to squeeze out of the Zixiao Palace.

Hongyun, Zhen Yuanzi, and the others wanted to get up immediately, but they felt a great force pressing down on them, preventing them from getting up.

Zhunti was the only one unhindered, but he hesitated slightly as he glanced at Jieyin and then at Hongjun Daozu, suppressing the urge to fight for the treasure and remaining still.

Everyone looked up at Hongjun Daozu.

Hongjun Daozu looked at Zhunti and nodded slightly, saying, "You are, after all, my disciples, and you have already received the treasures I have bestowed upon you. Please wait a while before going to retrieve the treasures. Spiritual treasures are obtained by those who are destined to receive them, regardless of who is first or last."

Everyone immediately felt relieved.

After a while, Hongjun Daozu remained silent, but suddenly the Creation Jade Tablet reappeared, hovering above his head.

Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the Jade Tablet of Creation. They felt that the various Great Daos on the Jade Tablet were clearer than ever before, as if they were right before their eyes.

However, even so, upon closer inspection, when trying to understand it, it still feels vague and unclear.

The Great Way is not so easily attained. To comprehend it at a glance is something even a sage could not do.

After revealing the Jade Tablet of Creation, Hongjun Daozu made no other moves, as if it were just for a few people to see and comprehend.

The group remained silent, each eagerly watching the various Dao principles manifested on the Jade Tablet of Creation.

And so, after an unknown amount of time, suddenly, the group felt the Great Dao manifested on the Jade Tablet of Creation vanish, turning into a state of chaos.

They then knew that their enlightenment had ended and awoke from their reverie.

When they looked at Hongjun Daozu again, Hongjun Daozu nodded to everyone and said, "The time for me to merge with the Dao is almost here. You may all leave the palace."

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed deeply to Hongjun before leaving Zixiao Palace and heading towards the Treasure Sharing Cliff.

The Zixiao Palace behind them suddenly shut with a bang.

Upon arriving at Treasure Sharing Cliff, they found that all the powerful figures had already dispersed, and the treasures on the cliff had diminished considerably, their brilliance no longer as dazzling as before.

However, there are still many treasures inside, and everyone can feel the attraction emanating from the treasure cliff.

Those were treasures destined for them, and as the crowd approached, they sensed each other's presence.

Without saying much, everyone used their own methods to collect the treasures that were destined for them from the Treasure Sharing Cliff.

As expected, the Three Pure Ones were still the richest, with Taiqing Laozi acquiring dozens of treasures, including the Wind and Fire Futon, the Eight Views Palace Lantern, the Qiankun Diagram, the Five Lights Box, the Flying Cloud Mace, and the Sumeru Pot.

Yuqing Yuanshi also obtained dozens of treasures, including the Taiji Talisman Seal, the Jade Void Glazed Lamp, the Wuji Bracelet, the Wind and Thunder Scissors, and the Heaven-Collecting Bag.

Shangqing Tongtian was the richest, possessing hundreds of treasures, such as the Hunyuan Golden Bucket, the Heavenly Flower Wondrous Falling Flag, the Dragon Roar Flute, the Golden Phoenix Hairpin, the Ruyi Pouch, the Sun and Moon Pearl, the Heaven-Swallowing Cover, the Rainbow-Piercing Rope, and so on, dazzling the eyes.

(End of this chapter)