Primordial Era: I, Zhao Gongming, refuse to be an experience pack.

Zhao Gongming concealed all his aura, walking among the mountains and rivers like an ordinary rogue cultivator.

He immersed his divine sense into his body, constantly sensing the pulse of the twenty-four Sea-Stabilizing Pearls.

After his breakthrough, Zhao Gongming's connection with this innate spiritual treasure became even closer. He could even feel that each bead contained a small world within it, but it was still in a state of chaos and undeveloped.

"If I could completely refine these twenty-four beads and evolve them into the Twenty-Four Heavens, I wonder what kind of power they would possess..." He secretly looked forward to it, and his reliance on the Hongmeng Deduction System transformed into a desire to become stronger.

On this day, Zhao Gongming arrived at a continuous mountain range. The mountains here were steep and rugged, with jagged rocks, and a sinister aura often rose from the mountains, faintly revealing an ominous sign. In front of the mountain stood an ancient stele with three large blood-red characters written on it—Luoxian Ridge.

Legend has it that this place is where a powerful ancient being fell during the early Dragon-Han Calamity. Resentment and malevolent energy intertwine here, and over time, it has become a cursed place that ordinary immortals dare not easily set foot in.

Zhao Gongming's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the three words. The more dangerous the place, the greater the opportunity it often presents. He was highly skilled and daring, and with the Chaos Divine Art protecting him, he was not afraid.

Just as he was about to delve deeper to find out what was going on, two beams of celestial light sped from the distant horizon and landed not far in front of him.

As the light faded, two young Taoist priests appeared. Both were dressed in apricot-yellow Taoist robes, wore jade crowns, and had proud expressions. They exuded the cultivation fluctuations of the early Golden Immortal stage, and their immortal aura was pure and clear, carrying a trace of the Jade Purity Daoist charm.

Disciples of the Chan Sect!

Zhao Gongming's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and a sense of vigilance immediately arose in his heart. He did not reveal his identity immediately, but simply stood aside, intending to wait for the other party to go first.

Of the two disciples of the Chan Sect, one was slightly taller, with a faint crimson glow between his brows. He was Chixiazi, one of the outer disciples of the Chan Sect, who was said to have attained enlightenment through the innate crimson glow energy, and whose origins were pure and righteous. The other was slightly shorter, with a face like white jade and eyes that shone with golden light. He was called Mingguang Daoren, and was a spiritual being formed from innate jade, a naturally born and nurtured spiritual being.

The two men boasted of their extraordinary backgrounds and always looked down on others.

Chixiazi glanced at Zhao Gongming and saw that he was wearing a blue Taoist robe, the outer disciple of the Jie Sect, and that his cultivation level seemed to be only at the early stage of Golden Immortal. A hint of undisguised contempt flashed in his eyes.

"Heh, I wondered who it was, but it turns out to be a disciple of the Jie Sect." Chixiazi sneered, his voice not loud, but enough for Zhao Gongming to hear clearly.

Daoist Mingguang chimed in, "Senior brother, why bother with such people? Master often says that the Jie Sect teaches without discrimination, and most of its disciples are creatures with fur and horns, born from eggs or moisture, who are not worth cultivating. We are here on Master's orders to go down the mountain for training, so it is more important to do our proper business and not let such people defile our eyes."

The two men spoke without restraint, as if Zhao Gongming didn't exist at all. The contempt and sense of superiority in their words were extremely grating.

Zhao Gongming did not want to escalate the conflict with the Chan Sect prematurely before the great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods. He took a deep breath, suppressed the rising anger in his heart, and knew that this was the root of the future war between the two sects—a clash of ideologies and sectarian prejudice.

He turned to leave, unwilling to get entangled with such an arrogant person.

"Halt!" Chixiazi persisted, his figure flashing as he blocked Zhao Gongming's path, sneering, "What? My fellow disciples hit a nerve, so you think you can run away with your tail between your legs? Someone as shallow-minded as you is unworthy to walk on this primordial land; you're simply defiling the spiritual energy of this world!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gongming's suppressed anger could no longer be contained!

He could tolerate being looked down upon, but he absolutely could not tolerate them insulting the entire Jie Sect like this! Insulting his master, Tongtian Jiaozhu's, principle of "education for all"!

"Fellow Daoist, you've gone too far." Zhao Gongming slowly turned around, his once calm eyes now icy cold, as if churning with chaos. "What's wrong with my Jie Sect is none of your business, disciples of the Chan Sect!"

"Insolence!" Daoist Mingguang roared in fury. "How dare a mere outer disciple defy us? Today, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of my Uncle-Master Tongtian, you ignorant and arrogant brat!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already made his move! With one hand forming a hand seal and chanting incantations, a celestial sword shimmering with jade-pure immortal light appeared out of thin air. Its sword aura was chilling, carrying a fierce intent to slay demons and monsters, and it pierced straight into Zhao Gongming's chest! This sword was named "Splitting Light Sword," which was forged by Daoist Mingguang from innate gold and stone, and was specially designed to break through the protective mystic light.

"Junior brother is right, he deserves to be beaten!" Chixiazi also sneered, flicked his finger, and a golden talisman flew out, transforming into a large golden net in mid-air, which descended upon Zhao Gongming, intending to imprison him on the spot.

This net is named "Binding Spirit Golden Net," containing innate crimson energy, specifically designed to lock away magical power and primordial spirit.

The two worked together seamlessly, clearly not for the first time, and their first move was a deadly one, showing no intention of holding back.

They were confident in their impeccable lineage and profound magical abilities, believing that dealing with a disciple of the Jie Sect who they considered "shallow in character" would be a piece of cake.

However, the Zhao Gongming they were facing was no longer the one who needed to be patient and restrained!

"Well done!"

Instead of retreating, Zhao Gongming advanced. Facing the sharp sword light and the golden net that enveloped him, he didn't even have to use his magic weapon!

"The Nine Revolutions Chaos Divine Art!"

He let out a low shout in his heart, and the chaotic magic power in his body suddenly started to circulate. A layer of ancient and obscure Daoist charm instantly flowed across his body. At this moment, his physical body seemed to have transformed into a piece of divine iron born from chaos, indestructible!

clang!

The powerful sword, capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, pierced Zhao Gongming's chest, producing a deafening clang like metal striking metal, and sparks flew everywhere!

The immortal sword let out a mournful cry, and was actually thrown back by an unparalleled force, its light dimming slightly.

At the same time, the golden net that bound spirits fell on Zhao Gongming, but it couldn't restrain him at all. Instead, it was shattered into countless points of light by the overwhelming chaotic aura emanating from him!

"What?!"

"Physical strength to withstand a magical weapon?!"

The arrogance and disdain on Chixiazi and Mingguang Daoren's faces froze instantly, replaced by endless horror and disbelief!

Is this still a cultivator at the early stage of Golden Immortal? Even a great shaman of the Wu clan who specializes in physical cultivation wouldn't dare to be so arrogant at the same level!

In the instant their minds were shaken, Zhao Gongming launched a counterattack!

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes, but he did not kill the person. He merely snorted coldly and made a thought.

hum-

Twenty-four azure divine pearls flew out from his sleeve, like twenty-four stars falling from the heavens, instantly filling the entire area. A vast, heavy, and terrifying pressure, seemingly capable of crushing the eternal sky, suddenly descended!

Chixiazi and Mingguang Daoren felt a sudden heaviness all over their bodies, as if they were being suppressed by a divine mountain of billions of tons. The circulation of their magical power became extremely difficult, and even their breathing stopped!

"The Sea-Stabilizing Pearl?! You are Zhao Gongming?!" Chixiazi finally recognized this infamous magical treasure, his voice filled with terror and despair.

However, it was too late!

Zhao Gongming flicked his finger.

Two of the Sea-Stabilizing Pearls trembled slightly and transformed into two streaks of blue light. Ignoring the distance in space, they struck the two men squarely in the chests.