Primordial Era: The Three Senior Brothers of the Taiqing Clan

The entire primordial world seemed to be dragged into the ancient star field. Countless illusory stars shuttled through the sky, trailing the light of death, making the battlefield look like a purgatory.

Pangu's true form wielded the Heaven-Opening Axe. The movements seemed simple and direct, yet they subtly aligned with the profound principles of the Great Dao. With each axe strike, countless illusory stars shattered, transforming into a shower of light.

However, the attacks of the Zhou Tian Star Array continued unabated, with ancient stars crashing down on Pangu's true form one after another, forcing the towering giant to retreat step by step.

The battle was at a stalemate, and the world seemed to change color.

Chen Qing's gaze shifted from the battlefield to the little golden crow trembling in the distance.

Of the ten golden crows, nine died, and now only the smallest one remains.

Chen Qing pondered in his heart: According to his memories from his previous life, this little golden crow was none other than Lu Ya Dao Ren, who would later shine in the Investiture of the Gods.

With a single flying dagger capable of slaying immortals and the words, "Please turn around, my darling," countless disciples of the Jie Sect met their tragic ends. Though not listed in the Investiture of the Gods, this man stirred up a storm among the three religions, a figure not to be trifled with.

So, should we take advantage of his current weakness and just... kill him?

Chen Qing shook his head.

It wasn't that he was soft-hearted, but rather that he felt things weren't that simple. Donghuang Taiyi and Dijun weren't fools; knowing that someone was plotting against the Wu and Yao clans, how could they leave their only remaining descendants unattended?

Sure enough, before his thought could even settle, a crack quietly appeared in the void, and a branch with seven-colored shimmering branches emerged from it, sweeping straight toward the little golden crow!

Chen Qing's lips curled slightly, and a hint of amusement appeared in his eyes.

This Western saint finally couldn't hold back any longer.

Just as the Seven Treasures Tree was about to touch the little golden crow, the Zhou Tian Star Array in the sky and the true form of Pangu on the ground turned around simultaneously and blasted towards that direction.

Hundreds of ancient stars intertwined to form a magnificent yet deadly galaxy, tearing through the void and carrying the interwoven laws of the Great Dao, pouring down like a torrential rain.

At the same time, Pangu's true form's axe, which opened the heavens and earth, also unleashed a beam of light that shattered space and arrived in an instant.

Two forces, no less powerful than those of a sage, simultaneously struck the same spot.

Many of the powerful beings from the primordial era who were secretly observing the battle couldn't help but chuckle to themselves.

The Taoist Zhunti has been robbing people in the East for years, stealing wherever he goes, from spiritual treasures to talented people, there's nothing he doesn't covet.

Now they've finally met their match. Their schemes backfired, and they've been outmaneuvered. Now they'll taste the power of the Lich's Array.

Zhunti Daoist's expression changed drastically. He knew he had fallen into a trap. Dijun and Taiyi were clearly using the little golden crow as bait to lure him into making a move.

But as a saint, he was confident in his profound cultivation. Even if he withstood these two attacks head-on, he would only suffer minor injuries at most. He couldn't dodge them anyway, but it was still better than returning empty-handed.

With a determined effort, he increased the speed of the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand, heading straight for the Little Golden Crow.

"clang--"

The Chaos Bell suddenly rang out, its sound resounding and powerful, unleashing the full force of the Primordial Mysteries to suppress the space-time surrounding Zhunti.

When Taiyi unleashed his anger, the power was extraordinary; even a sage was momentarily stunned by the sound of the bell.

In that brief moment of hesitation, two attacks were already upon them.

Helpless, Daoist Zhunti had no choice but to retract the Seven Treasures Tree and face the overwhelming starlight and axe-like rays.

"Boom!"

The deafening roars continued unabated, causing the heavens and earth to change color. The center of the collision was reduced to nothingness, with earth, fire, wind, and water swirling wildly, and chaotic air currents raging.

A large bell appeared instantly, protecting the little golden crow as it retreated rapidly, finally saving its life.

This is the first time in the history of the primordial world that a power at the level of a saint has clashed.

Although neither the Pangu True Body of the Wu Clan nor the Zhou Tian Star Array of the Demon Clan has truly reached the realm of saints, their power is no less than that of a saint's full-force attack, let alone the combined power of the two.

After a long while, the aftershocks gradually subsided, and the shattered space was slowly repaired by the power of the Heavenly Dao.

But the figure of Daoist Zhunti had disappeared.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. Had the sage fallen? Wasn't it said that the sage's primordial spirit resided in the Heavenly Dao, making him immortal and indestructible?

Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, the void suddenly cracked open with a "rip" sound, and the Taoist Zhunti staggered out from inside.

Everyone almost burst out laughing when they saw it.

This Western saint, who was usually dignified and aloof, was now disheveled, his robes tattered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and a deep, bone-revealing axe wound on his chest. He was in a sorry state.

"Pfft—" Someone couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Zhunti Daoist's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He looked down at the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand, the treasure for achieving enlightenment that he had taken from his own body and refined with countless rare and precious materials. At this moment, several fine cracks appeared.

His heart was bleeding.

"Zhunti Daoist, as a sage, why are you here in the East instead of seeking blessings in the West?" Di Jun's voice was icy cold, his eyes filled with a crazed killing intent. "This war between the Lich King and the Demon King, I'm afraid you were the one who instigated it from behind the scenes, weren't you?"

The Daoist Zhunti remained expressionless, his voice low and somber: "You have shown contempt for the majesty of a sage; you should give me an explanation."

He never mentioned his scheming, as if he were just an innocent victim.

"This guy's shamelessness is as thick as ever," Chen Qing muttered under his breath. "He does the good deed himself, and then turns around and demands an explanation. Isn't that just lowering the moral character of a saint? He's a disgrace to the saint, a true shame!"

His voice wasn't loud, but everyone present was a powerful being from the primordial era, so who couldn't hear him?

An eerie silence fell over the surroundings. Everyone looked at Chen Qing with amused expressions, then at Zhunti, all waiting to see what would happen next.

Zhunti Daoist's face changed from black to green, and then from green to purple.

"You little brat, you're asking for death!"

Without even glancing at him, he swept the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand toward Chen Qing. A mysterious and profound power instantly bound Chen Qing, as if trying to pull him entirely into the tree.

Chen Qing's expression turned cold, and the Qiankun Cauldron flew out from his body, blocking his way.

"Bang—"

Upon impact, Chen Qing felt an overwhelming force, and his body was sent flying backward, crashing through more than a dozen mountain peaks before finally coming to a stop over a hundred miles away.

He stood up from the rubble, dusted himself off, and brushed off his sleeves, his expression unchanged. Then, he leisurely flew back to his original spot, a smile even playing on his lips.

"Fellow Daoist Zhunti, you've already become a saint, but you haven't made much progress."

He looked at Zhunti with a smile, his tone nonchalant, as if he wasn't the one who had just been slapped away.

Zhunti Daoist's eyes twitched, and the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand creaked as he gripped it tightly.

"Master Chen Qing!"

Zhunti gritted his teeth and spoke slowly and deliberately.

That defeat was the greatest humiliation he suffered before becoming a saint. Even now that he has attained the Primordial Chaos Realm, that humiliation is still etched into his bones, and he feels his cheeks burn every time he recalls it.

Upon seeing Chen Qing again, Zhunti could no longer suppress the murderous intent that had been building up in his heart, and it surged into the sky.