Chapter 19: The Nine Dragons' Divine Fire Erupts!
This figure was none other than Taiyi Zhenren, one of the future Twelve Golden Immortals of the True Sect.
Upon seeing the Treasure-Hunting Rat sitting upright without any fear before him, Taiyi Zhenren couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. He had been cultivating in Qianyuan Mountain, and upon sensing Xiao Jin's presence, he had ventured out to investigate.
As a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun, he naturally recognized the Treasure-Hunting Rat, a prehistoric innate species. Judging by the golden glow on its back, its bloodline was among the most potent of its kind. Taming it would be immensely beneficial, whether as a mount or for treasure hunting purposes.
This opportune situation made him create an excuse and attempt to seize Xuantian's mount.
Money is a powerful allure, even for a future True Sect Golden Immortal, a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sage.
"Oh?"
Xuantian remained calm as he looked at Taiyi Zhenren, who clearly approached with ill intentions.
Among the Twelve Golden Immortals of the True Sect, Taiyi Zhenren ranked among the top five. During the Investiture of God's Tribulation, he was renowned for his astonishing killing methods. Under his training, his disciple Nezha developed an unparalleled ferocity—first wreaking havoc in the East Sea, skinning and ripping apart the Dragon Palace Third Prince.
Later, he even shot and killed Biyun Tongzi, the mount of Shiji Niangniang, with a Divine Arrow of the Yellow Emperor.
That would have been enough—but upon learning of it, Taiyi Zhenren used the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover to forcibly refine Shiji Niangniang. Thus, master and disciple annihilated Shiji's entire clan, causing one of the greatest tragedies of the Investiture of Gods.
With such a personality, forcibly seizing a mount seemed perfectly reasonable.
However, Xuantian didn't seek trouble. But if the other party initiated it, he wouldn't be to blame.
"You stinking Taoist priest, when did I become your mount?!"
Xuantian remained silent, but Xiao Jin was clearly displeased. As a prehistoric innate Treasure-Hunting Rat, he was proud and arrogant.
He had already ascended to the Perfection stage of the Golden Immortal Realm.
Even Taiyi Zhenren—despite radiating the cultivation of a late-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal, was unworthy of being his master.
"You wicked beast, how dare you talk back!"
Upon hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren's face darkened. The whisk in his hand radiated with the light of an innate spiritual treasure, transforming into countless tough, razor-sharp strands. Swelling in the wind, they overwhelmed the heavens and swept down fiercely toward Xuantian and Xiao Jin.
Without a word, he attacked directly.
As a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sage, his strength far surpassed that of others at his level.
Xuantian and Xiao Jin—one at the Early Taiyi Golden Immortal stage, the other at the peak of the Golden Immortal stage, were no match for him in cultivation.
Most importantly, he had immense backing. In the prehistoric world, the strong preyed on the weak. The mighty held sway and order. There was no need to waste words, only seize what was offered.
"You wicked beast! So stubborn! Once I capture you, I'll punish you severely, whipping you till your skin is torn and your flesh gets battered up!"
As the innate whisk descended, Taiyi Zhenren's cold voice echoed. Confidence was etched on his face.
This whisk, bestowed by his master, was a genuine, innate spiritual treasure. Though only low-grade, it was a rare binding-type treasure. Once trapped, even a powerful Taiyi Golden Immortal would struggle to break free.
But this was merely a feint.
As the whisk descended, a golden light suddenly burst from Taiyi Zhenren's hand. It moved with imperceptible speed and silence, aiming fiercely at the back of Xuantian's head.
Seeing this, Taiyi Zhenren's face filled with triumph. This was the real killer move. Even a Taiyi Golden Immortal of the same realm would suffer a huge loss if caught off guard. The golden light was as fast and elusive as lightning, concealed beneath the overwhelming sound of the whisk.
In a flash, it had already reached behind Xuantian's head.
Taiyi Zhenren's smile deepened.
But just as the golden light was about to strike—
Buzz!
"What?!"
A flash of profound yellow light suddenly appeared. Taiyi Zhenren's expression twisted in disbelief as the golden light slammed into the yellow brilliance—firmly blocked.
The light transformed into a square golden brick, its power quickly dissipating before it reverted into a stream of light and returned to Taiyi Zhenren's hand.
Though lengthy in narration, this all happened in a blink.
By the time Taiyi Zhenren regained his composure, a small profound yellow cauldron already hovered above Xuantian's head, emanating an endless stream of protective energy that firmly shielded him.
Clearly, Xuantian had prepared ahead of time, secretly activating the profound yellow cauldron during their conversation.
"A mid-grade innate defensive spiritual treasure? You Taoist… you have some skill! No wonder you dared to steal my mount!"
Seeing the cauldron, Taiyi Zhenren remained calm, as if his sneak attack had never occurred, but inwardly, he was deeply surprised.
In the prehistoric world, innate spiritual treasures were far more valuable than Acquired ones. And among them, defensive treasures were far rarer and more precious than their offensive counterparts.
A mid-grade defensive treasure could rival even a top-grade killing spiritual treasure.
Clearly, this Taoist had an extraordinary background… though still not one that could compare to his status—a direct disciple of the Quasi-Sage.
"The True Sect disciples, renowned for their profound blessings and rich connections, appear to be inferior to those armored, scale-clad creatures born from wet eggs."
Xuantian said calmly, ignoring the remark's potential to incite conflict.
True Sect and Sect of Severance held different philosophies. As a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun, Taiyi Zhenren had always viewed Tongtian's disciples with disdain—those armored, scale-clad creatures.
He had never expected Xuantian to compare him to those beings. The comparison infuriated him. The Three Corpse Gods within him leapt into a rage, and his eyes blazed with anger.
"Sharp-eyed and sharp-tongued! Taoist, Control your arrogance!"
Taiyi Zhenren roared in fury. As he spoke, he summoned the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Shield—a genuine top-grade innate spiritual treasure bestowed by Yuanshi Tianzun.
With a clap of his hands, the Divine Fire Shield expanded in the wind. Within it, boundless and terrifying flames surged. Nine fire dragons coiled and soared, spewing blazing fire. These transformed into countless divine flames—the Six Dings and Six Jias, the Burning Sky Purple Flame, and more—all raining down upon Xuantian.
If a Daluo Golden Immortal used this treasure, even another Daluo Golden Immortal of the same realm would struggle to survive once engulfed.
Even though Taiyi Zhenren was just a Taiyi Golden Immortal, the treasure's might far exceeded his cultivation. Any perfected Taiyi Golden Immortal caught in its range would be incinerated!
Buzz!
The treasure's activation was near-instant. The overwhelming fire poured down like a heavenly veil, completely enveloping both Xuantian, holding the Xuanhuang Cauldron, and Xiao Jin.
Seeing this scene, Taiyi Zhenren couldn't help but smile in confidence.
"Translator's Note: The Six Dings and Six Jias mean celestial spirits of Ying and Yang energy."
For 5-10 Early access of chapters, please visit the link: https://www.patreon.com/c/immortal9god
(End of Chapter)