Chapter 21: Yuanshi Tianzun's Doubts
Looking at the completely stripped Taiyi Zhenren, Xuantian nodded slightly and stepped directly into the golden light of Qianyuan Mountain to begin his search.
As a direct disciple of a Quasi-Sage, Taiyi Zhenren naturally possessed a wealth of valuables.
Besides the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Shield, gold bricks, and other spiritual treasures, Xuantian unexpectedly discovered a rare find in his cave.
"Is this... an Immortal Apricot? And a Blue Lotus Seed of Creation? What a treasure!"
Xuantian hadn't expected Taiyi Zhenren to possess such top-grade innate spiritual items. But then he realized—this Immortal Apricot was likely the one planted in front of Yuxu Palace on Kunlun Mountain. One of the ten highest-grade innate spiritual roots, this must have been gifted by Yuanshi Tianzun to help Taiyi Zhenren break through to the Daluo Golden Immortal realm.
Now, naturally, it belonged to Xuantian.
Aside from that, a Blue Lotus Seed, pulsing with the aura of Creation, drew his attention. It was from the legendary twenty-fourth-grade Creation Blue Lotus. Cultivated with the Origin of Creation, it could give rise to not only a new twenty-fourth-grade lotus, but also a twelfth-grade Creation Blue Lotus—a supreme innate defensive spiritual treasure.
And within the Human Race's blessed land lay a system-rewarded Origin of Creation Pool—the perfect place to cultivate it.
"This Taiyi Zhenren looks like a boy delivering wealth to me!"
Xuantian glanced towards the unconscious Taiyi Zhenren outside the mountain, then plundered the entire Golden Light Cave.
Mounting Xiao Jin's back, he left toward the opportunity Xiao Jin had sensed. After searching for some time, they found some treasures.
"An Earth Spirit Fruit? Not bad."
With a casual wave, he stored it away and departed.
Sometime later, Taiyi Zhenren slowly regained consciousness. Pain coursed through his entire body, but he ignored it, quickly checking his belongings.
When he found the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Shield, the Taiyi Whisk, and many other treasures all gone, his expression turned deathly pale.
These were all innate spiritual treasures, and the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Shield was a top-grade one at that—yet it had all been taken by that damned creature!
Even his counterfeit Taoist robe had been stripped off!
"Wait!"
A terrible realization struck him, and he raced back toward the Golden Light Cave.
"Ahhh!!!"
When he saw the utterly looted cave, Taiyi Zhenren couldn't hold back anymore. He violently spat out a mouthful of blood, nearly fainting from sheer rage.
The loss was unbearable. Beyond the treasures, the Immortal Apricot—gifted by his master for his Daluo Golden Immortal Realm breakthrough—was gone.
Even core disciples like Huang Long hadn't received one!
And the Creation Lotus Seeds—those were worth more than his life!
"This is more painful than death!"
His face grew darker, emotions roiling. As a disciple of a Quasi-Sage, when had he ever suffered such a disgrace?
Though his cultivation exceeded Xuantian's, the latter's skills were beyond comprehension. Perhaps he wasn't even the disciple of Daluo Golden Immortal, yet he might as well have been!
But what scared him most was his master's face, his master valued reputation more than anything.
If he found out what had happened, punishment would be inevitable.
"Senior Brother Guangchengzi has already achieved Daluo Golden Immortal Realm. Taoyuan Mountain isn't far!"
He made up his mind, turned into a stream of light, and flew toward Taoyuan Mountain.
Meanwhile, at Kunlun Mountain in the Yuxu Palace, Yuanshi Tianzun, deep in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes.
"Hmm? How did my luck suddenly drop?"
A ripple of concern passed across his usually calm face.
Holding the Pangu Banner, one of the Three Great Treasures of Creation, he should've had his luck firmly suppressed. As one of the Three Pure Ones, how could his luck decline?
He immediately began deducing the cause.
However, the fourfold golden wheel of merit flashed brilliantly—and his expression darkened further.
He realized: one of his disciples had provoked a great meritorious being!
In the prehistoric world, the karmic link between master and disciple was heavier than the heavens. If a disciple caused trouble, the master paid the price.
Even the Heavenly Saints had to respect those with great merit. Yuanshi Tianzun hadn't yet attained full sainthood—his luck being affected was expected.
But what puzzled him was—he couldn't deduce the identity of the meritorious being at all!
"Not a great matter. I have an innate treasure suppressing my luck. Even if it drops, it will return. The more important question is—can I attain sainthood this time?"
Shaking his head, Yuanshi Tianzun stopped deducing and returned to his meditative cultivation, focusing on comprehending the Primordial Purple Qi.
At the same time, outside Shouyang Mountain, a figure wrapped in white light emerged.
It was Taiqing Laozi, freshly arrived from Kunlun Mountain.
Looking at Shouyang Mountain, he felt the Primordial Purple Qi surging in his mind. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
This was clearly where his opportunity to attain sainthood lay.
Soon, guided by the pull of the purple energy, a massive innate restriction materialized—causing Taiqing Laozi's heart to pound.
"A massive innate restriction… the opportunities in this paradise must be astonishing—let alone the one that will lead me to sainthood!"
Joy flickered on his face but was quickly replaced by determination.
Once he attained sainthood, he would easily deduce who had stolen his treasure and would forge a karmic tie with a Heavenly Saint—their fate would be annihilation.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward into the restriction.
The barrier shattered, revealing a portal the height of a man.
Taiqing took a deep breath.
He could already see his future self attaining enlightenment, becoming a Saint, mastering the Heavenly Dao, and being glorified throughout ancient times.
He stepped in with joy.
But the moment he entered and laid eyes on the scene before him… his smile froze.
"???"
All he saw was barren land—the ground riddled with potholes, as if chewed by wild beasts. Not even a single acquired spiritual root remained.
At that moment, realization struck him—
His destined opportunity had been taken!
So too had his chance to become a Saint!
"Puff!"
Overwhelmed by the blow, even Taiqing Laozi—one of the Three Pure Ones—couldn't bear the shock.
His vision darkened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Collapsing to the ground, he fainted on the spot.
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(End of Chapter)