Chapter 29 The Three Pure Ones Become Disciples
Hongjun was unaware of the destruction he and Rahu had caused to the West; he probably wouldn't look at it until the bill arrived.
At this time, Hongjun was busy cleaning up the mess that Luo Hou had made, hoping to minimize the damage. After all, he was now inextricably linked to the prehistoric world, sharing both prosperity and ruin.
He first approached Zu Long and explained his purpose for coming.
Zulong listened carefully to Hongjun's explanation of the dangers, and after a moment of thought, he said to Hongjun, "Even if my dragon clan is willing to give up, the phoenix clan will not give up. This battle is inevitable."
"If we win, we will take over the primordial world. If we lose, our entire clan will be driven to the desolate lands by the Phoenix Clan. Away from the primordial world and the four seas, children will not receive resources, their cultivation will be difficult to advance, and the clan will become food for the animals."
The Dragon Clan has its own considerations. The Phoenix Clan has too many people, and the Dragon Clan is no less so. Their cultivation resources are scarce, so they are determined to expand outwards. As for controlling reproduction, they haven't even considered it; that would be the extermination of their natural instincts—too cruel.
Dragons are one of the Phoenix Clan's food recipes. Eating a few dragons can greatly increase one's cultivation level. How could the Phoenix Clan let go of meat that is already in their mouths?
In the eyes of the Phoenix Clan, the Dragon Clan and its affiliated clans are merely food for the dragons, and their rebellion is utterly absurd.
Everyone has their own perspective, and it's hard to persuade a damned ghost with kind words. If Hongjun hadn't gotten himself into this mess, he wouldn't have bothered making this trip.
He made a routine trip to the Phoenix Clan and the Qilin Clan, but unexpectedly, the Ancestral Phoenix completely misunderstood Hongjun's purpose.
Zu Fengzhi looked Hongjun up and down with a smug expression. This was the one from the Zulong Sect who came to make peace.
“Go back to the Ancestral Dragon and tell him that if the Dragon Clan withdraws from the Four Seas, acknowledges that my Phoenix Clan is the overlord of the primordial world, submits to the Phoenix Clan, and behaves itself, I may not be unable to let the Dragon Clan go.”
The Phoenix Clan has never taken the Dragon Clan seriously. The Dragon Clan is just a casual snack for the Phoenix Clan, something to be enjoyed occasionally. But the Dragon Clan has actually gathered a bunch of shrimp soldiers and crab generals to declare war on the Phoenix Clan. They've gone too far!
Hongjun frowned, realizing that there was no point in saying more, and said no more. He told the Phoenix Clan to go ahead with their plans.
Hongjun decided not to try to mediate anymore and instead focused his energy on Luo Hou, searching everywhere for his whereabouts. As long as Luo Hou was sealed away to prevent him from using this as a means to attain enlightenment, no matter how much the three races caused trouble, the Heavenly Dao would not care. Even if they were all wiped out, at least they could replenish the spiritual energy of the world.
"Hongjun, don't waste your energy. You can't do anything to me, and I can't do anything to you. Why don't we part ways and not interfere with each other?" Luo Hou was flexible and adaptable, and he was getting annoyed by Hongjun's constant pursuit.
Although our strength has been steadily increasing and all the necessary efforts have been made, it is always a great pity that we cannot witness it firsthand.
Hongjun also realized this. He still didn't have enough chips in his hand. The God-Slaying Spear and the Four Swords of Immortal Slaughter were all extremely dangerous weapons. He needed an overwhelming weapon.
After taking stock of my personal collection, I realized that quality is more important than quantity. The only items I can proudly display are the Pangu Banner, the Taiji Diagram, the Golden Lotus of Merit, and the Qiankun Cauldron.
He needed an indestructible and easily controllable treasure to block Rahu's attacks for a moment, buy him time, and cut off Rahu's path to enlightenment.
After a moment of contemplation, Hongjun decided to borrow the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda from the Three Pure Ones, hoping they would be willing to lend it to him.
Hongjun had no hope, but he still went to Kunlun Mountain.
………………
"Second Brother, you're back. Did you manage to get it?" Tongtian greeted him, his enthusiasm unusually high ever since he learned that Chang Hao was the one in trouble.
“No.” The weary Yuan Shi replied succinctly, his eyes revealing his exhaustion.
"Take me with you next time, two is better than one." Tongtian muttered to himself as he followed behind Yuanshi.
Yuan Shi suddenly stopped in his tracks. "A guest has arrived?"
"Yes, my elder brother is entertaining the visitor in the quiet room," Tongtian said, his playful expression turning serious. "This person is unfathomable and has ill intentions. My elder brother is just getting rid of him."
Yuan Shi understood, nodded slightly, and turned to go to the quiet room.
The description "unfathomable" immediately conjured up the image of Rahu in Yuanshi's mind, and hatred welled up in his heart.
quiet room
Lao Tzu was playing the tai chi card, hoping the visitor would back down. Just kidding, how could the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda be lent out so easily?
"I urge you to consider this carefully, fellow Daoist. The danger posed by Rahu will inevitably affect you. There is absolutely no way you can stay in your cave and passively avoid the world." Hongjun is determined to obtain the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda on this trip. If the Three Pure Ones do not listen to his kind words, he will have no choice but to take it by force, and at worst, he will give some compensation afterward.
Lao Tzu relaxed; Yuan Shi had returned, that was good.
"Fellow Daoist, I will be frank. The pagoda cannot be lent out. It is the foundation upon which the Three Pure Ones stand. Fellow Daoist, please return."
Laozi's attitude changed from its previous tough stance, and Hongjun knew that someone must have arrived.
As expected, a handsome and peerless figure appeared, and Hongjun was prepared to suppress him with force.
"I'll lend it to you," Yuan Shi surprisingly agreed without hesitation.
Hongjun raised an eyebrow, "Fellow Daoist, you are deeply righteous. Hongjun is concerned for all living beings in the primordial world..."
"Wait, don't thank me yet, I have conditions." Yuanshi raised his hand to stop Hongjun from finishing his sentence.
Lao Tzu remained calm and said, "Second brother, you're confused."
What conditions would be worth gambling with the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda?
"Fellow Daoist, please speak." Hongjun was prepared for a major hemorrhage.
"I want you, fellow Daoist, to personally impart your Daoist teachings, to explain the realms and cultivation methods after the Great Luo realm, and not to deceive or conceal anything from me, so that my two brothers and I may achieve the same level as you, fellow Daoist." Having suffered from his lack of strength, Yuanshi began to crave power.
Without strength, even the best magical treasures cannot save one's life, let alone protect others. Yuanshi never wanted to experience that helplessness again.
“I can agree,” Hongjun thought to himself, realizing that this was his opportunity. “In fact, I am willing to take three fellow Daoists as my personal disciples and help you attain the supreme fruit.”
Taking on disciples to pass on his teachings is the best way to maintain his clear mind and preserve his true nature; there is no more suitable candidate than the Three Pure Ones.
Yuanshi's expression was calm as he pondered the pros and cons.
Tongtian was unconvinced, "What makes you think you're worthy of being the master of the Three Pure Ones?"
Hongjun smiled and said noncommittally, "Fellow Daoist has been stuck at the peak of the Great Luo realm for a long time. Do you know what realms are above the Great Luo realm?"
“This…” Tongtian touched the tip of his nose. If he knew, he wouldn’t be at a loss.
“I can tell you that above the Great Luo is the Quasi-Saint, above the Quasi-Saint is the Saint, and above the Saint is the Great Dao Saint.” Hongjun looked around at the three of them and slowly said, “I can also tell you that below the Quasi-Saint, the Great Luo are all ants, and below the Saint are all Quasi-Saints.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the Three Pure Ones gasped in shock. In Hongjun's eyes, they were nothing but ants!
"So that's how it is." Yuanshi's eyes darkened, his last glimmer of hope vanished, and he hated Luo Hou to the core.
"To lend or not to lend?" Hongjun asked finally.
Laozi glanced at his two younger brothers, gritted his teeth, and said, "Borrow."
Fellow Daoist Hongjun's words were clearly laid out before the Three Pure Ones, a threat, an enticement, and a mutual exploitation; they had no other choice.
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