Volume I: The Lich Cataclysm – 230: Supreme Laozi Offers Enlightenment, the Three Pure Ones Attain the Dao Together

Having already met with their two younger brothers and bestowed upon them precious magical artifacts, Tai Shang looked at Yuan Shi and Tong Tian with a complex expression.

Seeing this, the two brothers asked, "Eldest brother, pray tell us of your path to enlightenment."

"It would be my pleasure!"

Tai Shang began his account, starting from his departure from Kunlun, his journey to the shores of the Eastern Sea, and his ten-thousand-year observation and contemplation of the human race. Finally, he recounted how he had created the Great Dao of the Golden Elixir.

As they listened to Tai Shang’s words, Yuan Shi and Tong Tian suddenly fell into a state of profound epiphany. The laws and rhythmic vibrations of the Great Dao permeated their bodies, and their auras began to rise steadily. Such a phenomenon occurring on Mount Kunlun could not be hidden from the countless powerful beings of the Primordial World.

"Could it be that the Three Pure Ones of Kunlun are preparing to attain sainthood together?"

This thought crossed the minds of countless powerful beings, and many were stunned by the sheer magnitude of the possibility. As Tong Tian and Yuan Shi emerged from their epiphany, Tai Shang suddenly spoke in a sharp, resonant tone: "If not now, when shall you attain the Dao?"

With a sweep of his whisk, he directed a surge of energy toward them, and the two brothers felt as if they had been struck by divine inspiration.

Yuan Shi immediately manifested the Myriad Heavens Celebration Clouds above his head and declared, "Heavenly Dao above! I, Yuqing Yuan Shi of Kunlun, observing the difficulties faced by the living beings of the Primordial World in their cultivation, hereby establish a sect! It shall be named the 'Chan Sect,' signifying the elucidation of truth. All those with superior talent, origin, and extraordinary aptitude may join my lineage! The Chan Sect is established!"

"I use the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Pangu Banner, and the Heavenly Treasure, the Myriad Heavens Celebration Clouds, to suppress the fortune of the Chan Sect. May the Heavenly Dao bear witness!"

As his voice fell, three figures appeared before him and merged into his primordial spirit. His aura instantly surged past the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm, reaching the realm of a Sage. Boundless fortune gathered upon him, firmly anchored by the Pangu Banner and the Celebration Clouds. At that moment, a unique aura quietly emerged from Tai Shang, linking directly to Yuan Shi.

Sensing the change, Yuan Shi spoke again: "Heavenly Dao above! I, Yuqing Yuan Shi, have attained sainthood. I use the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Hunyuan Order Wheel, and the Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Three-Treasure Jade Ruyi, to suppress my own fortune!"

Following this proclamation, his aura surged once more, breaking through the early stage of sainthood to reach the middle stage—standing just on the threshold of the fifth level of the Hunyuan Daluo. Having achieved this, he stepped aside.

Tong Tian stepped forward and made his declaration: "Heavenly Dao above! I, Shangqing Tong Tian, feeling the hardships of the living beings, hereby establish a sect named the 'Jie Sect.' It signifies the 'cutting off' of destiny; I shall cut a path of destiny for all living beings. My sect shall accept all without discrimination, bestowing blessings upon all! The Jie Sect is established!"

"I use the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Chaos Bell, and the Immortal Execution Sword Formation to suppress the fortune of the Jie Sect. May the Heavenly Dao bear witness!"

As before, massive amounts of fortune converged upon him, and three figures merged into his primordial spirit. His aura broke through the Quasi-Saint peak into the early stage of sainthood. Once again, a strange aura linked him to Tai Shang and Yuan Shi.

"Heavenly Dao above! I, Tong Tian, shall use the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Hunyuan Heavenly Mystery Defense Tower, and the Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Azure Lotus Sword, to suppress my own fortune."

As he spoke, his aura broke through the early stage of sainthood, matching Yuan Shi’s level, and stopped only upon reaching the middle stage of the Hunyuan Daluo.

Unknown to the outside world, as the Three Pure Ones attained sainthood, their fortunes and auras became nearly perfectly unified. Within the Three Pure Ones’ Ethereal Realm, hidden from external view, three figures identical to the brothers reached a terrifying level of power.

"Alas, still unable to fully succeed," sighed Shangqing as the three sat in a special formation. "It seems this Sage realm is ultimately borrowed from the Heavenly Dao; it does not represent our true, independent strength."

"This is already excellent news for us," another replied. "As long as we contemplate with diligence, one day we shall reach that level on our own. And now, with the insights of true Sages, our progress will be even faster!"

In truth, the three figures within the Ethereal Realm were the true selves of the Three Pure Ones. Those on Mount Kunlun were merely the "Obsession Corpses" cut by their respective Innate Supreme Treasures. Their method of "corpse-slaying" had been altered, and having fully mastered the art of "One Qi Transforming into Three Pure Ones," they were able to make the false seem real. Because the Primordial Violet Qi had fused entirely with their Obsession Corpses during their initial cultivation, this was the only path to sainthood available to them. Thus, the true selves were essentially practicing an alternative path of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal, using the status of Sages to better contemplate the laws of the Great Dao.

The Primordial World was in an uproar. "Who would have thought the Three Pure Ones were hiding so much? They attained sainthood with complete Three-Corpse manifestations; even without merging them, their strength is not to be underestimated."

Nüwa was the most resentful. Though she had been the first to attain sainthood, she now found her strength lagging behind the Three Pure Ones.

Upon hearing that Tong Tian was using the Chaos Bell to suppress his sect's fortune, Tai Yi nearly lost control of his temper.

"Tai Yi! Stay calm!" Di Jun warned sharply.

Tai Yi suppressed his rage. The Three Pure Ones were already Sages; what good would questioning them do? Besides, Tong Tian had not snatched the bell from him directly. Even if Nüwa were to intervene, the sheer array of Innate Supreme Treasures held by the Three Pure Ones was enough to make everyone else keep their ambitions in check.

On Mount Sumeru, Jie Yin and Zhun Ti watched the proceedings.

"Senior brother, the Three Pure Ones have all attained sainthood. We cannot fall behind!" Zhun Ti stared at Jie Yin with a strange expression. "And why do they possess so many Innate Supreme Treasures? Why do our Teacher and the Daoist Qing Xuan favor them so much? Is the West so unwelcome that we are not worthy of being granted even a single Innate Supreme Treasure?"

Jie Yin replied calmly, "Junior brother, guard your speech! Magical artifacts are ultimately external objects. While they provide a boost in strength, one must rely on one's own power in the end. You are becoming obsessed."

Yet, deep down, was Jie Yin truly indifferent? Perhaps only he knew the truth of his own thoughts.

"But..."