Volume One: The Calamity of the Lich 151 The Mystery of the Crimson Cloud, the Enigma of the Purple Aura

“You’re only worried about Zhen Yuanzi! Do you really think I can’t see through that? But have you considered that you should understand the truth before making any decisions?”
“Or do you actually believe you’re so powerful that no one can sway you? You must understand—even someone like myself holds reverence for all things. One cannot simply act on whim!”
Hearing Qing Xuan’s words, Red Cloud was shaken to the core. He gazed blankly at the group, a faint sense of shame rising within him, unsure how to face them.
At that moment, Zhen Yuanzi, who had fused his space completely with the earth, arrived behind Qing Xuan.
“Master, Red Cloud didn’t mean any harm—he only acted out of kindness.”
Zhen Yuanzi quietly reminded Qing Xuan, clearly hoping he would not be too harsh with Red Cloud.
“Do you think I don’t know that? But by acting this way, you may not help him at all, and could instead push him to the brink!”
Zhen Yuanzi was struck by the words, falling silent with a faint realization.
“Zhen Yuanzi, since you’re fine, I’ll head back first.”
Red Cloud, his face full of dejection, turned to leave as soon as he finished speaking.
“Red Cloud!” Zhen Yuanzi called out instinctively.
But Qing Xuan interjected swiftly, “Enough, this is the time you should let him calm down.”
With that, Qing Xuan called Red Cloud back and tossed him several jade bottles, while three beams of crimson light sank directly into his soul.
“Senior, what are you…”
Red Cloud looked at Qing Xuan, his mood complicated.
“Enough. Each matter should be handled separately. Since you and my disciple have crossed paths, I truly don’t want anything to happen to you that might hinder him instead.
Whether you can seize this opportunity depends on your own fortune.”
Qing Xuan paid him no more mind; his intervention was already a considerable limit.
Red Cloud glanced at Zhen Yuanzi and the others, then transformed into a sky full of crimson clouds and swiftly departed.
After Red Cloud left, Zhen Yuanzi turned to Qing Xuan with gratitude.
“Master, thank you!”
“Enough. If you can spare me some worry, that’s already quite good.”
Qing Xuan replied indifferently.
Yang Mei, however, kept frowning as he watched Red Cloud’s departure.
“Yang Mei, is there something amiss?”
Qing Xuan, curious about Yang Mei’s reaction, asked.

“Of course there’s something amiss. By rights, this fellow, being the first innate Red Cloud, should symbolize auspiciousness! But…”
Qing Xuan spoke up.
“No wonder! But Yang Mei, doesn’t red also represent bloodshed?”
“That’s precisely what puzzles me further. There’s a sense of discord here, yet I can’t pin down why! Strange, truly strange!”
Yang Mei shook his head, unable to figure it out, so he set it aside.
Listening to his master and Yang Mei, Zhen Yuanzi was even more confused.
“Enough, let’s have a look at this newly established blessed land.”
The three of them entered the space of the Blessed Land of Longevity Mountain together.
Now, the space was several times larger than the original mountain range.
“Disciple, you must nurture these earth veins well. Someday, they will be of great benefit to you and this blessed land.”
Qing Xuan pointed to the spiritual veins within the land, instructing Zhen Yuanzi.
“Bearing all five elements—it’s rare indeed. Truly a remarkable opportunity.”
Yang Mei chimed in, offering his own advice.
They said no more, leaving Zhen Yuanzi to comprehend as much as he could.
Cultivation, in the end, depends on oneself. The master opens the door, but each must walk their own path; it’s not mere words.
“This place is marvelous—not only is the spiritual energy many times richer, but the space has been expanded. When I return, I’ll remodel my own domain in this fashion.”
Yang Mei had no idea that his casual remark would make Qing Xuan burst out laughing.
“Haha! How did I not think of that? Thank you, Yang Mei, your words have enlightened me!”
Yang Mei was puzzled, looking at Qing Xuan, but Qing Xuan said nothing more.
Perhaps he would know in time.
Yang Mei did not realize how much opportunity his words had brought Qing Xuan.
“Now that this place has expanded so much, it feels quite empty.”
With a wave of his hand, Qing Xuan scattered countless spiritual roots throughout the blessed land.
At the same time, Zhen Yuanzi, as the master, noticed the land stabilize much more.
It would save him much time; with this foundation, the future was unimaginable.
“Master, this…”
Staring at the abundance of spiritual roots, Zhen Yuanzi was at a loss for words.

“You needn’t be so formal with him. Don’t you know your master was once called the Sage of Spiritual Roots in the Great Wilderness?”
Yang Mei teased Qing Xuan, though Qing Xuan paid it no mind.
While Zhen Yuanzi and the others admired the new blessed land,
Kunlun Mountain, Supreme Hall!
“Eldest brother, when shall we go to Buzhou Mountain to seek out that senior?”
“Enough, third brother. Since our return, you’ve asked me countless times!”
Yu Qing Yuan Shi turned to Tong Tian with displeasure in his tone.
“Enough, second brother. Don’t be vexed with Tong Tian; he doesn’t mean any harm.”
Among the three, Taiqing Laozi and Yuan Shi had both obtained innate treasures, but Tong Tian only secured a wondrous item comparable to an innate treasure—
but it was incomplete, which naturally made Tong Tian anxious.
Especially since they knew exactly where the missing piece was.
“But eldest brother, that senior isn’t easy to approach. Why would he give third brother the missing item?”
“Never mind, eldest brother. I’ve troubled you both too much. I’ll think it over myself.”
Tong Tian bid them farewell and departed.
“Eldest brother, look at Tong Tian—he doesn’t even treat us as brothers anymore!”
“Enough, Yuan Shi. Third brother is only concerned about the sword array. Why fuss?”
Taiqing saw through Yuan Shi’s veiled jibes at Tong Tian, but he chose not to comment. His own Dao emphasized tranquility and non-action.
In the end, Yuan Shi left as well, leaving Laozi alone. He sighed as he watched them go, then closed his eyes to study the primal purple energy within his soul once more.
But no matter how he researched, he could not unlock its secrets.
He only knew that the primal purple energy was the key to becoming a saint, but its use remained elusive.
None of them had received clarification from Hong Jun, who merely told them they would understand when the time was right.
So they could only explore on their own; he had possessed the item for countless days, yet gained nothing.
The same confusion troubled not only the Three Purities.
Heavenly Court, Nuwa Palace.
“Sister, have you gleaned anything from the purple energy?”
Fuxi asked Nuwa, who had been in seclusion for many years.