Volume One: Lich Cataclysm 180 — Nanming Spirit Sky, Qingxuan Arrives at Kunlun

After Qingxuan finished speaking, he led Zhen Yuanzi and the others directly into the blessed land.

“Bring out the Earth Book,” Qingxuan instructed Zhen Yuanzi.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi immediately summoned the Earth Book, and Yi Qiao, without needing a word from the others, intuitively imprinted her primordial spirit’s mark upon it.

Zhen Yuanzi noted Yi Qiao’s title within the Earth Book:

The Mansion of Southern Bright Spiritual Heaven: Flame Ancestor Yi Qiao, Spiritual Lord!

Flame Ancestor was Yi Qiao’s title among the Spiritual Clan, while the latter part reflected the honor bestowed upon her by the Earth Dao.

“Excellent, Southern Bright Spiritual Heaven! The name is fitting,” Qingxuan said warmly, gazing at the name of the blessed land inscribed in the Earth Book.

Qingxuan’s gaze then shifted to Zhen Yuanzi, and to another title in the Earth Book—one visible only to him.

Master of the Ancestral Court of Longevity Mountain, Earth Dao Sovereign, Ancestor of Earth Immortals, Zhen Yuanzi!

Though Qingxuan noticed this, he pretended not to see it, remaining calm and composed. He hadn’t expected Zhen Yuanzi to bear such a title already, nor did he know if it might change in the future.

Meanwhile, Fengming and the others turned their attention to the central region of Southern Bright Spiritual Heaven. There stood the mountain range co-created by Qingxuan and his disciple, bearing many similarities to the Undying Volcano, though with differences as well.

Unlike the Undying Volcano, which could erupt at any moment—only subdued by the primal phoenix and the divine Wutong tree—the tranquility here was unique. The spiritual energy was not only denser but purer, and at the center was a volcano, now graced by Yi Qiao’s life-bound spiritual plant: the Wutong tree.

The more Fengming observed, the more ideas formed in his mind, prompting him to address Qingxuan and his disciple.

“Dao Sovereign Qingxuan! I—”

Before he could finish, Qingxuan interrupted.

“That’s enough. I know exactly what you wish to say. This blessed land owes its smooth creation to your help. As long as the Phoenix Clan can live in harmony with Yi Qiao, you need not concern yourselves with my opinion. My disciple created this blessed land for the benefit of all living beings in the primordial world.”

Fengming replied hastily, assuring that their clan would never have any discord with Yi Qiao. Not only was Yi Qiao’s presence immensely beneficial to their cultivation, but both parties quickly reached consensus, choosing to dwell together in Southern Bright Spiritual Heaven.

Yi Qiao herself knew that the Phoenix Clan’s presence would make things much easier for her.

With these matters settled, Qingxuan and Zhen Yuanzi departed from the Undying Volcano.

---

“Master, is there anything else you need your disciple to do?” Zhen Yuanzi asked, understanding Qingxuan’s intention.

“Good! I am about to purify and reforge the Immortal Slaying Sword Array for Supreme Tongtian of Kunlun Mountain. I’m heading to Kunlun, and you shall accompany me. You may find some opportunities there,” Qingxuan said, his tone meaningful and pleased with Zhen Yuanzi’s perceptiveness.

Zhen Yuanzi, however, did not grasp the deeper meaning behind Qingxuan’s words. Kunlun, as the ancestral vein of the East, was vital to the region and to the Three Pure Ones. He didn’t believe they would easily allow him to establish a blessed land there, so the thought never crossed his mind.

Seeing Zhen Yuanzi’s naivety, Qingxuan felt a touch of disappointment.

At that moment, a mighty voice echoed in the hearts of all beings in the primordial world.

“After one hundred thousand years, the Purple Cloud Palace shall once again preach the Great Dao. All those with fate may attend!”

Instantly, countless beings stirred with excitement.

Upon hearing this, Qingxuan sighed, “It seems the era of Saints is at hand.”

Zhen Yuanzi remained oblivious to Qingxuan’s implied meaning.

On the East Sea, in a hidden place, the Three Pure Ones stood upon a strange island—though more accurately, it was a fragment of chaos, which had fallen into the primordial world to become a sizable continent.

“Elder brother, I never expected the time for the teacher’s lecture would come so soon!” Yuan Shi exclaimed, moved by Hongjun’s proclamation.

“Enough chatter; focus on gathering these materials and spiritual treasures. This may be the teacher’s last lecture, and it is crucial for us. We must not miss it,” Tai Shang admonished his brothers.

The three then unleashed their greatest powers, collecting numerous materials ideal for crafting magical artifacts. Were Qingxuan present, he would recognize many of them as rare chaotic spiritual materials.

They had originally been searching for materials, and Tongtian happened upon the East Sea, feeling a strong pull in his primordial spirit. Upon discovering the abundance of spiritual materials, he summoned his two elder brothers. Many items were unfamiliar to him, but he sensed their extraordinary value.

By the time the three finished gathering all the artifacts, ten thousand years had already passed.

---

The three prepared to return to Kunlun Mountain, unaware that Qingxuan was about to arrive there with Zhen Yuanzi.

“Oh, they’re not here!” Qingxuan, using his spatial arts to connect to Kunlun, found it shrouded in countless restrictions, a clear sign that the Three Pure Ones were absent.

Zhen Yuanzi, hearing this, thought they might have made the trip in vain.

Just as Qingxuan and Zhen Yuanzi arrived at Kunlun, Qingxuan muttered to himself. The next moment, he chuckled lightly.

“So, they went searching for materials. No wonder!”

After laughing, Qingxuan swiftly opened a spatial portal.

On the East Sea, the Three Pure Ones, just as they left the island, sensed a mysterious and obscure aura surrounding them. Instantly alert, they grasped their magical treasures, ready for battle.

A familiar voice sounded in their ears.

“Calm yourselves, it is I.”

Upon hearing this, the Three Pure Ones breathed a sigh of relief, thinking no one in the primordial world would dare attempt to harm them.

They quickly put away their treasures, and Qingxuan’s magic swept over them, pulling them into the portal.

When they regained their senses, they found themselves back in Kunlun.

Tongtian gazed in envy, thinking, “Truly, the elder’s magical powers are vast. I wonder when we will reach such heights.”

Had Qingxuan known, he would have told them: after their return from the Purple Cloud Palace lecture, it would not be long before the legendary era of Five Saints would dawn.

Yet, with Qingxuan’s repeated interventions, who could say if destiny would proceed as before?

“We’re back in Kunlun!” Yuan Shi exclaimed with emotion.

“Enough, younger brother, don’t embarrass yourself before the elder,” Tai Shang chided.

“Thank you, Elder Qingxuan!” Tai Shang then expressed his gratitude.

Tongtian and Yuan Shi quickly followed suit, thanking Qingxuan as well.