Chapter 11: Ascending Kunlun, Three Matters

Before this, he had only just returned from Buzhou Mountain to the Firecloud Immortal Palace, and now, so soon, he found himself making the journey again.

High above, a streak of light paused; Hongyun halted in midair, his expression solemn as he bowed from afar toward Buzhou Mountain.

As he sensed the distant outline of Buzhou Mountain taking shape, a tremor ran through his heart.

The pressure emanating from Buzhou Mountain remained as intense as ever. Though it affected him only slightly, simply being in its presence was enough to make one feel it.

He was but a drop in the ocean of this vast world.

Since the moment he remembered—since taking form atop Buzhou Mountain—he had always held this mountain in awe.

If one were to trace the roots of all things, Buzhou Mountain was the very spine of Pangu the Great. The Three Pure Ones were his primordial spirit, the Twelve Ancestor Witches were formed from twelve drops of Pangu’s blood, and as for himself, he was born from Pangu’s blood fused with the remnant of his divine soul, gestating within the world before coming into being.

Yet Hongyun had always been discreet and never spoke much of these things.

Moreover, as the very first cloud of the primordial world, most great immortals simply believed he inherited the legacy of the Cloud God-Demon, unaware of the deeper truths.

Not only was this little known, but even fewer understood why the first cloud in the world was crimson.

It was nearly time.

He felt a subtle resonance within himself. Rather than advance further, he summoned a patch of auspicious cloud, sat down upon it, and decided to wait.

Rather than seeking out those within, he would wait here for them to come.

...

A thunderous roar echoed from the outskirts of Buzhou Mountain after Hongyun had sat in quiet meditation for seven days.

With that sound, a Kui Ox strode forth from the void itself, heading straight for him.

The creature’s single leg tapped the air, and with each step, a cloud materialized beneath its hoof to bear its weight.

Two immortal cranes circled joyfully around it, calling out in delight.

When it was still hundreds of miles away, the Kui Ox slowed its pace, but in just a few steps, it arrived before Hongyun.

“Greetings, Patriarch Hongyun.”

The Kui Ox stood still, the two cranes landing on its shoulders, both bowing in unison to Hongyun.

After speaking, the Kui Ox did not rise but instead prostrated itself even lower.

“By the command of the Three Lords, I have come to invite you to Kunlun for a meeting.”

Hongyun sensed the curiosity in the cranes’ eyes but paid it no mind. Seeing the Kui Ox’s respectful posture, he understood perfectly and smiled with a nod.

“Lead the way. You have already attained the level of a Great Luo, and perhaps one day you will glimpse what lies beyond. The day you become my peer, there will be no need for such courtesy.”

Beyond Great Luo...

The Kui Ox’s eyes filled with awe, and a shiver ran through his heart. This Patriarch Hongyun was truly formidable!

He had only heard of Hongyun’s benevolence spreading throughout the world, but now he realized the patriarch had almost seen through his deepest secrets.

He knew his own situation: the legacy he had obtained from a primordial god-demon, ever shunned by the world, which he had quietly refined over countless eons.

By his own abilities, he could at best aspire to the highest level of Great Luo, and all his fortune lay in that legacy—how could he not be unsettled?

Though he knew Hongyun had not uncovered his true nature, he could not help but be shaken.

“In that case, please, Patriarch Hongyun, allow me to bear you on clouds to Kunlun!”

Without waiting for a response, the Kui Ox began to act. In his mind, Hongyun’s power was surely a match for his own three lords.

...

Carried deep into Buzhou Mountain, Hongyun drifted through the skies, passing by many living beings along the way—creatures who, seeing him above, gazed on in fear.

Within Buzhou Mountain, only a Golden Immortal or higher would dare such boldness.

After many winding turns, Buzhou Mountain gradually faded from view, replaced by the looming majesty of Kunlun.

Hongyun extended his senses and was amazed to find not a trace of calamity in this place. He kept his curiosity to himself.

“Ha ha ha! Have you come to answer fate’s call, old friend?”

As the Kui Ox led Hongyun through a great array and the view opened up ahead, a hearty laugh rang out—Shangqing Daoist was already there to greet him.

Seeing this, Hongyun hurried to rise, his face bright with smiles.

“Indeed, as the saying goes: ‘With fate, we meet in this vast land; without it, we pass like strangers.’ I have crossed half the world to seize this encounter.”

“Excellent—most excellent! I have known of this destined meeting. Eldest brother foresaw it eighty thousand years ago. Knowing you would come, I left seclusion and ordered the disciples to sweep the palace gates. Even so, I have waited long for you to arrive.”

He spoke lightly, waving a hand to send the Kui Ox and cranes away, and led Hongyun deeper within.

“Please, come with me. Eldest brother is in seclusion refining a batch of elixirs, but he should be finished soon. Second brother is already waiting in the main hall—all that’s left is to discuss this fated meeting with you.”

To foresee things eighty thousand years in advance—such skill! The Taiqing Daoist must be close to glimpsing the realm beyond Great Luo.

If it were a matter concerning ordinary immortals, none could escape such calculations, even across several kalpas. But if it involved Great Luo...

Hongyun’s face betrayed nothing, but inwardly he mused: Truly, the orthodox lineage of Pangu is blessed above all others.

...

Entering through the gates of Kunlun, Hongyun stepped into the immortal realm. With a single stride, he and Shangqing Daoist arrived in the Golden Hall of Kunlun.

The moment he entered, Yuqing Daoist, seated cross-legged upon a cloud-bed, opened his eyes, a jade light flashing within them.

“Daoist Hongyun, it has been a while. I trust you have been well.”

With those words, he pointed a finger, and a cloud-bed appeared beneath Hongyun, slowly rising to bear him up.

Hongyun said nothing more, nodding slightly before sitting upon the cloud-bed.

Once all were seated, Shangqing Daoist took his place as well. The three sat in silence for a time before Yuqing Daoist spoke.

“I wonder, old friend, what brings you to answer fate’s call?”

“One does not come to Kunlun without cause. My visit concerns three matters.”

He raised three fingers, seeing both Yuqing and Shangqing turn their gaze upon him.

“First, to discuss the Way. Second, to seek common ground. Third, to speak of calamity.”

To discuss the Way, seek common ground, and speak of calamity?

Hearing this, Yuqing and Shangqing Daoists each began to divine the matter with their arts.

After some time, they opened their eyes and exchanged long looks, both left with lingering doubts.

Yuqing Daoist pondered, then spoke slowly:

“Discussion of the Way is well and good, and seeking common ground is clear enough. But as for speaking of calamity... we would ask you to explain.”

As Great Luo Golden Immortals born of the dawn of time, they had witnessed the first Dragon-Han Calamity and well understood the crucial nature of tribulations and immeasurable calamities. There seemed little else to say on the matter.

When calamity arrived, one simply closed the mountain gates. That was what the three brothers had done the last time.

Hongyun, eyes closed, attuned his senses for a moment, then gently shook his head.

“No hurry. Let us wait for Taiqing Daoist to arrive before I speak further.”