Chapter 17: Preaching the Way, Benefiting All Beings

These three truly think highly of me...

Watching the oncoming waves of attacks, Redcloud could not help but inwardly complain. With a mere thought, the rolling scarlet sands above his head began to operate the formation, diverting and dissolving the two strikes that had entered its bounds.

From the ashes scattered by the Celestial of Supreme Purity, the energies of Yin and Yang flowed, claiming unity in primordial chaos, holding Redcloud's assault at bay. Meanwhile, within the Primordial Jade Seal, a faint glow of Pure Jade revealed itself, preventing the scarlet sands from advancing further.

As the three powers collided, thunderous booms erupted; the clash of cosmic laws shattered the void into fragments, and black holes appeared where none had been. These voids, formless yet tangible, spun gently, as if drawing the spiritual energy of the Kunlun Paradise into their depths.

Having gauged the might of Redcloud’s spiritual treasure from a prior sword-flick, the Celestial of Upper Purity watched with anticipation. Yet he cared more for the safety of Kunlun than for the contest itself. Seeing the black holes devour the realm’s spiritual energy without release, he snorted coldly, raised his hand, and conjured slender streams of sword-energy from thin air. With a sweep of his robe, he sent them hurtling toward each black hole.

With a piercing screech, each black hole was annihilated under his assault, leaving only fractured space, knitting itself whole again before the naked eye.

“Clouds, omnipresent!”

Redcloud let out a low cry, spreading his Auspicious Clouds, plucking a petal from one of the Three Blossoms above his head and tossing it forward. The petal drifted downward, transforming into a mass of brilliant red cloud, which swelled and took the shape of a colossal corporeal avatar.

For the great beings of the Golden Immortal Realm, once they had refined their own celestial domain, both the avatars of the primordial spirit and the flesh would be entirely transformed. The fleshly form manifested from this blossom petal was already comparable to a minor world, rendering the arts of Supreme Purity and Pure Jade as feeble as a chick before such a manifestation.

Just then, having dealt with the bothersome, energy-devouring black holes, the Celestial of Upper Purity raised the Azure Lotus behind his back, stabilizing the membrane of Kunlun Paradise and making it temporarily unbreakable. He rose into the air, lifted his hand in a sword gesture, and, with a sweep of his sleeve, unleashed a streak of azure sword light akin to that of the Azure Lotus, shooting downward.

As the sword light fell, the Celestial of Upper Purity formed seals, and the light began to transform—one splitting to two, two to three, three to ten thousand.

Divine Art: One Sword Becomes Myriad!

This divine assault was not aimed solely at Redcloud, but encompassed his two elder brothers as well.

As a Golden Immortal, Redcloud instantly perceived the move. His Scarlet Cloud Soul-Scattering Gourd spun swiftly, swallowing the sword lights that came his way. Inside, the once-sharp energies were reduced to a tenth of their power, and the small sword within the gourd spun gracefully, shattering each strand of sword energy with ease.

As for the Celestial of Supreme Purity, he flicked his horsetail whisk, reversing the course of all sword energy and dispersing them cleanly. The Celestial of Pure Jade, meanwhile, tapped his Three-Treasure Jade Scepter, conjuring a shield to guard himself; the sword energies struck the barrier, causing only slight ripples.

“Hahaha, splendid!”

High in the heavens, the Celestial of Supreme Purity fought one against three, his laughter booming. He reached into his Auspicious Clouds and retrieved a yellow gourd, uncorked it, and drank its spiritual liquor in great gulps.

After downing more than half the gourd, his eyes grew misty with intoxication. One mouthful of wine he spat out, transforming into sharp sword-auras of liquor, fierce and unrestrained.

Yet this strike, unlike those before in the discourse, was somewhat uncontrolled and shot in all directions. Several were even aimed toward the Kunlun beings below, who listened intently to the teachings.

“Whale Concealed Swallows the Sea, Sword Energy Sweeps the Dust!”

Today’s debate by combat, it seems, must end here. Still, this Celestial of Upper Purity is truly forthright. That gourd must be the one we divided together at Mount Buzhou, and he uses it now to hold wine...

Seeing this, Redcloud sighed quietly, defending himself with his arts, and raised a hand to summon a transparent, gauzy cloth adorned with cloud patterns, tossing it outward.

No common item, this was one of Redcloud’s most cherished treasures, nurtured across countless cycles: the Hidden Spirit Cloud Veil!

As the Kunlun beings below watched in confusion, the veil unfurled above their heads like a canopy, blocking the sword arts completely before shrinking back into his sleeve.

Redcloud noticed that both the Celestial of Supreme Purity and Pure Jade were now looking his way, their expressions subtly changed. He paid it no mind and gazed upward at the Celestial of Upper Purity.

“Come down, my friend. This exchange has run its course.”

“Hm?”

The Celestial of Upper Purity paused, the exhilaration fading from his face. Soon he sensed the threads of causality, and with a brief calculation, understood what had transpired. The effects of the wine dissipated by half.

Returning to the cloud platform as if nothing had happened, he found both his elder brothers watching him. After a moment’s thought, his form vanished on the spot.

“Haha, it just occurred to me—I have an embryonic innate treasure to refine. I’ll take my leave now.”

Watching him go, the Celestial of Supreme Purity was briefly stunned, but soon composed himself and turned to Redcloud with a faint, apologetic smile.

“This debate must have seemed laughable to you, my friend.”

“It’s nothing. Upper Purity is simply true to himself,” Redcloud replied with a light chuckle and a shake of the head. Seeing that the others had lost interest, he too felt the urge to depart.

But then, glimpsing the fervor for the Way still burning in the hearts of the Kunlun beings below, he sighed softly at the hardship of seeking the Dao.

Never mind, let this be like a game of chess played at leisure—a move made in passing.

With this thought, he reseated himself, saying, “Friends, I see those below are still eager to seek the Way. Why not remain and lecture a while longer?”

The Celestial of Supreme Purity glanced downward, nodded gently, then vanished together with Pure Jade.

“My friend, please continue as you wish. I have gained what I sought and will take my leave.”

Left alone upon the cloud platform, Redcloud saw the expectant faces of the beings below. He settled himself once more, spreading his Auspicious Clouds, the Three Blossoms faintly revealed, the rhythm of the Dao flowing about him.

“The way of Heaven and Earth begins with clouds. Clouds are born of wind, formless yet shaping all beings. Clouds descend as rain, falling nowhere yet nourishing all life...”

He lectured for two thousand years, from the realm of Earthly Immortals up to the Golden Immortal of Supreme Excellence, and then ceased.

Watching the entranced faces of the Kunlun beings, he sighed quietly, raised his hand in a gesture, and a vision arose in the heavens of Kunlun: spiritual energy condensed into clouds and fell as a gentle spiritual rain.

Just as he was about to rise and depart, he paused, his eyes brightening with joy.

Dots of golden light emerged around the Kunlun beings, gathering drop by drop toward him...