Chapter 18: One Out of Three
As the faint aura of merit began to manifest, the consciousness of the Three Pure Ones, who had long since departed, turned their attention here, their hearts stirred by surprise before they realized the truth. The Kui Ox, who had been guarding the myriad beings of Kunlun, widened its eyes in contemplation upon witnessing this scene.
This was among the greatest rewards bestowed upon true cultivators in the primordial world: Primordial Merit.
Hongyun’s sermon had blessed those who sought the Dao within the Kunlun Immortal Realm, moving the Heavenly Dao to grant merit.
Merit, as it was called, served many purposes. It could be used to comprehend the Dao, refine treasures, protect oneself, temper the body, and seek fortune—indeed, it could substitute for any of these. To draw a vivid analogy, it was like the universal fragments one used for synthesis when collecting cards.
Hongyun sensed the merit converging upon him, caught off guard that his idle move had so quickly repaid itself.
As the merit drifted away from the myriad beings of Kunlun and floated toward him, he suddenly noticed his vision growing dim; the familiar heat and chill resurfaced, and the once dull stars in his eyes outlined connections as if sketching a grand formation.
When his spiritual platform cleared once more, he gazed at the merit surging toward him. Its color was no longer golden, but had turned pitch-black.
The aura emanating from these merits resembled that of tribulation objects, yet was entirely opposite.
Moreover, as the merits drew closer, Hongyun saw that each strand bore a mark unique to him.
Before Hongyun could react, his eyes drew in all the merit with a powerful suction.
Once absorbed, the merit passed through the colossal eye suspended in the heavens, then poured into a vortex he had never noticed before.
This vortex...
Hongyun focused on the faint pull emanating from it, his heart tightening. Before he could regain composure, a thought unfolded in his sea of consciousness.
Knowing this was not the place to scrutinize these changes, Hongyun forcibly withdrew his mind, sent a distant message to the Three Pure Ones, and finally nodded to the Kui Ox before his form gradually faded from the Kunlun Immortal Realm.
He left?
The Three Pure Ones had not expected Hongyun to depart so decisively after receiving the primordial merit, yet his simplicity was admirable. They refrained from further speculation and quietly pondered the experience.
The Three Pure Ones had debated the Dao many times, and were accustomed to it; yet this discourse with Hongyun had granted them much insight.
Though it was difficult to advance further in cultivation, their understanding of the Dao continued to deepen.
...
Hongyun exited the Kunlun Immortal Realm, casting one last glance at the membrane barrier of the immortal domain, silently praising the fortune of the Three Pure Ones.
Recalling the figure who had once aided him within the immortal realm, his expression grew solemn. He straightened his robes and, guided by his intuition, bowed respectfully from afar toward a distant mountain peak.
---
When he raised his head, his expression hardened and he became guarded: he suddenly realized he was no longer in his previous position, uncertain when he had been moved or by what means.
“I knew I hadn’t misjudged—things have truly changed.”
Just as he gathered his Dao, a voice sounded in his ear, startling him.
“Indeed, everything has changed. How fascinating, infinite variables have arisen.”
With these words, two figures gradually appeared within Hongyun’s consciousness.
One was a colossal dragon, coiled upon the earth, its eyes half-closed as it regarded him.
The other was a Daoist in a dark yellow robe, his hair gathered with an ink-black hairpin, hands folded behind his back, his face filled with curiosity.
Upon sensing these two presences, Hongyun understood—they had always been before him, yet only when he became aware could he perceive them. He was astonished.
These two... both surpassed the Grand Luo realm!
With this realization, he hurriedly bowed as before:
“Junior Hongyun greets the esteemed elders.”
“Young one, you are indeed clever.”
The Daoist stared at Hongyun for a while, then suddenly raised his hand and produced a large crimson gourd.
He examined it closely, tapped it lightly, and returned it casually.
“So this is your strongest treasure?”
He smiled, clapping his hands with an air of detachment:
“I fear that with this treasure, you will find it hard to reach the pinnacle in the primordial world.”
Hmm?
Hongyun, hearing these words, was stirred in spirit. He cared little for the mysterious means employed, and his posture grew even more respectful:
“May the elder instruct me.”
“Instruct you?”
The Daoist did not look at Hongyun, instead gazing at the sky. In his eyes, the river of time and space seemed to flicker.
He traced its upper stream, pursuing it backward, sidestepping the moment of the Purple Palace with a frown, then continued tracing all the way to the opening of heaven and earth, the source of the primordial world.
His expression grew solemn, and he uttered a soft “hmm,” then looked downstream, observing each branching path in turn. After an unknown period, he suddenly grunted.
---
He glanced sidelong at the dragon, noting the amusement deep within its eyes. Unperturbed, he turned his gaze back to Hongyun, as if seeking to see him through:
“If you wish me to instruct you, you must promise that when I seek you in the future, you will help me accomplish one task. Are you willing?”
I wish I could refuse, but do I have a choice...
Hongyun sighed inwardly, feeling a new constraint, but still tried to resist:
“As long as the task does not violate my Dao heart, I am willing. But this cause and effect…”
The Daoist’s eyes showed approval:
“Rest assured, this matter does not fall within the primordial cause and effect.”
Beyond cause and effect!
Hongyun was stunned, unsure whether to rejoice or worry.
He knew things could transcend the primordial world and the five elements, but to escape even cause and effect was beyond his understanding.
This only meant the matter was even more extraordinary.
The Daoist paid no heed to Hongyun’s expression, stroking his beard with a proud air:
“I possess a scroll of scripture—comprehend the laws of the Dao and the cosmos, witness the changes of chaos and the primordial world, and transform to become a sage;
I possess a spiritual treasure—suppress the fortune of heaven and earth, command the ages;
I possess a set of insights—directly point to the realm of Hunyuan Grand Luo Golden Immortal, transcendence and sainthood.
Among these three, you may choose one. Which will it be?”
Which will it be? How could I not...
Hongyun stopped himself, took a deep breath, and spoke solemnly:
“If I may choose, I would select the spiritual treasure.”
“Do you look down upon my scripture and insights?”
The Daoist seemed to have anticipated this answer, his gaze sharp as lightning, probing deep into Hongyun’s heart.