Chapter 19: Return to the Purple Cloud Palace

That day, just as Bai Jing had finished loosening his muscles and bones, Kuafu approached and said, "Senior Bai Jing, the ancestral wizards have requested your presence at the Pangu Hall."

Bai Jing followed Kuafu to the Pangu Hall.

"It seems you all already have an answer," Bai Jing said with a smile.

Emperor Jiang spoke without preamble, "Our tribe of wizards would never submit beneath the demon clan. If the demons declare war upon us to vie for the fortune of destiny, we wizards would not hesitate to confront them."

"So, the wizard clan is placing their hope on the path of humanity?" Bai Jing asked.

Emperor Jiang shook his head. "Our tribe is born to absorb malevolent energy and clear the earth’s veins. Protecting the earth’s path is the sacred duty left to us by the Father Pangu. As the true descendants of Pangu, we would never abandon this responsibility. Therefore, we choose the path of the earth.

From this day forward, the twelve ancestral wizards will take turns leading our people to the primeval land to clear the earth’s veins, seeking to revive the earth’s path."

"Such noble resolve," Bai Jing remarked.

Emperor Jiang waved his hand dismissively. "Nonsense about nobility. Our clan clears the earth’s veins not for the sake of all beings in the primeval world, but for Father Pangu himself."

"I believe that deeds matter more than intent. The clearing benefits all beings in the primeval world, and that is an objective fact," Bai Jing replied.

Emperor Jiang clearly wished to avoid further debate on this matter. He waved his hand again. "Enough, enough! Brother Bai Jing, aren’t you supposed to attend the sermon of that old man Hongjun at the Purple Cloud Palace with my sister? It’s almost time to leave."

Bai Jing nodded and turned his gaze to Houtu.

Houtu gave a slight nod in return, and the two departed the Pangu Hall together for the Purple Cloud Palace.

At their current pace, it would take less than a millennium to reach the palace.

They arrived neither early nor late, and by chance encountered the siblings Fuxi and Nuwa.

Last time, Bai Jing had only caught a distant glimpse of the revered mother of humanity without chance to speak, but this time the siblings approached directly.

"Greetings, Daoist Houtu, long time no see. How has Xuanying been lately?" Nuwa asked with a smile.

Bai Jing was taken aback by Nuwa’s question. She addressed Houtu formally as Daoist Houtu but called Xuanying by name—indicating a difference in familiarity.

Could it be that Nuwa and ancestral wizard Xuanying were close?

Houtu responded calmly, "Sister Xuanying is well. Recently, our tribe has been busy clearing the earth’s veins, so she hasn’t had time to attend the saint’s sermon."

Nuwa smiled knowingly. She suspected Xuanying’s absence was more because without a primordial spirit, she could not comprehend the saint’s words; Houtu’s explanation was merely to save face.

"Daoist Houtu, is this gentleman also of your wizard clan?" Nuwa shifted her gaze to Bai Jing and asked.

"You misunderstand, Daoist Nuwa. Daoist Bai Jing is not one of our clan, but a friend. Daoist Bai Jing, these are Daoist Fuxi and Daoist Nuwa," Houtu introduced.

"I am Daoist Bai Jing, pleased to meet you both," Bai Jing said.

Fuxi, adept at divination, examined Bai Jing and recognized him as a twelfth-grade Pure World White Lotus incarnation. He praised, "Daoist Bai Jing, your foundation is extraordinary!"

"I cannot compare to the profound blessings of you two," Bai Jing replied modestly.

Bai Jing chatted casually with Fuxi, while Nuwa and Houtu conversed amiably.

At that moment, Emperor Jun and Taiyi, two brothers, arrived outside the Purple Cloud Palace.

Nuwa frowned, a hint of displeasure shadowing her brow.

In recent years, Emperor Jun and Taiyi had repeatedly sought out the siblings, intent on enlisting them in the demon clan’s cause.

However, Fuxi and Nuwa had never yielded. They vividly recalled the former glory and tragic fate of the dragon, phoenix, and qilin clans in ancient times. How could they so easily join the demons?

Emperor Jun seemed oblivious to Nuwa’s displeasure and began chatting directly with Fuxi.

Bai Jing wisely took a step back, knowing that after the three lectures at the Purple Cloud Palace, he planned to seize the Eastern Azure Lotus Treasure Banner. Now was not the time to make enemies.

Unexpectedly, just as Bai Jing turned away from Fuxi, he heard someone call behind him, "Daoist Bai Jing, please wait."

He turned to find the Three Pure Ones calling him.

"Daoist Bai Jing, it has been a hundred thousand years since we parted on Penglai Immortal Island. Congratulations on your cultivation progress," Tongtian said with a smile.

Bai Jing was perplexed. He could not recall any significant interaction with the Three Pure Ones on Penglai Island. They had barely exchanged nods before. Why did they now greet him like old friends?

Following the principle of kindness to those who extend a hand, Bai Jing politely returned their greeting. "Thank you for your concern, Daoists. I have been in seclusion these years, fortunate to have made some breakthroughs, though I cannot compare to you."

"You are too modest. With your foundation, the Great Way surely lies ahead," Yuanshi Tianzun praised him warmly.

To have his foundation commended by Yuanshi Tianzun, who highly values lineage, filled Bai Jing with pride. Deep in his heart, he silently thanked the great Pangu and the primordial Azure Lotus who had granted him this foundation.

After brief pleasantries, Yuanshi Tianzun moved to the main topic. "Daoist Bai Jing, I see you have gathered many spiritual materials and ores on Penglai Immortal Island. Are you forging artifacts?"

Bai Jing suddenly understood. No wonder the Three Pure Ones sought him out—it was because of this.

Yuanshi Tianzun himself excelled in artifact forging and had gained profound insight into the Way of the Artifact after his ascension. He was likely beginning to delve into forging now.

Bai Jing would never reveal his true path to enlightenment, so he chose to follow Yuanshi Tianzun’s lead.

He nodded and said, "Indeed, I am quite interested in the Way of Artifact Forging, so I collected various spiritual materials and ores."

Yuanshi Tianzun smiled gently. "I also have some interest in artifact forging. After the saint’s sermon, would you be willing to discuss the Dao with me?"

Bai Jing had been cultivating with the fragment of the Fate Jade Disc imbued with the Way of Artifact Forging for two primordial cycles, gaining some comprehension. Though he had yet to forge anything himself, theoretical discussion was mostly about knowledge. Bai Jing was confident he could hold his own against Yuanshi Tianzun.

He nodded in agreement.

After some more conversation, the atmosphere grew warm and friendly.

At that moment, Laozi spoke, "Daoist Bai Jing, you collected numerous immortal materials and ores on Penglai Immortal Island. My second brother is short of some forging materials. I have two Nine-turn Golden Pills. Would you be willing to exchange some forging materials with me?"

"Why not?" Bai Jing said, waving his sleeve. Twenty pieces of different types of spiritual materials and ores, each infused with primordial chaos energy, appeared before Yuanshi Tianzun.

Yuanshi Tianzun’s eyes brightened at the sight. These twenty pieces were rare celestial treasures. Their intrinsic value alone surpassed that of two Nine-turn Golden Pills. Moreover, their infusion with primordial chaos made them worth even more—probably equivalent to three such pills.

The exchange was impeccable.