Chapter 34: Sitting and Discussing the Way

Yuanshi Tianzun took a closer look and realized that Bai Jing’s physical body had already reached the mid-stage of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes; even with the Primordial Purple Vapor assisting his enlightenment, he remained at the mid-stage of the Quasi-Saint realm, having yet to break through to the late stage.

This fellow Daoist Bai Jing, walking the path of proving the Dao through physical force, found comprehending the laws far more arduous than severing the three corpses, yet he had kept pace with his own cultivation—truly a man of extraordinary talent!

Thinking of this, Yuanshi Tianzun offered praise: "Fellow Daoist Bai Jing, it has been forty thousand years. Your comprehension of the power of the laws has become even more refined!"

Bai Jing smiled slightly. "It is but a minor improvement, nothing of note. It is the progress of you three fellow Daoists that is truly remarkable!"

The Three Pure Ones smiled without comment. Laozi was already at the late stage of the Quasi-Saint realm; he needed only to sever his obsession to reach the pinnacle. Yuanshi and Tongtian had both successfully severed their second corpses and were merely a step away from the late stage of the Quasi-Saint realm.

Given the rapid progress of the Three Pure Ones, it was evident that other great beings who had obtained the Primordial Purple Vapor were surely advancing at a similar pace.

Having severed two corpses, Nuwa must currently be seeking her own path to sainthood. Bai Jing recalled that Nuwa had not yet severed her third corpse even at the final moment of her enlightenment. This meant that her sainthood was likely not far off—perhaps in another two or three yuan hui, Nuwa would ascend.

A sense of urgency stirred within Bai Jing.

Once Nuwa attained sainthood, she would protect the human race for one yuan hui. After that period, following Laozi’s preaching to the humans, the era of the Five Saints would begin, leading to a period where the six saints would dominate the Primordial World.

Bai Jing needed to reach the seventh level of the Profound Arts and achieve physical sainthood within the next few yuan hui; otherwise, it would be difficult for him to participate in the unfolding events.

For Bai Jing, achieving physical sainthood required resources to strengthen his body—namely, vast quantities of immortal materials and ores.

Although comprehension of a Great Dao became increasingly difficult at higher levels, Bai Jing possessed a fragment of the Jade Plate of Creation containing the Dao of Devouring, as well as the Enlightenment Tea Tree. He estimated that with about one yuan hui of closed-door cultivation, he could fully master the Dao of Devouring.

However, the materials he currently possessed were only enough to support his body in reaching the late stage of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm. There was a significant gap before reaching the peak, not to mention the accumulation required to bridge the final step to the seventh level of the Profound Arts.

As for how to cross that final threshold, Bai Jing already had a plan.

Once he reached the peak of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm, he would be able to ascend to the summit of Mount Buzhou and obtain the Pangu Jade Marrow located there.

The Pangu Jade Marrow was a divine object comparable to the blood essence of Pangu. With its aid, he should be able to complete the final leap, transcend to the seventh level of the Profound Arts, and achieve physical sainthood.

"It seems I shall need to take a trip into the Chaos to gather some ores," Bai Jing thought to himself.

At this moment, Laozi spoke calmly: "Fellow Daoist Bai Jing’s visit truly brings radiance to our Kunlun. Please, come inside and let us talk."

With a gesture of invitation, Laozi welcomed him.

"Then I shall impose upon the three of you."

Bai Jing followed the Three Pure Ones into Mount Kunlun. Upon entering, he clearly perceived that the concentration of innate spiritual energy in Kunlun was now comparable to his own Yingzhou Immortal Island. This was the first time he had seen such dense spiritual energy outside of his home.

Surrounded by this energy, a magnificent palace appeared in the distance. Looking closely, he saw:

Rare flowers and grasses that bloomed through all seasons,
Red light radiating from the golden palace gates.
Pavilions appearing amid auspicious clouds,
The long, resonant tolling of jade chimes and golden bells.

Truly a land of treasures!

They arrived at the gates of the palace, where a horizontal plaque read, "Palace of the Three Pure Ones." Being of the same root and origin, the three brothers usually practiced and debated the Dao within this hall.

Once inside, they took their seats. Yuanshi Tianzun summoned an attendant to serve tea, then said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Bai Jing, you have kept me waiting! It just so happens that in my spare time recently, I have refined a small trinket. Would you care to appraise it?"

"I came to Kunlun precisely to discuss the art of artifact refining with you, Daoist. As it happens, I too have a newly refined spirit treasure."

Yuanshi’s eyes lit up. He flipped his palm, and a black seal appeared. Bai Jing also produced the long sword he had refined.

They exchanged treasures. As Bai Jing took the seal, he immediately felt its immense weight; its mass alone would be enough to crush a True Immortal. This seal was naturally not the Fan Tian Seal belonging to Guangchengzi, but its properties were remarkably similar.

"It seems Yuanshi truly enjoys refining this type of spirit treasure," Bai Jing mused.

After examining Bai Jing’s long sword, Yuanshi Tianzun could not help but sigh: "This sword contains twenty-seven acquired restrictions—it is a superior acquired spirit treasure! Your attainments in the art of refining are superior to mine; I am currently unable to craft a superior acquired spirit treasure."

"You are too modest, Fellow Daoist Yuanshi. Although your seal has only twenty-four acquired restrictions, its immense weight is enough to crush my sword."

Yuanshi Tianzun was clearly pleased by the compliment. He laughed heartily and said, "Regardless, your sword contains more restrictions than my seal. I merely had the advantage of better materials."

Bai Jing shook his head, but before he could speak, Tongtian interrupted: "Second Brother, Fellow Daoist Bai Jing, stop this mutual modesty. Your treasures each have their own merits. Why not discuss the art of refining itself?"

"Agreed," Bai Jing was the first to accept. Yuanshi Tianzun followed suit.

Thus, they began a deep exchange on the art of artifact refining, while Laozi and Tongtian listened in silence.

Leveraging his control over the Dao of Artifacts—now at twelve percent—thanks to the Jade Plate of Creation fragment, combined with the influence of literature from his past life, Bai Jing offered unique insights.

Yuanshi Tianzun had always refined in isolation, yet his innate talent was extraordinary. Through this dialogue with Bai Jing, he felt his understanding of refining reach a new level of depth.

Bai Jing also gained significantly. If he were to refine the long sword again, he could likely produce a superior acquired spirit treasure with thirty restrictions.

A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. As the discussion concluded, both Yuanshi Tianzun and Bai Jing wore satisfied smiles.

"Discussing the Dao with you has been incredibly beneficial, Fellow Daoist Bai Jing," Yuanshi Tianzun remarked.

"I feel the same. Your achievements in artifact refining are truly admirable, Fellow Daoist Yuanshi."

"It is a pity that Fellow Daoist Bai Jing does not understand the path of formations, otherwise I would have liked to discuss that with you as well," Tongtian sighed.

Laozi remained silent, smiling to himself. He believed that his own path of alchemy was unrivaled in the Primordial World, such that even the Dao Ancestor would find it difficult to instruct him further.