Chapter 75: Aiding Red Cloud, Distributing Treasures in the Purple Cloud Palace

Sensing that his once fiery red soul had suddenly turned a deep purple-red, Huoyun stood dumbfounded, mumbling to himself, “Is… is that it? It’s over already?”

Withdrawing his finger, Chenxing replied irritably, “Did you think it would be so troublesome?” Hongyun was left speechless. What he had assumed would be an arduous ordeal was resolved by Chenxing in just a few breaths. He felt as though he’d been played for a fool, tricked by Hongjun and Chenxing working in tandem. Shaking his head to dispel such chaotic thoughts, Hongyun bowed respectfully and said, “Thank you, Senior, for your aid. Should you ever command me, I shall give my utmost.”

With a wave of his hand, Chenxing replied, “Enough. The Primordial Violet Qi has now fused with your soul. If your soul perishes, the qi will dissipate as well. You needn’t fear anyone coveting it henceforth. Whether you can use it to attain sainthood will depend on your own fortune in the future!”

With that, Chenxing cast a glance at those whose faces had darkened upon witnessing this, but he couldn’t be bothered to pay them any heed.

Many among the audience below looked grim, especially Emperor Jun, Taiyi, and Kunpeng, who seethed with fury. Since Zhenyuanzi and a few others had been taken as disciples by the Dao Ancestor, none dared scheme against them any longer. Yet, when they saw Hongyun receive a wisp of Primordial Violet Qi without becoming the Dao Ancestor’s disciple, they’d been elated, thinking they might seize the foundation of his enlightenment. But now, with Chenxing’s intervention, that hope had been dashed. Though they were furious, none dared provoke Chenxing, suppressing their anger.

Seeing Chenxing help Hongyun avert disaster, Hongjun was not surprised; such trifling matters were beneath his concern. Once everything was settled, he spoke again: “Now that the titles have been conferred, I must tell you: when I wandered the vast wilderness, I obtained many treasures. Soon, I shall merge with the Dao, and these treasures are of no further use to me. I bestow them to you now—use them well!”

At these words, the assembly was electrified, their faces full of anticipation, even the little girl in Chenxing’s arms growing restless.

Noticing his younger sister’s sparkling eyes, Chenxing smiled helplessly. He knew she didn’t truly care for treasure—she was simply a child, and what is snatched is always most precious to children. He left her to her own devices; if she wished to compete, so be it.

Ignoring the crowd, Hongjun flipped his hand, and a small banner exuding a chilling black aura appeared in his palm. With a wave, the banner shot into Zhenyuanzi’s soul. “This is the Banner of Six Souls, forged from the remains of the primordial demon god Soulfiend, slain by Pangu at the dawn of creation. Though not an innate treasure, it can ensnare souls—even saints may be stripped of their rank by it. But its greatest use is in nurturing the spirit. I bestow it upon you, Zhenyuanzi—use it wisely.”

Everyone looked at Zhenyuanzi with envy as he joyfully knelt and bowed. “Thank you, Master, for this treasure!”

Hongjun nodded, then produced a scroll radiating a chaotic yin-yang light. “This is the Taiji Diagram, transformed from Pangu’s Axe. It can separate the pure from the impure, stabilize earth, water, fire, and wind, and contains all the myriad phenomena. It can also suppress the fortune of a great sect. I bestow it upon Laozi—use it well.”

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Upon hearing this, Laozi bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Master, for your gift!” With a wave of Hongjun’s hand, the Taiji Diagram turned into a golden light and entered Laozi’s soul.

Seated below Laozi, Yuanshi, seeing his elder brother receive the supreme Taiji Diagram, looked at Hongjun with burning anticipation, wondering what treasure his teacher might bestow upon him.

Observing Yuanshi’s eager expression, Hongjun quietly shook his head. With a flip of his hand, a small banner suffused with chaotic energy appeared. Lifting his hand, the banner entered Yuanshi’s soul. “This is the Pangu Banner, one of the three treasures of creation. It can unleash the power of chaos to attack foes and also suppress a great sect’s fortune. Use it well.”

Yuanshi was overjoyed and hastily knelt. “Thank you, Master, for this treasure!” Then, seated on his mat, he secretly reveled in his good fortune.

Turning his gaze to Tongtian, Hongjun saw anticipation in him but no impatience and nodded approvingly. He tapped the back of his head, and four beams of light shot out, turning into four swords that hovered in the air, exuding a murderous aura so intense it seemed they could sever heaven and earth, chilling all who beheld them.

“These are the Four Swords of Immortal Slaughter, forged by the Demon Ancestor Luo Hou from countless supreme materials and the baleful energy of the Dragon-Phoenix Cataclysm. Though not innate treasures and unable to suppress fortune, their destructive power is unmatched. Set in formation, only four saints together could break it. Use them wisely and do not indulge in excessive killing, lest the Heavenly Dao abandon you,” Hongjun admonished solemnly.

At the revelation that only four saints could break this sword formation, the assembly’s faces changed dramatically, all looking at Tongtian with newfound wariness.

Tongtian was overjoyed. Fond of conflict by nature, he found the Immortal Slaughter Swords perfectly suited to his taste, even if they were not innate treasures. He bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master, for the gift. I shall use them with care.”

Hongjun nodded, and with a wave of his hand, a formation diagram wrapped around the four swords and entered Tongtian’s soul. He then closed his eyes and spoke no more.

Now, the two seated below Tongtian, Jieyin and Zhunti, were dumbfounded: What was going on? Wasn’t this the distribution of treasures? Why did it stop before reaching them?

The two hurriedly knelt and pleaded, “Master, have mercy. The Western lands have suffered great calamity, and spirit treasures are scarce. We beg you, show compassion and grant us treasures to protect the West!”

Hongjun sighed and opened his eyes. “You will have your own fortunes in time. You are not of my Daoist lineage. Still, since you must safeguard the West, so be it. To Jieyin I grant the Innate Precious Banner, the Eight-Treasure Merit Pond, and the Twelve-Petal Golden Lotus of Merit.”

“To Zhunti I grant the Seven-Treasure Wondrous Tree, the Flag of Ground-Fire Light, and the Divine Support Scepter.”

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With a wave of his hand, several beams of golden light entered the souls of the two. Overjoyed, they knelt and kowtowed in gratitude.

Seeing the honored ones upon the mats each receive treasures, the rest hastened to kneel and beg, “Teacher, we implore you, have mercy and grant us treasures for our protection!”

No one noticed that, as the crowd begged, the fat man beside Chenxing was quietly pulling the little girl aside, whispering conspiratorially, both wearing sly grins. The little girl furtively showed a spindle-shaped object to the fat man, who accepted it with a mischievous chuckle.

Witnessing their sneaky behavior, Chenxing could only sigh, feeling sorry for the others. The spindle in the little girl’s hand was the Heaven-Breaking Shuttle, crafted for her by Nuwa before their arrival, using Chenxing’s own Primordial Spirit Treasure as a model. She had named it the Heaven-Breaking Shuttle.

In the hands of a Golden Immortal of the Grand Luo level, this treasure’s speed rivaled that of a late-stage quasi-saint and could ignore all formations and restrictions in the wilderness. Though a postnatal artifact, it rivaled many innate spirit treasures.

Casting the two a glance that said “don’t go overboard,” Chenxing chose not to interfere.

Seeing the crowd’s desperate pleas, Hongjun relented. “I have a few more treasures, placed upon the Treasure Distribution Cliff outside the hall. Each of you may seek one by your own fortune, but you must not fight over them. Afterward, you may go as you wish.” With that, he closed his eyes and said no more.

No sooner had his words fallen than, just as everyone prepared to rise and hurry to the cliff, a flash of light streaked out of the hall, and a voice echoed in everyone’s ears: “Fat Lord will pick first! Take your time, the rest of you!” The shout was followed by raucous laughter, a little girl’s clear giggle mingling with it, and then they vanished.

Laozi and the others were stunned, glancing at Chenxing’s seat on the dais. Only Chenxing remained, seated serenely upon his cloud couch. Their faces changed dramatically, and Laozi cried, “No! Brothers, follow me!” With a wave of his hand, the Tower of Heaven and Earth radiated golden light, sweeping up the three of them as they shot like lightning toward the Treasure Distribution Cliff.

At this, the rest of the assembly displayed their own powers, racing toward the cliff at full speed, many cursing inwardly: With your cultivation already so high, you still let your sister snatch treasures from us? Truly heartless!

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