"Indeed, it is as I thought. I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Ming He to also encounter such a situation." As Prison Ox stepped into the Daoist temple, his gaze fell upon Ming He, and he couldn't help but exclaim softly, his expression filled with solemnity and understanding.
"What do you mean, Fellow Daoist? What kind of problem is my Elder brother currently facing?" Upon hearing Prison Ox's words, Tai Chu became anxious, and his usually steady tone carried a hint of urgency as he pressed him without hesitation.
He was already worried that Ming He had not achieved a Breakthrough for a long time, and now Prison Ox's words made his heart leap into his throat.
Tai Chu knew deeply that there must be a reason why Ming He had been unable to enter the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm for so long, but he had no way of knowing the reason.
Now that Prison Ox seemed to know everything, how could he not be eager to understand the truth?
Prison Ox noticed Tai Chu's anxiety and understood that the current situation was urgent, so he stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Fellow Daoist has also had contact with that mysterious race before, so you must know their strangeness. Fellow Daoist Ming He's current situation is most likely affected by this."
"Could it be that the one who fought us that time secretly planted a Demon Seed in the Primordial Spirit of all three of us?" Bi'an exclaimed upon hearing Prison Ox's words, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock.
Apparently, the matter of Luo Hou's Demon Seed was no longer a secret within the Dragon Clan, and the news had quietly spread, making many Dragon Clan powerhouses vigilant.
"Could this be the work of a Heart Demon? But Luo Hou hasn't even established the Demon Realm yet, so how could the Heart Demon tribulation arrive early? Could it be that when we fought against Evil Toad and others last time, we had already fallen into Luo Hou's scheme?" Tai Chu's heart sank, and he pondered inwardly.
He never imagined that even though they lived deep within the Sea of Blood, trying to avoid external disputes, they still couldn't escape Luo Hou's dark hand.
This made Tai Chu realize that without sufficient strength, even if one knew the general trend, one could unknowingly become a chess piece on someone else's board, being schemed against without any ability to retaliate.
"Then, in your opinion, Fellow Daoist, how can we help my Elder brother escape this predicament now?" Tai Chu suppressed the panic in his heart and looked up at Prison Ox.
"If we were in our Dragon Clan territory, we could naturally seek help from the Elders in the clan who specialize in Purification type Great Dao Laws. But now that we are in the Sea of Blood, I can only temporarily suppress the Demon Seed in Fellow Daoist Ming He's body. When the opportunity arises, I will bring Fellow Daoist Ming He back to the Dragon Clan, and then ask the Elders to take action and help him completely remove the Demon Seed." Prison Ox looked at Tai Chu honestly and said truthfully.
"Still need to rush back to the Dragon Clan? Wouldn't that be too troublesome? Fellow Daoist, as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, can't you directly remove the Demon Seed from my Elder brother's body?" Tai Chu was full of doubts, and there was a hint of incomprehension in his eyes as he looked at Prison Ox.
Prison Ox shook his head helplessly upon hearing this and explained, "Fellow Daoist Tai Chu, you don't know, this Demon Seed was created by a Hunyuan Golden Immortal and is extremely troublesome.
To remove the Demon Seed, one not only needs to have the Cultivation of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, but also needs to Cultivate Purification type Great Dao Laws to be able to use the methods.
Even I, because the Great Dao Law of Sound I Cultivate is somewhat similar to the Purification Law, can only temporarily suppress the Demon Seed and cannot completely eradicate it."
"Fellow Daoist Prison Ox, I Cultivate the Great Dao Law of World Purification, I wonder if I can help my Elder brother remove the Demon Seed?" Tai Chu's eyes instantly lit up with a glimmer of hope upon hearing Prison Ox's explanation, and he eagerly asked.
The Great Dao Law of World Purification can be called top-tier among Purification type Laws, and Tai Chu looked at Prison Ox with full anticipation.
"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist to Cultivate the Great Dao Law of World Purification." Prison Ox's eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing this, and he looked Tai Chu up and down, his expression full of astonishment.
If Tai Chu was born in other regions of the Great Desolation and Cultivated the Great Dao Law of World Purification, Prison Ox would be surprised, but not so shocked.
But this place is the Sea of Blood, and the turbid environment of the Sea of Blood is incompatible with the Great Dao Law of World Purification. According to common sense, the Origin Great Dao Laws of Innate Sacreds in the Great Desolation are often closely related to the environment and experiences of their birth.
Tai Chu Cultivating the Great Dao Law of World Purification here truly exceeded Prison Ox's expectations.
Prison Ox pondered for a moment, then shook his head, pouring a basin of cold water on him: "Fellow Daoist, this Demon Seed is extremely hidden. Without the Cultivation of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, even discovering it is as difficult as ascending to heaven. If one cannot perceive the existence of the Demon Seed, how can one talk about removing it?"
"This…" Tai Chu was speechless for a moment, at a loss for what to do.
"Could it be that I really can only join the Dragon Clan?" Tai Chu sighed inwardly. He knew in his heart that once he returned to the Dragon Clan, it was unknown whether the Dragon Clan would truly help.
Even if the Dragon Clan generously assisted without asking for anything in return, he and Ming He would inevitably form a deep Karma with the Dragon Clan.
In this way, when the Dragon Han Calamity broke out, whether they were willing or not, they would be drawn into this great tribulation of heaven and earth, and most likely would be regarded as part of the Dragon Clan camp.
After the Calamity, the immense Karma borne by the Dragon Clan would probably also affect their two brothers.
Unless absolutely necessary, Tai Chu truly did not want to get involved in such complex disputes.
However, at present, the only force that seemed capable of helping Ming He was the Dragon Clan.
Tai Chu was about to speak, mentioning the matter of going to the Dragon Clan for help, but Prison Ox interrupted him first.
"However, the Great Dao Law of World Purification that Fellow Daoist Cultivates can be called the top-tier existence among Purification type Laws. If supplemented by my Great Dao Law of Sound, there might be a glimmer of hope to try and remove the Demon Seed." Prison Ox's tone changed, and a hint of thought flashed in his eyes.
Tai Chu's face instantly bloomed with joy upon hearing this.
He secretly calculated in his heart that if it was only Prison Ox assisting, the Karma formed with the Dragon Clan would not be too heavy.
Moreover, he had saved Bi'an last time, so even if he deepened his connection with the Dragon Clan this time, he wouldn't be deeply entangled in it.
At the very least, when the Calamity arrived, he would still have the opportunity to enter the game as a free individual, without being completely bound by Karma.
"In that case, I shall trouble Fellow Daoist Prison Ox." Tai Chu pondered for a moment, his mind made up, and he looked at Prison Ox, bowing slightly respectfully.
"No problem, the Two Fellow Daoists saved Bi'an before and helped our Dragon Clan discover the Demon Race. Strictly speaking, our Dragon Clan owes Fellow Daoist a favor." Prison Ox waved his hand and said sincerely.
"Then let us begin immediately. Later, I will use the Great Dao Law of Sound to temporarily send your Primordial Spirit into Fellow Daoist Ming He's Sea of Consciousness.
At that time, I will use the Great Dao Law of Sound as a guide to help you find Fellow Daoist Ming He.
However, after finding Fellow Daoist Ming He, how to deal with the Demon Seed will be entirely up to your own Purification Law.
If the Purification Law cannot resolve the Demon Seed, I hope Fellow Daoist will withdraw in time, and then I will take Fellow Daoist Ming He to the Dragon Clan to seek help from the Elders in the clan." Prison Ox meticulously explained the plan, his expression serious, considering every detail thoroughly.
"Alright, I entrust this Physical Body of mine to the Two Fellow Daoists." Tai Chu solemnly entrusted them.
In reality, within this Daoist temple, as long as Prison Ox and Bi'an harbored ill intentions, the will of the Sea of Blood would issue a warning immediately.
Furthermore, with the protection of the will of the Sea of Blood, even if Prison Ox was a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, Tai Chu was confident he could trap him.
It was precisely for this reason that Tai Chu felt at ease allowing the two to enter the Daoist temple and leaving his Physical Body behind.
"This humble one shall begin now, Fellow Daoist, please be prepared." With that, a flash of light appeared in Prison Ox's hand, and an ancient zither appeared out of thin air.
Prison Ox gently stroked the zither strings, and the melodious zither music rang out, like a clear spring in the mountains, flowing gently.
Under the guidance of this wondrous zither music, Tai Chu's Primordial Spirit gradually left his Physical Body and slowly floated towards Ming He's Sea of Consciousness.
"When did Elder brother's Sea of Consciousness become so dilapidated?" Tai Chu stepped into Ming He's Sea of Consciousness, and what greeted his eyes was a scene of devastation, causing his brows to furrow tightly instantly.
He saw that Ming He's Sea of Consciousness was in Chaos, with Spiritual Qi in disarray, and a decaying aura pervading everywhere, as if it had experienced a tragic battle, and everything was shattered and broken.
Tai Chu, following the guidance left by Prison Ox with the Great Dao Law of Sound, carefully searched for Ming He's Primordial Spirit and the deeply hidden Demon Seed in this chaotic Sea of Consciousness.
"Prison Ox's guidance is really a bit unreliable." Tai Chu muttered to himself while struggling to discern the faint sensation.
In fact, this was not Prison Ox's fault. Prison Ox's Great Dao Law of Sound was not originally created specifically for handling such complex situations.
To be able to provide such guidance to Tai Chu in Ming He's chaotic Sea of Consciousness was already the result of Prison Ox's utmost effort.
After an unknown amount of time, as if countless long years had passed, Tai Chu finally discovered Ming He's Primordial Spirit and the Demon Seed intertwined together in the depths of Ming He's Sea of Consciousness.
To his surprise, the appearance of the Demon Seed was exactly the same as Ming He's. If Tai Chu had not known Ming He for a long time and was extremely familiar with him, he might have found it difficult to distinguish between the two for a while.
However, not far from Ming He's Primordial Spirit and the Demon Seed, sat a white-robed Daoist.
"Fellow Daoist Tai Chu, we meet again." The white-robed Daoist seemed to have already anticipated Tai Chu's arrival, a faint smile on his face, and he spoke calmly, without the slightest surprise in his tone.
Tai Chu's heart jolted when he saw the white-robed Daoist, and his eyes were filled with shock.
"Daoist Hongjun!!!" Tai Chu blurted out.
He never expected to meet Hongjun in Ming He's Sea of Consciousness.
However, Tai Chu quickly realized that the Hongjun before him was merely a projection of his will, not his true body.
Even so, Tai Chu could still feel a powerful pressure and dangerous aura from this projection of will, far surpassing that of Prison Ox outside.
"Daoist Hongjun, why have you appeared in my brother's Sea of Consciousness?" Taichu asked directly, his eyes fixed on Hongjun, full of confusion.
"Fellow Daoist Taichu, there's no need to be concerned. I once deduced that because of me, you would form Karma with Fellow Daoist Luohu.
Therefore, I specifically left this strand of Divine Thought to protect you. As long as Fellow Daoist Luohu's Aura doesn't appear, this Divine Thought will not be activated."
Hongjun explained to Taichu with a faint smile and a peaceful expression, his tone exuding a reassuring calmness.
Upon hearing Hongjun's explanation, although Taichu still had some doubts, he also understood that with Hongjun's strength, if he truly harbored ill intentions, Taichu would be powerless to resist.
Whether to dwell on it or not no longer held much significance.
Currently, Taichu was more concerned about Minghe's condition, so he quickly asked, "Daoist Hongjun, what exactly is my brother's current situation?"
"Previously, the demonic seed planted by Fellow Daoist Luohu manifested, triggering this wisp of my Divine Thought.
However, Fellow Daoist Minghe is quite resolute; he refused my assistance, intent on resolving the demonic seed by his own strength." Hongjun explained patiently, a hint of admiration for Minghe evident in his eyes.
"Then what exactly is my brother's situation now?" Taichu looked at Minghe's Primordial Spirit, still entangled with the demonic seed in the distance, and asked anxiously, his heart burning with impatience.
"At this moment, Fellow Daoist Minghe has already gained the upper hand. It won't be long before he completely devours that demonic seed.
Moreover, this demonic seed is quite extraordinary. If he can successfully devour it, it will be a tremendous Opportunity for Fellow Daoist Minghe." Hongjun's lips curved slightly upwards, a flash of insight flickering in his eyes as he smiled and clarified for Taichu.
"It's good that my brother isn't in danger." Hearing Hongjun's explanation, Taichu let out a long sigh of relief, the heavy stone in his heart finally falling.
For some reason, Taichu inexplicably chose to believe Hongjun's words.
"I had intended to come in and lend my brother a hand, but I didn't expect to end up being a bystander." Taichu shook his head helplessly, sighing inwardly.
Since Hongjun had said so, and the struggle between Minghe and the demonic seed was nearing its end with Minghe holding the advantage, and devouring the demonic seed would even be beneficial, Taichu dismissed the idea of interfering.
"Fellow Daoist, since you're here, make yourself at home. How about we discuss the Dao? I'm also curious to see what progress you've made since we last parted." Hongjun turned to look at Taichu, his eyes full of anticipation, and extended an invitation.
"Good." Taichu nodded without hesitation. During the years he traveled with Hongjun, discussing the Dao had long become their daily routine.
As the two began to expound on the Dao, Taichu quickly became engrossed, unconsciously entering a state of Cultivation.
"What kind of Law is the Great Dao Law that Fellow Daoist Taichu Cultivates? Even after discussing the Dao with him for so long, I still can't glimpse its mysteries. This is truly strange." Hongjun looked at Taichu, who had entered a Cultivation state, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.
He frequently sought out Taichu to discuss the Dao, firstly because he genuinely enjoyed discussing the Great Dao with others, and secondly, because every time he conversed with Taichu, it allowed him to gain new insights into the Three Thousand Great Daos Laws.
This kind of insight had nothing to do with Taichu's Realm; it seemed to be closely linked only to Taichu's Source Great Dao.
"Fellow Daoist Minghe's situation is also nearing a conclusion. Why do I faintly feel that the Heavenly Dao is behind Fellow Daoist Luohu's demonic seed?
Moreover, I fear there's also a shadow of the Heavenly Dao on myself. What exactly is the Heavenly Dao seeking by simultaneously laying out plans for both of us?" Hongjun looked up at the Void Realm outside, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
But very quickly, his gaze became resolute again, as if he had made some important decision in his heart.
"Whatever you are planning, Heavenly Dao, I hope it does not endanger the living beings of heaven and earth." Hongjun murmured softly, his voice light yet carrying an unquestionable resolve.
"Break!!!" Hongjun's thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang from a distance.
In the distance, Minghe's Primordial Spirit had completely devoured the demonic seed. As the demonic seed entered his body, Minghe's Aura began to surge wildly. This powerful fluctuation instantly startled Taichu from his Cultivation state.
"Daoist Hongjun, is my brother about to Breakthrough?" As soon as Taichu awoke, his gaze eagerly shot towards Minghe, asking anxiously.
"Indeed, my mission is complete, and it's time for me to leave. Fellow Daoist, you should also go out." Hongjun nodded, a relieved smile on his face.
With that, his figure instantly dissipated. Clearly, the Divine Thought Hongjun left in Minghe's Primordial Spirit was specifically to counter Luohu's scheme.
Now that the demonic seed was removed, his Divine Thought naturally withdrew after completing its task.
Seeing Hongjun's Divine Thought dissipate, Taichu no longer lingered and immediately left Minghe's Sea of Consciousness.
"I didn't expect this trip inside to be a wasted effort." Taichu's Primordial Spirit returned to his Physical Body, and he shook his head helplessly, sighing softly.
"Fellow Daoist Taichu, how are things? Has the demonic seed within Fellow Daoist Minghe been cleared?" Prison Ox and Bi'an immediately surrounded Taichu as his Primordial Spirit returned, their eyes full of concern.
Taichu first nodded, then shook his head, explaining, "The demonic seed has been cleared, but my brother resolved it himself. When I went in, their struggle was already nearing its end."
"Fellow Daoist Minghe actually resolved the demonic seed by his own strength!" Prison Ox and Bi'an were full of shock upon hearing Taichu's words, their eyes filled with disbelief.
In their years of knowledge and records, there were very few beings below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm who could escape the control of a demonic seed by themselves, let alone Minghe, who was at the crucial moment of breaking through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal. This was simply as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Taichu didn't explain much further, his gaze once again fixed on Minghe.
At this moment, the three-flower phantom above Minghe's head became increasingly solid, already showing signs of blooming.
Outside the Dao field, within the Sea of Blood, countless malevolent Qi seemed to be summoned by some mysterious force, like crimson Dragons, frantically converging towards Minghe, continuously being absorbed into his Physical Body.
In an instant, the Sea of Blood was like a lit powder keg, stirring up a tempestuous surge.
The three flowers above Minghe's head trembled violently, as if accumulating some world-destroying power.
As Minghe's Aura continuously climbed, the Sea of Blood also became increasingly turbulent, blood waves like ten thousand horses galloping, one after another, heavily crashing against the edges of the Sea of Blood, emitting deafening roars.
Time slowly flowed, and the magical power within Minghe's body, under the impact of this surging power, became increasingly solid, as if it wanted to transform the power of the entire Sea of Blood for his own use.
Suddenly, the Void Realm above Minghe's head twisted as if by an invisible giant hand, and a powerful, suffocating Qi began to gather frantically.
The three flowers above Minghe's head slowly bloomed, rising higher and higher. Petals unfurled one by one, releasing intertwining and coiling forces that formed an enormous energy vortex.
Within the vortex, various obscure and profound Law powers flickered in and out of existence, echoing the magical power within Minghe's body.
Minghe's breathing became deeper and deeper; each inhalation and exhalation was like the roar of a giant Dragon, causing the surrounding Sea of Blood water to surge with towering waves.
His body trembled slightly, enduring immense pressure, as if he could explode at any moment from this powerful force.
But Minghe's eyes were resolute, he gritted his teeth, and with unyielding will, he fully guided the magical power within his body to fuse with the power released by the three flowers.
As the three flowers fully bloomed, a dazzling light, like a sword that could cleave the heavens, instantly pierced through the Dao field's formation, soaring straight into the clouds, reaching high above the Sea of Blood.
The turbid Qi within the Sea of Blood, under the illumination of this light, dissipated like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun.
At this moment, Minghe's Aura suddenly surged. His body seemed to merge with heaven and earth, and the Law power of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm completely submerged him like a surging tide.
In this ocean of Law, Minghe swam freely, comprehending the true essence of power.
Ultimately, Minghe's three flowers condensed into twelve grades.
With the complete condensation of the three flowers, Minghe's Cultivation successfully broke through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm.
Minghe slowly opened his eyes, a cold light flashing within them, revealing an endless killing Aura.
He gently waved his hand, and the Sea of Blood water instantly obeyed his command, as if it were an extension of his arm.
Clearly, the will of the Sea of Blood now fully recognized Minghe's status.
In heaven and earth, a mysterious light of Karma fruit merged into Minghe's Primordial Spirit.
From this day forward, the Sea of Blood would be Minghe, and Minghe would be the Sea of Blood.
"I, Minghe, have today achieved the Grand Unity Golden Immortal!" Minghe's voice was like a grand bell, resounding throughout the entire Sea of Blood, carrying endless heroism and majesty.
At this moment, the light of the three flowers above his head gradually faded, slowly merging into his body.
But the lingering afterglow of their bloom still lingered around him, exuding an awe-inspiring Aura.
Minghe slowly reined in his majestic Aura, a smile appearing on his face as he looked at Taichu, barely concealing his excitement as he said, "Taichu, I've successfully broken through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm!"
Even the usually aloof Minghe was filled with an uncontrollable joy in his words at this moment. After all, the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm was a height many Honghuang World beings dreamed of but could barely reach.
"Congratulations, Brother!" Taichu looked at Minghe, his eyes filled with a sincere smile, genuinely happy for his brother's Breakthrough.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Minghe, on achieving Grand Unity!" Prison Ox and Bi'an, who were standing nearby, also quickly spoke up, offering their sincere congratulations.
"Thank you, Two Fellow Daoists." Only then did Minghe notice Prison Ox and Bi'an beside Taichu. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes as he subtly transmitted a message to Taichu: "Taichu, why have these two Dragon Clan Fellow Daoists come here?"
"Brother, they've most likely come to try and persuade us to join the Dragon Clan. You don't need to worry about these matters; just leave them to me." Taichu quickly transmitted his reply, his tone confident and composed.
"Alright, then you handle it."
Minghe nodded slightly, casting a subtle glance at Taichu, then turned to face Prison Ox and Bi'an, saying, "Two Fellow Daoists, I am truly sorry, but I have just broken through a Realm and still need to enter seclusion to stabilize my Cultivation. I won't be able to entertain you properly."
Upon hearing this, Prison Ox and Bi'an's faces showed a hint of hesitation.
Their purpose in traveling all the way to the Sea of Blood was to persuade Minghe and Taichu to join the Dragon Clan.
If Minghe entered seclusion and couldn't emerge for a while, their recruitment plan would be stalled.
However, they also understood that what Minghe said was entirely reasonable; after breaking through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal, entering seclusion to stabilize his Realm was indeed the top priority.
"Two Fellow Daoists, my brother has just broken through and urgently needs to enter seclusion to stabilize his Cultivation. If you have any matters, please feel free to speak with me." Taichu, seeing their dilemma, spoke up at the opportune moment.
"That would be good." Prison Ox and Bi'an exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
As soon as he finished speaking, Minghe's figure vanished from the spot, heading to his place of seclusion.
His current state of mind urgently required him to fully stabilize his Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm through seclusion.
"Two Fellow Daoists, please." Taichu slightly raised his hand, making a gesture of invitation, then led Prison Ox and Bi'an to the main hall of the Daoist temple.
Upon entering the main hall, Taichu waved his sleeve, and a set of antique tea ware instantly appeared before the three of them.
Inside the teapot, a tender green Enlightenment Dao Tea Leaf quietly floated.
"Fellow Daoist Taichu, your hospitality is a bit..." Bi'an looked at the somewhat simple tea set and the solitary tea leaf, unable to resist complaining, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
"Sixth Brother, don't be rude!" Prison Ox frowned slightly and gently reprimanded him.
Although he also felt the hospitality was a bit meager, as it was his first meeting with Taichu, unlike Bi'an who was more familiar with Taichu, his dissatisfaction did not show.
Upon hearing this, Taichu merely smiled faintly, offering no further explanation, and said, "Two Fellow Daoists, why don't you taste it first? You'll then know its wonders; it certainly won't disappoint you."
Prison Ox and Bi'an exchanged glances, their minds full of questions: "Could there be something mysterious hidden in this water?" With this curiosity, they picked up their teacups and drank the tea in one gulp.
In an instant, surprise flashed in their eyes, and then, without prior agreement, they both sat cross-legged and entered a Cultivation state.
Taichu looked at their reactions, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.
The tea leaf he had taken out was precisely the extremely precious Enlightenment Dao Tea Leaf.
Although Prison Ox's help in Minghe's Breakthrough ultimately didn't materialize into actual assistance once Taichu entered his Sea of Consciousness, Taichu remembered this kindness and used this Enlightenment Dao Tea Leaf as a token of his gratitude.
Not long after, Prison Ox and Bi'an slowly opened their eyes.
The effect of a single Enlightenment Dao Tea Leaf was limited, only allowing them to briefly enter an Enlightenment Dao state.
However, even though the time was short, after they awoke, their gazes towards Taichu were filled with gratitude.
"It was my brother and I who were short-sighted just now. Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for bestowing such an Opportunity," Prison Ox said sincerely, his words tinged with a mix of guilt and gratitude.
"It's merely a trifle, not worth mentioning." Taichu waved his hand, his expression relaxed and his smile gentle.
"However, Fellow Daoist, what kind of Spiritual Root leaf is this steeped in your water that it can allow us to enter an Enlightenment Dao state?" Bi'an, full of curiosity, couldn't help but ask.
"This is a leaf from an Innate Spiritual Root that I accidentally obtained during my travels in the Honghuang World—an enlightenment tea tree.
As you two sensed, it can indeed help one enter an Enlightenment Dao state.
It's just that this enlightenment tea tree grows extremely slowly, and the regeneration of its leaves is even more difficult. When I obtained it, there were only about a hundred leaves on the tree." Taichu confessed honestly, without any concealment.
"Indeed, the Honghuang World is vast, and there are all sorts of wonders. Fellow Daoist, your enlightenment tea tree is at least a High Grade Innate Spiritual Root, isn't it?" A hint of envy flashed in Prison Ox's eyes.
In the Honghuang World, Innate Spiritual Roots were scarce. Even Medium Grade Innate Spiritual Roots were regarded as treasures by many races.
The Dragon Clan, as a major race in the Honghuang World, possessed no more than thirty High Grade Innate Spiritual Roots.
It was a tremendous fortune for Taichu to have obtained such a Spiritual Root by chance.
The Karma Taichu had accumulated over the years was not just for show.
Those with great Karma would receive the favor of the Heavenly Dao, so Taichu's blessings were almost unparalleled in the Honghuang World.
Of course, Hongjun, that cheat, had to be excluded. Hongjun was recognized by the Heavenly Dao.
"It's just luck, how can it compare to the Dragon Clan? The Dragon Clan's wealth is known throughout the Honghuang World, who doesn't know that?" Taichu smiled humbly, deflecting the compliment with a chuckle.
Since Prison Ox believed the enlightenment tea tree was a High Grade Spiritual Root, Taichu had no intention of explaining further.
"Since Fellow Daoist knows of my Dragon Clan's profound heritage, I wonder if you would be willing to join my Dragon Clan?" Prison Ox, hearing Taichu mention the Dragon Clan, keenly seized the Opportunity and immediately began to recruit.
"That's right, Fellow Daoist Taichu, everyone knows the wealth of our Dragon Clan in the Honghuang World.
As long as Fellow Daoist joins, you can choose any treasure you wish.
I guarantee that after you join, we will prepare a High Grade Spirit Treasure for each of you." Bi'an also tried his best to persuade him from the side, his face full of eagerness.
"Two Fellow Daoists, I have said before that my brother and I are naturally drawn to freedom and do not wish to join any force." Taichu's attitude was firm, and he refused without hesitation.
He knew in his heart that although they were inevitably caught in the calamity, joining one of the three races at this time would undoubtedly entangle them deeply, making it difficult to escape.
And now, they still had a chance to emerge from the calamity unscathed.
"As long as Fellow Daoist joins my Dragon Clan, I promise that your status in the Dragon Clan will be no lower than that of us Ancestral Dragon descendants. Fellow Daoist Minghe can even be on equal footing with the Dragon Clan Elders." Seeing Taichu refuse, Prison Ox quickly added more incentives.
When they first arrived at the Sea of Blood, the treatment they were prepared to offer was far less generous.
But after this period of interaction, Prison Ox realized that he had severely underestimated Minghe and Taichu's strength and potential.
Not to mention that Minghe had now successfully broken through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal, and he had done so under the difficult circumstances of demonic interference, and his Cultivation of the Avenue of Slaughter Law was even more astonishingly powerful.
Even Taichu, who had not yet broken through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal, was by no means an ordinary person.
Taichu's attainments in the Dao of Arrays were no less than those of the Dragon Clan's Grand Unity Golden Immortal powerhouses, and he cultivated the Great Dao Law of World Purification, a top-tier Law rarely seen in the Honghuang World.
Especially now that the Dragon Clan was aware of the Demon Race's existence, once Taichu broke through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal, his importance to the Dragon Clan would likely far exceed that of their own Ancestral Dragon sons.
It was precisely because Prison Ox recognized this that he temporarily decided to greatly increase the bargaining chips for recruitment, intent on persuading Taichu to join the Dragon Clan.
Chapter 44: Styx Breakthrough
"Fellow Daoist Taichu, are you truly not considering joining my Dragon Clan anymore?" Prison Ox and Bi'an stood side by side outside the Daoist temple. Prison Ox's eyes were filled with reluctance and expectation as he asked again, his tone carrying a hint of final struggle.
Their time together in the Sea of Blood had made him admire Taichu even more, and his deep desire for Taichu to join the Dragon Clan grew stronger.
"Two Fellow Daoists, there is no need to persuade me further. Once we reach our current Realm, it is very difficult to change a decision." Taichu gently shook his head, a gentle yet firm expression on his face.
"Alas, so be it. It seems my Dragon Clan has no destiny with Fellow Daoist." Prison Ox sighed, his voice full of regret.
In his heart, he knew that this persuasion would likely be futile.
Over the years, he and Taichu had exchanged ideas and discussed the Dao in the Sea of Blood. The more time they spent together, the more he felt Taichu's extraordinary nature.
He had repeatedly increased the stakes to win over Taichu, even reaching the limit of his own authority, but Taichu remained unmoved, sticking to his own choice.
In fact, Prison Ox did not want to give up and leave the Sea of Blood just yet.
However, at this moment, an urgent message from his clan indicated that the situation in the Great Desolation had changed dramatically, and they needed to rush back to the East Sea.
Moreover, all the incentives he could offer had been presented, yet he still couldn't sway Taichu. He also wanted to return and report the situation in the Sea of Blood to Ancestral Dragon in detail, attempting to secure more resources and further improve the conditions for recruiting Taichu.
Prison Ox vaguely felt that the Dragon Clan seemed to have been drawn into an unfathomable vortex of conspiracy.
This was not groundless, but an uneasy premonition from the bottom of his heart.
This feeling made him even more eager to bring a promising Innate Sacred like Taichu into the Dragon Clan's camp, adding a force to the Dragon Clan to deal with unknown crises.
"Fellow Daoist Taichu, then we shall take our leave. If there is an opportunity in the future, you are welcome to visit my Dragon Clan." Bi'an had a sincere smile on his face, waving to Taichu, his eyes full of reluctance to part.
"Wait." Just as Prison Ox and Bi'an turned to prepare for their journey home, Taichu suddenly spoke, stopping them.
Hearing this, the two quickly turned around, their eyes full of confusion. "Fellow Daoist Taichu, what else is there?" Bi'an asked first.
"Over these years, they have truly treated me as a friend, so I will give them a few pointers. I hope they can preserve their lives during the Calamity." Taichu sighed softly in his heart.
"Oh? Has Fellow Daoist changed his mind?" A hint of surprise flashed in Prison Ox's eyes, thinking Taichu had changed his mind and would agree to join the Dragon Clan.
Seeing this, Taichu smiled faintly and shook his head again: "Not so. I just want to give you two a reminder."
"So that's it… What does Fellow Daoist wish to remind us of?" Prison Ox's surprise instantly turned into disappointment, but soon, curiosity took over, and he stared intently at Taichu.
"Luck is poisonous; use it with extreme caution. I can only say this much." Taichu's expression was solemn. After saying this, without waiting for Prison Ox and Bi'an to react, he turned and walked into the Daoist temple, his figure quickly disappearing from their sight.
"What does Fellow Daoist mean by that?!" Hearing this, Prison Ox's pupils suddenly contracted, his face full of shock.
The issue with the Dao of Luck had actually been somewhat noticed among the high-level members of the Three Clans, but the root cause had never been found.
Now, Taichu's sudden mention of "Luck is poisonous" was like a thunderclap, exploding in Prison Ox's heart.
He eagerly wanted to ask more, but Taichu had already left.
"Fellow Daoist Taichu! Fellow Daoist Taichu!" Prison Ox and Bi'an anxiously called out from outside the Daoist temple, their voices echoing over the Sea of Blood, but they never received a response from Taichu.
"Let's go. Fellow Daoist Taichu has already done his utmost by reminding us." After a long while, Prison Ox sighed helplessly, speaking to Bi'an.
He understood in his heart that the Dao of Luck now concerned the overall situation of the Great Desolation. For Taichu to reveal this much was already taking a great risk.
To demand more would be unreasonable.
With a hint of disappointment and confusion, Prison Ox and Bi'an turned, their figures gradually disappearing into the vast mists of the Sea of Blood.
After sensing that the two had completely left, Taichu reappeared outside the Daoist temple.
He looked up in the direction they left and sighed softly: "Phew, they finally left. However, this time I truly suffered a great loss." As he spoke, Taichu looked into the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, where a golden wheel of Karma quietly floated, but at this moment, the light on the golden wheel was significantly dimmer.
It turned out that the few words of warning he had just given Prison Ox and Bi'an had consumed a large amount of Taichu's Karma power, almost equivalent to the Karma he had accumulated from purifying the Sea of Blood for fifty thousand years.
"I hope that by losing so much Karma to conceal those words, I can hide it from Luo Hou and those old schemers." Taichu muttered to himself, a hint of apprehension in his tone.
"This is the limit of what I can do. Prison Ox, Bi'an, whether you can survive the Calamity depends on your own fortune. This time, going back like this, it is likely that the Dragon Han Calamity is about to fully erupt. I truly hope to have the chance to meet you two again in the future." Taichu looked into the distance again, his eyes filled with emotion.
Then, he took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and entered a state of Cultivation.
At this time, on their way back to the East Sea, Bi'an looked at Prison Ox with curiosity and asked: "Brother, what exactly is the urgent matter that made the clan suddenly send a message urging us to return?" His heart was full of doubts. He knew that the Sea of Blood and the Dragon Clan's territory were far apart, and the clan would not easily send a message unless it was an extremely urgent matter.
"It is probably still related to the Phoenix and Qilin Clans. I just don't know if the Demon Race is stirring up trouble again." Prison Ox frowned deeply, looking worriedly into the distance.
The current situation in the Great Desolation was complex, with various forces intertwined, and the Demon Race was secretly stirring. Every slight disturbance could trigger a major battle.
"Who cares about the Phoenix Clan or the Qilin Clan? What can they do against my Dragon Clan? It's the Demon Race that uses strange methods; we must be wary of them." When Bi'an mentioned the Demon Race, a hint of apprehension appeared on his face.
Recalling how he was silently taken by Possession by the Evil Toad last time, he still felt a lingering fear.
"Don't think too much. We'll know when we get back to the clan." Prison Ox patted Bi'an's shoulder, trying to reassure him.
In reality, he himself was unsure. He had no idea what kind of situation awaited him upon his return.
As time passed, Prison Ox and Bi'an's figures gradually receded, moving further and further away from Taichu's Daoist temple, eventually disappearing into the vast expanse of heaven and earth.
After an unknown period, Taichu slowly opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them: "Prison Ox and Bi'an have left the Sea of Blood?" Sensing that their auras had completely disappeared from the Sea of Blood, Taichu's heart stirred.
"Since they have left, the Sea of Blood should be free of disturbances for now. This is the perfect time for my Breakthrough." Taichu muttered to himself, his eyes revealing firm determination.
In fact, his cultivation had long reached the brink of Breakthrough, but because Prison Ox and the other were in the Sea of Blood, and Ming He was in seclusion consolidating his Realm, he had been suppressing his cultivation to avoid distraction.
Now, the time was ripe.
Taichu knew that in the upcoming Dragon Han Calamity, without the strength of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, he would very likely become cannon fodder.
To preserve himself in this brutal Calamity, and even to achieve something, reaching the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm was imminent, and he had not even reached the Perfection Realm yet, which was a bit too slow.
Taichu closed his eyes again, entering a deep state of Cultivation.
In his Sea of Consciousness, a Great Dao Law slowly appeared, emitting endless light.
This was Taichu's Source Great Dao — the Boundless Great Dao Law.
With the appearance of the Boundless Great Dao Law, hundreds of other Great Dao Laws, each with a different form, emerged from the Sea of Consciousness.
These Laws, like the branches of a flourishing tree, were closely attached to the Boundless Great Dao Law, intertwining and influencing each other.
Over the years, although Taichu had suppressed his cultivation, his comprehension of the Boundless Great Dao had never ceased.
Now, the Laws evolved from the Boundless Great Dao numbered no less than three hundred.
Taichu no longer suppressed the power within his body, and the Boundless Great Dao Law instantly fluctuated violently.
In an instant, countless Innate Spiritual Qi, as if summoned, surged wildly into Taichu's body from all directions, forming a huge Spiritual Qi vortex around him.
The Spiritual Qi vortex spun rapidly, emitting rumbling sounds, as if cheering for Taichu's Breakthrough.
As the Spiritual Qi continuously poured in, Taichu's aura grew stronger and stronger, like surging waves, each higher than the last.
Finally, at a certain moment, Taichu felt the spiritual power within him surge like a bursting flood, breaking through the long-held barrier.
A vast and mighty power instantly filled his entire body, as if it would burst his physique.
"Om!" A crisp, clear hum, like a grand bell, resonated throughout his Sea of Consciousness.
At this moment, Taichu successfully broke through, stepping into the Taiyi Golden Immortal Perfected Realm Realm.
"Brother, you've finished your seclusion!!!" Taichu successfully reined in the surging Aura around him, and looking up, he saw Minghe standing quietly beside him.
In an instant, surprise filled his eyes, and his voice was filled with irrepressible excitement.
"Congratulations on your Breakthrough." Minghe gazed at Taichu, a faint but deeply gratified smile playing on his lips.
"Brother, my Breakthrough is truly insignificant compared to yours. You are now a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Quickly, tell your little brother, what is the difference between a Grand Unity Golden Immortal and a Taiyi Golden Immortal?" Taichu was full of curiosity, his eyes sparkling with the light of knowledge, staring intently at Minghe, eager for news about the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm.
"Oh, you. If you hadn't insisted on Cultivating the Boundless Great Dao, with your foundation, your Cultivation would have reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm long ago." Minghe shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and doting.
This was not polite flattery to comfort Taichu, but his true thoughts.
Taichu's comprehension of the Dao displayed over these years was even higher than Minghe's.
"Hahaha, what does it matter? It's just a later Breakthrough. I have full confidence that I can Break through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm." Taichu laughed heartily and unrestrainedly, his face radiating confidence.
"It's good that you have this confidence. Then I will tell you the difference between Grand Unity and Taiyi, so you have a clear understanding." Minghe looked at Taichu's determined expression, knowing that his mind was made up and could not be changed. He could only smile lightly, shake his head helplessly, and prepare to enlighten Taichu.
"Taichu, do you know about the River of Time?" Instead of directly explaining the Dao of Grand Unity, Minghe changed the subject and brought up the River of Time.
The River of Time held an extremely special place in the Legacy memories of the creatures of the Great Desolation.
It was born after the Great Dao, the first thing to appear after the Great Dao. Since its emergence, the world gained the concept of time. Its mystery and ancientness filled countless strong individuals of the Great Desolation with awe.
"Brother, you suddenly mentioned the River of Time. Is the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm related to it?" A hint of surprise flashed in Taichu's eyes as he looked at Minghe questioningly.
In his understanding, the River of Time had always been a mysterious and unfathomable existence; he had never imagined it would be connected to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm.
Minghe heard this, shook his head slightly, and explained: "To say it's related isn't entirely accurate. Upon reaching the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm, one will gather their 'self,' 'true self,' and 'only self' from within the River of Time into their own body, thereby becoming that unique 'one.'"
"So, this is one of the mysteries of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm." Taichu exclaimed in his heart, gaining a deeper understanding of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm.
He hadn't expected that stepping into the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm could lead to a connection with the River of Time.
"Then can Brother now freely enter the River of Time? Is the River of Time really shaped like a river?" Taichu's curiosity surged, and a string of questions tumbled out.
In his mind, a constantly flowing river, spanning ancient and modern times, emerged, with the traces of years flowing within it.
Minghe heard Taichu's questions, smiled wryly, and shook his head, saying: "Taichu, don't underestimate the River of Time. I only briefly entered the River of Time to leave my imprint at the moment I Broke through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm. Now, wanting to step in again, how easy is that? Perhaps only by advancing further in Cultivation, or by Cultivating the Law of Time Great Dao, will there be a chance to enter it again."
"Brother, I heard that one can observe the past and future in the River of Time. Is that true?" Taichu's curiosity grew even stronger as he continued to press.
"Whether the Realm above Grand Unity can do that, I do not know. But a Grand Unity Golden Immortal cannot see the past or future in the River of Time.
Moreover, even if one could truly see the past, they cannot change established facts of the past.
As for the future, it is even more elusive. The future you see, at the moment you glimpse it, has already changed because of your prying." Minghe's expression was solemn as he earnestly explained to Taichu.
In his heart, the mysteries of the River of Time far exceeded imagination, and its rules and restrictions were difficult for even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to fully comprehend.
"Then can one go back to the past and change the past?" Taichu was still unwilling to give up and continued to inquire.
"Change the past!!! How could you have such a daring thought.
In the River of Time, attempting to change the past means enduring the immense pressure of the entire River of Time alone.
That might, even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal would instantly be crushed to dust, unable to even return to the Dao Ruins, and everything would be completely erased by the River of Time. At that point, it would be a true meaning of falling. Taichu, you must not entertain such thoughts." Minghe's tone was serious, his eyes full of worry, as he hastily warned Taichu.
"Sigh, sure enough, I thought too simply. If one could freely change the past and future in the Great Desolation, then the entire Great Desolation would probably have already fallen into chaos." Taichu smiled bitterly in his heart upon hearing Minghe's explanation.
Only then did he realize that his understanding of the River of Time was too naive and superficial.
"Alright, the mysteries of the River of Time are difficult for even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to fully glimpse. It's enough for you to have a general understanding; no need to delve too deeply." Minghe looked at Taichu's thoughtful expression, worried that he would fall into excessive exploration of the River of Time, and so he timely changed the subject.
"There is another most significant difference between a Grand Unity Golden Immortal and a Taiyi Golden Immortal, which lies in the difference in their comprehension of the Great Dao Laws." Minghe said, gently waving his hand.
Instantly, Taichu felt that the surrounding Spiritual Qi seemed to be manipulated by an invisible force, beginning to repel him.
The Spiritual Qi that had originally merged with him now moved away from him.
"Brother, what's going on?" Taichu noticed the anomaly around him and looked at Minghe with a bewildered expression.
He could clearly feel that this power was not directed at him personally, but originated from Minghe's control over the surrounding Spiritual Qi.
"Before Grand Unity, we merely utilized the power of the Great Dao Laws in Heaven and Earth.
But upon reaching the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm, one truly begins to master the Great Dao Laws.
The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi in the area where a Grand Unity Golden Immortal resides will be controlled by his will." Minghe patiently explained to Taichu.
In his understanding, this was one of the fundamental differences between the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm and previous Realms, and also an important manifestation of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal's formidable strength.
"This… this is a bit like the Domain in the novels of my previous life." Taichu was startled by Minghe's explanation, and descriptions of Domains from novels he had read in his previous life involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
But soon, he shook his head, dismissing his own thought, "No, to call it a Domain is to underestimate the ability of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal."
"So, it was really a stroke of luck that we were able to defeat that Evil Toad last time." Taichu said with a bitter smile.
Now, standing beside Minghe, he deeply felt the power of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
Previously, their combined efforts to slay the Evil Toad had led him to somewhat misjudge the strength of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
Now, Minghe's casual display of control over Spiritual Qi made him clearly realize that if the Evil Toad had not lost its sentience and been unable to control the Great Dao Laws last time, the three of them would have had no chance of winning.
"That's right, this is a true Grand Unity Golden Immortal. However, that Evil Toad's Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm was inherently flawed. Even if he had sentience, there would still be a significant gap compared to a normal Grand Unity Golden Immortal." Minghe nodded in agreement with Taichu's point, adding this clarification.
In his heart, although the Evil Toad bore the title of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, his strength was greatly diminished and incomparable to a true Grand Unity Golden Immortal.