Chapter 20 The Only Foundation of Sanctification (Seek Further Reading)

Yu Yuan stepped on the white clouds, traveling eastward.

Unlike the convenient Curved Realm Ark he used to come, returning to Penglai Holy Realm required him to fly back on clouds himself.

Although his cloud-flying speed was not slow, it was incomparable to the speed of the Curved Realm Ark.

It took him more than half a month to cross the strait and reached the Eastern Continent.

Next, he needed to cross the entire Eastern Continent and fly for another month before he could reach Penglai Holy Realm.

This was also the reason Yu Yuan was reluctant to leave Penglai.

A momentary pleasure in leaving, that turns to double tears on the way back home.

If only the Curved Realm Ark was available throughout Primordial, it would be perfect.

Unfortunately, that idea is not very reliable. In reality, implementing it might be even harder than his cultivation reaching the Quasi-Saint Realm and physically traversing the void.

Perhaps finding the "Moonlight Treasure Box" would be easier.

After confirming the effects of "Reverse Action," Yu Yuan wanted to find a treasure similar to the "Moonlight Treasure Box."

Not for any other reason but to seize that glimmer of life!

For without sainthood, one is ultimately just an ant.

No matter how strong he might be, in the later stages of the Sealing God Tribulation, even Saints personally enter the fray!

Even if he managed to safely survive this Sealing God Tribulation, new tribulations would arise in the future, unavoidable and inescapable even for Daluo Immortals!

Only by attaining sainthood can one achieve immortality!

Only then can one become the master who places the chess pieces on the board.

But, how difficult is it to attain sainthood through cultivation?

Living in an era when the Sealing God Tribulation is about to begin, no matter how much one cultivates, sainthood seems hopeless.

Beneath Zixiao Palace, there are already six Heavenly Dao Merit Saints.

Inside Fire Cloud Palace, there are also the Three Emperors and Five Emperors who are Human Path Merit Saints.

And in the Netherworld, Houtu Ancestor Witch transformed into the cycle of reincarnation, occupying the Earth Path Merit Saint Position.

Looking through the paths of Heaven, Earth, and Man, it seems there are no more Saint Positions to attain.

However, Yu Yuan is aware that there is still the "escaping one" that could be the foundation for sainthood!

If he could find that "escaping one", there's a possibility to attain sainthood!

The problem is, no one in this world knows where this "escaping one" is.

Even the Saints might not know.

Yu Yuan certainly does not know either.

But he knows that if he could return to the Ancient Times, he might discern the answer.

But time is like a ceaselessly flowing long river, how easy is it to swim against the current?

Yu Yuan studied the scriptures of his sect, carefully reading the information recorded on spiritual treasures, and discovered that there is only one treasure capable of time-travel like the "Moonlight Treasure Box" — the Chaos Bell, also known as the Donghuang Bell.

It is rumored to be a Treasure of the Demon Clan Heavenly Court, possessing the power to suppress the "Hongmeng World", reverse the "Celestial Time and Space", enact the "Heavenly Dao Mysterious Mechanism", and refine the elements of "Earth, Water, Fire, Wind".

It is said that the Celestial Stars Formation that shattered the Primordial Continent during the war between the Ancestor Witches and the Witch Demon was derived from the Chaos Bell, and it also acted as the focal point of the formation, which almost destroyed the entire Primordial!

Unfortunately, the Chaos Bell was shattered during the great battle between the Ancestor Witches and the Witch Demon, and afterward, it vanished without a trace.

Yu Yuan's association with the Qingqiu Nine-tailed Fox clan was partly because they were once high-ranking members of the Demon Clan, known as the uncrowned kings of the fox clan worldwide, highly informed; perhaps they could find the whereabouts of the Chaos Bell.

But thousands of years have passed, and still, there is no news.

Although this matter is significant and requires patience, the problem is that Wen Zhong has now become a disciple, even the Heavenly Emperor is about to visit the Saints, and the Sealing God Tribulation is about to begin!

Can I still hold back this Sealing God Ceremony and slow its progress?

...

The Eastern Continent is a top-tier cultivation paradise among the Three Realms, unlike the Southern Continent which is heavily populated by ordinary mortals. Here, the land is spacious and people are few; the environment is beautiful and intelligent, blessed with prolonged fortune.

After entering the Eastern Continent, Yu Yuan did not continue eastward, but instead traveled southward along the coast for several days, until a spiritually enchanting island caught his eye, whereupon he descended from the clouds, landing in a lush bamboo forest on the island.

The bamboo forest was serene, nestled against mountains and waters, with cicadas chirping and birds singing, fragrance of flowers filling the air.

If there was a thatched cottage here, it would indeed be very elegant.

Regrettably, the surroundings were empty, not a single person in sight.

Yu Yuan took out an embroidered sachet with a nine-tailed pattern, gently waved it in the air, and a faint fragrance immediately dispersed in all directions.

Moments later, as the breeze stirred and the bamboo leaves swayed, a fiery red nine-tailed fox appeared before Yu Yuan.

After scrutinizing the sachet in Yu Yuan's hand, the fox shook its body and transformed into a charming woman, who bowed to Yu Yuan and said, "I am Tu Shan Cunrao of the fox clan, may I know who the Immortal is..."

"You nine-tailed foxes really are quite suspicious."

Yu Yuan, somewhat impatiently, took out a cigarette to light, and gazing steadily at Tu Shan Cunrao, asked, "Would you like one?"

A smile appeared on Tu Shan Cunrao's face as she bowed again, "So it is the noble Immortal who graces us, my apologies for any disrespect."

Within the nine-tailed fox clan, "noble" is a code name that has been frequently mentioned in recent millennia.

However, very few know the true identity of the "noble."

There are two marks to confirm the identity of the "noble"; one is the sachet made by the monarch of Qingqiu through secret techniques, its unique aroma is unmistakable; the other is a brown poisonous stick.

Both marks are indispensable.

"Drop these formalities."

Yu Yuan frowned and said, "The message you sent earlier mentioned that people here offer boys and girls each month to the One Qi Immortal of the Jie Sect?"

"I have already investigated this matter thoroughly,"

Tu Shan Cunrao said earnestly, "This island is called Chongxian, home to hundreds of thousands from the Human Race. They established a small nation called Fuyu, relying on fishing for livelihood, living rather peacefully.

However, decades ago, a continuous hurricane hit near Chongxian Island, and people could no longer go to sea.

It was only after a Daoist who claimed to be the One Qi Immortal of the Jie Sect arrived here and calmed the hurricane and the waves with his spells.

The citizens of Fuyu rejoiced and were deeply grateful, but the Daoist then demanded that on each full moon night, the citizens must offer ten pairs of boys and girls to ensure perpetual good weather and peace for Fuyu.

Initially, the citizens of Fuyu were reluctant and didn't offer the children on the first full moon but conducted a ritual with three animal sacrifices instead.

Instantly, violent winds whipped up, thunder and lightning roared, and tumultuous waves surged near Chongxian Island once more. It was only after they offered ten pairs of boys and girls that the storm subsided.

Ever since then, the citizens of Fuyu have been making these offerings, and it has been over thirty years now."

Yu Yuan narrowed his eyes, "Are all the cultivation sects in the Eastern Continent just sitting around doing nothing? It's been over thirty years and no one has intervened?"

Tu Shan Cunrao replied, "At first, some Human Race Qi Refiners came here, but most retreated upon hearing that the Daoist was a One Qi Immortal from the Jie Sect. Those who didn't leave had their hearts and livers dug out by that Daoist to be eaten, and he even sought out their sects afterwards, devouring everyone associated with them.

Since then, no Human Race Qi Refiner has dared to come."

"Heh, the reputation of a great sect disciple indeed has its uses."

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Yuan asked, "Tonight is the full moon, where has the Heavenly Emperor traveled to?"

"The Heavenly Emperor left Daluo Mountain and headed to Kunlun, and will pass by here tomorrow,"

Tu Shan Cunrao responded, and Yu Yuan nodded, gesturing for her to leave.

"Yes, this humble immortal takes her leave."

Tu Shan Cunrao bowed respectfully and her figure slowly faded into the air.

In the bamboo forest, only Yu Yuan remained, puffing on his cigarette, frowning at the clear sky.