The Primordial Era: Starting from Being Forced to Become an Apprentice of the Three Pure Ones

As the competition continued, Taibai had defeated all the disciples from the Chan and Jie sects, dominating the entire arena and displaying unparalleled prowess.

Of the disciples of the three religions, only Xuandu has yet to make a move.

Xuandu was a primordial human, and he recognized Taibai from the very beginning of humankind's existence.

Afterwards, Taibai stayed among the human race for hundreds of years, and often secretly kept an eye on Xuandu's cultivation.

The two had a tacit understanding, and Xuandu would never take the initiative to challenge Taibai.

However, among the three religions, apart from Taibai, Xuandu has the highest cultivation level.

If Taibai wants to establish his authority, he must also suppress Xuandu in order to win the hearts and minds of all his disciples.

Thinking of this, Taibai quietly transmitted his voice to Xuandu:

"Xuan Du, step up and fight. Remember, don't hold back."

Xuandu raised his head upon hearing the sound, and his eyes met Taibai's. They immediately understood each other.

Without hesitation, he gracefully rose and landed in the center of the arena.

Upon seeing him ascend the stage, a murmur rippled through the cultivators of the three sects below. Many disciples perked up and whispered amongst themselves:

"Senior Brother Xuandu has finally made a move; he'll surely suppress Senior Brother's arrogance!"

"Taibai has fought many battles, and even as a Taiyi Golden Immortal, his magical power should have been depleted by seventy or eighty percent."

"Indeed, the 'Spirit-Eating Powder' I secretly used earlier should have taken effect by now. There's no way he could have escaped unscathed."

"Although these prizes are out of my reach, it's still good to see Taibai suffer a setback, hahaha!"

……

These discussions mostly circulated among the disciples of the Chan and Jie sects, and everyone tacitly avoided mentioning Zhao Gongming and the Sanxiao siblings.

On the arena, Xuandu and Taibai exchanged blows, having already fought dozens of rounds in an instant.

Taibai showed no mercy; a flash of light appeared in his palm, and the Gengjin longsword was already in his grasp.

The longsword hummed, its blade shimmering with a pale golden aura of merit, its sharpness causing the surrounding spiritual energy to tremble slightly.

The disciples below the stage were all startled when they realized that the long sword was actually Taibai's innate spiritual treasure.

In the primordial world, those who possess a companion spiritual treasure are all people with profound backgrounds and long-lasting fortunes, like the Styx Ancestor, who all became giants in their own right.

Although most of them are born with natural abilities, they rarely have such an opportunity.

Moreover, this sword is surrounded by golden light of merit, clearly indicating that it is an innate merit-based spiritual treasure.

Upon seeing this, Xuandu secretly lamented his misfortune.

Faced with the chilling sword energy unleashed by the Gengjin longsword, he dared not meet it head-on. His figure was like a willow catkin in the wind, flitting and dodging between the gaps in the sword light, constantly in danger.

Suddenly, in the instant that Taibai's sword momentum slowed slightly, a clear light flashed in Xuandu's eyes. Seizing this fleeting opportunity, he raised his finger to the sky:

"Supreme Clarity Divine Thunder, descend!"

Boom!

A bolt of lightning, interwoven with purple and white, tore through the clouds and struck the top of Mount Taibai.

A hint of surprise flashed across Taibai's eyes.

He had not expected that Xuandu, who had only been a disciple for a short time, would have already comprehended the Zhenfa Divine Thunder of the Taiqing lineage. His talent was truly extraordinary.

However, it was only a moment of surprise.

Facing the divine lightning that struck down from above, Taibai remained calm and flicked his Gengjin longsword upwards.

This time, the sword's edge emanated not a killing aura, but a circle of gentle, flowing sword light.

The sword light gracefully stretched out in mid-air, transforming into a continuously flowing halo that spun at a dazzling speed.

The divine lightning of Taiqing struck down, and upon contact with the sword light halo, the violent lightning was easily deflected and crashed into the protective array at the edge of the arena, without harming Taibai in the slightest.

This is the method of using softness to overcome hardness and making heavy things seem light.

The disciples were all horrified to witness Taibai neutralize the Taiqing Divine Thunder.

Xuan Du on the arena even forgot to continue his attack for a moment.

Taibai gave him no chance to catch his breath, and then formed the same hand seal as Xuandu had just done.

Above Xuandu's head, thunderclouds suddenly gathered, layer upon layer, covering a vast area far exceeding the scale he had just stirred up.

Knowing he could no longer dodge, Xuan Du immediately channeled all his magical power, causing his body to radiate a bright, clear light that transformed into a protective shield that firmly protected him within it.

"Tai Qing Shen Lei."

Taibai shouted, then gestured downwards with his fingers.

Rumble!!!

Deafening thunderclaps rang out one after another, and several bolts of purple-white divine lightning, much thicker than before, tore through the clouds and struck down toward Xuandu.

Xuan Du's protective immortal light lasted for less than three breaths before shattering under the violent bombardment of thunder.

He let out a muffled groan and plummeted from mid-air, landing on the edge of the arena.

Taiqing Laozi stood up and laughed loudly:

"Hahaha, good! You truly deserve to be the top disciple of the Sanqing Sect!"

In this competition, Taibai overpowered his fellow disciples, showcasing the brilliance of our three religions. These prizes are yours!

The disciples looked at Taibai, their earlier disdain and doubt completely gone, replaced by deep awe.

However, when they saw Taibai walking towards those prizes, they couldn't help but feel envious.

However, Taibai did not collect them all as everyone expected.

With a flick of his sleeves, numerous prizes moved and landed precisely on the table in front of the disciples of the three religions.

However, a few disciples, such as Qiu Shou Xian and Jin Ya Xian, who were burdened with karmic debts, had empty desks and had not received even half a piece of the item.

He had no liking whatsoever for these cultivators whose hearts were impure and who might ruin the fortune of the Jie Sect in the future.

Therefore, his actions were clearly intentional.

"Since we are fellow disciples, we should share opportunities. As a poor monk, I have no great use for these external things."

Fellow Daoists, you are free from karmic burdens and wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao. I share these with you all, hoping we can encourage each other and progress together.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

A wave of gratitude rang out from below the stage, and many disciples held the spiritual materials and pills they had been given, their eyes filled with eagerness.

Taibai's move, combining both kindness and severity, demonstrated his strength while also bestowing favors.

This was enough to convince most of the disciples of the three religions, and anyone who dared to disrespect him in the future would have to think twice.

Of course, those disciples who were deliberately ignored were pale and ashen-faced, and their resentment must have deepened even further.

The many powerful figures present, seeing this, couldn't help but raise their opinion of this chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones even higher.

With the grand competition concluded, the grand ceremony of the Three Religions continued.

The celestial wines and fruits, the singing and dancing—this continued for three days before finally drawing to a close.

On the third day, as the rosy glow faded, many powerful beings rose to prepare to take their leave.

At that moment, Taibai suddenly stepped forward and solemnly bowed to the Three Pure Ones and all the guests present.

"Three teachers, seniors, I have recently been comprehending the Great Dao and have made some progress. I have created a method of cultivation and wish to open an altar at the foot of Kunlun Mountain to preach it."

If any of you seniors have the time, could you please spare a moment to offer some guidance?

He chose to speak at this moment precisely to spread this news throughout the primordial world.

If the opportunity arises, he hopes that these great beings can also hear the Dharma he has come to understand.

After all, if this method can be promoted, it may well be a new path for all living beings in the primordial world.

Now that he has the support of the Three Pure Ones and has demonstrated sufficient strength and potential, he no longer needs to be as cautious and discreet as before.

The crowd could hear the sound, and their expressions varied.

How dare a Taiyi Golden Immortal claim to have created a new cultivation method?

Some were curious, some were skeptical, and some were dismissive.

However, his status as the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones, coupled with the methods he had just displayed, has made many people put away their contempt.