Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

The golden rain of merit poured down, nourishing the ravaged wilderness. The broken mountains and rivers slowly healed amidst the golden light, and the surviving creatures regained their vitality in the warm current. Above, the new sky, mended with five-colored stones, had a faint rainbow halo around its edges, reflecting the light of four towering pillars that supported the reborn wilderness.

The saints stood in mid-air, their bodies radiating a blend of Daoist aura and the lingering golden light of their merit, their auras rising and falling. The Three Pure Ones wore expressions of satisfaction, the two Western Saints had complex emotions, and Nuwa remained dignified and serene. However, at this moment, everyone's gaze involuntarily fell upon the spot where Mount Buzhou had originally been, where a large bell floated slightly with the turbulent energy currents.

"The Chaos Bell!"

Although Donghuang Taiyi self-destructed, his body and soul were completely destroyed, and the six Ancestral Witches who crashed into Buzhou Mountain with him also perished in the calamity. However, the Chaos Bell was, after all, a supreme innate treasure. Under the self-destruction of a top-tier Quasi-Saint, it was only slightly damaged. Hahaha! It can be restored to its original state after a period of nurturing.

An unclaimed innate treasure—how tempting that is!

"I see that the chaos within me is destined for the West."

Zhunti spoke first, uttering these miraculous words. Before anyone else could react, Zhunti reached out and grabbed at the Chaos Bell.

"Zhunti! What are you doing!" The Tongtian Sect Leader reacted the fastest, shouting fiercely. His Qingping Sword clattered half an inch from its sheath, the chilling Shangqing Sword Qi arriving first, transforming into a streak of azure light, slashing fiercely at Zhunti's outstretched hand! Even before the sword light arrived, the Zhuxian Sword Intent it contained had already caused fine cracks to appear in the surrounding space. "This bell is a relic of the Father God; how dare you seize it by force using the words 'fate'!"

"Amitabha Buddha, what you say, junior brother, is a divine revelation. This bell is indeed destined for the West and should be entrusted to suppress its fortune to uphold the Heavenly Dao." The Guide Daoist spoke at the opportune moment, his voice compassionate yet carrying an undeniable authority. He did not attack directly, but the twelve-petaled golden lotus of merit above his head cast boundless, serene Buddhist light, subtly hindering the sword energy unleashed by Tongtian, buying time for his junior brother. The West is barren, lacking a supreme treasure to suppress the fortune of a great sect. The Chaos Bell is a primordial treasure, one of the three treasures of creation. If it could be obtained, the foundation of the Western Sect would be completely solidified, and it might even flourish! Such an opportunity would not calm even a sage.

"Hmph! Such sophistry!" Yuanshi Tianzun sneered, his Jade Purity Immortal Light flowing, the Pangu Banner in his hand fluttering without wind, though not swaying, the restrained Chaos Sword Qi already caused Zhunti's movements to falter. "The Chaos Bell was transformed from the axe that Pangu, the father god, created the heavens; it is an authentic possession of Pangu. Even if it has a destiny, it should be with the Three Pure Ones!"

Lao Tzu remained silent, but the Yin-Yang Daoist energy of the Tai Chi diagram above his head intensified, and the black and white energies in the void subtly intertwined, locking onto that area. The meaning was clear: the Three Pure Ones were one, and the Three Pure Ones had the right to decide the ownership of the Chaos Bell.

Nuwa frowned slightly. She had made great contributions to mending the heavens and possessed sufficient magical treasures, so she didn't have much of an obsession with the Chaos Bell. However, seeing the saints arguing, she felt she should lend a hand, since the Three Pure Ones were allies. She said softly, "Fellow Daoists, the Chaos Bell is an unclaimed object, but it involves a great deal of karma. Perhaps..."

However, the struggle between sages cannot be stopped by words alone. When interests are at stake, especially when it involves innate treasures that suppress the fortunes of great sects, even sages cannot conceal their true nature. In an instant, sword energy appeared and disappeared above the original site of Mount Buzhou, Buddhist light shone everywhere, Jade Purity Immortal Light shone brightly, Yin and Yang Dao rhythms flowed, and the atmosphere instantly became tense. Although they did not immediately engage in a life-or-death battle, the clashing of the sages' auras disrupted the nascent golden rain of merit, and the already fragile newly born earth below trembled even more.

At this delicate and tense moment—

"Buzz..."

The Chaos Bell, which had been floating slightly in the turbulent energy flow and was only slightly bobbing with the aftershocks, suddenly emitted an extremely faint yet incredibly clear hum! This hum was not triggered by any external force.

Immediately afterward, under the gazes of the saints—some astonished, some puzzled, and some solemn—the patterns of the sun, moon, stars, earth, water, fire, and wind on the Chaos Bell, which had been slightly dimmed by Taiyi's self-destruction, suddenly lit up! It was not driven by any saint's power, but rather spontaneously flowed with a faint chaotic luster.

Then, it moved.

It did not fly towards Zhunti, who had taken the initiative and claimed to be "destined," nor towards Tongtian, whose sword aura was awe-inspiring. It also ignored Yuanshi, who was shrouded in the Jade Purity Immortal Light, and even showed no reaction to Laozi, who was surrounded by the Taiji Daoist Rhyme.

Like a bewildered child with its own vague will, the bell trembled slightly, spreading out a circle of imperceptible chaotic ripples, easily deflecting Zhunti's outstretched hand, and ignoring the oppressive aura and Daoist seal of the intertwined saints.

Then, under the gazes of all the sages—some astonished, some enlightened, some conflicted, some incredulous—the Chaos Bell transformed into a stream of chaotic light. Its speed seemed slow, yet it appeared to pierce through layers of time and causality, its target crystal clear—

It flew towards the Xuanbao, which stood quietly to the side, its ten golden wheels of merit slowly rotating behind its head, its aura as deep as the sea!

"This..." Zhunti's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and the expression on his face, which was a mixture of sorrow and determination, instantly turned into extreme astonishment and a hint of embarrassment at being "slapped in the face".

Tongtian was taken aback for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "Hahaha! Good! You have good judgment! Spiritual treasures have spirits and know where they belong! No matter how thick-skinned some people are, forcing them is useless!"

A knowing glint flashed in Yuanshi Tianzun's eyes. He nodded slightly and said no more. A faint smile also appeared on Laozi's usually calm face.

The Taoist priest chanted a Buddhist prayer softly, his face filled with even greater sorrow, but he no longer argued, only giving Xuanbao a deep look. Nuwa, the Goddess, also glanced at him with a knowing look in her beautiful eyes.

Xuanbao himself was slightly taken aback. Although he also wanted the Chaos Bell, he hadn't dared to even consider the current situation, so he hadn't gotten involved. But now, the Chaos Bell had actually recognized him as its master!

Xuanbao gazed at the ancient bronze bell that had flown before him. The patterns of the sun, moon, stars, earth, water, fire, and wind on the bell's surface appeared even more profound and mysterious at close range, subtly resonating with the three thousand Great Dao Laws deep within his primordial spirit. He could sense from within the bell not resistance, nor complete submission, but a strange, almost bird-like "closeness" and "acknowledgment," like a weary bird returning to its nest. Was it acknowledging the three thousand laws he controlled and the inclusiveness of chaos? Or was it acknowledging his merit in mending the heavens and the Dao fruit of condensing ten golden wheels of merit? Or perhaps the Chaos Bell knew he possessed a treasure-like aura capable of healing the damage to spiritual treasures?

Xuanbao's mind raced, but his hands moved swiftly. He extended his right hand, not forcibly grabbing it, but simply supporting it with his palm facing upwards.

"bite--"

A faint, yet soul-cleansing chime rang out. The Chaos Bell gently descended, hovering steadily three inches above Xuanbao's palm. The bell tilted slightly, its mouth pointing downwards, scattering wisps of chaotic energy that intertwined with the restrained golden halo of the ten wheels of merit surrounding Xuanbao. There was no conflict whatsoever; instead, a strange harmony existed between them. Xuanbao could clearly feel a distinct and unwavering connection instantly established between himself and this innate treasure. Without needing to refine it, their minds were already linked, as if they were his own limbs. The bell's vast, boundless power—capable of suppressing primordial chaos and reversing time—was completely open to him.

This scene made the already complex emotions of the saints even more subtle.

"Alas... the choice of a master for a spiritual treasure has its reasons. Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Xuanbao, on gaining another supreme treasure to protect your path." The Guide Daoist was the first to react, uttering a low Buddhist chant. His face was filled with even more sorrow, yet he managed to force a smile and offered his "congratulations." However, that smile looked rather bitter.

Actually, he also wanted to seize the Chaos Bell, but given the current situation, neither the Three Pure Ones, nor Nuwa, nor Houtu, nor even the current Xuanbao himself had absolute confidence in obtaining it, so this was all I could do.

Zhunti Daoist's expression changed several times. He opened his mouth, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to say, "This item is destined for the West." Lingbao had willingly thrown himself into his arms, and with everyone watching, even the most thick-skinned man couldn't twist the truth.

The main reason is that I'm afraid that if I speak out, I'll be surrounded and beaten up.

In the end, he only glanced deeply at the Chaos Bell and Xuanbao, a hint of resentment and apprehension flashing in his eyes, before reluctantly cupping his hands in acknowledgment. In his heart, however, he once again raised Xuanbao's danger level to the same level as the Three Pure Ones.

The Tongtian Sect Leader was overjoyed, clapping his hands and laughing, "Wonderful! The Chaos Bell was transformed from the Father God's axe that opened the heavens. Xuanbao, you are the first disciple of my Three Pure Ones and have made great contributions in mending the heavens and saving the world. It is the will of Heaven that this treasure recognizes you as its master! Let's see who dares to make a fuss now!" After saying that, he deliberately glanced at the two Western Saints.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable nodded slightly, his eyes filled with even greater approval: "Excellent. Such a treasure possesses a spirit, and only the virtuous can possess it. Xuanbao, you should use it well, do not disgrace its reputation, and do not tarnish the dignity of the true lineage of Pangu."

Lao Tzu remained remarkably calm, simply stating, "This is the way things are; it's all good."

Nuwa smiled and nodded. She was close to Xuanbao and was naturally happy for him.

As for Houtu, she has already left her original location.

Xuanbao wasn't surprised. After all, half of the twelve Ancestral Witches had died at once, so Houtu's mood must not be very pleasant.

Holding the Chaos Bell, Xuanbao felt the sincere or feigned congratulations from the saints, and their meaningful gazes, his mind clear. He bowed deeply to the saints, his attitude still humble: "Thank you, saints. Now that this treasure has come, I will guard it carefully and use it wisely to protect the peace of the primordial world and prevent it from being tarnished."

Seeing this, the sages knew the situation was hopeless; the ownership of the Chaos Bell was already decided. Further entanglement would not only make them a laughingstock but could also offend Xuanbao, whose power was now unfathomable and whose close relationship with the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and Houtu was obvious—a net loss. Therefore, they all spoke up, shifting the topic to the reconstruction of order and the recuperation of the primordial world.

A storm that started with the Chaos Bell and nearly caused a dispute among the sages was averted by the unexpected outcome that Xuanbao "passively" obtained a supreme treasure.

……

The merit of mending the heavens has descended, and the supreme treasure has found its home. After experiencing the most tragic and chaotic calamity since the beginning of time, the primordial world has finally ushered in a long-awaited and precious peace.

This tranquility is not the oppressive undercurrent of the past, but a forced and necessary "silence" and "healing" after surviving a catastrophe and the withering of all things.

Above the heavens, the rainbow halo at the edge of the newly repaired five-colored stone canopy gradually faded with time, eventually leaving only a faint trace of Daoist aura, perceptible only to the most powerful beings. Together with the four towering pillars supporting the sky, it formed the new pillars of the primordial sky. Although the movement of the stars was slightly disordered due to the collapse of the Zhou Tian Star Array, it gradually returned to a new, slightly sparse, balanced trajectory under the spontaneous adjustment of the Heavenly Dao and the stabilization of the newly formed heavenly sky. The starlight that fell seemed to carry a touch of the cool and gentle serenity of rebirth after calamity.

On the land, the devastation did not immediately change. Only half of the majestic yet broken foundation of Mount Buzhou remained, along with a bottomless, massive sinkhole from which chaotic energy and primordial energy occasionally still emanated. Sealed by the combined efforts of the sages, it became a permanent, stark warning to future generations—a forbidden land and a relic. The vast lands once occupied by the Wu tribe, the outer star fields of the Heavenly Court managed by the demon race, and countless mountains and rivers affected by the great war were now mostly scorched earth, ruins, or perilous places filled with spatial rifts and chaotic spiritual energy. Rivers changed course, lakes dried up and were reborn, mountains collapsed or rose, and the landscape underwent a dramatic transformation.

Although the calamity's malevolent energy and the resentment and deathly aura generated by the countless deaths of sentient beings have been largely purified by the merits of mending the heavens, they still linger like an inescapable haze in many corners of the primordial world, especially the core areas of the former battlefields. In these places, spiritual energy is thin and mixed, and the laws are chaotic, making it difficult for ordinary beings to survive. Instead, they have given rise to some strange creatures or perilous places that adapt to this harsh environment, becoming places for future cultivators to explore and hone their skills, though of course, they are also accompanied by endless dangers.

In this catastrophe that swept across the entire prehistoric world, the most devastating losses undoubtedly fell to the witch and demon races.

In this battle, the Wu tribe suffered a devastating loss. Of the twelve ancestral witches, eleven and a half perished. Only Dijiang managed to survive the massive wave of self-destruction, but even he was not far from death. More than 11% of the great witches were killed or wounded, and less than one-tenth of the elite witch soldiers remained. The Wu tribe, once scattered across the primordial lands and thriving in tribal form, fell almost overnight from one of the dominant powers of the primordial world to the brink of extinction. Had it not been for the portion of their remaining fire that had secretly migrated to the Netherworld and the scattered remnants of their tribes, the name of the Wu tribe might truly have become history.

The demon race suffered even greater losses. Emperor Jun perished, Taiyi died a martyr, and almost all quasi-saints and demon saints were wiped out. The Zhou Tian Star Array collapsed, the Ten Thousand Immortals Array vanished, and the Heavenly Court's elite forces were almost entirely wiped out in Emperor Jun's final, frenzied command of the "Gathering Demon Banner" and the subsequent backlash of calamity energy. The demon race's Heavenly Court, which ruled the Zhou Tian and was hailed as the "Lord of All Races," was now merely a name. The surviving demons either scattered across the perilous lands of the prehistoric world, barely clinging to life, or were absorbed and enslaved by other rising powers; their former glory had turned to dust. Only the Thirty-Three Heavens Palace, high in the nine heavens, though dilapidated, still testified to the fact that it was once the center of a vast empire. Now, however, the palace gates were tightly shut, the starlight dimmed, and a deathly silence reigned.

The ancient races such as the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin, as well as forces like the Northern Underworld, the Blood Sea, and the Scattered Immortal Alliance, also suffered significant losses. However, their foundations remained intact, and in their joint efforts against the demon race at the end of the Great Calamity, they gained a degree of "righteousness" and some new life, thus securing a relatively spacious living space and development opportunities. The Dragon race reorganized the four seas, the Phoenix race managed the Undying Volcano, and the Qilin race stabilized the central land; all were quietly licking their wounds and accumulating strength.

In this great calamity, the human race suffered the least losses and even gained "opportunities for development" in a certain sense.

The early introduction of the Three Pure Ones' lineage allowed humanity to lay a relatively solid foundation for cultivation before the calamity. Numerous disciples established sects, not only enhancing individual human strength but also establishing a relatively complete institutional system within human society. Although the great war affected many human tribes, causing severe damage and even annihilation, humanity's resilience, learning ability, and reproductive speed were vividly displayed. More importantly, humanity was not the primary target of the calamity, and with the protection of the Three Pure Ones' fortune, coupled with the abundant golden rain of merit from mending the heavens, human settlements often received greater nourishment.

After the catastrophe, the surviving human tribes, guided and organized by disciples of the three sects in various places, quickly rose from the ruins and began to rebuild their homes, creating a vibrant scene.