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

"The Primordial Holy Gathering... All Golden Immortals and above from the Primordial Era are welcome to attend and offer their congratulations." Xuanbao repeated his decree in a low voice, his gaze profound. "But there are some people I must personally invite."

Xuanbao was referring to the Three Pure Ones.

No matter his current cultivation level or status, the Three Pure Ones will always be his masters. Returning home in this way can be considered a return to his hometown in glory, and he must never entrust it to others.

"Haotian, Yaochi."

"Your Majesty, I am here." The two men immediately stepped forward.

"The preparations for the Primordial Holy Gathering are entirely under your responsibility. The scale must be the highest in Heaven, and everything must be meticulously planned. I need to make a trip to Kunlun to personally invite the three masters."

"Your Majesty's personal visit demonstrates your sincerity. We will certainly do our utmost to prepare for the grand event and await Your Majesty and the three Sages' arrival!" Haotian and Yaochi bowed in response.

Xuanbao nodded and said no more. He took a step forward, and his figure disappeared from the Thirty-Three Heavens. The next moment, he appeared on the primordial land at the foot of the majestic Kunlun Mountain.

He did not appear directly in front of the Sanqing Hall, but rather entered through the mountain gate like an ordinary visitor, climbing the white jade steps step by step towards the summit. Having achieved Hunyuan, he could better understand the true meaning of "Tao follows nature." Sometimes, slowing down allows one to see more clearly and feel more deeply.

Kunlun Mountain remained as beautiful and spiritually rich as ever, shrouded in mist and adorned with celestial birds and mythical beasts. But Xuanbao could sense that the Daoist aura within the mountain was more vibrant and lively than before, as if imbued with a touch of joy because of his attainment of the Primordial Dao. Along the way, he encountered several Kunlun disciples. Regardless of their cultivation level, they were all startled upon seeing him, then their faces flushed with excitement as they bowed deeply, addressing him as "Greetings, Senior Brother/Uncle/Grandmaster Xuanbao," their eyes filled with indescribable fervor and reverence. Xuanbao smiled and nodded to them, indicating that there was no need for such formalities.

cough!

Time flies! Before I knew it, I had become a grandmaster.

Halfway up the mountain, beside a flowing spring and waterfall, Xuanbao paused slightly. Memories flooded back, as if they were yesterday.

"Uncle-Master Xuanbao!" a clear voice rang out. Xuanbao turned around and saw a beautiful figure descending from the clouds. Upon seeing Xuanbao, her beautiful eyes shone with admiration. She quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "Disciple Jinling greets Grand Uncle-Master! Congratulations on your attainment of the Primordial Dao, may the Great Dao prosper forever!"

Xuanbao smiled and asked, "Oh, whose disciple are you?"

"My master is Daoist Duobao."

"So you are Junior Brother Duobao's disciple. No need for such formalities." Xuanbao smiled and nodded.

Xuanbao naturally knew about Huoling. In the original world, Huoling Shengmu was the third-generation leader of the Jie Sect. He never expected that after his intervention, Huoling would still become Duobao's disciple.

Jin Ling stood up, her beautiful eyes sparkling with undisguised reverence and a hint of closeness: "Master Uncle, have you returned to the mountain today to see the three Grandmasters? This disciple will go and inform them immediately!"

"No need to announce it." Xuanbao waved his hand, his gaze fixed on the Sanqing Palace hidden deep in the clouds at the mountain peak. "I'll go up myself." He then took out a high-grade acquired spiritual treasure as a gift for him. "You can go about your business now. Remember to come to the Heavenly Court during the Hunyuan Holy Gathering."

"Yes! This disciple obeys!" Upon hearing this, Jin Ling's smile widened. He took the gift from Xuan Bao, bowed again, and then rode away on a cloud.

Xuanbao continued his ascent. The closer he got to the summit, the richer the Daoist aura became, as if he could hear the resounding voice of the Great Dao echoing in his ears. Every blade of grass, every tree, every stone, every step here bore the marks of his cultivation. He had once breathed in the morning sun here, practiced his supernatural powers here, and listened to the teachings of his three masters here… Every detail flooded his mind. Although he had now attained the Primordial Dao and transcended all living beings, this bond between master and disciple, this grace of nurturing and imparting the Dao, became even clearer, weighing heavily on his heart, and forming the most gentle and steadfast cornerstone of his Daoist heart.

Upon reaching the summit, the ancient doors of the Sanqing Hall were already open. There were no attendants standing before the door, as if they had already anticipated his arrival.

Xuanbao stopped outside the palace gate, straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and stepped inside with a calm expression.

The scene inside the hall seemed largely unchanged from when he left. It remained spacious and simple, with only the Daoist principles flowing endlessly within. On the cloud bed, three figures sat solemnly.

Originally, the Three Pure Ones were all in seclusion on the Three Immortal Islands. Naturally, they knew about Xuanbao's breakthrough immediately and assumed that Xuanbao would come to Kunlun Mountain. Therefore, the three of them gathered together in the Three Pure Ones Hall.

In the center stands Laozi, with white hair and beard, holding a flat cane, his face calm and serene, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if reflecting the entire cycle of birth and death in the primordial world. To his left is Yuanshi, wearing a jade lotus crown and a robe adorned with the sun, moon, and stars, his face majestic, holding a three-treasure jade scepter, his body radiating a vast and pure jade-pure immortal light. To his right is Tongtian, dressed in green, carrying the Qingping sword on his back, his brows sharp, his eyes brimming with sword intent that seems capable of cleaving the void, he is currently staring intently at him, a wide grin spreading across his face, revealing an undisguised, joyful smile.

Xuanbao walked into the hall and, without the slightest hesitation, pushed aside the golden mountain and overturned the jade pillar, and respectfully performed the most standard and solemn salute to the three masters on the cloud bed—three kneelings and nine kowtows!

"Disciple Xuanbao greets all masters."

The voice was clear and resonant, carrying heartfelt admiration and respect, echoing in the spacious hall.

"Hahaha! Good! Good disciple! Get up! Get up!" Tongtian was the first to burst into laughter, his voice booming like a bell, shaking the very Daoist aura within the hall. He raised his hand to support Xuanbao, a gentle yet overwhelming sword intent lifting him up, his eyes filled with undisguised pride and joy. "A Primordial Grand Luo Golden Immortal! Good! Excellent! This is truly my good disciple, Tongtian! Good! Very good! Hahahaha!"

A rare, obvious smile appeared on Yuanshi's face. He stroked his beard and nodded, his voice steady yet tinged with satisfaction: "Xuanbao, your ability to take this step at this time, achieving Hunyuan and perfecting your Dao foundation, is truly a great fortune and an extraordinary opportunity. You are neither arrogant nor impatient, and upon your return you still maintain the respect due to a disciple, which shows that your Dao heart is pure and you have not forgotten your roots. Excellent, truly excellent."

Laozi's gaze fell upon Xuanbao, and even his usually calm eyes rippled with genuine, gentle emotion. He nodded slightly and uttered only two words, yet they carried the weight of a mountain: "Very good."

These two simple words contained boundless affirmation, expectation, and indescribable joy. Xuanbao felt a warmth in his heart, knowing that this was the deepest emotion his master could express.

"I owe my success today entirely to the meticulous guidance of my three masters, who imparted the Great Dao to me and protected me. I will never forget this kindness and virtue." Xuanbao bowed again, his tone sincere.

"Alright, alright, we're family, no need for formalities. Why don't you mention the help you've given us?" Tongtian waved his hand, appearing extremely pleased. "Now that you're a Hunyuan, your rank is the same as ours, so let's skip these formalities from now on. Come, come, sit closer and tell us properly how you took this step." His eyes gleamed with curiosity and inquiry, clearly showing great interest in Xuanbao's breakthrough process.

Yuanshi and Laozi also cast their gazes with interest. Although they were sages, they were also very curious about how Xuanbao had taken the final step.

Speaking of which, the fact that Xuanbao could not cultivate the three methods at the same time puzzled the Three Pure Ones. They tried various methods, but for some reason, Xuanbao, who had the heaven-defying talent, could not sever the three corpses no matter what. However, now that Xuanbao has finally taken the last step, Yuanshi was very pleased.

Xuanbao followed instructions and found a futon to sit on before the Three Pure Ones. His posture remained respectful, but he now possessed a more composed demeanor befitting a Primordial Daoist. He glanced at his three masters, said nothing more, and with a slight thought, dozens of innate spiritual fruits, radiating spiritual light and exuding Daoist charm, appeared on the ancient stone table before him. Peaches of Immortality and Vermilion Fruits were a given, but he also generously took out plums, jujubes, and golden apples, arranging them skillfully into a beautiful fruit platter.

Then, he took out four teacups that were neither gold nor jade, and brewed four cups of Enlightenment Tea with the Divine Water of the Three Lights. In an instant, the aroma of tea mixed with the fragrance of fruit and the Daoist spirit filled the entire Sanqing Hall, and even the flowing Jade Purity Immortal Light seemed to become more vibrant.

Tongtian's eyes lit up. Without any hesitation, he snatched a jujube and popped it into his mouth. Then, he picked up the Enlightenment Tea and gulped it down like a cow. He smacked his lips and said, "You really know how to enjoy yourself!"

Laozi and Yuanshi each took a small amount, their expressions relaxing. Yuanshi took a sip of the Enlightenment Tea and nodded, saying, "This Enlightenment Tea is still effective even for us now; it's truly remarkable."

Laozi then looked at Xuanbao, his gaze gentle yet insightful: "Your Great Dao has reached perfection, a state of perfect unity, which is commendable. However, your foundation is unique, and your path of cultivation is vastly different from that of the primordial beings. The hardships you have endured to take this step are beyond the comprehension of outsiders."

Xuanbao put down his teacup and said solemnly, "Master, you are wise. My achievements are indeed closely related to my own foundation. Today, when the three masters asked me questions, I dared not conceal anything." Xuanbao paused, as if considering his words, "My origin is the manifestation of the supreme innate spiritual treasure 'Treasure Basin,' as you masters know."

The Three Pure Ones nodded slightly. They were naturally aware of this matter. When Xuanbao was first brought back by Tongtian, they did not hide Xuanbao's background.

"However," Xuanbao changed the subject, his tone carrying an indescribable complexity, "the talent bestowed upon me by this 'Treasure Basin' is not only to sense treasures, but its most core and most important function is to accelerate my cultivation speed."

He raised his palm, and a faint light appeared in his palm, evolving into the phantom of a treasure basin. The opening of the basin was shrouded in chaotic mist, as if it could swallow and expel all the heavens.

"A disciple's cultivation does not solely rely on absorbing spiritual energy and comprehending the Great Dao. The more crucial aspect lies in 'refining spiritual treasures'."

"Refining a spiritual treasure?" Tongtian raised an eyebrow, put down the half-eaten peach in his hand, and showed great interest in his eyes. "You mean, like ordinary cultivators refine magical treasures? But what does that have to do with improving cultivation?"

"It's not simply about refining and controlling." Xuanbao shook his head, his gaze sweeping over his three masters. "Every time I refine a primordial spiritual treasure, regardless of its grade, it accelerates my cultivation speed."

Xuanbao didn't say anything more, but his meaning was crystal clear.

The main hall fell silent for a moment.

Only the delicate fragrance of the Enlightenment Tea and the rich Daoist essence of the Innate Spiritual Fruit flowed quietly, yet they could not suppress the sudden surge of invisible waves called "shock" and "aha" moment.

"Click."

The half-eaten peach in Tongtian's hand was unconsciously crushed into powder by him, its juice and abundant water essence splashing out, only to be instantly evaporated and absorbed by the sword energy naturally flowing around him. He was completely unaware, his eyes wide as he stared intently at Xuanbao. His face, usually filled with arrogance and sharpness, was now filled with a look of utter disbelief—"So that's how it is! It can actually be so violently trembling!"

"The more spiritual treasures you have... the faster you cultivate... refining one increases your speed by one point... and adds to your power..." Tongtian murmured repeatedly, his voice growing louder and louder until it finally burst into a thunderous laugh. He slammed his hand on the stone table in front of him, causing the fruit plates and teacups to jump. "Hahaha! I understand! I understand everything!"

He pointed at Xuanbao, laughing so hard he almost fell over, but his eyes were full of delight and amazement at how well he had kept it a secret: "No wonder! No wonder you had dozens of innate spiritual treasures on you when you had just transformed and were only a minor Golden Immortal! Back then we thought you were incredibly lucky, that you could find treasures just by walking around! So that's where it all came from!"

"Good lad! You've been hiding it well! No wonder you're so obsessed with spiritual treasures, like a greedy pig only taking in and never giving out. Turns out it's not just your hobby, it's your lifeline!" Tongtian patted Xuanbao's shoulder forcefully, causing his Hunyuan Dao Body to sway slightly. "You should have said so earlier! Back at the Treasure Distribution Cliff, I insisted on robbing you a few more spiritual treasures!"

Xuanbao smiled bitterly: "Masters, it's not that I deliberately concealed it. It's just that this matter is truly... shocking. At that time, my cultivation was low. If this talent were to spread, I would instantly become the target of everyone's criticism. In this vast primordial world, how many people covet spiritual treasures and crave shortcuts? If they knew that I possessed such a talent, let alone the great powers of the heavens, even those old monsters hiding in the chaos would probably be unable to resist taking action, capturing me, imprisoning me, and possessing my body."

His tone was calm, yet it revealed a cold and cruel truth. In the primordial world where the strong prey on the weak, possessing a treasure is a crime. An existence capable of infinitely accelerating cultivation through refining spiritual treasures! That implies controllable, near-limitless growth potential. To reveal this before becoming powerful enough is tantamount to a child carrying gold in a bustling marketplace.

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi nodded slowly, a hint of understanding and approval appearing on his majestic face. He stroked his beard and said, "Xuanbao's thoughts are not without merit. A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind. At that time, you were not yet fully developed. Although the Three Pure Ones could be relied upon, the primordial world was deep and turbulent, and there would always be times of oversight. To be cautious, conceal your talents, protect yourself, and wait for the right moment to act is the act of a wise person. Your ability to consider this shows your composure and thoroughness, which greatly pleases your teacher."

Lao Tzu had been listening attentively until now, when he finally spoke slowly, his voice calm and still, yet penetrating to the heart of the matter: "The past need not be troubled. Everyone has secrets, and the path of cultivation is a solitary journey. The relationship between master and disciple is one of destiny, of passing on knowledge and skills, of mutual support, but the essence of the Dao ultimately lies within oneself. Your silence then had its reasons; your honesty today is also a consequence of your actions. Now you have ascended to the Primordial Chaos realm, the Great Dao is complete and harmonious, sufficient to protect yourself, and even more so to protect those you wish to protect. This talent is a ladder to heaven for you, but for others it may be a rope to take their lives. How you use it is up to you. However, remember not to lose your true self, and do not be misled by shortcuts. The foundation of the Great Dao ultimately lies in the understanding and practice of the Dao itself."

Lao Tzu's words, like the morning bell and evening drum, resonated in Xuan Bao's heart. There were no questions, no inquiries, only the most profound insight and the deepest expectations. He clarified the essence of the master-disciple relationship, affirmed the rationality of Xuan Bao's past choices, and pointed out the key to the future path—power is a tool, the Dao heart is the foundation.

Xuanbao stood up and bowed deeply to his three masters once again: "Disciple will remember Master's teachings."

This salute expresses respect for understanding, tolerance, and a deeper sense of compassion that transcends the simple teacher-student relationship.

Tongtian laughed heartily, instantly dispelling the slightly tense atmosphere in the hall: "Alright, alright! It's good that we've talked it out! Anyway, now that you've got your wings, you're a Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal, let's see who dares to mess with you! If you need anything in the future, just ask! We Three Pure Ones may not have much else, but we certainly have the ability to help you keep things under control! I'll definitely be there to support your Hunyuan Holy Gathering!"

Yuanshi nodded slightly, a faint smile and a hint of pride in his eyes: "Indeed. I will go to the Primordial Holy Gathering. It should let the primordial world know how prosperous our Xuanmen sect is!"

Lao Tzu, holding his cane, paused gently. His gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, illuminating the magnificent scene of ten thousand immortals paying homage at the Jade Pool and Celestial Terrace. He uttered only one word:

"good."