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

Xuanbao chatted with his three masters for a while, briefly explaining the specific arrangements for the "Primordial Holy Gathering" and some of his own ideas. The Three Pure Ones readily supported him, and Tongtian was even more eager to get started, saying that he wanted all the heavens and myriad realms to witness the brilliance of "the Three Pure Ones' chief disciple, the Primordial Great Luo."

After drinking another cup of tea and discussing the Dao for a while, Xuanbao, seeing that it was getting late, got up to take his leave. The Three Pure Ones knew that his status was different now, as he was in charge of the Heavenly Court and had just been promoted to Hunyuan, so he must have many affairs to attend to. They did not keep him for long, but only told him to visit Kunlun often in the future.

Xuanbao bowed in agreement, then turned and stepped out of the Sanqing Hall.

Outside the hall, the sunlight was perfect, the sea of ​​clouds churned, and cranes cried out in the clear air. Xuanbao took a deep breath of the pure, primordial spiritual energy of Kunlun Mountain, feeling his mind and body refreshed and clear. However, before he could finish exhaling—

"boom--!"

As if they had been lying in ambush all around, or as if they had appeared out of thin air, dozens, even hundreds, of auras of varying strengths, but all pure and vigorous, suddenly erupted from the sea of ​​clouds, mountains, forests, springs, and even the void surrounding the Sanqing Hall! Immediately afterward, figures of various colors, riding on different kinds of escape lights and magical treasures, shot in from all directions like a swarm of bees smelling nectar, instantly surrounding Xuanbao, who had just stepped out of the hall!

"Master Uncle! You've finally come out!"

"Greetings, Grand Master! Congratulations on your attainment of the Primordial Dao!"

"Senior Brother! Do you still remember me?"

"Grandmaster! Look at me! I am a third-generation disciple of Grandmaster Guangchengzi!"

"Senior Master! You have attained the Primordial Dao, could you please give us some guidance?"

"Master Uncle!"

"Senior Brother..."

"Master Uncle..."

"Grandmaster..."

Chatter and clamor filled the air! Where was the serenity of this celestial realm? It was even more bustling than a bustling marketplace! The disciples who gathered around were men, women, young and old, dressed in various colors of Taoist robes. Some were flushed with excitement, some were filled with admiration, and some clever ones had already secretly reached out, pretending to tug at Xuanbao's sleeve—of course, they were gently repelled by the primordial Taoist aura that flowed naturally around Xuanbao before they could touch him, but their "enthusiasm" was already overflowing.

Xuanbao was taken aback at first, then understood, his lips twitching slightly. He had forgotten that he, as the "First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones," was already extremely renowned in Kunlun Mountain, and now he had even attained the Primordial Chaos Realm, becoming the first Primordial Chaos Grand Luo Golden Immortal recognized by the entire world! What a shock and glory this was for the disciples of the three religions! He was practically a living legend, a walking "elder brother/elder uncle/grand-uncle"! Now that they had caught him in the act, how could these disciples, who were usually quite well-behaved in front of their masters, possibly hold back? Naturally, they flocked to him, even if they couldn't get guidance, just becoming acquainted with him, absorbing some of his luck, or even... getting a reward, would be an immense opportunity!

Looking at the excited, expectant, and even somewhat "fanatical" young faces before him, and feeling their pure and fervent admiration, Xuanbao's initial annoyance at being disturbed quietly dissipated, replaced by a sense of warmth and a gentle smile. These were all his junior brothers and sisters, his disciples and grand-disciples.

"Silence." Xuanbao didn't use his magic power; he simply uttered two words. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the natural majesty of the Primordial Daoist and the power to soothe people's hearts, instantly drowning out all the noise. The gathered disciples immediately shut up, staring at him expectantly, but the eagerness in their eyes didn't diminish in the slightest.

Xuanbao's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, and he saw many familiar or unfamiliar faces.

"I understand your intentions." Xuanbao smiled slightly, his voice softening. "As fellow disciples, my attainment of the Primordial Dao is a joyous occasion for Kunlun and a blessing for the Xuanmen. Today is too rushed for detailed discussions. How about this—"

With a slight thought, he flicked his sleeve.

"Splash—!!!"

In an instant, a dazzling light soared into the sky, and the Daoist aura surged like a tide! Thousands of radiant, acquired spiritual treasures poured out of Xuanbao's sleeve like a fountain, hovering in mid-air! Knives, swords, spears, halberds, bells, cauldrons, pagodas, seals, diagrams, banners, beads, pendants... all kinds, a dazzling array! Although they were all acquired spiritual treasures, the lowest grade was a mid-grade acquired spiritual treasure, and although they were just casually crafted by Xuanbao, they were all exquisite.

"These acquired spiritual treasures are a small gift from me to all of you fellow disciples. You may each take one according to your own destiny. Consider it a celebration of my attainment of the Dao, and also a way to fulfill our camaraderie as fellow disciples," Xuanbao said with a smile. He then added, "You may only take one; do not be greedy. After obtaining the treasure, you must diligently refine it, make good use of its abilities, protect your cultivation, and never use it to bully others, let alone kill fellow disciples. Otherwise, even if I were in the Thirty-Three Heavens, I would know and I would not let you off lightly."

"Thank you so much, Martial Uncle! Grandmaster!"

"Hahaha! I finally have a decent magic weapon!"

The cheers nearly shook the summit of Kunlun Mountain! The disciples were initially stunned, then overjoyed, abandoning all restraint. Like hungry tigers pouncing on their prey, they forcefully suppressed their excitement, their eyes wide as they carefully searched and sensed the treasure among the dazzling light, trying to find one that resonated with them. Some spotted it at first glance, immediately seizing it and clutching it to their arms with silly grins; others hesitated, looking at one and touching another; and a few clever ones had already huddled together, whispering and discussing which treasure was more suitable for their cultivation techniques…

The scene briefly became somewhat "out of control," but it was filled with pure jubilation and joy. Xuanbao stood with his hands behind his back amidst the precious light, watching with a smile, feeling a sense of exhilaration himself. Giving roses leaves a lingering fragrance. Seeing these younger generations so elated by his simple act, wasn't that a kind of Daoist joy as well?

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of two figures standing quietly in the shadows of the side hall pillars of the Sanqing Hall at the edge of the bustling crowd. Unlike the other disciples, they did not rush forward to snatch the treasure, nor did they even intend to approach. They simply watched from afar in silence, gazing at the Xuanbao, which was surrounded by admirers and radiant with light.

There was a handsome young man dressed in colorful feathered robes, with a hint of arrogance and... grievance, and a boy dressed in black with black hair, sharp eyes like an eagle, and a stern face with tightly pursed lips.

Kong Xuan. Dapeng.

Xuanbao's smile froze instantly.

A complex mix of emotions—a sense of realization, embarrassment, and guilt—was poured over him like ice water, causing even his Primordial Dao Heart to tremble slightly.

Oh no! How could I forget about these two little guys!

Back then, he took two people in as his disciples just because he thought it would be fun, but he was always busy traveling and rarely returned to Kunlun Mountain.

Having ascended to the Heavenly Emperor's throne again, and now focused on seclusion to seek a breakthrough, he left them behind on Kunlun Mountain. This departure lasted for tens of thousands of years. Looking at the two of them, Xuanbao felt a little uneasy.

However, Xuanbao was very satisfied with the two little ones' cultivation levels. Kong Xuan had even reached the peak of the Great Luo realm, and Dapeng had also entered the Great Luo realm. It seemed that the two of them had not neglected their cultivation.

But he, the "master," had truly forgotten them in the Kunlun Mountains, never personally visiting them or offering a single word of comfort.

Xuanbao could still clearly see the sadness and disappointment that Kong Xuan tried so hard to hide but still revealed in the depths of his proud phoenix eyes; Dapeng's clenched fists and slightly reddened eyes.

I'm such a terrible master...

Xuanbao sighed inwardly, all traces of the joy of being surrounded by people gone. He waved his hand gently, and the countless acquired spiritual treasures floating in the sky, as if guided by an invisible force, transformed into streams of light, falling precisely into the hands of the disciples who were still excitedly choosing—one for each person, no more and no less.

"Whoever obtains the treasure, go back and refine it properly. Disperse." Xuanbao's voice remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

Although the disciples were taken aback, obtaining the treasure was already a great joy. Seeing Xuanbao's unusual expression, they dared not ask any further questions. They all bowed respectfully and happily transformed into streaks of light, disappearing into the distance. In the blink of an eye, the noisy mountaintop returned to tranquility, leaving only Xuanbao and the two silent figures under the distant pillars.

Xuanbao took a step and arrived at the front of the corridor.

When Kong Xuan and Da Peng saw him approaching, their bodies seemed to tense slightly, but they forced themselves to remain calm. They bowed in unison, their voices hoarse as they greeted him: "Kong Xuan (Da Peng) greets Your Excellency. Congratulations on Your Excellency's attainment of the Primordial Dao and may you live a long and prosperous life."

He was polite and respectful, yet his tone carried a strong sense of estrangement and... grievance.

Xuanbao looked at them, momentarily at a loss for words. Explain? Say he was busy with Heavenly Court affairs, in seclusion seeking a breakthrough, and had no time for anything else? These reasons seemed so pale and powerless in the face of thousands of years of oblivion.

"Sigh! He's just a kid, a little comforting will do the trick."

Xuanbao remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled softly. The smile contained a hint of self-mockery, but more so a rare gentleness and sincerity.

"Get up." Xuanbao's voice was not loud, but it rang clearly in their ears. "It's been ten thousand years. Kong Xuan, you have reached the peak of Taiyi Golden Immortal, and your Five-Colored Divine Light must be nearing perfection. Dapeng, you have also entered the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. Your talent and diligence have not been diminished by my neglect of your guidance. Very good."

These words, spoken calmly, caused Kong Xuan, who had been looking down, to shudder slightly. Da Peng abruptly raised his head, his forced indifference almost crumbling.

Xuanbao seemed oblivious and sat down on the stone bench under the corridor.

"Sit down." Xuanbao pointed to the stone bench opposite him.

Kong Xuan and Da Peng exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and doubt in each other's eyes. What was the master up to? Instead of scolding, explaining, or appeasing them, he invited them for drinks? The two hesitated, but ultimately dared not disobey, and carefully sat down on the stone bench, their backs ramrod straight.

Xuanbao's gaze was fixed on the churning sea of ​​clouds in the distance, as if he were reminiscing about something.

"Back in Luofeng Slope, Kong Xuan, you were only at the Xuanxian Realm," Xuanbao said calmly, with a hint of a smile. "I saw that you two had extraordinary potential and your character was still intact, so on a whim, I brought you back and casually made you my disciples."

He paused, then looked at the two: "You are called children, but I have never taught you any proper Taoist methods, nor have I given you any decent treasures. I just left you in Kunlun, letting you explore on your own, absorb some of the spiritual energy of the Sanqing Taoist temple, and listen to some scattered sermons. This abandonment has lasted for tens of thousands of years."

Kong Xuan pursed her lips even tighter, and Da Peng's eyes reddened again.

"It is my negligence and incompetence as a master," Xuanbao said, his voice still calm but heavy as a thousand pounds. "There are no excuses to make."

Xuanbao's direct admission surprised Kong Xuan and Dapeng.

"Master..." Da Peng's voice was a little hoarse. He wanted to say something, but Kong Xuan quietly tugged at his sleeve.

Kong Xuan raised his head, his beautiful phoenix eyes staring directly at Xuan Bao, a complex mix of emotions churning within them: pride, grievance, resentment, and a hint of longing to be remembered, a longing he himself was unaware of. "Master, you flatter me. You are the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones, the Lord of Heaven, and now hold an even more esteemed position, with a heart for the primordial world and countless affairs to attend to. That Da Peng and I can live peacefully in Kunlun and enjoy tranquility is already a great blessing; we dare not complain." Despite his words, his tightly pursed lips and slightly trembling fingertips betrayed the turmoil within him.

Xuanbao looked at Kong Xuan and suddenly laughed. This time, his smile was much more genuine. A child is still a child after all: "You're hypocritical. Your proud nature hasn't changed in thousands of years." He stopped beating around the bush, flicked his finger, and two points of spiritual light flew towards Kong Xuan and Dapeng respectively.

The two instinctively caught it. It was warm to the touch, the spiritual light dissipated, and its true form was revealed.

In Kong Xuan's hand was a strange short staff, about a foot long, neither gold nor jade, its entire body flowing with chaotic five colors, and with five slender, illusory feathers swirling at its tail. The moment he grasped the staff, his entire body trembled violently. The five-colored divine light within him, which had reached the peak of the Taiyi realm and was faintly touching the threshold of the Daluo realm, uncontrollably surged, resonating intensely with the staff! Within the staff lay the purest and most primordial innate five elements of creation, and a supreme Daoist aura… seemingly capable of controlling and amplifying all five elements' divine abilities! This was clearly a superior-grade innate spiritual treasure, and a supreme treasure perfectly suited to his innate divine ability!

In Dapeng's hands were a pair of small, exquisite black and white cones, one side black and the other white, flowing with yin and yang energies. The moment he touched them, the incomparably familiar primordial power of the yin and yang laws surged into his limbs and bones, cleansing his blood and primordial spirit!

"This..." The two were completely stunned, holding the treasure in their hands—its radiance restrained yet its Daoist aura soaring—feeling the intense fluctuations and enhancements in their own origin and cultivation, their minds reeling. A superior-grade innate spiritual treasure! And a natal treasure so perfectly aligned with their own Dao! Such an opportunity was something many powerful beings of the primordial era, even quasi-saints, dreamed of! Master...

"This staff is called the 'Five-Colored Sky-Patrolling Staff.' It can help you organize the Five Elements and comprehend the Great Dao of the Five Elements in the primordial world. In the future, you may be able to use it to sever your corpse," Xuanbao said to Kong Xuan, then looked at Dapeng, "This is the Yin-Yang Cone, containing the two energies of Yin and Yang. It is very suitable for you and can also be used to sever your corpse in the future."

His tone was casual, as if he were offering two candies rather than two top-grade innate spiritual treasures that would make even a Quasi-Saint break his head. "Consider it a belated gift for all these years of getting to know each other."

Kong Xuan gripped the Five-Colored Celestial Staff tightly, feeling the pulse of his own blood flowing through it, a pulse that seemed to originate from the same source as his own. The grievances, alienation, and arrogance accumulated over thousands of years melted away in that instant, like ice and snow exposed to sunlight. He suddenly knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, but without a trace of reluctance: "Kong Xuan...thanks for your generous gift, Master! Previously, Kong Xuan was ignorant of the bigger picture and harbored resentment; please punish me, Master!"

Dapeng was even more direct, immediately kneeling down with a thud, hugging Xuanbao's legs and wailing, "Master! Master, you haven't forgotten us! You've given us such a wonderful treasure! Dapeng was wrong! Dapeng will never complain about Master again! Master, please take Dapeng with you wherever you go from now on! Dapeng will definitely be a good servant, serving you tea and water, fighting and guarding the door!"

Seeing one arrogant one transform into a loyal dog, and the other revert to his true, simple nature, Xuanbao was both amused and exasperated, though much of his guilt had dissipated. He reached out to help them both up, saying gently, "What punishment? Get up. It was my fault before. However..." He changed the subject, a half-smile playing on his lips, "Now that you've accepted the gift, you're officially my servants."

Upon hearing this, Kong Xuan and Dapeng's eyes instantly shone with astonishing brilliance! Returning to the Heavenly Court with the Master! To follow a Primordial Golden Immortal—what an opportunity and honor this was!

"Yes! We are willing!" the two said in unison, their voices trembling with excitement.

"Don't rush to agree." Xuanbao waved his hand, his expression becoming more serious. "The Heavenly Court is not as peaceful as Kunlun. The Heavenly Laws are strict, the affairs are complex, and we are always in the eye of the storm. As my close attendants, you must be careful in your words and actions, diligent and quick-witted, and you must be able to deal with various forces and handle emergencies. Although you two have good talent, your temperaments still need to be tempered. Kong Xuan is too arrogant and easily broken; Dapeng is too straightforward and easily agitated. After returning to the Heavenly Court, you will need to start from the bottom as celestial officials, familiarize yourself with the operation of the Heavenly Court, learn the laws and regulations of the Heavenly Court, and learn how to deal with people. Can you endure hardship? Can you withstand the tediousness?"

Kong Xuan and Da Peng exchanged a glance, both seeing the unwavering determination in each other's eyes. They bowed in unison, their voices ringing out: "We will obey your orders, Master! We will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

"Alright." Xuanbao nodded in satisfaction. "Then it's settled. You two should return to your respective caves first to refine these two spiritual treasures and stabilize your cultivation. Three days later, you will return to the Heavenly Court with me. As for your duties and residence in Kunlun, someone will take care of that."

"Yes, sir!" The two responded excitedly, carrying the treasure, and left in two streaks of light, their backs radiating joy and excitement, completely different from when they arrived.

Looking in the direction where the two disappeared, Xuanbao shook his head and chuckled, feeling a sense of relief in his heart.

As expected, children are easy to coax; two magical treasures that I casually crafted were enough to appease them.

……