Volume One: The Lich Cataclysm Chapter 145: The King of the East Extends an Invitation, With Motives Beyond the Obvious

After finishing his words, Hongjun did not wait for the others to inquire further; his figure had already vanished from the meditation mat. Watching this, the Three Pure Ones and their companions were filled with regret. Seeing the situation, they simply returned to the Wilderness.

Outside the Purple Cloud Palace, Queen Mother of the West, who had left first, suddenly heard a voice from behind. “Queen Mother of the West, fellow Daoist, please wait!” Turning around, she saw it was Duke of the East. Queen Mother of the West spoke calmly, “So it is Duke of the East. May I ask why you have called out to me?” Duke of the East looked upon her alluring and shapely figure, thinking how one now ranked as the foremost male immortal and the other as the foremost female immortal. Moreover, each was the embodiment of the primordial essence of extreme yang and extreme yin, making them a perfect match. Yet, seeing her indifferent expression, he hesitated to speak. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Queen Mother of the West, now that we stand as leaders of male and female immortals, the Dao Ancestor’s intention is for us to oversee all the male and female immortals of the Wilderness on his behalf. Perhaps, when we have time, we could discuss matters together. If you are ever free after your isolation, please visit my Purple Mansion Continent.” As he spoke, an intense, greedy desire flickered in his eyes, unseen by Queen Mother of the West.

She replied lightly, “Let us speak of this another time. If there is nothing else, I shall return to West Kunlun. This lecture by the Dao Ancestor has benefited me greatly.” Duke of the East, hearing this, dared not press further and replied regretfully, “Since you have gained insights, please go and contemplate them. If you are free after your seclusion, you are welcome at Purple Mansion Continent.” With that, Queen Mother of the West merely nodded, and Duke of the East was left frustrated. Watching her depart, his gaze was filled with indescribable longing, thinking that once he succeeded, she would not escape his grasp.

Unbeknownst to Duke of the East, after leaving, Queen Mother of the West soon shed her calm demeanor. Her face turned ashen, rage and concealed mockery written across her features.

Outside Purple Cloud Palace, Hongyun emerged, intending to visit Five Villages and see Zhenyuanzi. Yet he thought Zhenyuanzi must be busy establishing his blessed land somewhere. “I should return to Fire Cloud Cave; it has been a while since I last visited.” Hongyun then recalled the Primordial Purple Qi within his soul, and the difference in strength between himself and Zhenyuanzi.

“It is indeed time to enter seclusion. Otherwise, who knows how many will surpass me soon—I would be too ashamed to face anyone!” And so, Hongyun hurried toward his Fire Cloud Cave, resolved that he would not emerge from seclusion until he attained the rank of Quasi-Saint. “At that time, the gap between me and Brother Zhenyuanzi will be much smaller, I hope!” Yet Hongyun did not realize that even if he became a Quasi-Saint, the difference between him and Zhenyuanzi would remain vast.

Meanwhile, the Zhenyuanzi he thought of was currently establishing a blessed land upon a famous mountain, tens of billions of miles from the southern Immortal Volcano. Upon arriving, Zhenyuanzi found that the place had no owner. What he did not know was that this had originally been the Dao Field of the Daoist of Heaven and Earth. After that one’s demise, no one had claimed it. Not only had the Daoist left powerful restrictions that most could not break, but his reputation had once been so great that few knew he had fallen, and there was no one nearby who could be aware of such news.

Now, Zhenyuanzi was close to completing the establishment of his domain when he received a message that delighted him. “Once this is complete, come find me!” As soon as he received the message, Zhenyuanzi guessed it must be from Qingxuan himself. “Has the senior already returned to the Wilderness?” Zhenyuanzi could not have guessed that Qingxuan had not only returned but was plotting major events. Nor dared he imagine that the recent upheaval in the Wilderness had been orchestrated by Qingxuan. Perhaps he suspected, but dared not dwell on it.

Receiving a personal message from Qingxuan, Zhenyuanzi hurried to complete his task so he might seek him at Buzhou Mountain. With this thought, he began to work on the Dao Field of the Daoist of Heaven and Earth.

At the same time, far away at Buzhou Mountain, Qingxuan was surprised by Zhenyuanzi’s location. “Hmm, so this is the original Dao Field of my friend of Heaven and Earth, and unexpectedly, no one has claimed it since. Zhenyuanzi’s luck truly favors me. In that case, this place must not be wasted!” With this in mind, Qingxuan summoned a figure before him.

“Greetings, Father God!” The newcomer was one of the twelve first-born of the Spirit Tribe, created by Qingxuan.

“You were created from the essence of the supreme innate spirit root—the Tree of Heaven and Earth. Now there is a great opportunity perfectly suited for you, though it will not be easy; you will have much to accomplish. Are you willing to go?” Looking closely, one could see the rich Dao aura of Heaven and Earth about him. As the Dao Field of the Daoist of Heaven and Earth, it was the best place for cultivating that path, which was one reason Qingxuan chose him. Moreover, he was among the twelve strongest of the Spirit Tribe, having absorbed the most merit and possessing the highest essence. All twelve were Great Golden Immortals, bearing half the tribe’s fortune and the responsibility for its rise and fall.

“Father God, I am willing.” “Hmm, since you were born, I have not named you. Have you chosen a name for yourself?” “Father God, I have not.” “Then henceforth, you shall be called Yijian. ‘Heaven is easily understood, earth is simple and capable; through ease and simplicity, the principles of the world are obtained.’ Yijian shall be your name!” After a moment’s thought, Qingxuan spoke to him, now the ancestor of the Spirit Tribe’s Heaven and Earth path.

“From now on, I am Yijian. Thank you, Father God, for bestowing this name!” Yijian was delighted.

“I shall send you to a place where you will meet my future personal disciple.” Qingxuan waved his hand, opening a spatial portal and sent Yijian through it.

“Who are you?” Zhenyuanzi, noticing someone’s arrival, asked warily; he was at a critical moment and could not afford carelessness.

“I believe you must be Senior Brother Zhenyuanzi, as Father God mentioned. I am Yijian of the Spirit Tribe, created by Father God. Greetings, Senior Brother!” Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi understood Yijian’s purpose. “So it is Junior Brother Yijian; your arrival solves a troublesome matter for me!” Zhenyuanzi replied with a hearty laugh.