Chapter Forty-Seven: Returning Once More to the Purple Vault

On the Qilin Cliff of Kunlun Mountain, the Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Heavenly Venerable sat quietly on their cushions, watching the confrontation and battle between Tongtian and the demon army. Just as Donghuang Taiyi launched his attack, the images within the illusion suddenly began to blur. The two of them reinforced the illusion with their power, and the scene gradually became clear again. Yet before long, it started to blur once more, this time dissolving into a solid field of whiteness, like the static of a television with no signal.

Although the Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Heavenly Venerable did not go to aid Tongtian or save the human race, it was impossible not to worry. In order to better observe the situation, the Supreme Elder Lord had cast a Sumeru Illusion to broadcast the battle between immortals and demons. Yet no matter how much the two of them poured their power into it, the screen remained a blank white with no effect.

At this, they could not help but grow anxious. After all, they had been brothers for countless eons, and the bond between them ran deep—so how could they not be concerned for Tongtian’s safety? No longer fixated on the illusion, they calmed themselves, gradually entering a meditative state. Their souls left their bodies and arrived at the entrance to the River of Time and Space, far beyond the Nine Heavens.

There, above the gateway to the River of Time and Space, a talisman suppressed the portal, vast spiritual energy swirling around it. The Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Heavenly Venerable tried to approach and probe it, but before they could get close, sword energy formed from the spiritual aura forced them back, denying them even a single step forward. They attempted again and again, but could not withstand the terrifying sword energy. At last, they had no choice but to withdraw from the River of Time and Space, abandoning their plan to observe Tongtian’s battle, and returned to their corporeal forms on Kunlun Mountain.

Even so, the Primeval Heavenly Venerable could not suppress his doubts and asked the Supreme Elder Lord, “Brother, there truly are mighty powers in this primordial world—someone can actually block our attacks and prevent us from investigating further. How strange! How could this be? At the level of a newly ascended Golden Immortal like myself, there are few who could stand against both of us, unless it’s one of the Dao Ancestors.”

“It is likely that one,” replied the Supreme Elder Lord, ignoring the question and turning his gaze toward the heavens, in the direction of the dwelling of Ancestor Hongjun. At this, the Primeval Heavenly Venerable instantly understood his meaning—it was the Ancestor’s doing.

Together, the Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Heavenly Venerable rose, performed a gesture, and vanished from Qilin Cliff.

The two arrived in the Realm Beyond Heavens and saw standing at the entrance two young attendants—Haotian and Yaoci. They stepped forward and said, “Is Teacher present?” In the Sage’s domain, one could not dispense with respect, especially in the place where their own master cultivated.

“Teacher knew the two elder brothers would be coming and sent us to greet you. Teacher has been waiting for some time; you should go in quickly,” said Yaoci. With that, the two entered, but Haotian and Yaoci remained outside, not going into the palace. At this moment, the Primeval Heavenly Venerable was about to speak, but felt his sleeve tugged. Turning, he saw it was the Supreme Elder Lord. The Primeval Heavenly Venerable shook his head and said nothing, following the Supreme Elder Lord into the palace.

“Do you think our Senior Brother Tongtian might be in trouble?” Yaoci asked. Tongtian had always taken good care of Haotian and Yaoci, so they were fond of him as well.

“I don’t know. But you greedy thing, don’t tell me you’re just hoping for some of Tongtian’s sweets again!” Haotian said to Yaoci.

Because Tongtian’s soul came from a later age, he had recreated many little items from the future world. He used these trinkets to amuse Haotian and Yaoci—after all, the two of them would one day become Lords of Heaven. Regardless of whether his disciples would serve in the Heavenly Court, it was wise to lay the foundations of a good relationship. Thus, Tongtian would “bribe” Haotian and Yaoci.

“Hmph, and aren’t you always thinking about Tongtian’s Nine-Flower Wine?” Yaoci pouted, retorting at Haotian’s teasing.

The Nine-Flower Wine was Tongtian’s own brew, beloved even by the Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Heavenly Venerable, who would drink a cup or two in idle moments to relieve their worries. Haotian was no exception; in order to get closer to Yaoci, he would drink for courage and declare his affection for her, only to be thoroughly thrashed by Yaoci in return.

Haotian chuckled, scratching his head, about to fire back, when the two Western Sages—Jieyin and Zhunti—arrived at the palace gates and addressed them, “Is Teacher present?” No matter how cunning they might be outside, here, in this place, all impure thoughts were dispelled.

“Teacher has been waiting for some time. Please, elder brothers, go inside,” Haotian replied to Jieyin and Zhunti.

The two sages ignored Haotian and Yaoci entirely and strode straight into the domain of the Ancestor. Haotian and Yaoci were so angry that their three corpses almost leapt out. What sort of people are these? Hmph! That was their worst impression of Jieyin and Zhunti.

At this moment, Zhenyuanzi and Ancestor Hongyun also arrived at Zixiao Palace and greeted the two attendants: “Greetings, fellow Daoists.”

Still simmering, the two hastily replied, “Greetings, greetings!”

“Might you know why Teacher has summoned us?” Zhenyuanzi and Ancestor Hongyun had been meditating in their own abodes when they suddenly heard Hongjun’s summons and had hurried to Zixiao Palace. Seeing Haotian and Yaoci, they thought to ask the Ancestor’s personal attendants, hoping to learn something of what was going on.

“We do not know. However, the four elder brothers of the Supreme Purity, Jade Purity, and the Western Sages have already gone inside. We were simply following Teacher’s instructions to greet you. If I had to guess, it is probably related to Senior Brother Tongtian’s struggle with the demon clan’s strongest. But that is only my speculation, and I confess to being worried as well,” replied Haotian.

At this, Zhenyuanzi and Ancestor Hongyun came to a sudden understanding—so it was because of this. Thanking them, they entered the Sage’s domain.

“Is it true?” Yaoci asked Haotian, uncertain of his words.

“It should be,” Haotian replied, thinking deeply.

“Hmph, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. With Senior Brother Tongtian at a life-or-death juncture with the humans, you’re just trying to get Zhenyuanzi and Ancestor Hongyun to help him, aren’t you? Am I right?” Yaoci looked archly at the somewhat abashed Haotian.

“Nothing escapes you! My admiration for you is like a mighty river, flowing endlessly—” Even lines from later generations, like Wei Xiaobao’s famous words, Tongtian had taught Haotian, showing how fond he was of the two.

“Enough, enough, stop! I don’t want to hear it.” At these words, Yaoci grew impatient, turned, and ran into the hall, loudly declaring her refusal.

Haotian, seeing this, hurried to chase after her, calling out, “Little sister, don’t run! If Teacher hears I’m 'bullying' you, I’ll be in real trouble!”