As the Sanqing descended the mountain, preparing to return to Kunlun, they suddenly noticed a Taoist in red standing beneath a banana tree ahead.
Tongtian, with sharp eyes, immediately said, "I didn't expect there to be any living beings here. Observing his cultivation, he's also in the early stage of Da Luo Golden Immortal, yet he dares to come from the Great Desolation to this place!"
One must understand that this was the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation. Although the three tribes had not yet completely fallen out, their secret schemes and rivalries were no less intense!
Furthermore, there were many powerful experts among the three tribes. Their patriarchs were all quasi-saint level mighty beings, and there were no shortage of Da Luo Golden Immortal level fighters. This was why, without Taiqing Laozi accompanying them, Yuan Shi and he dared not descend the mountain to play, fearing they might be killed for no reason!
Having such noble origins, dying in such a manner would be utterly suffocating!
Therefore, seeing the Taoist in red, merely in the early stage of Da Luo Golden Immortal, venturing out so boldly, they couldn't help but admire him!
As the Sanqing discovered the Taoist in red, the Taoist also finally noticed the Sanqing. After a moment of hesitation, the Taoist in red spoke, "Greetings, three fellow Taoists! I am Hongyun, a humble greeting!"
Taiqing Laozi blinked in surprise, then understood. So, it was this person. It was said that this individual had taken form very early and loved to roam the Great Desolation, earning the reputation of a good-natured person. It was just that he was somewhat oblivious to the workings of fate; otherwise, he would have been an exceptional virtuous cultivator!
"The Pangu Sanqing, Taiqing Laozi, greets fellow Taoist Hongyun!" Taiqing Laozi took the lead in greeting him.
Seeing his elder brother initiate the greeting, Yuan Shi also said, "I am Yuqing Yuan Shi, greetings, fellow Taoist!"
"I am Shangqing Tongtian, greetings, fellow Taoist!" Tongtian followed suit immediately.
Hongyun, however, was stunned. What had he heard? Pangu Sanqing? Who didn't know Pangu? He was the great deity who embodied the Great Desolation. These three claimed to be the Pangu Sanqing. One must realize that at this time, such a claim was not made lightly; it carried great karma, and one could die if they couldn't bear it!
"I never expected to meet the orthodox descendants of Pangu. Greetings, three fellow Taoists!" Hongyun quickly bowed again. He had no choice; Pangu's reputation was too immense; it was impossible not to be shocked!
Hearing Hongyun's words, "orthodox descendants of Pangu," a smile appeared on the faces of the three. This was as it should be!
"Three fellow Taoists, by chance, there is a先天灵根 (Xiantian Linggen - Innate Spiritual Root) banana tree here, bearing four fruits, Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth. They seem to be destined for us," Hongyun said!
Taiqing Laozi nodded. Indeed, but this banana fan could only be considered a low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, barely acceptable. It would be good for fanning flames or something similar.
Having just obtained a top-grade Innate Spiritual Root and a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, to be honest, Yuan Shi and Tongtian were not particularly impressed by these. However, even a small gain was still a gain. They chuckled and said, "This is an excellent idea!"
After waiting for the four leaves to mature, Hongyun picked the wind fan, while Taiqing Laozi took the fire fan. Yuan Shi and Tongtian were indifferent, having no intention of refining such spiritual treasures, and divided them casually.
Taiqing Laozi, however, had a thought, and said with a smile, "Fellow Taoist Hongyun, our meeting is by fate. Why not visit our Kunlun Mountain and engage in a discussion of the Dao? Wouldn't that be most pleasant!"
Hongyun, who was about to bid farewell, was taken aback. He was deeply tempted. Since taking form, he had no close Taoist friends. His only friend, Zhen Yuanzi, had not yet taken form. He would often visit Zhen Yuanzi and tell him about events in the Great Desolation.
Now, he had encountered the Pangu Sanqing, and they invited him to be their guest. He immediately said, "Very well, then I shall trouble the three of you!"
"No trouble at all. We cultivators should indeed interact more and exchange ideas. Being closed off in one's own dwelling is not ideal," Taiqing Laozi stated.
Hongyun nodded repeatedly, and then the four headed towards Kunlun Mountain.
It was then that the Sanqing finally understood why Hongyun could travel so freely. His speed was too astonishing; ordinary Da Luo Golden Immortals could hardly see his back, let alone trouble him!
Upon arriving at Kunlun Mountain, Laozi instructed Yuan Shi to fetch a plentiful supply of immortal apricots to entertain Hongyun.
Hongyun kept nodding, remarking on how delicious the immortal apricots were. Unfortunately, they were far inferior to Ginseng Fruits, but he understood the niceties of social interaction.
Following this, they naturally engaged in a discussion of the Dao.
As the guest, Hongyun naturally could not let his hosts speak first. Taiqing Laozi set the example, beginning to expound on his Dao, with his three flowers appearing overhead, a display of his utmost sincerity.
Even Yuan Shi and Tongtian, who had heard it many times, listened with rapt attention.
Hongyun, hearing someone expound on the Dao for the first time, was also completely engrossed.
Gradually, Taiqing Laozi's discourse on the Dao concluded. Yuan Shi followed suit, manifesting his three flowers and beginning to expound on his great Dao.
Hongyun was once again captivated by Yuan Shi's Dao.
Then, Tongtian began his exposition on the Dao.
After listening to the Dao of the Sanqing, Hongyun exclaimed, "As expected of the orthodox descendants of Pangu, your Dao is indeed profound!"
As he spoke, Hongyun slapped his forehead, his three flowers manifesting, and he began to expound on his own great Dao.
As Hongyun's Dao unfolded, the Sanqing listened with extreme earnestness. This was, strictly speaking, their first time discussing the Dao with an outsider, so they naturally paid close attention and listened attentively.
The Sanqing nodded in approval of Hongyun's Dao. Afterward, the four continued to discuss Dharma abilities and divine powers. Yuan Shi and Tongtian were quite impressed by Hongyun's Dao of Speed. The four learned from each other's strengths, reaping a bountiful harvest.
As Hongyun was about to depart, he was on the verge of breaking through to the mid-stage of Da Luo Golden Immortal, causing Yuan Shi and Tongtian to feel a pang of envy. After all, currently, only their elder brother, Taiqing Laozi, was in the mid-stage of Da Luo Golden Immortal; they were both still in the early stage.
Then Hongyun left, saying he would bring other mighty beings to visit next time.
Taiqing Laozi, knowing that his two brothers had also gained something, said with a smile, "You two go ahead. You still need to refine the spiritual treasures and absorb what you've gained from our discussion of the Dao. I will arrange things here."
Yuan Shi and Tongtian nodded and departed.
Taiqing Laozi then took out the Huang Zhong Li (Yellow Bell Fruit), planted it on the summit of Kunlun Mountain, and returned to his palace to begin refining the Panlong Bianguai.
Time flowed by like water. The Great Desolation never kept track of years.
By this time, Taiqing Laozi had completely refined the Panlong Bianguai. Due to the spiritual treasure's own willingness, the refining process was very swift, and he could control it perfectly. It was only slightly more troublesome than a naturally accompanying spiritual treasure.
Taiqing Laozi glanced around. His two younger brothers were still in seclusion, possibly contemplating something.
He looked at himself. With the Wan Fa Bu Qin (Invincible to Ten Thousand Laws) Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda, he possessed innate defense and stood undefeated. With the Panlong Bianguai, he had an offensive weapon. Thus, he was complete in both offense and defense.
His two brothers, however, were not. Yuan Shi's San Bao Yu Ruyi and Tongtian's Qing Ping Sword were both offensive spiritual treasures but lacked defensive capabilities. Moreover, in the future, his youngest brother, Tongtian, would lack an artifact to suppress his destiny, which was how the Western lands would exploit him. It seemed that all of this needed to be planned in advance.
If he wanted his brothers to not have internal strife in the future, ensuring fairness was essential. More importantly, he needed to solve the root cause of the problem. Only then could the Great Desolation be under their rule, rather than all the Saints being banished to the Outer Thirty-Third Heaven.