I, the spirit of the primitive land, have the ability to understand the universe and prove the origin of the universe
Chapter 15 - News of the Water Spirit Pearl — The Dragon Maiden Ao Qianqian

Chapter 15: News of the Water Spirit Pearl — The Dragon Maiden Ao Qianqian

A thousand years later, in the northern reaches of the Primordial Realm, a young Daoist walked alone, step by steady step.

The Daoist’s hair was the colour of flame, cascading down like an immortal waterfall.

His features were sharply defined and noble, exuding an awe-inspiring dignity.

Sword-like brows arched proudly above eyes that gleamed like starlight, as though reflecting the very constellations across the heavens.

After departing from Mount Buzhou, Zhong Yue had journeyed ever northward.

Thanks to the Dao path left behind by Hongjun, the entire Primordial Realm had grown lively once more, thriving with renewed vigour.

Along his path, he encountered dozens of Taiyi Golden Immortals, and even glimpsed the occasional Da Luo holding discourse on the Dao in secluded corners.

Zhong Yue would sometimes approach these cultivators, engaging in dialogue and sitting together to discuss the Dao.

Of course, not all encounters were amicable — but those who sought trouble were quickly sent on their way, by death or otherwise.

Compared to the eastern region, the northern Primordial Realm was significantly more barren — though far better off than the west. At the very least, the various earth veins remained intact and complete.

Zhong Yue wandered among them, collecting the essence of the land’s spiritual veins, attuning himself to the rhythms of nature.

He spoke with the sun, the moon, and the stars.

He conferred with rivers, lakes, and seas.

He shook hands with every tree and brushed cheeks with each blade of grass.

By this point, he was no longer in a hurry.

Instead, he took time to admire the beauty of the mountains and waters — contemplating the vastness of Heaven and Earth, the pride of life, the preciousness of time, and the nearness of death.

On this particular day, as usual, Zhong Yue walked between the valleys and peaks.

Suddenly, a streak of divine light sped toward him from the distance, trailed by a wave of killing intent that spread across the sky.

Zhong Yue originally intended to avoid it, letting the light pass by on its way.

He had roamed the Primordial Realm for many years now, and scenes like this were nothing new — clearly a case of pursuit and vengeance. Unless absolutely necessary, he preferred not to get involved.

However, the more one tries to avoid trouble, the more it sometimes comes knocking.

Just as the divine light flew overhead, it abruptly plummeted from the sky.

Puh—

A five-clawed white divine dragon crashed not far from Zhong Yue, its massive form raising a storm of dust and gravel.

The white dragon was covered in wounds, its scales shattered and torn. Even one of its horns had been snapped clean off.

“Sigh…”

At such close range, Zhong Yue knew he could no longer stay uninvolved.

Sure enough, the moment the white dragon hit the ground, several figures dropped from the void above.

Leading them was a sea shark demon in humanoid form, radiating the power of a late-stage Golden Immortal. The others were all Profound Immortals, each transformed from various sea creatures.

The sea shark landed first, casting a glance at Zhong Yue, its expression immediately turning hostile.

“Who are you? Do you intend to protect her?”

“I am—”

Before the creature could finish speaking, Zhong Yue let out a cold snort.

“Noisy.”

He had never held much affection for the demon race.

Throughout his travels across the Primordial Realm, most of the trouble he’d encountered had stemmed from them — always some excuse to obstruct him, always some petty grievance.

Now, these demon cultivators reeked of blood — clearly not the righteous sort. He couldn’t be bothered to waste words.

With a sweep of his wide sleeve, divine light erupted.

The group of demon cultivators was instantly reduced to ashes — wiped away like ants beneath his palm.

After obliterating them without effort, Zhong Yue turned to the white dragon in the distance, his brows furrowed.

From this little white dragon, he had sensed a familiar aura.

“This is… the aura of the Water Spirit Pearl?”

Each of the Innate Five Element Spirit Pearls was an independent entity, yet they all shared certain resonances.

Having already obtained the Metal, Wood, and Earth Spirit Pearls, Zhong Yue was naturally sensitive to the presence of the remaining ones. After all, the five pearls had originally been one.

The fire of desire lit within his eyes.

To gather all five would be to forge a supreme innate treasure — a treasure of unparalleled power.

Zhong Yue would never go out of his way to hunt for the remaining pearls… but if one happened to come to him, he certainly wouldn’t refuse.

Besides, the Five Element Pearls held other uses — ideas he had long entertained.

Now that his foundation had transformed into that of a top-tier innate divine being, he could reach the level of Da Luo Golden Immortal even without incorporating external Five Element treasures.

But that kind of advancement would be the simplest, most basic breakthrough.

What Zhong Yue sought was something greater: to deepen his foundation even further.

Integrating the Five Element Pearls into his own body was a brilliant solution.

For ordinary beings, attempting to merge with innate spirit treasures would be utterly impossible.

Innate treasures were not like spirit roots that could be swallowed or consumed — they were true treasures, imbued with the undying light of creation. Even brute force could barely damage them, let alone allow for fusion.

But Zhong Yue was different — he was a manifestation of the land’s spiritual veins.

He didn’t need to absorb the pearls in the conventional sense. He merely had to plant the five pearls within his body to form the Innate Five Element Grand Formation.

Over the passage of time, his flesh and bones would undergo a miraculous metamorphosis.

His very nature as a land vein would be elevated, strengthened beyond recognition.

When the moment was right, his true body would become a perfectly harmonised five-elemental Chaos Immortal Land — a blessed realm hidden within his own body, even capable of evolving into an immortal domain.

Once the idea took hold, it was like a demon in his heart — impossible to let go.

Immediately, a thought stirred in his mind, and the innate Wood Spirit Pearl soared from within his body, releasing boundless life essence that rained down upon the little white dragon.

In the next moment, the wounds on the little white dragon began to heal, the shattered scales were restored, and even the broken dragon horn started to regrow.

The little white dragon was gravely injured, but having only just entered the Golden Immortal stage, with Zhong Yue—a mighty Taiyi Golden Immortal—treating her, she recovered fully in merely half an hour.

Once awakened, the little white dragon caught sight of Zhong Yue and quickly transformed into a girl of about eight or nine years old. She bowed deeply to him.

“Junior Ao Qianqian offers heartfelt thanks for Senior’s life-saving grace.”

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yue waved his hand casually.

“It is nothing. The reason I saved you, firstly, is because our meeting is fate. Secondly, I, too, have something I seek.”

At this, Zhong Yue paused, his gaze falling upon Ao Qianqian.

“Let me ask you—do you hold the innate Water Spirit Pearl?”

“Do not worry. I shall not forcibly take your spiritual treasure. Whatever conditions you name, feel free to speak them. As long as they are not excessive, I can agree to them all.”

Were it any other cultivator, they might have chosen to kill and seize the treasure.

But Zhong Yue was different. He walked the path of Heaven and Earth itself. In the future, he intended to stand beyond the bounds of this world, so it was best to avoid forming karmic entanglements with others.

At the scene, upon hearing that Zhong Yue indeed had something he desired, Ao Qianqian was initially startled.

However, upon hearing the rest of his words, a visible breath of relief escaped her lips.

“Senior speaks too humbly. You have granted me the grace of life—requesting a boon in return is only proper. There is no need to speak of exchange.”

“Only…”

At this point, hesitation clouded Ao Qianqian’s face, as though she were struggling with something unspeakable.

Zhong Yue noticed this and immediately smiled.

“Is there something you cannot speak openly of? Go ahead and tell me.”

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