Chapter 69: Heavenly River Surges Beyond the Sky

Without waiting for True Lord Liuguang to ask, she poured everything out about what happened in the Xuanzhen Abode like spilling beans. When she spoke of Yan Chuyi getting injured, her grief welled up even more.

“Sister, that Lin Yuan bullied us too much. Over just an abode, he struck viciously without mercy, injuring a fellow disciple. He was so arrogant, completely disregarding the dignity of our noble families. Who knows which fellow disciple will be next?”

“You’re saying he’s already taken under the wing of those people?”

True Lord Liuguang glanced at Qiao Xiaoyun with a faint expression. The girl, crying pitifully with tear-streaked cheeks, was just about to exaggerate the story further when, at that moment, a girl in red robes entered from the cave entrance. She glanced at the red-eyed girl in True Lord Liuguang’s arms, stepped forward, and whispered a few words into True Lord Liuguang’s ear.

“Really?” True Lord Liuguang’s gaze showed a slight surprise.

“True Lord Qiao, it’s true. The gifts sent from the Hongying Cave Abode have all been returned!” The red-robed girl nodded gently, extremely certain.

“Sister…” Qiao Xiaoyun looked at True Lord Liuguang with teary eyes.

True Lord Liuguang’s thoughts had already shifted elsewhere by then. She didn’t care about Yan Chuyi’s life or death. Inner Sect Disciples like Yan Chuyi were countless under the Liuguang Cave Abode. If she had to personally intervene for every single one, how could she possibly manage?

Back then, she had turned a blind eye to Yan Chuyi’s actions merely out of respect for the Yan family and for Qiao Xiaoyun’s sake.

True Lord Liuguang paid no mind to Qiao Xiaoyun’s expression. After a moment’s thought, she lifted her head and ordered.

“Go, prepare a gift!”

“Since even the people from Hongying Cave sent gifts, my Liuguang Cave naturally cannot fall behind them!”

Hearing this, the red-robed girl nodded. True Lord Liuguang pondered slightly, then called her back and added.

“Besides that, also send him an invitation to the True Inheritance Banquet. Furthermore, deliver a few words on my behalf!”

Beside them, Qiao Xiaoyun immediately became somewhat displeased. A pair of apricot eyes full of resentment stared at True Lord Liuguang as she questioned, “Sister, that brat forcibly seized Chuyi’s abode. Not only are you not standing up for us, why are you bestowing such generous gifts instead?”

“You don’t need to worry about this matter. That Lin Yuan is not an Inner Sect Disciple under the Right Hall either. I have my own plans for this. Do not act recklessly!”

A faint trace of chill entered the True Lord’s words. Qiao Xiaoyun was stunned, her heart immediately filling with grievance. She was the one who had suffered the wrong this time.

True Lord Liuguang looked at Qiao Xiaoyun’s unhappy expression, seemingly discerning her thoughts. She immediately furrowed her willow-leaf eyebrows and scolded.

“Enough! If you truly wish to be with Yan Chuyi in the future, you should urge him to focus on proper cultivation. Occupying such a blessed place like the Xuanzhen Abode, yet only achieving the level of an ordinary Yang Spirit True Lord, and indulging in hedonistic pleasures all day long… Such a wake-up call might not be a bad thing for him!”

“You should also know that the once-every-thirty-years Yuanling Grotto-Heaven True Inheritance Banquet is about to begin. I’ve heard this time they’ve even invited Upper Gods to attend. This is a rare opportunity. There are quite a few spots for Inner Sect Disciples as well, not only from some blessed lands in Dongyue Province, but also many gods from the Dongshan Divine System. Making connections with one or two would be greatly beneficial for us. That is the important matter!”

“Xiaoyun, you should understand, I do not keep incompetent people by my side!”

Upon hearing this, the girl fell silent. She understood this sister’s temper and her methods.

It was acceptable for those under her to gain some advantages, but they must have ability. If one’s cultivation was mediocre, even if they didn’t cause trouble, they shouldn’t expect to join her ranks.

But the girl hadn’t given up yet. Just as she was about to plead bitterly, a sudden inspiration flashed in her mind. Thinking of the Dongshan Divine System gods the True Lord mentioned, and then Lin Yuan’s Heavenly One Water Mother Divine Rune, an idea appeared in the girl’s heart. She immediately controlled her expression, wiped her tears with effort, and stood up, saying,

“Sister, I understand!”

Watching Qiao Xiaoyun leave with a wronged expression, many thoughts flashed in True Lord Liuguang’s mind. The factions within the Yuanling Grotto-Heaven were now intricate and complex.

But the ultimate authority always rested with only three individuals. Led by the Palace Lord of the Yuanling Palace, followed by the True Inheritor of the Left Hall and the True Inheritor of the Right Hall. Beneath them were the other True Inheritors.

Among the Nine Great Grotto-Heavens of the Chengyuan Immortal Sect, the Yuanling Grotto-Heaven’s resources were not abundant. The best resources were monopolized by the three True Inheritors of the Yuanling Palace. All the various calamity-avoiding Magical Artifacts and profound Dao Scriptures left by the ancient Immortals were held in their hands.

Especially since rumors said there were methods of Immortal cultivation deep within the Yuanling Grotto-Heaven—how could people not covet it?

This True Inheritance Banquet was a good opportunity. Perhaps she could use it to pull one of them down!

…

Primordial World, within the Tongtian River.

Lin Yuan sat cross-legged. Above his head, the Heavenly One Water Mother Divine Rune continuously absorbed the abundant Heavenly One True Water from the Tongtian River. Vast amounts of Heavenly One True Water were refined by the Divine Rune, immediately generating many mysteries, gradually transforming into a Heavenly One Long River.

As years passed, people near the Lishui Tribe could notice that, at some point, the mountains, rivers, plants, and trees beside the Lishui Tribe became exceptionally lush compared to other places.

Not only did the Tongtian River never flood again, but also the tribesmen living by it—the sick gradually recovered, the healthy grew stronger, and even their cultivation of techniques became at least a third faster.

It wasn’t just the creatures of the Lishui Tribe. Within the Tongtian River, around Lin Yuan, numerous carp had gathered at some point. There were even over a dozen dragon carp that had already shed their scales swimming nearby, absorbing the fine strands of Heavenly One True Water purified by Lin Yuan, nourishing the Dragon Qi within them.

In the ancient times of the Primordial World, when the Three Ancient Sovereigns achieved their Dao, each had their own merits.

Celestial Emperor Cangli Shi defeated the Fierce Beast Clan that occupied the Primordial World. Earth Emperor Yuejian clarified the chaotic turbid qi during the great calamity, purifying the earth veins. The violent and oppressive chaotic turbid qi in the Primordial World diminished, and living beings flourished. Human Emperor Jiutou Shi opened up the Thirty-Three Heavens and numerous large and Small Thousand Worlds for the Primordial World, bringing it to the peak of prosperity.

Among the Five Emperors, Black Emperor Ancestral Dragon led the Scaled Clan, establishing the great pattern of scaled beings transforming into dragons. He was the first to pioneer the path of Postnatal Beings, allowing the Dragon Clan to prosper for a time.

Although many advancement paths for Postnatal Beings now existed, the Path of Dragon Transformation was still widely spread among the Scaled Clan.

Yet, the Path of Dragon Transformation was extremely difficult. The Tongtian River contained the precious Heavenly One True Water, but this water was profoundly obscure. How could ordinary scaled beings refine it?

Now, with the birth of this Heavenly One Long River, while tempering itself, it inadvertently absorbed the abundant water spirit energy nearby, nurturing all things. Naturally, this excited many scaled beings immensely.

They were even more grateful!

Decades later, such movements grew increasingly grand, finally attracting the attention of several Great Divine Powers passing by the Tongtian River.

In the distance, Dao qi flew rapidly. Three goddesses descended, each radiating brilliant divine light, manifesting various wonders. Their appearances were exceptionally beautiful—some dignified and noble, mature and charming; some pure and lovely; some with lively, intelligent gazes, like female leaders among gods.

Sensing the Heavenly One True Water energy surging within the Tongtian River, one of the goddesses glanced with divine eyes, a trace of surprise in her brow.

“An Innate birth, creation of nature. I never expected such a remote place would also have a Demon God who has attained the Dao.”

Then she glanced again at the streams of water-like moonlight drawn down by the Heavenly One True Water under the night sky. This cool, aloof goddess’s eyes held an extra touch of affinity.

“Moreover, this Heavenly One Dao naturally aligns with our own paths!”

“He’s just a little fellow who hasn’t even cultivated an Innate Divine Demon body. Countless such beings exist in the Heavenly Court. Let’s hurry. That Innate Spiritual Treasure is about to manifest! Once it appears, it will likely alert many surrounding God-Demon Dynasties.”

Another mature and charming goddess, with vast golden flames swirling around her, spoke with a cold expression. Her figure vanished like a Golden Crow transforming into a rainbow streak.

Hearing this, the other two goddesses—cool, pure, and luminous like the moon—exchanged a glance and quietly disappeared from the spot.