Xu Yunfan’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately dropped his mischievous act and put on a respectful expression, bowing alongside True Monarch Dong Ming.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Pudu."
At the same time, he shot a quick glance at True Monarch Dong Ming and saw that her expression was placid and exceedingly aloof.
’What an act.’
True Monarch Pu Du nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Xu Yunfan for a moment. A rare hint of surprise appeared on his ancient, unadorned face.
"Junior Brother Xu, your Cultivation has progressed at a divine speed. Observing your aura, it is as serene and deep as an abyss. Your Daoist Cultivation is profound, far beyond what it was when you first reached the Golden Core realm. It seems you have not wasted these past hundred years, Junior Brother."
Xu Yunfan was inwardly alarmed. ’This Senior Brother Pudu is truly formidable.’
Even though he was using the Ten Thousand Tribulations Divine Sky Hidden Secret Technique to suppress his aura as much as possible, his massive improvement had still been spotted in a single glance.
But at the same time, this brought him a sense of relief. True Monarch Pu Du hadn’t seen the true extent of his fundamental improvement, only that his Daoist Cultivation had greatly advanced.
But he couldn’t see the exact degree of that advancement.
’Once I cultivate the Ten Thousand Tribulations Divine Sky Hidden Secret Technique to the Perfection realm, perhaps I could stand right in front of True Monarch Pu Du and he would just think I’m a mortal.’
’This technique is truly marvelous!’
His expression remained impassive as he replied respectfully, "Senior Brother, you flatter me. I was merely fortunate to have a moment of enlightenment and made some small progress. It’s not worth mentioning."
To that end, he slightly adjusted the application of his Secret Technique, deliberately revealing a sliver of his aura.
Hearing this, a flash of genuine surprise appeared in the beautiful eyes of True Monarch Dong Ming, who was standing to the side.
She had been preoccupied with Xu Yunfan’s teasing, but now that True Monarch Pu Du had pointed it out, she extended her Divine Thought to sense him carefully. She was shocked to discover that Xu Yunfan’s aura was indeed several times more powerful than when they had last met.
It was a profound depth in his foundation, like a vast, bottomless ocean.
"You had an epiphany?"
Xu Yunfan smiled but said nothing.
’Their assumptions always provide the perfect excuse.’
She couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp. "Junior Brother Xu actually had such a fortuitous opportunity?"
Only an epiphany could result in such a great increase in one’s Daoist Cultivation.
A state of epiphany is something that can only be chanced upon, never sought. It is an excellent opportunity for a Cultivator to briefly merge with the Great Dao of heaven and earth and affirm their own path, making it incomparably precious even for a Golden Core True Monarch.
In her several lifetimes, she had only experienced a true epiphany a few times.
Xu Yunfan laughed vaguely. "Luck, just luck."
True Monarch Pu Du gave Xu Yunfan a deep look but didn’t press the matter. Instead, he said, "The auspicious time is upon us. We shouldn’t keep the Daoist Lord waiting. Follow me."
The three Golden Core True Monarchs, representing the current peak combat strength of the Primordial Sect, stepped together with solemn expressions into the phantom of the Primordial Daoist Palace, which was formed from Chaotic Qi Flow and a clear light.
Inside the Daoist Palace, it was vast and empty. In the center stood a towering Daoist statue, made of a material that was neither gold nor jade, exuding a boundless Dao Rhyme.
The statue’s face was blurry and indistinct, as if it contained the infinite mysteries of heaven and earth. Its mere presence emanated a supreme majesty that transcended all living things.
This was the symbol of the Primordial Daoist Lord.
The first time he came, Xu Yunfan had only seen a portrait. He never expected to see a Daoist incarnation this time.
Without another word, under True Monarch Pu Du’s guidance, the three followed an ancient Ritual. Each took out a stick of Heart Fragrance, condensed from their own pure Dao Rhyme and Divine Thought.
Xu Yunfan’s Heart Fragrance was a strange pillar of light, wreathed in Purple Gold Thunderbolt and crimson flames, with a trace of ethereal blue coldness hidden within its core. It represented the unique Dao Foundation born from the initial fusion of his three Dao Fruits: Divine Sky, Red Sun, and Taiyin.
One’s Heart Fragrance could not be concealed, as it was the very Dao they had condensed. However, its inner workings could be hidden, so he wasn’t afraid of True Monarch Pu Du and True Monarch Dongming discovering his secrets.
After all, they were in the presence of the Daoist Lord. Being secretive would be unseemly, and he might even earn the Daoist Lord’s favor this way.
’Sometimes, standing out isn’t a bad thing.’
The Heart Fragrance was lit, and wisps of green smoke drifted upward, disappearing into the void before the Daoist statue.
The instant the smoke from Xu Yunfan’s Heart Fragrance merged with the void, the sky of Chaotic Qi Flow on the dome above suddenly began to churn. An indescribable auspicious cloud, which seemed to contain all the stars of the heavens and the birth and death of all things, condensed out of thin air.
Immediately after, a vast and boundless will, as if from the very source of the myriad Daos, descended like an invisible gaze. It pierced through everything in an instant and landed upon Xu Yunfan!
Xu Yunfan’s entire body trembled violently.
Under this gaze, he felt as if he were naked, exposed to the Nine Heavens Gangfeng, like an ant staring up at the vast river of stars.
Within his Dantian Cave Heaven, the Divine Sky Golden Core trembled frantically. The power of his three Dao Fruits instinctively contracted in self-preservation, and even the Ten Thousand Tribulations Muddy Chaos Lock, operating at its peak, seemed to have lost its effect.
Fortunately, the gaze held no malice. It felt more like one of approval and appreciation.
In just an instant, the gaze receded like the tide.
The auspicious cloud slowly dissipated, and the Daoist Palace returned to its previous silence.
But the sensation of being observed by that supreme existence was deeply seared into the depths of Xu Yunfan’s Heart and Spirit.
"Hm?"
For the first time, a look of clear astonishment appeared on True Monarch Pu Du’s face, which had been as placid as a still well. He looked at Xu Yunfan, his tone laced with disbelief and an almost imperceptible hint of envy.
"Junior Brother Xu, your Blessing is truly profound to have drawn the Daoist Lord’s attention once again. It seems the Daoist Lord is very pleased with you."
Receiving the Daoist Lord’s attention when he first achieved the Golden Core realm was already a great honor. To attract it again during this centennial worship was a rare event in the history of the Primordial Sect.
True Monarch Dong Ming gasped, covering her mouth. Her gaze toward Xu Yunfan was filled with a complex and unreadable light.
She had lived through several lifetimes and worshipped the Daoist Lord countless times, yet she had never received such an honor.
’Just what secret is this boy hiding?’
’Or perhaps, his Dao path is just that compatible with the Daoist Lord’s will.’
Feeling their probing gazes, a thought stirred in Xu Yunfan’s mind. He quickly turned to the direction where the auspicious cloud had dissipated and gave a deep, respectful bow.
"This disciple, Xu Yunfan, thanks the Daoist Lord for his favor."
He felt both lingering fear and a thread of irrepressible excitement.
To be noticed by the Daoist Lord again, whatever the reason, meant that his position in the Primordial Sect would be even more secure. It might even imply some kind of unspoken benefit.
As for any downsides, logically speaking, a Nascent Soul Daoist Lord wouldn’t go out of his way to cause trouble for him.
’Of course, shameless bastards like the World Honored One Tathagata were an exception.’
The worship ceremony concluded, and the three of them exited the Primordial Daoist Palace.
True Monarch Pu Du seemed to be in a good mood. He said in a gentle voice, "Today’s worship went smoothly, and we were even blessed with the Daoist Lord’s favor. This is truly a great fortune for the Sect. If you two have no other business, why not adjourn to Chenghua Mountain for a while to drink tea and discuss the Dao?"
True Monarch Dong Ming, who was eager to dig more secrets out of Xu Yunfan, naturally agreed.
Xu Yunfan had also been worrying about the path forward, especially since he had no idea how to elevate his Grotto Heaven. True Monarch Pu Du’s proactive invitation to discuss the Dao was exactly what he had hoped for. He quickly cupped his hands in a salute. "It is what I hoped for, but I dared not ask. I was just about to seek your teachings, Senior Brother."
-----------------
At Chenghua Peak, in a side hall of the Universal Salvation Hall.
Clear spring water was boiling for tea amidst the lingering Spiritual Mist.
The three of them sat down, taking their seats as host and guests.