Chapter Six: A Chance Encounter with the Three Pure Ones

Gradually regaining his composure, the Patriarch of Heaven and Earth first flipped his hand to stow away the jade slip containing the cultivation method of Pangu’s True Form. Next, he took out the Heaven and Earth Cauldron and drew the mass of Pangu’s essence blood into it. Then, lowering his gaze to the vast reservoir of Pangu’s vital essence below, he mused: “To cultivate Pangu’s True Form demands an immense amount of energy. Relying solely on the immortal aura of the Primordial World, it would take eons to achieve. But if I absorb this vital essence of Pangu to refine the True Form, the results will surely come twice as quickly with half the effort.”

With this thought, the Patriarch of Heaven and Earth acted at once, directing the mouth of the cauldron downward. A terrifying suction erupted, drawing the blood mist and the viscous energy of Pangu’s essence into the cauldron. In the span of a cup of tea, the blood mist within the mountain cavern vanished completely, and the seemingly vast amount of vital essence dwindled at a rate visible to the naked eye, leaving only a deep, empty pit. Yet, as he continued, the essence deeper within the pit seemed shielded and protected by an invisible force, preventing the cauldron from taking in any more.

“No matter, one should never press his luck too far. I’ve already gained much; there’s no need for greed,” the Patriarch of Heaven and Earth thought with little regret. With a thought, he put away the cauldron and left the cavern, preparing to depart.

Yet, he had barely made his way out of the mountain, winding through its twists and turns, when three phantoms descended from the sky. They transformed into three figures: an old man in purple robes with white beard and hair, a stern middle-aged man in white robes, and a young man in his thirties radiating a sharp, imposing aura.

“The Three Pure Ones?” the Patriarch of Heaven and Earth paused in surprise upon seeing them, but soon deduced their identities. Sensing their mysterious, world-resonant aura, he couldn’t help but narrow his eyes in silent awe: “What remarkable beings these Three Pure Ones of Pangu are! No wonder—they are incarnations of Pangu’s spirit. Their talent is extraordinary; all three have already become Golden Immortals of the Grand Luo level.”

Nevertheless, despite their impressive cultivation, he did not fear them. Although they were all Grand Luo Golden Immortals, when it came to the strength of the physical body, they could not hope to rival the Patriarch of Heaven and Earth. Should conflict arise, he would show them just how formidable a body at the Quasi-Saint level truly was, and how great the gulf between Grand Luo and Quasi-Saint.

“We are the Three Pure Ones of Pangu. May we know how to address you, fellow Daoist?” The eldest, addressed as the Grand Elder, made a respectful gesture and asked.

The Patriarch of Heaven and Earth replied without concealment, returning the courtesy with a faint smile: “I am the Patriarch of Heaven and Earth.”

“The Patriarch of Heaven and Earth?” All three showed a trace of astonishment, and the Lord of All-under-Heaven widened his eyes, exclaiming, “Could you be the very same Patriarch of Heaven and Earth who once joined Grandmaster Hongjun, Immortal Yangmei, and the Patriarch of Yin and Yang in opposing the Demon Ancestor Luohu?”

“Heh... I am indeed the one, though it is shameful to say,” the patriarch chuckled. “In that battle, I was severely wounded and have been in seclusion ever since, only recently recovering. That is why I have been wandering the Primordial World, and on a whim, came to Mount Buzhou. Who would have thought I’d encounter the Three Pure Ones here? What a happy meeting this is!”

The Celestial Lord smiled meaningfully and said, “We too did not expect to meet the Patriarch of Heaven and Earth here. Since you have come to Mount Buzhou, you must have gained something, I presume?”

“I merely picked up a few spiritual materials. Had I known the Three Pure Ones were residing on Mount Buzhou and that it was your sacred ground, I would never have touched anything upon it,” the patriarch replied, feigning embarrassment, leaving the Three Pure Ones momentarily unable to reproach him.

The Lord of All-under-Heaven, however, spoke more bluntly: “Patriarch, why pretend ignorance? My second brother refers to the treasures you obtained from that cavern.”

“Patriarch, may we see what treasures you have found?” the Grand Elder asked, still with a courteous smile.

The patriarch waved his hands, protesting, “No, no! Fellow Daoists, you must be mistaken. It was an ordinary cavern, devoid of treasures. I merely entered in vain, and returned disappointed.”

“Is that so?” The Celestial Lord clearly did not believe him. He turned to the Lord of All-under-Heaven and instructed, “Third brother, go have a look inside.”

Nodding slightly, the Lord of All-under-Heaven glanced at the patriarch, then flew into the cavern. After a long while, he emerged with furrowed brows, casting a sharp look at the patriarch. He then flew to the side of the Grand Elder and the Celestial Lord, and transmitted his thoughts privately: “There’s a hidden chamber deep in the cavern, containing some Pangu vital essence that is hard to get, but nothing else.”

“Otherwise, the treasures may already have been taken by the Patriarch,” the Celestial Lord replied by thought.

The Lord of All-under-Heaven nodded in agreement, “He must have acquired some treasure—he simply does not wish us to know.”

“Even so, if he insists he found nothing, there’s not much we can do,” the Grand Elder responded privately, a hint of helplessness in his tone.

A cold glint flashed in the Lord of All-under-Heaven’s eyes: “Eldest brother, second brother, why don’t we join forces to compel him to hand over what he found? At the very least, we should discover what it is. If it’s something that could aid us in reaching the Dao, we cannot let him take it away so easily.”

“Third brother, do not be rash! The Patriarch of Heaven and Earth survived the battle with the Demon Ancestor Luohu—he is not to be underestimated. Even if we joined forces, we might not be able to do anything to him. And if we offend him, it could bring great trouble,” the Grand Elder replied calmly.

The Celestial Lord then offered a suggestion through thought: “Eldest brother, third brother, here’s what I propose...”

Observing their silent exchanges and knowing they must be communicating through their spirits, the Patriarch of Heaven and Earth was unconcerned. He was confident the Three Pure Ones would not act recklessly without knowing what he had obtained, and he was rather curious to see what tactics they might employ.

With a genial smile, the Grand Elder soon extended an invitation: “Patriarch, what fortune it is to meet on Mount Buzhou! Our abodes are not far from here. Why not join us at our residence? Let us discuss the Dao and share our cultivation insights.”

The Patriarch of Heaven and Earth raised his brows in delight and agreed with a broad smile: “Splendid, splendid! The Primordial World is vast, but it’s rare indeed to find companions for discourse on the Dao. To meet three at once gladdens my heart!”

Thus, warmly welcomed by the Three Pure Ones, the Patriarch accompanied them to their dwellings on Mount Buzhou. In truth, these so-called abodes were but three thatched huts arranged in a triangular pattern, each belonging to one of the Three Pure Ones.

They brought their guest into the Grand Elder’s hut, where they all sat down. The Grand Elder and the Patriarch took the honor seats at the top, while the Celestial Lord and the Lord of All-under-Heaven sat cross-legged to either side.

After some polite conversation, the Three Pure Ones produced spiritual fruits to entertain their guest, and soon began a formal discussion of the Dao. Seeing that they truly wished to engage in spiritual discourse, the Patriarch, though inwardly wary, outwardly joined in with enthusiasm, sharing profound insights and cultivation experiences without apparent reservation. The Three Pure Ones, feeling somewhat embarrassed by his candor, gradually revealed many of their own secrets.

This exchange proved fruitful for all, and their relations grew noticeably closer. Soon after, the Three Pure Ones began to subtly probe, each in turn, attempting to learn the Patriarch’s true purpose in coming to Mount Buzhou—in the end, still seeking to discover what he had obtained within that cavern.