Chapter 32: Red Cloud Escape Technique

"Fellow Daoist Bai Jing, I can lend you the Book of the Earth, but may I ask for how long you intend to borrow it?" Zhenyuanzi asked.

"How about one Yuanhui?"

Based on the speed at which the Wu Clan had previously been repairing the ley lines, it had taken two Ancestral Witches and their tribesmen twenty thousand years to restore just ten percent of the Western ley lines. Now, with four additional Ancestral Witches and the assistance of the Book of the Earth, they could likely complete the restoration of the Western continent's ley lines within a single Yuanhui.

As for whether the Demon Clan would strike the Wu Clan during this period, Bai Jing did not believe they would. The Demon Clan’s top priority should be to use every means necessary to eliminate major powers other than the Wu Clan, especially Prince Eastern’s Immortal Court. Prince Eastern was, after all, the Head of Male Immortals in the Primordial World, personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor; the Immortal Court he founded was far more legitimate than the Demon Clan’s Heavenly Court.

Moreover, the Wu Clan sought nothing but to guard their own territory and refused to submit to the Demon Clan, whereas Prince Eastern’s Immortal Court was far from settled. Bearing the title of the Dao Ancestor’s chosen head of immortals, the Immortal Court recruited talent extensively. Furthermore, compared to Di Jun, Prince Eastern possessed a better reputation in the Primordial World; he adopted a relatively peaceful method of expansion and treated others with greater gentleness, especially toward powerful figures, toward whom he displayed exemplary humility.

This attitude was the key to the Immortal Court’s rapid growth. Had he been as arrogant and domineering as Di Jun, it is doubtful that anyone would have been willing to follow him, even with the Saint’s appointment. Because of this, many factions and powerful individuals who were unwilling to join the Demon Clan chose to embrace the Immortal Court. It had already begun to take shape as the third greatest power in the Primordial World.

How could the Demon Clan allow others to snore beside their bed? They would never tolerate the Immortal Court, so their next major objective was undoubtedly Prince Eastern. However, because Prince Eastern was the Dao Ancestor’s appointee, the Demon Clan was uncertain of the Dao Ancestor’s attitude and would exercise restraint in the early stages. Once they probed and realized the Dao Ancestor had no intention of protecting him, that would be the moment the Immortal Court would fall.

This period was the final window for the Wu Clan’s development. Once the Demon Clan destroyed the Immortal Court, the only remaining obstacle to their unification of the Primordial World would be the Wu Clan, at which point they would strike without hesitation. This was the reason Bai Jing had come to borrow the Book of the Earth from Zhenyuanzi.

Upon hearing that Bai Jing needed the book for one Yuanhui, Zhenyuanzi pondered for a long time before agreeing.

Afterward, Bai Jing and Houtu swore an oath to the Great Dao, promising to return the Book of the Earth after one Yuanhui. Zhenyuanzi nodded in satisfaction and lent the artifact to the Wu Clan. With the matter concluded, Bai Jing, Houtu, Zhenyuanzi, and Hongyun sat cross-legged to discuss the Dao.

Houtu was the Ancestral Witch of Earth, and Zhenyuanzi’s origin was the same as the Ginseng Fruit Tree—both being manifestations of the essence of Primordial Earth. Their paths were similar, and through cross-referencing their insights, both gained much. Bai Jing primarily discussed the Dao with Hongyun. Hongyun was particularly interested in Bai Jing’s Dao of Purification, while Bai Jing, lacking a superior escape technique, found Hongyun’s expertise in that area highly valuable. They traded what they needed.

Bai Jing exchanged his insights into the Dao of Purification for Hongyun’s self-created escape technique. Hongyun, clearly lacking in naming skills, simply called it the "Hongyun Escape Technique." Though the name was uninspired, the technique was truly miraculous. Despite its lack of fame in the Primordial World, it was undeniably a top-tier divine ability. It was precisely because of this technique that Hongyun had been able to secure the final cushion in Zixiao Palace before many other powerful figures. Even Di Jun and Tai Yi’s "Sun-Rainbow Transformation" had not been faster than Hongyun, which speaks volumes about its power.

However, the technique was based on Hongyun’s own essence; only those with a similar nature could achieve its maximum speed. Bai Jing’s true form was the White Lotus of World Purification, so he could not practice it directly. However, possessing the Tea Tree of Enlightenment, Bai Jing knew he could use its leaves to refine the technique and create a version suitable for himself.

A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, and their discussion concluded. Bai Jing and Houtu rose to take their leave, and Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun walked them to the gates of Wuzhuang Temple. Before departing, Bai Jing specifically said to Hongyun, "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, if there is no urgent matter, it is best not to leave home for a while. Comprehending the Primordial Violet Qi to improve your cultivation is the true path."

"Indeed, I shall. Many thanks for your concern, Fellow Daoist Bai Jing."

Bai Jing smiled, nodded, and departed with Houtu, flying toward the West. Watching them leave, Hongyun asked with some confusion, "Brother, the final words of Fellow Daoist Bai Jing were rather strange, were they not?"

Zhenyuanzi also felt something was amiss. Bai Jing’s words seemed like advice to cultivate, but they carried a deeper meaning. Did "not leaving home" imply that someone intended to harm Hongyun? Yet, throughout the Primordial World, one could count on one hand those who could keep pace with Hongyun’s escape technique. Who could threaten him? Surely not Kunpeng or Di Jun, who were also skilled in such arts?

At this thought, Zhenyuanzi suddenly grasped the truth. Yes! The Demon Clan was very likely to strike at Hongyun. Hongyun possessed the Primordial Violet Qi and was not a disciple of the Dao Ancestor; without that protection, it would be no surprise if the arrogant Demon Clan chose to seize it.

Zhenyuanzi quickly shared his deduction with Hongyun, whose expression turned grave. "Do not worry, Brother. I will certainly focus on the Primordial Violet Qi and improve my cultivation as quickly as possible."

"That is good."

"By the way, Brother, cultivation requires time and resources. Give me a hundred or so of those Ginseng Fruits first."

Zhenyuanzi’s expression turned helpless. How much did Hongyun love eating those fruits!

Meanwhile, Bai Jing and Houtu arrived in the West to reunite with the other Ancestral Witches. With six of them present, there was nothing left for Bai Jing to do. He bid them farewell and returned alone to Yingzhou Immortal Island to enter seclusion. His goals for this session were to push his physical strength to the mid-stage of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm, refine the Hongyun Escape Technique, and finally, attempt some artifact crafting in preparation for his visit to the Three Pure Ones at Kunlun Mountain.

First, he had to break through in his cultivation. Bai Jing waved his hand, and a pile of immortal materials and ores appeared. He also took out a fragment of the Jade of Creation, eating it while contemplating the Dao of Devouring.

By now, his mastery of the Dao of Purification had reached thirty-one percent. His efficiency in purifying the impurities from the materials was higher, and his physical strength grew rapidly. After consuming the ores for less than five thousand years, his body reached the limit of the early Hunyuan Golden Immortal stage, even showing signs of overflowing. Now, all that was lacking was his insight into the Laws.