Chapter Thirty-Six: Treasure Hunt at Buzhou

Truly, some rejoice while others are troubled. It was clear that Tongtian was among the latter; upon leaving the Zixiao Palace, not a trace of happiness could be found in him. This time, Tongtian himself had been severely manipulated by the scheme at play. Because Heaven itself had given him his name, Tongtian felt a deep unease at having to pit himself against Heaven—almost as if he were betraying it. Such, indeed, is the effect of causality.

Tongtian gently shook his head, with Duobao Daoist following behind, his own mind somewhat absent. Seeing the heavy look on Tongtian’s face, Duobao could not help but ask curiously, “Master, are you all right?”

As Duobao Daoist spoke, Yuanshi Tianzun, who had been conversing with Taiyuan Holy Mother, and Taishang Laojun, who had been walking silently with eyes seemingly closed, both came forward and addressed Tongtian: “Tongtian, is all well with you?”

Ever since the Ancestor Hongjun had officially named Tongtian, Yuanshi Tianzun, Taishang Laojun, and Taiyuan Holy Mother had all called him by this name. In truth, Tongtian much preferred being called “Little Lingbao”—it felt more intimate, after all.

Sensing the genuine concern from the four, Tongtian quickly waved his hand and replied, “It’s nothing, truly. I was just thinking—once we have disciples in the future, if they are without magical treasures, won’t we seem lacking as their teachers?”

This single remark struck at the soft spot of each one present. Indeed, they were all destined to attain sainthood, and after doing so, would surely accept disciples. Yet, they themselves possessed only a scant few treasures—an issue that could not be ignored.

Thus, silence fell among them.

Ever since Ancestor Hongjun had revealed the method to achieve sainthood, spiritual treasures—essential for severing the three corpses—had become highly sought after throughout the primordial world. Those who obtained such treasures would surely guard them jealously. Furthermore, as disciples of Ancestor Hongjun, would it not reflect poorly on their master if they were to forcibly seize treasures from others?

At this, Tongtian recalled the backbone of Great God Pangu—the Buzhou Mountain. There, countless treasures and spiritual objects were said to exist. Was not the famed Gourd Root found there? And the Banana Leaf Fan, too?

“Eldest Brother, Second Brother, since we have never paid our respects to Father God at Buzhou Mountain since taking our forms, and as we now have time, why not go and visit?” To conceal his true intentions, Tongtian used filial piety as a pretext to persuade Taishang Laojun and Yuanshi Tianzun.

“Very well. Senior Taishang and Senior Yuanshi, you go. Little Duobao and I shall return to Kunlun Mountain and await your return,” said Taiyuan Holy Mother, glancing first at Taishang Laojun and Yuanshi Tianzun, then at the dazed Duobao Daoist.

Though Duobao had just asked after Tongtian, he himself was not faring well. Straining to comprehend the grand truths expounded by the Dao Ancestor, he had exhausted both his mind and spiritual power. Moreover, as they were to enter the territory of the Wu tribe, who considered Buzhou Mountain their own, conflict would be unavoidable. It was for these reasons that Taiyuan Holy Mother decided Duobao should return with her.

Tongtian promptly examined Duobao’s condition and said to Taiyuan Holy Mother, “Sister, you are truly thoughtful.”

She merely smiled in response.

At last, the eloquent Taishang Laojun made his decision. Leading Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian, he flew off toward Buzhou Mountain.

When they were still a thousand miles away, they could already feel the awe-inspiring power of Great God Pangu—a silent warning to all living things of the primordial world.

The Three Purities descended and proceeded on foot into the mountain.

There, amidst verdant peaks and clear waters, gentle breezes stirred and colorful clouds drifted—a truly blessed land.

Before long, they encountered a man. The Three Purities saluted, saying, “Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

It was none other than the guest of Zixiao Palace—the Ancestor Minghe. As for why Minghe was not cultivating in the Blood Sea but had come to Buzhou Mountain, it all stemmed from the trouble caused by Hongjun’s teaching on severing the three corpses. Buzhou Mountain abounded in spiritual treasures, and Minghe sensed that fate awaited him there. Upon arrival, he had discovered a banana tree, whose leaves, divided into yin and yang, had yet to fully mature. But now that the Three Purities had arrived, Minghe’s position was precarious.

Yet, the Three Purities were not unreasonable. Taishang Laojun, after careful calculation, spoke: “The yang leaf is fated to be with me. Might you part with it, fellow Daoist?”

Was this reasonable? Far from it! Minghe bitterly regretted not hastening the leaf’s growth with spiritual energy. Still, pride demanded composure, so Minghe forced a broad smile, stepped forward, and said, “Venerable Taishang, no need for courtesy—please, take it.”

The four of them combined their power, channeling immense spiritual energy into the banana tree. In no time, the tree matured, its leaves of yin and yang easily distinguished, one to the north and one to the south.

Taishang Laojun went to the tree, cut a leaf, and refined it into a great fan. With a flick of his hand, the fan shrank and slipped into his sleeve.

Minghe, seeing this, also took a leaf and tucked it into his own sleeve, then said to the Three Purities, “Fellow Daoists, until next time,” and vanished from Buzhou Mountain.

He had grown wise—not refining the leaf on the spot, lest the Three Purities seize the opportunity.

As for Minghe’s leaf, Tongtian suspected it might one day become the famed Banana Leaf Fan wielded by the Bull Demon King’s wife, Princess Iron Fan, in Journey to the West.

Tongtian’s gaze naturally drifted to the remaining trunk of the tree. Tongtian was not one to let a bargain slip by. He tugged at Yuanshi Tianzun’s sleeve and said, “And what about the trunk, Second Brother? If you don’t want it, I’ll take it!”

Yuanshi Tianzun, changed from his former self, merely needed to give an account to Taiyuan Holy Mother upon their return. Scratching his head, he went to the remains of the banana tree, uprooted and refined it. From within emerged a staff, which floated through the air before settling in his hand.

Taishang Laojun, Yuanshi Tianzun, and Tongtian exchanged glances and burst into hearty laughter.

“This is only the beginning—the truly wondrous treasures lie ahead!” Seeing his brothers bewitched by the quest for spiritual relics, Tongtian could not help but egg them on.

Just then, seven beams of treasure light shot up into the sky, with seven-hued clouds reflecting brilliantly above. The Three Purities immediately formed hand seals and flew toward the source of the lights.