Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Separation of the Three Pure Ones

Meanwhile, on Mount Kunlun, as Tongtian sensed that Hongyun was in danger, he rose to his feet, intending to go out and help. But just as he reached the door, he found the Grand Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Lord of Heaven seated solemnly at his threshold. Tongtian was puzzled—what were they doing here? Had his own door acquired a spirit, perhaps?

“My eldest brother, second brother, what are you doing here?” Tongtian was even more confused to see them staring at him so intently. What was going on?

“Where are you planning to go?” The Grand Supreme Elder Lord opened his drowsy eyes and fixed them on Tongtian, his gaze so penetrating it made Tongtian’s heart tremble. Why were they inquiring about his destination? Just as he was about to say he was going to rescue Hongyun, he thought better of it—such an admission would surely arouse their suspicions. So instead, he replied, “Oh, it’s nothing important. I just thought I’d go out for a walk.”

At that, the Primeval Lord of Heaven let out a cold laugh and said, “Since you’re free, why don’t we discuss the Way together?”

Tongtian secretly cursed the Primeval Lord of Heaven, his teeth on edge, but then a thought occurred to him. He sneered and said, “It concerns our elder sister.” Ha! If you want to spar with me, let’s see whose cultivation is deeper!

Immediately, the Primeval Lord of Heaven fell silent, his face turning ashen as he clenched his fists tightly.

Seeing that even the Primeval Lord of Heaven could not restrain Tongtian, the Grand Supreme Elder Lord spoke, “Hongyun’s demise is ordained by Heaven, a trend that cannot be reversed. He must reap what he has sown. If you go to save him, you will be defying Heaven, and that is not permitted.”

Tongtian had not expected the Grand Supreme Elder Lord to speak so bluntly. It left him at a loss for words, but he was still determined to argue his case. Otherwise, how could there be even the slightest hope?

“Elder brothers, we who cultivate the Way have only come this far by struggling against fate itself, striving for that single thread of hope—”

Before he could finish, the Primeval Lord of Heaven stepped forward and slapped him.

Tongtian was bewildered. What had gotten into his second brother today, to strike him so suddenly? Just as he was about to grow angry, he heard the Primeval Lord of Heaven’s furious rebuke: “Did you think we do not know who you really are?” Clearly, the Primeval Lord of Heaven was truly enraged.

Tongtian’s own anger flared—he was, after all, Tongtian, one of the Three Pure Ones—what was wrong with that? He cried out, “I am the Supreme Pure One, one of the Three Purities!”

At that moment, the Primeval Lord of Heaven made as if to slap him again, but Tongtian seized his arm. “Why? Why are you hitting me?” Tongtian’s face contorted with fury; he was truly incensed.

Anyone else would be angry too—being struck before even having a chance to explain. Such things only make matters worse, especially as Tongtian was not just anyone, but their own brother.

“You come from the future, don’t you?” The Grand Supreme Elder Lord rose and approached Tongtian, speaking quietly.

Tongtian’s eyes widened; he stood there, frozen, dumbstruck. He had never told them—only Pangu and the Willow Daoist in the prehistoric world knew the truth. How could these two have found out?

The Primeval Lord of Heaven wrenched his hand free from Tongtian’s grasp and, with a snort, withdrew to the side, refusing to speak further.

“But even if that’s true, what of it?” Tongtian had truly become a part of this prehistoric world, treating the Grand Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Lord of Heaven as his own brothers. He never imagined their reaction upon learning the truth would be so intense.

“So Heaven’s words were true after all. So it was true…” The Grand Supreme Elder Lord’s eyes brimmed with tears as he gave a bitter laugh.

“What? Heaven said so?” How had Heaven learned of this? This was the puzzle that Tongtian could not solve.

In truth, the “Heaven” here was not the true Heavenly Law, but rather their master, the Dao Ancestor Hongjun. At first, the Grand Supreme Elder Lord and the Primeval Lord of Heaven had not believed it, but now that Tongtian had spoken the truth, the blow was immense.

Think of it—devoting kindness to someone, only to learn in the end that he was not truly your kin. The sense of betrayal was overwhelming; the hurt, incalculable.

Suddenly, the Primeval Lord of Heaven leapt up, conjured a sword, and thrust it toward Tongtian.

But Tongtian did not even try to evade.

Seeing that the Primeval Lord of Heaven meant to take Tongtian’s life, the Grand Supreme Elder Lord seized the blade with his hand. Though he could not entirely halt the sword’s momentum, his grip deflected its path so that the blade pierced Tongtian’s shoulder instead.

Blood flowed freely from Tongtian’s wound; the Grand Supreme Elder Lord’s palm, gripping the sword, was also stained red, and blood welled from the Primeval Lord of Heaven’s hand, abraded by the struggle for the weapon.

This was the first time the Three Pure Ones had shed blood not in battle with an enemy, but in strife with one another.

“Eldest brother, why did you stop me?” The Primeval Lord of Heaven’s voice trembled with rage and grief. “Why? If we kill him, our true Lingbao will return to us. If we beg our master, he will surely let our real brother come back!”

He could not bear the Grand Supreme Elder Lord’s “betrayal.” Why, at this moment, would he still protect him?

“Even if you kill him, our Lingbao will never return. Since he will not come back, why can’t you treat this one as our real brother?” The Grand Supreme Elder Lord’s grip on the sword only tightened.

Tongtian could not hold back his tears. In his previous life, he had only a sister to care for him; only after marrying did he realize how much he had lacked a father’s love. The absence of his father’s guidance had cost him dearly in society; he had suffered many wounds that should have been avoided, and made many mistakes he would forever regret.

Since being reborn in this prehistoric world, he had gained two elder brothers—one who guided him like a father, one who cherished him like a brother. Here, Tongtian had felt a familial warmth he had never known before, a comfort he had come to treasure deeply.

“I am not of this world. Please, kill me.” Tongtian felt he had lived enough; he had experienced emotions in this world he had never known before, and so his life was without regret.

Seeing Tongtian’s heroic bearing, the icy heart of the Primeval Lord of Heaven began to thaw. His sword trembled in his grasp as he declared, “From this day forth, you are no longer one of the Three Pure Ones!”

With that, the Primeval Lord of Heaven flung the sword aside and strode back to his own chamber.

The Grand Supreme Elder Lord seemed to age decades in an instant. With barely the strength to speak, he told Tongtian, “Go now. Leave.”

He slumped to the ground, forcing a bitter smile.

Tongtian knew he had escaped with his life, but he had lost what was most precious to him.

He went to the Grand Supreme Elder Lord’s side and fell to his knees. “Eldest brother, let me call you that one last time. Thank you for all the care you have given me. Thank you.” He bowed three times, his forehead striking the ground.

But the Grand Supreme Elder Lord did not turn or reply. He knew he could not allow himself to soften. Blood continued to seep into the earth as he gripped the soil, tears streaming uncontrollably.

Then Tongtian moved to face the Primeval Lord of Heaven’s chamber and said, “Thank you, brother, for all your care through the years.” He bowed three times in that direction, then turned and departed.

Inside his own chamber, the Primeval Lord of Heaven pounded his hands against the wall, crying out, “Why didn’t you say so sooner? Why didn’t you say so sooner? Ha… ha ha ha!” He struck the wall again and again, leaving bloody smears as his anguished howls echoed through the room.

Tongtian staggered to his feet, dazed and bewildered, and had taken only a few steps before he collapsed unconscious to the ground.

This is how today’s chapter ends. I wanted to write something cheerful, but the story would not allow it—there was nothing I could do. I cried as I wrote this chapter; if not for the coming New Year, I would have wept long and hard.

But I digress. Now, let me offer you my blessings: tomorrow is the New Year. Here, I wish you all happiness and joy for your families in the coming year!