After the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans unified the myriad races of the Primordial World, the three clans initially coexisted harmoniously. As time went on,
Whether it was the beast race and the scaled race vying for sacred cultivation grounds, or the flying beasts and the beasts competing for spiritual treasures, or the scaled creatures and the flying beasts contending for spiritual roots.
Countless battles erupted over cultivation resources.
The three clans exchanged blows, experiencing victories and defeats. When defeated, they would seek aid from the Qilin, Dragon, and Phoenix clans.
Due to the long period of shared cultivation between Ancestral Dragon, Yuan Feng, and Shi Qilin, the three clans maintained a relatively harmonious relationship.
On Shangqing Peak of Kunlun Mountain, Tongtian was instructing Qichen and Duobao in formations.
"How can you be so clumsy! I've taught you this so many times. This formation line should go to the left and then upwards, but look, you've gotten it wrong again!" Tongtian was scolding Qichen and Duobao fiercely.
Qichen said sheepishly,
"Master, why don't you teach me swordplay instead? I really don't understand what you're saying about the Way of Formations!"
Upon hearing this, Tongtian's fur immediately bristled.
"What did you say? You don't understand? I've explained it so clearly, and you still can't grasp it! Are you trying to infuriate me to death?"
"Duobao, you tell me, do you truly not understand?"
Duobao looked at Qichen, then at Tongtian. Just as he was about to speak, Tongtian suddenly roared,
"Tell me the truth. Why are you looking at him?"
Duobao was startled by Tongtian's shout and quickly said,
"Master, I think I can still understand it. It's not that profound."
Hearing Duobao's words, Tongtian's anger turned to joy. He pointed at Qichen and said,
"Look at you! Your junior brother joined the sect after you, and he understands it, yet you don't!"
Seeing Qichen's dejected look, Tongtian thought that perhaps Qichen had no talent in formations and that he should teach according to aptitude. Thus, Tongtian said,
"Forget it. Perhaps you have no talent in the Way of Formations. It's not your fault. From now on, I will teach you swordplay and body refinement techniques!"
Qichen immediately said upon hearing this,
"Thank you, Master. It's really not that I didn't try. I genuinely don't understand formations, and I've disappointed you!"
Seeing Qichen's crestfallen expression, Tongtian comforted him,
"You don't need to be disheartened. Although you lack talent in formations, your talent in cultivation is not bad. You should cultivate diligently, and your future achievements will certainly be great. Do not give up on yourself, or you will fail the intentions of your senior grand-uncle, who intended to make you the eldest disciple under our three brothers."
Hearing Tongtian's words, Qichen recalled that when Tongtian first accepted him as a disciple, he had only intended to make him a nominal disciple.
It was Li Yi who spoke up, making him the eldest disciple under Li Yi and his two sworn brothers, which then led Tongtian to accept him into his tutelage.
Thinking of this, Qichen immediately said to Tongtian,
"Master, please rest assured. I will not disappoint Master or my two grand-uncles, nor will I tarnish the name of being the eldest senior brother."
After speaking, Qichen knelt again towards Taiqing Peak and said,
"Please rest assured, Grand-uncle. Your disciple will not disappoint you!"
Seeing that Qichen had regained his confidence, Tongtian said with satisfaction,
"That's excellent! Your grand-uncle will be very pleased to know this."
"Alright, Chen'er, perhaps you'd prefer me to teach you swordplay? I will first teach Duobao formations, and later I will teach you new sword techniques."
Qichen nodded and walked to an empty space nearby to practice the sword techniques Tongtian had taught him.
Tongtian then continued to instruct Duobao.
Within the Chaos Orb, Li Yi finally refined the Taiji Diagram.
Li Yi murmured to himself,
"This Taiji Diagram is indeed formed from a fragment of the Sky-Opening Axe, with infinite miraculous uses. Not only can it stabilize the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind,
but when facing enemies, it can transform into a golden bridge spanning ten thousand miles, suppressing the void and rendering it immobile. It can also protect oneself, making one immune to all dharmas and invulnerable to all evil."
Li Yi was extremely satisfied with the Taiji Diagram. He already possessed the defensive supreme treasure, the Xuanhuang Pagoda, and with the addition of the Taiji Diagram, he was innately in an invincible position.
After refining the Taiji Diagram, Li Yi found that Yuanshi was still refining the Pangu Banner. He did not disturb him and first exited the Chaos Orb, appearing in the Taiqing Palace.
Tongtian sensed Li Yi's presence and said to Qichen and Duobao,
"Your senior grand-uncle has come out of seclusion. Let us go to Taiqing Palace to see your senior grand-uncle."
Without waiting for Duobao and Qichen's reply, he took the two of them straight to Taiqing Palace.
As soon as Tongtian arrived at Taiqing Palace, he immediately shouted happily,
"Big Brother! Big Brother!"
Qichen and Duobao, seeing this, quickly said,
"Master, we need to be more composed, or Second Senior Uncle will scold you again!"
Tongtian nodded upon hearing this,
"Yes, I need to be composed, otherwise, my second brother will scold me again!"
He then stopped immediately and slowly walked towards the main hall!
Li Yi had only been out of the Chaos Orb for a short while when he heard Tongtian's boisterous shouts and chuckled,
"Alas! Third brother is still so impetuous!"
Li Yi had initially expected to see Tongtian immediately after hearing his voice,
but to his surprise, he had to wait for a while before Tongtian, accompanied by Qichen and Duobao, finally arrived at a leisurely pace.
Li Yi smiled and said,
"This doesn't seem like your usual demeanor, third brother. You've made me wait quite a bit!"
Tongtian laughed heartily,
"Big brother knows me best, but my second brother always says I'm not composed enough, so I have to try and be more composed! Otherwise, my second brother will scold me again!"
Li Yi chuckled,
"Your second brother is right. You're not young anymore, and you already have two disciples. If you're not composed, how will you guide your disciples in the future?"
At this moment, Qichen and Duobao also said,
"Greetings, Senior Grand-uncle!"
Li Yi chuckled and said,
"Rise! Chen'er, since you are the senior disciple I have personally chosen, you must lead Duobao well from now on!
Duobao! You joined the sect just as I went into seclusion. Since I have now emerged, it's time to give you your initiation gift!"
As Li Yi spoke, a kasaya flew towards Duobao.
Qichen immediately replied upon hearing Li Yi's words,
"Senior Grand-uncle, please rest assured. Chen'er understands. I will definitely lead Junior Brother Bao well!"
Duobao took the kasaya with both hands and discovered it was a mid-grade Innate Spirit Treasure. He immediately bowed to Li Yi and said,
"Thank you, Senior Grand-uncle!"
Li Yi nodded and smiled,
"Alright, Chen'er, take Duobao to play with Jin Jiao and Yin Jiao!
Duobao, you go with Chen'er as well. Remember to get along well. This will be your home from now on!"
Upon hearing this, a warm current flowed through Duobao's heart, and he thought gratefully,
"I recall wandering aimlessly, fighting with others for places with abundant spiritual energy, and struggling to find my next meal.
I never imagined that after I transformed, I would meet Master and be fortunate enough to become his disciple. With such a kind grand-uncle, even if I were to die on this Kunlun Mountain, I would have no regrets in this life!"
After Li Yi finished speaking, Qichen led Duobao away to find Jin Jiao and Yin Jiao.
Once Qichen and Duobao had departed, Li Yi turned to Tongtian and asked,
"Third brother, during my seclusion, have the three clans unified the myriad races of the Primordial World?"
"Big brother, they unified long ago. Now, the myriad races of the Primordial World are led by the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans."
"I didn't expect it to be so quick! By the way, have any conflicts erupted between the three clans?"
"There have been some, but they are only minor skirmishes. The three clans themselves have not been involved; it is some of the races that have surrendered to them that are fighting over cultivation resources!"
Li Yi sighed,
"Alas, I wonder how much longer this world can remain peaceful!"
As Li Yi was speaking, he suddenly felt Yuanshi awaken within the Chaos Orb and said to Tongtian with a smile,
"Your second brother has come out of seclusion!"
With a wave of his hand, Li Yi brought Yuanshi into the main hall.
As soon as Yuanshi appeared, he said,
"Big brother! Third brother!"
Tongtian immediately offered his congratulations,
"Congratulations on coming out of seclusion, Second Senior Brother!"
Li Yi also said,
"Second brother, it's good that you've come out of seclusion. I have something to tell you and third brother!"
Yuanshi and Tongtian looked at Li Yi with confusion,
"What are your orders, Big brother?"
"Friction has already erupted between the three clans, and the Primordial World will likely not be peaceful henceforth. Unless it's absolutely necessary, no one should leave the mountain."
Tongtian nodded and said,
"I have nothing pressing to do. I will spend this time teaching Chen'er and Duobao!"
Yuanshi, however, showed a troubled expression. Li Yi noticed Yuanshi's unease and quickly asked,
"What's wrong, second brother?"
Yuanshi said with a wry smile,
"I sense something in the direction of the East Sea that is attracting my Twenty-Four Dinghai Pearls!
I wish to go to the East Sea to see what it is!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yi said to Yuanshi,
"So be it. Second brother, you are always prudent, and your cultivation is not weak. You may go and investigate!"
After Li Yi finished speaking, Yuanshi bid farewell to Tongtian and Li Yi and headed towards the East Sea!