Chapter 133: The Golden Dipper of Primordial Chaos

The Fairy and Ji Feichen perceived the shifting of destiny, while the Taiji talisman seal swirling below underwent new transformations.

Now, the seas of fire and mountains of ice had dispersed, leaving only the dual energies of Yin and Yang scattered within the vortex, transforming the vortex that had endured for thousands of years into a dichotomy of black and white. At its core, a hazy golden light flickered uncertainly.

Ji Feichen's heart suddenly stirred: "Senior Sister, your destined opportunity has arrived."

The vortex left behind by Pavilion Master Fang was originally a Blessed Land-grade vortex, capable of nurturing an island continent within it. However, over thousands of years of suppressing demonic cultivators, that island had long since been melted away by the poisonous fire below, leaving only an object neither metal nor jade at the core of the vortex. Now, supplemented by the Yin and Yang energies and this great vortex, there was a faint possibility of condensing a Dharma treasure.

"This vortex condenses the Yin and Yang energies, gradually forming a primordial cosmic atmosphere, which is just right for refining the Primordial Golden Dipper."

"Indeed." The female immortal smiled. This vortex had nurtured supreme natural treasures and was now in the final stage of spewing forth the treasure.

Thus, the Fairy manifested the Taiji diagram. Using heaven and earth as a great furnace and taking creation as charcoal, she forcibly refined the vortex into a precious artifact.

The object within the vortex was the essence of an immortal island, refined through thousands of years amidst mountains of ice and seas of fire. Now, channeling the forces of creation from Yin and Yang, operating the powers of Kan and Li, water and fire, and implicitly arranging the three powers of heaven, earth, and mankind, this object neither metal nor jade gradually changed its form, shaping itself into a measuring dipper. In appearance, it resembled a common household container for measuring rice and holding wine.

Square at the top and round at the bottom; the square top featured four wide openings to inhale and exhale the eight directions, while the round bottom represented the Taiji primordial unity, embracing all phenomena. Alongside it was a handle shaped like dragon markings.

As soon as this artifact appeared, winds and clouds shifted, ocean tides surged rolling and crashing, and the entire radius of a thousand miles felt the tremor.

"An Earth Immortal treasure?" Ji Feichen revealed a look of astonishment.

Dharma treasures were categorized into treasured implements and ritual implements. Ritual implements refined form, while treasured implements refined spirit. When a Dharma treasure possessed both spirit and form, it would become inscribed with the imprint of the Great Dao, transforming into an Earth Immortal treasure. It could be called an immortal weapon, a true weapon, or a Dao weapon.

Seizing the opportunity of refining the treasure, the Fairy infused the merits she had just acquired into the Golden Dipper, further elevating its power. The vortex that originally surrounded the exterior of the Golden Dipper was entirely swallowed by the dipper, falling inward to transform into a primordial vortex.

Having suppressed demons for thousands of years, this vortex possessed the effects of locking, trapping, suppressing, and forbidding. Within the Golden Dipper, the innate Yin and Yang energies manifested the primordial breath, embracing all creation and forming its own cosmos. Once fallen into the dipper, life and death were beyond one's control, and one's Dao cultivation would be utterly stripped away. More importantly, this Golden Dipper could convert all energies into the primordial breath. Coupled with the special miraculous utility of the merit-laden yellow breath, anyone who died within this artifact would be automatically converted into primordial breath to supplement heaven and earth. It was a momentous heavy artifact of heaven and earth born in response to the era.

Auspicious clouds in the sky swallowed brilliance, and the sun and moon shone brightly. As this Dharma treasure was born, heaven and earth celebrated in tandem.

"This treasure is truly remarkable." Seeing this, Ji Feichen muttered endlessly in his heart. Although he had anticipated this Dharma treasure, he had never expected it to create such a massive commotion.

Suddenly, the sky clouded over with dark clouds, and a giant hand lunged down to grab the Golden Dipper.

Holding the Primordial Golden Dipper, the Fairy smiled coldly and flashed the dipper toward the dark clouds. The skyful of dark clouds fell directly into the dipper, revealing a blue-faced, fanged water demon in the air.

Realizing the situation was dire, the creature fled in a panic back into the water.

Having frightened it away, the Fairy did not pursue, instead sweeping her gaze across the clouds: "Fellow Daoists, I have successfully refined a true treasure. Could it be that you all insist on testing whether this treasure is formidable?"

An Earth Immortal treasure had been successfully forged within the Black Sea. This was a Dao-carrying vessel superior to ordinary treasured implements, imbued with the Great Dao. Not to mention the thousand-year-old water demons of the Black Sea, even those towering Earth Immortal figures sensed it and cast their gazes over one after another.

However, they understood the numbers of heaven and also saw the five-colored Dao light behind the two figures.

"It is the Old Turtle's Spiritual Wisdom Immortal Fruit. Are they connected to that turtle fellow?"

"That old turtle is an enlightened Earth Immortal after all. Furthermore, he guards the Spiritual Wisdom Immortal Fruit tightly. For these two to obtain the immortal fruit and divine medicine, their backgrounds must be extraordinary." These giant water demons harbored misgivings and were unwilling to easily court danger. Thus, the dense clouds dispersed, and the surface of the water returned to calm.

***

"Congratulations, Senior Sister." Ji Feichen stepped forward to offer his congratulations. Holding the Golden Dipper, the Fairy said to him: "I have refined this Primordial Golden Dipper according to your wishes. Now I make it clear here: if you should ever fall into the demonic path in the future, losing distinction between good and evil and disregarding the laws of heaven, this Golden Dipper shall be the instrument that claims your life!"

In the realm of the nether, a strand of karma wrapped around Ji Feichen.

Ji Feichen felt it in his heart, understanding that this was the Fairy's surveillance over him and likewise her tacit acknowledgment of him as the master of the Cloud Firmament Pavilion. Meanwhile, she retreated behind the scenes, entrusting all matters of the Cloud Firmament Pavilion to him.

Ji Feichen chuckled dryly: "Senior Sister, rest assured, I know my limits." His gaze drifted frequently toward the Primordial Golden Dipper. Although this item still fell short of the Yin-Yang Dragon Whisker Fan, it ranked among the very best of Earth Immortal treasures.

The vortex dispersed, and here, innate primordial breath gathered once more at the ocean floor fissure, sealing shut the subterranean lungs where the poisonous fire had dissipated. Yet during the crustal movement, Ji Feichen seemed to discover an object on the ocean floor.

He dove into the water and retrieved the item.

This was a lump of spiritual soil radiating five-colored brilliance. Seeing this, the Fairy smiled and said: "This is Five-Colored Breathing Soil, a legendary spiritual object birthed from the earth's core, the very essence of the earth, most suited for cultivating spiritual seeds and immortal roots."

Recalling the peach seed bestowed upon him by the mysterious figure, Ji Feichen thought to himself: It seems my immortal peach can finally be planted.

The mysterious figure had instructed him that day to cultivate it using Three-Light Divine Water and Five-Colored Soil. The lump of spiritual soil found from the sea of fire right now was precisely the Five-Colored Spiritual Soil.

With this matter concluded, the Fairy said to Ji Feichen: "The Primordial Golden Dipper has been refined, and we still need someone to test the power of the Dharma treasure. Would Junior Brother care to come along?"

"Naturally." Ji Feichen knew whom she was referring to.

...

Cao Yu was hiding outside the initial great vortex of the Black Sea. Presently, he was utilizing the vortex to grind away the demonic intent lurking within the snow lotus flower in his hand.

Suddenly, the power within the snow lotus began to dissipate. Along with the death of its main body, this snow lotus flower could no longer continue to exist.

"That old freak is dead?" Cao Yu revealed a look of astonishment, and then secretly gritted his teeth: "This old scoundrel destroyed my second primordial spirit; he deserves to lose his life."

As the snow lotus faded, he prepared to leave.

Rumble—In the distance, the crashing waves parted, and twenty-four precious pearls soared into the clouds, hazily transforming into a sacred realm where a divine being with a human body and dragon tail lifted the sun, moon, and stars.

That magnificent spectacle stirred a hundred-li expanse of water into a misty, rainy world, with twenty-four breaths circulating endlessly, conjuring all manner of the Great Dao.

"This..." Cao Yu was stunned at first, then laughed: "You two actually dare to come looking for me? What, are you not afraid I will beat you half to death again?" Although he had been ambushed by Ji Feichen last time, their realms and cultivation differed, and Cao Yu did not believe that himself at his peak would be weaker than the two of them.

Yet the next moment, Cao Yu caught sight of the five-colored Dao wheels behind the two figures and perceived their auras.

"The realm of Profound Penetration? How could they break through so quickly?" Incredulity filled Cao Yu's heart, and he hurriedly produced his Dharma treasure in preparation for defense. The magical power and realm of these two were now no inferior to his own; if a fight were to break out, he would be the one to suffer!

Observing his actions, Ji Feichen shrugged and said to the Fairy: "Senior Sister, do you need help?"

"No need." The Fairy's expression remained leisurely as she held the Primordial Golden Dipper: "I can manage alone." She channeled her magical power and tossed the treasure into the air. The Golden Dipper spun in circles, spewing out dark and white dual energies. A dragon-like, serpent-like rainbow beam swept downward, and the next instant, Cao Yu was sucked directly into the dipper.

Cao Yu's vision blurred, and he found himself within a crimson and blue world. First came a sea of fire scorching all creation, followed immediately by a glacier freezing the world. Caught beneath this dual heaven of ice and fire, his life and death quickly became unknown. Even the Dharma treasure in his hand fell into the dipper along with him and was collected by the Fairy.

***

"Senior Sister is not going to kill him?"

"We cannot kill him for now. He still carries karmic ties of clarity and turbidity, which clearly resonate with a certain immortal in the Central Plains. If we kill him, that fellow immortal will have to find someone else to undergo the tribulation." The Fairy looked up at the Taiji diagram shrouding the Central Plains: "It is thanks to the Eastern Demonic Sect residing overseas; otherwise, how could Cao Yu have ever come to the Black Sea?"

At this mention, Ji Feichen recalled a matter: "Speaking of which, how did those two, Liu Zi墨 and the successor of the Supreme lineage, manage to come overseas? By rights, they should have been trapped in the Central Plains."

The Clarity-Turbidity Taiji diagram manipulated karma; any person entangled in the killing tribulation was barred from leaving the Central Plains.

"The Supreme Palace is unfathomable; how could it be something you or I can understand? As for Liu Zi墨 and his companion, I sense no lines of clarity and turbidity karma upon them."

"None? What does that mean?" Could it be that Liu Zi墨 truly was the successor of the Supreme Palace?

"Two possibilities. First, the two of them cultivate the Primordial Breath Dao and do not fall into the categories of clarity and turbidity. Second, the two of them have already extricated themselves from the tribulation."

"Extricated from the tribulation? Judging by their tone, they plan to descend the mountain again on their return—how could they have extricated themselves from the tribulation? That is to say, those two indeed harbor some secrets? The Supreme Palace possesses a Clear-Spirit Immortal Talisman; could it be the effect of that item?"

"Perhaps."

The Fairy harbored suspicions toward those two as well. According to Ji Feichen's account, Liu Zi墨 bore no small amount of suspicion.

Subsequently, the two returned to the vicinity of the Turtle Immortal. After paying their respects to the immortal once more, the two took the dragon girl and continued their travels across the Black Sea.

However, with their business concluded, coupled with the grand opening banquet on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the three did not linger long in the Black Sea. After wandering casually for two days, they returned to the Dragon Domain.

Yet the three of them had harvested no small gains from this trip. The dragon girl had acquired the Sea-Suppressing Pearls, leaving her only a hair's breadth away from the fruit of the Human Immortal Dao.

Fairy Yuzhi had obtained two treasures: the Golden Flood Dragon Scissors and the Primordial Golden Dipper, and had furthermore slain Cao Yu, resolving the karma of years past. Achieving the realm of Profound Penetration was now merely a matter of a flipped hand.

As for Ji Feichen, he had acquired five Lunar Soul Pearls. Indeed, in the final few days before leaving, Ji Feichen had gained yet again. Added to those previously obtained in the Lingwei Immortal Mansion, he now possessed a total of six Lunar Soul Pearls.

Having collected a quarter of them, Ji Feichen felt even greater confidence regarding the collection of the remaining pearls.

There was also the Five-Colored Breathing Soil, the legendary essence of the earth capable of nurturing immortal roots and spiritual objects, which was just right for cultivating the immortal peach spiritual root.

As for his own cultivation, the Spiritual Wisdom Immortal Fruit had dropped five-element seeds, leaving him with no bottlenecks whatsoever when cultivating to become an Earth Immortal in the future. This was precisely the great destined opportunity Mother Chen had spoken of.

Yet in Ji Feichen's view, his greatest harvest was the orthodox status of the Cloud Firmament Pavilion. Having pierced the veil of secrecy with Fairy Yuzhi, it would facilitate his future actions all the more. Moreover, if the Fairy could successfully cultivate into an Earth Immortal, he would gain an additional helper, capable of sharing the pressure emanating from the Taiyuan Palace.

He was not alone on this long and arduous path of cultivation. With Fairy Yuzhi and her disciple assisting in the Cloud Firmament Pavilion, and throughout the entire lineage of qi-refiners boasting numerous reclusive Earth Immortals, with such people sharing the burden, the revitalization of the qi-refiners was by no means an empty boast.