Ten thousand years later, on Taiqing Peak, Li Yi opened his eyes. The Chaos Bead exuded wisps of chaotic energy.
"Ten thousand years have passed, and there are still twenty-four chaotic restrictions left in this Chaos Bead. I had intended to continue refining it, but the twenty-sixth restriction has eluded me for a thousand years without any progress. It seems I cannot fully control the Chaos Bead until I reach the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm."
Li Yi muttered to himself. He then looked into the Chaos Bead and saw that Yuan Shi and Tong Tian were still refining spiritual treasures. He also entered the Chaos Bead to cultivate.
"Although I have been refining the Chaos Bead for these ten thousand years, as I refine more chaotic restrictions, my comprehension of the Great Dao has also deepened considerably."
As Li Yi entered the Chaos Bead, Yuan Shi and Tong Tian sensed his arrival. Both opened their eyes and looked at Li Yi.
"Eldest Brother is refining the Chaos Bead?"
"This Chaos Bead is a chaotic supreme treasure, not something easily refined. I have only managed to refine twenty-five of its restrictions. The twenty-sixth has resisted my efforts for a thousand years!"
"Eldest Brother need not rush. This is, after all, a treasure on the same level as Father God's Pangu Axe and Earth-Splitting Chisel. It is normal for it to take longer." Yuan Shi comforted him.
"Mm-hmm!"
"By the way, how are your progresses?"
"The Qiankun Ding has been fully refined. The Sanbao Yu Ruyi has only had four restrictions refined," Yuan Shi said.
"Third Brother, what about you?"
"I'm similar to Second Brother. The Qiankun Chi has been refined, but the Qingping Sword has only had one restriction refined."
Li Yi nodded and said, "While the Qiankun Ding and Qiankun Chi are important, the Qingping Sword and Sanbao Yu Ruyi are also crucial to both of you. Do not be negligent."
"Eldest Brother, rest assured, we understand."
"That's good. If I don't reach the Hunyuan realm, my progress with the Chaos Bead will be slow. I intend to refine the蟠龙拐杖 (Panlong Guaizhang - Coiling Dragon Staff) formed from the red lotus flower. This staff is extremely compatible with the Dao I cultivate, making it a perfect treasure for my enlightenment."
"The red lotus, white roots, and green lotus leaves are also perfectly suited for us three brothers, born of the same mother."
"Second Brother, Third Brother, what do you think?"
Yuan Shi nodded and said, "Eldest Brother speaks wisely. I also plan to refine the Sanbao Yu Ruyi into my treasure for enlightenment."
"The Qingping Sword is also highly compatible with the Dao I cultivate, making it the best treasure for my enlightenment," Tong Tian said leisurely.
"If that's the case, Second Brother and Third Brother, accelerate your refining process!" With that, Li Yi sat down on the spot and began refining the 蟠龙拐杖 (Panlong Guaizhang). Yuan Shi and Tong Tian also proceeded to refine the Sanbao Yu Ruyi and Qingping Sword.
Fleeting time passed in a blink.
Three thousand years later, Li Yi finally completed the refinement of the 蟠龙拐杖 (Panlong Guaizhang). At the same time, Yuan Shi and Tong Tian also finished refining the Sanbao Yu Ruyi and Qingping Sword.
"Second Brother, Third Brother, all our spiritual treasures are now refined. Let's take this opportunity to thoroughly consolidate our gains from this journey. Absorbing them will surely lead to significant advancements."
Yuan Shi and Tong Tian replied, "We've been busy refining treasures since our return. It is indeed time to organize and consolidate."
"By the way, Eldest Brother, who was that person we encountered on Penglai Island? Even with the three of us working together, we couldn't gain the slightest advantage against him," Yuan Shi asked.
"Yes, Eldest Brother. I noticed you were on high alert as soon as he landed. My Second Brother and I couldn't understand why you seemed to know he would attack us, even before distinguishing friend from foe," Tong Tian added.
Li Yi looked at Yuan Shi and Tong Tian and said, "That person's name is Luohu. He is one of the chaotic demon gods who escaped Father God's axe back then. We three are direct descendants of Pangu, so it is naturally impossible for us to befriend him."
"No wonder you were so wary as soon as he landed, Eldest Brother. So that's why!" Yuan Shi and Tong Tian nodded.
"Right, Second Brother, do you remember the divine ability I used within the island's great protective formation on Penglai Island?" Li Yi continued to ask.
"Of course, I remember. What's wrong?" Yuan Shi asked, puzzled.
"That divine ability was created by me based on the scenes of Father God splitting the heavens and earth in my mind. I named it 'The Three Styles of Heaven Splitting' (开天三式 - Kai Tian San Shi). I feel there should be more to it, but my inherited knowledge is limited. I plan for us three brothers to merge our powers and deduce its subsequent forms, thus gaining another life-saving skill."
"Mm-hmm, we'll do whatever Eldest Brother decides. But Eldest Brother, please teach us too!"
Li Yi chuckled, "Naturally. I will teach you both once I have perfected it. However, this divine ability consumes immense energy. Do not use it lightly unless in critical danger."
Tong Tian eagerly said, "Then let's begin quickly!"
Yuan Shi chuckled, "Look at Second Brother's impatience!"
Li Yi laughed, "Third Brother is indeed a bit hasty."
While Li Yi and Yuan Shi were teasing Tong Tian, his soul had already left his body, urging, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, hurry up!"
Seeing that Tong Tian's soul had already departed, Li Yi and Yuan Shi no longer delayed. They too left their bodies and merged their souls with Tong Tian's.
With the support of Yuan Shi and Tong Tian, the blurry images of heaven-splitting in Li Yi's mind became clearer. The missing subsequent scenes were also supplemented by Yuan Shi and Tong Tian's inheritances. Besides Pangu wielding his axe to split the heavens, there were also scenes of Pangu slaying the three thousand demon gods and standing tall between heaven and earth.
"The Three Styles of Heaven Splitting" (开天三式 - Kai Tian San Shi) was deduced by Li Yi into "The Nine Styles of Heaven Splitting" (开天九式 - Kai Tian Jiu Shi), which are:
First Style: Chaos Annihilation
Second Style: God Slaying, Demon Extermination
Third Style: Might Breaks All Laws
Fourth Style: Heaven Splitting, Earth Forming
Fifth Style: Resounding Through the Great Desolation
Sixth Style: Towering Between Heaven and Earth
Seventh Style: Enlightenment Through Strength
Eighth Style: Infinite Primordial Chaos
Ninth Style: Body Transforms into All Things
As Li Yi began to evolve "The Nine Styles of Heaven Splitting," Yuan Shi and Tong Tian had already returned their souls to their bodies. They looked at the image of Pangu forming behind Li Yi amidst the surrounding chaotic energy, and their hearts trembled.
Yuan Shi said to Tong Tian, "Eldest Brother's divine ability is extraordinary! It can be considered the foremost offensive technique in the world."
Tong Tian nodded and said, "Second Brother speaks truly. If this divine ability struck me, even with the White Lotus of Purification protecting me, I would likely suffer greatly."
As they were discussing, Li Yi suddenly opened his eyes.
Seeing Li Yi awaken, Yuan Shi and Tong Tian stepped forward and asked, "Eldest Brother, has this divine ability been deduced?"
"Yes, yes. I have deduced 'The Three Styles of Heaven Splitting' into 'The Nine Styles of Heaven Splitting.' I will now impart this divine ability to you. Remember to cultivate it diligently."
With that, he extended a finger and pointed at the centers of Yuan Shi's and Tong Tian's brows, imprinting "The Nine Styles of Heaven Splitting" into their souls.
"This divine ability is immensely powerful. Do not act recklessly, or I will not spare you."
"We understand, Eldest Brother. But this 'Enlightenment Through Strength,' does it mean we should cultivate the Great Dao of Strength?" Tong Tian asked, confused.
Li Yi replied with a hint of disappointment, "Father God cultivated the Great Dao of Strength, hence the name 'Enlightenment Through Strength.' It does not mean we have to switch our cultivation to the Great Dao of Strength. You can use it to unleash your own respective Daos, and it will still be effective."
As Li Yi was explaining to Yuan Shi and Tong Tian, the three suddenly sensed someone intruding into their dojo. They then vanished from the Chaos Bead and reappeared in the Taiqing Palace.
"Who dares to trespass our dojo!"
"Daoist Brother, please calm your anger! I have no intention of offending!" A deep voice echoed from the sky, and a Daoist dressed in red robes appeared from the horizon.
As soon as the Daoist arrived, he quickly apologized, "This humble one is Hongyun. Seeing the spiritual energy emanating from this mountain and its extraordinary earth veins, I wished to explore. I did not expect to accidentally enter the secluded cultivation place of you three Daoist friends. I am truly sorry!"
"Hongyun? Isn't this the 'good old man' of the Great Desolation? What is he doing in Kunlun Mountain?" Li Yi thought to himself.
Li Yi said, "I am Taishang, greeting Daoist friend!"
"This is my Second Brother, Yuan Shi." He then gestured towards Yuan Shi.
"Greetings, Daoist Yuan Shi. This humble one pays his respects!"
"Greetings, Daoist Hongyun!" Yuan Shi bowed slightly.
After they exchanged greetings, Li Yi continued, "This is my Third Brother, Tong Tian."
"Greetings, Daoist Tong Tian. This humble one pays his respects!"
"Greetings, Daoist Hongyun!" Tong Tian bowed.
After introducing Yuan Shi and Tong Tian, Li Yi continued, "It is a joy to have friends from afar. Since your intrusion was unintentional, we shall not dwell on it. Your arrival at our dojo indicates a connection with us three brothers. Please stay and enjoy Kunlun for a few days!"
Hongyun said, "I sincerely apologize for trespassing into your secluded cultivation place."
Saying this, he took out three fruits that resembled children.
"This spiritual fruit was given to me by a friend. Today, I offer it to you three as an apology. Please do not find it too humble!"
Upon seeing the Ginseng Fruit, Li Yi confirmed that this was indeed Hongyun, and the friend he mentioned must be Zhen Yuanzi. Li Yi also wanted to taste the legendary fruit that could grant longevity in later generations. He said to Tong Tian, "Third Brother, since Daoist Hongyun has offered, please accept it!"
Tong Tian stepped forward and accepted the Ginseng Fruit.
Li Yi then said, "Since Daoist Hongyun is so gracious, we cannot be impolite. Second Brother, Third Brother, Daoist Hongyun is unfamiliar with the terrain of Kunlun. You shall accompany Daoist Hongyun and explore Kunlun for a few days!"
He then said to Hongyun, "My two brothers are intimately familiar with Kunlun. They will act as your guides!"
Hongyun was overjoyed. Having been transformed from the first wisp of red cloud in the primordial world, he was not particularly attached to anything and enjoyed traveling and exploring. Having a guide now made him very happy.