Chapter Forty-Three: The Gift

In a hidden corner of the Great Desolation, Redcloud received word that Li Tian and Nuwa were to hold a wedding.

Redcloud was not well acquainted with Zhen Yuanzi, so unlike the original history of the Great Desolation, he did not calmly remain at Wuzhuang Temple for tens of thousands of years. After all, the Primordial Qi of Chaos in his possession represented the last chance for ascension to sainthood, coveted by all in the desolate world—Zhen Yuanzi included.

On his journey away from the Purple Palace, Redcloud endured several assassination attempts. Fortunately, he was the first red cloud to manifest after the opening of heaven and earth, exceptionally skilled in speed, allowing him to escape each time. Yet the past ten thousand years had been stifling, the taste of having a home but being unable to return was not something everyone could bear.

Cautiously, he made his way back to Firecloud Cave. From afar, he spotted a figure standing outside his abode, his heart immediately tightening. Sweeping with his divine sense dozens of times, he confirmed the visitor was merely a Taiyi Golden Immortal, with no others nearby, and finally relaxed enough to step forward.

"Great Immortal Redcloud, you have finally returned. I’ve been waiting here for over two years," the envoy exclaimed, eyes bright as he hurried to greet him.

"So, it is the envoy from Heaven. I was away on business and could not welcome you properly. I beg your pardon," Redcloud replied with a bow, naturally omitting that his absence was due to fleeing assassins.

The envoy presented an invitation without concern for Redcloud's circumstances, intent only on completing his mission.

"Our Heavenly Emperor and Empress Nuwa will hold their wedding in eighty-nine years. We hope Great Immortal Redcloud will honor us with your presence."

"Certainly, certainly," Redcloud replied, accepting the invitation with another bow.

He had risked returning to Firecloud Cave for this very invitation. Over ten millennia, while evading pursuers, he had also tried to comprehend the Primordial Qi, but to no avail.

Eventually, he realized that the Qi was not his fate to enjoy and had long since resolved to give it up.

Now, the wedding in Heaven only strengthened this resolve.

For all its value, the Primordial Qi was not worth more than his own life; Redcloud had endured enough of these days spent hiding and wandering.

...

Time passed swiftly, and soon the day of the grand wedding arrived. All the mighty beings who had been invited gathered in Heaven, each bearing gifts.

Of course, most brought nothing too precious—spiritual fruits, roots, jade, or even decorative night pearls of little use. The best among them carried only acquired spiritual treasures.

Worth mentioning, Hou Tu of the Wu Clan brought a low-grade innate spiritual treasure, likely acquired from the Treasure Cliff. Li Tian, however, paid little mind, as the Wu Clan had no use for spiritual treasures, not cultivating primordial spirits.

The Three Pure Ones brought more valuable gifts. Laozi presented a gourd containing Nine-Turn Golden Pills refined from apricot-yellow plums; a single pill could elevate a mortal to Golden Immortal. Its flaw was obvious: anyone who advanced their cultivation with it would forever remain at the level of Golden Immortal, never progressing further.

This limitation, however, was of no concern to mighty beings like Li Tian; for them, the pills could be eaten as candy.

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Yuanshi brought an acquired supreme treasure, somewhat inferior to Hou Tu’s, but Li Tian didn't mind. Unexpectedly, Tongtian brought a mid-grade innate spiritual treasure!

Treasures above mid-grade innate are rare; even combined, the Three Pure Ones did not gain more than fifteen such items from the Treasure Cliff.

"How can you do this!"

To satisfy the vanity of all the mighty beings, every gift was loudly announced by the ceremonial officer. After Yuanshi presented his acquired supreme treasure, he heard Tongtian’s offering and his face fell.

They were all members of the Three Pure Ones, and Tongtian, the youngest, had brought a mid-grade innate spiritual treasure while Yuanshi had only an acquired one—this was a clear slight.

Yuanshi, proud as ever, could hardly endure it.

"Why shouldn’t I do this?" Tongtian retorted, annoyed by Yuanshi’s inexplicable reproach. Having recently acquired the Four Swords of Immortal Slaughter, his confidence was inflated.

"You..." Yuanshi’s face flushed with anger.

"Enough, both of you!" Laozi, standing nearby, frowned and chided them. "Do you want everyone to laugh at the Three Pure Ones?"

"Hmph!" At Laozi’s words, Yuanshi and Tongtian snorted and turned away, refusing to speak further. Prideful as they were, none wished to be the subject of ridicule.

This brief episode went unnoticed by most, who were focused on what gifts others had brought. Those nearby who witnessed it dared not speak, for fear of entangling themselves with the Three Pure Ones, future saints.

At that moment, a figure in red robes soared over—it was Redcloud. To avoid detection, he had hidden and taken detours, finally arriving at Heaven.

Countless eyes turned red at the sight.

He’s finally appeared?

Kunpeng, Minghe, Burning Lamp and others could not conceal their murderous intent, each secretly plotting.

How could they trap Redcloud and prevent his escape?

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After all, they had all suffered losses due to Redcloud’s speed.

Redcloud sensed the heated gazes, his heart wavering, but knowing he was in Heaven, his confidence grew.

He did not believe anyone would dare defy Li Tian and act in Heaven.

He approached the ceremonial officer and presented his gift—a stream of violet-gold energy, shimmering with mysterious radiance.

The officer paused, himself a Great Golden Immortal and a disciple of the Purple Palace, possessing exceptional insight. For this reason, he was stunned.

Never had he expected Redcloud to offer the Primordial Qi of Chaos as a gift.

This was the opportunity for sainthood!

Hands trembling, the officer supported the Primordial Qi, but dared not covet it. In Heaven, there were countless who could suppress him.

"Redcloud, the Primordial Qi of Chaos!" the officer announced, his voice quivering.

The words erupted in the hearts of all present.

No one had imagined Redcloud would present the Primordial Qi as a gift!

Kunpeng and others were beside themselves with rage.

How could he dare!

The Three Pure Ones were momentarily startled, but now the Qi was useless to them, so they said nothing.

Li Tian, presiding above, was also taken aback, never expecting Redcloud’s resolve.

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