[The Primordial World Growth System is at your service!] [This system is dedicated to strengthening the Primordial World. The host may assist Primordial beings and advance the development of Primordial civilization to obtain corresponding rewards.] [Beginner mission issued: Help any living being break through a minor realm.] [Mission reward: The host's cultivation will increase by one minor level.]
The mechanical voice rang out in his mind, and Lin Shen blinked blankly.
Assist Primordial beings?
He looked down at his tiny arms and legs. He could barely even walk right now, so how was he supposed to help anyone?
By acting cute?
"What is the little one thinking about?"
Tongtian Jiaozhu's voice pulled him back to reality. He reached out and lightly tapped the emerald-green ginseng leaves atop Lin Shen's head.
The ginseng leaves swayed, tickling Lin Shen until he could not help giggling.
That innocent appearance made the Three Pure Ones smile even more warmly.
Yuanshi Tianzun had always been stern, yet even he could not resist brushing the back of his finger against Lin Shen's chubby cheek.
The smooth, jade-like touch stirred an unusual softness in his heart.
"Since he is already our disciple, he should have a name." Yuanshi Tianzun pondered. "His true form is an Innate Spiritual Root, a ginseng plant. How about..."
"How about Lin Shen?" Taishang Laojun took over gently. "It carries the meaning of Dao follows Nature and of living beside the trees, while also expressing our hopes that he may partake in the Great Dao."
"Lin Shen, Lin Shen..." Tongtian Jiaozhu repeated it twice, then his eyes lit up. "A fine name! Simple and easy to remember, yet deeply meaningful!"
Yuanshi Tianzun nodded in approval.
Thus, Lin Shen gained a new name in this world.
Taishang Laojun held him as he rode a cloud of auspicious light toward a distant mountain wreathed in Immortal Qi.
That mountain was the legendary Ancestor of Ten Thousand Mountains—Kunlun Mountain.
Along the way, Lin Shen curiously took in the sights around him.
The sky of the Primordial World was purer than any blue he had ever seen, vast and boundless.
The clouds seemed dyed with dazzling sunset hues.
Flocks of immortal cranes flew past, their cries clear and melodious.
Rare treasures and strange beasts could be found everywhere on the ground. Running deer were cloaked in five-colored radiance, while fish in the streams grew dragon whiskers.
Every breath of air was rich with dense spiritual energy.
Lin Shen merely breathed instinctively, yet his little body felt warm and comfortable in an indescribable way.
So this was the Primordial World!
Dangerous, yet filled with boundless vitality and magnificent splendor.
Before long, Kunlun Mountain was right before them.
Before they even drew near, Lin Shen felt overwhelming pressure and dense Dao resonance rushing toward him.
The entire Kunlun Mountain was shrouded in faint clear light, with clusters of auspicious clouds and countless streams of blessed radiance. Pavilions and towers appeared and disappeared amid the mist.
"From now on, this will be your home."
Holding Lin Shen, Taishang Laojun slowly descended before the Daoist grounds atop Kunlun Mountain.
The grounds were ancient and grand. At the center stood a palace bearing the three archaic Daoist characters: "Yuxu Palace."
"Second Brother, Third Brother, let us arrange our little disciple's residence beside my Eight Sceneries Palace for now," Taiqing Laozi said.
"Eldest Brother, that is not right!" Tongtian Jiaozhu immediately objected. "Why should a child live somewhere so quiet? He should naturally live near my Biyou Palace. There are many disciples there, it is lively, and they can take him around to play!"
Yuanshi Tianzun frowned. "Nonsense! Lin Shen has only just taken human form, and his temperament is not yet settled. He should cultivate quietly and strengthen his foundation. If he lives in your noisy place, would that not delay his cultivation? In my view, Yuxu Palace is best."
Seeing the three great figures about to argue over where he would live, Lin Shen felt a little flustered.
Had this happiness come too suddenly?
In the end, Taishang Laojun made the final decision. "Stop arguing. Kunlun Mountain is so vast; could there be no place for our little disciple? Build another palace in the center of the three palaces. That way, he will be close to all three of us, and whoever wishes to look after him may do so conveniently."
Yuanshi and Tongtian could not refute him and could only nod in agreement.
With the Three Pure Ones joining forces, an exquisite little palace overflowing with Immortal Qi rose from the ground.
The palace was filled with the aura of nature. Its courtyard was planted with rare flowers and strange herbs, and a clear little stream ran gently through it.
Lin Shen was placed on a small bed made from Ten-Thousand-Year Warm Jade, and he was so comfortable that he wanted to roll around.
His three Masters simply doted on him beyond measure.
Taishang Laojun feared he would go hungry, so he specially brought over hundred-flower honey brewed from all kinds of top-grade spiritual fruits from Eight Sceneries Palace.
Yuanshi Tianzun feared he would be cold, so he used his magic to weave a small Cloud Pattern Daoist robe that was impervious to water and fire, warm in winter and cool in summer.
Tongtian Jiaozhu feared he would be bored, so he caught a snow-white Spirit Rabbit without a single stray hair to keep him company.
Lin Shen began living the idle life of having clothes handed to him and food brought to his mouth.
Still, he had not forgotten the system's beginner mission.
[Help any living being break through a minor realm.]
He was nothing more than a helpless baby right now. How was he supposed to help anyone break through?
This question continued to trouble him.
It was not until several days later, when an uninvited guest arrived, that he found the answer.
That day, Lin Shen was hugging the snow-white Spirit Rabbit and rolling around on the grass before his palace.
He was having great fun when he suddenly caught a faint fragrance.
It was neither the sweet scent of spiritual fruits nor the fragrance of immortal flowers, but a unique scent emanating from his own body.
Light and subtle, yet carrying an indescribable vitality that refreshed anyone who smelled it.
"What is that smell?"
Lin Shen curiously sniffed his little arm and found that it really was coming from himself.
Could this be the Origin Qi his Masters had mentioned?
Just as he was wondering about it, rustling came from the grass not far away.
Lin Shen looked over curiously and saw a fuzzy little gray head poke out from the grass.
It was a palm-sized little mouse, its black bean-like eyes staring eagerly at him.
More precisely, it was staring at him, the source of that fragrance, with drool nearly dripping from its mouth.
Lin Shen's eyes lit up when he saw the little mouse.
The little mouse was plump and rather adorable.
He waved at it and called out in his babyish voice, "Yah!"
The little mouse seemed a little frightened and hesitated for a moment, but in the end, it could not resist the temptation of the Origin Qi.
It cautiously crawled out of the grass and slowly edged toward Lin Shen.
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