Hongjun's confession completely dispelled the biggest knot in the hearts of the Three Pure Ones.
It turned out that this Sage, who was about to merge with the Dao, was not the opponent they had imagined, but a "trusted minister left behind by Father God Pangu," one of their own!
For a moment, the atmosphere on Kunlun Mountain became unprecedentedly harmonious.
Tongtian Jiaozhu stopped shouting about fighting and killing. He scratched his freshly shaven chin and said to Hongjun somewhat sheepishly, "Uh... Hongjun old... Daoist Brother, I was narrow-minded before. Please don't take it to heart."
He had always been straightforward; if he was wrong, he was wrong, and he apologized readily.
"It's nothing," Hongjun said with a smile, waving his hand. "It's only natural for three Daoist Brothers to be vigilant when they care about their disciples."
He looked at Lin Shen, who was being held in Tongtian's arms and shaking the Jade Staff of Creation like a rattle, his eyes full of amusement.
This little fellow was the real key.
As long as he could coax this little one, wouldn't these three brothers obediently follow his lead?
Well, it wasn't exactly his lead, but Father God's lead.
Yuanshi Tianzun also showed a rare hint of gentleness. He cupped his hands towards Hongjun and said, "Daoist Brother, you have worked tirelessly for the Primordial World and all living beings for countless eons. We brothers admire you."
"It is all to fulfill Father God's wish," Hongjun said, attributing the credit to Pangu once again.
After this conversation, the relationship between the two sides instantly shifted from "potential rivals" to "comrades-in-arms and fellow revolutionaries."
The Grand Pure One Laozi stroked his beard and smiled, a great weight finally lifted from his heart.
In this way, there would be no fundamental conflict between the Kunlun Mountain lineage and the Orthodox Xuanmen.
They were all striving for the common goal of "building a beautiful Primordial World."
It was just a difference in division of labor.
Their Kunlun Mountain was responsible for cultivating Lin Shen, the "ultimate variable," taking an elite route.
As for Hongjun's Xuanmen, it was responsible for educating all beings and spreading its influence, taking a mass route.
Two routes, advancing side by side, with a promising future!
"Since we are all one family, Daoist Brother, why not stay for a few more days? We can then discuss the Dao at length," The Grand Pure One Laozi sincerely extended the invitation.
He really wanted to exchange insights on their understanding of the Great Dao with this being who was about to become a Sage.
Especially after both of them had been "enlightened" by Lin Shen.
"I have the same intention," Hongjun readily agreed.
He had come this time precisely to confer with the Three Pure Ones and to observe Lin Shen, this "little monster," up close.
An opportunity for in-depth exchange was naturally most welcome.
Thus, on the peak of Kunlun Mountain, a peculiar scene unfolded, one that would be recorded in the annals of the Primordial World.
Four Primordial Golden Immortals and one Quasi-Saint, five super-tycoons standing at the apex of the Primordial World's hierarchy, gathered around a three-year-old infant who was still drooling, holding a "high-end parenting experience exchange meeting" cum "Great Dao seminar."
"I believe that at this stage, Lin Shen should focus on consolidating his Dao Foundation and not aim too high," Yuanshi Tianzun earnestly expounded his educational philosophy.
"Big Brother, you're at it again!" Tongtian Jiaozhu immediately retorted, "A child's nature is to play! If he meditates and recites scriptures all day, won't he become a little old man? In my opinion, we should take him to travel the Primordial World, let him see the magnificent mountains and rivers, and comprehend the Great Dao through play. That is the proper way!"
"Playing with trivial things leads to a loss of ambition!"
"Teaching according to aptitude!"
Seeing that the two were about to argue again.
Nuwa, holding Lin Shen, spoke softly, "Please, both Daoist Brothers, do not argue. Little Lin Shen is currently full of curiosity about everything in the outside world. Taking him out to see flowers, grass, and meet new little animals would indeed be extremely beneficial for the growth of his character."
Her words, while seemingly supporting Tongtian, also affirmed Yuanshi's core idea of "growth."
Upon hearing that he would be going out to play and see little animals, Lin Shen immediately clapped his hands excitedly, "Play! Play! See... animals!"
Tongtian Jiaozhu was overjoyed and gave Nuwa a look that said, "You understand me best."
Yuanshi Tianzun frowned, but seeing his disciple's happy expression, he couldn't find any words to refute.
The Grand Pure One Laozi chuckled and smoothed things over, "Hmm, a balance of work and rest, very good, very good."
Hongjun, on the side, silently observed all this, nodding occasionally, his eyes flashing with thoughtful light.
He discovered that the "Dao" of Kunlun Mountain seemed... different from the "Dao" of his Zixiao Palace.
His Zixiao Palace preached rules, order, and the precise workings of the Heavenly Dao, without the slightest deviation.
But this Kunlun Mountain preached... everything for the child.
The child's joys and sorrows were the highest principle of the Great Dao.
"Interesting, truly interesting," Hongjun mused inwardly.
He felt that he might be able to gain some new insights from this "Dao of Parenting."
Just as these five great beings were harmoniously (and noisily) discussing Lin Shen's "educational policy."
Outside Kunlun Mountain, another powerful aura was rapidly approaching.
This aura bore a seven or eight-tenths similarity to Nuwa's Dao of Creation, but it also possessed a profound mystique of deducing heavenly secrets and perceiving the future.
"Hmm?"
Nuwa, who was feeding Lin Shen fruit, suddenly frowned, raised her head, and looked in the direction of Buzhou Mountain.
"My elder brother is here."
"Daoist Brother Fuxi?" The Three Pure Ones were also taken aback.
They naturally knew that Nuwa had an elder brother named Fuxi, who was one of the most powerful beings in the Primordial World, skilled in deduction and divination.
It was said that he spent years in seclusion, merging his Primordial Spirit with the River Diagram and Luo Script to deduce the future direction of the Primordial World, rarely venturing out.
Why had he come to Kunlun Mountain today?
"He must have sensed your presence here and come specifically to find you," The Grand Pure One Laozi said with a smile.
"Mm," Nuwa nodded, a hint of apology on her face. "I came in a hurry and didn't inform my brother, making him worry."
"It's alright. Since he's here, please invite him in to sit with us," The Grand Pure One Laozi said generously.
Kunlun Mountain was now the absolute center of the Primordial World.
Having a few more top-tier powerful beings visit was no issue; on the contrary, it would further showcase the grandeur of their Kunlun Mountain.
Soon, led by Duobao Daoist.
A male immortal, clad in a Bagua Taoist robe, with a handsome face and eyes as deep as if they contained the stars of the heavens, entered the Three Pure Ones' dojo.
It was Nuwa's elder brother, Fuxi.
As soon as Fuxi entered, he first saw his sister Nuwa and breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, his gaze swept across the Three Pure Ones and Hongjun, and his pupils suddenly contracted!
My heavens!
What a divine lineup!
The Three Pure Ones! Dao Ancestor Hongjun!
These four were all the most top-tier existences in the Primordial World!
Why were they all gathered here?
And, judging by their auras...
Fuxi was greatly alarmed!
He realized that the auras of the Three Pure Ones had completely surpassed his comprehension. It was a sense of Hunyuan that was independent of the Heavenly Dao!
And Hongjun's aura was integrated with the entire Primordial World, unfathomable, as if he were the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao!
They... had all broken through?
Fuxi felt his mind struggling to keep up.
What earth-shattering events had occurred in the Primordial World during his years of seclusion?
"Brother," Nuwa stood up and smiled faintly at Fuxi.
"Sister," Fuxi snapped back to reality, quickly walked to Nuwa's side, and asked with concern, "Are you alright? I sensed your aura suddenly surge and thought something had happened to you."
"I'm fine, brother," Nuwa's face held a halo of "happiness" that even she hadn't noticed. "I just... encountered an incredible opportunity."
As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Lin Shen, who was being held high and giggling with joy by Tongtian Jiaozhu.
Fuxi followed her gaze.
Then, he saw the exquisitely carved infant, with a small ginseng leaf on its head.
"This is..."
Fuxi's brows immediately furrowed.
As a powerful being who deduced heavenly secrets, his perception of karma and destiny was sharper than anyone's.
He immediately saw that this infant was the core of all events!
The source of all chaotic heavenly secrets!
He couldn't see through it!
With his supreme deduction technique, which merged with the River Diagram and Luo Script and could deduce the future of Sages, he was utterly unable to see through this child's past or future!
He was like a "ghost" that existed outside of this time and space, appearing out of nowhere!
How was this possible?!
A storm raged in Fuxi's heart.
He instinctively prepared to activate his Primordial Spirit and urge the River Diagram and Luo Script to forcibly deduce Lin Shen's origin.
However, the moment this thought arose.
Lin Shen, who was being held high and having fun with Tongtian Jiaozhu, suddenly stopped laughing.
He turned his little head, his large, dark eyes looking curiously at Fuxi.
Then, he tilted his head and extended his chubby, soft little hands towards Fuxi.
In a milky voice, he uttered a sentence that shattered Fuxi's Dao heart on the spot.
"Uncle... want to tell fortunes...?"
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