On the Way, the Kunpeng's

Along the way, Kunpeng grew curious about the source of Lu Changqing's merit but dared not ask directly, so he probed obliquely: "Great Master, have you been up to any major moves lately? To have earned so many Merit Magic Treasures!"

Lu Changqing, who had been lost in thought, immediately caught his intent and darkened his expression. "Little Kun, don't ask about things you shouldn't."

"Mind you don't incur Heavenly Retribution, understand?"

Kunpeng quickly replied, "Understood, Great Master." Yet inwardly, his curiosity about Lu Changqing only deepened.

To swear an oath before Heaven's Dao for fifty million merits meant the man truly had that vast sum.

Fifty million merits! Even Nuwa might not have gained that much from creating humanity.

The Great Master casually spent fifty million merits to hire a mount—such extravagance—could it be that he was destined by Heaven's Mandate? Kunpeng marveled silently.

A late-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal producing so many merits—what other explanation could there be besides being a Son of Heaven's Dao?

During the flight, Kunpeng suddenly sensed something and noticed a group of cultivators below in a mountain range fighting over a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root.

Though tempted, he remembered his role as a mount and could only warn, "Great Master, there are people below fighting over a treasure."

Lu Changqing had already noticed but deemed it beneath him. "A mere mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root—worth caring about?"

As a famously poor cultivator in the Primordial Wilderness, Kunpeng could only smile wryly. "The Great Master is truly bold, dismissing even a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root. Truly a man of Heaven's Mandate!"

Just as Kunpeng was about to leave, the Spiritual Root flew of its own accord toward Lu Changqing.

The battling cultivators cried out, "The treasure's flown away!" Looking up, they saw the root arc through the air and voluntarily acknowledge Lu Changqing as its master.

All the cultivators present froze, and Lu Changqing was slightly surprised as well. He collected the root and sighed softly, "I'd heard that those with great fortune could pick treasures in the Primordial Wilderness like taking candy from a child, but only today do I know the saying isn't false."

Seeing him take the root, the cultivators erupted in uproar.

The leader, a peak Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, barked, "Fellow Daoist! We've waited long for this root to ripen, and you pass by and claim it all for yourself—that's too overbearing!" Before his words faded, the cultivators had silently risen and encircled him.

Fourteen cultivators surrounded Lu Changqing, determined to seize his root.

Seeing this, Kunpeng suddenly revealed his massive true form, his sky-obscuring wings casting shadows as he coldly swept his gaze over the immortals. "Who dares block my master's path?"

The Quasi-Saint's might swept across the area, and the cultivators paled in terror. "It's the Demon Master Kunpeng of the Heavenly Court!"

The Demon Clan Heavenly Court was led by Four Emperors—Nuwa, Fu Xi, Tai Yi, and Di Jun.

And Kunpeng, honored as the Master of Ten Thousand Demons, ranked only below the Four Emperors.

Now this great power willingly served as Lu Changqing's mount, leaving the immortals dumbfounded. "How could the esteemed Demon Master stoop to being a mount for a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal?"

Kunpeng sneered inwardly. Frogs at the bottom of a well know nothing of the Heavenly Secret. This is a Son of Heaven's Dao—following him will bring great fortune in the future!

The fierce bird bared a sinister grin, sending the cultivators fleeing in panic. "Fellow Daoist, forgive us—we take our leave!"

In an instant, they scattered like birds and beasts.

Kunpeng shrank his form and respectfully carried Lu Changqing toward the Heavenly Court.

Lu Changqing's expression remained calm, utterly unconcerned.

Far away, the fleeing cultivators gathered to whisper among themselves. "To make Kunpeng submit—this man's origins must be earth-shattering!"

"Could he be connected to a Saint?" At this, all were shocked.

During the Witch-Demon Calamity, the Primordial Wilderness had only seven Saints.

Aside from Hongjun, who had Integrated with Dao, there were only six newly ascended Saints.

If Lu Changqing could enlist a Saint to subdue Kunpeng...

At that moment, Lu Changqing was refining the Spiritual Root atop Kunpeng's back. The Primordial Chaos Creation Art operated on its own, the Three Thousand Dao Seeds evolved into laws, and Great Dao Divine Patterns swirled around him.

Feeling the pressure on his back, Kunpeng trembled inwardly. To stir the Three Thousand Great Daos at the Zenith Heaven realm—truly a Son of Heaven's Dao!

In moments, the Spiritual Root was fully refined, and Lu Changqing's cultivation surged straight to the peak of Zenith Heaven.

This breakthrough only cemented Kunpeng's conviction about his identity.

Yet Lu Changqing's mind was elsewhere.

His ambition lay not in cultivation—even bitter training could not make him a Great Dao Saint.

Only by spending a million billion merits could he ascend to Sainthood on the spot!

At this time, outside the Southern Heavenly Gate of the Heavenly Court, Demon Marshal Qiongqi was on patrol.

"Recently, the Witch Clan has been stirring. You must be on high alert!"

"Understood!"

Suddenly, he saw Kunpeng returning with a man on his back. Qiongqi's eyes bulged. "The Demon Master is someone's mount?"

The demon soldiers erupted in clamor and quickly reported to the Ten Great Demon Gods.

Qiongqi pointed angrily at Lu Changqing. "Arrogant cultivator! How dare you insult our clan's Demon Master!"

Kunpeng, having reverted to human form, barked sternly, "How dare you! Show respect to my master!"

The demons were stunned—the Master of Ten Thousand Demons was calling someone "master"?

Lu Changqing stood quietly to the side, as if an outsider.

Qiongqi stammered, "Demon Master, have you been ensnared by some sorcery? If you're being coerced, just blink!"

Kunpeng said proudly, "How would you ants know my fortune? To serve my master is the blessing of three lifetimes!"

These words left the Demon Clan Crowd exchanging bewildered glances.

Suddenly, three sovereign auras descended—Di Jun, Tai Yi, and Fu Xi arrived together.

Di Jun demanded sternly, "Kunpeng, are you truly willing to be his mount?"

"Absolutely true."

Fu Xi scrutinized Lu Changqing: "Were you coerced?"

"Willingly and gladly." Kunpeng chuckled inwardly: Such a sweet deal needs no force. If I told them the truth, they'd all be fighting for it.

Then he said solemnly, "I've come today to bid farewell. From now on, I'll roam the Primordial Wilderness with my master."

Hearing that Kunpeng intended to leave the Heavenly Court, Tai Yi erupted in fury: "How dare a madman disrupt my court!"

He raised the Chaos Bell, ready to strike.

Kunpeng couldn't bear to watch and turned his head away.

In an instant, the sky darkened, and endless thunderclouds shrouded the Heavenly Court. The might of the Heavenly Dao made all living beings tremble.

The Six Saints sensed the Heavenly Secret simultaneously, shock spreading across their faces—the Heavenly Dao had gathered the World-Ending Divine Thunder to shield one person?

What kind of existence could draw the favor of the Heavenly Dao?

Though Tai Yi was not yet a Saint, he felt the Heavenly Dao lock onto him and recoiled in alarm: "How did I trigger the Heavenly Punishment?"

As powerful as the Chaos Bell was, it was but an ant before the Heavenly Dao.

Even a Saint would have to yield to its edge, let alone a mere Quasi-Saint.

Those who defy Heaven are doomed to annihilation.

Within this cage of the Heavenly Dao, Tai Yi's mind churned with unease.

If the Heavenly Punishment descended, he would be reduced to ashes.

Tai Yi glanced in confusion at Lu Changqing, who was leisurely savoring spirit fruits, utterly baffled: Why would the Heavenly Dao actively protect him? Could this man have some connection to it?

At that moment, Di Jun and Fu Xi also noticed the anomaly, their shock profound.

What virtue or ability did this man possess to earn Heaven's favor?

Di Jun was astounded, unable to comprehend why the supreme Heavenly Dao would favor an ordinary cultivator.

Fu Xi, who had once witnessed Nuwa creating humans and receiving the Heavenly Dao's blessing, saw the Merit Supreme Treasure on Lu Changqing and mused, Could it be the protection of merit?

While the three Demon Emperors wavered in doubt, Kunpeng fixed his gaze on Lu Changqing, his resolve hardening: A true child of the Heavenly Dao! This is the leg I, Kunpeng, am clinging to!

The Heavenly Dao itself shielded Lu Changqing, further convincing Kunpeng that this man was a chosen one of fate. Following him, where in the Primordial Wilderness could they not go?

Just as the Demon Clan was shaken, a Saintly Might suddenly enveloped the Heavenly Court.

In an instant, purple qi surged for thirty thousand miles, auspicious clouds swirled, and radiant colors filled the sky.

Dao runes flickered faintly, and an unmatched Saintly Might covered the entire Heavenly Court.

Before the figure appeared, its presence was already felt.

The Demon Clan soldiers all stood in awe, holding their breath—a Saint had arrived!

In the blink of an eye, Nuwa stepped onto a golden bridge of laws, crossing time and space to descend upon the Demon Court.

"We welcome the Saint!"

The Demon Emperors and generals bowed in unison. Even Kunpeng dared not be negligent, greeting her with respect.

Amid the court's chorus of reverence, only Lu Changqing remained at ease, savoring his spirit fruit, as if the Saint's arrival had nothing to do with him.

The moment Nuwa appeared, the entire Demon Clan was shaken.

"What's going on? Even Saint Nuwa has come?"

The ordinary demons hadn't sensed the Heavenly Dao's protection over Lu Changqing.

When the sky shifted as Tai Yi moved to strike Lu Changqing, many speculated whether he had some great power backing him.

Only with Nuwa's arrival did they realize the matter was far more complicated than they'd imagined.

As soon as Nuwa reached the Demon Court, her divine sense stirred, and her gaze fell on Lu Changqing, who was idly eating spirit fruits.

"This man's fortune is like a rainbow, his merit boundless, and his origins extraordinary."

A brief inspection revealed the truth to her.

She gave Lu Changqing a slight nod and spoke:

"I am Nuwa. May I ask how to address you, fellow Daoist?"

Though Lu Changqing's displayed cultivation was only that of a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, faced with such overwhelming fortune, even a Saint dared not take him lightly.

The Heavenly Dao's karma demanded caution, even from a Saint.

At Nuwa's words, the Demon Clan Crowd was stunned.

A revered Saint addressing a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal as "fellow Daoist"—this was tantamount to treating him as an equal.

All eyes immediately turned to Lu Changqing, who had been leisurely watching the drama unfold.

The seemingly ordinary Lu Changqing suddenly appeared mysterious and unfathomable in everyone's eyes.

Lu Changqing, who had been enjoying the spectacle while eating melon seeds, smiled in response to Nuwa's question:

"I am Lu Changqing, known by the Daoist name Longevity Immortal Venerable."

Nuwa replied politely upon hearing this:

"So it's Fellow Daoist Changqing! This Seat is already aware of the matter regarding Kunpeng.

Since he willingly follows you, Fellow Daoist, This Seat will grant permission on behalf of the Demon Clan."

Seeing Nuwa's friendly attitude, Lu Changqing nodded:

"That is well and good."

Di Jun quickly chimed in:

"Since the Demon Master acts of his own will, we naturally ought to accommodate him.

Fellow Daoist Changqing, please forgive any offense just now."

Lu Changqing, who had been entirely uninvolved throughout, had no intention of pursuing the matter. He waved his hand with a smile and summoned Kunpeng to reveal his true form before departing together.

After Lu Changqing left, Taiyi asked Nuwa for guidance:

"Wa Huang, what exactly is the origin of this Lu Changqing?"

Fu Xi and Di Jun also cast inquiring glances.

Nuwa looked into the distance and said solemnly:

"This is a Heavenly Secret; it cannot be probed.

But Fellow Daoist Changqing is no ordinary being. Remember this well—under no circumstances should you offend him!"

The Three Demon Emperors were shocked. Even a Sage could not see through Lu Changqing's origins.

But thinking that he was one protected by the Heavenly Dao, it seemed only natural—after all, such a thing had never happened before.

While Fu Xi and Taiyi were stunned by Lu Changqing's mystery and lamenting the loss of Kunpeng, Di Jun had other plans:

"If such an extraordinary figure could be recruited, wouldn't the conflict between the Wu and Demon Clans be easily resolved?"

He secretly resolved to find an opportunity to visit.

After leaving the Demon Court, Kunpeng was still marveling:

"Great Master is truly extraordinary—even a Sage addresses you as Fellow Daoist."

Eastern Emperor Taiyi, having personally witnessed the might of the Heavenly Dao, was shaken to his core!

Kunpeng's exclamation did not catch Lu Changqing's attention, as he was deep in thought about plans to renovate his cave dwelling.

Having seen Nuwa's Wa Huang Tian, Lu Changqing felt that his own Wuji Peak paled in comparison.

In the vast Primordial Wilderness, every blade of grass and every tree could form a world.

Although Lu Changqing's cave dwelling also had the potential to create a world, his current cultivation was limited, allowing him only to open a Minor World—far from matching his true foundation.

As he pondered, a flash of inspiration struck Lu Changqing: since his strength was insufficient, why not ask a Sage for help?

While weighing his options, Kunpeng interrupted: "Great Master, where are we heading next?"

Lu Changqing seized the opportunity to ask: "Which Sage's Daoist field is closest to here?"

Kunpeng looked around: "Primordial Heavenly Venerate's Kunlun Mountain is the closest."

Recalling that the Three Pure Ones had long since parted ways, Lu Changqing decided: "Then let's go to Kunlun Mountain."

Kunpeng hesitated slightly but dared not disobey: "As you command."

He then spread his wings and flew toward Kunlun Mountain.

Kunpeng felt a reluctance toward Kunlun Mountain, as Primordial Heavenly Venerate had always looked down on the Demon Clan.

Among the Six Saints, he disliked Primordial the most, but his master's orders left him no choice.

Thanks to Kunpeng's incredible speed, they soon arrived at the foot of Kunlun Mountain.

"Great Master, Kunlun Mountain lies ahead," Kunpeng reported respectfully.

Lu Changqing looked up at the towering peaks and smiled faintly: "Transform into human form and announce our arrival."

Kunpeng immediately took the form of a Daoist and called out loudly toward the mountain: "Longevity Immortal Venerable of Longevity Palace at Wuji Peak seeks an audience with Primordial Heavenly Venerate!"

At that moment, within the Jade Void Palace, Primordial Heavenly Venerate was meditating on the mysteries of the Great Dao.

Hearing the voice, he slowly opened his eyes. Within his gaze, stars seemed to revolve, and the Dao rhythm flowed around him, with the Merit of World Creation transforming into a Golden Light of Merit that enveloped him.

With a sweep of his divine sense, he knew who had come.

He dismissed Kunpeng with disdain, but when he saw Lu Changqing, his heart jolted: "This person's fortune is so immense that he even has the Golden Light of Merit protecting him. His origins must be extraordinary!"

Connecting this to the recent matter of the Heavenly Dao protecting the Heavenly Court, Primordial Heavenly Venerate suddenly understood: "Could this be that very person?"

He immediately sent a voice transmission to invite: "Fellow Daoist, please enter!"

Though he was a Sage, facing this Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal with such astonishing fortune, Primordial Heavenly Venerate dared not be negligent.

Lu Changqing was about to lead Kunpeng up the mountain when he suddenly heard an angry shout:

"How dare a fur-wearing, horn-bearing creature set foot on Kunlun?"

The Sage's oppressive aura surged forth, and Kunpeng's lifted foot froze mid-air.

Lu Changqing frowned. "This is my mount."

"I want to bring him up the mountain. Who dares to stop me?"

As his words fell, the heavens shook.

His words became law, and the power of the Heavenly Dao shielded Kunpeng, forcing even Primordial Heavenly Venerate to rein in his might.

Kunpeng's eyes brimmed with tears. "Thank you, Great Master!"

Primordial Heavenly Venerate was secretly alarmed: Just what background does this man have?

When the two arrived at the Jade Void Palace, Primordial Heavenly Venerate, though unable to drive Kunpeng away, treated him as if he were invisible.

He fixed his gaze on Lu Changqing and asked, "May I ask where you hail from, Fellow Daoist?"

Lu Changqing smiled faintly. "Just an ordinary Innate God."

Kunpeng curled his lips upon hearing this. An Innate God favored by the Heavenly Dao? Even Pangu reborn wouldn't get such treatment!