The Three Pure Ones Tour the Primordial World

Was that all? A flicker of dissatisfaction rose in Tongtian's heart. Begging only for his life was far too spineless—what a disgrace to me. He immediately lifted his head and puffed out his chest, radiating dominance as he said, "Bai Jin, what do you wish to ask of your master? Think carefully. Think seriously."

Bai Jin looked up at Tongtian expectantly and said, "Master, how about... you remove my title of Head Outer Sect Disciple?"

Tongtian froze for a moment, then bellowed furiously, "Get lost!"

With a sweep of his hand, Bai Jin let out a miserable cry and instantly turned into a speck of light, vanishing into the distance.

Haha! Booming laughter rang out from the summit of Taiqing Peak.

All the disciples of Mount Kunlun could sense the joy filling heaven and earth, utterly unlike the oppressive pressure from before. Envy rose in every heart. Only Bai Jin could have reconciled their master and martial uncle, right? To achieve this much as an Outer Sect Disciple was simply enviable and jealousy-inducing!

The next morning, a moo! A bull's roar shook Mount Kunlun.

All the disciples emerged from their halls and looked up at the skies above Mount Kunlun. In the middle stood an unremarkable old Daoist. To his left was the Nine Dragon Carriage, its myriad golden rays and endless auspicious vapors surrounding it, with Yuanshi seated inside. To his right, thunderclouds roiled across the sky. A one-legged Kui Ox stood atop them, with Tongtian riding on its back.

Taishang said with a genial smile, "Once we part today, when we meet again, we shall have ascended to the Saint's Dao."

Yuanshi also smiled joyfully. "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, why don't we have a contest and see who ascends to the Saint's Dao first?"

Tongtian nodded. "Agreed!"

Taishang smiled as well. "Excellent!"

"Haha! Eldest Brother, Third Brother, I'll be going first." Yuanshi laughed twice as the Nine Dragon Carriage moved in an instant, carrying him through the air and away.

Taishang also stepped forward, one step after another. After several flickers, his figure disappeared.

Tongtian glanced below and shouted, "Bai Jin, come up and lead the ox!"

Bai Jin was taken aback, then quickly replied, "Yes!" He soared into the air, arrived before the Kui Ox, took hold of the reins, and drove the clouds away.

After the Three Pure Ones departed, the people of Mount Kunlun erupted into uproar. Their master and martial uncles had gone to seek the Dao again? Hadn't their previous attempt just failed? They discussed it endlessly, wondering whether they would succeed this time.

As Bai Jin led the Kui Ox through the clouds, he asked, "Master, where are we going?"

Tongtian said leisurely, "We shall go as we please and follow our hearts."

He made it sound so profound, but wasn't he just wandering around?

"Alright!" Bai Jin answered, leading the Kui Ox across the primordial land. They crossed mountains, forded rivers, sailed over seas, ascended to the heavens, observed the myriad races of the primordial world, and studied the Wu Clan and demon race.

Tongtian's aura grew increasingly deep and unfathomable, while his gaze became sharper and sharper. At times, even the faintest trace of his aura made Bai Jin tremble with fear.

The two walked through a desolate mountain forest. After hesitating for a moment, Bai Jin said, "Master, should we go and take a look at the Human Race?"

"The Human Race? That newly born race Nuwa created?"

Bai Jin nodded. "Recently, I have heard the Human Race praying to me. They have encountered difficulties."

"Let us go and see. I am quite curious about the race Nuwa created after becoming a Saint."

Bai Jin led the Kui Ox southward. The Human Race's territory lay south of Buzhou Mountain, land chosen by Fuxi.

After traveling for only several months, they saw scattered Human Race tribes in the south. Humans clad in beast hides raced through the forests as they hunted.

There were even Human Race tribes living near Wu Clan settlements, surviving under the Wu Clan's protection.

Tongtian said in surprise, "It has only been a few years. Have the Human Race already grown so numerous?"

Bai Jin said with a smile, "Master, the Human Race's ability to reproduce is likely the strongest in the primordial world. If they were not individually so weak and unable to survive easily here, their numbers would be even greater."

Tongtian nodded, a thoughtful gleam flashing through his eyes as he carefully observed the Human Race. Their powerful reproductive ability meant they had the potential to spread throughout the primordial world. Compared to the Wu Clan and demon race, which had already formed civilizations, the Human Race seemed better suited to receive enlightenment and instruction.

"Stop, whoever approaches!" A thunderous shout resounded between heaven and earth. A mountain-heavy aura stretched across the path ahead, forming an impassable chasm.

Boom! A bare-chested man descended onto a distant mountaintop, gripping a staff in his hand.

Bai Jin stopped and looked up, asking, "Fellow Daoist, who are you? Why are you blocking our path?"

The man said loudly, "I am Kuafu. By the command of Ancestor Witch Houtu, I guard this place. Who are you, and where are you going?"

Bai Jin cupped his hands in greeting and said, "So it is Great Witch Kuafu. I am Bai Jin of Mount Kunlun, accompanying my master to the Human Race's ancestral land."

Kuafu's eyes widened abruptly. This was the Bai Jin Ancestor Witch Houtu had mentioned? Then his master had to be the Supreme Pure One among the Three Pure Ones! He quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior Supreme Pure One!"

Tongtian said indifferently, "May we pass now?"

Kuafu hurriedly gestured ahead. "Please!"

Bai Jin led the Kui Ox onward, and before long, they vanished amid the mountains.

Kuafu straightened up and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Standing atop the mountain, he muttered to himself, "No, I must notify the Ancestor Witch." He stomped his foot. Boom! The earth veins rumbled, and his figure instantly vanished.

Bai Jin led the Kui Ox swiftly to the Human Race's ancestral land beside a surging river. Yet the place, which should have been flourishing, had only a few scattered people hurrying back and forth, presenting a bleak and deserted sight.

Bai Jin said doubtfully, "Strange. Why is there no one here?"

Tongtian revealed a faint smile. "Keep going."

Bai Jin continued leading the Kui Ox forward, and gradually, an ethereal voice drifted toward them from afar.

"Hold fast to the Great Image, and all under heaven shall come. They come and are not harmed; there is peace, serenity, and great harmony. Music and fine food make passing travelers stop. Yet when the Dao is spoken, it seems bland and without flavor. Look at it, and it cannot be seen. Listen to it, and it cannot be heard. Use it, and it cannot be exhausted..."

Bai Jin's heart stirred. Was that First Martial Uncle? He immediately led the ox toward the source of the voice.

Before long, they arrived before a low mountain. Taishang sat cross-legged atop a massive boulder on the summit, while a great-horned green ox lay beneath it. At the foot of the mountain sat densely packed members of the Human Race, all listening devoutly to the Dao without the slightest noise.

Bai Jin whispered, "Master, it seems First Martial Uncle arrived before us."

Tongtian dismounted and said, "Go do what you need to do." He then drifted toward the mountaintop.

Bai Jin patted the Kui Ox and said, "Go find somewhere to play."

The Kui Ox looked toward the green ox atop the mountain. "Can I go talk with it?"

"No!"

Bai Jin turned and headed toward the temple. He had faintly heard the Human Race's prayers for some time now. He needed to see what had happened to them.

The Kui Ox walked to the side and lay beneath a large tree, looking up at the green ox on the mountain. I came first, so I'll be the boss from now on.

Bai Jin made his way to the valley where the Human Race had been born. Outside the valley stood a majestic temple. Within it sat a dignified statue of Empress Nuwa. Beneath the statue of Empress Nuwa stood two smaller statues, one on each side: Fuxi on the left and Bai Jin on the right.