The Ferryman Appears

At the upstream entrance of the Mother River, several thousand Dao Lords and living beings of all kinds had already gathered, including licefolk and desolate beast species.

Yet Dao Lords continued arriving in an endless stream. Most of those arriving later were Commanded Dao Lords who drew the imperial stipend, and there were no shortage of those at the Fourth through Sixth Fruit Positions.

Most of these "imperial stipend eaters" had been summoned by seniors of their own Dao lineages. They all hoped someone from their lineage would catch the ferryman's eye and be taken away, allowing even the chickens and dogs to ascend to heaven.

Many among them did not even know the "truth" of this Great Thousand. They were merely here to join the excitement, treating the ferry crossing as a great stroke of fortune.

After all, the ferrymen who had come from upstream in the past had not chosen people based on cultivation or strength. They clearly had undisclosed criteria, and there had been precedents of Fourth Fruit Position Dao Lords being taken away.

Half a day later.

From the upstream end, which seemed to have been forcibly severed, came the sound of oars cutting water—distant, yet seemingly right beside their ears.

The thousands of beings immediately perked up, wild joy appearing on their faces as they stared fixedly toward the upstream end.

Then, a long and carefree Dao Song drifted down from the upstream end.

"At the beginning of ancient time, who passed down the Dao?"

"Across the endless ages, who lives forever?"

"Wondrous Dao golden body, auspicious form of compassion!"

"Names transformed in all ten directions, delivering all living beings..."

The Dao voice curled through the air, as though it resounded in the hearts of beings of every kind—mysterious beyond mystery.

It was like a