Su Yang's gaze swept over the three of them. His tone was calm, yet left no room for doubt. "Your proving the Dao is imperative. However, as the Heavenly Dao cycles, one protagonist has yet to arrive. The karma is incomplete, and the time has not yet come."
"May I ask the Saint who that protagonist is?" Laozi pressed urgently.
"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed too freely." Su Yang raised a hand to stop him. "When the time comes, you will naturally understand."
The Three Pure Ones exchanged bitter smiles. Knowing there was no point in asking further, they rose and bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, Saint. We have been enlightened."
"Go." Su Yang waved his sleeve lightly. The wind did not rise, and the clouds did not stir.
The Three Pure Ones bowed again before turning to leave. With a single step, they transformed into streaks of rainbow light and flew straight toward Kunlun.
The grand hall fell silent once more. Su Yang gazed in the direction they had vanished, a trace of deep thought flickering in his eyes. "The human race will rise, Nuwa. Do not disappoint me."
At the same time, Feng Yanran and Qing Niao walked along the paths of Wangyue Xuan.
Shadows of flowers swayed, and birdsong rang clear. Between the pavilions and towers flowed an elegant grandeur untouched by worldly dust.
Feng Yanran's eyes shifted. Unable to hold back, she asked softly, "Qing Niao, may I call you that?"
Qing Niao's footsteps paused slightly, and he turned to look at her. In that instant, the gentleness in the girl's eyes seemed to pierce through the ice of eternity, causing his heart to tremble inexplicably. His usual reserve quietly melted away.
"Of course." He smiled somewhat shyly. "Miss Feng."
Feng Yanran's eyes rippled. She