"Among the countless living beings in this world, no two are alike from the moment they are born—not in talent, origins, comprehension, physique, spiritual roots, karma, or background... With disparities so vast, how could anyone speak of equality among all beings?"
Zhou Xuan's gaze sharpened as he looked at Sun Wukong and spoke slowly:
"Wukong, you and Gongming were able to enter the Primordial Book Library and learn techniques on a par with the Heavenly Dao because you are both exceptionally gifted and remarkably perceptive!"
"Even if others entered the Primordial Book Library, they might gain nothing at all. That is why they had no fate to become my disciples."
"By that reasoning, have I not treated all the beings of the Primordial Wilderness equally?"
"This..."
Sun Wukong was at a loss for words and didn't know how to answer.
Zhou Xuan asked again, "How many steps did you take in the Chaos Celestial River?"
Sun Wukong answered honestly, "This disciple is dull-witted. I only made it ten and a half steps."
Zhou Xuan continued, "Your junior brother Zhao Gongming is in the Chaos Celestial River now, too. Do you know how many steps he took?"
Sun Wukong thought for a moment. "This disciple doesn't know, but Junior Brother has reached the Primordial Golden Immortal realm. I imagine he managed a few more steps than Old Sun."
Zhou Xuan nodded. "That's right. Gongming made it to the fifteenth step."
"The Chaos Celestial River has a whole new realm with every step, and every step is fraught with danger. Among the countless beings of the Primordial Wilderness, only a handful can make it past the third step."
"Do you understand now why I accepted only you and Gongming as disciples?"
Zhou Xuan didn't spell it out directly. Instead, he guided Sun