Healing Wounds, Setting Out for Buzhou Mountain

After taking him as a disciple, Xuande did not rush to teach Wuzhen any cultivation techniques. Instead, he first brought him back to Spirit Spring Valley.

Clear springs babbled through the valley, spiritual herbs filled the air with fragrance, and the Spiritual Energy was even richer than elsewhere on Mount Sumeru.

Wuzhen followed behind his Master, curiously taking in his surroundings, his heart filled with novelty and gratitude.

He had lived for countless ages and traveled to many places, yet he had never possessed a true "home" of his own.

Now, though Spirit Spring Valley was merely where his Master was staying for the time being, it gave him an unprecedented sense of peace.

"Sit." Xuande pointed at the smooth green stone in the valley.

Wuzhen obeyed and sat cross-legged, watching his Master with some unease.

Xuande stepped before him, stretched out his hand, and gently pressed it against the top of Wuzhen's head.

Wuzhen's entire body stiffened. Then he felt a warm, gentle force flow from his Master's palm into his body.

That power was like the warm sun of spring, carrying an indescribable sense of serenity and comfort.

It slowly flowed along his meridians, wherever it passed.

The hidden injuries he had never noticed, the tiny cracks caused by the Dao Ancestor's single utterance, all slowly healed within that warmth.

Wuzhen's eyes reddened.

He knew he was injured.

The moment he suffered backlash for secretly listening to the Dao Ancestor's sermon, he had only felt agonizing pain in his Six Ears as blood gushed forth.

Yet he had not known that beneath that pain, his primordial spirit and meridians had also suffered severe damage.

Over the years, he had searched everywhere for a Master and rushed about endlessly, never once settling down to properly heal his wounds.

Those hidden injuries had remained dormant within him like invisible shackles, holding back his cultivation.

And now, Xuande was healing them one by one.

The Merit Golden Light was gentle yet steadfast.

After an unknown amount of time, Xuande withdrew his hand. His face was slightly pale, but his gaze remained calm.

"It is done," he said. "I have repaired the hidden injuries within your body one by one.

"As for the rest, you only need to recuperate in peace. By the time the Dao Ancestor finishes preaching, your innate divine ability should have mostly recovered as well."

Wuzhen knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily, his voice choking with emotion.

"Thank you, Master! This disciple... this disciple has no way to repay you..."

Xuande raised a hand in a distant gesture. A gentle force supported Wuzhen and helped him to his feet.

"We are Master and disciple. There is no need for thanks."

He said, "Since you have entered my sect, you are my disciple. It is only right for your Master to heal your wounds."

Wuzhen nodded hard, but tears continued streaming down his face.

He had begged for a thousand years, knelt for a thousand years, and been rejected for a thousand years.

Now, at last, he had a Master, a home, and someone who cared for him.

That warmth slowly melted his heart, which had long since turned cold.

Xuande looked at him, a trace of gentleness flashing through his eyes.

"From now on, remain in Spirit Spring Valley and recuperate in peace."

He said, "Once the Dao Ancestor's sermon has ended, your divine ability should have recovered as well.

"At that time, I will teach you cultivation techniques and instruct you in the path of cultivation."

Wuzhen respectfully said, "This disciple will heed Master's teachings."

Xuande nodded, gave him several more instructions, then rose and left Spirit Spring Valley.

When he returned beneath the Bodhi Tree, Jieyin and Zhunti were waiting for him.

"Daoist brother," Jieyin asked when he saw him return, "how is Wuzhen?"

Xuande sat beside the two of them and said,

"I have already treated his injuries. He had quite a few hidden wounds within him. He had spent these years rushing from place to place and never properly recuperated.

"However, there is no serious problem now. He merely needs to recover in peace."

Zhunti sighed. "Daoist brother truly is kindhearted. If it were me, I might not have had such patience."

Xuande shook his head. "It is not kindness, but fate.

"He came to Mount Sumeru and knelt before our gates. That means he has an affinity with the West. Since there is affinity, I should naturally do my utmost."

Jieyin nodded and slowly said,

"Daoist brother speaks rightly. The West is barren and lacks talented individuals. To gain a disciple with such extraordinary foundations is also a blessing for the West."

The three chatted for a while longer before returning to their respective places to continue cultivating.

Time flowed like water, silently passing by.

Within Spirit Spring Valley, Wuzhen sat cross-legged atop the green stone, meditating with his eyes closed.

His aura was far steadier than when he had first arrived. Nourished by the Merit Golden Light, those hidden injuries were healing bit by bit.

He could even vaguely sense that deep within his sealed Six Ears, a faint ripple of divine ability was slowly reviving.

His heart was filled with gratitude.

If not for his Master, he might still be wandering the Primordial Wilderness, or perhaps his Dao heart would have long since collapsed and he would have fallen into the demonic path.

His Master had given him hope, a place to belong, and a second life.

He secretly swore that he would cultivate well and never disappoint his Master's kindness.

A thousand years quietly passed in meditation.

On this day, Xuande emerged from Spirit Spring Valley and came beneath the Bodhi Tree.

Jieyin and Zhunti were already there.

"Daoist brother," Jieyin said, "there are eight hundred years left until the Dao Ancestor's Second Sermon."

Xuande nodded. "I was just about to discuss this matter with you two Daoist brothers. When should we set out?"

Zhunti said, "Last time, we left five hundred years early and still had three hundred years remaining when we reached Zixiao Palace.

"This time, with experience behind us, we should find the way faster. In my opinion, leaving three hundred years early should be enough."

Jieyin pondered for a moment before saying, "To be safe, we should still leave five hundred years early.

"Chaos is unpredictable. It is always better to leave ourselves more time."

Xuande thought for a moment. "I have a suggestion."

The two looked at him.

Xuande said, "This time, why not first go to Wuzhuang Temple and meet up with Daoist friends Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun?

"Then we can set out together. We can look after one another along the way."

Jieyin nodded. "Good."

Zhunti smiled. "Perfect! I also want to go to Wuzhuang Temple and mooch a few Ginseng Fruits!

"Last time, daoist friend Hongyun said there would be plenty of Ginseng Fruits!"

The three exchanged smiles and rose to prepare for departure.

Before leaving, Xuande went to Spirit Spring Valley.

Wuzhen was meditating. Sensing his Master's aura, he quickly opened his eyes and stood up.

"Master."

Xuande looked at him and said, "Your Master will be going with your Martial Uncle Jieyin and Martial Uncle Zhunti to Zixiao Palace to listen to the sermon.

"This journey will take roughly three thousand years. Stay on Mount Sumeru and recuperate properly. Do not run around recklessly."

Wuzhen respectfully said, "This disciple will heed Master's teachings."

Xuande nodded, gave him a few more instructions, then turned and departed.

Three streams of Escape Light left Mount Sumeru and headed east.

They would first go to Wuzhuang Temple and meet up with Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun.

But Xuande had another thought in mind.

When they passed Buzhou Mountain, he wanted to visit Nuwa and Fuxi.

Last time at Zixiao Palace, Nuwa had deliberately waited for him outside, thanked him, and arranged to meet again someday.

Since they were passing by, why not invite them to Wuzhuang Temple as well?

When the time was right, they could then go to Zixiao Palace together.

The more, the livelier, and they could look after one another on the road.

He told Jieyin and Zhunti about this idea.

Zhunti immediately became interested.

"Daoist friend Nuwa and daoist friend Fuxi? Wonderful, wonderful!

"We only exchanged a few words at Zixiao Palace last time and did not have the chance to get to know each other better. This time, we can chat more!"

Jieyin also nodded. "Daoist friend Nuwa sat on the sixth cushion. Her future achievements will be immeasurable. Befriending such a daoist friend will benefit the West as well."

Thus, the three settled their route: first Buzhou Mountain, then Wuzhuang Temple.

They traveled east for roughly a hundred years before that towering silhouette supporting heaven and earth finally appeared ahead.

Buzhou Mountain.

It remained as majestic and magnificent as ever. Above its middle slopes, it vanished into a sea of clouds, and farther above lay nothing but Chaos.

Yet unlike their previous visit, Buzhou Mountain's pressure had weakened somewhat.

After Hongjun became a saint, the Heavenly Dao emerged, and Pangu's Pressure had been slowly dissipating ever since.

Now, it was no longer difficult for a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to reach the summit.