Taking Another Disciple

Donghua arrived at a valley, where the Golden-winged Great Peng Qing Xuan and the Iron Eater Beast Yuan Zhen were fighting.

Qing Xuan's attacks were no longer as savage as before. He moved like a true cultivator who had mastered the Dao, each technique brimming with grandeur and power.

Yuan Zhen's attacks, by contrast, were broad and forceful, yet filled with murderous intent. He was like a demonic bear.

After watching for a while, Donghua walked over, and the two stopped fighting.

Qing Xuan said, "Master, you've emerged from seclusion."

Yuan Zhen said, "Yuan Zhen pays his respects to Emperor Lord."

Donghua said to Qing Xuan, "Mm, not bad. You've improved. Now you're starting to look like Yuanfeng's son, like a proper Innate Deity. Keep working at it."

Qing Xuan replied delightedly, "Thank you for praising me, Master. This disciple will keep working hard and will never bring shame to you."

Donghua glanced at Yuan Zhen but said nothing. Instead, he asked, "Yuan Zhen, when cultivators reach the Golden Immortal Realm, they can live as long as Heaven and Earth. So tell me, what do you think people live for?"

Yuan Zhen's expression dimmed. He knew he had disappointed the Great God. But when he thought of his father and brothers, and his mother's death, there was nothing in his heart but hatred.

"Emperor Lord, I've disappointed you. But I must avenge my father, brothers, and mother. I can't let go of this hatred."

Donghua sighed and patted Yuan Zhen's head.

Yuan Zhen was already tens of thousands of years old, but in Donghua's eyes, he was just like a child. Donghua still remembered how cautious and innocent Yuan Zhen had been when they first met. That was one of the reasons he had always liked him so much.

"When did I ever ask you to let go of your hatred? If you really did, I wouldn't give you a second glance."

Yuan Zhen looked at Donghua in confusion.

Donghua said, "I think people live to weather trials. The love and hatred in this world, the obsessions and desires that come with cultivation—they're like one test after another. If you want to succeed, you have to bravely overcome them, like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate. Only the one who makes it across wins."

"But if, after enduring hardship, you can still keep an open heart, cherish your life, remain kind and hopeful, and face the future with a positive attitude, then you're the true winner in life."

"So life is a trial for the brave. The brave are invincible, while the weak are doomed to fail."

"Then, Yuan Zhen, are you brave or weak?"

Yuan Zhen gazed silently at Donghua, savoring his words.

The next moment, he finally broke down. Dropping his weapon, he threw himself into Donghua's arms and began to cry.

"Great God, I don't have any family left. I have nothing. I really wish my father could come back to life."

Donghua didn't push him away. Instead, he held Yuan Zhen close and stroked his soft fur.

"You still have me, Qing Xuan, Tai Hua, and your people."

"You'll make your father, brothers, and mother proud."

Qing Xuan stepped forward and put an arm around Yuan Zhen's shoulders. "That's right, Yuan Zhen. You still have us, and your people. It's just that old bastard Ci Tie. When the time comes, I'll go with you and help you put a few holes in him."

Looking at his friend crying before him, Qing Xuan knew they truly were friends. They had once nearly killed each other, but the time they had spent together among the Iron Eater Beast tribe had long since put those unpleasant memories behind them.

He had stayed by Yuan Zhen's side all this time, hoping to help him through it. But he wasn't good with words, so all he could do was practice martial arts and cultivate alongside Yuan Zhen.

Yuan Zhen pulled away from Donghua, wiped his tears, and picked up the Hunyuan Ruyi Cudgel from the ground.

He knelt solemnly and said, "Great God, I want to become your disciple."

Donghua wasn't surprised. When he had first met the two of them, he had already considered taking them as disciples. But Yuan Zhen's background was complicated, so he had eventually given up on the idea.

This time, he had successfully Slain the Corpse because of Yuan Zhen. That meant they were connected by fate—and deeply so. Since that was the case, why give up?

With that thought, Donghua said, "You and I are indeed bound by a teacher-disciple fate. But do you know my rules?"

Yuan Zhen nodded. "I'll remember all three rules and never forget them."

Donghua said, "Good. From today onward, you, Yuan Zhen, are my second disciple."

Yuan Zhen kowtowed three times, formally becoming his disciple.

After the ceremony, Donghua said, "Qing Xuan, you are my eldest disciple. Aside from forging the Hunyuan Bright Silver Spear for you, I haven't given you anything."

"Today, I grant you the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure Taiji Profound Seal and the Low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure Two Forms Mirror."

"As the saying goes, 'The Limitless gives rise to the Supreme Ultimate. The Supreme Ultimate moves and gives birth to yang; when movement reaches its limit, it becomes still. Stillness gives birth to yin; when stillness reaches its limit, movement begins again. Movement and stillness are each other's roots. Yin and yang divide, and the Two Modes are established.'"

"Used together, the Taiji Profound Seal and the Two Forms Mirror can unleash power comparable to a Top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasure. You were born with the Yin Yang Two Energies, so these two treasures couldn't be more suitable for you."

"But these treasures are immensely powerful. Your strength is still limited, so be cautious when using them!"

Qing Xuan accepted the two Innate Spiritual Treasures respectfully, his eyes instantly reddening. Ever since the Golden-winged Great Peng had taken form and entered the world, he had never been treated this well.

His mother had already transformed into the Dao to suppress the Volcano of Immortality before he was born, and after he came into the world, his elder brother vanished without a trace.

He hadn't even known any cultivation methods. He could only rely on his inheritance, focusing entirely on cultivating the Law of Space. He didn't even know how to cultivate the Yin Yang Two Energies he had been born with.

"This disciple thanks you, Master."

"Foolish child, don't be like that. They're only two treasures. Remember, treasures are lifeless. People are what matter most."

Donghua continued, "Yuan Zhen, you've only just joined my sect, so I shouldn't give you a treasure yet. But after spending so much time with you, I've come to understand your nature. I may as well grant you one today as well."

As the saying went, "Neither implements nor titles should be bestowed lightly." Innate Spiritual Treasures contained Great Dao Laws and possessed tremendous power. How could one hand them over casually to someone whose character was unknown?

"You have exceptional talent and have comprehended the Law of Strength and the Law of Slaughter. You're a born God of War, able to break ten thousand arts with a single blow. You were made for battle, so you don't need many treasures."

"I have a treasure here called the Tai Xu Record. It's a High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure containing the Great Dao Law of Illusion."

"The record contains a space of its own. It can create illusions that fight you, hone your skills, and strengthen your Law of Strength. It couldn't be more suitable for you."

"The record can also set up an Innate Illusion Array. It can take people in and trap them. Its uses are endless."

With that, he bestowed the Tai Xu Record upon Yuan Zhen.

Donghua said, "You two will cultivate the Purple Mansion Immortal Path under me. This technique is the highest cultivation method of my Purple Mansion. I comprehended it while listening to the Dao at Purple Sky Palace, and it is also why I became Head of Male Immortals."

"Those who learn from me will thrive; those who imitate me will perish. The Purple Mansion Immortal Path is best suited to my cultivation, but it may not suit you. Once you break through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm, you must forge your own paths. Only then will the Primordial Golden Immortal Realm be within reach, and Quasi-Sainthood attainable."

"If you can't forge your own paths, the Purple Mansion Immortal Path can help you achieve the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm, but in the end, you'll only have achieved Hun Yuan through magical power."

"We will remember your teachings, Master."

Donghua said, "Mm, you're quick learners."

A true Primordial Golden Immortal was one who had forged their own path, like Donghua, who created the Purple Mansion Immortal Path; Nuwa, who created the Immortal Path of Creation; and the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, and Taiyi.

Nearly all the famous Great Powers of the Primordial World had forged their own paths. But some eventually abandoned theirs and achieved only Hun Yuan through magical power.

Though they attained Hun Yuan, their path ended there.

"The Purple Mansion Immortal Path is the foundation of our cultivation, but you also need methods to defend your Dao. Today, I'll teach you three divine abilities."

"The first is Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming. This divine ability was created by First Qilin during the Dragon-Han Period. It grants tremendous, heaven-lifting strength and is also known as Great Magical Power."

"In the past, First Qilin used this divine ability to defeat the White Tiger and subdue the White Tiger Clan. That was how the Qilin came to rule the land during that era."

After hearing Donghua's explanation, the two were already eager to begin. They thought to themselves, Now that's a divine ability—the art of true freedom!

Donghua continued, "The second divine ability is Size As One Wishes, also known as Heavenly Dharma Elephant Earth. I created it during the Immortal-Demon War. You can change your size at will, and your strength changes along with you."

"You can assume the form of Heaven and Earth, or conceal yourself from sight. It's a technique for transformation and combat."

"The third method isn't a divine ability, but the Pure Yang Divine Thunder I created. Thunder comes in all sorts of attributes, but every kind of thunder is undoubtedly the righteous energy of Heaven and Earth."

"In the Primordial World, the Dutian Divine Thunder and the Zixiao Divine Thunder are supreme. The Dutian Divine Thunder is the pinnacle of Divine Dao thunder techniques, while the Zixiao Divine Thunder is the pinnacle of Immortal Dao thunder techniques. Together, these two thunders encompass all the thunder under Heaven."

"If you two can master these thunders in the future, you'll be true masters of the Thunder Dao."

After Donghua finished speaking, he began teaching them the divine abilities and thunder techniques.

P.S. Thanks to Jinying Chuange and the reader who asked what else they could do for your monthly votes.

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