Registered Disciple

After walking for a short while, they found a secluded mountain valley and landed.

Dao Xuan flicked his sleeve.

With a flash of golden light, the small Golden Peng, sealed to the size of a palm, its feathers brilliant but its eyes filled with terror and confusion, tumbled to the ground.

It flapped its wings, but couldn't even lift itself three inches off the ground, its efforts stirring only a few wisps of breeze.

"Teacher, this little bird is so pretty!" Gourd Baby's big eyes lit up, and it squatted down, curiously poking the little Golden Peng's head.

Little Golden Peng: "!!!"

It, a noble son of the Phoenix, a Golden-Winged Great Peng with a distinguished bloodline, was being poked on the head by a toddler?!

An unbearable humiliation!

It angrily opened its small beak, intending to let out a Peng cry that would shake the nine heavens, but only managed a weak, mosquito-like "Chirp~".

Little Golden Peng: "..."

It froze, its gaze shifting from anger to a dazed, then to a life-weary expression.

Dao Xuan watched this scene, a deeper smile in his eyes.

He coughed lightly and said to Gourd Baby:

"This Peng is arrogant and needs its temperament tempered. Gourd Baby, you will look after it for a while, consider it... hmm, raising a spirit bird to pass the time."

"Really? Thank you, Teacher!" Gourd Baby was overjoyed and carefully cupped the still questioning little Golden Peng in its palm.

The little Golden Peng's body stiffened. Feeling the warm palm of the toddler, it felt its Peng life was bleak.

"Remember," Dao Xuan added, his tone carrying a hint of mischief, "take good 'care' of it, and don't let it 'fly' into someone else's face again."

Six-Eared Macaque, standing nearby, immediately flinched at the words, sheepishly scratching its head.

The little Golden Peng, however, was so angry that its golden feathers trembled. Unfortunately, it couldn't make a sound or move, and could only express its silent accusation with its eyes: I'm not! I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!

And so, a peculiar member joined their group.

Wherever Gourd Baby went, it held a lifeless, hollow-eyed golden "little chicken" in its hands.

Gourd Baby named it "Little Gold."

"Little Gold, look, doesn't that cloud look like something?"

"Little Gold, this fruit is so sweet, I'll share half with you!"

"Little Gold, stop pretending to be dead, get up and fly a few rounds!"

Little Golden Peng (inner roar): I am a Golden-Winged Great Peng! Not a pet chicken! And definitely not a connoisseur! Also, how strong is this toddler? It's squeezing me so hard I can barely breathe! Help!

It tried to struggle countless times, attempting to revert to its true form and break the seal.

But how could Dao Xuan's seal be ordinary?

No matter how it urged its bloodline power, it was like a clay ox entering the sea, utterly unmoved.

It could only be forced to accept Gourd Baby's "meticulous" care and Six-Eared Macaque's sympathetic (?) yet somewhat schadenfreude-filled (?) gaze.

Dao Xuan turned a blind eye to this, only occasionally, when he lectured, would he specifically impart a few words about "temperament," "humility," and "Dao follows nature."

His voice was calm, yet every word was like a pearl, directly pointing to the Great Dao.

At first, the little Golden Peng resisted, its mind filled with "Let me out!" "I want freedom!" "This toddler is too scary!"

But Dao Xuan's lectures, stirring the Dao Rhyme of heaven and earth, were profoundly mystical.

Those principles, like trickling streams, flowed into its resistant heart without it realizing.

Gradually, its anger, anxiety, and unwillingness began to calm down amidst the Daoist sounds.

Although it was still held in Gourd Baby's palm as a "hand warmer," its eyes were no longer vacant. Instead, it was involuntarily drawn to the profound principles of heaven and earth that Dao Xuan expounded.

The mysteries of Yin and Yang, the truth of extreme speed in space... all seemed to be understood more deeply in these peaceful Daoist sounds.

It began to perk up its ears (even though they were sealed and looked like a little furball), listening with rapt attention.

Six-Eared Macaque was even more so.

It already had a firm and sincere heart for the Dao. Now, hearing the orthodox Great Dao of the Xuanmen, it was like a long drought receiving sweet rain.

Its six ears stood straight up, greedily capturing every syllable, afraid of missing even the slightest bit.

Its small body trembled slightly with excitement.

Although Gourd Baby was innocent and pure-hearted, as a being transformed from an Innate Spirit Root, its comprehension was also excellent.

Listening to Dao Xuan's lectures, it felt refreshed in body and mind, and its cultivation grew unknowingly.

The Qilin lay beside them, its Five-Colored Divine Light swirling, also silently comprehending.

Dao Xuan and the others traveled, stopping and going, lecturing and discussing the Dao along the way.

They gazed at the magnificent mountains and rivers of the Great Desolation, and observed the birth and death of all things in the universe.

Dao Xuan's state of mind, through teaching and enlightenment, became increasingly harmonious and clear.

He was already at the peak of the late-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal, just one step away from perfection.

These five thousand years of precipitation and accumulation felt like a natural progression.

One day, I traveled to a nameless immortal mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist, with spiritual springs tinkling.

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged on a blue stone, eyes closed in deep concentration.

The Three Flowers hovered subtly above his head, and the Five Qi surged towards his Origin within his chest.

Dao Rhyme flowed around his body, resonating with heaven and earth.

An aura of perfection, of primordial chaos unified as one, slowly emanated from him.

Grand Unity Golden Immortal, the perfected realm!

It was a natural breakthrough, without any hindrance.

However, when Dao Xuan looked inward with his divine sense, attempting to glimpse the path to severing the Three Corpses and advancing to Quasi-Saint.

He felt only a dense fog ahead, a solid barrier.

It was as if a thin veil separated him, allowing him to perceive the outline of that supreme realm, yet he could never truly touch it, nor did he know where to "cut."

"Severing the Three Corpses... it truly is not easy," Dao Xuan understood in his heart, but he remained unhurried.

The Dao follows nature; when the opportune moment has not yet arrived, forcing it would be counterproductive.

He opened his eyes, the divine light within them retracted, making them appear even more profound.

He then looked at the three little ones beside him.

Gourd Baby was still his usual innocent and carefree self, his pure heart unchanged.

But his aura was now harmonious, with seven-colored treasure light contained within, revealing a cultivation at the late stage of Golden Immortal!

He was currently holding a blade of foxtail grass, teasing Little Gold Peng in his palm.

Little Gold Peng... hmm?

Dao Xuan's gaze narrowed slightly.

In Gourd Baby's palm, where was the "little chick"?

It was a youth, about fifteen or sixteen years old!

This youth was as handsome as jade, with lips like cinnabar.

A golden mark on his forehead subtly resembled a roc spreading its wings.

His golden hair was radiant, like flowing sunlight.

He wore a golden-trimmed tight-fitting outfit, which further accentuated his tall and straight posture, brimming with heroic spirit.

Only his eyes still held a hint of unaccustomedness from just transforming into human form, and a trace of... shame and indignation at being treated as a "plaything in the palm"?

Especially since Gourd Baby was still using the foxtail grass to tickle his nose...

"Achoo!" The youth sneezed, glaring at Gourd Baby, "You little brat! Don't be so rude!"

His voice was clear and crisp, carrying the sharpness of youth.

"Wow! Little Gold, you've changed!" Gourd Baby, far from being annoyed, exclaimed in surprise, "You look much better than that little bird before!"

Golden-Winged youth (roaring internally): I've always looked like this! And stop calling me Little Gold! My name is... (suddenly stuck, realizing he might not have a name?)

Seeing this, Dao Xuan smiled faintly.

"It seems the seal has been broken, and you have also stabilized your late Golden Immortal cultivation. Not bad."

Golden-Winged youth (temporarily referred to as Golden Peng) heard this and landed on the ground.

He looked at Dao Xuan with a complex expression.

These five thousand years, from the humiliation of being treated as a pet chicken, to the obsession of being drawn by the Dao sound, and then to the breakthrough in cultivation and stable transformation...

His state of mind had undergone a complete upheaval.

His untamed arrogance, though not completely smoothed out, had become much more restrained, no longer as glaring as before.

He bowed deeply, "Thank you... Senior, for your enlightenment." His tone was much more sincere.

Dao Xuan nodded with a smile.

His gaze then turned to the Six-Eared Macaque beside him.

Six-Eared was also excitedly watching Golden Peng's transformation, his eyes filled with envy.

He had also diligently cultivated and listened to the Great Dao during these five thousand years.

However, due to his limited origins, his aptitude was ultimately slightly lacking.

Although he had made progress, he had only just managed to break through to the early stage of Heavenly Immortal.

Compared to Gourd Baby and Golden Peng's late Golden Immortal stage, the gap was enormous.

He silently lowered his head, his six ears drooping, appearing somewhat dejected.

Dao Xuan saw all of this.

These five thousand years of observation had shown this monkey to have a pure heart, a Dao heart as firm as stone, respect for his teacher, and diligent effort.

Although its origins are special, the flaws do not overshadow its merits.

"Six-Eared Macaque," Dao Xuan spoke.

"Your subordinate is here!" The Six-Eared Macaque jolted, quickly bowing.

"Do you wish to join my tutelage?" Dao Xuan's voice was calm, yet carried solemnity.

The Six-Eared Macaque's head shot up, its eyes filled with disbelief, its voice trembling, "Esteemed... Esteemed Immortal... are you saying..."

"This humble Daoist observes your pure nature and sincere devotion to the Dao. Though your origins are unusual, the Great Dao has fifty paths, Heaven's proliferation is forty-nine, with one escaping. All things have a sliver of life." Dao Xuan spoke slowly.

"Today, I shall accept you as a registered disciple. Later, I will report to my Master before discussing further."

Registered disciple!

Although not a direct disciple, it was still officially entering the Xuanmen!

The Six-Eared Macaque felt a surge of immense happiness and sorrow instantly overwhelm its reason.

It dropped to its knees with a thump, its head hitting the ground with resounding thuds.

"Disciple Six-Eared Macaque! Greets Teacher! Teacher is merciful! Teacher is merciful!"

Its voice choked, tears flowing like a spring.

Five thousand years of anticipation, five thousand years of diligent cultivation, five thousand years of cautious trepidation...

Today, its wish was finally granted!

The curse of "the Dharma is not passed to Six-Eared Macaque" seemed to be torn open by this bow!

The Gourd Baby clapped its hands from the side, "That's great! The little monkey has a master too!"

The Golden Peng watched the Six-Eared Macaque tremble with excitement, kowtowing incessantly, and a hint of emotion flickered in its eyes, along with... a trace of imperceptible envy.

Dao Xuan received the Six-Eared Macaque's three bows before raising a hand.

A gentle force lifted the Six-Eared Macaque.

"Now that you have joined my sect, you must abide by the Xuanmen precepts, respect your teacher and value the Dao, and diligently cultivate the Great Dao."

"Disciple respectfully obeys Master's command!" The Six-Eared Macaque responded solemnly, tears still on its face, but its expression was full of determination.

Dao Xuan then looked at the Golden Peng beside them.

The Golden Peng's heart skipped a beat.

"Golden Peng, you possess the Phoenix bloodline and are born with the Yin-Yang Supreme Treasure. Your talent is unparalleled," Dao Xuan looked at it, "Do you wish to follow this humble Daoist in cultivation and comprehend the Great Dao?"

The Golden Peng took a deep breath.

Over these past five thousand years, it had long been convinced by Dao Xuan's cultivation and understanding of the Great Dao.

To be accepted as a disciple by the Xuanmen's first disciple was an opportunity countless beings in the Great Desolation dreamed of!

It hesitated no longer, lifted its robes, and knelt, "Disciple Golden Peng, greets Teacher! I wish to follow Teacher in cultivation!"

"Good," Dao Xuan nodded with a smile, "You are also a registered disciple. We will finalize things after reporting to Master."

"Yes!" The Golden Peng replied respectfully.

"Master is biased!" The Gourd Baby suddenly pouted, "Little Gold has a name! The little monkey has a name! Only I don't!"

Dao Xuan, Golden Peng, Six-Eared Macaque: "..."

Dao Xuan chuckled and rubbed the Gourd Baby's head, "You were born from an Innate Spirit Root, your nature is pure and innate. Gourd Baby is your name and your true essence. Why do you need another?"

The Gourd Baby tilted its head, thought for a moment, felt it made sense, and became happy again, "That's right! Gourd Baby sounds the best!"

Six-Eared Macaque (Golden Peng's inner thought): Fine, as long as you're happy.

Dao Xuan looked at the two new registered disciples and pondered for a moment.

"Six-Eared Macaque, your origins are special, and early cultivation will not be easy. Your Master will teach you the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique. This is a supreme method for tempering the physical body and refining the Primordial Spirit, perfectly suited to your talent. I hope you cultivate diligently and do not waste this opportunity."

As he spoke, a beam of clear light entered the Six-Eared Macaque's brow.

The Six-Eared Macaque's body trembled, feeling countless profound scriptures and body-tempering methods flood into its Primordial Spirit, vast and profound, boundless!

This was the legendary divine technique that protected the sect!

"Thank you, Teacher, for bestowing the Dharma!" The Six-Eared Macaque was so excited it wanted to kowtow again, but Dao Xuan stopped it.

"Golden Peng, your bloodline is powerful, born with the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle (Dao Xuan knew its true name as a ceramic pot), and your potential is limitless. The Dao of Yin and Yang is profound and mysterious. Your Master will explain it to you in the future, helping you refine the supreme treasure and comprehend its origin."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Joy and anticipation also appeared in the Golden Peng's eyes.

With the master-disciple relationship established, the team's atmosphere became even more harmonious.

The Qilin stepped on clouds, the Gourd flowed with light.

Dao Xuan sat atop the Qilin, his Blue Gauze Headband fluttering in the wind, his face like fine jade, his eyes holding stars.

The Gourd Baby sat on the Seven-Colored Gourd, its golden-red collar reflecting the sun, innocent and lively.

The Golden Peng transformed back into its true Peng bird form, its wings spanning over ten feet, shining with golden light, circling at its side, majestic and extraordinary. (Finally, it didn't have to be held in someone's hand!)

The Six-Eared Macaque had changed into a brand-new chainmail armor (bestowed by Dao Xuan). Although its cultivation was the lowest, it held its head high, its six ears alert, its eyes filled with hope and drive.

Several hundred more years passed.

One day.

The world ahead suddenly changed.

A sense of ancient, vast, supreme pressure, as if supporting heaven and earth, faintly emanated.

Gazing into the distance.

A divine mountain, indescribably majestic, stood between heaven and earth!

Its height, immeasurable, connected to the primordial chaos above and anchored the netherworld below.

Its breadth, immeasurable, with mountain ranges stretching like a colossal dragon coiled in the Great Desolation.

The mountain body was a profound yellow, ancient and heavy, as if transformed from Pangu's spine, exuding the magnificent aura of creation and eternal existence!

Mists swirled around the mountain, ten thousand rays of auspicious light, a thousand streams of radiant mist.

Faintly visible were strange peaks, ancient trees reaching the sky, cascading waterfalls, and hidden immortal birds and exotic beasts.

Moreover, countless Innate Spiritual Energy, so dense it was almost liquid, flowed through the mountains.

This was precisely the foremost divine mountain of the Great Desolation, transformed from Pangu's spine, the Pillar supporting heaven—

Buzhou Mountain!

The master and his three disciples stopped and gazed from afar.

Even Dao Xuan, feeling the Pangu's pressure wash over him, felt a sincere sense of awe in his heart.

"Teacher, this mountain... is so big!" Gourd Baby exclaimed, his small mouth agape.

"This is Buzhou Mountain, transformed from the spine of the great god Pangu, the Heavenly Pillar of the Great Desolation," Dao Xuan said with emotion.

The Golden Peng, transformed into a great bird, circled in the sky, its golden eyes filled with shock.

Before this divine mountain, its proud speed and strength seemed so insignificant.

The Six-Eared Macaque trembled with excitement, "Buzhou Mountain... I am actually fortunate enough to witness the Heavenly Pillar..."

Dao Xuan gazed at the majestic divine mountain, his heart stirred.

Grand Unity perfection had arrived.

Could the opportunity to sever the corpses be within this mountain?

He gently patted the Qilin.

"Let's go, enter the mountain."

The Five Spirit Qilin let out a low roar and, stepping on auspicious clouds, carried Dao Xuan slowly toward the foremost divine mountain of the Great Desolation.

The Seven-Colored Gourd carried Gourd Baby.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng circled protectively.

The Six-Eared Macaque followed closely behind.

The master and his three disciples officially stepped into the domain of Buzhou Mountain.