Registered Disciples

Before long, they descended into a secluded valley.

Dao Xuan flicked his sleeve.

A flash of golden light appeared, and the little Golden Peng—sealed down to the size of a palm, its feathers dazzling but its eyes terrified and confused—tumbled onto the ground.

It flapped its wings, yet could not even rise three inches off the ground, only stirring a few futile wisps of breeze.

"Teacher, this little bird is so pretty!" Gourd Baby's large eyes sparkled as he crouched down and curiously poked the little Golden Peng on the head.

Little Golden Peng: "!!!"

It was the noble-blooded Golden-Winged Great Peng, the Phoenix's own child, yet a milk-drinking baby had poked it on the head?!

What utter humiliation!

It angrily opened its little beak, wanting to let out a Peng cry that would shake the nine heavens, but all it managed was a weak, mosquito-like chirp. "Chirp~"

Little Golden Peng: "..."

It froze, its gaze shifting from fury to blankness, then to utter despair.

Dao Xuan watched the scene, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

He gave a light cough and said to Gourd Baby:

"This Peng is arrogant and needs to temper its disposition. Gourd Baby, I shall leave it in your care for a while. Consider it... mm, a spirit bird to keep you entertained."

"Really? Thank you, Teacher!" Gourd Baby cried joyfully, carefully cupping the little Golden Peng, which was still questioning its entire existence, in his palms.

The little Golden Peng went stiff all over. Feeling the warm palms of that milk-drinking baby, it felt that its life as a Peng had turned completely dark.

"Remember," Dao Xuan added, a trace of mischief in his voice, "take good 'care' of it. Do not let it 'fly' into anyone else's face again."

Six-Eared Macaque, standing nearby, immediately shrank his neck and scratched his head awkwardly.

The little Golden Peng was so furious that every golden feather on its body trembled. Unfortunately, it could neither make a sound nor move, and could only voice its silent protest with its eyes: I didn't! I wasn't! Don't make things up!

Thus, the group gained a peculiar new member.

Wherever Gourd Baby went, he carried a golden-haired "chick" in his hands, its eyes vacant and its whole existence utterly lifeless.

Gourd Baby named it Little Gold.

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

"Little Gold, this fruit is so sweet. I'll give you half!"

"Little Gold, stop playing dead! Get up and fly a couple of laps!"

I'm a Golden-Winged Great Peng! Not a pet chicken! Much less an art critic! And why is this milk-drinking baby so strong? He's squeezing me so hard I can barely breathe! Help!

Countless times, it tried to struggle, attempting to restore its true form and break through the seal.

But how could Dao Xuan's seal be so easily overcome?

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

It could only helplessly accept Gourd Baby's "meticulous" care, along with Six-Eared Macaque's sympathetic (?) yet slightly gloating (?) gaze.

Dao Xuan turned a blind eye to all of this. Only when he lectured on the Dao did he occasionally make a point of explaining principles such as "disposition," "humility," and "the Dao follows nature."

His voice was calm, yet every word was like a pearl of wisdom, pointing straight toward the Great Dao.

At first, the little Golden Peng resisted. Its mind was filled with: Let me out! I want freedom! That milk-drinking baby is terrifying!

But when Dao Xuan lectured on the Dao, he stirred the Dao resonance of heaven and earth, profound and extraordinary.

Those teachings were like trickling streams, gradually flowing into its resistant heart without its notice.

Slowly, its fury, agitation, and unwillingness began to settle beneath the sound of the Dao.

Though it was still held in Gourd Baby's palm as a "hand warmer," its gaze was no longer vacant. Instead, it found itself involuntarily drawn to the profound truths of heaven and earth that Dao Xuan expounded.

The mysteries of Yin and Yang Qi, the true meaning of spatial speed... all seemed to gain a deeper clarity within that tranquil voice.

It began pricking up its ears—though the seal had reduced it to a fluffy little ball—and listened with complete absorption.

Six-Eared Macaque was even more so.

He had always possessed a steadfast heart devoted to the Dao. Now that he was hearing the orthodox Great Dao of Xuanmen, it was like sweet rain after a long drought.

All six ears stood perfectly upright, greedily catching every syllable, afraid of missing even the slightest word.

His small body trembled faintly with excitement.

Though Gourd Baby was innocent and pure-hearted, he had been transformed from an Innate Spirit Root, and his comprehension was also exceptional.

Listening to Dao Xuan's teachings, he felt refreshed in body and spirit, while his cultivation steadily increased without his realizing it.

The Qilin lay nearby, Five-Colored Divine Light swirling around it as it silently contemplated the Dao as well.

Dao Xuan and the others continued their travels, walking and resting, lecturing on the Dao and discussing techniques.

They beheld the grandeur of the primordial mountains and rivers, observing the birth and death of all things beneath heaven and earth.

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

He had already reached the peak of the late Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, only one step away from completion.

These five thousand years of refinement and accumulation now came naturally, like water flowing into its channel.

One day, they arrived at an unnamed immortal mountain, where clouds and rosy mists curled through the air and spirit springs tinkled softly.

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged atop a bluestone, closing his eyes in meditation.

The Three Flowers above his head faintly appeared, while the Five Qi in the Chest returned to their source.

Dao resonance circulated around him, resonating with heaven and earth.

An aura of flawless completion and perfect unity slowly emanated from his body.

Grand Unity Golden Immortal, perfected realm!

It came as naturally as water flowing into its course, without the slightest obstruction.

However, when Dao Xuan examined himself with his divine sense and sought the method to sever the Three Corpses and advance into the Quasi-Saint realm—

He found only dense mist ahead and an unyielding mysterious gate.

It was as though a thin veil separated him from it. He could sense the outline of that supreme realm, but could never truly touch it, much less know where to "cut."

Severing the Three Corpses... truly is no easy matter. Dao Xuan understood this, yet remained neither anxious nor impatient.

The Dao followed nature. If the opportunity had not arrived, forcing it would only ruin things.

He opened his eyes. The divine light in them had withdrawn inward, making them seem even deeper.

He then looked at the three little fellows beside him.

Gourd Baby remained as innocent and carefree as ever, his childlike nature unchanged.

Yet his aura was smooth and complete, seven-colored treasure light concealed within him. He had already reached the late Golden Immortal realm!

He was holding a foxtail grass stem, teasing the little Golden Peng in his palm.

The little Golden Peng... hmm?

Dao Xuan's gaze narrowed slightly.

In Gourd Baby's palm, where was there still any "chick"?

There stood a youth of fifteen or sixteen.

His face was as refined as polished jade, his lips as red as though painted with vermilion.

A golden mark rested between his brows, faintly resembling a Peng spreading its wings.

His golden hair gleamed brilliantly, like flowing sunlight.

He wore a fitted suit of gilded attire, which further emphasized his tall, upright figure and spirited bearing.

Only his eyes still held some awkwardness from having only recently taken human form, as well as a trace of... indignation at being treated as a "plaything in someone's palm"?

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

"Achoo!" The youth sneezed and glared at Gourd Baby. "Milk-drinking baby! Do not be so rude!"

His voice was clear and bright, carrying a young man's sharpness.

"Wow! Little Gold, you changed!" Gourd Baby was not angry at all. Instead, he cried out in delighted surprise. "You look much better than when you were a little bird!"

I always looked like this! And don't call me Little Gold! My name is... He suddenly choked, realizing that he seemed not to have a name at all.

Dao Xuan smiled at the sight.

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

The golden-haired youth—temporarily called Golden Peng—heard this and descended to the ground.

He looked at Dao Xuan with a complicated expression.

Over these five thousand years, from the humiliation of being treated as a pet chicken, to his fascination with the sound of the Dao, to his current breakthrough in cultivation and stable transformation...

His state of mind had already undergone earth-shaking changes.

That arrogant and unruly pride had not been entirely smoothed away, but it had become far more restrained and was no longer as glaring as before.

He bowed deeply. "Thank you... Senior, for your guidance." His tone was far more sincere than before.

Dao Xuan nodded with a smile.

Then he turned his gaze toward Six-Eared Macaque.

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

Over these five thousand years, he too had cultivated diligently and listened to the Great Dao.

Yet his foundation limited him, and his aptitude ultimately fell short by a small margin.

Though he had improved, he had only barely broken through to the early Heavenly Immortal realm.

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

He silently lowered his head, and his six ears drooped as well, making him seem somewhat forlorn.

Dao Xuan saw all of this.

After observing him for five thousand years, Dao Xuan knew that this macaque possessed a kind and pure disposition, a heart steadfast as stone in pursuit of the Dao, reverence for his teacher and the Dao, and unwavering diligence.

Though his foundation was unusual, his virtues far outweighed any flaws.

"Six-Eared," Dao Xuan said.

"This little one is here!" Six-Eared Macaque jolted and hurriedly bowed.

"Are you willing to enter my sect?" Dao Xuan's voice was calm, yet solemn.

Six-Eared Macaque abruptly raised his head. His eyes filled with disbelieving light, and even his voice trembled. "I-Immortal... You mean..."

"I have observed that your disposition is kind and pure, and that your pursuit of the Dao is sincere. Though your foundation is unusual, the Great Dao has fifty, Heaven derives forty-nine, and one escapes. All things possess a sliver of life." Dao Xuan spoke slowly.

"Today, I shall accept you as a Registered Disciple. Once I report this to my master in the future, we shall discuss the rest."

Registered Disciple!

Though he would not be a direct disciple, he was still formally entering Xuanmen!

Six-Eared Macaque felt an overwhelming surge of joy and sorrow instantly sweep away his reason.

With a thump, he fell to his knees, pressing his forehead against the ground again and again.

"Disciple Six-Eared pays respects to Teacher! Teacher is merciful! Teacher is merciful!"

His voice choked with sobs, tears pouring down like a spring.

Five thousand years of longing, five thousand years of diligent cultivation, five thousand years of cautious restraint...

Today, his wish had finally been fulfilled!

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

Gourd Baby clapped and cheered from the side. "That's wonderful! Little Monkey has a teacher too!"

Golden Peng watched Six-Eared, who was trembling all over and bowing without end. A trace of emotion flashed through his eyes, along with... a faint, almost imperceptible envy.

Dao Xuan accepted Six-Eared's three bows before lifting a hand in the air.

A gentle force raised Six-Eared to his feet.

"Now that you have entered my sect, you must uphold Xuanmen's precepts, respect your teacher and the Dao, and cultivate the Great Dao diligently."

"This disciple shall obey Teacher's command!" Six-Eared answered solemnly. Though tear stains still marked his face, it was already filled with determination.

Dao Xuan then looked toward Golden Peng.

Golden Peng's heart skipped a beat.

"Golden Peng, you bear the Phoenix bloodline and possess the accompanying Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle. Your talent is extraordinary." Dao Xuan looked at him. "Are you willing to cultivate with me and comprehend the Great Dao?"

Golden Peng took a deep breath.

Over these five thousand years, Dao Xuan's cultivation realm and understanding of the Great Dao had long since convinced him completely.

How many primordial beings dreamed of the chance to enter the First Disciple of Xuanmen's sect!

He no longer hesitated. Lifting his robes, he knelt down. "Disciple Golden Peng pays respects to Teacher! I am willing to cultivate with Teacher!"

"Good." Dao Xuan nodded with a smile. "You too shall be a Registered Disciple. We shall decide the rest after I report this to my master."

"Yes!" Golden Peng replied respectfully.

"Teacher is playing favorites!" Gourd Baby suddenly pouted. "Little Gold has a name now! Little Monkey has a name too! I don't have one!"

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

Dao Xuan laughed and rubbed Gourd Baby's head. "You were transformed from an Innate Spirit Root. Your innate childlike purity is complete, and Gourd Baby is both your name and your true nature. Why would you need another?"

Gourd Baby tilted his head and thought about it. Finding it reasonable, he brightened again. "That's true! Gourd Baby is the nicest name!"

Fine, as long as you're happy.

Dao Xuan looked at the two newly accepted Registered Disciples and pondered briefly.

"Six-Eared, your foundation is unusual, and cultivation will be difficult in the early stages. As your teacher, I shall pass on to you the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique. It is a supreme method for tempering the body and refining the primordial spirit, perfectly suited to your gifts. Cultivate it diligently, and do not fail this opportunity."

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

Six-Eared's entire body shook. Countless profound scriptures and body-tempering methods flooded into his primordial spirit, vast, deep, and boundless!

It was precisely that legendary divine technique for protecting the sect!

"Thank you, Teacher, for bestowing this method!" Six-Eared was so excited that he was about to bow again, but Dao Xuan stopped him.

"Golden Peng, your bloodline is powerful, and the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle that accompanies you has limitless potential. The Dao of Yin and Yang is profound and mysterious. In the future, I shall personally explain it to you, helping you refine this treasure and comprehend its origin."

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

With the master-disciple relationship established, the atmosphere within the group grew even more harmonious.

The Qilin rode the clouds, while the gourd streaked through the sky.

Dao Xuan sat atop the Qilin, his Blue Gauze Headband fluttering in the wind. His face was like Mutton Fat Jade, and stars seemed to dwell in his eyes.

Gourd Baby sat atop the Seven-Colored Gourd, his red-gold neck ring gleaming beneath the sun, innocent and carefree.

Golden Peng returned to his Peng form, his wings spanning more than a zhang. Golden light shimmered around him as he circled nearby, magnificent and imposing. (At last, he no longer had to be held in someone's palm!)

Six-Eared Macaque changed into a brand-new suit of linked armor bestowed by Dao Xuan. Though his cultivation was the lowest, he held his head high, his six ears lively and alert, his eyes filled with hope and determination.

They traveled on like this for several hundred more years.

One day.

The world ahead suddenly changed.

A vast, ancient pressure, as though it supported heaven and earth, faintly emanated from afar.

Looking into the distance.

They saw an indescribably majestic divine mountain standing between heaven and earth!

Its height was beyond measure, reaching up to the azure void of chaos and suppressing the Nine Netherworlds below.

Its breadth was beyond measure, its mountain ranges rising and falling like giant dragons coiled across the prehistoric land.

The mountain was dark yellow in color, ancient and heavy, as though it had been formed from Pangu's Spine. It exuded the majestic aura of Heaven and Earth Creation and eternal existence!

Clouds and mist curled through the mountains, while myriad rays of light and countless auspicious vapors filled the air.

Faintly, they could see strange peaks, ancient trees soaring into the sky, flying waterfalls, flowing springs, and immortal birds and exotic beasts appearing and vanishing.

Even more Innate Spiritual Energy flowed through the mountain, so dense it had nearly liquefied.

It was the greatest divine mountain of the prehistoric world, formed from Pangu's spine, the pillar supporting heaven—

Buzhou Mountain!

Master and disciples stopped and gazed into the distance.

Even Dao Xuan felt heartfelt reverence as he sensed Pangu's pressure rushing toward him.

"Master, this mountain... is so huge!" Gourd Baby opened his little mouth wide in astonishment.

"This is Buzhou Mountain, formed from Great God Pangu's spine—the Heavenly Pillar of the prehistoric world." Dao Xuan's tone carried a trace of emotion.

The great peng bird formed by Golden Peng circled overhead, its golden eyes filled with shock as well.

Before this divine mountain, the speed and strength it took such pride in seemed so insignificant.

The Six-Eared Macaque trembled all over with excitement. "Buzhou Mountain... This disciple actually has the fortune to witness the Heavenly Pillar..."

Dao Xuan looked at the towering divine mountain, his heart surging.

He had already reached the Great Luo consummation.

Perhaps the opportunity to sever a corpse lay within this mountain?

He lightly patted the qilin.

"Let's go. Into the mountain."

The Five Spirit Qilin let out a low roar and stepped upon auspicious clouds, carrying Dao Xuan slowly toward the greatest divine mountain of the prehistoric world.

The Seven-Colored Gourd carried Gourd Baby.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng circled above as a guard.

The Six-Eared Macaque followed closely behind.

The four master and disciples officially entered the domain of Buzhou Mountain.