Saint

Dao Xuan stood atop the mountain peak, his azure robes fluttering in the wind, his gaze deep.

The three human ancestors—Suiren, Youchao, and Zhisheng—had all attained Grand Unity Golden Immortal, protected by merit and blessed with enduring fortune.

The three thousand martial Earth Immortals were likewise advancing tirelessly along their respective paths, and the Human Race's overall strength was steadily flourishing.

The foundation had been laid; it was time to establish their status!

Dao Xuan stirred his thoughts slightly and transmitted his voice to the three ancestors.

"Suiren, Youchao, Zhisheng, come to the summit and see me at once."

His voice was calm, yet it contained supreme authority, clearly reaching the ears of the three human ancestors.

Only a moment passed.

Three streaks of light cut across the sky and descended before Dao Xuan.

Suiren held Suiren's Fire Drill, warmth radiating around him, his aura vast.

Youchao was solidly built, his aura heavy as a mountain, as though connected to the earth itself.

Zhisheng was gentle and graceful, her aura carrying the vitality of creation.

The three bowed together. "Greetings, Martial Ancestor!"

Dao Xuan swept his gaze across them and gave a slight nod.

"You are the ancestors of the Human Race, possessing boundless merit and fortune."

"Yet the Great Desolation is vast, and the Great Dao endless. Though you possess Grand Unity cultivation and deep foundations, the path ahead is long and still requires guidance."

"Today, I, Dao Xuan, am willing to accept you as Registered Disciples and impart to you the true teachings of my Grand Pure lineage, helping you comprehend the Heavenly Dao and protect the Human Race. Are you willing?"

The three ancestors froze briefly before overwhelming joy surged through their hearts!

To them, Martial Ancestor Dao Xuan had long been a figure like a Father God!

He had created martial cultivation and enlightened them into becoming human ancestors, his achievements rivaling creation itself!

To enter his sect, even merely as Registered Disciples, was an immeasurable opportunity!

"This disciple is willing!"

"This disciple, Suiren (Youchao/Zhisheng), pays respects to Teacher!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the three prostrated themselves and performed the grand rite of three kneelings and nine kowtows!

Dao Xuan accepted it calmly.

Once the ceremony was complete, he flicked his sleeve, and three streams of clear light shot from his fingertips into the foreheads of the three ancestors.

"This is the foundational portion of the Grand Pure Immortal Method, along with some insights. It is the foundation of the Great Dao passed down by my master, Taiqing Dao Venerate, and is profoundly mysterious."

"You must diligently comprehend it and combine it with your own merit and fortune. Do not squander this opportunity."

The three ancestors felt a vast, pure Dao Rhyme filled with endless vitality surge into their Sea of Consciousness. It was mysterious beyond comprehension—the foundation of a supreme immortal method!

"Thank you, Teacher, for the grace of transmitting the Dao!" The three ancestors were overwhelmed with emotion and kowtowed again.

Two flowers bloomed, each with its own tale.

Now, to Kunlun Mountain.

Immortal qi coiled through the air, while countless auspicious mists drifted about.

The Three Pure Dao Venerates sat cross-legged upon Cloud Beds, the Dao's resonance flowing around them, their auras unfathomable as the sea.

Yet the opportunity for sainthood remained like flowers seen through mist or the moon reflected in water—impossible to grasp.

Laozi, also known as Taishang, had a lean face, white hair, and a youthful complexion. Holding a Flat crutch, his aura was the deepest of all.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate wore a stern expression and the Jade Purity Lotus Crown, his aura noble and imposing.

Sect Master Tongtian had sword-like brows and starry eyes, his aura sharp, as though sword qi lay hidden within him, ready to strike.

"Dao Brother, we have comprehended the Primordial Violet Qi for many years. Where lies our opportunity?" Primordial Heavenly Venerate asked with a slight frown.

Sect Master Tongtian added, "Indeed, Elder Brother. Sitting idly in the mountains may not be the best course."

Laozi slowly opened his eyes. Chaos shifted through them in cycles of birth and death, while the light of wisdom flowed within.

"The Great Dao is formless and gives birth to Heaven and Earth. The opportunity may lie in the mortal world, among all living beings."

His voice was calm, yet it contained the ultimate truth.

"I wish to descend the mountain and travel through the Great Desolation, experiencing the myriad states of sentient beings. Perhaps I may find that sliver of opportunity."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate pondered for a moment. "Elder Brother's words are reasonable. Yet I have a feeling that this place may align with my Dao, so I shall remain here and await my opportunity."

Sect Master Tongtian laughed heartily. "I too find the mountains stifling. I shall accompany Elder Brother and travel about. Perhaps I may gain something!"

Laozi nodded. "Good."

Thus, Laozi and Sect Master Tongtian bid farewell to Primordial Heavenly Venerate, left the sacred realm of Kunlun, and entered the boundless Great Desolation.

Sect Master Tongtian loved freedom. Before long, he parted ways with Laozi to seek his own opportunity.

Laozi traveled alone.

He concealed the supreme Dao Rhyme around him and transformed into an ordinary old man.

He wore coarse hemp robes, straw sandals, and carried a simple wooden staff.

His expression was kind, his eyes clouded, and his steps unsteady.

He looked like the most ordinary old man in the Great Desolation, utterly inconspicuous.

He arrived at the shores of the East Sea, where the Human Race lived in concentrated settlements.

At this time, the Human Race was no longer as ignorant and weak as it had been in its infancy.

Tribes stood everywhere, and orderly houses filled the settlements—thanks to Youchao.

Bonfires burned throughout the land, and cooking smoke curled upward—thanks to Suiren.

Though the tribespeople wore simple clothing, they were now able to cover themselves and keep warm—thanks to Zhisheng.

Countless martial cultivators could also be seen. Some practiced martial arts in open spaces within the tribes, shouting as they trained; others headed out in groups to hunt, brimming with fierce killing intent—thanks to Dao Xuan's martial path.

It was a vibrant sight of Constant Self-Improvement!

A trace of barely perceptible approval flashed through Laozi's clouded eyes.

He did not reveal his identity, nor did he seek out Dao Xuan.

Instead, like a truly ordinary old man, he blended into the human tribes.

Near Suiren's tribe, he built a crude thatched hut.

Every day, he watched humans light fires and cook, watched martial cultivators train and strengthen their bodies, watched craftsmen build houses, and watched women weave clothing.

Sometimes, he sat on a great stone at the edge of the tribe and watched children playing.

At other times, he stood at the edge of the martial training grounds and watched in silence.

Occasionally, curious children or martial cultivators would approach and ask him questions.

He would then use the plainest words to explain the principles of Heaven and Earth and nature, as well as breathing and meditation methods for strengthening the body—not immortal arts, but methods of preserving health.

"Grandpa, why is fire hot?" a child asked innocently.

Laozi smiled kindly. "Heaven and Earth have yin and yang. Fire is the essence of yang, so it gives off heat."

"Old sir, what do you think of my fist technique? How can I exert force more smoothly?" a martial cultivator asked humbly.

Laozi nodded slightly. "Power rises from the ground, emerges from the waist and spine, and flows through the fingertips. Let your breathing match it, like the rise and fall of the tides."

His words seemed simple, yet they often pointed directly to the essence and contained the profound truths of the Great Dao.

Though those who heard him did not understand their depth, they felt their bodies and minds grow refreshed, as though something had clicked open within them.

Gradually, this ordinary yet wise old man gained a small reputation among the human tribes.

Whenever many people encountered confusion, they liked to seek out "Old Li" for a chat.

Laozi welcomed all who came and answered patiently.

He spoke of harmony between humanity and nature, of unity among the tribes, of the spirit of Constant Self-Improvement, and of the broad-mindedness of carrying all things with profound virtue.

He did not impart any earth-shattering divine abilities or spells.

Everything he taught was merely the simplest principles of life and the most basic methods of health and bodily strengthening.

Like spring rain, they nourished all things silently.

A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

Laozi preached among the human tribes for a hundred years.

He witnessed the Human Race's births, aging, illnesses, deaths, joys, anger, sorrows, and pleasures.

He witnessed their resilience, diligence, wisdom, and their tenacious struggle for survival amid the cracks of the Great Desolation.

The layer of mist within his heart gradually dispersed.

The Primordial Violet Qi within his primordial spirit throbbed violently, resonating intensely with this tribe full of hope and vitality!

The opportunity had arrived!

On this day.

Laozi stepped out of his thatched hut and came to an open area in the center of the human tribe.

He still appeared to be an ordinary old man.

Yet the moment he stood still, the entire East Sea shore, even the entire Great Desolation World, seemed to fall silent!

The wind stopped, and the clouds froze.

Birds and beasts fell mute, and all things held their breath.

An indescribably vast, solemn, and majestic aura quietly spread outward with him at its center.

Countless humans, no matter how near or far, no matter what they were doing, felt something in their hearts. They could not help stopping and looking in that direction.

At the summit of an unnamed mountain.

Dao Xuan, who had been cultivating in seclusion, abruptly opened his eyes!

Chaotic celebration clouds churned within them as the four elements revolved!

"This aura... Teacher?! When did he arrive?!"

Dao Xuan's heart shook violently. Even with his Quasi-Saint cultivation, he had not sensed a thing!

Laozi slowly raised his head, his gaze seeming to pierce beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens and reach Deep Chaos.

His voice was calm, yet it rang like Nine Heavens' Thunderclap, echoing through every corner of the Great Desolation and imprinting itself upon the hearts of endless living beings!

"Heavenly Dao above!"

"I am Taiqing Laozi, of Pangu's orthodox lineage and eldest of the Three Pure Ones!"

"Today, I behold the Human Race. Though born frail, they practice Constant Self-Improvement, pass down the sacred flame, gradually awaken wisdom, and begin to display civilization! Their nature is resilient, their virtue pure and generous. They shall be one of the protagonists of the Great Desolation!"

"I have sensed the Heavenly Dao and followed the great trend. Today, I establish a sect, named: 'Human'!"

"I shall use the Primordial Supreme Treasure, the Taiji Diagram, to suppress the merit and fortune of the Human Sect!"

The moment his words fell!

Buzz!

An ancient, mysterious scroll flew from above Laozi's head and instantly unfurled. Yin and yang qi circulated, evolving Earth Water Fire Wind and stabilizing Heaven and Earth!

It was the Primordial Supreme Treasure—the Taiji Diagram!

"The Human Sect is established!"

Rumble—!!!

Nine Heavens Above, chaos churned!

Endless Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi poured forth like a breached Milky Way, vast and mighty—how could it be merely hundreds of millions of times greater than what Suiren and the others had received!

Seventy percent of it instantly flooded into Laozi's body!

At the same time, the ten percent of creation merit Laozi had obtained at the beginning of creation, deep within his primordial spirit, was fully stirred and erupted with a thunderous roar!

The two boundless forces of merit merged together!

Limitless radiance erupted from Laozi's body!

A supreme, eternal, indestructible Primordial Saintly Might burst forth like the first ray of light at the birth of the universe, sweeping across the Great Desolation World!

Purple Qi Comes from the East for thirty thousand miles!

Endless auspicious qi spread from the east, with countless rays of rosy light and streams of brilliant colors!

Golden lotuses emerged, necklaces with hanging pearls descended, and immortal music rang out in waves throughout the universe!

Across the Great Desolation, endless living beings—regardless of cultivation or location—felt it in their hearts and involuntarily bowed toward the shores of the East Sea!

A Saint had emerged!

Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

Taiqing Saint!

Laozi stood where he was as the image of the ordinary old man faded away.

He revealed his true form!

Behold him:

Upon his head was the Nine Cloud Blazing Beast Crown!

He wore the Purple Ribbon Eight Trigrams Immortal Robe!

Around his waist was the Gold Thread Jade Belt!

Upon his feet were the Phoenix Pattern Cloud-Ascending Shoes!

His face was like a silver moon, and three strands of long beard drifted across his chest beneath his chin, each one crystalline and infused with Dao Rhyme.

Clear light coiled around him, celebration clouds rose, Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown formed above him, and Five Qi Facing the Origin converged!

The Taiji Diagram floated above his head, yin and yang qi cascading down as it evolved the endless Great Dao!

His Saintly Might was like a prison, and his saintly virtue like an ocean!

"I am Taiqing Dao De Tianzun! Today, I have attained sainthood!"

His vast Dao voice rang through the Great Desolation once more, announcing the honored rank of Saint!

Dao Xuan reacted first!

"Teacher has become a Saint! Right among the Human Race!"

His heart surged with excitement, and he immediately transmitted his voice to everyone close to him.

"Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, Six-Eared, Suiren, Youchao, Zhisheng! Hurry and follow me to pay respects to the Saint Patriarch!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Six streaks of light shot into the sky from all corners of the human settlements at top speed and descended behind Dao Xuan.

Gourd Baby stood atop the Seven-Colored Gourd, his little face flushed red with excitement.

Golden Peng transformed into a youth in golden robes, his golden eyes dazzling and his aura razor-sharp.

Six-Eared Macaque wore a fish-tail crown, his six ears twitching as he bowed with utmost respect.

The three Human Ancestors—Suiren, Youchao, and Zhisheng—trembled all over in excitement. They had only just entered Martial Ancestor's school, yet in the blink of an eye, their patriarch had become a Saint!

Dao Xuan took a deep breath and straightened his robes.

He still wore his Blue Gauze Headband and Apricot Yellow Eight Trigrams Robe, but at this moment, they seemed especially solemn.

"Let's go!"

He led the six behind him, transforming into a streak of clear light and appearing before Laozi's Saint carriage in an instant.

"Disciple Dao Xuan (Gourd Baby/Golden Peng/Six-Eared Macaque/Suiren/Youchao/Zhisheng) greets Master (Patriarch)! Congratulations to Master (Patriarch) on attaining the Dao of Hunyuan. May your Saintly lifespan know no bounds!"

The seven of them knelt in unison, their voices resounding with heartfelt reverence and joy!

Laozi, the Taiqing Saint, lowered his gaze. His Saintly Might receded, turning into boundless kindness and gratification.

He first looked at Dao Xuan, his eyes filled with approval.

"Good. Dao Xuan, you protected the human race, spread the teachings, imparted knowledge, and guided civilization. Your merit is immeasurable. For the human race to have reached its present state, you deserve the greatest credit!"

Dao Xuan hurriedly said, "This disciple dares not claim credit. It is all thanks to Master's blessings and the human race's own self-improvement."

Laozi nodded with a smile, then swept his gaze over Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, and Six-Eared Macaque behind Dao Xuan.

"These three have extraordinary origins and profound destiny. They are fated to join our Xuanmen."

Quick-witted as ever, Gourd Baby immediately pulled Golden Peng and Six-Eared Macaque down for another kowtow. "Patriarch! Patriarch! We wish to enter your service as your personal disciples! Please grant our request, Patriarch!"

Golden Peng and Six-Eared Macaque hurriedly added, "Please grant our request, Patriarch!"

Laozi stroked his beard with a smile. His saintly eyes were like lightning, having long since seen through the origins of all three.

"Gourd Baby was formed from an Innate Spirit Root, a creation of heaven itself. He may serve as a Guardian Boy of our Xuanmen."

"Golden Peng was formed from the innate two qi of yin and yang. His foundations are exceptional, and he shall serve as the Guardian Divine Bird of my Human Teaching."

"Six-Eared Macaque is skilled at listening to sounds, understands yin and yang, and possesses the heart to pursue the Dao. He may become your personal disciple and inherit my great Dao."

"Are you willing?"

Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, and Six-Eared Macaque were overwhelmed with ecstasy!

"Willing! We're willing! This disciple is willing!"

"We greet Master (My Lord)!"

The three kowtowed once more, completing the grand ceremony of taking a master!

Thus, the position of Fourth Generation First Disciple of Xuanmen was finally decided!

Six-Eared Macaque became Dao Xuan's Founding Disciple.

Gourd Baby became a Guardian Boy.

Golden Peng became a Guardian Divine Bird.

As for Suiren, Youchao, and Zhisheng, Laozi merely glanced at them with a smile and said nothing more.

Their most important identities were as the three ancestors of the human race, bearing the immense destiny of humanity. Their status as Dao Xuan's Registered Disciples was already an added honor, and the Saint would not alter it lightly.

The disciple-taking ceremony concluded.

Gourd Baby was the liveliest of them all. His little eyes spun as he recalled his lord's glorious deeds at Purple Cloud Palace back then.

He immediately tugged at the sleeves of Golden Peng and Six-Eared Macaque beside him.

Then, the three little fellows, together with the three Human Ancestors kneeling behind them—prompted by a look from Gourd Baby—kowtowed again in perfect unison.

Their voices rang out together, carrying a hint of crafty mischief:

"Disciple greets Patriarch (Master)! We beg Patriarch (Master) to bestow treasures upon us!"

Pfft!

Dao Xuan nearly lost his composure.

That familiar flavor! That familiar formula!

Hadn't he done exactly the same thing back at Purple Cloud Palace?!

The Taiqing Saint's gaze instantly fell upon Dao Xuan.

That gaze was calm and placid, yet it seemed to carry the wisdom to see through everything.

Did you teach them that?

You did exactly the same thing at Purple Cloud Palace back then!

Dao Xuan's old face reddened, and he waved his hands in embarrassment as he hurriedly sent a voice transmission in defense:

"Master, please see clearly! This disciple has been wronged! They... they learned it all by themselves! It has absolutely nothing to do with this disciple! Absolutely nothing!"

He wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Taking the blame for this... was far too unfair!

Laozi looked at Dao Xuan's embarrassed appearance, then at the little fellows below, gazing eagerly with expressions that plainly said, "Patriarch, hurry up and hand out presents."

At last, a rare smile appeared on his dignified saintly face, touched with helplessness and amusement.

It was like melting ice and a spring breeze brushing across one's face.

"Very well."

"Now that you have entered my school, how can you go without treasures to protect yourselves?"

As soon as the Saint spoke, the Dao rhythms of heaven and earth began to circulate.

An even greater opportunity was about to descend upon these audacious little fellows—or perhaps, little fellows who had truly inherited Dao Xuan's teachings!

At the shores of the Eastern Sea, saintly radiance shone everywhere.

Human Race Destiny, because the Saint had established his teaching, once again surged to unprecedented heights!

Greater storms, too, began gathering at an accelerated pace with the birth of the Saint!