Parting

The corners of Dao Xuan's mouth curved into an amused smile.

"Loan Saint... truly a genius of the primordial world!"

His gaze swept over the Human Race below, stirred yet bewildered by the successive Saintly Might.

It passed over Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, and Six-Eared Macaque beside him, each holding newly acquired treasures and brimming with excitement.

As well as the three Human Ancestors, whose auras had grown increasingly profound.

"It is time for our Human Race to officially step onto the grand stage of the primordial world!"

"Storms and waves?"

"Heh, why would our Human Race fear storms and waves? They are perfect for sharpening our blades!"

After his lofty declaration, Dao Xuan silently calculated the heavenly secrets.

The three Human Ancestors had been established, the foundation of martial cultivation had been secured, and the Fire of Civilization had been kindled.

Furthermore, his teacher, Taiqing Saint, had founded the Human Teaching, and their destiny was flourishing.

"It is time."

Dao Xuan came to this realization.

Protection was not the same as confinement.

A young eagle had to leave its nest before it could soar through the skies.

The Human Race needed to face the trials of the primordial world alone before it could truly grow.

He summoned Suiren, Youchao, and Zhisheng, the three Human Ancestors.

"You are the ancestors of the Human Race, blessed with immeasurable merit and destiny."

"Now that the Human Race's foundations have been laid and the first signs of civilization have emerged, you must strive for Constant Self-Improvement."

"My duty of protection has come to an end. Today, I must depart."

The three ancestors were struck as though by lightning!

"Martial Ancestor!"

Suiren clutched Suiren's Fire Drill, his voice trembling. "The Human Race owes all it has today to the Martial Ancestor! How can you leave?"

Youchao held the Thick Earth Home-Securing Seal and said anxiously, "That's right, Martial Ancestor! The primordial world is perilous. Without you watching over us, the Human Race might..."

Zhisheng was on the verge of tears. "Teacher! We disciples still need your teachings at all times!"

When the Human Race tribes below heard that the Martial Ancestor intended to leave, they instantly erupted into chaos!

Countless tribespeople dropped their work and surged toward the nameless mountain.

"Martial Ancestor! Don't go!"

"Please stay and protect the Human Race!"

"The Martial Ancestor is the father god of our Human Race! How can you leave?"

Shouts, pleas, and sobs gathered into a sea of sorrow.

Dark masses of people knelt at the foot of the mountain, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Their heartfelt dependence and reluctance to part were deeply moving.

Dao Xuan stood atop the mountain, his azure robes fluttering gently in the wind.

As he looked at the hundreds of millions of tribespeople kneeling below, warmth rose in his heart as well.

Yet his Dao heart was firm, and he remained unmoved.

"Foolish children."

Dao Xuan's voice was calm, yet it clearly reached every ear.

"I am not leaving. I am letting go."

"The spark has been lit; it must spread into a prairie fire on its own."

"The houses have been built; you must settle into them on your own."

"The clothes have been woven; you must dress yourselves with dignity."

"The martial path has been passed down; you must grow strong on your own!"

"As long as I remain, you will forever harbor thoughts of dependence. How can you truly stand tall between heaven and earth?"

"Though the primordial world is dangerous, it is also a whetstone!"

"The Human Race must be like the waters of the Eastern Sea, flowing onward without end—cutting through mountains when they meet mountains, piercing through rocks when they meet rocks!"

"My departure is not abandonment. I look forward to the day we meet again, when the Human Race stands proudly in the primordial world!"

His words fell.

Dao Xuan no longer lingered.

With a thought,

"Five Spirit!"

He called out softly.

"Roar—!"

A majestic and auspicious qilin roar resounded through heaven and earth!

A magnificent qilin came treading upon the clouds!

Its head resembled a dragon's, and its horns were like jade branches!

It wore Five-Colored Scales, while red, yellow, blue, white, and black Five-Colored Divine Light flowed around its body!

Auspicious clouds lay beneath its hooves, and countless streams of auspicious energy trailed behind it!

It was Dao Xuan's mount—the Five Spirit Qilin!

Dao Xuan drifted down onto the qilin's back.

With a sweep of his sleeve, clear light wrapped around Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, and Six-Eared Macaque.

Clouds formed beneath the Five Spirit Qilin's four hooves, and myriad rays of auspicious light burst from beneath its feet. Carrying Dao Xuan and the others, it transformed into a five-colored rainbow and instantly pierced the clouds, fleeing toward the depths of the Eastern Sea!

"Martial Ancestor—!"

Suiren, Youchao, and Zhisheng cried out in grief and bowed deeply toward the direction in which the rainbow had vanished!

Hundreds of millions of tribespeople prostrated themselves on the ground and wept, their cries shaking the land in every direction!

Within the five-colored rainbow.

Gourd Baby's little face was sorrowful. "Master, the Human Race is so pitiful..."

Golden Peng's golden eyes flickered, but he remained silent.

Six-Eared Macaque's six ears drooped, and he was dejected.

Dao Xuan remained calm. "Only when fledglings leave their nests can they soar through the Nine Heavens Above. This is a pain they must endure."

At that moment!

Another change arose in the Nine Heavens Above!

It was not Saintly Might, but an even purer and vaster Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi!

Like a golden waterfall, it came crashing down!

Its target was Dao Xuan and his group!

The Heavenly Dao had responded!

Dao Xuan had created the martial path and guided the Human Race onto the road of Constant Self-Improvement. His merit was immeasurable!

He had protected the Human Race through its weakest period and guided the birth of civilization. His merit was immeasurable!

He had enlightened the three ancestors. His merit was immeasurable!

Now that he had accomplished his task and withdrawn, the Heavenly Dao settled the account and bestowed boundless merit!

Though this merit did not compare to a Saint founding a teaching, it far surpassed what the three ancestors had received!

Dao Xuan's thoughts stirred.

A cloud of celebration appeared above his head. Three flowers swayed, and five energies circulated.

The vast merit descended, only for him to lightly sweep his sleeve.

"My Dao has been completed, and my foundation is secure. This merit offers limited benefit to my cultivation."

"Scatter!"

He gave a soft shout.

The vast Mysterious Yellow Merit was guided by his immense power and divided into three portions!

Seventy percent! It transformed into three thick golden torrents that poured into Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, and Six-Eared Macaque respectively!

Twenty percent! It scattered into the Human Race lands below, nourishing Human Race Destiny and stabilizing their foundation.

Only ten percent remained! It was silently absorbed into the mysterious little bottle within Dao Xuan's sleeve.

"Boom!"

Golden Peng and Six-Eared Macaque were completely submerged in Merit Golden Light!

Within Golden Peng's body, the innate Yin-Yang Qi spun wildly and merged with the merit!

His cultivation, originally at the late Golden Immortal stage, soared as if riding a rocket!

Golden Immortal perfection! Early Grand Unity Golden Immortal! Mid Grand Unity Golden Immortal!

It finally stabilized at the mid Grand Unity Golden Immortal stage! His aura was incomparably sharp!

Six-Eared Macaque cultivated the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique passed down by Dao Xuan!

This technique placed the greatest emphasis on foundations, consumed enormous resources, and progressed slowly.

But now, propelled by the vast merit!

His blood and qi rumbled like thunder, while his muscles and bones rang in unison!

Peak of the third revolution! Fourth revolution!

Boom!

An incomparably powerful force of flesh and blood erupted from him, as though it could shake mountains!

The fourth revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique! Equivalent to the late Golden Immortal stage of the immortal path!

His six ears gleamed with golden light, and his divine ability to hear all things seemed to have improved considerably!

"Ha ha! I broke through!" Golden Peng felt the surging power within his body.

"This disciple thanks Teacher!" Six-Eared Macaque's six ears trembled wildly with excitement.

Then they looked at Gourd Baby!

He had not used the merit to increase his own cultivation.

His little face became solemn as he slapped his waist!

Whoosh!

The phantom of his companion Seven-Colored Gourd Vine emerged!

The seven treasure gourds on the vine glowed and flowed with light. They were formed from his true body!

Gourd Baby guided all the vast Merit Golden Light flowing toward him into the Seven-Colored Gourd Vine!

"Buzz—!"

The Seven-Colored Gourd Vine instantly erupted with unprecedented, dazzling rosy light!

Seven-colored divine light intertwined, and Dao rhythms thundered!

The vine became thicker and tougher, like coiling dragons!

The seven treasure gourds shone even more brilliantly!

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet!

Seven-colored radiance shot into the heavens, reflecting and enhancing one another!

The naturally mysterious Dao patterns on the gourds' surfaces became more intricate and profound under the nourishment of the Merit Golden Light. Faint Mysterious Yellow Qi flowed around them!

A treasure light of merit, upright and peaceful, spreading an aura that no evil could invade, filled the air!

Nourished by boundless merit, the Seven-Colored Gourd Vine underwent a transformation in quality!

The treasure gourds became mid-grade innate merit spiritual treasures!

Their power increased greatly, and their uses became endless!

"Ha ha! My gourds got stronger!" Gourd Baby hugged the enlarged vine and danced with joy.

Dao Xuan nodded with a smile.

Seeing that each of his disciples had gained something, he felt greatly gratified.

This wave of merit had been well spent!

The Five Spirit Qilin carried them onward through the air.

They had already left the Eastern Sea coast and entered the edge of the primordial continent.

Below lay rolling mountain ranges, with ancient trees towering into the sky and miasma spreading through the air.

Dao Xuan sensed something and directed his gaze toward a deep gorge below.

Within the gorge, Demonic Aura surged into the heavens, and baleful energy filled the air!

Several dozen Wu Clan warriors were wildly attacking a crimson figure!

Those Wu Clan members:

Some had faces as blue as indigo, hair like vermilion sand, and protruding fangs!

Some had faces as black as the bottom of a pot, beards like steel needles, and eyes like bronze bells!

Some stood over ten feet tall, their muscles knotted, wielding huge axes and bone clubs!

Each radiated baleful energy, their blood and qi rising like wolf smoke!

Surrounded in the center was a monkey!

This monkey:

Its fur was crimson like fire!

It had a horse-like face, a flattened nose, and eyes that shone with golden light!

Its limbs were long, and it moved like the wind!

Its buttocks in particular were bright red and exceptionally conspicuous!

It was one of the Four Mixed Monkeys—the Red-buttocked Macaque, which understood Yin and Yang, knew human affairs, excelled at coming and going, and could evade death and prolong life!

At this moment, the Red-buttocked Macaque was already severely injured.

Multiple claw marks covered his body, deep enough to expose bone, his crimson fur soaked in blood.

He wielded a massive beast bone of unknown origin, barely holding on as danger surrounded him!

Furious and anxious roars burst from his throat!

"Roar! You barbaric witches! What kind of skill is ganging up on one?"

"Hmph! Demon monkey! You trespassed into the hunting grounds of my Houtu Tribe and stole spiritual herbs. Your crimes deserve death!" The leading burly witch roared, swinging down his giant axe and raising a shrieking gale of force!

The Red-buttocked Macaque barely dodged, only to have another witch warrior's bone club smash into his back!

"Pfft!" He spat out a mouthful of blood, and his aura immediately weakened!

He was just about to be chopped into pieces by a flurry of axes!

"Master! It's the Red-buttocked Macaque!" The Six-Eared Macaque's six ears trembled as he immediately recognized the aura of one from the same origin, calling out urgently.

A gleam flashed through Dao Xuan's eyes!

The Four Mixed Monkeys!

The Spiritual Stone Monkey, Six-Eared Macaque, Gibbon Ape, and Red-buttocked Macaque!

They had been divided from the origin of the Chaos Demon Ape!

Six-Eared had already entered his sect.

And now he had encountered Red-buttocked Macaque!

In the unseen depths of fate, there was naturally a karmic connection!

"This monkey is fated with me."

Dao Xuan spoke calmly.

No one saw him make any movement.

He merely lightly flicked his sleeve toward the canyon below.

Whoosh—!

An invisible, formless yet vast and majestic power descended like the collapse of the heavens!

It crashed down!

The dozens of fierce-looking witch warriors felt as if one hundred thousand divine mountains had smashed down upon their heads!

"Thud! Thud!"

Before they could even scream, they were instantly pressed flat against the ground, unable to move!

Every one of them stared in horror, as if they had seen a ghost!

The Red-buttocked Macaque had escaped death, but he was still shaken.

He looked around blankly before his gaze finally landed on the figure in azure robes seated atop the qilin in midair.

He knew this great immortal had saved him.

Struggling to his feet, he bowed deeply toward Dao Xuan.

"This little demon is Yuan Chi. Many thanks to Immortal Master for saving my life!"

His voice was hoarse, filled with the excitement of surviving disaster.

Dao Xuan rode the Five Spirit Qilin down from the clouds with Gourd Baby and the other two.

He looked at the kneeling Red-buttocked Macaque.

"Your name is Yuan Chi?"

"Yes... This little demon chose it carelessly because of this red rear..." Yuan Chi pointed uneasily at his red backside.

Dao Xuan nodded slightly. "Yuan Chi... not bad. Do you know your own origins?"

Yuan Chi shook his head blankly. "This little demon only knows that I was born in the mountains and forests, muddling through life..."

Dao Xuan revealed the truth. "You are one of the Four Mixed Monkeys, the Red-buttocked Macaque. You are born knowing yin and yang, understanding human affairs, adept at coming and going, avoiding death and extending life."

At those words, golden light burst from Yuan Chi's eyes, as though memories buried deep within his bloodline had been stirred!

"The Four Mixed Monkeys... the Red-buttocked Macaque..." he murmured.

Dao Xuan continued, "I see that you are fated with me. Are you willing to enter my sect and follow me in cultivating the Great Dao?"

Yuan Chi froze for a moment before overwhelming joy surged through his heart!

He might have been muddleheaded, but he was not foolish!

This immortal before him had effortlessly suppressed dozens of powerful witch warriors!

His mount was even a divine qilin!

He was absolutely one of the foremost great powers of the Primordial World!

Being accepted into his sect was a heaven-sent opportunity!

"Yes! This disciple is willing! This disciple, Yuan Chi, greets Master!"

He kowtowed repeatedly in excitement until his forehead turned red.

"Good." Dao Xuan smiled.

Gourd Baby immediately hopped out and enthusiastically pointed at Six-Eared and Golden Peng. "This is Junior Brother Six-Eared! This is Junior Brother Golden Peng!"

Seeing the Red-buttocked Macaque who shared his origin, Six-Eared felt a great sense of familiarity. He stepped forward to help him up. "Second Junior Brother, there is no need for such formality."

Golden Peng nodded coolly.

Yuan Chi hurriedly greeted them. "Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother! Greetings, Senior Brother Golden Peng! Greetings, Senior Brother Gourd!"

Dao Xuan took out a healing spirit pill and flicked it into Yuan Chi's mouth.

The pill dissolved as soon as it entered his mouth, and immense medicinal power flowed through him.

The wounds on Yuan Chi's body, deep enough to expose bone, healed at a visible rate!

His aura also swiftly stabilized at the Late Heavenly Immortal realm.

"Many thanks, Master!" Yuan Chi was overwhelmed with gratitude.

Dao Xuan rode the Five Spirit Qilin, sweeping everyone up once more and transforming into a five-colored rainbow as they sped toward Fangzhang Immortal Island in the depths of the Eastern Sea.

Fangzhang Immortal Island.

It remained shrouded in immortal mist, with countless streams of auspicious haze.

Exotic flowers and spiritual herbs covered the ground, while immortal cranes and spirit apes frolicked about.

At the center of the island stood Xuan Yuan Palace in tranquil majesty, naturally imbued with Dao charm.

Before the palace gates.

Two delicate, jade-carved children sat on the steps in utter boredom.

They were Yushu and Xuanji, the two children left behind to guard the island.

Yushu wore a double knot hair bun and a Water-Combining Robe, his little cheeks puffed out.

Xuanji wore twin buns and a pale yellow dress, resting her chin in her hands.

"Sigh... Master took Gourd Baby out to play and did not bring us..." Yushu sighed mournfully.

"Exactly! He left us to guard the house. It's so boring!" Xuanji pouted.

Suddenly!

A majestic and auspicious qilin roar rang out!

A familiar five-colored rainbow tore through the island's restrictions and descended before the palace gates.

The light faded.

The Five Spirit Qilin held its head high in divine splendor.

Dao Xuan sat upon its back in flowing azure robes, smiling faintly.

Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, Six-Eared, and Yuan Chi stood behind him.

"Master!"

"Gourd Baby!"

"Qilin!"

Yushu and Xuanji were stunned at first, then burst into wild joy and rushed over like fledgling swallows returning to their nest!

Yushu grabbed one of the Five Spirit Qilin's legs—not daring to hug Dao Xuan's leg anymore—and rubbed his little face against it. "Master! Qilin! You're finally back! Yushu missed you so much!"

Xuanji rushed toward Gourd Baby, then curiously looked at the unfamiliar Six-Eared and Yuan Chi. "Gourd Baby! Who are they?"

Gourd Baby proudly puffed out his little chest and pointed at them. "This is Junior Brother Six-Eared! This is Junior Brother Golden Peng! This is Junior Brother Yuan Chi!"

Six-Eared, Golden Peng, and Yuan Chi: "..."

Dao Xuan smiled, patting the qilin's neck. The Five Spirit Qilin obediently lay down.

Dao Xuan drifted down to the ground and smiled as he rubbed Yushu and Xuanji's heads. "All right, all right. Stop acting spoiled. Haven't I returned?"

Yushu raised his little face, looking aggrieved. "Master is biased! You took Gourd Baby out to play for so long! You even brought back new junior brothers!"

Xuanji chimed in, "Exactly! You must take us next time!"

Dao Xuan smiled. "All right, all right. I'll take you next time."

After soothing the two clingy children.

Dao Xuan led everyone into the main hall of Xuan Yuan Palace.

Yushu and Xuanji stood attentively on either side.

Dao Xuan sat upon the Cloud Bed.

Gourd Baby and Golden Peng stood behind Dao Xuan to his left and right.

Six-Eared and Yuan Chi stood respectfully below.

Dao Xuan said solemnly:

"From today onward, the rankings of my disciples are set."

"Six-Eared Macaque, you are my first disciple and the first disciple of the fourth generation of the Profound Sect. Cultivate the Great Dao diligently, and do not disappoint your master's grace."

Six-Eared bowed solemnly. "This disciple, Six-Eared, shall heed Master's teachings!"

"Red-buttocked Macaque Yuan Chi, you are my second disciple. You must respect your master, honor the Dao, and cherish your fellow disciples."

Yuan Chi kowtowed excitedly. "This disciple, Yuan Chi, shall heed Master's teachings! I will surely respect Eldest Senior Brother!"

"Gourd Baby shall serve as my Guardian Boy, Golden Peng as my Guardian Divine Bird, and Yushu and Xuanji as attendant children."

"Each of you shall fulfill your duties, help and care for one another, and jointly seek the Great Dao."

"Yes, Master!" Gourd Baby, Golden Peng, Yushu, and Xuanji answered in unison.

Dao Xuan nodded. "Fangzhang Immortal Island is rich in spiritual energy. You may each seek a place of spiritual beauty to establish your cave abodes and cultivate in peace."

"If you encounter any difficulties, come to Xuan Yuan Palace to find me, or seek guidance from your Eldest Senior Brother."

"We shall obey the decree!" The disciples and children answered in unison.

Afterward.

Six-Eared led Yuan Chi to a seaside cliff where spiritual energy gathered and established a cave abode.

Golden Peng chose the summit of a high mountain, where he could overlook the Eastern Sea and absorb the violet qi of the rising sun.

Gourd Baby still preferred staying beneath the Seven-Colored Gourd Vine outside Dao Xuan's bedchamber, hugging his treasure gourd that gleamed with spiritual light and grinning foolishly.

Yushu and Xuanji also returned happily to their own quarters.

The Five Spirit Qilin leisurely returned to his cave abode at Qilin Cliff.

The quiet room of Xuan Yuan Palace.

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged.

He did not immediately enter seclusion to break through to a higher realm.

Having reached the Quasi-Saint realm, every step required natural progression. There was no rushing it.

"The matter of the human race has concluded. Next..."

Dao Xuan's gaze was profound.

With a thought.

Several materials wreathed in treasure light appeared before him.

There was Innate Golden Essence, Grand Unity Divine Wood, and Profound Nether True Water obtained from Treasure Distribution Rock...

There were also rare ores and spirit-root branches collected during his travels through the Primordial World...

"It is time to refine a few useful treasures."

Dao Xuan's Dao fire flowed around his fingertips as he began refining the materials.

While Dao Xuan peacefully refined treasures and instructed his disciples.

Underneath the Primordial World's surface, dark currents surged!

The Heavenly Court, Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

Dijun sat high upon the imperial throne, his expression gloomy.

Taiyi stood at his side, the phantom of the Chaos Bell rising and falling behind him.

"Big Brother, the six Saints have emerged, and the structure of heaven and earth has been decided!" Taiyi's voice carried a trace of anxiety. "That final strand of Primordial Violet Qi is the key to whether our Demon Clan can truly contend against the Saints!"

Golden flames flickered in Dijun's eyes. "Red Cloud... Hmph! He hides on Longevity Mountain and thinks that Zhenyuanzi's Earth Book will let him rest easy?"

"Pass down the order!"

"The Ten Demon Marshals are to closely monitor Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain for a radius of one million li! Do not let even a fly slip through!"

"The moment Red Cloud leaves the bounds of Wuzhuang Temple... kill him!"

"Yes!" Demonic Aura soared through the hall!

Northern Abyss, Demon Master Palace.

Ancestor Kunpeng's expression was so sinister it seemed ready to drip water.

"Red Cloud, you old fool! If not for your hypocritical gesture of yielding your seat back then, how could I have missed the opportunity for a Saint position!"

"Your violet qi should rightfully belong to me!"

His figure turned into a dark stream of light that nearly merged with the void, silently sneaking toward Longevity Mountain.

Like the most patient venomous snake, he waited for his prey to reveal an opening.

The Netherworld Sea of Blood, Minghe Hall.

Old Ancestor Minghe sat upon the Twelve-petal Karmic Fire Red Lotus.

Blood waves churned around him, and murderous aura surged into the heavens!