Apprenticing on Buzhou Mountain

A pale gold escape light tore through the sky, its speed like a shooting star chasing the moon. In an instant, it vanished beyond the nine heavens, leaving only a faint golden trail indicating Dao Xuan's direction.

Kunlun was still hundreds of millions of miles away.

With his mind made up, Dao Xuan followed the faint sense of induction westward, eating the wind and drinking the dew, treading clouds and chasing the sun.

The Great Desolation was vast and boundless.

Mountains and rivers held endless dangers, as well as the mysteries of creation.

Dao Xuan carefully guarded his mind, the Grand Pure Immortal Method circulating endlessly within him. Pure energy enveloped his body, quietly dissolving the pervasive pressure from Pangu.

He dared not slacken in the slightest.

Going to Kunlun to apprentice under a Saint was a chance to defy fate and change his destiny, but it was also a path fraught with unknown peril.

Three thousand years, for mortals, was enough time for the seas to turn into mulberry fields and dynasties to rise and fall.

For a cultivator like Dao Xuan, at the late True Immortal stage, it was but a fleeting moment, a blink of an eye.

He traveled through ancient, wild forests, crossed vast oceans, and witnessed countless strange beasts and exotic flowers of the Great Desolation.

He had also encountered ferocious beasts blocking his path and demon kings occupying territories.

Dao Xuan either evaded them with his escape techniques or suppressed them with thunderous force. Along the way, his Dao heart became clearer and clearer, and his understanding of the immortal method surged, gradually reaching the peak of the True Immortal realm.

One day, as Dao Xuan was traveling by cloud, he suddenly felt the spiritual energy of heaven and earth violently shaking ahead. An indescribable, ancient, and heavy aura rushed towards him, threatening to crush him.

His heart trembled, and he looked up into the distance.

He saw that in the far west, a magnificent divine mountain, indescribable in words, rose from the earth, piercing straight into the depths of the sky!

Its majestic posture seemed to prop up the entire Great Desolation. The mountain was dark, its height immeasurable, half of it already hidden in the chaotic winds and the pure qi of the nine heavens, its peak unseen.

On the mountainside, streaks of Mysterious Yellow Qi coiled like dragons and snakes, emitting an ancient pressure that dimmed even the stars.

It was the Heavenly Pillar of the Great Desolation—Buzhou Mountain!

"We're here! We've finally arrived! Beyond Buzhou Mountain lies Kunlun!"

Dao Xuan's heart surged. Even with his firm Dao heart, he couldn't help but feel a sense of boundless emotion at this moment.

He lowered his cloud and landed at the foot of the mountain.

His feet touched the ground, and the supreme pressure originating from the Great God Pangu could be felt even more clearly, like a burden of billions of jun weighing him down, even causing his circulating magic power to become sluggish.

"Great God Pangu, who opened the heavens and the earth and transformed into all things, the Heavenly Pillar formed from his spine is indeed worthy of its reputation!"

Dao Xuan gazed up at the mountain that connected heaven and earth, sighing with genuine admiration.

Later legends said that Buzhou Mountain was the greatest treasure trove of the Great Desolation, with opportunities everywhere.

Dao Xuan thought of this and his mind began to stir.

"Since I'm already here, why not look around? Even as a disciple of a Saint, having more magical treasures and spiritual roots is always better."

He muttered to himself, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes, "What if I get lucky?"

Thus, Dao Xuan began his long treasure-hunting journey in Buzhou Mountain.

He climbed sheer cliffs, ventured into deep valleys, his divine sense like a net, meticulously scanning every inch of rock, grass, and tree.

One month, two months... one year, two years... ten years, twenty years...

Time quietly slipped away under the ancient pressure of Buzhou Mountain.

Dao Xuan traversed a million-mile radius of the mountain range. He found many exotic flowers, rare herbs, precious birds, and strange beasts. He even found a few ore stones containing the essence of Innate Geng Metal, which, when forged into his flying sword, could increase its sharpness.

However, the Innate Spiritual Treasures and top-tier spiritual roots that were said to be earth-shattering were nowhere to be found!

"Where are all the treasures you promised?" Dao Xuan stood on a solitary peak, gazing at the vast sea of clouds, and couldn't help but complain.

"Am I looking for a fake Buzhou Mountain? I'm truly unlucky!"

Decades of time felt long even for a True Immortal.

The initial enthusiasm Dao Xuan had for treasure hunting had long been worn away, leaving him with nothing but helplessness and self-doubt.

"Forget it, forget it. Opportunities cannot be forced. It's better to head to Kunlun as soon as possible and apprentice to learn the art, which is the proper path."

He shook his head, preparing to give up this fruitless search.

Just as he was about to use his escape light to leave, his gaze unintentionally swept over a cliff shrouded in mist in the distance.

The cliff was perilous, hidden behind layers of clouds. If not for his current vantage point, it would have been almost impossible to notice.

On the cliff face, there seemed to be an unusual light flowing.

Dao Xuan's heart stirred, and he suppressed his intention to leave. His body flickered, transforming into a pale gold stream of light, and he shot towards the cliff.

Passing through layers of clouds, the scene suddenly opened up before him.

He saw a thousand-zhang sheer cliff ahead, smooth as a mirror, rising straight up and down.

Right in the center of the almost vertical cliff face, a giant vine, gnarled and coiled, its roots deeply embedded in the mountain rock as hard as divine iron.

The vine was emerald green all over, as if carved from divine jade. Its leaves were crystal clear, and colorful auspicious light flowed through its veins, emitting a dense, almost tangible Innate Geng Metal essence and the rhyme of creation.

What made his heart tremble even more was that on the vine, seven gourds of different colors were hanging!

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

The seven colors of light interwove and reflected, dazzling and brilliant, bathing the entire cliff in a flowing, iridescent glow, accompanied by a thousand auspicious rays.

Each gourd was plump and round, its treasure light contained within, its Dao patterns naturally formed as if carrying some fundamental law from the very beginning of heaven and earth. Merely gazing from afar made one's spirit tremble, as if their cultivation had been touched.

"Innate Gourd Vine!"

Dao Xuan's mind boomed. The legends of this Great Desolation's top ten Innate Spiritual Roots instantly became crystal clear!

His gaze swept around, and indeed, about a hundred feet away from the gourd vine, on a relatively flat rocky outcrop, he saw several figures.

Five men and one woman, some sitting, some standing, all exuding extraordinary presence.

The three leading Daoists stood side-by-side.

The elder in the center wore a Nine Heavens Lotus Ruyi Crown, a Xuan-white Taiji Bagua immortal robe, his face lean, with a three-strand beard flowing down to his chest. He held a jade-handled whisk, his entire being exuding a primordial, unified aura of purity and non-action, as if merged with the Great Dao of heaven and earth.

It was none other than the Grand Pure Heavenly Venerate Laozi!

To his left stood a middle-aged Daoist, wearing a Jade Pure Fish Tail Golden Crown and an apricot-yellow Bagua cloud-patterned immortal robe. His face was stern, his gaze as deep as an abyss, exuding an aura of noble dignity that was inviolable.

It was the Jade Pure Primordial Heavenly Venerate!

To his right stood a young Daoist, wearing a Upper Pure Fan Cloud Crown and a crimson Bagua water-fire immortal robe, a simple ancient sword on his back. With sword-like brows and starry eyes, he was full of youthful vigor, his features conveying a sharp ambition and heroic spirit that seemed to seize heaven and earth.

It was the Upper Pure Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Venerate Tongtian Cult Master!

Beside the Three Pure Ones stood a Daoist in a red robe, his face like a silver moon, with a genial smile and an air of amiability. This was the renowned "old good man" of the Great Desolation in later ages—Old Ancestor Hongyun.

Beside Hongyun stood a woman, clad in a plain white cloud-patterned immortal gown. Her appearance was beautiful, her temperament gentle yet tinged with a hint of divinity. The aura of Creation flowed around her ceaselessly. She was none other than Empress Nuwa!

A short distance away, a young Daoist in a Golden Crow Emperor's robe, with a handsome face but an underlying arrogance, stood with his hands behind his back. Above his head hovered an ancient bronze bell, entwined with chaotic energy. The bell's chime was subtly audible, suppressing the myriad times and spaces. It was none other than Eastern Emperor Taiyi, who possessed the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Chaos Bell!

Six mighty beings!

Dao Xuan's breath hitched, his heart pounding. This lineup was truly top-tier for the Great Desolation!

The moment Dao Xuan appeared, the gazes of the six mighty beings all fell upon him.

Some gazes were peaceful, some curious, and some scrutinizing.

Old Ancestor Hongyun spoke first, his smile widening, his voice booming:

"Haha, marvelous! Marvelous! Seven treasure gourds, and we six were just pondering how to divide them. Now another young friend has arrived. Seven people, seven gourds. This is the will of heaven, destined by fate!"

His words carried a natural affinity, instantly breaking the subtle atmosphere that had arisen from Dao Xuan's sudden appearance.

Dao Xuan felt his scalp tingle under the six gazes, especially sensing the vast pressure, far exceeding the True Immortal realm, that permeated the air (the weakest, Hongyun and Nuwa, were both early Quasi-Saints).

How could he dare to be negligent?

He quickly descended from his cloud, landing on a rock several feet away from the six. He adjusted his robes, bowed deeply to the six mighty beings, his posture one of utmost respect:

"This junior, Dao Xuan, greets all seniors! This junior was passing through this area, chanced upon the treasure light, and unintentionally disturbed your serene cultivation. I beg your forgiveness, seniors!"

His voice was clear, neither subservient nor arrogant, his etiquette impeccable.

Old Ancestor Hongyun indeed lived up to his reputation as an "old good man." Seeing Dao Xuan's politeness, he became even more enthusiastic, stepping forward to gently support him:

"Young friend, there is no need for such formality. Please rise quickly. Meeting is fate; how can there be talk of disturbance?"

He turned to the others, introducing them warmly: "Come, come, young friend, allow this humble one to introduce you. These three are the true descendants of Pangu, the Three Pure Ones: Fellow Daoist Grand Pure Laozi, Fellow Daoist Jade Pure Yuan Shi, and Fellow Daoist Upper Pure Tongtian."

Dao Xuan quickly bowed again: "This junior, Dao Xuan, greets the Three Pure Ones!"

Laozi nodded slightly, Yuan Shi remained expressionless, while Tongtian regarded him with evident interest.

Hongyun then pointed to Nuwa and Taiyi: "This is Fellow Daoist Nuwa, and this is Fellow Daoist Eastern Emperor Taiyi."

"Greetings, Empress Nuwa, greetings, Senior Eastern Emperor Taiyi!" Dao Xuan bowed once more.

Nuwa offered a gentle smile in return.

Taiyi merely gave a faint "Mm," his gaze more fixed on the gourd vine.

After Hongyun finished the introductions, the atmosphere in the area eased slightly.

Dao Xuan's mind raced. A bold thought surged uncontrollably into his heart—to become a disciple!

Before him were the most powerful figures in the Great Desolation, Saints who had opened the heavens! If not now, then when?

He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging excitement. His gaze turned firm as he looked at the Three Pure Ones, especially at Laozi in the center. He bowed deeply once more, his voice filled with immense sincerity and longing:

"This junior, Dao Xuan, has long admired the supreme Great Dao of the Three Pure Ones. To see your divine countenances today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes!

This junior dares to implore the three Dao Venerables to show mercy and accept this junior as a disciple, to impart their teachings!

This junior is willing to serve by your side, listen to your guidance, and would not shy away from death!"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire scene fell silent.

Hongyun, Nuwa, and Taiyi all looked at Dao Xuan with a hint of surprise, then at the Three Pure Ones.

To seek discipleship with the Three Pure Ones? This was no small matter!

Primordial Heavenly Venerate Yuan Shi's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, a flicker of displeasure.

Tongtian Cult Master's eyes held even greater interest.

Grand Pure One Laozi, the foremost of the Three Pure Ones, maintained his usual placid expression, though a profound, star-sea-like depth in his eyes flickered with an arcane rune.

He was deducing heavenly secrets!

Dao Xuan held his breath, his heart pounding against his ribs.

Success or failure rested on this moment!

According to his knowledge from his past life, Laozi's first disciple should have been Great Master Xuandu. His own interference had introduced too great a variable.

He had initially placed his hopes on the reasonable Tongtian Cult Master. For Laozi and Yuanshi, he hadn't held much expectation, especially for the Jade Pure Primordial Heavenly Venerate, who valued lineage and origin above all...

However, after deducing for a moment, Laozi's usually placid face showed a rare, faint trace of surprise, which quickly turned into understanding.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon Dao Xuan. It was a gaze that seemed to pierce through eons of time and space, discerning the threads of karma intertwined with Dao Xuan's future destiny!

He also vaguely sensed a mysterious, ineffable connection between this child and the crucial element for his future enlightenment and establishment of his teachings!

"Good," Laozi softly uttered a single word. It was not loud, yet it resonated like a great bell, striking Dao Xuan's heart.

"Your innate nature is connected to me. Are you willing to enter my tutelage and become my first disciple?" Laozi asked Dao Xuan calmly.

Boom!

Dao Xuan's mind went blank. Immense joy washed over him like a tidal wave!

First disciple! The first disciple of the Grand Pure Saint!

This... this far exceeded his wildest expectations!

He had initially thought it would be a great fortune to even become a registered disciple under Tongtian. He never imagined that Laozi himself would directly offer to take him as his first disciple!

"I am willing! This disciple is willing!"

Dao Xuan's voice trembled with emotion. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees with a thud, performing the grand ritual of a disciple bowing to his master with three kowtows. "This disciple, Dao Xuan, greets my Master! May my Master's life be boundless!"

He instantly understood: as a transmigrator, carrying the destiny of the Human Race from his past life, though not a pure-blooded human born in this era, he was truly the first being in the Great Desolation with a complete human soul!

Laozi would later establish the Human Religion and achieve sainthood. This connection of shared origin and destiny was the "缘法" (yuan fa - karmic affinity/opportunity) in the unseen realm!

"Congratulations, Grand Pure Daoist Friend (Laozi Daoist Friend), on gaining a fine disciple!"

Old Ancestor Hongyun was the first to react, clapping his hands and laughing heartily, offering his sincere congratulations.

Empress Nuwa also nodded with a smile, "Congratulations, Daoist Brother."

A flicker of surprise crossed Tongtian Cult Master's eyes, followed by a hearty smile:

"Congratulations, Eldest Brother! This child's disposition is tenacious, and his roots are extraordinary. He is indeed a talent worth nurturing!"

Although he had also considered taking a disciple, since his elder brother had already spoken, he was naturally pleased to see it happen.

Yuanshi Heavenly Venerate frowned slightly, appearing displeased, but seeing that Laozi had made his decision, he could only faintly remark, "Congratulations, Eldest Brother," his tone slightly distant.

Eastern Emperor Taiyi merely nodded slightly, his gaze remaining fixed on the gourd vine, showing little interest in the matter of taking disciples.

"Congratulations, young friend, on finding a renowned master. The Great Dao awaits!" Hongyun then smiled and congratulated Dao Xuan again.

Dao Xuan was overjoyed. He quickly rose and bowed once more to Hongyun, Empress Nuwa, Tongtian, Yuanshi, Taiyi, and the others:

"Thank you, Senior Hongyun! Thank you, Empress Nuwa! Thank you, Martial Uncle Tongtian! Thank you, Martial Uncle Yuanshi! Thank you, Senior Taiyi!"

His etiquette was impeccable, neither humble nor arrogant, fully displaying the demeanor of the Grand Pure Saint's first disciple.

Seeing his politeness, everyone's attitude became even more amicable.

Just as the atmosphere was harmonious and convivial...

Hum!

An unexpected change occurred!

The Innate Gourd Vine, rooted on the sheer cliff of Buzhou Mountain, began to vibrate violently without any warning!

Seven-colored divine light suddenly surged, shooting straight into the heavens and dyeing the vast expanse of clouds in seven hues!

A boundless, majestic innate spiritual energy, as if from the dawn of creation, awoke like a slumbering ancient dragon and erupted with a roar!

The entire Buzhou Mountain seemed to resonate with this spiritual energy, and the Mysterious Yellow Qi coiling around its body accelerated its flow!

"Hmm?!"

"The time has come!"

"The precious gourds are about to ripen!"

The faces of the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Hongyun, and Taiyi, the six great powers, turned solemn simultaneously. Their gazes sharpened instantly, focusing entirely on the resplendent gourd vine!

The seven precious gourds swayed violently on the vine, as if imbued with life, eagerly wanting to break free from their restraints and find their respective masters!

Dao Xuan's spirit was greatly shaken. Feeling the innate Creation Qi that washed over him, almost cleansing his soul, his eyes filled with shock and anticipation.

The true opportunity was right before him!