A pale golden streak tore through the sky, swift as a meteor chasing the moon. In an instant, it vanished beyond the Nine Heavens, leaving only a faint golden trail to mark Dao Xuan's departure.
Kunlun stood majestic, still hundreds of millions of miles away.
Having made up his mind, Dao Xuan followed the faint pull in the dark and headed west, braving wind and dew as he rode the clouds and chased the sun.
The Great Desolation was vast and boundless.
Mountains and rivers held endless dangers, but also wondrous opportunities.
Dao Xuan guarded his mind carefully. The Grand Pure Immortal Method circulated ceaselessly within him, while Pure Qi swirled around his body and quietly neutralized the omnipresent pressure of Pangu.
He did not dare slack off in the slightest.
This journey to Kunlun, to take a Saint as his master, was an opportunity to defy fate—but it was also a road fraught with unfathomable peril.
Three thousand years, to mortals, were enough for seas to become mulberry fields and dynasties to rise and fall.
Yet to a cultivator like Dao Xuan, a Late True Immortal, they passed like a white colt flashing through a crack, gone in the blink of an eye.
He traveled through primeval forests and crossed vast oceans, witnessing countless strange species of the Great Desolation, exotic flowers, and rare herbs.
He had also encountered ferocious beasts blocking his path and Demon Kings entrenched in their domains.
Sometimes Dao Xuan relied on movement arts to maneuver around them; other times, he suppressed them with thunderous force. As he traveled, his Dao heart grew ever clearer, and his understanding of immortal arts advanced by leaps and bounds, gradually nearing the perfection of the True Immortal realm.
One day, Dao Xuan was traveling upon the clouds when he suddenly sensed the world's spiritual energy ahead violently churning. An indescribably ancient and heavy aura crashed toward him, almost crushing him beneath its weight.
His heart jolted, and he looked into the distance.
In the far west, he saw an incomparably majestic divine mountain rise from the earth, piercing deep into the heavens!
Its grandeur seemed to support the entire world of the Great Desolation. Its mountain body was dark, its height unknowable even in hundreds of millions of fathoms. Half of it had already disappeared into Chaos gales and the Pure Qi of the Ninth Heaven, its peak nowhere in sight.
Streams of Mysterious Yellow Qi coiled around the mountain like dragons and serpents, radiating an ancient pressure that made even the stars of the heavens dim.
It was the Heavenly Pillar of the Great Desolation—Buzhou Mountain!
"I'm here! I've finally arrived! Beyond Buzhou Mountain lies Kunlun!"
Dao Xuan's heart surged with emotion. Even with his firm Dao heart, he could not help but feel an endless surge of emotion at this moment.
He descended from the clouds and landed at the foot of the mountain.
With his feet on solid ground, the supreme pressure originating from the great god Pangu became even clearer. It was like hundreds of millions of jin pressing down upon him, slowing even the flow of mana within his body.
"Pangu, who created Heaven and Earth and transformed his body into all things—this Heavenly Pillar formed from his spine truly lives up to its reputation!"
Dao Xuan looked up at the mountain that connected heaven and earth and praised it from the bottom of his heart.
According to later legends, Buzhou Mountain was the greatest treasure vault in the Great Desolation, with opportunities scattered everywhere.
Remembering this, Dao Xuan's thoughts began to stir.
"Since I'm already here, why not search around? Even under a Saint, one can never have too many magical treasures or spirit roots."
He muttered to himself, anticipation flashing through his eyes. "What if I happen to find something good?"
Thus, Dao Xuan began his long treasure-hunting journey through Buzhou Mountain.
He scaled sheer cliffs and ventured deep into secluded valleys, spreading his divine sense like a net to carefully scan every inch of rock, grass, and tree.
One month, two months... one year, two years... ten years, twenty years...
Time quietly passed beneath the eternal pressure of Buzhou Mountain.
Dao Xuan traveled across a mountain range spanning a million miles. He found quite a few exotic flowers, rare herbs, rare birds and beasts, and even several ores containing Innate Geng Metal Qi. Refining them into a Flying Sword could increase its sharpness.
However, he had not even seen a single hair of the legendary Innate Spiritual Treasures and top-grade spirit roots that supposedly shook heaven and earth!
"Where are all those treasures scattered everywhere that I was promised?" Dao Xuan stood atop a solitary peak, gazing at the boundless sea of clouds as he could not help complaining.
"Did I find some fake Buzhou Mountain? My luck really is absolute garbage!"
Several decades were long even for a True Immortal.
The little enthusiasm Dao Xuan had for treasure hunting had long since been worn away, leaving behind nothing but helplessness and self-doubt.
"Forget it, forget it. Opportunities cannot be forced. I should head to Kunlun as soon as possible and seek a master. That is the proper path."
He shook his head, prepared to abandon this futile search.
Just as he was about to raise his escape light and leave, his gaze casually swept over a cloud-shrouded cliff in the distance.
The cliff was steep and perilous, hidden behind layer upon layer of mist. If not for his excellent vantage point, he would have found it almost impossible to notice.
A strange light seemed to flicker across the cliff face.
Dao Xuan's heart stirred. He suppressed his urge to leave, and with a flicker of his body, transformed into a pale golden streak that shot toward the cliff.
After passing through layers of cloud and mist, his view suddenly opened up.
Before him stood a thousand-fathom cliff, smooth as a mirror and nearly vertical.
At the center of that sheer cliff grew a massive vine, gnarled and coiled, its roots deeply embedded in mountain rock as hard as divine iron.
The vine was emerald green throughout, as though carved from divine jade. Its leaves were crystal clear, seven-colored radiance flowing through their veins as it exuded an incomparably rich aura of Innate Yi Wood essence and the Dao charm of creation.
What shook his mind even more was that seven treasure gourds of different colors hung from the vine!
Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple!
The seven-colored lights reflected one another in dazzling brilliance, illuminating the entire cliff in flowing splendor and filling it with countless streams of auspicious radiance.
Each gourd was plump and round, with treasure light contained within and natural Dao patterns upon its surface. They seemed to carry some Great Dao Laws from the dawn of Heaven and Earth. Even from afar, merely looking at them made one's mind sway and one's cultivation seem to stir.
"The Innate Gourd Vine!"
Dao Xuan's mind boomed as all the later legends regarding one of the ten great Innate Spirit Roots of the Great Desolation became crystal clear!
His gaze darted about, and sure enough, upon a relatively level stretch of rock a hundred zhang away from the gourd vine, he saw several figures.
Five men and one woman, sitting or standing, all possessed extraordinary bearing.
The leading three Daoists stood side by side.
The elder in the center wore a Nine Heavens Lotus Ruyi Crown and an Eight Trigrams Immortal Robe in black and white. His face was lean, three wisps of long beard drifting over his chest. He held a jade-handled whisk, and his aura was perfectly harmonious, tranquil and actionless, as though he had merged with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.
He was none other than 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 Eight Trigrams Cloud Pattern Immortal Robe. His face was imposing, his gaze as deep as an abyss, and he carried an inviolable air of nobility.
He was none other than Jade Pure Primordial Heavenly Venerate!
To his right stood a young Daoist wearing an Upper Pure Fan Cloud Crown and a Great Red Eight Trigrams Water-Fire Immortal Robe. An ancient longsword rested on his back. With sword-like brows, starry eyes, and an imposing heroic bearing, his brows carried the sharpness and bold spirit of one who would seize heaven and earth.
He was none other than the Upper Pure Heavenly Venerate of Spiritual Treasures, Sect Master Tongtian!
Beside the Three Purities stood a Daoist in red robes. His face was like a silver moon, his smile amiable, and his demeanor gentle. He was the famous good-hearted man of the Great Desolation from later generations—Old Ancestor Hongyun.
Beside Hongyun stood a woman dressed in a plain white immortal gown patterned with clouds. Her features were graceful, and her gentle temperament carried a trace of holiness. The aura of creation flowed endlessly around her body. She was none other than Empress Nuwa.
A little farther away, a handsome young Daoist in an imperial Golden Crow robe stood with his hands behind his back, though a trace of arrogance lingered in his features. An ancient bronze bell wreathed in Chaos Qi hung above his head, its faint chime suppressing all heavens and spacetime. He was Eastern Emperor Taiyi, holder of the Primordial Supreme Treasure, the Chaos Bell!
Six mighty figures!
Dao Xuan's breathing caught, and his heart pounded wildly. This lineup was the absolute peak of the Great Desolation!
The instant Dao Xuan appeared, the gazes of the six mighty figures all fell upon him.
Some were calm, some curious, and some scrutinizing.
Old Ancestor Hongyun was the first to speak. The smile on his face deepened, and his voice rang out brightly.
"Ha ha, marvelous! Marvelous! There are seven treasure gourds, and we six were just wondering how to divide them. Now another young friend has arrived. Seven people, seven gourds—this is surely the Heavenly Mandate. We are destined to share this opportunity!"
His words carried a natural warmth that instantly broke the subtle tension caused by Dao Xuan's sudden appearance.
Dao Xuan's scalp tingled beneath those six gazes, especially when he felt the vast, invisible pressure that far surpassed the True Immortal realm. Even the weakest among them, Hongyun and Nuwa, were at the early Quasi-Saint realm.
How could he dare be careless?
He hurriedly descended from the clouds and landed on a rock several zhang away from the group. After straightening his robes and crown, he bowed deeply to the six mighty figures, his manner incomparably respectful.
"This junior is Dao Xuan. Greetings, seniors! This junior was merely passing through and happened to glimpse the treasure light. I had no intention of disturbing the seniors' cultivation. I beg the seniors' forgiveness!"
His voice was clear, neither servile nor overbearing, and his etiquette was flawless.
Old Ancestor Hongyun truly lived up to his reputation as a good-hearted man. Seeing how courteous Dao Xuan was, he became even more welcoming. He stepped forward and made a gesture to help him up.
"Young friend, there is no need for such formality. Please rise. To meet is fate—how can this be called a disturbance?"
He turned toward the others and enthusiastically introduced them. "Come, come, young friend, let me introduce you. These three are the orthodox successors of Pangu, the Three Purity Dao Venerates: Fellow Daoist Taiqing Laozi, Fellow Daoist Yuqing Yuanshi, and Fellow Daoist Shangqing Tongtian."
Dao Xuan promptly bowed again. "This junior Dao Xuan greets the Three Purity Dao Venerates!"
Laozi gave a slight nod, Yuanshi remained expressionless, while Tongtian studied him with considerable 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 smiled gently in return.
Taiyi merely gave a faint "Mm," his attention focused more on the gourd vine.
After Hongyun finished the introductions, the atmosphere eased somewhat.
Dao Xuan's thoughts raced, and a bold idea surged uncontrollably into his mind—take a master!
Before him stood the greatest pillars of the Great Desolation, Saints born from Heaven and Earth! If he did not seize this chance now, when would he?
He took a deep breath and suppressed his excitement. His gaze fixed firmly upon the Three Purities, especially Laozi in the center. He bowed deeply again, his voice filled with sincerity and longing.
"This junior has long admired the supreme Great Dao of the Three Purity Dao Venerates. To behold your divine visages today is truly the fortune of three lifetimes!
"This junior dares to beg the three Dao Venerates for mercy. Please accept this junior as a disciple and impart the Dao and its teachings!
"This junior is willing to serve at your sides and listen to your teachings, even unto death without regret!"
The moment those words left his mouth, the scene fell silent.
Hongyun, Nuwa, and Taiyi all looked at Dao Xuan with surprise, then turned their gazes toward the Three Purities.
Seeking the Three Purities as masters? This was no small matter!
Primordial Heavenly Venerate's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, seemingly displeased.
Interest deepened in Sect Master Tongtian's eyes.
As for Taiqing Laozi, the foremost of the Three Purities, his expression remained as still as an ancient well. Yet within those profound eyes, deep as a sea of stars, mysterious runes flashed and vanished.
He was deducing the heavenly secrets!
Dao Xuan held his breath, his heart nearly leaping from his chest.
Success or failure would be decided in this moment!
According to what he knew from later generations, Laozi's first disciple should have been Great Master Xuandu. By forcing his way into the picture, he had created far too great a variable.
He had originally placed his hopes on the reasonable and understanding Sect Master Tongtian. He had not held much hope for Laozi or Yuanshi, especially Primordial Heavenly Venerate, who placed the greatest importance on one's origins...
However, after deducing for a moment, a rare trace of surprise appeared on Laozi's otherwise placid face before transforming into understanding.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Dao Xuan. That gaze seemed able to pierce through eternity itself, seeing the thread of karma entwined around Dao Xuan and closely connected to future destiny!
He could also faintly sense that this child possessed an indescribably mysterious connection to the key to his future attainment of the Dao and establishment of a teaching!
"Good." Laozi softly uttered a single word. His voice was not loud, yet it resounded in Dao Xuan's heart like a great bell.
"Your innate nature is fated with mine. Are you willing to enter my sect as my first disciple?" Laozi asked Dao Xuan calmly.
Boom!
Dao Xuan's mind went blank as overwhelming joy engulfed him like a tsunami!
First disciple! The first disciple of the Taiqing Saint!
This... this was far beyond even his wildest expectations!
He had originally thought that becoming a Registered Disciple under Tongtian would already be a tremendous blessing. He had never imagined that Laozi would directly offer to take him as his first disciple!
"Yes! This disciple is willing!"
Dao Xuan's voice trembled with excitement. Without the slightest hesitation, he dropped to his knees with a thud and performed the grand ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows before Laozi. "This disciple Dao Xuan greets Master! May Master's sacred lifespan know no bounds!"
In that instant, he understood: as a transmigrator, he carried the Human Race Destiny of later generations. Though he was not a pure-blooded human born into this world, he was indeed the first being in the Great Desolation to possess a complete human soul!
In the future, Laozi would establish the Human Teaching and attain the Dao to become a Saint. This pull of destiny born from their shared origin was the fated affinity hidden in the dark!
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Taiqing—Fellow Daoist Laozi—on gaining such an excellent disciple!"
Old Ancestor Hongyun was the first to recover. He clapped his hands and laughed heartily, offering his sincere congratulations.
Empress Nuwa also smiled and nodded. "Congratulations, Dao Brother."
A trace of surprise flashed through Sect Master Tongtian's eyes, followed by a hearty smile.
"Congratulations, Eldest Brother! This child has a resilient temperament and extraordinary innate talent. He is indeed promising!"
He too had entertained the thought of accepting a disciple, but since his elder brother had already spoken, he was naturally happy to see it happen.
Primordial Heavenly Venerate's brows remained faintly furrowed, as though he was displeased. But since Laozi had made his decision, he could only say blandly, "Congratulations, Eldest Brother." His tone was somewhat distant.
Eastern Emperor Taiyi merely nodded faintly, his gaze never leaving the gourd vine. Clearly, he had little interest in the matter of taking disciples.
"Congratulations, young friend. You have gained a renowned master, and the Great Dao lies before you!" Hongyun smiled as he congratulated Dao Xuan again.
Dao Xuan was overjoyed. He quickly rose and bowed once more to Hongyun, Nuwa, Tongtian, Yuanshi, Taiyi, and the others in turn.
"Many thanks, Senior Hongyun! Many thanks, Empress Nuwa! Many thanks, Martial Uncle Tongtian! Many thanks, Martial Uncle Yuanshi! Many thanks, Senior Taiyi!"
His etiquette was thorough, neither servile nor overbearing, fully displaying the bearing of Taiqing's first disciple.
Seeing how well-mannered he was, the others grew even friendlier toward him.
Just as host and guests were all delighted and the atmosphere was harmonious—
Buzz!
A sudden change occurred!
The Innate Gourd Vine rooted in the sheer cliff of Buzhou Mountain began to shake violently without warning!
The seven-colored treasure light suddenly surged skyward, dyeing the clouds across the heavens in seven radiant colors!
A vast and majestic burst of innate spiritual vitality, as though originating from the first opening of Heaven and Earth, erupted like an ancient dragon awakening from endless slumber!
Even the entire Buzhou Mountain seemed to faintly resonate beneath this spiritual vitality, the Mysterious Yellow Qi coiling around its body circulating faster!
"Hmm?!"
"The time has come!"
"The treasure gourds are ripening!"
The expressions of the Three Purities, Nuwa, Hongyun, and Taiyi all turned solemn at once. Their gazes became incomparably sharp as they focused on the dazzling gourd vine!
The seven treasure gourds swayed violently upon the vine, as though they had come alive and could not wait to break free of their restraints and seek their respective masters!
Dao Xuan's heart shook as he felt the Innate creation aura rushing toward him, almost as though it would cleanse his very soul. His eyes were filled with shock and anticipation.
The true opportunity was right before him!
Before you continue