The Beasts' Duties, Hongjun Perceives [Seeking Readership]

This lecture aimed at the new disciples was not completed in one go but lasted for several hundred years.

During this time, the demons would sometimes fall into long contemplation from a single insightful remark, and at other times, inspired by their understanding, they would rise to practice their divine abilities, their whole body aura flowing with Dao charm, their energy rising and falling. The entire courtyard was filled with the essence of the Dao, and spiritual energy surged like a tide.

The most obvious change was among the Immortal Crane Clan. On their originally pure white wings, besides the swirling water vapor and clouds, subtle patterns resembling auspicious clouds had gradually and naturally emerged. When they flew, patches of cloud and mist followed them, clearly showing they had already gained a preliminary foothold in the Dao of Cloud and Water.

Even the Four Symbols Plantain Tree seemed to have been affected; the speed at which its four-colored leaves swirled had quickened, emitting an even denser aura of the Four Symbols Origin.

On this day, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun successively stopped speaking, bringing the centuries-long lecture to a temporary close. The Dao charm in the courtyard slowly subsided, but that mysterious aura lingered for a long time without dispersing.

Zhenyuanzi's Gaze swept over the creatures before him, whose auras had all increased to varying degrees and whose eyes were brighter and more spirited. He said solemnly:

"The path of cultivation is like sailing against the current; the key lies in perseverance and down-to-earth effort. Since you all have entered Wuzhuang Temple, you must always remember that the foundation of cultivating the Dao lies in clarifying the mind and seeing one's true nature, in elevating oneself, rather than blindly pursuing divine abilities and magical powers. Do not put the cart before the horse."

"We shall respectfully follow Master's teachings!" All the demons replied in unison, their voices loud and clear, carrying a firm resolve for the path ahead. After these hundreds of years of listening to the Dao and cultivating, not only had their cultivation levels improved, but their state of mind had also undergone subtle changes, losing some restlessness and gaining more steadiness.

At this moment, the Ink Kirin stepped forward. It no longer felt any inferiority about its mutated bloodline, but instead spoke with a calm confidence:

"Master, we have received great kindness by being allowed to enter this precious mountain to cultivate, and we have no way to repay it. We wish to contribute our efforts within the temple. Please give us your orders, Master."

Zhenyuanzi looked at it, then swept his gaze over the other creatures who also showed expectant looks. He slightly nodded, pondered for a moment, and said:

"In that case, I will assign duties according to your characteristics. The Immortal Crane Clan shall be in charge of welcoming guests and delivering messages;

The Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise shall take turns patrolling the forests around Longevity Mountain, monitoring any unusual activity, and maintaining peace;

The Nine-Headed Lion, majestic and extraordinary, shall guard the key area of the Mountain Gate, intimidating petty troublemakers.

Ink Kirin, you are meticulous and sensitive to the energy of plants; you may assist Qingfeng Mingyue in tending to the temple's Herb Garden and spiritual fields."

"We accept the decree!" All the demons replied in unison, each showing a sense of groundedness and responsibility at having found their own place. They then dispersed, beginning to familiarize themselves with their future duties.

The Immortal Cranes spread their wings and flew towards the clouds, starting to learn their patrol routes; the Four Symbols Sacred Beasts each chose their directions and began to explore the forests;

The Nine-Headed Lion strode with a dignified pace towards the Mountain Gate; the Ink Kirin followed Mingyue towards the Herb Garden in the Backyard.

Only the Black Tortoise, the largest of them all, remained quietly in place. Its huge eyes, deep as a lake, looked towards Zhenyuanzi, carrying a trace of barely perceptible eagerness and anticipation.

Zhenyuanzi naturally understood its thoughts and said gently:

"Your situation is special. The opportunity to transform is tied to your fundamental Dao. It cannot be forced, nor can it be rushed.

For now, stay here and cultivate with peace of mind, consolidate your foundation, and carefully contemplate the connection between the earth's bearing and the transcendence of the soul that was just explained. When the time comes, the opportunity will naturally appear, and success will come naturally."

Upon hearing this, a trace of understanding flashed in the Black Tortoise's eyes. Its massive head slowly and solemnly nodded.

It moved its mountain-like body to a corner of the courtyard near the Four Symbols Plantain Tree, where the Wutu Essence Qi was particularly dense. It slowly lay down, closed its eyes, and began to follow its new insights, attempting to guide the vast, ocean-like mana within it that had always been difficult to fully control. Its expression was serene and resolute.

It believed that under this unfathomable Teacher, whose Dao arts were profound, it would one day break the shackles that had troubled it for endless years.

Hongyun watched all this and couldn't help but clap hands and laugh:

"Daoist friend Zhenyuanzi, your Wuzhuang Temple now has a golden dragon to stabilize its fortune, a spiritual root to adorn it, and these various unique disciples and followers each performing their duties. It has finally shed some of its cool and clear atmosphere and taken on an air of prosperity and flourishing."

Zhenyuanzi's gaze once again slowly swept across the entire courtyard: the Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon coiled in the center, inhaling and exhaling Merit Profound Yellow Qi; the Plantain Tree swaying gracefully, evolving the Four Symbols Origin; the Gourd Vine, vibrant and full of life, nurturing seven Innate Spiritual Objects;

And those Immortal Cranes, Sacred Beasts, Lion, and Kirin, full of vitality as they familiarized themselves with their duties... On his simple and unadorned face, a trace of a barely perceptible softening rarely appeared.

Indeed, after this round of lectures and recruitment, the lineage of Wuzhuang Temple of Longevity Mountain had truly laid its foundation. It was quietly, yet firmly, growing stronger within this vast Primordial World.

A Dao lineage, rooted in the Way of the Great Earth, embracing all things, and blessing all living beings, seemed to have taken its initial form.

At this moment, far away across countless miles, in the eastern part of the Primordial World, at the supreme peak of the boundless Jade Capital Mountain, within an ancient Daoist Temple shrouded in Chaos Energy Streams and Innate Dao Rhyme.

An elder, dressed in a Black Daoist Robe, with a simple and unadorned face, and an aura that seemed to merge with the entire Primordial World, slowly opened his eyes, which had seen through endless years and karma.

His gaze was calm and profound, as if it could pierce through infinite void, cross layers of dimensions, and precisely fall upon that not-so-remarkable Longevity Mountain in the Western Lands, upon that courtyard full of life within Wuzhuang Temple.

"The Ancestor of Earth Immortals... using the Way of the Great Earth to teach and transform living beings, gathering fortune and energy. He has indeed carved a new path, one different from the Three Tribes and from us."

The elder murmured to himself, his voice barely audible, yet it seemed to trigger a slight resonance in the laws of the heavens.

A trace of an indescribable meaning flashed in his eyes, as if it were appreciation, or perhaps deduction and perception. After a moment, he slowly closed his eyes again, and his whole body aura returned to stillness, as if he had transformed into an ancient rock, continuing to immerse himself in his endless pursuit of the Great Dao.

Inside Wuzhuang Temple, everything was orderly. Qingfeng Mingyue were full of enthusiasm, leading the new companions to familiarize themselves with the various halls, the Herb Garden, and the meditation areas, chattering away as they introduced the rules.

At the Mountain Gate, the Nine-Headed Lion's nine heads turned alertly, its eighteen eyes sweeping the surroundings like searchlights. Any slight movement was hard to escape its perception. It was majestic and dutiful.

Above the clouds, the Immortal Cranes stretched their newly formed cloud-patterned wings, dancing gracefully, drawing out beautiful trajectories. Their clear, crisp cries scattered down the mountain streams, adding a touch of agility and immortal spirit to this sacred Daoist Temple.

Everything, in a state that seemed calm yet held undercurrents, was steadily moving forward towards a direction that was both unknown and yet, as if already destined within some grand trajectory of fate.

The scroll of the Primordial World was slowly unfurling, with Longevity Mountain as one of its nodes.