Apprenticing Yuanshi, Becoming His First Disciple.

As Xuanqing finished speaking, three immense wills, like heavenly might, descended upon its primordial spirit, as if fearing it might sprout legs and run away.

One will was majestic and overbearing, another sharp and peerless, and the third serene and detached.

These three auras, though distinct, originated from the same sect.

"This life's Spiritual Root is deeply rooted, its disposition pure and kind, fitting for the path of my serene and detached cultivation. In Great Clarity, silently chant the Yellow Court."

"Take me as your master, and comprehend the effortless way of Great Clarity, would you?"

"Elder Brother, your words are mistaken!"

"Such a talent, a gem of the world, how can it spend its days in seated meditation? It should follow me, sword in hand, roaming the world! Come to my Highest Clarity, and I shall grant you great freedom!"

"Take me as your master, and I shall teach you The Great Dao of Highest Clarity."

"Hmph, those with poor innate qualities, no matter how many methods they possess, are but castles in the air. This Spiritual Root is the first to sprout since the dawn of creation. In terms of origin, Honghuang has none superior. Enter my Jade Clarity, clarify the heavenly mandate, and expound the truth of The Great Dao!"

"Take me as your master, and I shall impart the immortal arts of Jade Clarity."

Three voices echoed directly within Xuanqing's primordial spirit. Every word contained infinite Dao rhythm, causing Xuanqing's primordial spirit to tremble, as if it might be assimilated at any moment.

"They have all come at once."

Xuanqing's heart was greatly shaken, but it maintained a calm exterior.

Although Xuanqing knew who had arrived, it hadn't expected them all to be drawn out simultaneously after its breakthrough.

Moreover, the Three Pure Ones all wanted to take it as their disciple at the same time!

After speaking, Yuanshi, Laojun, and Tongtian each stood in a different direction, their faces serene, their immortal countenances dignified, awaiting Xuanqing's choice.

Seeing this, Xuanqing's thoughts began to race at high speed.

Whom to take as master?

This seemed like an immense opportunity, but in reality, a single wrong step could lead to a completely different outcome, perhaps even eternal damnation. Given their identities, every decision would be crucial.

As a transmigrator, Xuanqing was well aware of the respective Dao and paths of these three future Sages of the Heavenly Dao.

Master Taishang, the leader of the Human Teachings, advocated for serenity and detachment, with only Xuandu as his disciple.

It was a primordial Spiritual Root, and there was ultimately a gap between it and the tenets of the Human Teachings. It was likely that it wouldn't receive true, complete transmission.

Tongtian Cult Leader, with his inclusive teachings, where myriad immortals came to pay homage, sounded the most heroic. But Xuanqing knew better: this also led to the Jiejiao being a mixed bag, with tangled karma, ultimately leading to its near annihilation during the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. It didn't want to be one of those listed.

Just as Xuanqing's divine sense turned towards Yuanshi, at that very moment, Yuanshi Tianzun, seeing that their appearance had startled the surrounding Spiritual Roots, lightly waved his Taoist Robe, dispersing the invisible Great Dao aura around those Spiritual Roots and restoring them to normal.

Being a Spiritual Root itself, Xuanqing couldn't help but feel a stir in its heart.

This Sage valued origins and was extremely protective of his own. Although the Golden Immortals of the Chanjiao in later generations often faced calamities, most were safe under Yuanshi Tianzun's protection.

For others, Yuanshi Tianzun's "valuing of origins" might be a barrier.

But for itself—the first primordial Spiritual Root in Honghuang—this was precisely the greatest safeguard!

Its origin was the world's top-tier "proof of lineage" in the Honghuang world. Even if the world said Yuanshi disliked creatures born from moisture or eggs, what did that have to do with it?

Becoming a disciple of the Chanjiao was the most stable and beneficial choice for its long-term interests, especially with Yuanshi Tianzun's recent actions...

With thoughts flashing, Xuanqing instantly made its decision.

But it was merely a Spiritual Root now, unable to speak or kowtow.

How could it express its intentions?

Xuanqing's mind moved, and it mobilized the most fundamental wisp of its primordial spiritual energy.

This wisp of energy was incomparably pure, containing the mysteries of the primordial world. Presenting it would instantly make the Three Pure Ones understand that this was the tool Xuanqing would use to make its choice.

It carefully controlled this wisp of spiritual energy, allowing it to drift slowly from the tip of its lotus leaf.

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This wisp of spiritual energy, tinged with green and carrying a hint of gold, showed no hesitation under the watchful wills of the three mighty beings.

It drifted, bypassed Taishang Laojun and Tongtian Cult Leader, and slowly landed upon the divine sense avatar representing Yuanshi Tianzun.

Though the action was small, its meaning was clear.

The entire foot of Kunlun Mountain fell into a moment of silence.

Taishang Laojun withdrew his intent, a knowing smile appearing on his face, and he nodded gently.

"The Dao follows nature; this is good."

Tongtian Cult Leader pouted. Though a little disappointed, he was mostly carefree. He waved his sleeve and laughed heartily, "Alas, alas! This little fellow's disposition is like my second brother's, valuing 'orthodoxy'. Since he has chosen for himself, I will not force the issue."

On Yuanshi Tianzun's usually icy-cold face, a rare smile appeared at this moment.

This was not just the joy of gaining a fine disciple, but also Yuanshi felt it was Xuanqing's affirmation of his Great Dao.

"Good!"

Yuanshi Tianzun uttered a single word, and his words became reality.

He flicked his finger, and an incomparably pure Pangu's Clear Qi flew from his fingertip, instantly entering Xuanqing's Body.

"I have learned your name through your origin. From today onwards, you shall be my first disciple under Yuanshi, and your Dao name shall be Xuanqing."

A grand voice echoed through Kunlun Mountain, announcing the birth of the first disciple under the future Saint.

Xuanqing manipulated the innate spiritual energy, causing a slight tremor as a response.

"Boom!"

The moment the master-disciple bond was formed, heaven and earth suddenly changed. Amidst swirling clouds, two golden pillars, one large and one small, descended from the sky.

The spectacle was magnificent, causing all sentient beings in the vicinity to bow their heads.

As the legitimate heir of Pangu, and Jade Clarity among the Three Pure Ones born from a single breath, Yuanshi taking Xuanqing, the foremost Spiritual Root, as his disciple was naturally a great merit to the heavens and earth's Spiritual Roots.

"Boom!"

Yuanshi Tianzun cupped his hand in the air, grasping the Xuanhuang Qi and instantly refining it.

As the Qi of Merit and Fortune poured in, Yuanshi's realm, stagnant for tens of thousands of years, finally broke through!

With a "boom," the spiritual energy around Yuanshi surged, advancing from the early stage of Da Luo directly to the middle stage of Da Luo.

"Brother (Second Brother), congratulations on your breakthrough!"

Tongtian and Laojun bowed in unison.

Yuanshi smiled slightly and returned the courtesy to his two brothers.

Following that, the three looked at Xuanqing before them.

Xuanqing did not possess Yuanshi's ability to refine instantly, and moreover, he had not yet taken human form. However, he had already refined Qi of Merit once before, so this time was also familiar.

"This aura… it's likely about to break through to the Mystic Immortal Realm."

Tongtian said softly, wanting to step forward for a closer look.

"Wait."

Just as Tongtian was about to step forward, Yuanshi stopped him. Tongtian looked confused.

"Third Brother, have you forgotten something?"

Yuanshi said with a smile.

"Oh."

Tongtian immediately understood, then retreated to the side of Yuanshi and Laojun.

As Xuanqing finished absorbing this Qi of Merit and Fortune, the heavens changed once more, and Xuanqing's second portion of Qi of Merit and Fortune descended!