Changes in the Primordial World Over Thirty Thousand Years

The Witch general heard Xuan Heng's name and immediately felt the urge to retreat. The Witch soldiers behind him might not have heard it, but he had—the Fourth Pure of Kunlun, the man whom Ancestor Witch Houtu often spoke of.

"Hmph. If that is so, take him away. But if he barges into my Witch Clan again to eavesdrop on our plans, then even if you come in person, you will never save him."

The Witch general shot Six Ears a vicious glare from behind Xuan Heng, then left.

Once the Witch Clan had gone far away, Six Ears could no longer hold on. He collapsed onto the ground and coughed up a mouthful of vital blood.

"Master..."

Xuan Heng said nothing. Squatting down, he let Profound Pure Immortal Light fall upon Six Ears, first suppressing his injuries.

Six Ears's face was full of shame, his voice low.

"This disciple has disgraced Master."

Xuan Heng did not scold him at once. He took out the Purifying Spirit Bottle again, dripped out a drop of Purifying Spirit True Water, then dissolved it with Profound Pure Immortal Light to protect Six Ears's damaged origin.

Only after Six Ears's aura had stabilized somewhat did Xuan Heng slowly speak. "What did I say when I accepted you as a registered disciple? Do you still remember?"

Six Ears hesitated before answering, "Of course I remember. You told me to keep my ears in check and first learn not to listen."

Xuan Heng nodded and asked again, "Then tell me yourself—how much of that did you truly take to heart?"

Six Ears lowered his head, not daring to answer.

"Forget it. Come back to Kunlun with me first."

Gritting his teeth, Six Ears braced himself and tried to stand.

But the moment he moved, the pain nearly made him collapse again.

Xuan Heng raised a hand to support him. A strand of radiance descended from the Profound Pure Treasure Robe, shielding Six Ears.

By the time they returned to Kunlun, Six Ears could no longer endure it. The little monkey was quite capable of bearing pain; he had not cried out once along the way.

But the instant they reached the lotus pond in Kunlun, his legs went weak and he crumpled to the ground.

Duobao was crouched beside the lotus pond, studying the gourd vine. Hearing the commotion, he was so startled that he nearly shook several treasure pouches out of his sleeve.

"Martial Uncle, what happened?"

Xuan Heng did not answer. Raising a hand, he helped Six Ears to the side of the lotus pond. The Purifying Spirit Bottle appeared, and a drop of Purifying Spirit True Water fell, dissolved by Profound Pure Immortal Light before seeping into Six Ears's body through his wounds.

As that drop of Purifying Spirit True Water fell, the wounds on Six Ears's body slowly began to heal again. His broken bones were gradually mended by the life force within the lotus pond.

"Whoa, Martial Uncle, this bottle is incredible." Duobao's eyes shone brightly.

"Heh heh, stop staring. I'm afraid if you stare a while longer, my bottle will end up tucked into your sleeve." Xuan Heng glanced at him and smiled.

Duobao hurriedly gave two dry laughs. "This disciple was only looking, only looking."

Before long, Tongtian arrived as well. He looked at Six Ears lying beside the lotus pond, and one brow lifted slightly.

"This little monkey was injured badly this time."

Xuan Heng nodded. "He accidentally entered the Witch Clan's territory at Mount Imperfection and was hunted as a Demon Race spy."

Tongtian crouched down to inspect Six Ears. "A mere Golden Immortal, yet he dared enter Mount Imperfection's territory alone. Fourth Brother, your disciple has far more nerve than you do."

Six Ears had awakened by then. Hearing Tongtian's teasing, his face instantly turned as red as a monkey's backside, and he struggled to rise and pay his respects.

Xuan Heng glanced at him and sent out a beam of Profound Pure Immortal Light from his right hand, pinning Six Ears down. "Lie still."

"Master, this disciple knows his mistake," Six Ears said quietly.

"Oh? Then tell me—where did you go wrong?" Xuan Heng asked, raising a brow.

"This disciple should not have eavesdropped on the Witch Clan's mountain patrol movements." After a moment of silence, Six Ears spoke in an even smaller voice.

But Xuan Heng was clearly dissatisfied with that answer. He shook his head and asked again, "What else?"

Seeing Xuan Heng's expression, Six Ears gritted his teeth. "This disciple should not have relied on his hearing and assumed he could avoid everyone."

Only then did Xuan Heng nod. "These ears of yours are a gift, but they are also the root of disaster. If you cannot keep them under control, then sooner or later, you will die because of them."

Six Ears did not dare lift his head after Xuan Heng's reprimand.

Xuan Heng spread his right hand, and the Six Pure Roots Bamboo appeared in it. Six patterns on its bamboo joints lit up faintly, and the surrounding noise instantly faded.

The moment the Six Pure Roots Bamboo appeared, Six Ears froze. For the first time, he felt the world grow quiet. It was not that he could hear nothing, but that those chaotic sounds no longer all burrowed into his ears at once. It was as though a filter had been fitted over his ears; only what he wished to hear could enter them.

Xuan Heng placed the Six Pure Roots Bamboo before him and said, "I will lend you this treasure for now to protect your path. When you have truly learned not to listen, I will formally bestow it upon you."

"This disciple will bear Master's teachings firmly in mind." Six Ears solemnly accepted the Six Pure Roots Bamboo.

Watching this deeply moving scene between master and disciple, Duobao stared fixedly at the Six Pure Roots Bamboo in Six Ears's hand, so touched that tears flowed from the corner of his mouth.

"Ow!" But just as he was engrossed in watching, he suddenly felt a knock on his head. The pain made him clutch his head tightly with both hands.

"You little rat, you can't even walk when you see a spiritual treasure. Have I given you too few spiritual treasures?" Tongtian said irritably, seeing Duobao's covetous look.

"Heh heh heh, Master, look at you, getting worked up again. I was only looking." Duobao scratched his head.

"Third Brother, could you tell me what major events occurred in the Primordial World during the thirty thousand years I spent in seclusion?" Xuan Heng walked over to Tongtian and asked just as Tongtian was about to tease Duobao a little more.

The smile on Tongtian's face faded somewhat. "Now that you ask, quite a few things have indeed happened."

With a wave of his hand, he conjured a stone table beside the lotus pond.

Xuan Heng and Tongtian sat down separately. Duobao had originally wanted to sidle over and eavesdrop.

Tongtian glanced at him and said, "Go keep an eye on Six Ears. Make sure he doesn't move around and heals properly."

Duobao was somewhat reluctant, but he still obediently went back.

Only after Duobao had left did Tongtian speak. "After Teacher's third lecture, although he never appeared again, the primordial world did not remain peaceful for long. East King Duke and Queen Mother of the West secretly made a trip to Purple Cloud Palace. Upon returning, East King Duke acted under the Dao Ancestor's decree, assuming the title of leader of the male immortals. He established the Purple Mansion Immortal Court on Penglai in the East Sea and widely recruited rogue immortals."

Xuan Heng raised a brow. East King Duke and Queen Mother of the West—so they had been secretly summoned after the lectures. No wonder Hongjun had not mentioned this matter at Purple Cloud Palace.

Tongtian continued, "At first, quite a few Rogue Cultivators did join him. After all, he bore Teacher's name and had gathered many immortal cultivators from overseas around him. But he expanded too quickly. While recruiting Rogue Cultivators from all corners, he ran into the Demon Race."

"Di Jun and Taiyi had no intention of indulging him, and clashes of all sizes between the two sides never ceased."

"Until roughly five thousand years ago, when the Demon Race army surrounded Penglai. Taiyi personally made his move. With a single toll of the Chaos Bell, the Purple Mansion Grand Formation was shattered on the spot. East King Duke fought to the very end, his body perishing and Dao dissipating. The Purple Mansion Immortal Court scattered as well, and the Heavenly Emperor Seal fell into Di Jun and Taiyi's hands."

Tongtian added, "With East King Duke's death, the rogue immortals of the primordial world became far more docile, while the Demon Race grew ever stronger. Di Jun and Taiyi are now recruiting great demons in great numbers at the Sun Star. Kunpeng has also been invited over by them and faintly holds the title of Demon Master."

Xuan Heng's gaze darkened slightly. Kunpeng had joined up with Di Jun and Taiyi—the Demon Court was not far off now, and Red Cloud's killing tribulation was drawing near as well.