Awakening, Passing on the Dao, Resolving Doubts (Please Follow)

Xuan Heng looked at the Profound Pure Immortal Scripture before him, and a trace of enlightenment rose in his heart. This before him was the foundational method of Xuan Heng himself, and also the most fundamental cultivation method he would pass down when he established his Dao lineage in the future.

At the same time, the methods for cultivating the Profound Pure Immortal Scripture naturally surfaced in Xuan Qing's mind.

This Immortal Scripture took Profound Pure Immortal Light as its foundation and the method of proving the Dao through laws as its basis, using the tribulation qi, karmic force, demonic thoughts, and obsessions within great tribulations to temper one's own Dao Fruit.

Upon cultivating it to its highest realm, Xuan Heng could use it to distinguish the source of tribulation qi, seeing clearly whether a killing scheme was born of someone's calculations or drawn forth by the tide of fate.

Should he encounter tribulation qi that was scattered beyond measure, Xuan Heng could also purify it and refine it into his Dao Fruit, turning it into a stepping stone on his path toward condensing a Primordial Chaos Dao Fruit.

Looking at this scroll of scripture, Xuan Heng's heart settled. Only at this moment did he truly possess, beyond his foreknowledge, another means of resisting the tide of fate.

The Profound Pure Immortal Scripture slowly sank into Xuan Heng's brow. Then, atop that mystic-blue Dao pattern, a halo of mystic-blue light—far paler than the Profound Pure Immortal Scripture just now—emerged once more.

The clear light transformed into a second cultivation art before Xuan Heng, bearing four small characters.

Profound Pure Immortal Art

After skimming through it, Xuan Heng understood. This Immortal Art was more suited to being passed on to his future disciples; its threshold for cultivation was far lower than that of the Profound Pure Immortal Scripture.

Once his future disciples cultivated this Immortal Art to success, they could condense a strand of Profound Pure Dao-Protecting Light. Though this strand of clear light might ordinarily hide its light and conceal its trace, unable to aid their cultivation or combat, once outside sounds entered their ears, demonic qi disturbed them, tribulation qi entered their bodies, or someone used illusions, Sha Qi, or karma to disrupt their Dao hearts, this strand of Profound Pure Dao-Protecting Light would tremble, causing pain in the cultivator's spiritual platform and briefly restoring clarity.

Upon realizing this effect, the first name to arise in Xuan Heng's mind was that cheap nominal disciple of his, Six Ears.

Six Ears was innately gifted at hearing all things, his hearing astonishing. If he could not keep his ears in check, then even though Xuan Heng had already pulled him back from the dead end of Purple Cloud Palace, he would still invite calamity because of these ears in the future.

The Profound Pure Immortal Art slowly entered Xuan Heng's brow, and the darkness around him gradually receded.

The scenes of great tribulations from his dream played ceaselessly before Xuan Heng's eyes like a revolving lantern. In the end, scene after scene ebbed away like the tide.

The mystic-blue Dao pattern upon Xuan Heng's brow grew ever more solid.

Within Xuan Heng's cave abode on Kunlun Mountain, three thousand years had now passed since that great battle of chaos. Xuan Heng had likewise lain unconscious here for a full three thousand years.

The Purifying White Lotus floated in the center of the cave abode, its gentle purifying white light cascading down to protect Xuan Heng's Primordial Spirit.

The Taiji Diagram hung above the Purifying White Lotus, yin and yang qi flowing without cease. To one side, the Heaven and Earth Mystic Yellow Pagoda shed golden light of merit, shielding the Taiji Diagram, the Purifying White Lotus, and Xuan Heng below.

Upon Xuan Heng's Great Luo Dao Fruit, Jade Pure Immortal Light formed a thin membrane around him, preventing his Dao Fruit from shattering due to his grievous injuries.

The Immortal-Slaying Four Swords hung high outside the cave abode, unmoving for three thousand years.

Outside the cave abode, Six Ears knelt upon the steps, the Six Pure Roots Bamboo laid across his knees. For these three thousand years, he had guarded outside Xuan Heng's cave abode without taking a single step away.

Duobao had come many times, bringing spiritual herbs and spiritual fruits each time. After setting them down, he did not dare ask too much.

On this day, mystic-blue light suddenly blazed within Xuan Heng's cave abode. Six Ears instantly opened his eyes and asked in a trembling voice, "Master? Have you awakened?"

Three minutes passed without any response from within the cave abode. Six Ears sighed and closed his eyes again. Yet at that moment, Xuan Heng's voice came from inside.

"Six Ears, come in."

As Xuan Heng's words fell, layer upon layer of restrictions at the cave abode's entrance broke apart, opening a path for Six Ears to enter.

"Master! Three thousand years! You've finally awakened!"

After entering, Six Ears clung to Xuan Heng's leg, weeping and sniveling as he spoke.

Xuan Heng shoved him away with distaste. "Enough. Today, I will pass on to you the cultivation method of our Profound Pure lineage."

At this, Six Ears' expression immediately changed. He ceased his fooling around and sat upright beneath Xuan Heng's Dao platform.

"Tsk! How am I supposed to teach you when you're sitting so far away? Come closer," Xuan Heng said irritably as he looked at Six Ears.

Only then did Six Ears scratch his head and walk over to Xuan Heng's side.

"Today, I shall pass on to you the first chapter of the Profound Pure Immortal Art: the Heart-Reflecting Chapter."

With that, Xuan Heng lightly touched Six Ears' brow with his fingertip. A wisp of pale-blue immortal light slowly flowed into Six Ears' brow.

As the immortal light entered his body, Six Ears trembled all over.

He had originally been able to hear the wind across Kunlun Mountain, the beating wings of spiritual birds, the flow of the earth veins, even the faint conversation between Six Ears and Jin Ling in the distance.

Yet at this moment, all those sounds suddenly seemed far away. The sounds had not vanished; rather, his heart had calmed.

"Master, it feels like my ears have closed. Those chaotic sounds have grown fewer."

Six Ears opened his eyes and said in shock.

"This is the first chapter I wish to pass on to you—the Heart-Reflecting Chapter. Once you cultivate it to great accomplishment, you will be able to cultivate a strand of Profound Pure Dao-Protecting Light. With its aid, you will be able to completely control these ears of yours that are adept at hearing all things—hearing whatever you wish to hear, while whatever you do not wish to hear will no longer enter your ears."

Six Ears solemnly kowtowed.

"This disciple understands."

Just then, three streams of clear qi suddenly descended outside the cave abode.

Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Tongtian appeared at the cave abode entrance almost simultaneously.

Six Ears hurriedly rose and bowed.

"Greetings, three Martial Uncles."

Tongtian did not even look at him. He took several steps to Xuan Heng, looked him over from head to toe, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that Xuan Heng was not seriously hurt. "Fourth Brother, you were unconscious for three thousand years. If you hadn't woken up soon, I would have stormed the Demon Court to settle the score with them."

Yuanshi said coldly, "If Eldest Brother hadn't stopped him, he would have gone long ago."

Xuan Heng's face was still pale, but he smiled at that.

"I've made my three elder brothers worry."

Taiqing walked before him and raised a hand to examine his Primordial Spirit.

A moment later, Taiqing's expression eased somewhat.

"The tribulation aura has receded, but your Primordial Spirit is still damaged. You need to rest and recuperate."

Xuan Heng nodded, then looked at the three of them and asked, "Three elder brothers, what happened on the Chaos battlefield after I lost consciousness that day?"

Tongtian's face immediately turned cold.

"What else could have happened? I raised the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, and Eldest Brother and Second Brother entered the formation. Not one of those six got away easily."

Xuan Heng raised his head to look at Tongtian.

Tongtian gave a cold laugh and continued, "Kunpeng took two of my swords. Half of one wing was nearly cleaved clean off, and he only kept his life by relying on his extreme speed. Minghe did not fare much better either. Primeval Slaughter and Avici were pressed down so hard by the Immortal-Slaying Sword Qi that their bloodlight surged backward, while he himself had his Primordial Spirit wounded by the Immortal-Trapping Sword Qi."

Yuanshi took over, his voice calm but carrying a chill.

"Di Jun used the River Map and Luo Script to support the formation. I shattered three layers of star patterns with the Pangu Banner, shaking the River Map and Luo Script. For a short while, he will be unable to fully deduce a grand formation again. Taiyi used the Chaos Bell to withstand the Taiji Diagram and Pangu Banner head-on. Though it did not damage his foundation, Chaos Sword Qi still tore a wound into his Dao body."

Xuan Heng's heart shook. Taiyi had the Chaos Bell to protect him and had still been injured by the Pangu Banner. It was clear that the Three Pure Ones had truly harbored killing intent at the time.

Taiqing spoke blandly.

"Receiving Guide's Receiving Guide Treasure Canopy was also blasted open with a crack, while Zhunti's Seven Treasures Wonder Tree had a wisp of its source treasure light severed by Tongtian."

Tongtian was still somewhat displeased at this.

"Pity Master acted too quickly. Otherwise, I would at least have left Kunpeng behind."

Xuan Heng fell silent for a moment before asking, "Master intervened?"

Taiqing nodded.

"The Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation's killing aura was too heavy. Had the battle continued, the Chaos battlefield would have completely spiraled out of control. Di Jun and Taiyi are tied to the Demon Race's destiny, while Receiving Guide and Zhunti both bear Primordial Violet Qi. If they had been slain on the spot, the great tide of the prehistoric world would have crumbled ahead of time."

Yuanshi continued, "Master's decree descended from Purple Cloud Palace, fixing the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation in place and suppressing the Chaos Bell, the Pangu Banner, and the Taiji Diagram."

Tongtian let out a cold snort.

"Master said only one thing: Red Cloud had already answered his tribulation. This matter ends here."

At this point, he glanced at Xuan Heng, and his tone softened somewhat.

"Still, Master did not favor those people either. All six were forcibly removed from the battlefield and each suffered Dao injuries. Kunpeng especially—if he wishes to restore half that wing in the future, he can forget about doing so without several eras."

Xuan Heng looked at the three of them and asked earnestly, "What about you three elder brothers?"

Though the Three Pure Ones possessed formidable treasures and extraordinary combat strength, their opponents had also been six quasi-sage great powers renowned for ages. Xuan Heng could not believe they had emerged wholly unscathed.

As soon as Xuan Heng said this, the cave abode fell silent.

Yuanshi glanced at Tongtian without speaking. Tongtian met Yuanshi's gaze, curled his lip, and said nothing either.

In the end, Taiqing spoke. "I protected you and Red Cloud's true spirit, then forcibly recalled the Taiji Diagram. The backlash from the Chaos Bell injured me, so I need to meditate in seclusion for some time."

Yuanshi added, "I used the Pangu Banner to break the River Map and Luo Script, as well as the Chaos Bell's lingering shockwaves. My Dao body suffered some turbulence."

Tongtian snorted.

"I'm not seriously hurt. But the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords have not yet been fully refined. Forcing the sword formation into being also caused the killing aura to recoil against me once."

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't acted so impulsively, my three elder brothers would not have been injured." Xuan Heng was truly consumed by self-reproach. Because of his own arrogance, all three of the Pure Ones had suffered considerable injuries.

Yuanshi looked at him, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Why say such things? You are our youngest brother of Kunlun. They beat you until even your origin was damaged—were we supposed to remain silent?"

Tongtian said as well, "Fourth Brother, remember this: you already did all you could for Red Cloud. The ones who truly need to be held to account are Kunpeng, Minghe, the Demon Race, and those two from the West."

Taiqing looked at Xuan Heng, his voice very soft.

"Red Cloud's final wisp of true spirit is still being nurtured within the Taiji Diagram. First, preserve this last remnant of his soul. We can think of another way later."

Xuan Heng was silent for a long while.

Finally, he said quietly, "I promised Fellow Daoist Red Cloud that I would deliver the Nine-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd to Zhenyuanzi."

Taiqing nodded.

"Once your injuries have stabilized, we will accompany you to Five Villages Temple."