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As Xuan Heng's voice fell, deep within the earth veins by the Eastern Sea, something gave a faint tremor.

The seventy-two hidden seals he had laid down, along with the formation's core, gradually fell silent, no longer emitting any aura.

The strand of mysterious blue immortal light that had flashed when the formation was completed had vanished completely.

After finishing all this, Xuan Heng suddenly felt a wave of weakness surge through him.

The transfer formation by the Eastern Sea had not cost him much. What had truly drained him were the seventy-two hidden seals he had arranged afterward.

Each hidden seal had to avoid the Witch Clan and the Demon Race, while also being cleansed of tribulation aura with Profound Pure Immortal Light to prevent the great momentum of the Heavenly Dao from erasing it ahead of time. On top of that, he had to deduce the future migration routes of the human race.

Xuan Heng had only recently condensed his Law Dao Seed, and he still carried old injuries. After forcibly carrying out deductions spanning several centuries, piercing pain once again pulsed from the depths of his Primordial Spirit.

Xuan Heng pressed his brow. The Purifying White Lotus flew out on its own, casting down streams of purifying white light. Only after that light circulated through Xuan Heng's body once did it suppress his exhaustion.

Xuan Heng did not linger. His current condition was truly far from good. He put away the Heaven and Earth Ruler, Mountain-Suppressing Seal, and Heavenly Origin Formation Diagram one by one, then finally used the Profound Pure Treasure Robe to conceal the residual formation aura on his body.

Xuan Heng gave the Eastern Sea shore before him one final look. It was no different from when he had first arrived, save that the positions of several valleys had changed somewhat.

Then Xuan Heng swept his sleeve, transforming into a streak of mysterious blue clear light as he flew toward Kunlun Mountain.

Several more years had passed by the time Xuan Heng returned to Kunlun Mountain.

Six Ears was cultivating the <Profound Pure Immortal Art: Heart-Reflecting Chapter> beside the lotus pool. He sat cross-legged by the stone steps, the Six Pure Roots Bamboo laid across his knees. His ears quivered faintly, yet he was no longer led astray by the myriad sounds of the mountain as he had been before.

The instant Xuan Heng descended, Six Ears opened his eyes and called out, "Master, you're back."

Xuan Heng nodded without speaking.

Seeing Xuan Heng's deathly pale face, Six Ears immediately rose and supported him. "Master, you're injured again? How are you? Should I call the three martial uncles over?"

Xuan Heng waved a hand. "No need. There is no need to call my three elder brothers. I merely expended too much mental energy during my travels. After resting for a while, I'll naturally recover."

Six Ears did not ask further and stepped aside. He knew that even if he did not summon them, once his three martial uncles learned that his master had returned, they would certainly come.

Sure enough, not long afterward, Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Tongtian descended by the lotus pool in turn.

Taiqing glanced at Xuan Heng, his brows shifting slightly. "Your Primordial Spirit has been depleted quite severely. There are already faint signs of overexertion."

Yuanshi's gaze swept over Xuan Heng, and his tone immediately turned stern.

"Tell me. What did you do on this trip?"

Xuan Heng smiled. "I merely traveled through a few places, sorted out several earth veins, and saved a few small tribes along the way. The water veins near the Eastern Sea were chaotic, so I expended a bit more mental energy."

Yuanshi stared at him for a moment.

Xuan Heng's expression remained calm, betraying no hint of guilt. It was not exactly a lie—the East Sea Life-Crossing Formation did indeed require him to sort out the water veins, and it had truly cost him greatly.

Tongtian stepped forward and, as usual, patted Xuan Heng on the shoulder. "You really can't stay still, can you? Your injuries had only just improved a little, and you were already off traveling again. Now you've drained yourself to such an extent. I truly don't know what to say to you."

Xuan Heng gave a chuckle. "Third Brother, don't worry. This time, I really didn't fight anyone."

Tongtian raised a brow. He truly had not expected Xuan Heng to say that. Shaking his head, he let out a soft laugh.

"You, honestly. At least you've learned your lesson."

Taiqing raised a hand, and a strand of Taiqing immortal light entered Xuan Heng's brow.

Xuan Heng felt a coolness wash through his Primordial Spirit, and the piercing pain immediately eased considerably.

Taiqing withdrew his hand and said calmly, "Stay in Kunlun Mountain for now. Do not speak of going out again until your Dao Seed has stabilized and your Primordial Spirit has fully recovered."

Xuan Heng nodded. "Eldest Brother, that was what I intended as well."

Yuanshi stood to one side, still speaking with a stern expression. "Your Dao Seed has only just condensed. The greatest taboo now is instability in your foundation. If you continue to casually deplete the power of your Primordial Spirit, it may cause irreversible harm to your future path of cultivation."

Xuan Heng rested both hands on his thighs and answered quietly, "Second Brother, rest assured. This time, I'll definitely seclude myself and cultivate properly."

Tongtian could not hold back his laughter. "You say that every time. But when have you ever truly stayed put? You cultivate in seclusion for a few tens of thousands of years, then run off again."

Hearing Tongtian's words, Xuan Heng smiled as well, and the atmosphere by the lotus pool relaxed.

Once Six Ears saw that his master was fine, he quietly left for Upper Purity Peak to spar with Duobao.

In the years that followed, Xuan Heng remained in Kunlun Mountain to recuperate.

Most of the time, he sat beside the Innate Gourd Vine. The Purifying White Lotus hovered above the lotus pool, and every so often it would cast down streams of white light. With the Purifying White Lotus personally nourishing it, the cracks in the gourd vine's broken stalk grew shallower and shallower, while more fibrous roots sprouted anew from its base.

Though the gourd vine recovered slowly, every so often a strand of Innate Yi Wood qi would flow from its body.

During Xuan Heng's recuperation, the one who gained the most was undoubtedly his nominal disciple, Six Ears. With Xuan Heng staying in Kunlun Mountain to recover, Six Ears could finally ask him whenever he encountered something he did not understand in his cultivation art.

In the end, after two thousand years, he successfully brought the first chapter of the Profound Pure Immortal Art to the introductory stage. With the Six Pure Roots Bamboo, he could finally keep his ears under control.

Tongtian even tested him specially, performing sword techniques on Upper Purity Peak and making Six Ears refrain from listening to the ringing of his sword.

Six Ears sat cross-legged beside Xuan Heng. His ears twitched only a few times before he forcefully endured it, resisting the urge to follow the sword's ringing and listen.

Tongtian laughed on the spot. "This monkey finally looks halfway decent."

Six Ears had been rather pleased with himself.

But after hearing that, Xuan Heng merely said, "Resisting it once does not mean you can do so every time. Starting today, copy the Heart-Reflecting Chapter another hundred times. I hope you improve with every copy."

The smile on Six Ears's face immediately collapsed.

Duobao stood nearby, watching so amused that he nearly laughed aloud.

Six Ears turned and shot him a glare.

Duobao hurriedly pressed down the few small spirit treasures tucked in his sleeve, pretending he had seen nothing.

Kunlun Mountain enjoyed a rare stretch of peace and quiet.

Yet beyond the primordial wilderness, things were anything but peaceful.

The Demon Court's momentum grew ever stronger. Standing upon the Sun Star, Di Jun and Taiyi gathered the myriad demons, while great demons such as Bai Ze, Ji Meng, and Ying Zhao pledged their allegiance one after another.

Kunpeng's injuries had yet to heal, but he had already taken the seat of Demon Teacher.

The Witch Clan was expanding as well. The Twelve Ancestral Witches held the land in their grasp, their tribes growing ever more powerful, and friction with the Demon Race became increasingly frequent.

Most of this news had been brought back by Tongtian during his excursions to discuss the Dao.

After hearing it all, Xuan Heng showed no change, merely continuing in silence to consolidate his Dao seed.

Several thousand more years passed. One day, as Xuan Heng rested with his eyes closed beside the lotus pool, the previously tranquil gourd vine within it suddenly gave a faint tremble. A wisp of innate Yi Wood energy rose from its vines of its own accord.

Xuan Heng rose to his feet and quickly sensed a vast aura of creation approaching Kunlun from beyond.

Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Tongtian appeared in succession as well.

Tongtian looked at the gently trembling gourd vine beside the lotus pool, interest glinting in his eyes.

"Looks like Kunlun has visitors today—and they're connected to this little gourd vine."