Duobao Was Green with Envy

"You want to take me as your disciple?"

The moment Kong Xuan said this, the entire parasol tree grove fell silent. Every member of the Phoenix Clan turned to look at Xuan Heng.

Xuan Heng was looking at Kong Xuan as well.

There was still a trace of youthful pride in the boy's eyes, but after Xuan Heng had purified the outer layer of karmic burden from his body, the boy had gained a measure of recognition for him.

He knew Xuan Heng was right. The Five-Colored Divine Light was powerful, but the backlash from unleashing it could be fatal.

Yu Chi was merely a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal. Had Xuan Heng not been here today, they likely would have had to seek aid from the ancestors guarding Southern Brightness Volcano.

Not to mention that if, as Xuan Heng had said, great powers at the quasi-saint level—or even the saint level—set their sights on him in the future, it was hard to say whether he would even still be standing here to speak.

Kong Xuan fell silent and pondered for a while before asking, "If I become your disciple, will the Phoenix Clan also have to obey Kunlun's commands?"

Xuan Heng shook his head. "I am taking you as a disciple not to control the Phoenix Clan. I know you carry Yuan Feng's bloodline and are the young master of the Phoenix Clan."

"But the Phoenix Clan is the Phoenix Clan, and you are you. After entering my sect, once you are capable in the future, you may return and protect the Phoenix Clan. I will not interfere. But the Phoenix Clan cannot use your becoming my disciple to borrow the name of my Profound Pure Lineage and contend for fortune in the Primordial World anew."

At Xuan Heng's words, Kong Xuan's gaze shifted slightly. Then he asked again, "What if the Demon Court comes again?"

Xuan Heng gave a soft laugh. "If the Demon Court comes again and is willing to reason, then reason with them yourself. If they are unwilling to reason, then I, as your master, will naturally stand up for you. And if I cannot hold them off, I still have three elder brothers behind me."

The instant Xuan Heng's words fell, the eyes of many Phoenix Clan members in the parasol tree grove reddened.

Kong Xuan stood before the stone platform without speaking for a long time. Ever since his birth, what he had heard most was of the Phoenix Clan's sky-high karmic burden—of yielding, enduring, and withdrawing from the world.

Today, someone had finally told him that he did not have to bow his head.

Kong Xuan stepped down from the stone platform and came before Xuan Heng, dropping to both knees.

"This disciple, Kong Xuan, pays respects to Master."

Xuan Heng accepted the bow.

Then he raised a hand and tapped lightly. A wisp of Profound Pure Immortal Light entered Kong Xuan's brow.

"Upon entering my sect, there are three rules."

Kong Xuan raised his head.

"First, do not rely on divine abilities to bully the weak."

"Second, do not recklessly create killing karma over the Phoenix Clan's old grievances."

"Third, you are the first true disciple of my lineage. When you walk the Primordial World in the future, there will be no need to bow your head—but neither may you lose all sense of measure."

When Kong Xuan heard the last rule, a trace of the high spirit unique to youth returned to his eyes. He said solemnly, "This disciple will faithfully obey Master's command."

The elderly woman of the Phoenix Clan led her clansmen in another bow.

"For Kong Xuan to be accepted beneath Your Immortal Eminence's tutelage is his blessing, and the blessing of what remains of my Phoenix Clan."

Xuan Heng shook his head.

"How far he walks in the future will depend on himself."

Kong Xuan then bid farewell to his clansmen and followed Xuan Heng onto the road back to Kunlun.

The journey from the parasol tree grove to Kunlun took several years in all, yet Xuan Heng did not use his fastest escape art.

First, he had only just taken on a disciple and wished to observe Kong Xuan's character. Second, Kong Xuan's old tribulations were no light matter; traveling too hastily would instead easily stir the backlash of the karmic burden within him.

During their years of traveling together, Xuan Heng also passed the first volume of the Profound Pure Immortal Art on to Kong Xuan.

Kong Xuan's comprehension was exceedingly high. Within three months, he could enter meditation; within half a year, he had cultivated the intent of a Dao-protecting art, temporarily suppressing the fire-baleful karmic burden on his shoulders. After a year, when he used the Five-Colored Divine Light again, his aura no longer churned as violently as it had in the parasol tree grove.

After master and disciple returned to the lotus pond of Kunlun, Tongtian was the first to come looking for them.

Seeing Kong Xuan standing behind Xuan Heng, Tongtian raised a brow. "Fourth Brother, you went out for a trip and even came back with a disciple?"

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Tongtian."

Kong Xuan looked up at Tongtian. The sword intent around Tongtian was immensely powerful. After just one glance, Kong Xuan felt the Five-Colored Divine Light tense faintly within him.

Xuan Heng said, "I met him on the road. When the destined affinity arrived, I accepted him."

Tongtian studied Kong Xuan for a moment. "The aura of the five elements has formed on its own. His foundations truly are extraordinary."

Yuanshi then came over as well and asked, "Phoenix Clan bloodline?"

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Yuanshi."

Yuanshi nodded lightly, then looked toward Xuan Heng. "The Phoenix Clan's karmic burden weighs upon him. You will have to put much care into this disciple."

Xuan Heng nodded gently.

Taiqing was the last to appear.

He glanced at Kong Xuan, and his gaze swiftly settled on Kong Xuan's shoulders.

Kong Xuan only felt that the fire-baleful karmic burden within his body had instantly been seen through completely.

Taiqing said, "His foundations are extremely high, and the karmic burden upon him is equally heavy."

Xuan Heng nodded.

"I intend to keep him in Kunlun to cultivate for a time."

Taiqing nodded and lightly uttered a single word. "Granted."

Tongtian laughed. "Since he is Fourth Brother's first personal disciple, I, as his senior uncle, can't come empty-handed either."

As he spoke, he raised a hand and produced a cyan longsword. Its blade was not long, azure light flowing across its entire length, while cloud patterns rose and fell along its spine. Though its killing aura was not particularly heavy, it carried an exceedingly pure thread of Supreme Pure sword intent.

"This is the Azure Cloud Sword, a low-grade innate spirit treasure. Its killing power is not especially strong, but its sword intent is upright and pure, making it well suited for your everyday use."

Tongtian looked at Kong Xuan and added another sentence.

"Though your Five-Colored Divine Light is formidable, every use stirs the karmic burden upon you. In ordinary battles from now on, use the sword when you can. Do not rely on your innate divine ability to fight everything head-on."

Kong Xuan accepted the Azure Cloud Sword with both hands, then solemnly bowed. "This disciple thanks Senior Uncle Tongtian."

Yuanshi glanced at Tongtian, then took out a violet Daoist robe.

Jade Pure immortal radiance flowed over the robe, and fine cloud patterns lined its hems. When spread open, it faintly shut out the murky aura and baleful fire of the outside world.

"This is the Purple Sash Immortal Robe, a low-grade innate spirit treasure. It can protect the Dao body, ward off murky aura, and suppress some of the baleful fire karma leaking from your body."

Yuanshi's expression remained calm, but his tone was somewhat gentler than usual.

"You carry the bloodline of the Phoenix Clan and possess extraordinary foundations, but your karmic burden is too heavy. Wear this robe during your cultivation in the future. Do not let karma easily disturb your Primordial Spirit."

Kong Xuan accepted the Purple Sash Immortal Robe and bowed once more.

"This disciple thanks Senior Uncle Yuanshi."

Taiqing was the last to raise his hand.

A white jade whisk appeared in his palm.

Its handle was warm and lustrous, its tassels white as snow. The moment it appeared, the miscellaneous aura beside the lotus pool faded by several degrees.

"This is called the Tranquility Whisk, a mid-grade innate spirit treasure. It clears the heart and steadies the mind. As you cultivate the Five-Colored Divine Light, you most fear an excess of fiery temperament stirring your karmic burden into backlash. Keep this by your side. During cultivation, it can suppress your spirit platform and keep you clear-headed."

After Taiqing finished speaking, the Tranquility Whisk slowly descended before Kong Xuan.

Kong Xuan held the whisk in his hands and felt his spirit platform clear at once. Even the baleful fire upon his shoulders quieted somewhat.

He bent down in a bow.

"This disciple thanks Senior Uncle Taiqing."

On a distant hillside, Jin Ling looked at Duobao beside her, whose drool had already reached the ground, and said helplessly, "Hey, Duobao, wipe your drool. Those are all for our junior brother—none of it is for you!"