The Disciple-Stealing Duo

After that day's discussion of the Dao ended, Xuan Heng and the Three Pure Ones all returned to their respective abodes to enter seclusion and cultivate. In the vast Kunlun, only the disciples remained active among the mountains.

Kong Xuan still cultivated the Profound Pure Immortal Art every day, then spent his spare time tempering his sword intent. After Tongtian's several rounds of instruction, Kong Xuan's sword intent had become far purer than before. At the very least, he no longer wanted to fuse the Five-Colored Divine Light into it the moment he drew his sword.

Six Ears was even simpler—every day, he simply sat in meditation and cultivated.

"Senior Brother, haven't we gone a little too far today?"

Over the past few days, Kong Xuan had often brought Six Ears far from Kunlun's main peaks to cultivate. In his words, Xuan Heng and the three Martial Uncles were all in seclusion now. If they disturbed the pure qi of Kunlun's ancestral grounds, they might affect the four men's cultivation.

"Junior Brother, don't worry too much. We haven't even left Kunlun's territory. What danger could there be? In the Primordial World, there aren't many who would dare trespass into Kunlun."

Kong Xuan glanced back at Six Ears as he spoke.

Hearing Kong Xuan's words, Six Ears thought it over and found that it did seem true. They had not even left Kunlun, so what danger could they encounter? It was not as though some shameless bastard would forcibly abduct the two of them.

Before long, the pair found a secluded valley.

Kong Xuan immediately began practicing his swordsmanship. He slashed toward the cliff face before him, and a green sword mark landed upon the stone wall, cutting half an inch into the rock. His sword intent was much purer than before.

"Senior Brother, your sword Dao is getting stronger and stronger. You've improved so quickly."

Six Ears sat on a tree branch, his eyes shining brightly.

Kong Xuan sheathed his sword, shook his head, and said, "Third Martial Uncle once said that I can only restrain my urge to use the Five-Colored Divine Light now. I have yet to truly forge the sword into my heart."

Six Ears rubbed his chin and was just about to speak when his ears suddenly twitched. The smile on his face vanished, and he looked beyond the valley.

Seeing Six Ears' expression, Kong Xuan also turned to look outside the valley.

Two figures slowly emerged from the distant clouds.

These two were Receiving Guide and Zhunti, who had journeyed here all the way from the west.

After Nuwa became a saint, the two had left the west and begun traveling across the Primordial World in search of their opportunity to attain sainthood.

Without realizing it, they had arrived near Kunlun. Originally, they had not intended to approach Kunlun's territory. After all, the battle in the chaos last time had left both sides on poor terms.

However, just as they were preparing to take a detour, a pull of karma suddenly arose in their hearts. Though it was faint for now, both of them were certain that in a valley near Kunlun's outer boundary, there were people fated with them.

The two immediately headed toward the valley. The instant Zhunti saw Kong Xuan and Six Ears below, a glint flashed through his eyes.

One was a youth clad in five-colored feathered robes, while the other was a golden macaque, both cultivating within the valley.

The youth in five-colored feathered robes possessed Phoenix Clan blood, and his Five Elements aura had been innately complete. He already possessed an exceedingly rare foundation.

More importantly, deep within his brow lay a wisp of profound blue Dao-protecting intent. Though that intent was hidden extremely deeply, it could not escape Zhunti's eyes.

With one glance, he recognized it as Xuan Heng's Profound Pure Immortal Light.

Kong Xuan also wore a Purple Sash Immortal Robe, upon which Jade Pure Immortal Light flowed. Though the Azure Cloud Sword in his hand had not been fully drawn, a strand of Supreme Pure sword intent circulated around it.

A Phoenix Clan youth carrying Profound Pure Dao intent, with protective treasures bestowed by the Jade Pure and Supreme Pure lineages, who could practice swordsmanship outside Kunlun's borders—

It was not difficult to guess his lineage.

Zhunti then looked toward Six Ears.

The little macaque's aura was not particularly strong, but his six ears were innately keen. Deep within his Primordial Spirit, there was likewise a wisp of profound blue clear light suppressing all stray noise. That clear light did not resemble an ordinary restriction; rather, it seemed like a heart-protecting method specifically meant to restrain his innate gift.

Zhunti immediately understood.

These two juniors were most likely Xuan Heng's disciples.

As for their names, at their level of cultivation, a close look was enough. With the slightest stir of karmic threads, they could naturally glimpse a few clues.

Kong Xuan. Six Ears.

Zhunti silently repeated those two names, and the smile on his face became even gentler.

He had initially sensed only a wisp of karmic affinity with the west. Now that he had clearly seen their foundations and lineage, he became even less willing to let them slip away so easily.

If Xuan Heng could take them in, then the west could naturally ferry them across as well. Yet Zhunti did not make a move immediately. Instead, he first sensed the aura deep within Kunlun. Upon discovering that Xuan Heng's aura was exceedingly faint at this moment, a smile appeared on his face.

"Senior Brother, Heaven is truly helping the two of us. Xuan Heng is currently in seclusion. As long as we hurry and ferry these two away, this journey will not have been in vain."

After hearing Zhunti's words, Receiving Guide said nothing more and silently nodded.

Within the valley, Kong Xuan gripped the Azure Cloud Sword and cupped his hands. "This junior is Kong Xuan. Greetings, Seniors."

Six Ears followed with a bow as well.

"This junior is Six Ears. Greetings, Seniors."

Zhunti looked at the two, and a glint flashed in his eyes before turning into a gentle smile.

"Two little friends—one bears Phoenix Clan blood, with the Five Elements born whole; the other possesses six keen ears and extraordinary talent. Seeing you from afar filled this humble Daoist with delight. Would you two be willing to return west with me?"

Kong Xuan's expression changed upon hearing Zhunti's words. He cupped his hands and said, "Senior, the two of us have already entered Master Xuan Heng's sect."

Zhunti listened to Kong Xuan, a smile still on his lips as he spoke again. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Heng is naturally a true cultivator of the Dao, but the Great Dao has ten thousand paths, and karmic affinity is not found in only one place."

Kong Xuan and Six Ears shuddered inwardly upon hearing this. So it really was possible to run into people trying to spirit them away after leaving Kunlun.

Seeing that the two said nothing, Zhunti looked first at Kong Xuan.

"The Five Elements are born whole, you bear Phoenix Clan blood, carry old tribulations upon you, yet possess the air of great destiny. A foundation such as yours is hard to find in the Primordial World."

Kong Xuan said, "You overpraise me, Senior."

Zhunti gently shook his head.

"I am not praising you. The karmic burden of the Phoenix Clan runs exceedingly deep within you; it has already become entwined with your very origin. Though someone has now forcibly refined away a portion of it, this path is far too perilous. Your master bears this karma in your stead, naturally to protect you, but if this continues, even his Dao will be held back by the karmic burden upon you."

At Zhunti's words, Kong Xuan's expression shifted slightly. Over the years, Xuan Heng had helped him sort through his karmic burden, and he had been deeply worried about it as well. Especially when Xuan Heng had used the deep-seated karma within him to make a breakthrough last time—though he had succeeded, Kong Xuan knew full well how dangerous it had been.

Seeing the change in his expression, Zhunti's voice grew ever gentler.

"In the West, there is a method of stillness and purity that can sever karmic fire and dispel obsessions. If you are willing to follow me to the West, not only can you avoid the backlash of karma, but Xuan Heng will no longer have to bear this cause and effect on your behalf."

Kong Xuan raised his head and looked at Zhunti.

Zhunti continued, "You carry the bloodline of the Phoenix Clan. By nature, you should not be confined to Kunlun as nothing more than a disciple. The West is barren, but precisely because it is barren, we are willing to open a convenient gate for those fated to enter. If you join our Western sect, you may one day become a protector of a region, and the remaining branches of the Phoenix Clan may also gain a sliver of hope for a place to settle through you."

Six Ears felt his heart tighten as he listened. Zhunti's every word was stabbing straight into Kong Xuan's heart.

When Zhunti saw that Kong Xuan remained silent, he turned to look at Six Ears.

"As for you, Six Ears, you were born able to hear all sounds beneath the heavens. A pity that the Great Dao of the Primordial World fears eavesdropping most of all. For others, listening to the Dao is an opportunity, but for you, it can easily become a sin."

Six Ears's expression changed slightly. This was what he feared most. If Xuan Heng had not stopped him back then, he would likely have gone outside the Purple Cloud Palace to secretly listen to the Dao Ancestor's teachings.

Zhunti took in Six Ears's reaction, then continued, "Under Xuan Heng, you are merely a nominal disciple, are you not?"

Six Ears lowered his head.

"Yes."

"A nominal disciple and a personal disciple are, in the end, separated by a layer."

Zhunti sighed.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Heng has a personal disciple like Kong Xuan and the protection of the Three Pure Ones. Though your talent is unusual, the name Six Ears is inherently liable to invite jealousy in the Primordial World. If a great calamity comes in the future, do you truly believe Kunlun will bear the taboos of the Heavenly Dao for the sake of a single nominal disciple like you?"

Six Ears's face immediately turned a shade paler.

Kong Xuan said coldly, "Senior, mind your words."

Zhunti looked at Kong Xuan, the smile on his face still gentle.

"I am merely stating the facts."

He looked back at Six Ears.

"The Western Art of Stillness suits you best. The myriad sounds of the heavens disturb your mind, yet Western methods can grant you tranquility amid ten thousand voices. If you are willing to come with me, I can accept you as a personal disciple and teach you the wondrous art of stillness, so that you will no longer be burdened by your gift as Six Ears."

Personal disciple! Those two words struck Six Ears with overwhelming force. He knew he was only a nominal disciple. Xuan Heng treated him well and had taught him the Profound Pure Immortal Art, but after Kong Xuan arrived, he would occasionally wonder whether he truly was different from his senior brother.

Yet in but an instant, understanding dawned upon him.

"Say no more. I will not join the West. Without Master, who knows what state I would be in today? I can never repay Master's kindness, much less forget his grace and betray my sect."

Never before had Six Ears's gaze been so resolute.

"Foolish children, foolish children. You still do not understand what true affinity is."

With that, treasure light surged from the Seven Treasures Wonder Tree in Zhunti's hand, and seven streams of precious radiance swept down toward Kong Xuan and Six Ears below.

"Junior Brother! You must not!" Receiving Guide was horrified at the sight. This was Kunlun! The nature of things would change completely the moment Zhunti made a move.

Deep within the Primordial Spirits of Kong Xuan and Six Ears, the clear light protecting the Dao instantly flared forth, shielding their spiritual platforms.

But Zhunti was, after all, a mighty expert who had listened to the Dao within the Purple Cloud Palace.

As the Seven Treasures Wonder Tree moved, seven-colored treasure light descended layer upon layer, actually seeking to cross over the intent of the Profound Pure Immortal Art and directly press into their minds.

Five-colored radiance abruptly flashed in Kong Xuan's eyes.

Six Ears's face turned several shades paler as well.

Just then, a sword cry suddenly rang out from the direction of Kunlun's main peak. The next moment, a profound blue sword light cleaved forth from the sea of clouds.

As the sword light fell, the seven-colored treasure radiance in the valley was like a curtain of water split by a single blade, instantly collapsing and scattering to either side.

"Zhunti! You dare attack my disciples in Kunlun? Do you take me for someone so easy to speak to?"