Laozi's Teaching Was Rejected, Lu Chen Borrowed the Jade Disc of Creation

"What brings this immortal to visit?"

Gu Chen wore a fitted black long-sleeved outfit. Lu Chen had modified it based on martial arts uniforms from his previous life. Since there was no cloth in the Primordial World, it had been woven entirely from silkworm silk. Gu Chen was the only one who owned such a garment.

Although the Human Race now had a cultivation method, it was Martial Dao rather than Immortal Dao. The Fleshly Secret Realm was precisely the stage when one needed great quantities of food to replenish one's blood and qi.

Thus, Human Race martial artists could not fast and had to eat and drink.

Martial artists likewise lacked the immortal techniques that could conjure tangible objects, so they also needed clothing to cover themselves.

Furthermore, the coastal region was a plain situated in the buffer zone between the Dragon Clan and the Witch Clan. The territory was somewhat sensitive, and there were not enough mountains for the Human Race to excavate and establish cave dwellings.

So they imitated cave dwellings and built thatched huts like Lu Chen's.

The inventors of these three things were Fire-Driller, Nest-Builder, and Life-Knower.

The three of them were also among the first three thousand innate humans created by Nuwa.

Having created these three things, whose influence on the Human Race's future would be extensive and far-reaching, they were revered by the other humans as ancestors. Together, they were known as the Three Civilizational Ancestors, symbolizing the forebears who had made outstanding contributions to the development of human civilization.

They stood alongside Gu Chen, the Martial Ancestor.

That spark of fire, a hemp garment, and a thatched hut were all nourished by merit and transformed into merit treasures.

The Human Race's fortune rose steadily, growing ever denser.

"The Dao Ancestor expounded the Immortal Dao in the Primordial World, yet you did not follow the Immortal Dao and instead created the Martial Dao. I wish to see what your Martial Dao is truly like."

The old man's expression was placid, but his words carried a trace of arrogance and indifference.

This man comes with ill intent. He is likely one of the great powers Father spoke of, but I do not know whether he is from the Demon Clan or an independent cultivator.

Hearing this, Gu Chen sensed not the slightest aura from the old man, who seemed like an utterly ordinary elder. A flicker of vigilance rose in his heart.

Father had briefly told him about the major forces of the Primordial World, and had also said that the Human Race was nothing more than the lowest-ranking weaklings in this world.

Yet though the Human Race stood at the bottom, he believed it was only because they had only just been born. Given enough time, he was confident that the Human Race would not be inferior to the Witch Clan or Demon Clan.

"The Martial Dao is merely a minor path I created for the Human Race to strengthen their bodies. Compared to the Immortal Dao expounded by the Dao Ancestor, it is like a grain of rice before the blazing sun, not worth mentioning."

Gu Chen spoke humbly, even somewhat self-deprecatingly.

There was no helping it. The Human Race's foundation was still weak. Though he was the Martial Ancestor, he had only reached Marrow Cleansing, equivalent to the Golden Immortal realm of the Primordial World.

When one was weak, the only option was to bow one's head. Father had once told them that a gentleman could take revenge even ten yuanhui later.

When weak, one could appropriately be softer and more tactful.

"I have stayed among your Human Race for some time. Though the Martial Dao is easy to begin, advancing in cultivation requires lengthy years of tempering, and its increase to one's lifespan is not significant. I wish to spread the Immortal Dao among your Human Race. Those who enter the Immortal Dao shall enjoy long lives and enduring blessings. Are you willing?"

The old man nodded, seemingly believing Gu Chen's humble words, and spoke slowly.

Seeing the old man's lofty manner, as though spreading his Immortal Dao to the Human Race were some charitable gift, Gu Chen could not help but feel a thread of anger rise within him.

That bull-nosed old Daoist really is shameless.

Gu Chen took out a rune stone and gripped it in his hand.

"Thank you for your kind regard, Immortal. Our Human Race is humble and cannot aspire to the Immortal Dao. Of course, that is only my personal opinion. If you wish to spread the Immortal Dao among the Human Race, I will not stop you."

"..."

The old man's expression darkened, and a chill flashed through his eyes.

Naturally, he had already tried what Gu Chen suggested. Yet along the way, even the Human Race's children had shown no interest in his Immortal Dao. Every one of them had rushed eagerly toward the Martial Dao.

They had even said that the Immortal Dao was nowhere near as suitable for Human Race cultivation as the Martial Dao founded by their Martial Ancestor. Some had even tried to pull him into practicing Martial Dao with them.

Though their words made sense, the old man could not accept it. Countless beings throughout the vast Primordial World wished to hear him preach, yet when he had personally come to spread his teachings among the Human Race, he had been rejected.

The old man's cold gaze flickered slightly.

Should I force the issue?

No. Nuwa stood behind the Human Race. If he attacked them, he might anger Nuwa. If Nuwa were enraged, driving him out of the Human Race would take no more than a word from her.

After all, Nuwa was the Human Race's creator and Holy Mother. Her words carried such authority.

"Do you know Fuxi's whereabouts?"

The old man abandoned the thought of acting, but still asked unwillingly.

As for seeking out Nuwa, he did not dare. What he intended to do would, in Nuwa's eyes, amount to dividing her spoils. Thus, he could only come in secret.

Since entering through the Human Race would not work, and the path through the Holy Mother was closed, only the Holy Father remained.

When he had calculated the Human Race's fate, he had discovered the Holy Father, yet he had not been able to determine who that Holy Father was.

If he could not calculate it, that meant this person's divination attainments were surely not far beneath his own, allowing him to conceal the heavenly secrets.

Moreover, that person must have been extremely close to Nuwa. Otherwise, why would Nuwa allow another to share the Human Race's fortune?

He guessed that person was Fuxi!

In terms of relationship, Fuxi was Nuwa's elder brother. It was not unreasonable for the Human Race to call him Holy Father; indeed, it was only natural.

In terms of cultivation, though his cultivation was stronger than Fuxi's, Fuxi was proficient in divination and had sufficient methods to conceal the heavenly secrets, making calculation impossible.

Thus, at this moment, the old man firmly believed that the Human Race's Holy Father was Fuxi!

"?"

Confusion appeared on Gu Chen's face.

Who was Fuxi?

He had no idea!

Since the old man could name him, they must know one another. But if they knew one another, why had he come to ask Gu Chen?

"I do not know."

Gu Chen honestly shook his head.

Seeing that Gu Chen truly did not know, the old man did not press him further and turned to leave.

After seeing the old man depart, Gu Chen carefully sensed his surroundings before hurrying toward Lu Chen's secluded residence.

"You are saying that an old man with extremely high cultivation came to find you, wanted to spread teachings among the Human Race, and after you rejected him, asked you about Fuxi's whereabouts?"

Surprise appeared on Lu Chen's face.

If he had guessed correctly, the old man Gu Chen described should be his eldest martial uncle, Laozi. After all, Laozi had spread teachings among the Human Race, established the Human Cult, and become a Sage.

But why had he not sought Lu Chen out? Why had he gone looking for Fuxi instead?

Could Martial Uncle think that Fuxi is the Human Race's Holy Father?

Lu Chen secretly speculated. The more he thought about it, the closer he felt he was to the truth.

An involuntary, astonished smile appeared on his face.

Seeing Lu Chen suddenly smile, Gu Chen asked in confusion, "Holy Father, does that old man mean harm to the Human Race?"

"He truly brings no benefit to the Human Race."

Though Laozi was his martial uncle, Lu Chen had no intention of speaking well of him before Gu Chen.

Before becoming Sages, they were beloved family and friends. After becoming Sages, for the struggle over Dao lineages, even blood brothers could raise butcher's blades against one another and scheme in secret.

Moreover, Laozi's intentions had never been pure. There had been rumors in Lu Chen's previous life that because Laozi had awakened first, he had secretly taken a trace of Yuanshi's and Tongtian's origins to cultivate One Qi Transforming into Three Pure Ones.

Whether that was true could not be verified, but his eldest martial uncle being a ruthless man with a kind face and cruel heart was certainly true.

"You need not interfere in this matter. Let nature take its course."

Lu Chen spoke slowly.

Lu Chen had never considered deliberately preventing Laozi from becoming a Sage. Laozi's Sainthood, along with the Three Pure Ones' Sainthood, was driven by the great trend of the Primordial World. At most, it could be delayed; Laozi's opportunity to become a Sage could never be severed.

With World-Opening Merit as his foundation, as long as he drew it out from the depths of his primordial spirit, he could instantly become a merit Sage by relying on that immense merit.

Besides, Laozi was his martial uncle after all. He had once taught Lu Chen the Dao of alchemy and had bestowed teachings upon him. Lu Chen could not bring himself to repay kindness with enmity.

"Understood."

Gu Chen nodded and turned to leave.

After Gu Chen left, Lu Chen's figure became illusory, eventually transforming into a wisp of immortal qi that dissipated between heaven and earth.

Riding the clouds, he rushed back toward Kunlun Mountain at full speed. Laozi had already reached the Human Race, and his Sainthood was close at hand. Lu Chen needed to deliver the Jade Disc of Creation to Tongtian and use its power to help Tongtian swiftly comprehend the complete Sword Dao, proving the Grand Primordial Luo through the power of the Sword Dao.

Otherwise, by then, two of the Three Pure Ones would have become Sages, and those two shameless fellows from the West would also become Sages. Tongtian alone would remain without Sainthood, and they would return to those days when everyone else was a Quasi-Saint while Tongtian alone was a Great Luo.

No, it would be different from before. When Tongtian had been a Great Luo, Yuanshi and Laozi had only been Quasi-Saints, and Kunlun Mountain had contained only the few of them. But becoming a Sage was entirely different. Becoming a Sage meant establishing a Dao lineage, and once disciples were accepted, Kunlun Mountain would become crowded.

If Tongtian were still only at the Grand Primordial Origin Golden Immortal level then, disciples like them would inevitably be looked down upon.

Lu Chen did not want to be pointed at and called a scaly brute, only to swallow his anger out of fear of a Sage's might.

Lu Chen returned to Kunlun Mountain. Before he could head to the Three Pure Ones Hall, Tongtian, dressed in green and standing with his hands behind his back, appeared atop Kunlun Mountain, standing upon the void as though he had known Lu Chen would return and had come specifically to greet him.

"Disciple greets Master."

Lu Chen cupped his hands in a bow.

"Have you had enough fun? Now that you are back, cultivate in peace. So long as you calm your heart and comprehend the Great Dao, you may yet have an opportunity to advance."

Tongtian smiled and spoke slowly.

"Yes."

Lu Chen nodded. Sensing the terrifying sword pressure that occasionally radiated from Tongtian's body, hundreds or thousands of times more frightening than when Lu Chen had last seen him, he was secretly startled and asked aloud.

"Master, could it be that you..."

"No."

Tongtian shook his head.

"How could taking that step be so easy? Even Great God Pangu did not achieve it back then. How could I possibly do so with such ease? At present, I have only taken half a step..."

Looking at Tongtian's seemingly melancholy face, which in truth could not conceal its smile, Lu Chen felt that Tongtian simply wanted to show off before his disciple.

But he had no proof.

Great God Pangu proved the Great Dao. You are only trying to prove the Grand Primordial Luo. How can you compare yourself to him...

Hearing Lu Chen's inner complaint, the melancholy Tongtian had deliberately put on nearly cracked apart. He dearly wanted to grab Lu Chen by the collar and demand, "Would it kill you to praise your master once?!"

"Master, I have something that may help you take that step."

The melancholy on Tongtian's face was instantly replaced by shock. With one step, he arrived at Lu Chen's side and asked excitedly, "Is what you say true?"

"Of course it is true!"

Lu Chen was not surprised by Tongtian's excitement. After all, this concerned proving the Dao. No matter how exaggerated one's reaction might be, it would not be strange. Still, he sighed faintly within.

Fortunately, ever since arriving in the Primordial World, he had never developed the feeling that he was the sole protagonist between heaven and earth. Otherwise, seeing his master like this might have shattered his Dao heart. Compared to him, Tongtian seemed far more like the protagonist.

He had not taken the path of Three Corpses Severance, instead entering the Grand Primordial Origin Golden Immortal realm through his own strength. Then, when his cultivation reached a bottleneck, the Dao Ancestor had stepped in and, through Lu Chen's hand, delivered the Jade Disc of Creation containing the Sword Dao.

Was that not exactly the protagonist's script?

"Come with me!"

Tongtian quickly recovered from his excitement and led Lu Chen to a newly opened cave dwelling. It was exceedingly simple, without even a complete jade bed. The cave walls were covered in mottled sword marks, each containing profound sword qi and deep sword intent.

The moment Lu Chen entered, it felt as though his body were surrounded by sword qi. He could clearly sense the sharp edge all around him.

Lu Chen looked at Tongtian in confusion. "Master, this place is...?"

"This is where I usually practice my sword."

Tongtian casually sat on the ground.

"What is this item you mentioned?"

Lu Chen summoned the Jade Disc of Creation from within his spiritual platform.

"I never expected you to possess such an opportunity!"

The instant Tongtian saw the object above Lu Chen's head, he recognized the Jade Disc of Creation. Shock and envy appeared on his face as he sighed.

"Master has many treasures here. Take a look and see which one you fancy. Or take them all—I can give them to you."

Tongtian did not immediately take the Jade Disc of Creation. Instead, with a sweep of his sleeve, numerous treasures floated in midair.

Seeing the radiance emitted by the treasures, Lu Chen swept his gaze over them.

"Purple-Electric Hammer, Primordial Golden Dipper, Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls..."

Without exception, these were all top-grade innate spiritual treasures. Apart from the Green Duckweed Sword and the Four Swords of Execution, Tongtian had brought out practically all his possessions.

"Master, I will take this one."

"Good."

Tongtian put away the other treasures, leaving only a small hammer shining with violet light and covered in patterns of lightning floating before Lu Chen.

This was the top-grade innate treasure, the Purple-Electric Hammer.

Lu Chen accepted the Purple-Electric Hammer. He had chosen it rather than the Primordial Golden Dipper or the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls because both already had owners. The Primordial Golden Dipper belonged to Yunxiao, while the twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls belonged to Zhao Gongming.

It would be inappropriate for him to take them, and though those treasures were excellent, they did not suit him.

Lu Chen had always valued quality over quantity in treasures. His current methods were limited, and he possessed no treasure for slaughter. The Purple-Electric Hammer had no other function; it was purely a treasure of slaughter, making it perfect for Lu Chen.

Tongtian accepted the Jade Disc of Creation and entered seclusion...

Lu Chen did not return to the Human Race. The three-thousand-year period had already passed, and the Human Race no longer needed his care, so he simply remained on Kunlun Mountain to cultivate.

Then one day, the sky trembled...