Five Villages Temple looked just as it had when Li Yu left a hundred years ago, without any major changes.
The place that had been peaceful for many years became lively today because of Li Yu's return.
"Brother Li, where have you been these past years? We never received any news from you."
In the main hall, Zhen Yuanzi had laid out an immortal banquet to welcome Li Yu. Hongyun and Red Boy sat nearby as well.
"Not long after I left, I went to Mount Buzhou and happened to witness that one attain sainthood. Afterward, I cultivated there in seclusion for a hundred years, observing the Human Race's growth and migrations in secret. Some time ago, the Human Race encountered some trouble. By the Saint's command, I went to handle it, and only then did I return."
Li Yu kept it brief, simply recounting why he had set out on his travels a century ago. Everyone finally understood.
"Come to think of it, among the disciples under the Dao Ancestor, I never expected the first to glimpse the Great Dao of sainthood would not be Taiqing. What a surprise!" Zhen Yuanzi remarked with a sigh.
"The Heavenly Dao has its own ordained course. It seems that even becoming a Saint cannot escape one's destined fate. The only question is where the other few will find their opportunities for sainthood. Could it be that they must also create new races in the Primordial World?" Hongyun said jokingly.
Everyone found the notion somewhat absurd. It was merely a joke.
"Before returning, I visited the Saint's dojo and received an assignment: to find a protector for the Human Race, so that during this unusual time, they might avoid being slaughtered by demons."
As Li Yu spoke, he took out the Wa Sovereign Whip Nüwa had given him. It had been refined from the Primordial Gourd Vine mixed with Merit Qi.
"This treasure is called the Wa Sovereign Whip. It was the treasure the Saint used when creating humans."
Looking at Red Boy, Li Yu said, "Red Boy, I recommended you before the Saint. If you are willing, this treasure will be yours."
Red Boy was stunned. "Your nephew has only just entered the Golden Immortal Realm. This matter concerns the fate of the Human Race. If it is entrusted to me, I fear my cultivation is too weak, and I may fail the Saint's expectations."
"There is no need to worry. The demons currently troubling the Human Race are merely minor demons that have only recently gained some power. The great figures among the demon race would not harm the Human Race. You may go without concern. This task merely requires much traveling, since you must frequently patrol the entire Human Race," Li Yu explained.
After hearing this, Red Boy lowered his head and considered for a moment. "In that case, your nephew will accept this assignment. I will certainly not disappoint Uncle's recommendation or the Saint's trust."
After Red Boy finished speaking, Li Yu handed him the Wa Sovereign Whip and added, "If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, notify me at once. Do not become arrogant merely because you carry a treasure bestowed by a Saint!"
"Your nephew understands!" Red Boy said solemnly as he accepted the Wa Sovereign Whip.
After giving Red Boy a few more instructions, Li Yu had him leave Five Villages Temple to seek out the Human Race of the Primordial World.
After Red Boy departed, Hongyun asked worriedly, "Brother Li, that child will not delay such an important matter, will he?"
In truth, Hongyun was deeply worried about Red Boy's safety. How could Li Yu fail to understand what he meant? He immediately smiled and said, "Brother Hongyun, rest assured. The Human Race is the protagonist of the Primordial World decreed by the Heavenly Dao. That is precisely why I deliberately sent Red Boy to handle this matter. Since this benefits the Human Race's growth, he will surely receive the return of their racial fortune and the favor of the Heavenly Dao. It will also greatly benefit his own cultivation. As for his safety, you need not worry. The Wa Sovereign Whip was bestowed by a Saint. It is not so easily dealt with."
"Brother Hongyun, put your mind at ease. Brother Li has been friends with us for countless years and has always treated Red Boy as his nephew. How could he let him face danger?" Zhen Yuanzi reassured him from the side.
"Of course I do not mean to blame Brother Li. It is simply unavoidable for a father to worry. So be it—let this count as a trial. Ever since this child was born, he has been cultivating in seclusion. It is time for him to go out and see the world."
After settling this matter, Li Yu and Zhen Yuanzi went to see the Bitter Bamboo and the Ginseng Fruit Tree.
A hundred years had passed, but for these two innate spiritual roots, there was no visible change in appearance.
"Brother, how has the Bitter Bamboo grown over these years?" Li Yu asked.
"Other than possessing greater intelligence than the Ginseng Fruit Tree, it has shown no other remarkable changes. Perhaps the time has simply been too short. In truth, as long as these innate spiritual roots do not suffer calamity, they can naturally grow and nearly share the lifespan of heaven and earth," Zhen Yuanzi explained.
After sending several strands of Chaos Qi into the Bitter Bamboo, Li Yu had intended to leave, but he suddenly remembered that when Nüwa attained sainthood, she had also given him quite a bit of Merit Qi. He had temporarily stored it within the Mysterious Origin Water-Control Banner and had never used it.
He immediately took out the Mysterious Origin Water-Control Banner, drew out some Merit Qi from within, and sent it into the Bitter Bamboo as well.
After finishing, Li Yu said, "Brother, I must leave again. There are other matters I need to handle, so I will not remain at the temple any longer."
"You are leaving again?" Zhen Yuanzi frowned deeply upon hearing this.
"The War Between Witches and Demons is about to reach its critical point. The Primordial World will not be peaceful during this period. You and Brother Hongyun should cultivate in peace. Once this great calamity passes, all will be well."
After hearing Li Yu's words, Zhen Yuanzi sighed with feeling. "After listening to the teachings at Purple Cloud Palace three times, Brother Li's cultivation has become unfathomable, far surpassing Brother Hongyun and me. If not for lacking that opportunity, perhaps one of the Saint positions should have been yours."
"Haha!"
Li Yu laughed heartily. "Judging by Brother Zhen Yuanzi's words, could it be that you are jealous?"
"Get out of here! Am I that sort of person? We have known one another for countless years. How could I harbor such thoughts? Though I do not know what you are planning, if you ever need anything, just speak."
"Those words are more than enough!"
To have a friend like this was truly gratifying.
Li Yu left Five Villages Temple and first headed for the Eastern Sea. His dojo was still there, and after being away for so many years, he had to return and take a look.
Upon arriving at the immortal island in the Eastern Sea, he found the dojo looking even more like an immortal abode.
"It seems Black Armor has not been idle during this time."
Li Yu calculated the old turtle's location with his fingers, then concealed himself and observed from afar before leaving his dojo for Three Immortals Island.
However, this trip proved fruitless. Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao were all absent from the island. Only after asking the immortal maidens of Three Immortals Island did he learn that the three sisters had gone out together to listen to an expert expound the Dao.
An expert?
Li Yu pondered it inwardly. At this time, the expert they had encountered should have been Tongtian.
With Tongtian's cultivation, even before attaining sainthood, he was more than qualified to expound the Dao to the living beings of the Primordial World. Moreover, Tongtian's later dojo in the Primordial World would be upon the Eastern Sea.
"It seems the Three Pure Ones have already split apart. Their principles were incompatible, so this outcome was inevitable."
Since such a coincidence had arisen, Li Yu no longer hurried to wait for them. He planned to first visit Tongtian's dojo.
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