Changes in the Kunlun Mountains

Since the Three Pure Ones attained sainthood, Mount Kunlun has become even more magnificent than before. The spiritual energy within the mountain is as rich as liquid, with exotic flowers and rare herbs blooming everywhere, and rare birds and animals roaming freely. The Sanqing Hall is hidden deep in the clouds and mist, from which the sounds of the Great Dao can often be heard, bringing clarity to the minds of those who hear them.

As soon as Xuanbao arrived at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, he saw a white light coming towards him, which landed and transformed into a white-robed scholar, none other than Bai Ze.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanbao, you've finally returned!" Bai Ze greeted him with a joyful expression.

Xuanbao sized up Bai Ze and noticed that the aura emanating from this demon sage was becoming increasingly restrained, showing faint signs of breaking through to the mid-stage of Quasi-Saint. He couldn't help but smile and say, "It seems that you have gained quite a bit from your cultivation in Kunlun Mountain these past few years."

Bai Ze respectfully said, "Thanks to the blessings of the three gentlemen and fellow Daoist, Kunlun Mountain is a sacred place of sages, rich in spiritual energy and permeated with Daoist charm. One day of cultivation here is equivalent to a hundred days outside. Moreover, the three gentlemen often expound on the Great Dao, from which Bai Ze has benefited immensely."

Xuanbao nodded, and as he walked up the mountain with Bai Ze, he asked, "Has anything changed in the mountains since I left?"

Bai Ze said, "There have been many changes. Nowadays, a large number of cultivators want to join the Sanqing Sect, and there is an endless stream of cultivators coming to Kunlun Mountain to listen to the Dao and seek an audience. However, you, Fellow Daoist, have set a rule that those who want to join the Sanqing Sect must pass through eighty-one trials before they can join the Sanqing Sect."

To prevent people of questionable character from joining the Sanqing Sect, Xuanbao painstakingly devised these 81 trials. These trials cover almost every aspect of a person, including their background, aptitude, temperament, character, and work style, to ensure that everyone who becomes a disciple of the Sanqing Sect is an outstanding individual with impeccable character.

Xuanbao understood. After the Three Pure Ones became saints, they had become players in the primordial world, and naturally would not easily step into the fray. However, impartiality was only relative; the positions of the Heavenly Sect, the Earthly Sect, and the Human Sect were already clearly defined.

"In addition," Bai Ze continued, "there are many more disciples in the mountains. Lord Taiqing has taken in a nominal disciple named Xuandu, who is a human and is currently listening to the Dao at Shangqing Palace."

From among his disciples, Master Yuqing selected twelve, all of whom were of profound lineage and long-lasting fortune, and named them the "Twelve Golden Immortals of the Earth Sect".

Lord Shangqing is extremely magnanimous, teaching without discrimination. Over the years, the vast majority of those who have passed the 81 trials have become his disciples. Currently, the number of disciples in the Human Sect has exceeded 400, more than the combined number of disciples in the Heavenly Sect and Earthly Sect.

Speaking of Xuandu, Xuanbao is no stranger to him. Xuandu was the last of the human race created by Nuwa, and also the one with the best aptitude. Originally, Xuandu had a master-disciple relationship with Laozi, so Laozi naturally wouldn't let Xuandu go. He simply brought Xuandu back to Kunlun Mountain and took him as his disciple.

However, upon hearing about Tongtian's rapid pace of accepting disciples, Xuanbao couldn't help but scratch his head. Indeed, he lived up to the saying "education for all." It seems that the scene of ten thousand immortals from the Jie Sect coming to pay homage was not without reason. Tongtian wasn't just accepting disciples; he simply had a great addiction and accepted everyone who came.

As they spoke, the two arrived in front of the Sanqing Palace. The palace gates opened, and a kind-faced young Taoist priest came out to greet them; it was none other than Xuandu.

"Senior Brother Xuanbao, you're back." Xuandu bowed respectfully. Although he addressed Xuanbao as Senior Brother, his eyes were full of respect for him, after all, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Xuanbao's blood flowed in the blood of the human race. However, Xuanbao was a direct disciple of the Three Pure Ones, and his status was highly respected, so he addressed him as Senior Brother.

Xuanbao returned the greeting: "Junior Brother Xuandu, are our three masters present?"

"The three gentlemen are discussing Dao in the palace. They instructed that if my senior brother returns, he may enter directly."

Xuanbao stepped into the Sanqing Palace and saw the Three Pure Ones sitting upright on cloud beds, with auspicious clouds surging above their heads and Daoist energy flowing around them, as they were deducing the Great Dao. Upon seeing him enter, the three stopped their discussion and smiled.

"My disciple is back." Lao Tzu nodded with a smile.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable examined the Mysterious Treasure and said with satisfaction, "Not bad, it seems you've gained quite a bit from your travels through the primordial world."

The Master of Heaven beckoned directly, "Come, come, tell your master where you've been all these years, and how did you end up with Junior Sister Nuwa?"

Xuanbao stepped forward to pay his respects, and then recounted his journey, omitting only the details of his secret instructions to Nuwa.

After listening, the three Pure Ones each pondered deeply.

Lao Tzu said, "With the birth of the human race, the secrets of heaven have become increasingly chaotic. The conflict between the witches and demons has temporarily subsided, but the calamity has not dissipated; on the contrary, it has become even more profound."

Yuanshi Tianzun sneered: "The demon race has retreated to the Heavenly Court. Although they seem weak, they have actually been able to recuperate. Di Jun and Taiyi are not easy to deal with, and they also have the Zhou Tian Star Array in hand. Once they recover their strength, they will surely rise again."

The Tongtian Sect Leader was very interested in Fuxi: "Fellow Daoist Fuxi is indeed decisive, abandoning the position of Emperor Xi of the demon race to devote himself to the human race and connect with the destiny of humanity. Although this move is quite risky, if the human race can truly prosper, he will surely gain great merit and fortune, and will have a good chance of attaining the Dao."

Xuanbao asked, "My three masters, I have a question. My aunt Nuwa attained sainthood through the path of humanity, so why did the Heavenly Dao bestow so much merit upon her? What is the relationship between the path of humanity and the Heavenly Dao?"

The Three Pure Ones exchanged a glance, and Laozi slowly said, "This question touches upon the very foundation of heaven and earth. The Father God created heaven and earth, and his body transformed into all things. The Way of Heaven is the sum of the rules governing the operation of the primordial world. The Way of Humanity, on the other hand, is the manifestation of the will of all living beings and the evolution of civilization. The Way of Heaven is both impartial and selfish. It needs the world to develop and grow, so it allows the Way of Humanity to be born; but it also fears that the Way of Humanity will become too powerful and escape control, so it conducts a great calamity to cleanse it."

The Primordial Beginning said: "Nuwa created humans, completing the 'human' element of the 'Heaven, Earth, and Humanity' triad, which was a great contribution to the primordial world, hence the Heavenly Dao bestowed merit upon her. However, if the Human Way wants to truly become independent and stand alongside the Heavenly Dao, it will be extremely difficult."

Tongtian laughed and said, "However, these are still far from your understanding. These are things we learned after we became saints. You only need to remember that cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Forget about the ways of Heaven and Man; personal strength is the key."

Xuanbao respectfully replied, "This disciple will remember."

Although Xuanbao was unsure whether the Heavenly Dao was truly impartial yet also selfish, as Lao Tzu described, it required the world to develop and grow, thus allowing the birth of humanity. However, the primordial world in later generations did not develop in this direction. The entire primordial world was shattered, and its world level was directly downgraded by several levels. But there was no other way at present, and they could only take it one step at a time.

After chatting for a while, Xuanbao took his leave, left the Sanqing Hall, and returned to his own cultivation palace.

Along the way, Xuanbao saw many unfamiliar faces, but upon seeing him, they all respectfully stepped forward, bowed obediently, and addressed him as Senior Brother. Now that they had joined the Three Pure Ones' sect, they all held Xuanbao, their Senior Brother, in high esteem. Everyone knew that Xuanbao was the Three Pure Ones' first disciple, who had made great contributions to the prosperity of the human race. Beating Zhunti and Styx were nothing to him. In addition, this Senior Brother was also known for his generosity, giving away acquired spiritual treasures without hesitation...

Xuanbao, seeing his new junior brothers and sisters, naturally showed no favoritism, giving each of them a mid-grade acquired spiritual treasure. After receiving the treasures, everyone looked at Xuanbao with even greater reverence.

Looking at Kunlun Mountain now, and comparing it with what he knew about the future, Xuanbao felt a great sense of accomplishment. His arrival had ultimately changed everything...