She was once the highest-standing being in the Primordial World, yet she had no attachment to the glory of the heights. She was willing to comprehend creation from the lowliest, most ordinary soil, connecting the dust of the earth with flesh and blood, with the very essence of lineage. She had never owed humanity anything.
Heaven and Earth, distant yet near, from now on, no Wa Huang will emerge.
Crimson sleeves, blood-stained banners, conquering the heavens, yet still, the heart of the Holy Mother for all beings.
The Six Sages departed, each with their own thoughts.
Qing Ling returned to Fu Yu Mountain, and all the disciples at the mountain gate were gathered.
Second-generation disciples, third-generation disciples, and even fourth and fifth-generation disciples, their numbers were considerable.
Qing Ling only summoned the second-generation disciples into the Fu Luo Palace. They prostrated themselves, saying, "We pay respects to Master (Grandmaster)."
Qing Ling looked at them with relief, saying, "Kong Xuan, in the future, Fu Yu Mountain will depend on you."
"This disciple obeys Master's command!" Kong Xuan bowed.
"Dao Huang, you have been under my tutelage for many years, yet you remain at the Great Luo realm. It is my failing as a master."
"This disciple dares not. It is this disciple's dullness, and a lack of connection to the Great Dao." Chai Dao Huang quickly bowed.
Qing Ling smiled and said, "As I depart, I shall bestow upon you an opportunity, allowing you to reach the realm of Heaven and Earth Great Power." With that, a strand of time entered Chai Dao Huang's spiritual platform.
He bowed with excitement.
Qing Ling then looked at Shen Nong, "You already hold the position of Earth Emperor, and I cannot give you anything else. I bestow this Ten Absolute Heavenly Lamp upon you, to remain in the Great Yu Kingdom and protect the fortune of humanity in the Northern Continent."
Shen Nong's expression showed hesitation, but upon hearing the last words, he bowed, "This disciple thanks Master!"
Qing Ling smiled, "Indeed, though our master-disciple bond is brief, I am aware of your respectful heart towards me."
Shen Nong was moved to tears. He was the first human created by Empress Nu Wa. At that time, covetous intentions were rife throughout Heaven and Earth. Only the Du Guang region provided them a place to survive, leading to the Great Yu Kingdom that now spans the myriad heavens!
Qing Ling smiled at Bai Ze, "Bai Ze, though you are a nominal disciple, you received my deepest teachings earliest. I bestow this Great Dao of the Myriad Stars upon you. May you gain further progress through your future studies!"
Bai Ze bowed respectfully, "This disciple resides in the Demon Realm and cannot serve by Master's side. This disciple feels great shame."
Qing Ling smiled and said, "Rise. You are now the Northern Emperor, revered by countless beings in the Demon Race. I recall when Daoist Friend Jiu Xuan first brought you to Jian Mu, you were but a child."
Bai Ze recalled those days. As a newborn, he faced the precarious situation of his clan. His ancestor held his hand, and they walked to that majestic tree, where they met his Master. In that pure sunlight, all his unease was dispelled.
Qing Ling smiled and asked, "How is Daoist Friend Jiu Xuan these days?"
Bai Ze replied, "Ancestor is well. He is in seclusion outside the chaos, cultivating the Great Dao."
Qing Ling nodded, then looked at his youngest disciple, "Chang Geng, this Heaven-Piercing Sword Intent is a gift from your Master. I hope you will achieve the Great Dao in the Heavenly Court in the future!"
Chang Geng bowed, "This disciple thanks Master for bestowing the Dao. I will not fail your expectations."
Qing Ling nodded with a smile, "Do not let the third-generation disciples know of my affairs. Guard this mountain well in the future. Perhaps one day, I will return and impart teachings and dharma to you again!"
All of them felt sorrow in their hearts, bowing and kowtowing in thanks.
Qing Ling said to the four Guardian Emissaries and the Earth God of Du Guang, "Let us go. Accompany me to see our former homeland once more."
The five rose with tears in their eyes, responding affirmatively.
Qing Ling took a step and vanished with the five. He reappeared beneath the World Tree that reached from heaven to earth.
Qing Ling walked beneath the tree with his hands behind his back, the five following closely. In this rare moment of peace, their minds were tranquil. "You few have been with me the longest. The World Tree of today also owes a part of its existence to your labor."
Bai Fu chuckled, "Speaking of which, we realize we are quite ancient now."
Bei Xu said wistfully, "Indeed. It feels like only yesterday we met Dao Master under a sky full of dandelions. Back then, the various Toad and Salamander races in the Eastern Wilderness were fighting incessantly. Looking back, it has all passed."
Hei Xuan scratched his head and sighed, "You speak with such sentiment that even I feel a touch of melancholy. I also recall when I was just a wild leopard, frolicking joyfully all over the mountains. It was truly happy."
You complained, "All of you are old in years and old in heart. Dao Master is merely going on a long journey to pursue the Great Dao. Why be sad?"
Du Guang laughed and said, "We are not even as wise as a wooden puppet."
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.
Qing Ling also smiled and said, "Cultivating for thousands of Yuanhui, and looking back to find old friends still present, this is true fortune. I only hope that after I leave, you will safely navigate the world. Even as a Saint, I cannot defy the Great Dao too much."
Bai Fu playfully said, "If we had not followed you, our origins would have perished in past calamities. We are content with reaching the realm of Heaven and Earth Great Power today and do not dare to ask for more."
Bei Xu also said, "Please rest assured. The few of us will not venture into those life-or-death dangers again."
Qing Ling nodded, "Let us go. We will look above and see the myriad heavens and worlds as they are now."
They ascended the World Tree and saw the magnificent City of All Beings standing in its center. Countless teleportation arrays glowed incessantly. Spaceships from the myriad heavens and worlds traveled to and fro, with cultivators of various races and paths moving about like a flowing river. The Primordial World and the billions of beings in the myriad heavens flourished together.
In the Dragon Clan's Plane, within the Ancestral Hall, the Azure Dragon sat cross-legged with closed eyes, cultivating the Great Dao.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and smiled, "You are leaving?"
Qing Ling nodded, "Elder Brother Azure Dragon, I will no longer be in the Primordial World. I wish you well."
The Azure Dragon stood up and let out a hearty laugh, "Go forth and forge ahead with peace of mind. The Primordial World has me."
The two laughed heartily, as if they had known each other before they even met. Their connection, whether shallow or deep, was like this. They embraced and parted ways.
Qing Ling arrived at the Demon Realm Plane, appearing on the square atop the mountain. He had once become a Saint Son here, leading Xi Mountain to prosperity, experiencing the eons, living and dying with his kin.
"Brother, are you leaving?" a voice interrupted his thoughts.
Qing Ling turned and saw Qi and Ke.
Qing Ling rubbed Qi's head and smiled, "Yes. The big-headed baby of the past has grown up, and brother must go far away now."
Qi's eyes were red. Even though he was now a handsome and imposing god of war, before Qing Ling, he was still the child with a large head, small body, and a large saber on his back.
"Can you take me with you? I want to go with Brother."
Ke watched them with a gentle smile, like watching two brothers bicker before a separation.
Qing Ling smiled and said, "Qi has grown up. You must call me elder brother now. When you reach the peak of the Great Dao, you can come and find me. Or, perhaps one day, when I find the profound truths of the Dao, I will return. You must guard Xi Mountain and await my return."
Qi nodded in silence.
Ke smiled, "I will not say much more. I wish you a smooth journey and a swift return. We, your old friends, will await you."
Qing Ling smiled, "Thank you, clan sister."
Qing Ling's figure vanished into the void. Qi stood with red eyes. Ke sighed, "Do you intend to pursue him?"
Qi fell silent. After a long while, he said, "I will stand at the peak of the Dao, and then there will be no need to pursue."
In the Underworld, the Fengdu Ghost Realm, the Ghost Ancestor laughed and said, "You've finally left. Another person who knows my secrets is gone. I must seize this opportunity!"
Qing Ling smiled, "Then I wish you early attainment of Hun Yuan. Farewell!"
"Haha, thank you for your kind words, Daoist friend. Farewell!" The Ghost Ancestor laughed loudly.
Qing Ling walked to the banks of the Yellow Springs River. On both sides, the Lycoris radiata bloomed endlessly. The waters of the San Tu River converged and flowed rapidly. Everything here was eternally the same.
"Black and White Impermanence pay respects to Master!"
Two figures, one black and one white, one tall and one short, appeared before him and bowed respectfully.
Qing Ling smiled and helped them up, saying, "Alright. You are now the masters of billions of Black and White Impermanence. Even the Ten Kings of Hell must treat you with respect. From now on, do not be humble in this world."
Black and White Impermanence shed tears and said, "Thank you, Master. No matter where you are, we will always regard you as our supreme leader."
Qing Ling smiled with satisfaction. He flipped his hand and sent out two sources of Tai Yin and Shao Yin, then pointed at them, allowing the two to integrate into their bodies. They fell into a deep slumber. He said softly, "The road ahead, you must walk on your own."
On the River of Oblivion, the Bridge of Helplessness connected the two banks, one representing the past, the other the future. Ghosts crossed endlessly.
Qing Ling stepped onto the bridge and looked at the busy figure, saying, "Grandmother."
The old woman stopped stirring the soup and straightened up, smiling, "Oh, it's Qing'er. Come, try the soup I made. Everyone says it's good."
Qing Ling chuckled, looking at the ghosts who repelled the soup, "Grandmother, I have come to say goodbye. From now on, I cannot visit you as often."
The old woman's hand trembled as she ladled the soup, then smiled, "It's good that you're leaving, good that you're leaving. Go out and see the boundless scenery beyond the chaos. It is good to explore."
Qing Ling smiled and waved to her, bowing respectfully. The beginning of myriad successes and failures; without Grandmother's sincere kindness and upbringing for half his life, it would all have been but a dream.
On the bridge, the old woman's mind suddenly recalled many things. She looked at the soup before her, which had changed taste. The ghosts before her had also waited for a long time.
Qing Ling walked onto Tai Yin Star. Chang'e rose to greet him.
Qing Ling took out an item: a scorching, golden-red feather. He handed it to Chang'e and said, "This is a Golden Crow feather I retrieved from the river of time and space. It belonged to Daoist Friend Di Jun. You can use this to summon Daoist Friends Xi He and Di Jun from the river of time and space."
Chang'e's eyes lit up with joy, "Thank you, Saint!"
"However, this is not the time yet."
Chang'e looked puzzled, "Then when can I summon them?"
"When the three thousand gods and demons from beyond the heavens return, and the river of time and space overlaps!"
Chang'e thanked him.
Qing Ling walked from Tai Yin Star to Sun Star. Standing on Sun Star, the endless flames parted before him, creating a path.
He entered the magnificent Sun God Palace and looked at the empty hall, saying, "It's time for you to wake up!"
Endless Wood Dao vitality began from Qing Ling's feet, enveloping the entire Sun Star. Within the core of Sun Star, a Golden Crow, dormant for eons, awoke. An infinite source of fire flowed in, and the Golden Crow emerged anew into the world. The Primordial World trembled, and the myriad realms were disturbed.
In the Sun God Palace, a god appeared before Qing Ling, bathed in fire, radiating brilliance like the dawn and dusk, with an imperial majesty.
Qing Ling smiled, "You have finally awakened. It's time to return your bell to you."