As the ages passed in ebb and flow, the reign of the four seasons grew longer, the four realms flourished with life, and all beings multiplied and prospered.
However, the slaughter in the world also gradually increased.
The common folk had not yet perceived it, but the great figures at the peak had already sensed that the heavens and earth were becoming increasingly unsuitable for cultivation.
Traces of tribulation qi were contaminating the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
Killing intent, malevolent energy, resentment, and death qi, the four coalescing into tribulation qi.
When tribulation qi rises, destiny wanes; when tribulation rises and qi dissipates, the end is nigh, and the great limit has arrived!
............................................................................
After Qing Ling's twelve Yuan Hui seclusion, followed by another thirteen Yuan Hui.
"Clang~"
"Clang~"
"Clang~"
Tai Chong, the main peak of Xi Mountain, had stood for thousands of Yuan Hui. However, in the past hundred Yuan Hui, it had grown considerably taller, rising thousands of zhang over the long passage of time, a natural consequence of Qing Ling, the Lord of the Earthly Dao, silently enacting changes.
Four large bells hung on the surrounding peaks, ringing seventy-seven times, their sound spreading for thirty billion li across the Xi Mountain tribal lands.
Xi Mountain, once a million li in area, had expanded more than a thousandfold, had it not?
The Golden Immortal Venerables stationed in various regions emerged from their caves and flew towards Xi Mountain.
Over six hundred Golden Immortal Venerables, alerted by the bells, moved as one. Streaks of light traversed the sky, resembling a constellation of brilliant stars, or a shower of meteors.
Qing Ling, observing this scene from afar, felt a mix of emotion and satisfaction.
Beside him, the four Boundary Protectors also turned their gaze towards Xi Mountain.
Hua Shen Bei Xu, her eyes distant, murmured, "Back then, I only remember a small tribe in the Eastern Wilderness called the Xi Mountain Snake Clan, with only two or three Golden Immortals. Now, in the Eastern Wilderness, I know Xi Mountain to be the foremost tribe, ranked among the eight Great Royal Clans of the Dragon Clan's vassal myriad tribes."
Bai Fu, quick-witted, chimed in, "Isn't that all because of our Dao Master's existence?"
"Bai Fu, cease your foolish talk!"
Qing Ling chided him with a smile.
He then slowly rose, his long hair billowing behind him as he stood in the high heavens of the thirteenth layer, as if surveying the world from the highest peak, the entire Primordial World spread out before his eyes.
"In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. It's almost time for the Grand Sacrifice of the Three Tribes again. I am also nearly a hundred Yuan Sui old."
Hei Bao, hearing this, felt a pang of sadness. "I too have lived as an old fellow alongside my Dao Master, outliving my descendants."
Bai Fu's expression faltered, unsure how to respond.
Qing Ling turned, patting Hei Bao's aging face.
He sighed, "Yet we must still live on, for ourselves, and for the sake of those who remain. I sense in the profound mechanics of the Dao that the world is about to undergo unfathomable changes, that the great tide of this era is about to surge! You four have roamed the Primordial World for several Yuan Hui; have you grasped the Grand Dao mechanics?"
Bai Fu's expression grew somber, and he shook his head. Hei Bao also remained silent.
Bei Xu, however, smiled and said, "I have a clue, but it will require a long preparation."
Qing Ling asked with a smile, "How long?"
Bei Xu pondered for a long moment before replying, "Ten Yuan Hui!"
Qing Ling nodded and said, "Granted."
Bei Xu's expression brightened, and he bowed in thanks, "Thank you, Dao Master, for your understanding."
"You, You, what about you?"
Qing Ling addressed the puppet You, who had remained silent.
"This subordinate has comprehended the mechanics of the Great Dao, but still lacks one thing."
"What is it?"
"The seeds of the Purple You Lotus!"
Qing Ling's brow did not even twitch as he asked, "How many?"
You's expression became awkward. "Many, the more the better, countless."
Bai Fu exclaimed in surprise, "This, You, you truly have the nerve to ask! An item of supreme innate spiritual root, difficult to find even a sliver of. Are you not dreaming awake?"
You hastily defended, "It doesn't necessarily have to be seeds from the heart of the Purple You Lotus, any lotus seed born from the Purple You Lotus will suffice."
"Good, granted."
Qing Ling said calmly, "The great tribulation is upon us. I will not begrudge anything that can enhance our strength by even a sliver. For the two of you, it seems fate has not aligned. If the opportunity for Grand Unity does not arise soon, I fear you will regret it in the future."
Bai Fu and Hei Bao wore expressions of deep shame, lowering their heads in unison. "It is our subordinates who have failed your great kindness, Dao Master."
Qing Ling sighed profoundly, "Go, seek your opportunities again, otherwise, fend for yourselves."
The four departed Jian Mu with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, each pursuing their own path.
The Purple You Lotus had produced many lotuses. According to the grade of the Primordial Green Lotus, these were nine-grade Purple You Lotuses. In the past few tens of Yuan Hui, it had spawned a pond of three-grade purple lotuses, and six six-grade purple lotuses. These descendants of the Purple You Lotus were all given to You to aid him in achieving Dao.
Qing Ling contemplated for a long time and decided to begin utilizing his stored power.
He spent twenty-five Yuan Hui, reaching the thirteenth layer of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, which was equivalent to merely taking two steps. However, the two steps Qing Ling took might not truly be just two steps.
With one Yuan Hui remaining until the Grand Sacrifice, he had enough time to begin. However, he needed to return to Xi Mountain first. For he was the progenitor, the progenitor of all snakes. Each generation's saintly son and daughter succession required his approval. Since Qing Ling, Xi Mountain had passed down four generations of saintly sons. Each individual who became a saintly son, under the augmentation of Xi Mountain's destiny, had reached the ranks of Tai Yi cultivators, thus necessitating a new succession each generation.
On Tai Chong Peak, the towering sacrificial altar was empty at its apex. On the second level, Granny Hua Geng stood with her staff, and below her, across several tiers of the altar, were over forty Tai Yi cultivators. In the sacrificial plaza, nearly six hundred Golden Immortal Venerables stood!
Granny Hua Geng declared with solemn authority, "The thirty-fourth generation Saint Son of Xi Mountain has attained Tai Yi, and thus passes on his mantle to the next Saintess! In this ancient epoch, our Xi Mountain Saint Son Bu, passes his title to Saintess Yao Xi."
As her words fell, a handsome youth, adorned in ceremonial attire, passed the crown from his head to the head of a peerlessly beautiful maiden clad in yellow robes. Granny Hua Geng then proclaimed, "We respectfully invite the Progenitor to bestow the decree and teachings. Myriad Snakes, pay homage!"
This proclamation resounded throughout the land, reaching all snakes as a divine sound. At the summit of Tai Chong Peak, atop the highest sacrificial altar, a solitary figure stood amidst a gentle breeze, his presence towering above all life.
"Bow!"
Tens of thousands of beings, from Heavenly ranks to Golden Immortals and Tai Yi, regardless of their renown, all bowed their heads in obeisance. Qing Ling watched calmly as the countless beings worshipped, standing alone atop the peak, even Granny Hua Geng bowing deeply with her staff.
"Arise."
His voice echoed through the heavens and earth, resonating directly with the souls of all beings, striking awe and reverence into every heart, from ordinary snakes to Tai Yi cultivators. On the summit of Tai Chong Peak, the myriad snakes rose, all gazing upon the youth standing at the highest point, his red sash tied around his waist, his blue robes flowing, with a serene demeanor, his eyes encompassing all beings, his countenance outshining the sun and moon. This was the progenitor of their billions of snake clans in the world! This was the highest existence of their Dao.
Qing Ling said lightly, "In one Yuan Hui, the Dragon Palace will hold its Grand Sacrifice. Saintess Yao Xi will fight for our clan. I hope you will defend our clan's position in the seventh Grand Sacrifice."
As he spoke, he extended a finger, and the Progenitor's Seal materialized, a divine mark of Dao integrating into Yao Xi's body. Only with the Progenitor's acknowledgment could she be truly recognized as Saintess! Qing Ling's eyes reflected the admiration, reverence, and fervent ambition of these little snakes towards him. Though snakes were cold-blooded, enlightened serpents possessed wisdom, divine snakes transformed, and shed their mortal forms, developing deep bonds. Looking at these vibrant young beings, Qing Ling felt a renewed warmth in his heart for Xi Mountain.