The world echoed with gasps of amazement that lingered for a long time, and the great powers were stunned.
If they were in Qing Ling's shoes, they would never have been willing to relinquish such an incomparably revered position. He was the master of one of the Three Paths: Heaven, Earth, and Man!
Within Xi Mountain, Zhan Mu felt a profound sense of loss, murmuring, "If it were me, I fear I wouldn't be able to give it up even at this point."
In the Netherworld, the Styx River sighed, "He truly did it."
In Fengdu City, the Ghost Ancestor felt remorse; he had underestimated him.
On the Naihe Bridge, Meng Po paused for a long time, the ladle of soup in her hand still.
Black and White Impermanence felt immense reluctance in their hearts, yet they could only accept it.
In the West, Zhun Ti praised, "If he were to enter my Buddhist sect, surpassing the Daoist sect would be within reach!"
Jie Yin sighed, "But he is ultimately forging his own path. After all, if he can even resist the temptation of becoming a Dao Master, what else in the world could possibly hold his interest?"
On Golden Ao Island, Tong Tian clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "My Dao is not alone!"
Above the Demon Realm, within the Empress Wa's Palace, Nu Wa's smile widened; it was almost time!
On Shouyang Mountain, Lao Tzu contemplated silently.
On Kunlun Mountain, Yuan Shi Tianzun's eyelids twitched fiercely. To give up the position of Earth Master? It seemed there was no more waiting!
On Jian Mu, Qing Ling had never felt so at ease, so free.
He willingly relinquished the position of Earth Master.
If he had so desired, he could have seized Hong Yun's Purple Qi and attained sainthood as the Earth Master.
But this was not what Qing Ling sought!
Qing Ling had always desired only one thing: the boundless freedom of the Great Dao!
Not to be a Dao Master or a Saint, responsible for the countless beings, and to undertake the task of their enlightenment.
He merely wished to pursue the Great Dao, to be a leisurely and unfettered Daoist, unbound by Heaven and Earth.
This was especially so because Qing Ling had reached this juncture.
He had reached the final step before Hun Yuan!
He would become Hun Yuan, not a Saint.
Hun Yuan was perfect, without flaw, unbound by any attachment or concern.
Qing Ling would shed all divine positions, all celestial honors. He would simply be the Lord of Jian Mu.
Only in this way would his Primordial Spirit be pure and unblemished, perfectly attuned to the essence of the Great Dao, allowing him to take that final step!
This was the most crucial reason Qing Ling gave up the position of Earth Master.
However, he had not explicitly stated it; some things were better left unsaid.
Four Yuanhui after Qing Ling abdicated the position of Earth Master, Nu Wa's divine sense declared that the spiritual energy of the Demon Realm had initially formed, and living beings could now migrate into it!
By this time, the Five Tribes of the Eastern Wasteland had also completed their preparations. Many ordinary tribespeople were left behind.
These tribespeople were all mortal beasts without the potential for cultivation, so their survival was the same wherever they were.
Thus, the Five Tribes were significantly streamlined, yet they still numbered in the hundreds of millions.
Along with the four guardian tribes of Duguang, a total of nine tribes migrated into the Demon Realm as pioneers, laying the foundation for the later migration of the demon race.
After all, if the myriad tribes of the demon race migrated, they would find only empty land, devoid of plants and creatures. How could an ecological cycle for survival exist?
The migration of trillions of living beings was not as simple as just moving them. It required consideration for food sufficient to sustain trillions, suitable living spaces, territorial division, ecological environments, natural foundations, and various other factors.
These tasks would be entrusted to the nine tribes. Although they would face hardship, they would be revered by the demon race as the Nine Ancient Demon Tribes, holding the status of elders.
Moreover, the nine tribes were bound to usher in a great era of prosperity and flourishing. Countless tribespeople would survive and multiply in the Demon Realm, supporting the Great Luo Qi Luck of the tribes.
Qing Ling had been in secluded cultivation for over four Yuanhui. Without the influence of the Earth Master's rights, his magical power and realm had become more attuned to the perfection of the Wood Dao by three points, leaving him only one step away from the Thirty-Third Heaven of Great Luo.
For ancient great powers like Qing Ling, divine essence and positions were sharp tools for cultivation before the Great Dao was achieved, but they became hindrances in the later stages.
It was the same principle as when the Azure Dragon Ancestor unhesitatingly passed the position of Spring God to Qing Ling.
Ke came to see him. They sat opposite each other in a nameless pavilion, laughing and drinking tea. The tea was the worry-free tea of Duguang, and the person was an old acquaintance from the Eastern Wasteland.
Qing Ling said, "Wherever you go is your opportunity. Although the Nine Tribes claim to advance and retreat together, a sequence must still be established.
You must seize this chance to become a great power of Heaven and Earth!"
Upon hearing this, Ke sighed, "Rest assured. I have been in deep cultivation at the tenth heaven of Great Luo for many years, only lacking a catalyst. Even if I go to where you spoke of, I should still be able to outrank the other four tribes. Furthermore, our clan already has five Great Luo cultivators, enough to suppress the other four tribes, and with the loyalty of the four guardian tribes, Xi Mountain will be safe.
However, you are alone in Duguang; you must be extremely cautious. And Qi, who has been in secluded cultivation in the Blood Sea for a long time and has not emerged, also requires your attention."
Qing Ling nodded with a smile, "I am naturally aware of these matters; you need not worry."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Earth Deity of Duguang appeared and said, "Dao Master, someone has arrived from Kunlun!"
Qing Ling raised an eyebrow, "Kunlun?"
The Earth Deity quickly recounted, "It is from Eastern Kunlun, the eldest disciple of the Chan Sect, known to the cultivators of the Primordial World as the Immortal Elder Nanji. He claims to be acting on his master's orders."
Qing Ling smiled faintly, "Let him in."
The Earth Deity busily replied, "Yes."
Ke's expression turned grave. "Is it that the Saint of the Chan Sect has come to trouble you?"
Qing Ling waved his hand, "It's nothing.
However, you must depart earlier. Set off now, and I will open the Jian Mu Heavenly Ladder for you, separating the might of the twenty-eighth heaven. I have already constructed star formations for you in the twenty-eighth heaven, and you can reach it through them.
Once you arrive there, you will be free from all worries!"
Ke stood up, looked at him, and said heavily, "Then, you must take good care of yourself!"
Qing Ling nodded with a smile, "Rest assured."
After Ke departed, Qing Ling immediately sent a telepathic message to the land of Duguang and the entire Eastern Wasteland, saying, "Nine Tribes, heed my command: ascend to the heavens immediately, and obey all the commands of Patriarch Ke of Xi Mountain!"
As the words fell, Qing Ling extended his hand and pointed afar at Jian Mu. Brilliant green light surged from Jian Mu, and the Jian Mu Heavenly Ladder appeared, resembling a spiral mountain path winding around Jian Mu and ascending into the depths of the clouds. The majestic Jian Mu reappeared between heaven and earth, as grand as Buzhou, like a pillar of heaven and earth, inspiring an irresistible awe and an unconquerable spirit.
The tribespeople of the Nine Tribes immediately began their migration. Countless tribespeople, densely packed, walked onto Jian Mu, yet they were like tiny ants crawling into the depths of the heavens. The migration procession stretched for a million li, with tens of billions of tribespeople majestically ascending, a grand and magnificent scene of living beings migrating unfolding before the eyes of heaven and earth.
Immortal Elder Nanji, brought by the Earth Deity, witnessed this scene and was profoundly shaken. His arrogance as the first disciple of the Chan Sect, a disciple of a Saint, instantly vanished. He dared not display the slightest presumption.
Immortal Elder Nanji followed the Earth Deity to the nameless waterside pavilion and met Qing Ling.
He bowed respectfully, assuming the posture of a junior, and said, "Nanji, second-generation disciple of the Chan Sect, pays his respects to Senior!"
Qing Ling turned around, observing the elder immortal who would be renowned in later generations. Indeed, he looked like a white-haired old man, yet he referred to the handsome and youthful Qing Ling as a junior.
Although Nanji had excellent potential, he began his Dao cultivation too late and his Dao heart was already aged, which was why, despite his cultivation at the seventh heaven of Great Luo Golden Immortal, he still appeared ancient.
In reality, for those at the Great Luo stage, altering one's appearance was merely a matter of thought. However, which of those who had achieved Great Luo was not exceptional in their Dao heart? They would not care about mere appearances; they had their own notions of beauty and ugliness, their own worldviews and cosmic perspectives, for they were creators of worlds, each having created a realm of Dao.
Qing Ling's expression was neither pleased nor displeased, and he calmly asked, "Little friend Nanji, what brings you to Duguang?"
Immortal Elder Nanji smiled and said, "I have been ordered by my master to invite Senior to Jade Void Palace for a discussion on the Dao!" With that, he presented a handwritten invitation from Yuan Shi and the Saint's Dharma decree.
Qing Ling's eyes flickered slightly, his expression unreadable. "Is it to discuss the Dao with the disciples of the Chan Sect, or with the Saint?"
Immortal Elder Nanji chuckled, "Senior, what are you saying? How dare we juniors sit and discuss the Dao with you? My master has said that even before he became a Saint, he was half a generation younger than you.
In the entire Chan Sect, naturally, only my master can sit and discuss the Dao with you."
Qing Ling nodded and asked, "When can this be?"
Immortal Elder Nanji carefully replied, "My master said that Senior is devoted to the Dao and would naturally be willing to depart immediately!"
"Depart immediately?" Qing Ling laughed upon hearing this. "The Saint truly considers me thoroughly!"
Upon hearing the laughter, Immortal Elder Nanji felt apprehensive. This ancient monster, who had been immortal since the Primordial Era and lived to the present day, even if he appeared harmless, Nanji felt a genuine sense of vigilance and unease.
But with his master's command, he could only brace himself and say, "I am willing to guide Senior!"
Qing Ling said dismissively, "I fear that if I do not agree, you will remain here indefinitely? The eldest disciple of a Saint acting as my guide, and if I refuse to accept, it would be showing disrespect to the Saint."
This would give the Saint an excuse to act directly against me.
Qing Ling naturally did not voice this thought. This was Yuan Shi's open ploy; he had to go.
Otherwise, with the eldest disciple of the Chan Sect as a guide and the Saint's decree as an invitation, not going would be to disregard the Saint, to show contempt for the Saint.
A Saint's dignity could not be compromised! This was the era of the Six Saints. To disrespect a Saint was to disrespect the Six Saints, to show disrespect and irreverence to all the sects of Heaven and Earth, and all the sects of the Daoist path.
Yuan Shi Tianzun was not afraid that Qing Ling would not come, unless Qing Ling was an idiot.
If he were truly an idiot, he would not warrant Yuan Shi's efforts.
Qing Ling glanced at the invitation and said to the Earth Deity, "Take it."
Immortal Elder Nanji joyfully said, "I will wait outside Duguang for Senior and guide you to Kunlun."
Qing Ling chuckled, "The Saint is truly generous, that the esteemed eldest disciple of the Chan Sect is willing to act as my guide.
The Twelve Golden Immortals are indeed the Twelve Golden Immortals!"
Immortal Elder Nanji's heart skipped a beat. He quickly suppressed the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind. It was one thing for a Saint's disciple to come to invite Senior, but then to act as a servant-like guide.
The Twelve Golden Immortals were the Twelve Golden Immortals, the face of the Chan Sect, the darlings of his master, which was why it wasn't Guang Chengzi, the head of the Twelve Golden Immortals, or the one who rang the golden bell, but him.
Immortal Elder Nanji's heart trembled, and he hastily cast these unwanted thoughts out of his mind.
Qing Ling smiled without speaking, watching Immortal Elder Nanji wait outside Duguang with a complex expression.
It seemed that as soon as he relinquished the position of Earth Master, Yuan Shi could not wait any longer.
However, with Jian Mu present, even if Kunlun Mountain were heavier, it could not suppress Jian Mu, which even Heaven could not suppress!
Qing Ling's Primordial Spirit encompassed the ten directions of the world, connecting the heavens and the earth. He stepped out of Duguang alone and traveled to Eastern Kunlun.
Since the Saint's chess game was set, Qing Ling would live up to his expectations, enter the game, and engage in a battle of wits and strength, thereby seizing a great opportunity!
Yuan Shi followed the will of Heaven, abided by the principles of Heaven, reducing the excess and supplementing the deficiency, acting in accordance with Heaven's decree from above and instructing all beings from below.
Qing Ling, on the other hand, walked his own path, defying Heaven without changing course. Even if the sky blocked his way, he would cleave through the heavens. His Dao could not be altered, and his momentum could not retreat.
One moving with the flow, the other against it, their Great Daos clashed, and the victor would be decided!
The chess game had begun, the world was set, the pieces were arranged, and the battle would commence immediately!