The Western Two Saints nodded in approval, and Laozi and Yuanshi had no objections.
Seeing this, Qing Ling smiled and said, "Since Daoist Tongtian has chosen the overseas, then I shall establish myself in Beiju Luzhou. This continent was formed from the corpse of a Black Tortoise, and it is the smallest among the Four Continents. Furthermore, it is infested with corpse energy, making it difficult for life to survive. It is precisely this place that needs someone to suppress and expel the malevolent energy. I believe I am the most suitable."
All the Saints agreed. After all, Beiju Luzhou was indeed unsuitable for procreation and difficult to civilize. Moreover, remnants of ancient races such as the Wu, Yao, Long, and Qilin had scattered inhabitants there, as did many ferocious and bloodthirsty demons being hunted by the Heavenly Dao.
Laozi spoke, "I presume that you all did not wish to contend with me, and deliberately ceded Nanzhanbuzhou and Dongshengshenzhou. I shall gratefully accept, and in the future, the Human Sect will spread its teachings in Nanzhanbuzhou."
Yuanshi chuckled, "Then our Chan Sect thanks all fellow Daoists for their generosity in granting us such a fine location as Dongshengshenzhou."
The six Saints exchanged pleasantries with great demeanor. In the midst of their laughter and conversation, the spheres of influence for the Primordial World were established.
All the Saints were well aware of each other's intentions. The Western Two Saints knew that even if the Three Pure Ones parted ways, their relationship would not deteriorate to the point of estrangement. They could not compete with the Three Pure Ones, so it was better to yield and instead earn their favor.
Qing Ling, on the other hand, had no intention of establishing a sect or spreading teachings. Otherwise, he would not have chosen Beiju Luzhou, a place not conducive to such endeavors. Furthermore, although the Wu and Yao were no longer present in Dongshengshenzhou and Nanzhanbuzhou, many powerful beings still resided there. The waters were too deep and too murky. Qing Ling did not wish to be entangled in the internal disputes of the Daoist sects, nor did he wish to be involved in the conflicts between Daoism and Buddhism.
Qing Ling smiled and said, "From now on, the Jianmu Land shall serve as the celestial ladder to the Twelve Planes. Travel between the Twelve Planes and the Primordial World will all be via Jianmu. Therefore, I shall build a city atop Jianmu, named the City of All Beings. You may each send disciples to station there, which will also facilitate your journeys to and from various realms for spreading your teachings. Do esteemed fellow Daoists agree?"
Jieyin said, "Naturally, that is excellent. Our Buddhist sect will dispatch its disciples."
Tongtian also chimed in, "My Jie Sect has many disciples, so sending a few is not an issue."
Yuanshi nodded in agreement, and Laozi also concurred.
However, Laozi then added, "Fellow Daoist Qing Ling, although we have defied the Heavenly Dao, the general trend of humanity must still rise! The three main lineages of the human race are currently in the Demon Realm!"
Qing Ling heard this and smiled, "Rest assured, fellow Daoist. The time is not yet ripe. Please wait patiently. Daoist Nuwa will eventually guide the human race back to the Primordial World. Even if Daoist Nuwa does not, the lineage of humans I once took in at Jianmu in the East Wilderness, I will have them return."
Upon hearing this assurance, Laozi felt reassured and said, "Then I shall worry no further. I still have a batch of Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs in my Eight Trigrams Furnace that are currently being nurtured. I must return quickly to attend to them. I bid you farewell!"
Zhunti also smiled, "There is still the Sea of Suffering in my Western Continent that needs tending, and the development of the Buddhist realm is a long process. My senior brother and I shall not linger any longer. We also bid you farewell."
The Saints departed one by one, and Qing Ling also headed towards Beiju Luzhou. He still had much to attend to.
Upon arriving at Beiju Luzhou, Qing Ling suddenly realized he had no dwelling. He looked around in bewilderment, finding he didn't even have a cave abode. He couldn't help but laugh at himself, "What kind of Saint am I?"
Despite his self-deprecation, Qing Ling felt a sense of ease and contentment. He had attained Hunyuan, and would no longer need to worry about life, death, fortune, or misfortune. From now on, he was immortal. The great freedom he sought had been achieved. No one could control him, no one could restrain him. He was unfettered, truly able to do as he pleased, and live freely.
If someone without prior cultivation were to suddenly possess such immense power, the heavens and earth would likely be thrown into disarray, leading to countless scenes of suffering and devastation.
Qing Ling shook his head, glanced at Jianmu, and realized that from this day forward, Jianmu would no longer be his dojo. Below the Great Luo realm, the only path for traversing between the Twelve Planes and the Primordial World was Jianmu. With countless races converging, causal disputes, and the resulting chaos, it was hardly a place for a dojo.
Five beams of light appeared in the sky, transforming into five figures, their faces beaming with joy. "Congratulations to the Dao Lord for achieving Hunyuan Saint! May the Dao Lord's sacred lifespan be boundless!"
These were the former Four Guardian Elders of Jianmu and the Tutelary God of Duguan.
Qing Ling smiled and said, "Very well, you may all rise."
The five rose, their faces still unable to conceal their excitement. After all, from this moment on, they were followers of a Saint. Within the Primordial World, even if other ancient ancestors did not show them respect, they would have to consider the face of Qing Ling, a Saint.
Bai Fu said with a grin, "Dao Lord, I knew you were blessed with immense fortune. Achieving Hunyuan Saint was only a matter of time!"
Qing Ling choked slightly and chuckled, "Indeed. After five hundred Yuan Hui cycles and over sixty million years, I am quite aged."
He sighed, then continued, "You four have followed me since my humble beginnings. You are the ones who have accompanied me the longest in this world. What are your plans for the future?"
The four were startled and quickly bowed, "We are entirely at the Dao Lord's command, but we all wish to follow the Dao Lord unto death."
Qing Ling nodded and smiled, "Your loyalty is unquestionable. I have bestowed opportunities upon so many in this world, and naturally, I will not forget you. In the future, I will build a city atop Jianmu, named the City of All Beings, and establish the Hall of All Beings within the city. However, the Twelve Planes will each require a Vice Hall Master. You may each choose one, and under my decree, establish a Hall of All Beings there. You shall recruit thirteen individuals of great kindness and wisdom who aspire to benefit all beings, to preserve the lineages and teachings of various races, even those on the brink of extinction, and to maintain the survival of all beings. Upon the completion of your tasks, you shall return to the main Hall of All Beings and serve as the Four Great Hall Guardians, overseeing the Hall of All Beings on my behalf. Do you accept?"
The four were all overjoyed upon hearing this and bowed in gratitude once more.
Qing Ling smiled and said, "As for you, Tutelary God, you shall also serve as the Fifth Hall Guardian. While they are away, you will preside over all matters within the hall."
The Tutelary God, hearing this, quickly bowed gratefully.
Qing Ling smiled and said, "Very well, your blessings are yet to come." However, the immediate priority is to find a dojo!"
The five were momentarily stunned, their minds not quite processing the statement. A moment later, they all smiled somewhat awkwardly.
Qing Ling said, "Let's go, let's take a look together at Beiju Luzhou."
The five respectfully agreed and followed Qing Ling into Beiju Luzhou.
By the time Qing Ling finished creating the Twelve Planes, over a thousand years had passed since the mending of the heavens. However, the beings of the Primordial World were still undergoing an unprecedented migration of myriad races. Even for those with great supernatural abilities, the art of translocation could not distinguish which should be moved and which should not, nor could it identify which clan belonged to which plane, for the Primordial World was vast and its inhabitants too numerous. Thus, on Jianmu, endless beings were climbing the celestial ladder, heading towards the path leading to new heavens and earths.
As for Beiju Luzhou, due to the death of the Black Tortoise, corpse energy had arisen. Countless beings had journeyed to the Twelve Planes in search of new abodes. Even those reclusive demons had mingled with beings in the Demon Realm, Asura Realm, Ghost Realm, and other planes.
Therefore, when Qing Ling arrived at Beiju Luzhou, the scene that greeted him was one of vast desolation, completely devoid of human presence, a scene of utter silence.