In the Fuyu Palace on Mount Fuyu, seven or eight disciples stood respectfully, bathed in the faint blue light of the suspended Emerald Light Two-Phase Lamp from the palace roof, yet none dared to move.
Only one person was out of place, Qi.
Qi looked up at Qing Ling, who sat high on a cloud bed, and asked, "Is your only objective this time the Li Di Yan Guang Banner?"
Qing Ling nodded.
"Then the fervent passion of these disciples goes to waste?"
Qing Ling let out a laugh. "What? Do you feel a bit of injustice for your martial nephews?"
Upon hearing this, Qi's usually icy face showed a hint of embarrassment. "That's not what I meant."
Qing Ling glanced at the disciples and smiled. "Did you all think that I sent you to settle the human race in Beiju Luzhou, to teach them civilization, or even to snatch away their destiny, was a sign that it was time for me to display my saintly might to the Primordial World?
None of you ever imagined that my grand fanfare was merely for another spiritual treasure.
Therefore, others would not imagine it either. This is why I did not explain it in detail to you."
Kong Xuan respectfully said, "Master is a saint. You stand higher than us and see farther than all of us. Your decisions, disciples will always believe."
Qing Ling smiled and said, "You've learned flattery, but you speak the truth. Very well, I shall reward you with a journey to the mortal realm to experience the common folk."
Kong Xuan wore an expression of wanting to act spoiled but being hesitant, and whispered, "Can this reward be declined?"
Qing Ling chuckled, "I will also go."
"Ah!" All the disciples were startled. No one had expected this.
Kong Xuan quickly changed his mind and said, "Thank you, Master. This disciple is willing to go."
Qing Ling smiled. "From now on, when I am not in the mountains, all matters will be presided over by your Uncle-Master Qi. Remember, do not neglect your cultivation, and do not forget your responsibilities to the Hall of All Beings."
The disciples could only respectfully agree. Whether it was the saint's decision or the master's decision, they had no right to object.
However, Bai Fu chuckled and said, "Master, saints rule the world from on high. If you enter the mortal world, I fear..."
Qing Ling nodded. "You are right. Saints do not enter the mortal world to avoid being troubled by personal affections. But I am the Sage of All Beings, and my personal affections are all beings. Believe me, I have my own resolve."
The disciples bowed and saw Qing Ling off. Qing Ling descended from the cloud bed, stepping down from his lofty saintly seat. He walked past each person kneeling in the hall. Kong Xuan, with great perception, followed closely. Master and disciple walked out of the magnificent great hall and into the murky sea of humanity.
When a saint travels, it signifies an era of prosperity. Where a saint visits, auspiciousness follows. The grand and imperceptible destiny on Mount Fuyu suddenly surged, transforming into a pure green lotus that bloomed brilliantly in the highest heavens, obscuring the heavenly secrets. No one knew the whereabouts of the Sage of All Beings.
Stepping out of Mount Fuyu, Qing Ling stood before two stone statues. He turned and looked back at the Dao patterns of "Mount Fuyu" suspended in the air, murmuring to himself, "It will be a long farewell."
Jing Xing asked tentatively, "Master, how long will this journey be?"
Qing Ling turned, one hand behind his back, and said leisurely, "As long as the heavens and earth endure."
Two figures, one green and one gold, gradually receded into the distance, disappearing into the ink-wash mountains before Mount Fuyu.
...
In the 23rd Yuan Hui, 14538th year of the Heavenly Emperor calendar, in the Eastern Divine Continent, the Xuanyuan tribe occupied thirty-two clans, becoming the fifth largest tribe of the human race.
In the 29th Yuan Hui, 76225th year of the Heavenly Emperor calendar, the Xuanyuan tribe merged with a branch of the Heavenly Emperor.
In the 34th Yuan Hui, 4986th year of the Heavenly Emperor calendar, the Xuanyuan tribe merged with the Shen Nong branch, known as Yan Huang.
In the 42nd Yuan Hui, 109871st year of the Heavenly Emperor calendar, in Beiju Luzhou, the Shen Nong tribe established the Tianyu Kingdom, changing its organizational structure from a tribal alliance to a monarchy. Shen Jiang became the first king, implementing a system of abdication where the throne rotated among the twelve branches of the Shen Nong tribe.
In the 48th Yuan Hui, 128th year of the Heavenly Emperor calendar, the Jiuli tribe unified the southeastern part of the Eastern Divine Continent, engaging in conflict and confrontation with the Xuanyuan tribe.
Years flowed by rapidly. The footprints of the human race spread across the nine heavens and ten earths, throughout the three realms, twelve planes, and over eight hundred and three thousand worlds.
The humans of the Tianyu Kingdom traveled through the heavens, their trade reaching all major planes, making them merchants of the myriad realms. The convenience brought by this led to rapid development and strong national power.
In the Eastern Divine Continent, Jiuli and Xuanyuan tribes were in a tense standoff, plagued by constant warfare.
In the Southern Jambu Continent, the Heavenly Emperor tribe remained reclusive.
On the shores of the North Sea, where monstrous waves churned, two figures stopped.
Qing Ling gazed at the distant surging waves, lost in thought. "How long have we been out?"
Behind him, Kong Xuan replied, "Master, since leaving the mountain gate, over twenty-five Yuan Hui have passed."
Qing Ling nodded. "Do you feel tired?"
Kong Xuan shook his head. "To be able to follow Master is my fortune.
However, disciple ventures to ask, why are you undertaking this journey, Master?"
Qing Ling bent down, scooped up a handful of water, and tossed it forward. Countless drops were scattered by the wind, rushing in all directions, some even dampening his long hair. "For no particular reason. I simply find these beings interesting and wished to observe them."
Kong Xuan shook his head. "Disciple will not believe that."
Qing Ling said nonchalantly, "If you don't believe me, then why ask?"
Kong Xuan closed his mouth.
Qing Ling smoothed his long hair from behind, brought his hand close to his nose, and sniffed. "This water is quite good.
However, it can no longer be drunk."
Kong Xuan stepped forward and looked at the seawater at his feet. It was a normal deep blue sea.
Qing Ling said, "Look again."
Kong Xuan could only stare intently at the seawater. After a long time, he suddenly noticed that the sea had, at some point, become a deep blackish blue.
He was startled and exclaimed, "Is there a demon in this sea?"
Qing Ling said, "This ancient sea, having endured through eternity, has now been defiled by a demon."
Kong Xuan declared, "Then I shall go and slay it!"
"You don't need to." Qing Ling glanced into the distance. "Someone will come."
Kong Xuan looked curiously in that direction. After a long wait, a shrill cry echoed across the sea and sky.
The North Sea churned with hundred-zhang high waves, surging and roaring, at times like snow and frost, and at other times as dark as a demon.
Following this, two streaks of light were repelled. A colossal beast with a deer's head, a serpent's body, and eagle's wings emerged from the deep sea, its pair of blood-red eyes revealing a terrifying intensity.
A young man's voice rang out, "Halt! You demon, surrender!"
"How dare you! You mere two whelps dare to speak so boldly before me!" the giant deer-headed monster roared. "Quickly retreat, lest your hard-earned cultivation turn to naught."
"We are disciples of a saint, how can we retreat?"
"Then state your names!"
"Disciples of Chan Jiao, Qing Xu Da De Tian Zun!"
"Disciples of Chan Jiao, Ling Bao Da Fa Shi!"
Kong Xuan exclaimed in surprise, "It's them! I fear they cannot defeat this ancient demon beast. This will be interesting."
Qing Ling smiled. "Is it interesting to watch others make fools of themselves?"
Kong Xuan shook his head. "Watching others is not interesting, but watching Chan Jiao make fools of themselves is quite amusing."
"Chan Jiao?" Qing Ling's smile faded, his expression unreadable. "Chan means understanding the will of heaven, Shun means following the power of heaven. Heaven can empower them. I shall wait and see."
Kong Xuan was a bit bewildered. Throughout their journey, he felt that his master's thoughts were becoming increasingly complex and difficult to fathom. He dared not speak casually anymore.