Wuya Zi nodded with a chuckle, "In ancient times, an elder traveled among the seventy-two tribes of the human race and the twelve thousand tribes of the Primordial World with his disciples.
You feel indignant that Xuan Du is the foremost disciple of a Sage, but have you ever experienced the path he walked and the scenery he witnessed?
There is only one Dao in the world, only Dao.
There are countless Daos in the world, and even Sages, Heavenly Dao, and even Pangu cannot fully grasp them.
Remember this."
Wang Ming nodded, "This disciple has learned."
The old Daoist turned around and slowly lifted his steps, saying, "Let's go."
The youth respectfully agreed, and one old man and one youth, one in front and one behind, roamed between heaven and earth, boundless and endless.
This old man and youth were, of course, the Sage of Mount Fu Yun and the senior disciple of Mount Fu Yu, who had manifested in the mortal world.
In the west, amidst a desolate land of ice and snow, stood the only great snow mountain in the west, Mount Ling Jiu.
Within Mount Ling Jiu resided a reclusive great being, known to very few.
Today, this great being stood atop the snow mountain. Beneath the vast azure sky stood a figure in a black robe. He was somewhat old, his hair a mixture of black and white, his face etched with the vicissitudes of time. Such an elder, wherever he stood, exuded an aura of poignant sorrow.
The elder stood ramrod straight, his waist, bowed for hundreds of eons, straightened for the first time. The attendant boy in the mountain had long since cleaned the cave dwelling and palace until it was spotless, which, for an immortal, was not an exaggeration but a fact.
"Since the Sage has arrived, please reveal yourself."
The elder's voice was somewhat hoarse, causing discomfort to the listener.
Yuanshi Tianzun emerged from the void, chuckling, "Daoist Burning Lamp, I apologize for intruding."
The elder shook his head, "It is the honor of this great snow mountain that a Sage has come."
Hearing this, Yuanshi glanced at Mount Ling Jiu beneath his feet, took a few steps, and the sound of crunching snow, accumulated over millennia, echoed. "Does Daoist friend perhaps surmise why I have come?"
Burning Lamp shook his head, flicking a few snowflakes from his shoulders. "How could I possibly guess the thoughts of a Sage? However, in this land of hardship and cold in the west, perhaps only this old Daoist with his bones can be of some use to the Sage."
Yuanshi sighed, "Daoist Burning Lamp, among the three thousand guests in Zixiao Palace in those years, you were indeed extraordinary among your peers. To see you in such twilight now, truly, I did not expect this."
Burning Lamp vaguely recalled his appearance when he first manifested, handsome and youthful, daring to contend even for the Supreme Dao. On his first ascent to Zixiao, the three thousand great beings ascended to the heavens, and he, Burning Lamp, alone dared to oppose all others in pursuit of the Supreme Dao.
But in the end, it was all for naught.
Having experienced the ancient era, the contest for dominance between the Witch and Demon clans, and the advent of the Sage era, Burning Lamp knew that the Supreme Dao was missing only the word "Supreme."
A Daoist values the Dao more than life itself. To seek it and not obtain it is a pain beyond words for a Daoist.
Therefore, the youth who dared to contend for the Dao against three thousand great beings above the heavens was gradually smoothed over by the passage of years and changed by time. His supreme Dao heart transformed into a heart devoid of desire, and he has since lived in seclusion in a world of pure wind and snow, enjoying tranquility.
This was not just Burning Lamp's fate, but the reality for more than half of the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace.
Of the three thousand worldly travelers, were they not all innate deities? Were they not all exceptionally gifted? Did they not all carry a heart seeking supreme enlightenment?
But there were only six positions for Sages, destined to leave them with lifelong regrets.
Of the three thousand worldly travelers, those who achieved the peace and tranquility of Burning Lamp had a good ending. A small portion were forced to leave the vast chaotic expanse of the Primordial World to create worlds and labor for heaven and earth.
A very small minority remained prominent, such as Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, Kunpeng...
The rest returned to heaven and earth, perishing in tribulations, buried with the Witch and Demon clans in the dust of history.
But no one could be certain that someday, someone among them would have their true spirit reborn.
The glorious years of the past flashed before his eyes. Burning Lamp said, "What does the Sage wish this old Daoist to do?"
Yuanshi asked with a smile, "You agree just like that? Without a moment's hesitation?"
Burning Lamp replied, "This old Daoist simply does not wish to do anything futile. What the Sage wants me to do, how could a mere great being like myself resist? From the moment the Sage made his decision at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, the future of Mount Ling Jiu was decided by the Sage.
It is fortunate that the Sage condescended to come alone to ask my opinion while standing on this snowy peak. To object further would be to offend the Sage, yet I have no power to turn back. Thus, it is better to submit to fate."
"Submit to fate?" Yuanshi chuckled. "Since you submit to the will of heaven, heaven's will shall not fail you.
Daoist Burning Lamp, my Chan School is one of the three schools of Daoism, the second largest sect in the Eastern Divine Continent, enjoying immeasurable destiny and virtue. My sect has immeasurable disciples.
I wish to invite Daoist Burning Lamp to join my Chan School, to preside over its affairs as the second sect leader. All disciples of the three schools will call you Uncle-Master, and all Sages will treat you as an equal. With the blessing of Daoist destiny and immense merit, progress on the Great Dao will be imminent."
Upon hearing this, Burning Lamp showed no joy, only sorrow. He said softly, "I seek none of these. I only ask one thing of the Sage."
Yuanshi smiled and said, "Daoist friend, please state your request. The disciples of Chan School will honor you as they honor me. All treasures and myriad techniques of Chan School are yours to command..."
"No need," Burning Lamp replied. "I only ask that when the Sage has no further use for this old Daoist, he will, in consideration of my diligent service, spare me one tribulation and allow me to return home freely."
Yuanshi fell silent, then sighed helplessly, "Daoist friend, rest assured. With my status as a Sage, I will surely keep my promise today."
Burning Lamp bowed, "Excellent!"
"Woooooooo—"
The wind on the great snow mountain was much fiercer than before, as if anxious for its mountain lord, or perhaps sending off its master. Burning Lamp, with a hunched back, took heavy steps out of the snow mountain.
On this day, the wind and snow on Mount Ling Jiu were immense, and the snowy peak under the azure sky was beautiful, yet the old man did not look back at this scenic vista.
Year 56 of the Emperor Era, 316th year.
Mid-thousand World—Imperial Soul Realm.
Wuya Zi and his young disciple Wang Ming walked through an ancient city.
This ancient city was vast, encompassing countless living beings.
Yet it was also small, for this Mid-thousand World contained only this single city.
Outside the city, innumerable demons licked their lips, gazing at the city's inhabitants.
Within the city lay the sole source of life in this world.
The strength of the demons far surpassed that of the city's inhabitants, yet this city had stood firm since the creation of this world.
The creator of this world was a Daluo Golden Immortal named Wu Xuan, who had carved out a Dao realm from the World Tree. This Daoist later fell into demonic ways and abandoned this world.
Thus, when countless demons descended upon this world, life was annihilated.
The city stood unyielding because within it lay a grand hall named the "Hall of All Beings."
Every world created using the World Tree would have a Hall of All Beings established within it, as decreed by the Sage of All Beings in the Primordial Main World.