Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

"...This disciple knows that the ancestor's golden words, 'The Dharma shall not be transmitted to six ears,' are a matter of great cause and effect."

"However, I observe that Liu Er possesses superior aptitude and unwavering will. Although he suffered misfortune due to his innate supernatural abilities, he is not a truly wicked or evil person. I only taught him techniques for protecting his life, not the true methods of the Great Dao. Bringing him back was out of my reluctance to let his path be cut off, and I also wish to earnestly request the three masters to make a judgment, considering his sincere devotion to the Dao, and perhaps... grant him a glimmer of hope for his future?"

Qinglian spoke earnestly and clearly, pointing out the Dao Ancestor's words, explaining the merits of Liu Er and her own approach to dealing with him (only imparting combat skills, not Daoist teachings), and respectfully entrusting the final decision to the Three Pure Ones.

A profound silence reigned before Yuqing Palace. Only the wind from Kunlun Mountain carried a serene and ethereal Taoist aura.

Liu Er was so nervous that his heart almost jumped out of his chest. He lowered his head, clenched his fists, and awaited his fate.

He could feel those three tangible gazes lingering on him, as if they wanted to see right through him, inside and out.

A moment later, the Tongtian Sect Leader suddenly broke the silence with a hearty laugh: "Hahaha! Excellent! What a brilliant 'leave a way out,' 'a glimmer of hope'! My Qinglian disciple, your skill in seizing this chance of survival is truly admirable!"

He gazed intently at Liu Er with admiration: "The Dao Ancestor's words have their merits. However, 'the Dharma is not to be passed on to Liu Er' means that the true Dharma of the Great Dao is being transmitted. You have taught him combat techniques and methods for strengthening the body, which are methods for protecting the Dao, not methods for seeking the Dao. How have you violated the Dao Ancestor's words? This monkey has exceptional talent and a decent temperament. He can endure what ordinary people cannot. He is a good prospect! I think we should take him in!"

Even the majestic face of the Primordial Celestial Venerable revealed a faint hint of approval as he nodded slightly: "Though their origins differ, their aspirations for the Dao are commendable. Qinglian's handling of the matter was also measured. Having entered Kunlun, they are destined to be together."

Lao Tzu spoke last, his voice still calm, yet decisive: "The arising and ceasing of things are all predetermined. Now that this child has entered the gates of Kunlun, he should abide by the precepts. Qinglian, as his teacher, you should bear the responsibility of guiding him."

The words of the Three Pure Ones were like heavenly music, instantly dispelling all the gloom and fear in Liu Er's heart!

Overwhelming joy washed over him like a torrent, shattering his reason! With a thud, he knelt heavily on the cold, hard jade bricks of the plaza, and facing the direction of the Azure Lotus, he kowtowed three times, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement and a sob:

"Disciple Six Ears greets Master! Thank you for your life-saving grace! Six Ears will never forget it!"

The sound of a forehead striking a jade brick echoed in the silent square.

After kowtowing to the Green Lotus, Liu Er immediately turned to the Three Pure Ones and kowtowed three times, with utmost sincerity: "Disciple Liu Er pays respects to the three Grandmasters! Thank you for your grace in granting me a glimmer of hope on the path of cultivation! I will certainly abide by the sect rules, diligently cultivate, and never fail the high expectations of my Grandmasters and Masters!"

Tears finally streamed down my face uncontrollably; they were tears of relief, tears of hope!

Seeing Liu Er's sincere excitement, a barely perceptible gentleness flashed in the eyes of the Three Pure Ones. Yuanshi Tianzun flicked his sleeve, and a gentle force lifted Liu Er up.

The Tongtian Sect Leader laughed and said, "Now that you've joined my Kunlun Sect, you're family. Since it's our first meeting, your grandmaster doesn't have much of a treasure, so I'll just give you these little trinkets for self-defense."

Having said that, he flicked his finger, and three streaks of light flew toward Liu Er.

A short halberd, entirely crimson and swirling with the aura of wind and thunder (Wind and Thunder Demon-Slaying Halberd); a close-fitting soft armor woven from ten-thousand-year-old ice silkworm silk, impervious to water and fire (Mysterious Ice Silkworm Armor); and a jade talisman containing spatial fluctuations, capable of instantly teleporting thousands of miles (Minor Universe Teleportation Talisman). Though not top-tier spiritual treasures, they are still precious and practical, perfectly suited for use by Liu Er in the Golden Immortal Realm.

Lao Tzu and Yuan Shi also bestowed upon each of them a "Soul-Stabilizing Jade Pendant" to nourish the soul and a bottle of "Nine-Turn Bone-Forging Pill" to temper the body.

Liu Er hurriedly accepted these dazzling treasures, feeling the powerful energy contained within them, as if he were in a dream!

He never imagined that one day he would not only become a disciple of a great master, but also receive a treasure bestowed by his patriarch!

"Thank you for your generous gift, Master!" Liu Er bowed again in gratitude, his voice choked with emotion.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Qinglian stepped forward and bowed again to the Three Pure Ones: "I humbly request that, due to the limitations imposed by the Dao Ancestor, I only taught Liu Er the protective combat techniques, without imparting his fundamental Daoist methods and supernatural powers. Now that Liu Er has formally joined my Kunlun sect, I earnestly request that you, my masters, bestow upon him the true methods of the Great Dao and grant him a Daoist title to legitimize his name!"

Upon hearing this, the Three Pure Ones' gazes once again focused on Qinglian, carrying a profound meaning.

They could clearly sense that Qinglian's return this time not only showed a significant improvement in his cultivation, but also a profound refinement in his Daoist principles, a calmer aura, and especially a unique temperament stemming from his powerful physique and rich combat experience—a stark contrast to when he left Kunlun. It seemed that traveling through the prehistoric world had been an excellent opportunity for him to reflect and mature.

The Tongtian Sect Leader's gaze was sharp as he scrutinized Liu Er once more.

He pointed his fingers like a sword, a clear light flowing from his fingertips, as if countless battle runes and the laws of heaven and earth were being generated and deduced at his fingertips.

The inherent qualities of the four chaotic monkeys, their affinity with wind and thunder attributes, and the fierce fighting spirit they contained after being honed by the Azure Lotus Battle Technique... all fell into Tongtian's eyes.

"Excellent! This monkey is born with a fighting spirit, possesses keen senses, and is as fast as wind and thunder!"

Tongtian laughed loudly, and the clear light at his fingertips surged, instantly transforming into a profound scripture composed of countless tiny sword-shaped runes, which entered Liu Er's brow!

"This is the Nine Revolutions Wind and Thunder Battle Technique, tailor-made for you by observing your innate talent and combining the laws of wind and thunder with the way of combat! This technique not only cultivates magical power, but also focuses on tempering the battle body, drawing the power of wind and thunder into the bones and soul to forge an unparalleled battle physique! When perfected, the body will be like wind and thunder, the power to break through all laws, and the battle intent to soar to the heavens! I hope you will cultivate it diligently and not fail this path!"

Liu Er felt a vast and profound information surge into his sea of ​​consciousness, accompanied by an incomparably fierce fighting spirit and the sound of howling wind and thunder!

He trembled with excitement and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Grandmaster Tongtian, for bestowing upon me the Dharma! Your grand-disciple will certainly cultivate diligently without ceasing!"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable's majestic gaze fell upon Six-Eared Monkey. After a moment of contemplation, his voice boomed: "You were originally Six-Eared Monkey, one of the Four Primordial Monkeys, endowed with extraordinary talents. However, your past has been like fleeting clouds obscuring your ears. Now, having entered Kunlun and glimpsed the Great Dao, you should clarify your mind and see your true nature, discarding falsehood and preserving truth, pursuing the primordial unity of your true self! I bestow upon you the Daoist name—'Wuzhen'! I hope you will thoroughly understand your true nature and forge ahead with determination!"

"Wuzhen...Sun Wuzhen!"

Six-Eared Monkey King (Sun Wuzhen) murmured this name, full of hope and strength, and felt a surge of pure energy flow into him from the top of his head, as if washing away all the stigma and darkness of the past, leaving his mind clearer than ever before! He kowtowed again, saying, "Sun Wuzhen, thank you, Grandmaster Yuanshi, for bestowing this name upon me! I will certainly live up to the title 'Wuzhen'!"

Finally, Lao Tzu looked peacefully at Sun Wuzhen (Six Ears). He didn't say much, but simply flicked his whisk.

"Buzz—!"

In an instant, the Daoist aura permeated the area before the Jade Purity Palace! Golden lotuses emerged in the void, spiritual springs gushed from the earth, and countless profound Daoist talismans condensed in the air, transforming into wisps of clear light that gently merged into Sun Wukong's consciousness and his entire body, like a sudden enlightenment!

This is not the transmission of specific cultivation techniques, but rather Lao Tzu using his supreme Taoist cultivation to sort out Sun Wuzhen's past mixed and disordered cultivation foundation! Clearing away hidden dangers, making up for deficiencies, and consolidating the foundation of the Tao!

At the same time, within that clear light was a trace of the true meaning of Taiqing's "Tao follows nature" and "quietude and non-action," like a stabilizing needle, calming Sun Wuzhen's somewhat agitated mind due to his ecstatic excitement, and guiding his nascent magical power toward a more harmonious and peaceful trajectory.

Sun Wuzhen felt warm all over, as if he were soaking in a hot spring. Many obscure and unstable aspects of his past cultivation suddenly became clear, and his magical power flowed more smoothly and condensed than ever before!

His cultivation at the early stage of Golden Immortal instantly stabilized, and he even showed a faint tendency to advance to the middle stage!

His mind was at peace, immersed in a profound state of enlightenment. He sat cross-legged, with the aura of wind and thunder emanating from his body, and began to spontaneously circulate the newly acquired "Nine Revolutions Wind and Thunder Battle Technique".

Lao Tzu nodded slightly and said no more.

Yuanshi and Tongtian also showed expressions of satisfaction. The three Pure Ones flickered and returned to their respective palaces, Taiqing, Yuqing, and Shangqing, to continue their comprehension of the Great Dao.

Qinglian looked at his disciple Sun Wuzhen in the center of the square, who was immersed in enlightenment and whose aura was gradually becoming more solid and sharp. His eyes were filled with satisfaction and expectation. He did not disturb him, but simply stood quietly to the side with his hands behind his back, protecting him.

The Kunlun Mountains are shrouded in a sea of ​​clouds, with a magnificent glow.

A ray of true Daoist light finally pierced through the gloom that shrouded the Six-Eared Macaque's fate, illuminating his arduous path. The primordial legend of Sun Wukong officially began atop Kunlun Mountain!