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

Chapter 57 Enlightenment Emerges from Kunlun

The lingering resonance of the Six Sages' discourse on the Dao is like the purest nectar, nourishing every wisp of spiritual energy atop Kunlun Mountain, and deeply imprinted on the Daoist hearts of Qinglian and Sun Wuzhen.

Within the Qingyu Dao Palace, Qinglian meticulously processed what she had learned from listening to the Dao and her own insights. The Daoist aura of the Eighth Grade Creation Green Lotus, the Twelfth Grade Purifying White Lotus, the Primordial Measuring Ruler, and the Myriad Transformations Treasure Seal flowed, becoming increasingly harmonious and unimpeded with her late-stage Great Luo foundation.

He felt that his integration with the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique and his understanding of the essence of the Three Pure Ones' Great Dao had reached an unprecedented level. He was only missing a real test and verification before he could naturally touch the threshold of the Great Luo Golden Immortal.

His disciple, Sun Wuzhen, listened to the sounds of the Six Sages' Great Dao from the corner of the hall, and his gains were even more astonishing!

The creative vitality of his grandmaster Nuwa, the orderly majesty of his grandmaster Yuanshi, the destructive edge of his grandmaster Tongtian, and even the annihilation and salvation of Jieyin and Zhunti (though not their own path, it broadened his horizons) – the impact of all these supreme Daoist principles opened a door for him to the source of power.

The Nine Revolutions Wind and Thunder Battle Technique within his body deduced and perfected itself, and the power of wind and thunder combined with his battle body more perfectly. He also refined treasures such as the Chainmail Golden Armor, Phoenix Wing Purple Gold Crown, Lotus Silk Cloud-Walking Shoes, and Ruyi Iron Pole Weapon to a higher level of skill.

At this moment, his aura was as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, his fighting spirit restrained as if concealing its edge. His mid-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal realm was completely solidified, and he was only a hair's breadth away from the late stage. However, deep within those golden eyes, the wildness and restlessness of the bloodline belonging to the primordial alien species, born for battle, was accumulating in silence, like a suppressed volcano.

Qinglian saw it all and understood.

He knew that the true essence of cultivation could not be attained through solitary ascetic practice. Especially for someone like Sun Wukong, who was born with the natural talent to fight against heaven and earth, he needed the tempering of the mortal world and life-and-death struggles to truly transform what he had learned and understood into his own, unleash his potential, and break through the shackles.

Although the Great Tribulation is perilous, the Lich War has fallen into an eerie silence after the fall of Hongyun, which is a good opportunity to go out and verify and seek breakthroughs.

On this day, Qinglian subtly moved her divine sense and summoned Sun Wuzhen, who was practicing his staff techniques and stirring up wind and thunder in the fierce winds atop the mountain.

With a flash of golden light, Sun Wuzhen, clad in golden armor, wielding a black iron staff, and exuding a powerful aura, stood respectfully before Qinglian: "Disciple greets Master!"

Qinglian looked at him gently and got straight to the point: "Wuzhen, you have been back on the mountain with me for a long time. Your foundation is solid, your combat skills are mastered, and your Taoist arts have also improved. However, the path of cultivation cannot be truly understood through quiet contemplation alone. The vast wilderness and the mortal world are the only places to hone your fighting spirit and verify what you have learned.

He paused, looking at Sun Wuzhen's eyes that suddenly lit up.

He continued, "Now that the great calamity has temporarily ceased, although there are undercurrents in the world, it is a rare period of peace."

"I ask you, do you wish to leave this Kunlun Immortal Realm and venture to the primordial land? With your iron staff and golden armor, would you test your 'Nine Revolutions Wind and Thunder Battle Technique,' comprehend the energy of the calamity, and seek an opportunity for breakthrough?"

"Yes! This disciple longs for it!"

Sun Wukong blurted it out almost without thinking, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and longing! He was a born fighter, with restless blood flowing in his veins.

Although Kunlun was wonderful, and his master and grandmaster were dear to him, this fairyland, which was like an exquisite birdcage, had long made his heart, which yearned for freedom and longed for battle, restless! However, due to the strict rules of the sect and the profound authority of his master and grandmaster, he could only suppress this desire in his heart and turn it into an even more frantic motivation for cultivation.

Now that Master has brought it up, it's like a long-awaited rain after a drought!

He suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, his golden armor clanging, and his eyes blazing with brilliant golden light: "Master! This disciple has long yearned to travel the primordial world and prove the Dao through battle! This disciple fears no danger, no powerful enemy! I only ask to wield this staff, don this armor, traverse the mountains and rivers of the primordial world, meet all the heroes of the world, and use the weapon in my hand to prove the Great Dao passed down by my ancestor, and live up to the name 'Wuzhen'! I humbly beg Master to grant my request!"

Seeing her disciple's burning fighting spirit and heartfelt desire, Qinglian's eyes also flashed with a hint of relief.

This child's temperament truly aligns with the Great Dao of War. He nodded slightly: "Good! With such ambition, you are worthy of your innate talent and the name bestowed upon you by your master. However, the primordial world is perilous and not a game; you must obtain your master's approval. Follow me."

Qinglian, accompanied by the battle-ready Sun Wuzhen, once again arrived in front of the Sanqing Palace.

"Disciple Qinglian (grand-disciple Wuzhen) requests an audience with the three masters (grandmasters)!" The voice was respectful with a hint of solemnity.

The palace gates opened silently.

The Three Pure Ones remained seated cross-legged on their cloud bed, their auras profound. The gloom of Hongyun's fall and the troubles of their own bottlenecks seemed to have faded somewhat, and their gazes fell upon Qinglian and Sun Wuzhen with scrutiny and understanding.

"Come in," Lao Tzu said calmly.

The master and disciple entered the main hall.

After bowing, Qinglian clearly explained Sun Wuzhen's desire to leave the mountain to travel, verify his knowledge, and seek breakthroughs, as well as her plan to take him along.

"————With the fall of Uncle Hongyun, the war between the Lich King and the Demon King has temporarily ceased, but the calamity of slaughter is already deep, and the entanglements of cause and effect will inevitably lead to the end of the great calamity. This silence is like the eve of a storm, fraught with danger, but it also contains an opportunity for tempering and breakthrough."

My understanding of Guan Wuzhen is solid, and my fighting spirit is strong. What I lack is the tempering of enduring the harsh realities of the primordial world and the life-or-death struggles. I am willing to accompany him on his journey, protect him, and also take this opportunity to verify my own learning and seek the chance to break through to a higher realm.

We humbly request Master's permission!

Sun Wuzhen immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said in a resounding voice, "Your grand-disciple, Sun Wuzhen, humbly begs for your permission, Grandmaster! Your grand-disciple will certainly obey your orders, uphold righteousness, clearly distinguish cause and effect, and think thrice before acting! With the staff in my hand, I will defend the prestige of Kunlun and prove my own path! Even if I die a hundred times, I will not regret it!"

The Three Pure Ones' gazes swept over the master and disciple. Laozi's divine sense stirred slightly as he deduced the secrets of heaven. Although the aura of the great calamity obscured the view, he could still sense that beneath the surface of the prehistoric world was an undercurrent of various forces licking their wounds and accumulating power. The large-scale conflict had indeed subsided.

Yuanshi Tianzun examined Sun Wuzhen, sensing the pure fighting spirit and solid foundation within him that had been thoroughly stimulated by the Six Sages' Dao Discussion, and nodded slightly.

The Tongtian Sect Leader looked on with approval; he particularly admired such sharp-witted and competitive younger generations.

"Blue Lotus".

Laozi spoke slowly, his gaze falling on Qinglian, "Your cultivation has reached the peak of the late stage of the Great Luo realm. You possess many treasures, including the Xuanhuang Pagoda, the Heavenly Auspicious Clouds protecting your body, and the Myriad Transformations Treasure Seal. Even if you encounter a Quasi-Saint of the Corpse, you can still deal with it and protect yourself."

The great calamity has subsided, presenting an excellent opportunity for travel. However, one must remember that the great calamity is nearing its end, and deadly intent lurks. In all matters, prioritize self-preservation and enlightenment, and avoid getting entangled in overwhelming karma. When encountering trouble, use the Tai Chi diagram to conceal the secrets of heaven and quickly leave places of conflict.

"Disciple will remember Master's teachings!" Qinglian replied solemnly.

The majestic voice of the Primordial Celestial Venerable rang out: "Sun Wuzhen." "Your grand-disciple is here!" Sun Wuzhen quickly responded.

"Your foundation is extraordinary, and your fighting spirit is innate. On this journey, you should use battle to nourish your fighting spirit and to comprehend the Dao."

However, one must be able to distinguish right from wrong, know when to advance and retreat, and understand what to choose and what to discard. Courageous and diligent progress is commendable, but reckless suicide is foolish! Your life concerns the lineage of Kunlun, and should not be taken lightly!

"I will certainly remember my master's teachings and never act rashly!" Sun Wuzhen answered loudly, his forehead touching the ground.

The Tongtian Sect Leader laughed heartily, his voice like the clang of swords: "Good! This is truly my grand-disciple! Go out and fight! Fight fiercely! Show your might! Let the primordial world witness the might of my Kunlun lineage! However—"

He abruptly changed the subject, a sharp glint in his eyes, "If faced with an uncontrollable force, survival comes first! Only by preserving your physical strength can you have a future!"

"I understand!" Sun Wuzhen felt the pride and concern in his words, and his heart was filled with excitement.