Primordial Era: Starting by overwhelming the Sages, Hongjun was stunned!

Kong Xuan stopped in front of the ceramic lamp and looked down.

There was a line of text engraved on the base of the lampstand, the font of which was as archaic as the ones I had seen before.

He studied the text for a long time before finally deciphering the sentence: "Having reached this point, you'll know you haven't gone the wrong way."

He stared at the words, a breeze brushing his cheek as it swept in from the other end of the passage, cool and carrying a scent he had never smelled before.

It resembles grass and trees, wet mud, and flowing water in the distance.

He continued walking forward along the passage.

After rounding a bend, the passage suddenly opened up, and he stopped.

A mountain wilderness.

He stood halfway up the mountain, and suddenly his view opened up before him.

The vegetation is lush, with greenery stretching from the foot of the mountain all the way to the horizon.

A stream flows through the mountains, its waters gurgling softly.

In the distance, there are trees, grass, and unidentified flowers blooming in the cracks of the rocks.

He gazed at the mountains and fields, the wind blowing from there, brushing against his face.

It's moist, cool, and carries the scent of grass and trees.

It smelled exactly like the fragments in his sleeve.

It's just like the picture he's been piecing together in his mind for so long.

He stood at the cave entrance for a long time, gazing at the mountains and fields.

I didn't take that step; I just stood there for a while, making sure it was there and that the road wasn't broken.

Then he turned around and went back the way he came.

When the Golden-Winged Roc climbed out of the crevice and returned to the ground, it was still sitting against a withered tree.

Seeing him come up, she stood up: "What's down there?"

There is a lamp. Under the lamp, there is a saying.

"How do you say that?"

"Once you get here, you'll know you haven't gone the wrong way."

The Golden-Winged Roc paused for a moment, then asked, "What's to the south?"

Kong Xuan turned his head to look south.

On the distant horizon, that dark outline lies quietly, no longer blurred.

It is a mountain, it is a tree, and it is the wind carrying water vapor.

His gaze fell upon the mountains and fields: "It's another world."

"It's different from here, and it's different from over there at the crack."

"It was there, waiting."

The Golden-Winged Roc followed his gaze, looked for a while, then looked away and squatted down beside the withered tree.

I reached out and gently touched the tip of the new bud.

The leaf trembled slightly, as if in response.

Kong Xuan also squatted down, placed the pebble on the soil next to the sprout, and then placed the bone fragment on it as well.

Two trees stand side by side, like two small door frames, guarding the seed that has just sprouted from the soil.

He straightened up and looked south.

That mountain wilderness is just ahead; it's visible and accessible.

"I'll go take a look tomorrow."

The Golden-Winged Roc didn't stop him, but simply said, "Then I'll make the cage even bigger tomorrow."

Dusk crept in from the west, settling on the two of them and on the dark branches of the withered tree.

The new shoot gleamed faintly in the afterglow, its leaves unfurled, their edges translucent, like a hand that had just learned to open, quietly catching the last ray of sunlight.

Kong Xuan walked back to the withered tree, squatted down again, and put the bone fragment and pebble back into his sleeve.

The new buds are still there, and the leaves are slightly unfurled, as if nothing had happened.

Kong Xuan did not rush back to the rift.

He sat down against the withered tree. The wind blew in from the south, moist and cool, carrying the scent of grass and trees.

The lamp was still burning at the bottom of the crevice, and he remembered the words spoken beneath it.

The direction is right, and the road is not blocked.

He sat for a while, and then the wind picked up.

The lamp seemed to have completed its task of illuminating the space the instant he stepped down into the crevice.

The edges of the crack seemed to be gently closed by an invisible hand, first narrowing towards the middle, and then surging upwards from the bottom like waves, slowly filling the entire passage.

In a short while, the crack disappeared completely.

Kong Xuan squatted down and placed his palms on the ground.

The soil was dense and flat, as if it had never been turned over.

He walked over to the withered tree and squatted down.

The spot where the seeds were buried is still there, and the soil is still loose.

But when he brushed away the soil, the seed was no longer there. Only a shallow indentation remained in the soil, like the mark of a seed that had been taken away.

Kong Xuan stared at the hollow indentation without saying a word.

He stood up, stepped into the air, and flew back to the front of the crevice.

The Golden-Winged Roc was watering the row of seedlings. Seeing him land, it put down the bamboo tube in its hand: "You're back? How's it going in the south?"

Kong Xuan landed in front of him: "The rift is gone."

The Golden-Winged Roc was taken aback: "That's it?"

"After I went down, it closed."

"It felt like someone had closed a door behind me."

The Golden-Winged Roc paused for a moment, then asked, "And what about the new shoots?"

"It's gone too."

"I buried it there, and when I went back to check, there was only a mark left in the soil, as if something had taken it away."

The Golden-Winged Roc put down the bamboo tube, stood up, and looked south.

Where is the lamp?

"The light should still be there."

"But the road is blocked."

The Golden-Winged Roc withdrew its gaze and landed on Kong Xuan's face: "Who do you think did it?"

Kong Xuan did not answer immediately.

He stood there, and the wind rushed in from the white light, passing through his sleeves.

"It's not a shadowy figure."

"The shadowy figure exuded an old, decaying aura."

"When the rift closed, there was another presence."

"What kind of aura is that?"

"Like rain falling on dry earth, only a thin line, but it's definitely there."

Kong Xuan walked to the sapling and sat down next to its roots.

"Much stronger than the shadow; it was as if the rift closed with a mere flick of the wrist."

"There are very few people in this world who can take action from that far away."

The Golden-Winged Roc sat down opposite him: "Then guess who it is?"

Kong Xuan shook his head: "I can't guess. But I want to ask someone."

"The Master of Heaven."

The Golden-Winged Roc nodded: "He might indeed know."

Kong Xuan said, "I'm going to Biyou Palace and will be back before dark. You watch the tree."

The Golden-Winged Roc said, "Alright."

Kong Xuan stood up.

The wind blows from the east, and the sunlight falls on my shoulders.

He took to the air and flew towards Biyou Palace.

The wasteland beneath our feet swept past.

From grayish-white to grayish-brown, from grayish-brown to dark blue, the vegetation becomes denser the further east you go.

After traveling for more than an hour, Biyou Palace came into view.

White jade steps, blue stone walls, and a door slightly ajar.

Kong Xuan landed on the steps.

Before I could even knock, the door opened.

The Tongtian Sect Leader sat in the hall, a pot of tea beside him, as if he had been waiting for a while.

"You arrived faster than I expected."

Kong Xuan sat down opposite him: "Did the Sage know I would come?"

Tongtian picked up the teapot, poured a cup, and pushed it in front of Kong Xuan: "I've noticed the rift closing."

"The crack suddenly closed, and the new shoot was taken away."

Tongtian picked up his teacup and took a sip: "The fissure you discovered in the south is inherently related to people."

"The lamp you see down there, and the words beneath it, were left to you by the person who buried the stone slab."

"But he left behind more than just a lamp."

Kong Xuan looked at him: "What else did you leave behind?"

Tongtian put down the teacup.

"Before he left, he entrusted something to me."

"To whom was the commission given?"

"It was entrusted to the will of heaven and earth."

Tongtian said, "That rift was specially left for you by him."

"You went in, saw the light, and the light came on."

"But once you're out, the rift's mission is complete."

"Closing it was the will of heaven and earth reclaiming that door."

Kong Xuan was silent for a moment: "And what about the new sprout he left behind?"

Tongtian shook his head: "That sprout is the response that mountain wilderness gave you."

"You reached the bottom of the crevice and saw a light; the light turned on."

"It will then know that you have seen it."

"So it took the new shoot back."

Kong Xuan leaned back in his chair for a while, his gaze falling on the tea in his cup.

"Is there still a new world there?"

"exist."

"That mountain range you see has always been there."

"The rift has closed, the path is still there, but the door is temporarily shut."

Kong Xuan stood up: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Tongtian also stood up: "No need to thank me."

"The path you walk is one you forge yourself."

"That rift will open again."

"When that seed grows into a tree again, the door will reappear."

Kong Xuan paused for a moment, then looked at Tongtian: "Will that seed grow into a tree again?"

Tongtian nodded: "It was taken away because your journey has come to an end."

"From the riverbed to the dead tree, from the dead tree to the crevice, you have traversed all the marks that person left for you."

"Now, it's time for you to go your own way."

Kong Xuan did not ask any further questions.

He bowed respectfully, then turned and walked out of Biyou Palace.

Outside Biyou Palace, the wind blew from the east.

Kong Xuan stood on the white jade steps, looking down at his hands.

Long, slender fingers with distinct knuckles.

The warmth of that seed still lingered in my palm.

But the seeds are gone; they were taken away, they were taken back.

He clenched his fist, then relaxed it.

The wind slipped through my fingers, cool to the touch.

He suddenly felt lighter.

From the riverbed to the mountainside, from the hills to the cliffs, from the dead trees to the crevices.

Those stone shards, bone fragments, pebbles, a lamp, a word, a sprout.

Like a string that had been stretched for a long time, suddenly it came slack.

He walked such a long way and saw so many signs.

Now the markers have been retrieved, the line is broken, and he stands here empty-handed.

But I didn't feel disappointed.

It's more like taking off an old garment that you've worn for a long time.

He stood at the entrance of Biyou Palace for a while.

Tongtian didn't send it out; the door was already ajar.

The aroma of tea wafted out from under the door, a faint wisp that quickly dissipated in the wind.

Kong Xuan stepped into the air and flew towards the crack.

The wind blows against my face, cool and moist.

He flew a little slower than he had come.

The earth beneath my feet gradually changed from dark blue to grayish-brown, and then from grayish-brown back to grayish-white.

The white light shone on the horizon, like a stitch sewn into the sky.

He landed before the crack.

The Golden-Winged Roc was squatting next to the row of seedlings, gently straightening a seedling that had been bent over by the wind.

When she saw him return, she looked up and glanced at him.

"Did you find out?"

"I found out."

Kong Xuan sat down under the tree.

"That rift was closed by the will of heaven and earth. The new sprout was retracted because I had completed the path left behind by that person. The path ahead is mine to walk alone."

After hearing this, the Golden-Winged Roc did not immediately respond.

After supporting the seedling, he patted the soil off his hands and sat down.

"So, how do you plan to leave?"

Kong Xuan stared at the white light and remained silent for a while.

"I want to travel around."

"I've been stuck at the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm for quite some time now. I've been guarding this gate, these trees, and these saplings."

"But my cultivation level hasn't improved at all. It's like a stagnant pool of water, not flowing or moving, and it's slowly sinking."

"I need to go out for a walk."

The Golden-Winged Roc nodded.

"What about the tree?"

"The tree won't run away. Your roots have already taken hold; it will grow on its own."

Kong Xuan looked at him: "Would you like to stay here, or come with me?"

The Golden-Winged Roc thought for a moment and said, "I'll stay here."

"Trees need people to watch over them, saplings need people to water them, and even caged birds have found their way home."

"Go your own way, I'll stay and protect your roots."

Kong Xuan didn't say anything more.

He knew that the Golden-Winged Roc was telling the truth.

This tree, this nursery, this bird, this gate.

It has already grown its own roots and taken root in this cloud.

The Golden-Winged Roc is here, and so are they.

Kong Xuan stood up and walked to the crack.

A breeze surged from the white light and brushed against his face.

He stood there for a long time, as if trying to etch every detail of the door into his eyes.

Then he turned around and didn't look back.

It took off and flew eastward.

He flew slowly, taking each step unhurriedly.

The gray-white wasteland beneath my feet spread out in the morning light, like an old mirror that had been polished smooth.

He flew over the living trees, over the dry ditch, over the gray mountain.

Beyond the mountain lies a wider plain, where the grass changes from withered yellow to light blue, and then from light blue to dark green.

He landed on a hillside.

The hillside isn't high, but it offers a great view, with a view of the distant, continuous mountain range.

The wind blows through the valley, carrying the scent of pine resin.

He found a flat rock and sat down.

Actually, he hadn't sat like this in a long time.

Sitting under a tree is like guarding the door; sitting by the fire is like asking for directions.

When you're sitting, there's always something waiting for you, always a direction you're chasing.

Now he sits here, waiting for nothing.

The wind is blowing, the grass is swaying, and the distant mountain peaks are covered with a thin layer of snow, which gleams with a pale blue light in the sunlight.

He closed his eyes and looked inward.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the sea of ​​light was as calm as a mirror.

Golden waves of light rose and fell slowly, like a body of water rippling in a gentle breeze.

His cultivation at the peak of Quasi-Saint level was like a full moon hanging above his sea of ​​consciousness.

It is full and rounded, yet it remains still.

Like a bonfire that was burning brightest but suddenly stopped blowing.

He stood on that threshold for a long time.

He could easily step over it, but he didn't know where to place his foot.

He opened his eyes and looked into the distance.

In the distance, a flock of birds flew by, forming a V-shape, heading south.

He watched for a moment, then did not pursue.

I sat on the rock for a while longer.

Then he stood up, brushed the grass clippings off his robe, and continued walking eastward.

He wasn't walking fast.

When they encounter a mountain, they climb it; when they encounter a river, they wade through it.

When we come across a village, we stop, sit on a stone at the entrance, and watch the children chase and play, and the old people weave baskets under the shade of the trees.

When he came across a swamp, he went around it. His boots were covered in wet mud, so he squatted down by the stream and scooped up water with his hands to wash them clean.

He encountered an injured demon cultivator, knelt down to help him set his broken bones, and used his Dao power to soothe the wound.

The demon cultivator asked him his name, and after thinking for a moment, he replied, "Just someone passing by."

The demon cultivator thanked him profusely and stumbled away.

Kong Xuan continued walking.

He walked into a dense forest.

The forest is deep and the trees are dense, with branches and leaves blocking out the sky. Sunlight filters through the gaps, like slender golden needles.

There was a path in the woods, mostly covered by fallen leaves.

He walked along the path for a while and saw an old tree.

The tree trunk is so thick that it takes two people to hug it.

At the base of the tree, there was a stone that had been worn smooth.

It looks like someone often sits here.

Kong Xuan sat down on that rock.

He closed his eyes, listening to the wind whistling through the treetops and the rustling of the leaves.

He sat there for about two hours.

Then he opened his eyes, stood up, and continued walking.

Emerging from the dense forest, a wide-open valley came into view.

A stream flows through the valley, its waters gurgling softly.

A cluster of small yellow flowers bloomed by the stream, delicate and swaying gently in the wind.

He walked along the stream for a while and stopped by a pool of water.