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

Seeing that Kunpeng refused, Kong Xuan's eyes flickered slightly:

Why?

"The Heavenly Dao Saintly Position, seemingly supreme, is in reality... a shackle."

Kunpeng took a deep breath, a profound understanding flashing in his eyes after countless millennia of rise and fall:

"These past years, I've been hiding in Beiming, seemingly in escapism, but in reality... I've come to understand many things."

"Hongjun merged with the Dao and took control of the Heavenly Dao. The Four Sages of the Xuanmen seemed to have endless glory, but in the end... they were nothing more than puppets of the Heavenly Dao's selfish desires and pawns in the great calamity's cleansing."

"Even Hongyun's Primordial Purple Qi, which seemed like an opportunity, was actually a death warrant, ultimately leading to his death and the dissipation of his cultivation."

He paused, gazing at the wisp of purple energy still swirling in his palm, his expression complex:

"This thing...carries too much cause and effect, too much calculation."

"If I were to become a saint through this, I would be bound to the Heavenly Dao, subject to its control, and never be able to transcend it."

"not to mention......"

Kunpeng raised its head, looked at Kong Xuan, and a burning light flashed in its eyes:

"Our predecessors have paved a new path for the primordial world."

"The three paths coexist, all races coexist, the Primordial Great Dao... this is the true path to transcendence!"

"This junior is willing to relinquish all the wealth accumulated by the Demon Master's Palace, disband the Northern Underworld Demon Clan, and from now on follow the senior, cultivate the Primordial Dao, and seek true freedom!"

The words fell.

Without hesitation, Kunpeng raised his hand and pressed hard against his brow!

"puff!"

The primordial purple energy that had just merged into his body was forcibly forced out!

The purple aura left the body, its radiance dimmed, as if it were unwilling. It hovered in the air for a moment, and finally slowly dissipated, returning to the world.

The aura of the Kunpeng also plummeted.

He fell from the threshold of Hunyuan back to the peak of Quasi-Saint.

Even... because of the forced stripping of the purple energy, his Dao foundation was damaged, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

But in his eyes, there was not a trace of regret, but rather a sense of relief...relief.

Kong Xuan watched this scene quietly, a hint of...appreciation flashing in his eyes for the first time.

All living beings in the primordial world who knew of the Primordial Purple Qi were obsessed with it and fought desperately for it.

Even sages regard it as the foundation for attaining enlightenment and cannot afford to lose it.

Yet Kunpeng... was able to remain clear-headed in the face of such temptations, see the true nature of things, and even... willingly give them up.

This temperament and this decisiveness were beyond his expectations.

"good."

Kong Xuan spoke slowly, his voice carrying a rare gentleness:

"If you can see through this, then my journey has not been in vain."

He raised his hand, and a chaotic light wheel swirled in his palm, evolving into a profound Dao pattern.

The Dao patterns were chaotic in color, with faint spatial fluctuations within them, and an aura of the Great Dao's origin that transcended the Heavenly Dao.

"This is the Primordial Dao Seal, containing a trace of the true essence of the Great Dao of Space."

Kong Xuan flicked his finger, and the Dao pattern entered Kunpeng's brow:

"You are originally a Kunpeng, naturally close to space. This seal can help you comprehend the path of spatial primordial chaos."

"If the opportunity arises in the future, perhaps... one can attain enlightenment in another way."

Kunpeng trembled violently!

He felt a vast, pure, and primordial energy, far surpassing the Primordial Purple Qi, surge into his body, rapidly repairing his damaged Dao foundation and engraving the infinite mysteries of the Great Dao of Space deep within his soul!

Although he did not become a saint on the spot, the road ahead... is much broader than the position of saint!

"Thank you so much... for saving my life, senior!"

With tears welling in his eyes, Kunpeng bowed deeply to Kong Xuan.

This bow was made with heartfelt admiration.

Kong Xuan accepted it calmly, and then said:

"Since you have decided to disperse the Northern Darkness Demon Clan, you must make proper arrangements for them."

"Those who wish to enter the world may enter the Yin-Shang dynasty, enjoy the blessings of humanity, and be protected by the Nine Sages."

"Those who wish to retire may travel to the four seas, be subject to the control of the dragons, and take charge of the water veins of a region."

"As for you..."

Kong Xuan's gaze swept over the Demon Master's Palace:

"This palace was then established here as a memorial."

"Come with me."

Upon hearing this, Kunpeng did not hesitate:

"This junior obeys!"

He turned around and sent a divine thought towards the depths of the Demon Master's Palace.

A moment later, the palace gates opened.

Thousands of figures emerged from the palace, some birds in human form, some beasts that had attained enlightenment, and some plants and trees that possessed spiritual power... all of them were of the purest Northern Darkness demon bloodline.

They bowed to the Kunpeng, their eyes filled with reluctance, yet without complaint.

Kunpeng waves his sleeve:

"Go."

"From this day forward, you are free."

The demons bowed again, then transformed into streams of light, scattering throughout the primordial world.

Some flew towards Chaoge, some dived into the four seas, and some fled into the mountains and forests...

The Northern Darkness Demon Clan is hereby disbanded.

Kunpeng took one last look at the Demon Master's Palace that had accompanied him for countless eons, a trace of longing flashing in his eyes before turning into resolute determination.

He turned around and bowed to Kong Xuan:

"Senior, please."

Kong Xuan nodded slightly, took a step forward, and his figure disappeared into the Northern Sea.

Kunpeng followed closely behind.

When they reappeared, the two had arrived at... Qilin Cliff.

This place is located in the center of the primordial wilderness, beside the ruins of Buzhou Mountain.

The cliffs are steep and yellowish-brown, with an auspicious aura lingering around them, yet also carrying an inescapable sense of gloom and sorrow.

Beneath Qilin Cliff, an ancient cave dwelling is hidden in the clouds and mist.

Two figures had been waiting for a long time in front of the cave.

One is entirely made of black jade, with a single horn on its head, and exudes a heavy and steady earthy aura.

Mo Qilin, the direct descendant of the First Qilin, is the only surviving patriarch of the Qilin clan.

One was pure white, with wings on its back, and golden light flowing in its eyes, carrying a sharp edge.

Jade Qilin, younger brother of Ink Qilin, is the last elder of the Qilin clan.

Behind them were only a few hundred or so descendants of the Qilin, each with a weak aura and thin bloodline, no longer possessing any of the majesty of the former king of beasts.

During the Dragon-Han Calamity, the Qilin Clan suffered the most severe losses.

When the First Qilin perished, its clan was almost wiped out. The remaining bloodline was suppressed by the karmic force of Heaven, and for millions of years it has barely survived, almost becoming a legend.

At this moment, the Ink Qilin and the Jade Qilin looked at the suddenly appearing Kong Xuan and Kunpeng, their eyes filled with vigilance and... a hint of barely suppressed anticipation.

They had already sensed the changes in the outside world.

With the destruction of selfish desires by Heaven, the karmic burdens of the Dragon and Han dynasties dissipated, the Phoenix clan was revived, and the Dragon clan submitted...

The Qilin Clan... has finally waited for this day.

"Senior Kong Xuan."

Mo Qilin stepped forward, his voice low and hoarse, tinged with the huskiness of someone who had lived at the bottom of the cliff for so long:

"Junior Mo Lin, along with the remnants of the Qilin clan... respectfully welcomes your arrival, senior."

Kong Xuan's gaze swept over the remaining hundred or so Qilin.

Their bloodlines are thin, their Dao foundation is incomplete, and many have even degenerated into ordinary auspicious beasts, unable to even maintain their intelligence.

Tragic.

Compared to the Phoenix Clan and the Dragon Clan, the Qilin Clan's situation is... even more difficult.

"In order to protect the beast race, the original Qilin self-destructed the Qilin Seal, perishing together with the Ancestral Dragon and the Yuan Phoenix. His plight is pitiful, and his will is commendable."

Kong Xuan spoke slowly, his voice calm:

"Now that the karma of the Dragon Han Dynasty has dissipated, the Qilin Clan... should also see the light of day again."

The black Qilin and the jade Qilin trembled, their eyes bursting with an unprecedented light!