Chapter 305: On the Holy

It was autumn in Nanzhou, and they gathered by the shores of the South Sea.

Grandmaster Xuandu—the sole disciple of the Human Teaching Saint, one of the first humans personally created by Saint Nuwa, the oldest pure-yang immortal in the Primordial World, and the senior disciple of the Three Daoist Schools—cordially met with Wen Jing, a hidden agent of the Human Teaching.

During this meeting, which held little historical significance for the Primordial World, Grandmaster Xuandu's gentle smile and strong charisma left a deep impression on Wen Jing.

The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with birds singing and flowers blooming everywhere.

As the witness and facilitator of this event, Li Changshou—the Sea God of the South Sea, a junior mage of the Human Teaching, a junior disciple of the Duxian Gate of the Human Teaching, the Human Teaching Saint's most cherished treasure-turned-human, the Heavenly Court's standby Matchmaker, and wielder of the Minor Acacia Treasure Tree—broke out in a cold sweat.

She was practically drooling over the Grandmaster!

What was she thinking? Did she want to braise or steam the Grandmaster?

Fortunately, Li Changshou was there, smiling and smoothing things over, transforming Wen Jing's barely concealed "Grandmaster, I'm your fan" expression into "This is the Primordial Fierce Mosquito's special way of showing respect."

Otherwise, Li Changshou would have completely understood if the Grandmaster had struck down this Blood Mosquito.

To prevent Wen Jing from becoming completely unhinged, Li Changshou cut directly to the chase, saying:

"Wen Jing, I called you here today because of Golden Cicada. Earlier, above the West Sea, Golden Cicada injured my avatar, acting fiercely and arrogantly. Today, I invited the Grandmaster himself, precisely to bring misfortune upon Golden Cicada!"

Fortunately, when the conversation turned to business, Wen Jing seemed to become a little more normal...

Yet, still not entirely normal.

She surprisingly exuded an aura of righteousness, and firmly asked, "Do you require my assistance?"

Li Changshou: ...

Before, she referred to herself as "this humble one," but now she's calling herself a subordinate.

Tsk, what a fickle, ruthless woman.

"No," Li Changshou replied, "You have more important tasks to attend to over there, so conceal yourself and wait for the opportune moment. Just tell me everything you know about Golden Cicada, so I can be better prepared."

"Yes," Wen Jing affirmed, and began pacing back and forth in front of the Grandmaster.

She held her head high and puffed out her chest, showcasing her figure, and deliberately let out a few soft hums, revealing her mature and intellectual side. Every gesture, every expression, every glance was meticulously calculated.

But it always gave Li Changshou a sense of déjà vu, like Li Mochou trying to impersonate Xiaolongnü.

Soon after, she parted her red lips and softly said, "In this subordinate's opinion..."

Li Changshou and the Grandmaster couldn't help but lean in to listen intently.

"Hmm..."

Wen Jing winked at Li Changshou and transmitted her voice, asking, "Are we dealing with that six-winged Golden Cicada, Sea God?"

Li Changshou stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

"Yes, hurry up!" Li Changshou transmitted through gritted teeth.

Wen Jing blinked, paced again, pondered for a moment, and finally uttered two innocuous words:

"It's difficult."

The inner hall of the Sea God Temple was silent for a few moments, and black lines appeared on the foreheads of both the Grandmaster and Li Changshou.

Wen Jing turned away, pursed her lips, and closed her eyes, wishing she could punch herself twice.

Where had her usual resourcefulness, ruthlessness, and cunning gone? When it was time to perform, she couldn't conjure an ounce of it!

"That makes perfect sense," Li Changshou said with a chuckle. "So Wen Jing, do you know where Golden Cicada's immortal abode is, or what his weaknesses are?"

Wen Jing quickly tried to compensate, saying:

"Golden Cicada's immortal abode should be near Spirit Mountain. I haven't had much interaction with him, so I haven't investigated. As for weaknesses, they are hard to find. Innate beings like him and me, born from the Primordial Chaos, who have survived so many disasters to this day, all possess some life-preserving methods, and these methods are never revealed to others. However, I just played a trick on him. After Sea God allowed me to assist his escape, I secretly took two strands of his primordial spirit. To prevent him from becoming too suspicious, I destroyed one strand of his primordial spirit in front of him, worsening his injuries, and sparing you trouble. Here... is another strand."

Wen Jing gently swayed her delicate hand, and a wisp of blood energy swirled around her fingertips, condensing into a tiny blood cicada.

Li Changshou cast an appreciative glance at Wen Jing, and chuckled, "Your actions truly allow me... and the Grandmaster to rest assured."

Beside him, the Grandmaster nodded with a smile.

Although he felt the urge to quip, "You're truly masters of dirty tricks," at this moment, simply maintaining a smile was enough.

Li Changshou flicked his whisk, and the blood cicada floated before the Grandmaster.

"Grandmaster, is this item useful?"

"Not of much use," the Grandmaster said with a smile. "It's not difficult to know his whereabouts. This item would be better kept by Wen Jing."

"Yes," Li Changshou respectfully acknowledged, and was about to return the blood cicada to...

Uh, where's the mosquito?

Staring at the faint afterimage left in her place, several question marks appeared above Li Changshou's head.

The Grandmaster lifted his chin towards the hall entrance, and Li Changshou turned his head to look, only to see Wen Jing had run outside again, poking her head in to look this way, her entire being inexplicably... rippling with excitement.

Was it the "Oh, the Grandmaster called my name!" kind of giddiness?

Li Changshou transmitted a sigh, "Come back to discuss business. Why do you keep running outside?"

"Buzz."

"Speak."

"Blah, blah, blah."

Li Changshou silently pulled a scroll from his sleeve, threw it out, and scolded:

"Calm down properly."

The Grandmaster couldn't help but ask, "What was that?"

Li Changshou chuckled, "That's a small drawing of your disciple's, to see if it can help her return to normal."

"Oh?"

The Grandmaster immediately became interested...

"Grandmaster, this is not something to take an interest in," Li Changshou quickly interjected, cutting him off.

A tearing sound came from outside the door, as Wen Jing tore the drawing into shreds.

A moment later, Wen Jing floated back. Though she still feigned delicacy and dared not look directly at the Grandmaster, normal communication was no longer an issue.

She then proceeded to share everything she knew about Golden Cicada, down to the smallest detail.

Li Changshou also used this information to make minor adjustments to the battle plan.

Wen Jing stayed for an hour, then reluctantly left, giving Li Changshou an extra Daoist bow before departing.

Although the Grandmaster had been present and commanded Wen Jing's full attention today, Wen Jing still noticed something unusual before she left.

The blood energy on the Sea God seemed to be denser and purer than ever before...

His true form?

Wen Jing's heart stirred, and then she understood something else.

If the Grandmaster hadn't been present, the Sea God's true form would likely never have appeared...

'Perhaps, this is the Human Teaching.'

With a soft sigh, Wen Jing silently departed Nanshan Continent, returning to where her avatar was located.

If her predictions were correct, a good show was about to unfold.

It might even alarm the Western Saints.

She had just mentioned that she had faintly overheard several vice-leaders, who were disciples of the Western Teaching Saints, discussing that Golden Cicada was closely related to the Western prosperity, and that the Saints intended to personally take Golden Cicada as a disciple to transform his fierce beast origins.

How to transform his origins?

It was actually quite simple.

Before the ancient Primordial World was shattered by the Dragons and Phoenixes, there were no specific designations for 'fierce beasts.' It wasn't until the early ancient times that classifications were made among the surviving innate beings.

Those with power, backing, magical treasures, and extensive connections were still called innate beings.

While those with power but no backing, lacking magical treasures, with isolated personalities, and tainted by karma, were called 'Primordial Fierce Beasts,' abandoned by the Heavenly Dao, and gradually purged by the ancient hundred tribes.

As long as Golden Cicada successfully became a disciple of a Saint, he could transform, changing from an innate fierce beast to an innate being.

Wen Jing wasn't particularly envious of such things.

It was merely a title; it wasn't even a thousandth as important as her Grandmaster.

"Wen Jing... Hmph, next time I'll make you call me 'Your Majesty the Queen'! Hahahahaha!"

Buzz—

After Wen Jing left, both the Grandmaster and Li Changshou fell into contemplation.

"Most likely, touching Golden Cicada will draw out our two Western martial uncles," Grandmaster Xuandu said, frowning slightly. "From this perspective, it must be you, Changshou, who acts to slay Golden Cicada. If the Western Saints appear, I can still use the Taiji Diagram to hold them off. However, remember, the moment the Saint's Daoist aura appears, immediately withdraw your hand. That way, you won't lose face with the Saints."

Li Changshou nodded with a grave expression.

Although at this moment he really wanted to say—"How about we just forget it?"

But this was a task assigned by the Saint. He couldn't enjoy the Saint's protection without contributing anything in return. The risks he had to bear this time were a necessary condition.

All he could do was exert his utmost effort to turn this matter into an opportunity for himself...

"Grandmaster," Li Changshou asked, "What level of strength do the Western Saints possess?"

"Well," the Grandmaster pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and pointed at a ceiling beam, where the outline of a Taiji Diagram appeared, completely enveloping the area.

The Grandmaster said gravely, "Seize this opportunity, and I will tell you about the Saints' power. When the Primordial World was created, there was one supreme Saint in existence: Pangu, the Great God. However, Pangu bore the karma of creation, sacrificing himself to complete countless true spirits in the Sea of Chaos, which in turn led to the evolution of the current Primordial World. Pangu attained Hunyuan status from chaos, holding the position of the Dao Hunyuan Wuji Saint, and was the only Dao Wuji Saint known in the Primordial World. Currently, our Master and two martial uncles, as well as the Western Jieyin martial uncle, are all striving in that direction..."

Li Changshou couldn't help but feel a little curious, as Grandmaster Xuandu had only mentioned four of the current Saints, so he asked:

"What about the other two Saints...?"

"Don't rush, listen closely. It's about time I told you these things."

The Grandmaster took a sip of tea and slowly said:

"After Pangu's demise, the Great Dao directly manifested in the nascent world. There were six strongest beings in the world who sought to pursue the position of a Great Dao Saint. These six strong individuals also had varying strengths: Dao Ancestor Hongjun and Demonic Ancestor Luohu were the strongest, followed by Ancestral Dragon and Primordial Phoenix. The names of the other two strong individuals have already been erased from the Great Dao by someone. According to Master's conjecture, they were likely innate gods and demons who escaped Pangu's slaughter during the creation of the world. At that time, our three Daoist masters had not been cultivating for long; although they had the protection of the creation merits, their cultivation levels were slightly inferior to these six powerful beings. During the first calamity of the Dragons and Phoenixes, the instigator behind it was Demonic Ancestor Luohu. He used the resentment of living beings to forcefully absorb the true spirits of myriad beings for cultivation. After the Dragon-Phoenix War ended and the Primordial World shattered, Demonic Ancestor Luohu suddenly revealed his ferocious fangs, intending to destroy the Primordial World, revert to the Great Dao, and seek his own opportunity for enlightenment. At that time, the Ancestor of Daoism, who had been cultivating in secret and staying out of worldly affairs, stepped forward. He engaged Luohu in a great battle, and ultimately, Luohu was slain in what is now the West Niuhe Continent. Due to this great battle, the Western Continent's spiritual roots and veins were all shattered. The current West Niuhe Continent was pieced together by the Dao Ancestor using his immense power."

Li Changshou nodded slightly upon hearing this. Such secret history was certainly not found in ancient texts.

The Grandmaster continued:

"When the current six Masters became Saints in ancient times, the two martial uncles of the Western Teaching borrowed the merits of the Heavenly Dao through making great vows, thus attaining Sainthood. The most crucial part of these vows was not empty rhetoric like 'saving all beings,' but rather 'revitalizing the West.' The two martial uncles of the Western Teaching are now desperately striving to make the West strong and prosperous, even resorting to unscrupulous means, precisely because they owe a great karmic debt to the Heavenly Dao! Do you think the Western Teaching's current use of fierce beasts and demon races to cause trouble is quite excessive?"

Li Changshou blinked, thinking, 'Could there be anything more excessive?'

The Grandmaster chuckled: "In ancient times, these two martial uncles dug up spiritual roots from the Central Divine Continent and siphoned off spiritual energy from the Great Thousand Worlds. Whenever they saw a treasure or found some innate beings, they would just say, 'I see you have a connection with my West' or 'This item has a connection with my West,' and forcefully 'convert' them. If our third martial uncle hadn't stepped forward and brandished the Four Immortal Slaying Swords, perhaps half of the current Jie School immortals would be 'Western-bound' guests! Hahahahaha!"

Li Changshou: ...

This was largely consistent with what he knew.

He asked, "Grandmaster, is there a significant difference in strength among the six Saints?"

"It's hard to say too much about that. It relates to the strength of the six Saints before they attained Sainthood, and also to the innate supreme treasures each of them wields."

The Grandmaster cleared his throat, a smile in his eyes, and continued:

"After the last great battle of ancient times, our Daoist Ancestor obtained the opportunity to become a Saint. I've heard Master mention that the Dao Ancestor could have forcibly broken through the Heavenly Dao before it fully manifested, entering the realm of a Hunyuan Great Dao Saint. But if the Dao Ancestor had done so, the Primordial World would have rapidly shattered... It was the Dao Ancestor who abandoned the position of a Hunyuan Great Dao Saint, used the Jade Disc of Creation to perfect the Heavenly Dao, gradually integrated himself into the Heavenly Dao, compensated for what the Heavenly Dao lacked, and protected the Primordial World and the Three Thousand Worlds. Therefore, the Dao Ancestor is both a Saint and not a Saint. He can be called a Heavenly Dao Saint, being the most special. And the six Saints are all disciples of the Dao Ancestor, though the two martial uncles of the Western Teaching are merely registered disciples. In ancient times, the Dao Ancestor distributed Grandmist Purple Qi in the Zixiao Palace, which was the opportunity for Sainthood. At that time, the one closest to the realm of a Great Dao Saint was us... cough, my Master. Master originally didn't wish to merge with that wisp of Grandmist Purple Qi. However, to achieve the position of a Great Dao Saint, one had to break through the Heavenly Dao's obstruction, which meant directly opposing the Dao Ancestor. Left with no choice, Master had to merge with the Grandmist Purple Qi at a crucial moment, and established the Human Teaching to become a Saint. Because of this, Master is almost unbound by the Heavenly Dao, and can do as he pleases. After establishing the Human Teaching and symbolically taking me as a disciple, he washed his hands of it. Compared to Master, the Second and Third Martial Uncles' cultivation levels are similar, only slightly weaker than Master's. Therefore, their restraint by the Heavenly Dao isn't profound either. After all, they all possess creation merits. The Western Teaching's Jieyin martial uncle's cultivation level should be comparable to our two martial uncles'. However, Jieyin martial uncle has neither formidable offensive treasures like the Four Immortal Slaying Swords or the Pangu Banner, nor powerful defensive treasures like the Taiji Diagram or the Mysterious Yellow Pagoda. Thus, his strength is slightly weaker. The Holy Mother possesses a Red Silk Ball; if a Saint touches it, they are injured; if a Grand Luo brushes against it, they die. Although the Holy Mother largely became a Saint through merit, her overall strength is only slightly inferior to Jieyin martial uncle's. Then there's the Zhunti martial uncle..."

Li Changshou quickly said, "If we encounter a Saint this time, I'm afraid it will be him."

The Grandmaster pondered for a few moments, then said, "Hmm, Zhunti martial uncle's Seven Treasures Tree also has its unique qualities. However... you don't need to be afraid. Just go for it."

In Li Changshou's heart, he suddenly had a clear understanding.

This time, it seemed it was again time to test his escape techniques...

Meanwhile, at the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Ao Yi, who had just returned, wasted no time. He handed over his troops and hastily returned to his chambers.

He removed his armor, dismissed the maids, walked to the desk carved entirely from jade in the corner, and slowly unrolled the scroll in his hand.

This...

This is!

"Uh, 'The Scripture of Steadiness'? Anonymous?"

Ao Yi blinked, and with a 'let's see' attitude, began to read it intently.