Honghuang: Fire De Huaguang, I am the Horse King of Human Education

However, its movements were unusually resolute.

Its massive head was lowered, and its crimson eyes gazed tenderly at the earth unicorn, which was completely enveloped in dark golden light and whose aura was rising wildly.

Within that light, the small body of the earth qilin was undergoing a tremendous transformation. Its scales became thicker and stronger, and the single horn on its forehead gleamed with a dark golden light. An aura of majesty belonging to the qilin clan leader and bearing the will of the earth was slowly awakening.

"Child... hang in there..."

Zu Qilin's voice was weak, yet it carried an undeniable will.

It continues to pour its last remaining primordial power into the Earth Qilin's body without reservation.

It knew that by stripping away the most core source of the laws and forcibly infusing such a massive amount of power, the Earth Qilin's body and soul were enduring immense pain and shock.

But it knew even more clearly that this was the only thing it could do for its daughter.

It will help her skip the arduous cultivation of ten thousand years, allowing her to possess the power to protect the Qilin clan in the shortest possible time!

Even if the price is its own complete annihilation!

It had already sensed the rapid depletion of its own power, and it had also clearly "seen" that the giant palm descending from the Primordial Heavenly Lord was defeated by Lady Pingxin.

It understood even more clearly that the Primordial Celestial Venerable would never let this go!

Having lost its fundamental laws and most of its power, it was less than an ant in the presence of a sage.

All that awaited it was annihilation, both body and soul.

But in its eyes, there was no fear, only boundless tenderness and reluctance towards the earth unicorn.

It watched greedily as its daughter transformed in the light, as if it wanted to imprint this final image forever into the depths of its soon-to-disappear soul.

Finally, the last bit of dark golden primordial power, like a trickle, flowed into the Earth Qilin's brow.

The massive, almost transparent body of the Ancestral Qilin suddenly swayed, as if it might completely dissipate at any moment.

It turned its head with difficulty, its huge, crimson eyes passing over the shimmering earthen qilin and landing on Hua Guang, who was being protected by Kong Xuan and Chi You at the edge of the barrier.

The previous violence and murderous intent were gone from those eyes; only a humble plea remained.

"Huaguang..."

Zu Qilin's voice was so faint it was almost inaudible, yet it reached Hua Guang's ears clearly.

“My daughter…the Qilin clan…I entrust…I entrust her to you…I beg you…to treat her well…”

Hua Guang watched the enormous figure about to disappear, and saw the pure, fatherly plea in its eyes, and felt a mix of emotions.

He met Zu Qilin's gaze and nodded solemnly, his voice steady and powerful.

"Chief Qilin, rest assured. I, Huaguang, hereby swear that as long as I, Huaguang, live, I will regard the Earth Qilin as my own brothers and sisters, and protect the Qilin clan! We will share the destiny of humanity and weather the storms of the primordial world together!"

A slow, laborious smile appeared on Zu Qilin's illusory face.

That smile was full of relief and satisfaction.

It seemed as if it had finally shed an ancient burden and could leave in peace.

"well……"

Its faint voice carried a sense of relief.

Then, its enormous head suddenly lifted, and the last glint in its eyes suddenly concentrated, transforming into an invisible wave!

The Earth Barrier that enveloped it and the Earth Qilin instantly dissipated!
Within the light, the figure of the Earth Qilin was fully revealed.

Her size did not increase; instead, it became more refined and agile.

Its entire body was covered in dark golden scales, shimmering with a warm and heavy luster. The single horn on its forehead was like dark golden divine jade, exuding a powerful aura of earth element law.

Her eyes were still somewhat dazed, as if she had not yet fully recovered from the impact of the immense power and the transformation of her soul, but the majesty of the Qilin clan leader, bearing the will of the earth, had already begun to take shape around her.

The almost transparent, enormous body of the Ancestral Qilin swayed violently the moment the barrier dissipated, and began to fade and dissipate at a visible speed!
"Do not--!"

The Earth Kirin finally regained full consciousness! She could feel the blood-related connection rapidly dissipating!
She saw the illusory face of the Ancestral Qilin, its face filled with a loving smile, fading away!

She was overwhelmed by immense panic and grief!

She let out a heart-wrenching cry, stomped her hooves on the ground, and charged desperately toward the disappearing figure of the Ancestral Qilin!
She wanted to catch it! She wanted to keep it!

However, a gentle yet irresistible force, like an invisible barrier, firmly held her in place!
That was the last strength of the Ancestral Qilin. With its remaining will, it forcibly controlled the residual earth vein energy after the barrier dissipated, forming a protective barrier to prevent the Earth Qilin from getting close!
"Father! Don't go! Don't leave me!"

Tears welled up in the earth unicorn's golden eyes like a burst dam, flowing wildly.

She desperately pounded against the invisible barrier, her tiny hooves clawing futilely in the void, letting out desperate screams.

"I was wrong! I shouldn't have talked back to you! I'll do whatever you say! Please! Don't go!"

As the illusory figure of the Ancestral Qilin dissipated, its crimson giant eyes gazed deeply, deeply, at the Earth Qilin. Those eyes contained a thousand unspoken words, which ultimately turned into a silent sigh and blessing.

Its lips twitched slightly, as if it wanted to say something, but ultimately no sound came out.

Immediately, that enormous, once awe-inspiring dark golden figure completely transformed into specks of dark golden light, dissipating into the world.

Only the earthen qilin's desperate cries echoed across the deathly silent battlefield.

The earthen unicorn was pushed backward by that gentle yet irresistible force, eventually stopping beside Hua Guang.

Her golden eyes were fixed on the spot where the Ancestral Qilin had vanished. Only specks of dark golden light remained, drifting in the wind like fireflies on a summer night, carrying a last warmth before quickly dimming and disappearing without leaving any trace of its soul.

"Father……"

The earthen unicorn murmured, its voice hollow like a soulless shell.

Overwhelming grief, like a cold tide, instantly engulfed her newly empowered body. Her small frame trembled violently, her dark golden scales lost their luster, and her eyes glazed over, as if the entire world were collapsing before her eyes.

The throbbing of blood ties, the protection that stood in front of him, the final, loving, reluctant gaze... all of it vanished completely with the scattered particles of light.

Empress Pingxin appeared silently beside the Earth Qilin.

She looked at the little Qilin that had just endured a tremendous impact and instantly lost its loved ones, and a rare look of pity appeared in her deep eyes that held the promise of reincarnation.

She stretched out her fair palm and gently pressed it on the slightly trembling back of the earth unicorn. A gentle surge of earth energy slowly flowed in, attempting to soothe her chaotic mind.

"My condolences, child."

Empress Pingxin's voice carried a calmness that seemed to understand all things, yet it also carried an undeniable weight.

"He stripped away the original source of the laws he had condensed and forcibly infused you with his last bit of power and will, having already exhausted all of it."

His existence, his imprint, has been completely integrated into the primordial earth elemental Dao; this is called… Dao transformation. No soul can be found, no spirit can return.

"Transformation into the Dao..."

The earth unicorn's empty eyes flickered slightly, and an immense sorrow pressed down on her heart like a tangible boulder, almost suffocating her.

She suddenly raised her head, tears streaming down her face like broken beads, her voice filled with heart-wrenching despair.

"Why...why did this have to happen...I don't want power...I just want him back..."

Empress Pingxin sighed softly, the earth energy emanating from her palm becoming even gentler, yet it could not dispel the deep-seated sorrow.

Her gaze swept across the battlefield.

On the other side, the immortals of the Chan Sect were already terrified by the successive clashes between the saints and the fall of the Ancestral Qilin.

While Lady Pingxin was calming the earthen unicorn and her attention was diverted, Guang Chengzi and the others, like startled birds, quietly concealed their presence and retreated rapidly towards Xiqi City, not daring to look back even once.

They just wanted to get away from this place of trouble and from that terrifying underground saint as soon as possible.

However, Daoist Ran Deng did not retreat with the others.

He stood on the devastated battlefield, his expression shifting constantly, his eyes filled with fear and struggle.

The Ancestral Qilin perished, the origin of the laws fell into enemy hands, and the giant palm of the Primordial Heavenly Lord was shattered by the Goddess Pingxin...

All of this means that his mission has been a complete failure!
Given the temperament of the Primordial Celestial Venerable, he would never let him off easily! At best, he would be severely punished; at worst... He dared not think any further.

A thought sprouted and spread in his mind: to break away from the Chan Sect!

Taking advantage of this chaos, fleeing to the wilderness might offer a glimmer of hope!
Otherwise, if he stays in the Chan Sect, he will likely only face retribution!
As Ran Deng struggled internally, secretly plotting his escape—

boom!
An unparalleled pressure, even more vast and ancient than the previous descent of the Primordial Celestial Venerable, seemingly originating from the primordial origin and representing the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, enveloped the entire Xiqi battlefield without warning!

Space seemed to freeze instantly, and time seemed to stand still!
Under this oppressive force, everything was like a mosquito or fly trapped in amber, its thoughts becoming incredibly sluggish!
Two figures appeared silently in the sky.

On the left stands a figure dressed in a simple Taoist robe, his face indistinct, seemingly shrouded in endless Taoist charm. A pure aura surrounds him, unassuming yet giving the illusion that he is the very "Tao" itself. This is none other than Hongjun, the Taoist Ancestor!
The person on the right is none other than the Primordial Celestial Venerable, whose face is gloomy and whose eyes are flashing with cold light!

He stood beside Hongjun Daozu, his gaze like a cold blade, instantly locking onto Pingxin Niangniang and Tu Qilin below!

"Pingxin, you have repeatedly interfered with the workings of Heaven, disrupted the destiny of the Investiture of the Gods, and even protected those who defy Heaven. Today, you shall be punished!"

Hongjun Daozu's voice was calm and even, yet it carried a supreme will that was absolute and unquestionable!

He did not raise his hand, but his gaze fell on Consort Pingxin.

Empress Pingxin was instantly bound by countless chains of Dao principles!
The chains were formless and intangible, yet they contained the immense power of the Heavenly Dao, capable of imprisoning everything and obliterating all laws! Empress Pingxin's expression changed slightly, and the illusory image of the Six Paths of Reincarnation behind her instantly shone brightly!
"The Six Paths of Reincarnation! Appear!"

Boom! Six enormous, dark vortexes spun wildly behind her, unleashing a surge of reincarnation power that formed a solid barrier, desperately resisting the entangling chains of the Heavenly Dao!
Two supreme forces clashed violently around her, unleashing a silent annihilation! The space around her collapsed inch by inch, forming a chaotic region!
However, Hongjun Daozu simply stood there quietly, as if he had only glanced at him casually.

The invisible chains of heaven grew denser and denser, and the power they contained became increasingly terrifying!
The Six Paths of Reincarnation Barrier of Lady Pingxin trembled violently, and fine cracks began to appear on its surface!

Her face gradually turned pale, clearly under immense pressure!
"Hongjun! Do you intend to suppress the Earthly Dao with the Heavenly Dao?!"

Empress Pingxin's voice carried suppressed anger.

Hongjun Daozu did not answer, but the invisible chains of the Heavenly Dao suddenly tightened!
Empress Pingxin let out a muffled groan, a trickle of dark golden blood spilling from the corner of her mouth! The barrier of the Six Paths of Reincarnation teetered on the brink of collapse!
At this critical moment!
A hand, as black as ink and seemingly composed of the purest shadows, emerged from the void behind Consort Pingxin without warning!
The timing of this hand's appearance was absolutely perfect. Taking advantage of the moment when Lady Pingxin was fully engaged in resisting the Heavenly Dao Chains and the moment when Dao Ancestor Hongjun's attention was focused on her, it grabbed Daoist Randeng, who was also frozen in place by the pressure of the Heavenly Dao and whose mind was losing control due to fear!

"what?!"

Before Ran Deng could even let out a short cry of surprise, he was violently pulled into the void rift by the dark hand and disappeared!

This sudden change caused Hongjun Daozu's gaze to narrow slightly, and the Heavenly Dao chains binding Lady Pingxin also showed an extremely slight stagnation!
"go!"

Empress Pingxin was no ordinary person; she instantly seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! She took a deep breath, and the illusory image of the Six Paths of Reincarnation behind her suddenly contracted, transforming into a dark stream of light that enveloped her body. At the same time, a gentle force swept up the earthen Qilin on the ground!

The instant the invisible chains of Hongjun Daozu tightened again, her figure, along with the earthen Qilin, vanished from the spot, leaving only a slowly healing shattered void!

Hongjun Daozu looked at the place where Pingxin Niangniang disappeared. His blurred face showed no emotion, only a soft sigh, his voice carrying a barely perceptible regret.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't keep her."

At this moment, Yuanshi Tianzun had no time to pay attention to Pingxin Niangniang's escape.

His divine sense swept wildly across the battlefield, and his expression instantly turned extremely ugly.

"Where is the Ancestral Qilin?! Its aura... has completely vanished?!"

His last shred of hope was shattered! The Ancestral Qilin had truly perished!

The absence of one of the four elements and the resulting instability in the Heavenly Dao could bring him a backlash at any moment!
A tremendous panic instantly gripped Yuanshi Tianzun!

His gaze suddenly shifted to the earthen unicorn, who had been left behind by Consort Pingxin before being swept away, still immersed in immense grief, with empty eyes!
He could clearly sense that the purest earth elemental power of the Ancestral Qilin was flowing within the little Qilin's body!
"You are the one!"

The eyes of the Primordial Celestial Venerable were filled with ruthlessness and greed! Having lost the Ancestral Qilin, this little Qilin, which inherited its fundamental laws, was the best replacement! (End of Chapter)