Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

Xuanbao did not alert the great shamans at the entrance of the treasure vault. As for why he did not let them discover it, that was quite simple. It would be somewhat embarrassing for them to watch the shaman clan's treasure vault being emptied by Xuanbao right in front of them.

When Xuanbao arrived at the Pangu Palace, the eleven Ancestral Witches were still immersed in restoring their own blood and energy and in the initial nurturing of the Twelve Capital Heavenly Gods and Demons Banners.

……

This trip to the Wu Clan has yielded far more than expected. Not only did they successfully help the Wu Clan forge the "Twelve Capital Heavenly Gods and Demons Banner," filling a gap in their Twelve Capital Heavenly Gods and Demons Grand Array and greatly enhancing their confidence and chances of defeating the Demon Clan's "Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array," but they also seized the opportunity to obtain an enormous fortune from the Wu Clan's treasury—more than three hundred innate spiritual treasures, tens of thousands of acquired spiritual treasures, a vast amount of innate and acquired spiritual materials, and thirty-eight innate spiritual roots. An unexpected bonus was finding the "Eastern Azure Lotus Treasure Banner," which significantly improved their innate Five Elements Grand Array, along with the mysterious "Twelve-Grade Reincarnation Purple Lotus"!

However, the greater the gain, the deeper the karmic consequences. The Wu tribe must repay this "karmic debt." Xuanbao admits that he is not as shameless as the two from the West. In Xuanbao's mind, if someone treats me with respect, I will treat them with even greater respect.

Moreover, his fate was now intertwined with that of the Witch Clan. After all, Houtu was his backer, and he had to help the Witch Clan out of trouble, at least to prevent things from turning out as tragically as in the original story. Just in case, Xuanbao had made quite a few preparations.

"After the Lich War, comes the Investiture of the Gods... The workings of Heaven are unpredictable, but minor trends can be altered." Xuanbao thought to himself, "Although my three masters did not establish their own sects and become saints under my influence, they still established the Heaven, Earth, and Human Sect, and are destined to be involved in the Investiture of the Gods. How could I let my lovely junior brothers and sisters repeat the same mistakes?"

"It's time to go see my masters," Xuanbao decided. On the Wu Clan's side, with the aid of the Dutian Divine Banner, the "Qiyang Wine," and numerous spiritual items to aid their recovery, plus Xingtian's imminent attainment of Ancestral Witch status, they should be fine for the time being. His staying here would be pointless and might even interfere with the Ancestral Witches' seclusion. More importantly, if the Wu Clan found out their treasure vault had been emptied, although they certainly wouldn't say anything, Xuanbao felt too ashamed to stay any longer.

Having thought of this, Xuanbao no longer hesitated. He first used his divine sense to leave a hidden communication mark within the Pangu Palace. The message was concise, informing Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches that he had other important matters to attend to and needed to travel to Kunlun Mountain. He said that if the Witch Clan encountered any emergency, they could contact him using this mark. Then, he bowed respectfully to the eleven Ancestral Witches in seclusion and to the blood-red cocoon. His figure then faded and disappeared silently, like ink dissolving into water, without causing any spatial fluctuations or energy ripples, as if he had never existed.

The next moment, Xuanbao appeared high in the sky outside Buzhou Mountain. Beneath his feet was the vast and majestic Primordial Pillar, connecting heaven and earth, with clouds swirling around the mountainside and fierce winds blowing. He glanced back at the ancestral land of the Wu Clan, shrouded in dense baleful energy and the will of Pangu, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes before turning into determination.

Xuanbao's mind stirred, but he didn't unleash the great power to tear through space, as that would be too commotion and easily attract unnecessary attention. He simply took a light step, and the Dao aura beneath his feet arose spontaneously, as if he were stepping on the trajectory of an invisible and intangible yet truly existing "Dao." This was a method of travel he had comprehended after his cultivation deepened and his understanding of his own "Dao" became more profound, combining space, the Five Elements, and even a trace of the true meaning of chaos. It was called the "Dao Footprint Step." Seemingly a leisurely stroll, each step actually conformed to the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, shrinking the earth to an inch, making the ends of the earth seem within reach. Its speed far surpassed ordinary escape light, and its mystery was subtle and restrained, leaving no trace.

Leaving the territory of Buzhou Mountain, Xuanbao merged with the Dao and headed towards Kunlun Mountain in the east. The mountains and rivers beneath his feet receded, and the sea of ​​clouds parted, but his mind was in turmoil as he constantly sorted out his next words and plans.

Kunlun Mountain is one of the most ancient and sacred mountains in the primordial world, and also the sacred site of the Three Pure Ones. Since the Three Pure Ones attained sainthood and established the three sects of Heaven, Earth, and Man, its grandeur has become increasingly magnificent and vast. Before even reaching the foot of the mountain, one can already see purple qi rising from the east for thirty thousand miles, auspicious clouds swirling, cranes soaring, and the faint sounds of spiritual springs and waterfalls. Moreover, endless Daoist charm permeates the mountain, resonating with heaven and earth, inspiring awe in all living beings.

Xuanbao did not directly enter the Kunlun Mountain Daoist temple, but instead revealed himself before the Reception Platform on the outskirts of Kunlun Mountain. The White Crane Boy was stationed there year-round to receive visitors. Although Xuanbao was the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones, proper etiquette could not be disregarded.

"Senior Brother!" The White Crane Boy saw Xuanbao from afar, his eyes filled with joy, and he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects. "When did Senior Brother return? The three masters mentioned Senior Brother recently."

"Thank you for your help, junior brother. Xuanbao requests an audience with the three masters." Xuanbao returned the greeting with a smile, his tone gentle.

"Senior Brother, please come in quickly, there's no need to announce your arrival!" The White Crane Boy hurriedly stepped aside to lead the way. "The three masters have already given instructions that if you arrive, Senior Brother, you may go straight into the Sanqing Hall."

Xuanbao nodded and followed the White Crane Boy up the jade steps to the mountain. Along the way, they saw exotic flowers and rare herbs everywhere, fragrant grasses, playful spirit beasts, and magnificent palaces hidden among the clouds. Compared to the desolate and wild Pangu Palace of the Wu Clan, this place possessed a more tranquil and carefree atmosphere befitting immortals. However, Xuanbao could sense that beneath this peaceful surface, the protective array of Kunlun Mountain was already operating at full power. Wisps of chaotic sword energy and Yin-Yang Daoist principles were concealed in the void, clearly rearranged after the Three Pure Ones attained sainthood, its power unfathomable.

Before long, we arrived at Kunlun Mountain, at the Sanqing Hall atop the mountain.

The three saints sat side by side, their Daoist auras intertwined. Although they did not deliberately release any pressure, time and space within the Sanqing Hall seemed to freeze, with only the Great Dao flowing silently. The White Crane Boy had already bowed and retreated, leaving only Xuanbao and the Three Pure Ones in the hall.

"Disciple Xuanbao greets the three masters." Xuanbao stepped forward and respectfully bowed three times, his expression solemn, showing no trace of his usual carefree nature.

Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian—the gazes of the three sages simultaneously fell upon Xuanbao. Those gazes were not physical vision, but rather the observation of the sages' Daoist thoughts, calm and undisturbed, yet seemingly able to see through all the illusions of the world, illuminate the past and future, and unravel the mysteries of destiny. Under the sages' gaze, Xuanbao felt as if everything about him was transparent.

"Rise," Laozi said slowly, his voice calm and serene, but his gaze towards Xuanbao was incredibly gentle, like the voice of the Great Dao, reaching the deepest part of people's hearts and calming all turmoil. "We already know your purpose. The Lich War has begun, the calamity's aura soars to the heavens, the great calamity is imminent, and the secrets of heaven are in chaos. Now that you have entered the calamity, you must guard your true heart, clearly discern cause and effect, and lest you stray from the right path."

Yuanshi, his head bowed slightly, his body radiating a pure, celestial light. Hearing this, he replied, "Your assistance to the Wu Clan in forging the flag, though bordering on defying the heavens, stems from a sense of justice. Your aim is to restrain the ferocity of the demon race and protect humanity, thus it is entirely righteous. However, under the ravages of fate, how can any escape unscathed? The war between the Wu and the demons is a cataclysmic event, destined to cause rivers of blood and shake the very heavens and earth. Although you have the will, you must assess your own capabilities and not act rashly, lest you become mired in the mire, tainted by immeasurable karma, and damage your own fortune—a loss that outweighs any gain."

The Tongtian Sect Leader raised his eyebrows slightly, a glint of lightning flashing in his eyes, his voice clear and melodious like the ringing of a sword: "What the eldest and second eldest said makes some sense. However, I observe that Xuanbao, although your actions are often astonishing, they always seem to align with the will of Heaven, finding a glimmer of hope in the most perilous situations. Now that you have intervened in this matter of the witches and demons, go ahead and do it! Our Human Sect has never feared calamity. But remember, actions must be methodical, and plans must be made before acting. If you encounter indecision, or if your strength is insufficient, my Qingping Sword will not be of any disadvantage."

The three sages each had their own emphasis in their words. Laozi, with his transcendent perspective, pointed out the essence of calamities and the importance of guarding one's true nature; Yuanshi, with his prudent approach, stressed cause and effect, benefits and harms, and acting within one's capabilities; Tongtian, with his sharp intellect, offered support and encouragement, but also reminded them to plan carefully. Their words revealed their concern and expectations for their disciple Xuanbao, as well as a hint of helplessness and pride stemming from Xuanbao's style of conduct.

A warm feeling welled up in Xuanbao's heart, and he bowed again: "This disciple will follow the teachings of the three masters. My involvement in the matter of the witches and demons was indeed driven by personal motives, but also by a sense of justice. The demon race has forged the witch-slaying sword, harming billions of human beings and committing such an act of extinction, which is intolerable to Heaven. If the witch race is defeated, the human race will surely become fish on the demon race's chopping block, at their mercy. This disciple carries a portion of the human race's destiny and is trusted by the witch race, so I cannot stand idly by, both for the public good and for personal reasons. However, this disciple is well aware of the perilous nature of the calamity and dares not be arrogant. I have come here precisely to seek guidance from the masters and to express my concerns."

"Oh? What is it that you are worried about?" A very subtle ripple appeared in Laozi's usually calm eyes. Yuanshi and Tongtian also showed signs of listening.

Xuanbao took a deep breath, organized his thoughts, and slowly said, "What I am concerned about is not just the current war between the Wu and Yao races. The Wu and Yao races have been fighting each other since the beginning of the primordial world, their hatred for each other runs deep in their bones, and the ancient Dao Ancestor Hongjun once said, 'The demons rule the heavens, the Wu rule the earth,' drawing a line between them, making the conflict almost irreconcilable. This time, the Yao race's forging of the Wu-slaying Sword has touched the very foundation of the Wu race, and the Wu race reacted fiercely upon learning of it, destroying the Yao race's strongholds. The Yao race retaliated by destroying the Celestial Court to establish its authority... Both sides are already on the verge of conflict, and there is no way to stop them from going. A final war that will sweep across the primordial world, determine the fate of the two races, and even reshape the world order is probably just around the corner."

"Once this battle breaks out, its ferocity will far surpass any previous conflict. The Witch Clan possesses the Great Array of Heavenly Gods and Demons to summon the true form of Pangu, while the Demon Clan has the Great Array of the Celestial Stars to draw upon the power of the celestial bodies. When these two arrays collide, it will be enough to destroy the heavens and the earth, and reshape the order of earth, water, fire, and wind. At that time, the primordial land will inevitably be devastated, all races will suffer calamity, and the order of heaven and earth will collapse. It can also be called the 'Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth'."

"However," Xuanbao's tone shifted, his gaze sweeping over the three sages, his voice growing heavy, "what will happen after the great calamity? The Wu and Yao races, regardless of victory or defeat, will undoubtedly suffer severe losses, possibly even mutual destruction, forcing them to withdraw from the prehistoric stage. This is the cycle of Heaven's will; old forces exhaust themselves, and new forces emerge. But once the old forces are gone, who will fill the power vacuum, resource territories, and even the destiny of Heaven and Earth? Among the myriad races of the prehistoric world, who will rise to dominate the next era?"

"Humans!" x3

Xuanbao nodded slowly, not surprised by the Three Pure Ones' reaction. After all, he had already told them about the special nature of the human race: "Indeed, it is the human race. Although the human race is weak at birth, they are born with a Dao body, in harmony with the Dao, reproduce rapidly, and their ability to learn and create is unparalleled among all races. Furthermore, they have benefited from the creation of Sister Nuwa, the essence and blood of my three masters and myself, and enjoy the fortune bestowed by the Heavenly Dao. If the war between the Lich King and the Demon King results in mutual destruction, the position of the protagonist of the prehistoric world will be vacant. The human race will surely rise to power and inherit the fortune of heaven and earth. This is the general trend and the destiny of heaven. At that time, the prehistoric world will enter a new era dominated by 'humans'."

Xuanbao paused, his voice becoming clearer: "However, even the mandate of heaven requires human effort. Although the human race has now purged its internal traitors and declared its independence, its cohesion and will to strengthen itself are unprecedented. However, its foundation is too shallow, and its high-end combat power is lacking. Facing the aftermath of the great war, and even the inevitable vacuum of order and the covetousness of all races that will inevitably follow, it may be difficult for the human race to stabilize the situation and smoothly assume the position of the protagonist of heaven and earth on its own. Even with the secret support of disciples and the witch clan, it is not a long-term solution. The human race needs a truly unique, systematic inheritance and protective power, and it needs a deeper foundation and a broader vision."

The Primordial Celestial Venerable's eyes flashed, and he replied, "You mean that we should make early investments in the human race to help them solidify their foundation and cultivate their own immortal power, while also using this opportunity to connect the fortunes of our three sects with those of the human race, so that we can complement each other?"

"Master, you are wise," Xuanbao bowed and said, "That is exactly what I intend. Now that the decisive battle between the Lich King and the Demon King is imminent, the aura of calamity is pervasive, and the secrets of heaven are in chaos, it is the perfect opportunity to make arrangements. At this time, allowing the human race to come into contact with and cultivate the great paths of the three religions will, firstly, rapidly enhance the overall strength and potential of the human race, cultivate a group of immortal seeds belonging to the human race, and reserve the backbone of the human race's future rise; secondly, the three religions are profound and all-encompassing, which can open the human race's wisdom, point out the way forward, and help them establish civilized order, understand etiquette and righteousness, rather than just relying on brute force; thirdly, the spread of the three religions among the human race, the recruitment of disciples, and the gathering of faith will naturally allow them to share in the vast and boundless destiny of the human race as the protagonist of heaven and earth in the future, which will benefit the spread and growth of the three religions, and even the cultivation of the three masters. This is a mutually beneficial move."

Xuanbao's purpose was simple. Although the human race was under his protection, there were still risks. Why not provide more backgrounds for the human race and allow his junior brothers and sisters to gain some human fortune?

The Tongtian Sect Leader clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! This plan is excellent! Our Human Sect's lineage emphasizes worldly cultivation, helping people and saving lives. Spreading the Dao among humans is exactly in line with our Dao! My disciples have been cultivating on the mountain for too long, it's time for them to go down the mountain, see the world, and perhaps take on a few decent disciples to carry forward the Dao of our Human Sect! Duobao and Jinling have been talking about going down the mountain to spread the Dao for a long time."

The Primordial Celestial Venerable nodded slightly, his eyes showing approval, but his tone remained solemn: "It is indeed reasonable to pass on the Dao to the human race. However, the Dao should not be lightly transmitted, and the methods should not be indiscriminately bestowed. The human race's nature is still unsettled, and there is a mixture of good and bad. We must carefully distinguish those with pure hearts and steadfast devotion to the Dao and impart it to them. Our local lineage emphasizes lineage, hierarchy, and rigorous principles. When imparting the Dao, we must pay even more attention to rules and etiquette, and not disrupt the order, lest we bring shame upon the reputation of our Jade Purity Sect."

Lao Tzu sat quietly on his cloud bed, listening to the words of Yuanshi and Tongtian. His fingers unconsciously brushed against the flat cane in his bosom. After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice as calm as an ancient well, yet setting the tone: "Humanity should prosper. The three schools of thought should enter humanity, in accordance with the mandate of heaven and the great way. However, the methods of spreading the Way must be differentiated, teaching according to aptitude, allowing each to develop their strengths."

He looked at Xuanbao: "Xuanbao, now that you've proposed this, do you have a concrete plan in mind?"

Xuanbao's spirits lifted, knowing the most crucial moment had arrived. He gathered his thoughts and said, "This disciple does indeed have some shallow opinions; please correct me, my three masters."

Xuanbao steadied himself, knowing the most crucial moment had arrived. Facing the Three Pure Ones, he slowly revealed the plan he had long been brewing in his heart:

"My three masters, the human race is destined to prosper, and the three schools of thought should be incorporated into the human race—this is the inevitable trend. However, the method of transmitting the Dao must have a set rules to achieve twice the result with half the effort and to solidify the foundation. In my humble opinion, rather than having the Dao be directly and widely transmitted by the three schools, it would be better to emulate the spirit of the ancient sages who 'teach without discrimination' and 'teach according to aptitude,' and adopt the strategy of 'casting a wide net and cultivating with care.'"

"Cast a wide net, then cultivate carefully?" Yuanshi Tianzun's eyebrows twitched slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression.

"Indeed." Xuanbao nodded and continued, "Now, all the junior brothers and sisters under the three sects are people with extraordinary backgrounds and accomplished cultivation. Some are skilled in weapon crafting, some are adept at setting up formations, some are knowledgeable in alchemy, some are deeply versed in talismans, some are proficient in swordsmanship, and some are profound in the principles of law... Each has their own strengths, and their Taoist practices are already proficient. However, living in Kunlun Immortal Mountain for a long time, although it can improve their cultivation, it also lacks the experience of the mortal world, and their understanding of the universe, all living beings, cause and effect, and reincarnation may be lacking. Moreover, the Taoist traditions of our three sects are vast and encompass everything. If we rely solely on the three masters and a few personal disciples to preach, the speed and breadth of dissemination will ultimately be limited."

His gaze swept over the Three Pure Ones, and seeing that they were all listening attentively, he laid out his plan in its entirety:

"This disciple proposes that the three masters issue a decree allowing all the junior brothers and sisters of our three sects to go to the primordial land, especially to areas inhabited by humans, according to their respective strengths in Taoist arts and their aspirations, to choose a place to establish a 'separate residence,' or 'lower courtyard,' which is in fact the creation of their own 'sect'!"

"Create a sect?" A glint flashed in the eyes of the Tongtian Sect Leader, clearly showing great interest in the suggestion.

"Indeed." Xuanbao's tone was firm. "This sect, nominally, still belongs to the three sects of Heaven, Earth, and Man, and reveres the three masters as Dao Ancestors. However, specific affairs, the transmission of Daoist teachings, and the selection of disciples are all decided independently by the founding disciples. They can establish the sect's tenets based on their unique understanding of the Great Dao and a particular field. For example, those skilled in alchemy can establish the 'Dan Ding Sect,' specializing in alchemy, health preservation, and the principles of herbal medicine; those skilled in weapon crafting can establish the 'Divine Craft Pavilion,' teaching the methods of weapon crafting, treasure making, and the creation of metal and stone restrictions; those excelling in swordsmanship can establish the 'Ten Thousand Swords Manor,' specializing in swordsmanship, sword nurturing, and sword control; those knowledgeable in formations can establish the 'Qi Men Mansion,' studying formation layouts and the principles of leveraging the power of heaven and earth; those deeply versed in legal principles and etiquette can establish the 'Ming Lun Academy,' spreading etiquette, enlightening wisdom, and regulating order..."

Xuanbao's thoughts became clearer and his words more fluent as he spoke: "In this way, each junior brother and sister who descends the mountain becomes an independent 'seed of the Dao lineage,' a unique 'spark of inheritance.' They travel to human tribes or famous mountains and rivers to establish Daoist temples and recruit disciples. The disciples they recruit are not limited to humans; any being with a heart for the Dao and who meets the requirements of their sect can be included. But the core must be primarily human."

"This move has several advantages: First, it can greatly accelerate the spread of our three sects' lineages in the prehistoric world, especially among the human race. With fellow disciples scattered in all directions, each displaying their strengths, like sparks, they can quickly ignite a prairie fire, sowing the essence of the Three Pure Ones' Great Dao in a way that is most suitable for the local area and closest to the needs. Its speed of dissemination and depth of penetration are far beyond what the three sects' headquarters can achieve by directly sending a few disciples to preach."

"Secondly, it can fully stimulate the potential and initiative of all fellow disciples. Creating and managing a sect requires overall planning, teaching disciples, handling internal and external affairs, and responding to various challenges… This in itself is the highest form of cultivation and training. In this process, their understanding of their own Daoist methods will deepen, their perception of heaven and earth will become more comprehensive, and their character will be greatly tempered. Furthermore, there is an invisible competition between sects. To attract more outstanding disciples and gain more resources and recognition, they will undoubtedly devote themselves wholeheartedly to continuously improving their own Daoist lineage and innovating teaching methods, creating a flourishing scene of 'a hundred flowers blooming and a hundred schools of thought contending.' This kind of healthy competition is the perfect soil for promoting the progress of Daoist methods and stimulating creative vitality!"

Xuanbao's eyes gleamed with wisdom as he continued, "Thirdly, for humanity, this is a divinely granted opportunity. Different sects, each focusing on different areas, can provide humanity with comprehensive paths to advancement. Those who wish to strengthen their bodies and engage in battlefield combat can join sects that emphasize body refinement and combat skills; those who wish to delve into crafts and develop civilization can join sects that focus on artisans and manufacturing; those who wish to cultivate wisdom and govern with reason can join sects that focus on education and law; and those who wish to pursue longevity and explore the Great Dao have numerous sects that directly lead to immortality to choose from… In this way, humanity can choose the most suitable path based on its own talents and aspirations, allowing each to fully utilize their abilities. The entire civilization level and strength of humanity will experience a rapid, comprehensive, and multi-dimensional improvement in the shortest possible time! This is hundreds of times more effective than simply teaching a particular Dao technique!"

"Fourthly," Xuanbao looked at the Three Pure Ones, his tone solemn, "this move is also a brilliant strategy for the Three Sects' fortune to solidify their foundations and expand their influence. Although the sects founded by you fellow disciples are independent entities, their lineage and legal foundations all originate from the Three Sects. The stronger these sects become, and the more outstanding their disciples, the more their accumulated fortune, faith, and merit will eventually be fed back to the Three Sects' origin, becoming closely connected with their fortune, forming a flourishing and deeply rooted force. In the future, when humanity becomes the protagonist of heaven and earth, its immense fortune will surely benefit these sects deeply rooted in humanity, and in turn, nourish the Three Sects. At that time, the lineage of our Three Sects will truly be integrated with the fortune of humanity and the great trend of the primordial world, and the stability of our foundation will far surpass that of the Witch and Demon races!"

"Finally," Xuanbao took a deep breath and said the most crucial point, "the timing for this plan is perfect. Even if any sect acts improperly, we can cut ties at any time without implicating the three sects."

Inside the Sanqing Hall, all was silent. Only the lingering echo of Xuanbao's clear voice resonated gently with the invisible yet vast Daoist aura surrounding the Sanqing.