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

Cangjie was helped up by Xuanbao, still in a state of extreme shock and excitement. His face was flushed, and his lips trembled, but he didn't know what to say. Xuanbao gently patted his shoulder, and a cool breath entered his body, slowly calming his turbulent emotions.

"Now that you have entered my school, you should understand my path." Xuanbao's voice carried a calming power. "The path of 'literature' may seem insignificant, but it is the cornerstone of civilization, carrying wisdom and connecting the past and present. Its power is no less than moving mountains and filling seas, and its merit is comparable to heaven and earth. Since you have this heart and this affinity, then calmly comprehend it and solidify your foundation. When the time is ripe, your time to shine will come."

Cangjie nodded vigorously, imprinting every word Xuanbao said deep into his heart. He knew that from this moment on, his life would be completely changed.

Xuanbao did not immediately bring Cangjie back to the Heavenly Court. The budding of the Way of Writing needs to take root in the most authentic soil of humanity; it requires observation, understanding, and sharing the same breath and destiny with this world and its millions of compatriots. Pulling it up too early would only cause it to lose its true meaning.

He waved his hand, setting up a simple concealment barrier near the riverbank on the outskirts of the Cangyuan tribe. This barrier isolated the area from prying eyes and attracted a wisp of pure innate spiritual energy and stellar essence, subtly improving the environment within a radius of several miles. Then, using his finger as a brush, he sketched in the air, and a simple yet clean bamboo and wooden hut rose from the riverbank. Inside, there were tables, chairs, beds, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones—simple yet imbued with Daoist charm.

Don't ask why. There will be writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones; they're just readily available.

"This will be your temporary residence and training ground," Xuanbao said to Cangjie. "I will leave behind a wisp of my divine consciousness to answer your questions, teach you the basic methods of cultivation and visualization, strengthen your body, and purify your mind. But the path of 'literature' ultimately requires you to observe the world, comprehend all things, refine your heart in the mortal realm, and create your own methods in silence. Every so often, I will come to examine you personally. Remember, I am merely a guide; how far you go depends on yourself."

Cangjie bowed respectfully again: "Disciple understands! I will certainly not fail my teacher's expectations!"

Xuanbao nodded, leaving behind a divine thought avatar while his true self quietly departed, returning to the Heavenly Court. The matter of Cangjie required long-term planning and could not be rushed. He believed that the seed had already been planted, and it was only waiting for the right moment to sprout and shake the primordial world.

……

Heavenly Court, Lingxiao Palace.

Haotian and Yaochi have compiled a detailed battle report and follow-up arrangements for this century-long campaign into a booklet and presented it to the Emperor. Although Haotian's brow showed signs of fatigue, he also possessed a composure and sharpness honed by this great battle, and his cultivation had subtly improved. Yaochi, on the other hand, appeared even more capable, managing the affairs of the Heavenly Court with impeccable order.

"Your Majesty, in this purge, we have annihilated and subdued over 1,700 forces of varying sizes, killed and captured 39 demon lords and ferocious beast leaders of the Great Luo Golden Immortal level or above, and countless Taiyi and Golden Immortals. Over 800 new races have joined our ranks, all of whom have been registered, and some of our elites have been added to the ranks of the Heavenly Army or local garrisons. On the surface, large-scale unrest in the Primordial World has been largely quelled, and the Heavenly Laws and regulations are beginning to be implemented in all directions," Haotian reported.

Xuanbao took the jade book, scanned it with his divine sense, and nodded slightly. "Very good. This time, the majesty of the Heavenly Court has been displayed, and internal affairs have been straightened out. However, the primordial world is vast, and how can the undercurrents be easily quelled? It's merely a shift from the light to the shadows. With the return of the Human Emperor to his throne and the surge of fortune, those eyes are probably even redder now."

As soon as Xuanbao finished speaking, he raised an eyebrow and looked up into the depths of chaos. A detached, lofty, and unquestionable thought had pierced through the barrier of the Thirty-Three Heavens and resounded clearly within his Dao heart.

"All sages, hurry to the Purple Cloud Palace."

It was a summons from the Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Xuanbao's eyes dimmed slightly as he instructed Haotian and Yaochi, "The Dao Ancestor has summoned me; I must go to Zixiao Palace. You are in charge of all matters in the Heavenly Court. Pay close attention to the human race, but unless there is major chaos, there is no need to intervene directly."

"I will obey Your Majesty's decree."

Xuanbao took a step forward, his figure merging into the void. When he reappeared, he was standing before the familiar and eternal Zixiao Palace. The ancient palace gates opened silently, and he stepped inside.

The palace remained unchanged, its atmosphere naturally imbued with Daoist spirit, spacious and desolate. On the high platform, atop the cloud bed, the figure in harmony with the Dao was already seated. Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Jieyin, Zhunti, Nuwa, and Houtu—the other sages had also arrived, standing in order below the platform. Xuanbao's gaze swept over them, he nodded slightly to the sages, and then sat down beside his master, the Three Pure Ones. His gaze naturally fell upon the cloud bed.

Upon seeing this, Xuanbao felt a slight chill run down his spine.

Hongjun remained unchanged, with white hair and beard, dressed in a hempen Taoist robe, his face as still as a deep well, his eyes indifferent, seemingly reflecting the entirety of the primordial world, yet utterly empty. However, Xuanbao's cultivation and perception were now far beyond what they once were. He keenly sensed that the aura emanating from Hongjun, the aura of life itself, seemed to have thinned considerably.

What was right in front of them didn't resemble a living being at all; it was more like a physical body formed from the condensation of the power of laws.

"Hongjun... has his fusion with the Heavenly Dao deepened?"

Xuanbao was a little confused; Hongjun's current state was more like that of an intelligent AI.

I really don't understand those who cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness. In the end, are they still truly themselves? They've probably already been possessed by something filthy!

Before I could ponder this further, the calm and serene voice of Dao Ancestor Hongjun, seemingly emanating from the heavens above, resounded throughout the hall:

"The human race is destined to prosper, and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors will emerge. This is the destiny ordained by Heaven and the inevitable path of human evolution. The Heavenly Sovereign has been established, and the fortune is beginning to gather. The Earthly Sovereign, the Human Sovereign, and even the Five Emperors should return to their positions in turn to ensure the fortune of the human race and stabilize the order of the primordial world."

All the saints' expressions shifted. Finally, it was time to formally discuss this matter. How to divide this unprecedented and rapidly expanding "cake" of humanity would directly affect the primordial order of countless future eras.

Laozi spoke first, his voice steady: "My teacher is wise. Emperor Xuancang, having received the teachings of Fuxi and wielding the Kongtong Seal, has already established a firm foundation. The teachers of the Earthly Emperor and the Human Emperor, and even the meritorious ministers who assisted the Five Emperors, must all be those who possess both virtue and talent, have an affinity with humanity, and can guide people towards goodness and govern the world with understanding. My disciple Xuandu is of a tranquil nature and profound virtue, and can be the teacher of the Human Emperor, imparting to him the way of tranquility and non-action, governing the country and cultivating oneself."

Yuanshi replied, "My disciple Guangchengzi is deeply rooted in nature, understands propriety and righteousness, and can assist the Earthly Sovereign in managing the mountains and rivers and establishing the moral order of human relations."

Tongtian was not to be outdone: "Our sect has many extraordinary individuals, skilled in all kinds of crafts, formations, and weapons. They can assist the human race in expanding its territory, resisting external demons, and developing all industries. Duobao, Jinling, and others are all capable of undertaking such tasks."

The Three Pure Ones made their stance clear: they wanted to divide up the positions of future Human Emperor, Imperial Tutor, and even important assistants. Naturally, they were very eager to entrust this great merit of Heaven to their chosen disciples.

As for Xuanbao, let's not even talk about it. The 10-round merit skill is not just for show; even the Three Pure Ones don't have it yet.

Nuwa frowned slightly. As the Holy Mother of Humanity, she had the deepest affection for humanity and was most unwilling to see it become a battlefield for the various sages vying for their positions. However, she also understood that the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were matters of destiny and merit, and the sages would not stand idly by. She pondered and said, "The Heavenly Sovereign's teacher has been chosen. The Earthly Sovereign, the Human Sovereign, and even the Five Emperors should be selected based on their virtue and ability, prioritizing their contributions to humanity and their alignment with human principles. I can send Lingzhuzi down to the mortal realm to protect humanity, sweep away the demonic influence, and also to assess talented individuals."

Houtu stood quietly to the side, not even raising her eyes, and said, "My underworld will not get involved in this matter."

The pressure has once again been placed on the West.

Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions twitched slightly. The Three Pure Ones were really going to take it all! Not even a sip of soup? Nuwa and Houtu, though not openly arguing, were certainly leaning towards Xuanbao's side. Were they in the West really going to just watch this immense merit and fortune slip away before their eyes, without even getting a sip of soup?

The sorrow on Jieyin's face was so intense it seemed to drip with tears. He stepped forward, his voice dry and hoarse: "Teacher, fellow Daoists. The flourishing of humanity is a blessing from the primordial era. Although our Western Paradise is barren, we are willing to do our utmost for the well-being of humanity. Our teachings possess wondrous methods that can transform minds, dispel resentment, and guide people toward goodness, greatly benefiting harmony among people and social stability. The Earthly Emperor's rule may require this path. My disciple Maitreya is kind and compassionate; perhaps he can preach the Dharma to humanity and resolve conflicts."

Zhunti forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and quickly added, "Exactly! Exactly! Our Western teachings place the greatest emphasis on cause and effect and blessings, guiding people towards goodness, which aligns perfectly with the human race. Moreover, I observe that although the human race is currently prosperous, their tribes are scattered, poorly managed, and prone to internal strife. Our Western teachings possess the ability to 'transmit the Dharma in dreams' and 'enlightenment,' which can help the wise men of the human race understand their true nature and better govern their people. The Earth Emperor's teacher does not necessarily need to be just one person; he can have left and right assistants to teach him together. Our Western teachings are willing to send one person to assist the Earth Emperor alongside fellow Daoists from the Three Pure Ones. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

His words were clever; he didn't mention competing, but only "assistance" and "cooperation." It seemed like he was backing down, but in reality, he wanted to squeeze in and get a share, all under the guise of "joint teaching."

Inside the Purple Cloud Palace, the air suddenly froze.

Before Zhunti could finish speaking, Tongtian's expression changed drastically. His sword energy exploded with a "hum," as if countless invisible swords were suspended from the ceiling. The Jade Purity Immortal Light transformed into a dazzling sword domain, firmly locking onto Jieyin and Zhunti! His beard and hair stood on end, his eyes wide with rage, and he roared, "What a load of rubbish! Zhunti, have you no shame? The teacher of the Earth Emperor—what a prestigious position! How dare you, a heretical sect from the West, meddle in it?! 'Assisting and teaching'? When have we, the Three Pure Ones, needed your Western interference in teaching the Human Emperor? With your measly 'wonderful methods' that bewitch people, do you think you're worthy of being ranked alongside my orthodox Xuanmen sect?!"

He took a step forward, the phantom images of the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords faintly appearing behind him, his murderous aura soaring to the heavens, even causing ripples in the eternal Daoist energy within the Purple Cloud Palace: "Get lost! If you dare to make another sound, don't blame me for showing no mercy with my Green Lotus Sword, and I'll first sever your thoughts of wreaking havoc on the primordial world!"

Yuanshi frowned and snorted coldly. Although he was not as furious as Tongtian, the clear light flowing on his jade ruyi clearly showed his displeasure. Laozi, on the other hand, remained calm and composed. He simply paused slightly with his flat cane, and the Daoist rhyme of Yin and Yang silently spread, suppressing Tongtian's sudden sword energy by half. However, his gaze towards the two Western Saints was undeniably distant.

Nuwa's face was covered in frost, while Houtu's eyes were fixed on her nose and her nose on her heart, yet their breaths were subtly connected to the cycle of reincarnation.

The two Western Saints' expressions instantly turned extremely ugly. Jieyin's grief was even more intense, as if he had suffered a great injustice. Zhunti's face flushed red, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes, but under Tongtian's terrifying Zhuxian Sword Intent, he dared not truly break off relations, and could only force a smile, saying, "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, what makes you say such a thing? The methods of our West are also part of the Great Dao, guiding people towards goodness. How can it be considered a heretical path? The Earth Emperor governs the human race and educates all people. Wouldn't it be beneficial and harmless for them to hear more good teachings? Why must you be so aggressive, Fellow Daoist?"

"Beneficial and harmless?" Tongtian was so angry he laughed. As the father god of the human race, he naturally couldn't tolerate it. "Your tricks might fool others, but if you dare to use them on the human race, you'll be finished."

Seeing that tensions were running high between the saints and a conflict was about to erupt, Xuanbao, who had been silently observing, suddenly coughed softly.

This soft cough, though not loud, strangely suppressed all the restless Daoist energy and killing intent within the hall, drawing the attention of all the saints.

Xuanbao, with a hint of amusement in his eyes, first shook his head slightly at Tongtian, signaling him to calm down, then calmly looked at the indifferent figure on the cloud bed on the high platform, who seemed completely unrelated to all this strife, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"Grandmaster, fellow masters, please hear me out."

His voice was clear and unhurried: "The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of the human race are related to the evolution of humanity and the future of the primordial world. Their teachers and assistants must indeed be chosen with utmost care. However, the Heavenly Sovereign has been established, and Fuxi has been appointed as the Imperial Tutor because of his contributions to the human race, his connection with civilization, and his own virtue and wisdom, which have earned him the recognition of the human race and the mandate of heaven. The Earthly Sovereign, the Human Sovereign, and even the Five Emperors, their teachers and assistants should also follow this principle—not only in terms of cultivation and background, but also in terms of their affinity with humanity, their contributions to the human race, and whether they can truly guide the human race towards a strong and prosperous civilization."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two Western Saints. His eyes were clear, yet seemed to see through all pretense: "The Western methods may have their unique aspects, but..."

Ah! Let's not talk about it anymore.

Xuanbao's deep gasp left everyone present speechless, especially Jieyin and Zhunti, whose lips trembled with anger and their faces turned pale.

Well, you master and disciple are both so rude. You call us trash, but you don't even bother to mention Xuanbao.

Xuanbao, however, gave them no chance to catch their breath and continued, "As for the selection of the Earth Emperor's teacher, the three masters recommended individuals who are virtuous, talented, and deeply rooted. However, in my opinion, it is better to leave the decision of who can ultimately shoulder this heavy responsibility to the human race, and to let Heaven and Humanity make their own choice."

Xuanbao did not want to interfere too much in the affairs of the human race, and of course, this also included not wanting others to interfere.

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" A hint of interest flickered in Laozi's usually calm eyes.

Xuanbao looked at Hongjun and said loudly, "Everyone, the Heavenly Emperor is secure, and the Earthly Emperor is about to emerge. His destiny is ordained by Heaven, and extraordinary phenomena will naturally manifest. At that time, rather than having us engage in empty talk and disputes here, it would be better to wait. When the Earthly Emperor descends to earth, revealing his destiny and inherent qualities, he will naturally attract and choose teachers who are aligned with his path and can help him fulfill his destiny. This is the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people, and it is the most fair. At that time, all of you teachers and disciples, and even virtuous and capable individuals from the primordial world, can go and form bonds with him and assist him, each relying on their own abilities and fate. In the end, whoever can gain the Earthly Emperor's sincere submission, create a beautiful master-disciple relationship, and obtain the merit recognized by Heaven and humanity, will depend on their own destiny and sincerity. What do you say?"

Xuanbao's suggestion, while seemingly fair, actually gave the choice to the human race.

Tongtian raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and snorted, "This method is fair enough! Let the Earth Emperor choose for himself!"

Yuanshi pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. Laozi also said, "Agreed."

Nuwa's expression softened slightly, but Houtu remained silent.

The pressure returned to the two Western Saints. They had originally wanted to force a spot, but now that Xuanbao had turned it into a "fair competition," if they objected again, it would be seen as a sign of weakness, an admission that their families lacked the talent and virtue to compete with the Three Pure Ones. But if they agreed… they were even more uncertain!

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, both seeing the bitterness and resentment in each other's eyes. But they knew this was the best way out for now. If they continued to argue, they might anger the Three Pure Ones and Xuanbao, and they might not even have the chance for this "fair competition."

"Amitabha..." Jieyin chanted the Buddha's name, his face filled with an almost tangible sorrow. "What the Heavenly Emperor said... also makes sense. Let us follow His Majesty's words and wait for the Earthly Emperor to descend to earth, so that each may rely on their own destiny."

Zhunti's lips moved, but in the end he could only manage to squeeze out, "...Good."

On the high platform, the indifferent gaze of Dao Ancestor Hongjun seemed to sweep across the saints below without focus, yet also as if he already knew everything. He did not comment on Xuanbao's suggestion, but simply made his final decision in a voice devoid of joy or sorrow, as if it were the very essence of Heaven itself:

"Yes. The Earthly Sovereign is about to emerge, and his destiny is ordained by Heaven. His master and his assistants will each rely on their own fate and merits. However, the primordial order must not be disrupted. Those who recklessly interfere with the workings of Heaven, forcibly alter fate, and defy the way of humanity will be punished by Heaven."

The Daoist aura of Zixiao Palace gradually dissipated, and the figures of the saints faded away one after another. Xuanbao rose last, about to step out of the palace gate, when Hongjun's extremely indifferent voice, like a stream of icy spring water, precisely entered the depths of his consciousness:

"Xuanbao, time... is running out."

Xuanbao paused almost imperceptibly, then abruptly turned around. The figure on the cloud bed had vanished, almost disappearing, as if the words from before were merely an illusion. His brow furrowed, his mind racing—what did he mean by "not much time left"? An immeasurable calamity? A change in the Heavenly Dao?

Ever since Hongjun last found him, Xuanbao knew there must be a deeper meaning behind it. Seeing Hongjun's change today, Xuanbao couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency.

It seems I need to find a way to improve my strength as soon as possible, otherwise I may not be able to protect myself in the face of the impending crisis, let alone the people I care about.