The first disciple of the Three Pure Ones, Little Sizi's immortal brother

"As expected..."

Simply establishing a cave dwelling does not allow one to directly connect one's own fortune with the fortune of the mountains and rivers.

Of course, it's also possible that his cave dwelling was too simple...

However, establishing a lineage seems beyond his current capabilities. Even the Three Pure Ones haven't yet established the three schools of thought (Human, Chan, and Jie). Where can his disciple establish such a lineage?

There can't be one master and one disciple, but two different lineages, can there?

That's unrealistic... and it's also disrespectful to Taiqing.

Taiqing treats him exceptionally well now, readily giving him top-grade innate spiritual treasures and doing everything a master should do.

He wouldn't do something like betraying his master and ancestors; he's not like those two bald monks from the West.

However, Shi Ming was completely clueless about what to do next.

The mountains and rivers here have no will of their own, so the law of fate probably won't work very well here either.

Now, there's only one way left...

"Heaven's will is above, and I will always remember it. Today, inspired by my visit to Kunlun Mountain, I vow to protect this land and its inhabitants. Therefore, I have built the Suizhu Pavilion, a cave dwelling, on Kunlun Mountain. I will uphold this vow for all eternity!"

The words echoed in the cave, and the reverberations rang in Shi Ming's ears, but the fortune remained unmoved.

After a long while, Sizi broke the silence out of curiosity.

"Little Nangjun, where are you?"

"Ahem, it's nothing, just an experiment?"

"What kind of wall opera?"

"Children shouldn't ask such questions..."

"Persimmons aren't for kids!"

"Alright, alright, Sizi is a big girl now."

"So, Little Pouch-kun, can you tell Persimmon now?"

"Can't."

"Little Nang is a bad guy!"

"Ha ha……"

Amidst their playful antics, Shi Ming also confirmed that his conjecture was correct: this world probably truly lacks a Heavenly Dao.

If so, then he should have felt something when he said "Heaven is above".

If Heaven approves of your words, it will help spread them to every corner of the world.

After all, the primordial world is so vast that unless one is a saint, it is very difficult to make the entire primordial world hear what you say.

But now, apart from his own echo, there was no sound around him. The so-called "feeling in one's heart" was utterly meaningless.

But since there is such a thing as good fortune, there must be a way to use it. Shi Ming, not believing in such superstitions, decided to try again.

Mountains and rivers all have their own destiny, so if there is no Heavenly Way, there must be an Earthly Way, right?

Moreover, since there is no Heavenly Dao in this world, the development of the Earthly Dao should, perhaps, maybe... be better, right?

Then——

"May the earth be above, and may I forever remember it. Inspired by my visit to Kunlun today, I vow to protect this land and its inhabitants. Thus, I build my cave dwelling, Suizhuxuan, on Kunlun Mountain. I will uphold this vow, for all eternity!"

……

Still no response...

"That shouldn't be the case!" Shi Ming was a little confused. Why wasn't there a tunnel?

Isn't the destiny of this land right here, shining brightly?

This is unreasonable!

"Little Nangjun, don't be sad~"

At this moment, Si Zi came over and tugged at Shi Ming's clothes, whispering words of encouragement.

"Okay, sure." Shi Ming smiled. "I'm not sad either."

"Yes, it is! Don't be so vague, little one!"

"I'm really not embarrassed..."

-

After Si Zi's kind words of comfort, Shi Ming decided to try again.

Finally, one of the three paths, the path of all living beings—the human path!

"Humanity is paramount, and I will always remember it. Inspired by my visit to Kunlun today, I vow to protect this land and its inhabitants. Therefore, I have built the Suizhu Pavilion, a cave dwelling, on Kunlun Mountain. I will uphold this vow for all eternity!"

Still no response...

Just as Dang Ming was feeling disappointed, a plaque that looked like it was made of bamboo appeared out of thin air and was pasted on a wall. Then, the three large characters "Sui Zhu Xuan" in regular script began to appear on the bamboo plaque at an extremely slow speed.

Shi Ming's eyes lit up. He could vaguely sense that the fortune of Kunlun Mountain, which belonged to this mortal world, was gradually blessing him. Even his cultivation, which had only reached the Taiyi Golden Immortal level after a thousand years, was showing signs of loosening and advancing towards the mid-stage of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.

Shi Ming quickly suppressed the urge to break through; he couldn't afford to break through here.

Putting aside the impact on himself, if he were to break through in this world, he feared that the surrounding environment would be completely annihilated by the aura leaked from his breakthrough.

Furthermore, the prehistoric world is far better than this place in terms of both environment and everything else.

After waiting a short while, the bamboo plaque was finally inscribed with words. The three large, golden characters exuded a sacred aura, brightening the surrounding environment.

Even underground, even after Shi Ming withdrew his magic, the surroundings were still as bright as day.

"Little Nang, what is that?"

"That... is probably the only remaining miracle in this world."

It seems that the world is not as simple as it appears on the surface.

At least, luck exists, and it can be quite helpful to oneself.

The Heavenly Way and the Earthly Way disappeared for some unknown reason. It's highly likely that they weren't always there, but rather that they fell into silence for some reason.

As for humanity, it's probably because of the peak of human dynasties that they were able to barely respond to themselves, but this response... was somewhat powerless.

They no longer have the energy to announce to the world, or even to communicate with themselves. Otherwise, they would know what's happening in the world themselves.

But for now, let's take the benefits first. It'll be easier to get things done once we've received them.

-

"Alright, Sizi, we should go back now."

After wandering around the mountains with Sizi for a while, Shiming looked at the sky and tugged at Sizi, who was excitedly looking around.

"Huh? The table's going to be useless?"

"Little one, aren't you tired?"

"Not tired!"

"Even if we're not tired, we have to go back. It's getting late."

"Little Pouch, can I sleep with you today, Persimmon?"

"You little rascal, don't think I don't know what you're up to. You can't do that."

"ah--?"

"Trying to be cute won't work. If we don't go back soon, your parents will be worried sick." Shi Ming decisively turned his head away, refusing to look at Si Zi trying to be cute.

Although he had left notes for Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun this morning, the matter was rather bizarre, so they were probably still a little worried.

If Sizi returns safely tonight, all will be well. But if he doesn't, the palace will be turned upside down.

"All right……"

"Don't make that face." Shi Ming gently pinched Si Zi's little nose. "Si Zi, do you want to only play this once, or can you continue to go out and play with your brother in the future?"

"Brother?"

"That's me! That's not the point!"