It was autumn in the Southern Continent, along the shores of the Southern Sea.

The only disciple of the Human Sage, one of the first humans personally molded by Mother Goddess Nüwa, the most senior Pure Yang cultivator in existence, and the eldest senior brother of the Three Schools of the Dao—Great Master Xuandu met with the Human School’s hidden piece: Cultivator Wenjing.

During this meeting, which held little historical significance in the primordial chaos, Great Master Xuandu left a deep impression on Cultivator Wenjing with his gentle smile and powerful charisma.

The scene was filled with warmth, with bird songs and fragrant flowers everywhere.

As the witness and matchmaker of this event, the Heaven’s Sea God, Minor Law Master of the Human School, junior disciple of the Human School’s Salvation Gate, most favored treasure person of the Human Sage Master, Li “Heaven’s Reserve Matchmaker” “Keeper of the Little Lovesick Treasure Tree” Changshou…

Was truly sweating bullets.

Drooling at the Great Master!

What’s next, wanting to braise or steam the Great Master?

Fortunately, Li Changshou stood beside them with a smile, smoothing things over, cleverly reframing Cultivator Wenjing’s “Great Master, I’m your fan” that was practically written on her face into “this is how primordial mosquito demons show respect.”

Otherwise, if the Great Master had struck down this blood mosquito, Li Changshou would have completely understood.

To prevent Cultivator Wenjing from going berserk, Li Changshou cut straight to the topic, saying:

“Wenjing, I called you here regarding the matter of Jinchan.

Previously above the Western Sea, Jinchan wounded my avatar, acting fierce and domineering.

Today I’ve invited the Great Master personally to seek retribution against this Jinchan!”

Thankfully, once the discussion turned to business, Cultivator Wenjing seemed to normalize somewhat…

Though she still wasn’t quite normal.

She suddenly displayed an air of righteousness and said firmly: “Does my lord need this subordinate to take action?”

Li Changshou: …

Earlier she referred to herself as “this servant,” now she calls herself “this subordinate.”

Tsk, what a changeable fierce woman.

“No,” Li Changshou said, “You have more important matters to attend to there. Keep yourself well hidden and wait for the right moment.

Just tell us everything you know about Jinchan, so I can better prepare.”

“Yes,” Cultivator Wenjing answered and began pacing back and forth before the Great Master.

She walked with her head held high, showing off her figure, deliberately letting out a few soft sighs to reveal her mature and intellectual side. Every movement, expression, and glance was carefully calculated.

But it just gave Li Changshou the feeling of… [Li Mochou trying too hard to act like Little Dragon Girl].

Soon after, she parted her red lips and said softly: “In this subordinate’s opinion…”

Li Changshou and the Great Master couldn’t help but listen intently.

“Hmm…”

Cultivator Wenjing blinked at Li Changshou and transmitted: “Are we dealing with that six-winged golden cicada, Sea God?”

Li Changshou nearly slipped and fell.

“Yes, get on with it!” Li Changshou transmitted through gritted teeth.

Cultivator Wenjing blinked again, paced some more, pondered briefly, and finally blurted out two words that couldn’t possibly be wrong:

“It’s difficult.”

The inner hall of the Sea God Temple fell silent for several moments, with black lines hanging over the foreheads of the Great Master and Li Changshou.

Cultivator Wenjing turned to the side, biting her lips with closed eyes, wishing she could punch herself twice.

Where had all her usual hundred schemes and ruthless cunning gone?

When it was time to perform, she couldn’t squeeze out even a bit!

“What you say makes sense,” Li Changshou smiled, “Then Wenjing, do you know where Jinchan’s cave dwelling is, and what weaknesses he has?”

Wenjing hurried to make up for her earlier response, saying:

“Jinchan’s cave dwelling should be near Spirit Mountain. I haven’t had much interaction with him and haven’t explored it.

As for weaknesses, those are hard to find.

Innate beings and primordial incarnations like him and me who have survived so many calamities until today all have some life-preserving methods, but such methods aren’t shown to others.

However, I just managed to scheme against him once. After Your Excellency had me help him leave, I secretly took two strands of his divine soul.

To avoid raising his suspicions, I destroyed one strand in front of him, adding to his injuries and reducing the trouble he could cause Your Excellency.

Here… is the other strand.”

Cultivator Wenjing’s delicate fingers waved, and a thread of blood energy coiled around her fingertips, condensing into a tiny blood cicada.

Li Changshou cast an approving look at Cultivator Wenjing and smiled: “Your actions truly put… the Great Master and me at ease.”

At the side, the Great Master nodded with a smile.

Though he had the urge to comment that “your scheming methods are quite dirty,” at this moment, maintaining his smile was enough.

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

“Great Master, is this of any use?”

“Not much use,” the Great Master smiled, “Finding his location isn’t difficult. It’s better to leave this with Wenjing.”

“Yes,” Li Changshou respectfully answered, about to return the blood cicada to…

Uh, where’s the mosquito?

Looking at the afterimage remaining in place, several question marks appeared above Li Changshou’s head.

The Great Master raised his chin toward the hall entrance, and Li Changshou turned to look, seeing Cultivator Wenjing had run outside again, peering back inside with her head poking through, her whole being inexplicably… swooning.

Could it be because [Ah, the Great Master said my name]?

Li Changshou transmitted with a sigh: “We’re discussing important matters, why do you keep running outside?”

“Buzz~”

“Speak properly.”

“Bla bla bla~”

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

“Calm down properly.”

The Great Master couldn’t help but ask curiously: “What is that?”

Li Changshou smiled: “It’s a little drawing of mine, to see if it can help her return to normal.”

“Oh?”

The Great Master immediately became interested…

“Great Master, this isn’t something to get excited about,” Li Changshou quickly cut off the Great Master’s words.

Several ripping sounds came from outside as Cultivator Wenjing tore the drawing to pieces.

Shortly after, Cultivator Wenjing floated back, and though she still acted somewhat coquettishly and dared not look directly at the Great Master, normal conversation was no longer impeded.

Thus and so, this and that.

Cultivator Wenjing detailed everything she knew about Jinchan, great and small.

Li Changshou also made minor adjustments to the battle plan based on this information.

Cultivator Wenjing stayed for an hour before reluctantly departing, making an extra bow to Li Changshou before leaving.

Though the Great Master’s presence today had captured all of Cultivator Wenjing’s attention, before leaving she still noticed something unusual.

The blood energy around the Sea God seemed to be at its most concentrated and pure this time…

His true form?

Cultivator Wenjing’s heart stirred, and she understood something.

If not for the Great Master’s presence, the Sea God’s true form would surely never appear…

‘Perhaps this is what it means to be of the Human School.’

With a quiet sigh, Cultivator Wenjing silently left the Southern Continent, returning to where her avatar had gone.

If her predictions weren’t wrong, an interesting show was about to begin.

It might even alarm the Western Sages.

She had also just mentioned overhearing some Western School Saint disciples and vice principals discussing how Jinchan was closely tied to the Western School’s rise to prominence, and that the Sages intended to personally take Jinchan as a disciple and transform away his fierce beast origins.

How to transform away his origins?

Quite simple.

Before the ancient primordial world was shattered by the Dragon-Phoenix war, there wasn’t the term “fierce beast.” It wasn’t until the beginning of high antiquity that the surviving innate beings were categorized.

Those with power, background, treasures, and wide connections were still called innate beings.

Those with power but no background, lacking treasures, loner personalities, and tainted by karmic bonds were called “primordial fierce beasts,” abandoned by the Heavenly Dao and gradually eliminated by the hundred races of high antiquity.

As long as Jinchan successfully became Sage’s disciple, he could transform from a primordial fierce beast into an innate being with a single step.

Cultivator Wenjing wasn’t particularly envious of such things.

It was just a title, not even worth a thousandth of her Great Master’s importance.

“Wenjing… hmph, next time I’ll make you call me Queen! Hahaha!”

Buzz—

…

After Cultivator Wenjing left, the Great Master and Li Changshou both fell into thought.

“There’s an eighty percent chance that moving against Jinchan will draw out the two Western uncles,” Great Master Xuandu frowned slightly, “Looking at it this way, you must be the one to strike and kill Jinchan, Changshou.

If the Western Sages appear, I can still block them with the Taiji Diagram.

But remember, as soon as you sense the Sages’ Dao rhyme appear, immediately withdraw. This way it won’t count as losing the Sages’ face.”

Li Changshou nodded with a grave expression.

Though at this moment he very much wanted to say—let’s forget about it.

But this was a task assigned by the Sage Master, and he couldn’t possibly enjoy the Sage’s protection while contributing nothing in return.

The risks that needed to be shouldered this time were already necessary conditions.

What he could do was exhaust all efforts to turn this matter into his opportunity…

“Great Master,” Li Changshou asked, “What level of strength are the Western Sages roughly at?”

“About that,” the Great Master pondered briefly, raising his hand to point at the beam above. The silhouette of the Taiji Diagram appeared, completely enveloping this place.

The Great Master spoke seriously: “Taking this opportunity, let me tell you about the power of the Sages.

When the primordial world was first created, there was one supreme Sage—the Great God Pangu. However, Pangu bore the karmic burden of creation, sacrificing himself to perfect countless true spirits in the Chaos Sea, thus evolving into the current primordial world.

Great God Pangu attained Mixed Origin from chaos, reaching the position of Great Dao Mixed Origin Limitless Sage, the only one known to the primordial world as a Great Dao Limitless Sage.

Now, my teacher and two senior uncles, as well as Western Senior Uncle Jieyin, are all striving toward this direction…”

Li Changshou found it curious that Great Master Xuandu only mentioned today’s four Sages, so he asked:

“Then, what about the other two Sages…”

“Don’t rush, listen as I explain in detail. It’s about time you learned these things.”

The Great Master took a sip of tea and continued slowly:

“After Pangu’s fall, the Great Dao manifested directly in the initial world. The six strongest beings sought to pursue the position of Great Dao Sage.

Among these six, there were differences in strength. Ancestor Hongjun and Demon Ancestor Luohou were the strongest, followed by Ancestor Dragon and Primal Phoenix.

The names of the other two strong beings have been erased from the Great Dao by someone. According to my teacher’s deduction, they were likely surviving primordial divine demons that Great God Pangu failed to kill during creation.

At that time, our Dao School’s three lords had not cultivated long. Though protected by creation merit, their realm was a step below these six strong beings.

The Dragon-Phoenix Initial Tribulation was instigated by Demon Ancestor Luohou, who forcefully absorbed the true spirits of all beings to cultivate using the resentment of living beings.

After the Dragon-Phoenix war ended and the primordial world shattered, Demon Ancestor Luohou suddenly revealed his fierce fangs, intending to destroy the primordial world, reverse the Great Dao, and seek his path to enlightenment.

At that time, it was the Dao Ancestor, who had been quietly cultivating and staying out of worldly affairs, who stood up and fought a great battle with Luohou, finally slaying him in what is now the Western Oxhead Continent.

And because of this great battle, the Western Continent’s spirit roots and veins were completely shattered. The current Western Oxhead Continent was pieced back together by the Dao Ancestor using great divine power.”

Li Changshou nodded slightly—these secrets couldn’t be found in ancient texts.

He listened as the Great Master continued:

“When the current six lords attained Sagehood in high antiquity, the two senior uncles of the Western School borrowed heavenly merit through great vows to achieve instant Sagehood.

The most important condition in these vows wasn’t empty talk about saving all beings, but rather revitalizing the West.

The two Western School senior uncles are now desperate to make the West greater and stronger, even resorting to any means necessary because they owe a great karmic debt to the Heavenly Dao!

You think the Western School’s current use of fierce beasts and demon tribes to cause havoc is quite excessive?”

Li Changshou blinked—could there be anything more excessive?

The Great Master smiled: “In high antiquity, these two senior uncles dug up Central Divine State’s spirit roots, drained the Great Thousand Worlds’ spirit energy, and whenever they saw a treasure or found some innate beings, they’d just say ‘I see you have karma with our West’ or ‘this item has karma with our West,’ forcefully converting them.

If Third Senior Uncle hadn’t stepped forward and waved the Four Demon-Slaying Swords, perhaps half of today’s Severing Teaching immortals would be Western karmic guests!

Hahaha!”

Li Changshou: …

Well, this wasn’t too different from what he knew.

He asked: “Great Master, is there a big difference in power between the six Sages?”

“This isn’t good to discuss too much. It relates to their strength before becoming Sages, and also to the primordial supreme treasures they wield.”

The Great Master cleared his throat, eyes containing a smile, and continued:

“After that final battle in remote antiquity, our Dao Ancestor gained the opportunity for Sagehood.

I heard my teacher say that before the Heavenly Dao fully manifested, the Dao Ancestor could have forcefully broken through the Heavenly Dao to enter the realm of Mixed Origin Great Dao Sage, but had he done so, the primordial world would have quickly collapsed…

The Dao Ancestor gave up the position of Mixed Origin Great Dao Sage, using the Jade Disk of Creation to perfect the Heavenly Dao, gradually merging himself with it, completing what the Heavenly Dao lacked, protecting the primordial world and the Three Thousand Worlds.

Therefore, the Dao Ancestor is both a Sage and not a Sage, best called a Heavenly Dao Sage—most unique.

The six Sages are all disciples of the Dao Ancestor, though the two Western School senior uncles are merely nominal disciples.

In high antiquity, the Dao Ancestor distributed Primordial Purple Qi in the Purple Void Palace—this was the opportunity for Sagehood. At that time, the one closest to the realm of Great Dao Sage was our… ahem, my teacher.

My teacher initially didn’t want to merge with that strand of Primordial Purple Qi, but to attain the position of Great Dao Sage would require breaking through the Heavenly Dao’s barrier—directly opposing the Dao Ancestor.

With no choice, my teacher had to merge with the Primordial Purple Qi at the last possible moment and establish his teaching to become a Sage.

Because of this, my teacher is almost unrestricted by the Heavenly Dao and can act as he wishes, symbolically establishing the Human School and taking me as his only disciple before letting go completely.

Compared to my teacher, my Second Senior Uncle and Third Senior Uncle are in similar realms, slightly weaker than my teacher, so they aren’t too deeply restricted by the Heavenly Dao either.

After all, they all have creation merit.

Western School Senior Uncle Jieyin’s realm should be comparable to the two senior uncles.

But Senior Uncle Jieyin lacks killing weapons like the Four Demon-Slaying Swords and Pangu Banner, or defensive treasures like the Taiji Diagram and the Primordial Yellow Tower, so his power is one step weaker.

The Holy Mother has a Red Embroidered Ball—Sages who touch it are wounded, and Golden Immortals who brush against it die. Though the Holy Mother achieved Sagehood mainly through merit, her overall power is only half a step below Senior Uncle Jieyin.

As for Senior Uncle Zhunti…”

Li Changshou hurriedly said: “If we encounter any Sage this time, it’s likely to be him.”

The Great Master pondered and said: “Mm, Senior Uncle Zhunti’s Seven Wonderful Treasure Tree has its unique aspects.

However… you needn’t fear, just do what needs to be done.”

Li Changshou finally had some measure in his heart.

It seems once again, it was time to test his escape techniques…

…

Meanwhile, in the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Ao Yi, who had just returned, didn’t waste a moment. After returning his troops, he hurried back to his sleeping palace.

Removing his armor, and dismissing the serving girls, he walked to the corner where an entirely jade-carved desk stood, and slowly spread open the scroll in his hand.

This…

This is!

“Uh, ‘The Classic of Stability’? Anonymous?”

Ao Yi blinked, and with an attitude of giving it a try, began to read carefully.

Appendix: The Classic of Stability

—Primordial World, Anonymous

Time flies swiftly, mind not idle things, the Way is fixed, hard to strive ahead.

Meet injustice, think of self-power, face hardship, and don’t close oneself.

Many friends bring no escape, few friends mean less disaster.

Make no enemies, danger follows making them, strike first needs scattered ash.

Seek strong backing, cling to great thighs, don’t self-rely, nor self-despise.

Private desires root all troubles, accept fate first, then cultivate it.

The way lies ahead, walk steady steps, looking too much brings endless woe.

Treasures are fine, don’t forceful take them, Way’s truth leads to righteous fruit.

Enter the wrong path, retreat to advance, meet a good chance, plan then gain.

Once Red Someone, too kind-hearted, schemed against, how tragic end.

Had demon teacher, schemed aplenty, knocked unconscious, made iron pot.

Water-Fire Gods met instigation, heaven pillar fell, and fate bore no fruit.

Old Dark Turtle, nature peaceful, knew not dodging, met crossed disaster.

Kua Fu died, Yi shot the suns, all turned to ash, and fell after the tribulation.

Ancient Shamanic Ancestors, force against heaven, thought little careful, fell in vain.

Ancient Demon Emperor looked down on all, deeds cruel and fierce, and no escape ended.

Ancient to now, strong ones many, till today how many remain?

Dragon Phoenix tribes, hearts discontent, fought for fate and returned to decline.

Later Shaman Demon split heaven and earth, received instigation, and all fell low.

Ultimate being rose, praised rites music, sages helped, immortals many.

For our kind, dodge bad fortune, immortal path complete, rich in Way’s fruit.

Dwell in peace, think of troubles, act steady and stable, and reject karma’s bonds.

Show-offs all must be pressed down, regard not merit, only duty bound.

Avoid heaven’s disasters, have a transformation, dodge human troubles, and leave no pot.

Respect elders, honor past ones, revere sage strong, gather merit good.

Diligent burn incense, strive to cultivate self, gain long life, can’t be lazy.

The way has no end, the heart has limits, walk a solid path, and don’t fall empty.

Thoughts more chaotic, hard complete whole, those with concerns, can’t have many.

Now hear the Way, hardships many, stability classic, companion side.