When falsehood becomes truth, truth becomes falsehood; when truth is treated as falsehood, falsehood becomes truth as well.
Sometimes, the matters of this world are indeed judged by deeds, not intentions.
In the endless years before Xu Qing arrived at the White Cloud Cave, many sought the Primordial Grandmaster for learning.
Immortals and sacred beings, mortals and demonic spirits, some with meticulous calculations, others by mere chance, but in the end, those who truly received the Grandmaster's guidance were few.
Yet today, in just a short moment, the seekers seen by the Grandmaster exceeded the count of ten fingers.
It's not uncommon for outsiders to come as a group seeking his teachings, nor is it unusual, but this occasion is peculiar because each seeker possesses a noble purity surpassing even the orthodox of the Xuan Sect — true 'Immortal Flowers.'
In this special period, such a group of anomalies appearing even left the well-versed Grandmaster astounded.
This scene, let alone in a world of great calamities, has never been seen even in times of peace and harmony.
Nine-tailed spirit foxes, Nine-Life Profound Cats, birds of five virtues, red-tailed spirit monkeys...
These anomalies are inherently hard to tame. If you said they were nurtured by a sage versed in the art of enlightenment or a high monk, it wouldn't be surprising to the Grandmaster.
But how could a mere pile of dung cultivate so many Immortal Flowers?
Especially in these times where hearts are unsettled and the world is led by chaos.
The Grandmaster looked at the youth full of sincerity, seeking to become an apprentice, and ultimately gave him a chance.
It wasn't due to the youth's apparent sincerity or likability; the Grandmaster simply sought something intriguing for amusement.
Moreover, the virtue foundation revealed by the youth was truly promising for the future.
Unfortunately, the youth's heart seemed confined, despite standing there, always showing a sort of vigilance, as if persistently detached, hindering the growth of his heart and mind.
Simply put, he lacked the open and transparent clarity before witnessing the Great Dao.
So much so that the Grandmaster, from afar, could feel the wild horse-like sense galloping chaotically in the walled city full of high barriers.
Were it not for the severed Heaven-Reaching Road and the lack of connection between the inside and outside of the walled city, preventing anyone from seeing within, anyone noticing this wild horse would restrain it immediately, never allowing it to grow unchecked.
The vast world, four celestial heavenly realms.
The unleashed Corpse Monster, for the first time, departed from the mundane world, arriving at another bizarre realm.
What Xu Qing saw was the sky inverted and the land glazed.
Amid the void, scattered floating islands were like a chessboard.
Yet where Xu Qing stood seemed neither island nor non-island. He tried to link with the earth veins but felt no Earth Qi, though crystal trees, transparent like glazed gems, flourished around him.
The branches of those treasure trees appeared coral-like, with firefly-like veins, and when the wind passed, jade flakes rustled down, turning to blue smoke upon touching the ground, then condensing into a rainbow creek, forming a starry river path. When trodden upon by feet, waves of rippling light spread, dreamlike and illusory.
Occasionally, crane calls echoed from afar. Xu Qing looked up and saw three or five mysterious cranes skimming the waves, their wing feathers shedding golden dust, which turned into ephemeral moon blooms upon touching the ground, blooming and withering in an instant.
Xu Qing patted his cheeks, feeling as if he mistakenly consumed mushrooms from Dian Nan, finding himself in such an unreal realm.
Seven steps away from Xu Qing, a child riding a divine ox was scrutinizing the youth calling out to elders.
"Turns out it is one who becomes one with the Myriad Wonders, with Spiritual Light fully illuminated; no wonder they could cultivate so many Immortal Flowers."
With a sudden realization, the Grandmaster cheerfully said:
"The Heavenly Dao has no favorites, often siding with the virtuous. This person indeed has great fortune."
The old ox beneath him, hearing the Grandmaster's words, asked curiously: "Isn't he just an odd outsider? Why does the Grandmaster refer to him as a person?"
The red-clad child smiled without speaking, revealing himself and riding his divine ox up to the young man.
"Young fellow, are you searching for me?"
With mystical mutterings, offering incense, and reciting invocations to invite gods, Xu Qing finally showed a look of delight.
"So it is the Immortal Child in front of me. I am Xu Qing, the junior, here to seek teachings. May I ask if the master of this place is present?"
The red-clad child felt a helplessness. These seekers trapped by worldly matters, never transcending, had truly narrow views.
"This place is a land without a master. There is no owner here, and if you want to apprentice, besides me, there's no one else here."
Instantly, Xu Qing had a revelation!
Indeed, divine beings are formless, unbound by mortal frames. What the sacred sees in the mortal shell is but a wisp of cloud, unworthy of mention.
Having resolved this knot, Xu Qing immediately bowed respectfully in the manner of a disciple to a master.
In Xu Qing's eyes, one who could create the Ruyi Treasure Book and be respected even by the Celestial Emperor would never be an ordinary deity or immortal.
Throughout his journey, Xu Qing deeply understood what a strong foundation and backing meant for a solitary Wild Cultivator, akin to when Lord Yuan stole the Celestial Scripture; if not for his white ape master's being the Nine Heavens Profound Lady, the Celestial Emperor would never so casually appoint Lord Yuan to guard the Scripture as punishment.
Guarding the Celestial Scripture seemed like a penalty, but was essentially offering Lord Yuan a chance to study it.
Now, with the increasingly growing influence of the Cat Immortal Hall and the critical construction phase of Bao Sheng Temple, Xu Qing could almost foresee that once the Heaven-Reaching Road opened and the celestial realm cleared, his Immortal Hall would be the first to attract attention.
In mundane society, he might still protect the Immortal Hall with his strength, but once this barrier was broken, the consequences would be unpredictable.
The red-clad child, seeing Xu Qing decisively paying respects as a disciple, found him increasingly interesting.
"Do tell, why seek to apprentice under me?"
Xu Qing raised his head, truthfully revealing his role as Sect Leader and his desire to seek the Dao-protecting method to uphold the Immortal Hall.