Chapter 81: A Century-Long Pact
With Qingxu’s vigorous efforts, the unification of the human race was finally settled. There was no longer any obstacle to the prevailing trend, but the underlying contradictions remained unresolved. The resentment in the hearts of the Youqiong tribe had not lessened in the slightest. They dared not act out of fear of Qingxu’s formidable power, but it was foreseeable that once Qingxu departed, the human race would once again fracture, and if mishandled, the consequences could be disastrous.
“Immortal, I have a humble request. I beseech you to grant it!” Taiyi bowed deeply and pleaded with utmost sincerity.
“Speak your mind, there is no harm in asking.” Qingxu, confident in his heart, maintained a calm and inscrutable expression.
“This time, thanks to your assistance, our human race has been able to unite. At this moment, when everything is in need of renewal, I, on behalf of the human race, earnestly request that you grace us with your presence for a hundred years. First, to guide us in our deficiencies; second, the human race is not ungrateful. For the immense grace you have shown, we must reward you handsomely. We also hope you will instruct us on the matter of building a temple to honor and worship you...” Taiyi spoke at length, gradually laying bare his intentions. Qingxu regarded him with a new sense of appraisal—this was a man of considerable cunning.
With Qingxu overseeing them for a century, the hidden dangers posed by the Youqiong tribe could be resolved. Should he offer even a little guidance, the human race would reap immense benefits. Of course, Taiyi would not ask for this without reciprocity; he offered gratitude as a reason, and the construction of a temple as a tangible benefit.
As the saying goes, “All under heaven bustle for profit; all under heaven rush for gain.” This single word—profit—has ensnared countless souls since time immemorial, driving them to expend every effort, generation after generation. Even immortals and Buddhas are not completely exempt. Even those transcendent saints beyond the Three Realms, outside the Five Elements, still vie for face, prestige, and fortune. Truly, wherever profit leads, there is no place it cannot reach.
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[Preside over the human race for a hundred years: Reward—100 points of acquired merit (rewarded by the Way of Heaven, not the system).]
“Damn! There’s such a windfall? The human race really is a coveted prize! As long as the bottom line isn’t crossed, helping the human race can bring acquired merit!” This was understandable—after all, of the six saints of the heavens, five had already set the course for the Way of Heaven. The human race was destined to be the protagonists of the primordial era, an unchangeable fact. Nuwa herself was powerless to alter it; moreover, her own fortune was tied to the human race. Even if she wished to aid the demon race, it would be impossible. Nuwa was not one to sacrifice herself for others; to act knowingly against fate would be sheer folly. In this context, if Qingxu aided the future protagonists of the epoch, would the Way of Heaven not grant him some reward?
Of course, there was a limit to this merit. Should Qingxu seize the merits that rightfully belonged to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, disturbing the mandate of Heaven, then not only would he earn no merit, but he might even be punished by Heaven. The rise of the human race had its own rules. Even saints could only exploit loopholes, not overturn the order. (First, one or two saints alone cannot alter destiny, but if the power of saints reaches 51%, the mandate can be changed; as long as the Three Pure Ones are united, they can reverse the Way of Heaven, but not arbitrarily. Such matters, especially concerning the protagonists of the primordial era, require at least the passing of a kalpa before any reversal.)
“This...?” Qingxu appeared deeply troubled, though inwardly he was amused. “If I accept too readily, it will seem too light. Anything easily obtained is not cherished; only what is hard-won is truly valued.”
“Oh, Immortal! Please, you must not refuse our humble request, must not refuse the plea of the human race!” Seeing Qingxu’s hesitation, Taiyi was seized by terror. If Qingxu did not agree to the hundred-year guardianship, the hard-won unity of the human race might collapse in an instant.
“I am but a cultivator seeking the Way, not one to dwell long in the mortal world,” Qingxu replied with a grave, conflicted expression, as if this decision would significantly hinder his path.
“Immortal, have mercy!”
“Immortal, have mercy!”
“Immortal, have mercy on us!”
All the humans, moved to tears, prostrated themselves in earnest supplication. Even those of the Youqiong tribe, who longed for Qingxu’s early departure, put on a show of deep reluctance, secretly praying that he would not take their pleas seriously.
“So be it! Since you beg so sincerely, how can I bear to refuse?” Qingxu sighed heavily, agreeing as if he were suffering a great loss.
“Ah! Immortal, you are merciful indeed! I offer my deepest gratitude. Truly, you are a perfect sage, a paragon of virtue, worthy of being the esteemed disciple of the Jade Pure Sage!”
Compliments and flattery poured in from all sides, almost overwhelming Qingxu.
“He really agreed?” The people of the Youqiong tribe wore long faces, yet were forced to feign joy, inwardly more frustrated than words could express.
Once Qingxu accepted the humans’ request, the fate of the world shifted, and in that instant, the six saints of the heavens all understood what had transpired.
Within the Palace of Tushita on Shouyang Mountain, the Supreme One mused, “This youth is truly fortunate. Not only has he gained a measure of acquired merit, but he is now linked to the fortune of the human race!” His indecision regarding the choice between the Chan and Jie sects was at last resolved.
In the Jade Pure Palace atop Mount Kunlun, Yuanshi’s face broke into a rare smile.
On Golden Turtle Island, within Biyou Palace, Tongtian’s expression was complex. He sighed inwardly for a long while, lost in his own thoughts.
In the Phoenix Perch Mountain, within the Wa Palace, Nuwa sighed, “The human race? The demon race? Alas! Now even my second brother must devote himself to this matter!”
In the Western Spirit Mountain, within the Great Hall of the Great Hero, the Receiving Sage wore a bitter look, sighing ceaselessly. The wooden fish in his hand sounded louder, as if to drown out the turmoil in his heart. By his side, the Precept Sage repeatedly stroked his Seven-Treasure Staff, looking eager yet restraining himself with great effort.
“Senior brother, this Eastern Continent truly deserves to be the foremost of the four continents, blessed with outstanding people!” Envy and jealousy laced the Precept Sage’s words.
“Junior brother, you are too attached. All things have their destined course,” the Receiving Sage replied with a calm, indifferent face, unaffected by mortal affairs, though his erratic beating of the wooden fish betrayed his true feelings.
Leaving aside the saints, after Qingxu agreed to the humans’ request to preside over Wanqu for a hundred years, he devoted himself completely to studying the Way of Divinity, preparing to cultivate a Da Luo divine avatar as soon as possible.
“I hope I make it in time to take part,” Qingxu mused. His mindset had changed with his growing strength; before, he would never have dared to involve himself in the disputes of the North Sea, but now, with the prospect of cultivating a Da Luo avatar, he finally had the capital to do so. In the North Sea conflict, only Di Jun, Taiyi, and Kunpeng were quasi-saints. At the level of a Great Golden Immortal, he would possess formidable power. As long as he did not provoke those three, he would be able to protect himself.
There was great profit to be had in war. Even a small share would delight Qingxu. Such opportunities were rare in the primordial world, so he had no reason to let it slip by. However, it all depended on whether he could successfully cultivate his divine avatar in time. There was no certainty, but how could he be content without giving it his all?