Chapter 28: The Reunion of the Three Pure Ones

Looking at the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord and the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, one now bore more wrinkles and white hair, the other had a brighter gaze and a more luxuriant beard. Had they already found their own Dao? Tongtian could not be certain, yet from their eyes he sensed both the pain of parting and the joy of reunion.

Overcome with emotion, Tongtian hurried forward, grasping each of their arms, and asked, “Eldest Brother, Second Brother, are you both unharmed?”

Though the Three Pure Ones were blessed, and Tongtian knew that if the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord and the Primordial Heavenly Venerable had reached this place, they must be safe, he could not help but worry in his heart.

“We are well, we are well,” replied the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, his eyes brimming with tears as he spoke to Tongtian.

“And are you well?” The Primordial Heavenly Venerable clasped Tongtian’s hand, asking softly.

“I am well. I am well,” choked Tongtian, his voice thick with emotion. The three embraced and wept together.

“Eldest Brother, Second Brother, I have something else to tell you,” said Tongtian, remembering that he had yet to introduce Duo Bao Daoist and the Black Ox. Gently pushing the other two aside, he continued, “During my time away, I experienced many tribulations and setbacks. During this period, I accepted two disciples.”

As he spoke, Tongtian released Duo Bao Daoist and the Black Ox from his sleeve.

“You two, come quickly and greet your First Uncle and Second Uncle,” he instructed. At this moment, the Three Pure Ones were simply brothers again. Normally, when one of them took on disciples, those disciples would regard their master’s brothers as adoptive fathers, hence Tongtian’s words.

Hearing the voices of the Three Pure Ones from within Tongtian’s sleeve, Duo Bao Daoist and the Black Ox understood that their master had found his kin. As soon as they appeared, Duo Bao Daoist hurriedly bowed low and said, “Your nephew greets First Uncle and Second Uncle.”

The Black Ox, still confused, saw Duo Bao Daoist’s action and immediately bent his limbs, collapsing to the ground and mooing.

As the saying goes, “Joy brings vigor.” The Three Pure Ones were so delighted they paid no mind to the Black Ox’s inappropriate behavior. The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord smiled as he gently helped Duo Bao Daoist and the Black Ox to their feet.

The Primordial Heavenly Venerable, upon seeing the abundant fortune surrounding Duo Bao Daoist—clearly one destined for greatness—and noting his keen wit, felt much pleased.

As they conversed, the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord and the Primordial Heavenly Venerable recounted how they were rescued from Kunlun Mountain by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and the ancestor’s demand that they break the Two Elements Microdust Array. Tongtian, meanwhile, told of being transported away from disaster by the Nine-Petaled Purple Lotus, carefully omitting the presence of Pangu and the Willow Sage within the lotus, focusing instead on how he rescued Little Duo Bao and battled the Holy Mother of the Nine Yin.

Upon hearing of Little Lingbao’s tribulations, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable exclaimed bitterly, “It is those born of eggs and dampness who have caused our brotherly separation and suffering.”

The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord merely frowned, saying nothing.

Tongtian wanted to argue with the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, but considering that the Three Pure Ones had just reunited, he kept silent.

Little Duo Bao and the Black Ox also remained quiet, their master having omitted any mention of their own mischief.

An awkward silence fell. The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord sighed and turned away, wordless, while the Primordial Heavenly Venerable likewise turned aside to contemplate. Tongtian stared in a daze at his two disciples.

Nearby, Haotian and Jade Lake were moved by the genuine affection of the Three Pure Ones. Jade Lake’s eyes grew misty, and she was on the verge of breaking into sobs. Seeing this, Haotian thought, “Such an opportunity must not be missed!” and quickly offered his shoulder for Jade Lake to lean on. Though his heart leapt with joy, he continued to comfort her, murmuring, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. I am here,” and the like.

Jade Lake soon regained her composure. Realizing she was crying in Haotian’s arms, her cheeks flushed crimson. She spoke, “Fool, we still have duties to fulfill.”

She pulled away from Haotian’s embrace and walked toward the Three Pure Ones, bowing and saying, “I have responsibilities and cannot linger. I hope my elder brothers will forgive me.” Seeing her approach, Haotian hurriedly stepped forward, greeting the Three Pure Ones with a sheepish smile. Jade Lake, annoyed at his persistence, turned on her heel and left, and Haotian immediately chased after her.

After all, this was the sanctuary of sages; how could an untransformed creature be allowed to listen to the Dao here? Tongtian promptly summoned the Black Ox back into his sleeve. Duo Bao Daoist, sensing his master’s intention, quietly seated himself behind Tongtian without a word.

The Three Pure Ones said no more, but sat upon their mats, each seeking to comprehend the Great Dao.

Haotian and Jade Lake stood in service at either side of the palace gate. Haotian spoke quietly, “Are you still angry? I was wrong, is that not enough?”

At this, Jade Lake could not help but laugh, saying nothing more.

Haotian’s heart eased greatly. “As long as you’re not angry, that’s all that matters.” He was about to continue in this vein to further cheer Jade Lake when, from beyond the heavens, two figures arrived.

The newcomers, a man and a woman, approached. The male Daoist led the female Daoist forward and bowed to Haotian and Jade Lake, saying, “Greetings, friends. May we ask if this ‘Palace of Purple Clouds’ is truly a sage’s sanctuary?” He spoke with caution, but Haotian replied cheerily, “It is, it is! Please, come in, come in. I will guide you myself.”

Though his master was the foremost sage of the primeval world, there were many other mighty beings in this land; one never knew when future encounters might occur, so it was wise to establish good relations.

The three entered the hall. The male and female Daoists could not help but marvel at the palace’s humble grandeur, a true model for their kind.

Their footsteps caught the attention of the Three Pure Ones, who, curious about the strength of those in the world, turned to look at the newcomers. Haotian, having led them in, withdrew without a word.

“I am Fuxi, and this is my younger sister, Nüwa. We greet the three Daoist friends.” So the two Daoists were none other than Fuxi and Nüwa.

Upon hearing Fuxi announce himself, the Three Pure Ones returned the greeting: “I am Taiqing, the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord; I am Yuqing, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable; I am Shangqing, the Supreme Venerable Spirit Treasure. Greetings, Daoist Fuxi and Daoist Nüwa.”

The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, looking at Fuxi, felt an inexplicable sense of kinship, though he could not place its source. The Primordial Heavenly Venerable, after glancing at the two, turned away, uninterested.

Tongtian, however, was greatly surprised. This Daoist was none other than the Heavenly Sovereign—Fuxi, one of the Three Sovereigns. In later ages, Fuxi would be a legendary figure; his invention of the innate Eight Trigrams alone would occupy generations of scholars, and some would never master them in a lifetime. Fuxi was the leader of the original human clan, inventor of the se instrument, and composer of the melody “Jiabian.”

It was said he possessed a qin named the Fuxi Qin, though Tongtian regretted not having seen it.

As for Nüwa, she was the Holy Mother of the human race, renowned for two great deeds: “Nüwa Creates Humanity” and “Nüwa Mends the Heavens.” Moreover, she was also Fuxi’s wife, though whether this truth would be revealed in time remained unknown.

Fuxi nodded, taking his sister’s hand and intending to sit upon a meditation mat. Suddenly, a black shadow shot from the palace door. Realizing someone intended to seize his seat, Fuxi pushed Nüwa toward Tongtian’s side while he himself blocked the shadow.

Just then, Tongtian, deep in thought about the future, instinctively reached out to support Nüwa, settling her beside him on a meditation mat.