Chapter 74: The Four Great Disciples

Gazing at the island, lush and overgrown with grasses and trees, Tongtian raised his immense hand, and with a single gesture, a small palace appeared in his palm. In truth, Tongtian had long foreseen this day, and so he had crafted this palace in advance, preparing for any eventuality.

“Master, now that we have a dwelling, perhaps you could grant your disciple—” At this moment, Duobao, observing the delight on Tongtian’s face, spoke up to him.

In fact, the bond between Tongtian and Duobao was not merely that of teacher and disciple; in their hearts, they regarded each other as brothers. This closeness meant that Duobao spoke freely before Tongtian, and perhaps it was for this reason that, in the Investiture of the Gods, Duobao risked his life to confront Taishang Laojun.

Tongtian could see that Duobao was still upset about the dispute with Nanji Immortal over the title of “Eldest Disciple of the Three Pure Ones.”

Just as Tongtian was about to speak, three streaks of multicolored light suddenly emerged from his sleeve. Outside, the sky grew heavy with dark clouds, as if something momentous was about to occur.

Only then did Tongtian sense that some fateful opportunity might be at hand. After investigating, he quickly released those living beings who had not yet taken human form but were loyal to him. He then instructed the Black Ox, “See to them well, and do not neglect your duty.”

Having received his master’s command, the old ox trotted off obediently.

At that moment, a great stone, a cluster of green clouds, and a small turtle appeared.

Wasn’t that stone the very Treasure Cliff? Tongtian had intended to refine it into a brick, to strike at anyone who displeased him. At the very least, it could serve as a spiritual treasure. He had always known the Treasure Cliff was extraordinary, but never imagined it could take human form—how incredible!

As for the cluster of green clouds, wasn’t that the very one from which his elder sister, Lady Taiyuan, had descended? How had it transformed here? Lady Taiyuan had given birth to Nanji Immortal; but who might this one be?

Tongtian was uncertain which immortal these two had been in their past lives, and he felt a headache coming on.

The little turtle, however, was clearer to Tongtian. In the later calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, wasn’t there a “Holy Mother of Turtle Spirit” among the Four Great Disciples of the Sect? But was this little turtle truly her?

If that was so, could it be that the Holy Mother of Golden Spirit and the Holy Mother of Wudang were also among them?

As these three creatures began to transform, the sky churned with dark clouds, thunder and lightning crackling menacingly. For Tongtian, such tribulations were but a trifling matter, yet without experiencing the storm, how could one see the rainbow? Without strength, how could one become his disciple? Thus, Tongtian was testing them.

Lightning from the heavens struck straight at the Treasure Cliff, but who was the Treasure Cliff? It was the spirit that bore countless magical treasures—even the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array rested upon it without harm. How could lightning injure it? For the Treasure Cliff, taking human form was effortless; before long, a young maiden emerged, basking in the thunder and lightning.

Yet at that moment, all the stars in heaven began to shimmer. This caused quite a commotion; who could command all the stars to manifest?

Curious, Tongtian investigated and then suddenly understood. Duobao inquired, “Master, who is this junior sister?” He sensed she was no ordinary soul and promptly asked Tongtian.

“She was the first star in heaven and earth; all planets have split from her source. One could say she is the mother of all planets! Moreover, she is the origin of both water and earth essences.” Only now did Tongtian understand why the Treasure Cliff could bear even primordial treasures.

“Greetings, Master.” The maiden who had emerged from the Treasure Cliff knelt before Tongtian.

Noticing that his new disciple was unclothed, Tongtian quickly dressed her, lest Duobao be led astray.

At the end of the Investiture of the Gods, a female immortal became the leader of all stars and one of Tongtian’s Four Great Disciples—none other than the renowned Doumu, the Holy Mother of Golden Spirit.

Seeing that her clothing had been bestowed by her master, the maiden was overjoyed and bowed to Tongtian, “Thank you, Master, thank you!”

“You do not yet have a name.” Tongtian regarded the Holy Mother of Golden Spirit with even greater delight, resolving that she would one day stand out among the second generation of disciples.

“Please, Master, grant me a name.” Upon hearing Tongtian’s question, the maiden understood his intention and thanked him gratefully.

“Then you shall be called the Holy Mother of Golden Spirit.” Thinking of how her weapon could roll through an opponent’s body, Tongtian felt a headache coming on. His disciples grew stronger with each generation—how could he fulfill his role as their teacher? The Holy Mother of Golden Spirit had been born with the cultivation of an early-stage True Immortal, not much weaker than Tongtian himself at birth.

“Thank you, Master, for granting me a name.” The Holy Mother of Golden Spirit then looked to Duobao and asked, “Master, who is he?”

“He is my eldest disciple, your senior brother Duobao.” Tongtian replied calmly.

With a playful “Oh,” she made a face at Duobao before finding a spot to sit cross-legged and stabilize her cultivation.

Tongtian had been so focused on the Holy Mother of Golden Spirit that he had not noticed the green cloud had already taken form. Seeing her master engrossed in conversation with her senior siblings, she quietly sat to cultivate on her own. When Tongtian finally turned to look at the green-clad woman, his expression changed instantly.

What was happening? Instead of a young woman, she was an old crone, startling Tongtian. But then he thought, wasn’t Nanji Immortal an old man as well?

Indeed, it was not their fault. Due to the death of Lady Taiyuan, both great deities had suffered stunted development, resulting in their unusual appearances. Understanding this, Tongtian smiled bittersweetly, realizing his strength was still insufficient to protect his loved ones—how could he call himself their teacher?

“Given your appearance, you shall be called the Holy Mother of Wudang.” At this moment, Tongtian’s gaze was tinged with melancholy, gone was his earlier joy.

“As you command, Master.” When Tongtian spoke, he had already told the Holy Mother of Wudang not to address him as “Third Uncle,” for “Master” was preferable. The Holy Mother of Wudang understood the entanglements between Tongtian and her father, the Primordial Heaven Honored One, and so addressed him as “Master.”

Tongtian now realized why, during the calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, only the Holy Mother of Wudang managed to escape unscathed—it was because she was the child of the Primordial Heaven Honored One. Tongtian had no interest in watching the little turtle’s transformation, and simply told Duobao, “This is the Holy Mother of Turtle Spirit,” before turning away and leaving.