At These Words, the Primordial Wilderness Trembled

As for the Heavenly Dao Void, there was no need to go there. The hidden danger in the Three Pure Ones' Sage's Dao Fruits had already been resolved; observing the Purple Cloud Palace in ordinary times was enough.

Within the Heavenly Dao Void, the Heavenly Dao ignored Hongjun's summons. Hongjun found this rather helpless, but since the Heavenly Dao had shown no special reaction, it should not have been a major problem.

Hongjun relaxed slightly and was about to inspect the Three Pure Ones' Sage's Dao Fruits when his expression abruptly changed—their Sage's Dao Fruits had vanished!

"How could this be? Could it be that the Three Pure Ones are no longer Heavenly Dao Sages?"

Hongjun narrowed his eyes as divine Heavenly Dao light flashed within them, and Heavenly Dao Authority began to circulate.

Hongjun sensed that the Three Pure Ones' Dao Fruits still existed within the Heavenly Dao Void, but they had been sealed off by some power, beyond his reach.

His brows furrowed tightly. He could scarcely believe that the Three Pure Ones could conceal their Dao Fruits here.

The Heavenly Dao Void was where the Will of the Heavenly Dao resided. How had the Three Pure Ones entered it?

Suddenly, Hongjun had a thought. Perhaps the Mysterious Existence behind Taiqing had forcibly broken into the Heavenly Dao Void to save the Three Pure Ones, provoking the Heavenly Dao's wrath and ultimately causing its descent.

Hongjun firmly believed this. He thought it was the perfect chance to expose that Mysterious Existence.

He swiftly communicated with the Will of the Heavenly Dao, requesting that the Three Pure Ones' Dao Fruits be restored. He claimed that the Dao Fruits might contain clues to the culprit and promised to eradicate him completely as a display of heavenly might.

The moment he finished speaking, the Will of the Heavenly Dao responded, and a powerful force swept toward him.

Hongjun was overjoyed. Yet in the next instant, Divine Lightning of the Heavens, embodying the Heavenly Dao's wrath, suddenly crashed down!

Hongjun was utterly stunned, then blasted out of the Heavenly Dao Void.

Outside the Heavenly Dao Void.

Hongjun's entire body was charred black, his expression vacant and his heart filled with shock.

He could not understand why he had angered the Heavenly Dao for no reason.

If the Heavenly Dao truly possessed emotions, it would surely have been unable to suppress its laughter at this moment.

I helped you become one who merged with the Dao, and you dare betray me?

Though the Heavenly Dao had not detected the change in the Three Pure Ones' Dao Fruits, it was clearly the power of the Primordial Origin.

Other than the Primordial Origin, what else could hide something from the Heavenly Dao?

If the Will of the Heavenly Dao restored the Three Pure Ones' Dao Fruits, would that not offend the Primordial Origin?

If that happened, how could it communicate with the Primordial Origin and advance its own evolution?

Inside the Purple Cloud Palace, Hongjun's face was full of confusion.

The Heavenly Dao's condition was vastly different from before.

Hongjun's instincts were correct.

In the past, the Will of the Heavenly Dao had been cold and mechanical, operating according to fixed logic. But as the Primordial World developed, the Heavenly Dao now seemed to be developing spiritual awareness.

Yet Hongjun simply could not comprehend any of this.

Watching the Will of the Heavenly Dao ignore his request, Hongjun's heart sank.

Though he did not know the precise reason, he vaguely guessed that the Primordial World's advancement had made the Heavenly Dao stronger.

Meanwhile, his authority as one merged with the Dao had been weakened by the Heavenly Dao's increasing strength.

This gave Hongjun a profound sense of crisis.

Heavenly Dao Authority absolutely could not be lost!

He had to comprehend and seize control of Heavenly Dao Authority as soon as possible.

As for the Three Pure Ones, that was merely a minor nuisance.

Hongjun's expression turned solemn. In the next instant, he transformed into a projection and descended upon the Primordial Land.

He intended to negotiate with Taiqing, on the condition that the Three Pure Ones could not interfere with the normal progression of the Primordial Wilderness's Calamities.

Hongjun was willing to grant the Three Pure Ones a period of tolerance.

Within the Primordial Wilderness, Taiqing was in an excellent mood.

He had resolved the hidden danger of the Sage's status and successfully avoided the Heavenly Dao's notice. The result was satisfactory.

At this moment, Hongjun was likely preparing for negotiations.

Although Taiqing held the Heavenly Dao Exotic Treasure, the "Auspicious Golden Blade," and could use it to sever his Heavenly Dao status and become a Primal Unity Golden Immortal, he had not acted yet.

He was deeply familiar with the rules of the Heavenly Dao and understood that although Primal Unity Golden Immortals were powerful, they were not eternal and indestructible. They also had to bear the risk of the Heavenly Dao's scrutiny.

Would it not be better to borrow the Heavenly Dao's rules and reap its benefits for free?

Moreover, Taiqing being enemies with Hongjun did not mean he had to become enemies with the Heavenly Dao.

Even if the Heavenly Dao discovered his connection to the Primordial Origin, he could adjust his strategy according to the circumstances.

Thus, Taiqing was in no hurry.

Another matter delighted Taiqing: the Primordial Wilderness's current fortune had reached 49%.

This figure was due to the descent of the Sages, the increased strength of the Primordial World Beings, and Taiqing's own attainment of Wuji, among other factors.

In the future, these positive changes would become increasingly apparent, because Taiqing had completely shattered the rules established by Hongjun.

All the Sages had returned to the Primordial Wilderness once more!

The Primordial Wilderness was no longer the fragmented Earthly Immortal Realm of old. It could fully accommodate more Sages.

The more Sages there were, the more beneficial it was to the Primordial Wilderness.

The Heavenly Dao did not reject the existence of Sages.

Therefore, the Heavenly Dao would never permit Hongjun to continue imprisoning the Sages Beyond Heaven.

All of this had, in truth, been Taiqing's plan.

He hoped that every Sage could return to the Primordial Wilderness.

To usher in the New Era of Sages.

Since the Sages had returned, naturally they had to pass down their Dao lineages.

The cultivation speed of all Primordial World Beings would rise dramatically.

Receiver and Cundi of the West, for instance, would certainly devote themselves to strengthening the West's forces.

In their eyes, this was for the prosperity of the West.

They would also seize this opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the world's advancement.

Little did they know that they were merely working for Taiqing.

Because every improvement made by the Primordial World Beings would be transformed into fortune.

The Primordial Wilderness's fortune would rapidly increase.

Taiqing would soon be able to elevate the Primordial Wilderness into an Intermediate Taiji World.

At this moment.

Heaven and earth throughout the Primordial Wilderness resonated.

A supreme Heavenly Might Projection descended.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's projection appeared in the Primordial Wilderness.

Yet the masses did not feel shocked.

After all, the will of heaven and earth had already manifested before.

Was there anything more significant than that in the Primordial Wilderness?

The Sages and great powers of the Primordial Wilderness all began to speculate.

Could Dao Ancestor's projection have descended this time in accordance with the Heavenly Dao's will?

Since ancient times in the Primordial Wilderness, even during terrifying calamities like the Witch-Demon War and the Investiture of the Gods, the Will of the Heavenly Dao had never descended.

Yet now it had suddenly appeared, and no one knew why.

Perhaps the only possibility was that Taiqing Saint had slain Dao Ancestor's Evil Corpse, an event unseen throughout the ages.

In the eyes of the masses and great powers, the appearances of the Will of the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor's projection might both have been directed at Taiqing Saint.

Taiqing Saint was simply too mysterious and extraordinary.

Within the Underworld, Houtu watched Hongjun's projection with cold eyes.

When the Will of the Heavenly Dao descended, she had felt unprecedented pressure and had even been unable to activate her Sage power.

Thus, she had made up her mind. She had to Evolve Earth Dao and become the Lord of the Earth Dao before she could contend against the Heavenly Dao.

Above the Nine Heavens, Hongjun's projection looked coldly at Taiqing.

Although he knew something of Taiqing, Taiqing's secrets had clearly exceeded his expectations, perhaps even reaching the realm of Primal Unity Limitless.

A thought suddenly arose in Hongjun's heart. Could the changes in the Primordial Wilderness and the manifestation of the Will of the Heavenly Dao have been caused by Taiqing?

But he immediately rejected the thought.

Absolutely impossible!

First, Taiqing did not possess such ability; even if he did, the Heavenly Dao would not overlook his actions.

Therefore, Taiqing was only an unexpected factor, never the root cause.

Hongjun's projection watched coldly.

At this moment, neither the Three Pure Ones nor the other hidden forces were important to him anymore.

Hongjun realized that his control over the Heavenly Dao was still flawed. That was the key issue.

At the same time, he understood that he was constrained by the Heavenly Dao and could not act freely, especially before obtaining the Three Pure Ones' Sage's status.

Until then, he would be unable to seize the initiative.

For now, he could only allow the Three Pure Ones to run rampant for a while.

Above the Heavenly Court, Hongjun's projection appeared, and everyone addressed him as Master in unison.

The three Sages, Receiver, Cundi, and Nüwa, respectfully called him Master.

Yuanshi and Tongtian watched Hongjun's projection with solemn expressions.

Taiqing remained as calm as ever.

Hongjun appearing as a projection hinted at certain facts.

Taiqing asked directly, "Dao Ancestor, what important matter brings you here?"

Receiver and Cundi had originally wanted to rebuke the Three Pure Ones and display their loyalty before Hongjun.

But seeing Taiqing's imposing aura, they ultimately did not dare act rashly and silently withdrew.

Hongjun's projection looked at Taiqing, his brows faintly furrowed.

Taiqing had always been full of confidence. Was it because he truly had the means, or was he merely putting on a front? But none of that mattered now; the situation was already what it was.

Hongjun merely needed to ensure that the Three Pure Ones would not interfere with the workings of fate.

Thus, Hongjun said evenly, "Now that you Three Pure Ones have returned to the Primordial Wilderness, you may open a world of your own and connect it to the Primordial Wilderness."

"But you must not hinder the Primordial Wilderness's development, much less disrupt the course of fate."

At these words, all the powerful figures were stunned.

Could the Three Pure Ones become the masters of an entire world?

This had received the Heavenly Dao's approval!

The Three Pure Ones' strength was truly admirable.

Within the Heavenly Court.

Receiver and Cundi were filled with jealousy.

Opening their own world and connecting it to the Primordial Wilderness meant that the Three Pure Ones could control all the fortune of that world.

Why did such a good opportunity not fall to the West?

The two Sages were deeply indignant.

Meanwhile, Nüwa and Houtu were filled with emotion.

Hongjun had actually offered such generous terms. He had clearly made a concession.

Fellow Daoist Taiqing truly was extraordinary.

Inside Five Villages Monastery.

Zhen Yuanzi sighed with deep emotion.

This was a world that belonged entirely to the Three Pure Ones!

It was completely different from when he had been guided to establish the Earthly Immortal Realm.

Tongtian and Yuanshi exchanged knowing smiles.

Hongjun had actually permitted the Three Pure Ones to open a new world!

Once the Three Pure Ones became masters of a world, no one would be able to restrain them.

This was good news for them, but Taiqing rejected the proposal.

Upon hearing Taiqing's answer, all beings of heaven and earth were shocked.

What exactly did Taiqing intend to do? Hongjun frowned and asked why. Taiqing calmly replied that the Primordial Wilderness already belonged to him, so there was no need to establish another world for the Three Pure Ones.

Before a Calamity, no living being could avoid it; there was no question of disrupting anything.

At these words, the Primordial Wilderness trembled.

Nüwa and Houtu were greatly surprised, while Receiver and Cundi were even more bewildered.

Tongtian and Yuanshi looked at each other, both shocked and admiring, ashamed that their own vision had been so narrow.

Within the Purple Cloud Palace, the atmosphere was subtle.

Hongjun narrowed his eyes slightly.

Taiqing's goal was not confined to one region, but the entire Primordial Wilderness.

This ambition exceeded the imagination of every Sage. Even Hongjun was shocked.

However, no one knew that Taidi Zizheng's ambitions extended far beyond this.

What he pursued was the attainment of the supreme Great Dao and the construction of the highest multiversal Hongmeng.

Ruling the Primordial Wilderness was merely a trivial matter to him.

Hongjun looked coldly at Taiqing.

"Could it be that Dao Ancestor wishes to make a move?" Taiqing asked calmly.

Hongjun sneered inwardly.

This insignificant fellow actually dared covet control over the Primordial Wilderness? He truly did not know the immensity of heaven and earth.

Once he had fully taken control of the Heavenly Dao, the Primordial Wilderness would be utterly calm.

Hongjun said indifferently, "In that case, you must not destroy the Primordial Wilderness."

Taiqing replied with a cold laugh, "Who is destroying the Primordial Wilderness? You know perfectly well."

Hongjun's gaze turned icy as he stared at Taiqing.

Could he know my plan? How did he find out?

Hongjun said nothing more.

"Take care of yourselves." With that, he vanished.

This scene sent the Primordial World Beings into an uproar.

Even the Dao Ancestor had backed down.

Taiqing Saint's imposing presence was truly shocking!

Even the saints stared in stunned silence!

Taiqing's strength was simply too terrifying!

Even the Dao Ancestor's words seemed to have lost their effect!

Taiqing remained composed and unruffled.

Receiver and Cundi exchanged glances, their hearts filled with worry.

Now that the Dao Ancestor was no longer intervening, how could they dare provoke the Three Pure Ones again?

The two saints immediately swept up the Buddhist Sect's forces, preparing to flee.

Yet, to their astonishment, their divine abilities had failed!

All techniques returned to Nirvana!

Taiqing looked at Receiver and Cundi, an amused smile playing on his lips.

"Where do you two intend to go?"

Tongtian directly drew the Azure Purity Sword and said with a cold laugh.

"You harmed the disciples of our Three Teachings. How could we possibly let you off so easily today?"

Yuanshi also stared coldly toward the West, the Pangu Banner appearing in his hand.

"Old and new grudges will be settled together today!"

The Buddhist Sect members were terrified at the sight.

Receiver and Cundi were on the verge of tears!

What kind of divine ability was this?!

It was simply beyond all resistance!