Chapter 1

Today, the Heavenly Dao shone bright.

Nuwa comprehended the Way of Creation and created a newly born race within the Primordial World.

This race would aid me in attaining the Dao, achieving the status of a Saint, and preserving the path of humanity. From this day forth, it would be called the "Human Race."

Arise!

With the birth of the Human Race, golden light flashed above Shouyang Mountain, and merit energy surged like a tide toward Nuwa.

Ethereal heavenly music drifted through the air, countless flowers bloomed, and myriad phenomena filled the skies.

Nuwa herself radiated the aura of a Saint.

At this moment, Nuwa attained the Dao through merit and became a Saint.

Yuanshi and Tongtian sat atop Qilin Cliff at the peak of Kunlun Mountain.

Yuanshi's expression abruptly changed, shocked by Nuwa's ascension to sainthood.

He had never expected that, among the Three Pure Ones, they would not be the first to attain the Dao. Nuwa had beaten them to it.

Yuanshi and Tongtian had discussed the Dao on Qilin Cliff for a long time. Ever since obtaining the Primordial Violet Qi, they had been comprehending the foundation of the Great Dao.

Yet their eldest brother, Laozi, was absent from Kunlun Mountain. Laozi apparently had not entered seclusion with them to comprehend the Primordial Violet Qi.

Yuanshi looked into the distance in confusion, wondering how far their eldest brother had progressed by now.

The Three Pure Ones had always advanced and retreated together, yet Laozi's actions now seemed distinctly different.

As it turned out, Laozi was a transmigrator. He knew the path to sainthood clearly and thus had not secluded himself to comprehend the Primordial Violet Qi.

More importantly, he needed to find a new Daoist temple.

In the future, the Three Pure Ones might no longer be a family fighting side by side.

As a transmigrator, Li Er had little interest in the Primordial Violet Qi, so he chose to leave his cultivation grounds and travel through the Primordial World.

Hearing Yuanshi's musings, Tongtian found them amusing and said that their eldest brother Laozi's cultivation far surpassed theirs; he was not far from attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint.

Still, he was curious about Laozi's attitude toward Nuwa's attainment of the Dao.

Yuanshi did not refute him. He felt nothing but admiration for Laozi.

At Shouyang Mountain, home of the Human Race, a green ox suddenly appeared. A young man sat upon its back—it was Laozi.

Vast violet qi billowed behind him, creating astonishing phenomena, while his bearing seemed detached from the mortal world.

Nuwa had only just attained the Primordial Unity and comprehended the Saint Dao Fruit. Upon seeing Laozi, she did not slight him. Instead, she appeared in the skies above Shouyang Mountain and spoke with him.

Nuwa believed Laozi's strength was formidable enough that attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint would be effortless for him. At the same time, she carefully observed him and discovered that he differed somewhat from before.

At this moment, Li Er was as vigorous as a young man. More importantly, his temperament had undergone a heaven-shaking transformation, becoming even more ethereal and unrestrained.

It was as if he had seen through the vicissitudes of all things and become one with the ever-changing laws of the world.

As an innate mighty being, his Dao Body had already transcended the constraints of appearance, displaying vitality that surged from the depths of his heart.

There was only one explanation for his transformation: he had once again comprehended the Dao and drawn closer to the essence of the Great Dao.

Therefore, even Nuwa, also a Saint, could not help but feel admiration.

Although Li Er had not explicitly stated whether he had severed his third corpse, his bearing suggested that he was not far from the Saint position.

Nuwa was also curious whether Li Er had severed his third corpse, so she asked him directly.

However, Li Er knew that Slaying Three Corpses to Attain Dao was no less difficult than Proving Dao by Force.

The Good Corpse and Evil Corpse might be easy to sever, but the Self Corpse, the final attachment, was the most difficult to cut away.

He needed time, opportunity, fortune, and destiny; none could be lacking.

Throughout the entire Primordial era, only Dao Ancestor Hongjun had accomplished this.

As for Li Er, he had originally intended to attain the Dao through merit by establishing a sect and becoming a Saint, rather than through Slaying Three Corpses to Attain Dao.

As for Slaying Three Corpses, that would be a matter for his later years.

Even someone as powerful as Li Er had no opportunity to sever his third corpse during the early stages of the Primordial World.

However, his opportunity might arrive during the Human Race's great rise or at the time of the Investiture of the Gods.

Li Er had crossed through time and space, and he differed subtly from the Laozi of history.

Although he had not yet severed his third corpse, that did not mean he never would.

The reason lay in a transmigrator's unique Golden Finger—the system.

With the system in hand, Li Er was not merely Laozi, but an existence surpassing All Saints.

Faced with Nuwa's question about Slaying Three Corpses, he smiled calmly and said that the three corpses were not easily severed. In all the Primordial World, no one besides Dao Ancestor could accomplish it.

His purpose in coming to Shouyang Mountain was twofold: first, to congratulate Nuwa on attaining the Dao; second, to discuss a matter with her.

Compared with Yuanshi and Tongtian, Li Er possessed less arrogance and dominance, and more restraint and composure.

His words carried a power that soothed the heart, drawing him closer to the essence of the Great Dao.

Nuwa was surprised by his proposal—Li Er intended to give a sermon to the Human Race.

Nuwa understood that this concerned the Human Race Destiny.

Although Nuwa felt conflicted about the relationship between the Human Race and the Demon Race, she knew the Human Race was extraordinary.

After all, creating a race could lead to sainthood, which showed that the Human Race possessed exceptional destiny.

Thus, Li Er's request to preach to the Human Race was a challenge for Nuwa.

Nuwa knew this meant Li Er also favored the Human Race's future and intended to use them to elevate his own position.

After considering it, Nuwa cautiously responded out of regard for Li Er's status. "Senior Brother Laozi, do you believe the opportunity to become a Saint lies with the Human Race?"

Facing Nuwa's speculation, Li Er answered frankly and without concealment, revealing his identity as a transmigrator.

He knew he was not a native of the Primordial World. There was no need for him to painstakingly comprehend the Primordial Violet Qi, nor did he need to wait for its guidance before teaching the Human Race.

It was like answering questions with the answers already in hand. Those who knew the answers could naturally resolve their doubts with ease.

After hearing this, Nuwa furrowed her brows. She understood that Saint Karma was no simple matter for a future Saint such as Li Er.

The karma of obstructing one's path was no trivial thing.

Nuwa decided to yield and said she would not hinder Li Er from seeking his opportunity.

However, she reminded him that while he would not be obstructed from preaching to the Human Race, he could only obtain ten percent of their destiny as the price for the karma of attaining the Dao.

Li Er faced Nuwa's demand calmly and instead asked about the connection between Saint Karma and Human Race Destiny.

What followed was the newly unfolding matter of Fuxi after Li Er's transmigration; All Saints could not force Nuwa to take action.

Nuwa possessed absolute control over the Human Race. Even Fuxi, their creator, could not easily change that.

What truly made Nuwa invoke Saint Karma was the calamity of the Investiture of the Gods.

During that great calamity, King Zhou insulted Nuwa, triggering the Investiture of the Gods calamity and causing the Chan and Jie sects to clash.

Nuwa played an important role in it.

Although Yuanshi possessed the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Pangu Banner, Tongtian possessed the even more lethal Immortal-Slaying Four Swords.

In the end, Laozi joined forces with Jieyin and Zhunti, the three Saints aiding Yuanshi in breaking Tongtian's Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. The Investiture of the Gods calamity ended with Tongtian's crushing defeat.

Behind that calamity, in truth, was the repayment of the Saint Karma between Nuwa and Laozi.

Although it appeared that Laozi had merely followed the heavenly trend, he was actually repaying Nuwa's karma.

The price was immense: the Three Pure Ones split apart, the Primordial World shattered, and they even consumed the Saint Extinguishing Pill.

At the same time, the Daoist Lineages of the three sects suffered severe damage, allowing the Western Sect to seize the opportunity.

This chain of events prevented All Saints from returning throughout the Immeasurable Kalpa.

Although Nuwa had not intended this, the price of repaying Saint Karma was enough to overturn heaven and earth.

Nuwa would not easily invoke this karma, for it was ultimately an agreement that existed between Saints, and the later it was repaid, the greater the price would become.

Li Er, that was, Laozi, faced a major choice.

Should he owe Nuwa Saint Karma and establish the Human Sect Daoist Lineage in order to attain the Dao and become a Saint? Or should he refuse to incur that karma and instead obtain the top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Qiankun Cauldron, along with insight into Slaying Three Corpses? It was a harsh test.

Laozi smiled at this question.

He knew that whichever path he chose would have its own price and gains.

As the being closest to the Dao among the Six Saints of the Heavenly Dao, he possessed the qualifications to Slay Three Corpses.

He knew that owing Nuwa karma might bring him trouble in the future, but it could also offer immeasurable assistance to the development of the Human Sect.

Refusing, on the other hand, would avoid potential karmic entanglements, but it might also cause him to lose an important opportunity.

At that moment, the system's voice sounded in his mind, issuing a god-tier choice mission.

Every choice came with immense rewards and risks.

Li Er knew that this was both his opportunity and his challenge.

He knew that whenever he faced important moments in life, he always had to make a choice.

And now, he needed to make his own decision.

No matter the outcome, he would accept it calmly.

Indeed, the appearance of the system was like timely aid in a snowstorm.

Just as Li Er decided to refuse Nuwa and not establish the Human Sect, the system delivered its mission.

He understood the importance of this choice, especially regarding whether to establish the Human Sect. Its consequences would be far-reaching.

The development of a Daoist Lineage concerned the future foundations of All Saints. Whether it was the Three Pure Ones or Jieyin and Zhunti, they all needed Daoist Lineages to establish the majesty of their Saint positions.

Thus, Daoist Lineages existed to complete the order of heaven and earth.

However, if he agreed to owe Nuwa karma and establish the Human Sect, what benefits could Laozi gain? Practically none.

Moreover, according to the original course of events, Saint Karma would draw him into the Saint conflict of the Investiture of the Gods, and he might even consume the Saint Extinguishing Pill.

What meaning did such a choice have for him?

Therefore, faced with the system's two choices, Li Er had no need to hesitate.

One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones was certainly a powerful divine ability, but before insight into Slaying Three Corpses, it was not worth mentioning.

Without obtaining the insight into Slaying Three Corpses from the system, he would likely have had to wait an eternity to comprehend it on his own.

Moreover, after refusing to owe Nuwa karma, he would also receive a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure such as the Qiankun Cauldron.

The Qiankun Cauldron could return things to their origin and reverse the acquired into the innate. Its effects defied the heavens.

Thus, Li Er smiled faintly and decided to abandon the opportunity to establish the Human Sect.

The green ox beneath him seemed to understand his intent. It turned and vanished beyond the horizon, strolling through the void with carefree ease.

One man leading an ox departed, leaving behind only wordless detachment and estrangement from the mortal world.

He chose to leave, heading toward freedom and tranquility.

Nuwa's mind became muddled at that moment. She could not believe Li Er would refuse the opportunity to attain the Dao that she had offered him.

Li Er's refusal to follow expectations left her shocked and helpless.

She watched his retreating figure for a long time, unable to calm herself, sighing that her decision might have been the greatest mistake of her life.

Li Er, meanwhile, headed for his new Daoist temple—the Eight Sceneries Palace on Mount Daluo.

The division of the Three Pure Ones had become inevitable. During this journey through the Primordial World, he had specifically sought out the Daoist temple that had originally belonged to him.

He activated the mountain-protecting grand formation and disturbed the heavenly secrets. Then, seated upon Mount Daluo, he willed it into being, and the Qiankun Cauldron emerged from the void.

This ancient cauldron, a supreme treasure of Dao Ancestor Hongjun, had remained hidden within the void, awaiting its destined owner.

Its only appearance had been during the crisis when Buzhou Mountain collapsed and the Heavenly River poured backward.

At that time, when All Saints joined forces to mend the heavens, the Qiankun Cauldron played an enormous role.

Nuwa received the Qiankun Cauldron lent by Hongjun to mend the heavens, and only then did the Saints learn of this supreme treasure.

Now, the Qiankun Cauldron belonged to Li Er.

Besides this, he also obtained precious insight into Slaying Three Corpses.

The insight into Slaying Three Corpses was not acquired directly. Li Er still needed to comprehend it himself, like an epiphany, and whether he succeeded remained uncertain.

Cultivation depended on oneself; external aid could not lead directly to the Saint realm.

The Primordial Violet Qi was the foundation of the Great Dao bestowed by Hongjun, but the path to sainthood still required one's own comprehension.

Li Er's origins, destiny, and fortune were extraordinary. He was the only being in the Primordial World capable of Slaying Three Corpses.

His accumulation made Slaying Three Corpses far less difficult than imagined.