Chapter 10

One had established his Dao through the Classic of Morality, solely commanding sixty percent of the Daoist Sect Destiny and now standing as the supreme Daoist Sect Leader.

In today's confrontation, the victor was the era itself. Hongjun had become the past, while Li Er represented the current tide.

In this battle, Heavenly Dao Hongjun had not gone all out.

Thus, the battle ended with Hongjun's concession.

Li Er secretly breathed a sigh of relief, though he maintained an unyielding yet humble demeanor on the surface.

He understood that, despite his victory, there remained a vast gap in strength between himself and Hongjun.

As a transmigrator who had attained Dao through Slaying Three Corpses to Attain Dao, his steady temperament kept him from overestimating himself or underestimating Hongjun.

He knew that Hongjun's restraint today was not because he dared not strike with full force, but because the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao prevented him from doing so.

As for himself, he had only won through the System's rewards and the ultimate divine ability known as the Pangu Imprint.

In a true contest of strength, he had attained Dao only recently. His cultivation was at most in the mid-Saint stage. How could he possibly be compared with Hongjun? External aid was also a form of strength, but Hongjun possessed external aid as well; he simply could not use it due to the Heavenly Dao's restrictions.

Therefore, Li Er would not become conceited because of this battle or look down on anyone.

He remained cautious and humble at all times.

Hongjun's expression shifted before he slowly said, "In today's battle, you have proven your worth.

"You need not establish the Human Sect."

This was Hongjun's highest evaluation of Li Er. As the Heavenly Dao, Hongjun never casually spoke empty pleasantries. Every word he uttered reflected his true thoughts.

In the eyes of the Heavenly Dao, all living beings were ants, and even Saints were no exception.

But Li Er had proven his worth. He was no longer an ant Hongjun could manipulate as he pleased.

This was the true nature of the Heavenly Dao.

Li Er smiled calmly. "If that is the case, then this matter is settled. Everyone is happy."

In this contest, Hongjun might not have been happy, but the matter had been resolved. Li Er could not press him any further.

Ignoring Li Er's words, Hongjun returned to the main subject. "No matter what, the current Laozi possesses influence that cannot be ignored."

"Changing the heavenly course is, by nature, an act against the Heavenly Dao."

"But you have made me make an exception once.

"Remember, this is a special exception. There will be no second time."

As his words fell, Heavenly Dao Hongjun's figure flashed and vanished into the void.

Before Eight Sceneries Palace, only Nuwa and Li Er remained.

Though they had not exchanged words, Nuwa had already noticed that after this conversation, Heavenly Dao Hongjun's attitude toward Li Er had changed significantly.

There was faintly a sense of equality between them, something incredibly astonishing considering the Heavenly Dao's status.

Thus, Li Er's shock at this moment was especially profound.

As a Saint, she knew all too well how enormous the gap was between Heavenly Dao Saints and the Heavenly Dao itself.

Yet Li Er had significantly narrowed that distance through his own strength and had even earned the Heavenly Dao's recognition.

This result left Nuwa both admiring and regretful.

But no matter how turbulent her emotions were, the matter here had ended. The Heavenly Dao had compromised, which meant one thing: the heavenly course had changed.

Yuanshi, Tongtian, Jieyin, and Zhunti would become Saints... Li Er turned his gaze toward Nuwa and waved a hand, indicating that the matter was settled and she could do as she pleased.

As an outsider, Nuwa should not remain at Eight Sceneries Palace for long.

After a brief hesitation, Nuwa nodded and departed.

Although Nuwa had left, Li Er's heart remained unsettled.

Today's compromise with the Heavenly Dao had resolved the issue of not establishing the Human Sect, yet it had also sparked endless thoughts within him.

The Human Sect might not need to be established, but the Chan Sect, Jie Sect, and Western Sect still had to be founded.

In the future, struggles over Daoist Lineage and calamities would be unavoidable.

However, Li Er shook his head and no longer dwelled on it. Those with fate would follow their own course.

He instructed Xuandu, "Return to the mountain gate."

With the matter of the Human Sect settled, the Heavenly Dao's compromise freed Yuanshi, Tongtian, Jieyin, and Zhunti—the four future Saints—from their cage-like restraints.

Within Purple Heaven Palace, they had already comprehended the opportunity to attain the Dao and gained insight.

Li Er's battle with the Heavenly Dao had determined that the Human Sect would not be established, and it had also completely lifted the restrictions placed upon All Saints.

Thus, they had touched upon the opportunity to establish sects.

Though they already had ideas for founding their sects, they still needed time to truly establish them, as matters involving Daoist Lineage, destiny, and doctrine were at stake.

Yuanshi, Tongtian, Jieyin, and Zhunti unanimously chose to enter seclusion.

Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, ten thousand years passed.

As a sacred land of the Daoist Sect, Eight Sceneries Palace had completely risen to the peak of fame throughout the primordial world because of Li Er.

Nurtured by Li Er's Saintly aura and founded upon the Classic of Morality, Eight Sceneries Palace possessed dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth, with Daoist Sect Destiny flowing through it.

Anyone who gazed upon it from afar would feel a longing in their heart.

Today, two additional figures stood within Eight Sceneries Palace: Venerable Yuanshi and Sect Master Tongtian.

After ten thousand years, they had grasped the true essence of establishing sects. Thus, they had come to Li Er seeking guidance.

Venerable Yuanshi was silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Eldest Brother, Tongtian and I have both comprehended the true essence of establishing sects. We hope you can guide us through our confusion."

Though Sect Master Tongtian said nothing, he felt the same.

Li Er was the strongest figure in the primordial world. Though he had not established a sect, his every word and action was enough to inspire conviction.

Yuanshi and Tongtian also wished to hear his opinion so they could perfect the shortcomings in their own sect founding.

Yet Li Er gently shook his head and declined their request.

He said, "Some paths must ultimately be walked personally before you can understand how to walk them."

Yuanshi and Tongtian revealed hesitant expressions upon hearing this.

Li Er's gaze was profound, as if he saw through everything. He asked calmly, "Though the sects you establish belong to the Daoist Sect, they may also exist independently, and your destiny will not be diminished."

This was Li Er telling them that though he was the supreme Daoist Sect Leader, he would not interfere with their Daoist Lineage or destiny.

Yuanshi and Tongtian agreed with this and offered their apologies.

The two then exchanged a glance and departed from Eight Sceneries Palace.

Heaven and earth seemed to sense Yuanshi and Tongtian's determination to establish sects.

In an instant, thunder rolled across the Ninth Heaven, and the entire primordial world trembled.

At this moment, the Quasi-Saint giants in Daoist grounds throughout the primordial world all sensed it. Looking to the heavens, they said, "Are they becoming Saints as well?"

After leaving Eight Sceneries Palace, Yuanshi and Tongtian appeared above the primordial land.

Yuanshi and Tongtian entered a state of enlightenment toward attaining Dao, their Primordial Violet Qi merging as the road ahead instantly became clear.

The two looked at one another and smiled, both feeling that their Dao had been achieved.

As members of the Three Pure Ones, they absolutely could not disgrace the Three Pure Ones' illustrious name.

As soon as the words fell, the two shot into the sky.

Above Yuanshi's head, the Three Flowers manifested a resplendent jade ruyi, revealing supreme nobility. It was his Dao Attainment Supreme Treasure, causing endless phenomena to arise throughout heaven and earth.

At the same time, he declared, "Heavenly Dao above, I am Yuqing Yuanshi. Today, I establish the Chan Sect, expounding the Great Dao and following the will of heaven."

With the appearance of the Innate Supreme Treasure Pangu Banner, the Chan Sect was formally established.

The Heaven-Opening merit upon Yuanshi's body also surged forth. Attaining the Dao through Merit, he became a Saint on the spot.

Immortal music echoed throughout heaven and earth, while strange fragrances drifted through the air, making the Chan Sect's doctrine seem like a realm of immortals and Saints.

Afterward, Tongtian also moved his sword through the Ninth Heaven. Boundless murderous sword qi surrounded his body, every strand sufficient to slay a Quasi-Saint.

He too summoned a sword above his head.

The Qingping Sword left its sheath, tearing through the void with endless killing power as it cleaved into nothingness.

What it displayed was the supreme Sword Dao, severing the power of the Heavenly Dao.

Shangqing Tongtian proclaimed himself Pangu's Primordial Spirit and announced that today he would establish a sect called the "Jie."

Its purpose was to seize a thread of life for all beings, filled with boundless dominance.

The Immortal-Slaying Four Swords and the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation Diagram circled Tongtian's body. He stood atop the formation diagram with a long sword in hand, while the four swords danced through the void, exuding an indomitable aura of slaughter.

He declared the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation to be the sect's treasure, and that any being in the world with fate could enter under his banner.

Tongtian became a Saint on the spot. Though the aura around him was not as nobly imposing as Yuanshi's, it was even sharper due to his supreme slaughter.

With Tongtian and Yuanshi establishing their sects, the living beings of the primordial world—even Quasi-Saint existences—raised their heads and exclaimed, "Saints have emerged!"

Every corner of the primordial world could feel this shocking force.

The birth of two Saints in succession overturned the understanding of all beings in the primordial world.

Those Quasi-Saint giants who had listened to the Dao at Purple Heaven Palace turned their gazes toward the western lands, awaiting the final two Saints appointed by the Dao Ancestor.

The news of Yuanshi and Tongtian, the Two Pure Ones, becoming Saints was also sensed by Jieyin and Zhunti in the west.

Their side path had yet to be completed, and they could not independently establish a Daoist Lineage. Jieyin was anxious.

Zhunti had a sudden inspiration and proposed that the two martial brothers establish a sect together, founding the Western Sect.

Clearly, Zhunti and Jieyin were not foolish.

They were not Pangu's Three Pure Ones. Though they possessed Heaven-Opening merit, their side path remained incomplete, and their merit was insufficient.

Acting alone made it difficult for either of them to attain a Saint position.

Therefore, they wisely chose to establish a sect together, gathering the strength of one sect and jointly pursuing the goal of becoming two Saints.

There was no dispute over Daoist Lineage between them. Instead, they could work together with one heart and face the calamities together.

Faced with this predicament, Jieyin was somewhat worried, but Zhunti was filled with wisdom and proposed a plan to attain Dao in a dream beneath the Bodhi Tree.

Even if their merit was insufficient, they could make up for it by making great vows.

Thus, they established the Western Sect and successfully attained Dao as Saints.

They knew that although Heavenly Dao Saints were rare, nine was the ultimate number.

At present, including Nuwa and Li Er, there were only six Saints in existence.

But that did not mean they had no opportunity.

The escaped one truly existed; it was not merely a fantasy. They still had a chance to attain Dao as Saints, though that chance was exceedingly slim.

Resolute voices rang out from Daoist grounds across the land. "My wish in this life is only to attain the Great Dao!"

Within Eight Sceneries Palace, after ten thousand years of cultivation, Xuandu's cultivation had stabilized at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, just one step away from the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

In such a short time, he had risen from nothing and caught up to Great Divine Power Users with extraordinary foundations, displaying his astonishing cultivation speed and resources over the past ten thousand years.

As one born with a Dao Body, Xuandu naturally possessed exceptional talent.

Beyond his talent, his achievements also benefited from the guidance behind him, especially Li Er's teachings.

Yet Li Er's expression was solemn, and Xuandu noticed it.

Xuandu asked in confusion, "Teacher, isn't it a good thing that the two Martial Uncles have attained Dao? Why are you..."

Li Er interrupted Xuandu. His gaze fell upon him as he slowly asked, "How long have you remained at your current realm?"

Xuandu answered, "About a thousand years."

Li Er continued indifferently, "When will you break through and attain the Grand Unity Dao Fruit?"

In the eyes of others, Xuandu's cultivation speed might already have been extremely fast, but in Li Er's eyes, it was still insufficient.

As an innate great being, Li Er had been a Grand Unity Golden Immortal from the moment he took form.

Though Xuandu was not an innate great being, with the talent of a Dao Body and the Grand Pure Immortal Method, his cultivation speed should have been even greater.

Yet he was currently only at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm and still needed to cultivate diligently to break through.

A guilty expression appeared on Xuandu's face. "I have failed Teacher's teachings."

Li Er smiled faintly upon hearing this. "I am not blaming you. There is no need to blame yourself excessively.

"As my disciple, you should possess the conviction to look down upon your peers."

Then Li Er changed the subject. "You have spent enough time in Eight Sceneries Palace. It is time for you to enter the primordial world and gain experience."

Li Er continued, "Your two Martial Uncles are about to attain Dao. Represent me and go to Kunlun Mountain to offer them congratulations."

After respectfully accepting the order, Xuandu left Eight Sceneries Palace.

Watching Xuandu's departing back, Li Er wore a faint smile.

Xuandu traveled through the primordial world. Having left Eight Sceneries Palace, he knew nothing of the vast primordial land.