Yuxu Palace Hears the Dao, the Debate on Lineage Rekindles!

Three days passed in a flash while Xuanwei toiled away diligently.

Thanks to the Wutu Source Core's affinity with the earth and the Innate Yi Wood Spirit Qi he'd managed to draw upon, he had, in those three days, completely cleared and nourished ten acres of Spirit Fields. He'd even successfully planted a batch of basic "Spirit-Nourishing Grass" and "Qi Gathering Flower" seeds. Looking at the dark, soft earth, filled with swirling spirit qi, and the scattered emerald sprouts, Xuanwei felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

"With this efficiency, back in my previous life, I'd have definitely been awarded 'Labor Model'!" he proudly patted his non-existent belly (with his mind).

However, the moment he thought about going to Yuxu Palace and facing Primordial Lord of Heaven, his senior uncle who seemed to dislike him immensely, his pride vanished instantly, replaced by a tragic sense of being sent to the gallows.

"System, are we ready? We're going to challenge the school... ah no, we're going to attend a lecture."

[System operating normally. Chaos Heaven-Opening Art - Body Tempering Chapter (Prerequisite) has been loaded and can run passively to slowly refine the origin.]

[Warning: Yuxu Palace is the Saint's Dojo of Primordial Lord of Heaven, with extremely strong law suppression. Most of the system's active functions will be restricted. Host, please be cautious with your words and actions, and rely on yourself.]

"Right, it looks like I have to rely on myself at the crucial moment," Xuanwei sighed, tidying up... well, tidying up his immortal qi form, making it look as solid and dignified as possible.

Just then, Daoist Duobao's telepathic message echoed in his consciousness: "Junior Brother Xuanwei, the time has come. Follow me."

Xuanwei dared not delay and quickly flew out of the Medicine Garden valley. Daoist Duobao was already waiting in the clouds, accompanied by several other disciples of the Intercepting Sect with profound auras. There were men and women among them, all appearing immortal and radiating powerful spiritual pressure. They looked at Xuanwei with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny, having clearly heard about their junior brother who was accepted by their Master under special circumstances and had even had a "debate" with Senior Uncle Primordial.

Daoist Duobao didn't offer any further introductions, merely stating, "Let's go," before ascending a auspicious cloud and flying towards Kunlun Mountain's main peak, towards Yuxu Palace shrouded in endless Jade Pure immortal light.

Along the way, Xuanwei could feel the occasional glances from his senior brothers and sisters, but he kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his eyes (doing his best to feign ignorance), pretending not to notice. His mind was busy preparing his speech, contemplating how he would "elegantly" retort if Senior Uncle Primordial brought up his origins again.

Upon entering the grounds of Yuxu Palace, Xuanwei immediately felt a completely different atmosphere from Biyou Palace.

Biyou Palace was grand and casual, carrying an essence of inclusiveness and vibrant life. Yuxu Palace, on the other hand, was solemn, austere, and orderly. Every blade of grass, every brick, seemed to adhere to some supreme rule, exuding an inviolable majesty. The Jade Pure immortal qi permeating the air was incredibly pure, yet it carried an invisible repulsive force that made his "shallowly rooted" immortal qi feel uneasy.

"Tsk, this place... there must be a lot of rules," Xuanwei muttered to himself.

The lecture hall was set up on a vast plaza in front of Yuxu Palace. Currently, the plaza was filled with auspicious clouds and radiant immortal light. The disciples of the Heavenly Origin Sect were already seated in order, all dignified, with extraordinary origins, and an innate sense of superiority in their expressions. In contrast, while many from the Intercepting Sect had also arrived, their appearances varied, and their auras were mixed. As they sat there, a palpable sense of invisible separation and subtle rejection could be felt.

Xuanwei followed Daoist Duobao and the others to a spot on the edge of the Intercepting Sect's designated area and sat down (hovering). He could clearly feel countless gazes, especially from the Heavenly Origin Sect side, focusing on him like searchlights, filled with curiosity, disdain, and even a hint of... hostility?

"What are you looking at? Haven't you seen such handsome immortal qi before?" Xuanwei rolled his eyes internally, but outwardly maintained a calm and indifferent demeanor.

Suddenly, the entire plaza fell silent.

A vast, cold, and majestic Saintly aura, akin to the Heavenly Dao, emanated from the depths of Yuxu Palace, enveloping the entire plaza. All cultivators, regardless of their cultivation level, involuntarily held their breath and bowed their heads in reverence.

Primordial Lord of Heaven had arrived.

He did not manifest his true form, only a hazy Jade Pure immortal light, imbued with infinite Dao laws, hovered above the cloud bed in the sky above the plaza. Even so, the invisible pressure was enough to inspire awe in those below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

"The lecture begins."

Without any superfluous opening remarks, Primordial Lord of Heaven's cold and grand Dao voice directly resonated, like a great bell striking the hearts and minds of every listener.

He spoke of the very foundation of the Jade Pure Immortal Method, expounding on the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, order and boundaries, emphasizing origins, blessings, destiny, and fortune. Every word contained supreme wisdom, resonating with the laws of heaven and earth, causing heavenly flowers to fall and golden lotuses to spring from the ground.

One had to admit, a Saint's lecture was truly extraordinary. Although Xuanwei was not fond of Primordial Lord of Heaven's philosophy, he had to acknowledge that the Jade Pure Great Dao was immensely beneficial for organizing one's own power and clarifying one's understanding of rules. He focused his mind, striving to understand and absorb the parts that were useful to him, while silently circulating the Body Tempering Chapter of the Chaos Heaven-Opening Art, using the pressure of this Jade Pure Dao rhyme to temper his immortal qi origin.

He could feel that deep within his origin, extremely subtle wisps of chaotic qi were being stirred, acting like the most precise carving tools, removing impurities from his immortal qi and making his origin more condensed and transparent. Although the process was slow, the effect was tangible!

[Absorbing Jade Pure Dao Rhyme, understanding of Supreme Pure Immortal Method has slightly increased.]
[Passively circulating Chaos Heaven-Opening Art - Body Tempering Chapter (Prerequisite), origin purity +0.01%, origin potential has slightly increased.]

This is promising! Pressure truly is a motivator! Xuanwei rejoiced inwardly.

However, the good times did not last.

When Primordial Lord of Heaven reached the part about, "All things are born from existence, existence is born from non-existence. However, with predetermined origins and blessings bestowed by heaven, only those with deep origins and long-lasting blessings can bear the weight of the Great Dao and wield the authority of heaven and earth..." his cold Dao voice paused slightly.

In an instant, Xuanwei felt as if he had been locked onto by an invisible force! It was as if the focus of the entire plaza had converged onto his tiny wisp of immortal qi!

"Hmm?" Primordial Lord of Heaven's vast and indifferent divine sense swept over Xuanwei, seemingly with a hint of displeasure. "I observe among the audience, there are those with shallow origins and meager blessings, also listening here. Do they not know that a position not matched by virtue will surely bring disaster? To forcefully pursue the Great Dao will only lead to ruin!"

Here it comes! It's really here!

Xuanwei's heart sank. He knew that Primordial Lord of Heaven was using this as an excuse to target him! All eyes in the plaza, especially the mocking and gloating gazes of the Heavenly Origin Sect disciples, were fixed on him!

Daoist Duobao frowned slightly but remained silent. The other disciples of the Intercepting Sect looked indignant but dared not cause a disturbance during a Saint's lecture.

Xuanwei knew he couldn't just play dead. He took a deep breath, enduring the immense Saintly pressure, and strove to keep his divine sense steady, speaking loudly (transmitting his thoughts):

"Second Senior Uncle's words are profoundly insightful. However, this disciple's humble opinion is that the Great Dao has fifty, and the Heavenly Evolution has forty-nine, leaving one to escape. This 'one' is the variable, the infinite possibility. If all things are determined by origins and blessings bestowed by heaven, then what are sentient beings striving and fighting against heaven for in their cultivation? Is it not all in vain?"

He once again brought out the theory of "the one that escapes" and "striving against heaven."

"Hmph! Eloquent but specious!" Primordial Lord of Heaven snorted coldly, his Saintly pressure intensifying. "Origins and blessings are the cornerstones of the Heavenly Dao, the foundation of order! Your so-called 'one that escapes' is ethereal and illusory, how can it be compared to the glorious Heavenly Dao? Those of you with shallow origins, presumptuously attempting to shake the order of heaven and earth with your meager bodies, are merely like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating your abilities!"

"It is not about shaking the order, but about pursuing transcendence!" Xuanwei felt his immortal qi origin trembling, but he gritted his teeth and persisted. "Great God Pangu opened the heavens and transformed himself into all things, granting all living beings a sliver of hope. This hope is the 'opportunity,' the very essence of the 'Dao'! If one's path is cut off simply because of shallow origins, would that not be a betrayal of Great God Pangu's original intention in opening the heavens, and a violation of the Heavenly Dao's intent of 'continuous life'?"

He directly invoked Great God Pangu and the original intent of the Heavenly Dao, attempting to occupy the moral high ground.

"Presumptuous!" Primordial Lord of Heaven seemed to be genuinely angered. His Saintly pressure descended like a mountain, nearly forcing Xuanwei to prostrate himself. "A mere wisp of turbid qi dares to discuss the Heavenly Dao and speculate on the intentions of Father God Pangu?! You..."

Just as Xuanwei felt he was about to collapse and was prepared to blurt out a modern version of "Are kings and generals born to be so?", a slightly lazy and mocking voice suddenly interjected, breaking the tense atmosphere:

"Heh heh, Second Brother, why bother arguing with a junior? If he believes that sliver of hope exists, then let him strive for it himself. If he succeeds, it is his fortune; if he fails, he dies and his Dao perishes, and no one can blame him. My Intercepting Sect's teachings are precisely about intercepting this sliver of opportunity for all beings. Why must Second Brother extinguish his aspiration?"

It was Sect Master Tongtian!

Although his person was not visible, that familiar divine sense, imbued with supreme sharpness and unruliness, had arrived. Like an invisible sharp sword, it effortlessly sliced open a gap in Primordial Lord of Heaven's heavy Saintly pressure, instantly reducing Xuanwei's burden and almost making him cry with gratitude.

Master! You've arrived at the perfect time! You are my lifesaver!

Primordial Lord of Heaven's divine sense fell silent for a moment, clearly displeased with Sect Master Tongtian's intervention, but as fellow Saints, he could not continue to bully a junior.

"Hmph, if Third Brother insists, then I shall say no more," Primordial Lord of Heaven said coldly. "It's just that this child is entangled with variables and has a restless nature. If he causes trouble in the future and implicates many, I hope you will take care of yourself."

After speaking, the Saint's might that enveloped Xuanwei completely dissipated. The Jade Pure Daoist sounds resumed, continuing to expound the Great Dao, as if the conflict had never happened.

Everyone in the square, whether from the Heavenly Origin Sect or the Intercepting Sect, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but their gazes towards Xuanwei became even more complex. This kid not only dared to argue with Saint Primordial, but he even drew Sect Master Tongtian to speak for him! That's quite a bit of face!

Xuanwei collapsed on the spot (his consciousness collapsed), feeling as if he had just fought a life-and-death battle. His immortal energy had dimmed a bit. He bowed silently towards the void (in the direction of Sect Master Tongtian's consciousness), his heart filled with gratitude.

The crisis was temporarily resolved, but he knew that after this incident, he had thoroughly made a name for himself with his Uncle-Master Primordial. His future days would likely be even more turbulent.

He steadied himself and was about to continue listening to the sermon when, suddenly, a glance from the corner of his eye caught sight of a young Daoist in the Heavenly Origin Sect disciples' formation. He had a handsome face but his eyes held a hint of gloom. The young Daoist was staring at him with an extremely unfriendly, even murderous, gaze.

Xuanwei's heart tightened. "Who is this deity? I don't think I've offended him, have I?"

[Target Scan: Heavenly Origin Sect disciple, disciple of Yuxu Palace, grand-disciple of Daoist Virtue, named 'Lingxiao'. Cultivation: peak True Immortal. Status: extremely hostile towards host. Reason Analysis: Suspected to be due to his origin/lineage (achieved Dao through acquired Clear Wind) being criticized by Primordial Lord of Heaven, thus extremely resentful of the host's current words of 'provoking a Saint and emphasizing that origin/lineage can change'.]

Xuanwei: "..." Well, I've poked a hornet's nest of origin/lineage discrimination? They're taking their internal scorn out on me, the 'heretic'?

He shook his head helplessly, feeling like a tank drawing aggro, with people wanting to beat him up wherever he went.

The sermon continued, but Xuanwei's mind had already drifted into the distance. He vaguely sensed that the waters of the Primordial World were much deeper than he had imagined. And he himself seemed to have unknowingly been drawn into the center of some vortex.