Was this the might of the Heavenly Dao? The Longevity Immortal Venerable was still a Quasi-Saint, yet he remained utterly composed!
Ming He and Queen Mother of the West, two great powers of antiquity, had come alongside Zhen Yuanzi.
Seeing that vast heavenly might, then looking at Lu Changqing, before whom the Heavenly Dao had yielded, Ming He could not help but sigh.
"The Longevity Immortal Venerable is truly the most unfathomable being in the Primordial Wilderness!"
Queen Mother of the West gazed toward Lu Changqing. Thinking of how so many changes in the Primordial Wilderness over the years had been caused by him, she was deeply moved.
"With a single word, he summoned the Heavenly Dao. Even the Dao Ancestor would find that difficult to achieve."
"Could the Longevity Immortal Venerable truly not be a Quasi-Saint?"
At that moment, the Six Saints, who had retreated ten thousand miles away, were equally shaken upon seeing the Heavenly Dao Divine Wheel.
Looking again at Lu Changqing, whom the Heavenly Dao had treated favorably, they were even more astonished.
"Since the world was opened, the Heavenly Dao Divine Wheel has never appeared. Yet today, it made an exception for Lu Changqing?!"
Nuwa looked at Lu Changqing, her thoughts in turmoil.
What kind of origin did a being capable of making the Heavenly Dao yield possess?
The Three Pure Ones were likewise too stunned for words.
"Could Fellow Daoist Changqing be the reincarnation of a peak Chaos Demon God? No, even a reincarnated Demon God could never make the Heavenly Dao go this far!"
Taiqing Laozi cried out in shock.
This was the supreme Heavenly Dao of the Primordial Wilderness, the ruler of all living beings.
Even Sages were like ants before the Heavenly Dao.
Yuanshi and Tongtian both agreed deeply, sighing at Lu Changqing's terrifying nature.
"The Longevity Immortal Venerable truly possesses profound fortune."
"We must visit Wuji Heaven more often. If we can befriend the Immortal Venerable, it will greatly benefit the West!"
While the Two Saints of the West were shocked by the Heavenly Dao's personal arrival, they were already making calculations in secret.
They had to form a good bond with Lu Changqing—he was plainly a walking opportunity.
If necessary, they could even lend him a hand and sow karmic ties.
After all, if anything happened to Lu Changqing, how could the West ever prosper?
Yet honestly speaking, throughout heaven and earth, Lu Changqing was the only one who dared speak to the Heavenly Dao like this.
Ordinary beings—even Sages, or even Dao Ancestor Hongjun—would inevitably suffer punishment from World-Ending Divine Thunder for speaking such words.
From Purple Cloud Palace in the depths of chaotic void came Hongjun's astonished murmur.
"The Heavenly Dao actually manifested an auspicious cloud golden bridge for Lu Changqing?"
The Dao Ancestor of the Primordial Wilderness wore a stunned expression.
One had to know that the Heavenly Dao was the supreme law of the Primordial Wilderness. It had always stood above all things, yet today it had answered his call like an attendant?
What Hongjun found even harder to understand was that the Heavenly Dao did not lack merit in the first place. Even if a mere mortal possessed immense merit, how could it possibly be compared with the Heavenly Dao?
While Hongjun was still uncertain, Lu Changqing had already stepped onto the golden bridge and soared upward.
The beings of the Primordial Wilderness held their breath as they watched the figure in azure robes ignore the Heavenly Dao's pressure and calmly walk before the Divine Wheel.
Gasping sounds rose one after another throughout the Primordial Wilderness.
The Heavenly Dao's pressure was enough to shake even a Sage's soul, yet this Immortal Venerable at the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm walked as though on level ground.
"Brother Heavenly Dao." Lu Changqing cupped his hands toward the Divine Wheel. "I asked you to appear today because I want to discuss a small matter."
All beings were shocked by his words.
With such a casual tone, was he not inviting Heavenly Punishment?
Yet the Divine Wheel trembled, and an intent was actually returned.
"The Heavenly Dao responded?!" Countless cultivators turned pale in horror.
The Six Saints looked at one another in disbelief. If they had dared address the Heavenly Dao in such a manner, they would likely have long since been blasted to ashes by divine lightning from the nine heavens.
Lu Changqing smiled. "I wish to distribute merit far and wide, but I lack the manpower."
"I would like to ask you to distribute it on my behalf. Naturally, I will pay you."
Within Purple Cloud Palace, Hongjun revealed an amused expression.
He admitted that Lu Changqing possessed deep merit, but showing off the amount of his merit before the Heavenly Dao? That was simply laughable.
Sure enough, a wave carrying amusement came from the Heavenly Dao. "Not interested."
The beings understood and smiled.
Comparing merit with the Heavenly Dao? Even an Immortal Venerable who was a Merit Incarnation was far too arrogant.
"Too little?" Lu Changqing was not offended. "For every distribution, you can take one ten-thousandth."
As soon as his words fell, a trillion units of merit transformed into auspicious clouds that blanketed the sky.
Brilliant golden light illuminated the entire Primordial Wilderness, forcing even Hongjun to close his eyes against its radiance.
Hongjun's divine sense swept over it, and his scalp went numb.
Even the Heavenly Dao Divine Wheel stood motionless, emitting shocked ripples—the dignified Heavenly Dao possessed less merit than a mere living being!
Nuwa had spent only tens of millions of merit to become a Sage. If this trillion merit were paired with Primordial Violet Qi, how many Sages could it create? While the beings stood dumbfounded, Lu Changqing had already withdrawn the golden light.
"A mere trillion is not worth mentioning." He smiled and cupped his hands. "I'll have to trouble you from now on, Brother Heavenly Dao."
Heaven and earth fell silent.
A trillion... was called not much?
While the beings were petrified, the Heavenly Dao was the first to recover.
Though shocked by the sheer amount of merit, its unique nature led it to politely refuse once more—the Heavenly Dao sought only the prosperity of the Primordial Wilderness.
What a pity about that hundred million merit... The great powers of every faction clicked their tongues in secret, yet they became even more curious about what reward the Immortal Venerable could produce.
To have the Heavenly Dao personally step forth to help was already an enormous favor.
If he offered nothing further, it would truly be unjustifiable.
Just as the beings guessed what treasure Lu Changqing would take out, he casually withdrew the trillion merit.
He suddenly remembered that the Heavenly Dao did not need merit, so he nodded and said,
"In that case, let us forget the merit as payment."
"Brother, just consider it a favor!"
The beings who had anticipated an even more precious treasure were dumbfounded again.
What was going on?
The Heavenly Dao would not accept merit, so he was really going to make it work for free?
This was not generosity at all. He was downright stingy!
He was asking the Heavenly Dao to help manage his accounts, yet he was not even offering compensation?
Looking across the entire Primordial Wilderness, only he dared do such a thing!
Upon hearing this, the Six Saints could no longer sit still.
This man truly took things too far!
The Heavenly Dao had shown him such respect, yet in the end, he merely said, "Good brother, do me a favor"?
Was that not pushing his luck too far?
Taiqing Laozi could not help but sigh.
"Fellow Daoist Changqing is probably about to be struck by lightning."
The other Sages all nodded.
If he dared speak to the Heavenly Dao like that and was not struck by lightning, there would be no justice in heaven.
As the beings of the Primordial Wilderness erupted over Lu Changqing's words, the Six Saints stared fixedly at the sky, afraid that descending World-Ending Divine Thunder would implicate them.
Yet after hearing Lu Changqing's words, the Heavenly Dao did not become angry. It merely remained silent.
The beings were confused. Was the Heavenly Dao considering it, or thinking of how to punish Lu Changqing?
What was even more surprising was that Lu Changqing spoke again, looking utterly unafraid of death.
"Hello? Brother, give me a definite answer. Can you do it or not?"
"If not, then I won't open this world!"
Lu Changqing was not courting death.
He was certain that the Heavenly Dao could do nothing to him.
First, he possessed immeasurable merit and profound fortune. Second, he was advancing the evolution of the Primordial Wilderness—on that point alone, the Heavenly Dao would not touch him.
After all, the Heavenly Dao's advancement depended entirely on the development of the Primordial Wilderness.
Lu Changqing had grasped this point precisely and knew that the Heavenly Dao would not refuse.
His impatient words once again caused a tremendous uproar.
In the blink of an eye, everyone retreated several thousand more miles.
There was no helping it. Everyone feared being caught up in it when Lu Changqing was struck by lightning.
This Longevity Immortal Venerable was, after all, one of the foremost great powers of the Primordial Wilderness.
It was one thing to ask the Heavenly Dao for help without offering payment.
But he even dared challenge it so bluntly.
Who could endure that?
If they themselves were the Heavenly Dao, they would have long since sent down hundreds or thousands of World-Ending Divine Thunderbolts.
The Six Saints were likewise shocked by Lu Changqing's audacity.
"Fellow Daoist Changqing is truly incomparably valiant!"
As Primordial Heavenly Venerate spoke, he quietly retreated another several tens of thousands of miles.
He knew he could not bear the consequences of the Heavenly Dao's fury.
"Elder Brother is right."
At some point, Tongtian had also retreated several tens of thousands of miles.
This was not bravery. This was simply courting death.
Let alone asking the supreme Heavenly Dao for help,
Even when asking an ordinary being for help, should he not at least be more courteous if he offered no reward?
Laozi retreated even farther than they had, moving another thousand miles away.
The Two Saints of the West had long since withdrawn one hundred and eight thousand miles away,
Watching Lu Changqing and the Heavenly Dao Divine Wheel from afar.
Only Nuwa remained where she was. She looked around at everyone and shook her head with a soft sigh.
"Why are you fellow Daoists so alarmed?"
"Even if Fellow Daoist Changqing has been disrespectful, the supreme Heavenly Dao should not directly send down World-Ending Divine Thunder."
The Heavenly Dao could not be slighted,
But after all this, Nuwa had also seen how important Lu Changqing was to it.
Even if the Heavenly Dao became angry, it would not truly erase him.
At most, it would give him a small punishment as a warning.
At this moment, the Twelve Ancestral Witches looked at Lu Changqing
With eyes filled with admiration.
The Witch Clan did not revere heaven and earth, nor did they worship Sages.
They honored only Father God Pangu.
Pangu had dared contend with heaven, opening the world and creating the Primordial Wilderness.
That fearless spirit was precisely what they yearned for most.
Lu Changqing dared confront the Heavenly Dao directly and even speak back to it.
Such courage was exactly like their dream.
"The Longevity Immortal Venerable is truly the foremost warrior of the Primordial Wilderness!"
Di Jiang's eyes were full of approval.
Zhu Rong also said with deep respect,
"In this life, apart from Father God Pangu, the only one I admire is the Longevity Immortal Venerable."
Meanwhile, among the demon race,
Demon Emperor Di Jun shook his head and sighed.
"Alas, no matter how much merit one has, one is ultimately still a living being beneath the Heavenly Dao."
"Why go this far?"
He had always thought well of Lu Changqing—
Or rather, nearly no being in the entire Primordial Wilderness bore him any ill will.
Having lived for endless years, when had they ever seen someone so wholeheartedly devoted to all living beings?
Tai Yi also sighed regretfully.
"This is the supreme Heavenly Dao. I do not know what Fellow Daoist Changqing is thinking,"
"To dare provoke it in such a manner."
While Di Jun and Tai Yi were confused,
Fu Xi frowned slightly.
Though he had not interacted much with Lu Changqing,
He felt that Lu Changqing was not a reckless man.
But the Heavenly Dao was ultimately the supreme existence of the Primordial Wilderness.
After speaking so disrespectfully, he likely had little hope of survival.
Fu Xi said nothing more.
He only raised his head to the sky and quietly awaited the Heavenly Dao's response.
Just as the beings held different thoughts and were filled with shock,
The Heavenly Dao finally made a move.
In the heavens, the Heavenly Dao Divine Wheel emerged.
A pitch-black spatial vortex suddenly appeared.
The Six Saints were instantly dumbfounded.
What was going on?
The Heavenly Dao Void had actually appeared?
Could it be that the Heavenly Dao was truly willing to help for nothing?
The Heavenly Dao's response left the Sages utterly shocked...
To the countless living beings of the Primordial Wilderness, perhaps they did not understand what the Heavenly Dao Void meant.
But the Sages knew all too well.
The Heavenly Dao Void was the Heavenly Dao's most secret place.
It allowed one to directly touch the core order of the Heavenly Dao.
If a Heavenly Dao Sage entered it, comprehending its order could rapidly increase their cultivation.
Thus, it was never revealed under normal circumstances.
This was like the Heavenly Dao being a cultivator.
The Heavenly Dao Void was its spiritual palace—
To cultivators, the importance of the spiritual palace went without saying.
The Heavenly Dao's response made Hongjun, who had been drinking tea, spray out a mouthful of immortal tea.
The two Dao children, Hao Tian and Yao Chi, were greatly startled at the sight.
They silently thought:
How could the Dao Ancestor lose his composure like this?
Naturally, they did not know.
Hongjun, as the Spokesperson of the Heavenly Dao, had integrated with the Dao for a long time, yet he had never set foot in the Heavenly Dao Void.
If he could enter, he was confident that, with his aptitude, he could Integrate with Dao even faster.
Yet the Heavenly Dao had never given him the chance, preventing him from grasping the true meaning of the Heavenly Dao.
And Lu Changqing was merely a Quasi-Saint, yet the Heavenly Dao had actually permitted him to enter.
It was like an unparalleled beauty ignoring someone who had pursued her desperately, only to turn around and throw herself into another's arms.
Such a disparity would be difficult for anyone to accept calmly, much less Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
At that thought, Hongjun's face turned livid.
Catching sight of the two Dao children staring at him in surprise, he immediately came back to his senses and secretly calmed his emotions.
I am the Dao Ancestor. How could I be jealous of such a being!
Though countless thoughts churned within him, he could not conceal that trace of bitterness.
Endure for a moment, and rage burned in his heart; take a step back, and unwillingness remained!
How could he simply let this go?
Crack!
The teacup in Hongjun's hand, fashioned from Chaos Immortal Jade, instantly crumbled into powder.
Hao Tian and Yao Chi exchanged a glance before quietly retreating.
The Dao Ancestor was not to be provoked at this moment. Leaving quickly was best.
Though the living beings of the Primordial Wilderness did not know what the Heavenly Dao Void was, they saw the strange phenomenon in the heavens. Unable to understand it, they were nevertheless deeply shaken.
Lu Changqing gazed at that expanse of nothingness from afar, a faint smile curling at his lips as he stepped into it without hesitation.
He had long known the Heavenly Dao's weakness, so he was unafraid that it would harm him.
Before the Six Saints could recover their senses, Lu Changqing had already entered the Heavenly Dao Void, leaving the Sages stunned.
He could actually enter?
Since the creation of the Primordial Wilderness, he was the first living being to set foot in this place.
Even more unbelievable, a place that not even the Sages had entered had been claimed first by a mere Quasi-Saint?
It was truly inconceivable.
The place the Sages sought without success was, to Lu Changqing, as effortless as a leisurely stroll.
Upon entering the void, he found the surroundings boundless and pitch-black, vast beyond measure.
Starlight glittered in the distance, each star representing a group of living beings.
The River of Destiny manifested within, dazzling like a galaxy as it reflected the paths of all living beings.
This place was like the core of the Primordial Wilderness, governing all laws.
The Eye of Heavenly Punishment slowly opened from the depths of the starry sky, staring at Lu Changqing as if investigating his origins.
A living being of the Primordial Wilderness actually possessed merit surpassing that of the Heavenly Dao, leaving even the Heavenly Dao astonished.
Lu Changqing paid no heed to the Eye of Heavenly Punishment's gaze and spoke with a smile:
Before you continue