They truly could not do it!
Lu Changqing waved his hand after listening. "There is no need for you to deduce it."
Before his words had even faded, an incomparably profound array diagram emerged.
This array diagram alone was even more immense than the great array Tongtian had set up not long ago!
Billions of Dao rhythms flowed across it.
The array diagram hovered in the air. As the power of the formation unfolded and evolved, a vast and boundless Supreme Great Array immediately appeared before the Sages.
As they looked at the Supreme Great Array spread out before them, all the Sages fell into shock.
What kind of supreme formation was this?!
Even from the portion displayed by the array diagram alone, they could see how extraordinarily difficult it was.
Laozi and Yuanshi were dumbfounded.
A Supreme Great Array!
This was a true Supreme Great Array!
They simply could not set it up!
Tongtian stared intently at the great array, his entire body trembling faintly with excitement.
He had never seen such a flawless, such a powerful formation.
Only this deserved to be called a Supreme Great Array!!
It seized the creations of heaven and earth, unprecedented throughout the ages!
This formation was truly unparalleled throughout all time!!
Tongtian's voice trembled as he cried out in astonishment.
Never before had the Primordial Wilderness seen such an exquisitely brilliant formation layout.
Its majestic aura contained billions of profound mysteries, so naturally formed that it left one in utter awe.
It was simply inconceivable!
If it could truly be deduced and completed according to this design—
It would cover the entire Primordial World!
At that time, all space and time between heaven and earth would be perfectly linked.
What kind of earth-shaking, peerless formation would that be?!
To encompass the Primordial Wilderness was no empty boast!
Brother Changqing, where exactly did this formation come from?!
It could be called an unparalleled formation!
Sect Master Tongtian was utterly shocked and could not wait to ask.
The person capable of conceiving such a formation likely surpassed him by far in attainment.
This was simply beyond his imagination.
Lu Changqing smiled faintly. "It was merely a fortuitous opportunity I happened upon."
Upon hearing this, a storm surged through Tongtian's heart.
Could this peerless formation actually have been created by Lu Changqing himself?!
If that were true, it was truly horrifying!
Brother Dao, did you personally deduce this formation?
Tongtian asked directly, a blazing light flashing in his eyes.
Lu Changqing's expression turned subtle. "You could say that."
You could say that?
It clearly was!
An expression of immense reverence immediately appeared on Tongtian's face.
Thinking back to the test where Lu Changqing had asked him to set up an array, it turned out it had all been for today!
Could it have been for the sake of establishing this peerless great array?!
No matter what!
He, Tongtian, had to take part in this. It would surely go down in history!
"After observing this formation, what insights do you all have?"
Seeing that Tongtian no longer had any doubts, Lu Changqing swept his gaze across the Sages and asked.
The Sages all looked toward Tongtian in unspoken agreement.
They had no choice.
Their attainments in formations were still shallow. Though they knew this array was profound, they could not glimpse its path of entry.
Tongtian spoke bluntly. "This formation is unprecedented in scale. The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures it requires are all rare treasures, and setting it up will require the combined efforts of at least ten Sages."
"It will also require a Hunyuan Limitless Great Luo Golden Immortal to preside over its core, as well as the full support of the Heavenly Dao."
"How to put it into practice is truly an enormous problem!"
After carefully deducing it, he had confirmed that the formation was indeed feasible, but the difficulties were immense.
Upon hearing this, all the Sages were startled.
A Hunyuan Limitless Great Luo Golden Immortal?
It even required the cooperation of the Heavenly Dao?
The difficulty was simply beyond imagination!
Could it be... they could only give up?
Yet Lu Changqing said calmly, "I have every treasure we need. Whatever is lacking, we can gather with our combined strength."
"There are already enough Sages."
"As for a Hunyuan Limitless Great Luo Golden Immortal, is there not one in the chaos beyond heaven?"
"And the Heavenly Dao is even less of a problem."
The Sages were stunned at first, then suddenly understood.
They had nearly forgotten—Heavenly Dao obeyed Lu Changqing's every word.
And treasures? Talking about shortages in front of the richest man in the Primordial Wilderness?
It was simply laughable.
The seemingly unsolvable problem had been resolved by more than half in an instant.
The Sages could not help but feel their blood stir.
Could such a peerless formation truly appear in the world?
The Sages had originally nearly given up hope, for the conditions of this formation were far too harsh.
But Lu Changqing's words rekindled their fighting spirit.
This was true foundation.
So many problems had been solved with ease. Did this formation truly have hope?
If they could participate in establishing such a peerless formation, even Sages would consider it an honor.
"Brother Dao, will the one beyond heaven... be willing to help?"
"He has always been proud and arrogant."
Ancestor Minghe quietly voiced his concern.
Everything else was manageable, but would Hongjun agree?
Everyone knew that Hongjun and Lu Changqing did not see eye to eye.
The fact that Hongjun had never appeared to exchange merit alone showed that he could not lower himself.
"Do we need to personally visit the Purple Sky Palace and invite him?"
Ming He pressed further.
Yuanshi, Laozi, and the others also looked toward Lu Changqing.
Without the Dao Ancestor's help, no one in the formation could shoulder this responsibility—the strongest among them, Laozi, was only at the ninth level of Hunyuan Great Luo.
Lu Changqing lightly smacked the back of Ming He's head, his face full of helplessness.
"Where did your backbone go? Why would we need to visit and invite him?"
"Let him come here himself."
Ming He immediately came to his senses.
That was right! This was Wuji Heaven.
In terms of strength, Hongjun would not dare act recklessly; in terms of prestige, they stood even above the Mystic Sect.
Why should they lower themselves to invite him?
Brother Dao was indeed wise. Such bearing spoke for itself.
Then, with a slight movement of his divine sense, Lu Changqing sent a voice transmission to Hongjun.
Inside the Purple Sky Palace.
Hongjun sat alone upon his cloud bed, unable to ease the gloom in his heart.
The Heavenly Dao was far too biased!
It had practically become Lu Changqing's obedient son!
The moment he made the slightest move, the Heavenly Dao would warn him.
When he had controlled the Heavenly Dao in the past, when had he ever received such treatment?
The more he thought about it, the more stifled he felt.
At that moment, Lu Changqing's voice transmission sounded beside his ears, inviting him to Wuji Heaven.
Hongjun sneered.
Lu Changqing must be asking for his help.
He was already angry, so naturally he had no desire to go.
Did Lu Changqing truly think he was like the Heavenly Dao, to be summoned whenever called?
He would not go!
If Lu Changqing wanted to invite him, then he could personally come to the Purple Sky Palace to welcome him!
Hongjun refused without hesitation.
Within Wuji Heaven.
Lu Changqing smiled and shook his head. This man was truly asking for trouble.
He actually dared put on airs before him.
He called out loudly, "Old friend Heavenly Dao, please bring Hongjun here!"
He deliberately emphasized the word "bring."
When dealing with Hongjun, the Heavenly Dao was the best assistance.
He did not want to come? No matter.
If Lu Changqing could not invite him, then he would have the Heavenly Dao invite him.
The Sages' expressions turned subtle upon hearing this.
Old friend Heavenly Dao?
Had they already become so casual with one another?
And why had he deliberately emphasized that word?
Everyone felt a faint unease in their hearts.
In the chaos beyond heaven, outside the Purple Sky Palace.
Hongjun had just refused Lu Changqing, and his arrogance had yet to fade.
Ridiculous!
I am the Dao Ancestor. How could I be compared to the other Sages, to be summoned and ordered about by you?
Where would my dignity be?
Suddenly, thunderclouds gathered densely above the chaos.
A bolt of lightning crashed down!
Hongjun's expression abruptly changed, and he hurriedly dodged.
He shouted angrily, "What is the meaning of this?!"
Would he be struck by lightning merely for refusing to go?
It was utterly absurd!
He berated it furiously, but the Heavenly Dao did not stop.
An even more terrifying power was gathering within the chaotic heavens.
Hongjun's expression changed drastically—this time, it was serious!
"Lu Changqing!"
"The hatred between us is as deep as the sea!"
"You actually dare use the power of the Heavenly Dao to oppress me. It is utterly shameless!"
Within the chaos, the Eye of Heavenly Punishment suddenly opened, and countless tribulations descended with a roar.
Purple Firmament Divine Lightning, Jiuyou gale winds, Heaven-Burning flames...
There were many forms of Heavenly Punishment, some of which even the Dao Ancestor had never heard of.
As he fled in panic, he cursed loudly.
"Damn Lu Changqing!"
"You actually resorted to such a vicious scheme. How ruthless!"
Hongjun gritted his teeth and changed direction, heading straight for Wuji Heaven.
He knew full well that if he did not go today, the Heavenly Punishment would never cease.
He had no choice but to concede.
All living beings of the Primordial Wilderness were terrified by the sight.
How was this possible?!
It completely surpassed their imagination!
That was the supreme Dao Ancestor!
An existence who embodied the Heavenly Dao was actually being chased around by Heavenly Punishment?
What exactly had happened?
Could it be that the Dao Ancestor had fallen out with the Heavenly Dao?
Was the Heavenly Dao punishing him?
But why was he fleeing to Wuji Heaven? Could Longevity Immortal Venerable protect him?
At the summit of Longevity Mountain, within Wuzhuang Temple.
Zhen Yuanzi stared wide-eyed at the streak of light in the sky.
Was that the Dao Ancestor?
How could this be...
The dignified Dao Ancestor was actually being punished by the Heavenly Dao **?
This simply overturned everything he knew!
In the High Heaven Hall of the Heavenly Court.
Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi looked at each other.
That person... wasn't the Dao Ancestor, was he?
Tai Yi muttered to himself.
Di Jun looked uncertain—he had seen it clearly. It was undeniably the Dao Ancestor.
But why was the Dao Ancestor being pursued by Heavenly Punishment?
Could this have been Longevity Immortal Venerable's doing? Only the Immortal Venerable could make the Heavenly Dao act like this, right?
This was truly...
Shocking.
At the summit of Buzhou Mountain.
The Twelve Ancestral Witches watched the Dao Ancestor flee in disarray.
Every one of them was dumbfounded.
Good heavens!
The world really had changed!
Even the Dao Ancestor was being chased down by Heavenly Punishment.
What a terrifying sight!
Within Wuji Heaven.
Hongjun's figure abruptly appeared, looking somewhat disheveled.
The hem of his Daoist robe was already torn.
After all, he had broken out of the Heavenly Punishment.
The Sages were all struck speechless at the sight.
The Dao Ancestor had actually been ** by the Heavenly Dao!
The Heavenly Dao truly was impartial and merciless.
It carried out Lu Changqing's will to the letter, showing no mercy whatsoever!
Hongjun seethed with resentment.
The moment he entered Wuji Heaven, the Heavenly Punishment came to an abrupt halt.
Could the implication have been any more obvious?
One day, he would make everyone treat him with utmost reverence.
As spiritual light flowed around him, he had already regained his immortal bearing and walked slowly toward the main hall.
"Greetings, Dao Ancestor!"
When the Sages saw him approach, they all bowed.
Lu Changqing looked at the composed Hongjun and teased, "Dao Ancestor, you have come from afar. Forgive me for not welcoming you properly!"
Hongjun cursed inwardly.
This fellow was truly detestable!
The other party clearly knew why he had come, yet he was deliberately making things difficult for him!
"No matter."
Hongjun's expression did not change as he replied calmly, "Since my Dao friend invited me, I naturally came."
He then asked, "May I know why my Dao friend summoned me here?"
Lu Changqing did not answer. He merely pointed toward the formation evolving in the void.
Hongjun focused his gaze, and billions of Dao principles instantly flooded into his consciousness.
...?
Once he saw the grand formation clearly, Hongjun froze on the spot.
What kind of supreme formation was this? It was so profound and magnificent!
How had this formation been deduced? Even with his abilities, he could not set up such a formation!
"The Dao Ancestor should understand now."
Lu Changqing explained, "I invited the Dao Ancestor here because I wish to ask you to preside over it and complete this formation together."
Hongjun suddenly understood—so Lu Changqing needed his help.
And he still dared treat him like that?
He put on airs and said, "So that is the case."
"This is indeed a good deed that would benefit the Primordial Wilderness. Unfortunately, I must focus on Integrating with Dao, so I fear I may lack the strength to help."
It was a perfectly dignified refusal.
Lu Changqing sneered inwardly. This old fox won't act until he sees the reward.
He had never intended to make Hongjun work for nothing.
As long as the merit was sufficient, he was not afraid of failing to hire the Dao Ancestor.
He announced directly, "If this formation succeeds, each Sage will receive one hundred million merits."
"As for the Dao Ancestor... given your esteemed status, you will naturally receive even more."
"Well? Are you all interested?"
Hongjun was shaken upon hearing this.
This tycoon was offering one hundred million merits just like that... ** him?
Damn it!
If it had been less, he might have remained calm.
But this was one hundred million!
A small target!
How was anyone supposed to resist that?
No... he was the Dao Ancestor. Lu Changqing had just schemed against him—how could he let him succeed so easily?
He kept a straight face and did not agree immediately.
Seeing this, Lu Changqing raised the offer again. "One hundred and fifty million for the Dao Ancestor. How about it?"
Hongjun's face twitched slightly.
One hundred and fifty million... no, he was about to crack!
This offer was far too generous. It was simply too tempting!
Laozi and the other Sages were dumbfounded.
Were those really merits? Why did it sound like they were talking about paper money?
They did not know whether the Dao Ancestor could hold out, but they themselves were already about to lose it.
"Two hundred million."
Lu Changqing's tone was calm.
Who could refuse golden merits?
Hongjun's mind was already in turmoil.
Two hundred million... two small targets!
Should he agree, or should he agree?
Lu Changqing lounged lazily against his throne and smiled leisurely. "Two hundred and fifty million."
Hongjun could no longer hold himself back. His excitement nearly spilled onto his face before he forcibly suppressed it.
Heavens... Lu Changqing was offering far too much!
He could not endure it any longer!
This was two hundred and fifty million!
Hongjun immediately declared, "My Dao friend is so sincere—how could this poor Daoist disappoint you? Leave the matter of the grand formation to me!"
After saying that, he wore an expression of righteous solemnity.
Before you continue