For some time afterward, the Prehistoric Universe suddenly became peaceful again, though undercurrents churned beneath the surface.
Every day on Taiyin Star, Li Fan accompanied Goddess Wangshu in observing the Prehistoric Universe. He discovered that the Qi Refinement Path was spreading extremely quickly, whether in the east or west of the Prehistoric Universe.
More and more living beings emerged, and the world grew increasingly prosperous. The authority of the gods was limited, and Li Fan began considering what he could do—perhaps he could gain some benefits as well.
Thinking back to Later Generations, Li Fan suddenly recalled a crucial word: "Incense fire."
"I understand now! Hahaha!" he shouted excitedly.
Wangshu said, "What do you understand? I didn't see you comprehending the Dao. Don't shout so loudly in my ear."
"Goddess, I have an idea. A path of survival for all living beings—the Postnatal Divine Path."
Wangshu looked curious. "The Postnatal Divine Path? What is that?"
Li Fan said, "Goddess, God Merged with Dao is ultimately a form of sacrifice. The method is good, so what if we change the objects of sacrifice to the myriad gods?"
"When forces are established in the Prehistoric Universe, they gain immense fortune. Sentient beings rely on Great Divine Powers, while Great Divine Powers obtain fortune. So why not go straight to the source and directly worship Great Divine Powers?"
Wangshu pondered. "Below Great Luo, no matter how numerous they are, they are all ants. Your method will lead more and more people onto the path of God Merged with Dao. The Chaos Demon Gods may even take advantage of the situation."
Li Fan said, "Sacrifices may not be of much use to Da Luo Venerable Gods, but what if the power of sacrifice can create gods? Even if those gods are very weak, this is the trend of the times. Heaven's will cannot be defied."
"One radish per hole. All living beings need a path of worship. That is the Postnatal Divine Path."
Wangshu said, "Neither you nor I have any forces under our command. Even if we want to promote your Postnatal Divine Path, progress will be very slow. We must find someone to cooperate with."
"The authority born from worship cannot appear from nothing. When all living beings become gods, they divide the authority originally held by the gods. The more you take, the less others receive."
"I know a Great Divine Power who may be of great help to you."
Li Fan smiled. "Let me guess. Is it Goddess Taiyuan?"
Wangshu nodded. "Yes. Although Goddess Taiyuan, like us, has not established any force, she possesses the Top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Heavenly Book of Investiture of the Gods, which can confer titles upon the myriad gods. She also has good relations with all major forces. You can discuss it with her."
Li Fan was stunned. The Heavenly Book of Investiture of the Gods had already appeared in this era, yet it ended up in Hongjun's hands in Later Generations. It seemed Goddess Taiyuan's future was bleak.
Then again, Goddess Taiyuan was a battle maniac who often fought Chaos Demon Gods. If you walk by the river often enough, how could your shoes remain dry?
Curious, Li Fan asked Wangshu, "Goddess, tell me which Great Divine Powers are known in the Prehistoric Universe, and what Innate Spiritual Treasures they possess. If I ever face them someday, I should at least be prepared."
Wangshu slowly began, "Of the other two among the Five Elder Lords, Old Ancestor Diandao possesses the Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Diandao Banner. A monk in the west possesses the Top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit."
"White Emperor Luohu among the Five Divine Emperors possesses five Top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasures: four Innate Divine Swords and the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus. As for me, I possess the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Taiyin Jade Forbidden Pearl."
"Five Divine Beasts Ancestral Dragon possesses the Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner. Yuanfeng possesses the Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Li Di Flame Light Banner. Shi Qilin possesses the Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner. Tiger Ancestor possesses the Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Plain Cloud Realm Banner."
Li Fan looked astonished. "Goddess, you have an Innate Supreme Treasure too? Could you let me see it? I've never seen what an Innate Supreme Treasure looks like."
Wangshu took out her Innate Supreme Treasure, the Taiyin Jade Forbidden Pearl. It shone as brightly as the soul of the moon, and within it lay a Taiyin Great Dao at the level of Hunyuan Grand Unity.
Li Fan looked at the Taiyin Jade Forbidden Pearl before him, radiating moonlight. It possessed the ultimate power to shake the Heaven and Earth Laws, as well as the might to overturn heaven and earth.
Li Fan said sincerely, "Goddess, I wish for you to attain the Dao of Hunyuan Grand Unity Venerable God soon."
Then he asked, "Goddess, the Five Divine Beasts possess four banners of the Innate Five Directions Banners. Has the final one not yet appeared?"
Wangshu mused, "Not necessarily. It may have already appeared and been hidden away by someone. After all, once all five banners are gathered, the Five Directions Grand Formation can be established, greatly increasing the strength of the Divine Beast Clan. If the Five Divine Beasts learned of it, they might seize it by force."
"At the Myriad Gods Conference, Great God Hongjun invited everyone to deduce the spiritual treasures of the Prehistoric Universe. The final conclusion was that many were still being nurtured."
"There should be many treasures on Mount Zhou, but unfortunately, no one can ascend it. The entire mountain has been sealed by the Divine Prohibition Grand Formation set down by Great God Pangu."
"The gods unanimously deduced that, among the Innate Spiritual Treasures of the Prehistoric Universe, whether already born or yet to emerge—"
"There are nine Innate Supreme Treasures, twelve Top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasures, and thirty-six Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures. They did not deduce those below that level. Innate Spiritual Treasures are finite; if there are none left, you can always rob the Chaos Demon Gods."
Wangshu jokingly said, "Li Fan, did you find any Innate Spiritual Treasures during your travels? You even found a Top-tier Innate Spiritual Root."
Li Fan teased, "Goddess, take a guess. I'm going to discuss the Postnatal Divine Path with Goddess Taiyuan first."
With Vast Horizon, a single step carried him trillions upon trillions of miles away. Before long, Li Fan arrived on the Primordial World, the domain of Earth Emperor Yuejian.
Li Fan arrived at Goddess Taiyuan's Territory, near Mount Zhou, and saw Goddess Taiyuan returning after having just fought a Demon God.
The goddess wore armor forged from a blood-red setting sun and gripped a long spear. Her hanging hair fluttered in the fierce wind like tattered battle banners.
However, Li Fan noticed a streak of blood at the corner of the goddess's lips. Her injuries from the battle were serious.
Li Fan urgently said, "I have Three Lights Divine Water here. It is a sacred healing treasure. Goddess Taiyuan, heal yourself first."
Goddess Taiyuan drank the Three Lights Divine Water, and her injuries slowly recovered.
The blood from the goddess's lips was washed away without a trace by the divine water. Her weary aura faded, and fighting spirit reignited in her eyes.
Goddess Taiyuan nodded. "I know you. You're Li Fan, who recently attained the Dao of Great Luo, right? You're a decent person. I acknowledge you."
Li Fan felt that this goddess was rather innocent.
"Goddess, who injured you? Can you tell me about the Chaos Demon Gods?"
Goddess Taiyuan's expression turned solemn. "The strongest Demon God currently active in the open is the Five Elements Demon God. Five Elements is one of the most powerful among the Chaos Demon Gods."
"The Dao Fruit of the Five Elements Demon God has been suppressed, but he refuses to accept it and constantly seeks ways to escape. The Demon God revives his power within the gods, corrupting them into one of the Five Elements Demon God's other selves."
"He cannot defeat me, so every time he sees me, he self-destructs. The Demon God's target should be Mount Zhou behind me."
"Mount Zhou was transformed from Great God Pangu's spine, the pillar supporting heaven in the Prehistoric Universe. I can sense that the Divine Prohibition Grand Formation on Mount Zhou is gradually weakening with time."
Li Fan was filled with respect. "I admire you. The beings of the Prehistoric Universe thank you, Goddess, for protecting Mount Zhou."
"I came this time to invite you to help promote the Postnatal Divine Path. I hope Goddess Taiyuan will assist me."
Goddess Taiyuan looked curious. "What is the Postnatal Divine Path? Is it a branch of the Innate Divine Path?"
Li Fan replied, "No. The Postnatal Divine Path is a form of worship. Sentient beings worship the myriad gods, and the gods respond."
"Worship produces fortune and incense fire. By gathering the power of incense fire and wishes, one can become a Postnatal Deity. Your Heavenly Book of Investiture of the Gods is the key."
Goddess Taiyuan considered it for a while, then agreed.
Li Fan and Goddess Taiyuan first went to Taiyin Star to find Taiyin Star Lord Wangshu and discuss how to promote the Incense God Path.
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