Ancestor of the Earth Dao

As Di Kun's Dao lecture rang out like a great bell, the entire Primordial Land seemed to awaken. Countless Innate Beings, as though enlightened by divine revelation, converted to the Earthly Dao. The Earth Veins, too, seemed to be endowed with life, surging and roiling. Those Earth Veins that had once been shattered were repaired as if by miraculous magic, healing at an astonishing speed. Within the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, the land ravaged by ferocious beasts was also swiftly restored by this wondrous power, becoming as solid as rock. Although the ferocious beasts continued their mad destruction, this power stood like an iron wall, slowing the risk of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains breaking apart.

The Earth Veins rose like colossal dragons soaring into the sky, carrying endless Creation Qi as it flowed forth. Some mountains, rivers, plants, and trees that had originally possessed no vitality were reborn at this moment. Seizing this rare opportunity, they became Innate Beings. They knelt devoutly toward Inverted Mountain, then closed their eyes and listened enraptured to the Earthly Dao taught by Di Kun, as though receiving a sacred baptism.

The Dao teachings Di Kun imparted were not actually some profound and unfathomable method. This was because he himself was still traveling the path in pursuit of the Great Dao. Although he had found a certain direction, he had yet to reach the pinnacle. What he taught was merely the foundations of the Earthly Dao that he had summarized during his explorations.

Even so, these foundational Dao teachings were more complete than others. Though they could not directly connect to Earth Vein nodes as Di Kun could, they could communicate with Earth Veins and sort through the energy of a region. If Di Kun's Dao teachings were compared to roots buried deep underground, then the Dao teachings they learned were like branches above the earth. Though they could not touch the core of the Earth Veins, they could still flourish under their nourishment.

As their strength continuously improved, the Earth Veins they communicated with would also grow increasingly powerful. These Earth Veins would gradually evolve along with their comprehension of the Dao teachings, eventually forming Mountains and Rivers. As their cultivation rose, it was not impossible for them to evolve Blessed Lands into their Dao fields. After all, most Innate Beings did not possess Dao fields of their own, and Blessed Lands evolved through one's own Dao were something only the strong could normally obtain. Yet those who cultivated the Earthly Dao could evolve them once they reached a certain level. After all, such places had been influenced by their Dao since their early weakness, making them easier to evolve. They might even give birth to natal Spirit Treasures, though that would depend on how they sorted out and evolved the Earth Veins.

All things in the world were constantly changing. This was an unavoidable fact. Even the smallest things would gradually change within the river of time, for time's power was endless and could influence and shape everything.

Heaven and earth, as the foundation of all things, likewise underwent change beneath time's immense power. Yet because heaven and earth were so vast and boundless, their changes often exceeded the limits of perception. No one could witness their transformations firsthand and could only infer them through indirect signs and phenomena.

As everyone immersed themselves in Di Kun's Dao lecture, Leyline Energy slowly flowed forth like trickling streams, nourishing this land. However, when Di Kun's lecture ended, the Leyline Energy seemed to have completed its mission and gradually withdrew, slowly returning to the Earth Veins.

With the return of the Leyline Energy, everyone awoke from their state of enlightenment. Their gazes fell upon Di Kun in unison, and an indescribable change filled their eyes. Though there were countless paths of the Great Dao and all ultimately led to the same goal, the road Di Kun walked differed greatly from that of the many beings of this age.

After all, the phenomenon displayed during Di Kun's Dao lecture was far beyond anything they could match. What they pursued was the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao, as a form of order, governed all things in the world. Its power was greater and possessed absolute dominance. Although the Heavenly Dao had not truly descended upon the world yet, the Great Dao had already conveyed the relevant information.

In comparison, the Earthly Dao had been extraordinarily low-key and silent. Had Di Kun not personally spoken of it, they likely would not have noticed it at all. Not to mention that the teachings they inherited all originated from the Heavenly Dao, while Di Kun alone had opened the path of the Earthly Dao.

Thus, after this discussion of the Dao, everyone in the world who cultivated the Earthly Dao could be regarded as disciples under Di Kun's Dao. While they were still fiercely fighting for the orthodox position of the Heavenly Dao, another had already opened a different path, ceased competing with them, and even successfully claimed the orthodox position of the Earthly Dao.

It could be said that even if Di Kun were to fall at this moment, as long as the Earthly Dao still existed, there would come a day when he returned through it. The gap between them was simply too vast, vast enough to leave people dumbfounded. They might now be called masters of a certain Dao, but Di Kun had already become the Ancestor of the Earth Dao!

In truth, this had completely exceeded Di Kun's expectations. His original plan had merely been to plant a seed in everyone's hearts through this Dao lecture. After linking together the entire Primordial Land, he would formally spread the Dao throughout the world and become the Ancestor of the Earth Dao. Yet he had never expected that this first discussion of the Dao would spread the Earthly Dao so easily.

Moreover, because this was the Earthly Dao's first appearance, it drew the Great Dao's attention. The Great Dao seemed extremely curious about this entirely new Dao method and took the initiative to cast its gaze upon it, aiding Di Kun in spreading the Dao.

This time, Di Kun had directly spread his own Dao throughout the world. This was an unprecedented feat! It meant that not only had heaven and earth acknowledged the Dao Di Kun taught, but even the supreme Great Dao had tacitly accepted it. In comparison, although Hongjun also passed down the Dao in later generations, he held something back and did not impart all of it. Otherwise, how could there have been only six Saints between heaven and earth?

The reason Di Kun so generously spread the Dao throughout the world was that he had far-reaching plans. He wished to become the Ancestor of the Earth Dao in the future, so the Dao he taught could be called the foundation of the Great Dao for cultivating the Earthly Dao. Though it could not compare to Primordial Violet Qi as a foundation for attaining the Dao, it was still of utmost importance. After all, only by laying a solid foundation could one travel farther along the path of cultivation.

At this moment, those Innate Beings who had been listening beneath Inverted Mountain gradually awakened as well. Among them, the beings who had converted to the Earthly Dao excitedly kowtowed and shouted, "Thanks to Di Kun Dao Ancestor for transmitting the Dao!"

This cry seemed to possess some wondrous power, instantly spreading throughout heaven and earth. All beings who had converted to the Earthly Dao seemed to share the same understanding. At the same moment, inspiration struck them, and they all knelt upon the ground and declared in unison, "Thanks to Di Kun Dao Ancestor for transmitting the Dao!"

For a time, the entire world was enveloped by the resounding cry, as though it were cheering Di Kun Dao Ancestor's act of spreading the Dao. At this very moment, Di Kun truly took his place as the Ancestor of the Earth Dao, becoming the supreme existence in the hearts of all beings who had converted to the Earthly Dao.

The surrounding Innate Gods and Demons also cupped their hands in salute and said together, "Congratulations to the Ancestor of the Earth Dao!"

Seeing this, Di Kun hurriedly rose and returned the salute. "The joy is mutual. I must also thank all of you fellow Daoists for your support."

At this point, the world had publicly recognized Di Kun as an Ancestor of the Dao. If he still said something like "I dare not accept," he would simply be obstructing his own Dao path! It might even bring about terrifying consequences. After all, he had already claimed this title. If someone wished to become the Ancestor of the Earth Dao in the future, they would inevitably see him as a thorn in their side and want nothing more than to eliminate him.

After all, Di Kun was the first existence to be called the Ancestor of the Earth Dao. This was an unchangeable fact. Even if he himself refused to acknowledge it, it would be useless. Only if he ceased to exist could later arrivals possibly turn "two" into "one" and become the sole Ancestor of the Earth Dao. As the saying went, "Refuse what heaven grants, and disaster will follow."