Discussing the Dao Path, Li Cha Counsels the "Saints"

Below the high platform, the myriad beings either sat with eyes closed in deep contemplation or conversed in low voices, all immersed in the newfound insights brought by the Tea Dao, each experiencing a tranquility and enlightenment far removed from the usual conflicts and slaughter.

At the same time, several voices transmitted into Li Cha's mind.

"Senior Yun Hua, this junior, The Grand Pure One (Yuanshi / Tongtian / Nuwa / Fuxi / Houtu), presumes to ask, harboring doubts in my heart. I earnestly request Senior to resolve them..."

Li Cha's gaze shifted slightly, sweeping over the few great powers seated upright below who were secretly transmitting their voices. He then raised his eyes to glance at the sky, understanding in his heart. Silently activating the Chaos Pearl, his Spiritual Sense, like the most precise compass, carefully probed his surroundings. Confirming no prying eyes from the Heavenly Dao Will or other great powers, he moved his mind.

In an instant, Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nuwa, Fuxi, and Houtu felt their consciousness blur, pulled by a gentle yet irresistible force. The next moment, they found themselves in a peculiar space.

This space was not large, surrounded by flowing Chaos Qi. In the center was an open area with a stone table and stone stools. Li Cha sat calmly in the host seat, smiling as he looked at them. This place was a temporary, absolutely secret space for consciousness communication, opened by Li Cha using the power of the Chaos Pearl.

The six, their consciousness avatars arriving here for the first time, were all startled. Sensing that this place was completely isolated from the aura of the Primordial World, they were inwardly shocked. Only after seeing Li Cha in the host seat did they breathe a sigh of relief and quickly step forward to pay their respects.

"No need for formalities. Sit." Li Cha waved his sleeve, and six meditation cushions condensed from Chaos Qi appeared on either side of the stone table. He personally poured tea, filling a cup of Pure Tea for each of them, as if they were old friends gathering.

"This place is my Spirit Treasure Space, isolated from all prying of heavenly secrets. Even the Heavenly Dao cannot detect our conversation here." Li Cha leisurely took a sip of tea, set down his cup, and looked at the others. "Now, what doubts do you have? You can ask freely."

Nuwa, the most straightforward (or perhaps appearing the most guileless before Li Cha), was the first to hold back no longer. She spoke up: "Senior Yun Hua, what you mentioned earlier about the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human Dao truly shook my heart and spirit. I wonder if Senior could elaborate further? What exactly is the relationship between these three Dao? Why have they come to this current state?"

Hearing this question, the others also expressed their desire to know.

Li Cha nodded, his expression turning slightly serious. He spoke slowly, his voice exceptionally clear in this chaotic space:

"Alright, since you ask, I will explain it to you. But you must remember: what is said today leaves my mouth and enters your ears. Once you leave this place, treat it as if you never heard it, to avoid attracting unnecessary trouble."

He first pointed into the void, toward the formless Heavenly Dao:

"Heaven, or rather the Heavenly Dao, is the first consciousness born independently in the Primordial World after the Great God Pangu's World Creation. It can be considered the 'eldest son' of the Primordial World. It originally had the duty and supreme power to maintain and manage the normal operation of the Primordial World. Its strength is considerably greater than that of a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin."

His tone shifted, carrying a hint of coldness:

"But this 'eldest son' was born with an incomplete nature. It should have been utterly impartial and selfless, like an elder brother caring for and guiding the 'younger brothers' and 'younger sisters' (the Earthly Dao and Human Dao) born later. Instead, it gave birth to the evil thought of dominating the Primordial World and being Solely Revered! Fearing that its younger siblings would grow up and take away its authority, it began to persecute its younger sister (suppressing the Earthly Dao) and strangle its younger brother (sealing the Human Dao)!"

Li Cha's gaze swept over the six, whose faces had changed drastically, pausing especially on the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa:

"If one becomes a Heavenly Dao Saint, on the surface it is glorious, immortal, and indestructible. But in truth, one's Primordial Spirit is bound to the Heavenly Dao. Seemingly transcendent, it is actually a shackle. In the future, if the Heavenly Dao triggers a Tribulation of Calamity or makes a major error in its own operation, requiring it to bear Karma and settle cause and effect, the 'Saints' will be the first pawns it pushes out to take the blame and suffer the backlash! The so-called 'Heavenly Dao is merciless, treating all beings as straw dogs.' In its eyes, Saints are merely slightly larger, more convenient pawns."

These words struck the hearts of the six like thunder! Especially the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa, who had vaguely sensed they might become Heavenly Dao Saints. Hearing that 'Saints' might become 'scapegoat' pawns in the future, their expressions turned extremely ugly.

Next, Li Cha pointed downward, toward the endless earth:

"Earth, the Earthly Dao. It represents the will of the Primordial World's land, embodying sacrifice, bearing, reincarnation, and tolerance. The so-called 'vast earth carries all things with virtue.' The earth gives birth to all things without contention. It should have stood alongside the Heavenly Dao, governing mountains, rivers, the growth of all things, and the final resting place of souls. But now, the Heavenly Dao is powerful, and the Earthly Dao is severely suppressed, unable to awaken on its own to this day."

His tone carried a weight of solemnity and respect:

"The manifestation of the Earthly Dao requires great sacrifice. It requires one with boundless compassion, willing to dedicate, to unify with the Earthly Dao, in order to awaken it and complete the Primordial World. This is a path filled with devotion and mercy."

Finally, Li Cha's gaze pierced through the void, seeing the struggling will of all living beings in the unseen:

"Human, generally refers to the collective will of all intelligent, emotional beings with the rudiments of civilization in the Primordial World—this is the Human Dao. It represents Self-Improvement, tenacious resistance, the inheritance of civilization, and the seven emotions and six desires. The so-called 'As Heaven moves vigorously, a gentleman strives to constantly strengthen himself!' The Human Dao should have been full of vitality, a source of power driving the Primordial World ever forward, creating infinite possibilities."

His voice carried a hint of anger at its failure:

"Now, the Human Dao can be said to have been personally sealed by the Heavenly Dao! The Heavenly Dao fears the convergence of the will of all living beings, giving birth to a power capable of challenging it. Therefore, the revival of the Human Dao is extremely difficult. It requires finding an opportunity within the framework recognized by the Heavenly Dao, or rather, deceiving the Heavenly Dao's senses, to quietly, bit by bit, pry open the seal and let it slowly awaken."

This exposition on the Three Dao was vast in information and shocking, causing Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nuwa, Fuxi, and Houtu to feel as if their hearts were being twisted, lamenting the injustice of the Heavenly Dao.

Tongtian, the most upright and abhorring evil, immediately burned with rage. He slammed the stone table: "Outrageous! Such an unjust and unrighteous Heavenly Dao! As for this damned Heavenly Dao Saint, I think it's not worth becoming! When Hongjun preaches next time, I won't go to listen!"

"No!" Li Cha immediately spoke, his tone resolute. "Not only must you go, you absolutely must go! Except for Houtu, whose opportunity does not lie here, the rest of you, especially the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa, must go to the Purple Xiao Palace, listen to the third preaching, and formally become disciples of Hongjun!"

"Why is that?" Even the most composed Grand Pure One Laozi showed a look of confusion. "Since the Heavenly Dao is so despicable, and Hongjun is its agent, wouldn't becoming his disciple be walking into a trap?"

Li Cha thought to himself: 'Naturally, it's for the Primordial Violet Qi, the foundation for becoming a Saint, and the Innate Spirit Treasures on the Treasure Distribution Cliff that are karmically connected to you!' But he could not speak these details concerning the 'future.'

He changed his approach, his expression serious as he admonished:

"The reason lies in Karma! You have listened to the Dao at the Purple Xiao Palace twice. Regardless, the cause of this 'transmission of the Dao' has already been planted. Hongjun's preaching is not without cost; behind it lies a vast Karma with the Heavenly Dao. Only by becoming his disciples and helping him complete the final step of Unifying with the Heavenly Dao can you settle this Karma."

His gaze was profound, sweeping over them:

"Remember, in the Primordial World, Karma and retribution are the most profound and severe. Especially when becoming a Saint, one must resolve the vast majority of worldly Karma. If you owe the great Karma of Hongjun's Dao transmission without repaying it, even if you become Saints in the future through your own power, the Earthly Dao, or the Human Dao, you will suffer the mad backlash and suppression of the Heavenly Dao's Karma. Falling into eternal damnation is no empty threat!"

Hearing the words 'eternal damnation,' the six were all shaken, their expressions growing even more grave. They deeply understood that Li Cha was not one to make baseless threats.

Although still indignant, Tongtian also understood the stakes and could only sit down sullenly.

Laozi pondered for a moment, then bowed solemnly to Li Cha: "Thank you, Senior, for pointing the way. Otherwise, we might have fallen into eternal damnation without even knowing it."

Yuanshi, Nuwa, and Fuxi also bowed in thanks.

Li Cha accepted their thanks calmly and added: "Go, listen, and become disciples—that is to settle Karma. But the Dao ultimately lies within your own hearts. How you choose, and which path you take in the future, still requires your own decision. Do not let Hongjun's words completely bind your minds."

Upon hearing this, the six were all lost in thought, silently committing it to memory.

At this moment, the thousand-year preaching period in the outside world had ended. Li Cha's consciousness returned to his main body on the high platform, and the secret space within the Chaos Pearl dissipated.

Following his earlier announcement, he carefully examined the comprehension, temperament, and sincerity toward the Dao among the countless beings who had come to listen. In the end, he selected thirty-six with acceptable temperaments and affinity with the Tea Dao, taking them as Nominal Disciples. He also discovered two outstanding talents, exceptional in both tea art and temperament, whom he promoted beyond the usual rules to become Personal Disciples.

With the disciples chosen, Li Cha's second preaching concluded successfully. The prestige and influence of the Yun Hua lineage took root in the hearts of All Beings of the Primordial World. And the secret of the 'Three Dao,' like a seed, was quietly planted in the hearts of the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and a few other top great powers, waiting only for the day it would sprout and change the entire landscape of the Primordial World.