Primordial Era

Biodata

History

The Primordial Era is a vast, boundless world whose major epochs are defined by the rise and fall of successive protagonists of heaven and earth. The Desolate Beasts, the Dragon-Han clans, the Witch and Demon clans, and later the Human Race each occupied this role in turn. The Witch-Demon Calamity is described as the dividing line between the age of innate deities and the later age of acquired beings. 1 2

Its ancient foundation is tied to Great God Pangu. The Boundless Blood Sea originated from Pangu's concentrated blood at the world's opening; it gathers the world's most yin, filthy, and malign influences, functioning as a vital repository for impurities. 138

The world has repeatedly been reshaped by immense calamities. These disasters arise when Karma becomes too great to reconcile, particularly when powerful factions recklessly damage the Primordial Era itself. The destruction of the world is considered its gravest transgression, carrying penalties up to loss of cultivation or destruction of the soul. 4 63

After the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, the death of Luohu marked the end of his era and the beginning of the Saints' era. Hongjun then announced his seclusion, while Buddhism expanded and entered escalating conflict with the Demon Clan. 150

Structure and Geography

Three Realms

Heavenly Locks

Hongjun divided the Primordial Era into the Three Realms and established Heavenly Locks upon their boundaries. The Locks separate immortals from mortals, restrict unsanctioned travel into the Human Realm, and place the Heavenly Court in charge of the Three Realms and their connected paths. 6 7

Laws and Principles

• Karma over morality — The Primordial Era is repeatedly characterized as a world that distinguishes cause and effect rather than conventional right and wrong. Irreconcilable Karma eventually produces killing tribulations. 2 3 63
• Protection of the world — The Desolate Beasts, Dragon-Han clans, and Witch-Demon factions each accumulated ruinous Karma through large-scale damage to the world, contributing to their downfall. 4
• Merit — Merit can protect cultivators, refine treasures, and accelerate cultivation. It was used by Pingxin and Tongtian to make extraordinary advances in realm. 11 12 30
• Heavenly Dao — The Heavenly Dao maintains the world's larger order and reacts to actions that destabilize it. Saints wield its authority but remain subject to its broader trends and restrictions. 1 7 184

Major Calamities

Timeline Anomaly

A change occurred at the source of the Primordial Era's history: Pangu was revealed to have possessed the Earth Splitting Chisel in addition to the Sky-Opening Axe. The Chisel slew the Three Thousand Great Dao Demon Gods, absorbed much of their primordial spirit and essence blood, and transformed into the Immortal Slaying Four Swords; parts of the demon gods' corpses became the Immortal Slaying Sword Diagram. 28 29

This altered origin elevated the Immortal Slaying Sword Array from its previously understood status into a Chaos Spirit Treasure, changing the balance of power within the Primordial Era. 28 111

Major Powers

• Heavenly Dao and Hongjun — Hongjun acts as the Heavenly Dao's incarnation and Dao Ancestor, directing major changes such as the division of the Three Realms. 1 7
• Mystic Gate — Led by the Saints Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa; it historically dominated the East and obstructed Western expansion. 5 10
• Western Teachings / Buddhism — Originally the Western Teachings of Jieyin and Zhunti, later renamed Buddhism after Minghe's reincarnation as Sakyamuni Buddha. 37
• Heavenly Court — Governs passage and order across the separated realms under the Heavenly Locks. 6 7
• Demon Clan — Opposes Buddhism's expansion and became a principal target of Buddhist campaigns after Luohu's death. 150
• Divine Race — A powerful western faction whose leading members later reached Saint-level strength; its conflict with the Primordial Era prompted Hongjun to forbid future direct Saint participation in war. 167 184