Space Demon God Yang Mei was also a top-tier existence among the Chaos Demon Gods.
Cihang had learned of Yang Mei's identity from Yuanshi's lecture in the quasi-sage memories.
Perhaps out of consideration for Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Yuanshi had only mentioned it briefly and had not gone into detail.
Even so, it had let Cihang understand Yang Mei's power.
Yang Mei had already attained the Dao of Hunyuan before the Heavenly Dao awakened. If he wished to do something, it would indeed be far easier for him.
But Cihang was merely a minor Innate Deity of the primordial world. What Karma could he possibly have with an existence like Yang Mei?
Before he could continue questioning him, an immense stream of memories surged directly into his sea of consciousness.
Cihang could not help but sink into those memories. His awareness crossed the limits of time and space, arriving at the era when the world had first begun and gods and demons were locked in a chaotic war.
At that time, the world was more than half opened. It was a vast, empty expanse that could shatter at any moment.
Elsewhere, Pangu was fighting with all his strength against the many gods and demons who had come to obstruct his path.
The opening of the primordial world had indeed created countless living beings, but it was no good thing for the Chaos Demon Gods.
To stop Pangu from opening the heavens and attaining the Dao, numerous gods and demons stepped forth to bar his way.
Thus, the great battle erupted, stirring endless storms through the chaos.
The fierce battle made even chaos itself seem as though it might collapse at any moment.
Yet Cihang was completely immersed in the Great Daos displayed by the many gods and demons.
Though it was only a memory, Cihang felt as if he were experiencing it in person. Those dense traces of the Great Dao were clearly imprinted upon his heart.
However, Cihang was not watching from Yang Mei's perspective, but from the perspective of a lotus seed, witnessing the outbreak of this battle.
Could this not be Yang Mei's memory?
Cihang had no time to dwell on his doubts. He hurriedly focused all his attention on observing the battle.
Before Cihang's eyes, one top-tier Chaos Demon God after another fell, transforming into origin and dropping into the newly opened primordial world.
Those gods and demons were powerful enough, but Pangu was stronger still.
They had sought to prevent Pangu from attaining the Dao, but was this not also their own tribulation?
Unfortunately, these traces of the Great Dao were far too profound. Cihang could not comprehend even the slightest fragment of them.
Even so, he did his utmost to memorize those Great Daos. Even if he could retain only one part in ten thousand, it would benefit him for life.
Immersed in his perception of the Great Dao, Cihang failed to notice the passage of time.
Perhaps thousands of years had passed, perhaps countless eons. At last, the battle in chaos was decided.
With his overwhelming strength, Pangu slew more than half the gods and demons, leaving only a few top-tier ones struggling to escape with their lives.
Some fled into chaos, while others helplessly fell into the primordial world, dispersing their bodies as gods and demons and leaving behind only their consciousness and primordial spirits.
Yet Pangu had not emerged unscathed either. The Sky-Opening Axe that had accompanied him in battle against the gods and demons had transformed into three Primordial Supreme Treasures.
The Chaos Green Lotus was shattered as well, its origin scattering into the primordial world to nurture Innate Spiritual Treasures anew.
Only then did Cihang confirm that his consciousness was attached to a lotus seed.
"The Twelve-grade World-Purifying White Lotus!"
A realization rose in Cihang's heart. This was the memory of the Twelve-grade World-Purifying White Lotus.
But had the World-Purifying White Lotus not suffered calamity and shattered before it could be born?
"Not good!"
The instant that thought flashed through Cihang's mind, a lethal sense of danger welled up in his heart.
Then he saw the Pangu Banner release a streak of chaotic sword qi that shot straight toward him.
Boom!
The World-Purifying Lotus seed shattered in response, its fragments falling toward the primordial world.
Though the World-Purifying Lotus seed originated from the Chaos Green Lotus, it was newly born after all. It could not compare to the Pangu Banner personally wielded by Pangu.
At the instant his consciousness was extinguished, Cihang also saw Yang Mei behind him, his face full of relief.
"So I took the tribulation in someone else's place?"
Back in the surroundings of Mount Luojia, Cihang had returned, yet he could not regain his senses for a long while.
That memory had been far too real and terrifying.
"Have you understood now, little friend?"
Yang Mei spoke, rousing Cihang from his thoughts.
It was not that Cihang's state of mind was lacking, but that the shock this memory had brought him was simply too great.
Even now, he could clearly remember the terror of Pangu's strike, as well as the helplessness and despair of facing it.
"I was that World-Purifying Lotus seed? You left behind that strand of consciousness in order to repay Karma?"
Cihang once again sought confirmation from Yang Mei.
"That is correct. That was indeed the case. Although I had not intended it at the time, little friend truly took a tribulation in my stead. Otherwise, I fear I would have returned to the origin of chaos like those fellow Daoists.
"Not to mention cultivating anew and attaining Hunyuan once more.
"Do you resent me, little friend?"
Yang Mei looked at Cihang as he asked.
Since he had already expected as much, Cihang was not overly surprised this time.
"I do not. Without that strike, there might not have been the Cihang of today.
"Although Cihang's origin was damaged, I ultimately gained the chance to transform into human form and be born. The other lotus platforms could only become supreme-grade spiritual treasures!"
He truly bore no grudge against Yang Mei. After all, the truly top-tier spiritual roots and treasures almost had no possibility of developing intelligence and transforming into human form.
Instead, this calamity had become his opportunity to transform into human form and be born.
Moreover, if not for Yang Mei, Cihang would never have known of this Karma.
"Little friend, you are indeed broad-minded and possessed of great wisdom.
"That strike may have damaged your origin, but it also granted you limitless possibilities.
"And if the opportunity arises in the future, you may still restore your origin and reshape your true body as the Twelve-grade World-Purifying White Lotus!"
Yang Mei's smile became more genuine.
"Senior, then was I truly reborn, or did I glimpse the future with your help?"
Cihang once more voiced the doubt in his heart.
"Even with my current cultivation, I cannot reverse time in the primordial world for a quasi-sage.
"Though it had been an accident back then, the fact remained that little friend took a tribulation in my stead. Yang Mei had no choice but to repay it.
"After entering the primordial world, I came to Mount Luojia with little friend. While helping you gather your origin, I also recovered and cultivated anew.
"Unfortunately, I was unable to restore your origin completely.
"When I attained Hunyuan once more, I also deduced little friend's future."
"Deduced my future? The memories of the future in my sea of consciousness?"
Cihang interrupted with a question.
"Correct. Those were the future, and they were also the trajectory of little friend's fate.
"Although little friend's origin was greatly damaged, you were still a top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasure. Your cultivation path appeared smooth, but in truth, it was fraught with tribulations. You would never glimpse your origin for the rest of your life.
"Therefore, before I left the primordial world, I used a divine ability to merge part of my intent into a willow tree, leaving three gifts for you, fellow Daoist.
"They would appear at the appropriate time and help little friend reverse your fate.
"I hoped they could help little friend restore your origin and break free of your destined fate."
In truth, even with Yang Mei's strength, accomplishing this had been extremely difficult and required exceptionally harsh conditions.
"So that was it. No wonder I suddenly awakened memories of the future. Cihang thanks you here, Senior!"
Cihang bowed to Yang Mei.
"Little friend, there is no need for such courtesy. This is what I should do!"
Yang Mei waved his hand, stopping Cihang's movement.
"Senior said there were three gifts. What are the remaining two?"
Cihang asked expectantly.
The memories of the future had changed the trajectory of his fate. The remaining two gifts had to be extraordinarily precious as well, and of immense help to him.
"You have already seen both of those gifts.
"The first is that Willow Branch. It contains a strand of my mana and can withstand a saint's full-force strike. It can protect your life at a critical moment.
"The second is the Life Origin. It was left behind after the Life Demon God fell, and it contains the Life Demon God's inheritance.
"I had intended to teach you my Great Dao, but compared to my Great Dao of Space, the Dao of Life is more suited to your origin.
"However, the Mystic Gate Immortal Path flourishes in the primordial world. How you choose is up to you!"
Before you continue