Chapter 12

From what he had obtained from the Yin-Yang Demon God's memories, there were more than three methods of proving Dao. There was also Law Proving Dao—one only needed to thoroughly comprehend a single Law of the Heavenly Dao to prove Dao and attain the Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

Yet Dao Ancestor Hongjun had not mentioned Law Proving Dao at all. Why was that?

Could it be that Dao Ancestor Hongjun truly had some scheme?

In an instant, Li Peng fell into deep thought, countless ideas racing through his mind.

Meanwhile, after hearing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's paths to proving Dao, the other great powers present began pondering them in their hearts.

First, proving Dao through strength was immediately ruled out—even the great god Pangu had failed, let alone them.

As for proving Dao through merit, not only was it the weakest path, but primordial merit was exceedingly difficult to obtain. Relying on merit to prove Dao was simply too difficult.

At this thought, everyone turned their gazes toward Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

There was already a precedent for proving Dao through Slaying Three Corpses. For a moment, the great powers seemed to see hope of proving Dao.

The next moment, everyone pleaded in unison, "Please teach us the path of Slaying Three Corpses, Master!"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun replied calmly, "The Dao will be taught three times. What I have taught this time is the Dao before the Quasi-Saint realm. The path of Slaying Three Corpses belongs to the Quasi-Saint Dao and will be taught next time.

"Go back first and consolidate your cultivation. Return to Purple Cloud Palace in ten thousand years to hear the Dao."

Though the great powers were unwilling, they did not dare reveal it. After all, Dao Ancestor Hongjun stood before them.

Just as everyone was about to leave, Houtu rose and urgently asked, "May I ask, Dao Ancestor, how can my Wu Clan attain Dao when we do not cultivate the primordial spirit?"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun answered blandly, "The Wu Clan has its own Dao. You will understand in the future."

After saying this, he withdrew his gaze and continued, "Now that the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity has passed, the myriad races of the primordial world vie for supremacy, and great powers emerge one after another. Someone must manage this chaotic primordial world."

Upon hearing this, the great powers present all looked toward Hongjun with anticipation. Di Jun and Tai Yi in particular looked as though their desire might spill from their eyes.

Li Peng had no interest whatsoever in this position, because he knew the candidate had long since been decided. No amount of yearning would matter.

Sure enough, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke calmly. "King Father of the East, West Queen Mother."

As his words fell, a middle-aged man in golden robes and a composed woman stepped forward.

Everyone looked at them, their eyes filled with envy.

"King Father of the East, today I appoint you Head of Male Immortals and grant you the Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure—the Dragon Head Crutch."

Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke with a smile. With a grasp of his hand, a crutch entwined with a nine-clawed golden dragon appeared in his palm.

"Thank you, Dao Ancestor!" King Father of the East said excitedly.

Hongjun nodded and tossed out the Dragon Head Crutch, which flew into King Father of the East's hand on its own.

Then Hongjun looked toward West Queen Mother and said calmly, "West Queen Mother, today I appoint you Head of Female Immortals and grant you the Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure—the Plain Cloud World Banner."

As he spoke, a banner covered in Innate Daoist Script appeared in Dao Ancestor Hongjun's hand.

"Thank you, Dao Ancestor!" West Queen Mother said gratefully.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun nodded in satisfaction, then tossed out the Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Plain Cloud World Banner.

The next moment, the Plain Cloud World Banner landed in West Queen Mother's hands.

King Father of the East and West Queen Mother looked delightedly at their respective Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures.

The gazes of the surrounding great powers contained not only envy, but also a touch of ridicule.

Though Dao Ancestor Hongjun had appointed them Head of Male Immortals and Head of Female Immortals,

would the great powers of the primordial world truly obey their commands?

Let alone the entire primordial world, they could not even command the Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao in Purple Cloud Palace.

After handling these matters, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke calmly:

"This teaching of the Dao has concluded. Return in ten thousand years."

With that, Dao Ancestor Hongjun swept his sleeve, and the gates of Purple Cloud Palace burst open.

At the same time, his figure gradually faded away before vanishing completely.

Seeing Dao Ancestor Hongjun leave, Li Peng rose and prepared to depart from Purple Cloud Palace.

At that moment, King Father of the East's voice rang out:

"Fellow Daoists, please stay!"

Li Peng was taken aback, then immediately understood that King Father of the East intended to use his newly granted authority to recruit the innate great powers present.

However, he had no intention of saying anything.

There were plenty of unruly great powers here. Someone would naturally step forward to confront King Father of the East.

"May I ask why Fellow Daoist King Father of the East has stopped us?" Yuanshi asked with an unpleasant expression.

"Since Dao Ancestor Hongjun has appointed me Head of Male Immortals, and all of you here are the foremost great powers of the primordial world, I hope you can visit my Daoist grounds so that we may discuss how to govern the primordial world and bring about its prosperity!" King Father of the East declared smugly.

"You? You want to govern the primordial world? You overestimate yourself!" Yuanshi snorted coldly, his face full of disdain.

"Indeed, you are not qualified!" Laozi and Tongtian nodded in agreement as well.

After speaking, the Three Pure Ones did not even spare King Father of the East a glance as they walked straight out of Purple Cloud Palace.

King Father of the East watched their retreating backs as they ignored him, his face turning ashen.

At this moment, Di Jun and Tai Yi walked toward him.

Seeing the two approach, King Father of the East thought they had come to join him,

and quickly put on a gentle smile.

Di Jun and Tai Yi arrived before King Father of the East with cold expressions, showing no courtesy whatsoever.

Tai Yi swept King Father of the East a disdainful glance and said icily, "A mere Head of Male Immortals thinks he can order us around? With your cultivation, you are not even worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as us!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the two turned and left.

After suffering setback after setback, King Father of the East's face flushed red, yet he did not dare erupt. Though he was in the same realm as the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, and Tai Yi, he was alone. If they truly came to blows, he would inevitably suffer a crushing defeat.

Afterward, great powers such as Kunpeng, Minghe, Zhen Yuanzi, and Hong Yun passed by one after another, yet none greeted King Father of the East. Clearly, none had any intention of accepting his recruitment.

Li Peng silently watched the scene, then shifted his gaze toward Randeng. He still had not completed his mission to kill Randeng, but Randeng had remained inside Purple Cloud Palace, leaving him with no opportunity to act.

If he kept waiting, Randeng might never leave the palace. Li Peng could not conveniently make a move within Purple Cloud Palace, so he could only reluctantly decide to leave.

At that moment, however, King Father of the East approached with a smile, intending to recruit him.

Knowing King Father of the East's fate would be short-lived, Li Peng had no desire to become entangled with him. He calmly refused, "We have gained some insights from listening to the Dao and must return to enter seclusion and stabilize our cultivation."

After saying that, he left directly with Nuwa, Fuxi, Changxi, and Xihe, leaving King Father of the East with a face as dark as iron.

Seeing this, the other great powers present also dispersed one after another. Only a small number of early-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortals remained behind and became King Father of the East's subordinates.

Li Peng's group did not travel far. Instead, they quietly stopped within chaos outside Purple Cloud Palace.

Changxi asked curiously, "Big Brother Li, why are we still staying here?"

Li Peng replied, "I saw an enemy in the palace earlier. Since he saw me here, he does not dare come out. I can only lie in ambush outside and wait for him to appear."

Nuwa, Fuxi, Changxi, and Xihe all nodded in understanding.

As they spoke, more than ten great powers flew out from Purple Cloud Palace and headed toward the primordial world.

Li Peng immediately recognized the leader as King Father of the East, who had just been appointed Head of Male Immortals by Dao Ancestor Hongjun. Randeng, whom he had been seeking, was unexpectedly among the group.

Li Peng instantly understood why Randeng had delayed his departure—he had wanted to find someone to rely on. But did he think that joining King Father of the East would make Li Peng afraid to act?

How laughable!

"Come, let us follow them," Li Peng said to Nuwa, Fuxi, Changxi, and Xihe. At the same time, he activated the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda and pursued King Father of the East's group.

"Big Brother Li, the enemy you mentioned cannot be King Father of the East, can he?" Changxi asked with some concern. After all, King Father of the East had been personally appointed Head of Male Immortals by the Dao Ancestor. If Li Peng truly attacked him, he might anger Hongjun.

Fuxi, Nuwa, and Xihe also looked toward Li Peng, concern written across their faces.

Li Peng felt warmth in his heart, knowing they were worried about him. He smiled and explained, "Do not worry. It is not King Father of the East. My enemy is merely among his group."

Only then did everyone relax.

A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, and King Father of the East's group had already traveled far from Purple Cloud Palace.

Looking at the group ahead, Li Peng said calmly, "This is far enough. It is time to make a move."

"Big Brother Li, I will help too!" Xihe immediately said.

"We will join you as well," Nuwa, Fuxi, and Changxi echoed in unison.

Li Peng merely shook his head with a smile. "There is no need. Those people ahead are nothing but rabble. They cannot stop me."

He was not boasting. He had now comprehended forty percent of the Law of Yin, reaching the standard of the Quasi-Saint Mid-stage. Had he not deliberately been tempering his foundation, he would have broken through long ago.

"But..." Nuwa and the others still wanted to object.

Li Peng raised a hand to stop them. "If I truly cannot defeat them, it will not be too late for you to act then."

Only then did everyone nod in agreement.

"Good. Wait here for me," Li Peng said with a smile.

After settling Nuwa, Fuxi, Changxi, and Xihe within chaos, Li Peng swiftly pursued King Father of the East and the others ahead.

Sensing fluctuations of magical power behind them, King Father of the East's group turned back warily. They saw Li Peng, with the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda above his head, rapidly closing in.

"Had this man not already left? How did he appear behind us?" King Father of the East asked in confusion.

A cold glint flashed in Randeng's eyes as he said in a low voice, "He must be dissatisfied with your appointment as Head of Male Immortals. He wants to humiliate you here and make you lose face."

King Father of the East's expression darkened, killing intent surfacing in his eyes. "If he truly came to provoke me, then today I will let him witness the methods of the Head of Male Immortals."

Randeng hurriedly warned, "Lord King Father of the East, do not underestimate him. Since he dared pursue us alone, he must have something to rely on. Why not join forces and eliminate him, lest he become a future threat?"

"Hmph, why should everyone attack together? I alone am enough to deal with him," King Father of the East said confidently.

Before his words had even faded, Li Peng arrived before them and spoke calmly. "King Father of the East, hand over Daoist Randeng behind you to me. How about it?"

King Father of the East's expression grew even uglier. Randeng and the others had only just joined him. If he handed Randeng over now, who would dare join him in the future? What would remain of his dignity as Head of Male Immortals?

"Randeng is already a member of my Loose Immortal Alliance. There is absolutely no reason to hand him over. Give up that thought at once," King Father of the East replied coldly.

Li Peng swept his gaze over the people before him—four early-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortals, eleven mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortals, and King Father of the East himself, a peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal. He did not take such a lineup seriously. Within the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, every minor stage held an enormous gap.

"Since this cannot be settled peacefully, Fellow Daoist King Father of the East, do not blame me for showing no mercy," Li Peng said indifferently.

As he spoke, magical power circulated within his body, and an immense aura slowly spread outward. King Father of the East and those behind him all wore grave expressions upon sensing that pressure. They had never expected Li Peng's strength to be so formidable.

King Father of the East's expression turned solemn. With a flick of his hand, a longsword flowing with an aura of extreme yang appeared in his palm.

Sensing the pressure emanating from the sword, Li Peng thought to himself, Only a High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure? It seems King Father of the East has not yet refined the Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Dragon Head Crutch, bestowed by the Dao Ancestor.

In the blink of an eye, Li Peng no longer hesitated. Two Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures—the Yin Yang Twin Swords—suddenly flew from his body.

In an instant, sword light flashed in every direction, chilling to the bone as its momentum shook heaven and earth.

"Two Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures!"

The great powers behind King Father of the East cried out in alarm.

Facing the pressure of the twin swords directly, King Father of the East could even smell a trace of death within them.

But he had no other choice. As the leader of the Loose Immortal Alliance, if he retreated now, all his efforts would collapse in an instant.

King Father of the East crazily poured all his magical power into the longsword. Extreme yang power spread like a tide, its might vast and majestic.

Li Peng's thoughts stirred. King Father of the East's true form is the first wisp of innate yang qi. He has already comprehended twenty percent of the Law of Yang, enough to rank among the top ten of the Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao. Unfortunately, he met me.

He lightly shook his head and waved his hand, firing countless sharp sword qi.

King Father of the East did not dare be careless. The sword strike he had long been gathering met the attack head-on.

The supremely hard and powerful sword intent collided with Li Peng's sword qi in an explosive crash, unleashing continuous thunderous booms.

At the center of the collision, Chaos Qi churned violently, raising layer upon layer of waves that surged wildly in all directions.

For a moment, the scene was utter chaos.

Yet Li Peng seized this opening and abruptly charged toward Randeng, who had been watching from the side.

Seeing Li Peng attack, Randeng did not panic. There were still many great powers around him.

He threw back his head and laughed. "Li Peng, so many great powers have gathered here, yet you dare come alone? Today, I will let you see our methods!"

Randeng suddenly turned his head, only to be stunned speechless.

There was already no one around him. Those great powers had long since fled far away.

Li Peng was not surprised by this.