The Primordial Era

According to what he learned from the Yin-Yang Demon God's memories, there are more than three methods to achieve enlightenment, including enlightenment through Laws. By thoroughly comprehending a single Heavenly Dao Law, one can achieve enlightenment and become a Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortal.

However, Dao Ancestor Hongjun never mentioned enlightenment through Laws. Why is that?

Could Dao Ancestor Hongjun have some ulterior motive?

In an instant, Li Peng fell into deep thought, countless ideas swirling in his mind.

The other great beings present, after hearing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's explanation of the paths to enlightenment, began to ponder in their hearts.

First, enlightenment through force was directly ruled out. Even the great god Pangu failed, let alone them.

As for enlightenment through merit, not only was it the weakest path, but merit in the Primordial Era was extremely difficult to obtain. Relying on merit to achieve enlightenment was simply too hard.

Thinking of this, everyone turned their gaze to Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

With the precedent of enlightenment by severing three corpses, the great beings suddenly saw hope for enlightenment.

The next moment, they all pleaded in unison, "Please, Teacher, impart the way of severing three corpses!"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun responded calmly, "The sermon will be given in three parts. This time, I will speak of the path before becoming a Quasi-Saint. The path of severing three corpses belongs to the path of a Quasi-Saint and will be discussed next time.

You should all return and consolidate your cultivation. Come back to Purple Heaven Palace in ten thousand years to listen."

Although the great beings were unwilling, they dared not show it, as they were facing Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Just as everyone was about to leave, Houtu stood up and asked anxiously, "May I ask, Dao Ancestor, my Witch Clan does not cultivate the Primordial Spirit. How can we achieve enlightenment?"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun replied indifferently, "The Witch Clan has its own path. You will know in the future."

After speaking, he withdrew his gaze and continued, "Now that the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity has passed, all the myriad races of the Primordial Era are vying for supremacy, and great beings are emerging in large numbers. Someone needs to manage this chaotic Primordial Era."

The great beings present looked at Hongjun with anticipation, especially Di Jun and Tai Yi, whose eyes were almost overflowing with desire.

Li Peng had no interest in this position, as he knew the candidate had already been decided, and any desire was futile.

As expected, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke calmly, "East King Duke, West Queen Mother."

As his voice fell, a middle-aged man in a golden robe and a composed woman stepped forward in response.

Everyone looked at them with envy.

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

Dao Ancestor Hongjun said with a smile, reaching out to grasp the air. A crutch entwined with a nine-clawed golden dragon appeared in his hand.

"Thank you, Dao Ancestor!" East King Duke eagerly accepted.

Hongjun nodded, tossed the Dragon Head Crutch, and it flew into East King Duke's hand on its own.

Then, Hongjun looked at West Queen Mother and said indifferently, "West Queen Mother, today I bestow upon you the title of 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 Dao inscriptions appeared in Dao Ancestor Hongjun's hand.

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

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

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

East King Duke and West Queen Mother looked at their respective Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures with joy.

The gazes of the surrounding great beings towards them held not only envy but also a hint of mockery.

Although Dao Ancestor Hongjun had appointed them as the Head of Male Immortals and Head of Female Immortals, would the great beings in the Primordial Era truly obey their commands?

Let alone the entire Primordial Era, even the Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao in this Purple Palace, they could hardly command any of them.

After Dao Ancestor Hongjun finished dealing with these matters, he spoke calmly:

"This sermon has concluded. You may return in ten thousand years."

With that, Dao Ancestor Hongjun waved his sleeve, and the great doors of Purple霄 Palace boomed open.

At the same time, his figure gradually faded and finally disappeared.

Seeing Dao Ancestor Hongjun depart, Li Peng stood up, preparing to leave Zixiao Palace.

Just then, East King Duke's voice rang out:

"All fellow Daoists, please wait!"

Li Peng was startled, then understood that East King Duke was trying to wield his newfound authority and recruit the Innate great beings present.

However, he had no intention of saying anything.

There were many unruly great beings here, and someone would naturally step forward to confront East King Duke.

"May I ask what business East King Duke has in stopping us?" Yuanshi asked with an unfriendly expression.

"Since Dao Ancestor Hongjun has appointed me as the Head of Male Immortals, and everyone present is a top great being of the Primordial Era.

Therefore, I hope you will all visit my dojo to discuss strategies for governing the Primordial Era and promoting its prosperity and strength!" East King Duke said with a smug look.

..., dear!

"Just you? You want to govern the Primordial Era? Truly overestimating yourself!" Yuanshi snorted coldly, a look of disdain on his face.

"That's right, you're not qualified enough!" Laozi and Tongtian also nodded in agreement.

After speaking, the Three Pure Ones didn't even glance at East King Duke and walked straight out of Zixiao Palace.

East King Duke stared at their retreating backs, ignoring him, his face turning ashen.

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

Seeing the two approaching, East King Duke thought they were coming to join him, and quickly put on a gentle smile.

Di Jun and Tai Yi arrived before East King Duke, their expressions cold and unapologetic.

Tai Yi swept East King Duke a disdainful glance and said coldly, "A mere Head of Male Immortals, dares to boss us around? With your cultivation, you're not fit to be compared with us!"

As their words fell, the two turned and left.

East King Duke suffered one setback after another, his face flushing red, yet he dared not retaliate. Although his cultivation was on par with the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, and Tai Yi, he was alone. If a fight were to break out, he would surely be defeated miserably.

Afterward, other powerful figures like Kunpeng, Minghe, Zhen Yuanzi, and Hong Yun also passed by one by one, but none of them greeted East King Duke, clearly showing no intention of being recruited by him.

Li Peng observed the scene quietly and then turned his gaze back to Randeng. He still had a mission to kill Randeng unfinished, but the other party remained in Zixiao Palace, leaving him with no opportunity to act.

If he continued to wait, Randeng would likely never leave the palace. Li Peng could not act within Zixiao Palace, so he reluctantly decided to leave.

Just then, East King Duke approached with a smile, intending to recruit him.

Li Peng knew that East King Duke's fate was short-lived and had no intention of getting involved with him, so he calmly refused, "We have gained some enlightenment from listening to the Dao and need to go back into seclusion to consolidate our cultivation."

With that, he took Nuwa, Fuxi, Changxi, and Xihe and left directly, leaving East King Duke with a thunderous expression.

Seeing this, the other powerful figures present also dispersed one after another, leaving only a few early-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivators who became subordinates of East King Duke.

Li Peng and his group did not go far, but quietly stopped in the chaos outside Zixiao Palace.

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

Li Peng replied, "I saw an enemy in the palace just now. He didn't dare to come out because he saw me here. I'll have to ambush him outside and wait for him to appear."

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

As they were talking, more than ten powerful figures flew out of Zixiao Palace and headed towards the Primordial Era.

Li Peng recognized the leader at a glance as East King Duke, who had just been appointed Head of Male Immortals by Dao Ancestor Hongjun. And the Randeng he was looking for was actually in the group.

Li Peng immediately understood why Randeng had been delaying his departure – he was looking for a backer. But did he think that by joining East King Duke, Li Peng would no longer dare to make a move?

Ridiculous!

"Let's go, let's follow," Li Peng said to Nuwa, Fuxi, Changxi, and Xihe, while activating the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda and chasing after East King Duke and his group.

"Brother Li, your enemy isn't East King Duke, is it?" Changxi asked with some worry. After all, East King Duke was personally appointed Head of Male Immortals by the Dao Ancestor. If Li Peng really made a move against him, he might anger Hongjun.

Upon hearing this, Fuxi, Nuwa, and Xihe also looked at Li Peng, their faces filled with concern.

Li Peng felt a warmth in his heart, knowing they were worried about him, so he smiled and explained, "Don't worry, it's not East King Duke. My enemy is just in his group."

Hearing him say this, everyone finally felt relieved.

A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, and East King Duke and his group had already traveled far from Zixiao Palace.

Li Peng looked at the group ahead and said calmly, "The distance is almost right, it's time to make a move."

"Brother Li, I'll help too!" Xihe immediately said.

"We'll go together too," Nuwa, Fuxi, and Changxi echoed in unison.

Li Peng, however, smiled and shook his head, "No need. The people ahead are just weaklings, they won't be able to stop me."

He was not bragging. Currently, his Law of Yin had comprehended forty percent, reaching the mid-stage Quasi-Saint level. If he hadn't deliberately polished his foundation, he would have already broken through.

"But..." Nuwa and the others wanted to say more.

Li Peng raised his hand to interrupt, "If I really can't defeat them, it won't be too late for you to make a move."

Everyone then nodded in agreement.

"Alright, you all wait here." Li Peng said with a smile.

Li Peng settled Nuwa, Fuxi, Changxi, and Xihe in the chaos and then quickly chased after East King Duke and the others ahead.

East King Duke's group sensed the magical power fluctuations from behind and looked back vigilantly, only to see Li Peng, with the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda hovering above his head, rapidly approaching.

"Didn't this person leave long ago? How did he appear behind us?" East King Duke wondered.

Randeng's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he said in a deep voice, "He must be unhappy that you became the Head of Male Immortals and wants to humiliate you here, making you lose face."

East King Duke's expression darkened, and killing intent flickered, "If he's really here to provoke me, I'll let him see the capabilities of this Head of Male Immortals today."

Randeng quickly reminded him, "Lord East King Duke, you mustn't underestimate him. Since he dares to chase after us alone, he must have some reliance. Why don't we join forces to eliminate him and prevent future trouble?"

"Hmph, why should everyone attack together? I can handle it alone," East King Duke said confidently.

Before he finished speaking, Li Peng had already arrived in front of the group and said calmly, "East King Duke, how about you hand over Randeng behind you to me?"

East King Duke's face grew even uglier. Randeng and the others had just joined him. If he handed them over now, who would dare to join him in the future? How could he maintain his dignity as the Head of Male Immortals?

"Randeng is already a member of our Loose Immortal Alliance, so there's no reason to hand him over. You should give up now," East King Duke replied coldly.

Li Peng scanned the crowd before him—four early-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortals, eleven mid-stage, and East King Duke himself, a peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal. He didn't take this lineup seriously. Within the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, each minor stage represented a vast difference.

"Since a peaceful resolution is impossible, Daoist friend East King Duke, don't blame me for being ruthless," Li Peng said indifferently.

As he spoke, the magic power within him circulated, and a powerful aura slowly permeated the air. East King Duke and those behind him felt this pressure, their expressions turning solemn. They never expected Li Peng's strength to be this formidable.

East King Duke's expression grew serious. He raised his hand, and a long sword radiating extreme yang energy appeared in his palm.

Sensing the pressure emanating from the sword, Li Peng mused inwardly, "A High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure? It seems East King Duke hasn't refined the Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure Dragon Head Crutch bestowed by the Dao Ancestor yet."

His thoughts raced, and Li Peng no longer hesitated. The Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure—the Yin Yang Twin Swords—suddenly flew out from within him.

Instantly, sword light erupted in all directions, exuding a chilling aura that shook heaven and earth.

"Two Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures!"

The powerful figures behind East King Duke cried out in unison.

East King Duke faced the pressure of the twin swords directly, even catching a hint of death within it.

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

East King Duke poured all his magic power into the long sword like a torrent, the power of extreme yang spreading out with immense might.

Li Peng's mind stirred, "East King Duke's true form was born from the first wisp of yang energy in the Primordial Era. His comprehension of the Law of Yang has reached twenty percent, placing him in the top ten among the Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao. Unfortunately, he encountered me."

He shook his head slightly and unleashed thousands of sharp sword energies with a wave of his hand.

East King Duke dared not be careless and met Li Peng's sword energies with a pre-prepared strike.

The ultimate, most powerful sword intent and Li Peng's sword energies collided violently, erupting in continuous, thunderous roars.

At the center of the collision, the chaotic energy churned fiercely, creating waves that surged outwards.

The scene became chaotic.

However, Li Peng seized this opportunity and suddenly charged towards Randeng, who was observing from the side.

Seeing Li Peng attack, Randeng was not alarmed. Many powerful figures were still surrounding him.

He laughed heartily, "Li Peng, with so many of us powerful figures gathered here, you dare to come alone? Today, I will show you our might!"

Randeng suddenly turned his head, only to be stunned into speechlessness.

The area around him was empty. Those powerful figures had already retreated far away.

Li Peng was not surprised by this.