The Primordial Era

However, after Fuxi's words fell, the sky remained unresponsive.

The Great Powers observing, seeing Fuxi fail to establish the Human Religion, all considered him a mere clown, adding to the amusement.

Laozi sneered inwardly at the sight, thinking, "I said long ago that the Human Religion should be established by me. You insisted on trying, and now you've brought shame upon yourself!"

Though he thought this, he dared not show any expression on his face.

"Now, Fellow Daoist Li Peng and Fellow Daoist Nuwa, do you believe my words?" Laozi asked calmly.

Upon hearing this, Li Peng and Nuwa merely smiled faintly and did not reply.

"In the name of the Saint Father of the Human Race, I permit Fuxi to establish the Human Religion!" Li Peng shouted to the heavens.

"In the name of the Saint Mother of the Human Race, I permit Fuxi to establish the Human Religion!" Nuwa declared to the sky.

"In the name of the Clan Leader of the Human Race, I permit Fuxi to establish the Human Religion!" Li Wu flew over from a distance, responding with a clear voice.

Following the three declarations, all the Human Race members shouted in unison: "We all permit Fuxi to establish the Human Religion!"

The sound waves layered upon each other, as if truly reaching the ears of heaven.

Laozi watched coldly, scoffing inwardly, "If shouting a few times could establish a religion, then I..."

Before the thought could finish, thunder suddenly boomed across the sky.

Vast Golden Merit Clouds of profound yellow gathered.

Laozi stared, dumbfounded, and repeatedly said, "Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"

The Great Powers of the Primordial Era were also greatly shocked, never expecting such immense Golden Merit Clouds to descend after the unanimous agreement of the Human Race.

"Could it be that Fuxi is also about to become a Saint?"

In an instant, this thought appeared in the minds of many Great Powers.

The Golden Merit Clouds in the sky split into five portions. The largest portion, about seventy percent, entered Fuxi's body. Another ten percent was divided equally into three, sent to Nuwa, Li Peng, and Li Wu. The remaining twenty percent transformed into countless fine streams, scattering into the bodies of myriad members of the Human Race.

With Merit entering his body, Fuxi immediately began to burn it to comprehend the Law of Destiny.

As the Merit was consumed, his understanding of the Law of Destiny rapidly advanced.

Seventy percent, eighty percent, eighty-five percent...

With every increase in his comprehension of the Way of Destiny, Fuxi's cultivation surged.

Three hours later, he finally comprehended the Law of Destiny to ninety percent.

The moment Fuxi's comprehension of the Law of Destiny reached seventy percent, a vast and powerful pressure erupted from him, soaring into the sky.

Heavenly Flowers rained down from the firmament, Golden Lotuses surged from the earth, and infinite auspicious signs appeared.

Fuxi had, in fact, attained the Dao and become a Saint!

Under this pressure, the billions of living beings in the Primordial Era involuntarily prostrated themselves on the ground, bowing in worship towards the Human Race's settlement, shouting in unison:

"Congratulations to Fuxi, the Cult Master, on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! Henceforth, you shall be impervious to all calamities and live eternally!"

"Congratulations to Fuxi, the Cult Master, on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! Henceforth, you shall be impervious to all calamities and live eternally!"

"Congratulations to Fuxi, the Cult Master, on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! Henceforth, you shall be impervious to all calamities and live eternally!"

The sound waves reverberated through the universe, echoing throughout the entire Primordial Era.

Laozi gazed at Fuxi, who radiated divine might after becoming a Saint, the sounds of all beings congratulating him echoing in his ears.

Disbelief first filled his eyes, followed by an overwhelming surge of hatred.

This Saint position, which should have belonged to him, had been stolen by Fuxi!

In an instant, Laozi understood the reason for his failure to establish the Human Religion – he had not gained the genuine approval of the Human Race.

Whereas Fuxi, with the help of Nuwa, Li Peng, and Li Wu, had instantly won the support of the entire Human Race.

This was the difference.

Understanding everything, Laozi suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

He had never imagined that merely by failing to gain the approval of Nuwa, Li Peng, and Li Wu, he would miss the opportunity to become a Saint. How could he bear this!

As Laozi vomited blood, a majestic Daoist sound echoed from the heavens once more:

"I am Yuanshi Tianzun, the second disciple under Dao Ancestor Hongjun, transformed from the Primordial Spirit of the Great God Pangu, and the true successor of Pangu. I now also establish a religion, named 'Heavenly Origin Sect'."

"'Heavenly Origin' means to illuminate. We shall follow the mandate of heaven and expound the Great Dao. With the Innate Supreme Treasure Pangu Banner, I shall establish the Heavenly Origin Sect's destiny. Those with spiritual roots and transcendent potential in heaven and earth may enter my sect and inherit the Great Dao of Hongjun and the true teachings of Pangu."

"Heavenly Origin Sect, established!"

As the voice fell, Heavenly Flowers rained down from the firmament again, Golden Lotuses surged from the earth, and myriad phenomena appeared.

Another vast saintly pressure permeated the Primordial Era.

The beings of the Primordial Era, who had just gotten up, once again prostrated themselves:

"Congratulations to Yuanshi Tianzun on attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! Henceforth, you shall be impervious to all calamities and live eternally!"

All beings in the Primordial Era once again offered their congratulations in unison.

"My second brother has also become a Saint?" Laozi's face was filled with shock.

At this moment, he felt utterly humiliated.

He was supposed to be the foremost of the Three Pure Ones, the first to achieve sainthood!

Before Laozi could recover from his shock, another magnificent Daoist voice resounded through heaven and earth:

"I am Tongtian, one of the three disciples of Dao Ancestor Hongjun. I was born from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and am Pangu's true successor. Today, I shall also establish a sect..."

The sect would intercept a sliver of heavenly secrets and would be named the Intercepting Sect!

With the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation as its supreme treasure, all beings in the Three Realms who are fated can join my sect, protect themselves, cultivate individually, and attain the Great Dao.

"The Intercepting Sect is established!"

As this declaration fell, heavenly flowers rained down, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, and countless auspicious signs appeared.

Immediately after, a majestic pressure enveloped the Primordial Era.

In an instant, the Primordial beings who had just begun to rise were once again forced to their knees by this terrifying pressure.

Upon hearing this, Laozi could not help but vomit another mouthful of blood.

"Good! All of you are good! You didn't even wait for me, your eldest brother!" Laozi gritted his teeth and muttered to himself.

Clearly, he was extremely displeased with the actions of his two brothers.

Meanwhile, in the Western Spirit Mountain, Seeing that Fuxi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian in the East could all establish sects and become Saints, Zhunti and Jieyin were immediately inspired.

Following suit, they swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao:

"Today, we, Jieyin and Zhunti, establish a sect together in the West, named the Western Teachings. We shall guide all beings towards goodness, free from suffering and worry, to be a land of ultimate bliss. With the High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, as the foundation of the Western Teachings' destiny."

"The Western Teachings are established!"

As this declaration fell, endless profound yellow merit gathered in the sky.

The next moment, the merit split into two, falling upon Zhunti and Jieyin.

Instantly, the cultivation of the two began to skyrocket.

Quasi-Saint Mid-stage Peak, Quasi-Saint Late Stage, Quasi-Saint Late Stage Peak, Quasi-Saint Peak...

However, after reaching Quasi-Saint Peak, the merit within their bodies was completely depleted.

Instantly, Zhunti and Jieyin were at a loss, having never expected such a situation to arise.

After all, Fuxi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian had all become Saints the moment they established their sects.

Why was it that for them, the merit was insufficient?

Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged a glance and a possibility immediately occurred to them:

The merit was divided among individuals, thus leading them to this awkward predicament.

"Senior Brother, what should we do? If this continues, you and I can only stop at Quasi-Saint Peak. To become a Saint again will be as difficult as ascending to heaven!" Zhunti said anxiously.

Jieyin heard this and sighed helplessly, his face filled with even greater sorrow.

"There is a method, but if we act upon it, there will be great karma in the future, and we will be subject to many restrictions."

Upon hearing this, Zhunti hurriedly pressed: "Senior Brother, what is this method? Quickly tell me! We can't afford to worry about that much anymore. If we don't become Saints, how can the West ever prosper?"

Jieyin pondered for a moment, then felt that Zhunti had a point. He replied, "That is to make great vows and borrow merit from the Heavenly Dao."

"To prematurely withdraw merit and become a Saint!"

After hearing Jieyin's suggestion, Zhunti fell silent for a long time, finally gritting his teeth and saying, "We'll make great vows! If we cannot prosper the West, what is the meaning of my life?"

Having made up their minds, Zhunti and Jieyin no longer hesitated. They immediately swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao:

"If I attain Supreme Bodhi and achieve Righteous Enlightenment, the Buddha Land I reside in shall be complete with immeasurable, inconceivable merits and adornments. There shall be no hells, hungry ghosts, beasts, or the like. All sentient beings, even those in the Yama Realm and the three evil paths, if they come to my land and receive my teachings, shall all attain Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi and never fall into evil paths again. If this vow is not fulfilled, I shall not attain Supreme Righteous Enlightenment."

"If I become Buddha, all sentient beings in the ten directions who sincerely believe and desire to be born in my land, even with just ten thoughts, if they are not born, I shall not attain Righteous Enlightenment. Except for the Five Heinous Sins and slander of the Dharma."

"If I become Buddha, all sentient beings in the ten directions who aspire to Bodhi and cultivate various merits, sincerely make vows to be born in my land, and at the end of their lives, if I do not appear before them surrounded by the multitude, I shall not attain Righteous Enlightenment."

As one great vow after another was made, the Heavenly Dao continuously bestowed merit, which fell upon Zhunti and Jieyin.

However, the merit from one or two vows was far from enough to attain the Dao. The two had no choice but to continue making vows.

Initially, they worried about being unable to fulfill their vows and being annihilated by the Heavenly Dao. But after making more than ten vows, they no longer had any scruples—since they already owed so much, a few more wouldn't matter.

In the end, Zhunti and Jieyin made forty-nine great vows. With the merit borrowed from the Heavenly Dao, they finally attained the Dao and became Saints.

When the two became Saints, heavenly flowers rained down again, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, and myriad auspicious signs appeared.

However, there was no joy on Zhunti and Jieyin's faces. They owed too much karma to the Heavenly Dao. If they failed to fulfill their vows, they might fall from their Saintly positions, or even have their souls annihilated.

"Finally, we are Saints!" Zhunti exclaimed.

"Yes, finally, we are Saints," Jieyin also sighed.

The two looked at each other, only to offer bitter smiles.

Meanwhile, two powerful auras swept through the Primordial Era once more. Many beings who had just gotten up were once again forced to their knees, while some who were more intelligent simply remained kneeling—saving themselves the trouble of repeatedly bowing.

At the same time, Laozi, who had just recovered from the shock of Yuanshi and Tongtian becoming Saints, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

All Great Powers who had obtained the Primordial Violet Qi had already attained Saint status, yet only Laozi remained stagnant in the Quasi-Saint realm.

After spitting out blood, Laozi glared hatefully at Fuxi, Nuwa, Li Peng, and Li Wu before riding a cloud to flee into the distance.

How could Li Peng let him escape so easily?

His System had a mission that clearly stated: "Severely punish Laozi."

If he let him go now, how would the mission be completed?

Thus, Li Peng's figure flickered, and he directly blocked Laozi's path.

Seeing Li Peng intercept Laozi, the many Great Powers of the Primordial Era revealed expressions of those watching a show. Only Yuanshi and Tongtian had ashen faces.

The Three Pure Ones were originally one entity. If Laozi lost all face, they would also be disgraced.

Laozi looked at the suddenly appearing Li Peng and asked with a somber expression, "Fellow Daoist Li Peng, what business do you have?"

"Don't you know in your heart?" Li Peng's voice was laced with mockery.

Laozi suppressed his anger, "Please speak clearly, Fellow Daoist."

"Heh heh, Fellow Daoist Laozi, you intended to establish a sect among the Human Race without our permission. Do you just plan to let it go like this? If everyone imitates you in the future and comes to the Human Race to establish sects as they please, what face will Nuwa and I have left?" Li Peng said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Laozi was almost blown apart by rage.

Not only had Li Peng, along with Fuxi, stolen his chance to become a Saint, but he was now humiliating him like this. How could he endure it?

But no matter how angry he was, he had to endure it—who told Li Peng to be far superior in strength to him?

"How does Fellow Daoist wish to settle this karma?" Laozi asked with a dark expression.

Li Peng feigned thought and then said dismissively, "Fellow Daoist Laozi is, after all, a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor. I do not wish to be too excessive. I will banish you from the Human Race for a thousand years as a form of punishment."

When Laozi heard this, he was instantly enraged.

He was formed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and was the eldest of the Three Pure Ones. If he were truly rejected by the Human Race for a thousand years, what face would he have left?

"Absolutely impossible!" Laozi roared.

"That is not up to you," Li Peng said with a faint smile. As he spoke, he struck out with a palm towards Laozi.

This action stunned the many Great Powers of the Primordial Era—no one had expected Li Peng to be so forceful!

After all, Laozi was the eldest brother of Saint Yuanshi and Saint Tongtian!

If Li Peng truly made a move against Laozi, wouldn't that mean forging an irreconcilable enmity with Saint Tongtian and Saint Yuanshi?

For a time, countless Great Powers in the Primordial Era became excited.

A good show was about to unfold. They all prepared their melon seeds and stools, ready to be qualified onlookers.

Zhunti and Jieyin of the Western Spirit Mountain, upon hearing that Li Peng intended to punish Laozi, couldn't stop smiling.

They wished for the Eastern Saints to fight amongst themselves and found it very satisfying to watch.

And throughout the entire Primordial Era, the person with the most unpleasant expression was likely Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Li Peng punishing Laozi was equivalent to slapping them in the face.

Therefore, Yuanshi and Tongtian had already prepared to engage in a great battle with the three Saints, Li Peng, Nuwa, and Fuxi.

Li Peng pressed his large hand downwards, and a majestic stream of magic power condensed into a giant palm, striking directly at Laozi.

Laozi intended to dodge, but he was shocked to find that the surrounding power of heaven and earth had bound him firmly, leaving him unable to move at all.