Chapter 37

However, after Fuxi finished speaking, the sky remained completely silent.

The great powers watching on all thought that Fuxi had failed to establish the Human Teachings and was nothing more than a clown making a fool of himself.

Laozi looked on with disdain, thinking, I said long ago that the Human Teachings should be established by me. You insisted on trying, and now you have only humiliated yourself!

Though he thought so, he did not dare reveal the slightest hint of it on his face.

"Do Fellow Daoists Li Peng and Nuwa believe me now?" Laozi asked calmly.

Li Peng and Nuwa merely smiled faintly and did not answer.

"In the name of the Saint Father of the human race, I permit Fuxi to establish the Human Teachings!" Li Peng shouted toward the heavens.

"In the name of the Saint Mother of the human race, I permit Fuxi to establish the Human Teachings!" Nuwa proclaimed to the heavens.

"In the name of the Clan Leader of the human race, I permit Fuxi to establish the Human Teachings!" Li Wu flew in from afar and loudly echoed them.

Following the three declarations, every human shouted in unison, "We all permit Fuxi to establish the Human Teachings!"

The waves of voices rose one after another, as though they truly intended to reach Heaven's ears.

Laozi watched coldly, sneering inwardly. If shouting a few times were enough to establish a teaching, then I...

Before the thought could finish, thunder suddenly exploded across the heavens.

Golden Merit Clouds filled the sky as they gathered from all directions.

Laozi stared in disbelief and cried repeatedly, "Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"

The great powers of the primordial world were equally shocked. None had expected such vast Golden Merit Clouds to descend after the human race gave its unanimous approval.

"Could Fuxi be about to become a Saint as well?"

In an instant, this thought arose in the minds of countless great powers.

The Golden Merit Clouds divided into five streams in the air. The largest portion, roughly seventy percent, entered Fuxi's body. Another ten percent was split evenly among Nuwa, Li Peng, and Li Wu. The final ten percent transformed into countless tiny streams and scattered into the bodies of innumerable humans.

As the merit entered his body, Fuxi immediately burned it to comprehend the Laws of Destiny.

As the merit was consumed, his understanding of the Laws of Destiny advanced at a breakneck pace.

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

With every further bit of comprehension of the Way of Destiny, Fuxi's cultivation surged dramatically.

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

At the instant Fuxi's understanding of the Laws of Destiny reached seventy percent, an immense and majestic pressure erupted from his body and soared into the sky.

Heavenly Flowers fell from the firmament, golden lotuses blossomed from the earth, and countless phenomena appeared.

Fuxi had actually attained the Dao and become a Saint!

Under this pressure, countless living beings throughout the primordial world involuntarily fell to their knees and bowed toward the human race's territory, shouting in unison:

"Congratulations to Cult Leader Fuxi for attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! From this day onward, you shall be untouched by countless tribulations and live forever!"

"Congratulations to Cult Leader Fuxi for attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! From this day onward, you shall be untouched by countless tribulations and live forever!"

"Congratulations to Cult Leader Fuxi for attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! From this day onward, you shall be untouched by countless tribulations and live forever!"

The cries shook the universe and resounded throughout the entire primordial world.

Laozi looked at the awe-inspiring Fuxi after he became a Saint, while the voices of all beings congratulating Fuxi echoed in his ears.

Disbelief first filled his eyes, followed by towering hatred.

The Saint Position that should have belonged to him had actually been taken by Fuxi!

In that instant, Laozi understood why his attempt to establish the Human Teachings had failed—he had not gained the human race's sincere recognition.

Fuxi, on the other hand, had gained the support of the entire human race in an instant with the aid of Nuwa, Li Peng, and Li Wu.

That was the difference between them.

Having understood everything, Laozi suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

He had never imagined that merely because he had failed to gain the approval of Nuwa, Li Peng, and Li Wu, he would miss his chance to become a Saint. How could he possibly bear that?

Just as Laozi vomited blood, another majestic Dao voice descended from the heavens:

"I am the second disciple under Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Primordial Lord of Heaven. I was formed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and am of Pangu's orthodox lineage. Today, I shall also establish a teaching, named the Chan Sect."

"To elucidate is to make clear. I shall comply with Heaven's mandate and expound the Great Dao. I shall use the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Pangu Banner, to suppress the fortune of the Chan Sect. All spiritual beings of Heaven and Earth with exceptional innate qualities may enter my sect and inherit Dao Ancestor Hongjun's Great Dao and Pangu's true teachings."

"Chan Sect, arise!"

As his voice fell, Heavenly Flowers descended once more, golden lotuses surged from the earth again, and countless phenomena appeared.

Another vast Saintly might spread throughout Heaven and Earth.

The living beings of the primordial world, who had just risen, once again bowed down:

"Congratulations to Primordial Lord of Heaven for attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint! From this day onward, you shall be untouched by countless tribulations and live forever!"

All living beings of the primordial world offered their congratulations once again.

"Second Brother has become a Saint too?" Laozi's face was filled with horror.

At that moment, he felt that he had lost all face.

He was the eldest of the Three Pure Ones. He should have been the first to become a Saint!

Before Laozi could recover from his shock, another majestic Dao voice resounded through Heaven and Earth:

"I am Tongtian, the third disciple of Dao Ancestor Hongjun. I was formed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and am of Pangu's orthodox lineage. Today, I shall also establish a teaching..."

A teaching that seized a sliver of Heavenly Secrets, named the Interception Sect!

"With the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation as the treasure that suppresses the sect, all beings of the Three Realms with affinity may enter my sect. Preserve yourselves well, cultivate independently, and you may attain the Great Dao."

"Interception Sect, arise!"

As soon as his voice fell, a rain of flowers descended from the sky, golden lotuses surged from the earth, and countless phenomena appeared.

Immediately afterward, a vast pressure enveloped Heaven and Earth.

In an instant, the primordial creatures who had just been about to rise were once again crushed to their knees by this terrifying pressure.

Upon hearing this voice, Laozi could not help spitting out another mouthful of blood.

"Fine! You are all just fine! You actually did not wait for me, your elder brother!" Laozi gritted his teeth and muttered to himself.

Clearly, he was extremely dissatisfied with what his two brothers had done.

Meanwhile, within Western Spirit Mountain,

Zhunti and Jieyin saw that Fuxi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian in the east had all established teachings and become Saints, and they too were immediately tempted.

Following their example, they swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao:

"Today, Jieyin and Zhunti shall jointly establish a teaching in the west, named the Western Teachings. We shall guide all beings toward goodness, free them from suffering and worry, and make this a land of ultimate bliss. We shall use the High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, to suppress the fortune of the Western Teachings."

"Western Teachings, arise!"

As these words fell, boundless Golden Merit Clouds gathered in the sky.

The next moment, the merit divided into two and descended upon Zhunti and Jieyin.

At once, the cultivation of the two began to soar wildly.

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 actually exhausted.

Zhunti and Jieyin were immediately at a loss, never having expected such a situation.

After all, Fuxi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian had all become Saints as soon as they established their teachings.

Why, then, was there insufficient merit when it came to them?

Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged a glance and instantly thought of a possibility:

The merit had been divided among people, leaving them in this awkward situation.

"Senior Brother, what should we do? If this continues, you and I can only stop at Quasi-Saint Peak. Becoming Saints afterward will be harder than ascending to Heaven!" Zhunti said anxiously.

Hearing this, Jieyin sighed helplessly, and the sorrow on his face deepened.

"There is indeed a way, but if we do this, we will incur immense karma in the future and be subject to many restrictions."

Zhunti hurriedly pressed him, "Senior Brother, what method is it? Tell me quickly! We cannot worry about so much now. If we do not become Saints, how can the west ever have a chance to flourish?"

Jieyin pondered for a moment and felt that Zhunti was right. He answered, "We can make great vows and borrow merit from the Heavenly Dao."

"Draw upon merit in advance to become Saints!"

After hearing Jieyin's suggestion, Zhunti fell silent for a long time before finally gritting his teeth. "Then we shall make great vows! If I cannot make the west flourish, what meaning is there in my life?"

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

"If I attain Supreme Bodhi and achieve Righteous Enlightenment, the Buddha Land in which I dwell shall possess boundless, inconceivable merit and adornment. There shall be no hells, hungry ghosts, animals, or the like. Should any living being, even those of the Yama Realm and the three evil paths, be reborn in my land and receive my teachings, they shall all attain Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi and never again fall into an evil path. If this vow is not fulfilled, I swear not to attain Supreme Righteous Enlightenment."

"If I attain Buddhahood, then all beings of the ten directions who sincerely believe and rejoice, who wish to be born in my land, even if only through ten thoughts, shall be born there. If they are not, I shall not attain Righteous Enlightenment—except for those guilty of the Five Heinous Sins or those who slander the true Dharma."

"If I attain Buddhahood, then all beings of the ten directions who awaken the Bodhi heart, cultivate all merits, and sincerely vow to be born in my land, when their lives come to an end, 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 sent down merit upon Zhunti and Jieyin.

Yet the merit from merely one or two great vows was far from enough for them to attain the Dao. They could only continue making vows.

At first, they worried that they would be erased by the Heavenly Dao if they failed to fulfill their vows. But after making more than ten vows, they no longer had any reservations—since they already owed so much, owing a little more made no difference.

In the end, Zhunti and Jieyin issued 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 once again scattered across the sky, golden lotuses surged from the earth, and countless phenomena appeared.

Yet neither Zhunti nor Jieyin showed any joy. They owed far too much karma to the Heavenly Dao. Once they failed to fulfill the vows they had made, they could very well fall from their Saint Positions or even have their souls destroyed.

"We have finally become Saints!" Zhunti sighed.

"Yes, we have finally become Saints." Jieyin sighed as well.

The two looked at each other and could only smile bitterly.

At the same time, two immense auras swept across the primordial world once more. Many beings who had just stood up were pressed to their knees again, while some clever ones simply remained kneeling—they at least saved 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 another mouthful of old blood.

At present, every great power who had received Primordial Violet Qi had attained the Dao and become a Saint. Only Laozi remained stuck at the Quasi-Saint realm, unable to advance.

After vomiting blood, Laozi glared resentfully at Fuxi, Nuwa, Li Peng, and Li Wu before mounting an auspicious cloud and attempting to flee into the distance.

How could Li Peng possibly let him leave so easily?

One of his system missions clearly stated: "Give Laozi a ruthless lesson."

If he let him go now, how could he complete the mission?

Thus, Li Peng flashed forward and directly blocked Laozi's path.

When the numerous great powers of the primordial world saw Li Peng stop Laozi, they all wore expressions of eager anticipation. Only Yuanshi and Tongtian had faces as dark as thunder.

The Three Pure Ones were originally one. If Laozi lost all face, they would lose face as well.

Laozi looked at Li Peng, who had suddenly appeared before him, and asked darkly, "What else does Fellow Daoist Li Peng want?"

"Are you not clear about it in your heart?" Li Peng's tone was teasing.

Laozi suppressed his fury. "Please speak plainly, Fellow Daoist."

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Laozi wished to establish the Human Teachings among the human race without our permission. Do you think this matter can simply end like that? If everyone imitates you in the future and casually comes to establish teachings among the human race, where would Nuwa and I put our faces?" Li Peng said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Laozi nearly exploded with rage.

Li Peng had not only used Fuxi to seize his chance to become a Saint, but now he was humiliating him like this. How could he endure it?

But no matter how furious he was, he had to endure it—Li Peng was far stronger than him.

"How does Fellow Daoist intend to settle this karma?" Laozi asked with a livid face.

Li Peng pretended to think before saying casually, "After all, Fellow Daoist Laozi is a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor. I do not wish to go too far. I shall merely bar you from the human race for a thousand years as punishment."

The moment Laozi heard this, he flew into a rage.

He had been formed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and was the head of the Three Pure Ones. If he were truly barred from the human race for a thousand years, where would he put his face?

"Absolutely impossible!" Laozi roared.

"This is not up to you." Li Peng smiled faintly, and as he spoke, he had already struck toward Laozi with his palm.

This move stunned the numerous great powers of the primordial world—none had expected Li Peng to be so forceful!

One had to know that Laozi was the elder brother of Saint Yuanshi and Saint Tongtian!

If Li Peng truly attacked Laozi,

Would that not mean becoming mortal enemies with Saint Tongtian and Saint Yuanshi?

For a time, countless great powers across the primordial world became excited.

A good show was about to begin. They all prepared melon seeds and stools, ready to be proper spectators.

Zhunti and Jieyin of Western Spirit Mountain grinned from ear to ear when they heard that Li Peng intended to punish Laozi.

They desperately wanted the eastern Saints to fight among themselves, and they watched with great satisfaction.

Across the entire primordial world, however, the ugliest expressions likely belonged to Yuanshi and Tongtian alone.

By punishing Laozi, Li Peng was slapping them in the face.

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

Li Peng pressed his great hand downward, and a huge palm formed from vast mana slammed directly toward Laozi.

Laozi wanted to dodge, but he was shocked to discover that the power of Heaven and Earth around him had firmly bound him, leaving him completely unable to move.