Undercurrents

The dust settled after the battle in the East Sea, Zifu Prefecture vanished like smoke, and Dong Wang Gong self-destructed and perished.

With the destruction of Zizhou Prefecture, Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi recuperated on the Sun Star, and the Great Desolation entered a brief period of peace once more.

However, the fearsome might and dominance of the Demon Race weighed like an invisible boulder on the hearts of all beings in the Great Desolation, and also spurred those who had obtained the Primordial Violet Qi, the future Sages, to implicitly quicken their pace.

Kunlun Mountain, Three Pure Ones Hall.

Lao Tzu, Primordial, and Tongtian sat facing each other.

The Three Pure Ones paid little attention to the Demon Race's victory; their entire focus was immersed in comprehending the Primordial Violet Qi and cultivating the Slaying Three Corpses technique.

Above Lao Tzu's head, clear Qi manifested, and the Taiji Diagram slowly rotated, Yin-Yang Two Energies flowing ceaselessly.

It resonated with the strand of Primordial Violet Qi in his Sea of Consciousness, its aura becoming increasingly profound and ethereal, already faintly touching the barrier to Sainthood, yet he could not find the way.

Lao Tzu's expression remained serene, but as his eyes opened and closed, a nascent form of Sage's might, disregarding all things, appeared.

"The Violet Qi is mysterious, and the Heavenly Dao is within reach. Once the Three Corpses are slain, it will be the time for me to become a Sage."

He was confident that with the Heaven Opening Merit and a Supreme Treasure, the path of Slaying Three Corpses was not a dead end for him.

Lao Tzu did not know that as he embarked on the path of Slaying Three Corpses, his own Hunyuan Dao Path had already been severed, leaving him destined to be a mere puppet of the Heavenly Dao.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate was enveloped in Jade Pure Immortal Light, and the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi emanated an awe-inspiring, inviolable majesty.

While refining the Violet Qi, he deduced Heavenly Secrets, planning how to use his Sage's will to rectify the Great Desolation after becoming a Sage, purging those he deemed as mere spawn of dampness and eggs, and establishing an order that suited his ideals.

"The Sage position is set, and the Great Desolation shall obey the edict of my Pangu's True Lineage."

Primordial's arrogance, fueled by the Primordial Violet Qi, swelled even further.

Sect Master Tongtian appeared more aggressive, the Immortal Slaying Sword floating behind him, its killing intent and the Dao rhythm of the Primordial Violet Qi strangely intertwined.

He pursued the path of proving Dao through slaughter, using his sword to carve out a sliver of life for all beings.

"My teacher bestowed upon me the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, which perfectly suits my Dao! When I become a Sage, I shall deploy this formation and see who in the Great Desolation can stop me!"

Though the Three Pure Ones shared the same origin, their paths, philosophies, and personalities had led to a subtle divergence in their application of the Primordial Violet Qi and their expectations for the future Sage positions.

Their fraternal bond seemed delicate and fragile in the face of Sage positions and Dao contention.

This was precisely the situation the Heavenly Dao wished to see.

The Western Lands, Spiritual Mountain.

Jieyin and Zhunti faced the two strands of Primordial Violet Qi, their faces etched with a sorrow so profound it seemed it could drip from their eyes.

They had obtained the Violet Qi, but the immense fortune and merit required for Sainthood were astronomical figures for the impoverished Western Lands.

"Senior Brother, must we truly take that step?"

Zhunti's voice was dry.

"To make a Great Vow and borrow from the Heavenly Dao, this is preemptively drawing upon the future fortune of our Western Lands. Can the two of us bear such heavy karma?" The Heavenly Dao was no philanthropist; if the borrowed merit from the Heavenly Dao could not be repaid, the consequences ranged from demotion from Sage status to death of body and Dao.

Jieyin sighed deeply, his expression growing even more sorrowful.

"Junior Brother, besides this, do we have any other options? The Eastern lands are blessed with exceptional people and spiritual energy, and all the Sages are in the East. If our Western lands have no Sage, they will never prosper! Even if it means eternal toil, we must do it! This is all for the West, for our Dao path. This debt... we have no choice but to bear it!"

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with resolve and helplessness.

Their path to Sainthood was destined to be one of sacrifice and dedication, repaying the Heavenly Dao's loan through endless eons of arduous planning.

The Primordial Violet Qi, symbolizing the Sage position, in their hands was not just the status and Dao Fruit of a Heavenly Dao Sage, but also a heavy responsibility and burden.

If the Western lands' Spiritual Veins had not been shattered and if they were as prosperous as the East, why would the two of them cast aside all pretense and seek benefits everywhere? They were Great Powers themselves, how could they not care about their reputation?

It was just that in the eyes of Jieyin and Zhunti, the prosperity of the Western lands was more important than their reputation.

This was also why the Western lands would have an opportunity for prosperity later on.

Longevity Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple.

Unlike the confidence, wariness, or resolve of the others mentioned, Old Ancestor Hongyun was utterly carefree.

The strand of Primordial Violet Qi swirled within his Primordial Spirit, yet Hongyun was unable to comprehend it.

Seeing Hongyun, who seemed completely unconcerned, happily eating a Ginseng Fruit in each hand, Zhenyuanzi was beside himself with worry.

"Hongyun, are you still unable to comprehend that Primordial Violet Qi?"

"Yes, perhaps the time is not yet right. Lately, I've been feeling restless at my Dao Field and wish to go out and travel."

Hongyun also sighed. Although he was carefree, this was the position of a Sage, how could he not be anxious?

Upon hearing this, Zhenyuanzi's brow furrowed with concern.

"You are now the target of everyone's attention. You must strictly guard Wuzhuang Temple, relying on my Earth Book and the Innate Wutu Grand Formation. Only then might you be temporarily safe. Remember, do not go out under any circumstances!"

Hongyun's face turned ashen. He naturally knew the current situation. What Zhenyuanzi said was correct. Of the six people who had obtained the opportunity to become Sages, he was the only one who was not a disciple of the Dao Ancestor.

Those Great Powers who coveted the chance to become Sages would surely have their sights set on him.

If not for the protection of his old friend Zhenyuanzi's Earth Book, they would likely have already made their move.

He had lived a life of casual freedom, never imagining he would be caught in such a terrifying vortex. However, he was also unwilling to give up the Sage position he had obtained, after all, this was the position of a Sage; all below a Sage were like ants.

Northern Darkness Demon Master Palace, Sea of Blood Nether Hall, Sun Star.

Just as Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun had expected, Kunpeng, Minghe, Di Jun, and Tai Yi were all staring intently at Wuzhuang Temple.

Among them, Kunpeng harbored the greatest killing intent.

Within the secret chamber where Old Ancestor Kunpeng was in seclusion, demonic energy swirled. He repeatedly replayed scenarios of how to breach Longevity Mountain's defenses and how to snatch back the foundation for becoming a Sage that rightfully belonged to him from that damned Hongyun.

"Hongyun! If you hadn't given up your seat, how would I have lost my cushion and missed out on the Violet Qi! This karma, this ancestor will surely make you perish utterly to repay!"

His patience was being eroded bit by bit by jealousy and resentment.

He picked the softest persimmon to crush. He didn't dare seek revenge against Jieyin and Zhunti for the usurped seat, as they were not weak and had been accepted as registered disciples by Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Even as registered disciples, they were still disciples of the Dao Ancestor. Daring to lay a hand on them would be slapping the Dao Ancestor in the face.

To dare slap the face of the first and only Sage in the Great Desolation at present meant Kunpeng could start looking for a prime burial spot for himself.

Although Dao Ancestor Hongjun had already merged with the Heavenly Dao and would not appear unless it was a major event, who would dare to test it?

One test, and you're dead!

Old Ancestor Minghe sat deep within the Sea of Blood, the Yuantu and Abi swords humming. The eighty-four million Blood God Son clones stirred restlessly.

"Primordial Violet Qi, with it one can become a Sage. Hongyun, this item should be fated for me."

Except for Nuwa, who, having learned of the conspiracy behind the Primordial Violet Qi through Qing Xuan's inner thoughts, was wary of this foundation for achieving the Dao, everyone else was coveting the Primordial Violet Qi.

The undercurrents of the Great Desolation began to flow due to the Primordial Violet Qi.

Confidence, ambition, vigilance, determination, fear, greed – all sorts of emotions intertwined in the hearts of these future Sages and those who coveted their positions.

The malevolent energy of the Calamity permeated silently, like a tightening net.

It first locked onto Old Ancestor Hongyun.

A bloodbath targeting the position of Sage was already brewing.

It only awaited an opportunity to erupt with a roar.

The Heavenly Dao, high above in the Ninth Heaven, watched it all with indifference.

The gears of Destiny were slowly turning along their predetermined path.

Pushing everyone towards that unknown and perilous future.