Chapter 36

Hongjun Daozun's actions seemed to carry some deeper meaning.

His revelation of all the Heavenly Realm Dao Positions was not as straightforward as it appeared—he had other calculations in mind.

Now, though he sought to win over the Primordial Gods, obtaining these Dao Positions would likely not be easy.

Yin Yang Old Ancestor, Qian Kun Daoist, and the three juniors who named themselves after Heaven had yet to appear, leading many to speculate on what schemes they were plotting behind the scenes.

Clearly, those who understood Hongjun Daozun best were often his enemies—Demon Ancestor Rahu.

Rahu quickly sensed the unusual nature of Hongjun's move.

He also recalled Hongjun's act of revealing the Jade Plate of Creation, which seemed to plant seeds of the Heavenly Dao's power in the hearts of the gods.

Rahu seemed to realize something and sneered coldly at Hongjun.

The gods too grasped the subtlety, awakening one after another and discussing it among themselves.

They understood why the six supreme Dao Positions included Great Emperor Qinghua of the East Pole and Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole from the Human Dao Lineage, as well as Empress Houtu Huangdizhi Who Emulates Heaven from the Earthly Dao Lineage.

These Dao Positions were not monopolized by the Heavenly Dao Lineage but were open to all Primordial Beings.

Hongjun Daozun's earlier actions had all been paving the way for the emergence of these Dao Positions; aside from Tai Ming's unexpected interference, his goals were mostly achieved.

With these Heavenly Realm Dao Positions and the Jade Plate of Creation, most gods would lean toward joining the Heavenly Dao Lineage.

Unless they were willing to forgo the Dao-enlightening treasure of the Jade Plate of Creation and the powerful allure of the Dao Positions, they could not avoid being drawn in.

Once they obtained these Dao Positions, most gods would not choose to oppose the Heavenly Dao.

Thus, the key talents for establishing the Heavenly Court under the Heavenly Dao Lineage were now gathered.

Ultimately, these Dao Positions belonged to the Heavenly Realm of the Heavenly Dao Lineage, and the emergence of the Heavenly Court was inevitable.

Hongjun Daozun's series of moves left the gods with no way to counter them.

Seeing his plan exposed, Hongjun Daozun remained composed, neither flustered nor agitated.

He then began to explain the matter in detail, saying humbly, "I apologize for making you all laugh at me.

Though the Heavenly Realm is led by my Heavenly Dao Lineage, Cang Li Shi cared for all beings, and the Primordial Gods and beings of the Primordial World are all under his protection.

The Dao Positions he left behind can be governed by the Heavenly Dao, Earthly Dao, or Human Dao; the Five Directions Divine Race, all heavens and myriad races, and even ordinary Primordial Beings have a chance to claim them.

As the Guardian of the Dao for the Heavenly Dao Lineage, I naturally must plan for it."

"Next, I will discuss the distribution of the Heavenly Realm Dao Positions and the establishment of the Primordial Heavenly Court."

At these words, all the gods listened with rapt attention.

The founding of the Heavenly Court and the allocation of Dao Positions concerned their fortune and strength—this was the most pressing matter at hand.

Hongjun Daozun continued, "You must have noticed that these Dao Positions are meant to lay the foundation for the Heavenly Court.

The six supreme Dao Positions correspond to the six Great Emperors of the Heavenly Court.

The Three Pure Venerables' Dao Positions have yet to appear, so they can be set aside for now.

The three auxiliary Dao Positions govern the order of the Heavenly Dao, the Earthly Dao, and the Water Vein.

The four spirit positions are already fixed, and their importance goes without saying.

The remaining positions of Orthodox Gods, Auxiliary Gods, and Lesser Gods will serve as the generals and officers of the Heavenly Court."

"To inherit a Heavenly Realm Dao Position, one must first establish the Heavenly Court.

However, the founding of the Heavenly Court cannot rely solely on the Heavenly Dao Lineage.

Its original purpose is to address the potential turmoil of the Heavenly Dao after the Great Dao's retreat; for the stability of the Primordial World, all of you bear an unshirkable responsibility."

The gods then understood—the Heavenly Dao Lineage was compromising with them this time, willing to share the authority of the Heavenly Court.

Thus, the gods now had a chance to govern the Heavenly Court, and their resistance to its establishment diminished.

In truth, did the Heavenly Dao Lineage truly not want to monopolize the Heavenly Realm and rule the Heavenly Court? Not at all.

Hongjun Daozun and his peers knew well that if the Heavenly Dao Lineage became too dominant, it would invite attacks from the entire Primordial World.

They understood the power of the former Divine Court and knew that even monopolizing all Heavenly Realm Dao Positions would not make them a match for the combined forces of the Primordial World.

Thus, they had no choice but to compromise with these major powers.

The gods present grasped the reason for Hongjun Daozun's concession.

They had to admit that even they, faced with the temptation of sole control over the Heavenly Realm, would find it hard to resist.

Now, due to Hongjun Daozun's actions, the gods began to harbor their own agendas, and the original plan to unite against the Heavenly Dao Lineage became difficult to execute.

By sharing power, the Heavenly Dao Lineage had won over some major factions, showcasing the brilliance of their strategy.

Tai Ming sighed inwardly at this—the cunning Hongjun Daozun had rendered the loss of many Dao Positions and authorities insignificant, as the various divine beings seemed to be picked off one by one by the Heavenly Dao Lineage.

Many Innate Divine Beings saw this trend but still wanted to seize the immediate benefits.

Though Tai Ming was tempted by these Dao Positions and authorities, he focused more on growing his own power. He had already taken control of the Netherworld, the Yin-Yang Ghost Clan, and the Ghost Dao Deities; now he only wanted to comprehend more Innate Great Daos, condense more Dao Fruits, and lay a solid foundation for breaking through to the Grand Unity realm.

He realized that without reaching the Grand Unity realm, he might not be able to intimidate all gods and prevent reckless actions in the Primordial World.

Thus, Tai Ming used the superior environment of the Realm of the Nine Heavens to cultivate, with the surrounding Heavenly Realm Dao Positions providing him with excellent objects for contemplation.

Although many Innate Divine Beings observed this scene, most merely glanced over it, focusing instead on Dao Lord Hongjun's plans for the Heavenly Court.

Dao Lord Hongjun was impressed by Tai Ming's performance, seeing him as a promising seedling with a resilient Dao heart, extraordinary will, profound foundations, and remarkable comprehension. He regretted not being able to recruit him into the Heavenly Dao Lineage.

The future of Primordial would be ruled by the Heavenly Dao.

Though Tai Ming was dazzling, he had not yet troubled Dao Lord Hongjun.

However, Demon Ancestor Rahu, who was secretly watching Tai Ming, made Hongjun frown.

He was deeply curious about Rahu's hidden cards.

Rahu's strength seemed never to change, yet it raised suspicions of growth—perhaps he had already touched the realm of the Ancient Three Sovereigns.

His foundations were deep, his origins mysterious, his true power unknown.

Dao Lord Hongjun even suspected that Rahu's strength had surpassed that of the Ancient Three Sovereigns of old.

Though Rahu stirred the Primordial Trend, he had rarely acted personally.

His Demonic Dao alone was enough to handle most problems in Primordial.

Dao Lord Hongjun sensed that a confrontation with Rahu was inevitable and had prepared for it, yet he still lacked confidence.

At that moment, Rahu seemed to sense Hongjun's gaze. His deep eyes swept over Hongjun, a cryptic smile curling at the corners of his mouth, before turning his attention back to Tai Ming.

This made it difficult for Hongjun to discern Rahu's true intentions.

Unnoticed, the gods had shifted their hostility from the Heavenly Dao Lineage to the Heavenly Realm Dao Positions.

Through discussions and negotiations between Dao Lord Hongjun and the divine beings, they had reached a consensus and agreed to establish the Heavenly Court.

The Heavenly Realm Dao Positions and the authority of the future Heavenly Court had already been divided among the gods.

Now, Dao Lord Hongjun led the gods deeper into the Realm of the Nine Heavens.

They flew without hesitation toward the heights of the Nine Heavens, the gods following closely, finally glimpsing the full scope of the Realm of the Nine Heavens.

Since Cang Li Shi opened the Heavenly Realm, the Nine Heavens had been divided into nine palaces and eight directions. Each domain nurtured abundant Chaos Pure Qi and heavenly treasures.

To obtain even one domain would be enough to elevate an ordinary major force into a top-tier one.

In the past, above the Nine Heavens lay the Great Luo Heaven, but unfortunately, the current Heavenly Dao Lineage could no longer find its location.

The gods arrived at the celestial domain of Jun Tian, where they saw Yin Yang Old Ancestor, Qian Kun Daoist, and the Three Heavens.

The strength of the Three Heavens stemmed from their gathering of the Heavenly Realm's origin. Bound to the Heavenly Realm, improving their power had become difficult.

Even so, they had reached the pinnacle of Primordial Grand Unity.

They had not appeared earlier because they were still mastering the remnant origin will of the Heavenly Realm.

Now, having merged with the Heavenly Realm's origin, they were about to establish a new Heavenly Court!

The three lineages of the Heavenly Dao—Cang Tian, Qing Tian, and Yellow Heaven—had replaced the original will of the Heavenly Realm, becoming its new masters.

But unlike Tai Ming, they had not merged with the origin of the Netherworld.

Nevertheless, they could still use the Netherworld's origin to enhance their own strength, nearly stepping into the peak of the Thirty-Six Layers of Grand Unity Dao Realm. Yet Tai Ming dismissed this—pursuing his own power was his true faith.

The Three Heavens each made their choices, but fully merging with the Heavenly Realm's origin was not without benefits.

They gained a certain degree of eternity. Unless the Heavenly Realm was destroyed, they would be immortal and indestructible, immune even to the calamity of Grand Unity's extinction.

Even if defeated, they could be reborn from the Heavenly Realm.

Moreover, as lords of the Heavenly Realm, they could borrow its power to briefly reach the peak of the Thirty-Six Layers of Grand Unity Dao Realm.

Once the Dao Position gods took their places, the Heavenly Realm would grow even stronger, and their power would increase further.

On this alone, they had already surpassed most divine beings in Primordial.

Except for top-tier existences like Dao Lord Hongjun, Ancestral Dragon of the Dragon Clan, and Demon Ancestor Rahu, almost no one could oppose them.

Faced with such a fearsome Heavenly Dao Lineage, the other gods could only respond with silence.

At this moment, the Five Supreme Powerhouses also noticed their arrival.

Cang Tian Daoist sneered dismissively, even suggesting that the Heavenly Dao Lineage should directly control the entire Heavenly Realm and the authority of the Heavenly Court, ignoring these gods entirely.

"The eldest brother is right. They're just a bunch of old gods who've cultivated longer than us. The stage of the new era belongs to us Three Heavens."

"We can become the masters of this era, just like our father god Cang Li Shi! Even if Dao Lord Hongjun has compromised with you, if you want the Heavenly Realm Dao Positions, you'll have to get through us first."

The arrogant words of the Three Heavens darkened the faces of the Primordial Gods.

These juniors, born only after the ancient era, dared to be so insolent before them.

If not for their concerns about the Heavenly Dao Lineage and Dao Lord Hongjun, they would have taught the Three Heavens a lesson on the spot.

Demon Ancestor Rahu, as if not wanting the trouble to be too small, taunted from the side: "These youngsters nowadays really have no fear of heaven or earth. The arrogance of the Heavenly Dao Lineage makes even us ancient old gods look insignificant."

As he spoke, invisible demonic qi spread, trying to stir the gods' desire for victory.

But this scene was interrupted by Dao Lord Hongjun: "Enough! If you Three Heavens keep making enemies everywhere, I won't hesitate to seal you away until the next era."

His immortal light dispelled the demonic qi, calming the minds of the gods.

Upon hearing Dao Lord Hongjun's words, the Three Heavens' expressions shifted drastically—clearly, they were deeply wary of the sealing.

Though they had already merged with the Heavenly Realm's origin, Dao Lord Hongjun wielded the Jade Plate of Creation, placing him above them in status.

Yet Dao Lord Hongjun failed to notice that deep within the Three Heavens' minds, a wisp of demonic energy flickered and vanished.

That was Demon Ancestor Rahu's hidden hand.

Dao Lord Hongjun's intervention eased the Gods' expressions somewhat, but they resolved inwardly that if they ever encountered the Three Heavens in the Primordial Wilderness, they would teach them a lesson.

Ancestral Dragon, leader of the Five Directions Divine Race, impatiently urged that the matter of the Heavenly Court and the Heavenly Realm Dao Positions be settled.

The Gods perked up as well, turning their gazes toward the Heavenly Dao Lineage and Dao Lord Hongjun.

Tai Ming, meanwhile, silently sat in a corner, comprehending the Dao resonance of the Realm of the Nine Heavens.

He alone, it seemed, enjoyed the fullness of satiety, free from any household worries.

With the power of the Netherworld, he could sustain the Earthly Dao Lineage and the Ghost Clan.

Thus, he felt no urgent need for status in the Heavenly Realm—the Netherworld itself could be refined autonomously by his will.

Witnessing this, Dao Lord Hongjun was left speechless by the actions of his three companions. He had originally wanted to drag things out a bit longer, letting everyone grasp the Heavenly Dao Lineage's power and majesty more deeply.

But now, those three moves had already wiped out any impression the crowd had of the Heavenly Dao Lineage.

So Dao Lord Hongjun decided to hesitate no longer. He would directly establish the affairs of the Heavenly Court with the Gods, lest he lose the people's hearts.