Zixiao Palace Bell Rings, Winds and Clouds Rise Again

On Jin'ao Island, a wind of innovation was blowing strong. The Artifact Refining Hall's standardized production lines operated day and night, while the Array Court's logical manuals were gradually perfected. The Alchemy Room, Spirit Plant Garden, and other departments followed suit, attempting to integrate new concepts into their respective fields. Meanwhile, the first phase of the "Daoist Scripture Spirit Net" project, despite its many complexities, was steadily progressing under Lin Xuan's (Xuanyuanzi's) well-organized planning and increasingly refined coordination abilities. The basic infrastructure had been established, and the first batch of standardized cultivation technique analyses, artifact refining processes, and array diagrams began to be continuously uploaded into the nascent "Spirit Net," constructed from countless jade slip arrays and spiritual脉 energy.

Lin Xuan himself had undergone a complete transformation, nourished by the Origin Aura of the Enlightenment Tea and the Dao Fruit Projection of the Yellow Middle Plum. Not only was the foundation of the First Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique polished to perfection, subtly touching the threshold of the second revolution, "Muscle and Marrow Cleansing," but more importantly, his mind had become increasingly agile and clear, possessing a bird's-eye view when dealing with complex matters. Now, his position within the Jie Sect was firmly established and transcendent. Duobao Daoist regarded him as an indispensable right-hand man, often consulting him on major and minor sect affairs. Wuyun Xian, Lady Shiji, and other hall masters respected him wholeheartedly, addressing him as "Mr. Xuanyuanzi." As for the vast majority of disciples, they saw him as a "mentor" leading them toward a new world. His fame reached Kunlun Mountain, and it was well-deserved.

However, Lin Xuan harbored no sense of complacency. He knew deeply that the achievements before him were merely the first step in a long journey. The Jie Sect's reform had just begun, and the "Daoist Scripture Spirit Net" had a long way to go. Moreover, he had never forgotten that this was a Primordial Era fraught with peril, the shadow of the Witch-Demon War constantly looming, and the improvement of his own cultivation was the fundamental basis for his survival.

One day, he was in a side hall of Shangqing Hall with Duobao Daoist, discussing the details of establishing a "Contribution Points" exchange system. Outside the window, Jin'ao Island was still shrouded in auspicious clouds, with immortal birds singing, exuding an air of immortality.

Suddenly--

"Clang..."

A bell chime, without warning, echoed from the infinitely high, infinitely deep void.

This bell chime was not deafening, yet it possessed an indescribable penetrating power, disregarding spatial distance and all obstacles, clearly resonating in the hearts and minds of every being in the Primordial Era who had reached a certain level! Whether it was a great cultivator in seclusion, a True Immortal traveling the world, a dormant great demon, or an ancient witch in deep cultivation, at this moment, all felt a connection and simultaneously looked up at the sky!

The bell chime was melodious, ancient, and vast, imbued with supreme Dao Charm, as if it had sounded since the beginning of creation and would echo through infinite future ages. Upon hearing this bell chime, all things fell silent, laws stagnated, and a sense of awe and pilgrimage from the depths of the soul arose.

"Clang... Clang... Clang..."

The bell chimed nine times, resounding throughout the universe.

The jade slip in Duobao Daoist's hand fell onto the table with a "snap." He abruptly stood up, his face filled with unprecedented solemnity and excitement. He looked toward the endless void outside the hall and murmured, "Zixiao Palace... the bell for the second sermon! The Dao Ancestor, that old man, is finally going to preach the Primordial Great Dao again!"

Lin Xuan's heart also trembled violently. Although he had been mentally prepared, when the legendary bell chime truly sounded, the pressure and summons originating from the very source of the Great Dao made his soul tremble! This was the power of the Dao Ancestor Hongjun! This was the greatest opportunity in the Primordial Era!

Almost at the same moment the bell chimed, a vast and boundless saintly might, capturing the life force of heaven and earth, surged from the depths of Biyou Palace. A clear voice, laced with infinite majesty, echoed throughout Jin'ao Island:

"The Zixiao Palace bell has chimed; those with destiny may attend the sermon. Duobao, quickly gather your disciples and follow me to Zixiao Palace!"

It was the voice of the Sovereign of the Heavens!

The entire Jin'ao Island instantly erupted! All disciples, regardless of their cultivation level, were filled with excitement. To be able to follow a Saint to Zixiao Palace to listen to the sermon was an unparalleled honor and opportunity! Although the vast majority of disciples knew in their hearts that with their cultivation, they could barely approach the threshold of Zixiao Palace, let alone understand the Saint's Great Dao, this experience alone would be beneficial for a lifetime!

Duobao Daoist quickly regained his composure, resuming his efficient demeanor as the chief steward. He said rapidly to Lin Xuan, "Fellow Daoist Xuanyuanzi, the sermon at Zixiao Palace is a grand event in the Primordial Era. Master will surely lead his direct disciples and some core disciples. Although you are not a direct disciple, your contributions to the sect are outstanding, and your position is special. I will immediately inform Master, and you must accompany us!"

Lin Xuan suppressed his excitement and solemnly cupped his hands, "Thank you, fellow Daoist!"

He knew this was not only a tremendous opportunity but also a grand stage and a perilous situation! In Zixiao Palace, the top great cultivators of the Primordial Era would gather: the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, Zhunti, Dijun, Taiyi, the Twelve Ancestral Witches... forces from all sides would converge. It was an opportunity, but also the center of a vortex! He, a mere cultivator refining essence into qi, mingling among them would be like an ant crashing a feast of giants, and a single misstep could lead to eternal damnation.

But he had no reason to retreat. His concept of scientific cultivation required a broader vision and higher-level verification. The future of the Jie Sect was also inextricably linked to the pattern of the Primordial Era after this sermon. He had to go!

Soon, the Sovereign of the Heavens' decree arrived: Duobao Daoist, Golden Spirit Holy Mother, Wudang Holy Mother, Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, Zhao Gongming, the Three Maidens of Sanxiao, and other direct disciples, along with Wuyun Xian, Lady Shiji, and several other important hall masters, as well as Special Invited Researcher Xuanyuanzi, were to assemble immediately at the main hall of Biyou Palace.

When Lin Xuan followed Duobao Daoist to the main hall, he saw the Sovereign of the Heavens already seated on a cloud bed, the Qingping Sword hovering beside him. His aura merged with the entire Primordial world, and his gaze swept over them, inspiring awe. Below, elites of the Jie Sect, renowned throughout the Primordial Era, stood solemnly, their auras either sharp, calm, or majestic. The weakest among them was a Golden Immortal! Lin Xuan stood at the end, feeling the invisible pressure, increasingly aware of his own insignificance.

The Sovereign of the Heavens' gaze lingered on Lin Xuan for a moment. He nodded slightly, saying nothing more, but that tacit approval was the best affirmation.

"The time has come, depart!" The Sovereign of the Heavens waved his sleeve, and a verdant rainbow bridge spanning heaven and earth rose from Jin'ao Island, leading directly into the boundless chaotic void. He stepped onto the rainbow bridge first, followed closely by the disciples.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath and stepped onto the rainbow bridge. Looking back, Jin'ao Island rapidly shrank in his vision. The fiery scene of innovation, the nascent "Daoist Scripture Spirit Net," were temporarily left behind.

Ahead lay the vast chaos, Zixiao Palace, the Saint's Great Dao, the magnificent scroll of the Primordial Era's future, and also unknown challenges and dangers.

The chapter on Kunlun Mountain had temporarily concluded. The seeds of science had been sown in the Jie Sect, but whether they could take root, sprout, and grow robustly amidst the impending great changes in the Primordial Era was only just beginning.

The Zixiao Palace bell chimed, and the winds and clouds stirred anew. Xuanyuanzi's footsteps stepped onto the highest stage that would determine the fate of the Primordial Era.