Reform was in full swing on Jin'ao Island. The Artifact Refining Hall's standardized production lines ran day and night, while the Array Court's logical manuals grew more complete by the day. The Alchemy Room, the spirit-plant gardens, and other departments followed suit, trying to incorporate the new ideas into their own fields. Though the first phase of the Daoist Scripture Spirit Net project was complicated and full of moving parts, it steadily advanced under Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi)'s orderly planning and ever-improving coordination. The basic framework was already in place, and the first batch of standardized knowledge—including cultivation technique analyses, artifact-refining procedures, and array catalogs—was being entered into the nascent "spirit net," constructed from countless jade-slip arrays and spiritual leyline energy.
Nourished by the Origin Aura of Enlightenment Tea and the Dao Fruit Projection of the Yellow Middle Plum, Lin Xuan had undergone a complete transformation. Not only had he honed the foundation of the First Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique to flawless perfection, he had also faintly touched the threshold of the Second Revolution, "Tendon Transformation and Marrow Cleansing." More importantly, his thoughts had grown increasingly nimble and clear, giving him a commanding insight when handling complex affairs. His position within the Interception Sect was now secure and extraordinary. Daoist Duobao regarded him as an indispensable right-hand man, consulting him on both major and minor sect affairs. Wuyun Xian, Lady Shiji, and other hall stewards were thoroughly convinced by him, respectfully addressing him as "Sir Xuanyuanzi." The many mid- and lower-ranking disciples, meanwhile, saw him as a "mentor" leading them toward a whole new world. His fame had spread throughout Kunlun, and he had earned it.
Yet Lin Xuan felt little pride in his achievements. He knew that what he had accomplished was only the first step on a long journey. The Interception Sect's reforms had just begun, and the Daoist Scripture Spirit Net still had a long way to go. Moreover, he had never forgotten that this was a perilous primeval world, forever under the shadow of the Witch-Demon War. Improving his cultivation was the foundation of his survival.
That day, he and Daoist Duobao were in a side hall of Shangqing Hall, discussing the details of a "Contribution Points" exchange system. Outside the window, Jin'ao Island was still wrapped in auspicious clouds, with immortal birds singing—a scene of celestial splendor.
Suddenly—
"Dong..."
A bell rang without warning from the unfathomably distant, unfathomably deep reaches of the void.
The sound was not deafening, yet it carried an indescribable penetrating force. It ignored spatial distance and every barrier, ringing clearly in the minds of every being in the primeval world who had reached a certain level of cultivation. Whether they were mighty beings in seclusion, true immortals roaming the world, slumbering demons, or ancient witches in quiet cultivation, at that moment they all felt its call and looked up at the sky!
The bell rang out, sonorous, ancient, and vast, imbued with supreme Dao Charm. It seemed to have sounded at the very beginning of creation, and yet to run through the endless ages of the future. At its sound, all things fell silent and the laws stood still. Awe and reverence, rising from the soul, welled up spontaneously.
"Dong... Dong... Dong..."
The bell rang nine times, resounding throughout the universe.
The jade slip in Daoist Duobao's hand fell onto the table with a sharp crack. He sprang to his feet, his face filled with unprecedented solemnity and excitement. Gazing into the boundless void beyond the hall, he murmured, "Zixiao Palace... The bell for the second lecture! Dao Ancestor is finally going to teach the Primordial Great Dao again!"
Lin Xuan's mind shook violently. Though he had been prepared, when that legendary bell truly rang, the pressure and summons that emanated from the very source of the Great Dao still made his soul tremble! This was the power of Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor! This was the greatest opportunity in the primeval world!
Almost as soon as the bell rang, an immense Saintly Might surged skyward from the depths of Biyou Palace, seizing the vitality of heaven and earth. A clear voice, filled with boundless authority, resounded across Jin'ao Island:
"The bell of Zixiao Palace has rung. All those with affinity may come to hear the Dao. Duobao, quickly gather the disciples and accompany me to Zixiao Palace!"
It was Sovereign of the Heavens!
All of Jin'ao Island erupted into excitement! Every disciple, regardless of cultivation level, was thrilled. What greater honor and opportunity could there be than accompanying a Saint to Zixiao Palace to hear the Dao? Though most disciples knew full well that with their cultivation, they might not even reach Zixiao Palace's threshold, let alone understand a Saint's teachings, the experience alone would benefit them for the rest of their lives!
Daoist Duobao quickly gathered himself and regained his usual capable composure as chief steward. He spoke rapidly to Lin Xuan: "Fellow Daoist Xuanyuanzi, the lecture at Zixiao Palace is a great event for the entire primeval world. Master will surely lead his personal disciples and some of the sect's core disciples there. Though you aren't a personal disciple, you've made outstanding contributions to the sect and hold a special position. I'll inform Master at once. You must come with us!"
Lin Xuan suppressed his excitement and cupped his hands solemnly. "Thank you, fellow Daoist!"
He knew this was not only an extraordinary opportunity, but also a vast stage—and a dangerous one. The primeval world's mightiest beings would gather at Zixiao Palace: the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, Zhunti, Di Jun, Tai Yi, the Twelve Ancestral Witches... Every faction would be there. It was an opportunity, but also the heart of a vortex! As a minor cultivator who had only reached the Refining Essence into Qi stage, he would be like an ant stumbling into a feast of giants. One careless move, and he could be doomed beyond redemption.
But he had no reason to turn back. The principles of Scientific Cultivation needed a broader perspective and validation at a higher level. The Interception Sect's future was also bound up with the state of the primeval world after this lecture. He had to go!
Soon, Sovereign of the Heavens' decree arrived: Daoist Duobao, Golden Spirit Holy Mother, Wudang Holy Mother, Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, Zhao Gongming, the Three Maidens of Sanxiao, and other personal disciples, along with several important hall masters such as Wuyun Xian and Lady Shiji, as well as Special Invited Researcher Xuanyuanzi, were to assemble immediately in the main hall of Biyou Palace.
When Lin Xuan followed Daoist Duobao into the main hall, he saw Sovereign of the Heavens already seated upon a cloud bed, Qingping Sword hanging at his side. His aura was one with the entire primeval world, and a single sweep of his gaze inspired awe. Below him stood the Interception Sect's renowned elites, their auras variously fierce, calm, or majestic. Even the weakest among them had reached the Golden Immortal realm! Standing at the end of the line, Lin Xuan felt the invisible pressure and became all too aware of his own insignificance.
Sovereign of the Heavens' gaze paused on Lin Xuan for a moment. He gave a slight nod and said nothing, but that silent approval was the finest affirmation of all.
"The time has come. We depart!" Sovereign of the Heavens swept his sleeve, and an Azure Rainbow Bridge rose from Jin'ao Island, spanning heaven and earth and reaching into the endless chaos. He stepped onto it first, and the disciples followed close behind.
Lin Xuan drew a deep breath and stepped onto the bridge. Looking back, he watched Jin'ao Island rapidly shrink in the distance. The fervent reforms and the still-nascent Daoist Scripture Spirit Net were both left behind for now.
Ahead lay the boundless chaos, Zixiao Palace, the Saint's Great Dao, and the magnificent unfolding of the primeval world's future—as well as challenges and dangers yet unknown.
The chapter of Kunlun Mountain had temporarily come to a close. The seeds of science had been sown in the Interception Sect, but whether they could take root and flourish amid the coming upheavals of the primeval world remained to be seen. Everything had only just begun.
The bell of Zixiao Palace rang, and the storms stirred again. Xuanyuanzi stepped toward the highest stage, where the fate of the primeval world would be decided.
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