Sign-in at Zixiao Palace, Receive "Enlightenment Cushion"

The moment the grand doors of Zixiao Palace slowly opened, a vastness comparable to a sea of stars and a detachment like the Heavenly Dao's Dao Charm surged out like a tangible tide, sweeping across the entire Cloud Platform. The scene, which just a moment before was rife with undercurrents and varying intentions from all factions, instantly fell into absolute silence. All the mighty beings, be they the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, the Demon Emperor, or the Ancestral Witches, retracted their auras, their faces etched with solemn reverence, as if stones dropped into a deep pool, unable to stir even the slightest ripple. It was an instinctive awe towards the supreme existence, an unconditional pilgrimage to the origin of the Great Dao.

Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi), standing amidst them, felt this most profoundly. The majestic Dao Charm was not a pressure, yet it shook the heart and soul more than any pressure could. It didn't force you to submit, but it made you realize your own insignificance and ignorance from the depths of your soul. In the face of this Dao Charm, what was Refining Essence into Qi, what were Golden Immortal and Grand Unity, all seemed to lose their meaning. Only the pursuit of "Dao" itself was eternal.

At the very instant all the immortals fell silent, their minds captivated by Zixiao Palace, a system notification sounded in Lin Xuan's mind with unprecedented etherealness and solemnity, as if it had resonated on a deeper level with the Dao Charm of this world:

[Ding! Detected that the Host has arrived at the core hub of the Primordial Era's Heavenly Dao, the source of all Dao—the outer region of Zixiao Palace!]

[Environmental Dao Charm Concentration: Exceeds Limit! Great Dao Rules Manifestation Degree: Exceeds Limit! Energy Level: Exceeds Limit!]

[Qualifies for Epic-grade Special Location Sign-in conditions! Initiating energy absorption... Analyzing Zixiao Palace outer region Dao Charm rules... Connecting to Heavenly Dao database (shallow layer)...]

[Warning: The Dao Charm here is too immense; direct sign-in carries extremely high risk (consciousness assimilation/Dao transformation risk). Activating safety protocol, locking sign-in scope to a specific safe zone outside the palace gate.]

[Special Sign-in Mission Triggered: Complete initial sensing sign-in before the "Dao Seeking Stone" outside Zixiao Palace.]

Following the system's prompt, Lin Xuan felt a faint but extremely pure guiding force emanating from the system, pointing towards an inconspicuous, jet-black, mirror-smooth giant stone at the edge of the Cloud Platform. The stone appeared ordinary, yet it was subtly connected to the entire aura of Zixiao Palace, as if it were a foundational part extending from it, known as the "Dao Seeking Stone."

At this moment, all the mighty beings' attention was focused on the slowly opening palace doors, and no one noticed the edge of the Cloud Platform. Lin Xuan understood implicitly, seizing this rare opportunity, and following the system's guidance, quietly moved his steps to stand before the "Dao Seeking Stone." He made no conspicuous moves, merely placing his palm gently on the cool surface of the giant stone, calming his mind, synchronizing his intent with the system, and issuing the sign-in command.

Buzz!

A barely audible tremor emanated from within the Dao Seeking Stone, as if a sleeping ancient consciousness had been lightly stirred. Immediately after, an indescribable, gentle yet infinitely wise and enlightening stream of energy surged through his palm, instantly flowing into every part of Lin Xuan's body, finally converging in the depths of his sea of consciousness!

This stream was not violent energy, but highly condensed "Dao Charm Essence" and "Rules Enlightenment"! Wherever it flowed, Lin Xuan felt that countless obscure points in his previous cultivation, those he knew the result of but not the reason for, were like fog illuminated by sunlight, instantly becoming clear and bright! Several subtle points in the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique that had always eluded perfection were quietly connected; his understanding of the deeper "laws" and "order" behind "Standardization" and "Modularization" suddenly elevated to a new level; even the minute cracks on the surface of the Chaos Bead (incomplete) seemed to have healed slightly under the nourishment of this pure Dao Charm!

[Ding! Sign-in successful at the "Dao Seeking Stone" in the outer region of Zixiao Palace!]

[Successfully absorbed a trace of Zixiao Palace outer region Dao Charm Essence and Heavenly Dao Rule fragments!]

[Acquired Epic-grade Special Reward: Innate Spiritual Treasure · Enlightenment Cushion (Imitation)!]

The moment the system notification sounded, Lin Xuan felt a flash of light in his sea of consciousness. A semi-real, semi-illusory cushion, emitting a hazy pure light and possessing an ancient style, condensed into form, slowly floating beside the Chaos Bead. This cushion appeared to be woven from ordinary green reeds, but each reed seemed to be formed from Great Dao runes, circulating a Dao Charm that calmed the mind and accelerated thought.

[Innate Spiritual Treasure · Enlightenment Cushion (Imitation): A special spiritual item created by the System based on a trace of Dao Charm from the Enlightenment Cushion used by Dao Ancestor Hongjun within Zixiao Palace, combined with the absorbed Heavenly Dao Rule fragments (not a physical entity, but a condensation of Dao Charm).]

[Effects:]
1. Comprehension Boost: Passively increases Host's comprehension by 30%. Greatly improves efficiency when comprehending techniques, divine abilities, and Great Dao laws, making it easier to enter "deep thought" and "flash of inspiration" states.
2. Dao Charm Affinity: Slightly increases Host's perception and affinity towards the world's Dao Charm, reducing the gap and resistance when listening to and understanding profound Great Dao.
3. Mental Guardian: Within the range of the cushion's Dao Charm (primarily affecting the sea of consciousness), it can effectively resist external demonic intrusions and mental disturbances, maintaining a clear mind. Especially when listening to a Saint's Great Dao, it can reduce dizziness and discomfort caused by Dao Charm impact.
4. Auxiliary Deduction: Can slightly improve the efficiency and accuracy of the System's deduction algorithms.

[Note: This item is formed from Dao Charm, bound to the Host's spirit soul, and cannot be taken away. As the Host's realm improves, its effects can slowly strengthen.]

"Enlightenment Cushion!" Lin Xuan's heart trembled, almost losing composure! This was a legendary item! The cushion used by Dao Ancestor Hongjun when preaching the Dao was an Innate Spiritual Treasure with the supreme benefit of aiding enlightenment! Although what he obtained was an imitation with greatly reduced effects, for his current realm, it was undoubtedly a lifesaver, a heaven-defying divine item!

Especially the effects of "Comprehension Boost" and "Dao Charm Affinity" were tailor-made for listening to the Dao Ancestor's sermon! He had been worried that his low cultivation might make it difficult to understand the Saint's Great Dao, but with this cushion's assistance, the possibility of understanding and even gaining something had greatly increased!

Just as he was processing this immense surprise, the doors of Zixiao Palace had fully opened. Inside was not a magnificent palace, but a void of chaos, with only the sound of the Great Dao, as if from eons ago, beginning to reverberate slowly:

"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao..."

The sermon had begun!

Sovereign of the Heavens waved his sleeve, and a gentle force swept up all the disciples of the Jie Sect, transforming into a beam of pure light that shot into the chaotic gateway first. Primal Heavenly Lord, Laozi, Nuwa, Di Jun, Tai Yi, the Twelve Ancestral Witches, and other mighty beings also displayed their divine abilities and poured in.

Lin Xuan dared not delay, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and followed Duobao Daoist into Zixiao Palace. The moment he stepped through the palace gate, he clearly felt the illusion of the "Enlightenment Cushion" in his sea of consciousness glow slightly, emitting a circle of cool Dao Charm that enveloped his spirit soul. The external, originally vast and majestic Dao sound, which had almost overwhelmed his consciousness, now sounded in his ears. Although still profoundly arcane, it carried less of a suffocating pressure and more of a rhythm that could be savored.

He found a inconspicuous corner towards the back and, like others, sat down cross-legged (he did not actually take out the cushion but activated its Dao Charm effect). Instantly, he felt his mind unprecedentedly clear and tranquil, his thought processes doubling in speed. Every word spoken by the Dao Ancestor, though still difficult to fully comprehend, seemed to be directly imprinted in his heart, triggering various profound associations.

The opportunity had been obtained, the stage was set. The next step was to see if he could seize this unparalleled opportunity and truly lay the foundation of his Great Dao amidst this highest-level Daoist baptism.