Signing in at Zixiao Palace and Receiving the "Enlightenment Cushion"

The moment the gates of Zixiao Palace slowly swung open, Dao Charm vast as a sea of stars and detached as the Heavenly Dao surged out like a tangible tide, sweeping across the entire cloud platform. A moment ago, undercurrents had been swirling as the various factions harbored their own agendas. In an instant, all fell silent. Every mighty figure, whether the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, the Demon Emperor, or the Ancestral Witches, reined in their auras and wore solemn, reverent expressions. They were like pebbles dropped into a deep pool, unable to stir the slightest ripple. It was an instinctive awe for an existence supreme above all, an unconditional pilgrimage to the source of the Great Dao.

Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi) felt it most deeply. The vast Dao Charm was not oppressive, yet it made one's mind tremble more than any pressure could. It did not force anyone to submit, but made them realize their own insignificance and ignorance from the depths of their souls. Before this Dao Charm, what did Refining Essence into Qi or Golden Immortal and Great Luo realms even matter? Only the pursuit of the Dao itself was eternal.

Just as the myriad immortals fell silent and their attention was drawn to Zixiao Palace, the system's notification rang out in Lin Xuan's mind with an unprecedentedly ethereal solemnity, as if resonating on some profound level with the Dao Charm of this world:

[ Ding! The host has reached the core hub of the Primordial World's Heavenly Dao, the source of the myriad Daos—the outer precincts of Zixiao Palace! ]

[Environmental Dao Charm concentration: Beyond limits! Manifestation of Great Dao Rules: Beyond limits! Energy level: Beyond limits!]

[Conditions met for an epic special-location check-in! Secretly absorbing energy... Analyzing the Dao Charm rules around Zixiao Palace... Connecting to the Heavenly Dao database (shallow layer)...]

[Warning: The Dao Charm here is too vast. Direct check-in carries an extremely high risk (consciousness assimilation/Dao transformation). Activating safety protocol. Check-in range locked to a designated Safe Zone outside the palace gates.]

[Special check-in mission triggered: Complete your first resonance check-in before the Dao Seeking Stone outside Zixiao Palace.]

Following the system's prompt, Lin Xuan sensed a faint yet exceptionally pure guiding force originating from the system and pointing toward an inconspicuous spot at the edge of the cloud platform. There stood a huge, pitch-black stone, its surface smooth as a mirror. It looked ordinary, but seemed faintly connected to the aura of Zixiao Palace, as if it were an extension of the palace's very foundation. It was known as the Dao Seeking Stone.

All the mighty figures were focused on the slowly opening gates, and no one noticed the edge of the cloud platform. Understanding what to do, Lin Xuan seized this rare opportunity and quietly made his way to the Dao Seeking Stone, following the system's guidance. He made no conspicuous movements, merely resting his palm lightly against the cold surface of the stone. He calmed his mind, synchronized his thoughts with the system, and issued the check-in command.

Hum!

An almost inaudible tremor came from within the Dao Seeking Stone, as if a slumbering ancient consciousness had been lightly stirred. Then a gentle current, impossible to describe and yet filled with boundless wisdom and enlightening power, flowed through his palm and surged into every part of Lin Xuan's body, finally gathering deep within his sea of consciousness!

This current was not a violent energy, but highly condensed "Dao Charm essence" and "insights into the rules"! Wherever it flowed, countless obscure principles from Lin Xuan's past cultivation—the ones he had understood in practice but not in principle—were like a fog lit by sunlight, instantly becoming clear! Several subtleties in the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique that he had never been able to perfect quietly clicked into place. His understanding of the deeper "laws" and "order" behind "standardization" and "Modularization" rose to a new level. Even the fine cracks on the surface of the Chaos Bead (fragment) seemed to heal by an imperceptible degree under the nourishment of this pure Dao Charm!

[ Ding! Check-in at the Dao Seeking Stone in the outer precincts of Zixiao Palace successful!]

[Successfully absorbed a trace of Dao Charm essence from the outer precincts of Zixiao Palace and fragments of the Heavenly Dao Rules!]

[Received epic special reward: Innate Spiritual Treasure—Enlightenment Cushion (imitation)!]

As the system's notification faded, a flash of light appeared in Lin Xuan's sea of consciousness. An ethereal cushion, neither real nor illusory, took shape and floated slowly beside the Chaos Bead. It gave off a hazy Pure Light and had a simple, unadorned design. The cushion looked as if it had been woven from ordinary blue-green rushes, but every strand seemed to be formed from Great Dao runes, radiating Dao Charm that calmed the mind and quickened thought.

[Innate Spiritual Treasure—Enlightenment Cushion (imitation): A special spiritual object simulated and evolved by the system based on a trace of the Dao Charm from the Enlightenment Cushion used by Dao Ancestor Hongjun inside Zixiao Palace, combined with the fragments of the Heavenly Dao Rules absorbed during the check-in. (Not a physical object, but a condensation of Dao Charm.)]

[Effects:]

1. Enhanced comprehension: Passively increases the host's comprehension by 30%. Greatly improves efficiency when comprehending cultivation techniques, divine abilities, and Great Dao laws, making it easier to enter a state of "deep thought" or experience "sudden inspiration."

2. Affinity with Dao Charm: Slightly increases the host's ability to sense and resonate with the Dao Charm of heaven and earth, reducing the barriers and resistance when listening to and understanding profound Great Dao principles.

3. Mental protection: Within the range of the cushion's Dao Charm (primarily affecting the sea of consciousness), it can effectively repel external demonic influence, soothe a troubled mind, and maintain mental clarity. This is especially useful when listening to a Sage expound the Great Dao, as it reduces the dizziness and discomfort caused by the impact of Dao Charm.

4. Assisted deduction: Slightly improves the efficiency and accuracy of the system's deduction algorithms.

[Note: This object is formed from Dao Charm and bound to the host's Spirit Soul. It cannot be taken away, and its effects may slowly strengthen as the host's cultivation advances.]

"An Enlightenment Cushion!" Lin Xuan was shaken to the core, nearly losing his composure! This was a legendary item! The cushion Dao Ancestor Hongjun had used when lecturing on the Great Dao was an Innate Spiritual Treasure with an unparalleled ability to help one comprehend the Dao! Though his was only an imitation with greatly diminished effects, it was a godsend for his current cultivation level—a heaven-defying treasure!

The effects of "enhanced comprehension" and "affinity with Dao Charm" were practically tailor-made for listening to the Dao Ancestor's lecture. He had been worried that his cultivation was too low for him to understand a Sage's teachings. With the cushion's help, his chances of understanding them and gaining something from them had surely increased considerably!

Just as he was absorbing this tremendous surprise, the gates of Zixiao Palace swung fully open. Beyond them was not a resplendent golden hall, but a boundless, chaotic void. Only the sound of the Great Dao, as if it had come from time immemorial, began to slowly echo:

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

The lecture had begun!

Sovereign of the Heavens swept his sleeve, and a gentle force lifted all the Interception Sect disciples, turning them into a streak of Pure Light that shot into the chaotic portal first. Primal Heavenly Lord, Laozi, Nuwa, Di Jun, Tai Yi, the Twelve Ancestral Witches, and the other mighty figures also displayed their divine abilities and surged inside.

Lin Xuan dared not delay. Suppressing his excitement, he followed right behind Daoist Duobao and entered Zixiao Palace. The instant he crossed the threshold, he clearly felt the phantom Enlightenment Cushion in his sea of consciousness glow faintly, releasing a circle of cool Dao Charm that enveloped his Spirit Soul. The vast, surging sound of the Dao outside, which had nearly overwhelmed his consciousness, remained profoundly abstruse, but now carried less of that suffocating pressure and more of a rhythm he could savor.

He found an inconspicuous spot near the back and sat cross-legged like the others, without actually taking out the cushion, instead activating its Dao Charm. At once, his mind felt clearer and calmer than ever, and his thoughts moved twice as fast. Though he still could not fully understand every word spoken by the Dao Ancestor, each one seemed to imprint itself directly on his heart, stirring all kinds of profound associations.

The opportunity had arrived, and the stage was set. Now came the moment to seize this once-in-an-age opportunity and lay the true foundation of his own Great Dao as he underwent the highest level of Daoist instruction.