The Lecture Came to an End, and Hongjun Distributed Treasures, Planting the Seeds of Karma

A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye. In Zixiao Palace, Dao Ancestor Hongjun expounded the Great Dao, his profound teachings flowing without end like a gentle stream that swelled into an ocean, nourishing the Dao foundations of every listener. Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi) relied on the Enlightenment Cushion and his own unique insights. Though he could not fully grasp its mysteries, he eagerly etched the vast Dao Charm into his heart, waiting for his cultivation to advance so he could slowly revisit and digest it.

On this day, Dao Ancestor Hongjun finished expounding the final passage of profound truth: "Primordial Chaos Qi transcends existence and nonexistence." The vast Daoist sound filling the void gradually subsided. Silence fell throughout Zixiao Palace. Only the lingering resonance of the Great Dao rippled gently through the air as the mighty beings of the heavens immersed themselves in their final insights. Dao Charm flowed around them, each radiating a myriad of wondrous aspects; it was clear they had gained much.

After a long while, the Dao Ancestor's calm, indifferent voice sounded again. He was no longer lecturing, but making an announcement:

"This lecture is now complete. The Great Dao is fifty, while Heaven's Evolution is Forty-Nine, and Man Escapes One. Each of you must follow your own fate and make the best of it."

His words meant that this unparalleled opportunity had come to an end. The saints and the assembled mighty beings stirred from their deep meditations and bowed respectfully toward the Dao Ancestor's dais. "We thank the Dao Ancestor for imparting the Dao!"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun gave a slight nod, his gaze passing over all those below as the workings of Heaven's secrets seemed to flow endlessly. Then he said, "Calamities befall Heaven and Earth, and karma runs its cycles. Having heard the Great Dao, you must now descend the mountain and walk its path. You will also need spiritual treasures to protect yourselves and suppress your fortune."

With that, the Dao Ancestor gently swept his sleeve. Deep within Zixiao Palace, chaos qi churned, and an immense rock appeared from thin air. Its surface was dark yellow, ancient and desolate, and three great Dao characters were inscribed upon it: "Treasure Distribution Rock." Radiant light soared from the rock, and auspicious qi streamed in countless strands. Innate Spiritual Treasures and Houtian Supreme Treasures lay arrayed across it—swords, spears, blades, halberds, bells, tripods, pagodas, seals, scrolls, pearls, banners... A dazzling array, each containing immense power and stirring the laws of the cosmos into resonance!

"This is the Treasure Distribution Rock. It holds a number of spiritual treasures, each with its own destined bearer. You may take them as you wish, to aid you in protecting the Dao." The Dao Ancestor's voice remained even, yet his words struck the hearts of the mighty beings like a boulder dropped into a still lake, raising towering waves!

In an instant, the atmosphere throughout Zixiao Palace turned subtle and tense! The serenity of the lecture vanished, replaced by concealed competition and scheming. Spiritual treasures could stir the heart—especially treasures bestowed by the Dao Ancestor. They concerned one's path, and the future fortune of one's sect!

Laozi remained calm and was the first to act. His Taiji Diagram became a golden bridge, stabilizing the forces of earth, water, fire, and wind, as he unhurriedly took several treasures of balanced and peaceful energy, including the Wind Fire Cushion and the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner. The Pangu Banner in the Primal Heavenly Lord's hand quivered, releasing myriad rays of light as it swept away the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud, the Glazed Lamp, the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, and other dazzling treasures. The Qingping Sword in the Sovereign of the Heavens' hand let out a clear ring, its sword energy sweeping in all directions as he gathered the Primordial Chaos Golden Dou, Golden Flood Dragon Scissors, Sea-Calming Pearls, and a host of other treasures with fierce offensive power and wondrous uses into his sleeve.

Empress Nuwa tossed out her Red Embroidered Ball, its Marriage Thread drawing in the Precious Lotus Lantern, the Rivers and Mountains Painting, and other treasures brimming with creative life force. Daoist Jieyin summoned the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit, while Daoist Zhunti revealed the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree. Their radiant treasures swept through the air, and they too claimed treasures destined for the West, including the Blessing Divine Pestle and the Six Roots Pure Bamboo.

Di Jun and Tai Yi led the Demon Tribe, unfurling the River Diagram and Luo Book as the Chaos Bell rang softly. With their fortunes linked, they seized several treasures that glittered with starlight and seethed with demonic aura. Though the Twelve Ancestral Witches did not cultivate their primordial spirits and could not wield most spiritual treasures, their immense vitality let them forcibly seize several strange treasures that suited their bodies and blazed with baleful energy.

For a time, radiant treasures flashed across the Treasure Distribution Rock, and wondrous abilities filled the air. The saints and mighty beings displayed their skills, vying for treasures linked to their own fortunes by some unseen thread, guided by their cultivation, destiny, and even secret calculations. Each had their own designs: Laozi took only what he needed, the Primal Heavenly Lord took more treasures that displayed his authority, while the Sovereign of the Heavens favored treasures useful for combat. The differing ideals of the Three Pure Ones were already faintly apparent. The Demon Tribe and the Witches were even more openly at odds, battling fiercely over the treasures and laying the groundwork for deeper enmity.

Lin Xuan watched from afar, his mind clear as a mirror. His cultivation was low, and he knew he lacked the fortune to claim these priceless treasures. The system had given no prompt either, so he simply stood by and observed. He saw clearly that the Dao Ancestor's distribution of treasures seemed fair, but actually followed the workings of Heaven. Each treasure's destination involved immense threads of karma, closely tied to the future course of the Primordial World! Those who gained a treasure today would have to bear its karma in the future, drawn into calamity. The Dao Ancestor was clearly laying a plan, using the spiritual treasures as bait to drive the calamities of Heaven and Earth forward!

[Ding! Detected a high-intensity fluctuation in the laws of karma! Major Primordial World event "Treasure Distribution in Zixiao Palace" is underway!]

[Warning: The karmic entanglements here run deep. The host's current strength is insufficient to bear the karmic chains of any Innate Spiritual Treasure. Interfering by force could result in death and the destruction of your Dao!]

[Tip: Observing and recording the treasures' destinations and their connection to fortune can provide critical data for the Great Trend Deduction Module.]

The system's prompts confirmed Lin Xuan's judgment. He kept his mind guarded and silently activated the Enlightenment Cushion to heighten his senses. He committed to memory every scene of the saints claiming treasures, every shift in their auras, and even the entangling threads of karma that lay beyond sight. It was a vivid practical lesson in high-level power struggles and karmic theory in the Primordial World, crucial to his understanding of how this world worked.

Before long, the treasures on the Treasure Distribution Rock had all found their owners, and the rock gradually faded from sight. The saints and mighty beings had all gained something; their expressions varied, some delighted, some pensive, and some grave. With that, the lecture in Zixiao Palace had truly come to an end.

Seeing that the treasures had been distributed, Dao Ancestor Hongjun said no more. His figure gradually blurred, then merged with Zixiao Palace and vanished into the chaos, leaving only an ethereal voice echoing through the void:

"Fates arise and fade. Make the best of them..."

After the Dao Ancestor departed, the gates of Zixiao Palace slowly closed. Knowing that their opportunity had passed, the saints and mighty beings rose and used their abilities to transform into streaks of light, surging out of Zixiao Palace and returning to the Primordial World.

The Sovereign of the Heavens swept his sleeve, enveloping his disciples in azure light as they set out for home. Lin Xuan looked back at Zixiao Palace, hidden in the chaos, his heart stirred. Though he had gained no spiritual treasure from this lecture, he had broadened his horizons, strengthened his Dao heart, and formed a thread of goodwill with Empress Nuwa. The vast web of karma set in motion by the Treasure Distribution Rock had already been cast. The upheavals to come in the Primordial World were now inevitable.

The lecture had ended, and the distribution of treasures had planted the seeds of karma. Xuanyuanzi followed the saint back to the island, already understanding that the true storm was about to break.