Emperor Shun's Merits Fulfilled, He Ascends to Huoyun Cave; Yu the Great Forges the Nine Cauldrons and Attains Sainthood as a Sage Emperor

During the flood-control effort, Great Yu divided the land into nine large regions according to the natural courses of its mountains and rivers.

They were Jizhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yangzhou, Jingzhou, Yuzhou, Liangzhou, and Yongzhou—the earliest form of the "Nine Provinces."

Yu led from the front. He passed his own home three times without entering, enduring wind and rain for ten thousand years, his hands calloused and his feet worn raw.

Wherever he went, the people followed, united in their efforts.

Lu Yuan looked down through the stars and saw clearly how the chaotic waterways across the land were being brought into order. The violent floods were confined to clear river channels and swept toward the sea, while the submerged fertile fields gradually came back to life.

The suppression of the Huai River Fierce Demon had been a crucial turning point in the great flood-control undertaking.

With the floods stripped of their greatest obstacle and source of support for their fury, Yu's strategy of "settling the high mountains and great rivers" and "guiding the waters according to their course" opened the waterways of the Nine Provinces one by one, until the countless rivers finally reached the sea.

The land reemerged, and living things could recover and thrive.

Great Yu's achievements were carved into the mountains and rivers. Human Dao Destiny surged like a great river, gathering with unprecedented strength and vitality.

Deep within Ziwei Imperial Palace, Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze from the Primordial World below.

The star sea remained brilliant, and the Profound Yellow Gate stood silent.

Two Kalpas of reflection, together with the end of this catastrophe in the mortal world, had given him a deeper understanding of karma, order, and the workings of the Heavenly Dao.

Gazing at the Profound Yellow Dao Charm and Karma Threads flowing