Four Spirits of Heaven and Earth

The Four Spirits of Heaven and Earth — Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire — were born from Chaos, each possessing immense divine abilities. They could be considered among the earliest deities nurtured by heaven and earth. They correspond to their respective elements and inherently possess great destructive power.

In Chaos, they formed the most fundamental elements of the nascent world, serving as the initial components in Chaos's evolution.

The winds in Chaos could be gentle or ferocious. The gentle ones, though seemingly soft, could flay skin and shatter bones, obliterating spirit and form. The ferocious ones were like sharp blades, capable of reducing everything to dust as they passed.

This Wind Spirit had the form of a tiger. Tigers are masters of wind, born with innate divine abilities.

Seeing the Wind Spirit like this, the crowd cheered. Some even stepped forward to examine it closely, engaging in conversation. They reasoned that anyone with such broadmindedness must have considerable cultivation.

One person said, "So it's Brother E Xiao. We are all here for that sliver of hope. With Brother's support, this hope has grown even stronger."

E Xiao replied, "Such is the Great Dao; we can only strive for it."

Dao Lord Lu Ya glanced at everyone, musing, "I wonder if those three fellow Daoists have arrived."

E Xiao boomed, "Brother Xuanwu, since you're here, be more forthright."

This burly man was even more imposing, possessing a steadiness and gravitas unlike the others. With each step he took, the very space seemed to solidify.

He bowed to the crowd and said, "I am Xuanwu, an Earth Spirit who has attained the Dao."

Gazing at these two robust figures, the onlookers speculated about the other two, wondering what their demeanor would be.

Golden Crow scanned its surroundings and felt a gaze fixed upon it, filled with inquiry. After hesitating for a long while, it finally stepped out from the crowd.

It unleashed its restrained aura, and the surrounding individuals promptly made way.

Great Immortal Yang Mei was drawn by this aura, looked down, and remained silent.

This individual was no simple being, possessing an innate regal dominance tinged with a subtle ruthlessness. They hid their true nature, never revealing their full hand. Such people were undoubtedly unwilling to be surpassed and were adept at scheming, acting only when the time was right. One had to be extremely cautious with them, lest they face eternal regret.

As Golden Crow emerged, a scorching heat permeated the air, mixed with a stifling dryness.

Then, a refreshing coolness flowed through everyone's hearts, calming the intense desire that had begun to burn within them.

"Golden Crow, Long Ming."

Dao Lord Lu Ya nodded. "Thank you, four fellow Daoists, for coming."

Golden Crow asked, "What does Great Immortal wish for us to do?"

Great Immortal Yang Mei lowered his head in thought and slowly spoke, "Transform into the Four Spirits and sustain this world."

Golden Crow inquired, "What does 'sustain' entail?"

Great Immortal Yang Mei said calmly, "The heavens are filled with stars, but they lack roots and origin. I need your essence to connect with these celestial bodies."

Golden Crow asked, "How will they be connected?"

Great Immortal Yang Mei replied, "I have the Four Symbols Formation, which can gather the essence of all fellow Daoists to form the power of the four dimensions. It will then manifest the images of your Primordial Spirits, encompassing all the stars and evolving their power."

Golden Crow cawed, "Does Great Immortal intend to construct the Star Dou Great Array, or to perfect this world?"

The other three spirits were moved by this, but suppressed the nascent thoughts that arose in their hearts.

Golden Crow continued, "How much of our essence will remain after being absorbed and evolved by the myriad stars? Or will our lives be short?"

Dao Lord Lu Ya exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist, you worry too much. If we can combine the strength of all fellow Daoists to defeat Pangu, how could there be danger to our lives? Let us not chill the hearts of our fellow Daoists."

Golden Crow laughed heartily. "I believe we are all merely paving the way for others, our own fates unknown!"

E Xiao stepped forward, about to say something, but was held back by Xuanwu. Long Ming, meanwhile, closed its eyes in contemplation.

Golden Crow said sternly, "I demand a promise."

Dao Lord Lu Ya asked, "What promise?"

Golden Crow stated, "I have heard that Dao Lord possesses methods for creating clones, refining three corpse gods—upper, middle, and lower—each with power comparable to the main body. We desire this cultivation method, to leave ourselves a path of retreat."

Great Immortal Yang Mei said, "I will agree on behalf of Dao Lord, but these clones are ultimately inferior to the main body, and their essence is far from comparable."

Golden Crow replied, "Please do not worry, Great Immortal. We will certainly support the Grand Formation of the Myriad Stars with our main bodies, using the clones as support." Golden Crow sneered inwardly: As the Four Spirits of Sky Opening, we only need a sliver of our Primordial Spirit to reform our origins. How could they know the profound mystery of it?

E Xiao also felt a flicker of joy at this moment. With this method of creating clones, he gained another means of self-preservation. As long as the Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire in Chaos still existed, and his Spiritual Sense remained, he would be immortal. He hadn't expected Golden Crow to have such means; he even felt grateful.

At this point, the crowd began to discuss. A clone with the strength of the main body—what immense power that would be! It would be like fighting one against four.

Dao Lord Lu Ya thought to himself, This method of slaying the corpse is not something just anyone can learn. It requires immense willpower, great fortune, and profound wisdom. Without the corresponding Primordial Violet Qi, it can only achieve minor success; a tenth of the main body's power would be considered good.

Golden Crow transmitted its voice to Long Ming: "Yang Mei agreed so readily. I fear they will not truly impart the knowledge. We must provoke them further."

Long Ming nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "This clone technique is, after all, a secret art of a Dao Lord. We do not seek greedily; knowing a little is enough, we ask for no more."

Dao Lord Lu Ya laughed heartily. "Fellow Daoist, you worry too much. I will teach you sincerely and will not hold back. However, how much you can comprehend will depend on your own fortune."

Golden Crow nodded. "Dao Lord need not trouble himself with that. We will certainly apply ourselves diligently."

At this moment, someone spoke up. "Are there any opportunities for us to witness this as well?"

This world was like a luminous pearl in Chaos, shining brightly amidst specks of darkness.

Great Immortal Yang Mei sighed. "I wonder how much time we have left to command."

Everyone's hearts grew solemn, understanding what was implied. They said in unison, "We will obey Great Immortal's command!"

Great Immortal Yang Mei said urgently, "Fellow Daoists, are you willing to join me in forging 365 Star Banners? However, the heavenly materials and earthly treasures you possess may be reduced by ninety percent, and some might even be refined from your very bodies. Fellow Daoists, do you have any grievances?"

The crowd roared, "This calamity cannot be avoided. It is inevitable. Why should we begrudge these spiritual treasures?"

Great Immortal Yang Mei said, "After this tribulation, I will surely share this Chaos Heaven and Earth with all the gods and pursue the Great Dao."

The crowd roared with excitement, "Pursue the Great Dao... Pursue the Great Dao."

In this Heaven and Earth constructed by Yang Mei using the Chaos Bead, Taiyin's creation could only become a Saint Realm. However, for Pangu and Xuanhuang, who sought nothing, it was enough.

After Pangu transmitted that world-shattering spiritual sense, he quietly sat on a cushion woven from Chaos Qi, his expression solemn, yet exuding an unassailable majesty.

Xuanhuang lowered his gaze and softly asked, "Daoist brother, you are giving them a chance to approach the Great Dao."

Pangu replied, "If Yang Mei can perfect his Heaven and Earth with this opportunity, perhaps this world won't need to be opened again. I will lose the chance to prove my Dao as a Hunyuan, but for us Chaos beings, it might also be a good arrangement."

Xuanhuang sighed, "We Chaos beings are not tolerated by the Great Dao, how can we allow so many powerful beings to exist eternally?"

Pangu said faintly, "Indeed, we evolve Heaven and Earth, but the prerequisite is that we must first perish within it. Perhaps Yang Mei is an exception."

Xuanhuang said, "You are waiting, waiting for Yang Mei to evolve Heaven and Earth. But for you, the more mature that Heaven and Earth becomes, the dimmer your chances of survival may be."

Pangu responded, "I have already become the enemy of all living beings. Whether I live or die, if Yang Mei can truly complete the Great Dao's arrangement in this way, perhaps more beings can survive. I have no regrets."

A grey-green lotus platform supported Pangu's body, slowly rotating, and wisps of comprehension were transmitted to him.

It was the aura of the Dao, filled with joy.

Pangu felt he had grasped a thread of the Dao's pulse. He circulated his Primordial Spirit and closed his eyes to comprehend.

Xuanhuang projected his Xuanhuang Qi, his hands forming seals repeatedly, arranging Restriction after Restriction around himself.

He set up formations around them that could invigorate the mind and spirit, aiding Pangu in his enlightenment.

Xuanhuang sat quietly, his mind empty and clear. He possessed the Dao but could not comprehend it; he let nature take its course. He had been utterly alone since his birth. He had wandered Chaos for countless ages, encountering other Chaos beings over the years, always reaching for the Dao. It wasn't until he sensed the power of Pangu's becoming a Saint that he reawakened from his contemplation of the Dao! He had a slight sense of the Great Dao's aura.

But what was his own fate? The Great Dao would absolutely not allow beings like them, born of Chaos, to exist eternally.

He extended his Spiritual Sense into the Chaos Green Lotus. He knew it was a peculiar existence. Where was his own aura? Perhaps his fate had long been decided, and the Green Lotus might be a place of return for him.

Xuanhuang Qi enveloped his Spiritual Sense. It was a void filled with countless moving points of light. There were over a thousand points of light, different from the others, significantly larger, and encircled by a purple halo.

A meteor streaked towards him, though it was only the size of a grain of rice.

"What is this?" A familiar aura washed over him, "Xuanhuang Qi!"

The Xuanhuang Qi enveloping his Spiritual Sense rapidly merged with it, and that tiny bit of Spiritual Sense was also swallowed. That trace of Spiritual Sense vanished instantly, like snow meeting the sun.

Xuanhuang, in his state of comprehension, felt no pain, only a sense that this was how it was meant to be. Three auspicious clouds appeared above his head, and within the clouds were three green lotuses, with red flowers, green leaves, and white roots. The red flowers swayed, seemingly about to detach and enter the Chaos Green Lotus.

Xuanhuang quickly abandoned his probe of the Chaos Green Lotus and focused on comprehending the auspicious clouds above his head.