Discussing Primordial Wilderness Matters, Debating the Dao in West Kunlun

Then Donghua followed the Azure Bird through the swirling clouds and mists, entering deep into West Kunlun, where the view suddenly opened up before him.

There lay the Jade Pool like a mirror, reflecting the stars of the heavens, while moonlight's clear radiance flowed among the jade trees and gem-like branches along its shore.

The Queen Mother of the West stood quietly by the Jade Pool, clad in a moon-white cloud-patterned Daoist robe, the Nine Phoenix Hairpin in her hair trailing specks of starlight.

Donghua gave a slight nod: "This poor Daoist is East King Duke, by Dao name Donghua. Greetings, fellow cultivator."

The Queen Mother of the West returned the greeting, her clear voice like the chime of a jade qin: "This poor Daoist is Queen Mother of the West, by Dao name Taizhen. Greetings, fellow cultivator."

The Queen Mother of the West's countenance was indeed breathtaking—her brows and eyes like a painting, warm and gentle as water, yet in the shifting light of her gaze lay a hint of unyielding authority.

The natural affinity she exuded in every gesture and movement stirred involuntary admiration and reverence.

This quality far surpassed what mortals called beauty; it stemmed from her unique Dao resonance as an Innate Divine Being, drawing others close yet forbidding any profanation.

She stood there thus, gentle as water, steadfast as a mountain; approachable as moonlight, unbreakable as heavenly law.

The graceful feminine form the Queen Mother of the West now displayed was the outward manifestation of the Pure Yin Law she governed.

Her stunning presence was not mere surface beauty, but the flawless Dao resonance perfectly aligned with the Taiyin Origin.

Her brows and eyes were soft, like moonlight shining everywhere, nourishing all things; yet the faint aura of slaughter within them, like the moon's waxing and waning, heralded the cycle of seasons and the harshness of autumn and winter.

This was not deliberate majesty, but the natural outflow of the Great Dao's law.

For Innate Divine Beings, the need for a Dao Companion was rooted in seeking the Dao, not in coveting beauty.

Between Dao Companions, heaven and earth bear witness, the Great Dao serves as testimony, and their qi fortunes are linked—it is never a casual matter; their union itself is a profound act of the Dao.

There were but two kinds of Dao Companions.

One was Di Jun and Xihe: one the Lord of the Sun Star, one the Lord of the Taiyin Star, perfectly aligned in the Dao.

The other was Jieyin and Zhunti: though not of the same origin, their Dao Hearts mirrored each other, and their great vows matched.

After a few pleasantries, the two entered the main hall.

The hall was elegantly and simply arranged, with white jade paving the floor and light gauze hanging as curtains.

On all four sides, Spirit Wood Screens bore natural mountain-and-river patterns, partitioning the space into a mysterious Dao Realm.

A boy in a moon-white Daoist robe arrived silently, carrying a jade tray on which he lightly offered Spirit Fruits.

The Immortal Fruits on the tray were crystal-clear as jade, some glowing with rosy light, others shimmering with starlight; the crisp fragrance of the fruit mingled with aloeswood, condensing into tangible spiritual mist within the hall.

The Queen Mother of the West and Donghua sat facing each other, and as they spoke, Dao resonance arose of its own accord.

Yet Donghua keenly noticed that the boy attendant standing behind the Queen Mother of the West kept his gaze fixed on him.

Donghua paused the Dao discussion and turned to the boy, asking gently: "Young friend, why do you stare so long at this poor Daoist?"

"I've heard the legends say you have a red face and fangs, three heads and six arms, fierce as a demon—but you don't look as terrifying as the rumors in the Primordial World make you out to be!"

The Queen Mother of the West frowned slightly and reminded him: "Qiu Yue, do not be rude."

"It's fine," Donghua said with a light wave of his hand, speaking frankly: "I am actually quite curious about the rumors of me in the Primordial World."

Seeing that the Queen Mother of the West did not stop him, the boy plucked up his courage and continued:

"They say that Senior Donghua was born in the East Sea, and that you delight in devouring the internal organs of living creatures. They even say that in a fit of rage, you seized the sun itself, claiming you wanted to taste what it was like to roast it!"

As she spoke, she gestured, her eyes flickering with both fear and curiosity:

"There's also a rumor that you single-handedly defeated the Twelve Ancestor Witches, forcing them to never dare advance eastward again, so they had to migrate west..."

Hearing this, Donghua could not help but laugh, and the Jingyang Bell in his sleeve rang out with a clear chime, sweeping away all the absurd rumors in the room.

"I'm afraid I've disappointed you both." He lowered his eyes to glance at his reflection in the cup. "This poor Daoist's appearance is no different from any ordinary cultivator."

"As for the Witch Clan, it was merely a Dao exchange with one Ancestor Witch."

Donghua looked westward, his tone carrying deeper meaning: "The Witch Clan is powerful, dominating Buzhou Mountain. In this Primordial World Heaven and Earth, has anyone truly been able to subdue them?"

The Queen Mother of the West lifted her eyes slightly, her gaze flowing like water: "I hear that you once crossed hands with an Ancestor Witch. How strong are they in truth?"

Donghua's expression grew solemn: "Though the Ancestor Witches do not cultivate the Primordial Spirit, they have fused the power of laws into their bloodlines. Their physical bodies are as strong as Innate Spiritual Treasures. Fellow cultivators without an Innate Spiritual Treasure to protect themselves would likely find it hard to contend with them."

Donghua's gaze deepened, his voice growing heavier: "Moreover, it is said that the Twelve Ancestor Witches were all born from Pangu's essence blood. I suspect their strength is all like that of Jumang—formidable and fierce."

"What's more troublesome is that beneath them are Great Witches as numerous as clouds, and their clan numbers in the billions. United in purpose, their momentum already far surpasses that of the Dragon Phoenix in their time."

The Queen Mother of the West lightly touched the jade qin on the table, its clear sound echoing: "From what you say, the Witch Clan indeed shows signs of sweeping across the Primordial World."

"During the Dragon Phoenix Calamity, the three clans still checked each other." The Queen Mother of the West tapped lightly, and in the tea mist appeared the grand scene of the Witch Clan sacrificing to Pangu. "But now the Witch Clan is united in heart. When the time comes, we..."

"We Innate Divine Beings are already uniquely favored by heaven and earth. To dwell among the mountains and rivers, to seek fellow Daoists in Grotto-Heavens, to roam free beyond the calamities—is that not joy enough? Even if the Witch Clan aspires to dominate heaven and earth, they will not make enemies of those outside the world for no reason," Donghua said.

"Your words, fellow Daoist, capture the true essence of tranquility."

When the Spirit Fruits were finished, Donghua spoke: "Meeting you today, fellow Daoist, is truly a fate summoned by the interplay of yin and yang. Would you be willing to perform the Great Dao together and mutually verify its mysteries?"

The Queen Mother of the West nodded slightly and said: "There is no reason not to."

"Since I proposed it, let me begin. What I cultivate is primarily Pure Yang, so I shall discuss this Dao."

"Pure Yang is the pivot of heaven and earth. Since the primordial chaos first parted, the light, clear qi rose to form the heavens, and that which was most refined and pure among it is the very source of my path."

"When yang reaches its extreme, yin is born; thus the sun shines on all things and dew arises. When hardness reaches its limit, it transforms into softness; thus heaven moves with vigor and rain descends. This is the subtlety of yin concealed within yang."

"Yang governs creation and birth, like the spring thunder that startles hibernation, awakening all things. Yet the pinnacle of creation must return to the Great Void, hence it is called Great Sun Silent Illumination."

"Yin and yang do not overcome each other; in truth, they give rise to each other."

"Solitary yang cannot generate life—like heavenly fire that scorches the world, leaving only ash."

As Donghua expounded upon his path, the aura spreading around him was no longer ordinary spiritual energy, but three condensed, tangible hues: the golden dawn, the warm midday sun, and the tranquil sunset glow. The three interwove without the slightest conflict.

Three hundred years passed quietly amidst this discourse on the Dao. Donghua looked at the Queen Mother of the West and said with a smile:

"Daoist friend Taizhen, it is now your turn."

"Mm," the Queen Mother of the West gently raised her hand, her fingertip tracing a motion, and countless points of light materialized within the hall:

"What I shall discuss is the Path of Pure Yin."

"Pure Yin is the gathering and concealment of all things. The heavy, turbid qi sank to form the earth, and that which was most soft and yielding among it is the foundation of this path."

"When yin reaches its extreme, yang is born; thus the moon shines upon a thousand rivers and waves surge. When softness reaches its limit, it transforms into hardness; thus the earth bears mountains and rivers and pulses with veins. This is the principle of yang hidden within yin."

"Yin governs gestation and transformation, like autumn frost condensing dew, ripening all fruits. Yet the end of gestation must return to chaos, hence it is called the Mysterious Womb Gate."

"Hardness and softness are not opposed; they share the same origin."

"Solitary yin cannot grow—like bitter ice covering the sea, forever cutting off all life."