Acquiring the Treasure Distribution Rock, Hongjun Harmonizes with the Dao

Styx was the first to rush over, sweeping his hand to claim the treasures atop it.

But he inexplicably encountered resistance, ultimately only scooping up three spiritual treasures.

Styx understood in his heart that this was because Hongjun had set restrictions upon it.

Each person could only take treasures fated to them.

So Styx wasn't disappointed; he continued fishing for other spiritual treasures, just in case more were fated to him.

By then, the others had also arrived.

The Three Pure Ones struck simultaneously. Laozi's Taiji Diagram swept out, rolling up over a dozen spiritual treasures.

Yuanshi did better, taking over thirty in one go.

Tongtian had the best luck; his first haul netted over a hundred spiritual treasures, and none seemed low-grade.

That kind of luck made even Styx envious.

But honestly, Styx's harvest wasn't bad either. Though he only got three on his first try, his subsequent attempts were decent.

In the end, he collected seventy or eighty spiritual treasures, including several High-Grade Connate Spiritual Treasures and Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures.

The others each had their own fortunes.

For instance, the Three Pure Ones together swept up nearly half the treasures on the entire Treasure Distribution Rock.

By the time the other great powers arrived, they were nearly green with envy.

They were a step too late; when they got there, half the Treasure Distribution Rock was already empty. Panicked, they all surged forward, unleashing all kinds of divine abilities.

The Three Pure Ones, satisfied, returned directly to the Purple Cloud Palace.

But Styx was in no hurry.

How could he miss the legendary Treasure Distribution Rock from every Primordial Wilderness novel?

After all the great powers had taken their fated spiritual treasures, Styx stepped forward and pocketed the entire Treasure Distribution Rock.

The great powers froze, then beat their chests and stamped their feet, hating that they hadn't taken the rock before Styx.

Of course, after the great powers had claimed their treasures, a few spiritual treasures remained on the rock.

But when Styx took the entire Treasure Distribution Rock, those treasures all turned into Spiritual Lights and flew off into the Primordial Wilderness, waiting for their fated owners to reappear.

Everyone returned to the Purple Cloud Palace.

Hongjun still sat upright on the high platform, but his aura grew more ethereal, elusive and unfathomable.

He spoke: "After Harmonizing with the Dao, Hongjun is the Heavenly Dao, but the Heavenly Dao is not Hongjun. I will not emerge unless there is a great matter."

The Three Thousand Great Powers in the Purple Cloud Palace all knelt except Styx: "We beg Teacher to reconsider!"

Styx stood unmoving.

If Hongjun merged with the Heavenly Dao, the happiest would be them, the great powers of the Primordial Wilderness.

From then on, no mountain would press down upon their heads.

Hongjun glanced at them all and said casually: "Rise! This Daoist merging with the Heavenly Dao is a fixed destiny. Remember, do not defy the Heavenly Dao in the future, so as not to betray this bond of teacher and disciple!"

As he spoke, Hongjun's gaze drifted meaningfully toward Styx.

Styx was speechless.

He hadn't listened to half a second of Hongjun's teachings; he had no actual teacher-disciple bond with Hongjun. Whether he defied the Heavenly Dao had nothing to do with Hongjun.

Everyone in the Purple Cloud Palace voiced their agreement.

Hongjun nodded, then raised his hands. Boundless chaotic currents were stirred, forming a terrifying chaotic whirlwind.

The crowd's hearts trembled, then they saw Hongjun shout: "Merge!"

The chaotic whirlwind instantly transformed into a golden bridge, connecting the Purple Cloud Palace to a massive golden wheel.

That wheel was like unfathomable fate itself, radiating endless Heavenly Dao aura.

Everyone knew what the wheel was—the Heavenly Dao Golden Wheel.

Hongjun stepped onto the golden bridge, walking toward the Heavenly Dao Golden Wheel.

No one missed this chance to closely touch the Heavenly Dao; all began to comprehend it.

Even Styx was no exception.

When the crowd awoke from their comprehension, they didn't know when they had left the Purple Cloud Palace and returned to the Primordial Wilderness.

Moreover, the entire Primordial Wilderness seemed to have expanded. They could clearly feel the power of fate enveloping them.

Many great powers' hearts sank.

It seemed that after Hongjun merged with the Heavenly Dao, he had also strengthened the Dao's power.

Styx didn't care much about that. He believed that one day he would transcend the Heavenly Dao.

The great powers each returned to their own Blessed Lands.

Now that Hongjun had Harmonized with the Dao and distributed seven strands of Primordial Purple Qi, it was time for them to consider their own paths forward.

In the Heavenly Court, because Nüwa had obtained a strand of Primordial Purple Qi, the entire court was filled with joy.

Their Wa Emperor Nüwa had received Hongjun's affirmation, who clearly stated that Nüwa could become a saint!

The might of a saint was evident to all. With a saint backing them in the future, the Witch Clan would surely no longer be a threat!

In the Hall of High Heavens of the Heavenly Court, Di Jun, as the Demon Emperor of the Demon Race, was originally the absolute core of the Demon Race.

Although the Four Emperors of the Demon Race were nominally equal in status, in practice, Di Jun was the leading figure.

But now, Di Jun dared not place himself above Nüwa.

Di Jun said politely, "I invite Fellow Daoist Nüwa to take the seat of honor."

Nüwa frowned slightly. In truth, she did not enjoy conflict. She had joined the Demon Race back then only because her elder brother had joined, and she could not explain herself if she did not.

Thus, although she held a high position in the Demon Race, she did not participate much in decision-making.

And now, Di Jun's words vaguely hinted at wanting her to become the master of the Demon Race, which displeased Nüwa somewhat.

Nüwa understood clearly that she was not suited to govern the Demon Race, so she said directly, "Fellow Daoist Di Jun need not do this! Your position as master of the Demon Race will never change, and I, Nüwa, am now the Wa Emperor of the Demon Race, and in the future, a saint of the Demon Race—that too will never change!"

This meant she would not contend with Di Jun for the great authority of the Demon Race. Di Jun breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, but did not show it on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Nüwa is deeply principled!"

If Nüwa truly wanted to seize power from him, Di Jun was not sure he would have much chance of winning.

In terms of strength, Nüwa ranked among the top ten in the Primordial Wilderness. Eastern Emperor Taiyi might be able to overpower Nüwa with the Eastern Emperor Bell, but at best, he himself could only tie with Nüwa.

In terms of status, they were nominally equal as emperors of the Demon Race. And Nüwa was also Hongjun's disciple, a future saint—that alone surpassed Di Jun by far.

So Nüwa's voluntary statement of not contending for power also averted the disaster of a split within the Demon Race.

Di Jun reciprocated the kindness and said, "Now that Saint Hongjun has personally stated that Fellow Daoist Nüwa can become a saint, this is a blessing for our Demon Race! If Fellow Daoist Nüwa has any needs, just speak. If the Demon Race can help, we will certainly do our utmost!"

"Then Nüwa thanks the Demon Emperor in advance."

The Hall of High Heavens was filled with harmony, everyone immersed in the joy of Nüwa's impending sainthood, as if they could already see the scene of Nüwa destroying the Witch Clan after becoming a saint, and the Demon Race ruling the world.

Unfortunately, they were soon pulled back to reality.

"Break!"

A thunderous crash rang out, and half of the entire Hall of High Heavens collapsed...