Merge with Heavenly Dao

"Holy shit, is this? The Dao Ancestor personally flipping the table himself?"

If so, Old Ancestor Hongyun's death tribulation was as good as gone!

Put that way, the Dao Ancestor's intent was to let the fated one obtain that Primordial Purple Qi.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor paid no heed to the crowd's thoughts. He continued speaking, and this time, his words struck like thunderclaps, exploding in everyone's ears.

"This sermon is concluded. I shall Merge with Heavenly Dao to complete creation. Henceforth, the Heavenly Dao is I, yet I am not the Heavenly Dao. Unless a great tribulation befalls Honghuang, Hongjun shall not emerge."

Merge with Dao!

The crowd's hearts shook violently.

"Teacher, merciful!" The Three Thousand Guests of the Red Dust bowed in unison.

All present were beings who had lived for Several Eons—how could they not understand what Merging with Dao meant?

It signified that from now on, the Honghuang world would operate under the Heavenly Dao's own will, with no more direct intervention from the supreme Hongjun Dao Ancestor, though he would still subtly favor the Mysterious Gate.

Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi exchanged a glance, both seeing the blazing ambition in each other's eyes.

With the Dao Ancestor's mountain no longer pressing down on them, their Demon Race could truly rise!

On the other side, the Twelve Ancestral Mages wore grim expressions. Though they revered neither heaven nor earth and bowed to no Dao Ancestor, Hongjun's very existence had been an invisible deterrent. Now that deterrent was gone, and their Witch Clan's ambition to dominate Honghuang burned fiercely.

In an instant, undercurrents surged within Purple Cloud Palace, countless hidden divine thoughts crisscrossing through the void.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor seemed not to notice the shift in atmosphere. His gaze swept over the six seated before him.

"Taishang."

"Disciple is here." Taishang Laojun rose and bowed.

Hongjun waved his hand, and a profoundly mysterious scroll along with a small, exquisite pagoda flew before Taishang.

On the scroll, Yin-Yang Dual Qi swirled, as if evolving the birth and death of an entire world. The pagoda was entirely Xuanhuang in color, cascading strands of merit aura, indestructible.

"These are the Innate Supreme Treasure Taiji Diagram and the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda. I bestow them upon you."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Taishang Laojun's expression remained calm as he collected the two treasures.

"Yuanshi."

"Disciple is here." Yuanshi Tianzun also rose.

A simple, ancient banner appeared in Hongjun's hand. With a slight shake, the entire Chaos trembled, and boundless Chaos Sword Qi burst forth, as if to tear everything apart.

Xuanqing, standing behind, felt a sharp aura rushing at him, stabbing even his Primordial Spirit with pain.

"Good heavens, this is the Pangu Banner? The number one attack treasure of Honghuang—truly living up to its reputation!" he marveled inwardly.

"This is the Pangu Banner. I bestow it upon you."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Yuanshi Tianzun accepted it solemnly.

"Tongtian."

"Disciple is here!" Tongtian Cult Leader seemed visibly excited.

Four murderous immortal swords, along with a formation diagram, flew before him.

"This is the Zhuxian Sword Formation, unbreakable except by four Sages. I bestow it upon you."

"Many thanks, Teacher!" Tongtian Cult Leader was overjoyed. His nature was fond of battle, and this Slaughter Array suited him perfectly.

Next, Hongjun bestowed upon Nüwa the Red Silk Ball and the Mountains and Rivers Sheji Chart, upon Jieyin the Twelve Grade Merit Golden Lotus, and upon Zunti the Reinforcement Divine Pestle.

The six future Sages all received treasures to suppress their fortune.

The other great powers in the hall watched with burning envy, especially Kunpeng and Patriarch Styx, whose eyes were filled with jealousy and resentment.

After distributing the treasures, Hongjun Dao Ancestor's voice rang out again.

"In my past travels through Honghuang, I also gathered many spiritual treasures. Now that I am to Merge with Dao, these external possessions are useless to me."

He pointed a finger outside the palace.

"Beyond Purple Cloud Palace lies the Treasure Distribution Cliff. All my collected treasures are upon that cliff. You may go there yourselves; whatever treasures you obtain will be by your own fate."

The moment the words fell, aside from a few like the Three Pure Ones, most in the hall could no longer sit still.

The Dao Ancestor's collection! What grade of treasures must those be?

"Shua!"

Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi were the first to rush out, transforming into two golden beams, heading straight for the Treasure Distribution Cliff.

Right behind them, the Twelve Ancestral Mages, Kunpeng, Styx, Zhenyuanzi... all the great powers surged out of Purple Cloud Palace in a frantic scramble.

A treasure-hunting feast had thus begun.

Yuanshi Tianzun turned back to look at Xuanqing and asked, "Xuanqing, will you try your luck at the Treasure Distribution Cliff?"

Xuanqing bowed respectfully and answered without hesitation, "Reporting to Master, this disciple will not go."

"Oh? Why?" Yuanshi Tianzun was somewhat surprised.

"Master has already obtained a supreme treasure like the Pangu Banner. As the First Disciple, this disciple shares in that glory. Though there are treasures on the cliff, they also carry heavy Karma. This disciple's cultivation is still shallow. Rather than toiling for external objects, it would be better to return to Kunlun Mountain and cultivate quietly, stabilizing the Dao foundation, so as not to disappoint Master's high expectations."

Yuanshi Tianzun finished listening, a smile involuntarily spreading across his face.

"Good! Well said. Not being swayed by external things—that is the true heart of seeking the Dao."

Beside him, Taishang Laojun gave a slight nod, a flicker of approval in his eyes. Tongtian Cult Leader laughed heartily: "Second Brother, this disciple of yours has a truly fine temperament!"

Soon, only Hongjun Dao Ancestor and his two attendants—Haotian and Yaochi—remained in the Purple Cloud Palace.

The entire Main Hall was empty and desolate, carrying a hint of loneliness.

Haotian and Yaochi watched Hongjun Dao Ancestor's figure, which was growing increasingly detached as he neared his Merge with Heavenly Dao, their hearts filled with confusion and unease.

They had always served at the Dao Ancestor's side; the Purple Cloud Palace was their home. But now, the Dao Ancestor was about to Merge with Dao, and the Three Thousand Guests of the Red Dust had dispersed. Where were they to go?

Haotian mustered his courage, stepped forward, and knelt down.

"Master, you're about to Merge with Dao, then... what should Yaochi and I do from now on?" His voice carried a tremor.

Yaochi knelt as well, her eyes rimmed with red.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor looked down at these two attendants who had followed him since the dawn of creation. In his indifferent gaze, a flicker of emotion finally stirred.

"Foolish children, rise."

A gentle force lifted them both to their feet.

"All feasts must end. My Merge with Heavenly Dao is an ordained fate. You cannot remain in the Purple Cloud Palace forever either."

"Then where can we go?" Yaochi asked softly.

"Into the Honghuang," Hongjun said slowly. "You have stayed by my side too long, untouched by dust, yet lacking in trials. Go, walk upon the lands of the Honghuang."

Haotian and Yaochi exchanged glances, both at a loss.

Though their cultivation was not weak, they had never truly set foot in the outside world.

Hongjun saw their worry and added, "If you encounter a life-or-death crisis beyond your means to resolve, you may return to the palace for temporary refuge."

With these words, Haotian and Yaochi's hearts settled somewhat.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

Just as they were about to take their leave, Hongjun suddenly called out to Haotian.

"Haotian."

"Does Master have further instructions?" Haotian quickly turned back.

"When you go out into the continent, pay close attention to one person."

"May I ask who Master means?" Haotian was curious. Anyone the Dao Ancestor personally named could not be an ordinary person.

"The disciple who stood behind Yuanshi just now."

"Xuanqing?" Haotian recalled. That youth, gentle and refined in appearance yet already a Golden Immortal in cultivation, seemed vaguely familiar.

He asked in confusion, "Master, why should I pay attention to him? He is merely a disciple of Yuanshi."

Hongjun shook his head, his voice growing ethereal.