A Minor Blessing

Upon entering the Hunyuan Palace, he saw that most of his entire family had been slaughtered, with severed limbs and corpses strewn everywhere. Instead of being angry, Cloud Sky Venerable was delighted. After all, even a thousand useless wine-drinking sacks couldn't compare to a single, handy divine weapon. He became even more pleased, laughing heartily, waving his hand to disperse the restrictions. He carried the Heavenly Vein Universe Cup into the first palace of the Three Heavens Mixed Yuan Palace Cloud Sky Hall, where he then performed a ritual to seal the cave, concealing the causal secrets of heaven, and silently recited an incantation.

The Heavenly Vein Universe Soared into the air and floated in the hall. A surge of heavenly Dao Breath burst forth from the vessel, with clouds flowing like dragons and winds swirling and unfurling. From the Dao Breath, a giant dragon constructed of primordial energy burst forth. In the dragon's mouth, a dark purple sword pellet, resembling a black pearl, was wrapped in a whirlwind. The sword's brilliance surged, and purple light shone in all directions.

In the short time that Li Fan had prepared for her, the sword attendant's avatar was completely worn away, revealing the true form of the sword pellet.

"Aaaaah--Old White-haired Ghost! Let me go! I'll kill you! Kill you..."

Like a reflection of Sword Light's light, Li Fan appeared on the wall behind the Cloud Soaring Cloud Sky Venerable, who was meditating cross-legged, and raised his index finger to shush.

Moon Soul, "..."

Seeing that this treasure intimidated him with its aura, the Cloud Sky Venerable was filled with pride and satisfaction.

"Well, now you know my methods, don't you? Still not acknowledging me as your master?"

The shadow behind Cloud Sky Venerable ignored him, put his hands behind his back, and looked Fourth Department at the scriptures and murals in the Cloud Sky Hall as if he were on a tour.

Moon Soul, "... Tch, with your paltry skills, what makes you think you're worthy of my acknowledgment of your master?"

Cloud Sky Venerable trembled, his body radiating boundless light, auspicious clouds, soaring Qi, permeating the sky, his power awe-inspiring!

"Oh! My darling! No one has ever dared to speak to me with such disdain! You've successfully caught my attention!"

"Very well! Let me let you know that I am the Cloud Sky Venerable! The head of the Primordial Chaos Dao! The master of the Three Heavens Mixed Yuan Palace! A reincarnated immortal! Behold my power! Meet my true form! Why don't you bow down!"

Yuepo glanced at Li Fan and found that not only did he not make a move, letting this clown perform, but he also waved at her and pointed to a pile of scriptures in the corner, meaning that he probably wanted Yuepo to sweep her Sword Light over to illuminate it. Yuepo was speechless and could only impatiently give a perfunctory reply.

"Old ghost with white hair, the Three Great Sects have countless experts. How dare you, a mere Divine Transformation, call yourself a Celestial Venerable? You're arrogant and conceited. Are you courting death?"

I advise you to release me now, kowtow and beg, or I might just kill you with one sword if I'm in a good mood!

Seeing that he couldn't intimidate Yue Po, Cloud Sky Venerable withdrew his power, brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, and gave a wicked smile.

"I know you want to choose one with a high cultivation level and strong strength to recognize as your master, right? Well, after all, it is Divine Transformation weapon and comes from Emei. With such vision and ability, it is only natural that you want to choose a sect of the level of the Nine Great Xuan Sects Gates to worship."

Heh, my Hunyuan Palace is an ancient Daoist sect with countless rare treasures. Do you think we can't afford to worship you?

Besides, what's so difficult about ascending to immortality! You think I'm just a mere Nascent Divine Transformation? If I wanted to comprehend the Dao and ascend, it would be a matter of lifting a finger! In this world, I've only deliberately suppressed my cultivation level so I wouldn't have to go back to the Immortal Realm to eat insects!"

Hmm? Li Fan immediately became interested. This guy... could he really have escaped back from over there?

Moon Soul scoffed, "Tch, you're just bragging."

"I never boast!"

Cloud Sky Venerable waved his hand and took out a bone. "Look what this is!"

Li Fan took a look. Oh my? Is that a dragon's bone? But he had seen dragons before, and even eaten them. He hadn't noticed that grayish stuff on dragon bones before.

"Hmph! This is an ancient dragon bone!"

... And then what? Is that all? No further explanation? Why add a prefix to sound more impressive?

"Look at this!"

That's really all there is to it! Oh, so it's a mummy?

"Hmph! This is an ancient deity!"

"And this! The ancient stone tablet!"

Even Yuepo was getting impatient. "It's just the trash you stole from North Mang Mountain, why are you digging up my grave?"

While giving a wicked smile, Cloud Sky Venerable waved his hands wildly, throwing out piles of junk that accumulated like mountains inside the Cloud Sky Hall, as if he had actually moved an entire junkyard there.

"Therefore, you Xuanmen people do not understand the mysteries of the Great Dao, and you discard the real treasures as if they were worthless, treating them as dust. Little do you know that it is because your cultivation is insufficient and your knowledge is too shallow that you cannot refine the true essence! You should know that the more ancient the artifact has been passed down to this day, the more it contains the primordial chaos and contains the universe within. This is the foundation of the Great Dao!"

"Very well! I'll give you a pointer today. I'll ask you, have you ever heard of the Five Primordial Elements?"

Oh dear? Could it be...?

Yuepo was also startled, "You also seek the Tai Su Dao?"

The Cloud Sky Venerable still made the same request.

"What is the Tai Su Dao! My Hunyuan Dao directly pursues the Chaos, seeking the Five Primordial Elements and the Primordial Chaos Origin! As long as I cultivate the Hunyuan Divine Art to its peak, and refine the universe with the Hunyuan Qi, I can simulate the Primordial Chaos Heaven! At that time, I can become the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth! Create the world! Restart the Huiyuan! I will follow my own path! I am the Heavenly Dao! The Heavenly Dao is determined by me! What's wrong with calling myself the Heavenly Venerable! Hehehe! Hahaha! Hohoho! Wahahaha!"

Li Fan shook his head as soon as he heard that.

As expected, he's another lunatic. Actually, he's been in contact with quite a few ancient Daoist sects. He has a pretty good idea of what these ancient Daoist sects are researching. Each of their legendary divine skills sounds incredibly powerful, like they can ascend to heaven in one step. But in reality, taking too big a step will only lead to disaster.

In this day and age, even the Supreme Plain Heavenly Dao isn't fully understood, so how could those ancient Great Daos be so easily obtained, just by asking? Let's be more grounded...

Yuepo scoffed, "The old tricks of the Ancient Dao Sect are outdated. If those ancient paths had been viable back then, how could they have gradually declined, and how could they have all changed their ways and become disciples of the Xuanmen Sect?"

Cloud Sky Venerable trembled. "Oh, oh, oh, I love conquering such an unruly darling like you. Only then is I worthy of my status! You don't believe me? I'll show you the divine power of my Dao! Heh! Hunyuan Divine Art!"

'Skillful transmission of knowledge has been triggered; Hunyuan Divine Art analysis complete.'

'The Law of Unity of All Things has been triggered; the Hunyuan Divine Art has been replicated.'

Li Fan, "..."

Li Fan hadn't expected this guy to suddenly pass on his skills, but since he'd already copied them, he might as well study and deduce them.

Li Fan once received the true teachings of the Daoist Master of Qingcheng Mountain, namely the <<Jade Pure Jade Quality Flawless Escape> <Jade Pure Return to Dust Primordial Qi Technique>>. This is a secret manual that focuses on cultivating the Returning to Return to Dust spiritual energy and finally cultivating the Primordial Qi.

The * Hunyuan Divine Art * of the Sanxiao Sect is essentially a comprehensive collection, describing how to refine the Nine Qi of Taiji into Hun Yuan Qi. However, if we compare the method of refining Return to Dust spiritual energy into Hun Yuan Qi, it's clear that this divine skill is an outdated ancient cultivation method, or at least not suitable for the current Taiji Dao era. Neither its efficiency in refining Qi nor the purity of its essence can compare to the methods developed by the Xuanmen (mystical sects). Perhaps a senior from Qingcheng Mountain had seen this * Hunyuan Divine Art *, or perhaps they simply arrived at the same goal through different paths.

Of course, just look at the True Yang Technique. Top-tier ancient Cultivation Method like the Hunyuan Divine Art have extremely high requirements for cultivation level and true qi quantity. This Fazhi the Transformation Stage to cultivate.

The Sanxiao Sect was clearly aware that their own method of gathering and refining Qi was not as efficient as that of the Xuanmen Sect. This was probably because the world had not yet been created at that time, and there were no Xuanmen Qi refining methods to learn from. Therefore, the Sanxiao Sect took a different approach, probably obtaining the method of dual cultivation of Yin and Yang Qi from the Immortal Palace Ziwei Yuan, and then combining it with their own <Hunyuan Divine Art> and modifying it.

In this way, Inner Sect disciples can accumulate a large amount of Yin and Yang energy as quickly as possible by practicing dual or triple cultivation, thus rapidly reaching the Transformation Stage and meeting the threshold for cultivating the Hunyuan Divine Art.

However, this Primordial Qi is somewhat similar to the Fiend Qi, as both energies can directly affect flesh and blood. But they also have obvious differences. For example, the main characteristic of the <Primordial Transformation> is mutation and evolution, while the greatest feature of the <<Jade Pure Jade Quality Flawless Escape>> is the restoration of the Dao body. Fiend Qi allows life to develop in a diversified direction, while Primordial Qi allows all things to return to their fundamental source.

Of course, according to the <Hunyuan Divine Art>, this is not simply healing and recovery, but rather 'Hun' returning to 'Yuan', 'Fu' giving birth to 'Yi', absorbing the heavens to repair oneself. Just as Cloud Sky Venerable boasted, at the highest level, all the heavens become one, I am the heaven, I am the Dao, I am chaos.

This does look somewhat similar to Li Fan's Tai Sha Star Core, except it's a 'gas-like black hole' that absorbs Qi.

Of course, Li Fan didn't believe that the Hunyuan Divine Art could truly be cultivated to the Chaos Realm. Relying on dual Qi Refinement Stage to absorb Qi and reach the Divine Transformation was already the limit. After that, where would there be so many Divine Lords to continue dual cultivation and Qi absorption for you...

However, Amao is quite suited to cultivating this divine skill. It doesn't require much intelligence, just enough Qi. Moreover, this guy is indeed talented. He probably cultivated the Yin-Yang Qi method of the Huan family back then, and has frequently sparred and discussed the Dao with his 'fellow disciples' in recent years. He's only at the Nascent Soul Realm, yet he's already refined some Primordial Qi. If he continues to cultivate like this, he might actually become a Primordial Celestial Venerable or something in the future.

Sigh, Li Fan practiced this skill to heal his injuries and prepare for battle, Amao practiced it for the same reason... cough cough!

However, this <Hunyuan Divine Art> doesn't seem to explain the reason for that strange gray energy...

"Hey, hey! Old Ghost! What are you up to now?!"

Li Fan was still calculating in his mind when Yue Po's voice cracked.

It turned out that after Cloud Sky Venerable finished throwing away the mountain of garbage, he suddenly unleashed eighteen kinds of magical treasures. Of course, each one was something like an ancient bottle or an ancient basin, but they were all Transformation Stage treasures at the Nascent Soul stage. At this moment, Cloud Sky Venerable controlled them, forming a circle around Yuepo, spewing out intense white Qi flames from the mouths of the bottles and cups. The eighteen streams of primordial Qi dissolved the ancient garbage! The whole pile was ignited!

"Let me show you something amazing! This is the power of the Chaos Origin!"

Although the lines are a bit cringey and the appearance is a bit pretentious, the power that Cloud Sky Venerable is showing right now is truly extraordinary.

This guy unleashed a powerful energy wave from both palms, unleashing a fierce, white-flame-like burst of mixed energy that, together with the pile of magical artifacts he had just thrown out, roasted the mountain of garbage!

Li Fan initially thought he possessed some extraordinary skill, but upon closer inspection, he realized, well, this weapon-refining technique was indeed quite crude, practically primitive. To put it bluntly, it was just burning junk.

Using the primordial energy, all the junk and rubbish was melted away in one go, all the impurities were fused into the primordial energy, and the gray matter that could not be melted away was probably the so-called 'power of the primordial chaos'.

"When Yin and Yang interact and merge into one, they give rise to form, which is formless yet turbid, neither fully separated nor fully united. This primordial chaos gives rise to all things, the beginning of the Great Dao! Ha--!"

But you know what? Under such powerful illumination, the garbage heap seemed to burn like kindling, growing ever brighter. The rotting bones and skin underground, which had been burning for who knows how long, emitted thick smoke and billowing ash! Gray fire serpents scorched the sword pellet and moon spirit bound by the Heavenly Vein Universe!

Li Fan frowned, did some quick calculations, and found that the hexagram for the Moon Soul indicated 'Minor Auspiciousness'...

Yuepo panicked too, "Senior Brother! Help, Sect Leader! I was wrong, I shouldn't have argued with you!"

Li Fan, "..."

Cloud Sky Venerable, "Hahaha! Don't be afraid, my darling. I will help you wash away your mortal body and refine your innate physique! You have the ability to escape from me on your own, which shows that you are destined to be with my Hunyuan Dao! As long as you pass this trial, you will not perish like them and can ascend to become an innate treasure!"

Moon Soul, "What?! A true spirit can perish?! Senior Brother!! Ah----... Hmm? Seems like it doesn't have any effect?"

Li Fan shrugged. "Isn't that obvious? Even if you stewed a sword in a pot for hundreds or thousands of years, it still wouldn't be cooked through. Oh, you think you can forge a sword in a few minutes while setting up a barbecue stall? Dream on!"

Moreover, although this Primordial Qi is said to be able to refine and polish all things into Qi, it would take forever to melt the Moon Soul. Rather, it's more accurate to say that precisely because Primordial Qi seems to be able to dissolve all things, it might actually be similar to refining a sword pellet—roasting it, giving the Moon Soul a bath, removing the bloodstains and impurities that have accumulated on the sword pellet from killing too many people...

Hmm, where's 'Little Lucky'...?

"Oh, oh? It actually withstood it? Hmph, it's just what I need!"

Although Cloud Sky Venerable was still being stubborn, he was clearly a little surprised and increased his output by two levels. However, although the primordial Qi flames scorched the Sword Talismans on the Void Moon Soul Sword Pellet, they were always blocked by a layer of pure, almost tangible, faint radiance, and could not damage the sword body forged from the Void Jade in the slightest.

As expected of Xuan Tian's craftsmanship, even the seal to resist the refinement of primordial energy was already engraved in the sword.

Moon Soul, "Hmph! That's it? That's all?"

Yunxia Tianzun: "W-what! No one can say I'm incapable! Yay!"

Faced with skepticism, Yunxia Tianzun unleashed her full power, her primordial energy growing increasingly fierce, and the sword imprint of the Moon Soul becoming ever clearer. Li Fan glanced at the talismans and suddenly noticed that those that were shining and taking effect were not for controlling Qi and preventing fire, but rather mostly for protecting the artifact spirits. He was a little puzzled for a moment, but then a flash of inspiration struck him. Looking at the magical treasures around him, he suddenly understood what those gray tufts of thread were all about.

It is chaos.

It is disorder.

It's entropy.

A collection of all disorder.

It is this space, this dimension, this world, as seen through Li Fan's perspective, a blind person's view, revealing an out-of-control, disordered string.

These strings become out of control, disordered, and lose stable fluctuations because something crucial has been removed.

The primordial energy is unified.

Yes. Calling it Primordial Qi is inaccurate. The gray stuff entangled in these magical artifacts is Chaos. The energy that the Cloud Sky Venerable cultivated using the Hunyuan Divine Art should be called Yuan Qi.

To use an imperfect but easily understood analogy, it's like yin and yang, heaven and earth, or the two poles of a magnet. It's as if by grasping one end of a whip and waving it, the ripples created by the whip will spread outwards.

The primordial energy, combined with the invisible and intangible gray chaos, constitutes the complete primordial energy.

Or rather, a once complete spirit of the artifact.

Looking at the pile of magical treasures and the salvaged trash around him, Li Fan finally understood the other party's cultivation method.

Since it's difficult to target Divine Transformation cultivators, he'll just use the spirit of a magic weapon as a substitute. After all, his goal is simply to absorb Qi and Hunyuan Divine Art Chaos Divine Art.

As for those who cultivated together as both 'object and spirit' and had their vital energy drained, leaving only a pile of chaotic, broken strings, whether the 'spirit' still exists is not a matter for the Celestial Venerable to consider.

If it's used up or ruined, just make another one.

Li Fan understood.

Everything in the universe has its own natural laws of development, and change occurs as time flows by. Babies grow old, the dead cannot be brought back to life, and the excess is taken from the deficiency to make up for it. This is the natural order, this is the way of Heaven.

Even the malevolent energy of the Tai Su Dao only creates many forks and detours along the way in the direction of natural change, rather than reversing the entire process.

However, the Primordial Dao is different. The Cloud Sky Venerable permanently extracted a portion of the energy in nature and used it for his own purposes, going against the will of Heaven and seizing power for his own benefit.

He gathered the essence of heaven and earth to purify himself, stabilizing and solidifying his perfection and invincibility. He even wanted to continue extracting more, taking all the primordial energy of heaven and earth until he returned to that original, chaotic, and Oldest One state.

This is the path he chose.

"Huff... huff... I didn't expect Emei's sword-forging skills to be so powerful. Could it be that my Primordial Chaos Power isn't enough? Treasures, wait! I'll go to the storeroom and get some more magical treasures to help!"

Despite exhausting all his strength and using every trick in the book, Cloud Sky Venerable was unable to break through the first layer of the seal on the sword pellet and had to stop and recuperate, panting heavily.

Why go through all that trouble?

"No trouble at all, huh? Who?"

Before the other party could turn around, Li Fan struck Cloud Sky Venerable on the back of the head with a palm, pushing him into the fire.

"Aren't you the greatest Hunyuan? Go down, and this sword will be forged."

Caught off guard, Cloud Sky Venerable was struck by a palm, causing his soul to scatter and his Dao consciousness to be sealed. He then fell into the formation and was scorched and ulcerated by the primordial energy spewed out by the eighteen treasures!

"Ahhh--! This! How is this possible!"

Cloud Sky Venerable could not see the chaotic energy that had filled the internal organs with the blow to his head.

He instinctively tried to break free of the fire, but with each step he took, his shadow on the wall rushed towards him, striking him with a palm that severed all his meridians, caused his internal organs to tremble violently, broke his tendons and bones, and sent him tumbling into the primordial fire.

"Awooooo--!"

Cloud Sky Venerable suppressed the fear of his Dao body collapsing and his true Qi leaking out, and tried to use hand seals to retrieve the magical treasures in the sky. His shadow on the wall also made the same hand seals and chanted incantations, making the flames spewed out by those magical treasures even more dazzling and intense.

"Who! Who! Who are you! Who are you! What kind of law is this! What kind of law is this!"

Cloud Sky Venerable was chased by his shadow in the flames. No matter how he fought back or tried to escape, his shadow caught up with him and dragged him back into the fire.

It's as if there's an invisible, inescapable, unbreakable thread connecting him and his shadow, a thread called retribution.

The moon spirit watched as the white flames struggled, howled, and died out in despair, their shadow finally engulfing the Cloud Palace.

"... Senior brother?"

In the darkness, a hand reached into the moonlight, revealing a cricket cage made of human bone in its palm.

"Alright, here, take it and play with it."