Before Purple Heaven Palace.
Hongjun stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze piercing endless space to fall upon the Green Clad Figure speeding away.
Upon the Great Wilderness, where the heavens were about to be mended.
Upon the new era that was about to begin.
He slowly spoke, his voice barely audible:
"This child... may attain the Great Dao."
The four words fell and scattered on the wind.
Inside Purple Heaven Palace, Yuanshi suddenly looked up!
He had heard it!
That barely audible voice—he had heard it!
May attain the Great Dao!
Attain the Great Dao!
Attain the Great Dao that transcended Heavenly Dao and stood above all laws... the Great Dao?
Yuanshi's face went as pale as paper.
He suddenly remembered Xuandu's calm gaze, his casual smile, and his unshakable composure.
So... so that was it!
This person had never once looked upon them, the Sages!
His eyes held only the supreme Great Dao!
And Yuanshi had fancied himself the player moving the pieces, the one who had laid a deadly trap.
In truth, he had been nothing more than a stepping stone on Xuandu's path to the Great Dao!
"Pfft!"
Yuanshi spat out a mouthful of Purple-Gold Saint Blood!
He staggered and fell onto his cushion, the Jade Purity Immortal Light around him fading completely.
The Three Treasures Jade Ruyi let out a mournful cry, its radiance fading away.
Laozi gazed at him, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.
Jieyin murmured a Buddhist invocation, his voice full of sorrow.
Zhunti said nothing, only lowering his head further.
Before Purple Heaven Palace.
Hongjun still stood with his hands behind his back.
He looked at Yuanshi, at Laozi, and at Jieyin and Zhunti.
His gaze was indifferent, neither sorrowful nor joyful.
After a long while,
he slowly spoke: