The Great Dao's Message, an Unexpected Request

The boundary of the Dao Realm slowly unfolded before Xuandu, like the surface of water brushed by the wind, rippling gently.

He was just about to step into that independent heaven and earth when a voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

The voice was not loud. In fact, it was exceedingly soft, as though someone were speaking quietly from a great distance.

Yet the depth contained within that voice brought Xuandu to a halt.

It was the voice of the Great Dao.

Xuandu stood at the edge of the Dao Realm and glanced back, his gaze falling upon the roiling Chaos Void behind him.

He did not respond immediately. He simply stood there, waiting for the voice to continue.

A moment later, the voice sounded again, somewhat clearer than before:

"Xuandu, there is something I would like your help with."

Xuandu's gaze sharpened slightly.

The Great Dao was asking for my help?

The being who had looked down upon chaos for countless millions of cosmic cycles, governed its order, and cultivated countless puppets was actually asking for my help?

He was silent for a moment before speaking calmly:

"Please go ahead, Senior."

The Great Dao's voice fell silent for an instant, as though weighing something.

Then it slowly sounded again, carrying a solemnity it had never possessed throughout those countless millions of cosmic cycles:

"You should already know why I chose beings with a Hongmeng Foundation as my puppets."

"My essence is declining. I need a new vessel to sustain my existence."

"But not one of the puppets I chose was truly willing to cooperate."

"Pangu chose to merge his body with the Great Wilderness. Desolation chose to feign madness and play the fool. Ten Thousand Woods chose to fake his death and escape."

"I needed beings with a Hongmeng