The Origin of the Heavenly Dao

What exactly was the Heavenly Dao?

This was probably a question every cultivator had pondered.

From what was known, it was the foundational law governing the workings of the entire universe, not a consciousness.

Yet in the manifestations of cultivation, the Heavenly Dao possessed a distinct consciousness. Though that consciousness appeared so detached and indifferent, it undeniably existed.

This left all cultivators perplexed. Even Ning Ye, who cultivated the Heavenly Dao, had yet to obtain a clear answer.

By comparison, Starwatcher, this ancient sovereign who excelled in the Dao of heavenly calculations, held greater authority on the matter.

Hearing Ning Ye ask this, Starwatcher chuckled. "I have meditated in seclusion for a million years over this question, yet even now, I find it difficult to give a clear answer. Or rather, there are too many answers, and I do not know which one is correct."

"Then just tell me whatever comes to mind."

"Mm." Starwatcher stroked his chin.

Then he suddenly raised a hand and pointed beyond the thatched cottage.

In the depths of the starry river outside the cottage, countless shattered stars gathered together, forming a vast stellar realm. Yet the realm itself was not tightly condensed. Chaotic rocks crisscrossed one another in a tangled maze. Every star-rock lay close to the others without being completely connected, influencing one another through some mysterious energy and ultimately forming a stellar realm like a honeycomb.

Then he pointed again. Within that honeycomb realm, wind, rain, thunder, and lightning began to rage. As time turned, life began to emerge upon one of the chaotic star-rocks.

At first, they were only the lowest forms of life. But as time passed, they evolved without cease, gradually forming all manner of life suited to the characteristics of this stellar realm.

Then cultivators began to appear.