Returning to Discuss the Dao

Chapter 50: Discussing the Dao on the Way Back

When Taiyi emerged from the chaotic airflow, there weren't many people left outside. The Treasure Distribution Cliff stood alone in the chaos, the treasure light on its summit dimmed considerably, on the verge of completely disappearing.

He scanned the area but didn't see Di Jun. Just as he was about to sense him, a golden rainbow broke through the chaos in the distance and sped towards him—it was Di Jun.

"Second Brother," Di Jun stopped in front of him, a hint of joy on his face. "How was it?"

Taiyi knew what he was asking about. He nodded, "I got three small trinkets, they're quite useful. How about you, Brother? Judging by your complexion, you had a good harvest?"

Di Jun laughed heartily, the imperial aura of stars around him becoming even more solidified. "The River Diagram and Luo Script resonated with a Star Origin within the cliff, deepening my understanding of the operation of the Zhou Tian Stars. If I go into seclusion after returning, I might achieve a breakthrough."

As the two spoke, several more streams of light flew out from the cliff summit and dispersed into the chaos. Taiyi saw Nuwa and Fuxi also emerge together, heading in their direction.

"Fellow Daoists," Fuxi cupped his hands from afar and smiled, "It seems your harvests this time were not small."

Nuwa stood beside him, a faint smile on her face. The Daoist charm of Creative Vitality flowed around her, clearly indicating she had also benefited from the Treasure Distribution Cliff.

The four gathered together and flew towards the Great Wilderness. The chaotic airflow surged around them, making their escape light flicker.

After flying for about a quarter of an hour, Nuwa, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "This time, listening to the Dao, the Dao Ancestor set six Saint positions. The Three Pure Ones, myself, and the two from the West each received one."

Her voice was soft, as if she were talking about something unrelated to herself. Yet, the meaning within her words was heavy.

Fuxi turned to look at her but said nothing.

Di Jun frowned slightly and mused, "The Saint positions are set, as ordained by the Heavenly Dao. However..." He paused. "The Demon Race now wishes to establish the Heavenly Court and rule the Great Wilderness. Without Saints overseeing it, its foundation will ultimately be unstable."

This hit the nail on the head.

Taiyi listened from the side, his mind as clear as a mirror. Di Jun was worried—the Demon Race wanted to establish the Heavenly Court and rule all races, but now that the six Saints were decided, none of them were related to the Demon Race. If conflicts arose in the future, who would support the Demon Race?

Nuwa remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Saints act on behalf of Heaven to guide the Dao and enlighten all beings. Although I have obtained a Saint position, I must also abide by the Heavenly Dao and cannot show favoritism."

Her words were tactful, but the meaning was clear—even if she became a Saint, she couldn't openly favor the Demon Race.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat heavy.

The chaotic airflow howled past their ears as the four flew, and none of them spoke further.

Taiyi looked at the surging gray mist ahead, his mind racing with other thoughts.

Saint position... Heavenly Dao... Transcendence...

He recalled the words Hongjun spoke when preaching the Dao, the countless threads he saw in his Causality Vision, and the fragmented information from the three fragments of Karma Reversal.

Suddenly, he spoke. His voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the silent chaos:

"Is the Saint position truly the only path to transcendence?"

His words caused all three to freeze.

Di Jun turned to look at him, surprise in his eyes. "Second Brother, why do you say that?"

Nuwa and Fuxi also looked over, their gazes filled with inquiry.

Taiyi's face showed a thoughtful expression, as if he were carefully choosing his words. He slowed his escape light and said slowly, "Dao Ancestor Hongjun merged with the Dao himself, completing the Heavenly numbers. That is the path of 'Merging with Dao,' different from becoming a Saint. The Three Pure Ones, Fellow Daoist Nuwa, and the two from the West have obtained the position of 'Heavenly Dao Saint,' requiring them to entrust their Primordial Spirits to the Heavenly Dao, act on behalf of Heaven, and guide all beings."

He paused and looked at the three. "This path is viable and stable. Those who obtain a Saint position have the same lifespan as the Heavenly Dao, are immortal through Calamities, and it is indeed a path to the Great Dao."

"But this path also has a price," Taiyi's voice deepened. "Entrusting one's Primordial Spirit to the Heavenly Dao binds them to it. As the Heavenly Dao operates, so too must the Saints. If the Heavenly Dao changes, the Saints will also be constrained."

He remembered the powerful, solid, yet... binding karma threads of the Saint positions in his Causality Vision.

"More importantly," Taiyi continued, "Saint positions are limited. The operation of the Heavenly Dao only requires six Saints to guard it; one more is not allowed, and one less is unacceptable. Now that the six seats are filled, those who come later and wish to walk this path will likely..."

He didn't finish, but they all understood his meaning.

Di Jun's brows furrowed even tighter. Fuxi, on the other hand, looked thoughtful, his fingers subtly calculating something within his sleeve.

Nuwa was silent for a moment before saying, "Fellow Daoist Taiyi means... besides becoming a Saint, there are other paths to transcendence?"

Taiyi nodded and shook his head. "I can't say for sure. I just feel that the Great Dao has fifty principles, and Heaven's evolution is forty-nine, leaving one escape. This 'one' might be a sliver of hope left for all beings. The Saint position is a clear path, a Dao drawn by the Heavenly Dao. Following it leads to the destination. But besides this clear path, could there be others? Perhaps rugged, perhaps perilous, but... ultimately, it's a path."

His words were half genuine insight and half a test.

Genuine, because he truly felt that becoming a Saint was not the only way out—at least not for him. He was bound to the Taboo System and walked the path of disrupting karma, destined not to follow the Dao drawn by the Heavenly Dao step by step.

A test, to gauge the reactions of these future powerhouses. Especially Fuxi—he was a master of deduction, highly sensitive to Heavenly Secrets and destiny.

As expected, Fuxi spoke. His voice was steady, with a unique rhythm. "Fellow Daoist Taiyi's words carry profound meaning. When Dao Ancestor Hongjun preached, he said, 'There are three thousand Great Daos, and each can lead to Primordial Chaos.' The Saint position is the most stable among them, but not necessarily the only one."

He paused, his fingers continuing to calculate, though his brow furrowed slightly. "However... the other paths are too vague. I tried to deduce them, but only saw a vast chaos, countless diverging paths, with unpredictable fortune and misfortune."

"That's right," Taiyi interjected. "Since it's the 'one' that escapes, since it's a variable outside the Heavenly Dao, how could it be easily deduced?"

He looked at Di Jun. "Brother, the Demon Race establishing the Heavenly Court, their path is one of ruling the Great Wilderness and establishing order. This path shares similarities with the Saints' 'acting on behalf of Heaven to guide the Dao,' yet it also differs. Saints rely on the Heavenly Dao. For the Demon Race to truly establish itself, perhaps... they need to forge their own path."

A glint flashed in Di Jun's eyes; he was clearly thinking seriously.

Nuwa, however, sighed softly. "Forging one's own path... easier said than done. Having obtained a Saint position, I now understand its weight. The Heavenly Dao grants authority, but it also imposes constraints. Even Saints are not truly free."

Her words were candid. Having obtained a Saint position, she was even more aware of its limitations.

Taiyi understood that Nuwa was speaking from the heart. He nodded. "That's why I say the Saint position is both a clear path and a constraint. Once a Saint position is obtained, one is bound to the Heavenly Dao, sharing in its prosperity and decline. If the Heavenly Dao changes in the future..."

He didn't elaborate, but the implication made all three of them shudder.

The Heavenly Dao changes?

These words were too bold, and too... ominous.

The chaotic currents suddenly churned violently at that moment, as if stirred by something invisible. The escape lights of the four people flickered, forcing them to channel their magic power to stabilize themselves.

When the currents calmed, Fuxi slowly said, "The Heavenly Dao operates with its own predetermined course. However, what Taiyi said is indeed worth pondering. The path of cultivation is, after all, a defiance of heaven. Following the Heavenly Dao allows one to proceed steadily; defying heaven, perhaps... one can ascend higher."

He looked at Taiyi, his gaze deep, "Does fellow Daoist seem to have many insights on this?"

Taiyi's heart tightened, but he forced a bitter smile, "Insights? Not really. I was just lost in thought after listening to the sermon. With my meager cultivation, I haven't even touched the threshold of a Quasi-Saint, how could I dare to discuss the path of transcendence?"

His words were humble, yet reasonable. For a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to discuss Saint positions and transcendence was indeed a bit presumptuous.

Di Jun patted his shoulder and chuckled, "For my second brother to have such thoughts is already rare. The path of cultivation is long; we will walk it step by step. The Demon Race is establishing the Heavenly Court, and what's most important right now is to solidify our foundation and strengthen our power."

This brought the topic back.

Nuwa nodded, "Fellow Daoist Di Jun is right. Establishing the Heavenly Court is a major event that requires careful planning. Although I have attained a Saint position, I will do my best to assist in the matter of establishing the Heavenly Court."

Her words were a promise—while she couldn't openly show favoritism, she would certainly help behind the scenes.

Taiyi breathed a sigh of relief. The sermon he had just participated in, though seemingly casual, had every word carefully chosen. He wanted to display some "depth of thought" to attract attention, but not so much as to be too outlandish and reveal his abnormality.

It seemed the effect was quite good.

Fuxi had become interested in his "insights," but not to the point of deep investigation. Di Jun had heard him, but his mind was more focused on establishing the Heavenly Court. Nuwa... this future Saint seemed quite moved by his words about the "shackles of the Saint position."

That was enough.

Their escape lights continued to fly forward, the chaotic currents gradually receding behind them. Ahead, the outline of the Great Wilderness could already be seen—an endless expanse, with twinkling stars and stretching lands.

"We're almost there," Di Jun said.

The four stopped speaking, each lost in their own thoughts.

Taiyi looked at the land that was drawing nearer, but his mind wandered elsewhere.

The charred wood on the Treasure Distribution Cliff was now lying quietly in his sleeve. The Qi of Tribulation and Destiny deep within his Primordial Spirit seemed to have become more active again. And then there was that Sea-Calming Pearl, the great net formed by the twenty-four beads...

These were all "variables."

All "accidents" outside the Heavenly Dao's script.

And he was collecting these "accidents" bit by bit, weaving his own net.

Saint position? Heavenly Dao? Transcendence?

The road is still long.

Their escape lights pierced through the last layer of the chaotic barrier, and their vision suddenly opened up. The familiar spiritual energy of the Great Wilderness rushed towards them, carrying the brilliance of the stars, the weight of the earth, and... the clamor of countless living beings.

They had returned.

Taiyi took a deep breath, tightening his grip on the Sea-Calming Pearl and the charred wood in his sleeve.

He already had a rough outline in his mind for how to proceed on the road ahead.

But one must eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time.

The most important thing now was to digest the gains from this sermon, consolidate his cultivation, and then... see how the grand drama of the Demon Race establishing the Heavenly Court would unfold.

As for those more far-reaching plans, those thoughts about "transcendence," those calculations for contending with the Heavenly Dao...

They would wait for the future.

Their escape lights cut through the sky, speeding towards the Sun Star.

Behind them, the chaos where Zixiao Palace was located gradually disappeared into the boundless void.

And ahead, the sky of the Great Wilderness had just begun to brighten.