Dao Ancestor's Gift, Heavenly Dao Exotic Treasure

Di Jiang frowned tightly, Spatial Law around him rippling almost imperceptibly. The auras of the Ancestral Witches quietly linked together, like a solemn, towering Buzhou divine mountain, weighing down the surrounding space-time until it grew several degrees more sluggish.

"Hmm?!" Gonggong's eyes widened, fierce light bursting from his bell-sized pupils as he opened his mouth to curse.

Zhurong reacted swiftly, clapping a hand over his mouth and giving him a slight shake of the head. His gaze signaled that the Dao Ancestor was above them, and he must not behave recklessly.

Gonggong struggled indignantly for a moment, but ultimately did not dare act out. He merely snorted heavily, turned his head away, puffed out his cheeks, and wore a thoroughly unruly expression.

Among the Three Pure Ones, Yuanshi's brow was tightly furrowed, the arrogance between his brows growing even stronger.

In his view, only the Pangu Orthodox Lineage was qualified to rule the Primordial World. Eastern King Lord was merely transformed from pure yang wood qi—what virtue or ability did he possess to stand above the assembled immortals?

Tongtian, meanwhile, did not care in the slightest. He toyed with the Green Duckweed Sword at his waist, looking entirely unconcerned.

Laozi continued resting with his eyes closed. No emotion could be seen on his ancient well-like, unruffled face; only the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda above his head turned slightly.

Candle Dragon Ancestor and Fire Phoenix Ancestor exchanged a glance, both remaining outwardly composed.

The three clans had suffered grievous losses during the Dragon-Han Calamity and had long since been depleted. Now, they sought only stable development and had no wish to be dragged into further strife. Since the Immortal Court was being established to safeguard the Primordial World's stability, it might not necessarily be a bad thing for them.

The other Great Supernatural Beings all reacted differently.

Some were filled with ambition and wished to pledge themselves to Eastern King Lord as founding elders of the court;

Some watched coldly, waiting to see the Immortal Court make a fool of itself;

Others secretly remained vigilant, preparing to draw a clear line between themselves and the Immortal Court in the future.

Yet whatever they thought, not a single person dared openly contradict the Dao Ancestor at this time. All their dissatisfaction and defiance were deeply suppressed in their hearts.

However, some Great Supernatural Beings quietly turned their gazes toward Lingxiao.

This sacred being of the starry skies, supreme sovereign of the Sun Star, was the sole Great Sun Golden Crow nurtured by the Sun Star's destiny. His status was beyond compare.

He had personally established the Twelve Time Markers, guided the creation of the Heavenly Marriage, sorted out the Earth Veins, and created Human Script. Every one of these was an achievement without equal, and his prestige far surpassed Eastern King Lord's.

If Lingxiao objected to the Immortal Court, then Eastern King Lord's title as leader of the male immortals would be nothing more than an empty shell.

For a time, every gaze in Violet Firmament Palace focused upon Lingxiao.

The Three Pure Ones, the Twelve Ancestral Witches, Jieyin and Zhunti, Fu Xi and Nuwa... everyone awaited his stance.

However, they were destined to be disappointed.

Lingxiao sat unmoving, his expression calm. His fingertips lightly stroked the warm, smooth Fusang Meditation Cushion, while the corner of his lips curved into a meaningful smile.

As far as he was concerned, there were only two things worth pursuing: planning for Merit, and attaining the Great Dao, freedom, and eternity. The former was the means; the latter was the end. As for empty fame and status, he did not care for them at all.

Put plainly, the Sun Star and Lunar Yin had always stood aloof from all things, eternal and unmoving.

So long as it benefited the entire Primordial World, what substantive effect could a change in title possibly have on him?

Moreover, even the specific method for implementing the order of the Immortal Ranks had been suggested to Eastern King Lord by Lingxiao. As the one who had set it all in motion, he had naturally anticipated this step long ago.

Once the Immortal Court was established and the Heavenly Dao bestowed Merit, Lingxiao would be the one who truly benefited the most!

By sentiment and reason, in public and in private, he had no motive to sabotage Eastern King Lord.

How could anyone lift a stone only to smash his own foot?

Seeing that Lingxiao had no intention of objecting, these Violet Firmament Guests were somewhat disappointed, but still none wished to be the first to step forward.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor nodded in satisfaction and slowly said, "The second sermon has now concluded. Three Yuanhuai from now, I shall hold the third sermon and speak on the Primordial Dao Fruit."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable firmness. "After this final sermon, I shall integrate myself with the Dao and make whole the deficiencies of the Heavenly Dao."

The entire hall erupted in uproar.

"Teacher, you must not!"

"Dao Ancestor, please reconsider!"

Everyone rose one after another to dissuade him, their faces full of shock.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor waved his hand, suppressing the crowd's voices. "The Heavenly Dao is incomplete. Since I have received the Heavenly Dao's favor and attained the Saint Realm, I must bear this responsibility. My will is decided; speak no further."

Seeing the Dao Ancestor's resolute attitude, everyone knew further persuasion would be futile. They could only sigh and let the matter rest.

With the sermon over, the three thousand Violet Firmament Guests rose to take their leave, departing in groups and returning to their respective Dao fields to enter seclusion and absorb what they had gained.

Lingxiao, however, was once again kept behind by Hongjun Dao Ancestor.

"May I ask what instruction the Dao Ancestor has for me?" Lingxiao bowed and asked.

Aside from Hongjun Dao Ancestor taking the initiative to keep him behind, Lingxiao himself had some thoughts regarding the path to proving the Dao and attaining the Saint Realm. He had also intended to discuss them with the former and receive some guidance.

"No need for such formalities." Hongjun Dao Ancestor smiled faintly and lightly flicked his Whisk. The meditation cushion Lingxiao had brought was moved before the lotus platform. "Sit."

"When I discussed the Dao with you last time, I benefited greatly. Now that I am about to undergo Dao Integration, these external possessions are of no use to me. Taken from the Primordial World, they should naturally be returned to the Primordial World."

As his words fell, streams of treasure light in every color appeared from thin air and hovered in midair.

At the very front were two Innate Supreme Treasures:

The Taiji Diagram transformed into a golden bridge stretching across the void, stabilizing Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind;

The Pangu Banner was entirely Chaos-colored. Upon its surface, the phantom image of Pangu opening Heaven and Earth flickered in and out of sight, radiating peerless sharpness.

Behind them were Supreme-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures:

The Four Swords of Immortal Slaying gleamed with icy light, their Killing Intent soaring to the heavens. They reflected one another with the Immortal-Slaying Formation Diagram, faintly forming a peerless killing formation;

The Twelve-Petaled Merit Golden Lotus shone with dazzling golden light, its petals layered upon layer as immeasurable Merit Golden Light radiated from it;

The Empowering Divine Pestle, Eight-Treasure Merit Pool, Mountains and Rivers State Diagram, Universe Cauldron, Investiture List... each treasure shimmered with spiritual light and possessed its own divine might.

"These treasures were originally meant to be distributed after the third sermon. Today, you may choose three first, and the remainder shall be given to those fated with them in the future," Hongjun Dao Ancestor said evenly.

To him, these treasures had already become as tasteless as chicken ribs. They were meant to be given away in any case, and even giving all of them to Lingxiao would not have been impossible.

However, Hongjun Dao Ancestor also considered the saying that one who bit off more than he could chew would choke. Furthermore, after sparring with Yang Mei Ancestor, he had come to understand even more clearly that external objects were ultimately only external objects. One must not neglect the root in pursuit of the branches and devote too much attention to treasures.

Thus, he set the limit at three.

He also knew that, as the sole Golden Crow, Lingxiao would certainly have been born with accompanying treasures. Adding the three treasures he selected now, it would already be more than enough.

"Many thanks to the Dao Ancestor for this generous gift. A gift from an elder must not be declined, so Lingxiao shall shamelessly accept."

Lingxiao was slightly stunned, then quickly offered his thanks. Looking at the dazzling array of supreme treasures before him, he could not help but marvel inwardly.

Many-Treasures Daoist, who would later be hailed as "Many-Treasures," was nothing more than a lesser witch before the Dao Ancestor's wealth of treasures.

He took a deep breath and suppressed the turmoil in his heart. His gaze slowly swept across the many treasures, but the first thing it settled upon was not either of the two Innate Supreme Treasures, but an exceedingly special treasure:

When this treasure hung above the Dao Ancestor's head, an auspicious cloud rose thirty thousand zhang high, multicolored clouds swirling around it.

Within the auspicious cloud, a Hongmeng World appeared and vanished, with sun, moon, and stars shining throughout it;

Within the auspicious cloud, five-colored divine radiance dyed the heavens, while immortal music of the eight tones echoed through the universe;

Outside the auspicious cloud, countless golden lamps, golden lotuses, jade pendants, and hanging pearls descended from it across the sky, like water dripping endlessly from eaves, in an unbroken stream.

Its overall form was that of a Chaos-colored auspicious cloud. Its texture was as warm and smooth as jade, radiating pure, vast righteous qi and the Dao charm of opening Heaven.

"This is the All-Heavens Auspicious Cloud, formed from the vast righteous qi within Pangu's heart. It can suppress destiny and stabilize one's Dao foundation; it can also purify evil filth and restrain the Demonic Dao; it can even evolve worlds and nourish the Primordial Spirit." Hongjun Dao Ancestor stroked his beard and smiled.

Seeing Lingxiao take a liking to this treasure at first glance, he was not surprised.

After all, the All-Heavens Auspicious Cloud was quite extraordinary. It was neither an innate treasure nor an acquired treasure, but an exotic treasure like the Creation Jade Slip after it had been reforged!

Or rather, a Heavenly Dao Exotic Treasure!