Hongjun Becomes a Sage, the Zodiac Takes Its Place

More than thirty thousand years drifted by; in the Primordial World, it was no more than the blink of an eye.

Within the Moon Palace on the Lunar Star.

Ten thousand beams of moonlight streamed down, the fragrance of osmanthus hung heavy, the chill was pure and gentle, and Dao resonance arose naturally.

Changxi withdrew her human form and revealed her innate true form, transforming into a snow-white Jade Rabbit barely a foot long—

Her fur was lustrous, fairer than snow and flawless as crystal. Her ears were slender and lively, her ruby-like eyes clear and bright, and faint Lunar Moonlight wound around her entire body, lending her an inborn spiritual grace.

"Tap."

With a light touch of her toes, she leaped up and landed lightly on Lingxiao's knee. Curling into a soft little ball, she spoke in a sweet, lively voice, "Big Brother Lingxiao, the entire Zodiac has been enlightened and taken their places, guarding the Temporal Order of the heavens. Heavenly Dao Merit is flowing in without end. What should we do next? Remain here in seclusion and cultivate, or travel across the star sea in search of opportunities?"

Just then, the palace doors opened softly, and Xihe slowly entered from outside, her steps unhurried.

Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, with only a cool, lustrous moon-jade hairpin securing her cloudlike coiffure;

Her face was aloof and untainted by the world, her brows and eyes elegant and gentle, her skin fairer than moonlight congealed into frost. A hazy Lunar Yin radiance surrounded her, carrying the sacred purity and solitary pride of the bright moon.

"Enlightening the star gods and setting the stellar sequence of the Earthly Branches in order was a supreme act of goodness that followed the will of heaven and earth." Xihe spoke softly, her voice like cold spring water washing over jade.

"You and I do not seek dominion over the Primordial World, nor do we involve ourselves in the disputes of myriad races. We need only lay our foundations solidly, step by step, stay far from the slaughter of Calamities, and cultivate in peace."

"In my opinion, we should continue enlightening the other sacred stars and strengthen the stellar lineage. That would surely be safe and sound, far better than setting foot upon the Primordial Lands and becoming tainted by boundless karmic slaughter and tangled causes and effects."

In Xihe's heart, Calamity qi had settled over the Primordial Lands, with hidden dangers lurking everywhere. The bloody aftermath of the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans' downfall had yet to fade, while mighty recluses from every side lay hidden in the shadows. Every step was perilous.

Holding fast to the Lunar Star and Sun Star, and deeply cultivating the order of the star river—was that not the safe and lasting path?

Lingxiao looked at Xihe, who sought stability in all things and proceeded with caution at every step, then shook his head with a helpless smile.

"Fellow Daoist Xihe, you are far too cautious in your actions. You have fallen into the trap of refusing to eat for fear of choking. Avoiding Calamities is indeed the foundation of survival, but there has never been a path to the Great Dao where endless retreat alone could bring fulfillment."

The path of cautious survival was by no means shutting oneself away and yielding at every turn. It meant planning before acting, gathering strength before striking, and knowing when to advance and when to retreat.

He saw through the future course of the Primordial World and knew well that hiding from the world could never be a long-term solution—

During the Journey-to-the-West Tribulation, Zhen Yuanzi secluded himself in Five Villages Temple and remained free of worldly conflict, yet in the end, he still could not escape the Western side's schemes;

During the Apotheosis Calamity, Tongtian Cult Master strictly ordered his Interception Sect disciples to remain in their caves reciting scriptures, silently studying the Yellow Court Scripture, and never setting foot in the mortal world. Yet in the end, ten thousand immortals still met disaster, the Interception Sect collapsed, countless died or were wounded, and desolation filled the eye...

Choosing to retreat alone could sometimes leave one with nowhere to retreat to.

"Previously, you and I established the Twelve Time Markers and defined the Temporal Order of heaven and earth, gaining merit and thereby forming a strand of karma." Lingxiao's gaze grew solemn as he spoke slowly.

"Now that we have personally enlightened the Zodiac and elevated the Time Marker star gods, we have answered the principle of repaying a good cause with a good result. This strand of karma is already settled."

"But if we continue enlightening the stars without purpose and forcibly bring forth star gods, we will needlessly become entangled in new karma, and the benefits and harms will be difficult to foresee."

"On the path of cultivation, only by alternating tension and relaxation can the Great Dao endure forever."

Enlightening the Twelve Time Markers served two purposes: repaying karma and stabilizing the Temporal Order.

As for enlightening other star gods?

That was not something to do now.

One should do only as much as one's abilities allowed.

Like Dijun, who created countless postcelestial Demon Race members with a single wave of Emperor's Celestial Nectar and took on innumerable strands of karma—it was not entirely impossible.

But it had to be done slowly, methodically, and with proper restraint. One could not grow fat in a single bite.

Xihe's willow brows furrowed slightly, and her gaze tightened. "From what you say, Dao Brother, do you intend to leave the starry sky and travel through the Primordial Lands?"

At the mention of the Primordial Lands, worry could not be concealed between her brows. That land had endured several great Calamities; its dangers were impossible to predict, and it was certainly no kind place.

"Not at all. Establishing the Temporal Order was merely the beginning. If nothing unexpected happens, our next step will naturally be to continue planning for merit." Lingxiao smiled.

When heaven and earth had first opened, the Primordial World still had many areas in need of completion, and there were many ways to plan for merit.

After a few more Calamities passed, there would not be much merit left in heaven and earth to seize.

For those seeking hegemony, this was the worst of times.

But for those planning to obtain merit, this was the best of times!

Just as the two were quietly discussing the Dao—

"Rumble!!!"

A tremendous explosion suddenly erupted from the depths of Chaos. Its sound was vast and ancient, like the thunderous roar of Pangu's giant axe when he split open heaven and earth, shaking the World Womb Membrane of the Primordial World.

Amid the endless chaotic currents, a violet-gold rift spanning hundreds of millions of miles was torn open with a crash.

"Bang!"

Innate spiritual qi, clear qi, and chaotic qi surged down like tidal waves, yet upon nearing the World Womb Membrane of the Primordial World, they all transformed into seven-treasure pendants filling the sky and Nine-Leaf Golden Lotuses carpeting the earth.

Above the Thirty-Three Heavens, violet qi stretched three hundred million billion miles across, blanketing all heavens;

Auspicious qi rose from the five regions of the earth, immortal cranes circled in flight, and spiritual deer carried sacred mushrooms in their mouths.

An incomparably vast pressure spread layer upon layer, enveloping the nine heavens and ten lands, the star sea and the Primordial World.

Then, a calm voice rang out, neither sorrowful nor joyous:

"High I recline upon the ninefold clouds; upon the cushion, the true Dao is complete."

"Beyond heaven and earth's Mystic Yellow, I alone shall hold the honored seat of teaching."

"Pangu birthed the Supreme Ultimate; the Two Principles and Four Images followed."

"Leader of the Profound Sect, one breath transformed into Hongjun."

"I am Hongjun. I hold the Creation Jade Slip and bear the favor of the Heavenly Dao. Today, I have transcended my shackles and attained the Supreme Primordial Dao Fruit, becoming a Heavenly Dao Sage."

"Three thousand years hence, I shall open an altar in the Violet Firmament Palace beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, within Chaos, to teach the Dao, expound the wondrous methods of the Heavenly Dao, and explain the profound principles of Primordial Unity."

"All races of the Primordial World and all sacred beings of the heavens—those with affinity may come to attend and hear the Dao."

As the sacred voice fell silent, the phenomena of heaven and earth grew ever more magnificent.

A thousand layers of rosy clouds wound around the nine skies, and seven-colored auspicious qi descended upon the mortal realm;

The vast waves of the Four Seas transformed into golden billows, while living beings of all races bowed their heads in worship.

The Sage's might, towering above all things, surged forth mightily and pressed down upon every living being in the Primordial World without distinction.

Within the Primordial World, no matter how mighty they were, all were drawn by that pressure and involuntarily fell to their knees in worship.

Even top-tier Innate Sacred Beings like Ziwei Star Lord, whose destiny was noble and foundation extraordinary,

Even ancient reclusive powers like Candle Dragon, a Primordial Golden Immortal,

Even Grand Pure One Laozi, formed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and protected by the Postcelestial Merit Supreme Treasure, the Heaven-Earth Mystic Yellow Exquisite Pagoda...

All were helplessly crushed to their knees by that pressure!

Beneath the Sage, all were ants!

A Heavenly Dao Sage was supreme and exalted beyond compare!

Only around the Lunar Star did the vast Sage's might curve away, never exerting even the slightest pressure, as though deliberately avoiding it.

Thus, Lingxiao and the other two were not affected by that pressure.

"This is... Hongjun has attained the Dao and become a Sage?!"

Lingxiao's expression changed drastically. He abruptly rose from his meditation cushion and lifted his eyes toward the violet-gold radiance deep within Chaos, his thoughts churning.

The snow-white Jade Rabbit swayed, spiritual light flowing around her as she instantly transformed into the delicate and lively maiden Changxi.

Her eyes sparkled, and her face was full of shock and excitement. "Hongjun Ancestor has attained the Dao! He is the first to succeed in attaining the Dao since heaven and earth were opened! Such an ancient, supreme power is going to teach the Dao—Big Brother Lingxiao, should we go listen?"

Xihe gazed toward the heavens beyond Chaos, her expression uncertain.

The Violet Firmament Palace's Dao lecture would gather all the foremost powers of the Primordial World. Dragon-Han Survivors and Innate Sacred Beings would assemble in one place, with opportunities to attain the Dao close at hand.

Yet where heroes gathered, interests would intertwine, schemes would lurk in the shadows, and conflict would be impossible to avoid. The dangers within were equally impossible to predict.

One thought brought opportunity; one thought brought calamity.

The two women exchanged glances. Neither could decide, and in the end, they both turned their eyes to Lingxiao, waiting quietly for his judgment.

Lingxiao stood with his hands behind his back, one fingertip resting against his chin as he pondered with deep eyes.

Three thousand years later, the Violet Firmament Palace would open its lecture. The Dao Ancestor would expound his methods—this was a crucial turning point in the great course of the Primordial World.

Opportunity lay ahead, but so did turmoil. This grand gathering spanning eternity...

Should they go, or not?