Once every fifty thousand years, the Great Dao Venerable publicly expounded the Dao.
Those seated closest were all direct disciples.
The eldest disciple, Zhen Yuanzi, was absent, having gone to patrol the Sea of Chaos.
The third direct disciple, Jun Wuhuo, and the fifth direct disciple, Yin Wuji, were currently missing.
The remaining disciples—the second, Luo Qinghan; the fourth, Baili Hong; the sixth, Feng Buhui; the seventh, Ji Chen; the eighth, Xun Xian; and the ninth, Xu Changqing—had all taken their seats.
Farther out sat the elders, stewards, true disciples, and inner disciples of the Northern Dipper Immortal Mansion.
Beyond them were many people of considerable status and background from the Four Mortal Domains.
Farther still were mostly top Rogue Cultivators from the major star regions.
"There are three things in the world."
The Great Dao Venerable's voice slowly spread from within the grand hall.
The entire Northern Dipper Star Region fell silent at that moment.
The sound surged forth, piercing through halls and stars alike.
Every word made the Time Law of the Northern Dipper Star Region tremble with it.
"The first is 'the present.'
The present is the only dwelling place of existence.
The past has passed, and the future has yet to arrive.
Of all phenomena and all things, the only thing they can occupy is this fleeting gap called the present.
Every breath you draw, every thread of spiritual power you circulate, every streak of sword light you strike forth—all occurs in the present."
His voice paused, as though allowing everyone time to comprehend.
At the same time, countless golden motes drifted down from the skies above Celestial Pivot Star.
As the Great Dao Venerable expounded the Dao, billions upon billions of Star Souls transformed into a rain of faith.
When these motes fell