"What is causality?"
Three thousand disciples sat cross-legged beneath the Myriad Dao Tree, looking up at the white-haired, gaunt-faced old man on the stone platform.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Even their breathing was kept exceptionally light and faint.
The Dao Ancestor's gaze swept over the disciples one by one before he spoke again, his voice still mild and even, as though chatting about household matters:
"Causality is not a decree of the Heavenly Dao.
"Between cause and effect, there is only time."
After saying this, he fell silent.
The branches and leaves of the Myriad Dao Tree swayed gently in the wind, rustling softly.
Among the disciples, some frowned in thought, while others blinked in bewilderment.
Causality was not a decree of the Heavenly Dao?
Then what was it?
Wasn't causality simply that good was rewarded with good, and evil repaid with evil?
You reaped what you sowed—wasn't that a rule laid down by the Heavenly Dao?
Why had the Dao Ancestor denied it right from the start?
Among the disciples in the front row, a burly descendant of the God Race with a flame mark between his brows spoke up. "Dao Ancestor, there is something this disciple does not understand.
"If causality is not a decree of the Heavenly Dao, then how should we understand retribution for good and evil?"
The Dao Ancestor looked at him and answered calmly, "Retribution for good and evil is a rule made by people, not a rule of the Dao.
"The Dao will not reward you for doing good.
"Nor will it punish you for doing evil.
"Do good, and good consequences will arise on their own.
"Do evil, and evil consequences will follow you.
"This is not a decree, but a trajectory."
The God Race descendant frowned and pondered for