Daochen nodded slightly. "That is one way to put it."
"You all know that after Houtu became Reincarnation and established the Netherworld Office, she opened up the Earthly Dao within it and became Lady Pingxin."
"What you do not know is that although Lady Pingxin appears unable to leave the Netherworld Office, seemingly enjoying even less freedom than a Sage..."
"In truth, by opening up the Earthly Dao, Lady Pingxin became stronger than us. Were it not for the Heavenly Dao's suppression, even I would not dare claim that I could defeat her."
"Do you know why?"
At that moment, the Moral Heavenly Venerable spoke in surprise. "Could it be because she can wield the Earthly Dao and the power of the Great Dao as she pleases, setting her own rules? Within the Netherworld Office, I fear no one is her match."
They were all Sages who had attained the Dao long ago, so naturally, they understood the distinction.
Daochen nodded. "Exactly. That is the difference."
"On the surface, she seems bound to the Netherworld Office, but in truth, no one is her match."
"Though we now hold the exalted status of Sages, we remain suppressed by the Heavenly Dao. Even those ancient gods in the Beyond Lands can suppress us whenever they wish. To be honest, I still cannot accept it."
"If we stood above the Heavenly Dao of the Primordial World, who would dare look down on us so casually?"
Every Sage present stared at him in shock.
They had never imagined that Demon Emperor Daochen harbored such vast ambitions.
He actually wanted to stand above the Heavenly Dao.
Yet upon reflection, was this not what they desired in their own hearts?
They had merely kept it buried deep within, never daring to speak of it.
"Demon Emperor,