Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, inside Zixiao Palace.
"Hum~" Seven streaks of light flashed as Houtu and the Six Saints arrived. Standing on either side, they bowed together to the old Daoist seated in the main seat. "Greetings, Dao Ancestor (Master). May the Dao Ancestor (Master) enjoy boundless longevity!"
"No need for such ceremony. Sit," Hongjun said mildly.
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor (Master)." Houtu rose first and went over to sit on a meditation cushion. Laozi and the other Saints then rose and took their seats in turn.
After they had all sat down, Hongjun said, "In years past, the Chan and Jie teachings committed an Immortal-Killing Calamity while vying for the Human Emperor's Position. That disaster has continued to grow to this day, with karma entangled and killing intent pervading heaven and earth. It has now developed into a kalpa."
At Hongjun's words, the expressions of Houtu and the Six Saints changed sharply.
A kalpa?
Another one had come so soon!
Laozi asked Hongjun, "Master, may I ask who the central figures of this kalpa will be, and how great an impact it will have on the Primordial World?"
During the Dragon-Han Catastrophe, the central figures had been the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans. Their fighting had left rivers of blood flowing through the Primordial World and shattered its spiritual veins inch by inch.
Later, during the Witch-Demon Calamity, the central figures had been the Witch Race and the Demon Race. Their battles had caused Mount Buzhou to collapse, the stars to fall, and the Four Extremes to tilt. Had the Sacred Beasts not saved the world and Nuwa not repaired the heavens, the Primordial World might have ceased to exist.
Now another kalpa had arrived. It truly weighed on the Saints' hearts.
Although the Saints possessed boundless magic power,