Swish!!
As the words fell, Cangtian Dao Sovereign no longer hesitated. With a wave of his hand, streams of naturally resonant violet energy appeared before him. It was none other than Primordial Purple Qi. The moment it appeared, it naturally flowed toward Hongjun.
During this process, the eyes of countless great powers burned with desire, as if they wished to swallow it whole. Yet, within the Zixiao Palace, no one dared act on it.
That would undoubtedly be a death wish.
Xuantian, Juntian, Jiutian, and Huangtian Dao Sovereigns followed suit, offering the Primordial Purple Qi within themselves, making their final choice. This Qi was extraordinarily precious, and even they felt a pang of pain deep within.
A heart-wrenching pain.
Truly not something an ordinary being could endure.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun observed with a slight smile and casually absorbed all five streams of Primordial Purple Qi.
"The Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns have relinquished the Primordial Purple Qi. This act brings immense merit to my Eternal World, and is a great virtue indeed. However, the Qi's rightful ownership must be determined today to prevent future strife, sparing kin from grief and enemies from joy."
Hongjun smiled as he spoke.
"May I ask, Dao Ancestor, who is to receive the Primordial Purple Qi?"
A great power asked.
Every eye burned with intensity, each person silently wishing they were the one.
This was Hongjun's decree. Once granted, even for the sake of his authority, no one would dare contend for it. Its assignment today was fate, unquestionable. Otherwise, even possessing the Qi would not bring peace of mind; it could instead become a calamity.
"To prove the Dao and achieve sainthood, the Primordial Purple Qi is not the only path. Those who become saints of the Heavenly Dao do so because the Qi connects them to Heaven, allowing their True Spirit to reside within it. As long as Heaven endures, the saint does not perish. In today's Eternal World, the only true realm, more saints can exist. With sufficient ability, one may reach Hunyuan Dao by other means."
Hongjun did not immediately reveal the Qi's fate, instead discussing the methods to prove the Dao.
The Three Pure Ones and other Dao Sovereigns displayed subtle changes in expression.
"Dao Ancestor, how can one prove the Hunyuan Dao?"
Eastern Emperor Taiyi asked.
"Among the three thousand Great Dao, each may serve as a path to proving the Dao. To achieve Hunyuan Dao, the methods may ultimately be divided into nine paths."
Hongjun spoke calmly.
"Please, Dao Ancestor, bestow the methods to prove the Dao."
Within the hall, numerous great powers respectfully requested guidance.
What they needed most was direction—someone to show them hope, a path forward, a glimpse of the true future. Even Yi Tianxing was curious, eager to hear what profound insights Hongjun might reveal.
The Nine Methods to Prove the Dao
Slay the Three Corpses – Cut away the three corpses within: good, evil, and self. Doing so naturally leads to Hunyuan Dao. The greatest difficulty lies in needing innate treasures to anchor the slayed corpses.
Merit Dao – Accumulate vast merit, using it as a medium. Once the Heavenly Dao recognizes this merit, Hunyuan Dao may be achieved. This method is open to anyone with sufficient virtue, a clear and straightforward path.
Yi Tianxing mused: accumulating enough merit is no simple task, yet it is the path Heaven most encourages for great powers.
Force Dao – Prove the Dao through sheer force: break the shackles of heaven and earth, crush the void, dominate all paths. Success grants Hunyuan Dao; failure brings death, or severe Dao-inflicted injury. A path of no return, extremely perilous.
Law Dao – Merge with one of the three thousand universal laws to prove the Dao. The cost is integration with that law: one prospers or falls alongside it. High risk, but a direct shortcut if one can win the contest with innate deities. Those with their own Dao insights may resist this path, as it fixes one's potential.
World Dao – Develop an inner world within oneself, cultivating its laws and consolidating its power. Expand from small to medium, then to a great world. The path is methodical but demands enormous resources. If the inner world collapses, one's Dao path ends.
Three Lifetimes Dao – Sever past, present, and future lives to transcend time and space. Possessing three lifetimes' bodies grants extraordinary power, but the risk is extreme. Only those with special methods dare attempt it; failure brings great harm.
Faith Dao – Accumulate infinite belief and devotion, condensing it into an immortal body, achieving supreme divine Dao. Yet devotion is dangerous: absorbing it risks being influenced by the collective will of sentient beings, possibly altering one's personality. A careful choice is essential.
Martial Dao – Use martial truth to break all paths, condensing one's martial essence to dominate all ways. Immortality follows naturally. The path is violent and tumultuous; only the strongest, following the example of the Martial Ancestor, may succeed.
Dynasty Dao – Create a personal dynasty, linking oneself to its fortune. The stronger the dynasty, the stronger its ruler. If one ascends to the Immortal Court, Hunyuan Dao is achieved with Heavenly Dao's approval.
Finally, Primordial Purple Qi Dao – The Qi is the root of Heaven and Earth, the source of the Great Dao. Those who refine and comprehend it may connect to the Heavenly Dao, allowing their True Spirit to ascend and become a heavenly saint. The Qi is scarce; few may achieve Dao through it. It is not a normal path but a ladder beyond law—a unique opportunity.
These nine methods present both shortcuts and proper paths. Mastering even one fully guarantees Hunyuan Dao. Yet choosing a path is a challenge. Many paths are too dangerous to attempt.
Primordial Purple Qi is a heavenly ladder, a method beyond conventional Dao—a chance, not a standard method.
Dynasty Dao is even harder: it requires ruling, educating, and guiding countless beings. Not a trivial path.
Yi Tianxing's eyes glinted as he looked at Haotian. As Lord of the Lingxiao Immortal Court, achieving Hunyuan Dao should be straightforward for him—there should be no barriers.
(End of Chapter)