The Heavenly Dao is supremely impartial. When Primordial Purple Qi is entrusted to its governance, naturally no one can raise objections. This means that everyone has a chance—so long as they contribute to the Eternal World in the days to come, they will have a full opportunity to obtain the Primordial Purple Qi. "Dao Ancestor, your mercy is boundless!"
Within the hall, the cultivators all bowed and expressed their gratitude.
"Since all of you have entered my Zixiao Palace, I cannot let your visit be in vain. Today, I will teach the Dao to you all."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun smiled faintly and spoke calmly.
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor!"
Excitement appeared on the faces of all the cultivators in the hall.
This was Dao Ancestor Hongjun, holder of the Creation Jade Disk, with unparalleled understanding of the three thousand laws of Heaven and Earth. He was also one of the most capable in teaching disciples the Dao. His reputation as a Dao Ancestor was not exaggerated. Having the opportunity to listen to Hongjun teach the Dao was a supreme chance. Seizing it could break old limitations and allow for rapid advancement.
Even Yi Tianxing felt a strong surge of interest.
Hearing Hongjun teach the Dao was of enormous benefit. This visit to Zixiao Palace was far from wasted.
Without hesitation, Hongjun began his teaching.
"Before Heaven and Earth were created, there existed a primordial mixture, born before Heaven. Silent and empty, independent and unchanging, circulating without peril, it may be called the Mother of All. I know not its name, and so call it the Dao. For the sake of a name, I call it Great. Great leads to passing, passing leads to distance, distance leads to return. Thus, the Dao is great, Heaven is great, Earth is great, and living beings are also great."
"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. Namelessness is the beginning of Heaven and Earth; naming is the mother of all things. Thus, observe the mysterious through the eternal nonexistence; observe the boundary through the eternal existence. Both emerge from the same source but have different names; both are called profound. Profound of the profound, the gateway to all wonders."
"The Great Dao is boundless and can be directed. All things rely on it for life without complaint, accomplish their tasks without claiming ownership. It nourishes all without ruling, this may be called small; all return to it without ruling, this may be called great. Because it never claims greatness, it achieves true greatness."
Hongjun first taught the origin of the Dao, its true essence, and its mysteries.
Then he expounded on the three thousand laws of the Dao, carefully explaining the obscure and complex principles. This was the most astonishing aspect. Law can be studied and cultivated, but to clearly explain each law's Daoic rhythm in a way that can be comprehended is extremely difficult.
Sometimes, the Dao cannot be lightly transmitted because it is impossible to elucidate it to the point of direct comprehension.
Hongjun accomplished this—this is why he is a Dao Ancestor.
"As expected of a Dao Ancestor," Yi Tianxing thought as he listened, feeling his mind bathed in a special Daoic rhythm. His insight into the laws deepened visibly, his newly attained level of proving the Dao quickly stabilized, and his understanding of the Heavenly Emperor Dao steadily grew.
The comprehension of the three thousand laws naturally increased as well.
The Heavenly Emperor Dao dominated all others. I am the ruler; the three thousand laws are my ministers.
Comprehending the three thousand laws also strengthened his own path as Heavenly Emperor. The sensation was remarkably clear.
His mind was completely immersed in the Daoic sound.
Within Zixiao Palace, extraordinary phenomena appeared.
A saint teaching the Dao is never ordinary.
As soon as he spoke, golden lotus petals fell, earth-sprouting golden lotuses appeared, filling the hall with Daoic resonance. The innate spiritual energy became immensely concentrated, manifesting myriad wondrous visions, giving the impression of being in an immortal realm. Flowers fell from the sky, clouds and mist formed, heavenly light shone in all directions.
The golden lotuses naturally merged with the cultivators' bodies, each containing astonishing innate spiritual energy.
Upon entering the body, it transformed into pure magical power, increasing one's cultivation.
The speed of comprehension of the laws increased tenfold or more.
It was as if bathing in the ocean of the Dao.
This time, Hongjun's teaching directly reached the level of Daoic law, explaining the three thousand laws slowly and methodically. Every word and action was captivating. The many great powers listened attentively, simultaneously contemplating and gaining insight. They could feel their foundations strengthening; even without increasing their cultivation level, their power grew.
Almost all the great powers in the hall were immersed in the Daoic sound. At their level, ordinary teachings were nearly useless, but Hongjun's words could fundamentally transform them, perfect their Dao, and enable analogical understanding.
Initially, Hongjun taught the laws. Later, he spoke of the Hunyuan Dao. By then, Yi Tianxing could no longer easily grasp the Daoic rhythms in the sound; they became increasingly obscure and difficult. He could only memorize them forcibly, hoping to fully understand them in the future.
By contrast, the Three Pure Ones listened with rapt attention. For their cultivation level, this layer of Dao was highly compatible and beneficial.
Time passed unnoticed.
It was impossible to estimate how long had passed, but it was certainly not brief.
After a long time, the Daoic sound gradually faded.
Hongjun spoke calmly: "A thousand years of teaching has concluded. Fellow Daoists may leave at will."
As his words fell, Hongjun's figure vanished from the teaching platform, just as he had appeared.
"Impossible! A thousand years have passed, and I still don't know what has happened to Dayi," Yi Tianxing thought, returning from the sea of Daoic sound. His expression changed; he had not expected time to pass so quickly. A thousand years could have brought unforeseen changes to Dayi, and that would be disastrous.
Without hesitation, he turned and left Zixiao Palace.
"Immortal Emperor Yi, how shall the Primordial Purple Qi be allocated?"
Zeus asked.
"When Dayi ascends to the Immortal Court, a grand Peach Festival will be held. On that day, all fellow Daoists are invited. The allocation of the Purple Qi will be determined at the feast," Yi Tianxing said decisively.
The Primordial Purple Qi had already been witnessed by many great powers, and the issue of its allocation could not be decided lightly. Now, he had no interest in lingering.
This was Zixiao Palace, not the Dayi Immortal Court.
What he most urgently wanted was to see the state of Dayi's Immortal Court.
Flash!
As he stepped out of Zixiao Palace, the world seemed to invert, and in the blink of an eye, he returned to his previous location within Dayi's territory.
"Huh? How is this possible?"
Entering Dayi's territory, Yi Tianxing's expression showed surprise.
He realized that while a thousand years had passed in Zixiao Palace, the outside world had not changed at all—it remained exactly as when he had left. Time inside Zixiao Palace flowed differently, a thousand years in an instant.
"The power of a Dao Ancestor is truly unfathomable. Zixiao Palace is indeed formidable."
For a great power at the level of proving the Dao, experiencing a thousand years in an instant was no ordinary feat. If this were reported outside Zixiao Palace, no one would believe it.
"Immortal Emperor!"
Within Dayi, the citizens saw Yi Tianxing vanish for an instant and then reappear. Their excitement remained undiminished. The officials of Dayi also looked at him with great anticipation.
"Continue purging the Nine Heavens Coalition. Each Immortal City Lord must record casualties and tend to the injured. All expenses shall be borne by Dayi," Yi Tianxing instructed, nodding.
With Dayi's full ascension complete, Xuanhuang Immortal City once again disappeared into the void, imperceptible even to divine senses.
At the same time, the battles continued. Elite legions descended from the army soul battlefield, accompanied by rainbow light, while ordinary soldiers engaged in large-scale combat formations.
Bloodshed and chaos were everywhere, yet the joy of Dayi's soldiers radiated from within.
Even those falling in battle bore joy on their faces.
Witnessing Dayi's ascension to the Immortal Court, they felt their deaths were worthwhile.
Yi Tianxing observed all of this.
If desired, it was unnecessary for Dayi's soldiers to act; he could dispatch disciples to eliminate the coalition, and even if many disciples fell, the loss would be minimal. Yet, external force cannot be overly relied upon. Armies grow through battlefield experience. Only after seeing blood can they become iron-blooded forces. Necessary sacrifices were unavoidable.
As ruler of the Dynasty of Fate, Yi Tianxing could not act recklessly.
"Three Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns have perished, one fled, leaving five remaining. With the Heavenly Dao's edict, Hunyuan-level powers can no longer interfere lightly with the Eternal World. From now on, Dayi will face no more restrictions. As for the Dan Scroll Iron Edict, what are your plans? The stakes and interests involved are immense. Many great powers will surely come seeking it,"
Xi Wangmu (Yaochi) said, standing beside Yi Tianxing.
She honestly had not expected that things would reach this point—that the Dynasty of Fate and proving the Hunyuan Dao could be so crucially connected.
Dan Scroll Iron Edict… Moreover, Dayi was no ordinary Dynasty of Fate; it was a Great Dao Dynasty. The edicts forged from it would produce positions far surpassing those of normal dynasties. Incomparably powerful and tempting.
After the disturbance caused by the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns, the nature of Dayi as a Great Dao Dynasty would be no secret among great powers.
Everyone would know the difference.
The Dan Scroll Iron Edict would become the target of countless great powers.
As ruler of the Dynasty of Fate, Yi Tianxing would inevitably face myriad temptations.
(End of Chapter)