Pre-Ancient Divine Land.
Just as Luxian recited the precious decree, all the Dao Ancestors of the Pre-Ancient Divine Land felt a resonance. They then looked up in unison toward the direction of the Zixiao Palace.
"RUMBLE!"
In the next second, Luxian only felt a sound of the Dao ringing in his ears. Following this, one silhouette after another, their true faces and forms indistinguishable, stepped out from the void.
Their auras varied in strength. Surrounding each person was swirling, shattered divine light, as if they were each the masters of their own star-filled universe. When they stood together, their mutually incompatible essences collided continuously, erupting with dazzling celestial light.
These were the Dao Ancestors.
Unlike the Dao Lords of the Light Sea, who cultivated stature and had clear hierarchies—meaning they wouldn't experience such obvious conflict even when coexisting—these Dao Ancestors generally did not meet.
What appeared in the Zixiao Palace right now were merely the thoughts of the Dao Ancestors, yet the essence they carried had already birthed such phenomena; the presence of their true bodies would have been even more unimaginable.
"What has happened?"
One of the figures spoke first, their voice hearty: "Luxian, I heard you have been in seclusion for a long time. Why have you suddenly summoned us today?"
"Could it be that the Dao Venerable has issued a decree?"
"That shouldn't be... The Dao Venerable's merits are complete, and the time for him to renounce the secular world is drawing near. He hasn't granted us an audience in the last thousand years."
Just then, one of the seventeen Dao Ancestors let out a cold laugh: "Luxian, could it be you are faking the Dao Venerable's decree? I won't let you off for that."
Luxian, hearing this, was entirely unafraid and retorted coldly on the spot:
"Do you need to be a busybody? Even if I were faking the Dao Venerable's decree, it would be the Dao Venerable who punishes me. When is it your turn to point fingers?"
Among the seventeen Dao Ancestors, only this one was on bad terms with him.
He was the Dao Ancestor of [Noble Connections].
Ever since Luxian became the Dao Venerable's attendant boy, this Dao Ancestor of [Noble Connections] had nearly coughed up blood in frustration, telling everyone he met that he regretted not being born ten thousand years later.
Luxian had learned in private that this [Noble Connections] Dao Ancestor had more than once secretly tried to recommend himself, stooping low, hoping to become an attendant boy under the Dao Venerable. Unfortunately, the Dao Venerable had said they had no fated connection. Those four words had nearly caused his Dao-heart to collapse, and he had been so remorseful he could have bitten his teeth to pieces.
However, in Luxian's view, this was merely him reaping what he had sown.
After all, the Dao Venerable was a rising star; when he was first starting out, this Dao Ancestor of [Noble Connections] didn't invest in time, and now he wanted to get on the ship?
Not a chance!
At this thought, the smile on Luxian's face grew even brighter. On the other side, the few Dao Ancestors who knew the inside story also wore expressions of suppressed laughter.
"Cough, cough... Alright, enough laughing."
Finally, it was the Dao Ancestor of [Fate], who was also the first Dao Ancestor of the Divine Land, who stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Luxian, what exactly has happened?"
Luxian straightened his expression, thinking to himself: 'I cannot speak of the future, or I will disrupt the Dao Venerable's arrangements. I can only speak with discretion.'
In an instant, Luxian realized the truth.
Many things he hadn't understood before—now that he had returned to the Pre-Ancient Era—all had definite explanations, giving him a deeper understanding of the majesty of the Deity Transformation realm.
At this thought, Luxian immediately spoke:
"...It is indeed the Dao Venerable's decree."
"Fellow Daoist Dao Ancestors, do you still remember what the Dao Venerable said regarding an opportunity?"
At these words, the seventeen Dao Ancestors, who had been somewhat distracted, were instantly stunned. Their gazes then sharpened, and they all looked toward Luxian in unison.
"Opportunity?"
"Fellow Daoist Luxian, this is no time for jokes."
Facing the inquiries of the various Dao Ancestors, Luxian took a deep breath and then stepped aside: "You may enter the Zixiao Palace to see for yourselves. That book has already vanished."
Before his voice had even faded.
The silhouettes of the seventeen Dao Ancestors vanished in unison. When they reappeared, they had already entered the side hall of the Zixiao Palace, looking toward a bookshelf placed within the hall.
And there, it was empty.
"It really is gone..."
"The [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] that sealed Taiyuan Xian has vanished. No one can break the Dao Venerable's seal; it is impossible for any Dao Ancestor to have stolen it."
"This means it vanished on its own."
The Dao Ancestors looked at each other, strong emotions suddenly surfacing in the depths of their eyes.
The [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] inherited the Dao Venerable's laws. It is unique in the past, present, and future—within the same time segment, there cannot exist two [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record]'s!
In other words:
"Someone from the future, carrying the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] has arrived with the Dao Venerable's help. This is a sliver of hope the Dao Venerable left for Taiyuan Xian, and it is also a sliver of hope left for us. At the same time, if any Dao Ancestor emerges in the future, this is also an opportunity left for them!"
Only thus can it be called [Equalizing] (Jun).
Whether Divine Land or Sea of Light, whether past or future, all can participate in this struggle for the opportunity for Deity Transformation. The Great Dao is equal; everyone has a chance!
"Hahaha!"
In an instant, among the seventeen Dao Ancestors, the two Dao Ancestors of the Name and Form schools burst into wild laughter: "Everyone, excuse us for not staying; farewell!"
As they spoke, their silhouettes vanished.
Seeing this scene, the Dao Ancestor of [Education] frowned: "These two thieves, spared by the Dao Venerable and having been honest for a hundred thousand years, still refuse to give up."
"They probably went to find Taiyuan Xian."
"How should we handle this?"
"How else can we handle it? The opportunity has arrived; each according to their own ability!"
Just then, a shifty-eyed young man stooped his waist and quietly protected the others behind him: "Everyone, I will not participate in this matter."
"[Health Preservation]? You..."
Someone wanted to ask him to stay, but before the words could finish, the young man's silhouette shattered, his aura dissipating completely from this world without a trace.
"...This fellow."
Seeing this, the Dao Ancestor of [Feng Shui] shook his head helplessly: "He runs too fast. Well, [Health Preservation] places great importance on avoiding tribulations; no need to worry about him."
The Dao Ancestor of [Fate] sneered: "No need to worry about him—then who should we worry about?"
"Me? Or you?"
As the words fell, the previously harmonious and loving atmosphere among the Dao Ancestors changed. Like a tranquil lake disturbed by ripples, it revealed a profound and heavy solemnity.
After a brief silence.
"RUMBLE!"
Following a thunderous sound, all the Dao Ancestors vanished. No one spoke further; after all, there was no need to speak now— from here on out, everyone was an opponent!
Wilderness, within the mountain city.
Just as the Dao Ancestors were scattering, Lu Yang also lifted his head. The Infinite Ring rotated in his eyes, and the [Order] Great Dao immediately sensed the change.
'The order here... is unstable.'
'The original order was very solid, functioning according to his wishes... Yet just now, the order wavered. Did some conflict arise among the Dao Ancestors of the Pre-Ancient Era?'
Lu Yang's thoughts raced, and his gaze brightened:
'No! They know we are here!'
'How did they know... Oh, right, the [Heavenly Destiny Divine Record] is unique. If it is now in the Primordial Saint's hands, the one in the Pre-Ancient Era must be gone.'
While pondering, Lu Yang did not stop his pace.
The majestic city stretched for ten thousand miles. Countless figures moved in the bustling mortal world, yet he walked as if he were transcendent, walking at will. He soon arrived at a courtyard.
Almost simultaneously.
Inside the courtyard, a baby who had just been born a short while ago and was wailing loudly suddenly turned its head, its innocent eyes landing directly on Lu Yang.
Subsequently, a youthful voice drifted out:
"So, it is Junior Brother Xuande."
(End of Chapter)