Primordial Era: Cultivation level equals the sum of the Jie Sect's total; the Three Pure Ones a

Xuan Du opened his eyes.

A faint glimmer of light flashed deep within those eyes, which were as calm as an ancient well.

He suddenly understood.

Hongjun.

It was Hongjun Daozu who made the move.

That gray figure sat in the Purple Cloud Palace, in charge of the Heavenly Dao, overlooking the primordial world.

His accelerated resurrection of Nuwa was a prelude to the next great calamity.

His efforts to elevate the cultivation levels of Yuanshi, Laozi, Jieyin, and Zhunti were also part of his preparations for the next great calamity.

During the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, the Jie Sect was the ones destined to face this calamity.

If the Four Sages are of low cultivation level, how can they pose a threat to the Jie Sect?

If the Four Sages are easily defeated, how can the Investiture of the Gods proceed?

If the Four Sages are merely figureheads, how can the predetermined destiny of Heaven be maintained?

So Hongjun took action.

Using the essence of the Heavenly Dao, the cultivation levels of the Four Sages were forcibly enhanced.

Let them recover, let them break through, let them be qualified to fight the Jie Sect.

Nuwa, now residing in the Zixiao Palace, must have also improved her cultivation level.

A slow smile crept onto Xuan Du's lips.

The smile was faint, yet carried a hint of mockery.

What a magnificent Dao Ancestor Hongjun!

What a perfect example of destiny!

What a great calamity that occurred during the Investiture of the Gods!

In order to maintain that so-called order, in order to advance that so-called destiny, and in order to suppress the Jie Sect.

They spared no expense, even using the very essence of the Heavenly Dao, to forcibly elevate the cultivation levels of the Four Sages.

He was willing to make Yuanshi, Laozi, Jieyin, and Zhunti pawns in his game.

But so what?

So what if it's the Seventh Heaven?

So what if it's the Fifth Heaven?

He, Xuandu, had already reached the seventh level of the Hunyuan Daluo realm.

The origins of a top-tier Chaos Demon God.

With the laws of martial arts in hand, the Chaos Pearl in hand, and the Chaos Bell in hand.

With the innate Five Elements Grand Array in hand.

He took three of the four ferocious beasts as his disciples, the Chaos Silver Python as his disciple, and the Ten Thousand Immortals of the Intercepting Sect as his foundation.

Even if all four saints arrived at the same time, he would not be afraid.

Moreover, among the four sages, Laozi's foundation was damaged and his base was unstable.

That cultivation level of the seventh heaven is nothing but a castle in the air.

The Primordial Pangu Banner was seized, greatly reducing the army's strength.

That cultivation level of the Seventh Heaven was nothing but a facade.

The twelve-tiered golden lotus of merit of Jieyin and Zhunti was taken away, and their fortune declined.

That level of cultivation at the fifth level is nothing more than a rootless duckweed.

Hongjun believed that by raising the cultivation levels of the Four Saints, he could suppress the Jie Sect.

This would allow the Investiture of the Gods to proceed.

Then one can maintain the fixed order of Heaven.

But Hongjun forgot.

The Jie Sect has the Chaos Bell to suppress the flow of fortune.

The Jie Sect was overseen by the Tongtian Sect Leader.

The Jie Sect has its own Xuandu.

The Jie Sect has accumulated a foundation of tens of thousands of yuan.

Even if all four saints arrived together, they would not be able to shake the Jie Sect in the slightest.

Then Xuandu took a step forward and headed towards Jin'ao Island.

......

Jin'ao Island.

Biyou Palace.

Purple clouds swirl around, and green jade carpets the ground.

Xuandu landed before the palace gate.

Her green robe fluttered slightly, and her black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

He raised his eyes and gazed into the depths of the palace.

There, a figure in green sat cross-legged, his sword intent flowing like water around him.

The Master of Heaven.

Xuandu sensed it.

The master's aura was still that of a fifth-level Heavenly Saint.

There was no improvement whatsoever.

There was not a single drop.

Xuan Du's gaze narrowed slightly.

The cultivation levels of the four sages—Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti—exploded.

It can be as low as two levels of heaven, or as high as five levels of heaven.

But Master remained stagnant.

That's not right.

Both are sages of the Heavenly Dao, and both are true descendants of Pangu.

Even if Hongjun wanted to promote someone, he should treat everyone equally.

unless......

Hongjun did this intentionally.

Xuan Du took a deep breath and stepped into the palace.

"Master."

He stood beneath the cloud bed, bowing slightly.

Tongtian opened his eyes.

Sword light flickered in those eyes.

But beneath that sword light lay a faint hint of surprise.

"You're back?"

The three words fell with an undisguised excitement.

He stood up and took a step forward.

It landed in front of Xuandu.

He raised his hand and patted Xuan Du on the shoulder.

The force was neither too light nor too heavy.

But he was burdened with the thought of tens of thousands of yuan in debt.

"Good lad."

Tongtian spoke, his voice slightly deep:

"You're finally back."

"I thought you had been captured by that scoundrel Yang Mei."

Xuan Du smiled slightly:

"My disciple is lucky to be alive."

"Although Yang Mei is strong, capturing disciples is not so easy for him."

Tongtian looked him up and down.

Sword light flickered in those eyes as they carefully sensed the aura surrounding Xuan Du.

Xuandu did not conceal his cultivation level from Tongtian, so Tongtian naturally sensed it as well.

The Primordial Golden Immortal.

The Seventh Heaven.

The origins of a top-tier Chaos Demon God.

Tongtian's pupils shrank slightly.

"Seventh Heaven?"

He spoke, his voice tinged with disbelief:

"What kind of opportunity did you get out of the chaos, kid?"

Xuan Du's smile deepened:

"It just so happened that some opportunities arose. Then I took on a few apprentices."

"Taowu, Qiongqi, Chaos."

"There is also a Chaos Silver Python."

Tongtian was stunned upon hearing this.

Of the four ferocious beasts, have three been subdued?

Chaotic Silver Python, Fifth Heaven of Primordial Great Luo?

What exactly did this kid experience in the chaos?

"good!"

A thunderous laugh, so loud and clear, shook the palace.

"good!"

"good!"

"With your words of reassurance, I am at ease!"

After he finished laughing, he looked at Xuandu with satisfaction in his eyes.

"You have no idea how worried I was after you left."

"In the midst of chaos, danger lurks everywhere."

"That Yang Mei fellow has extraordinary cultivation."

"And then there's Shenni, one of the Four Fiends—aren't they all formidable characters?"

"My heart is always with you, day and night."

He paused, then looked up at the sky above Jin'ao Island.

There, the Chaos Bell hangs in the center of the Qi and destiny.

The bell's body shimmered with chaotic light, subtly resonating with the golden light of destiny.

"Fortunately, we have the Chaos Bell."

Tongtian continued:

"This bell is connected to your soul."

"As long as you live, it will be at peace."

"If you are unharmed, it is secure."

"As your teacher watches over it every day, I know you are not in any danger."

"Otherwise, I would have already rushed into the chaos to find you."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Du felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He bowed slightly:

"I'm sorry to have troubled my master."

Tongtian waved his hand:

"If you're worried, then you are."

"It's good that you're back."

He paused, then changed the subject:

"What exactly happened amidst the chaos?"

"How will you subdue Taotie, Qiongqi, and Hundun?"

"And what is the origin of that chaotic silver python?"

"And Yang Mei, have you met her?"

Xuandu gazed at Tongtian, at those eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

He slowly began to speak, recounting his experiences in the chaos.

From collecting whale fall to encountering Taotie.

From battling Qiongqi to being trapped in chaos.

Every word was crystal clear.

After listening, Tongtian remained silent for a long time.

He gazed at Xuandu, at those calm yet profound eyes.

An indescribable emotion surged within me.

"Good lad."

He spoke, his voice low and deep:

"You've experienced more on this trip than I have in a billion-dollar event."

Xuan Du smiled slightly:

"I was just lucky."

The Master of the Heavenly Sect gave a wry smile and shook his head slightly.

"luck?"

"You're still as Versailles-like as ever."

He gazed at Xuandu, his eyes filled with emotion.

"In the primordial world, there are quite a few who are blessed with great fortune."

"But in the end, it was only me, Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nuwa who became saints."

"Moreover, he is a Heavenly Saint who is subject to the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao."

"The rest of the beings are all stuck at the peak of the Quasi-Saint level, unable to make any progress even in the billions of dollars."

"The Kunpeng is like this, the Styx is like this, and Zhen Yuanzi is like this."

"If you hadn't taught the disciples of the Jie Sect the Path of Hunyuan, Duobao, Kong Xuan, and the others probably wouldn't be Hunyuan Golden Immortals now, but Quasi-Saints."

Tongtian paused, his voice turning deep:

"What's it like to be trapped in a billion-dollar quasi-saint level club?"

"Although I haven't experienced it myself, I can imagine how unpleasant it must have been."

"The road ahead is blocked, and there is no way back."

"We can only endure the torment day after day, year after year, through endless cycles of rebirth."

"Endure until the great calamity arrives, endure until death and the annihilation of the Dao, endure until everything becomes nothing."

He raised his eyes and looked towards Xuandu:

"So, you're talking about luck?"

"I don't believe it."

"In the vast wilderness, there are many people who are luckier than you."

"Throughout history, you are probably the only one who has reached such a state."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Du remained silent for a moment.

He gazed at Tongtian, at those eyes that gleamed with sword light yet were filled with earnestness.

A slow smile crept onto his lips.

"Master is right."

"I was indeed a bit too Versailles just now."

He paused, then changed the subject:

"However, Master, I have a question to ask."