Primordial Era: The Great Serpent of Yunmeng

Chapter 6 Hongjun Points the Way, the Path Becomes Clear

Since parting ways with Zulong, Yuanfeng, and the others, Qi has only received a message from them once.

As for Hongjun Laozu, there was no contact with him. Due to the difference in strength, he was unable to reach them through divine sense.

I thought it would be a long time before we met again, but little did I know that a surprise awaited me on the road ahead.

Four hundred years later, they arrived at the Luo River, a tributary of the Yellow River and one of the eight major rivers.

Its waters are vast, its banks shaded by willows, and its grasses are lush and beautiful, making it a rare sight.

Qi played a flute by the riverbank, which attracted fish to gather and swim upstream.

Suddenly inspired, Qi sat on the bank, put his feet in the water, and felt the ripples created by the fish swimming by. Suddenly, he heard a sound.

"Little friend, you seem to be in high spirits."

Looking back, he saw that it was Hongjun Laozu. He hurriedly tried to get up to pay his respects, but was stopped by being waved away.

The old master sat cross-legged to one side and said, "It is fate that we have met today, so there is no need for formalities."

"I was going to talk about the essentials of Taoist cultivation today, so you can do your thing and don't disturb my interest."

"Although it is of no use to you, you may listen in if you are interested. If you have any questions, you can ask me after I finish my sermon."

Seeing that the conversation had reached this point, Qi had no choice but to sit quietly to the side, no longer offering any greetings, and listen attentively to the sermon. He was still quite interested in the so-called path of immortality.

Seeing this, Hongjun smiled with satisfaction, no longer looking at Qi, and focused on preparing his lecture.

As colorful clouds rose on the horizon, several golden lotuses emerged from the Luo River, and Hongjun spoke:

"Those who pursue the Dao cultivate the elixir and absorb qi. Those who refine the golden elixir must have a source, hence there is an origin."

"From the source comes life, hence the existence of Heaven and Earth. Using Heaven and Earth for cooking and refining, hence the existence of cauldrons and vessels. Cauldrons and vessels contain medicines, hence the existence of lead and mercury."

"Lead and mercury are clearly separated, hence their combination. This combination forms the yellow sprout..."

"Those who practice breath control ingest the six qi and drink the dew, rinse their mouths with pure yang and breathe in the morning glow; they preserve the clarity of their spirit, allowing the essence and qi to enter and the impurities to be eliminated. The body is the master of the spirit, and qi is the lifeblood of the spirit. Therefore, the body and spirit rely on qi for survival. Thus, they regulate the four limbs and circulate the qi throughout the six viscera..."

After listening to some of it, Qi began to feel bored. This content was useless to Him; it was just a guide for those who had not cultivated themselves to embark on a path of cultivation.

He was born of heaven and earth, nurtured by nature, and his starting point was much higher than the ultimate goal of most living beings in their cultivation.

Once one has attained perfect enlightenment, one only needs to be familiar with oneself. If there is no calamity of war, one will live as long as the heavens.

Since his birth, his internal energy has been perfected, and his Golden Cauldron Yellow Sprout has been increasing day by day.

If one cultivates using the breath-absorbing method and exhausts all the essence of heaven and earth in the Yunmeng Great Marsh, it will be difficult to make further progress.

But he didn't leave. Since he had listened, he would listen to everything. If he met someone with a predestined connection in the future, he could guide them into the path of Taoism and help them pursue immortality.

This sermon has been going on for three years, progressing from simple to profound. More and more living beings are gathering around, and more and more golden lotuses are blooming.

The birds and beasts that came listened quietly, and when they could no longer listen, they left quietly, leaving no noise, only the sound of the sermon.

Within three years, the animals changed batch after batch; some gained intelligence, while others gained nothing.

Until the sermon ended and the animals dispersed, those who had gained sentience bowed and left the room on their own.

After the animals had dispersed, Qi took the initiative to strike up a conversation. He exclaimed:

"The principles spoken by the elder are specifically for all living beings; this is a great meritorious act that requires immense perseverance to accomplish!"

Hongjun then said, "The Great Dao is fifty, and the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine. The innate gods, spirits, treasures, and spiritual roots have already occupied most of them, and various spirit beast races also have innate advantages, but we should give all living beings a chance."

"The world is so vast, and these living beings are the main body. There should be a path that leads to the Great Way."

Upon hearing this, I prayed and bowed in reverence.

Hongjun smiled and said:

"You are also a person with wisdom. Not long after your debut, you have already gained an understanding of your own path."

"You are blessed with good fortune and possess many spiritual treasures of the same lineage. You can obtain everything you seek at Buzhou Mountain, so I will not say anything more."

Prayed and asked:

"Does the Ancestor know what I desire in my heart?"

"I don't know, but I understand your mindset. I am also a person born with abundant blessings."

He was born with great treasures and also witnessed the Five Primordial Elements entering the primordial world, from which he received benefits.

Having witnessed the evolution of heaven and earth, he initially acquired some skills and began to travel the world. Later, at Buzhou Mountain, he met the Heavenly Emperor Jun Cangli.

He possesses great wisdom, and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from him.

Looking at Qi, who was listening attentively, he said again:

"The Emperor said, 'We, the innate deities, emerged from the Great Dao and received the blessings of the Great God Pangu.'"

Born with perfect Dao fruition, one becomes an immortal Golden Immortal. Only by accumulating magical power, honing supernatural abilities, and comprehending the Great Dao can one eventually have the opportunity to attain the Primordial Golden Immortal realm.

"However, the path is too broad and too long. Even if one's nature is perfect and complete, there will always be a day when one gets tired and wants to relax."

Therefore, the Emperor, based on the foundation of the Golden Immortal, transformed the Dao into the Three Flowers and Five Qi, established the Taiyi Dao Realm, and also preached the Dao in the Great Luo Heaven.

Having attained the Great Luo Dao Fruit above Taiyi, one's fundamental nature is strengthened, bringing one closer to Hunyuan and shortening the distance to proving the Hunyuan Dao.

"It is also said that since we have received the great grace of Heaven and Earth, we must stabilize Heaven and Earth, maintain the flow of all things, and regulate the environment, and dare not be negligent."

"After a long time, the gods could no longer maintain their power. The Emperor then opened up the Ruins, which allowed the gods of that time to fall into a deep sleep, and their power to return to heaven and earth, thus giving birth to the gods of today."

He once said that the primordial world once included nothingness and chaos, therefore the Great Dao entered the primordial world.

But now, the primordial world is gradually shrinking due to the disappearance of the great god Pangu, and the Great Dao will eventually return to nothingness.

But when nothingness disappears, chaos should return.

"The chaos was boundless and limitless, gradually expanding, while the primordial world was constantly shrinking back."

When chaos surpasses even the primordial state, that will be the time when the Great Dao returns to chaos, and when this world can bear the Primordial Dao Fruit.

"When the time comes, the Heavenly Dao will emerge. The primordial world can no longer bear my Dao fruit. The existence of the Great Dao has already placed a heavy burden on the primordial world."

Therefore, the gods could not bear the passage of time, for the path ahead was blocked, and I too was about to enter the Ruins to increase the foundation of the primordial world.

"Later, the Emperor bestowed his sacred treasure upon me, hoping that I would take on the responsibility of guiding all living beings."

At this point, Hongjun's face displayed a complex mix of emotions.

"Does the Emperor not have a successor?"

Pray for a question.

"The three sovereigns of that time, the successors of the Heavenly Emperor and the Tai Emperor, the Nine-Headed Clan, had already entered the Void."

"I see!" Qi said, indicating that she understood.

"Then how does one achieve the Taiyi and Daluo levels? Since both are Golden Immortal Dao Fruits, what is the difference?" Qi asked again.

"Taiyi means the origin and the beginning. It is sought within the fruit of the Dao and naturally emanates. Although it is not close to the Dao, the three flowers on the top of the head bloom and the five elements in the chest are integrated into one.

Although the fundamental nature of the five elements remains unchanged, there has been a significant improvement in their power.

"The Great Luo encompasses all things, including all living beings and all things."

Seeking the Dao Fruit externally, he opened up a small world, relying on the Primordial Wilderness, and the Dao Fruit was attached to the Primordial Wilderness Realm.

It allows one to get closer to the Dao, align with the universe, and utilize the power of the microcosm and the primordial world in combat simulations.

Although still a Golden Immortal, he is completely different now.

Having said that, Hongjun stopped talking. The path had been shown; the rest was up to Qi himself.

There may be more detailed information, but that's not the time to discuss it.

The Dharma should not be lightly transmitted. Today's preaching and guidance have already exceeded Hongjun's original intention. This is the end of the matter; any more would be excessive.

(End of this chapter)