Primordial Era: The Sun Emperor

At the Heavenly Court, near the South Heavenly Gate, a sea of ​​clouds surges.

The towering clouds surged like a raging sea, layer upon layer.

The majestic gate tower stands atop the clouds, cast entirely from pure white jade. The three characters "Nantianmen" on the lintel are as vigorous as the sun, with a Taoist charm flowing between the strokes.

With a flash of golden light, three figures appeared out of thin air—an old man, a middle-aged man, and a young man.

It is the true lineage of Pangu, the Three Pure Ones of Kunlun.

Guarding the South Heavenly Gate is Venus, the head of the Five Luminaries.

Taiyi had planned this all along. When news of Hongjun's sermon spread, the primordial gods who wished to go to the Chaos Purple Cloud Palace would inevitably pass through this place.

This is the optimal path directly to chaos, hence the dispatch of Taibai to guard it, so as to facilitate fishing and enforcement of the law.

The three immortals raised their eyes and looked up at the top of the gate tower.

"The Chaos Bell!"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable's gaze sharpened, locking onto the ancient bell, a glint of fervor flashing in his eyes.

Lingbao Tianzun's eyes also flashed with a sharp light, and his fingers tightened slightly.

Only the Celestial Venerable of Morality remained calm and composed.

He was born with the innate treasure of merit, the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Exquisite Pagoda, which hung above his head, impervious to all laws. Although he lacked an innate treasure, he never lost his composure.

It's quite interesting.

The Three Pure Ones were formed from the primordial spirit of Pangu combined with the pure energy of creation, and can be considered the most authentic lineage of Pangu. Yet none of them were born with a supreme innate treasure.

Only the Celestial Venerable of Morality possessed a magnificent pagoda, whose power was no less than that of the most precious treasures, yet it was ultimately not one of the Three Treasures of Creation.

However, the three of them were born with the merits of creation, possessing immense fortune that few in the primordial world could match.

It's hard to say which of the two is better or worse.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable's eyes flickered, and he whispered to the Moral Celestial Venerable, "Elder brother, the Chaos Bell was transformed from Pangu's axe, and should rightfully belong to our Pangu lineage..."

The Celestial Venerable of Morality shook his head slightly, his tone calm yet undeniable: "This treasure is destined by Heaven; how can we forcibly seize it?"

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun frowned slightly but ultimately remained silent.

Lingbao Tianzun pursed his lips but didn't say anything.

"Fellow Daoist, we wish to pass through this precious place. Is that permissible?" The Celestial Venerable of Morality stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute to the equally white-haired and youthful-looking Venus, and asked with a smile.

Just then, a hearty laugh came from deep within the Heavenly Court.

"Haha... So it's Fellow Daoists Sanqing! I've been waiting here for quite some time!"

With a flash of golden light, Taiyi, clad in a three-legged golden crow imperial robe, appeared before the South Heavenly Gate.

Golden hair cascaded down to his waist, with tiny sparks of true fire burning in the strands; a golden halo slowly rotated behind him, and his golden eyes were like two blazing suns, causing the space around him to distort slightly.

"Your Majesty," Venus quickly bowed.

"Rise." Taiyi raised his hand in a gesture of respect to the Three Pure Ones, feigning ignorance, and asked, "What brings you three fellow Daoists here?"

The Celestial Venerable of Morality stepped forward, smiling warmly, and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "This must be Fellow Daoist Taiqing, who founded the Heavenly Court? Seeing is believing. I am Taiqing Daode, and I greet you, Fellow Daoist."

"This humble Taoist, Yuqing Yuanshi, greets fellow Daoist."

"This humble Taoist, Shangqing Lingbao, greets fellow Daoist."

Yuanshi and Tongtian returned the greetings.

At this time, the Three Pure Ones were as close as family, unlike in later generations when they regarded each other as enemies.

The Celestial Venerable of Morality then said, "To be honest, fellow Daoist, we wish to go to Zixiao Palace to listen to the Dao. We hope that you will make it convenient for us."

Taiyi laughed: "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind! The Three Pure Ones are the true descendants of Pangu. Although the Heavenly Court is good, it is still the embodiment of the Father God's backbone. It's hard to say about others, but in this vast primordial world, there is nowhere you three cannot go, let alone this place?"

Then, turning to Venus, he said, "Venus, you stay here and guard this place well. I will personally lead three fellow Daoists there."

Taibai bowed and accepted the order.

Taiyi raised his hand in invitation: "Fellow Daoists, please."

The Celestial Venerable of Morality nodded with a smile: "Thank you for your trouble, Heavenly Emperor."

Four figures soared into the air, passing through the Southern Heavenly Gate, traversing the heavens, and heading towards the depths of chaos.

"We will obey Your Majesty's decree!" Taibai Xingjun understood upon hearing this.

Then, Taiyi led the Three Pure Ones there.

Not long after the Three Pure Ones left, another middle-aged man with extraordinary blood energy rushed over.

He wasn't so polite; he soared straight into the sky, completely ignoring the Heavenly Court.

Boom!

The Chaos Bell above the South Heavenly Gate rang out without wind, and a single chime caused the surrounding void to freeze, making it impossible to advance an inch.

"Flying is strictly prohibited in this sacred celestial territory!"

Venus, the God of Venus, roared angrily, "What kind of demon dares to act so presumptuously in the Heavenly Court!"

Of course, he was just putting on an act.

He knew that none of the people who wanted to go into the Chaos were people he could afford to offend.

The fierce winds within that chaos cannot be entered by anyone other than a Great Luo Golden Immortal, nor can anyone linger there for long unless they are of Primordial Chaos level.

To stay for an extended period, one would need at least a primordial spiritual treasure and the cultivation level of a Great Luo Immortal to protect oneself.

In other words, while Hongjun appears to be spreading his teachings throughout the world, he actually only teaches them to beings at the Great Luo level or above.

Of course, what he wanted to impart was the path to sainthood; without sufficient cultivation, it would all be in vain.

"How dare you obstruct me!"

The visitor was none other than Styx.

The Styx River was born from the Netherworld Blood Sea, and its innate treasure is the Primordial Spiritual Treasure, the Yuan Tu A Bi Twin Swords.

This treasure is made of two swords as one, which can kill without incurring karmic consequences and exempt one from the retribution of heaven, making it especially terrifying.

In other words, this treasure is specifically designed to kill those with abundant merit and good fortune.

When Taibai saw Minghe approaching with two swords, he remained calm and stood with his hands behind his back.

"presumptuous!"

Sure enough, a loud shout came from above.

The Chaos Bell flew automatically to Taiyi's side and hovered continuously.

Styx fixed his gaze on Taiyi, sensing a boundless and unfathomable aura emanating from him.

Even so, it's impossible to get him to admit defeat.

"Heavenly Emperor? Let me test your strength!"

Behind Styx, a sea of ​​blood surged as he charged forward, wielding the twin swords Yuan Tu and A Bi.

Taiyi stood with his hands behind his back, his golden eyes coldly fixed on the scene: "A sea of ​​blood? I'd like to see if there's any place for a sea of ​​blood to hide under the sun!"

Before the words were even finished, the holy flames of the Great Sun poured down from the sky, instantly evaporating the sea of ​​blood.

With a flick of Taiyi's hand, a golden light flashed.

The Styx River let out a miserable cry and was suppressed in front of the South Heavenly Gate.

Even the Yuan Tu and A Bi swords were suppressed by the Chaos Bell and crossed on the South Heavenly Gate, unable to move.

The sword, imbued with a spirit, trembled continuously beneath the Chaos Bell.

No matter how powerful they are, they cannot compare to the Chaos Bell.

"Brother Daoist, spare my life!"

While Styx was filled with immense rage, he was also terrified. With his left eye turning purple, he scrambled to his feet and hurriedly begged for mercy.

"You should just behave yourself, otherwise His Majesty would have to come and beat you up."

At this moment, Taibai Xingjun, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, walked over, swaying his head.

Clearly, this isn't the first time.

"This is a sacred place in Heaven, not a place for you to trespass at will!" Taiyi looked at him coldly and stood up abruptly.

The Styx River, with its mere cultivation of a late-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal, was truly no match for him.

"Brother Daoist, I, Minghe, know I was wrong. I beg you to spare me. I am willing to compensate you!" Minghe cried out repeatedly, pleading for mercy.

Having finally achieved this level of cultivation, I cannot afford to let it be wasted here.

He was filled with regret. As expected of someone who dared to occupy the Heavenly Court and intend to dominate the prehistoric world, such combat power was truly unmatched.

In a single exchange, his sea of ​​blood was evaporated, and his cultivation of the Great Dao was suppressed, making it difficult for him to defend himself.

With just one punch, Taiyi knocked him down.

As he spoke, Styx squeezed a drop of blood from his body and said, "This is the essence of the Blood Sea. I have refined it for a thousand years to obtain just one drop. I hope you will forgive me, fellow Daoist. I only wish to pass through this place."

"If that's the case, then let's drop this matter."

Taiyi swept away the essence of the Blood Sea with a flick of his sleeve and left the place.

Venus, the Star Lord, remains here alone.

"I wonder which number I am..."

Styx sighed inwardly, realizing that he had already fallen into a trap.

Taiyi deliberately placed the old man here and forbade others from passing through, clearly intending to provoke the other party to make the first move.

Once the action is taken, an opportunity arises, and then the benefits can be collected.

Of course, this is on the premise that you must first be able to defeat your opponent.