Primordial Era: The Sun Emperor

In fact, Styx was the thirty-first unlucky one.

The previous thirty people included innate deities and powerful beings from all races; each of them was a renowned figure in their respective regions.

They soared straight into the sky, showing no regard for the Heavenly Court. One by one, they were suppressed by Taiyi and obediently paid their ransom.

Most people are as harmonious as the Three Pure Ones, so Taiyi doesn't want to take action and just lets it pass.

Taiyi stood high in the heavens, his golden eyes looking down, waiting for anyone to force their way in so that he could suppress them openly and legitimately, leaving no room for criticism.

The reason he remained completely calm and even had the leisure to collect tolls was because he had his own reasons.

He knew that Hongjun would never begin his lecture if he did not attend.

Both the position of Heavenly Emperor and the position of Lord of the Sun are far too important.

Hongjun spread his teachings throughout the primordial world, ostensibly to bestow grace upon all living beings, but in reality, he had a deeper purpose.

He preached throughout the primordial world, so that all the great supernatural beings would accept his teachings, and through this cause and effect and fortune, he would connect with the Heavenly Dao, ultimately unite with the Heavenly Dao, make up for the deficiencies of the Heavenly Dao, and take control of the primordial world.

This is a grand game of chess, and Taiyi is a crucial piece in it.

It can be said that in Hongjun's eyes, Taiyi's status at this time was second only to the Three Pure Ones.

That is why Taiyi dared to make arrangements here at his leisure.

Of course, he couldn't really not go, because that would mean directly breaking ties with Hongjun, who had just become a saint.

As the saying goes, if someone gives you face, you should accept it; if you don't act respectably, someone else will naturally help you to act respectably.

Taiyi was well aware of this.

A century has passed in the blink of an eye.

Over the past century, Taiyi personally suppressed many villains who attempted to force their way into the Heavenly Court.

If he has already mastered the Zhou Tian Star Formation, why would he need to personally oversee it? He can just suppress one by one as it comes.

Unfortunately, the grand formation is not yet complete, so he will have to do it himself.

On this day, Taiyi sat high on the imperial throne in the Lingxiao Palace, his golden eyes sweeping over the star lords behind him, his voice like a booming bell, resounding through the heavens:

"Sages preach, heroes from all ages gather—how could I possibly miss such a grand event?"

All the stars held their breath and focused intently.

"But I will not only go to listen to the sage's teachings myself, but I will also take you all with me."

Upon hearing this, the star lords were first stunned, and then their eyes burst with unbelievable ecstasy.

Most of them lacked sufficient cultivation and were simply unable to traverse the chaos and reach the Purple Cloud Palace.

They had thought they had no chance to hear the Dao this time and had long given up on the idea, but unexpectedly the Heavenly Emperor wanted to take them with him!

Taiyi's voice was clear and resonant, each word like the sun falling into the deep sea, stirring up a thousand waves of heat:

"I have said before that I will not enjoy this glory alone."

The star lords were deeply moved and knelt down in unison, their voices shaking the heavens: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

With a wave of his hand, Taiyi caused the Chaos Bell to hang above his head, its mouth facing downwards, and the chaotic energy descended like a curtain.

All the Star Lords felt a gentle yet irresistible suction force coming towards them, and their bodies were drawn into the bell.

The Chaos Chamber contains its own universe, capable of containing all things, and is safe and secure.

Taiyi put down the bell, turned to look at the purple-gold figure beside him, and said with a slight smile, "Ziwei, come with me."

Emperor Ziwei nodded and smiled, his purple-gold imperial aura circulating around him. He cupped his hands and said, "That's only right."

Two figures soared into the air, one in gold and one in purple, passing side by side through the thirty-three heavens and heading towards the depths of chaos.

The Thirty-Three Heavens, the extreme of the primordial wilderness, the beginning of chaos.

Here, the clouds are not clouds, the fog is not fog; the fierce winds of the heavens and the chaotic energy intertwine and surge.

Looking up, the chaos is like a sea, churning endlessly and swallowing everything; looking down, the primordial land is as insignificant as a speck of dust.

An invisible boundary lies between order and disorder, between the primordial and the chaotic.

Occasionally, chaotic lightning would strike, illuminating the last barrier at the boundary between heaven and earth.

Many innate deities want to break through to this place, but dare not actually step in; most of them are Taiyi Golden Immortals.

In the primordial era, each of them possessed profound roots and boundless fortune.

Which one doesn't have an innate spiritual treasure?

They left this place long ago and entered the chaos.

Taiyi looked at these people, stroked his beard and laughed loudly, and said loudly into the Chaos Bell: "Everyone, I am about to take you into the Chaos. No matter what happens later, do not fly out alone. If you are not careful, you may die and your life may be destroyed."

"We will obey His Majesty's decree!"

A chorus of responses came from inside the clock.

"The Chaos Bell?!"

"A supreme treasure from the beginning of creation!!"

As soon as the Chaos Bell appeared, countless saints stared intently at Taiyi with bloodshot eyes.

Taiyi snorted coldly, his voice like thunder: "Hmph! Daring to covet my treasure, do you have a death wish?"

As soon as he finished speaking, golden-white holy flames erupted from his body, and the light of the sun shone in all directions, even causing the chaotic energy outside the primordial world to retreat.

Round after round of true solar fire condensed into a golden sun, which floated behind him, layer upon layer, like ten suns in the sky.

The intense pressure poured down, scorching and distorting the void, causing it to collapse.

Wherever that gaze fell, the innate deities all turned away, not daring to look directly at him.

Suddenly, a figure darted out from the crowd.

The man was dressed in a crimson Taoist robe, with a thin face and a faint fiery red aura surrounding him. His cultivation level was only that of a Taiyi Golden Immortal, which was only considered second-rate among the innate saints.

He stumbled and fell to Taiyi, bowed deeply with his hands clasped, and his voice was choked with sobs:

"Your Majesty! I wish to join the Heavenly Court and serve it to the death. I beg Your Majesty to take me with you! If so, even a thousand deaths would not be enough to repay Your Majesty's kindness!"

Taiyi lowered his eyes and looked down, his golden pupils flickering slightly.

He recognized the man's origins; his true form was a wisp of innate red yang energy, born from the essence of the southern fire.

His cultivation level is also quite high; a Taiyi Golden Immortal would be considered second-rate in the current prehistoric world.

This time, after listening to the Dao at Zixiao Palace, he came to the boundary of chaos and saw someone who, relying on a primordial spiritual treasure, dared to step into chaos despite only having the cultivation of a Taiyi Golden Immortal, and ultimately met a tragic end with his body and Dao extinguished.

He then realized that he was not qualified to go there, nor was he capable of finding the Purple Cloud Palace in the vast chaos.

Yes, even if one could step into chaos, space is difficult to perceive within chaos, and there is no direction at all.

If it weren't for the person Hongjun wanted, no one could find Zixiao Palace.

At this moment, he was in tears, clearly grasping at the last straw.

As the saying goes, "If one hears the Way in the morning, one can die content in the evening."

What's more, what about saving face?

Face is indeed important, but it is worthless in the face of enlightenment.

Taiyi raised an eyebrow slightly, a smile playing on his lips: "The manifestation of the Crimson Sun's energy? It does indeed have a connection with my solar lineage. In that case, I shall take you in."

Upon hearing this, True Man Chiyang trembled, knelt down, and kowtowed heavily: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I, Chiyang, swear to serve the Heavenly Court to the death!"

Taiyi waved his hand, taking him into the Chaos Bell. His gaze swept over the remaining people, and he said calmly, "Is there anyone else who wishes to accompany me?"

In an instant, dozens more people gritted their teeth, stepped forward, bowed and submitted, and joined the Heavenly Court.

Taiyi accepted all who came and took them into his bell.

He knew in his heart that these people might not be truly submissive; they were merely greedy for the opportunity to hear the teachings.

But it doesn't matter, once you enter the gates of Heaven, you'll never want to leave.

After all, even ten thousand years of arduous self-cultivation cannot compare to one year of cultivation in the Heavenly Court.

This is due to the blessing of good fortune, which allows one's cultivation level to advance by leaps and bounds.