Primordial Era: The Great Celestial Venerable on the Road to Mythology

Chapter 80 Zixiao's Discussion on the Dao, A New Chapter in the Heavenly Dao

Haotian left the Lingxiao Palace and in a flash, he was already deep in the chaos.

The boundless chaos, encompassing all directions, past and present, has all returned to nothingness. The chaotic energy surged ceaselessly, like tides and waves, yet it could not get even three feet away from Haotian.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze piercing through the chaos and landing on the ancient Taoist palace.

Zixiao Palace.

This Dao Palace, symbolizing the supreme Dao of the primordial world, floats silently in the chaos, unchanging since time immemorial. It has no brilliant light, no intimidating pressure, only a serene tranquility that has endured countless eons.

Haotian stepped forward, and the gates of Zixiao Palace opened by themselves.

The palace was empty, with nothing of value except a futon and an old man.

Hongjun Daozu sat upright on a futon, his white hair as white as snow, his face gaunt, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were asleep, or as if he were gazing into endless space and time.

He exuded no aura, yet naturally merged with the Dao Palace.

"You've come." Hongjun opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Haotian. He was calm and composed, showing no surprise, only a knowing indifference.

Haotian bowed respectfully and said, "Dao Ancestor."

"Sit." Hongjun raised his hand, and a futon appeared out of thin air behind Haotian.

Haotian didn't stand on ceremony and sat down cross-legged, facing Hongjun.

The hall was silent for a moment.

Hongjun spoke first, his voice calm but tinged with emotion: "Your path is different from Pangu's, and different from mine."

That ancestral energy is indeed profound.

"Did the Dao Ancestor already realize this?" Haotian asked.

"I can sense it, but I cannot interfere," Hongjun said frankly. "The power within you transcends the primordial world; even if I were to merge with the Heavenly Dao, I could not reach it. I can only let nature take its course and see how you proceed."

Haotian nodded without pressing further. He knew that Hongjun was telling the truth.

"Dao Ancestor, I have come today to discuss matters concerning the primordial world with you," Haotian said, getting straight to the point.

Hongjun nodded slightly: "Go on."

"The Heavenly Dao imposes too many restrictions, making the Great Dao difficult to comprehend, and the positions of Saints scarce. This is not a blessing for the Primordial World," Haotian said slowly, looking directly at Hongjun. "I would like to request the Dao Ancestor to lift these restrictions, allowing all living beings the opportunity to attain enlightenment."

Hongjun was silent for a moment, then said, "Do you know why I set these restrictions?"

"In order to seize the Dao Fruit," Haotian bluntly stated, "the Dao Ancestor wanted to take the Heavenly Dao for himself, so he suppressed the Great Dao and slowed down the evolution of the world in order to gradually make his move."

Hongjun did not deny it, and said calmly, "Yes. I once thought that this was the only way out."

"And now?"

Hongjun looked at Haotian with profound eyes: "Now that you are here, the primordial world is evolving, and the Heavenly Dao is evolving along with it. I no longer need to bother eroding the Heavenly Dao; I only need to go with the flow, and everything will rise accordingly. This is much easier than if I tried to do it myself."

Haotian smiled slightly: "Is Dao Ancestor going to win without lifting a finger?"

Although Hongjun didn't understand the phrase "winning by doing nothing," he could guess its meaning. He nodded, a slight smile appearing on his lips: "I suppose so."

"Would the Dao Ancestor be willing to lift the restrictions?"

Hongjun pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and waved.

Outside the Purple Cloud Palace, chaos surged. In the primordial world, an invisible shackle quietly shattered. That shackle had existed for countless ages, suppressing the manifestation of the Great Dao and binding the path of enlightenment for all living beings. Now, it was broken.

The primordial world trembled slightly before returning to calm. However, all cultivators could vaguely sense that the Daoist principles in the world had become more profound, and the previously obscure and difficult-to-understand laws now seemed to be clearer.

"I have lifted the restrictions of the Heavenly Dao," Hongjun said. "From now on, the Great Dao will be revealed, and enlightenment will no longer be difficult. The number of saints will no longer be seven. As long as one's cultivation is sufficient and one is in harmony with Heaven and Earth, one can become a saint."

Haotian cupped his hands in respect: "The Dao Ancestor's righteousness is truly admirable."

Hongjun waved his hand: "It's not about my noble principles, but rather the circumstances that dictate it. Besides—"

He paused, then focused his light on Haotian: "Your Heavenly Court already possesses power surpassing that of a sage. What use would it be if I didn't release it?"

Haotian smiled but didn't reply.

The two then discussed the Dao for a long time. Haotian told Hongjun everything he had seen and heard in the higher dimensions, as well as the truth that Pangu was not dead.

After listening, Hongjun remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, "Pangu—he is indeed not dead."

Although he had long suspected it, he had never been able to confirm it. Now, having learned the truth from Haotian, he felt both relieved and filled with emotion.

He plotted for countless years, wanting to seize the Heavenly Dao and possess Pangu's most precious Dao Fruit, but he did not know that Pangu had never truly left.

Thinking of how Pangu chopped through everything like vegetables during the creation of the world, he frowned.

They were no match for Pangu before, and now they probably can't even put up a fight!

In fact, Hongjun did not hate Pangu. Although he was killed by Pangu and could only be reborn in the prehistoric world, it was a struggle for the Great Dao.

Anyone would have done the same as Pangu, but Pangu's strength made him somewhat worried. If Pangu wanted to take back the Dao Fruit, could he withstand it with his current strength? No.

Although he is already very strong, having absorbed half of the Primordial Great Dao, he is not confident of victory if he were to face Pangu, who existed at the beginning of creation. Therefore, he is still quite worried.

"Dao Ancestor, there is no need to worry," Haotian said. "What Pangu seeks is the advancement of his Dao. The primordial world is merely a tool for his cultivation. As long as it does not affect his absorption of the Dao and principles, he will not interfere in worldly affairs."

Furthermore, his absorption will not affect the primordial world. It will not cause conflicts or disagreements.

Hongjun nodded, much more relaxed. "That's good."

Haotian stood up and said, "Dao Ancestor, the Heavenly Court has just been established, and everything needs to be rebuilt. I will not disturb you any longer."

Hongjun did not try to stop him, and said calmly, "Go. If you need anything, you can come to Zixiao Palace."

Haotian bowed respectfully, then turned and left.

The gates of Zixiao Palace slowly closed, and chaos returned to silence.

Neither of them mentioned the six pseudo-saints of the primordial world. Haotian did so because Nuwa was about to take action, and with him there, the problem would be easy.

The Dao Ancestor didn't mention it because he still needed a few people to help him, preferably to occupy a larger proportion of the Heavenly Dao before the world evolved.

At that time, their cultivation will also increase along with the power of the Heavenly Dao.

As for those few saints, Haotian and Hongjun didn't care at all.

Even pseudo-saints can quickly comprehend the Dao of Heaven through the Primordial Purple Qi. Releasing this restriction will also benefit them.

As long as they elevate their Dao, they too can attain the status of a Primordial Golden Immortal.

The Primordial Purple Qi is essentially like the threads on Pangu's body; it can not only communicate with the Heavenly Dao, but also replicate the Dao he comprehended to Hongjun.

Although it sounds unpleasant, implying that they're doing all the work for someone else, this thing actually doesn't harm them at all.

Just like Pangu absorbing the Dao and principles generated from the primordial world, it was a replication, not plunder; it was a harmless act.

Good heavens, how many people are eyeing this primordial world? First, Pangu absorbed the Dao and principles of the world to increase his foundation. Then, Hongjun seized the Heavenly Dao, intending to devour the Dao Fruits born in the primordial world.

Fortunately, these actions were all copied, otherwise the prehistoric world would have been finished long ago.