Chapter 663: Popularizing Knowledge for the Three Innate Dao Juns (4K)

Qian Tian Holy Realm

The three venerable figures gathered together in one hall, their majestic forms assembled.

Long Yin Dao Jun, Tian He Dao Jun, and Zi Yuan Dao Jun stood side by side before a majestic golden form.

It was a towering golden form, standing firm between heaven and earth—the golden dharma image of the Creator Sovereign.

The Creator Sovereign is named Qian Tian Di Jun, an innate holy being born in the myriad heavens and voids, possessing vast power; after his fall, part of his elemental spirit imprint differentiated, each obtaining a portion of essence, energy, and spirit, as well as a portion of Dao Jun origin—this is the origin of the three Creator Dao Juns.

Zi Yun Dao Jun gazed upon the majestic golden dharma image before him, a hint of emotion in his eyes.

"How long has it been since we three were gathered as we are now, united in one hall, advancing and retreating together?"

Long Yin Dao Jun's expression remained unchanged, his face devoid of emotion.

Tian He Dao Jun glanced at the other two Dao Juns, his expression somewhat subtle.

The three Dao Juns, as descendants of the Creator Sovereign, were nearly simultaneous in birth, born at almost the same time, and are roughly like brothers.

In the years before attaining the Dao, the three Creator Dao Juns were also brothers in affection and respect, mutually supporting each other, huddling for warmth, enduring those difficult years before Dao attainment.

Alas, sharing hardship cannot mean sharing prosperity.

With their successive attainments of the Dao, the three Dao Juns developed a shared demand regarding the distribution of benefits.

Especially after the three Dao Juns simultaneously established their Dao lineages and great teachings, they thoroughly went their separate ways.

They even personally fought several battles.

With the casualties among their disciples, they once came to blows in true anger.

At this point, it can only be said that they can never return to the past.

Long Yin Dao Jun waved his hand and said.

"No need for this; between us, there is only the union of interests, no other affection. Zi Yun Dao Jun, if you have something to say, speak—my sect's affairs are burdensome, and I have no time to linger here in sorrowful remembrance!"

Tian He Dao Jun's expression remained unmoved; he glanced at Long Yin Dao Jun beside him.

Long Yin Dao Jun has always held a grudge regarding the previous calamity, when Zi Yun Dao Jun and Tian He Dao Jun joined forces against the Long Yin Dao lineage.

Tian He Dao Jun also knows this matter caused the Long Yin Dao lineage's influence in the celestial palace to greatly diminish, but at that time the Long Yin Dao lineage was at its peak, with many disciples bearing great fortune beneath its gate; if he were to rise, the influence of Zi Yun Dao Jun and Tian He Dao Jun in the celestial palace would likely suffer greatly.

This would also affect Zi Yun Dao Jun's and his own cultivation.

In the celestial court and heavenly realm, fortune is only so much.

Moreover, it is closely tied to Dao Jun cultivation—who would willingly be easily cast aside?

Seeing the situation, Tian He Dao Jun spoke.

"Second brother, no matter what, we three brothers are descendants of the ancestral god—this point no one can object to. In the previous calamity, the younger brother failed you; the elder brother was also compelled by necessity, unable to resist the younger brother's plea. I implore second brother, in light of our brotherly bond, to grant the younger brother one chance at compensation!"

Zi Yun Dao Jun observed the situation, his gaze fixed upon Long Yin Dao Jun.

Long Yin Dao Jun remained expressionless, speaking calmly.

"Tian He Dao friend, in the previous calamity I already said: our three brothers' affection is exhausted—no need to mention anything else!"

At this moment he raised his head to look at the colossal Qian Tian ancestral god dharma image carved from mountains and peaks above, speaking calmly.

"This sovereign stands here today solely because Zi Yuan and that extramural Dao Jun have grown powerful, already affecting our three cultivations and the survival of our Dao lineages—forcing us to cooperate!"

"If the two Dao friends have nothing else to say, this god now takes his leave!"

He flicked his sleeve, turned, and was about to depart.

Tian He Dao Jun hastily rose and grabbed him: "Second brother, wait!"

Seeing Long Yin Dao Jun's face cold and detached, yet his feet halted, Tian He Dao Jun felt a faint joy in his heart—he knew Long Yin Dao Jun was not utterly heartless, but he also did not rush to strike while the iron was hot, knowing that with their current relationship, wanting to instantly return to the past is impossible; this requires time to heal.

He then said.

"Second brother, do you find some truth in what that extramural Dao Jun said?"

"He repeatedly mentioned Zi Yuan's theft of heavenly Dao's creation—did the Heavenly Emperor truly give rise to such a deluded thought?"

Tian He Dao Jun's expression was solemn.

If the Qing Lian Jiu Ku Tian Zun's words are not mistaken, then Zi Yuan Tian Jun is undoubtedly a world-destroying demon.

To destroy the world, the three great Dao Juns would by no means allow it.

The celestial court and heavenly realm are the heart's blood of the Qian Tian ancestral god—no matter what, they would not allow anyone to steal the heavenly Dao's origin and commit world-destruction.

Moreover, this act would also affect the cultivation of the three great Dao Juns.

Upon hearing this, Long Yin Dao Jun's expression finally changed, a hint of solemnity in his eyes.

He also harbored some doubt in his heart—the Qing Lian Jiu Ku Tian Zun's words were piercingly clear, not seeming false.

He spoke in a deep voice.

"In the previous calamity, although the celestial court and heavenly realm also evolved into boundless calamities, there was indeed no such ferocity as this time; we six Dao Juns, except for the Wu Jie who oversees the calamity-ki, the other five were all trapped by the boundless calamity-ki—this situation is unprecedented, and indeed causes concern!"

"But since the celestial court and heavenly realm are about to fall into the Gui Xu, why have we three great innate Dao Juns felt no heavenly heart induction, and why have no omens of the apocalypse appeared between heaven and earth?"

Long Yin Dao Jun's gaze turned toward Zi Yun Dao Jun, speaking in a deep voice.

"Zi Yun Dao friend, you were born from the ancestral god's divine conception, obtained most of the ancestral god's primordial spirit, are closer to the heavenly Dao, and are furthermore unparalleled in calculation—do you not sense any anomaly?"

Speaking of unparalleled calculation, his tone noticeably intensified.

Zi Yun Dao Jun wore a purple robe, he stroked his beard slightly, his expression like a clear breeze and bright moon, he glanced at Long Yin Dao Jun, then immediately said.

"With the arrival of the boundless calamity, the elder Dao is closer to the heavenly Dao, yet encounters greater disturbance—do not conceal it from you, the elder Dao even has his heavenly heart induction ability obscured by the calamity-ki!"

"Therefore, the elder Dao cannot sense changes in the heavenly Dao!"

Long Yin Dao Jun and Tian He Dao Jun exchanged glances, the two Dao Juns faintly feeling a weight in their hearts.

This is something they have never experienced before; they can only vaguely sense something amiss, and otherwise feel they have fallen into an unknown state, temporarily unsure how to respond.

Tian He Dao Jun spoke at this time.

"I also do not know whether this change is truly due to the heavenly Dao producing anomalies, or due to the extramural Dao Jun's arrival making the heavenly secrets more turbid, so that even we cannot comprehend the heavenly heart!"

The number of Dao Jun-level powerhouses in the celestial court and heavenly realm is only so much.

The Wu Jie Mo Shen is a powerful figure of the demonic path.

The Taiji Ancestral God has never gotten along with them.

The Zi Yuan Heavenly Emperor is even less approachable.

After the three Dao Lords fell out, they had not communicated for a long time; now, upon contact, each of the three Dao Lords felt a chill arise within themselves.

This celestial court of the immortal realm suddenly seemed to be filled with the gleam of blades and swords.

At this moment, these chess players realized that the familiar chessboard had, unbeknownst to when, begun to gradually slip out of control.

This feeling of losing control made the three Dao Lords somewhat uneasy.

"Elder brother, second brother, let us three join hands to deduce this matter; this great situation is truly too strange, we cannot remain passive any longer!"

The Tianhe Dao Lord proposed.

The Ziyun Dao Lord immediately turned his gaze toward the Longyin Dao Lord.

"Second younger brother, what do you think?"

The Longyin Dao Lord glanced hesitantly at the Ziyun Dao Lord and the Tianhe Dao Lord; he had intended to refuse, but after a moment of silence, he still gave a slight nod.

Seeing his nod, the Ziyun Dao Lord and the Tianhe Dao Lord both showed a hint of a smile in their expressions.

The three Dao Lords stood ready, about to jointly deduce, when at this very moment, news came from outside that a heavenly palace envoy had arrived to pay respects.

At this moment, the three Dao Lords could only delay this matter and first go to meet the heavenly palace envoy outside.

After the Jin Shen God Lord entered from outside, he immediately stated his purpose.

At this time, he also saw the other two Dao Lords in the Qian Tian Sacred Realm; a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes, and then he spoke again.

"I never expected that the two founding ancestors would also be here; that minor god need not go to the Iron Ridge anymore. His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor has this time invited the two founding ancestors, Ziyun and Longyin, to jointly attend the Heavenly Palace to discuss major affairs!"

He slightly clasped his hands toward the Longyin Dao Lord, performing full courtesy.

Upon hearing this, the Ziyun Dao Lord was slightly surprised and asked.

"Only the old Dao and the second younger brother?"

Feeling the three substantive gazes from above, the Jin Shen God Lord steeled himself and still nodded, saying.

"The Heavenly Emperor indeed only invited the Ziyun founding ancestor and the Longyin founding ancestor!"

The three Dao Lords faintly sensed something unusual, exchanged a glance, but did not dwell on it; the Ziyun Dao Lord said.

"You go ahead first; the old Dao and the second younger brother will follow later to attend the meeting at the heavenly palace!"

The Jin Shen God Lord slightly clasped his hands and immediately turned and departed.

The three Dao Lords briefly discussed and then prepared to go attend the meeting.

But at this very moment, the Tianhe Dao Lord suddenly stirred; he raised his hand and tore open a large expanse of void, and a divine light fell into his palm.

At this moment, the Ziyun Dao Lord and the Longyin Dao Lord also turned their gazes toward him; the Tianhe Dao Lord then smiled and said.

"It is that Qinglian Salvation Suffering Heavenly Venerable; surely he has come with troops to question us!"

The Ziyun Dao Lord and the Longyin Dao Lord remained expressionless.

The Longyin Dao Lord coldly laughed and said.

"He is merely an outsider Dao Lord; what right does he have to come with troops to question us? We have not directly joined the Heavenly Emperor in moving against him—already we are merciful!"

Yet, seeing the Tianhe Dao Lord suddenly tense his face, his expression showing some astonishment.

"Third brother, what's wrong?"

The Ziyun Dao Lord turned his gaze toward him, his eyes showing some astonishment.

The Tianhe Dao Lord turned his gaze toward the other two Dao Lords and said.

"This Qinglian Salvation Suffering Heavenly Venerable has sent a message; he holds in his hand a matter concerning our life and death, and wishes to discuss it in detail with us!"

"Concerning our life and death?"

The eyes of the Ziyun Dao Lord and the Longyin Dao Lord flickered with some emotion, but more so with suspicion.

The Tianhe Dao Lord glanced at the two Dao Lords and said.

"Since the two elder brothers harbor hesitation, why not let us first go see him, then go to see the Heavenly Emperor—no delay—and see exactly what this Dao friend wishes to say?"

The Tianhe Dao Lord remained composed; this time, the Heavenly Emperor only invited the Ziyun Dao Lord and the Longyin Dao Lord, leaving him out. He instinctively sensed a hint of something unusual.

The Ziyun Dao Lord and the Longyin Dao Lord indeed had doubts in their hearts, and immediately nodded.

The Tianhe Dao Lord waved his hand, and thus sent forth a message; not long after, a blue stream of light broke through the void from outside the Qian Tian Sacred Realm, stepped in instantly, and was then led into this hall of assembled deities.

From afar, the three Dao Lords saw Zhang Jian's arrival; the three Dao Lords exchanged glances, and at this moment, their eyes all showed some unusual color.

The Longyin Dao Lord bore a hint of a cold smile, his eyes sharp as he said.

"A Dao Lord actually appearing in person within the Qian Tian Sacred Realm—does he not fear that we would join the Heavenly Emperor and act against him to his detriment?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian raised his head, facing the three Dao Lords' piercing gazes, and simply clasped his hands and said.

"Those of our kind who seek to accomplish great things—how could they cherish their lives?"

His gaze was calm, and then he added.

"Moreover, I feel that the three Dao friends at this moment must also harbor doubts in their hearts!"

"My coming this time is also to resolve the doubts of the three Dao friends!"

Zhang Jian knew that, at this moment, entering the Qian Tian Sacred Realm was indeed somewhat risky, but he had to take this risk.

Because the Zi Yuan Heavenly Emperor might at any moment act against these three Dao Lords; if the Zi Yuan Heavenly Emperor were to devour these three Dao Lords, that would be a regret too late to remedy.

As for the three Dao Lords acting against him, this possibility indeed exists.

But he believes the three Dao Lords are rational and will weigh gains and losses.

At least, after his downfall, it would not bring them much benefit.

The Ziyun Dao Lord gazed at Zhang Jian, and then suddenly said.

"From where does this Salvation Suffering Heavenly Venerable's words originate? We three great Dao Lords, as the founders of the three teachings, inheritors of the Ancestral God's legacy—what doubts could we possibly have?"

Zhang Jian said upon hearing that.

"Ziyun Daoist, why must you deceive your heart? Indeed, the three Dao Lords were born of noble lineage, descendants of the Creator Sovereign, inheriting the ancestral divine transmission—truly, their innate starting point surpasses all immortals and gods. Yet the three Dao Lords have mostly encountered various primordial laws in daily contact, and may never have witnessed the transformations of annihilation, final calamity, and destruction."

"If there is doubt in the heart, it is naturally due to ignorance of the transformations of annihilation."

Upon hearing this, the three Dao Lords' eyes flickered—Zhang Jian had indeed stirred a hint of interest in their hearts.

What Zhang Jian said was correct; they inherited the ancestral divine grace, are all Sovereigns of Primordial Creation, and indeed have never witnessed great annihilation or great destruction.

Seeing the three Dao Lords silent, Zhang Jian proceeded accordingly.

"You all have likely never personally witnessed the fall of a heavenly realm, so you cannot discern it. Today, I shall share part of my experience—may you three Dao friends judge truth from falsehood for yourselves!"

Zhang Jian has in fact never personally witnessed the collapse of a heavenly realm.

However, he has seen the spectacle of a great realm's decline; before entering the Celestial Court's heavenly realm, he had even studied this in the Central Heavenly Court.

Whether it be the Yu Wang Dao lineage or the Heavenly Court in this regard, both have accumulated knowledge.

Zhang Jian spoke at length.

"The fall of a heavenly realm shares several common traits; among them, certain omens—perhaps the three Dao friends have already sensed them!"

He glanced at the three Dao Lords, paused slightly, then continued.

"A heavenly realm may face a great calamity of annihilation, and also undergo the four great processes of formation, endurance, decay, and emptiness."

"During the formation and endurance processes, although various great calamities may arise, under normal conditions they do not cause a heavenly realm to produce boundless, immeasurable calamities. Only in the decay and emptiness processes do boundless, immeasurable calamities intensify, thereby granting the heavenly realm the risk of collapse!"

"And before a heavenly realm collapses, it must produce various omens; the most prominent feature is the dimming of the Heavenly Dao, with the power of boundless, immeasurable calamities suddenly surging!"

Seeing the three Dao Lords' expressions change, Zhang Jian did not linger, but directly popularized the knowledge:

"This is because a heavenly realm can no longer maintain the balance of all great Dao laws between heaven and earth, causing the boundless heavenly-earth Dao laws to lose control and collide!

The collision of heavenly and earthly laws, or the brewing of mortal-killing calamities, is precisely the source of calamitous evil!"

"So this is the essence of calamitous evil?"

At this moment, the three Dao Lords' expressions had already changed somewhat.

They are Dao Lords, who usually have some insight into the great Dao of calamitous evil; upon being pointed out by Zhang Jian, their expressions suddenly became clear.

Their hearts felt even more intrigued.

Such profundity is no less than facing the profound mysteries of the heavenly-earth great Dao, making them feel as if bathed in sweet dew, and their hearts straightened their attitudes.

Substantial knowledge always easily attracts others.

Zhang Jian also understands this principle.

Private agendas must always be tied to substantial knowledge to be easily mixed in.

Zhang Jian spoke again.

"Secondly, the withering of the heavenly heart—have you three felt the heavenly heart sealed, as if utterly vanished? This is an omen of damage to the Heavenly Dao's origin, continuously bleeding forth!"

"At this moment, the heavenly heart can no longer issue warnings!"

"Thirdly, the heavenly realm's vitality wanes, making it far harder for myriad heavenly materials and earthly treasures to take form!"

"Fourthly, the rhythm of heavenly and earthly spiritual tides within and without the heavenly realm is disrupted, unlike before..."

As Zhang Jian listed each point in turn, the three Dao Lords could not help but change expression.

They are Dao Lords; though confined to the Celestial Court's heavenly realm, their experience may be somewhat shallow, yet they possess the foundation befitting Dao Lords, and can naturally discern truth from falsehood in Zhang Jian's words.

Every point Zhang Jian made is reasonable and well-founded, with nothing to refute.