Chapter 392

Fengxi, upon returning to the Purple Heaven Palace, saw Xihuang confronting the Dao Ancestor.

Two supremely powerful divinities, swords drawn and bows bent between them, as if at the moment when the myriad gods swarmed out to seize treasures, they engaged in a very unpleasant exchange over some issues, already on the verge of fighting.

Fuxi the Great Sage holds the "Reason" divine axe in his hand, as if he could at any moment take the axe as a brush and, stroke by stroke, open heaven, shattering the entire Purple Heaven Palace.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor refuses to show weakness, shaking his horsetail whisk, which resonates with the Heavenly Dao divine wheel; the three thousand silver threads, like the Three Thousand Great Daos, draw upon the vast power of the entire Honghuang.

The Dao Ancestor has grown even stronger!

The myriad gods have taken away one innate spiritual treasure after another; it seems their wealth has dwindled, yet judging by their combat performance, it appears as if they are being strengthened……no, it should be said that their bonds have been released, their shackles loosened.

All mental burdens are gone, his divine powers fully displayed; at this moment, who knows how many Great Luo feel terrified, sensing that if Hongjun were to act against them, even a single finger could hardly resist, and they would be crushed to dust.

At this moment, the Dao Ancestor already bears a semblance of the legendary Pangu, able to roam freely heaven and earth, look down upon past, present and future, and with a flip of his hand slaughter one chaos demon god after another.

Even one as special as Xihuang can still view it calmly; the small, exquisite axe head flashes with light, reflecting in his eyes, within which are the birth and death of Honghuang, the lament of the myriad gods, the flourishing age of humanity……

The two supreme beings are in a great confrontation!

In the eyes of the gods who were out returning and had a brief blank interval, the reason is unclear.

But that aura is truly formidable, too overpowering for the heart and spirit.

The insignificant Great Luo tremble, desperately trying to minimize their presence.

Even ordinary mighty cultivators dare not speak loudly, fearing they would draw fire upon themselves.

Only the Taiyi Great Luo, and some ancient powers who have roamed Honghuang since the earliest ages, would then take initiative to act, seeking to mediate.

Of course.

Outside of Taiyi, those ancient god sages who dare to mediate are naturally tough opponents—even if they weren't before, they become so immediately.

Promotion!

Breakthrough!

Fengxi stared, dumbstruck, as one treasure light after another blazed splendidly, then……dimmed! Shattered!

"Hiss!"

That venerable and ancient deity, among the innate spiritual treasures taken from the Treasure-Splitting Cliff, even the strongest one is undergoing a strange transformation.

It blooms, then withers!

The form of the innate spiritual treasure collapses and shatters, turning into a brilliant rain of light that enters their bodies……this is not the end.

When the light rain ceases, what appears in its place are strands of brilliant spiritual light—innate imperishable spiritual light!

This is the foundation of the Great Luo, and also the foundation of the innate spiritual treasure.

But at this moment, these innate imperishable spiritual lights, upon turning, seem to reveal their true nature, suddenly acquiring an illusory flavor, wandering and merging into the bodies of the deities who hold them, as if they had originally been one, now returning; instantly the most complete and harmonious qi flows forth, sweeping over the entire Purple Heaven Palace.

In a hazy moment, the spacetime within the hall transformed, as if reset to the Taiyi state, evolving from nothing into the Grand Beginning moment.

One after another, powerful and terrifying chaos demon gods standing at the peak line up, about to sound the war song of conquest, leading their three thousand lesser followers, challenging Pangu, to reenact that ancient world-shaking battle!

Fengxi watched, gazed, and suddenly came to understand something.

"No wonder the Dao Ancestor said his days have been very hard."

"The ancient god sages really spared no expense to ensure the Heavenly Dao, their tool, does not slip from control."

"Each one has drawn away most of their own Dao-fruit foundation and true meaning of the laws, turning them into spiritual treasures, and banded together to thus 'accompany' the Dao Ancestor……is the Dao Ancestor moved or not?"

"Only today, after Hongjun has distributed the treasures, can both sides be considered truly liberated."

"The Dao Ancestor is liberated, his mental burdens gone, shackles removed, gaining freedom."

"The ancient god sages are also liberated, reclaiming their considerable authority and power, returning to their peak completeness, making final preparations for the impending great calamity blood war."

"The love-hate between the divinities and the Heavenly Dao has come to an end……oh, no."

"It's not over yet."

"Hongjun wants to prove himself against Pangu, but he still has to pass this trial!"

At this very moment.

The demon gods are in place; the ancient god sages lead the charge, the remaining Great Luo wave flags and shout, spiritually supporting and encouraging, united beside Nüwa, Di Jun, Taiyi, Donghua, Minghe, the Dragon Ancestor and other Taiyi heroes, a lineup so luxurious it could explode, fully capable of besieging Pangu……but is Pangu even present now?

No!

Either he is an outdated old leader.

Or he is an as-yet-undecided candidate.

Both are quite awkward.

At this juncture.

It is precisely the time for the latercomers to display their talents.

They are in tacit agreement, raising the banner of mediation while actually showing off their muscles, making clear that the stage of Honghuang ought to have a place for them.

"Teammates offering sacrifices to Heaven? Can we still sacrifice all of us to Heaven now?"

"The Heavenly Dao wants to surpass and dominate the human Dao? Don't underestimate us!"

Fengxi's sharp ears caught the whispered mutterings of some individuals in the front three rows——their inner opinions are no small matter.

After accumulating who knows how many ages, today they can finally raise their brows and exhale.

The strongest divinities united, turning into a mighty surging flood that scoured the entire Purple Heaven Palace, separating the Dao Ancestor and Xihuang who were locked in confrontation.

Meanwhile.

And the ancient gods shout with feeling——

"Don't fight anymore, you lot!"

"This won't kill you……no, you ought to value harmony!"

The leading elder sister Nüwa, speaking halfway through, promptly corrected herself.

No matter how timely, it still exposed some of her actual thoughts, representing the will of many divinities, her mindset quite strange, eagerly wanting to pour oil on the fire to let a full-blown martial spectacle unfold in the Purple Heaven Palace.

But this instead caused Xihuang and the Dao Ancestor to calm down and behave themselves.

One put the axe away into his sleeve, another let the whisk hang down, likewise no longer overbearing…… Two mighty beings spontaneously shifted their attention together, looking toward the gods.

Afterwards, they glanced at each other, as if reaching some consensus, and vaguely stood together.

Many ancient gods' faces darkened, as if recalling some unpleasant past—white faces, red faces, clubs and sweet dates…… The momentum of their united front instantly collapsed, and psychological shadows rose again.

Their steps, rarely in unison, simultaneously retreated one step.

Hmm.

Not everyone retreated.

Someone didn't retreat.

Thus, she became the sole protruding rafter.

Nüwa's eyes widened; she turned to look at the situation of 'the sky falling', and the good teammates who had swiftly sold off her tallest self made her instantly see darkness.

Too treacherous!

Her heart was a tumult of complex emotions, like a spilled spice jar…… Nevertheless, facing the joint gaze of the Dao Ancestor and Xihuang, she could only first turn her head to deal with this trouble.

She steeled her spirit and righteously rebuked, 'You two, what propriety is this?'

'What a fine meeting.'

'Just a brief intermission.'

'I just turned around, and you started a fuss?'

'Do you still want to fight to the death?'

'Does this befit our original purpose for gathering here to hold a meeting?'

'Seek common ground! Preserve differences!'

'Forceful threats are unacceptable!'

Nüwa put on a stern face, giving herself a way to step down.

Then, without waiting for Xihuang or the Dao Ancestor to rebut, she shifted the topic: 'By the way, what issue caused your conflict?'

'Speak.'

'Let us all help you devise a plan, and discuss it thoroughly.'

Saying this, Nüwa herself also stepped back, re‑'integrating' into the group.

Share blessings together!

Share hardships together!

How can only she bear the thunder?

Teammates must play their part!

Watching Nüwa's series of actions, Xihuang's gaze was deep‑meaning, yet he did not expose her, merely speaking offhandedly, giving a brief explanation.

'After you left, I discussed some minor matters with Dao Friend Hongjun.'

'It concerns the limits of Heavenly Secrets Arts.'

'I have recently been studying the Eight Trigrams, experimenting with Heavenly Secrets Arts…… and this Dao lineage, I am determined to spread and disseminate.'

'But if we take it seriously…'

'The Heavenly Secrets Arts—merely peeking at the workings of the Heavenly Dao is fine; the trouble lies in some cultivators whose ethics fall short, who inevitably harbor crooked thoughts, seeking ways to alter the future for personal gain.'

'This is like a virus, specially probing for loopholes in the Heavenly Dao's firewall…… Dao Friend Hongjun feels that this increases his workload, so he speaks harshly to me.'

'I believe that only under tremendous work pressure can one forge sufficient talent and wisdom, enhance one's abilities…… As the Heavenly Dao Intelligence of my Honghuang world, how could I harbor laziness?'

'He should dare to challenge, strive forward, treat work as a stepping stone, regard overtime as a blessing, and create more value for Honghuang.'

'Around this minor point of contention, I and Dao Friend Hongjun conducted a friendly consultation, showing our respective determinations…… You need not worry.'

Fuxi brought forth the justification as if it were true.

Hongjun nodded in agreement, indicating that was indeed the case.

Between them, there is no pretense, nor any secret back‑room deals, and they will not deceive the gods again.

'Is that so?' Nüwa breathed a sigh of relief, 'So it's just a private dispute over your Dao lineage? Then it's fine—I have no objections.'

'When you have time later, you can consult slowly…… consult for as long as you wish, and consult to remove whoever you wish.'

'' Fuxi glanced at Nüwa, the corners of his mouth slightly twitching in a half‑smile, and nodded in her bewildered gaze, 'You have no objections… then good, then good.'

Nüwa was utterly bewildered.

She couldn't understand what was happening, but her intuition faintly hinted——there might be a cat's glutinous rice ball here!

Just.

Before Nüwa could think further.

The Dao Ancestor flicked his whisk, rested it in the crook of his arm, rose to his feet, bearing a most sacred and vast aura, and addressed the Three Thousand Great Luo.

'The time has come.'

'I will fully merge with the Heavenly Dao.'

'From now on.'

'Unless it is an infinite Great Calamity, I will no longer appear or interfere in Honghuang!'

'Please bear witness, all of you!'

The Dao's resonance rumbled, stirring the hearts, minds, and souls of the Three Thousand Great Luo.

At once, the gods each took orderly positions, jointly gazing at the Dao Ancestor on the Dao Terrace.

'Boom!'

The Dao Ancestor stepped forward illusorily toward an unknown height.

With each step his form grew more illusory, yet his might increased, like the ever‑brighter Heavenly Dao Divine Wheel and Creation Jade Disc.

The Dao Ancestor walks a path.

When his road reached its end, the gods could no longer see Hongjun's existence.

Because, at this moment the Dao Ancestor was boundlessly vast, his might enveloping the entire vast Honghuang heaven and earth, countless ages past and future, thoroughly spreading the supreme radiance of the Heavenly Dao.

Likewise, it is also illusory and invisible, embedded within the most basic rules, silently bearing the operation of the universe.

He is the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao is him.

The Heavenly Dao knows no high or low, no noble or base, treating all equally.

It is very powerful, for in following the established rules it drives the forward motion of heaven and earth, possessing the power of all Honghuang, an unstoppable trend; yet it can only follow the rules, cannot exceed them in the slightest, being utterly reasonable.

Powerful, yet orderly.

This is the present Hongjun.

"Hum!"

The Heavenly Dao's divine wheel, no longer a divine wheel, directly dissipates into the formless, returning to the obscure.

The Jade Disc of Creation, meanwhile, transforms into a hazy radiance, flowing through the eight wildernesses, as if bestowing a final blessing upon heaven and earth.

"From now on..."

"Hongjun is the Heavenly Dao..."

"The Heavenly Dao is not for Hongjun..."

The long, deep sigh echoed through every corner of the universe, reverberating in the hearts of all beings.

Upon hearing this, the gods were all moved.

Countless Great Luo, at this moment spontaneously bowed low, performing a great rite to show their reverence.

Regardless of Hongjun's schemes, he single-handedly raised the current Monster Clan Heavenly Court; what lay behind it, what intentions he harbored.

But for now.

He has at last become one with the Heavenly Dao!

For stabilizing the rules of the Honghuang heaven and earth and aiding the liberation of the three thousand Great Luo, his contribution is immense, cannot be erased.

Based solely on these achievements, he is worthy of the gods' praise.

Not to mention praise.

Even more splendid displays are not out of the question!

"Quick quick quick!"

Nüwa beamed with joy, Majesty Di Jun's face was delighted, the Dragon Ancestor clapped and laughed loudly… one after another, those aspiring to Pangu's Taiyi Great Luo, with the most fervent actions, immediately in the the Zixiao Palace displayed deep mourning for the Dao Ancestor's great sacrifice.

"Fuxi, you play the zither!"

"I play the sheng!"

"Majesty Di Jun, you strike the fou!"

"Dragon Ancestor, you beat the drum!"

"Taiyi, you strike the bell!"

"Donghua, you play the xiao!"

"Minghe… you make do alive, grab two swords, use them as cymbals!"

The wise and martial Majesty Nüwa immediately commanded the formation of a band on the spot and composed the melody.

"Don't say."

Fengxi watched the play, seeing Nüwa compose and conduct, feeling his superior still had artistic talent, quite proper.

"Also right."

Who let the Nüwa sovereign's brother still be a renowned musician of the age?

Through constant exposure, Nüwa's skills are also not lacking.

She herself has crafted many instruments, such as the sheng, the se, the xun...

Now putting it to use on the spot, it's trivial.

In the shortest time, the band was formed, before countless Great Luo playing strings and winds, drums and cymbals clamoring.

"One piece 'Lament for Jun Tian', offered to our eternally revered Dao Ancestor!"

Nüwa's eyes held tears, her mouth curved in a smile.

"Offered to our all‑beloved Dao Ancestor!"

Majesty Di Jun joined in the applause, Taiyi vigorously struck the Chaos Bell.

In the the Zixiao Palace, they instantly fell into an ocean of joy.

Until—

"Boom!"

With a tremendous roar, they were all blasted out, an unbearable counterattack.

(End of chapter)