Chapter 140: Suppressing the Dao Ancestor, Hongjun Bows His Head

As the Heavenly Emperor's majestic and profound words echoed through the void, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's heart trembled violently, as if suddenly gripped by an invisible giant hand.

That connection so closely linked to the Heavenly Dao snapped in an instant; he lost his control over the Heavenly Dao.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's Heavenly Dao authority was directly stripped away.

At that moment, he felt as if he had fallen from the peak of the endless void, all his power receding like a tide.

The connection to the Heavenly Dao within his body dissipated into the endless void like dust swept away by a gale.

This was something Dao Ancestor Hongjun simply could not accept.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun, this existence who once looked down upon the world and was omnipotent, now stood dazed on the spot, his gaze hollow and his expression vacant.

He could not believe everything happening before his eyes; that Heavenly Emperor he once despised actually possessed such powerful strength, capable of easily stripping away the Heavenly Dao authority he had cultivated so painstakingly.

His Heavenly Dao authority was what Dao Ancestor Hongjun had always relied upon.

Ever since he merged with the Heavenly Dao of the world, he had striven to fully control the Heavenly Dao, striven to control the Heavenly Dao authority.

Now, his Heavenly Dao authority was like a kite with a broken string, drifting with the wind, far beyond his control.

At this moment, he finally understood that the Heavenly Emperor's strength was far beyond what he could have imagined; by merging the Human Dao, Earthly Dao, and Heavenly Dao into the Great Dao, and in the name of the Heavenly Emperor, in the name of the Great Dao, he had stripped away his Heavenly Dao authority with a single word.

All along, the efforts Dao Ancestor Hongjun had made were to devour the Heavenly Dao Origin, fully control the Heavenly Dao authority, become the Heavenly Dao in the true sense of the Honghuang World, and make everything in the Honghuang World revolve around his will.

Now that he had perfectly controlled the Heavenly Dao, he thought he had already stood at the peak of the world and could control everything as he pleased.

Yet, at this moment, he felt as if struck by a heavy hammer, all his pride and confidence collapsing in an instant.

He could not accept this fact, could not accept that the power he had painstakingly cultivated was stripped away so easily.

He looked at the Heavenly Emperor in the void, his eyes filled with anger and unwillingness.

The Heavenly Emperor's actions were, to Dao Ancestor Hongjun, undoubtedly a heavy blow, and even more like a ruthless mockery of his long-standing efforts.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun had always boasted of being the most powerful existence in the Honghuang World; ever since Pangu Great Heavenly Venerable fell, he had been dominating the rise and fall of the Honghuang Continent.

After merging with the Heavenly Dao, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had been striving to fully control the Heavenly Dao authority.

Yet at this very moment, he discovered that all his efforts appeared so pale and powerless before the Heavenly Emperor.

He looked toward the Heavenly Emperor, his eyes full of unwillingness and doubt, and finally could not help but ask: "This is impossible! You, a mere Heavenly Emperor, how could you strip away my Heavenly Dao authority?"

His voice revealed deep shock and bewilderment.

The Heavenly Emperor, an existence who was once merely the Lord of the Heavenly Court, now displayed such astonishing power that Dao Ancestor Hongjun could not help but begin to doubt his own understanding.

In the current Honghuang World, the Heavenly Dao had always been regarded as the supreme existence; yet at this moment, the Heavenly Emperor had easily stripped away his Heavenly Dao authority, forcing Dao Ancestor Hongjun to re-examine his understanding of the Honghuang World.

He stared fixedly at the Heavenly Emperor, a terrifying conjecture surging in his heart.

Could it be that the Heavenly Emperor had already achieved the Great Dao? This conjecture made him feel incomparably shocked and fearful.

The Great Dao was an existence that transcended the Heavenly Dao; even Pangu Great Heavenly Venerable had once been schemed against by the Great Dao. If the Heavenly Emperor had truly achieved the Great Dao, then how terrifying would his power be?

Dao Ancestor Hongjun recalled his past control over the Heavenly Dao; that feeling of omnipotence seemed as if it were still before his eyes.

Yet at this moment, he had lost all of this, becoming an ordinary person. He looked at the Heavenly Emperor with unwillingness, his heart filled with doubt and anger.

He wanted to know how the Heavenly Emperor had done it; he wanted to know if he had truly lost control over the Heavenly Dao.

In the Honghuang World, the Heavenly Dao governed everything, but this was only after the Great Dao had retreated into seclusion.

If the Heavenly Emperor had truly achieved the Great Dao, then how powerful would his strength be?

Dao Ancestor Hongjun could not help but begin to ponder his own future; did he still have a chance to regain control over the Heavenly Dao?

If the Heavenly Emperor was truly the Great Dao above the Heavenly Dao, what should he do?

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's long-standing confidence was completely shattered for the first time, and a bitter taste appeared on his face.

The Sages watched this battle from afar, this confrontation between Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the Heavenly Emperor.

In that distant, ancient era, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's name had once shaken the universe like thunder; he was the peak of that era, the supreme existence looked up to by all living beings.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun dominated the rise and fall of one epoch after another, the ups and downs of the Honghuang Continent.

However, time flies, and the landscape of the Honghuang World had changed accordingly.

Now, the Heavenly Emperor's prestige was like the rising sun, radiant and brilliant; in the eyes of the Sages, he was already the new master of the Honghuang World.

The duel between these two supreme powerhouses not only made the entire Honghuang World tremble, but also made all the Sages feel their own insignificance.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun, the master of the Heavenly Dao, controlled the operation of all things in the world;

While the Heavenly Emperor, with the power of the Great Dao, directly suppressed Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

One controlling the Heavenly Dao, the other directly being the Great Dao—the contest between the two made all the Sages hold their breath.

Seeing the Heavenly Emperor use the power of the Great Dao to strip away Dao Ancestor Hongjun's Heavenly Dao authority, they could not help but feel relieved.

At least until now, the Heavenly Emperor held the advantage. They had long since joined the Heavenly Court and become the Heavenly Emperor's subjects; they had incomparable confidence in the Heavenly Emperor's power.

And as people of the Heavenly Court, they naturally did not wish to see Dao Ancestor Hongjun achieve victory.

The Heavenly Emperor stood at the peak of the firmament, his gaze like a torch, looking down at Dao Ancestor Hongjun below.

His voice was like a spring breeze, yet carried an irresistible majesty: "Hongjun, the gap in strength between you and Me is already obvious; are you willing to submit to Me?"

Listening to the Heavenly Emperor's words, Dao Ancestor Hongjun felt full of unwillingness, even though he had expected this long ago. He

raised his head, a firm light flickering in his eyes, and took a deep breath; although his voice was weak, it was incomparably firm: "I was born from Chaos and have survived ten thousand tribulations without perishing; how could I easily bow my head? Heavenly Emperor, I acknowledge your power, but for me to submit, that is absolutely impossible."

The Heavenly Emperor nodded slightly, as if he had long expected Dao Ancestor Hongjun's persistence.

He looked at Dao Ancestor Hongjun, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes, but it immediately turned into indifference.

Regardless, Dao Ancestor Hongjun was once the number one person in Honghuang, possessing incomparable pride and self-esteem, and would not easily yield.

However, the Heavenly Emperor's power was no empty talk.

He stood there as if merged with the entire Heavens and Myriad Worlds, the Three Thousand Great Daos turning clouds and rain in his hands, with nothing able to block him.

Although Dao Ancestor Hongjun was also a powerhouse who dominated the world, before the Heavenly Emperor, he appeared powerless.

The Heavenly Emperor spoke indifferently, "Even now, are you still holding onto a fluke?"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun struck again; he let out a long roar, drawing upon the Great Dao power of the entire Honghuang World, and countless rays of light gathered around him, forming a brilliant Great Dao River.

However, all of this appeared so pale and powerless before the Heavenly Emperor.

The Heavenly Emperor merely tapped lightly, and his fingertip radiated endless light, as if compressing the entire universe into a single point.

When the attack of Dao Ancestor Hongjun touched this point, it was like a clay ox entering the sea, disappearing without a trace.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's complexion turned pale instantly; he felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness. He knew that the gap between himself and the Heavenly Emperor had become insurmountable. Yet, even so, he still did not give up. He struggled to stand straight, his eyes flickering with an unyielding light.

The Heavenly Emperor looked at Dao Ancestor Hongjun and spoke indifferently: "It is over. I shall now shatter your delusions."

Before the words had faded, the Heavenly Emperor once again invoked the power of the Three Thousand Great Daos, and countless rays of light converged into a massive beam, directly suppressing Dao Ancestor Hongjun on the spot.

At this moment, the entire Great Desolate World seemed to have come to a standstill, with only the Heavenly Emperor and Dao Ancestor Hongjun standing there.

The Heavenly Emperor waved his hand lightly, and the power of the Three Thousand Great Daos swept in like a violent storm, binding Dao Ancestor Hongjun tightly.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun felt the pressure as heavy as a mountain, yet his heart was surging with turbulent waves.

The Heavenly Emperor's cold gaze was like ice that had not melted for ten thousand years; he used the Three Thousand Great Daos to firmly suppress Dao Ancestor Hongjun, capable of completely obliterating this once-foremost person of Honghuang at any moment.

His tone carried a hint of impatience as he spoke slowly: "Hongjun, I have already given you many chances. Now, I ask you one last time: submit, or die."

Dao Ancestor Hongjun, this powerhouse who had once dominated Honghuang for countless epochs, felt an unprecedented oppression at this moment.

He looked up at the high and mighty Heavenly Emperor; although his heart was filled with unwillingness, it was filled even more with helplessness.

He knew that the Heavenly Emperor's strength had already exceeded his imagination; if he did not know how to act in accordance with the times, he feared he would truly end up in ashes.

Faced with the choice between life and death, Dao Ancestor Hongjun took a deep breath, a trace of bitterness flashing across his face.

It had always been he who stood on high, looking down upon all living beings; even Saints were but ants in his eyes.

Yet at this moment, he had become the one being looked down upon.

This immense disparity made him feel an unprecedented sense of unwillingness.

But when one's strength is inferior to another's, what can be done?

Dao Ancestor Hongjun took a deep breath; he knew he had no way out.

He did not want to die.

The instinct for survival forced him to make a choice.

He spoke slowly, his voice trembling slightly: "This humble Daoist Hongjun pays respects to the Heavenly Emperor. This humble Daoist Hongjun is willing to join the Heavenly Court."

This unruly Dao Ancestor lowered his arrogant head at this moment.

If the gap between him and the Heavenly Emperor were small, he could still put up a fight.

But the problem now was that the gap between him and the Heavenly Emperor was the gap between the Heavenly Dao and the Great Dao, or perhaps even further.

The Heavenly Emperor nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

With a wave of his hand, the power of the Three Thousand Great Daos gradually dissipated, and the bindings on Hongjun vanished along with it.

"Since you are willing to join the Heavenly Court, then from this day forward, you are a member of the Heavenly Court."

The Heavenly Emperor's voice was calm and majestic.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun stood up, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

He knew that although he had preserved his life, from now on, he would no longer be that high and mighty Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

He would become a member of the Heavenly Court, subject to the jurisdiction and constraints of the Heavenly Emperor.

When one's skills are inferior, what can be done?

Above the Thirty-Three Heavens, the gazes of the various Saints converged in one place, and the scene there left them all shocked.

The originally calm and waveless atmosphere seemed to be torn apart by an invisible force at this moment, and the waves in everyone's hearts surged violently.

Although they had long anticipated the outcome of this battle in their hearts, when they truly witnessed this soul-shaking scene, their inner selves were still filled with incredible shock.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun had been the supreme existence from ancient times, high above and overlooking all living beings; every one of his decisions was enough to stir the winds and clouds of the entire world.

Yet at this moment, this Dao Ancestor Hongjun had actually lowered his head; the powerhouse who once looked down upon the world had, at this moment, only awe for the Heavenly Emperor.

This scene was like a thunderclap exploding in everyone's hearts; they seemed to see the rules of the world being broken at this moment, and a brand-new order was quietly being established.

The Saints of the Heavenly Court were all shocked by this sudden change, their hearts filled with unspeakable emotion.

With Dao Ancestor Hongjun's deep bow, with his lowering of the head.

The era belonging to the Great Dao Heavenly Court in the true sense of the word had truly begun.

At this moment, the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor enveloped the entire Great Desolate World, and everyone felt unprecedented shock and reverence at this moment.

From this moment on, every corner of the Great Desolate World echoed with hymns to the Heavenly Court.

Whether it was the land beyond the heavens above the Thirty-Three Heavens, or the Yellow Springs Netherworld beneath the Nine Nether.

Whether it was the Saints who looked down upon all living beings, or the Dao Ancestor who dominated the world, all were under the rule of the Heavenly Court.

The addition of Dao Ancestor Hongjun brought even more endless Qi Luck to the Heavenly Court.

From the moment Dao Ancestor Hongjun joined the Heavenly Court, above the Thirty-Three Heavens, the Qi Luck of the Heavenly Court surged in like a rolling torrent.

That majestic Qi Luck seemed capable of drowning everything, leaving all cultivators shocked.

The Great Primordial World at this moment seemed to have entered a brand-new epoch. The prestige of the Great Dao Heavenly Court shone upon the entire continent like the midday sun.

Under the reflection of this Great Dao Heavenly Court, the Great Primordial World truly displayed its perfect and flawless side.

Every inch of land, every stretch of sea, was bathed in the grace of the Great Dao Heavenly Court, radiating vibrant vitality.

Nourished and irrigated by the Qi Luck, every corner of the Honghuang Continent seemed to have been endowed with new life, and they began to recover at an astonishing speed.

The once-silent mountain ranges now seemed to have been injected with new vitality, lush and full of life.

The rivers, lakes, and seas also regained their surging vitality, with waves crashing and water roaring.

When Zhenyuanzi used the Classic of Mountains and Seas to organize the ley lines of Honghuang, it brought about the first recovery of Honghuang.

And now, the second recovery of the Honghuang Continent.

(End of this chapter)