Chapter 397: Merit descends, boundless harvest!

Heavenly Dao merit again descends.

This time, its momentum covers the sky, its power overwhelms the world.

Above the nine heavens, the supreme law of the order of heaven and earth manifests; a silent roar trembles every inch of the river of time.

That is not sound, but a transmission of will transcending the auditory dimension.

Next, the boundless Xuanhuang golden light tore the firmament; it did not emerge from one place but from every layer and node of the Heavenly Dao, seeping out simultaneously.

Light condensed, flowed, and finally gathered into a river.

Golden rivers purely formed from merit power, vast and mighty, hung down from the nine heavens.

The river water is viscous; each drop contains enough creative power to drive beings of a world mad.

On the river surface, Dao patterns arise and vanish, order runes swirl and dance, chanting the ancient Dao sound of the primordial universe.

These golden rivers, with a clear target, precisely penetrate the lofty solitary figure below.

Chen Ku.

He stood there, his dark Dao robe moving without wind, fluttering.

Facing this mighty power that could move saints and cause even Mixed Yuan Golden Immortals to bow, his face showed no ripple.

His gaze was an ancient well without ripples, as if this gift sweeping the heavens was just a gentle breeze.

He stretched out his hand.

Not to grasp, nor to block.

Just a simple action, letting the torrent of the first merit river wash over his palm, then spread throughout his body.

There was no earth-shaking roar, no dazzling light of energy collision.

The moment merit power touched his body, it was like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, gently merging into his Dao body, his soul, and every instant of his existence.

His whole person was rendered into a brilliant gleaming gold.

His hair flew, each strand flowing with divine radiance.

Beneath his skin, bones and meridians were thoroughly illuminated, revealing an indestructible glazed quality.

He thus became an immortal deity standing between heaven and earth, silently accepting the universe's highest reward.

The gift does not end here.

As merit power continuously poured in, Chen Ku's surroundings began to burst forth layer upon layer of phenomena.

A golden lotus silently sprouted from beneath his feet.

The flower opened with twelve ranks; each petal engraved with a complete pre-heaven Great Dao law, profoundly mysterious.

Next came the second, the third...

In an instant, tens of thousands of Great Dao golden lotuses appeared out of thin air, circling his body slowly, floating.

The lotus sea is boundless; golden light dazzles.

Each lotus's blooming and withering seems to enact the birth-death cycle of a world.

Above this lotus sea, at a point three feet above Chen Ku's head, space slightly twisted, and a vast auspicious cloud arose.

Within the auspicious cloud, myriad golden lamps hung high.

The lamp light swayed, dropping strands of jeweled curtains, like bead curtains, like heavenly waterfalls, firmly protecting him within.

The protective Dao resonance emitted by the auspicious cloud golden lamps is weighty and firm, bearing an absolute will of 'all laws do not invade, all evils do not approach'.

Even the primordial Dao Ancestor Hongjun lecturing in the Purple Azure Palace, who bestowed upon Yuanshi Tianzun that supreme defensive treasure, the Heavenly Auspicious Clouds, now appears dim before this phenomenon.

This is the Heavenly Dao's personally bestowed protection, incomparable to external objects.

External changes shock the world, while internal transformation is even more earth-shattering.

Chen Ku's mind sank into his body, instantly completing inner vision.

His sea of consciousness.

That originally calm-as-a-mirror vast sea of consciousness is now raising towering waves.

Boundless merit power transformed into the most primordial nourishment, frenziedly pouring in.

The boundary of the sea of consciousness expands at a terrifying speed, each expansion devouring large amounts of Chaos void, transforming it into Chen Ku's own consciousness foundation.

The waves roar; each wave crest is formed by billions of strands of consciousness refined to the extreme.

These consciousness powers are undergoing a profound sublimation.

The originally pure consciousness is now repeatedly refined by the merit fire, eliminating the last trace of impurity.

They become clear, transparent, flawless.

An unprecedented sense of control arises spontaneously.

A single thought of Chen Ku can penetrate layers of spacetime and perceive the essence beneath the appearance of all things.

The withering and flourishing of plants, the trajectories of stars, the fate of beings, even the subtle threads of the law net, are clearly presented in his single thought; no secrets remain.

In the deepest part of his sea of consciousness, the Dao fruit representing all his Dao and principles shines brightly.

Above the Dao fruit, light of myriad zhang, even penetrating the walls of the sea of consciousness and Chen Ku's flesh, shines toward all heavens and worlds.

In the dark, countless beings of great worlds feel at this moment a stirring originating from the Great Dao.

As if a supreme existence is announcing its law, its principle.

This power is too vast.

Only a moment's scouring.

Chen Ku's Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal cultivation, already as stable as an ancient divine mountain, again shows a strong feeling of loosening.

The bottleneck's walls, before this merit torrent, are as fragile as paper.

If he wishes, he can now easily break through and enter a brand-new, higher realm.

Chen Ku clearly perceives that the total amount of this harvest of Heavenly Dao merit has already exceeded the limits of imagination.

What it can drive is absolutely not merely a minor realm advancement.

Even breaking through two realms, three realms, is not impossible.

However.

Chen Ku's gaze remained calm.

He did not choose to break through on the spot.

The power of merit is a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao's origin, supremely precious.

Such a vast amount of merit, if merely used purely to assault the realm barrier, would be too wasteful.

The true value lies in thoroughly refining it, turning it into one's own foundation, and integrating it into every inch of the Great Dao's foundation.

Only such a breakthrough would be perfect and flawless.

Being hasty for a moment, with an unstable foundation, ultimately leads to disaster.

What he has sought in his cultivation to this day has never been a temporary speed, but eternal transcendence.

A slight thought stirred.

An intangible will issued from the depths of Chen Ku's soul.

The boundless merit river madly surging into his body seemed to have received the supreme edict.

They no longer merged into his limbs and bones, no longer washed his Dao body and soul, but changed direction, all converging toward the sea of consciousness at his brow.

Golden rivers, linked end to end, transformed into a pillar of light piercing heaven and earth, precisely entering his sea of consciousness.

This process requires absolute control over one's own power.

A slight mistake, and this vast merit power losing control in the sea of consciousness would result in the soul being burnt out and the Dao fruit shattered.

But for Chen Ku, this is merely a trivial effort.

He simply stood still, temporarily storing this merit vast enough to reshape heaven and earth in his sea of divine consciousness.

To keep it for later, to properly refine and merge into oneself, is also not late.

Meanwhile.

Not only Chen Ku is receiving the baptism of the boundless Heavenly Dao merit.

Between heaven and earth, merit falls like a waterfall into one different direction after another.

The golden torrent breaks through the sea of clouds, like the Milky Way of the nine heavens pouring down, its momentum splendid, its meaning clear.

This is no longer merit rain, but a merit waterfall, the most direct and pure reward of the Heavenly Dao.

Of it, seventy percent went to Chen Ku.

The remaining thirty percent transformed into countless strands of finer golden light, scattering to every corner of the primordial world.

Jieyin, Zhunti, Hongyun...

Even Mílè, Guānshìyīn, Jīnchì Dàpéng and other great Buddhist beings, regardless of how much they contributed in the prior salvation, are now bathed in the golden light rain.

Merit added to the body, magical power advanced, the Buddha mind clear and pure.

They pressed their palms together, bowing deeply toward the figure above the heavens shrouded in endless golden light.

This bow, heartfelt and sincere.

Even the Netherworld's underworld, the depths of the Sea of Blood.

The King of Earth Store, who never sees daylight year-round, also lifted his head at this moment.

A strand of golden light penetrated the layers of yin soil and boundless resentment, precisely landing on his body.

The listening beast beneath the King of Earth Store let out a low growl, seeming to feel joy for this.

He slightly nodded, silently chanting the Buddha's name, his eyes filled with boundless compassion.

The Heavenly Dao is supreme, and knows nothing unknown.

Today, Chen Ku mends the heavens, and it is also the Buddhist salvation of the world.

This is the merit of the entire Buddhist sect; therefore, whoever participates, with heart toward the myriad beings, gains merit.

The will of the Heavenly Dao naturally has its own conclusion.

Chen Ku, his achievement is supreme.

With one person's power, he reversed the raging tide that had already fallen, supported the great building about to collapse; such feats are rarely seen in myriad ages.

Therefore, he should enjoy sixty or seventy percent of the boundless merit.

This is what he deserves.

But on the shore of the North Sea, where the giant turtle once dwelled, now only a mess remains.

The bases of the four heaven-supporting pillars are imprinted upon the earth, exuding an immortal aura.

At this moment, there is also a strand of merit golden light, although not as vast as Chen Ku's, yet extremely pure, penetrating the void and merging into the leg of the giant turtle that supports the eastern heavens.

Immediately after, three similar light pillars lit up in the west, south, and north.

The four legs that have become heavenly pillars, their main body, the huge form still hovering above the North Sea, suddenly trembled.

The residual consciousness of the North Sea giant turtle awakened within its huge skull.

It felt it.

A warm current, a flow of approval and reward from the origin of heaven and earth, is surging into its soul, nourishing its vitality that is on the verge of collapse due to its severed leg.

In its huge eyes like the sun, moon, and stars, first a flash of bewilderment passed, then immediately came unbelievable ecstasy.

Merit?

I... also have merit?

This thought exploded in its mind, stirring up a huge wave.

It was originally a sinful body, a sacrificial offering, the 'material' for stabilizing heaven and earth.

It never imagined that it could still receive the favor of the Heavenly Dao.

But after a moment's thought, the wild joy in its huge eyes gradually faded, turning into a deep realization.

That's right.

No matter what the original motive was, whether I volunteered or was forced.

The final result was that it, with its four legs, propped up this heaven and earth anew, saving countless billions of living beings.

This act of saving the world has its part.

I am worthy of this merit.

One thought penetrates, and the spirit becomes clear.

All the previous entanglements, unwillingness, resistance, and the slight resentment toward Chen Ku were, at this moment, washed away clean by this vast golden light of merit.

In their place arose a deep gratitude from the depths of the soul for Chen Ku.

If not for Chen Ku, it might have long since been reduced to dust in the collapsing heaven and earth.

Without Chen Ku, it could never have obtained this merit of the Heavenly Dao; this is not only a reward, but also a supreme opportunity to cleanse sin and reshape the future.

Its huge head slowly bowed three times toward the golden figure above the Nine Heavens.

These three bows signify submission, recognition, and rebirth.

The merit of the Heavenly Dao poured down for an unknown length of time.

After the river of time and space seemed to pause for a moment because of it, that golden waterfall gradually grew thin and finally dissipated completely between heaven and earth.

Above the Nine Heavens, the golden light faded away.

Chen Ku's figure reappeared before the eyes of all beings.

He still stood proudly in the void, his form unchanged, his visage unaltered.

But everyone who saw him felt that he had changed.

On his skin seemed to appear and disappear countless Buddha lands; every inch of his flesh flowed with golden divine radiance, crystal clear and flawless, like supreme glass.

Between his brows appeared an ineffable dignity and compassion.

That is an air of having endured infinite kalpas, witnessed the beginning and end of all things, and finally returned to tranquil indifference.

He clearly never claimed to be the Buddha Ancestor, nor did he attain the fruit of a Buddha.

Yet merely by standing there, he naturally exuded a supreme dignity that surpassed all heavenly Buddhas.

He is the Buddha.

He is the Dao.

All beings of the Primordial Wilderness—whether human, demon, witch, or immortal—at this moment, gazing upon that figure, felt their souls tremble.

This was not fear, but an awe springing from the very instinct of life.

It is the awe of an ant gazing at the heavens, of mortals looking up to the divine… admiration.

Countless beings knelt unconsciously, murmuring, yet not knowing how to address this savior.

And Jieyin, Zhunti, and Hongyun, their gazes piercing endless space, fixed intently on this scene.

Their eyes held a complexity never before seen.

Shock, relief, bewilderment… various emotions intertwined.

They had imagined countless possibilities.

They imagined that Chen Ku might find another way to mend the heavens, that he might fail.

But they never imagined that Chen Ku could actually, in such an overbearing, decisive manner, slay the giant turtle, set up the four poles, reset heaven and earth, and with his own hand haul this overturned Primordial World back.

Such means, such ability, such resolve…

Already completely surpassing those old sages who have held sway over heaven and earth for countless years.

"Alas…"

Jieyin let out a long sigh.

In that sigh there was no jealousy, no resentment, only the feeling of a hero's twilight, that the rivers and mountains will always bring forth new talent.

"It seems we are truly old."

Zhunti and Hongyun, hearing this, also silently nodded, saying nothing.

Yet their silence expressed the mixed feelings in their hearts more eloquently than any words.

They clearly remember.

In the past, in their eyes, Chen Ku was merely a gifted junior, a hope of the Buddhist sect.

When they met, Chen Ku treated them with utmost respect, addressing them as "Sage" and "Senior".

Back then, they were the overseers, the guides, the primordial innate great beings that Chen Ku needed to look up to.

In the blink of an eye, the seas have turned to mulberry fields.

Now they personally witness this junior, rising strongly in a posture they cannot hope to match.

The blue surpasses the indigo from which it came.

This filled Jieyin and Zhunti, as sages of the Buddhist sect, with an ineffable gratification.

The Buddhist sect has a successor, and what a one‑of‑a‑kind pillar of heaven!

Yet at the same time, a strange sense of desolation, uncontrollably, silently spread from the depths of their hearts.

It is the feeling of being lightly patted on the sand by the waves of the times.

They seem no longer the protagonists of this era.

Just as Jieyin, Zhunti, and the others were experiencing tumult in their hearts.

Heaven and earth suddenly fell silent.

The chaotic law‑flows that had raged wildly since the collapse of the heavenly pillar were instantly smoothed by a supreme power at this moment.

All sounds ceased.

Immediately, a strand of seven-colored divine light descended from the Nine Heavens; at first it was merely a thread, but in an instant it transformed into a vast heavenly river, pouring down.

Immortal light swirled, the holy aura cleansing heaven and earth, dispelling the last trace of killing intent after the calamity.

All beings involuntarily lifted their heads.

In their pupils was reflected an extremely gorgeous seven-colored radiance.

Within the light, a figure emerged from the void into substance, stepping forward slowly.

The outline of that figure instantly seized all brilliance between heaven and earth.

She wore a robe of flowing, iridescent seven-colored feathers, each feather seemingly woven from Great Dao runes, light yet splendid.

On her head sat a nine-phoenix pearl crown; the bead curtain swayed lightly, the hanging halo veiling her peerless visage, yet unable to conceal her majestic, aloof air that overlooks the ages.

Her brows like distant mountains holding dark dye, her eyes like autumn waters cut.

When her gaze wandered and finally fell upon Chen Ku, the depths of her still, ancient-well eyes seemed to have a galaxy swirling, stirring a pool of profound emotion no one could comprehend.

She merely stood there silently, becoming the sole entity of heaven and earth.

She was the center of all things.

"Nüwa… a saint?!"

A stifled cry of extreme shock trembled out from the mouth of a surviving great power.

That name was like a nine-heaven divine thunderbolt exploding across the dead, silent primordial land.

"It's Lady Nüwa! She… she actually appeared!"

"The witch-demon battle shattered heaven and earth, blood flowed like pestles, yet no saint appeared! The demon race's sovereign Di Jun Taiyi fell, still no saint appeared!"

"Her elder brother Fuxi perished, his Dao extinguished, blood staining the Milky Way, yet she never showed herself!"

"Now, for Chen Ku… she has descended?!"

Heart-rending questions and incredulous roars rose from every corner of the primordial wilderness.

Countless beings' beliefs collapsed at this moment.

They could not understand.

They could not accept.

Formerly, Lady Nüwa was a saint of the demon race, the final refuge in the hearts of countless demon tribe members.

Yet in that apocalyptic war, she remained enthroned on Nüwa Heaven, coldly observing.

Now, with all dust settled, she manifested her true form for a junior of the Xuanmen.

This contrast is too cruel, and too ironic.

Of course, no one knows that during that war, it was the shackles of the Heavenly Dao's will that tightly imprisoned her within the Dao field, preventing her from taking even a single step.

The anguish of watching her brother fall and her kin wither, helpless to act, had long turned into an eternal, unmelting ice in her heart.

Facing the surrounding gazes—whether sorrowful, indignant, reverent, or bewildered—Nüwa paid them no heed.

In her world, it seemed only the blue-clad young man before her remained.

Her phoenix eyes, which pierce time and space, now stared unblinking at Chen Ku, the strange luster in their depths growing ever richer.

"Junior Nephew Chen Ku."

Her voice rang out, clear and cold yet touched with an unprecedented gentleness, like a spring breeze sweeping over frozen earth, instantly melting the killing intent between heaven and earth.

"Today, you have used means unfathomable to ghosts and gods to save the world and its beings from water and fire."

"Even as I, a saint, feel admiration."

Upon these words, the eyelids of Jieyin and Zhunti twitched.

For a saint to personally utter the words 'admiration,' what weight that carries!

Hearing this, Chen Ku's composed expression remained unchanged, only a flash of realization flickered deep in his eyes.

He gave a slight start, as if savoring the deeper meaning behind those two words.

Immediately, he curled the corner of his mouth into an arc, that smile laden with meaning.

"Hehe, Lady Nüwa, Senior Aunt, you overpraise me."

"As a junior, this modest cultivation of mine dare not show off before you, Senior Aunt."

He shifted his tone, his voice carrying just the right hint of probing.

"I, the junior, have been worried that today's action might incur your blame, Senior Aunt."

These words floated out lightly, yet left Jieyin and Zhunti beside him with their minds gone blank.

Blame?!

What does that mean?!

Saving heaven and earth is an act of boundless merit, its grace extending to all beings, its benefit lasting through the ages.

Why would Saint Nüwa assign blame?

They could not fathom it, nor see through it.

But Chen Ku's mind was crystal clear.

He knew what he had done.

When heaven collapsed, Nüwa would melt stones to patch the sky, slay the giant turtle to set up the four poles.

This is the trend of the Heavenly Dao, long ordained to grant Nüwa, after her sainthood, the greatest portion of merit.

Yet I, acting ahead of time, intercepted this heavenly secret, seizing the immense merit that ought to have been hers and taking it all for myself.

This is nothing short of snatching food from a tiger's mouth.

Seizing opportunity from a saint's hands.

From any angle, Nüwa's appearance now—even if she directly moved to suppress him—would be wholly justified.

Yet upon hearing Chen Ku's words, which were almost half-spoken plainly, the corner of Nüwa's mouth, veiled by the bead curtain, actually lifted slightly, forming a knowing smile.

"Hehe……"

"A soft laugh rang out, like celestial music playing, causing countless beings to lose their senses."

"Since you, my junior disciple, can clearly perceive the heavenly secrets and moreover have this heart to protect all beings, this is your ability and also your great fortune."

"Her gaze pierced the void, as if seeing through all of Chen Ku's schemes and thoughts."

"Moreover, asking myself honestly, even if this palace were to act, I might not be able to do it more perfectly than you, junior disciple."

"This palace, how could I blame you?"

"Her words were serene, yet each word resonated, without a trace of falseness or affectation."

"That was an acknowledgment from the heart, a true openness standing at the height of heaven and earth."

"She indeed had no intention of blaming Chen Ku."

"Whoosh—"

"Chen Ku's tense spirit finally relaxed at this moment."

"He could feel that Nüwa was speaking sincerely."

"The breadth and demeanor of this sage uncle far exceeded his expectations."

"It seems that Nüwa uncle's 'magnanimity' is truly one of a kind in the wilderness."

"In Chen Ku's mind, another three figures involuntarily appeared."

"If it were those three uncles instead…"

"I fear that today's matter will not end so easily."

"Just now such a thought arose in his heart."

"The next moment."

"Above the firmament, three terrifying rifts tore open without any sign."

"Endless purple qi came from the east, vast over thirty thousand li, evolving boundless Great Dao runes."

"A brilliant golden light broke through the sea of clouds, within it myriad golden lotuses blossomed, illuminating the myriad worlds."

"A strand of azure sword intent that pierced heaven and earth directly rent the void, its sharpness fully exposed, as if seeking to split apart the heaven and earth that had just been mended."

"Three utterly different yet equally terrifying auras that pressed down on the ages instantly enveloped the entire wilderness."

"Immediately, three figures emerged from that divine radiance and Dao rhythm, ignoring the distance of space and time, descending onto the scene."

"Supreme Clarity Laozi, governing through non-action, his breath blended with heaven and earth; if not observed closely, his presence could hardly be detected."

"Jade Purity Original Beginning, seated high on a nine-dragon sandalwood chariot, his expression arrogant, his dignity profound, his gaze looking down upon all beings, who seemed like ants."

"Upper Clarity Penetrating Heaven, bearing four swords of slaughter, his sword intent stern; even if he deliberately restrained it, the surrounding laws still trembled slightly."

"The Three Pure Ones also descended accordingly."

"Seeing this, Chen Ku's eyelid twitched, the brows he had just relaxed tightening again."

"They have come."

"After all, they still came."

"He secretly sighed in his heart, unable to help feeling speechless."

"In fact, today the Buddhist sect's fortune surged, gaining unimaginable merit and fame, almost overwhelming the Daoist sect."

"Given the status and nature of the Three Pure Ones, they certainly did not want to come here in person just to see Jieyin and Zhunti, those two old fellows, smugly pleased."

"Nor did they want to face this 'junior disciple' who repeatedly made them suffer losses."

"But, they could not."

"This matter is too earth-shattering."

"The feat of mending the heavens, establishing the four poles, and reshaping the order of heaven and earth."

"Each of these matters is directly tied to the lives of countless billions of beings in the world."

"Chen Ku's actions have already surpassed mere sectarian strife, rising to the height of sustaining the very existence of the entire wilderness world."

"As saints of the Heavenly Dao, the Three Pure Ones enjoy the wilderness's fortune's nourishment, thus bearing an inescapable responsibility."

"Even if only to maintain superficial propriety and the saints' dignity, they cannot feign deafness and muteness."

"This trip, they must come."

"This utterance of 'congratulations' also cannot go unsaid."

"Appearing, the Three Pure Ones' expressions varied, their gazes all falling on Chen Ku, complex and inscrutable."

"Hehe, Junior Disciple Chen Ku, you have quite the means."

"Laozi spoke first, his voice flat, with no discernible emotional fluctuation."

"His smile was like unchanging mountains and rivers over myriad years, possessing only form, not spirit."

"His eyes were deep as Chaos; any divine sense that entered them would be instantly assimilated, unfathomable."

"The prior feat of mending the heavens and establishing the four poles left us all astonished and regretful."

"His words were quite courteous."

"The praise also came from the heart."

"But this praise, upon reaching Chen Ku's ears, not only failed to bring him any joy,"

"On the contrary, his face fell; that face already bearing the character 'suffering' now grew even more gloomy, as if bearing all the world's burdens."

"He let out a long, long sigh."

"Alas… suffering, suffering…"

"This sigh, filled with the vicissitudes of life, brimmed with endless grievance and fatigue."

"Jieyin and Zhunti's eye corners had already begun to twitch uncontrollably."

"Here he comes, this kid is starting again."

I also don't want to interfere too much in worldly affairs.

Chen Ku's voice was soft, yet it clearly reached every saint's ears; he thumped his waist, looking excessively fatigued.

It's just that, how can the senior uncles sit high above, watching heaven and earth overturn, indifferent to the lives and deaths of all beings?

What else can be done?

Who made me kind-hearted? I can't bear to see such misery, so I had no choice but to intervene.

As soon as these words were spoken, Jieyin and Zhunti could no longer hold back.

The two hastily turned away; beneath their wide monk's robes, their shoulders shook violently, clearly suppressing laughter.

Fine!

This brat's words are practically handing a knife to the Three Purities, then forcing them to stab it into their own chests.

Every word implicitly accuses the Three Purities of being heartless and unjust, as saints who ignore the lives and deaths of all beings, doing nothing.

And the Three Purities' faces instantly darkened.

Yuanshi's smile vanished completely, leaving only a cold stare; visible ripples shimmered in the void around him, a sign that a saint's wrath cannot be fully contained.

This damn...

I was just being polite, yet you little brat really took advantage, pushing your nose onto your face!

Hah...

A cold laugh issued from Yuanshi's nostrils, carrying a piercing chill.

We ought to congratulate the Buddhist sect.

He stressed the words 'congratulations,' his gaze sweeping past Chen Ku to land on Jieyin and Zhunti, who were suppressing their laughter.

Through this affair, we have reaped boundless merit and fortune.

This is hardly congratulations.

The sourness in his words almost solidified, making the very heavens and earth feel grim.

That envy and jealousy nearly erupted from his dignified eyes, turning into divine fire that would consume everything.

As for Tongtian...

He remained silent from beginning to end.

This sect leader of the Jie Sect merely gazed at Chen Ku with an extremely complex look, unblinking and full of deep meaning.

In his heart, there were no longer stormy waves, but the entire Chaos universe undergoing cycles of birth and death.

Such an astonishingly talented and beautiful person!

Such a person of heaven-reaching daring!

Why, of all people, is he not a disciple of my Jie Sect?!

In Tongtian's mind, only this thought remained, repeatedly scouring his soul, bringing waves of sharp pain.

Breaking the shackles of heaven and earth, disregarding the iron laws set by the saints, he forcibly cultivated to the attainment of the Mixed Yuan Great Luo Golden Immortal fruition.

Such an existence, by ordinary reasoning, should be an anomaly, a rebel not tolerated by the Heavenly Dao.

Yet Chen Ku did the opposite.

He repeatedly performed great meritous deeds, establishing the cycle of rebirth, transforming the netherworld, and blessing all beings.

Most importantly, this time.

By his own power, he rescued the entire world on the verge of collapse and saved billions of beings.

Tongtian clearly understood what this meant.

From then on, Chen Ku's existence was no longer 'not tolerated by the Heavenly Dao'.

He has already obtained the highest approval of the Heavenly Dao's will!

His 'anomaly' status has been completely whitewashed by this boundless merit, becoming the most special yet reasonable existence under the Heavenly Dao.

To a certain extent, this is the ultimate embodiment of the doctrine that Tongtian believes in.

In dire straits, seize that sliver of life!

Chen Ku is precisely the one who seized his own vitality, even seizing the vitality of heaven and earth!

How ironic!

The Dao he has sought all his life is fully manifested in a disciple of an opposing sect.

Of course, whether envy or regret, it's all useless now.

The deed is done.

Tongtian can only press myriad thoughts into his heart, eventually turning into a silent sigh.

The hand hidden in his sleeve tightened slightly, then slowly relaxed.

His complexion complex, he remained silent.

Without a doubt.

From this day on, the name Chen Ku also became the most dazzling and weighty existence in the present age.

Not to mention the innate mighty ones who had already become famous in ancient times.

Even if they sit atop the clouds, overlooking myriad ages, the present saints cannot compete with him for even a shred of glory.

……

White clouds and grey dogs—time passes.

Along with the end of the Corpse-Demon Great Calamity, another period of time passed.

The killing intent and bloodlust once lingered like an immortal black cloud over the primordial wilderness.

Now, that pungent smell of rust has finally been replaced by the fresh fragrance of newborn plants and the moist earth.

Between heaven and earth, aside from the wind's howl over mountain ridges, there are no longer thunderous war drums or mournful cries.

A rebirth after deathly stillness, a strange tranquility, has arrived.

The silhouettes of the myriad sages had long vanished into their respective daos.

Chen Ku's figure, however, never halted.

He stepped forth, space around him warping; the primordial mountains and rivers before him turned into flowing light that reversed, and upon recondensing, he stood at the entrance to the Netherworld.

The Yellow Spring Road, the River of Forgetfulness— a chilling wind swept up countless lingering souls' whispers, blowing straight at him.

His purpose for this journey was clear.

Fuxi.

The Demon Court's Xi Huang, the future Heavenly Emperor of humanity, his true spirit must pass through the Underworld and enter the six paths of reincarnation.

Among them lies a gate that cannot be avoided.

The sovereign of the Underworld, Pingxin.

Back when Hou Tu embodied reincarnation, Pingxin became the final extension of the Wu Clan's will.

And Fuxi, his hands stained with the blood of the ancestral Wu, is enough to set the entire Netherworld ablaze.

To have him come of his own accord— the path of reincarnation is utterly impossible.

The Sea of Blood churned, spawning countless karmic hindrances.

Chen Ku ventured deep into the Underworld; every yin constable and ghost general along the way bowed their heads, daring not to raise their eyes.

Before the Six Paths Wheel, the figure clad in a dark imperial robe, whose gentle visage concealed supreme authority, was none other than Lady Pingxin.

Her gaze seemed able to pierce past and future, landing upon the faint yet unyielding true spirit in Chen Ku's palm.

Deep in the Underworld, countless remnants of the Wu Clan seemed to sense something, letting out unwilling howls.

Resentful energy surged skyward.

Pingxin's gaze remained unchanged, yet the void around her twisted slightly from the gathering of the Wu Clan's resentment.

Chen Ku remained silent.

He merely calmly regarded Pingxin; behind him, a massive golden Buddha silhouette flashed and vanished, while Buddhist chant emerged from the void, instantly suppressing the resentment of all Wu souls.

The entire Netherworld realm fell silent.

Pingxin's eyes flickered slightly, and she finally gave a slight nod.

"Thanks for the trouble."

Those two words signified tacit approval.

Chen Ku flicked his finger; Fuxi's true spirit turned into a stream of light, pouring into the bottomless vortex of the human path.

The Heavenly Emperor's return is at hand, awaiting only the right moment.

The matter settled, Chen Ku's figure vanished from the Underworld.

In the next instant, he stood before the Palace of Empress Nüwa in the Taisu Heaven beyond the thirty-three heavens.

This sage's dojo now reeked of an irreconcilable sorrow.

Chen Ku stepped inside and saw the lost, dispirited Nüwa.

This merit-endowed sage now bore no sage's dignity, merely sitting dazedly on a cloud bed, her visage wan.

"He..."

Nüwa's voice was hoarse; she uttered a single word, then could go on no further.

"Fuxi Daoist's true spirit, I have sent into reincarnation; someday he shall become the Heavenly Emperor of humanity and again prove the Great Dao."

Chen Ku's voice was plain, yet like a thunderclap from the ninth heaven, it exploded in Nüwa's heart.

Those eyes that once created humanity now lost all their cool and majesty.

Water mist quickly spread, condensing into tears that uncontrollably slid down her pale cheeks, striking the palace's pristine floor with a soft sound.

Her delicate form trembled; in her gaze toward Chen Ku lay shock, gratitude, sorrow, relief— countless emotions intertwined, ultimately forming an ineffable complexity and reliance.

Chen Ku's gaze lingered on her face only a moment before calmly shifting away, as if merely completing a duty.

The sage's sentiments meant little to him compared with the loot he needed to tally next.

"Farewell."

Leaving those two words, Chen Ku turned and departed, without a shred of reluctance.

Nüwa watched his disappearing back, long silent, only tears slipping down soundlessly.

Returning to Mount Sumeru, Chen Ku began to tally the gains from this battle.

The Demon Race's Heavenly Court, the Wu Clan's lands.

Two clans that once dominated the endless ages of the primordial world, their foundations deep beyond imagination.

Although Di Jun's River Chart and Inscription were snatched by that scoundrel Kunpeng in the chaos, this is not all.

Hum—

An ancient, simple great bell hovered before Chen Ku.

The Taiyi Chaos Bell!

Upon its body, sun, moon, stars, earth, water, fire, and wind circled; an aura of suppressing three thousand worlds and reversing heavenly spacetime spread forth.

This single treasure alone is enough to move any sage.

Besides this, there are the natal spirit treasures of the Ten Great Demon Sages.

The Demon Master Kunpeng of the Demon Master's Palace fled, but his River Chart and Inscription were taken by Di Jun, and their whereabouts are now unknown.

And the Ten Great Demon Sages all perished.

Their spirit treasures naturally became Chen Ku's spoils.

The Slaughter Wu Sword still bears the killing aura of the ancestral Wu's refined blood.

Within the Summoning Demon Banner, myriad demon souls roar soundlessly.

Each of them is a top‑grade innate spiritual treasure capable of sparking a life‑and‑death clash among even Great Luo Golden Immortal‑level experts.

Interpretation: "Each one is enough to provoke a life-and-death battle among even Golden Immortal-level Da Luo experts; they are top-tier innate spiritual treasures."

We need to keep meaning: "Each one is enough to provoke a life-and-death battle among even Da Luo Golden Immortal-level experts; they are top-tier innate spiritual treasures."

Simplify: "Each one is enough to provoke a life-and-death battle among even Da Luo Golden Immortal-level experts; they are top-tier innate spiritual treasures."

Now they lie quietly displayed before Chen Ku, waiting for a new owner.

"Now, they lie quietly displayed before Chen Ku, awaiting a new master."

This is only the legacy of the demon race.

"This is merely the inheritance of the Demon Race."

The Witch Clan neither cultivates primordial spirits nor stirs spiritual treasures, yet that doesn't mean they have accumulated nothing.

"The Wu Clan does not cultivate the primordial spirit nor move spiritual treasures, but this does not mean they have no accumulation."

Chen Ku's divine sense swept across another region.

"Chen Ku swept his divine sense over another space."

There, spiritual light blazed and treasure aura surged skyward.

"There, spiritual light shone brilliantly, treasure qi shot up to the heavens."

The innate spiritual roots buried after Mount Buzhou's collapse were unearthed one by one.

"The innate spiritual roots buried after Mount Buzhou's collapse were dug out by them one by one."

Innumerable ages of accumulated top‑grade immortal gold divine iron were stacked into mountains.

"Countless eons of accumulated top-tier immortal gold divine metal piled up into mountains."

There were even a few chaotic oddities exuding a primordial aura, so rare that even sages had to examine them closely.

"There are even a few items exuding an aura of primordial obscurity—chaotic curiosities that even sages must study carefully."

This bounty was enough to elevate the Buddhist sect's overall power by an entire tier out of nowhere.

"This haul is enough to make the Buddhist sect's overall strength leap up a level out of nowhere."

The whole primordial realm was hushed, not even a bird's tweet.

"All of the wilderness fell silent about this."

No one dared to disagree.

"No one dared to object."

This was what he deserved.

"This is what he deserves."

Had it not been for Chen Ku, the primordial world would have already reverted to chaos in the collision of the Heavenly Net God‑Slaughter Formation and the Stellar Dipper Formation.

"If not for Chen Ku, the wilderness would have long returned to chaos in the clash of the Heavenly Net God-Slaying Grand Formation and the Heavenly Stars Grand Formation."

Every living being owes him their life.

"All living beings owe him a life."

Taking these spoils is only right.

"Taking these spoils of war is justified."

Time slipped by unnoticed in this busy state.

"Time, in such 'busyness,' silently flowed away."

Ten thousand years pass like a finger snap.

"Ten thousand years of time are but a snap of the fingers."

After the Witch‑Demon war ended, Chen Ku's figure manifested once more on Mount Sumeru.

"Since the end of the Wu-Demon war, Chen Ku's figure has once again manifested atop Mount Sumeru."

He remained silent, sitting cross‑legged.

"He did not speak, merely sitting cross-legged."

Yet the Great Dao's resonant voice rang out across the Western Ox‑Heaven Continent and then spread throughout the four great continents.

"The Great Dao's divine resonance already rang across Western Ox-Heaven Continent, then spread throughout the Four Great Continents."

Heavenly flowers fell in profusion while golden lotuses burst from the ground.

"Heavenly flowers rained down, golden lotuses sprang from the earth."

Countless beings, be they plant spirits, monsters, birds, or beasts, ceased fighting, prostrated themselves, and listened to that supreme wondrous teaching.

"Countless beings, whether plant and tree sprites or beasts and birds, laid down their struggles, prostrated on the ground, and listened to that supreme wondrous Dharma."

Even the nascent, weak human race knelt in reverence, treating the Buddha's apparition on the horizon as a god.

"The nascent feeble human race even more so knelt on the ground, offering the Buddha's manifestation appearing on the horizon as if it were a deity."

Each appearance granted this realm, freshly scarred by catastrophe, a bit more peace and vitality.

"Each manifestation gave this world, which had just endured a calamity, a bit more peace and a bit more vitality."

The Buddhist sect's renown also soared to an unprecedented height over those ten thousand years.

"The prestige of the Buddhist sect also reached an unprecedented peak during these ten thousand years."

The river of time flowed silently, eroding all things, yet appeared to pause before Mount Sumeru.

"The river of time flowed silently, washing over all things, yet seemed to stagnate before Mount Sumeru."

This is an eternal place of silence.

"This place is an eternal land of stillness."

Until this day.

"Until this day."

Boom!

"Boom!"

A tremendous roar that was neither metal nor stone, neither thunder nor drum, burst forth without warning from the nine heavens above, the netherworld below, and every crack in spacetime, tearing through the whole primordial universe.

"A tremendous sound, neither metal nor stone, neither thunder nor drum, without warning, pierced through the entire wilderness from above the nine heavens, below the Netherworld, and from every crack in spacetime."

That was not a sound.

"That was not a sound."

It was the Dao itself resounding!

"It was the Dao resounding!"

Rumble!

"Boom—rumble!"

Then came the second, third… endless Dao tones erupting in layers, forming visible golden ripples that swept across the thirty‑three heavens and shook the nine nether blood seas.

"Immediately followed, the second, third… endless layers of Dao tones exploded, turning into visible golden ripples that swept across the Thirty-Three Heavens and shook the Nine Nether Blood Sea."

Each note held the supreme truth from the dawn of creation; each tremor could overwhelm a Great Luo Golden Immortal's mind and shatter their Dao heart.

"Each tone contained the supreme sublime principle from the beginning of heaven and earth; each vibration could make a Da Luo Golden Immortal's mind sink and their Dao heart collapse."

Above Mount Sumeru, the void fractured inch by inch, yet no chaotic turbulence emerged; instead, a stream of profound yellow merit‑qi flowed forth.

"Above Mount Sumeru, the void shattered inch by inch, yet no chaotic turbulence appeared; instead, a mysterious-yellow merit energy flowed forth."

Above the firmament, countless auspicious clouds converged, draping jeweled canopies, precious covers, and splendid banners.

"Above the firmament, billions of auspicious clouds gathered, hanging down jeweled canopies, precious covers, and splendid banners."

Beneath the earth, countless spirit veins resonated, spurting forth golden divine springs; bowl‑sized golden lotuses pushed up from the soil, releasing a scent that soothes souls and steadies spirits.

"Below the earth, endless spirit veins resonated, spontaneously spewing forth golden divine springs; bowl-sized golden earth lotuses burst from the ground, emitting a fragrance that settles souls and stabilizes spirits."

Heavenly flowers fell wondrously; earthly auspicious light rose!

"Heavenly flowers wondrously fell, earth gushed auspicious light!"

Amidst these heavenly signs, a gigantic Dao‑golden lotus, stretching across untold billions of miles, slowly blossomed.

"In the midst of these sky-filling portents, a colossal Dao golden lotus spanning untold billions of miles slowly blossomed."

Upon the golden lotus stood a figure with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Upon the golden lotus, a figure stood with hands behind his back."

He exerted no pressure, yet the laws of the whole primordial universe bowed to him.

"He released no pressure, yet the laws of the entire wilderness universe bowed to him."

He showed no divine aspect, yet in every being's spirit and soul there appeared the likeness of an awe‑inspiring, immeasurably majestic, holy silhouette that could not be beheld directly.

"He revealed no dharma form, yet in the souls of all beings appeared an awe-inspiring, unimaginably grand, sacred outline that could not be gazed upon directly."

Simply by standing there, he replaced Heaven and became the sole Dao.

"Merely standing there, he replaced 'Heaven' and became the sole 'Dao'."

When that supreme aura descended on Mount Sumeru, Jieyin, Zhunti, and the newly enlightened Chen Ku were shaken to the core, their forms involuntarily appearing from the Daoist arena.

"At the moment that supreme aura descended within Mount Sumeru, Jieyin, Zhunti, and the newly enlightened Chen Ku had their souls shaken, their forms involuntarily manifesting from the dao field."

The moment they raised their heads and beheld that figure, even exalted saints felt their hearts and minds surge like tidal waves.

"When they lifted their heads and beheld that figure, even as sages their hearts and minds were overturned by towering waves."

On Jieyin's unchanging, bitter face of ten thousand years, his muscles spasmed uncontrollably—a mix of ultimate awe and ecstatic joy.

"On Jieyin's unchanging grim face of ten thousand years, muscles twitched uncontrollably—this was the utmost reverence and ecstasy."

Zhunti's Seven Treasure Wonderful Tree radiance flared wildly, nearly slipping from his grasp, his breath caught.

"Zhunti's Seven Treasures Wondrous Tree flashed its radiance violently, almost impossible to hold, his breath halted."

"Disciple greets the Dao Ancestor, Master!"

"'Disciples pay respects to the Dao Ancestor Master!'"

The two dared not delay, bending their bodies to a ninety‑degree bow, performing the disciple's great rite with utmost sincerity and reverence.

"The two dared not hesitate even a bit, bowing their bodies to ninety degrees, performing the great disciple's salute with utmost sincerity and respect."

Chen Ku also felt his mind and spirit shaken; he sensed that his inner Buddhist Dharma Dao, before this figure, was like a stream meeting an ocean, spontaneously yielding to its source.

"Chen Ku too felt his heart and mind shaken; he could sense that his own Buddhist Dao within, before this figure, was like a stream meeting an ocean, spontaneously showing a submission to the source."

"Junior Chen Ku greets the ancestral master!"

"'Junior Chen Ku pays respects to the Grandmaster!'"

Exactly!

"Indeed!"

The comer is none other than the sole supreme being of the primordial world since time immemorial.

"The comer is precisely the sole supreme one of the wilderness since time immemorial."

Head of the Mystic Sect, teacher of all sages, voice of the Heavenly Dao!

"Leader of the Mystic Gate, teacher of all sages, spokesman of the Heavenly Dao!"

Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor!

"Hongjun Daozu!"

At this moment, the whole primordial realm went berserk.

"At this moment, the entire wilderness went mad."

On the Eastern Sea shore, the meditating Tong Tian suddenly opened his eyes; the Four Immortal‑Slaying Swords behind him rang as they were drawn, their sword qi shooting to the heavens, yet he forcibly suppressed them, his gaze piercing endless space as he looked westward.

"On the shore of the Eastern Sea, Tongtian, who had been closing his eyes to nurture his spirit, suddenly opened them; the Immortal Execution Four Swords behind him rang out as they were drawn, sword energy shooting to the heavens, yet he forcibly suppressed it, his gaze piercing endless space as he looked westward."

In the Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain, the three treasure jade ruyi in Yuanshi's hand made a click, and he unintentionally pinched a crack into it.

Mount Shouyang, within the Eight Scenes Palace, the Eight Trigrams Dao Diagram beneath Laozi spun wildly, nearly out of control, and in his eyes of non-action, for the first time appeared the emotion called 'astonishment'.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor……has emerged from seclusion!

Since lecturing on the Dao in the Purple Azure Palace, after merging with the Dao, the Dao Ancestor has not set foot in the Wilds even half a step.

Today, he not only emerged from seclusion, but his true form has descended!

The place of his descent is not his orthodox Xuanmen's Kunlun Mountain, not Gold Turtle Island, and not even the Tushita Palace.

But the West, the Buddhist Gate!

What does this represent?

For the Buddhist Gate, which has just experienced the great calamity and lies in ruin awaiting revival, this is the utmost honor!

The expressions of the Three Pure Ones instantly became immensely complex; that familiar feeling, called jealousy, again welled up uncontrollably from their hearts, even more intensely than when Jieyin and Zhunti founded their teachings and attained sainthood.

On what basis!

On what basis, again the West!

Above the void, Hongjun's visage was shrouded in boundless Dao rhyme, indistinct, yet that aura of overlooking myriad ages made even the saints dare not gaze directly.

He ignored Jieyin and Zhunti, who were bowing in salute.

He didn't even glance at them.

It seemed as if, in his eyes, these two Heavenly Dao saints were no different from the weeds and stones by the roadside.

From the moment he manifested, Hongjun's gaze pierced time and space, transcended causality and fate, and firmly locked onto Chen Ku.

What kind of gaze was that?

Devoid of emotion, devoid of joy or anger, yet vaster than the birth and death of galaxies, deeper than the opening of Chaos.

Under that gaze, Chen Ku felt that everything about him had been seen through.

From his time of transmigration, to his resolve to join the Buddhist Gate, from his grand vow to prove the Dao, to saving all beings… all secrets, all past, all future possibilities lay bare in that gaze, with nowhere to hide.

Time, at this moment, was stretched infinitely.

Jieyin and Zhunti kept their bowed posture, cold sweat already seeping from their foreheads, their hearts in turmoil.

Why does the Dao Ancestor gaze only at Chen Ku?

Is this a blessing or a calamity?

After a long while.

A voice, as if transmitted from antiquity, slowly sounded.

"Hehe."

A soft laugh, yet containing the trajectory of the Heavenly Dao's operation, made everyone present relax, then instantly tense to the peak.

Hongjun's gaze finally had a flicker.

"I never expected you to reach such a height today."

His voice was calm and waveless, devoid of any emotion, as if stating an established fact.

"With the compassionate heart of the Buddhist Gate, to save all beings of heaven and earth in their time of peril."

"This act… the Heavenly Dao feels it, and praises without end!"

As these words fell, from the firmament above poured a mighty stream of mysterious-yellow merit energy, thick beyond description, which did not merge with the Buddhist Gate's fortune nor scatter across the world, but precisely poured into Chen Ku's body.

Chen Ku's saintly form, under the scouring of this merit qi, became ever more rounded and ever more unfathomable.

Jieyin and Zhunti stared, eyes wide, their hearts both ecstatic and shaken.

The Heavenly Dao……personally bestows praise!

However, this is not yet the end.

Only Hongjun's next words truly resembled a chaos god thunder capable of destroying the entire Wilds, exploding in the hearts of all mighty beings.

"It seems… from now on, I too shall gain a powerful ally who will jointly protect the Wilds' heaven and earth."

The words fell.

The entire world fell into dead silence.

Within the halls of the Three Pure Ones, the sound of objects shattering rang out simultaneously.

Jieyin and Zhunti jerked their heads up, their expressions frozen, left only with endless stupor and bewilderment.

Ally?!

Hongjun Dao Ancestor……personally uttered the two words 'ally'?!

What concept do these two words, spoken from Hongjun's mouth, represent?!

That is a fellow traveler, an equal ally!

What this means, any sentient being with a brain in the Wilds knows!

This means that, in the judgment of the Heavenly Dao's will, and with Hongjun Dao Ancestor's personal acknowledgment, Chen Ku's stature, his identity, his importance, have been raised to an inconceivable degree, sufficient to stand on par with Dao Ancestor Hongjun…

To the same lofty height!

Between heaven and earth, the Great Dao's resonant tones still lingered.

Each word seemed to contain the supreme truth of a universe's birth and death; each syllable stirred the resonance of three thousand laws.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor's golden words and jade speech are precisely the supreme edict of heaven and earth.

Upon these words, the Heavenly Dao trembled, and the hearts of all beings throughout the cosmos clearly conjured the image of Chen Ku.

That figure, at this moment, seemed to be enveloped by boundless golden fortune light, elevated to an unprecedented realm.

The Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, the River of Yin…

Each ancient existence that has stood atop all beings since the heavens and earth were opened now gazes upon Chen Ku with an unfathomable complexity.

In those gazes lay astonishment, scrutiny, and even a hint of reluctance they themselves had not yet realized.

Such treatment, such appraisal, they had never possessed.

That was personally acknowledged by the Dao Ancestor, enough to be on par with his own qualifications.

All beings had no doubt; with these words from Hongjun Daozu, given time, Chen Ku would surely grow into an existence capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the Dao Ancestor—there was no question about it.

However, at the center of everyone's attention, Chen Ku, who was bathed in endless glory, showed not a hint of joy.

Quite the opposite.

At the moment the Great Dao's pronouncement fell, the divine light on his face swiftly retracted, replaced by a profound bitterness that could not be dispelled.

In his deep eyes, the endless poverty of the Western Continent seemed reflected, and between his brows gathered the weariness from toiling for countless Buddhist disciples.

He had long been accustomed to this appearance.

"Ah… suffering, suffering…"

A long sigh escaped Chen Ku's lips, its bitterness and helplessness enough to make listeners heartbroken and bring tears to those who heard.

He slightly bowed his body, facing upward toward Hongjun Daozu, adopting an attitude of utmost humility.

"The Dao Ancestor does not know, my Western…"

He immediately opened his mouth; the prepared ten-thousand-word blood-and-tears memorial was almost about to spill out.

Nothing more than that the Western land's veins still have flaws, spiritual energy remains insufficient, Buddhist disciples are many but those with deep foundations are few; it looks prosperous, but internally hides grave dangers……

This set of arguments, he had rehearsed countless times; each time he could obtain tremendous benefits from the Dao Ancestor.

However.

This time, his words filled with sorrow and suffering were merely the beginning.

But they were abruptly cut off by an invisible surge of qi.

Seated upon the cloud platform, Hongjun's visage, which had remained unchanged for myriad ages and seemed to merge with the Heavenly Dao, showed an extremely subtle distortion.

His eyes, which could perceive all ages and overlook the rise and fall of epochs, were now fixed unblinkingly on Chen Ku.

In his gaze, the former aloofness and loftiness were gone, replaced by a kind of… near-mortal speechlessness.

Invisible to the naked eye yet truly existing, black lines seemed to be hanging down from his forehead.

The grand, solemn atmosphere filled with Dao essence was utterly destroyed at that moment.

"You brat…"

Hongjun spoke.

His voice was no longer that resounding heavenly tone, but carried a hint of gritted teeth, as if squeezed from between his teeth.

Those two words made Chen Ku's heart jump violently.

Something's off.

The Dao Ancestor's reaction was very off.

In the past, when he spoke of his suffering, the Dao Ancestor would either lower his eyes in silence or show slight resignation, but ultimately would always grant him an opportunity.

When had there ever been such… an emotional reaction?

Alarm bells rang in Chen Ku's heart, yet his face retained its sorrowful expression; he merely dared not speak the words that followed.

"Nowadays, the Western Buddhist sect is the most flourishing Dao tradition under heaven, unmatched by any."

Hongjun's voice came slowly, each word like a heavy hammer smashing fiercely onto the lake of Chen Ku's heart.

As his words spoke, light and shadow shifted between heaven and earth.

One scene after another unfolded, flowing between the two.

That was the scene of the Western Ox-Heaven Continent.

Upon Spirit Mountain, myriad Buddhas paid homage; golden Buddhist light shot up into the sky, dyeing half the firmament a brilliant lapis hue.

At its base, eight hundred heterodox paths, three thousand worlds, countless devotees bowed devoutly; the immense power of faith gathered like a sea, nearly solidifying into substance.

Once barren land now teemed with flowing spiritual veins everywhere, and the ground was covered with Buddhist pure lands.

Its flourishing fortune and mighty momentum had even begun to overshadow the Three Teachings of the Mystic Gate.

The scene shifted.

It then turned into Chen Ku's inner vision.

Within his sea of suffering, the merit golden wheel shone to the utmost extreme, its light even more dazzling than the sun in the heavens.

Upon his Dao fruit, divine chains of law coiled, solid and immortal; the accumulation and foundation they contained were so profound that even the Dao Ancestor Hongjun felt a hint of shock.

Hongjun extended a finger, pointing at those scenes, his voice tinged with a bit of irritated mockery.

"Your accumulation is even greater than that of this venerable one."

Boom!

That sentence was no less than a bolt of Chaos divine thunder, exploding explosively in Chen Ku's mind.

His entire body froze.

The sorrowful expression on his face instantly solidified, like a statue weathered for millions of years.

More… more than the Dao Ancestor?

How could this be possible?

He instinctively wanted to retort.

But when his divine sense sank into himself and he truly examined what he now possessed, he couldn't utter a single word.

That vast merit, like a sea of smoke,

That indestructible Dao fruit,

That Western fortune risen to the utmost prosperity,

And… just now personally acknowledged by the Dao Ancestor, a qualification on par with his.

One after another, they clearly surfaced in his heart.

Only then did Chen Ku belatedly react.

It seems…… perhaps…… probably……

What the Dao Ancestor said……

Are they all true?

He…… is no longer that little cultivator who would run around crying and complaining selling misery for a scrap of Western resources.

This realization left him feeling a sudden, unprecedented daze.

There's nothing to be done; it's simply become second nature.

Since he began the path of cultivation, he seems to have constantly been rushing about for the rise of the West, and 'Dao Suffering' is his greatest and most effective divine ability.

Whenever he faced Dao Ancestor Hongjun, he would almost instinctively activate this mode.

And every time he previously used Dao Suffering, he also gained all sorts of great opportunities.

Over time, this became etched into his bones, turning into a fixed procedure when facing the Dao Ancestor.

But evidently, now when he again does Dao Suffering, Hongjun naturally doesn't believe it.

Or rather, he has now lost the qualification to perform Dao Suffering.

Because he himself is already the greatest opportunity in this heaven and earth, the thickest thigh.

Having figured all this out, Chen Ku's expression instantly became wonderfully vivid.

The frozen sorrow shattered bit by bit, replaced by a surge of heat rising from the base of his neck straight to his forehead.

His skin, which even a Chaos Spirit Treasure could hardly pierce, now faintly flushed red.

Chen Ku gave an embarrassed grin, rubbed his nose somewhat awkwardly, his gaze wandering, not daring to meet Hongjun's half-smiling eyes.

"Hehe… just a slip of the tongue!"

Seeing Chen Ku's such "thick-skinned" demeanor, the speechless look in Hongjun's eyes grew stronger.

He even couldn't help but raise his hand and rub his forehead.

It seemed as if, for this guy before him, he had expended more mental energy than simulating a single Great Calamity.

The Dao Ancestor was speechless.

The Buddha Lord was embarrassed.

If outsider sages were to see this scene, they'd probably have their jaws drop.

However, amidst this awkward and speechless atmosphere, something entirely new was quietly beginning to grow.

Hongjun looked down at Chen Ku, who was no longer doing Dao Suffering but instead seemed at a loss; the teasing smile in his eyes faded, replaced by a genuine, equal scrutiny.

And Chen Ku, after the initial embarrassment, gradually straightened his back.

The dizziness and discomfort in his heart were rapidly fading.

In their place came a composure and confidence he had never known before.

He finally began to confront his own status and the power he possessed.

He lifted his head, his gaze once again meeting Hongjun's.

This time, his eyes held no junior's humility, no seeker's reverence for the Dao.

All that remained was a clear, untroubled calm.

Between them, the invisible line that separated teacher and student, elder and junior, superior and inferior, silently dissolved at this moment.

A feeling arose, as if they were peers standing together atop the Nine Heavens, looking down upon the world, gradually rising……