Chapter 1078: Hongjun Abandons the Heavenly Dao

Boom—!

Within the Chaos, it was as if a cosmic explosion had occurred.

Laozi detonated himself, detonated his Clone, detonated the Immortal Execution Sword Array, and many other Spirit Treasures.

This massive explosion was so terrifying that Nuwa and the others, unable to dodge in time, were severely injured; Zhenyuanzi and the others were instantly reduced to ashes, and even the Primordial World nearly collapsed.

Like a small boat in a monstrous wave, it seemed as if it would capsize at any moment.

It is said that the extreme of life is death, and the extreme of death is life.

Destruction and creation share the same origin.

Under this explosion, which was comparable to a cosmic explosion, the endless Chaos split; the clear rose, the turbid sank, and finally, a vast and boundless Great World was born.

This Great World might not compare to the Primordial World, but it was far larger than the Immortal World or the Demon World.

Opening up a world in Chaos is like blowing up a balloon in water.

The larger the balloon, the greater the pressure it sustains.

The reason Pangu died of exhaustion was that the Primordial World was too large; he had to use his own strength to resist the pressure of the endless Chaos, eventually transforming his body into all things.

Logically speaking, such a large Great World would require at least a Peak Saint to support it, resisting the pressure of the surrounding endless Chaos until the World Membrane was born.

The birth of the World Membrane signifies that the world has taken shape and can resist the pressure of Chaos on its own.

Although this world lacked the support of a Peak Saint, the terrifying aftermath of the massive explosion had not yet dissipated; the fearsome destructive energy was still raging, entering a standoff with the chaotic pressure from outside the world.

It was also during this stage that the World Membrane rapidly took shape.

Under the influence of the world's power, the sun, moon, and stars began to be born in the sky, circling around the world.

They were born with Array Formations, capable of converting Chaos into Spirit Qi and transporting it to every corner of the world.

In the center of the world, the void rippled slightly.

Yin Qi appeared out of thin air.

Although he was at the center of the massive explosion, he had retreated into his Inner World in time, suffering only minor injuries.

His expression was cold and calm.

This Laozi was too crazy, too decisive.

He actually detonated himself directly.

His gaze sharpened, and he spread his five fingers wide, grasping at the void.

Instantly, three strands of Hongmeng Purple Qi emerged from the nothingness and landed in Yin Qi's hand.

The Hongmeng Purple Qi was profoundly mysterious, and Laozi's self-detonation had not harmed him.

As for the Immortal Execution Sword and Laozi's other dozen or so Innate Spiritual Treasures, they had long since turned into fragments, scattered in every corner of this world; Yin Qi had no interest in collecting them.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Nuwa and the others arrived, breaking through the air; their faces were pale, and blood spilled from the corners of their mouths.

Yin Qi asked with concern, "Are you all alright?"

Nuwa shook her head and sighed, "Although we are not lightly injured, there is no major harm. It is just a pity for Zhenyuanzi and the others; they were all reduced to ashes, their bodies dead and their Dao extinguished. This Laozi was too ruthless."

The Three Sovereigns and the others all nodded in succession.

If he were not ruthless, could he have done the deed of devouring his own two brothers?

If he were not ruthless, could he have detonated himself right from the start?

The void rippled, and Hongjun walked out from the nothingness.

He looked around the world and sighed, "Tragic, lamentable. The orthodox lineage of Pangu, the One Qi Transforms into Three Purities, having inherited Pangu's endless fortune and merit, has all perished just like this."

In terms of status alone, the Three Purities held the highest position, enjoying Pangu's endless grace, becoming Saints smoothly and without obstacles.

Unlike others, who almost all died on the path to becoming Saints.

But the higher one stands, the harder one falls.

"Greetings, Teacher!"

"Greetings, Dao Ancestor!"

Nuwa and the others hurriedly bowed in salute.

Hongjun nodded, "No need for such formalities. Fellow Daoist, how do you intend to handle this world?"

As for Laozi.

Naturally, dead is dead.

Come to think of it, it was Laozi's own doing; he could not possibly avenge him.

"Fe... Fellow Daoist!"

Upon hearing this, Nuwa and the others were so shocked their jaws dropped.

This was treating Yin Qi as an equal.

In the Primordial World, those who could be called 'Fellow Daoist' were either of the same generation or of the same cultivation realm. Clearly, the two were not of the same generation.

That could only mean they were of the same realm.

Yin Qi looked around at the Great World that was still taking shape and finally said, "Let us join forces to integrate it into the Primordial World. With it guarding one side alongside the Underworld, the Immortal World, and the Demon World, the Primordial World will be even more stable."

"Good!"

Hongjun nodded.

Yin Qi raised his hand, his five fingers spread, and the three strands of Hongmeng Purple Qi swam upon them like fish: "Fellow Daoist, I shall return these three strands of Hongmeng Purple Qi to you."

Hongjun shook his head and said, "No need, keep them yourself. I intend to enter the Return Ruins, and I do not know if I can return. Furthermore, in order to keep my heart complete and go all out, I will also withdraw from Joining the Dao. This Primordial World is now entrusted to you, Fellow Daoist."

Upon hearing this, Nuwa and the others all revealed looks of shock.

The Dao Ancestor was actually going to withdraw from Joining the Dao, and he was even going to enter the Return Ruins!

It is difficult to enter the Return Ruins, and even more difficult to leave, and the higher one's cultivation, the harder it is to leave.

Clearly, Hongjun himself was not certain either.

(Note: This line appears to be a garbled or placeholder text; translating as written.) No one wrong, one head, one hair, one inside, one content, one at, one look!

In order to go all out, he had to withdraw from Joining the Dao, and at the same time hand over Honghuang to Yin Qi.

With Yin Qi there, Honghuang would be worry-free.

Yin Qi frowned and said, "Fellow Daoist, I am also preparing to enter the Return Ruins. However, before entering, I will arrange matters in Honghuang; I will not let it have any problems."

Hongjun was not surprised upon hearing this.

He could use Calculation to find the method to enter the Return Ruins, so with Di Qi's mysterious nature, it certainly would not be a problem for him.

He smiled slightly and said, "This poor Daoist trusts you, Fellow Daoist. Fellow Daoist, go back first to handle the affairs of Honghuang; after some time, when this world has completely taken shape, this poor Daoist will come to find you."

"Very well!"

Yin Qi nodded.

Hongjun also nodded in acknowledgment and quickly disappeared from where he stood.

Seeing Hongjun disappear, Nuwa and the others finally relaxed their spirits.

Nuwa asked hurriedly, "Yin Lang, what is going on? The Dao Ancestor wants to enter the Return Ruins; why must you go in as well?"

Fuxi and the others nodded one after another.

The Return Ruins is the most mysterious place between Heaven and Earth; no one knows what it is actually like inside.

Yet, for the sake of entering, Hongjun Daozu actually had to withdraw from Joining the Dao.

This price could not be considered small.

Hongjun was able to cultivate so rapidly, which was inseparable from Joining the Dao.

Yin Qi said, "Because within the Return Ruins, it is highly likely that the opportunity to attain the Great Dao is hidden. Both Hongjun and I have already cultivated to the Saint Peak; with no further progress possible, we can only go to the Return Ruins to seek that opportunity."

"Saint Peak, opportunity for the Great Dao!"

Upon hearing this, everyone could not help but widen their eyes.

They knew Yin Qi was very strong, but to have actually cultivated to the Saint Peak—this was simply too fast.

They had all cultivated to become Saints, so they naturally knew the difficulty of cultivation in the Saint Realm.

Especially Nuwa.

Having become a Saint for over two hundred thousand years, her realm had remained almost at a standstill.

And then there was the opportunity for the Great Dao.

This was an existence countless times more precious than the Hongmeng Purple Qi.

If one could grasp it and attain the Great Dao in one stroke, one would be the sole master of the boundless Chaos.

With a single thought, all things arise.

Yin Yu's eyes brightened, and he thought excitedly, "Father Emperor, what about us?"

Swish! Swish!

Everyone looked at Yin Qi in unison, their eyes burning with fervor.

If even the opportunity for the Great Dao existed, then within the Return Ruins, there must surely be opportunities that would allow their cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds.

Yin Qi thought for a moment and said, "I can take you all in. However, entering is not easy, and coming out is even harder. You must be mentally prepared; it is highly likely that we will be trapped inside for a lifetime."

In reality, the Luck Altar had long since calculated the method to get out.

But this matter certainly could not be told to them.

If one does not even have the courage to stake everything on a single throw, then one might as well honestly remain a Saint. (End of chapter)