Chapter 381: Hong Jun

Xiang Xuanqing’s sleeves stirred without wind, leading nearly all the supreme deities of the Hong Huang world.

They resembled a brilliant river of stars spanning the boundless chaos, radiating light and exuding majestic energy.

Not long after, they arrived at a special region deep within Hong Huang.

Chaos remained the eternal, unchanging backdrop here; void and fury were its timeless theme.

Twisted spacetime emitted silent yet soul-shaking roars here, while folded light and shadow conjured unimaginable, indescribable marvels.

Many Da Luo sovereigns furrowed their brows.

Upon first arriving, they felt slight stagnation and discomfort in the operation of their own Dao.

If they felt this way, how much more so the Tai Yi-level cultivators?

The violent chaotic currents and chaotic spacetime made some Tai Yi deities’ spirits tremble.

“Where is this?” asked a Tai Yi deity from the Zhu Tian world, uncertain and alarmed.

As a Tai Yi cultivator who had wandered the Zhu Tian worlds, they had not never entered chaos before.

But this place was vastly different.

Entering this region felt like stepping into the domain of void Dao itself—a terrifying sense of being lost clung to their hearts.

Xiang Xuanqing spoke: “This place is called: Wu Ji.”

Fu Xi lifted his eyelids slightly, then returned to calmness.

Xiang Xuanqing continued: “This Wu Ji realm was specially crafted by Hong Jun as the perfect place for him to seclude himself and seek the Dao of Hun Yuan Wu Ji.”

“If any of you are interested, you may explore it a little—perhaps you will gain something.”

Upon hearing this, many deities’ eyes lit up.

So this was Dao Zu Hong Jun’s legacy?

Considering the value of Yu Jing Mountain, digging three feet deep here would be justified!

Instantly, everyone grew eager.

Yet, after waiting several breaths, not a single deity moved.

All the Da Luo sovereigns, having adapted to the unique Dao meaning of Wu Ji, stood calmly in place.

The Tai Yi deities saw the elders remained unmoved.

The shrewd ones realized at once—if Wu Ji was this peculiar, then Zi Xiao Palace must be the ultimate prize!

Why pick wild grass on the way when the final treasure lay ahead?

“Your Majesty, although this place holds profound Dao truths, the assembly is more urgent.”

A Long deity from the Dragon Clan spoke: “Compared to this, we care more about Hong Huang’s civilizing mission.”

“Yes, yes! We love meetings, we enjoy meetings!”

The Tai Yi deities chimed in: “It’s said that actively holding meetings is a fine tradition of Tai Wei Heavenly Court—we mustn’t break it.”

Seeing the Tai Yi deities weren’t fooled, the Da Luo sovereigns all showed regret in their eyes.

【We were hoping to see how many treasure-hunting Tai Yi would lose themselves, then stage a rescue scene—but they didn’t take the bait.】

【Looks like we’re still too proper, making them suspicious.】

All Da Luo sovereigns internally reflected on this.

The Tai Yi deities, regaining their wits, felt a chill of relief.

【Compared to these sovereigns, we’re still green. We must understand the Da Luo rules at this Zi Xiao Palace assembly—or we won’t survive in this era!】

“Since you’re all so eager for the meeting, let’s not linger.”

As he spoke, a circle of primordial pure light—indescribable in words—spread naturally from Xiang Xuanqing like ripples, as if containing the most primordial force at the universe’s origin.

Where the pure light reached, above and below, front and back, all chaotic Dao truths in Wu Ji were instantly tamed, like wild horses subdued by an invisible hand, becoming gentle and calm.

The Tai Yi deities bathed in this seemingly unremarkable primordial light felt an indescribable warmth and stability, like a gentle stream flowing through their limbs and bones, nourishing their Yuan Shen and Dao bodies.

All prior discomfort, oppression, and dread vanished completely.

They walked through Wu Ji for an unknown duration.

Finally, a hazy yet extraordinarily grand silhouette, radiating an ancient, desolate aura, began slowly emerging in the deities’ vision.

It stood there silently, as if it had existed since the universe’s birth, unchanging, or as if it had just coalesced from the deepest void because of their arrival.

“Is this Zi Xiao Palace?”

The majestic palace, with its soaring Dao truths carved in divine script, made the deities realize they had reached the assembly hall.

No—this was the Supreme Lecture Hall of the Hong Huang Heavenly Dao Academy.

Its headmaster was Hong Jun.

Among the Ling Gen group, Yang Liu, known as “Old Man Yang,” gazed at the plaque of “Zi Xiao Palace” with complex emotions.

He hesitated whether to enter.

“My fellow cultivators, follow me!”

Xiang Xuanqing led the deities toward Zi Xiao Palace.

At that moment, the palace gates opened without warning.

As the gates slowly swung open, a vast, overwhelming pressure surged forth like an endless flood from the Nine Heavens, mixed with an indescribable, cold, heartless “Heavenly Dao” will, violently sweeping over all deities outside the gates!

“What’s happening?”

This sudden, terrifying aura stunned the Hong Huang deities.

They sensed a dreadful will rapidly awakening.

A pair of icy eyes, filled with scrutiny and a terrifying desire to dissect, devour, and assimilate all foreign entities into itself, fixed upon the deities.

In that instant, Zi Xiao Palace no longer felt like a lifeless palace.

It had awakened like a ravenous, monstrous beast, lurking in the depths of chaos for hundreds of millions of years.

These deities were now fresh “food” walking straight into its mouth.

Tai Yi deities with weaker wills instantly turned ashen, their Yuan Shen trembling violently, their Dao bodies swaying precariously, nearly collapsing to their knees.

Even those who had long attained Da Luo fruition, having endured countless calamities without decay, now had to secretly activate their Xuan Gong, mobilize their mastered Dao sources, and strain every ounce of strength just to remain standing against the Heavenly Dao flood.

The scene within the palace became crystal clear to all deities who withstood the pressure.

In the center of the vast, seemingly boundless hall, the nine-tiered cloud terrace, radiating an aura that suppressed all ancient heavens, still stood like an unshakable primordial mountain.

Upon the terrace, Dao Zu Hong Jun’s figure remained seated in meditation, expressionless, like a lifeless stone statue.

But somehow, his eyes had opened.

Ice-cold, utterly indifferent, devoid of any emotion whatsoever.

【Old Man】Yang Mei stared, eyes wide, unbelievingly at Hong Jun on the dais.

The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances and immediately grasped the gravity of the situation.

【No wonder he’s Dao Zu—under these conditions, he still broke the seal. We must crush him decisively!】

CLANG!

Xiang Xuanqing acted without hesitation and drew the Tian Di Sword.

“Dao Zu Hong Jun sought to merge with Dao to attain Hun Yuan Da Luo Xian status. Now, the merger has failed—he’s sliding toward the edge of losing his self, his body dominated by Heavenly Dao, undergoing transformation!”

“My fellow cultivators, Hong Jun is the progenitor of Xian Dao and leader of the Dao Alliance, and his civilizing deeds for all beings cannot be erased!”

“Come, let us aid him—save him from this!”

Xiang Xuanqing, wielding the Tian Di Sword, stepped first into Zi Xiao Palace.

Yang Mei followed decisively.

The Three Pure Ones followed closely behind.

Nv Wa and Fu Xi walked side by side.

Zhen Yuanzi pulled Hong Yun along, following the Tian Di’s steps.

“Disperse!”

Xiang Xuanqing, holding the Tian Di Sword, uttered a command with absolute Heavenly authority.

Instantly, the invisible, layered Heavenly Dao restrictions, as if obeying a supreme will, silently parted to either side.

All Dao orders Hong Jun had just seized began to dissipate.

They bowed like loyal subjects welcoming their supreme sovereign, willingly carving out a perfectly safe, unobstructed path for him and the deities behind.

Seeing this, the deities understood the situation at once.

Hong Jun had transformed—but the Tian Di was still stronger!

Just follow the Tian Di, and all is settled!

“Follow the Tian Di, save the Dao Zu!”

The loyal minister Kun Peng howled and entered Zi Xiao Palace behind Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun.

“Go!”

Jie Yin, Zhun Ti, Tai Yi, Di Jun, Wang Shu, Chang Xi, Xi He, Wu You, Ming He, and other Da Luo sovereigns all stepped into Zi Xiao Palace together.

“Seal!”

Xiang Xuanqing pulled out the Feng Shen Map.

Instantly, golden light poured in ten thousand rays, auspicious colors bloomed in a thousand hues.

Right hand wielding the Tian Di Sword, commanding Heavenly Dao order; left hand holding the Feng Shen Map, sealing souls.

Numerous deities, cooperating with the Tian Di, launched a saturation “rescue” against Hong Jun.

“Dao Zu, don’t panic—I’ll help you!”

【Yuan Shi Tian Zun】 drew out the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi.

Above the Ruyi, billions of brilliant, dazzling rays of light burst forth; within each ray, the complete cycle of a great thousand-world’s birth, development, zenith, decline, and ultimate return to the Gui Xu was reflected.

“Dao Zu, hold on just a little longer—we will surely help you merge with the Dao.”

Tai Shang withdrew the Taiji Diagram.

Golden light shimmered brilliantly; the Dao diagram rotated, and with every turn, infinite yin and yang energies flowed forth, transforming into billions of thick, great Dao chains.

These chains layered upon one another, impenetrable, completely submerging and imprisoning Hong Jun’s entire body.

Yu Chen Dao Jun said nothing, proving his sincere heart through action.

He drew the Qingping Sword; a terrifyingly sharp sword intent—capable of severing karmic ties, annihilating all illusions, and ending all existence—filled every corner of the Zixiao Palace.

The Heavenly Emperor and the Three Pure Ones’ intervention caused Hong Jun’s gaze to falter slightly, no longer so cold.

“There’s hope!”

The gods were exhilarated; they gazed upon the Cloud Platform and marveled: “The Heavenly Emperor’s virtue towers over eternity—he has forgotten past grievances to rescue his enemy.”

“The Three Pure Ones are truly worthy successors chosen by the Dao Zu; seeing their master in peril, they acted decisively to save him.”

“Moved. So moved.”

Before acting, the gods performed an entire internal drama.

Then, with clear consciences, they turned on Hong Jun.

Nu Wa drew the Heaven Blade; Fu Xi swung his Array Disc; Zhen Yuanzi released a mushroom bomb; Hong Yun opened his mouth and began outputting; Kun Peng’s fengshui, Di Jun’s Sun True Fire, Tai Yi’s Chaotic Bell chimes.

Some deities manifested awe-inspiring, three-headed, six-armed, wrathful divine forms, their divine power surging like boundless oceans, each breath stirring violent tides of chaotic primordial energy.

Others manifested solemn, compassionate, sacred appearances; each held unique mysterious artifacts, chanting ancient, profound Dao sounds containing the universe’s ultimate truths.

This god radiated bloodthirsty murderous intent; that demon lord blazed with infernal flames.

The Three Primordial Clans united once more.

All branches of the Immortal Dao struck without hesitation.

The sacred beings of the myriad worlds enthusiastically rushed to rescue the Dao Zu.

“Hong Jun, hold on! Victory lies just ahead!”

“Even if you fail to merge with the Dao, even if the Hun Yuan path is severed, we will surely help you carve out a new way.”

“Just go in peace!”

One after another, divine beings unleashed their utmost Dao abilities.

Yang Mei mingled among the gods; though he had entered the Zixiao Palace second, he had not yet acted against Hong Jun.

【Old Daoist, do you need help or not? Just say something!】

Yang Mei was still hesitating.

Merging with the Dao was indeed one part of Hong Jun’s plan.

He had said so himself.

Though Hong Jun’s current state seemed off, after the efforts of the Heavenly Emperor and the gods, Hong Jun—who was about to exit the merging state—now showed renewed signs of deepening into it.

The Heavenly Emperor was truly helping Hong Jun merge with the Dao.

“Liu Dao you, why are you standing there?”

At that moment, the leader of Xuan Qing’s support team, Zao Hua Qing Lian, called out: “As a support team, we must steadfastly follow our president’s footsteps and move in perfect unison.”

“Now our president is saving Hong Jun—we must save him too.”

“Though he was once our enemy, you may harbor resentment, but that’s all in the past—we must look forward.”

“So don’t hesitate—whatever our president does, we do the same. That’s all!”

Zao Hua Qing Lian’s words were like nectar poured into Yang Mei’s mind, opening his eyes.

【That’s right—I’m now Liu Da Ye. Whatever I do, what does it have to do with Yang Mei?】

Yang Mei shed his psychological burden and chose to respect Hong Jun’s personal destiny.

Whether merging with the Dao or losing the self—

Either way, right now we are “saving” Hong Jun.

Just do it!

After realizing this, Yang Mei immediately joined the rescue operation against Hong Jun.

Whether it was pure coincidence, no one knew.

The moment Yang Mei also joined the “rescue” of the Dao Zu, Hong Jun erupted in fierce resistance.

His previously frozen gaze slowly gained a flicker of complex emotion.

Zong!!

The power of the Dao surged; the Zixiao Palace trembled violently.

The shackles binding Hong Jun shattered one by one; every god who had acted suffered backlash and stepped back in unison.

“The reverse is the movement of the Dao!”

A profoundly mysterious heavenly voice suddenly sounded.

Xuan Qing’s gaze sharpened; he looked toward the dais.

Huhuhu~~

Auspicious clouds extended from Hong Jun’s crown, boundless and endless.

The Good Corpse, Evil Corpse, and Self Corpse descended from the clouds, sitting still in empty space.

Immediately, auspicious clouds extended above each of Hong Jun’s three corpses.

Figures stepped down from them.

The gods’ eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

Because these figures were all familiar to them.

The Three Pure Ones, Jie Yin, Yao Chi, Nu Wa, Dong Hua, Kun Peng, Di Jun, Tai Yi—

Three thousand figures appeared, each radiating the same icy, detached aura as Hong Jun.

Not only deities from the Hong Huang Zhen Jie, but also divine forms from the myriad worlds.

“That’s… us?” The Twelve Titans, seeing “themselves,” were stunned.

“Huh? Is this the ability possessed by deities on the Dao path?”

A tentacled creature counting coins saw another tentacled creature counting coins.

The other seemed to have no money either.

Identical in every way.

“This is a tragic story,” sighed the tentacle creature. “Where’s the Dao reversal I was promised?”

What’s this, you’re exactly like me?

Even if I kill you now, you won’t drop any coins.

“Blessed be the Heavenly Sovereign!” Di Jun saw his “Dao-reversal body” and gnashed his teeth: “My fellow Daoists, Dao Zu Hong Jun has begun losing his self—he’s gone mad! We must rescue him!”

“Evil heretics must be exterminated!” Tai Yi struck the Chaotic Bell, leaping forward to battle another Tai Yi.

“We must strike with full force!”

The gods all moved.

Earlier, they had acted only out of obedience to the Heavenly Emperor’s call.

Now, they acted entirely out of personal grudges, launching attacks on their own initiative.

Which deity could remain calm witnessing this?

“Hong Jun actually intends to evolve the ways of all deities by himself!”

“Damn it! Now I get why the Heavenly Contract had so many practical benefits—it was all because of this!”

“Mutual benefit? Is this what you call benefit? I help you perfect the Dao, and you use the Dao to replace me?”

“This is intolerable!”

“This is heresy! This is an aberration! This is the enemy of Hong Huang! We must crush him!”

One by one, the gods were furious, desperate to vent their resentment.

But Xuan Qing, Tai Shang, Yu Chen, Wu You, and Ming He, upon seeing this, nearly choked.

【Good, good, good—I was planning to lead everyone in a dramatic rescue performance, but Hong Jun added his own script.】Xuan Qing had also seen his own “Dao-reversal body.”

“Good, good, good—I originally planned to lead everyone in a dramatic rescue mission, but Hong Jun added his own plot twist.” Xuan Qing also saw his own “Counter-Dao Body.”

This was counter-revolution!

Tai Shang sighed: 【We exhausted ourselves putting on a show, yet Hong Jun outsmarted us with one clever move.】

Earlier, everyone had been watching for entertainment, slacking off.

Now, every god was united in righteous fury, determined to kill Hong Jun.

Yu Chen gazed at the dais and whispered: 【Do you think Hong Jun is truly insane? Only a madman would do something like this.】

【I think this move is brilliant!】

Ming He chuckled: 【If I learned this trick, I could kill anyone, any way I wanted!】

“Then you’d better hide it extremely well—otherwise, everyone will unite to nail you to the River of Time.” Meng Wu You’s words doused Ming He in cold water, cooling him down.

Meng Wu You now seriously suspected that Hong Jun’s fundamental Dao might not be the Balanced Dao.

It might be the Ma Jia Dao.

Who in their right mind creates so many Ma Jia?

“KILL!!!”

“KILL!!!”

In the Purple Xu Palace, murderous qi surged wildly.

“Everyone pay attention! A Dao-Reverse Body is trying to escape!”

Shibi Shi saw his own Dao-Reverse Body, mid-fight, suddenly take a large step back, shield the fellow Daoist in front of him, then sneak toward the doorway.

He found this scene eerily familiar.

“No, I would never abandon my teammates!” Shibi Shi muttered, then joined the Twelve Ancestral Wus, blocking the main gate of the Purple Xu Palace.

“We must not let a single Dao-Reverse Body escape!”

Xiang Xuanqing thrust forward a sword, its motion like splitting open heaven, directly slicing his other self to death.

He turned his head toward the dais.

Hong Jun’s eyes flickered with ever-changing emotions.

Wisdom, compassion, majesty, coldness—each grew richer and more layered.

“Ninefold Immortality, Supreme Hunyuan Pill. Tai Shang’s pill truly brings fortune and misfortune intertwined.”

Xiang Xuanqing guessed the method Hong Jun used to break the seal.

Fortune allowed him to walk the path of “Dao Completion into Hunyuan”; misfortune plunged him deep into merging with the Dao.

Fortune enabled him to break the seal; misfortune drove him to choose an extreme method to shatter it.

This was simply brilliant.

“Ninefold Immortality doesn’t mean you’ll live!”

Xiang Xuanqing chuckled softly, “Neither birth nor death, united with the Dao—this is Supreme!”

With that, Xiang Xuanqing swept his sleeve.

Three thousand beams of light shot forth, striking the Hong Huang deities.

“These are teaching tools from our Hong Huang Tian Dao Academy. Familiarize yourselves, then lend full strength to rescue the Vice Principal!”

“Is this the [Awakening Tian Dao]?” A red-robed Daoist wearing a copper coin mask caught a beam of light.

He casually raised his bone sword; a blade of light cleaved through confusion, revealing its core rule.

Pure, glowing runes coalesced into a chain of Tian Dao, slowly winding around Hong Jun’s body.

“Hmm, [Poverty Tian Dao]? Did you mess up? At least give me a [Evil Spirit Tian Dao]!” The tentacled creature muttered, voicing his discontent.

“Why do you have the [Light Tian Dao], and I got the [Black-Hearted Tian Dao]?” The Dark Demon God glanced at his companion, the Light Demon God, then at the light orb in his palm.

He was speechless.

Am I not dark enough as a Dark Demon God?

Why didn’t you give me the [Darkness Tian Dao]!

“[Nurturing Tian Dao]? Hmm, seems fitting for my current situation.” Yuan Huang was quite satisfied—she truly needed to play the nurturer now.

Fu Xi received his Tian Dao, then flinched, nearly tossing it away.

“[Cunning Tian Dao]? Emperor, you’re slandering me!”

Fu Xi brimmed with resentment.

After crushing his Dao-Reverse Body, he molded the [Cunning Tian Dao] into a cloth doll shaped like Hong Jun.

Then he conjured a silver needle and jabbed it repeatedly into the doll.

Each stab added another Tian Dao chain to Hong Jun’s body.

Nv Wa, seeing this, silently moved farther away from her brother, clutching the [Robbery Tian Dao].

“[Undercover Tian Dao]????”

When Yang Mei received his Tian Dao, his inner voice protested: “I am utterly loyal to the Emperor—I am no undercover immortal!”

“I must’ve grabbed the wrong one by accident!”

Tai Yi looked down at his Tian Dao, unable to suppress a smile: “[Beauty Tian Dao].”

After receiving his Tian Dao, the Azure Dragon quietly notified [Xuan Xiao Shen Nü] Fu Yu (Xuan Ming).

“Guess what my Tian Dao is? [Single-Minded Tian Dao]!”

Kun Peng received his Tian Dao and wept with emotion: “[Loyalty Tian Dao]—the Emperor truly understands me.”

One by one, strange and bizarre Tian Dao appeared, greatly sparking the Hong Huang deities’ interest, enhancing their own power, and exerting influence on Hong Jun.

Each time a Dao reached its ultimate expression, the corresponding order chain on Hong Jun strengthened.

Simultaneously, Hong Jun’s own aura grew fainter; his once-rich expressions gradually turned cold.

As each Dao-Reverse Body was slain, more Tian Dao chains wrapped around Hong Jun.

When his final flicker of resistance vanished, Hong Jun’s eyes grew deeper still.

Finally, they became hollow.

“Phew, finally over.”

After much effort, the Hong Huang deities had “saved” Hong Jun from his madness.

“Finally over!”

Having slain the Dao-Reverse Bodies and “rescued” the mad Hong Jun, the deities were brimming with pride.

“It’s far from over.”

Xiang Xuanqing shook his head slightly.

His deep, starlike eyes gazed calmly at Hong Jun atop the cloud platform, and he said with quiet solemnity:

“Friend Hong Jun willingly sacrificed himself, delving deep to comprehend the supreme, mysterious path of merging with the Dao. He seeks, through his own strength alone, to carve a supreme path for the countless beings of Hong Huang, leading them truly to the realm of Wuji Da Luo Jin Xian.”

“This path leads straight to Pangu—it is a grand highway.”

“Only such a heart, such ambition, qualifies one to be our academy’s Vice Principal.”

Xiang Xuanqing laid out Hong Jun’s “intentions” one by one.

Then he said: “Merging with the Dao—merging body with heaven, spirit with Dao—this path is immensely arduous; one may slip into the abyss of losing oneself at any moment.”

“The scene you all just witnessed is Hong Jun, the Dao Ancestor, losing his self, unable to control himself.”

The deities nodded in agreement.

Even if Hong Jun hadn’t truly lost himself, he must have lost himself.

Otherwise, who would be mad enough to fabricate Dao-Reverse Bodies before three thousand sacred beings?

Seeing all accept this explanation, Xiang Xuanqing smiled: “Therefore, to help our Vice Principal Hong Jun complete the Hunyuan path, to grant Hong Huang Zhen Jie a celestial road, to secure blessings for all living beings—”

“We must devoutly ‘assist’ the Dao Ancestor in merging with the Dao!”

“The Emperor speaks truly!” The deities declared with firm resolve.

“We must help!”

Had they not seen their own Dao-Reverse Bodies, the deities would have merely amused themselves with the Emperor.

Now it was different.

They realized: the broad-browed, big-eyed Hong Jun was capable of such chaos!

This was far too dangerous.

He must be merged with the Dao!

Otherwise, if he slipped away, he might secretly create more little identities for them later—wouldn’t that drive them mad?

At this moment, many deities compared Hong Jun to Luo Hou.

They suddenly felt that, compared to Hong Jun, the tyrannical Demon Ancestor Luo Hou seemed far more approachable.

At least Luo Hou was upright, open, and honorable.

He said he’d do it—he did it.

A trial Dao demon calamity? Even passing dogs got slapped twice.

He said he’d elevate the demon hordes—he elevated them, no underhanded tricks.

The benefits offered by the Demon Dao were top-tier among Hong Huang factions.

“Friend Hong Jun’s spirit of self-sacrifice deeply moved us.”

Kun Peng straightened his back, declaring with righteous fervor: “Helping Friend Hong Jun merge with the Dao is our duty!”

“Exactly!”

As leaders of the Western Recluse Alliance, Jie Yin and Zhun Ti expressed support for the Emperor and admiration for Hong Jun.

Jie Yin said: “All past grievances have vanished like mist. We must look to the future.”

“What matters most in the future? Dao, living beings, development!”

Zhun Ti said: “Friend Hong Jun voluntarily sacrificed himself to pursue the supreme realm—that is for the Dao.”

“Once the Hunyuan path succeeds, all beings will gain a complete path to advancement, enabling greater development.”

“Thus, from this perspective, we must support Friend Hong Jun.”

“Well said!” The deities applauded Jie Yin and Zhun Ti.

“Then let me speak too!” One by one, the deities rose to speak.

They argued from theory to practice, from deities to beings, from Hong Huang to myriad worlds, from ancient times to the future—comprehensively, without a single blind spot, justifying the legitimacy and reasonableness of aiding Hong Jun’s merging with the Dao.

“Lady Nv Wa, remember to record all this in the Annals of Time.” Xiang Xuanqing suddenly turned to Nv Wa.

Nv Wa’s expression turned solemn; she nodded gently: “Emperor, rest assured—I will record every word and deed.”

“Our Time-Space Administration writes truthfully, not altering a single character.”

The deities cheered: “With such a righteous historian, how could Hong Huang fail to flourish!”

After all had voiced their support for Hong Jun, Xiang Xuanqing smiled: “Then let us begin the first lesson of this exchange and study session.”

“Next, let Vice Principal Hong Jun deliver his address.”

At these words, the gods erupted in astonishment.

Wait.

Didn’t we just join forces to seal Hong Jun?

How is Hong Jun, the principal, speaking now?

The gods turned their gaze to the dais.

There, immortal qi drifted faintly, wreathed in auspicious clouds.

The Heavenly Dao Hong Jun had vanished; before the gods appeared a Daoist with a benevolent countenance.

“My fellow Daoists, please be seated.”

[Hong Jun Daoist] waved his hand, and cushions appeared throughout the hall.

“This—”

The gods glanced at [Hong Jun Daoist], then at the Heavenly Emperor.

Xiang Xuanqing’s expression remained unchanged; he sat down effortlessly in the first seat of the front row.

The gods dared not ask, dared not think—only suppressed their doubts and sat down as well.

The seating order matched the order in which they had entered the Purple Xiao Palace.

Once seated, [Hong Jun Daoist] said: “Grateful for the Heavenly Emperor’s indulgence, I, a humble Daoist, serve as the first Vice Principal of the Hong Huang Heavenly Dao Academy.”

“Recalling the past, I contributed not at all to the founding of the Taiwei Heavenly Court—I am truly unworthy of this position.”

“Yet I dare not disobey the Heavenly Emperor’s command; thus, I humbly assume this role to expound the Three Thousand Great Dao for you all.”

The gods internally translated: He was captured by the Heavenly Emperor, can’t escape—might as well slack off and give everyone a freebie.

[Hong Jun Daoist] continued: “I hold the Creation Jade Disc and temporarily govern the Heavenly Dao. Before fully merging with it, I shall deliver the Three Thousand Great Dao in three lectures total.”

The gods internally translated: Before merging, I’ve got three chances to let loose—three freebies for you all. Listen well and cherish it.

[Hong Jun Daoist] concluded: “This is the first lecture. May you all gain insight and achieve Dao!”

The gods nodded in unison, clasped their hands, and said: “Hong Jun Daoist, your merit is boundless!”

Free Dao? Why not listen?

You may call Hong Jun Daoist corrupt, call him wicked—but you must acknowledge his power.

He’s the one who killed “Luo Pangu”!

Disliking his character doesn’t mean you must reject his Dao.

Take the essence, discard the dross!

Besides, Hong Jun was captured by the Heavenly Emperor.

Now Hong Jun is giving you gifts—essentially, the Heavenly Emperor is giving you gifts.

As members of the Heavenly Dao Academy, what reason do you have to refuse?

When the hall fell silent, [Hong Jun Daoist] began his lecture.

“Dao has no name; Dao is not obscure. Call it great, and it flows endlessly; call it flowing, and it extends far; call it far, and it is vast. Thus we say: Heaven is great, Earth is great, humanity is also great...”

The guests of the Purple Xiao Palace were all great beings.

Thus, [Hong Jun Daoist] lectured from the highest vantage, descending from above.

He began with the true essence of Dao, starting from its origin; every word a pearl, every phrase ultimate truth—explaining where Dao comes from and where it goes.

Then, from Dao’s origin, he expounded the Three Thousand Great Dao: time, space, creation, yin-yang, cause and effect... The Three Thousand Great Dao arose from One and evolved infinitely.

Finally, the Dao Ancestor spoke of methods—this was Dao technique.

He taught the method of contemplating Dao, the method of understanding Dao, the method of awakening to Dao, the method of entering Dao...

The entire lecture lasted nine hundred years—only Dao, only Dao technique.

[Hong Jun Daoist] spoke slowly, word by word.

The gods recorded meticulously, word by word.

They listened in silence to [Hong Jun Daoist]’s lecture—their spiritual platforms clear, their Yuan Shen trembling.

The confusion of Dao was suddenly resolved; their limbs and bones felt utterly relaxed.

Many great beings who had not yet condensed their Da Luo Dao Fruit saw their cultivation advance, their foundations growing solid.

Some even began to touch the threshold of Da Luo, forming the embryonic form of their Dao Fruit.

In the front row, Xiang Xuanqing appeared half-asleep, half-awake.

This was not only him lecturing to himself—he was gradually deconstructing the true Hong Jun’s Dao using [Hong Jun Daoist]’s identity.

He listened quite attentively.

After Xiang Xuanqing, Yang Mei heard something different from [Hong Jun Daoist]’s lecture.

Hong Jun might hide secrets from anyone—but never from Yang Mei.

Whatever Hong Jun knew, Yang Mei knew too.

He didn’t really need to listen to this Dao.

Yet during this lecture, Yang Mei heard many new things.

This puzzled him—and stirred a terrifying thought in his heart.

[Could this Hong Jun...?] Yang Mei’s inner mind surged with tidal waves, yet his expression remained utterly unchanged.

His expression was always one of deep immersion.

After him, Yuan Shi focused intently; Tai Shang dozed off; Yu Chen’s eyebrows rose, his starry eyes gleaming;

Nv Wa sat with eyes closed, serene; Fu Xi laughed, Zhen Yuan smiled, Hong Yun and Kun Peng could not stop chuckling.

Jie Yin’s face was grim; Qi Ti Daoist grinned cheerfully.

Many sacred beings displayed varied expressions, reaped varied gains.

Yet all shared one unified action—they used the Heavenly Dao records in their hands to correspond with the Dao!

[You can lecture on so many unorthodox Dao paths—and still claim you’re not the Heavenly Emperor’s welfare machine?]

No Hong Huang sacred being was foolish.

Almost all were certain Hong Jun Daoist was the Heavenly Emperor’s gift-giver.

But they saw through it and said nothing—after all, there were righteous Historians present; they must watch their words.

The current situation was fine enough; no need to pry into every detail.

Sacred beings sometimes need to be a little clueless.

That way, everyone’s face is saved.

When [Hong Jun Daoist] reached the nine-hundredth year of his lecture, he stopped.

The cessation of the Dao sound jolted the gods out of their meditative state—like a hundred claws scratching their hearts.

Fortunately, [Hong Jun Daoist] said: “This lecture lasted a thousand years total: the first nine hundred, I spoke; the remaining hundred, you ask, and I shall answer.”

Such considerate lecture service made the gods cry inwardly: “Heavenly Emperor, you are wise!”

The Heavenly Dao Lecture Machine · Hong Jun No.1 is simply excellent!

“May I ask, Principal Hong, where is the Da Luo Dao?” asked a Tai Yi deity, the first to pose a question.

[Hong Jun Daoist] answered without hesitation: “The Da Luo Dao lies in the heart. If the heart is clear, the Dao Fruit may condense—Da Luo may be achieved!”

“How vast the heart, so vast the Da Luo Dao.”

A second Tai Yi deity spoke:

“Is there hierarchy in Dao?”

[Hong Jun Daoist] said: “Dao has no hierarchy, no strength or weakness, no before or after. All depends on the Daoist!”

“How much is Dao? Does Dao have limits?” asked the Tai Yi deities again.

[Hong Jun Daoist] replied: “The Three Thousand Great Dao—Dao has no limit!”

“What is cause and effect?” asked Jie Yin.

“Thought is the cause; action is the effect.”

Ming He asked: “How to avoid cause and effect?”

[Hong Jun Daoist] uttered one word: “Kill!”

“What is immortal? What is demon?” asked Pan Wang, the Ancestor.

[Hong Jun Daoist] said: “Immortals seek freedom; demons seek domination.”

“May I ask, Principal Hong, how does one attain Pangu?” asked Di Jun, bluntly.

[Hong Jun Daoist] said: “This lecture ends at the ordinary Da Luo level. The method of attaining Pangu Da Luo will be taught later.”

Many Da Luo beings felt disappointed.

They had hoped to ask how Hong Pangu had been created.

Thus, the Da Luo Sovereigns asked fewer questions; the Tai Yi deities asked more.

The opportunity was rare.

Everyone wanted to ask more.

To seek Dao, one cannot shut oneself in—there must be exchange, interaction, and mutual reference.

Within the scope of this lecture, [Hong Jun Daoist] answered all without reservation.

The Hong Huang gods, the celestial sacred beings—all who asked received answers from [Hong Jun Daoist].

Unconsciously, a hundred years passed swiftly.

“This lecture is now concluded.”

[Hong Jun Daoist] spoke and vanished instantly.

Though the gods still had unfinished thoughts, they did not press further, instead all bowed and said, “Thank you, Chancellor Hong!”

Above the high platform, clouds and mist churned.

Tian Dao Hong Jun reappeared, motionless and unshaken, seated as stable as a mountain.

“Next is the time for free exchange among you all.”

After Chancellor Hong finished his lecture, Chancellor Xuan began assigning homework: “You must use the Tian Dao you have mastered, combined with Chancellor Hong’s lecture, to compose a complete Great Dao scripture on Tian Dao.”

“These scriptures must all be submitted to Chancellor Hong for review.”

“This exchange period remains one thousand years.”

Upon saying this, Emperor Xiang Xuanqing logged off, vanishing within the Zi Xiao Palace.

With him present, the gods would likely feel restrained.

Once both chancellors departed, the deans of the various academies came alive.

“What do you think is the Emperor’s intent in asking us to submit Tian Dao scriptures?” asked a divine spirit.

“Need you ask? Obviously to test our learning outcomes,” replied a divine spirit without hesitation.

“Wrong!”

Among the Zu Wu, Zhu Jiuyin spoke: “We agreed we would help Hong Jun attain unity with the Dao.”

“Since this Tian Dao scripture must pass his review, its purpose must lie in achieving unity with him.”

“That makes sense!”

The gods nodded.

Then, a strange thought suddenly arose in their minds.

Hong Jun lectured to give them blessings; after receiving those blessings, they must submit scriptures capable of sealing Hong Jun.

So does that mean I’m helping you suppress myself?

【Is this not utterly insane?】

【Could Hong Jun truly be walking the path of unity with the Dao to attain Hun Yuan?】

Lacking the key information that Xiang Xuanqing and “Hong Jun the Daoist” were one and the same, they had misinterpreted the cause and effect.

“I think we shouldn’t scatter too much. Why not form several large research groups, then divide into smaller discussion teams, and finally consolidate our findings?”

Kun Peng spoke up enthusiastically.

“Kun Peng Dao You ’s suggestion is sound.”

Thus, the gods quickly connected and formed several major research groups and numerous smaller ones.

The Chan Tian research group, led by Yuan Shi, primarily expounded the principles of Tian Dao from various angles.

The Xuan Tian research group, led by Tai Shang, declared they must all become riddlers, learning to leave blanks and stimulate everyone’s imagination.

The Jie Tian research group, led by Yu Chen Dao Jun, focused on defying Tian Dao and seizing its principles for their own use.

Fu Xi’s hermit team and the Kunlun goddesses supported Nv Wa as their group leader.

Their group initially wanted to be called “Jie Tian,” meaning “robbing heaven.”

Later, they realized this didn’t align with the new era’s requirements, so they changed it to the simple “Chatting” research group.

Everyone gathered for tea discussions, settling on the Tian Dao scripture through casual conversation.

“What should we call our discussion group?” Hong Yun, Zhen Yuanzi, and Jie Yin agreed to form a team.

“How about the Western Heaven Discussion Group?” suggested Jie Yin.

Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, and other great ones considered: they were all western deities—no problem.

“Then you should be the group leader,” said Hong Yun.

Jie Yin shook his head: “You should lead. After all, you entered Zi Xiao Palace first.”

Hong Yun laughed: “Is it decided by who entered first?”

“We are all seekers of the Dao—those who have attained should lead!”

Thus, Jie Yin became the group leader.

“Fellow Daoists, we’ve gathered here in Zi Xiao Palace for the future of Hong Huang’s myriad beings. Let’s call our group ‘Tomorrow,’ how about that?”

Qian Ti offered this suggestion.

“Brilliant!” the divine spirits praised.

Di Jun and Tai Yi pushed Kun Peng forward: “Dao You , you should be the group leader, yes?”

Kun Peng’s heart bloomed with joy.

Yet outwardly he remained humble: “Compared to you all, my talents are insufficient for such a great responsibility. Better to let Qian Ti Dao You lead.”

“Fine.”

Qian Ti nodded, accepting without hesitation: “Then I shall lead our ‘Tomorrow’ research group!”

Kun Peng wanted to slap himself.

Besides these major groups, there were also smaller ones.

For example, the Dragon Clan’s Mei Tian research group.

“I say Tian Dao still has charm!”

And the Qilin Clan’s Gai Tian research group.

The Metal Qilin said: “Our Qilin Clan’s destiny-child plan was always an act of changing heaven and altering fate.”

“Now that our clan has declined, this is the time to change heaven and alter fate, to revive anew!”

The Phoenix Clan’s group was called Luan Tian.

“Flickering flames, chaotic and bewildering—our mission in this new era is to stir up trouble!”

“Whether Tian Dao is chaotic or not? The Phoenix decide!”

Yuan Huang quietly issued orders.

After all, in the end they were all harming Hong Jun—she felt no guilt whatsoever.

“Leader, should we trouble the Heavenly Court?” asked Zhu Que, the Divine Lord.

Yuan Huang shook her head: “I still hold office in the Heavenly Court. Moreover, with the current Emperor ruling, who dares act recklessly?”

“Understood,” Zhu Que nodded.

“When the leader is no longer in office, we can cause trouble.”

Yuan Huang added: “We have Great Dao oaths—we cannot personally intervene in Hong Huang’s major affairs.”

Zhu Que nodded: “Understood. We can be gold-tier investors—whomever rebels against the Heavenly Court, we fund.”

“I think we should form a Qi Tian research group,” said a group of Luo Jinxian from the myriad worlds.

“The era of the Supreme Heavenly Court governing Hong Huang through Tian Dao has begun. If we don’t master the art of deceiving Tian Dao, we won’t survive in Hong Huang.”

“That makes sense!”

After dividing into research groups, the gods gathered in threes and fives into smaller discussion teams, exchanging findings.

One could say divine spirits working in unity achieved astonishing efficiency.

They didn’t need a thousand years—within just one year, several teams had already deduced their Tian Dao scriptures to near perfection.

“Should we submit our scriptures for review now?”

The Zu Wu formed the Fan Tian research group.

“Then let me go first and submit mine to Chancellor Hong for review.”

【Space Zu Wu】Di Jiang opened his palm, transforming a scroll into a beam of light and sending it upward.

Before the light touched Hong Jun, it shattered.

“Unqualified?” Di Jiang frowned.

“Let us try!”

The Fan Tian group submitted their results one by one—all were shattered without exception.

“Looks like we still need refinement.”

The entire group received feedback from Tian Dao, identifying the flaws.

“So we can correct it?”

The gods grew interested and began submitting their own researched scriptures to Hong Jun.

Most scriptures were instantly shattered.

Only a few scrolls remained, transforming into terrifying Tian Dao power.

“Is it the Three Pure Ones?”

Zhijiansanqingshouzhongdejingwenfeichu ， Huazuosandaoqingguang ， Rongrulehongjuntoudingdezaohuayudiedangzhong 。

The Three Pure Ones’ power flowed within their bodies along an arcane path, then flowed back out from their skin, finally forming a seemingly flawless, self-sustaining cycle of energy and law.

The gods observed Hong Jun’s aura had grown slightly blurred.

As if strange, foreign things had been stuffed inside him, no longer as pure as before.

“Now we understand!”

The gods chuckled, knowing exactly what to do next.

From then on, they treated Hong Jun as a Tian Dao editor, endlessly revising their Tian Dao scriptures.

Through repeated revisions, the gods’ assignments grew ever more perfect, their sealing effects ever stronger.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~~

The gods’ power surged like an endless tide, flooding into the Zao Hua Jade Disc, continuously strengthening the sealing power of the entire Zi Xiao Palace, making it increasingly invincible.

At this moment, the entire Zi Xiao Palace seemed to have fully transformed into a colossal, blazing “Ten Thousand Dao Smelting Furnace,” fueled by the entire chaotic void!

And Hong Jun, imprisoned at the very center of the furnace, was that pill cast into the furnace, awaiting repeated hammering, forging, and shaping into a new form—the “Essence of the Dao.”

And Hong Jun’s form grew increasingly indistinct.

“Hmph, you played with the Dao, and now it’s come back to bite you, hasn’t it?”

“Friend, just submit to the Dao peacefully!”

“Your achievements, we shall forever remember.”

“After all, we have righteous historians!”

The righteous historian Nv Wa wrote in the Annals of Time: The Heavenly Emperor was wise, the gods were benevolent, and Hong Jun was great.

Among the gods of heaven and earth, there were no evil gods—only the loyal and virtuous.

Thus, the first Purple Cloud Palace Assembly was a united assembly, a glorious assembly, a victorious assembly!

In the future, we shall march toward one victory after another!

————

Transport Gate: [Monthly Tickets] [Recommendation Votes]

Sorry sorry, overslept—didn’t post at eight.

So I might as well keep pushing extra chapters: four merged into one, 12,000 characters!

(End of Chapter)