Chapter 001: Pangu Opens Heaven and Changes Fate

  Time flies, and it's been nearly ten thousand years since the Xuanwei Taoist opened his altar to preach. The vast wilderness has once again fallen into tranquility. At this moment, on top of the Jade Crystal Mountain, inside the Purple Cloud Palace, an old man in purple robes sits cross-legged on a meditation mat. A hundred-acre-sized auspicious cloud floats above his head, with only one cluster of cloud light constantly swirling around it. Countless heavenly maidens hold musical instruments and flower baskets around him, playing celestial music, scattering flower petals, and surrounded by auspicious clouds, shimmering lights, propitious vapors, golden lotus flowers everywhere, and the harmonious sounds of dragons and phoenixes. For a moment, it can be described as: Clouds and mist surge towards the sky, radiant light shines, propitious energy spreads across, heavenly music is wondrous, flying fairies dance wonderfully, dragons and phoenixes sing in harmony, golden lotus flowers bloom everywhere, and heavenly maidens scatter flowers.

  As the old man's jade disc slowly rotated within the auspicious clouds, after a long while, he slowly opened his eyes and muttered to himself: "My Way is accomplished!" As soon as these words were spoken, spiritual rain poured down from all directions, purple energy came from three million miles away, and billions of auspicious energies combined with the pre-heavenly spiritual energy, transforming into lotus flowers that descended from the sky, opening up the spiritual wisdom of countless living beings in the vast wilderness. At the same time, a majestic celestial music echoed through the air, suppressing all things in the vast wilderness to prostrate on the ground, kowtowing without end. Meanwhile, all beasts cheered and celebrated the birth of the first sage in heaven and earth. From then on, heaven and earth were in order, the norms were established, and all things had their own way of life, no longer being chaotic and confused. Compared to the mysterious opening of the altar to preach the Way for the first time in heaven and earth, this was even more mystical. Therefore, it was only natural that there was universal celebration and joy throughout heaven and earth.

  At the same time, a thick and calm voice echoed through the heavens: "I am Hong Jun, who has cultivated for millions of years in Yuqiong Mountain. Today, I hold the divine instrument of heaven's teaching - the creation jade slip, achieving the supreme mixed yuan fruit, cultivating an indestructible body that is not born or destroyed, and will not be worn out for millions of kalpas. I am known as the Mixed Yuan Great Luo Golden Immortal, and shall be the teacher of heaven and earth, transmitting the Tao on behalf of heaven. A thousand years later, I will lecture on the Mixed Yuan Great Tao at the Purple Cloud Palace in Yuqiong Mountain outside the 33 heavens. Those who have affinity may come to listen to the Tao." As soon as he finished speaking, a visible stream of primordial yellow merit condensed and flowed down like a mighty river, directly pouring towards the Purple Cloud Palace in Yuqiong Mountain. The majestic golden wheel of merit rose from Yuqiong Mountain, illuminating the four directions of heaven and earth, and the five elements of the universe. Only after 360 cycles of sunrise and sunset did the vast and powerful aura slowly dissipate.

  The last primordial multitude of living beings only felt that a sacred mountain and blessed land, a magnificent great hall appeared in the sea of consciousness, forming this mountain and this hall slowly rising, flying towards the outside of the thirty-third heaven, while the bodies of the multitude were uncontrollably prostrating on the ground, kneeling and worshiping between heaven and earth, the first mixed yuan holy man's dao field moved.

  "Has it finally begun?" Xuan Wei's head touched the sky, and the flag of Miao Zuo was one of the first to stand up from the pressure of Hunyuan Saint. His eyes seemed to pierce through the 33 heavens to gaze at the Purple Palace, then paused for a moment before opening his mouth again in a light tone: "Forget it, forget it, let's settle this after a thousand years."

  A thousand years of glory for the likes of Xuan Wei was but a fleeting moment, as the day of Hong Jun's lecture drew near, countless powerful figures from the Primordial Chaos set out in motion. Some rode on clouds and mist, while others were guided by spiritual beasts or accompanied by precious chariots. In an instant, the skies above the Primordial Chaos were filled with various auspicious clouds drifting about, displaying a kaleidoscope of colors - seven-colored, fiery red, golden scales, or emerald green. Suddenly, tens of thousands of spiritual beasts gathered to pay homage to the Daoist masters, as the Qilin and Ruibei beasts congregated amidst auspicious clouds. The immortal cranes soared freely, embodying the true essence of the Dao. Occasionally, one could spot dragons and tigers carrying divine beings, while phoenixes pulling chariots were a common sight. The extraordinary skills of the Daoist masters were on full display, as the Eight Immortals traversed the seas, showcasing their divine powers.

  But outside of the thirty-three days, the Purple Mansion is not a place that anyone can easily enter. Not to mention the chaotic energy outside the heavenly screen, just the nine divine thunders and thirty-three heavenly winds between the layers of the thirty-three heavens make it difficult for countless golden immortals to move forward, even with meticulous planning. After all, without a powerful magical artifact or spiritual treasure, one would be unable to protect oneself and ensure safety. Moreover, the Supreme Saint Hongjun has created various illusions within, and if one is not careful, they will end up with an unstable dao heart and inverted magical powers, ultimately being unable to enter the Purple Mansion to listen to the dao, and possibly even damaging their foundation. Such difficulties have trapped many powerful beings, and without good fortune, how can one listen to the Great Dao of the Universe? Forcing oneself would only lead to a path of death.

  Pangu's Orthodox, Three Pure Ones' Daoist Master relied on their profound Dao deeds and tacit understanding to easily pass the test. Only three people saw a slap on the forehead, Laozi's five breaths condensed into a celebratory cloud, three red lotus flowers bloomed, and purple gas descended to protect their bodies. As soon as Yuanshi Tianzun's celebratory cloud appeared, colorful rays of light, hanging pearls, and countless golden flowers emerged, unceasingly flowing like water dripping from the eaves. Finally, Tongtian Daoist's killing energy shot up to the sky, five breaths formed a blue celebratory cloud about the size of a mu field, with five white waves surging back and forth, later hanging down like five silk ribbons, protecting their bodies. The sword energy crisscrossed, breaking through layers of nine heavenly thunder and thirty-three heavenly wind gods in front of the three people. Even if lightning flashed and thunder rumbled outside, with flying wind blades, they still firmly blocked everything with the five-breath celebratory cloud, not allowing anything to penetrate their bodies.

  Right after the Three Pure Ones, various divine messengers appeared. Only to see Taiyi take out the Hunyuan Bell, protecting himself and Emperor Jun. The three flowers and five energies were not visible, but only the sound of the bell was heard. Wherever the bell's sound passed, the Nine Heavens' Thunder and Thirty-Three Skies' Wind God immediately stopped and dissipated on their own, clearly unable to withstand the might of the treasure. Steadily, they made way for a path. Compared to Taiyi's overbearing manner, the group of immortals behind him was another scene altogether. On this side, Zhenyuanzi wrote with his brush, Red Cloud Daoist, on top of his head a ginseng fruit tree, holding the Heavenly Earth Fetal Membrane, surrounded by yellow light and green energy. No matter how the Nine Heavens' Thunder and Thirty-Three Skies' Wind God blew and thundered, on that side, Minghe Daoist stepped on the lotus platform, countless red lotuses sprouting, each lotus flower supporting him, instantly breaking through the blockade of the Nine Heavens' Thunder and Thirty-Three Skies' Wind God.

  The crowd rushed past the blockade of Jiuxiao Shenlei and Santian Tianxia Feng, arriving at the gate of Zixu Palace. They saw two delicate and elegant boys, one with bright eyes and white teeth, slender eyebrows and light lips, and the other with a robust and handsome appearance, clear-cut features, and a flying spirit. The two boys saw the three people coming and hurriedly said: "Teacher Hongjun has invited you, please come in!" The first to arrive were the Three Pure Ones, who slightly nodded their heads, stepped forward without stopping, and entered Zixu Palace one after another.

  As soon as the three entered the grand hall, an inexplicable and inexpressible aura rushed towards them. The aura was filled with strands of Daoist rhythms, creating a natural and effortless heavenly atmosphere that left the Three Pure Ones' hearts unsettled for a long time. Later, they saw six bright yellow mats arranged in a straight line under the three-inch high platform. Being no ordinary individuals, the Three Pure Ones naturally understood the mysterious mechanism at play and didn't need to think twice before rushing to occupy the first three positions.

  Then, a large crowd surged in one after another. In the end, Nüwa occupied the fourth couch with the help of Fuxi, while Fuxi missed the opportunity to become the fifth or sixth after helping his sister get a place, which were taken by Kunpeng and Hongyun respectively.

  Just as the seven lotus seats had just been occupied, the Purple Mist Palace welcomed two more Taoist priests. One was six feet tall, with a thin and gaunt face, yellow skin, and a clear and elegant appearance. He wore his hair in two buns on either side of his head, and between his eyebrows, a white mole shone brightly, emitting twelve kinds of inconceivable light. These twelve lights were like a white rainbow that stretched across the sky, radiating boundless brilliance. This was the Western Guide Taoist priest. The other priest wore his hair in two buns on either side of his head, with a yellow face and a thin body. On top of his head, he wore two branches of flowers, and in his hand, he held a tree branch that was neither withered nor flourishing, neither green nor white. His half-open eyes occasionally emitted a thread of bright light, truly a remarkable sight to behold. This was the Zhunti Taoist priest, who would later shine brightly, "because the Eastern Land had many talented and handsome men, and he came to encounter the predestined affinity that would lead to the birth of a sage."

  The two were the incarnations of the lotus flower and Bodhi, with Zhunti being the manifestation of the pre-heavenly spiritual root of the Bodhi tree, while Jieyin was the manifestation of the primordial green lotus flower. From the roots up, Jieyin seemed to be slightly higher than Zhunti. As they entered the hall, they found that nearly two thousand Daoists had gathered, with only six people sitting on a high platform about three inches tall. A flash of light appeared in Zhunti's eyes and disappeared instantly, like lightning, leaving no trace. With a sorrowful face, Zhunti said to Jieyin: "Elder brother, I pity myself for the long journey to the Western Paradise. We climbed mountains and crossed rivers, enduring countless hardships, but never had a place to rest our feet. Alas! Alas!" He was about to knock his head against the pillar when Jieyin quickly grabbed him and consoled him: "Younger brother, do not be anxious. It is only because we were slow in arriving and missed the opportunity. Do not grieve, do not grieve!"

  Hongyun Old Ancestor was observing the crowd with a curious expression, and upon hearing Accurate Ti's words, he suddenly felt a pang of sympathy in his heart. He quickly got up from his seat and said to Accurate Ti, "Friend, don't be anxious, I'll give you a place to rest." Accurate Ti was overjoyed and hastily ran to Hongyun Old Ancestor's side, bowing his head repeatedly and saying, "You are truly an unparalleled true Taoist master! I, Accurate Ti, am deeply grateful and will never forget your kindness in giving me a seat today!" Hongyun Dao Ren simply smiled and said, "No need to be polite, no need to be polite!" Then he retreated into the crowd and found a quiet spot to meditate, not mentioning his conversation with anyone.

  Zhun Ti had a seat, but his own senior brother was still standing, which was unbearable. He looked bitter and pitiful, gazing around at the people on either side. The first three seats were occupied by Daode Tianzun, Laozi, Yuan Shi Tianzun, and Tongtian Jiao Zhu, who were surrounded by an aura of clarity and tranquility, unmoved by external things, pure and carefree, yet elusive. Alternatively, they exuded a majestic and solemn atmosphere, profound and unfathomable like the ocean, impossible to measure. Or else, they seemed to be heroes with an air of invincibility, as if they could conquer thousands of people with ease. The three men's auras sometimes merged and sometimes dispersed, clearly indicating that they had a deep and mysterious origin, not to be trifled with.

  Nüwa sat on the fourth mat, not only being a woman, but also under the flow of yin and yang, her breathing was stable and calm, making it difficult for Zhunti to pull down his face and calculate with a woman like her. Moreover, the two had overlapping auras, and the changes in yin and yang made it hard to provoke them.

  Only those who are born with the body of a Kunpeng, which is formed by the spirit of the post-heavenly world, can achieve the spirit of the pre-heavenly world. They are the weakest and smallest, so they say: "What a wet-born egg-hatched creature, what a hairy and armored being! What qualifications do you have to sit with us? Quickly leave!" Hearing this, the Xuanwei Taoist sitting in the back couldn't help but smile wryly. It seems that the pre-heavenly gods look down on the post-heavenly spirits, even if Kunpeng has already rebelled against the pre-heavenly world. In front of the pre-heavenly gods, they are still inferior. Just like Yuanshi Tianzun always thinks he is the orthodox descendant of Pangu, looking down on the shallow roots of the post-heavenly spirits. Seeing someone use Kunpeng's birth to make a point, he also agrees: "Yes, don't pollute the seats of these virtuous scholars, quickly leave!" Kunpeng's face darkens, and he has no choice but to retreat. The introducer takes advantage of the situation and sits down, and from then on, the order of the great positions is determined. However, because of this, countless troubles arise.