Chapter 001: Pangu Opens Heaven and Changes Fate

  "All emotions have been understood, you can come to the Purple Mansion again in three thousand years to listen to the lecture." After finishing speaking, Hong Jun displayed the magical powers of the Hunyuan Saint, moving everyone out of the Purple Mansion. The three thousand followers were standing outside the Purple Mansion, watching as the gate slowly closed. Everyone was filled with longing, not knowing when they would be able to possess such magical powers, easily suppressing the three thousand great Luo immortals, and opening up a Daoist arena in the primordial chaos.

  When they came, it was different. Many powerful beings in the scene were leaving the Thirty-Three Heavens one after another. More or less, they all made new friends and traveled together. The most notable ones that caught Xuanyuan's attention were Emperor Jun and Donghuang Taiyi, who happened to walk together with Kunpeng on this occasion. The three of them walked slowly, chatting happily. It has to be said that Emperor Jun was a man of great charm, and among the many Taoist practitioners, there were few people who had a bad relationship with him. Even Xuanyuan Sanqing and others didn't talk to him much, but they didn't have any bad feelings towards him either.

  As for Xuán Wēi, he also took the opportunity to chat with Sān Qīng. The scene was not that Xuán Wēi was flattering Sān Qīng, but rather because Xuán Wēi's lecture on "Following Heaven and Responding to Time" had pleased Yuán Shǐ Tiān Zūn, and his lecture had shown a deep understanding of the Tao, which had earned him the praise of Tōng Tiān. His body was radiant with virtue, his aura was majestic, and his magical powers were strong, all of which had won the admiration of Lǎo Jūn, who considered Xuán Wēi to be someone worth befriending. Xuán Wēi was also well-versed in the orthodox Taoist teachings of the Mystic Gate, and he showed great respect for Sān Qīng, so for a time, everyone chatted amicably with each other.

  Suddenly, Yuanshi asked: "Do you think that in our cultivation, taking the essence of heaven and earth, and adopting the essence of the sun and moon is conforming to or going against nature?" As soon as Yuanshi spoke, Tongtian's eyes lit up, looking at Xuanyi, wanting to hear his understanding of this topic that he had been disputing with his second brother for a long time. Even Laojun, who had been expressionless all along, moved his gaze, apparently wanting to hear Xuanyi's explanation. After all, from their conversation earlier, it was clear that Xuanyi's cultivation path was closely related to the Three Pure Ones, and listening to his opinion would certainly be beneficial to his own cultivation.

  Xuan Wei heard that it was just a flash of eyesight, a thought in the mind? This is quite important, but I don't know if Yuan Shi wants to test himself or ?????

  Xuanwei looked at Sanqing and said, "I think we can compare the universe to a pond. All living beings are like fish swimming in it. Our cultivation is meant to transcend this world, which has some mysterious connection with Junpeng's true form. After jumping out of the water, one becomes a flying Peng that soars up to 90,000 miles and roams freely in the vast universe, unbound."

  Xuan Wei paused for a moment, seeing that the three Qing had no expression, and then continued: "However, what about the long life and transcendence before this carefree and self-sufficient state? I have three views on this. Firstly, it's about going with the flow, being effortless and actionless, transcending the world, not getting entangled in cause and effect. Although it may seem unremarkable on a daily basis, one has actually been accumulating strength, waiting for the opportunity to make a big move and transcend in one step. Secondly, it's about following the current, borrowing the power of the water flow to move and swing, maintaining an attitude of going with the trend. The core idea is to borrow momentum, to borrow the power of the water flow, that is, to borrow the power of the Tao, to make progress step by step, to accumulate momentum, and ultimately to break free. Lastly, it's not about following the current or going with the flow, but rather about being in harmony with one's heart, finding loopholes in the water flow, no matter how the water flow changes, I remain carefree and self-sufficient. If the direction of the water flow is helpful to me, then there's no problem; if the direction of the water flow is against me, then I'll just move freely in places where the water flow can't reach. What do you three Daoist friends think?"

  The Three Pure Ones heard the rumors and fell into silence, pondering the three principles of the mysterious and subtle. They found that these three sayings were extremely similar to their own ideas. Lao Jun knew that he himself loved the way of non-action, pursuing the supreme virtue, where all things are in harmony, holding the intention of forgetting emotions. In Xuan Wei's words, it was like the fish swimming with the current, moving without action. Yuan Shi also knew that he liked to borrow the momentum of the heavenly way, following the heaven and responding to the way, holding the idea of the heavenly way, not truly being the second kind of fish borrowing the water flow. Finally, Tong Tian excelled at grasping a thread of life, finding the gaps in the heavens and the earth, just like the fish searching for holes.

  Just as Tongtian was about to ask a question, he saw Zhenyuanzi suddenly walk up and say: "Four Daoist friends, please stay!" Sanqing Xuan heard the voice and stopped his escape light, turned his head to look, and saw that it was Zhenyuanzi. He couldn't help but be surprised. After all, they were not close to Zhenyuanzi, so when they saw him calling out, they were also surprised. At the same time, for a moment, Sanqing didn't dare ask Xuan any more questions.

  Several of them exchanged greetings, and Lao Jun said: "I don't know why the Town Yuan Dao friend summoned us, what is the matter?" The Three Purities knew that although they were taken as disciples by the Taoist ancestor Hongjun, their future prospects were broad, but after all, their current cultivation was not much different from that of Zhenyuanzi and other great abilities in the vast wilderness. They naturally did not dare to underestimate them too much, which is also the reason why Xuanwei had a pleasant conversation with the three of them without being underestimated. Even if the Three Purities were arrogant, they would not be hostile to a powerful deity for a small matter. At the same time, the Three Purities were very clear that in the vast wilderness, it was better to have a like-minded friend than to fight alone.

  Zhenyuanzi saw the Three Pure Ones and also returned the courtesy, then smiled and said: "I have long heard of your great names, fellow Daoists! I know that the Three Pure Ones are the incarnations of Pangu with infinite merits. Xuanwei Daoren has even opened a platform to lecture on the Dao, conducting the first sermon in the vast expanse, and is a virtuous immortal. Although I have admired you from afar, we have not met before. Today, I am fortunate to see you!" As the saying goes, "A smiling face is hard to hit," the Three Pure Ones and Xuanwei Daoren felt good about Zhenyuanzi's flattery, and humbly said: "Oh no, oh no, we don't dare accept your praise, fellow Daoist!"

  "Today, I am fortunate to meet the four of you. At the same time, our three Qing Dao friends have been accepted as inner disciples by the Daozu, and their future achievements will be extraordinary! It's a joyous occasion that makes one envious! I have a pre-heavenly spiritual root, called the ginseng fruit tree, also known as the grass-turned elixir. This tree blooms once every three thousand years, bears fruit once every three thousand years, and ripens once every three thousand years. It takes almost ten thousand years to produce thirty fruits, which are like infants less than three months old, with all four limbs and five senses complete. They are the rarest pre-heavenly spiritual fruits in the world. Since I've met the four of you today, I'd like to invite you to take a walk with me and taste this pre-heavenly spiritual fruit! What do you think?"

  Xuanwei had long heard of the extraordinary nature of the Pre-Heavenly Spiritual Root, and upon hearing the words of Sanqing, his face also revealed a joyful expression. Thus, the four of them said in unison: "We must go together! We must go together!"

  Thereafter, the crowd followed Zhenyuanzi forward, and it was unclear whether Zhenyuanzi had intended this or if it was simply fate. The five members of the Xuanwei group encountered Nüwa and Fuxi along the way. After exchanging greetings with the other deities, Nüwa noticed that Tongtian's face was filled with joy and couldn't help but tease him by asking: "Brother Tongtian, what joyful event is this? Your entire face is beaming with delight; surely you haven't stumbled upon some sort of pre-heavenly spiritual treasure?"

  Nüwa was just joking, but Tongtian shouted loudly, "Although it's not a pre-heavenly spiritual treasure, it's not bad either!" Later, he told Nüwa that Zhunyuanzi wanted to invite him to taste the pre-heavenly wonderful fruit. When Nüwa heard this, she was also delighted and said: "Such a great opportunity, since we have met by chance, how can we miss it? Fellow Daoist Zhunyuan, your cave mansion shouldn't lack seats for my brother and me, right?"

  Zhenyuanzi heard this and laughed, saying: "Having a predestined encounter, we should naturally invite the two Taoist friends to go together!" Nüwa and Fuxi also heard this and were delighted. In an instant, there were seven people traveling together, and later on the road, they unexpectedly met two Taoist priests who were also heading west. The crowd of immortals saw that it was indeed Xi Wangmu's envoys, Zhunti and Jinti. Zhunti and Jinti saw the seven people and did not lose their courtesy, coming forward to pay their respects. Zhenyuanzi and the others were also respectful towards them, without any ill feelings. After they had paid their respects, Zhenyuanzi did not hide anything, telling them about the Ginseng Fruit, repeatedly saying that he wanted to invite the two from the West to go together. Such a wonderful thing, Zhunti and Jinti naturally would not refuse.

  At this time, Zhenyuanzi smiled at the crowd and said: "Master Hongjun once said that under the Heavenly Way, nine is the ultimate number. Now that our heavenly numbers are full, it's truly a coincidence, and naturally we won't increase again. When I invited Laojun, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Xuwei, the four Taoist friends earlier, I thought it was just a small gathering. Who knew that we would meet Fuxi, Nüwa, Zhunti, and Jieyin, the four Taoist friends again? Now it can be called a grand gathering of immortals, haha! It's truly a great fortune, a great joy." His words were spoken without any pretence.

  Xuan Wei Dao Ren couldn't help but sigh in secret, Emperor Jun was indeed skilled at dancing with his sleeves, but ultimately had too much ambition and refused to submit to others. In the end, he was schemed against by many and died in the hands of Wu Yao Liang Jie. On the other hand, Zhen Yuan Zi also had elegant sleeves and was good at dancing, but knew how to gauge the situation. As a result, not only did he live a good life in later generations, but he also received two honorable titles: "Ancestor of Earthly Immortals" and "Equal to the World's Ruler". It seems that Zhen Yuan Zi's ability to navigate situations and interact with others played no small role in this.

  Then, the mysterious Taoist just smiled and shook his head. At this time, everyone present had eaten his fruit, so it wouldn't be good if they didn't give him some face. Among the people present, there were many who would prove the Dao in the future and mix with Yuanshen. So, Zhenyuanzi was able to establish a causal relationship with these Yuanshen saints. In the future, auspicious relationships will continue unabated. This Zhenyuanzi really calculated well!

  Ps: In the "Buddha Classics" where it was first mentioned that Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun had a relationship, I really couldn't see how good they were. However, in other Honghuang novels, it is said that they are bosom friends, so in this book, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi were already acquainted before the first lecture of Hongjun, but their relationship was ordinary. They only became close because they shared similar interests and due to the matter of Hongmeng Purple Qi, Zhenyuanzi saved him multiple times, and Hongyun also lent the Hongmeng Purple Qi to Zhenyuanzi for his enlightenment, so gradually they became bosom friends. Now their relationship is considered a pair with a relatively good relationship, like-minded and harmonious Dao companions.

  [At the same time, it explained why only Zhenyuanzi, although not a saint, had a status no lower than that of a saint, and was called "Di Xian Zu" (Ancestor of Earth Immortals) and "Shi Tong Jun" (Worldly Honorable Lord)]