Chapter Twelve: Three Thousand Demons and Gods Turned to Ashes; Two Great Divine Artifacts Meet Their Doom

  Pangu saw Zhenyuanzi, his expression changed, and he was somewhat excited, as if he had a thousand words to say, but after a long time, he only said one simple sentence: "You finally came!"

  The two words "finally" have expressed the desolation and loneliness of infinite years.

  Zhenyuanzi traveled alone through the vast expanse of time and space, and suddenly felt a sense of resonance in his heart. He choked back tears and said, "I'm here!"

  They address each other as "you" and "I", rather than the previous "fellow Taoist" or "your humble Taoist". Naturally, they have a deeper affection for each other after being apart for so long, cherishing each other even more, and their relationship has further progressed, no longer treating each other as outsiders.

  Pangu said: "You have now fulfilled your wishes, possessing a rare treasure, with prosperous fortune and future achievements beyond measure. Perhaps you will even surpass me, which is truly something to be congratulated."

  Zhenyuanzi was moved and said: "All of this is due to the merits of Daoist friends' accomplishments!"

  Pangu saw Zhenyuanzi with a sad expression, knowing what he was thinking, and said: "I have now obtained the fruit of the Tao, there is no more worry, even if I want to open up the sky and die, it is also destined by fate. Seeking benevolence and obtaining benevolence, dying in the right place. Therefore, one should not be sad, but should rejoice!"

  Between words, it fully reveals Pan Gu's bold and uninhibited style of doing things.

  Zhenyuanzi said: "I have now cultivated to the realm of Daluo Jinxian, I don't know if I can help my fellow Taoist with one arm's strength?"

  Pangu smiled and said: "I already know your mind. However, since the chaos has transformed into Hongmeng, why did it give birth to me, Pangu?"

  Pangu replied, "I was born specifically to open up the primordial chaos. All other living beings, as long as they are within the primordial chaos, must be subject to the governance of the Great Tao of the Primordial Chaos. Once they reach the level of Golden Immortal, that is their peak, and it will be impossible for them to make any further progress. In this way, no matter how many living beings there are in the primordial chaos, none of them will have the ability to open up the heavens, and the world of the primordial chaos can be at peace. - Only I, Pangu, am not subject to this restriction!"

  Pangu's words were tactful, but Zhenyuanzi wouldn't fail to understand, knowing that Pangu meant he couldn't help at all. Still unwilling to give up, he asked: "Under the Great Tao, there must be a thread of life left. Can't you find that one thread of life?"

  Pangu said: "The Great Way is ruthless, the number of days has been fixed! Now the Great Way is obscured, I also can't calculate it. However, even if we struggle to survive, it's not for Pangu!"

  "But what's the reason?"

  Pangu said: "After opening up the sky, there will be no more Pangu." He pointed to the person in front of him and said: "You sit down, listen to me slowly telling you about it."

  Zhenyuanzi knew that at this time, no matter how sad, excited or unwilling he was, it would all be useless and would not help the situation. It would only obscure his mind. So he calmed down and sat down in front of Pangu to listen carefully to Pangu's explanation.

  Pangu saw Zhenyuanzi calm down, and slowly spoke: "At the beginning of Hongmeng's evolution, two things were born. One was the twelve Hongmeng purple energies, and the other was a round egg. Later, I held the Pangu axe, broke out of the shell, and got six Hongmeng purple energies. The other six transformed into the creation jade disc."

  Zhenyuanzi had long known about this matter and did not respond.

  He paused, then said: "This creation jade disc contains three thousand great paths, maintaining the operation of the Hongmeng world's energy. It is the foundation of the Hongmeng world. As for me and Pangu Axe, we were born specifically to open up the Hongmeng. Therefore, I and the creation jade disc coexist in the Hongmeng, but there is no eternal reason. The creation jade disc will not shatter, the Hongmeng world will not be damaged, and the heavens will not open. Thus, if one wants to open the heavens, they must first break the creation jade disc."

  Zhenyuanzi asked: "Where is the jade disc of creation and transformation?"

  Pangu said, "If the Hongmeng world is not destroyed, the creation jade disc will not be born. I will use Pangu's axe to cut down the Hongmeng and open up space, forcing the creation jade disc to appear. However, once I start my work, I must see it through to the end until the great task of opening up the sky is accomplished. If I stop halfway, I fear that changes will occur, wasting my energy and not being a good thing. Therefore, I will first clearly entrust this matter to you."

  Zhenyuanzi knew the key and listened respectfully with a serious expression.

  Pangu said: "The creation of the jade disc and Pangu's axe are too powerful, and in the future, they will hinder the heavens and earth. They must be broken to complete the heavenly way. The fragments of these two treasures are all pre-heavenly spiritual treasures. Spiritual treasures have spirits, and naturally have their own destiny, and most will return to their masters. You can take advantage of this opportunity to collect some with the creation tripod, which is also a guarantee for your future path to enlightenment. If you miss this opportunity, it will be difficult to search again. What kind of treasure you can collect and how much depends on your fate. This is one thing."

  Zhenyuanzi Gong said it is so.

  Pangu pointed to Zhen Yuansub, and the Taiji Jade Symbol flew out, landing on Pangu's palm. Pangu blew a breath of air onto the symbol, then handed it back to Zhen Yuanzi, saying: "This Taiji Jade Symbol was also born in the beginning of chaos, with 35 layers of seals inside, making it a treasure from before heaven and earth. I have now completely unsealed its restrictions. This symbol is no longer useful to me, but has destiny with you, so I give it to you as a gift. It will surely bring forth extraordinary splendor in the future, and not be buried."

  After finishing, he also transmitted the method of Zhongyuanzi's sacrifice and refinement. He said: "Protecting the original body, Yuanshen, and the sea of consciousness, sweeping away the heart demons and miscellaneous thoughts, is only a small achievement of this symbol. This symbol was born in the beginning of chaos, containing the ultimate principle of Xiantian Wujigetaiji, Taiji giving birth to two instruments, and can also reverse Xiantian, making all things return to the chaotic world of Wujigetaiji. Inside this symbol, there is a formation called the Taiji Hunyuan Formation. The formation uses this symbol to suppress, surrounded by the five elements Lingbao to work. Once this formation is set up, everything inside the formation disappears from view, and space returns to chaos. There are also Xiantian five elements, four images, two instruments, countless divine thunderbolts attacking. The higher the quality of the five-element Lingbao, the greater the power of this formation. If they are all Xiantian five-element treasures, I would not be able to break it even with Pangu's axe."

  Zhenyuanzi had expected that this talisman was not ordinary, and now that he heard it, his heart was inevitably shaken. Such an array, in the vast wilderness, is absolutely top-notch. Pan Gu continued, "This talisman I did not give you for nothing, and there is something I entrust to you to do."

  "Only follow orders!"

  Pangu said: "If I unfortunately fail to open the sky, inside the jade symbol, there is still a copy of my original spirit imprint, which contains my magical powers and methods. It has been sealed by me. Fellow Taoists, in the future, if you encounter sentient beings with fate, you can give them this imprint, so that they can pass on my Pangu lineage!"

  Pangu's words had already shown a resolute intention. Zhenyuanzi Zheng solemnly bowed and said, "I will not betray the trust!"

  Pangu said: "Good! Since everything is temporarily settled, you stand behind me to avoid accidental injury. And carefully watch my heavenly opening technique, achieving boundless merits and virtues! Let's see whether the Jade Disc of Creation is hard or my Pangu axe is sharp!"

  After finishing speaking, he stood up and revealed his true body of several hundred million zhang, holding the Pangu Axe in his hand. His body almost filled the Hongmeng world. The Chaos Thunder, Gangfeng, and Jieyun were at the corner of his mouth, being sucked in and out by Pangu, with a loud rumbling sound, as if it was nothing. At this time, Zhenyuanzi had not revealed his true body, standing at his feet, like dust, insignificant.

  Zhenyuanzi knew that Pangu opened the sky, and it was a great opportunity for him to realize such a magical power, so he eliminated distractions and focused his mind on observation.

  Only to see Pangu let out a loud roar, causing the entire Hongmeng world to rumble and respond. He raised his axe high and, without asking for direction, swung it forward with all his might. The space was immediately torn open, and endless flames, winds, and waters surged forth from the fissure. However, just as they were born, they were again engulfed by the surrounding chaotic clouds and fog. The fissure also gradually closed automatically, disappearing without a trace.

  Pangu saw the situation and was not surprised, coldly humming a sound. Pangu's axe chopped out continuously, each chop aimed at the same direction. After several consecutive chops, the speed of the crack's recovery gradually couldn't keep up with the speed of Pangu's axe's destruction, being chopped wider and larger.

  At this moment, a thing appeared in the crack. Zhenyuanzi looked carefully and found that it was unclear to observe, seemed to be empty when viewed, and became more profound and mysterious when explored. Only in the bright light, there seemed to be a round object, shaped like a plate, with a color like jade.

  It is the Primordial Spirit Treasure of Hongmeng, the Source of the Great Dao — the Creation Jade Disc!

  Pangu saw the creation of the jade disc, exerted his mighty strength, operated his divine powers, swung up the Pangu axe, and fiercely chopped down at the creation jade disc!

  A loud noise is often followed by silence; a great form is often shapeless.

  At this moment, Zhenyuanzi did not hear any sound or see any color. The collision of sound, light and color had exceeded his perceptual category. The entire Hongmeng world was trembling with such a collision, yet there was no sound, no color. Everything in front of him was like an old silent black-and-white movie, where he could clearly see the inner picture moving, but without any color or sound, only imaginable, not perceivable.

  Zhenyuanzi couldn't bear it anymore and revealed his true body of several tens of thousands of feet in the primordial chaos. Although he was still a dwarf compared to Pangu, he could at least be seen.

  He circulated his spiritual energy and thus recovered his senses.

  Only to see Pangu again as before, still chopping one axe after another on the Yuandou Jade Plate, the axe was like a thunderbolt, fast and unmatched, shocking. The Yuandou Jade Plate did not dodge, only emitting a series of tremors.

  After dozens of axe strikes, a loud "crack" finally sounded, and a fine crack appeared on the surface of the Jade Disc of Creation.

  Although it has the power of six Hongmeng purple energy condensing, it is ultimately no match for Pangu and Pangu Axe's combined force. Pangu, apart from giving one purple energy to Zhenyuanzi, has already fully comprehended two purple energies within himself, and the three purple energies inside Pangu Axe have also been fully refined. Adding Pangu's many years of hard work in cultivating yuanhui, when they combine their forces, it is no longer a simple matter of one plus one equals two.

  Although the Causal Jade Disc is comparable in foundation, it is only a spiritual treasure after all, and ultimately slightly inferior.

  Pangu saw that the Jade Disc of Creation was already exhausted, and his heart was greatly delighted. He hastened to exert himself even more, without any mercy.

  After another count of axes, the Jade Disc of Creation finally couldn't hold on, "crash" sounded, scattered into thousands of fragments, flying in all directions. At this time, several cracks also appeared on Pangu's axe.

  There is a distinction between the three, and the difference is also limited.

  Zhenyuanzi was dazzled and his spirit rushed, unaware of what was happening. Suddenly, he heard Pangu's loud shout: "If we don't collect it now, when will we?" He then woke up with a start, remembering the words Pangu had said earlier, and hastily patted the back of his head, releasing the Cauldron of Creation to collect the fragments with all his might, focusing on the area where the fragments were largest and most numerous.

  The speed at which the fragments flew was incredibly swift. Although there were a great many of them, in the end, only a little over ten pieces could be received by Ding Huang.

  Just as the fragments flew in all directions, countless innate demon gods suddenly appeared in the void around them. They were of various shapes and sizes, with birds, fish, insects, beasts, stones, and woods, but not a single one was human-shaped. They were all enormous and unmatched, with their vital energy surging and muscles tense, apparently their strength was not much weaker than that of Zhenyuanzi.

  Those congenital demon gods rushed over, ignoring Pangu and Zhenyuanzi. With a strange whistle, they grabbed the fragments of the Huaying Jade Disc.

  Pangu let out a cold snort, and said sternly: "This time in the Hongmeng Great Calamity, you should be the souls destined to meet this calamity!" After finishing speaking, he continued to chop down towards all directions with his axe.

  There was no more creation of jade discs to block, the surrounding space was chopped open by one axe after another, and it could no longer close automatically. Those countless innate gods and demons were chopped by Pangu's axe, instantly turning into chaotic spiritual energy, earth fire wind water. After a few axes, except for Pangu and Zhenyuanzi, there was not a single living being around.

  In the world of Hongmeng, there were originally 3,000 pre-heavenly gods and demons. In this catastrophe of opening up the sky, few could escape, except for a small number, most fell. Although it was their fate to meet with disaster, they also died because of their greed for spiritual treasures, which is pitiful and lamentable.

  Ignorant of fate, ultimately becoming a calamitous ruin.

  Pangu swung his axe, and the space was gradually chopped into boundless vastness. The edges of space occasionally revealed the primordial demon gods, but before Zhunyuanzi could see clearly, he had already been chopped by Pangu's axe and transformed into earth, fire, wind, and water, leaving no trace behind. The power of opening up the sky can be seen in this!

  Within the space, the light and clear rose up, while the heavy and murky fell down. The heaven and earth gradually took shape, with countless fire, wind, and water bursting forth in the middle. However, that Pan Gu axe also became increasingly unable to withstand it, finally following in the footsteps of the creation jade disc, shattering into millions of fragments in Pan Gu's hand with a "crack".

  Pangu was not flustered, and with a wave of his hand, he fixed the four largest fragments in place, which were the axe handle, axe head, axe blade, and axe back. Zhenyuanzi also did as before, taking out the Creative Tripod to collect more than ten other fragments.

  Pangu was still dissatisfied with the vastness of the heaven and earth he had created, so he pointed his hand, and the axe blade transformed into a Pangu flag. Pangu once again grasped the Pangu flag, releasing countless primordial energies, slashing in all directions.

  He had already consumed a large amount of spiritual energy in his battle with the Jade Disc of Creation. When he then clashed with Pangu's axe, which was tied to his fate, he suffered even more severe injuries. At this point, he still forcibly suppressed himself and exerted all his strength to open up the sky, but even with his cultivation, he finally showed some signs of exhaustion and revealed a hint of fatigue.

  It is indeed:

  Sacred artifact shattered into spiritual treasure

  Hongmeng destroyed the demon gods in the apocalypse.

  If heaven and earth were still clean

  Later generations will suffer many hardships.

  To know how Pangu opened up the sky and created the world, see next episode!