I, the spirit of the primitive land, have the ability to understand the universe and prove the origin of the universe
Chapter 9 - The Dao of Qiankun Astounds Two Immortals—Journeying Eastward

Chapter 9: The Dao of Qiankun Astounds Two Immortals—Journeying Eastward

In truth, the Dao of the Earth can evolve into the Dao of Qiankun—this was something Zhong Yue should have realised earlier. However, he had never fully comprehended it until now.

After all, even the future Zhenyuanzi cultivated the Dao of Qiankun. The most iconic example was his world-renowned divine ability—“Qiankun Within the Sleeve”.

Now, with Zhong Yue’s full realisation of his path, his Dao foundation was firmly established.

Immortal radiance dazzled as violet qi soared. Countless principles and laws wove behind Zhong Yue, and faintly, it seemed as though a vast realm had emerged.

Within this great realm, mountains and rivers, lakes and seas, insects and fish, birds and beasts, sun, moon, and stars—all manifested in splendour.

Inside Wuzhuang Temple, both Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun beheld the scene, their faces immediately revealing astonishment and doubt. In their hearts, tidal waves of shock surged.

They could tell—this was a sign of establishing the Dao, a manifestation of enlightenment.

What kind of prodigious talent and perception was this?

How long had they even been discussing the Dao?

That Zhong Yue gained some insight was already impressive—but that he actually comprehended his own Dao and forged a distinct path? Such talent was simply outrageous.

To speak frankly, if it were themselves in Zhong Yue’s place, they absolutely would not have been able to achieve this.

After all, back in the Purple Firmament Hall, when Sage Hongjun taught the Dao, even they—though born as innate divinities—only grasped three or four-tenths of it.

That, too, was solely due to their privileged divine origins.

To their knowledge, others with lesser backgrounds could only comprehend one or two-tenths at best.

As for those who could, from that, derive new meaning, innovate upon tradition, and extend understanding?

None existed.

Even the so-called Three Purities, said to be Pangu’s heirs, hadn’t done so—they merely comprehended the teachings more deeply than others.

After a moment of silence, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun both gave a helpless smile.

Hongyun turned to Zhenyuanzi with a teasing glint in his eye and joked,

“Old friend, do you regret it?”

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi sighed, shaking his head as his wry smile deepened.

“Please don’t mock me, old friend.”

“This matter was always about mutual willingness. What is there to regret?”

Zhenyuanzi drew a deep breath, trying to calm his turbulent emotions.

To say he felt no regret… would be false.

Such rare talent—and he could not take him as a disciple. Truly, it was a pity.

Yet, as an innate divine being, Zhenyuanzi had his own pride.

Since Zhong Yue declined, then so be it.

As for the benefits he had offered earlier, they would serve as the foundation of a karmic connection.

To form a favourable tie with someone possessing such extraordinary potential—those few spirit fruits were well worth it.

Because it was Dao comprehension and not actual cultivation, Zhong Yue’s state of meditative stillness did not last long.

After only a few breaths, he awakened from it.

Facing Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun before him, Zhong Yue rose and gave a deep bow.

“Many thanks to both senior immortals. This junior offers his respects.”

This was an act of gratitude for guiding him onto the path, and the two were indeed worthy of this salute.

On the main seat, Zhenyuanzi gently nodded and shook his head slightly.

“Young friend, your talent is remarkable. We merely spoke of shallow matters, yet you were able to awaken to your Dao. What need is there for thanks?”

Beside him, Hongyun was far more easy-going. He laughed heartily and added,

“My friend speaks rightly! Young friend, your gifts are so rare that thanks are unnecessary.”

“Let us instead celebrate this meeting of kindred spirits. Let us drink, drink well today!”

Saying so, Hongyun raised his wine cup, brimming with divine nectar. Without waiting for Zhong Yue or Zhenyuanzi to respond, he downed it in one gulp.

Zhenyuanzi, seated nearby, couldn’t help but shake his head and laugh.

“You rascal! I think your celebration of our meeting is really just an excuse to indulge your love of wine!”

Though he said this, Zhenyuanzi still lifted his cup and gestured toward Zhong Yue for a toast.

Seeing this, Zhong Yue quickly raised his own cup and responded in kind.

After three rounds of wine, the trio once again delved into Dao discussion.

This time, however, it was Zhong Yue who took the lead—expounding on the Dao of Qiankun he had just realised.

His words flowed like the melody of the Dao, and the resonance of its essence lingered in the air, drifting softly and boundlessly.

Would you like the next chapter prepared as well?

Zhong Yue’s cultivation was not on par with Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, and so his insights did not cause any great celestial phenomena.

However, when it comes to discourse on the Dao, it has never been about outward displays, but the depth of content.

Though the Grand Path of Heaven and Earth he spoke of was still but a fledgling concept, it was vast and all-encompassing—each exposition causing Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi to fall into deep contemplation.

The two, being innately divine beings, possessed no lack of foundation or comprehension; thus, this session of Dao-discourse proved immensely rewarding to them.

However, the more this occurred, the more they were astonished by Zhong Yue’s insight, and the fonder they became of him.

Both had always delighted in forming friendships within the prehistoric wilderness; now upon meeting Zhong Yue, a genuine heart of equal camaraderie emerged.

Thus it was that within the Five Villages Temple, the three drank tea and discoursed on the Dao, burned incense and strummed the zither.

From time to time, Zhong Yue would also take up his flute to accompany Zhenyuanzi’s qin, while Hongyun danced to the melody, the three forming a scene of blissful harmony.

And so, two thousand years passed in this manner.

. . .

“Why not stay a little longer, young friend?”

Before the gates of the Five Villages Temple, Zhenyuanzi looked upon Zhong Yue and could not help but speak to retain him.

Beside him, Hongyun nodded in agreement.

“My friend speaks true—why not journey with us?”

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yue paused, his expression slightly stilled.

To say he wasn’t tempted would be a lie.

The lectures of a Saint—what sort of grand event was that?

Before, his cultivation had been insufficient, so such thoughts had never even arisen.

Now, though still not powerful enough, with Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun’s protection, the chaotic currents would pose no real threat.

Moreover, there were precedents—for example, the two Golden Crows from the Solar Palace, the Three Pure Ones, and Kunpeng—all had brought their disciples, even if they remained unseen.

One could say that, should he accept, he would soon proceed to the Purple Heaven Palace and attend Hongjun’s teaching. The allure was undeniably immense.

However, soon after, Zhong Yue shook his head.

“Many thanks to the two… Dao-friends for your kind intentions. This humble Daoist is deeply grateful.”

After two millennia of companionship, their bond had long grown intimate. Thus, the term ‘senior’ was no longer fitting—they could only be addressed as equals.

“Yet, cultivation ultimately revolves around fate. Since I lack the strength, it means I lack the fate. If I force it, I may incur the Saint’s displeasure.”

“If I were to implicate the two of you because of this, I would find it difficult to bear.”

In truth, this was not what Zhong Yue thought.

He simply did not wish to be entangled in the affairs of the Purple Heaven Palace.

Saintly lectures were indeed magnificent—but to involve oneself without sufficient power was to invite calamity.

After all, those six Saint seats still carried unsettled karma.

At this thought, Zhong Yue turned to glance at Hongyun, and could not help but sigh inwardly.

These two thousand years spent at the Five Villages Temple had not only allowed him to advance to the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, but also helped him gain profound insight into his own Dao—he owed a great debt of gratitude.

If fate allowed it in the future, he would certainly lend a hand to this sincere Dao-friend.

Before the temple, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun heard Zhong Yue’s words but did not read too deeply into them.

They merely felt that Zhong Yue had his own path to walk, and so, after a few cordial exchanges, no further words were spoken.

“Dao-friends, this is farewell.”

“This humble Daoist now takes his leave.”

Zhong Yue gave a slight bow, then transformed into a golden light and soared towards the east.