Chapter 42: The Way of Enlightenment

Everyone began to examine the spoils from their journey.

Di Cang had gained the most by far; the mere acquisition of two three-colored merit auspicious clouds was an unimaginable fortune. If he possessed two top-grade postnatal spiritual treasures, with the aid of this merit, he could transform them into ordinary supreme merit treasures, a value beyond reckoning.

In addition, he had obtained a mid-grade postnatal spiritual treasure, the "Heavenly Dao Tablet," which could serve as a token of authority. When safeguarding the order of the primordial wilderness, he could summon the Heavenly Dao Tablet to manifest, enforcing the law on behalf of Heaven.

Such gains were truly immense—almost inconceivable!

…

The others' rewards were not much different from each other.

However, the twelve Ancestral Witches had an advantage in numbers. With so many of them, the benefits of quantity became clear. Together, the twelve managed to acquire four three-colored merit auspicious clouds, along with one golden merit cloud—about a third the size of a full three-colored one.

Their Dao Jade Slips had even been refined into genuine supreme merit treasures.

In the end, each Ancestral Witch wielded a Heavenly Dao Tablet—not truly their own, but still considered part of their collective might.

The strength of the Witch Tribe had once again soared to unprecedented heights!

…

Kunpeng examined his own gains: a Dao Jade Slip of top-grade merit, a replica of the Heavenly Dao Tablet that was merely mid-grade, and a share of merit amounting to only eight twenty-firsts of a three-colored merit cloud!

Though he too had received a decent reward, in light of Kunpeng’s significant contributions, his share seemed a bit lacking.

After pondering this, a sudden idea struck him. He turned his attention toward Di Cang, his gaze settling courteously on the young man not far away. "Just now, this young fellow mentioned that even if the Dao’s rewards could not be divided among us, he had other methods to help us gain additional merit. What might these methods be?"

Upon hearing Kunpeng’s inquiry, several great powers who had previously paid little mind now showed curiosity, all turning to look in Di Cang’s direction.

Di Cang considered carefully.

He understood well that the primordial world was now under the supervision of the Dao, making it the easiest era to harvest merit. At this moment, the most important thing was to seize every opportunity for merit and strengthen oneself.

Originally—

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Di Cang’s own abilities were quite limited; he could not even communicate with the Dao. But now, with Kunpeng and others arriving to labor on his behalf, what was there to hesitate about?

Di Cang explained respectfully, "Senior Kunpeng, you may not know! Though we have now established writing and law, both of which bring immense merit, the primordial world is vast and filled with countless beings. How many of them will ever know of the characters and laws we have created?"

"Perhaps not a single one!"

"In such a case, there would be writing but none to read it, law but no understanding of cause and effect, good and evil. The merit we gain would be greatly diminished!"

He continued, "I propose that the twelve Ancestral Witches allocate some of their strength to establish Witch Academies throughout the primordial land. On one hand, they could impart basic body-refinement techniques to ordinary beings, giving them a glimmer of hope to reach the summit through their own efforts."

"On the other hand, they could teach all innate Dao characters and introduce the Heavenly Dao Tablets, helping all beings grasp the true meaning of the Dao and the order of the world."

"In this way," Di Cang said with reverence, "before long, more and more powerful beings will rise who, like us, are devoted to upholding the order of the world. Through this enlightenment, we too will receive a continual flow of merit!"

"What do the seniors think of this proposal?"

…

The suggestion intrigued everyone, but it was Kunpeng, ever greedy for merit treasures, who first seized upon the idea. He promptly said, "Daoists Dijun and Donghuang, I wish to establish a Sacred Academy in the Ninth Heaven, to teach the Dao and resolve doubts. What do you think?"

"That is not appropriate!" Fuxi and Nüwa shook their heads. "The Ninth Heaven is the domain of the Celestial Court, and should naturally be governed by Daoist Dijun. Even if there is merit to be gained from teaching, it belongs to him. Kunpeng, as a member of the Divine Court, how could you claim the Celestial Court’s merit? That would never do!"

Kunpeng could only smile wryly. "Then may I establish a Sacred Academy in the North Sea, acting on the Divine Court’s behalf to teach and guide the beings of the world?"

"Daoist Kunpeng!" The Patriarch of the Nether River immediately spoke up with a broad smile. "How could we let you have all the glory? I, too, wish to join the Sacred Academy as an instructor—might that be permitted?"

…

After much discussion, the twenty-one great powers arrived at a consensus: Academies would be established in the primordial world, with the twelve Ancestral Witches serving as honorary deans. If they had spare time, they could lecture and teach; if not, they need never attend. However, delivering sermons would surely merit great rewards.

Now, after a millennium, all 108 Great Witches had advanced to the Taiyi realm. The Witch Tribe selected twelve among them to join the Witch Academies, dedicating themselves to instructing ordinary beings in the art of refining body and spirit. Ordinary Witch warriors also spread across the land, teaching basic breathing techniques to common creatures.

Under Di Cang’s leadership, the primordial world gradually embarked upon a path of universal enlightenment!

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At the same time—

A Sacred Academy was established in the North Sea!

The Celestial Academy was founded in the Ninth Heaven!

…

With the founding of these three institutions, the twenty-one great powers all sensed a response.

From the void, three three-colored merit auspicious clouds condensed.

Though each was a three-colored merit cloud, they were exceptionally rich; each split off a portion of its power, which fell into Di Cang’s hands and transformed into a complete three-colored merit cloud.

The remaining three clouds descended upon the twelve Ancestral Witches of the Witch Tribe, the seven gods of the Divine Court, and Dijun and Donghuang of the Celestial Court. Each cloud in turn split further, becoming three three-colored merit clouds apiece, a testament to the staggering merit generated by establishing the three academies.

Though not equal to the merit from founding a great teaching, together the three academies’ merit nearly matched that of a true religious foundation!

…

The twenty-one great powers were overjoyed!

This was merely the merit from establishing the three academies. In the future, as they continued to lecture and teach, there would surely be an unending stream of merit descending!

This strategy was truly extraordinary!

It immediately won unanimous approval from all twenty-one great powers.

Di Cang, relying on his knowledge, ceaselessly accumulated merit and strengthened the primordial world, never realizing that by doing so, he had preempted the Four Great Teachings in the realm of enlightenment. When the Four Teachings were established in the future, their efforts to enlighten all races could hardly compare to the spread of literacy and law. Thus, in the days to come, they would only gain three-colored merit clouds, forever missing out on the seven-colored clouds.

Only by persisting year after year, day after day, in fulfilling their teachings, could they hope to accumulate enough to take the next step and attain the position of a Sage of Heaven.

Because of this, the tragic battle between the quasi-saint Zhun Ti and the Five-Colored Divine Light would eventually take place!

But that is a tale for another time.