Chapter 43: The Method to Withstand the Calamity of Numbers

“Honored Patriarchal Ancestors, esteemed elders!”

Seeing that the path of enlightening the primordial wilderness was beginning to take shape, Di Cang pondered inwardly and raised a question.

With utmost respect, Di Cang said, “It is indeed a great benefit for us to enlighten the lands of the primordial world; the merit gained is immense!”

“However—” Di Cang’s tone shifted suddenly. “I wonder if the elders have noticed: Though the primordial world is vast and seemingly inexhaustible in resources, it is only seemingly so—it is not truly boundless.”

“If every living being in this world could embark on the path of cultivation, then the number of powerful beings would grow endlessly. Yet the resources, despite appearing limitless, are ultimately finite.”

“In this case,” Di Cang continued respectfully, “a calamity of numbers would inevitably descend upon the land, using its force to eradicate the fierce beasts and demonic gods that hinder the stable development of the world.”

“What do the elders think of this?”

“A calamity of numbers?”

At the mention of this term, all twenty-one great beings present instantly grew solemn. Living in the primordial world, and being its mightiest, how could they not know of such calamities?

When Heaven and Earth can no longer bear the power of all living creatures, disaster is sent down to return balance and nourish the land again—this is the calamity of numbers!

This calamity is a tremendous tribulation for all beings in the world—inescapable by anyone!

Zhenyuanzi spoke, “As long as we diligently cultivate virtue and refrain from unrighteousness or cruelty, we shall never fall into such a calamity. Even if it truly comes, there are always others steeped in sin to bear it.”

Di Cang replied respectfully, “Naturally, I am well aware of the virtue of all present. None of you are the sort to be swept into a calamity of numbers.”

“However!” Di Cang pressed on. “Such calamities are merciless and tie in the fate of all beings—they must not be underestimated.”

“I have a strategy that may ease, or even dispel, the threat of such calamities. I wonder what the elders think of it?”

“What?” Di Jun and the Eastern Emperor exchanged incredulous glances.

Smiling gently, Di Jun asked, “And what strategy could possibly alleviate the force of the world’s calamity?”

“It is simple,” Di Cang answered. “Though I am newly born and know little of the primordial world, I have noticed this: Almost all the innate spiritual roots are planted in some region of chaotic earth. Taking root in such earth, these spiritual roots can, by their own mysteries and the power of the chaotic realm, draw upon forces beyond the world—using the might of chaos to nourish the land.”

“Therefore,” Di Cang continued, “each spiritual root carries immense merit and forms the foundation of the world’s prosperity. Is this not so?”

“Indeed,” came the silent nods of all the assembled powers. There was no doubt that the world’s innate spiritual roots held vast merit.

“However,” Di Cang went on, “innate spiritual roots are scarce, while the number of mighty beings grows ever greater. Thus, although resources are abundant, they cannot nurture every powerful being—so the calamity of numbers will arise.”

“In my view,” Di Cang said, “if we are willing to relinquish a portion of our merit to cultivate all manner of plants into new spiritual roots, thereby nurturing the world, we may both gain immense merit and strengthen the land, allowing it to give birth to more innate gods and demons. The world will flourish, and the force of calamity will gradually diminish. Is this not so?”

“Excellent!” Nuwa was the first to nod in agreement.

Smiling, she explained to the others, “Not long ago, my brother and I, together with the power of the twelve Patriarchal Ancestors, revived an innate gourd vine, and the merit was vast indeed. Cultivating spiritual roots is truly meritorious!”

“With the virtue gained from establishing laws and the Three Institutes, if we devote it to such cultivation, we may not only nourish the land but also ensure that the resources consumed by our own cultivation do not become a burden upon the world.”

“What do my fellow Daoists think?”

“Well said!” Fuxi, Hongyun, Zhenyuanzi, and others nodded in agreement.

However, Kunpeng hesitated and said, “We should consider carefully.”

The Lord of the Nether River also promised to give the matter due thought.

After further discussion, as the divine court had only just been established and lacked a proper base, the seven great beings decided upon the Northern Sea—Kunpeng’s domain—as the new seat of the celestial court.

Of course, in times of peace, only Kunpeng would remain there to guard it. Should any crisis arise, all could gather at the Northern Sea to consult together.

Having settled all matters, the twelve Patriarchal Ancestors and the rest rose to take their leave.

Since Fuxi, Nuwa, and the Wu Tribe journeyed together, they returned as a group, while Di Jun and the Eastern Emperor went back to the Heavenly Court, and Kunpeng, the Lord of the Nether River, and others departed to their respective abodes.

Returning with the twelve Patriarchal Ancestors to the Hall of Pangu at Buzhou Mountain, Di Cang did not wait for their questions but spoke first:

“Honored Patriarchs, this time our harvest has been great. We have gained as many as ten tricolored clouds of merit, not counting an extra portion, and together with the one tricolored merit cloud left over from last time, this is more than enough to help a second Patriarchal Ancestor cleanse their karmic grievances and attain a primordial spirit!”

“Now, I ask respectfully: Which Patriarchal Ancestor shall we choose to become the second to possess a primordial spirit?”

After some deliberation, the twelve chose Dijang.

Yet Dijang, having cultivated to the peak, felt a vague unease within—as if, gazing into the spatial Dao of the chaos, he sensed the presence of a chaotic demon god and could go no further.

After pondering, Dijang decided to pass the opportunity to Candle Dragon.

The twelve could not reach an agreement.

After a moment’s thought, Di Cang spoke, “In truth, for the twelve Patriarchal Ancestors to gain primordial spirits, it is not necessary to completely dispel all karmic grievances.”

“From what I understand,” Di Cang continued, “the powerful grievances upon you are precisely what cause your innate flaws. If only half or a portion is cleansed, the remaining force is no longer enough to restrain your aptitude—so you may yet give birth to a primordial spirit. Cultivation may be slower, and more merit must be gathered in the future to gradually purify the rest.”

“In this way,” Di Cang concluded, “even if two Patriarchal Ancestors cleanse their grievances at the same time, it is not impossible for both to cultivate a primordial spirit.”