Chapter 72: The Five Sages Make Their Choice

Nuwa and Houtu’s expressions changed slightly at the same time.

If it was merely listening to the teachings in the Zixiao Palace, things would be different. The Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s lectures were, in part, a means of repaying the karmic debt owed to the primordial world, so as long as one did not cultivate Hongjun’s techniques or accept disciples on his behalf, they would not bear the karma associated with the Immortal Way.

Moreover, this served to ease Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s mind, preventing any enmity at such a delicate juncture.

However—

If one were to formally acknowledge Hongjun as master in the Zixiao Palace, the situation would become far more complicated!

The bond between master and disciple is a profound one, a weighty karmic tie. Even the sages, unless absolutely necessary, are reluctant to undertake such karma without cause.

…

Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s gaze was deep and inscrutable as it swept over Nuwa and Houtu, silently awaiting their decision.

How could Dao Ancestor Hongjun be an ordinary figure? On the very day he attained the Dao, he established his governing principle: “All beneath me, to ensure the stability of the primordial world,” thus securing a peaceful and tranquil cosmos.

Though the strategy of binding the Hongmeng Purple Qi to the Heavenly Dao’s position was likely to succeed, a strategist of Hongjun’s caliber always contemplates defeat before victory, planning thoroughly before taking action. He had long since considered the possibility of failure.

His calm gaze rested on the two women before him. Hongjun knew that if they became his disciples, although they would not necessarily be bound to the Heavenly Dao and limited to its form of sainthood, the righteousness of the master-disciple relationship would still place them beneath him in name. Moreover, forming such profound karmic ties within the Zixiao Palace would make it easier to restrain them.

Hongjun, ever the consummate schemer, spared no effort to ensure the primordial world’s stability, employing countless stratagems. Without attaining ultimate Dao, ordinary primordial gods and demons could never hope to contend with him!

…

In Hongjun’s eyes, placing all beneath himself would stabilize the cosmos and ensure its enduring prosperity.

Nuwa clearly did not agree.

As a great being of immense virtue and resolve, Nuwa’s tireless cultivation and unwavering will were all in pursuit of one thing: to establish her own unique Dao.

“All beneath me” implies that only one may attain the Dao, while all others serve as foils. If that were truly the only path, Nuwa would of course wish to be the one atop the summit—not Hongjun.

And Nuwa was not alone in this.

All the great powers of the primordial world surely shared this sentiment.

It was a fundamental opposition of governing philosophy—a hatred born of the obstruction of one’s path to the Dao!

If there were no other concerns, so be it. But should anything threaten her quest for the Dao, how could Nuwa bear it any longer?

Nuwa considered for a long while, then, resolute and unwavering, declared, “I appreciate the Dao Ancestor’s kindness, but though the method of severing the three corpses to prove the Dao is fine, it is not my path. I will forge my own Great Way, opening a path to enlightenment for all beings of the primordial world. I ask the Dao Ancestor to allow this!”

“Very well.”

Dao Ancestor Hongjun withdrew the Hongmeng Purple Qi, but left behind the Map of Rivers and Mountains and the Red Embroidered Ball.

He explained, “Within the Map of Rivers and Mountains lies a minor world, containing the power of mountains and rivers, able to confine gods, subdue demons, even give rise to all things. It symbolizes the authority of the earth god of the primordial world. Only the earth god may possess it!”

With these words, Hongjun offered no further elaboration.

Yet, how many here were ordinary? With a little thought, all understood.

Though bestowed by Hongjun, the map’s powers and authority were unrelated to him. It was destined for Nuwa by Heaven itself.

No wonder Hongjun left her the treasures even though Nuwa declined to become his disciple.

After a brief hesitation, Nuwa accepted the treasures.

Hongjun continued, “The Red Embroidered Ball governs marriages and determines fate. It may be used as a weapon, or to tie red strings and bind destinies, symbolizing the roles of the god of marriage and the god of fate in the primordial world—masters over marriage and destiny!”

Nuwa accepted the Red Embroidered Ball as well.

Hongjun sighed softly.

Though Nuwa took the Map of Rivers and Mountains and the Red Embroidered Ball, she neither accepted the Hongmeng Purple Qi nor became his disciple.

It was clear what would happen.

Should Nuwa one day rise to power, the primordial world would be in turmoil.

After all, two tigers cannot share the same mountain—this was inevitable.

“Let us hope,” Hongjun reflected inwardly, “that Nuwa is not another Rahu.”

“In truth, if she were Rahu, it might be preferable. Rahu, bound by endless karma and lacking righteousness, is much easier to deal with!”

“But now, Nuwa is favored by Heaven, blessed with fortune and merit. If, in the future, there is not a single flaw, she will surely be protected by the Great Dao itself. Even the chaotic demon gods would be unable to harm her in the slightest.”

Hongjun’s brow furrowed. Though his cultivation was boundless, he was powerless against one so protected by fate, fortune, and the Dao itself—a true favorite of Heaven.

Without accepting discipleship or merging with the Hongmeng Purple Qi, unless Nuwa were immediately weighed down by infinite karmic guilt, she could not be touched.

Even one as powerful as Dao Ancestor Hongjun could only sit and watch, for now.

…

Houtu spoke as well: “As a descendant of Pangu, I dare not imitate my forebear by proving the Dao through strength alone. Yet I have gleaned some insight into the method of opening new paths. I shall meditate deeply upon it, and I thank the Dao Ancestor for his kindness.”

Hongjun sighed once more.

Just one Nuwa beyond his control was enough to shake the primordial world—now even Houtu followed suit!

With both women independent of the Heavenly Dao, it could no longer reign alone. The future would be marked by endless strife.

“The primordial world is imperiled!” Hongjun’s heart was filled with bitterness.

He had struggled with all his might to unify the world, to rule both the paths of Heaven and Earth, but in the end, it was all for naught. He had failed utterly.

…

The Three Pure Ones, along with Jieyin and Zhunti, were all shocked.

At first, when Dao Ancestor Hongjun taught the method of becoming a saint, they were overjoyed, believing their enlightenment was within reach. Even if the Dao Ancestor did not bestow the Hongmeng Purple Qi, they would strive for it with all their might.

Yet they never expected—

Nuwa and Houtu would refuse him so directly!

“What could be the reason?” The Three Pure Ones were utterly perplexed.

“Could acknowledging Hongjun as master entail some grave harm?”

The Lord of Morality scrutinized past and future, countless calculations swirling in his mind, and soon discerned the crucial anomaly: the primordial merit of opening the heavens had already merged with the Tower of Heaven and Earth.

A sense of caution arose within him. Before Hongjun could speak again, he respectfully requested, “Master, I have obtained the Taiji Diagram and lack nothing for protection. The Tower of Heaven and Earth is not essential to me. I wish to divide it and use it as the foundation for enlightenment. I ask for your approval!”

Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Jiaozhu also stepped forward to make similar requests.

“So be it.”

Hongjun’s gaze lingered long on the Three Pure Ones, then split the Tower of Heaven and Earth into three parts, sending one into each of their bodies.

From that day forth, the primordial world would never again see the Tower of Heaven and Earth that had witnessed Pangu’s opening of the heavens.