Chapter 537: Hong Jun’s Furnace

　　Once the Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning left, the matter of signing the God roll could no longer be carried out.

　　Although that was within Li Changshou’s expectations, he had previously deduced various ways of negotiation with the Jade Emperor.

　　However, if that really happened, it would indeed make people feel helpless.

　　Filling the God roll meant that this person was destined to be surrounded by calamity. Among the Saints, only the Saints of the Western Sect could do such a thing.

　　Which disciple is not a disciple? Aren’t they nurtured by preaching and dispelling questions to inherit the legacy?

　　It was understandable that the Grandmaster of Heaven valued his disciple and the Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning valued his disciple.

　　Therefore, Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor had just repeatedly mentioned that one could survive the Great Tribulation by being on the list… However, the effect was rather weak.

　　Well, being able to control the God roll and the God Striking Whip today was already an ideal outcome.

　　The Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning said that everyone depended on their luck. That was actually a more beneficial method for Chan School. After all, Chan School had treasures that could suppress the luck of the sect. Most of the people in the sect were Golden Immortals.

　　The three principles that the Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning pursued when accepting disciples—luck, luck, and destiny. In the face of the Great Tribulation, they had indeed laid a sufficient foundation for Chan School.

　　As for why the Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning wanted to meet the Daoist priest and had been targeting Jie School today…

　　Li Changshou could understand, but he did not want to support it.

　　No matter what, the Grand Pure One did not like the Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning and Daoist Jie Yin. Later, he could only stand on the side of the Heavenly Courts and keep a distance from Chan School and Jie School.

　　Will the Grand Pure One help Chan School or Jie School in the future?

　　In the original Great Tribulation, Teacher had helped Chan School, but now…

　　Teacher will only help the one with the obvious advantage and protect the vital energy of the Dao Sect.

　　It all depended on how the future developed, how the calamity is controlled, and how the two sides deal with it.

　　Li Changshou raised his head and looked in the direction of the Grandmaster of Heaven. He saw that the Grandmaster of Heaven was frowning and looking outside the Purple Cloud Palace. His gaze was slightly complicated, but he quickly sighed and slowly closed his eyes.

　　The atmosphere in the Purple Cloud Palace was a little oppressive. The five Saints maintained their silence, as if they were waiting for the Grand Pure One to say, “Let’s go.”

　　Daoist Duobao thought about it and walked out from behind the Grandmaster of Heaven. He asked softly, “Uncle-Master, Jade Emperor, how is the Great Tribulation going to be carried out?”

　　The Grand Pure One said slowly, “The heavenly secrets have revealed that the Great Tribulation should be in the mortal world of the South Continent. There is not much information.”

　　Goddess Nuwa also said, “This Great Tribulation began with mortals. It should be reasonable for it to happen in the South Continent. On the other hand, I wonder how many mortals will suffer when the Great Tribulation ends.”

　　The Jade Emperor smiled and said, “Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, why don’t we make an agreement in the Purple Cloud Palace? The great calamity of living beings is destined to result in heavy casualties. The mortals are weak to begin with. They are not the cause of the great calamity and were protected by the Heavenly Dao. Senior Brothers, please restrain your disciples and do not kill mortals. Hundreds of thousands of mortals have died. They can’t compare to the burden of a Longevity Immortal dying. The Great Tribulation is also a test for the Qi Refinement cultivators.”

　　“What the Jade Emperor said makes sense.” The Daoist priest opened his eyes and smiled faintly. “I will restrain the disciples of the sect and not go to the South Continent.”

　　Li Changshou shook his head in his heart. The Saint’s expression changed too quickly.

　　The Jade Emperor nodded with a smile and looked at the empty seat of the Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning.

　　“Let’s go.”

　　The other Saints were surrounded by streams of light and were about to leave the Purple Cloud Palace.

　　Li Changshou immediately wanted to walk behind Teacher Taiqing, but the Jade Emperor said, “Senior Brother Taiqing, can Changgeng stay for a while longer? I want to discuss the matter of settling the God roll with him.”

　　“Okay.”

　　The Grand Pure One closed his eyes and answered. As soon as he finished speaking, his figure flashed and disappeared with the Great Daoist Master and the Taiji Painting.

　　Streams of light flickered. The other four Saints disappeared with Saint Taiqing. Only Goddess Nuwa left behind a sentence.

　　“Changgeng, if you have nothing to do, remember to come to me.”

　　Li Changshou bowed to the outside of the Purple Cloud Palace and heaved a long sigh of relief. He turned around and looked at the Jade Emperor, smiling slightly.

　　However, Li Changshou’s smile was a little gloomy.

　　The Jade Emperor smiled and said, “I thought that the Saints would want to talk about some mysterious principles. I didn’t expect that it would only be less than two hours.”

　　“After all, it concerns the lives of the disciples of the two sects.” Li Changshou held the God Striking Whip and walked forward. He asked, “Your Majesty, is this God Striking Whip really safeguarded by me?”

　　The Jade Emperor’s mouth twitched slightly.

　　“You even used the God Striking Whip. Didn’t you ask me to take this God roll for you because you wanted to stabilize yourself and prevent the Saints from taking turns to call you over for tea!?!”

　　As he laughed and cursed, the Jade Emperor moved to the side and revealed half of his meditation cushion. “Come and sit.”

　　Li Changshou did not dare to really sit there. He bowed to the Jade Emperor and sat cross-legged on the ground…

　　The coolness of the fabric reminded him of the embarrassing scene just now. He could not help but raise his hand to his forehead.

　　Did the Dao Ancestor do it on purpose?

　　This is too mischievous and approachable!

　　“Changgeng, what is the Saint of Chan School thinking?”

　　“I’m not sure either, but…”

　　After all, he could not be arrogant.

　　Li Changshou pondered for a while and said, “Second Aunt-Master might want to clean up Jie School.”

　　At that moment, a voice sounded from the side.

　　“Primordial Beginning is like that. He feels that the Heaven Ascension Sect has taken a wrong path and wants to help the Heaven Ascension Sect fix it. He worries more than anyone else. He always ends up having a bad reputation.”

　　Li Changshou’s body stiffened. The Jade Emperor hurriedly stood up.

　　On the huge meditation cushion, the Dao Ancestor’s burly figure appeared again without any warning, as if he had never left.

　　The Jade Emperor raised his hand and pulled Li Changshou, allowing him to stand up in time and bow to the Dao Ancestor.

　　The Dao Ancestor looked at Li Changshou with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

　　Li Changshou lowered his head and did not dare to look at her. His heart twitched slightly.

　　Why didn’t I insist on leaving with Teacher just now!?!

　　“98%.” The Dao Ancestor squinted slightly. “Why didn’t you mention anything about merit today?”

　　Li Changshou sighed and said, “I’m not smart. I naturally don’t dare to compare myself to Grandmaster. Grandmaster, there must be a deeper meaning behind not giving me the two merit points. I’ll just listen.”Li Changshou”

　　The Jade Emperor whispered, “Teacher, is there a problem with Changgeng condensing the Golden Body of Merit?”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun said calmly, “Doesn’t he like 98%? Everything is just right. Wouldn’t 98% of the Golden Body of Merit be wonderful?”

　　Li Changshou’s legs trembled and he almost knelt down. The Jade Emperor’s forehead was filled with black lines. He turned his head away and his shoulders trembled.

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun smiled and said, “I asked Hao Tian to keep you here because I have something to tell you in advance. Hao Tian first returned to the Heavenly Courts to settle the God roll and let Changgeng stay in the Purple Cloud Palace for a while.”

　　Although the Jade Emperor did not understand, he still bowed and did a Dao salute. He gave Li Changshou a look which seemed to be telling him to work harder and carried the God roll and the Heavenly Emperor Seal away quickly.

　　Li Changshou was rendered speechless.

　　He was stunned.

　　If he had to use one word to describe his current feelings, it would be ‘stunned’.

　　The Jade Emperor had spoken under the instructions of the Dao Ancestor. The Dao Ancestor had left him alone in the Purple Cloud Palace and said that he had something to explain.

　　Could… could something happen?

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun later said something that had a strong local flavor, ‘Eh, old pal?’

　　As if he could see through Li Changshou’s thoughts, the Dao Ancestor Hong Jun pointed his finger after the Jade Emperor left the Purple Cloud Palace. Golden light enveloped the entire Purple Cloud Palace.

　　Li Changshou instantly felt that his connection with the Primordial World and his Great Dao had disappeared!

　　It was even more thorough than the isolation of the Six Paths of Reincarnation!

　　Could it be that my soul is going to be modified by the Dao Ancestor and I will become a Heavenly Dao puppet?!

　　This…

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun’s body glowed. His burly figure became the size of a normal person, and he looked even more benevolent.

　　He slowly said calmly, “I’m thinking, should I call you an old friend or change your soul and turn you into a Heavenly Dao Dharma treasure?”

　　Li Changshou’s Dao heart trembled. He shut his mouth tightly and frowned at the Dao Ancestor in front of him.

　　“Are you?”

　　“Of course not.” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun smiled. “I’m only able to be where I am today because of your old friend. Come, I’ll bring you around.”

　　After saying that, Dao Ancestor Hong Jun waved his hand. The two of them did not move at all. The surroundings changed drastically and turned into a lush forest. There were two wooden houses beside it.

　　Cosmic Exchange!

　　The Dao Ancestor stood up and walked towards the wooden hut with his hands behind his back. His tall figure looked a little tired, and he gestured for Li Changshou to follow.

　　Li Changshou sighed in his heart. Even if he was going to be erased today, he could not be a fool…

　　“Grandmaster, what happened back then?”

　　“There’s no need to mention the past.” Hong Jun sighed slightly. “The Heavenly Dao has already killed your fellow villagers. Many living beings like Nuwa and Houtu have received his favor. He has done many good things for the Primordial World. However, in the end, that person went crazy for some reason and insisted on using his power to become a Saint. He shattered the world and suffered a backlash from the Heavenly Dao. The Heavenly Dao was impartial. It was just an order rule formed by the Great Dao under the will of the Pangu God. Your Great Dao is not bad. It can be considered as giving the Heavenly Dao a form of feedback and replenishment. This is also the reason why I have stopped the Heavenly Dao from interfering with you several times.”

　　Li Changshou felt a little touched when he heard that. He bowed and said, “Thank you, Grandmaster.”

　　As he spoke, Dao Ancestor Hong Jun had already brought him to a wooden hut. He pushed open the wooden door and revealed the simple furnishings inside.

　　“Sit. Don’t worry. I have a favor to ask of you today.”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion. Seeing that Li Changshou’s expression was still not clear, he smiled and said, “If I wanted to destroy you, why would I have nurtured you all the way until now?”

　　“Thank you, Grandmaster.”

　　Li Changshou could only repeat those words. He bowed and carried the meditation cushion to sit on the seat of Dao Ancestor Hong Jun.

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun’s smile grew wider. “How much do you know about the Heavenly Dao and I?”

　　“I don’t understand, and I don’t dare to speak nonsense.”

　　“Look.” An emerald-green jade plate appeared in Dao Ancestor Hong Jun’s left hand. Rays of light shone from the jade plate, forming a three-dimensional grid. The shadow of the Primordial World was projected from the grid.

　　“I am the Heavenly Dao, but the Heavenly Dao is not me. In other words, I can control the Heavenly Dao for a short period of time, but the Heavenly Dao cannot affect me.”

　　Li Changshou was shocked. However, he frowned and asked, “Grandmaster is already omnipotent in this world. What can I do?”

　　“Omnipotent?”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun asked in return and slowly shook his head. “If I’m omnipotent, how can a Great Tribulation happen?”

　　The jade disc in his hand rotated gently. The thin line that represented the rules and the world disappeared. Nine springs of different colors were projected on the jade disc.

　　Nine Polluted Springs.

　　“The Nine Polluted Springs exist between reality and illusion. It’s right and wrong to say that the Sea Eye is the Nine Polluted Springs.”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun said slowly, “The Sea Eye is just a place where the power of the Nine Polluted Springs is released. The Blood Sea is the same. The Nine Polluted Springs gather the negative karma of living beings. Once too many negative karma accumulates, the Nine Polluted Springs will overturn the Primordial World and bury living beings. Thus, the next reincarnation in the world began and so did a new era. I can’t stop this. Although I admit that I have reached the peak of the path of cultivation, I can’t be compared to Pangu. Therefore, every time the Nine Polluted Spring is about to spew, the Heavenly Dao will brew a huge calamity and delay the Life Tribulation.”

　　Li Changshou looked enlightened. “So the Heavenly Dao is constantly suppressing the strength of living beings because there will be a large amount of negative karma after every Great Tribulation. The buffer zone left for the Nine Polluted Spring is getting narrower?”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun praised, “Your comprehension is really not bad. However, the Great Dao of living beings revealed that life, old age, illness, and death are the laws of living beings. It is the same for a single living being and for all living beings. Therefore, I’m not omnipotent. I just reached the peak of living beings and merged with the Heavenly Dao. I repaired the Heavenly Dao and continued the will of the Pangu God. At the same time, I can’t leave this world. These are all thanks to your fellow villagers. Back then, in order to prevent him from using his strength to prove the Dao and destroy the Primordial World, I could only use this method. I gave up the chance to go to the Chaos Sea to prove the Primordial Chaos.”

　　Li Changshou asked softly, “According to the rumors in the Primordial World, Grandmaster, aren’t you worried that you won’t be able to withstand the Heavenly Dao if you succeed?”

　　“That was just an accidental transmission after the Heavenly Dao killed that fellow.” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun sighed and said, “If I hadn’t joined forces with the Heavenly Dao, I probably wouldn’t have been able to suppress him. This fellow accidentally came to the Primordial World because of the Cosmic Chaos during the opening of Heaven and Earth. He is a good friend of Pangu.”

　　Senior is so ferocious?

　　Li Changshou was surprised at first, but then he felt a little depressed.

　　Such a ferocious man had been killed by the Heavenly Dao and the Dao Ancestor Hong Jun… He should not have other thoughts. After settling the Great God-Conferment Tribulation, he should retire as soon as possible.

　　“Are you in danger?” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun asked.

　　“I… am naturally a little afraid.”

　　“Actually, as long as you don’t do anything that will destabilize the world, you will naturally not be targeted by the Heavenly Dao.” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun smiled and said, “Do you know when I paid attention to you?”

　　“I don’t know.”

　　“Guess.”

　　“This…” Li Changshou pondered for a while.” When my soul came to the Primordial World?”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun shook his head and smiled. He said, “Although your hometown is not in the Primordial World, there’s not much difference whether you bring the remnant soul of your memories or transform into a True Spirit. The Chaos Sea is boundless. The universe that you know might be just a grain of sand in the Chaos Sea. The True Spirit River flows in it, and the Great Dao of Life and Death accompanies it. At the end of the day, living beings are just disturbances and coincidences. The Great Dao appeared and the rules were formed. Therefore, in my eyes, you are no different from ordinary living beings. Your background is not worth mentioning.”

　　Li Changshou was rendered speechless.

　　Why do I feel happy and disappointed?

　　“Grandmaster, when did you see me…”

　　“When you transcended the Immortal Ascension Tribulation on the sea, you hid the Heavenly Dao from me,” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun said with a smile. “I was also alarmed by you and accidentally discovered that your Great Dao is actually born from the balanced meaning of the Yin-Yang Great Dao. It is what the Heavenly Dao needs. In that case, I secretly used a method to create a statue for you in the Magihuman Village. This will disturb your original fate. If not for that, you would probably have to stay in the mountains until the end of time. However, I never expected you to be so outstanding. Not only is your Dao outstanding, but you also helped the Heavenly Courts up. You saved me a lot of effort.”

　　Li Changshou could not help but laugh bitterly.

　　This!

　　He had finally solved the case!

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun waved his hand gently, and a spot of light appeared on the jade plate. It was the outline of a Daoist meditating, and the surroundings were filled with blurry shadows.

　　“I left you here because of this. Do you know what this is?”

　　“I don’t know.”

　　“This is the will left behind by the Pangu God in the Heavenly Dao.” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun sighed softly. “As the Heavenly Dao evolves, he gradually has the ability to think. If there is a huge disturbance in the Heavenly Dao, he will be born from the Heavenly Dao.”

　　Li Changshou exclaimed, “Could it be that the Pangu God can be resurrected?”

　　ME”That’s not the case. He’s just a remnant thought of the Pangu God,” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun said. “What I want to entrust to you is the task to determine if he is beneficial to the world or harmful to it when he is born. If it is the former, protect him from being killed by the Heavenly Dao. If it’s the latter, you have to ensure that he is wiped out.”

　　Li Changshou asked softly, “I’m afraid I’m not a match for the remnant will of the Pangu God.”

　　“When he was born, there was no spiritual energy around him. He could not absorb spiritual energy for his own use. He was very weak.” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun’s gaze was complicated, so complicated that Li Changshou could not understand it.

　　The Dao Ancestor said slowly, “His life and death, the fate of the world, are all in your hands. The Three Pure Ones were formed from Pangu’s essence soul. The two Saints of the Western Sect only cared about themselves. Nuwa was a decisive person. Hao Tian was too closely related to the Heavenly Dao. Only you were the most reliable. Do you need any rewards?”

　　Li Changshou hesitated for a while and sighed. “It’s my fortune to be able to share Grandmaster’s worries.”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun looked regretful. He took out a bronze tripod from his sleeve and stuffed it back.

　　“I originally wanted to give you the Cosmic Cauldron that killed Rahu in advance. If you want to offer it selflessly, forget it.”

　　Li Changshou widened his eyes and almost fainted.

　　“Grandmaster, look at my Golden Body of Merit.”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun smiled and squinted. “Didn’t I say that you should use 99%?”

　　“But this…”

　　“Hahahaha!”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun clapped and laughed. He took out a stone fragment from his sleeve and threw it into Li Changshou’s hand.

　　“Cultivate well and perfect your balanced Great Dao as soon as possible. I can also avoid being disturbed by the Heavenly Dao. Go back. If the Heavenly Dao causes disturbances later, I will send you a message.”

　　Li Changshou wanted to say more, but Dao Ancestor Hong Jun waved his hand gently. Light and shadows circulated in front of his eyes. In a flash, he appeared on the vast and boundless waves.

　　Is this… the East Ocean?

　　Previously, everything seemed like a dream. Only the stone piece in his hand was rather realistic.

　　Li Changshou stood up out of thin air and looked at the stone piece in his hand. There were a few Dao patterns engraved on it. It was naturally a cultivation technique.

　　Back then, did the Dao Ancestor merge with the Heavenly Dao to stop Senior Lang from becoming a Saint and destroying the Primordial World?

　　The living beings formed by the will of the Pangu God were about to be born from the Heavenly Dao and escape the control of the Heavenly Dao?

　　This…

　　He had to be steady. Even if the Dao Ancestor was the one who instilled this information into him, he could only believe 60%, no, 40%.

　　History was written by the victors. No matter how unrestrained Hong Jun was, he should not have destroyed the Primordial World.

　　Is the Dao Ancestor really purely taking the responsibility of protecting living beings?

　　Li Changshou put away the stone tablet and was a little confused. His body turned into a fish and escaped into the East Ocean. He rushed towards a safe house in the East Ocean.

　　He had to calm down and think about the current situation and the mission that the Dao Ancestor had given him. He had to consider whether he should report this matter to his teacher. That was the most important thing.

　　Hence, three months later…

　　Li Changshou pretended that nothing had happened and quietly returned to the Little Qiong Peak.

　　———-