Chapter 554: Chapter 554
The Daoist Ancestor's three-thousand-year lecture at Zixiao Palace has resulted in the attendees shifting from an opportunistic mindset to genuinely respecting him. Indeed, he truly imparts the Dao.
During this, both Taiqing and Nuwa, having accumulated enough, smoothly broke through to Quasi-Saint after Hong Jun completed his lecture on the complete Golden Immortal Dao.
Yuan Shi and Tongtian, fearing that breakthroughs might disrupt their lecture attendance, suppressed their progress slightly, falling a bit short. The duo from the West just reached a breakthrough level, equating to Yuan Shi and Tongtian.
As for the others who came later, they too gained significantly, but when compared to the front-runners, the difference was substantial.
The weakest were the Twelve Ancestor Witches, with all but Houtu asleep and even snoring, despite her efforts to concentrate.
Hong Jun hopes that his laborious lecture would bear results, but if attendees don't truly engage, he doesn't bother. As he concluded the three-thousand-year lecture, he put away the Creation Jade Scroll, saying, "The first lecture of three-thousand years ends. Three lectures will follow in due time. Seating is permanent. Now, depart."
With that, he vanished immediately.
Below, Nezha slowly returned to his senses, somewhat reluctant. The Power Dao in the Creation Jade Scroll was entirely different from his comprehension. If Nezha's understanding focused on unleashing greater strength from within, the Daoist Ancestor's vision involved harnessing the power of the heavens and earth. Their perspectives differed but neither could be deemed right or wrong.
The lecture in Zixiao Palace concluded perfectly. This session wasn't esoteric, and everyone gained something, albeit to varying extents.
No sooner did Nezha stand up than he received several invitations—from The Three Pure Ones, the Twelve Ancestor Witches, Di Jun, Taiyi, the Western duo, and Red Cloud Zhenyuanzi. Nezha declined them all, promising 'next time definitely.'
One reason being that with so many inviting, agreeing to any would be inappropriate; another being that whether returning directly or wandering for exploration, tagging along with others wasn't suitable.
Others didn't mind, as for immortals, time holds little value, yielding endless opportunities.
With Hao Tian and the Turquoise Pool's gates wide open, Three Thousand Red Dust Guests were either deep in thought or left in groups conversing. As they reached the entrance, Kunpeng, his face contorted, shouted, "Little brat! You blocked my fortune and path, today we'll settle this—it's life or death!"
Pitiful Kunpeng didn't even know Nezha's name yet.
All recalled the time Nezha showed a projection of Kunpeng eating feces!
Everyone unanimously took a step back. Kunpeng, in a sense, was formidable, for few could with a singular statement make Three Thousand Red Dust Guests retreat.
The crowd parted, revealing Nezha laughing with Tongtian and others.
"Do you intend to fight all of us?"
Overcome by anger, Kunpeng realized the presence of The Three Pure Ones, the Twelve Ancestor Witches, Di Jun, Taiyi, and others, and sobered up. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel·fıre·net
"No, no, I meant you, just you! Do you dare duel with me?"
He noticed Nezha's cultivation was at the Daluo Early Stage. Seeing Nezha's youth, he believed that even with a strong Taoist Body, Nezha couldn't win in a mana duel.
Nezha looked disdainful.
"I won't duel with someone who eats feces."
Though originally intending to leave, others paused to watch the drama unfold, and hearing Nezha's response, they looked at Kunpeng with mocking expressions.
Kunpeng didn't quite grasp the implication but seeing everyone's gaze, he knew Nezha had sullied his reputation.
"Brat, how dare you tarnish the qi of the Ancestor!"
Nezha had no intention of entertaining Kunpeng and retorted:
"You old fool, does everything wrong always stem from you? Why did I kick you out of Zixiao Palace and not others? Why can't you defeat me despite your age? Why does no one support you? Why is everyone mocking you? Reflect on yourself!"
"Have you worked hard in cultivation? Gathered treasures for body refining? Forged treasures for Dao protection? Cultivated Divine Skills diligently? Placed everything in cultivation?"
"Ending up a laughingstock—analyze your own issues! Get it?!"
Kunpeng, criticized by Nezha, found himself questioning his life, wondering if it was indeed his fault.
Other dissatisfied immortals likewise wondered if their circumstances stemmed from personal issues.
Soon after, a seemingly broken Kunpeng cried in madness, "Is it really my fault? It can't be, no way!"
Screaming and shouting, he fled, yes, fled.
Nezha had no intention of pursuing. Kunpeng's display bore semblance to pretending insanity to admit defeat, preserving the last vestige of dignity.
Were he to strike, he'd dare not.
If Kunpeng attempted to ambush Nezha, Nezha would be unfazed, no longer the naive child he once was—dare he come, Nezha would treat him like a basketball!
Arriving disjointed, they departed united, for Chaos is perilous and a group using various skills, perhaps backed by the Daoist Ancestor's implicit protection, returned to the Primordial Land.
Nezha's brothers warned him to visit when possible, then left one by one. Nezha, wiping sweat, finally relished a moment of solitude, feeling he really needed to improve his time management.
Having attended the three-thousand-year lecture at Zixiao Palace, Nezha had returned to peak condition. While Hong Jun didn't point out his problems in the first lecture, for the second and third, Nezha must attend. The difference between personally listening to Dao Ancestor's words and reading Nuwa's notes at the Creation and Transformation Mat was immense.
Nezha sensed that pushing through to derive his true path was a great opportunity.
With current free time, he strolled through the Primordial Land, walking around effortlessly using, naturally, his Divine Power. Now, Chaos and Desolation still had Buzhou Mountain, along with many races extinct in later times. Curious, Nezha wandered the landscape.
The scenery wasn't as grand as imagined, as the Primordial Land had just endured the Three Clans War, appearing devastated.
At this moment, the Daoist Ancestor hadn't yet harmonized, and the Heavenly Dao lacked absolute authority, suppressing immortals less than in future times. Where later top immortals produced a power ratio of 0.4, now it was around 0.9.
This is why tales frequently mention someone during the Ancient Era breaking the sky, or piercing the earth—modern immortals rely on treasures for combat, with their abilities seemingly diminished. The increased restrictions of the Heavenly Dao explain this.
Nezha supported this approach; though proficient in construction, he didn't fancy recurrent repairs of the Primordial Land. The damage they caused wasn't accountable to them, leading to escalating devastation.
The Daoist Ancestor can't perpetually amend their chaos; removing their 'demolition power' seems the best strategy.
Reflecting on these matters, Nezha unknowingly wandered to the West.
Observing the West's shattered earth veins and immense chasms, he glanced at the sky, sighing: Oh my, what a coincidence!
The battle between Dao and Demon had just concluded. The West had been devastated by battles involving Hong Jun, Luo Hou, Yin Yang Ancestor, Qiankun Ancestor, Yang Mei Immortal, and others nearly reaching Chaos Origin.
The aftermath left only two survivors: Yang Mei ventured into Chaos, and Hong Jun. However, Hong Jun, after winning, was busy achieving Saint, lecturing, then merging.
Busy with self-transformation, he transitioned from an employee to boss in the Primordial Land company. His perspective on the ravaged Western world shifted.
From considering how to repair it, he moved to minimize the cost of restoration.
Though he could manage it himself, his expertise wasn't assured, possibly leading to unpredictable results. Seeking professional help seemed optimal.
In the Primordial Land, who's the most qualified in this field?