Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

The scene of the Netherworld quickly receded behind him. Xuanbao passed through layers of void and, following the guidance in the darkness, embarked on his journey to Zixiao Palace.

Along the way, Xuanbao's mind was filled with turbulent thoughts.

Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor, is the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao and the one who governs the workings of the primordial world. This sudden summons is anything but ordinary. Has he noticed that I, this "variable," am interfering too much with the Heavenly Dao's trajectory? Or has I disrupted some of his plans? Or... is there a deeper meaning?

Xuanbao's mind raced, quickly reviewing everything he had done since his transmigration. Obtaining the treasure at Buzhou Mountain, becoming a disciple at Kunlun, establishing the Dao of Humanity, forging a bond with the Witch Clan, blocking the River Styx, helping Houtu transcend reincarnation, taking control of the Netherworld, creating the Holy Spirit Clan… Every step, seemingly following the natural course, actually carried the intention of altering the predetermined trajectory. Especially the matter of reincarnation. Originally, after Houtu's body transformed into reincarnation, her will was confined to the Pingxin Palace, and the power of the Netherworld would subsequently be divided among various parties. Now, however, things were very different. Houtu achieved the status of a Sage of the Earthly Dao with her complete will, holding great power in the Netherworld. Furthermore, due to the Holy Spirit Clan, her reincarnation was complete and smooth, the Earthly Dao was stable, and it almost completely blocked any gaps for outsiders to interfere.

All of this must be under the watchful eyes of Heaven, or rather, Hongjun.

"What's meant to be will be." Xuanbao suppressed his distracting thoughts, his gaze gradually calming. Things had come to this point; worrying was pointless. He was now bound by multiple karmic connections and the fortunes of both the human and earthly paths, and had the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa as his backers. Even though Hongjun was the Dao Ancestor, he still had to follow certain rules and might not directly resort to drastic measures. Moreover, his actions, at least on the surface, were all for the purpose of mending the heavens and earth and stabilizing the primordial world—acts of great merit. Heaven was impartial, and the earthly path had also recognized them. Hongjun had no reason to directly punish him, not to mention that the many merits he possessed were not to be underestimated. It was a pity that time was too short; so many souls in the Human Emperor Banner had not yet been converted into merits, otherwise it would have been even safer.

As I pondered, the scene before me suddenly changed. Boundless chaotic energy surged, and an ancient, magnificent, and seemingly eternal purple palace quietly floated in the depths of the chaos, surrounded by purple mist and exuding a natural Daoist charm—it was the Purple Cloud Palace.

The palace gates opened silently, revealing a hazy interior where the details were obscured, except for a path that seemed to be paved with the laws of the Dao. Xuan Bao straightened his clothes, concealed his aura, and stepped onto the path.

The moment he stepped inside, time and space seemed to be strangely distorted. What seemed like an eternity was actually just a moment, and Xuanbao found himself inside the Zixiao Palace.

Outside the gates of Zixiao Palace, Haotian and Yaochi stood silently. Before they could react, Xuanbao threw two innate spiritual fruits over.

Haotian and Yaochi subconsciously accepted the spiritual fruit, exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with speechlessness. If they remembered correctly, this was the second time.

Xuanbao ignored Haotian and Yaochi. Even if they became the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother in the future, what difference would it make? They would still be useless and cowardly, tricked and beaten by a monkey. Xuanbao took a deep breath and stepped into the depths of Zixiao Palace. Inside the hall, Hongjun Daozu sat high on a lotus platform, his body surrounded by Daoist aura.

The Taoist's face was blurred, his features indistinct, as if shrouded in an invisible Taoist aura, or perhaps his "face" itself was the ever-changing ultimate truth of the Great Tao. Only his eyes were crystal clear, devoid of sorrow or joy, heaven or earth, containing only the endless, ceaseless cycle of birth and death, the unfolding, deduction, and reorganization of the laws of nature. Merely being swept by this gaze, Xuanbao felt as if everything about him, from the inside out, from the past to the future, had been laid bare, yet at the same time, nothing seemed to be "noticed" at all.

"Disciple Xuanbao greets Grandmaster." Xuanbao suppressed the tremor in his heart, and bowed respectfully according to proper etiquette. He performed the salute of a disciple of the Three Pure Ones and a grand-disciple of Hongjun.

Hongjun did not respond immediately. Those double pupils simply looked at him calmly, their gaze seemingly penetrating his form and spirit, landing on the tangled and complex lines of fate and cause behind him that far exceeded common sense, or perhaps they were merely "observing" his current state.

The moment of silence felt incredibly long in the special space and time of Zixiao Palace.

"Mysterious Treasure." Hongjun finally spoke, his voice calm, without fluctuation or emotion, like the voice of the Great Dao resounding directly into the depths of the true spirit, "Do you know that under the Heavenly Dao, the major trends are fixed, but minor trends can be changed?"

Xuanbao's heart skipped a beat, knowing that the main topic had arrived. He pondered for a moment, then respectfully replied, "Reporting to Grandmaster, this disciple has some knowledge. The workings of Heaven have their own course; this is the grand trend, like the rotation of the sun and moon, the changing of the seasons, and the evolution of Heaven and Earth—irreversible and inviolable. Yet, among all living beings, each has their own destiny and their own choices. Coincidences and the intertwining of cause and effect can create variables; this is the minor trend, like the branches of a stream, the falling leaves—it can be altered and changed, but ultimately it flows into the river of the grand trend and returns to the sea of ​​Heaven's Way."

This answer was a carefully considered statement from Xuanbao. He acknowledged the existence and inviolability of the Heavenly Way, while also emphasizing the agency and rationality of variables within it for all living beings. Finally, he pointed out that variables ultimately fall within the framework of the Heavenly Way, attempting to position himself as an "active variable within the great trend" rather than a "defector of Heaven."

Hongjun's gaze remained calm. The laws within his dual pupils seemed to ripple slightly at Xuanbao's words, but quickly returned to normal. "Houtu's transformation into reincarnation was predetermined. Yet her will remained undying, her Ancestral Witch origins undiminished, and she merged even more deeply with the Dao of Earth, achieving sainthood. Was this also predetermined?"

"Here it comes." Xuanbao's mind was tense, knowing this was the crucial question. He steadied himself and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Grandmaster, you are wise. Sister Houtu, with her compassionate heart, felt that all beings were helpless in the cycle of reincarnation and wished to sacrifice herself to mend the world. This heart and will moved heaven and earth, conforming to the benevolence of the heavens and the earth's way of benefiting all living beings. Her success was due to three things: first, her own great aspiration and perseverance; second, the response of the earth's origin and the recognition of heaven and earth; and third, the fortuitous opportunity of having a spiritual treasure to stabilize her form and spirit. This disciple believes that this was the inevitable awakening of the earth's way and a fortunate event for the perfection of the primordial world. With Sister Houtu's will preserved, she can better control reincarnation and regulate yin and yang, which is of the greatest good to heaven and earth and to all living beings. This is not against destiny, but rather destiny presented in a more perfect state through the efforts of all living beings and the convergence of opportunities."

Xuanbao attributed Houtu's success to "the inevitable awakening of the earth's way," "the efforts of all living beings," and "a stroke of luck," making no mention of his own crucial role in the process (the tortoise shell spirit treasure and the stabilization of the Human Emperor Banner), and defining the result as "a more perfect state," attempting to downplay the meaning of "change" and emphasize "optimization" and "inevitability."

Hongjun remained noncommittal and continued, "In the cycle of reincarnation, the Asura realm should rightfully belong to the Asura race created by the Styx River, to fulfill the principles of cause and effect and to balance karmic forces. You have replaced them with the Holy Spirit race; is there any explanation for this?"

Xuanbao, having been prepared, calmly replied, "Grandmaster, please forgive me. The Asura race has not yet emerged because Fellow Daoist Styx's own opportunities have not yet arrived, or perhaps his path is incompatible, preventing him from evolving in time. With the establishment of Reincarnation, the Six Paths are flawed, their operation sluggish, greatly hindering the balance of Yin and Yang and the cycle of life and death in the primordial world. As the Great Emperor of Fengdu, in charge of the Netherworld, seeing the flaws in Reincarnation and the sluggish operation of the Underworld, I am deeply worried. Therefore, I have boldly used the art of creation to obtain the pure life force of holy water, combining it with the pure innate soul, and with the enlightenment of my aunt Nuwa's creation source, to achieve a more harmonious balance in Reincarnation." The Holy Spirit Clan, whose original purpose was to "manage life and death, clarify cause and effect, cleanse sins, and safeguard order," fills this gap. This clan is born with an upright and righteous nature, capable of purifying the evils of the netherworld and assisting in the cycle of reincarnation. They greatly benefit the orderly cycle of reincarnation in the realms of the earth, the netherworld, and all living beings in the primordial world. This disciple believes that this addresses the urgent needs of heaven and earth, supplementing the requirements of reincarnation. Although it differs slightly from the original deduction, the result is better and aligns with the impartiality of heaven and the benevolent nature of earth. Furthermore, the establishment of the Holy Spirit Clan has already been recognized by the earthly way, which has bestowed merit upon them, demonstrating its approval.

After listening, Hongjun's eyes, which seemed to contain endless Dao principles, remained completely unmoved as he gazed silently at Xuanbao. A deeper silence descended upon Zixiao Palace. Only the reflections of the stars' birth and death, and the evolution of all things, mirrored on the dome and the ground, flowed silently.

Xuanbao maintained his bowed posture, but dared not relax his mind in the slightest. He could sense that Hongjun's "gaze" was not questioning or judging, but rather a pure "observation" and "assessment." He was assessing the truthfulness of his words, his motives, and the "value" and "risk" of himself as a "variable" to the overall Heavenly Dao.

After a long silence, Hongjun's calm and even voice rang out again, but he asked a seemingly unrelated question: "Looking at the primordial world, what is it like now?"

Xuanbao paused slightly, his mind racing. This question, seemingly broad, might actually contain a hidden meaning. He carefully chose his words before slowly replying, "Grandmaster, I observe that in the primordial world today, the witches and demons are locked in a standoff, and a calamity looms. This is a tribulation in the evolution of heaven and earth, one of the major trends. However, the human race is gradually rising, favored by the Heavenly Dao, their fortune is soaring, and their future is promising. Reincarnation has been newly established, the Earthly Dao is manifesting, Yin and Yang are in order, and the foundation of heaven and earth is more solid. The sages stand side by side, each wielding their own Great Dao, educating all beings and maintaining balance. Overall, the primordial world is undergoing a profound transformation, with both vitality and crisis coexisting. However, the Great Dao of heaven and earth evolves forward, and the overall trend is one of continuous improvement, moving towards a higher level of stability and prosperity."

He mentioned the Lich War (the general trend), highlighting key changes such as the rise of humanity, the establishment of the cycle of reincarnation, and the emergence of saints. He ultimately focused on a positive narrative of "evolution moving forward" and "continuous improvement," attempting to convey the perception that "although there are setbacks, the overall trend is positive."

"Evolution forward...constantly perfecting..." Hongjun repeated these eight words, and the trajectory of the laws within his dual pupils seemed to shift for a moment. "Do you believe that the power of all living beings can alter the direction of the Heavenly Dao?"

Xuanbao's heart tightened. This question was more pointed, hitting the core of the matter. He was silent for a moment, then looked up, his gaze meeting those eyes that seemed to see through everything, and said, word by word, "In my humble opinion, the great trend of Heaven is like a surging torrent, with its own predetermined course and final destination. This is the inevitable result of the laws of Heaven and Earth and the accumulation of cause and effect, and it is certainly not something that the power of a single or a few beings can completely reverse."

He first affirmed the irreversibility of the overall trend, which was the bottom line.

"However," Xuanbao changed the subject, his tone still calm but with a certainty, "as the torrent rushes on, it bypasses mountains, fills ravines, and splits when it encounters rocks. All living beings are like grains of sand and fish in the river. Individually, they may seem insignificant, but when billions gather, their actions, wills, and strengths intertwine, they can influence the speed of the flow, the straightness or winding of the river, and even the myriad scenes along the way. Sages transcend, and with a single thought, they can move mountains and rivers; the powerful gather, and they can determine the winds and clouds of a region; even ordinary people, with billions of thoughts directed in their hearts, can also create momentum, subtly influencing the workings of heaven."

"Therefore, I believe that although the power of all living beings cannot change the fundamental direction of the great trend, it can influence the speed of its progress, its form, and the weight of its cost. Just as Sister Houtu transformed into reincarnation, it was the inevitable trend of completing the world. However, she became a saint with a complete will and was better able to control reincarnation. This is an example of how the efforts of all living beings (Houtu's will, the protection of the Wu tribe, and even... my humble contribution) and the convergence of opportunities influenced the concrete manifestation of this great trend. The great trend has not changed, but its 'appearance' has become better."

Xuanbao once again used the matter of Houtu as an argument, emphasizing that "the general trend has not changed (reincarnation has been established)," but "the specific form (Houtu's state, control of reincarnation) has been optimized due to the efforts of all living beings."

"As for completely reversing the general trend..." Xuanbao shook his head slightly. "In my humble opinion, unless a power beyond the current level of the Heavenly Dao intervenes, or the world itself undergoes a fundamental transformation, the general trend, like the Dao, cannot be reversed. However, in the torrent of the general trend, we should go with the flow, borrow its strength, and guide it towards a more virtuous, stable, and less calamous path, reducing losses along the way and protecting more living beings. This is the responsibility that all living beings, especially those of us who have achieved success in cultivation, should fulfill, and it is also where the Dao lies."

He concluded by clarifying his stance: not to defy Heaven, but to strive to optimize the process, reduce costs, and protect all living beings while conforming to the natural order. This was both a self-defense and an implicit articulation of a philosophy.

Silence fell once more within the Purple Cloud Palace. Hongjun's gaze remained fixed on Xuanbao, the laws being deduced in his dual pupils seemingly more complex and swift, countless lights and shadows appearing and disappearing, as if calculating the myriad possibilities behind Xuanbao's words, assessing the role this "variable" might play in the future evolution of the primordial world, and the true ideals and boundaries behind his words and actions.

Xuanbao could feel an indescribable "gaze" enveloping him, seemingly originating from the very source of the primordial world. It was neither malicious nor benevolent, but simply an absolutely objective "examination," like the Heavenly Dao observing the workings of all things. Under this gaze, he felt that all his secrets, thoughts, and even the deepest desires of his soul seemed to be laid bare. However, the gaze was merely "observation," without delving into anything or exerting any pressure.

Time seemed to have lost its meaning. No one knew how much time had passed—perhaps a moment, perhaps ten thousand years.

Hongjun slowly withdrew his gaze, his dual pupils returning to their serene state. He did not directly comment on Xuanbao's lengthy discourse, but simply said, "Now that reincarnation is established and the Dao of the Underworld has manifested, the Netherworld should operate in an orderly manner, and Yin and Yang should be balanced and not disordered. Since you have assumed the position of Fengdu, you should do your utmost to establish the rules, so that the souls of the dead have a place to return to, good and evil are rewarded accordingly, reincarnation is smooth, and the tranquility of the primordial world is not disturbed."

"The calamity of the Lich King has arisen, a consequence of the will of Heaven. Slaughter is rampant, and cause and effect are intertwined. You are deeply involved in it, so you must guard your true self, clearly discern cause and effect, and not let the calamity cloud your mind, nor let your selfish desires disrupt the will of Heaven. Going with the flow is acceptable; going against the flow and forcing things will only bring calamity."

"The rise of humanity is ordained by the will of Heaven. You are bound by the destiny of humanity and hold its most precious treasure. This is both an opportunity and a responsibility. You must guide it well, protect its foundation, lead it towards goodness, and guide it onto the righteous path. Do not fail the favor bestowed upon you by the will of Heaven."

"All the sages stand side by side, each holding the Great Dao, maintaining the balance of the primordial world. You are a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, and Nuwa has also shown you much favor; this is your blessing. You should respect your teachers and value the Dao, cultivate good relationships, but you must also understand that the struggle for the Great Dao has nothing to do with personal feelings, only with reason. Your actions should conform to your Dao and follow your heart, but you must also weigh the overall situation and consider the well-being of heaven and earth."

Hongjun's words, though seemingly plain and unremarkable, appeared to contain profound truths of the universe, each word striking Xuanbao's heart. There was no praise, no rebuke; it was more like an "information" and a "reminder." He was being informed of the Heavenly Dao's "view" and "bottom line" regarding certain key events, and reminded of the precautions he needed to take while caught in the vortex.

Finally, Hongjun glanced at Xuanbao, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of time and space, glimpsing a more distant future, yet also appearing as if he were merely speaking casually: "The primordial world is vast and boundless, full of endless variables. Where the Dao lies, though millions may oppose me, I will go. But know this: excessive rigidity leads to breakage, and excess leads to overflow. Take heed."

When Xuanbao looked up again, he found that Hongjun, who had just been talking to him, had undergone some strange changes. If before it was the absolute, objective, cold, and ruthless "observation" of the Heavenly Dao itself, then at this moment, it seemed to be mixed with a very faint, almost imperceptible, sense of... scrutiny? Or rather, the perspective of an "observer".

Xuanbao: !

What the hell? Hongjun is now a schizophrenic too. This is terrifying.

"Xuanbao, do you know who has vanished?"

Upon hearing this, Xuanbao felt a sudden shock, as if a thunderclap had exploded deep within his primordial spirit.

For a time traveler, hearing this is tantamount to being told right in their own nose that they are the one who escaped.

Hongjun's sudden question—was it a warning? A test? Or an implication?