Primordial Era: I really don't want to be the Heavenly Emperor!

Chapter 248 Connecting Cause and Effect, the Truth of the Great Tribulation

The aftershocks of the great battle in the sky subsided, leaving only Donghua standing there, being looked up at by everyone.

Yes, looking up!

At this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed on Donghua.

Those who understood Donghua's final attack were filled with shock and disbelief, because they all realized that it was neither the Dao of the Primordial World nor an attack method from the Primordial World.

Those who didn't understand were only shocked and awestruck. That was respect for strength and for the powerful, regardless of factional differences, because they didn't know what it was. They only knew that Donghua first beheaded Taiyi and then Shenni, displaying unparalleled divine might!

So sometimes it's better for people to be a little ignorant!

The earth membrane that the Earth Book had transformed into had disappeared. Donghua descended from the sky and looked at these old acquaintances in Longevity Mountain. He felt a real sense of familiarity.

Having spent so long in the chaos, he was indeed not used to it, and he still preferred a world with human touch.

"Fellow Daoists, it's been a long time! I've missed you all so much!"

The armor on Donghua's body instantly dissipated, transforming into a pure white lotus that fell into his body. He strolled forward, smiling as he looked at the Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, Zhunti, Zhenyuanzi, Hongyun, and others opposite him.

"What's so special about a mere one-yuan gathering, or a hundred thousand years?"

Zhen Yuanzi responded with a smile, but then his face fell, and he looked sorrowful and regretful as he said to Donghua:

"Look, it's all because of you, Donghua, that half of my Longevity Mountain has been destroyed. I don't know how long it will take to recover. It breaks my heart. I, Zhen Yuanzi, am truly unfortunate. I made a terrible mistake in choosing my friends!"

Donghua helplessly pointed at Zhen Yuanzi with a look of disgust.

"You cunning Zhen Yuanzi! I've just survived two major battles, and instead of offering me a cup of tea or some ginseng fruit to soothe my throat, you're here making insinuations about me. I've truly misjudged you!"

Donghua's regretful and heartbroken expression left Zhen Yuanzi speechless. "What a fellow! I haven't even made a move on you yet, and you've already set your sights on my ginseng fruit. Absolutely brilliant!"

The conversation between the two made the solemn atmosphere instantly relaxed, as if nothing had happened before, and it was just a gathering of fellow Daoists.

"Do you think I'm as petty as you?" Zhen Yuanzi glanced at Donghua with disdain, then looked at the crowd and said softly:

"Fellow Daoists, fellow Daoists, thank you all for your hard work and sacrifice in coming to rescue my Wanshou Mountain. Zhen Yuanzi once again expresses his gratitude."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhen Yuanzi bowed slightly to the crowd. The bow was very low and merely a symbolic gesture, which the crowd accepted without hesitation.

"I have prepared a banquet inside the temple. I hope you fellow Daoists will do me the honor of joining us for a chat!"

After some modesty and pleasantries, everyone agreed.

Donghua did not rush inside, but instead looked at the people in the Purple Mansion and the demon army that had already surrendered.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

After exchanging greetings, Donghua gestured to everyone not to stand on ceremony, then looked at Fuxi and said, "Well done, thank you for your hard work, Fellow Daoist Fuxi!"

He was very satisfied with Fuxi's actions, especially his final persuasion of the large demon army to surrender. This not only prevented damage to the Purple Mansion but also further increased its strength, achieving two goals at once, which was truly excellent.

Moreover, if the Purple Mansion wants to rule the world, then the demon race is an unavoidable existence. Since the demon race cannot be completely eradicated, the only option is to use both kindness and force to subdue some people and suppress others.

Fuxi shook his head and said, "Your Majesty's divine might has descended, and all races have submitted, including the demon race. Therefore, Fuxi dares not take credit!"

Donghua smiled helplessly and said no more. He looked at the many demons who were surrounded and divided by the Purple Mansion army, and then waved his hand to signal the Purple Mansion army to retreat.

"My fellow demon brothers, I believe you all know me, Donghua. The prehistoric world is now at a crucial juncture, a time when the Purple Mansion is about to ascend to the world."

"You were all people of the Heavenly Court of the Demon Clan before, but from today onwards, you only have one identity, which is that of people of the Purple Mansion. I don't care what positions you held in the Demon Clan or in the Heavenly Court before, but after arriving at the Purple Mansion, everything needs to start over."

"This also means that you have no merit, but you also have no blemishes or karma. You are the fresh blood of the Purple Mansion, like a blank sheet of paper. What you will become in the end is up to you."

"Therefore, are you all willing to follow me, Donghua, to establish great achievements, build a new supreme heavenly court, and create a magnificent primordial world?"

Donghua made no promises to the demons, nor did he pursue any questions, as if they were just a group of newcomers who had voluntarily joined the Purple Mansion.

And these are precisely the things that the demon race needs, because they represent respect!

"I am willing to follow the God of Donghua, Your Majesty!"

A demon king of the Taiyi clan knelt on one knee, his attitude sincere. It was clear that this was his true thought, because if it were fake, it wouldn't fool Donghua or the powerful beings present.

As the Taiyi Demon King knelt in allegiance, countless other demons followed suit, their darkness covering the entire Wanshou Mountain.

"Okay, okay, okay!"

Donghua clapped his hands and laughed, waving his hand to signal that all one million demons had stood up.

"Now that we have met our fellow demon brothers for the first time, I, Donghua, will present you with a gift."

After Donghua finished speaking, he raised his hand and had the three members of the human race, Suiren, Zhisheng, and Youchao, stand in front of him.

"Greetings, teacher!"

The three felt a sense of kinship upon seeing Donghua, a connection stemming from their shared blood and soul.

"Yes, no need for formalities. You've suffered greatly during this calamity!"

It would have been better if he hadn't said those words. As soon as he did, the woman named Zhisheng burst into tears, which made Donghua's heart skip a beat.

You've brought this upon yourself!

"Teacher, of the billions of people in the human race, only tens of millions survived this great calamity. We beg you, teacher, to do us justice!" Suirenshi knelt down in grief before Donghua.

Donghua stepped forward and personally helped the three of them up, saying softly, "I know the bitterness in your hearts, but which of the myriad races in the primordial world has not experienced suffering? Back then, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin races were almost wiped out by the ferocious beast race."

"When the Witch Clan was rising to power, it was almost slaughtered by the Demon Clan. If it weren't for the strength of the Twelve Demon Gods back then, the Witch Clan probably wouldn't exist today."

"Even the demon race, weren't they once the food source for the three primordial races and countless other races?"

At this point, Donghua stepped forward and gently patted Suirenshi on the shoulder, saying, "So I think that although the human race suffered heavy losses in this great calamity, you should learn something from it and establish the characteristics of your own race, just like the upright spirit of the Wu race."

"Because a race without spirit and energy can't accomplish anything!"

The three members of the Suiren clan felt as if they had been struck hard in the heart, and at that moment they seemed to have grown a lot.

He then knelt down before Donghua again and said, "Thank you for teaching me, Teacher!"

Donghua accepted the bow, then asked everyone to stand up, but inwardly he thought: "Toxic chicken soup is indeed useful!"

"I have summoned you here today because I have something to tell you. The million demons here have killed many humans, and many of your descendants have died at their hands."

"But now that they have submitted to the Purple Mansion, the karma between you and me, Donghua, and the Purple Mansion will take over. Is that acceptable?"

"Teacher, this, this..." The three were shocked and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Donghua said again, "Don't worry, taking on this karma doesn't mean I won't let you seek revenge. If you want to take revenge on any of them in the future, I agree. I will set up a arena in the Purple Mansion for a fair duel, with no regard for life or death. In your next life, the Purple Mansion will personally guide you back. Is that acceptable?"

After thinking for a moment, Suirenshi said, "Since my teacher has pleaded for mercy, I, on behalf of the human race, agree to settle this matter here."

"Alright!" Donghua responded. After he finished speaking, the power of the Great Dao dissipated, and the Great Dao of Cause and Effect blessed the millions of demons. Their cause and effect with the human race was instantly transferred to Donghua.

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty……"

Seeing this, the demons were deeply moved, and even some other powerful beings were quite touched. These causes and effects might not amount to much in one or two instances, but when combined with millions of people, they amounted to a great deal.

However, for Donghua, this karmic debt is nothing. If he wants, he can erase it at any time using the power of Xuanhuang merit within his body.

But if you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way. You have to project this righteous and awe-inspiring image so that these demons can feel the warmth of the Purple Mansion and then risk their lives for you.

His idea was to use the demon race to attack the demon race and to use the demon race to manage the demon race.

"It's alright!" Donghua stopped everyone from speaking, then turned to the several emperors of the Purple Mansion and said:

"Longbo, Da Siming, you shall lead the army back to the Purple Mansion. I will soon return to the Purple Mansion myself!"

"yes!"

The vast army of the Purple Mansion and the newly surrendered demon army began their orderly retreat back to the Purple Mansion in the East Sea.

At this moment, Donghua's gaze fell on Kunpeng and Styx, and a powerful aura emanated from them. The power of the Emperor's Way, like a rule, surrounded the heavens and earth, instantly suppressing the two of them to their original positions.

"Today, I also want to announce something to all fellow Daoists: Fellow Daoist Hongyun's Primordial Purple Qi is in my possession. If any fellow Daoists wish to comprehend it, they can come directly to me. Do not seek out Fellow Daoist Hongyun anymore, or I will be angry!"

"Do you two understand?"

Styx didn't dare to breathe loudly, fearing that Donghua's sword would strike him. He wasn't Shen Ni, and he wasn't truly immortal.

Kunpeng's sinister eyes tried to reveal a hint of a smile, but he found it was better not to smile at all.

"We understand. Please rest assured, Fellow Daoist Donghua, we are here today only to help Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi and Fellow Daoist Hongyun. We have no other intentions."

Donghua chuckled and said, "That would be best!"

At this moment, Hongyun's lips were almost curled up to her ears, clearly indicating that she was very happy.

"It's so great to have someone back you up!"

"However, I must also become stronger as soon as possible, so as not to fall too far behind Fellow Daoist Donghua."

Zhen Yuanzi also seemed very happy, and said cheerfully, "Fellow Daoists, please come into the temple for a chat!"

"please!"

"please!"

Donghua followed the others into Wuzhuang Temple, where a grand banquet began. Many powerful figures were all smiles as they tasted ginseng fruit, drank spiritual tea and wine, and admired the fairies' graceful dances, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

This is the life that immortals should have!

Can someone who spends all day fighting and killing be called a god?

Donghua turned around and inadvertently noticed that although Zhen Yuanzi was smiling, it was very forced, and he looked preoccupied.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, why are you troubled?"

Upon hearing Donghua's voice, everyone stopped and looked at Zhenyuanzi, since they were guests and he was the host.

Zhen Yuanzi sighed and said, "I've spoiled the enjoyment of you all, please forgive me."

"The grand formation was initially set up with the ginseng fruit tree as its foundation. Later, Taiyi forcibly broke the formation, damaging the roots of the ginseng fruit tree. Now, its very essence has been damaged, and its level is estimated to drop to that of a top-tier spiritual root."

Everyone then understood why Zhen Yuanzi was so worried; anyone would be distressed by such a thing.

However, no one spoke. After all, the ginseng fruit was a top-tier innate spiritual root, and it would be extremely difficult, perhaps even impossible, to cure the power of origin, because the primordial world was currently lacking in primordial energy.

"It's nothing, fellow Daoist, why worry!" Donghua leisurely sipped a cup of spiritual tea, and then a ball of innate purple energy and chaotic source energy appeared in his hand.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, can this item revive your ginseng fruit tree?"

However, everyone in the hall stared intently at the innate purple energy and chaotic source energy in Donghua's hand, their eyes filled with greed, even the Three Pure Ones were no exception.

The allure of these two items to them is no less than that of a top-tier innate spiritual treasure, or even an innate supreme treasure.

Because it's just so rare!

The reason why innate deities are so powerful is because they are born from the laws of the Great Dao, and also because of their innate purple energy.

It can be said that the innate purple aura is one of the most important components of innate divinity.

Chaotic Origin Qi is an important component of innate treasures, and is the origin of innate treasures.

"Brother Donghua, this, this, this is far too precious. I am unworthy of it, truly unworthy!"

Zhen Yuanzi said he felt unworthy of the gift, but his actions betrayed his words. He quickly took it from Donghua and even used his supernatural ability, "Sleeve Universe," to deliver it.

"Hahaha..." Donghua couldn't help but laugh out loud. If it weren't for that opportunity in the chaos, he probably wouldn't be any different from these people.

Tongtian looked at Donghua with burning eyes and asked eagerly, "Junior Brother Donghua, do you have any other Chaos Origin Qi? Could you give me some? I can exchange it for a spiritual treasure, or you can name your terms!"

Tongtian saw the possibility of Donghua's Four Swords of Zhuxian being upgraded to innate supreme treasures from the chaotic primordial energy. This was the only chance; there was no other way.

Donghua instantly understood Tongtian's thoughts and said with a smile, "Do you think this Chaos Origin Qi is as common as cabbage? The amount of Chaos Origin Qi needed for the Four Swords of Zhuxian to advance to the level of a Primordial Treasure is not small."

"Alas, I was just being presumptuous!" Tongtian sighed regretfully, realizing that he had lost his composure. The preciousness of Chaos Origin Qi goes without saying; otherwise, innate treasures wouldn't be so rare.

"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, I..." Donghua was about to say something when a voice suddenly rang in his ears:

"Come to Zixiao Palace immediately!"

These words were not spoken to Donghua alone; everyone present heard them, or perhaps they were originally addressed to the guests in Zixiao Palace.

"Our Master has summoned us; we shall go!"

"Okay, let's go together!"

As soon as they finished speaking, the group flashed out of Longevity Mountain and headed straight for the Chaos beyond the Nine Heavens.

……

Inside the Purple Cloud Palace!

Everyone sat down in their original positions, with Donghua positioned between Nuwa and Jieyin.

At this time, only a few hundred of the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace arrived. However, with the appearance of Hongjun, the gates of Zixiao Palace were closed, which meant that those people would never return.

"Greetings, Master/Teacher!"

Hongjun nodded and said, "No need for formalities!"

"I have called you here today to tell you two things. The first thing concerns the identity and past of Shenni."

Tai Shang asked, puzzled, "Master, isn't Shen Ni the Beast King of the ferocious beast clan? Does he have another identity?"

Hongjun nodded and then shook his head, flicked the whisk in his hand, and slowly said:

"In fact, the so-called ferocious beast race does not exist. They are just ordinary races. There are only five that can truly be called ferocious beasts: Taotie, Chaos, Qiongqi, Taowu, and Shenni!"

"As for the other ferocious beasts, they are merely myriad races infected by the power of destruction, who have lost their original wisdom and become ferocious beasts that only know how to destroy the world. This is also why some ferocious beasts can regain their senses."

Upon hearing this, Donghua had a flash of inspiration, as if he understood something, and then took out the sealed power of the world-destroying origin.

"Master, could it be that the true reason for the appearance of the ferocious beast race is this power of world-destroying origin?"

Hongjun waved his whisk and took the power of world destruction from Donghua. Then the Jade Disc of Creation appeared, and a mark was placed on the seal, reinforcing it once again.

With a flick of his finger in the void, a rift instantly opened in the Purple Cloud Realm, and sealed within the rift was a world-destroying power even larger than that in Donghua's hand.

Hongjun unleashed several hand seals in succession, and the power of the Great Dao and the Heavenly Dao permeated the Zixiao Palace. He then suppressed the world-destroying primordial power once again within the crack.

"This is all of Shen Ni's original power. After I killed Shen Ni, his original power was divided into four parts. I, Luo Hou, Yin Yang, and Qian Kun each suppressed one part. Later, after my fellow Daoists Yin Yang and Qian Kun perished, I brought the part of original power they suppressed back to the Zi Xiao Realm to suppress it."

"And the primal power in your hand is the same one that Rahu held. I never expected that he would leave that primal power in Taiyi's body."

"He truly has ulterior motives. If I ever see him again, I will certainly have a word with him!"

The words were spoken softly, but everyone seemed to sense an overwhelming killing intent.

At this moment, everyone's thoughts returned to the time of the battle between the Dao and the Demon. The old Daoist in front of them was not only the Dao Ancestor, but also a formidable killer.

The number of ferocious beasts and demons who died at Hongjun's hands was probably countless, and there were even some innate saints. The rise of a person is always accompanied by bloodshed.

Donghua himself is not a bloodthirsty person, but now his hands are still stained with the blood of many people, which is unavoidable.

After angrily speaking about Rahu, Hongjun continued, "The source of the power to destroy the world is actually Pangu, which comes from the void of the Great Dao. It is also the source of the power that Chaos wanted to destroy heaven and earth."

"Therefore, the power of destruction and the power of the Heavenly Dao are corresponding forces, and the two are naturally antagonistic, but they cannot be determined to win or lose, because the power of destruction and the power of the Heavenly Dao are of the same nature, both being immortal forces in the world."

"The Heavenly Dao was born from Pangu, and the destruction of the world was also born from Pangu. Therefore, the sages in the primordial world are immortal and indestructible. As for Shenni and the Four Fiends, as long as they are in the primordial world and belong to the Dao of the primordial world, they cannot be truly killed. They can only be sealed and reincarnated time and time again."

"However, as the Heavenly Dao grows stronger, the power to destroy the world also grows stronger, because the two are evenly matched, which is the origin of the Primordial Calamity!"

Yuanshi asked, puzzled, "Master, wasn't the Primordial Calamity a way for Heaven and Earth to deal with negative energy? How could it be connected to the power of destruction?"

Everyone looked at Hongjun with expectant eyes once again; this was the answer they all wanted to know.

Hongjun: "What you say is both right and wrong. The Great Tribulation does indeed lighten the burden on heaven and earth, but the real driving force behind it is the world-destroying power of the primordial world itself."

"After each great calamity, both the Heavenly Dao and the power of destruction will be strengthened. During the great calamity, the power of destruction is at its strongest and most active. If one is not careful, it may cause the world to shatter, and even the Heavenly Dao cannot stop it."

"Finally, when the immeasurable calamity arrives, the power of destruction will completely overwhelm the Heavenly Dao, and the true catastrophe will descend upon the primordial world, bringing silence to heaven and earth and the descent of all living beings."

"The Divine Rebellion and the Four Fiends are the embodiment of the power to destroy the world, so they cannot be truly killed. Moreover, they can replicate the Great Dao, attack methods, and so on of all living beings in the primordial world."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell into deep thought. Donghua seemed to understand why the heavenly secrets were chaotic during the Great Tribulation, and why the minds of cultivators were easily affected by external forces.

Because the Dao itself contains the power to destroy the world during the Great Tribulation, how can the coexistence of the two not affect people's minds?

Donghua asked in a deep voice, "Master, is there truly no solution to the immeasurable eons?"

Hongjun smiled and said nonchalantly, "What in the world is unsolvable? The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine, and one is missing. The immeasurable eons are no exception."

"If we can survive the immeasurable eons, then the primordial world will truly be eternal, equal to the Great Dao. The power to destroy the world will also dissipate within the primordial world. At that time, the primordial world will truly be a great age, and all living beings will have the hope of attaining the Dao, even if they are just ordinary creatures!"

The Purple Cloud Palace was completely silent. Everyone was deep in thought, slowly digesting everything Hongjun had said, trying to grasp something from it, something that would be beneficial to them.

But the more Donghua thought about it, the more something seemed wrong. If Shen Ni and the others were the embodiment of the power to destroy the world, then why did they appear at the beginning of the world and even become so powerful?

This is unreasonable!

It should be noted that the Heavenly Dao Power, which corresponds to the power of world destruction, was only in its infancy at that time. So how could the power of world destruction manifest five true forms and eventually infect so many races, thus creating the ferocious beast race?

Donghua looked at Hongjun with a puzzled expression, only to find that the other party was also looking at him, and nodded slightly.

He immediately swallowed the question he was about to ask, clearly because Hongjun didn't want everyone to know the answer to this question.

Nuwa, standing to the side, was also smiling as she looked at him. Clearly, the other party had also noticed something was wrong and had received a hint from Hongjun.

"Interesting, very interesting, truly interesting. To be able to keep Hongjun silent, it seems that the ferocious beast clan and Shenni must have a great secret."

……

P.S.: I was quite busy on Monday, so it's a little late. 6,000 words!

(End of this chapter)