Chapter 6: Hidden Mist Mountain

After considering the arguments from the two Innate Divine Demons, Lin Yuan learned there were two reliable ways to reverse innateness.

The first method was for a Postnatal Being to reverse to innateness by reversing a cultivated power back to its primal origin. Through understanding that innate mystery, they could thus forge themselves into an Innate Divine Demon body.

The second method required finding an innate treasure perfectly aligned with one’s own fundamental origin. By merging with the innate mysteries within it, one could ascend through intense battle and condense an Innate True Spirit.

However, innate treasures were exceedingly rare and precious, accessible only through great destiny or immense fortune. Instinctively, Lin Yuan preferred the first method.

He could evolve Evil-Warding Golden Thunder, this formidable thunder method, into an Innate Thunder Method and nurture his Innate True Spirit!

…

The century-long discourse ended silently as the two Innate Divine Demons departed. Before leaving, they cast a final glance at the seven or eight beings still persevering at the gathering site.

Over the hundred years, numerous beings had come and gone. Yet only these seven or eight, including Lin Yuan, had endured till the end.

“You have received wisdom from us two. We hope you dedicate yourselves to the Great Dao. Achieve greatness in the future and honor the fortune you found today!”

The Everlasting Divine Demon seemed to smile softly. Their lingering whispers drifted down the clear stream. Then, two figures transformed into streaks of light that shot into the clouds and vanished.

“We humbly thank our esteemed masters for sharing the Dao!”

All present rose and bowed respectfully before breaking into joyful expressions.

The lessons from these two Innate Divine Demons were profoundly enlightening. Both the cultivation methods for Turbid Fiend Demon Gods and the methods to reverse to innateness were priceless treasures.

With dedicated practice somewhere secluded, they could soon achieve rebirth!

Yet some faces showed helplessness. Many beings found the lectures unbearably dull. Unable to withstand the fatigue and boredom, they had fallen asleep, grasping only fragments of true insight. Others remained baffled throughout, failing to grasp any key concepts.

In small groups, the beings began rising. Many familiar faces approached each other to exchange insights, hoping to glean wisdom from others.

Lin Yuan stood still, observing the crowd. The discourse of the Innate Divine Demons might not truly end. They could reappear anytime if inspired.

He decided to inquire further before making plans.

Approaching a kindly-faced being, Lin Yuan was recognized by others. They noticed he was among the rare few who had fully immersed himself in the entire lecture.

Eager to connect, they answered his questions readily when he approached them.

Lin Yuan reciprocated, sharing some personal insights. However, regarding the core method of reversing to innateness, he remained vague, claiming shallow understanding.

The Dao shouldn’t be carelessly shared. Such actions would defy the intentions of the Innate Divine Demons and invite unnecessary conflict.

Soon, Lin Yuan obtained the information he sought and also learned about the current state of the Primordial World.

To his immense surprise, he heard a startlingly familiar name: Taiyi. Known now as Emperor Taiyi of the Demon God Lineage, or the overlord of all Demon God Lords.

Stranger still, when Lin Yuan mentioned Primordial Heavenly King—equated with Pangu—it emerged that Pangu hadn’t created the Primordial World. This Primordial Heavenly King was merely the head disciple of Purple Heaven Palace in ancient times.

According to a well-versed being, Heavenly King Pangu attempted to prove Dao by force, seeking to overwhelm all paths with his own. He failed to shatter the Heavenly Dao. His essence fragmented, splitting into the Three Purities. The Three Purities inherited the legacy left by Heavenly King Pangu, the most powerful Chaos Demon God. Currently, they remained obscure, rumored only to cultivate on Jade Capital Mountain.

This starkly contradicted Lin Yuan’s understanding.

Still, it was said the Three Purities possessed Heavenly King Pangu’s profound insight into world-creation. Simultaneously while shaping existence, they touched the Primordial Origin realm. Supreme Dao Lord, Lingbao Dao Lord, and Yu Xu Dao Lord—the Three Purities Dao Lords—were among the Demon God Lords likeliest to attain Sagehood.

After a contemplative pause, Lin Yuan suppressed his confusion and addressed the being, “Friend Hei Zhuo, weren’t the three main disciples of Purple Heaven Palace Pangu, Nüwa, and Taiyi? Though Heavenly King Pangu is no more, shouldn’t the Heavenly Court then revere the Earth Mother Goddess as supreme?”

“Friend?” A being with a ruddy face and flowing three-foot beard stirred slightly upon hearing this.

Lin Yuan explained, “Since fate gathered us here to hear the Dao, we fortunate souls share kindred purpose. Are we not friends?”

Many exchanged thoughtful glances, expressions varying, yet all held a flicker of warmth at the sentiment.

Hei Zhuo laughed gently, “Though Earth Mother Goddess founded the Demon Sect as its chief, rivals exist among the Demon God Dao Lords.”

“Truthfully, many Chaos Demon Gods could vie for the Celestial Emperor position. Only Emperor Taiyi reigning as Heavenly Emperor brings the best outcome.”

Lin Yuan felt a stir of understanding—this era must be the so-called reign of the Heavenly Emperor!

Joy blossomed within him. This truly was monumental opportunity!

The Wu Sect was newly formed, the Mystic Gate still nascent. Great chaos had just begun to sprout.

Complex ripples spread through the crowd’s expressions. Everyone knew Goddess Nüwa and a mighty Wu Sect Dao Lord competed fiercely for the Earth Emperor position among the Three Sovereigns. Both divine matrons now wrestled with full intensity.

After brief exchanges, the beings agreed to reunite at Stone Chamber Mountain in a hundred years. They then scattered towards their dens, eager to contemplate the truths they had gathered.

Lin Yuan’s gaze fixed on one specific listener amid the departing crowd—

A being of the Human Race, self-titled Chisongzi.

Humans had already emerged, scattered across the Primordial World. Yet they paled against Demon God Tribes, even the strongest Jiuli Tribe couldn’t compare.

His plan to spread the Twenty-Four Solar Terms might now rely on human tribes below the mountain.

Lin Yuan observed the human cultivator silently, ideas flickering. He chose not to approach just yet.

…

After the lectures ended, Chisongzi prepared immediately to return to the human tribe below the mountain. As one of its two elders, guarding the tribe weighed heavily upon him.

A century away made his heart race anxiously like a loosed arrow home.

He softly sang as he walked:

By cloud-white crane, Daoyou lives his life,

A lute, a sword, a cup of tea plain.

Immortal robes gleam through mist and skies bright,

Unstained by worldly blossoms or mundane.

Why roam the Four Seas through mortal strife?

What drives the bitter toil for Dao’s plain?

Better return and grasp the Way’s true might—

Be home among the carefree Divine Immortal reign!

Pure stillness holds our true estate,

No mortal dust can dim our roots innate.

Seek famed masters to grasp the Great Dao grand—

At Dragon Flower Feast on sacred jade land.

The verses drifted afar. They reached not just Chisongzi but also stirred a peculiar presence cultivating atop a peak a hundred miles beyond Hidden Mist Mountain.

Amid swirling clouds and mountain mist stood a figure. An exquisitely handsome, white-haired youth with childlike features opened his eyes.

“‘Pure stillness holds our true estate, Unstained by worldly roots innate’?” he murmured softly, surprise touching his expression.

Unheard before, these verses seemed ordinary but held profound depth… and faintly resonated with his own Dao.

A light laugh escaped him. His Primordial Spirit stirred, probing the unseen shifts of Heavenly Dao. Confusion briefly crossed his face. Then, he vanished without trace.