On the high platform, the Divine Position Chart of Immortals was shrouded in a dim and profound glow, as if it had transcended the boundaries of heaven and earth, crossed the vast starry sky, and reached the ethereal immortal realm. A supreme and sacred aura radiated from it, transforming into lotus blossoms that stirred an urge to kneel and bow among everyone present.
The name emerged brilliantly, illuminating the entire venue. The four characters floated and flickered—“Yuan Shi Tian Zun,” the Supreme Venerable Primordial!
At the mention of Yuan Shi Tian Zun, including the county magistrate and the Taoist priest, everyone seemed to turn into statues of clay and wood. Their faces reflected golden light, their eyes wide with astonishment, as if they were caught in a waking dream.
Since the founding of the Taiping Tao by its master, who once dreamed of the Celestial Emperor and established the worship of the Yellow Heaven, the “Divine Communication Technique” had been passed down. Through generations, Taoist sages who communed with various immortals refined and improved it, eventually forming this Divine Position Chart. Initially, the Celestial Emperor was placed at the highest position. On either side were the Five Emperors of the Five Directions, along with Tianbao Tian Zun and Zhenyuan Daxian. Later, considering this was a Taoist heavenly court and a register of immortals, how could the Three Pure Ones be omitted? Thus, they were respectfully enshrined to show reverence. No one ever imagined that anyone could actually commune with one of them.
Indeed, over the millennia since the chart’s finalization, the Five Emperors, Zhenyuan, Tianbao, and others had all had at least one divine devotee appear. Though the Celestial Emperor’s devotee had not reappeared, it was known that the founder of the Taiping Tao had once dreamed of him and gained boundless supernatural powers. Yet the Three Pure Ones had never shown any divine sign from the beginning until now.
Yet today, within a small county, a young boy had received the favor of Yuan Shi Tian Zun, the first among the Three Pure Ones. How could anyone believe their own eyes?
Thousands of years had passed, and the Taiping Tao had already split into branches such as the Huguo Temple, Wudoumi Sect, and Huangjin Tao. Yet such an unprecedented event had occurred!
The Three Pure Ones have descended, and Yuan Shi has issued his decree—could it mean that something earth-shattering is about to happen?
Radiant light shone as each corner of the four characters “Yuan Shi Tian Zun” trailed chaotic, dark beams that fell into Gan Ruoxu’s Niwan Palace. He shuddered, feeling as if a chaotic, hazy seed had taken root in his mind—neither hot nor cold, neither large nor small.
The name receded back into the Divine Position Chart. The golden lotuses and light faded, and everything returned to normal. Only then did someone finally regain their senses, murmuring in reverence and awe:
“Yu Qing Zi Xu Gao Miao Tai Shang Yuan Huang Da Dao Jun…”
For some reason, instinctively modifying the usual respectful title “Yu Qing Zi Xu Gao Shang Yuan Huang Tai Shang Da Dao Jun” for Yuan Shi Tian Zun, this version seemed more fitting for the supreme and vast presence felt earlier.
This was a communion between heaven and man, naturally corrected. That was how he thought of it.
As this whisper spread, the youths attending the coming-of-age ceremony and the onlookers bowed their heads and softly chanted:
“Yu Qing Zi Xu Gao Miao Tai Shang Yuan Huang Da Dao Jun…”
Suddenly, as if the heavens had cracked open, fine rain began to fall. The droplets clung to their bodies, not wetting but instead bringing an indescribable comfort, as if even chronic ailments had healed without medicine.
It truly was Yuan Shi Tian Zun! It was Yu Qing Zi Xu Gao Miao Tai Shang Yuan Huang Da Dao Jun! In a nation built upon the Taoist Divine Communication Technique, the faith in Taoism was unimaginable. Thus, the chanting continued until Gan Ruoxu opened his eyes, turned around, and gazed down from the platform with a mix of confusion and ecstatic joy.
Xue Lian’s heart sank instantly, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. Gan Ruoxu had become a favored devotee of Yuan Shi Tian Zun—what should he do now?
He wished he hadn’t been so sarcastic earlier!
Looking into the eyes filled with both envy and awe, Gan Ruoxu felt as if he had tasted the sweetest and purest honey, an indescribable comfort and exhilaration. His parents had been forsaken, enduring discrimination, and he himself had often been bullied by classmates.
But today, all that pain and hardship had been repaid tenfold!
The time had come to finally hold his head high!
Though the county magistrate’s guardian deity was a sixth-level immortal, his long cultivation and deep communion allowed him to quickly recover from the shock, his mind racing:
After the Black Emperor, another favored devotee of Yuan Shi Tian Zun had appeared—an unprecedented situation. Was a chaotic era truly about to begin?
No, Gan Ruoxu must be sent to the capital immediately for protection, to prevent enemy assassins from striking before he could grow strong!
Unfortunately, the news couldn’t be contained… He sighed quietly. Normally, any private attempt would trigger anomalies. If one suspected their guardian deity ranked third level or higher, they must immediately report to the imperial court, undergo secret training in advance. But the third level included celestial beings like Jiutian Xuannü, Ziwei Xingzhu, Dǒu Mǔ Yuānjun, and Guangcheng Tianzun—rare occurrences, perhaps once in centuries. Thus, this regulation had long been forgotten. The same applied to the Black Emperor incident in the capital, and now Yuan Shi’s favor.
The county magistrate stepped forward, exchanged a glance with the Taoist priest, and proclaimed loudly: “Today, our Divine-Favored Nation has received the protection of Yuan Huang Da Dao Jun, an unprecedented event in ten thousand years. However, the world is not at peace. Enemy states and sorcerers often cause trouble, and may attempt assassination. I ask everyone to keep this secret for seven days.” His voice was smooth and magnetic, his eyes shimmering with a subtle violet glow that inspired trust and moved every citizen.
In this age of divine power, a favored devotee of Yuan Shi Tian Zun was a golden brand. In times of turmoil, whom would people follow—the chosen devotee of Yuan Shi Tian Zun or Xuanwu Dadi—or a third or fourth-level star lord? The answer was obvious. Just those few words were enough to raise a banner for founding a sect or a nation. If such a figure could not be controlled, it would be better to risk divine wrath and destroy him.
As for how the Divine-Favored Nation itself would handle it—whether out of reverence for the Tian Zun, nurturing him wholeheartedly, or seeking a scapegoat to let the devotee die young—the magistrate did not care. Sending him to the capital meant fulfilling his duty.
Influenced by supernatural forces and his words, everyone present felt the magistrate’s words made perfect sense and should be followed.
Then the magistrate turned to Gan Ruoxu, bowing respectfully without hesitation: “Master Gan, your status is of utmost importance. I must send you to the capital immediately for protection. I will grant you only fifteen minutes to bid farewell. Is that acceptable?”
“Agreed!” Gan Ruoxu, still a youth, was elated and full of vigor. Going to the capital suited him perfectly.
The magistrate glanced around and smiled: “To avoid drawing attention and suspicion from enemy states, I will send ‘Tianpeng Yuanshuai’ Wu Ju and others with you, under the pretext of seeking imperial recognition ahead of schedule.”
One part was sending him off, while another part dispatched urgent messages to the capital, ensuring swift awareness.
What was the communion with the Black Emperor compared to this? Here was a favored devotee of Yuan Shi Tian Zun!
…
In a long-neglected courtyard, Gan Ruoxu’s cheeks were flushed with excitement, his eyes shining brightly as he watched his parents step out of their room. Without waiting for their questions, he blurted out: “Father, Mother, I have received the favor of an immortal!”
His parents froze in unison, then suddenly burst into tears, their aged faces weeping like children, unleashing years of grievances and anguish.
“Good, good, good!” they repeated, finally managing to ask, “Which immortal?”
Gan Ruoxu smiled slightly: “It’s a secret for now. In seven days, you will know. I have gained the favor of the Huguo Temple and must go to the capital immediately for cultivation.”
“Good news, truly good news!” His parents did not press further, only vaguely sensing their son might have connected with a powerful immortal, possibly a fourth-level Star Lord.
…
Several carriages sped swiftly, with Gan Ruoxu and Wu Ju sitting opposite each other.
Wu Ju seemed slightly nervous, stealing glances at Gan Ruoxu until the latter looked back, forcing him to smile: “You always kept your experiences secret, afraid of scaring us.”
“I truly didn’t have anything unusual. But Yuan Shi Tian Zun symbolizes the Primordial Void—perhaps nothingness is more fitting.” Gan Ruoxu had calmed down and offered his own explanation.
Seeing Gan’s relaxed attitude, Wu Ju grew bolder: “What supernatural ability did you receive? Mine is ‘Celestial River True Art.’”
What supernatural power would Yuan Shi Tian Zun, the first among the Three Pure Ones, bestow upon his favored devotee?
Gan Ruoxu froze—had he received any supernatural ability at all?
Could it be that hazy, chaotic seed in his mind?
“It’s complicated. I haven’t fully understood it yet. I need time to comprehend.” Gan Ruoxu answered honestly.
Eager to curry favor, Wu Ju chatted amicably with him. By nightfall, the group reached the Huguo Academy in the prefectural city.
As soon as he stepped through the gate, Gan Ruoxu saw an elderly Taoist with white hair and beard rushing toward him at lightning speed, stopping abruptly before him, exclaiming excitedly: “Are you the favored devotee Gan?”
“Indeed, this humble one.” Gan Ruoxu smiled and bowed.
“Quickly, follow me.” The old Taoist ignored the others, leading Gan Ruoxu past the front Huguo Hall and into the “Sanqing Hall” behind. As they walked, he introduced himself: “I am the head of the Huzhou Huguo Academy. Upon receiving news that you have gained the favor of the Three Pure Ones and received Yuan Shi Tian Zun’s blessing, I came personally to guide you in your future cultivation.”
If nothing unexpected occurred, to prevent Yuan Shi Tian Zun’s favored devotee from aspiring to the throne or being tempted by enemy states, the next head of the Huguo Temple would likely be him—how could he not cultivate goodwill early?
“Thank you, Master.” Gan Ruoxu was indeed anxious about understanding his supernatural ability.
Inside the Sanqing Hall, Yuan Shi Tian Zun stood majestically in the center, Lingbao on the left, and Daode on the right. The entire hall was deep and sacred.
“After receiving the protection of a corresponding immortal, you must meditate daily before his statue, deepening the imprint, gradually transforming the supernatural seed into the immortal’s image… This power originates from the immortal himself or the corresponding heavenly authority. By strengthening the connection, you can gradually sense the immortal’s power or that aspect of the authority’s laws, enhancing the feedback…” The old Taoist pointed to a meditation cushion before Yuan Shi Tian Zun’s statue: “Sit here and meditate on the Tian Zun.”
Gan Ruoxu nodded, sat cross-legged, and followed the Taoist’s meditation technique, calming his mind and entering a subtle state. His eyes fixed on the majestic Yuan Shi Tian Zun statue.
In a daze, he felt the scene before him shift. He seemed to have arrived at a spiritual and serene mountain peak. Following stone steps upward, passing through exotic flowers and rare grasses, he reached a Daoist temple called “Yuxu Palace.” Entering the palace, he first saw blooming lotuses, then again the statues of the Three Pure Ones. This time, seated majestically between Lingbao and Daode was a Taoist dressed in green robes. His features were handsome, his temples slightly gray, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if they could contain all things.
Was this the true soul image of Yuan Shi Tian Zun?
Gan Ruoxu’s spirit was drawn into those eyes.
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