Chapter Fifty-Five: The Saints Rise in Succession

The day of the grand Heaven-Sacrificing Ceremony arrived swiftly. Dressed in ceremonial robes, Li Tian ascended the high platform before the Palace of Miluo under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers.

After burning incense and offering prayers, Li Tian began to recite the meticulously prepared address in a clear, resonant voice.

“I am the Supreme Emperor of Sublime Dharma, since the founding of the Heavenly Court, all beings under its rule have lived in peace and contentment, which has brought me solace. Yet in the lands west of Buzhou Mountain, where the Wu Tribe holds sway, myriad living things dwell in ceaseless torment and suffering, and my heart finds no peace. Though the Wu Tribe was born from Pangu’s divine blood and claims to be his true inheritor, they are ever engaged in acts that provoke the wrath of Heaven and man alike. I wish to intervene, yet am powerless to do so, and thus live in constant apprehension... Today, as I offer sacrifice to the Heavenly Dao, I seek to attain the Primordial Unity. May the Heavenly Dao grant its blessing: should I attain sainthood, I vow to bring peace and prosperity to all beings under the Wu Tribe, just as those under the Heavenly Court enjoy!”

With measured solemnity, Li Tian intoned the thousands of words of his invocation, then raised his eyes to the heavens.

Truthfully, he was somewhat uneasy; should the merit he gained today prove insufficient for sainthood, it would pose a great dilemma. He did not wish to make too many grand vows. After all, he was borrowing merit from the Heavenly Dao, and if he could not repay it, misfortune would surely follow. He had no desire to be beholden to the Dao for countless years, repaying his debt day after day like a laborer.

Fortunately, the Heavenly Dao did not disappoint him. As an unseen will descended from above, an immense pillar of golden light fell from the sky, its might so overwhelming that the assembled court was struck with awe.

Receiving this vast merit, Li Tian was overjoyed—he had not expected the Heavenly Dao to bestow upon him a full two-tenths of the merit comparable to that of creating humanity!

With this, all the merit within him now amounted to eight-tenths of the merit for creating humanity.

“At last, I am about to become a Saint...,” Li Tian could not contain his delight.

As merit coursed through him, the primordial purple energy within him surged wildly. A dazzling light burst from his body, and Li Tian was immersed in a profound, inscrutable sensation.

Under the endless merit, the benevolent incarnation he had left among the human race instantly returned to his side, then began to merge with the malevolent incarnation and the primordial purple energy. In a brief moment, they fused completely, transforming into a wondrous energy that poured into Li Tian’s body.

At that very moment, Li Tian’s entire being ascended, every part of him undergoing a profound metamorphosis, growing ever closer to perfection...

At last, Li Tian truly understood the power of a Saint.

The difference between a Saint and those below is not so great in essence—perhaps similar to the gap between a terrestrial immortal and a mortal being.

Yet the true strength of a Saint lies in the ability of their divine soul to unite with the Heavenly Dao at will!

So long as they remain within the bounds of the Heavenly Dao, a Saint can draw upon a portion of its power.

The power of the Heavenly Dao—within its domain, nothing is impossible!

This is the true might of a Saint.

Having become a Saint, Li Tian’s divine sense could now encompass nearly a billion miles in every direction. If he entrusted his consciousness to the Heavenly Dao, harnessing its power, he could encompass the entire Vast Wilderness.

But how vast is the Vast Wilderness?

A mighty Da Luo Golden Immortal could travel one hundred and eight thousand miles in a single breath, yet to traverse the entire Vast Wilderness at full speed would still require a century of unbroken flight.

Buzhou Mountain itself was vast, its area equal to several hundred Earths, yet compared to the whole of the Vast Wilderness, it was no more than a tiny village on Earth.

Of course, this power had its limitations: to wield the strength of the Heavenly Dao, one must remain within its domain; beyond its reach, such power was useless.

Nonetheless, this did not diminish the truth that all beneath the Saints are as ants.

Now, the entire Vast Wilderness held no secrets from him; with but a thought, he could perceive whatever he wished. Of course, he could not be everywhere at once, nor observe all things at all times. The Vast Wilderness was simply too immense, and the information it contained was astronomical. Even now, as a Saint with a mind strengthened beyond imagination, he could not constantly receive so much information.

However, should anyone in the Vast Wilderness utter his name, curse him, or worship him, he would instantly become aware.

“Congratulations to the Heavenly Emperor for attaining sainthood, undying through countless calamities, eternal and unshakable!”

Sensing the sacred pressure emanating from Li Tian, every member of the Heavenly Court was filled with heartfelt reverence. They knelt in unison, offering their congratulations.

“Rise,” Li Tian said with a smile, and with a single thought, using his saintly power, he lifted everyone to their feet.

His sudden ascension brought him great joy.

“I must establish a Daoist sanctuary in the chaos, and then preach the Dao. You are all free to witness it,” Li Tian announced to the crowd below.

He had no intention of inviting the rest of the Vast Wilderness to observe; in any case, the Heavenly Dao placed no such requirement upon him.

...

As for the Four—Three Purities and Zhunti—having received Li Tian’s guidance, they immediately made their way to the territories of the human tribes.

Feeling the agitation of the primordial purple energy within them, they knew their opportunity for sainthood lay here.

But how should they proceed to achieve it?

The four separated, each observing the human race.

Laozi transformed himself into a white-haired elder and wandered through the various human tribes.

Witnessing the myriad facets of human life, Laozi was deeply moved. As he journeyed, observing and reflecting, he gradually comprehended a path of non-action suitable for human survival. He ascended a sunlit mountain and released his vast aura.

At once, countless busy humans were drawn to him.

“I am Laozi, born of the One Qi manifesting as Three Purities, disciple of Hongjun. Today, I shall speak to you of my Way of Non-Action,” Laozi announced with magical power.

Some among the humans were astonished and uncertain, but many perceived this as a fateful opportunity. They set aside their tasks and made their way toward the source of the voice.

Standing atop the mountain, Laozi waited until thousands had gathered before him, then began to teach his Dao.

...

In time, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Zhunti each found their own path which they believed best suited for the human race, and each selected a mountain peak to spread their teachings.

A century passed in the blink of an eye. When they all felt the stirring within their hearts, they ceased preaching and opened their eyes.

Obeying the subtle will that guided them, they prepared to proclaim their teachings to Heaven and Earth, formally establishing their sects.

“I am Laozi of the Three Purities, titled the Supreme Virtuous Celestial of Supreme Purity, embodiment of the Void and Nature. Today, I found the Human Sect to protect the human race, and suppress its fortune with the Taiji Diagram. The Human Sect is established!” Laozi declared first.

The titles of the Three Purities were inspired by Li Tian’s own, chosen after discussion among themselves, and now the time had come to proclaim them to Heaven and Earth.

“I am Yuanshi of the Three Purities, titled the Celestial of Origin and Jade Purity, embodiment of the Void and Nature. Today, I found the Explanatory Sect, to instruct humanity, elucidate truth, and follow the Heavenly Mandate, suppressing the sect’s fortune with the Pangu Banner. The Explanatory Sect is established!”

“I am Tongtian of the Three Purities, titled the Celestial of Supreme Clarity and Spiritual Treasure, embodiment of the Void and Nature. Today, I found the Intercepting Sect, to seize a thread of hope for humanity, suppressing its fortune with the Four Swords of Immortal Slaughter. The Intercepting Sect is established!”

Yuanshi and Tongtian followed suit in chorus.

Unbeknownst to Tongtian, however, the Four Swords of Immortal Slaughter contained a baleful aura which not only failed to suppress fortune but would instead diminish it—this would lead to his tragic fate in the future.

“I am Zhunti, the embodiment of the Bodhi Tree. Today, I establish the Western Teaching, to enlighten humanity and create a Pure Land for them!” Seeing the Three Purities establish their sects, Zhunti was unwilling to be left behind and immediately announced his own.

The moment their declarations ended, a great will descended from the void, followed by tremendous pillars of golden merit raining down from the heavens.

Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian, each inheritors of Pangu’s legacy, received from the Heavenly Dao merit sufficient for sainthood.

Zhunti, on the other hand, found himself in an awkward position. Though he too received merit, compared to the Three Purities who had won the grand prize, his reward was but a consolation in comparison.