I am in Xianxia, ​​I can enter the top-level prehistoric world

Chapter 3: The Six Saints Ascend – The Dawn of the Age of Saints

In the Primordial Chaos, the existence of true transcendence—beyond even the realm of the Boundless Primordial Saint—remains but a legend.

Not even Hongjun, the revered ancestor of Dao, had reached that pinnacle. Within this high-configuration version of the Primordial Chaos, any being who attains the Great Luo Realm is considered virtually immortal. As long as there are no interferences from beings of the Boundless Primordial Saint level or beyond, death for a Great Luo being is not absolute; they will eventually return. However, this return might take an unfathomably long time.

If a saint-level existence intervenes, the delay in return becomes indefinite, equating to a form of true death.

Unlike some variations of mythology, this version of the Primordial Chaos has no intermediary stage like Quasi-Saint. A clear boundary exists: above the Great Luo stands only the Boundless Primordial Saint—the exalted level of the six great saints: Sanqing (Three Pure Ones), Nuwa, and the Western duo, Zhunti and Jieyin, as well as Hongjun himself.

[Sanqing (三清, Sān Qīng): The Three Pure Ones—Taiqing (Taiqing Daode Tianzun, Laozi), Yuqing (Yuanshi Tianzun), and Shangqing (Lingbao Tianzun)—are the highest deities in Daoist cosmology, representing fundamental aspects of the Great Dao.]

[Zhunti and Jieyin (准提, 接引): Known as the Western Saints, they represent Buddhist teachings within the Primordial Chaos framework.]@@novelbin@@

Even within the Great Luo Realm, there are gradations of strength. However, these differences are relatively minor; even a peak Great Luo being would struggle to kill a newly ascended Great Luo entity without suffering catastrophic repercussions. For example, even Emperor Jun and Taiyi would be gravely injured if they attempted to eliminate Hongyun or one of the weaker Twelve Ancestors of Wu.

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Suddenly, an earth-shaking proclamation reverberated across the Primordial Chaos.

“I am Taiqing Daode Tianzun! Moved by the chaos among living beings, I hereby establish the Human Dao, to enlighten all beings. The Dao of Humanity is founded!”

[The concept of Human Dao (人道), or the “Way of Humanity,” is deeply rooted in Daoist (Taoist), Confucian, and broader Chinese philosophical traditions. It refers to the principles, ethics, and path that humans should follow to live in harmony with the cosmos, society, and their inner selves.]

Boom!

The heavens and earth trembled as the voice—vast, majestic, and limitless—echoed across the Primordial Chaos. It resounded through the river of time, permeating past, present, and future. Infinite manifestations of the Great Dao materialised across the cosmos, transcending space and time.

A colossal figure emerged, towering over all creation, cloaked in a grey Daoist robe, his visage resembling an elder of immeasurable wisdom. Surrounding him were countless dimensions and worlds, forming and dissolving in an endless cycle. Above his head rotated the Innate Taiji Diagram, an artefact resembling the grinding wheel of the Great Dao itself, embodying infinite truths and principles.

[The Innate Taiji Diagram (先天太极图) is a profound symbol and philosophical concept in Chinese cosmology, Daoism (Taoism), and metaphysics. It represents the origins of the universe, the interplay of dualities, and the natural balance and transformation inherent in existence.]

The entire Primordial Chaos seemed to revolve with the diagram’s movements.

From the highest heavens descended a radiant stream of golden merit, cascading into the figure’s form. Simultaneously, a beam of boundless purple merit burst forth from his forehead, intertwining with the golden radiance, spreading across the cosmos. This convergence shattered limitations, elevating his essence to unparalleled heights.

[Merit (功德, Gōng Dé): In Daoist and Buddhist traditions, merit is spiritual credit accumulated through good deeds, which can aid in achieving enlightenment or divine ascension.]

In that instant, the figure’s presence transcended all existence, encompassing the entirety of time and space.

“Is this the sanctification of Laozi? Has the Age of Saints begun?” Xia Tian’s awe-filled gaze fixed on the majestic figure, his heart quaking as he pieced together the identity of the being—Taiqing Daode Tianzun, also known as Laozi, the foremost of the Three Pure Ones and the saint closest to Hongjun.

Laozi was establishing the Human Dao, attaining sanctification, and officially becoming a saint.

The overwhelming saintly aura left Xia Tian feeling utterly insignificant. Beneath the saint’s presence, even his very existence seemed tenuous, as though a mere whim could erase him from the tapestry of time, obliterating his past, present, and future.

“So this is a saint—the source of the Boundless Primordial Dao, the ultimate destination of all systems of cultivation,” Xia Tian murmured, lost in wonder.

“When will I reach such heights?” he whispered, gazing at the colossal saintly form that stretched beyond comprehension. Yet, juxtaposing his current strength with that of a saint, he despaired at the insurmountable gap.

Even Emperor Jun and Taiyi, his father and uncle—the sovereigns of the demon celestial court and apex Great Luo beings—stood no chance of becoming saints. For Xia Tian, not yet an innate god or demon, the prospect of sainthood was an unattainable dream.

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Suddenly, another voice resounded, equally grand and imposing.

“I am Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun! I hereby establish the Explained Dao, to elucidate the supreme truths of the heavens and enlighten all beings. The Dao of Explanation is founded!”

Boom!

As this voice shook the cosmos, another emerged:

“I am Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun, the Lord Tongtian! I vow to carve out a thread of hope for all beings and to guide them. The Dao of Interception is founded!”

The presence of three saints filled the cosmos, intertwining and dominating every thread of time, past, present, and future.

From the western expanse of the Primordial Chaos, a grand bell tolled, heralding yet another sanctification.

Two radiant figures, emanating endless Buddhist light, appeared atop the Western Spirit Mountain. Manifesting worlds of infinite wonder, their auras were vast and immeasurable, spreading across the thirty-six heavens, weaving histories and countless timelines.

These were Zhunti and Jieyin, the later founders of the Western Dao. Moved by the sanctification of Sanqing and Nuwa before them, the two followed suit, vowing to teach and enlighten. Their merit, however, was insufficient, forcing them to make forty-nine grand vows to the heavens and borrow infinite merit to achieve sanctification.

With a resounding boom, they refined the Hongmeng Purple Qi and ascended to sainthood.

[Hongmeng Purple Qi (鸿蒙紫气, Hóng Méng Zǐ Qì): A primordial energy in Chinese mythology, considered essential for achieving sainthood.]

Now, the aura of five saints permeated the Primordial Chaos, encompassing every moment and corner of existence.