In the Zixiao Palace, not only was Xu Fang greatly alarmed, but the Golden-winged Great Peng and Ao Xue, who followed him, were also astonished. They stared blankly at the scene on the high platform of Zixiao Palace.
At this moment, on the high platform, Dao Ancestor Hongjun sat cross-legged, enveloped by sacred light. Within the light, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's body was cracking inch by inch!
If not for the shroud of divine light, he might have been unable to sustain himself and collapsed!
Xu Fang and the other two were deeply shocked. Dao Ancestor Hongjun had been fine just a moment ago. How could he have ended up like this after just going out to rob a group of powerful beings?
"Don't panic, Master is integrating with the Great Dao. Quickly take a seat," Taishang said, explaining to Xu Fang.
"Indeed, Master is integrating with the Great Dao. Observing this process will also be beneficial to our own Great Dao!"
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, Master's integration with the Great Dao brooks no delay. Please be seated quickly!"
Yuanshi and Tongtian also urged him. Xu Fang marveled in his heart, realizing this was what integrating with the Great Dao looked like!
"Little Xu, I didn't expect you to come. Come, come, I have an opportunity for you!"
The voice of the Jade Butterfly of Fortune echoed. Xu Fang looked towards the sound and realized that the light enveloping Dao Ancestor Hongjun's body was not pure light, but rather fragments of various sizes.
These fragments were emitting a dazzling radiance, and it was undoubtedly the Jade Butterfly of Fortune.
Seeing this, Xu Fang said nothing more and sat down with the Golden-winged Great Peng and Ao Xue.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun glanced at the figures seated below and nodded.
"I am about to integrate with the Great Dao. I did not expect this opportunity to fall upon you all. You must seize it well!"
After speaking, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's thoughts flowed, and the speed at which his body cracked accelerated. The fragments of the Jade Butterfly of Fortune emitted even greater power, their radiance shining even brighter.
The Zixiao Palace was instantly bathed in light, utterly magnificent.
At this moment, Dao Ancestor Hongjun began to speak.
"The Dao begets One, One begets Two, Two begets Three, Three begets all things."
"All things carry Yin and embrace Yang, and the vital force harmonizes them."
"The Great Ultimate begets the Two Forms, the Two Forms beget the Four Images, the Four Images beget the Eight Trigrams."
"Observing the past, present, and future, I manifest the wonders of time and space, birth and death, reincarnation. Boundless, immeasurable, without birth or death."
As Dao Ancestor Hongjun continued to speak, streams of purple energy flowed through the Zixiao Palace, accompanied by auspicious clouds. Golden lotuses emerged from the ground, blooming one after another, stretching endlessly.
However, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words were obscure and difficult to comprehend. His pronouncements were disconnected and jumped wildly, leaving listeners utterly bewildered.
Yet, the Sanqing, Xu Fang, and the others below understood perfectly. Dao Ancestor Hongjun was integrating with the Great Dao, and these were his profound insights.
Even a partial understanding would be of immense benefit to their own Great Dao.
Therefore, they cast aside all other thoughts and listened intently. Even if they could not grasp Dao Ancestor Hongjun's meaning, they meticulously memorized his words, awaiting future contemplation.
Within the Zixiao Palace, only Dao Ancestor Hongjun's voice resounded continuously, accompanied by a constant stream of strange and wondrous omens.
Thus, time flowed by, and a hundred years passed unconsciously.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun suddenly ceased his discourse. His aura surged powerfully, as if about to erupt.
With a thought, Dao Ancestor Hongjun suppressed the restless aura. The fragments of the Jade Butterfly of Fortune danced around him.
"Alright, everything is now in place. My integration with the Great Dao is imminent!" Dao Ancestor Hongjun announced, his eyes brimming with divine light, seemingly on the verge of bursting forth. He forcibly contained the radiance, and a flicker of lucidity finally returned to his eyes.
Gazing at the Sanqing, Xu Fang, and the others below, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke.
"From this day forth, Hongjun is the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao is Hongjun. Do you understand?"
Sensing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's gaze, everyone's hearts sank. They knew that from this moment on, the Dao Ancestor Hongjun they saw was no longer the Hongjun of the past.
"We understand."
They responded, a sense of loss filling their hearts. Xu Fang, in particular, felt a pang of emotion, realizing that from this day forward, there would be no Hongjun in the Primordial Era and beyond, at least no longer the Hongjun before them.
"Do you have anything else to say? Speak now, while there is still time!" Dao Ancestor Hongjun prompted them again.
Everyone knew this was their last opportunity and did not refuse. They each posed their questions.
"Master, if the Great Dao has no superior or inferior, are the methods for proving Dao and becoming a Saint truly differentiated by levels of attainment?" Taishang voiced his query. Dao Ancestor Hongjun glanced at Taishang and nodded.
"Yes."
"Master, are the superiority and inferiority of living beings, and the ultimate destination of the Great Dao, already predetermined?" Yuanshi followed suit with his question.
"The general trend remains unchanged, but minor trends can be altered!"
When discussing the Great Dao with Tongtian, Tongtian hesitated for a moment. In the end, he did not ask the question he most wanted to ask, but instead showed concern.
"Master, after integrating with the Great Dao, will you still exist?"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun gazed deeply at Tongtian. A smile flickered across his scarred face.
"You will be disappointed. From this day forth, Hongjun will no longer exist in the Primordial Era and beyond. There is only the Heavenly Dao!"
Tongtian was crestfallen, utterly dejected.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun sighed, saying no more. His gaze fell upon Xu Fang.
Xu Fang's heart stirred, and he quickly asked the question that had been lingering in his mind.
"Dao Ancestor, in the Primordial Era, is everything predetermined? Can it be changed?"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun looked steadily at Xu Fang and then shook his head.
"Everything is according to heaven's will. Those who follow the heavens prosper, and those who defy them perish. Act wisely!"
Although Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke these words, a flicker of thought stirred within him.
It was indeed as Yang Mei had said. This child might be the one capable of breaking all constraints. His ambition was already apparent!
Dao Ancestor Hongjun smiled with satisfaction. In this way, it was not impossible for him to see the Primordial Era reappear!
With this thought, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had no regrets. He spoke aloud.
"Today, Hongjun integrates with the Great Dao. From this moment, Hongjun is the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao is not Hongjun. Integrate!"
This declaration spread throughout the entire Primordial Era. All living beings felt a resonance and looked up at the sky.
A vast image appeared in the sky, with Dao Ancestor Hongjun's figure at its very center.
At this moment, golden light radiated outwards, immensely sacred, shimmering around Dao Ancestor Hongjun with unparalleled brilliance.
Following this, the light gradually converged, solidifying into fragments of a jade butterfly. Finally, all the fragments rejoined, and the Jade Butterfly of Fortune emerged.
As Dao Ancestor Hongjun integrated with the Great Dao, the Jade Butterfly of Fortune was also reformed. From then on, it was not only a Chaos Supreme Treasure but also a Sacred Artifact of the Heavenly Dao!
After its reformation, the Jade Butterfly of Fortune circled Dao Ancestor Hongjun's golden body, and then its radiance gradually receded, re-entering Dao Ancestor Hongjun's body and becoming one with him.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's body erupted in dazzling, brilliant light.
When the light dissipated, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's figure vanished. The celestial image also gradually faded.
The beings of the Primordial Era all felt a profound change.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun had successfully integrated with the Great Dao, thereby perfecting the Heavenly Dao. The Heavenly Dao now resided on high, and all beings in the Primordial Era were under its watchful gaze!