Old Fan, naturally beaming with joy, held his post, and Yuan Buhuan had also arrived. Joining them were the various elders of the Longhu Mountain Military Sect; they gathered in a grand assembly. The Hall of Merits rarely saw such lively attendance.

Save for the few elders in secluded cultivation and the leaders of each branch, nearly everyone else was present.

Even the Celestial Master of Stellar Observation from the Star Gazing Pavilion—a figure rarely glimpsed—appeared in the Hall of True Merits. Gu Ya trailed behind him, pulling a face at Feng Zikang as a greeting.

This was a major event for the Longhu Mountain Military Sect!

Had the promotion to Nascent Soul occurred a few years earlier, when General Lu was still overseeing matters, it would have been significant, but it certainly wouldn't have shaken the entire sect to this degree.

However, if Ye Tiansheng succeeded in his current Nascent Soul advancement, he would immediately become the foremost figure in cultivation within the Longhu Mountain Military Sect. Having already passed his Nascent Soul mission, breaking the Core and achieving the Soul was now just a matter of time!

"Junior Brother Tiansheng, congratulations."

Even the Celestial Master of Stellar Observation, usually a man of few words, showed a smile and offered his felicitations to Ye Tiansheng.

Though Ye Tiansheng’s cultivation led his peers, he carried no hint of arrogance. He warmly greeted his fellow disciples, constantly expressing humility and thanks.

This was his inherent nature. Even now, as the undisputed foremost cultivator of the Longhu Mountain Military Sect, he remained profoundly modest. It was precisely because he was such a good-natured person that his breakthrough, instead of inciting jealousy, was met only with envy and genuine happiness from everyone else.

After the chorus of congratulations concluded, just as Ye Tiansheng was about to step into the inner chamber, he pulled Feng Zikang forward for a close inspection.

"Good! Very good!"

Ye Tiansheng saw that his spirit was high, and in just over a month, his Core Condensation cultivation was solidly established, even showing faint signs of impending further breakthroughs. This greatly reassured him.

"Master is attempting to break the Core and form the Soul today. If you have nothing pressing, how about guarding the doorway for a few days?"

"I shall certainly do so!"

Feng Zikang agreed readily. As his Master's sole disciple, waiting here was inherently his duty.

Ye Tiansheng smiled faintly, turned, bowed to the assembly, and entered the inner chamber. The assembled elders cheered in unison, behaving much like excited children.

Besides Feng Zikang, several elders who were close with Ye Tiansheng also refused to leave, remaining in the Hall of Merits to witness the very moment Ye Tiansheng achieved the Nascent Soul.

The only anomaly was the absence of Xiao Zhuchen from the Moon-Water Pavilion, and Luo Lianxin was nowhere in sight either. This pair of master and disciple was rather mystical and strange, but Feng Zikang knew Xiao Zhuwan had an excellent relationship with Ye Tiansheng. Her absence today was likely because there were too many people here, and she preferred not to be involved.

Everyone present crowded at the entrance, gazing expectantly. As the disciple, Feng Zikang naturally sat in the foremost position, beside Yuan Buhuan.

At this moment, Gu Ya crept stealthily over and whispered by Feng Zikang’s ear.

"Senior Brother Feng, Senior Brother Feng!"

Feng Zikang turned around, surprised. "Junior Brother Gu, what is it?"

"My Master wishes to speak with you briefly," Gu Ya quietly pointed behind him. Celestial Master of Stellar Observation, wearing a gentle smile, was seated in a corner, nodding slightly at Feng Zikang.

To be frank, Feng Zikang usually kept a respectful distance from this Celestial Master.

A person who could grasp the Heavenly Secrets felt like a ticking time bomb to someone like himself, hiding his identity as a Fiend hidden within a righteous sect.

Who knew when he might suddenly be struck by inspiration and suddenly ascertain the truth that Feng Zikang was a demonic incarnation?

Although Feng Zikang knew this scenario was extremely remote—after all, the God Transformation experts from the Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist sects had failed to discover his existence—he remembered that after General Lu’s failed tribulation, Master Enlightenment and others had conducted long, thorough investigations within the Longhu Mountain Military Sect, and he hadn't slipped up then. He assumed the Celestial Master of Stellar Observation likely hadn't seen through him either.

However, it was better safe than sorry. Since the Celestial Master of Stellar Observation was perpetually in seclusion, Feng Zikang hadn't exchanged more than a handful of glances with him over his many years at Longhu Mountain, let alone exchanged a single word.

Now, why would the Celestial Master suddenly wish to speak to him with a grin? Feng Zikang was filled with uncertainty. But since a martial uncle beckoned, it would be rude to ignore him. He rose, offered his apologies to the Sect Leader Yuan Buhuan, and walked toward the Celestial Master of Stellar Observation.

The Celestial Master appeared to be around thirty years old, with a pale face and a slight beard. He wore a simple colored headscarf and held a feather fan, presenting the image of profound calculation. However, upon closer approach, one could see a flush on his cheekbones and an unhealthy pallor to his complexion, accompanied by slight breathlessness—a clear sign of insufficient True Qi!

Feng Zikang had heard that his health was poor.

This was unavoidable; to presumptuously divine the Heavenly Secrets required an enormous expenditure of mental energy, inviting backlash from the very power sought. Although this man possessed profound cultivation, years of ceaseless stargazing and calculation had severely depleted his vital essence. Even as a Core Condensation master, he suffered from chronic weakness and frequent illness.

Observing his persistent cough, it seemed his heart meridians were damaged, affecting his lung channels. If this continued, his remaining lifespan would be significantly shorter than that of a typical Core Condensation cultivator.

"Greetings, Martial Uncle Celestial Master!"

Feng Zikang approached and bowed deeply.

The Celestial Master of Stellar Observation smiled. "Junior Nephew Feng, no need for such formality. You have too many Senior Martial Uncles, Martial Aunts, and Grand-Uncles here. If you offered courtesies to everyone, you'd be bowing until morning."

He was an open-minded man. Though his disposition was deep and he rarely left the Star Gazing Pavilion, he wasn't truly reclusive, merely dedicated to the Heavenly Secrets. Seeing Feng Zikang approach, he smiled and helped him rise.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle."

The more polite the Celestial Master was, the more cautious Feng Zikang became, fearing he might accidentally reveal his true nature.

This man specialized in observing the stars; even the slightest fluctuation of light could reveal heavenly changes. How difficult could it be for him to examine a person? In every expression and smile...

Feng Zikang saw his eyes shining intensely, seeming intent on seeing right through him. He inwardly startled, collecting his focus and quieting his spirit.

After all, he was now a Core Condensation cultivator, no longer an ant to be slaughtered. For the Celestial Master of Stellar Observation to truly fathom him would require considerable effort.

Fortunately, the Celestial Master merely swept his gaze over him before offering praise.

"Senior Brother Ye’s disciple is indeed a promising talent. Achieving Core Condensation at such a young age—I can't deny my age now." He glanced back at Gu Ya. "Ya'er is only two years older than you, yet he hasn't even managed to touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment."

Gu Ya’s face flushed red. Since Feng Zikang’s meteoric rise, the core disciples of nearly every branch were measured against him. Except for the equally astounding Luo Lianxin, everyone else had likely faced criticism. Now that Feng Zikang had reached Core Condensation, Senior Sister Luo would probably be scolded too, Gu Ya thought bitterly.

Fortunately, his relationship with Feng Zikang was good. Despite being scolded, he was quite proud of his Senior Brother Feng. As for himself, his focus was solely on serving his Master and delving into the art of stargazing; he truly didn't concern himself much with cultivation attainment.

The Celestial Master of Stellar Observation also knew that his disciple, like himself, wasn't entirely focused on cultivation. He smiled slightly, not reprimanding him, merely making a jest.

Feng Zikang naturally needed to offer a few humble words, much like his Master, but truthfully, he had already far surpassed his contemporaries. Among his generation, the only one comparable was Luo Lianxin, and even she had been left far behind.

This was precisely his intention. The urgency to enter Core Condensation—even resorting to the method of Demonic Devouring, consuming a portion of the Primordial Spirit of the Mind-Seizing Ancestor—was for this goal.

To play a leading role in the coming Great World Tribulation, he couldn't remain at the strength level of a third-generation disciple; he needed to rapidly integrate into the mainstream of the second-generation disciples.

Even if he couldn't immediately excel among them, he needed at least the power of self-preservation. Only then could he further expand the scope of the Great World Tribulation, pulling more cultivators into the fray.

Only then could he fish in troubled waters!

"Hmph..."

The Celestial Master of Stellar Observation shook his head. "Junior Nephew, your rapid increase in strength is usually a good thing, but..."

Feng Zikang was startled. The Celestial Master had uttered this without warning. Had he perceived something about the Heavenly Secrets? His heart tightened, and he immediately sought instruction respectfully.

"Martial Uncle, I am ignorant; please do not hesitate to guide me."

The Celestial Master gave a wry smile. "You are the destined responder of this Great World Tribulation. Though the Three Teachings and Nine Schools keep it secret, how could it escape my sight?"

He lowered his voice, his lips moving subtly, yet no sound carried beyond three feet. Even Gu Ya, standing just a few steps away, looked on blankly, having heard nothing.

Feng Zikang's expression changed, unsure how to respond. He saw the Celestial Master wave his hand. "It's fine. This is within my Star Gazing Mystic Realm. Outsiders cannot hear me here; rest assured!"

This casual gesture—summoning his own mystic realm to envelop the two of them without anyone noticing—displayed immense divine power and cultivation. Feng Zikang was inwardly shocked and nodded in assent.

"Martial Uncle, I am indeed the designated responder for this Great World Tribulation, as spoken of by the elders of the Three Teachings and Nine Schools. I never thought I could hide it from you, Martial Uncle."

The Celestial Master had studied the Heavenly Secrets for centuries; his eyes were extraordinarily sharp. Furthermore, on such a momentous occasion as the Great World Tribulation, if Yuan Buhuan didn't consult him, who would? It was not surprising that he discerned Feng Zikang was the destined one.

"If you were merely the destined responder, that would be one thing... But I never expected the people of the Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist sects to have the audacity to forge a Investiture of the Gods tablet and place it in your hands!"

Feng Zikang was profoundly shocked!

Only the twelve leaders of the Three Teachings and Nine Schools knew that the Investiture of the Gods tablet was in his possession. They had jointly obscured the Heavenly Secrets. Could this Celestial Master truly possess the divine power to know the past and future, to be so omniscient?

"Don't be alarmed,"

The Celestial Master smiled and waved his hand. "I have a certain affinity with this Investiture of the Gods tablet, which is how I learned of it. However, I absolutely will not spread this matter."

Feng Zikang’s mind settled. Judging by the Celestial Master’s attitude, he seemed to have learned this news only by chance, rather than possessing true omniscience.

"Martial Uncle speaks truly. I was indeed favored by the sect leaders of the Three Teachings and Nine Schools, who bestowed the Investiture of the Gods tablet upon me to re-confer divine positions and determine this Great World Tribulation. However, my cultivation is shallow, and I have not yet fully grasped the tablet's uses—a source of shame. But, Martial Uncle, what did you mean by your earlier statement?"

What the Celestial Master said—that the Three Teachings had forged the tablet and given it to him—seemed to be an exceptionally significant matter.

Why was that?

Lightning flashed across Feng Zikang's mind, yet he couldn't grasp the reason immediately.

The Celestial Master of Stellar Observation smiled faintly, coughed twice, and asked, "Junior Nephew, do you know what the Investiture of the Gods tablet truly is?"

What was the Investiture of the Gods tablet?

Wasn't it simply a decree that could appoint gods within the Heavenly Court's mystic realm? With the joint golden seal of the Three Teachings, divine ranks could be confirmed, elevating mortals to godhood—a truly extraordinary phenomenon. Both the first War of Investiture and this current Great World Tribulation involved this magical artifact.

"So to speak," the Celestial Master continued, "that isn't entirely wrong,"

The Celestial Master gave a wry chuckle. "But you do not know the origin of the Investiture of the Gods tablet."

The origin of the tablet. Feng Zikang's mind raced. Within this world, accounts of the tablet's origin were vague. But in his original world, various unofficial histories recorded the reasons behind that so-called War of Investiture.

"The Investiture of the Gods was co-signed by the Three Teachings—not the current Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist union, but..."

"It was the decree of sealing signed by the Three Dao Ancestors!"

The Celestial Master coughed incessantly as he explained the origin of the Investiture of the Gods tablet to Feng Zikang.

Before the Three Dao Ancestors affixed their golden seals, the so-called Investiture of the Gods tablet was nothing more than an ordinary piece of yellow silk, utterly common, without any background or magical power.

But after the three Dao Ancestors signed it, this piece of yellow silk transformed into a supreme treasure of heaven and earth!

"Dao Ancestors?"

Feng Zikang scratched his head. This concept was not circulated in the Primary Mystic Realm. The unofficial histories of his original world referred to them as the Three Sages, but he didn't know what "Dao Ancestor" meant.

The Celestial Master of Stellar Observation smiled slightly. "The Dao Ancestors, naturally, are the Ancestors of the Great Dao."

When the universe first emerged from the primordial chaos, there was the Great Dao—singular and unified.

This was the only state of existence, born since eternity. Mortals could not comprehend it, relying only on scattered insights to approach it infinitely closely. At this time, three Dao Ancestors appeared in the universe.

Some say these three Dao Ancestors were themselves manifestations of the Great Dao, though this cannot be verified.

These three Dao Ancestors began allowing all sentient beings in the world to cultivate and comprehend the Great Dao through different pathways, ultimately uniting with the Great Dao to form an eternal, indestructible Dao Body—also called Sages or Immortals; it was all the same concept.

The Great Dao followed by these three Dao Ancestors was identical; the only difference lay in the methods.

One Dao was called 'Life' (), representing the lineage of perpetual creation.

One Dao was called 'Destruction' (), representing the path of universal annihilation.

One Dao was called 'Harmony' (), balancing life and death.

Based on these three methods, the foundation of all Daoist techniques in the world was established. Subsequently, all who studied the Dao derived their learning from these three primary methods, hence they were revered as the Dao Ancestors.

Later, many new methods emerged from within these three foundations, including the current Three Teachings and Nine Schools, the Seventy-Two Upper Sects, the Three Hundred and Sixty Middle Sects, and countless Lower Sects. All those who follow the Dao originate from these three lineages.

Feng Zikang frowned. "Did these three Dao Ancestors leave behind any names?"

Based on the unofficial knowledge from his previous life, these three Sages were: first, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable (Yuanshi Tianzun); second, Laozi Taishang Laojun; and third, the Master of Tongtian Cult (Tongtian Jiaozhu). If these three Dao Ancestors shared names with the three Sages, then the unofficial histories would align with the reality of this Primary Mystic Realm.

"The Dao Ancestors acted without motive and left no names—at least, none that we can know,"

The Celestial Master of Stellar Observation frowned slightly. Since the names of the Dao Ancestors were not passed down, he had no way of knowing them.

"Oh,"

Feng Zikang shook his head and continued listening to the Celestial Master’s narration.

The Three Dao Ancestors worked together to propagate the Dao, and the primordial world developed rapidly. Soon, flying birds, running beasts, human immortals, and wandering ghosts coexisted harmoniously—a veritable Golden Age of antiquity.

This period of peace and tranquility lasted for tens of thousands of years.

Afterward, the Human Race suddenly rose to prominence. With their clever aptitude and rapid reproductive capability, they became the common rulers of the world. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors commanded the vast world, governing through virtue. Although there was occasional conflict and war, it was a splendid era; even when faced with natural disasters or man-made calamities, heroic figures would always eliminate the threat. This was the Middle Antiquity Golden Age.

However, after the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the throne passed down hereditarily. Although the world had a common ruler, succession was based on birth, not the selection of the virtuous and capable. This established a new world system, governing through loyalty (), filial piety (), benevolence (), and righteousness ().

Later, a tyrannical ruler, Jie, emerged among the descendants of Yu the Great. Shang King Cheng Tang, answering the mandate of Heaven, overthrew the Xia Dynasty. Although this action aligned with Heaven's will and the people's desire, it shattered the entire framework of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness.

In the beginning of the Primal Era (Taichu), the world was governed by the Dao. The sun and moon cycled, creating the four seasons, and all things in heaven and earth grew naturally, unrestrained. Everything followed the Dao of nature; there was no conquest, no conflict—only tranquility and harmony.

Afterward, the Great Dao was abandoned, and virtue took its place.

The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors governed through virtue. Although there was a common ruler, the position went to the virtuous, following the path of abdication—the way of the humble gentleman.

Under this system, all things in the world were constrained by virtue, yet it was fair, and everyone lived and worked in peace. Even if conflict arose, it was a minor ailment, not worth mentioning.

When Xia Qi succeeded to the throne and established hereditary rule, the principle of governing by virtue became obsolete. A system based on loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness had to be concocted. Everyone adhered to this code: filial piety to their father, loyalty to their sovereign. Although conflicts existed everywhere in this primordial world, under this rigid doctrine, movement became impossible.

The concept was: If the ruler commands a minister to die, the minister must die; if the father commands the son to perish, the son must perish. Furthermore, "All under heaven is the king's land; all shores are the king's subjects."

If this state had continued, the world would have remained stable.

Unfortunately, Xia Jie was tyrannical, and Shang Tang rescued the people from their suffering, rising in righteous anger to attack him, thus beginning an era where strength prevailed.

After this point, the primordial world could barely sustain itself.

Even if they rigidly copied the loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness system of the Xia Dynasty, if someone possessed greater personal power, they could unhesitatingly overthrow the existing order—after all, their own ancestors had done the same.

By the time of Shang Zhou, King Zhou was cruel and lawless, and the world truly descended into chaos.

Even the Three Dao Ancestors began to disagree.

The Dao Ancestor advocating for 'Life' supported the Zhou state, believing that its emergent Dao aligned with the Heavenly Secrets to replace Shang and rebuild the primordial world.

However, the Dao Ancestor advocating for 'Destruction' leaned toward extremism.

The current primordial world was already a mess. Even if King Zhou's campaign succeeded and a new dynasty was established, it would only be the beginning of another period of chaos.

Therefore, this Dao Ancestor of Destruction vehemently disagreed with supporting the Zhou state.

What he desired was to use the evil power of Shang Zhou to destroy everything and rebuild the primordial world!