Chapter Fourteen: The Subtle Dust of Yin and Yang

In the northern reaches of the primordial world stood a mountain known as Jade Capital Mountain. Within its cavernous depths, the Supreme Elder Lord and the Primordial Heavenly Exalted looked about the walls, their expressions clouded with uncertainty.

“Elder Brother, do you truly believe Ancestor Hongjun is the right choice?” Primordial Heavenly Exalted gazed at the Supreme Elder Lord, his face full of doubt.

It was truly unfathomable—he himself was to become another’s disciple, and yet he was one of the Three Pure Ones born of Pangu. Though their power was lacking now, the Three Pure Ones were destined for greatness, for the Great Dao owed them a tremendous karmic debt.

When the Great Pangu transformed into the primordial world, the entirety of existence became indebted to the Three Pure Ones, and as time passed, that debt grew ever larger, like a snowball gathering mass as it rolled. The Great Dao could not allow such matters to become complicated, and so the Three Pure Ones’ path would be ever longer.

But as the legitimate heirs of Pangu, should they need another to teach them? Primordial Heavenly Exalted pondered this as he gazed upon the vast mountain.

Just then, the Supreme Elder Lord spoke: “In learning, there is no before or after; the wise may become a teacher. I see that the ancestor’s fortune is vast and his power boundless—he is indeed a worthy mentor for us.”

Primordial Heavenly Exalted wanted to say more, but before he could speak, he heard, “Do you wish to see Little Lingbao again? Then hurry!” The Supreme Elder Lord, paying no heed to his companion, strode toward the mouth of the cave. Primordial Heavenly Exalted sighed, then followed, walking with the Supreme Elder Lord toward the cave where Ancestor Hongjun cultivated.

At the entrance, the two halted. They exchanged nods, finding no disagreement, and prepared to bow, yet discovered they could not kneel no matter how they tried.

The two surmised the ancestor was testing them, and so they exerted greater power, holding their ground against him. Ancestor Hongjun had battled through countless years in the primordial world; even without considering his realm, his mastery of power far surpassed that of the Supreme Elder Lord and Primordial Heavenly Exalted by a hundredfold.

As time wore on, beads of sweat trickled down their faces, soaking their pristine Daoist robes.

“Second Brother, hold on—for Little Lingbao, for the Three Pure Ones, endure!” The Supreme Elder Lord, unable to transmit his voice by magical means, shouted aloud.

“I understand, Elder Brother. I will endure.” Primordial Heavenly Exalted, proud and unyielding by nature, had changed much due to Tongtian’s influence, yet after the battle of Kunlun Mountain, he reverted to his original temperament.

Within the cave, Ancestor Hongjun was secretly astonished. The endurance of these two was extraordinary. Though he was several realms above them, in this contest, he had only used the power of a Profound Immortal, and even he was beginning to feel the strain.

With a wave of his sleeve, Ancestor Hongjun released them, allowing the two to stand upright.

A voice issued from within the cave: “For now, I will not speak of your origins. Your talents and fortune are excellent, but given your identities, I must consider carefully.”

“Ancestor, there is no need for hesitation. Our minds are set, and we have no objections. We only ask that you open the gate of the Great Dao, that our three brothers may reunite and fulfill the Dao.” The Supreme Elder Lord spoke sincerely, his manner solemn.

“We are indeed people of great fortune, but fortune always wanes. Without strength, one is but an ant. I beg the ancestor to show mercy.” Primordial Heavenly Exalted finally conceded, realizing his elder brother’s intentions. This person was destined to achieve the Great Dao.

“Very well. If you can break my grand array, I will accept you as true disciples. Is this agreeable?” The ancestor appeared at the cave entrance, dressed in simple robes, his appearance plain. To outsiders, he looked merely an old man, yet who would know that he was one of the world’s greatest masters.

“Can the ancestor’s words be taken as truth?” Primordial Heavenly Exalted pressed eagerly.

Hearing this, the Supreme Elder Lord knew Primordial Heavenly Exalted had erred, and quickly grabbed his sleeve, shaking it vigorously.

Primordial Heavenly Exalted, however, stared only at Ancestor Hongjun, ignoring his companion’s attempts to restrain him.

The ancestor’s face darkened as he addressed them: “My words are binding. Go.” With a sweep of his robe, the Supreme Elder Lord and Primordial Heavenly Exalted were sent spinning through darkness, not knowing where they landed.

“To dare question the ancestor—let you suffer a little.” For the sake of dignity, Ancestor Hongjun waved them into the grand array, leaving the poor Supreme Elder Lord and Primordial Heavenly Exalted to their fate.

When the Supreme Elder Lord and Primordial Heavenly Exalted awoke, they found themselves within the array.

The grand array presented six gates before them: Life, Death, Illusion, Destruction, Darkness, and Light. As the two hesitated, the voice of Ancestor Hongjun sounded in their ears: “This array is the Two Forms Microdust Array, with six gates—life, death, illusion, destruction, darkness, and light. At the summit of infinity, all things are united. The five elements draw in the energy of heaven and earth, transforming emptiness into illusion, illusion into reality, reality into illusion; form is formless, formless is form, thus giving rise to these six gates.

I repeat: if you endure for three days, we shall have a bond as master and disciples. If not, it will temper your spirit, and you shall return whence you came.”

The voice drifted and faded away.

The Supreme Elder Lord and Primordial Heavenly Exalted exchanged glances, confidence steadfast in their eyes.

The Supreme Elder Lord stepped forward and addressed Primordial Heavenly Exalted: “Brother, I see that the Gate of Death presents the greatest challenge. I shall attempt it first; you wait here for me.”

“Elder Brother, how can that be? If something untoward happens, how will I answer to Little Lingbao?” Primordial Heavenly Exalted wished to go alongside him, but the Supreme Elder Lord’s next words dispelled his intent.

“The ancestor never said the array contained anything harmful, only that it would benefit us. Clearly, this is to temper our wills; even if I fail, I will tell you the weaknesses of the Gate of Death. If I cannot break through, it matters not—there is no time limit, is there?”

The Supreme Elder Lord spoke gently.

“Then, Elder Brother, take care. If anything seems amiss, I will come to your aid at once.” Hearing his words, Primordial Heavenly Exalted acquiesced.

The Supreme Elder Lord patted his shoulder and strode alone toward the Gate of Death.

From the gate wafted a sinister innate turbid energy. As the Supreme Elder Lord approached, still a yard from the door, he felt the energy corroding his body, and quickly used his power to dispel its influence.

With each step, the density of the turbid energy increased, leaving deeper footprints behind. Such was its potency.

When the Supreme Elder Lord’s hand touched the door handle, the turbid energy surged like blood through his arm, spreading throughout his body. He gritted his teeth, not daring to let go, and with a roar, flung open the door to the Gate of Death.