199: The wound of the Great Dao cuts off the fruit of the Quasi-Saint Dao

Such an existence, even after falling, is not truly fallen; after immeasurable eons spanning endless time, there is still hope for their revival and a heaven-defying return.

However, this time is too long, making it not much different from truly falling.

Moreover, if one’s methods are truly heaven-defying, there is hope of utterly annihilating them.

Although Hongjun did not truly fall this time, the trouble he faced was even greater than if he had fallen.

He suffered an extremely severe Great Dao injury, and this Great Dao injury was attached to his Saint Dao Fruit, making it difficult to repair or erase. Even if he were to fall and revive, it would still be attached to his Dao Fruit, preventing its recovery.

It was precisely because his injuries were too severe that his form automatically dissipated without suppression, for at that moment, he was essentially fallen, which is why he couldn’t even take his three Chaos treasures with him.

However, he was able to revive by leveraging the power of the Heavenly Dao's origin, but unfortunately, his Great Dao injury could not recover as a result, because it was an injury attached to his Dao Fruit.

Therefore, even after reviving, Hongjun did not return to the chaos for another battle; instead, he wanted to summon his treasures and leave, but alas, the three treasures were ultimately suppressed.

Zhen Yuanzi also chose not to continue attacking. Hongjun, after reviving, might be healing in the Heavenly Dao's origin or hiding in some corner, making him difficult to find. But the greater reason for not continuing the attack was that it no longer held much significance or necessity.

If it were just an ordinary Saint, with his current strength and the methods he commanded, he might be able to knock down their Saint Dao Fruits.

But Hongjun is no ordinary Saint; he has already begun to merge with the Dao. To knock down his Dao Fruit, Zhen Yuanzi would need to break through further, or completely refine and control the Heavenly Dao.

Moreover, with the Great Dao injuries Hongjun has sustained, it will be impossible for him to appear again for a very long time, and even when he does recover, it will undoubtedly be after a long period.

By then, Zhen Yuanzi’s cultivation would likely have already broken through again, not to mention that even the three treasures Hongjun relied on most have already been taken and suppressed by him.

Furthermore, after this battle, Zhen Yuanzi can now act with greater freedom in many matters in the future.

In the Primordial World, countless Great Powers looked towards the chaos, still feeling lingering fear.

They had never witnessed such a terrifying battle; the world-destroying power seemed capable of pulverizing the entire Primordial World at any moment.

Returning to the Xuanhuang Great World, Zhen Yuanzi made some arrangements before leaving the Xuanhuang Great World once more. There were still some matters in the Primordial World that he needed to handle.

Zhen Yuanzi took a step, and chaotic currents surged around him, transforming into streaks of brilliant light, as if tearing through space, directly stepping from the chaos into the Primordial World.

The Primordial World instantly trembled, countless stars shone brightly, thousands of auspicious rays descended from the sky, and golden runes flickered and appeared in the void, exuding a mysterious and ancient aura.

Accompanied by a grand roar of dragons and cry of phoenixes, Zhen Yuanzi, the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal and Daoist Zhenyuan, majestically appeared above the Primordial World.

His majestic figure seemed to bear the weight of the entire world, his eyes as deep as an abyss, overlooking the Primordial World and the startled Great Powers.

Zhen Yuanzi’s voice, like a grand bell, resounded throughout the entire Primordial World: “The great battle in the chaos has ceased; there is no need for you to worry. This humble Daoist is greatly pleased by your earlier efforts to protect the Primordial World.”

With that, he gently waved his hand, and a vast yet gentle power spread out like ripples. The damage caused to the Primordial World by the aftermath of the chaotic battle rapidly recovered at a visible pace under the embrace of this power.

Mountains and rivers reshaped, the earth returned to spring, broken mountain ranges reconnected, and dried rivers flowed once more, as if nothing had ever happened.

Afterward, Zhen Yuanzi cast a meaningful glance towards the Heavenly Court, his gaze seemingly capable of penetrating endless void and reaching deep within the Heavenly Court.

Emperor Jun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi, within the Heavenly Court, inexplicably felt a chill rise from the depths of their hearts, causing them to shiver uncontrollably.

Just that one glance filled their hearts with an inexplicable unease, as if they had been targeted by an unparalleled ferocious beast.

Immediately after, Zhen Yuanzi's figure flickered and disappeared. He did not return to the Xuanhuang Great World, but instead returned to the current Thirty-Three Heavens of the Celestial Realm—Lihèn Heaven.

Looking in the direction Zhen Yuanzi disappeared, Emperor Jun frowned deeply and said to Eastern Emperor Taiyi with a solemn expression: “Taiyi, Daoist Zhenyuan’s glance likely holds deep meaning.”

Eastern Emperor Taiyi took a deep breath and slowly said: “Brother, during that terrifying battle in the chaos, the Dao Ancestor did not stop the Witch Clan, and instead a fierce battle erupted in the chaos. Coupled with our previous schemes against the Immortal Palace… I vaguely feel that the battle most likely took place between Daoist Zhenyuan and the Dao Ancestor. Now that Daozun has appeared safely in the Primordial World, and the Dao Ancestor is nowhere to be seen, this situation… is likely extremely unfavorable for us.”

Kunpeng, standing nearby, also wore a worried expression: “If Daozun truly pursues the previous matter, with the strength he has now displayed, we… will likely be unable to resist him.”

Just as they were filled with worry, in the Primordial Star Region, above Purple Star, a spatial lightning bolt suddenly appeared.

This lightning bolt seemed unremarkable, yet it contained terrifying power, like a giant axe splitting the heavens, striking directly towards Baize.

Baize, who had recently broken through to the Quasi-Saint realm, was utterly powerless against this sudden spatial lightning.

With a loud “boom,” the lightning struck Baize directly, and he was instantly enveloped by the force, letting out a painful scream.

The lightning was incredibly powerful, but it did not directly kill Baize. This was naturally not because the spatial lightning was incapable of killing Baize, but simply because the person who struck had shown mercy.

And the one who unleashed this spatial lightning was, naturally, Zhen Yuanzi.

Zhen Yuanzi naturally had to punish Baize, who dared to scheme against the Immortal Palace. Even if he was acting on Hongjun’s instructions, he could not escape punishment.

With Zhen Yuanzi’s current strength, it would be as easy as turning over his palm to kill him directly now, and there would be no problems whatsoever.

However, with Hongjun severely wounded, Zhen Yuanzi did not completely eliminate Baize. After all, Baize might still be useful at some point, not to mention that Baize could not cause any trouble for him.

Although Baize was not killed, he was not only severely injured, but most importantly, his cultivation realm was directly cut down a large chunk.

His cultivation, which had just broken through to the early Quasi-Saint realm, was directly knocked down to the early Daluo Golden Immortal realm, his Quasi-Saint Dao Fruit was forcibly cut off, and even his Daluo Dao Fruit was almost lost.

Tens of thousands of years of accumulation vanished in an instant. To recover his cultivation, he would have to endure countless more years of arduous cultivation.

At this moment, Baize felt a wave of despair and regret, but he quickly understood the reason for what had happened, realizing that his scheming against the Immortal Palace had likely been discovered by that Daozun.

Moreover, the fact that this Daozun could so easily strike at him made him realize a terrifying truth: in the struggle between Daozun and Dao Ancestor, it was likely this Daozun who had gained the upper hand, otherwise such a thing would never have happened.

At the same time, he also understood that his survival this time was entirely due to this Daozun’s mercy.

Thus, Baize, enduring the severe pain in his body, hurriedly knelt and kowtowed towards the Thirty-Three Heavens, his voice trembling as he said: “Thank you, Daozun, for sparing my life. Baize will surely mend his ways from now on and dare not harbor any ill intentions again.”

Emperor Jun, Eastern Emperor Taiyi, Kunpeng, and other top demon clan Great Powers instantly understood what had happened when they saw this scene.

Emperor Jun’s expression was complex, and he sighed deeply, bowing towards the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Celestial Realm, saying: “Daozun’s divine abilities are vast. The demon clan has been presumptuous before; we hope Daozun can be magnanimous.”

Eastern Emperor Taiyi and Kunpeng, along with other Great Powers, also hurriedly followed suit, bowing in Thank you. Eastern Emperor Taiyi said in a deep voice: “May Daozun forgive us. The demon clan will certainly adhere to its duties from now on.”

A hint of fear flashed in Kunpeng’s eyes, and he echoed: “We dare not commit any disrespectful acts again.”

Soon after, the heavenly secrets gradually revealed themselves, coupled with the spread by certain well-placed individuals, and rumors spread across the Primordial World like surging tides.

Countless Primordial World beings whispered to each other, discussing animatedly. A demon cultivator said with a shocked expression: “Have you heard? That chaotic battle was actually a struggle between Daozun and Dao Ancestor, and Daozun even gained the upper hand! What should we do?”

The tiger clan strongman next to him also looked astonished: “I never thought Daoist Zhenyuan was so formidable. It seems we demon clan will have to think carefully about our actions from now on.”

Another rogue cultivator shook his head, pretending to be profound, and said: “With Daozun rising and Dao Ancestor suffering, this Primordial World is probably due for a reshuffle.”

For a time, the entire Primordial World was enveloped by this tense and speculative atmosphere. All forces secretly adjusted their strategies, cautiously observing the development of the situation, fearing that a single misstep would lead to eternal damnation in this ever-changing Primordial World.

In Qingxu Cave on Kunlun Mountain, Yuanshi’s expression was solemn as he paced back and forth, saying: “This Daoist Zhenyuan’s hidden depths are truly beyond imagination. Now it seems he gained the upper hand in the battle with the Dao Ancestor in the chaos. The situation in the Primordial World is likely to be turned upside down from now on.”

Laozi stroked his beard and nodded slightly: “Daozun’s strength is so formidable that even the Dao Ancestor will need to re-evaluate the situation. We must be even more cautious in our actions from now on.”

Tongtian Jiaozhu, however, had an arrogant expression and snorted: “We Three Pure Ones are of the Pangu Authentic Lineage, direct disciples of the Xuanmen, and destined Saints of the future. Once we all achieve Sainthood, there will be three great Saints, and then we will have no need to fear Daoist Zhenyuan alone.”

Laozi and Yuanshi exchanged a glance and advised in unison: “Third Brother, you must not be reckless. Daoist Zhenyuan is no longer what he once was; it is better to temporarily avoid his sharp edge.”

“Moreover, our Three Pure Ones, the Immortal Palace, and Dao Yuan Daozun have a rather good relationship. There is no need to offend Daozun because of this. As for Teacher’s matter, let Teacher handle it himself.”

On an immortal island by the South Sea, an old immortal who had lived in seclusion for many years heard of this matter and said to the boy beside him with emotion: “I have cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years, witnessing countless changes in the Primordial World, yet I never thought that one day I would witness such a heaven-shaking event. The struggle between Daozun and Dao Ancestor, how shocking this is! The Primordial World will surely not be peaceful from now on.”

The boy asked curiously: “Master, since that Daozun is so powerful, will he unify the Primordial World?”

The old immortal frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said: “This is hard to say. There are many Great Powers in the Primordial World, and the various forces are complex. Even if Daozun’s strength is extraordinary, unifying the Primordial World is easier said than done. Let’s see how each side responds!”