But the two were not lost within it; as quasi-saint powerhouses who had already severed one of their corpses, their wisdom far surpassed that of great powers.
Di Jun knew that while this path seemed bright, it was in fact fraught with peril, where a single misstep could lead to a cascade of errors. Such grand undertakings were not for ordinary individuals.
However, by chance, the two brothers were no ordinary beings!
Di Jun bowed respectfully and solemnly, "Many thanks to Senior for imparting the method of establishing our enterprise!"
Tai Yi looked up at Qing Ling, the blazing sunlight in his eyes unable to penetrate the figure before him. "What exactly do you wish to do?"
Qing Ling smiled faintly, "Whether in the past or present, I merely desire to live, and therefore I scheme."
Upon hearing this, Tai Yi saw the seemingly supreme Eastern Wasteland Dao Master before him overlap with the figure who had once fled with him through the chaotic lands. Unchanging through the ages, the person remained the same.
A nascent understanding dawned in his heart, revealing feelings he had never perceived, a desire for eternal life and…
"Since Dao Master has the intention, then Tai Yi shall act for Dao Master."
Qing Ling couldn't help but laugh out loud, "As expected of one who once shared life and death with me.
But are you two prepared?
To oppose the Twelve Ancestral Witches who have long dominated the Primordial World, to contend with all the races of the Primordial World, and to wage a battle against the grand momentum of heaven and earth for eternity?"
Di Jun also laughed, "I, the Sun God, Di Jun Tai Yi, am eternal and have never feared!"
Tai Yi spoke no words, merely nodding silently. As the Sun God, who would dare to fear?
"Good!" Qing Ling pointed a finger, and countless rays of light soared into the sky. "I shall bestow upon you two a treasure! To establish your race."
"Establish a race?" Di Jun frowned, "But my Sun lineage has few bloodlines and is extremely difficult to continue."
As he spoke, he glanced at Tai Yi. All members of the Sun lineage were present – two lonely birds.
Tai Yi observed Qing Ling for a moment, remaining silent.
"Naturally, it is not the two of you," Qing Ling said with a smile. "Observe!"
He gestured, and the myriad of lights and shadows gradually took shape, transforming into various flying beasts and crawling creatures, birds, beasts, insects, and fish. All living beings born of heaven and earth were included.
Qing Ling said, "These are all the beings of the world."
He pointed again, and the murky qi rose, transforming into imposing, giant Wu figures, separate from the myriad of spirits.
"These are the Wu tribe!"
Then, the two sides met. In the myriad of spirits, regardless of whether they were natural enemies or prey, all stood side-by-side, facing the Wu tribe together. Though it was an interweaving of light and shadow, without flesh and blood, it might become an interweaving of blood and fire in the future!
"Do you two understand?"
Di Jun exclaimed, "All beings in the world, except for the Wu, will belong to one race?"
Qing Ling gestured again, and over the army of myriad spirits, creation overturned. Nuwa, with her human body and serpent's tail, stood tall, shielding the myriad spirits behind her.
The sun rose in the east, the myriad spirits rushed forth, all revering the sun!
Above Di Jun's head, the River Diagram and the Luo Book operated spontaneously. The five elements of heaven and earth, the eight trigrams, the principles of yin and yang, and the patterns of the Great Dao all converged into one.
In Di Jun's eyes, whether it was the stance of the heavenly realm or the momentum of the myriad beings, it all rested with Nuwa, forming the character "女" (woman).
The great sun rose in the east, hanging high above the rushing myriad beasts, becoming "夭" (young, vigorous).
(In oracle bone script, the character "大" signifies a running, galloping person!)
The two characters combined to form one, and the Dao pattern emerged!
Di Jun's eyes shot out golden light as he shouted, "Demon!"
With a single word, heaven and earth responded, the Great Dao trembled, and all beings felt it.
Di Jun's primordial spirit ascended, a three-legged Golden Crow emanating scorching light spread its wings and flew into the sky. The River Diagram and the Luo Book unfurled page by page, and the Sun Mirror and the Sun Essence Wheel flew out, displaying three suns converging at the peak, signifying prosperity!
Tai Yi quietly guarded Di Jun's side, a look of joy on his face. His brother's Great Dao had advanced, further surpassing some of the great powers among the three thousand great powers in the Purple Heaven Palace.
Di Jun's enlightenment and breakthrough at the Jianmu Peak, though he had not severed his second corpse, marked a significant step forward.
In Qing Ling's eyes, Di Jun's strength was now no less than when he first met Mu Gong in the Eastern Wasteland, and comparable to Lao Tzu, who was privately tutoring on Kunlun Mountain.
And the catalyst for this transformation was Qing Ling.
Di Jun's primordial spirit returned to his body, and the three top-grade spirit treasures were withdrawn. He bowed to Qing Ling again, saying, "As Di Jun, the Sun God, I cannot perform a kowtow. Otherwise, at this moment, Di Jun would surely bow in gratitude to Senior's immense kindness!"
Tai Yi was startled. If his brother were to truly bow, wouldn't that make them master and disciple? And wouldn't his relationship with Qing Ling become even more complicated?
Fortunately, as Di Jun said, as a divine being of the sun, born from Pangu's left eye, who but heaven and earth could receive a bow from the Sun God!
The various divine beings in heaven and earth possessed immense fortune and noble origins. Only heaven and earth could receive their bows; even a Saint would not. The three thousand great powers in the Purple Heaven Palace showed respect without bowing, precisely because of this etiquette.
Qing Ling heard this and couldn't help but smile, "Daoist Friend Di Jun, your words are too heavy!"
Di Jun, however, said, "These words are light, not heavy!"
Qing Ling's guidance had laid the foundation for the Great Dao path for him and Tai Yi, making it so clear; it was an immeasurable karma.
Tai Yi, his younger brother, didn't make much of a show, as his relationship with Qing Ling was something even Di Jun couldn't fathom. But he, as one without karma or cause, receiving such favor, had to show his stance.
"Senior! Since we establish our name with the Dao pattern of 'Demon,' from now on, my brothers and I shall claim leadership of the Demon race.
Di Jun cannot bow, but all future subjects of the Demon race must honor your grace.
Di Jun hereby swears: Eternal and unchanging, my Demon race will forever revere Qing Ling as the Ancestor of the Demon Race!"
As these words were spoken, though the Heavenly Dao did not react, the Great Dao sensed it, and another heavenly official position appeared on Qing Ling's forehead!
Ancestor of the Demon Race!
Although this position was currently small, in the future, when the Demon race was established and emerged, it would bring boundless fortune!
Qing Ling's heart stirred. The grand momentum of the Primordial World seemed to have been altered by him, yet it also seemed that the outcome had not deviated from the Heavenly Dao's grand momentum!
It truly embodied the saying, small matters can be changed, but the grand momentum cannot.
Even if Qing Ling altered the grand momentum, within the workings of heaven and earth, fate would twist and turn back to the track of history!
Qing Ling did not refuse. What he had done today was indeed worthy of the title Ancestor of the Demon Race.
Although the calamity of the Wu and Demon tribes was terrifying, he was the ancestor, not one of the five emperors of the Demon Court, nor one of the three hundred and sixty-five demon saints.
He was the former, not the latter.
The former hid in the world, while the latter manifested throughout heaven and earth.
Di Jun solemnly bowed to Qing Ling again, saying, "Di Jun shall not fail the Ancestor's trust. The Demon race will surely be established and emerge within three Yuan Hui!
However, Di Jun has a request, and I hope the Ancestor will assist."
"What matter?"
"For the Demon race to ascend to heaven, we seek to borrow the Jianmu Heavenly Ladder to communicate with heaven and earth!"
"Naturally, there is no objection!"
"Di Jun takes his leave!" Di Jun said, "Tai Yi, aren't you leaving?"
Tai Yi blinked, "Ah? Leaving now?"
Di Jun sighed, "Let's go."
Qing Ling looked at him, his eyes shining with light, and said with a smile, "Tai Yi, this era cannot accommodate me. But I hope you can create an era that embraces all beings."
Tai Yi looked somewhat dazed and asked, "What era?"
"The era of the Wu and Demon! And also, your era!"