Chapter 77: Law of Causality, Hongjun's Union with the Dao

Fatty shook his head with a wry smile, returning from his memories. He never expected that the plan he concocted in his boredom years ago, a scheme to flaunt his prowess, would now become the only means for him to continue his cultivation.

Indeed, Chenxing’s solution was for Fatty to switch his cultivation to the causal laws gained from Pangu, practicing the path of chaos deities and demons, forging connections of causality with countless chosen ones. Using these ties as a guide, he would achieve the body of a Chaos Demon God, reaching the peak attainable in the primordial era, avoiding stagnation in his cultivation.

Once the seal upon Chenxing was lifted, all difficulties would dissipate. As for whether Fatty would be killed before that happened, he was unconcerned. Did people truly think Chenxing, a quasi-saint, was weak? Not to mention those two formidable figures on the island—who would dare challenge them?

Shaking his head, Fatty’s mischievous expression returned. He glanced at Houtu and the young Chenmi beside him, laughing, “Alright, the show’s over. Let’s go!”

The two girls nodded, and the trio headed toward the Purple Cloud Palace.

Upon arriving again, Houtu was momentarily stunned—the people seated upon the meditation mats were still present.

Seeing their return, Hongjun sighed helplessly, “Ah! You two swept away all the supreme treasures from the Treasure Rock, binding yourselves to the great causality with the myriad beings of the primordial world. Was there any need for this?”

Upon hearing Hongjun’s words, the others immediately understood. No wonder so many had failed to obtain any supreme innate treasures—it turned out these two had somehow taken them all.

Zhenyuanzi ignored it, content with the item he had gained. The Three Pure Ones were livid, saying nothing, their gaze fixed upon Fatty. Jieyin and Zhunti looked bitter, regretting their late arrival.

Fatty shrugged, “You said it was all according to fate. Since we obtained them, they’re ours. If blame must be laid, blame their slow pace.”

The others were speechless, but upon reflection, he was correct.

Tongtian, straightforward by nature, immediately stood and bowed to Fatty, saying, “We were narrow-minded. I apologize and hope for your forgiveness!”

Fatty grinned, quickly taking a treasured sword from his robe and stuffing it into Tongtian’s hands. “That’s right! Admit your mistakes and you’re a good comrade! Here, take this treasure—it can stabilize your fortune!”

Seeing Fatty’s shameless smile, Chenxing shook his head. This fellow would do anything to forge ties of causality, even gifting Hongjun's treasures in front of him. Was this really appropriate?

Tongtian was bewildered by Fatty’s brazen gesture, hesitant to accept the treasure, but upon looking down: The Innate Spirit Treasure, Azure Lotus Sword! He couldn’t bear to part with it, and after much thought, finally accepted it, bowing, “Thank you, Uncle Master!”

Hearing the title “Uncle Master,” Fatty was delighted. After a moment’s thought, he went over to Chenmi and whispered something. The little girl reluctantly pulled two items from her small pouch and handed them to Fatty, face full of displeasure.

Taking the items, Fatty hurried to Laozi and Yuanshi, saying, “Come, since fate has brought us together, it doesn’t matter if you call me Uncle Master or not, but a meeting gift is still in order!”

He handed the treasures to the two men, encouraging, “Don’t be shy! Just a little gift, nothing valuable. Take it! Take it!”

The two were embarrassed, tempted to refuse, but upon examining the items Fatty had given them, felt a resonance with them. After much deliberation, they reluctantly stood and thanked him, “Thank you, Uncle Master!”

Why did they change their minds so suddenly? It turned out Fatty had given them a crutch and a Seven-Treasure Jade Ruyi.

These items were meant for them originally, but Fatty had snatched them first. Now, having regained them and feeling a connection to the treasures, they couldn’t bring themselves to return them. In resignation, they accepted this convenient Uncle Master.

Seeing this, Zhunti, nearby, grew envious. All had received supreme treasures from Fatty for merely calling him Uncle Master. He hurriedly stood and bowed, “Zhunti pays respects to Uncle Master!”

He then looked at Fatty expectantly, waiting for his own “meeting gift.”

Fatty was stunned. He wished to forge ties of causality with all the great primordial deities, but now… he was out of treasures! Ask the little girl for more? Impossible! He’d already signed countless unequal agreements to get the previous two.

To ask her again? Heh! He’d end up selling himself to the little girl. Try to renege? Did he really think the women on the island were easy to deal with? Each one doted on her—their precious heart. Would Chenxing dare cross them? In a heartbeat, they’d show him who was really in charge.

Helplessly, Fatty spread his hands and smiled wryly, “The treasures are gone. How about I call you Uncle Master instead? Surely I can’t let you suffer a loss, right?”

Zhunti was dumbfounded. What was this scheme? Why was there nothing left for him? If Fatty called him Uncle Master, would he have to give Fatty a meeting gift with his own few treasures?

Seeing Zhunti’s aggrieved look, Fatty was helpless. He glanced at the little girl, who was entirely uninterested, absorbed in her new treasure.

Chenxing, unable to watch any longer and feeling kindly toward Jieyin and Zhunti—both of whom had endured much for the Western land—beckoned the girl gently, “Little sister, could you lend your brother two treasures?”

Without hesitation, Chenmi handed over all her remaining treasures, her clear voice ringing, “Take them all, brother. I have no use for them anyway!”

Fatty’s mouth twitched—this was the difference between a real brother and himself! He’d struggled for two items, but at Chenxing’s request, she gave all without a second thought. Ah, his heart—shattered!

Ignoring Fatty’s twitching mouth, Chenxing selected two treasures, passing them to Zhunti and Jieyin, saying, “You two have worked tirelessly to restore the Western land. Take these treasures and use them well!”

He tossed the two spirit treasures to them. Zhunti and Jieyin were overjoyed, inspecting their gifts—a Vajra Scepter and a Nightmare Pearl. Feeling the resonance, Zhunti kept the scepter, Jieyin the pearl.

They were about to thank Chenxing, but he waved them off, “Consider this my helping Fatty. If you wish to thank someone, thank him.”

The two nodded, not minding, and bowed to Fatty, “Thank you, Uncle Master!”

Fatty helped them up, his heart brimming with joy. Now, several future saints of the primordial world had forged good ties with him. When they achieved sainthood, his divine demon body would likely reach minor completion!

Hmm! Still too few. He must forge more ties with the protagonists of heaven and earth. When the Six Saints emerge, he hoped his divine demon body would reach full maturity.

Should he try with Hongjun, who was about to merge with the Dao…

Sensing Fatty’s wicked gaze at Hongjun, Chenxing immediately understood Fatty’s reckless intent, and silently warned him, “Don’t even think about it. Hongjun is about to merge with the Dao, becoming the Heavenly Way. Ties of causality with him would be useless, even harmful.”

Fatty looked at Hongjun with disappointment, muttering to himself, “Looks like I’ll have to seek others in the primordial world—Kunpeng? Minghe? Or perhaps Emperor Jun and Taiyi?”

Oh, but I have no treasures now—how to make connections? If forging good karma is impossible, then I’ll settle for bad karma. Yes! That’s the plan!

With the commotion ended and everyone seated again, Hongjun spoke, “There are still nearly a hundred years left for the sermon. Since you have stayed, I shall continue to explain.”

A hundred years later, a cold voice echoed across the primordial world, “Now I shall merge with the Dao. Henceforth, Hongjun is the Heavenly Way; the Heavenly Way is not Hongjun. When no great tribulation arises, Hongjun shall not appear. Merge with the Dao!”

As the words "merge with the Dao" were spoken, all beings felt an inexplicable force binding them. Hongjun, having completed the Heavenly Way with his own being, had begun its operation, and the Eye of Heaven now watched over all living things.