The Primordial Era: The Mythical Path Beginning with the Jie Sect

Chapter 56 Jade Pool Wonderland, Taiyin Star Lord

Zhou Chen followed Tai Zhen Xi Wang Mu into the Yaochi Wonderland in the Western Kunlun Mountains.

Inside, a dazzling light shone, and jade trees, orchids, spiritual roots, and immortal herbs filled the area around the shimmering jade pool. The rich innate spiritual energy permeated the fairyland, making it seem like a dream.

"Fellow Daoist, what a fortunate encounter!"

Zhou Chen couldn't help but say that the spiritual energy of Yaochi Wonderland was no less than that of Yingzhou of the Three Immortal Islands. Although it was slightly inferior in other aspects, it was still one of the most blessed lands in the prehistoric world.

"Your Majesty flatters me! This Jade Pool is merely my accompaniment. I was born from this Jade Pool, otherwise I would not have been able to occupy this precious place."

The Queen Mother of the West chuckled, though her words still carried a hint of boasting.

Zhou Chen smiled slightly and said meaningfully:
"Fellow Daoist, does your Jade Pool have some connection with that person in the Heavenly Court?"

This is not an exaggeration by Zhou Chen. The names of great supernatural beings do indeed have great karmic significance. Although Yaochi of the Heavenly Court has not yet reached that level, she already holds a position in the Heavenly Court, so it is only a matter of time before she does.

For the Queen Mother of the West to advance further would be as difficult as ascending to heaven. Moreover, in later generations, Yaochi was located within the Heavenly Court. Although the reason is unknown and the prehistoric world is quite different, it is still a troublesome matter.

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother of the West frowned and her tone turned cold.

"Fellow Daoist, you jest. I have cultivated for countless years and am not someone to be trifled with."

Zhou Chen shook his head, walked to the edge of the Jade Pool, casually picked a lotus leaf from the lotus pond beside him, took some water from the Jade Pool, and returned to the Queen Mother of the West's side.

"Fellow Daoist, you are now like the spiritual water in a lotus leaf, having left the vast and deep Heavenly Pool. A slight misstep could lead to your annihilation."

Although you possess profound magical power and high cultivation, countless great masters have perished throughout the ages. Do you know why?

Zhou Chen glanced at the Queen Mother of the West and said something meaningful.

The Queen Mother of the West frowned even more deeply, looking at Zhou Chen with a somewhat wary expression.

"Fellow Daoist, please speak frankly."

Zhou Chen smiled, put down the lotus leaf in his hand, and then sat down directly in the Jade Pool, slowly saying:

"Fellow Daoist, don't you understand yet? The Heavenly Court is the orthodox lineage of the primordial world, and that one is the Heavenly Empress. Her cultivation will only grow stronger rapidly, catching up with or surpassing you."

Fellow Daoist, do you feel there's any possibility of advancing further?

The Queen Mother of the West pondered for a moment, then shook her head helplessly. Sitting down beside Zhou Chen, she lowered her guard. She had figured it out: even if Zhou Chen wanted to scheme against her, she couldn't resist. Not to mention the sage behind him, she was no match for Zhou Chen's strength alone.

"Your Majesty, is it really that difficult to single-mindedly pursue the Dao? Why are there always so many things going on?"

"The Queen Mother of the West asked in a dejected tone."

Zhou Chen poured the water from the Jade Pool from the lotus leaf into the pool and said:

“Seeking the Dao with a single mind is certainly simple, but it is very difficult if you have karmic debts to repay.”

All cultivators need to absorb spiritual energy, which is essential for the advancement of heaven and earth. The more spiritual energy one absorbs, the heavier the karmic debt one owes to heaven and earth.

When all living beings have exhausted the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to a certain extent, a great calamity will follow, which is to settle the karmic debts of all living beings and return the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother of the West frowned even more deeply, pondering Zhou Chen's words and finding them to be true. However, she remained silent and continued to look at Zhou Chen.

"Hehe, no one can escape this kind of thing, whether they are a Great Luo, a Quasi-Saint, or a Great Supernatural Being."

Of course, powerful beings with extraordinary abilities might escape this calamity by sheer strength, but what about those who come after? What if a saint also enters the fray later?

"Fellow Daoist, is there really no other way? What's the point of cultivating to this level?"

The Queen Mother of the West finally couldn't help but ask, because the law of cause and effect was too profound for her to have studied. However, the theory of cause and effect was indeed true; not only were they powerful beings subject to it, but even saints were not immune to it.

The two Western Saints of today have been working hard to revitalize the West! It's because when they became saints, they made a great vow and incurred karmic debts to the Heavenly Dao.

"There is a way! Just repay the karma of heaven and earth, as long as you do something beneficial to the primordial world."

This might sound difficult to you, fellow Daoist, since it's common knowledge that merit is hard to acquire.

Great merit is indeed difficult to achieve, but small merit is quite easy to achieve.

Just join the Heavenly Court. As the legitimate authority in the primordial world, the Heavenly Court will reward you with merit as long as you maintain order in the primordial world. Although it may not be much, it is continuous and inexhaustible.

That's why I said that person can catch up with you very quickly.

Zhou Chen explained that he wasn't exaggerating, because it was indeed the case.

The Queen Mother of the West looked at Zhou Chen with some suspicion, feeling that something was off. Could this guy be here to persuade her to join the Heavenly Court?
"Fellow Daoist, you wouldn't want me to join the Heavenly Court, would you?"

Zhou Chen smiled slightly and did not argue.

"That's right. Actually, fellow Daoist has some misunderstanding about the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court of today is no longer the Heavenly Court of the Demon Race. This is the Heavenly Court of the Primordial World, which is directly governed by the Heavenly Dao."

In my view, the positions in the Heavenly Court and those of the Sages are the same, except that the Sages have greater authority. Both are for the purpose of educating and governing the primordial world.

Therefore, in my opinion, joining the Heavenly Court is a good thing. Although there are some matters to handle, being able to repay the karmic debts of Heaven and Earth makes these small matters insignificant.

Moreover, apart from handling the duties of one's own position, the Heavenly Court is relatively leisurely. For example, I am stationed on the Ziwei Star in my Dao body.

Unless there are special circumstances, there's usually no need for him to intervene; he handles things himself.

The Queen Mother of the West remained silent, pondering Zhou Chen's words. After a long while, she finally made up her mind. Taking a deep breath, she asked Zhou Chen:

"I wonder what kind of position Your Majesty intends to assign to this humble Taoist priest?"

Zhou Chen thought for a moment and then said:

“Fellow Daoist, you could be the Taiyin Star Lord. Although your rank is somewhat low, it should be helpful for your cultivation of the Great Dao of Yin.”

Of course, if you feel this position is unsuitable for your status, I can introduce you to the Great Celestial Venerable. I believe the Great Celestial Venerable would not be stingy with a position among the Six Emperors.”

This time, the Queen Mother of the West didn't think too deeply and said directly:

"This humble Taoist still trusts Your Majesty. From now on, I will serve under Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will take good care of me!"

"Fellow Daoist is joking. I have a plan in a while, and I hope it won't disappoint you."

By the way, let's address each other as "fellow Daoist" in informal settings! Speaking of which, I feel a little awkward about calling each other "fellow Daoist."

Zhou Chen also smiled, feeling very pleased to have accepted a powerful expert.

"Learning knows no order of precedence; those who have attained enlightenment are teachers. With the Emperor's cultivation level, who, apart from fellow disciples, would dare to presume to call themselves his elder?"

……

After discussing the Dao with the Queen Mother of the West in the Jade Pool Wonderland, the Queen Mother of the West packed up and went to take up her post on the Taiyin Star.

Zhou Chen, meanwhile, rode a cloud and leisurely headed towards the Jade Void Palace.

(End of this chapter)