Investiture of the Gods: I am Bigan, the Master of Conspiracy

Nuwa heeded Yin Ziyu's advice and immediately moved her sacred site from the chaos to Jianmu.

In an instant, the essence of humanity converged on the Jianmu tree like rivers flowing into the sea, merging with the tree's own vitality.

Nuwa sat serenely in the Daoist temple, the Great Dao of Creation operating, drawing upon the surrounding primordial spiritual energy to continuously gather. In an instant, the primordial land beneath the Jianmu tree burst forth with vitality, new creatures were born one after another, some graceful and some fierce, adding a touch of life to the primordial world.

After the collapse of Buzhou Mountain, the creatures of the primordial world were extremely few.

Naturally, it is necessary to create more races to balance the beings in the entire primordial world.

After leaving Chaoge, Yin Ziyu also established the Weixin Palace, a Taoist temple, on this divine tree that connects heaven and earth.

The palace is based on the origin of the Great Dao and its beams are made of transcendent power. It is suspended among the branches of the middle section of the Jianmu tree, closely connected with the origin of humanity, and has become a symbol of the unity of humanity.

Around the Jianmu tree, three thousand floating islands are scattered in an orderly fashion on the highest branch, surrounding the Weixin Palace and Nuwa's Taoist temple.

Each floating island is surrounded by a sacred mountain, where divine light and Taoist charm intertwine, resonating with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The entire area is filled with divine light, resembling a fairyland.

Originally, Emperor Xin wanted to hold the Hunyuan Ceremony for Yin Ziyu, but Yin Ziyu refused, saying it was too much of a show of force. After all, holding the Hunyuan Ceremony in Chaoge was meant to establish the prestige of the human race.

If that were the case, it would cause the entire human race to become unbalanced. Yin Ziyu is a hybrid of the human race, which is known to all living beings, so there is no need for him to establish authority independently.

However, the establishment of a Taoist temple on the Jianmu tree this time is of extraordinary significance. It is to show the Three Realms that Yin Ziyu belongs to the Human Realm of Hunyuan, which is equivalent to balancing the Three Realms.

Of the three realms, the human realm represents all living beings. For the beings of the three realms, the local officials are more powerful than the county officials.

Immediately, forces from all sides of the Three Realms would not miss the opportunity and would come to offer their congratulations.

After Yin Ziyu's temple was completed, people from all over the Three Realms sent congratulatory messages.

Zhen Yuanzi, the ancestor of the Earth Immortals, stepped forward first and respectfully bowed to the high platform where Yin Ziyu was located: "Zhen Yuanzi, leading the Wanshou Mountain Immortal Realm and all the myriad domains under Wanshou Mountain, congratulates Fellow Daoist Ziyu on attaining the Great Luo Golden Immortal of the Primordial Chaos. May Fellow Daoist live forever with the Great Dao, and may the primordial world be blessed from now on, and may all living beings be fortunate!"

After Zhen Yuanzi finished speaking, he presented several ginseng fruits.

Subsequently, the Queen Mother of the West from the Western Kunlun Wonderland led a group of female immortals to present a congratulatory message: "The Queen Mother of the West, along with all the immortals of Western Kunlun, congratulates Heavenly Venerable Ziyu on attaining the Primordial Dao. With the Jianmu tree as the foundation and the heart as the palace, humanity has been upheld, which is truly a blessing for the primordial world. May our fellow Daoist live a long and healthy life, and protect all living beings. All of Kunlun sincerely congratulates you."

Kunpeng from the Northern Underworld Demon Master's Mansion followed closely behind, presenting a congratulatory message: "Kunpeng from the Northern Underworld congratulates Heavenly Venerable Ziyu on his success in achieving the Primordial Chaos. In the past, when we discussed the Dao, you already showed extraordinary talent. Now that you have proven the Great Dao, your reputation is well-deserved. The Demon Master's Mansion is willing to follow the Dao and let Heavenly Venerable lead humanity. This intention is clear and can be witnessed by Heaven and Earth."

The Asura Realm also sent an envoy with a congratulatory message: "The entire Asura Realm congratulates Heavenly Venerable Ziyu on attaining the Primordial Dao. Amidst the turbulent changes of the primordial world, Fellow Daoist turned the tide and reshaped the order of heaven and earth. Our realm is filled with admiration. May the three realms live in harmony thereafter, without interfering with each other, and share the glory of the Great Dao."

Led by the Holy Mother Jinling, the members of the Jie Sect arrived with the Three Immortals of Sanxiao, the Holy Mother Guiling, the Holy Mother Wudang, and others, forming a formidable force.

Golden Spirit Mother stepped forward, her voice clear and bright, and read out a congratulatory message: "Golden Spirit Mother of the Jie Sect, along with her disciples, congratulates Heavenly Venerable Ziyu on attaining the Primordial Dao. Fellow Daoist, you attained the Dao in chaos, based on the principle of idealism, transcending the shackles of the Heavenly Dao, truly a model for all ages. Your words from the Daoist discussions at Biyou Palace years ago still resonate in our ears. Now, witnessing your success, the entire Jie Sect is overjoyed. May you continue to spread your Dao throughout the primordial world, benefiting all living beings. The disciples of the Jie Sect are willing to heed your teachings and jointly protect the Great Dao of the Primordial World."

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All factions in the Three Realms sent congratulatory messages. Even the Buddhist, Chan, and Ren sects sincerely sent their messages, for they were originally enemies, and now these forces had no choice but to submit.

Such a grand occasion was unprecedented in the history of the prehistoric world.

On the high platform, Yin Ziyu's Dharma form slowly unfolded, towering hundreds of millions of feet high, as if it had merged with the Jianmu tree.

At this moment, Yin Ziyu's face was serene, his eyes deep and profound, containing boundless Dao principles. He exuded a faint power of transcendence, and the River of Destiny and the River of Time flowed around him, making a murmuring sound. Ten thousand dragons roared and ten thousand phoenixes cried, and strange phenomena arose, demonstrating the supreme majesty of a Primordial Golden Immortal.

Upon seeing Yin Ziyu appear, all the living beings present bowed in worship, their voices converging into rolling thunder, yet filled with boundless piety.

"Congratulations to Heavenly Venerable Ziyu, a Primordial Golden Immortal of the Great Luo Realm! May your holy life be boundless and your divine might forever pacify the primordial world!"

The sound resounded through the heavens, causing the entire world to tremble.

Yin Ziyu raised his hand to signal everyone to stand up, his voice calm yet resounding throughout the surroundings: "I built the Weixin Palace here because the human race belongs to the Way of Humanity, and I, being the Primordial Being of the Way of Humanity, should safeguard the foundation of the Way of Humanity. I appreciate your congratulations. I will preach here for ten thousand years, and what I preach is the Way of the True Heart. I wish to explore the true meaning of the Great Way with you all and protect all living beings in the primordial world."

Nuwa is the ruler of humanity, equivalent to Hongjun, so she cannot easily reveal herself. If Nuwa does not appear, humanity will always need someone. Therefore, Yin Ziyu is actually the only Hunyuan among all living beings at this moment.

Yin Ziyu began to preach, and for a time the strange phenomena of heaven and earth around Jianmu never stopped.

Above the sky, auspicious seven-colored clouds lingered and hung down countless rays of light, like silk threads, gently caressing the primordial earth.

At times, phoenixes would gather and sing in the heavens, their clear calls blending with the rhythm of the Great Dao, transforming into melodious heavenly music.

Countless pure white flowers drifted down from the clouds, imbued with a faint Daoist aura, transforming into pure spiritual energy upon landing, nourishing every living being present.

Beneath the earth, golden lotuses bloomed, spreading from the roots of the Jianmu tree to all corners of the primordial wilderness.

These golden lotuses are either still in bud or in full bloom, their golden petals shimmering with a soft glow and emitting a refreshing fragrance.

As each golden lotus blooms, a wisp of the earth's essence rises up, merging with the heavenly and human essences in the sky to form three interwoven light curtains that envelop the entire preaching ground.

The Tao is formless, but is revealed by the mind; wherever the mind goes, the Tao exists.

Before chaos was divided, a single thought arose and vanished; after heaven and earth were separated, the heart contained all things.

The mind is not a vessel of flesh and blood, but the pivot of all things. When it is empty, it can contain; when it is still, it can illuminate; when it is in motion, it can transform.

Clinging to existence leads to loss of truth; clinging to non-existence leads to emptiness.

Existence and non-existence give rise to each other, and emptiness and reality complement each other; this is called the essence of mind.

People are deluded by external appearances and pursue material desires. Their minds are enslaved by their bodies, and the Way remains hidden.

Sages understand their true nature, return to simplicity and authenticity, align their hearts with the Dao, and transcend worldly concerns.

Yin Ziyu preached his own Great Dao, the Dao of the Mind, which was the true path of cultivating the mind to achieve Hunyuan, and could be considered a true Great Dao. Everyone listened attentively.

After listening, Yunxiao asked about something he didn't understand: How does one discern the mind?
Yin Ziyu replied: Observe the present moment without giving rise to deluded thoughts. When a thought arises, be aware of it; when aware, detach from appearances. Like a mirror reflecting objects, when the objects are gone, the mirror is empty; like a lotus emerging from the mud, when the mud is clean, the lotus is pure.

Yunxiao then asked: How does one attain enlightenment?

Yin Ziyu explained: Nothing exists outside the mind; the Dao resides within one's own heart. Whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, one should not stray from one's true nature; joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are all manifestations of the Dao. Not being swayed by circumstances, nor changed by things, is transcendence. The Dao of Heaven has its constancy, the Dao of Humanity has its source, and the Dao of Earth has its root. The three Daos return to oneness, and their pivot lies in humanity. When the human heart is clear and bright, the three Daos find peace. All beings in the primordial world share this one heart; the light of the heart is passed down, and the Great Dao is not lonely. In the past, Pangu created the heavens and earth, proving the Dao with force—this was the courage of the heart. Now I prove that only the mind exists, understanding the profound through thought—this is the clarity of the heart. Courage lies in breaking attachments, clarity lies in seeing the truth; their ultimate goal is oneness. The transmission of my philosophy of mind lies not in words, but in practice.

A single moment of enlightenment makes one a sage; a single moment of delusion makes one a mortal. A thousand years of preaching have merely served as a guide; only your sincere heart is the true teacher. If the heart is unhindered, the world naturally expands; if the heart transcends, time and space naturally break down. With this heart's imprint, coexist with the Tao; with this heart's transmission, it is passed down.
Yin Ziyu did not hold back, and in response to everyone's questions, he recounted the Great Dao of the Heart in detail. The ten-thousand-year-old sermon was a magnificent scene that had been reproduced from ancient times to the present.

Its form remained billions of feet tall, and as it opened its mouth, without any deliberate words, profound truths flowed out naturally.

Those proverbs are not specific words, but rather the sounds of the Tao containing endless truths, sometimes as loud and clear as a bell, sometimes as gentle and silent as spring rain.

The words reached everyone's ears and touched their very souls, drawing them in and allowing them to comprehend the power of the mind to attain enlightenment. Below the high platform, countless beings sat cross-legged, listening intently.

When the ten thousand years were up, Yin Ziyu slowly closed his mouth, and the Great Dao's admonitions gradually subsided. Yin Ziyu said, "The ten thousand years of sermons have ended. You may all disperse!"

After saying that, Yin Ziyu disappeared.

Although Yin Ziyu had left, the auspicious signs filling the sky and the golden lotuses covering the ground did not dissipate; instead, they became even more dazzling. Everyone present slowly opened their eyes. After listening to the Dao for ten thousand years, everyone had experienced a significant improvement in their cultivation level. Seeing that Yin Ziyu had already left, they immediately bowed deeply to Yin Ziyu on the high platform to express their gratitude.

As the sermon ended, all living beings, filled with profound understanding and awe, slowly dispersed. The auspicious golden lotuses surrounding the Jianmu tree continued to shine, and faint verses of the Great Dao lingered in the air.

Not long after, Jieyin and Zhunti arrived here, their expressions solemn as they went directly to the front of the Weixin Palace.

"Fellow Daoist Ziyu."

Yin Ziyu immediately knew that the two had arrived and walked out of the dojo.

Upon seeing them, the two immediately bowed and greeted each other with respect.

Yin Ziyu nodded slightly: "What brings you two fellow Daoists here?"

Jieyin stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "We have come here to settle our past karmic debts."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yin Ziyu's eyes: "Hasn't Heaven already borne all the consequences? Why did you two still come here specifically?"

Zhunti sighed: "We were once Heavenly Saints. Although our actions were all in accordance with the will of Heaven, we are still ashamed before you, fellow Daoist, and our hearts are always uneasy. If we do not come here in person to settle this matter, I am afraid we will not be able to cultivate in peace."

Yin Ziyu looked at the two of them and suddenly asked, "Back in the Investiture of the Gods period, what exactly happened when Emperor Xin fell into demonic possession?"

Upon hearing this, Zhunti looked ashamed and said, "It is shameful to say that this matter was discussed with Yuanshi Tianzun. We took the source of the innate demon that was suppressing Mount Sumeru, and then Laozi arranged for it to be sent into Di Xin's eyes, which caused his mind to change drastically."

Yin Ziyu suddenly realized why a gust of wind had not only blown the curtain of the Nuwa statue but also inexplicably blown into Di Xin's eyes.

Yin Ziyu naturally knew that it was the work of the Four Sages, and now he understood the reason behind it. He nodded slowly and said, "I see."

Upon seeing this, Zhunti quickly took out the Azure Lotus Treasure Banner and presented it with both hands: "The West is barren and has few spiritual treasures. I am willing to give this treasure to you, fellow Daoist, to resolve past grievances."

Yin Ziyu looked at the banner of the Five Elements Spiritual Treasures, thought for a moment, and said, "Very well, let's end the past with this treasure."

After saying this, Yin Ziyu accepted the Azure Lotus Banner.

Upon seeing this, both Jieyin and Zhunti breathed a sigh of relief, bowed again, and then turned to leave.

Not long after, Lao Tzu and Yuanshi Tianzun also arrived at the Weixin Palace.

"Fellow Daoist Ziyu."

Lao Tzu remained calm and composed, while Yuanshi Tianzun had a complex expression.

Yin Ziyu raised his hand, gesturing for the two to sit down: "You two fellow Daoists have come here, presumably to resolve the grudges that have existed since the Investiture of the Gods, right?"

Laozi nodded: "Nothing can be hidden from you, fellow Daoist. All that has happened in the past is the general trend of Heaven, and I need not elaborate further. I have come today specifically to resolve this matter. I wonder what you wish to do?"

Yin Ziyu pondered for a moment. Now that he had obtained the Azure Lotus Treasure Banner, the two of them possessed the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner and the Lidi Flame Banner, while the Xuanyuan Water Control Banner was nowhere to be found. He could use the Chaos Compass to search for it. As for the Yaochi Immortal Gathering Banner, he could exchange it later to obtain the Five Banners.

In the future, I will face the eternal path of the Great Dao, and the convergence of the five flags is also very important to me.

As for the grudges with the Four Saints, to Yin Ziyu, they were all people who had refined their hearts to prove their path, and they were all Heavenly Saints. If he did not want to be an enemy of the Heavenly Dao, there was no need for him to do anything.

After a moment's thought, Yin Ziyu said, "To resolve our grievances, you will surely be reluctant to part with your treasures. How about we each contribute a top-grade innate spiritual treasure?"

Lao Tzu thought for a moment and replied, "Yes."

Yin Ziyu looked at the two of them: "In that case, let's use the Flame Light Banner and the Apricot Yellow Banner."

Without hesitation, Laozi immediately took out the Flame Banner and handed it to Yin Ziyu.

Yuanshi Tianzun, however, looked reluctant, for the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner was a supreme defensive treasure and extremely important to him.

Seeing this, Laozi whispered in the background, "To settle this grudge, the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner is worth it."

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun gritted his teeth and took out the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, handing it to Yin Ziyu. Yin Ziyu accepted the two precious banners and nodded, saying, "In that case, past grievances are wiped clean."

Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun were relieved. They chatted with Yin Ziyu for a few more minutes about the future of the prehistoric world before leaving.

After Yin Ziyu established his Daoist temple, the entire prehistoric world entered a period of tranquility, much like the ancient times.

With the end of cause and effect, the world is clear and bright, and the original period of decline in the primordial chaos has now entered a true period of rise.

The Jianmu tree stands tall in the center of the primordial world, just like the Buzhou Mountain of the past, tirelessly absorbing and exhaling chaotic spiritual energy, transforming it into pure innate spiritual energy that flows into the primordial land.

Day after day, year after year, this process lasted for a full hundred million years.

In a peaceful era, billions of years are but a fleeting moment in the vast expanse of the primordial world, yet they are enough to bring about earth-shattering growth.

The ancient world had been in continuous decline, and by the time of Journey to the West, even becoming an immortal had become difficult, let alone attaining enlightenment.

Now, thanks to the continuous gifts from the Jianmu tree, the primordial world is filled with abundant innate spiritual energy, which seems to have transformed into a tangible mist, permeating every inch of land and every patch of sky.

This rich innate spiritual energy not only nourishes the primordial land but also radiates outwards, flowing into the myriad worlds that are subordinate to the primordial land.

Those three thousand great worlds, middle worlds, and small worlds that had once developed slowly due to a lack of spiritual energy have now been revitalized, and the cultivation of living beings has been subtly improved.

In such an environment, there were no longer any mortals in the primordial world.

Even newborn babies, bathed in rich spiritual energy, can easily awaken their intelligence and embark on the path of cultivation.

The realms that once required hundreds or even thousands of years to break through are now no longer difficult.

Nourished by spiritual energy, countless beings made rapid progress in their cultivation, and the overall strength of the entire prehistoric world was enhanced like never before.

On the earth, magnificent immortal cities rose up one after another, and cultivators came and went in an endless stream, either exchanging techniques or sharing their insights, creating a scene of prosperity.

In the sky, celestial birds danced and divine dragons circled, marking the beginning of a true golden age, a time of clarity and prosperity for heaven and earth.

At this moment, the Five Elements Flag appeared in Yin Ziyu's hand: "For a hundred million years, I have held all five elements in my hands. Now, I have finally condensed the Five Elements Flag, a supreme innate treasure! This flag is enough to protect the prosperity of humanity!" (End of this chapter)