When Hongmeng first opened, the world was clear; the four seas and the eight wildernesses held ten thousand phenomena. The vast Chaos was like an egg, stretching across immeasurable distances. Let us traverse time and space, cross mountains and seas, and return to the vast world of Honghuang! Fellow Daoists, please board—we are setting off!
Chaos is beginning! The universe has yet to take shape, and nothing exists. There is only a vast, boundless expanse! Deep in the heart of Chaos, a colossal lotus was gestating, known as the Chaos Green Lotus. This lotus bloomed with 108 petals, possessed twelve emerald leaves, and twenty-four blossoming flower petals. At its heart, seven lotus seeds condensed and shimmered with brilliance; it was within this that the Great God Pangu was gestating. Beside the Green Lotus grew a towering parasol tree, its roots intertwined with those of the Chaos Green Lotus itself.
"Big brother, when do you think we will be able to take on human form? I can sense that there are living beings fighting in the depths of this Chaos!"
"Focus on your cultivation. What business is it of yours whether they fight or not? Do not mention taking human form again until you have reached the Half-Step Dao Realm!"
After hearing this, the parasol tree swayed its branches in protest, but immediately returned to its meditation.
Time in Chaos is not measured in years; in the blink of an eye, an eon passed.
"Boom!" A deafening sound echoed.
A giant with a beard as stiff as copper wire, standing ten thousand zhang tall, appeared. With the Jade Plate of Creation above his head, standing upon the thirty-six-petaled Chaos Green Lotus, and clutching a giant axe in his hand, he stood firm at the center of Chaos.
"Hahaha! My name is Pangu!"
"Second brother, if not now, then when?"
"Boom!" Another loud crash rang out! A young man in white drifted down.
"Qiwu greets you, big brother!"
Pangu nodded in satisfaction. "Eighth Heavenly Layer of Hunyuan Taiji Golden Immortal—not bad! You can at least protect yourself now."
Qiwu smiled and looked at Pangu. "Big brother, with you at the Half-Step Dao Realm, who in this Chaos could possibly take my life?"
Just as they were speaking, several streaks of Liuguang raced toward them. Pangu frowned. "We have company."
Before the words had faded, the streaks of light arrived before them. The group cast greedy gazes, sizing up Pangu and Qiwu.
"Such treasures! Truly, such treasures!"
The group exchanged glances, and the leader spoke first: "Congratulations, fellow Daoists, on taking human form today. We brothers have come to witness the event. May we ask the names of you two?"
Pangu let out a cold snort. "Since your intentions are unkind, there is no need for such hypocrisy."
"Hahaha, Ancestor Wuji, have we not done enough killing and treasure-stealing to be past this? Why bother? Look, you've been given the cold shoulder."
"Demon God of Wind, you shouldn't say that; Ancestor Wuji’s act has saved us quite a bit of trouble in the past!"
"Hahahaha!"
The Demon Gods chattered and laughed, paying no heed to Pangu or Qiwu.
Ancestor Wuji hesitated for a moment. "In that case, let’s do it. The old rules: the treasures will be split evenly."
Even as he spoke, Ancestor Wuji’s body subtly retreated a few steps. He could sense the danger emanating from Pangu.
"You court death!"
Pangu swung his axe, and the blade’s light tore through the void, slashing toward the Demon Gods.
"Hiss! What terrifying power!" Ancestor Wuji muttered to himself. The others simultaneously felt the terror of Pangu’s strike.
The Demon God of Light roared, "Attack together!"
Simultaneously, they all unleashed their powers against Pangu and Qiwu. While Ancestor Wuji launched an attack, he used the moment to desperately flee into the distance.
In the blink of an eye, Pangu shielded Qiwu behind him and struck out with a palm, neutralizing their combined offensive.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
As he spoke, Pangu hurled his giant axe toward Ancestor Wuji. A wail echoed, and the axe flew back.
The Demon Gods, pushed back by Pangu’s palm, looked at one another, their expressions darkening. They had sensed Pangu was strong, but they never imagined he would be this absurdly powerful.
"Half-Step Dao!" the Demon God of Light cried out in horror.
As they spoke, they all instinctively retreated, their hearts filled with the desire to flee.
"It is too late to leave now!"
Without further ado, Pangu swung his axe again. In a single move, the Demon Gods did not even have the chance to react before they were reduced to ash.
Looking at the spiritual treasures scattered on the ground, Pangu waved his hand, and they appeared in his grasp. He looked at Qiwu. "Second brother, take these spiritual treasures."
Qiwu laughed and collected the items. "Since big brother gives them to me, I will not refuse!" He then asked, "Big brother, shall we go and explore?"
"That is precisely what I intend to do!"
With that, the two walked toward the depths of Chaos.
"Second brother, I have not yet had the chance to see what your natal spiritual treasure is."
At Pangu’s request, Qiwu waved his hand, and a massive sword appeared in his grip. The sword was snow-white, radiating endless cyan light.
"Not bad, a top-tier Chaos spiritual treasure. When I find the right materials, I will refine it for you; there may be room for improvement." Pangu paused. "However, you lack defensive spiritual treasures. Once I find you a suitable one, I will be at ease."
Qiwu replied, "I don't need one! With you here, I have no use for such treasures."
Pangu looked at Qiwu sternly. "I cannot protect you forever. There are three thousand Demon Gods in the Chaos world, and even I must fear the powerful ones among them. You must cultivate diligently!"
"I know, I know! My ears are calloused from hearing that!" Qiwu took a step, and in an instant, he had traveled millions of miles.
Pangu looked at Qiwu’s departing figure, smiled bitterly, shook his head, and followed.
During their years of travel, Pangu gradually came to realize his own Dao. His Dao was the Opening of the Heavens. To open the Heavens, he would have to slay the three thousand Demon Gods, which would inevitably lead to a brutal battle. Although Qiwu’s cultivation was not low, in Pangu’s heart, he remained a little brother who would always require his protection.
"Big brother, such powerful fluctuations!"
"There is a great battle ahead, fought by the supreme Demon Gods of this Chaos. Second brother, stay behind me!"
As Pangu finished speaking, they saw a Five Elements Formation shrouding the combatants.
"Old monster of the Five Elements, do you think your pathetic Five Elements Formation can trap me?"
"Reincarnation, do not think that just because you have allies, I do not! As long as I can trap you for a short time, I have nothing to fear from you!"
"Oh? Is that so? Are you waiting for Yangmei?"
"Hahaha! I don't mind telling you: Yangmei cannot save you today. He has already been entangled by the Demon God of Karma!"
"Even if he were to escape by luck, do you think he would dare come to save you with Fate and me here?"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hand over your dharma treasures obediently, and I might grant you a quick death!"
As the saying goes:
Time is supreme, Space is king,
If Fate does not emerge, Karma is the sovereign!
Hearing the words of the Demon God of Reincarnation, the Demon God of the Five Elements’ face suddenly betrayed panic: "Could it be that something has happened to Yangmei as well?!"