Chapter 1 The Originating Path, the Realm of Celestial Light

Around the central giant star 'Celestial Light' were built numerous circumstellar research stations, each a steel fortress comparable to a planet. The 'Central Experimental Hub of the Originating Path', formed by linking tens of thousands of planetary-level research stations, was the most core facility cluster of this Ten Celestial God System.

The Originating Grand Hall, also known as the 'First Creation Laboratory', was located at the heart of the Celestial Light research base cluster.

This sacred place, which once gave birth to the draft design of the Originating Path's microcosm and determined the core Great Dao structure of an entire universe, had been sealed off millions of years ago and was no longer used as a laboratory in the practical sense.

However, due to its special structure and outer wall material, the Originating Grand Hall itself was equivalent to an independent universe block, capable of isolating the prying eyes of almost all Hedao (Harmony of the Dao) experts from both inside and outside the Creation Realm.

Celestial Light spewed forth, spiritual light condensed and flowed, and endless spiritual energy transformed into a sky of azure mist, surrounding the entire research cluster. There were also bursts of Daoist sacred songs, playing the essence of the microcosm's Great Dao, showcasing the atmosphere of a divine domain.

Recently, the Daoist sacred songs around Celestial Light had become clearer compared to the past, even causing the microcosm's spacetime itself to vibrate, creating visible spacetime tides.

Simply put, it was because, within this Creation Grand Hall, there were five Hedao experts stationed, an unprecedented event.

Dusi Ke, the Celestial God of Didao (Establishing the Dao); Helandi, the Guizhong (Returning to the Origin) Instructor; Jun Guang, the Luotian (Encompassing Heaven) God Emperor; Fa Wu'er, the Jiangshi (Descending to the World) Master of Ceremonies; and the core cluster of the Honghui (Vast Brilliance) Dao... Five Hedao-level experts were currently seated in the Originating Grand Hall, silently watching Su Zhou achieve Hedao in the outer universe void, forge his Hedao Armament, and defeat the attacking power of the universe's will.

[This Primordial Candle Dragon clearly hasn't fully completed Hedao, but his power isn't weak at all. And that Hedao Armament is even more astonishing. Although I knew that it had the backing of the Myriad Manifestations Burial Ground, I never thought that it could withstand a full blow from the universe's will.]

Exhaling a breath, Guizhong Instructor Helandi shook his head slightly. This Hedao expert, who looked like a middle-aged teacher, recalled the process of his previous exchange with Su Zhou from afar and couldn't help but sigh: [Although I already knew that the Candle Dragon was extraordinary, I never expected that his foundation would be so solid. He just broke through to Hedao and completely comprehended the various divine powers and might of the Hedao realm.]

[It seems that the great world behind the Primordial Candle Dragon also has a fairly complete Hedao inheritance.]

Fa Wu'er, the Jiangshi Master of Ceremonies of the Tianqi (Revelation) Dao, appeared to be an old man clad in a long robe. This Hedao expert raised a finger, and a ray of light rose up.

He narrowed his golden eyes, stared at the various signs of the light's transformation, and then shook his head and said: [I can't see through it, and I can't deduce it either. It seems that, like our world, it's quite extraordinary. The story is too vast, exceeding the scope of my abilities.]

The old man even looked around at everyone present and said with a wry smile: [Alas, what's the use of my divine power? Since Hedao, there's practically no way to peek into the future of any strong person.]

The great God Emperor Jun Guang and the core cluster on the other side did not speak.

Although they wouldn't disbelieve what the Master of Fate said, they also didn't believe that he couldn't glimpse any of fate's trajectory.

After all, even if the peeking failed... the failure itself was a kind of confirmation of the guess.

Although these two Hedao experts both had human forms, they rarely used them.

God Emperor Jun Guang generally preferred to transform into the Luotian Imperial Divine Court, carrying the entire divine system's Heavenly Court within his own body. The core cluster of the Honghui Dao was even more so the most core divine system network hub of the entire Honghui Dao. It was not merely an ordinary lifeform, but more akin to a 'representative' jointly condensed by all individuals of the Honghui Dao.

However, even these two eccentric and habitually silent individuals couldn't help but have a slight change in expression after seeing Su Zhou step into the Creation Realm and shatter the universe will's sky-covering hand with the World Tree Spear.

The tall, gray-haired man stroked the armrest of his throne and said with some emotion: [I originally agreed with that Primordial Candle Dragon that if we had time, we could exchange insights for a while. I'm very interested in this kind of supreme Venerable from another world, and he should also be quite curious about the divine powers of our Creation Realm.]

[But I never expected that this Primordial Candle Dragon wouldn't stop at all, fighting or discussing the Dao all the way to this point, until Hedao, as if it were a natural course.]

[Unfortunately, it's not our Dao.]

The core cluster on the other side, which looked like a phantom figure formed by countless tiny faces, let out a sigh of regret. He said with some regret: [That intention of innovation does seem to be able to guide hundreds of millions of living beings forward, but if there isn't a guiding principle, blind innovation is just an internal war among living beings, with absolutely no possibility of sublimation.]

[And who will write such a guiding principle?]

However, regardless of their respective views and attitudes towards 'Heavenly Evolution' and the 'Dao of Innovation', all Hedao experts had a very positive view of Su Zhou himself, almost to the point of admiration.

After all, they were also Hedao experts who yearned to move forward, and seeing a completely new Hedao path different from theirs appear in this world naturally made them feel invigorated.

Conflict of interest? A boring term. For existences below the Immortal Celestial, resources might still be a reason for battle, but for powerful Immortals and Gods who could traverse the multiverse void, how could they lack mere resources?

Even if it wasn't a multiverse, how could a proper infinite starry sky world be completely occupied by tens or hundreds of thousands of Immortals and Gods?

And Hedao went even further. Their power had already begun to exceed the limitations of the universe's constants. In a sense, all naturally generated divine materials were no more noble to them than dust.

Their conflict lay only in the clash of paths.

Or rather, the 'contention' for the future.

Among the five Hedao experts present, Dusi Ke, the leading Celestial God of Didao, was currently deep in thought.

Among the Five Celestial God Systems, with the Originating System as the head, the strongest among them was not Him. Whether it was the Luotian God Emperor or the Jiangshi Master of Ceremonies, their mastery of their respective inheritance's supreme legacy was more profound than His, and the Guizhong Instructor and the core cluster were definitely not weaker than Him either.

Even if Hedao Armament was taken into account, He was only slightly stronger than the others by relying on the inheritance of the Originating Path.

But what was the point of fighting for strength?

The most important key was that if one's understanding of their respective laws wasn't meticulous and thorough enough, there was no way to advance further.

However, Dusi Ke's strength lay in the fact that He was always good at planning the future, leading the entire divine system forward towards an even more powerful 'victory'.

Just like now, the Five Celestial God Systems were joining forces, wanting to determine the 'Only God', which was the 'future' that They had determined.

Dusi Ke didn't participate too much in the discussion about Su Zhou. Although He was also surprised by Su Zhou's speed of power advancement, which was suspiciously high, He wasn't foolish either, knowing that such confusion was meaningless.

Instead of thinking about this, it was better to think about what kind of impact Su Zhou's appearance would have on the entire Creation Realm.

[The universe's will, the Primordial Candle Dragon... the mutation of the Myriad Manifestations Burial Ground has also appeared, and the Great Daos of those two old trees have even returned again. Could it be that Lincoln Erda didn't kill them back then?]

[Abnormal events one after another. Without the Doomsday Cataclysm, that old snake of the Dark Abyss Dao definitely wouldn't be in such a hurry to leave, but would stay to watch... tsk, the situation is already out of control.]

Although abnormal events happened one after another, His thinking couldn't stop.

The creation of the Only God... not only couldn't it stop, but it had to be accelerated!

Now, other divine systems and other forces had gradually exposed their trump cards. Some originally scattered forces, such as the Candle Dragon, had also shown their potential, achieving Hedao and starting to stir up the game.

However, it could also be said that these already exposed forces could be re-incorporated into the plan!

After all, the greatest danger was the unknown. Now that the enemies had exposed their trump cards, it was time for Them to advance valiantly!

——Fuse the power of the Ten Celestial God Systems, add the power of many supreme inheritances to the 'Body of Bearing the Dao', artificially creating an 'ultimate extraordinary being' who could innately bear all Great Dao divine powers, a God above Gods created by Gods!

As long as They could create an Only God who could glimpse the Flood Realm, then whether it was the universe's will, the Primordial Candle Dragon, or other divine systems such as the Dark Abyss Dao and the Imperial Balance Dao who held opposing opinions, they would all be meaningless.

At that time, all the dead could be resurrected, and all that was lost would be returned.

The very existence of the born 'Only God' would be enough to engrave His brand at the foundation of spacetime. At that time, no one could stop His birth anymore. If He was willing, He could even reshape history to before all conflicts had begun, completely ending all disasters from the source.

This was definitely the best possible future——as long as it was achieved, then all past pain could be dissolved, and all losses and sacrifices could be recovered.

Although, other divine systems might not agree to this plan.

But the Five Celestial God Systems alone were enough.

[Creation] shapes the body, [Termination] shatters the barriers, [Return to One] merges the Great Daos, [Fate] determines the path, and [Coordination] coordinates the divine power.

Dusi Ke and the other five Hedao experts gathered here, to the point that even the prison of the Cause Severing Dao, whose home was stolen by the Candle Dragon, found it difficult to return, precisely because They were now carrying out the key steps to create the Only God.

That was to gather the divine intentions of the Five Great Inheritances, transform Dao rhythm into soul, and create the Only Soul.

Dusi Ke actually understood everything.

Whether it was the Candle Dragon or the content of the Dark Abyss Dao's great snake's attack on Himself, there was actually nothing wrong with it.

The Only God plan had many flaws; rather, it was full of loopholes.

Not to mention some other scattered small problems... just the most core one.

——As a God-made life, who would the Only God listen to after He was created?

Not to mention the other four Celestial God Systems who were also creators, would the Only God really listen to these creators? If Their plan really succeeded, how could a Hedao peak that was almost at the Flood Realm, and even a Flood Realm expert who could break through at any time, listen to the words of these small people like a robot?

What He was wholeheartedly doing was actually creating a powerful puppet that was completely out of control, and this puppet could turn against them at any time and could trigger an artificial intelligence rebellion.

But.

[We of the Originating Path... have the means to control it.]

The majestic God of Didao raised His head, His gaze cast towards the 'Celestial Light Star' outside the Originating Grand Hall.

That was where His trump card lay.

This immense star, with a total mass two hundred billion times that of an ordinary star, didn't seem to be just a star... It was a spacetime singularity in itself.

Its very existence distorted the entire spacetime of the Creation Realm's great universe. In the past, the sages of the Originating Path and the experts of the Creation Ring had precisely used this star's unique characteristic of seeming to be naturally connected to hundreds of thousands of worlds to create the initial microcosm 'Realm of Celestial Light', using it as the source.

For many years, the Originating Path had been continuing to wage war, but it had also not neglected the research on this strange great star. As a giant divine system organization with Hedao experts and inheritance, Their research had indeed been quite effective, and They had indeed sensed the essence of this great star.

That was, a 'Great Star of the Heavens' that penetrated hundreds of thousands, or even millions of different worlds, and simultaneously existed in many domains of the multiverse!

In every world, it had a mass of two hundred billion ordinary main sequence stars. Whether that world supported the existence of stars, supported the existence of material entities, supported the existence of light, electromagnetic waves, and nuclear fusion, this star was eternally the same, existing beyond all world rules.

In the Creation Realm, the Celestial Light Star seemed to be just a cosmic wonder, not too strange, but think about it, if a relatively large continent world suddenly had a supergiant star with a diameter calculated in light-years, it would be a little terrifying no matter how you thought about it.

No, the entire Celestial Light Star, rather than being a star, was more like a seal... a seal that sealed something too powerful, requiring a unique method to connect hundreds of thousands or millions of great universes, using the power of these countless universe Great Daos to barely balance it!

Just a trace of the aftermath of its power would Dao-taint the heavens and myriad realms.

This already possessed some characteristics of the Flood Realm.

The Seal of the End of the Universe...

This was the name that Dusi Ke had learned from the information left behind in the wreckage of the many experts who had attempted to explore its essence within this great star that penetrated the heavens.

Whether this name referred to the seal of this great star itself, or the name of the thing it sealed, it was definitely something that even many Hedao experts had to face with extreme caution.

Even a Flood Realm level expert probably couldn't face this Seal casually.

The Originating Path's research over these millions of years had only studied a trace of the surface.

Relying on the advantage of the microcosm's internal Great Dao being completely controlled by Hedao experts, with nearly the power of the Hedao peak, Dusi Ke could now barely use a trace of the Seal of the End of the Universe's power that flowed out from the Celestial Light Star.

And this could give Him the confidence to control the future 'Only God' with this divine power that was enough to suppress all things.

At this moment, in the very center of the Originating Grand Hall, a crystal coffin was slowly rising.

This coffin was translucent, and inside was a completely transparent human body without male or female features, allowing one to directly see all the bones, meridians, and spiritual power condensation points.

This body seemed unremarkable, but all Hedao experts could see that this human body was extremely unique. It certainly didn't have any special divine power, let alone any innate divine powers, but it bore the universe's Heavenly Heart above and the inheritance of all living beings below. It was almost the body of bearing the Dao. It only lacked a soul to be called a man-made Dao-born life.

This was also why the Originating Path had to capture Starfire and the various Candle Dragons in the past——bloodline bodies were easy to create, but without carefully observing the soul, it was difficult to obtain relevant data to determine what method they were relying on to fuse and adapt to the many Great Dao inheritances.

However, this wasn't a big problem——although the descent of the Primordial Candle Dragon caused the plan to capture the Candle Dragons and the Dragon of Bearing the Dao to fail, the Primordial Candle Dragon himself wasn't cautious about this information, allowing the Originating Path to collect enough information.

The prototype of the soul had already been determined.

All that was needed was to instill power to achieve it.

[Almost ready, we can try it.]

Raising his head.

Dusi Ke began to be surrounded by a burst of indescribable, intangible, neither cold nor warm, but auras that gave a sense of stagnation and seal.

The entire Originating Grand Hall seemed to be filled with a cold current originating from the universe's freezing, and as the icy cold surged, the surrounding spacetime emitted unbearable shattering sounds, with cracks and spacetime fragments peeling off and shattering.

Even the other Hedao experts frowned slightly, wary of the ripple that rose around Dusi Ke.

But Dusi Ke didn't care. At this moment, all His heart was focused on creation, creating a 'creation' that was even better than Himself, even better than the past.

[Creation... should create things stronger than oneself.]

[Not just creating tools, nor creating descendants, nor creating slaves. Although such creation is not wrong, it is just a minor path, not the essence of creation.]

[True creation is when humans create strong artificial intelligence, humans create cultivation systems, and cultivators create Gods, so on and so forth, gradually creating a better self, creating an increasingly powerful future!]

Taking the lead in standing up, the Celestial God of Didao at this moment was truly dignified and solemn in the light that emanated from His entire body.

He walked to the front of the crystal coffin and then stretched out his hand and pressed it on the forehead of the humanoid figure in the coffin.

[God-made God, I bestow upon you the divine power of 'Creation'.]

[You shall hold the 'Light of the Beginning of the World', and you will surely open up a path forward and create the future!]