Volume One, Chapter 19: Discussing the Dao at the Palace of Vast Cold, Ancestor Xuantian

“Peasant Daoist Wangshu greets you, fellow cultivator.”

A voice rang out, clear and chill yet exceedingly melodious. Then a figure appeared within Lin Yang’s sight.

Upon seeing this woman, Lin Yang’s heart pounded violently. Though he had long anticipated that such a divine existence might dwell on the Moon’s Dark Star, the moment she manifested, he was still utterly captivated—indeed, astounded.

Even in a supreme realm like the Primordial Wilds, where countless beings, having transformed into Dao bodies, bore radiant beauty, Lin Yang had grown accustomed to such sights. Yet at this instant, Wangshu’s presence seemed uniquely exquisite, unparalleled in the world.

Her ethereal and aloof aura was particularly striking, refreshing to behold.

However, bearing cultivation at the late stage of the Great Dao Golden Immortal, Lin Yang’s composure was steady. After a brief moment of distraction, he quickly regained his poise, correcting his expression and replying respectfully, “So it is Daoist Wangshu. Peasant Daoist Zao Hua offers his greetings.”

Having exchanged names, an awkward silence briefly settled between them.

The reason was that Wangshu, a female cultivator, though more profoundly accomplished than Lin Yang, inspired in him a certain reverence due to her noble bearing. Moreover, as a divine being born of the Dark Star, this was her territory, making his intrusion somewhat discourteous.

Thus, after some thought, Lin Yang found himself unsure how to proceed with the conversation.

Fortunately, although Wangshu’s demeanor was typically reserved and she rarely engaged others, she seemed not entirely distant toward Lin Yang. Perhaps she had secretly witnessed his comprehension of the Moon’s Dark Dao and thus harbored a slight fondness.

Besides, Lin Yang was unlike previous visitors who had ulterior motives toward the Dark Star or toward her personally.

Therefore, Wangshu reflected briefly before offering a faint smile and inviting Lin Yang into her sanctuary.

Lin Yang, uncertain how to decline, absentmindedly assented and followed her deeper into the Dark Star, arriving before a palace constructed entirely from Dark Jade of the Moon.

This place was even colder and more desolate than the earlier training grounds. The surroundings were bleak and forlorn, with only a solitary palace standing beside an icy lake. The plaque above the entrance bore three Dao characters: “Guanghan Palace.”

Now fully composed, Lin Yang blurted out, “Daoist Wangshu, might the laurel tree be found here?”

Having previously observed Lin Yang’s cultivation method reveal his gourd vine origin, Wangshu understood his background. The laurel tree was one of the ten spiritual roots, making his question unsurprising.

Wangshu smiled faintly and waved her hand. Suddenly, a towering tree sprouted by the palace and lakeside.

It was the laurel tree, one of the ten spiritual roots, notable for its Yin-cold attribute, making the Dark Star’s environment ideal for its growth.

As the first divine born of the Dark Star, Wangshu naturally possessed this laurel tree.

Lin Yang nodded repeatedly, saying, “To come to the Dark Star and behold this spiritual root, as well as meet you, Daoist Wangshu, this journey has not been in vain.”

Wangshu’s nature was reserved; though she had invited Lin Yang, she was not loquacious. Thus their conversation was mostly Lin Yang speaking, with her responding.

With such a fair presence beside him, Lin Yang’s spirits were high. Strangely, he felt no improper thoughts toward Wangshu.

Within Guanghan Palace, Lin Yang experienced a relaxation never before felt since arriving in the Primordial Wilds. He was at ease, free from other concerns.

Thus, their discourse flowed more freely. At times, Lin Yang’s jokes even coaxed a rare smile from the usually aloof immortal.

Of course, as cultivators, their talk ultimately turned to the Dao.

Their shared topic was naturally the Moon’s Dark Dao, the Dark Rule.

Since Lin Yang was newly delving into this great Dao, he humbly sought Wangshu’s guidance.

“Yin extremity births Yang, Yang extremity births Yin; the Dao of Yin and Yang is the mutual transformation of these forces. Within Yang lies Yin, and within Yin lies Yang—that is the Taiji. Fellow Daoist, I believe the Dark Dao, though a great Dao itself capable of directly fathoming the primordial chaos, should not dismiss its counterpart, the Solar Dao, which may serve as a corroboration. Moreover, since there is Yang within Yin, then by the Dark Dao absorbing the Solar Dao to bolster itself should be feasible.”

Lin Yang shared his insights.

Having come from the Solar Star, though not yet fully realizing the Solar Dao, he intended to pursue it.

After all, both the Dark Dao and Solar Dao were extremes.

Lin Yang’s main path was the Dao of Creation, seeking to encompass, embrace, and absorb all laws. Thus, both the Dark and Solar Daos naturally fell within his scope.

To unify the Dark and Solar Daos—the Dao of Yin and Yang—under Creation was Lin Yang’s ambition.

This philosophy was reflected in his understanding of Dao techniques and thus brought up during his discussion with Wangshu.

Wangshu listened and did not dissent. “What you say is indeed true. Though I hail from here and favor the Dark Dao, I understand that Heaven and Earth are divided by Yin and Yang. Neither the Dark Dao nor the Solar Dao can be dispensed with. Only through the harmony of Yin and Yang can all things be born.”

“Precisely so,” Lin Yang nodded, about to further explore the Yin-Yang Dao with Wangshu when suddenly, from beyond the Dark Star, a powerful aura surged swiftly toward Guanghan Palace.

Clearly, the visitor bore ill intent.

Lin Yang’s expression shifted slightly as he sensed an unparalleled majesty and overbearing presence within that formidable force.

This majesty was wholly unlike the one he had faced before in the form of the Ancestor Dragon’s avatar, the War Dragon Emperor.

The War Dragon Emperor’s authority stemmed from his position as clan head and overlord of the Primordial Wilds.

But this oncoming majesty and dominance felt more like a supreme, aloof gaze, looking down on all beings as mere ants.

In other words, it resembled the Heavenly Dao itself.

Yes, it was exactly the feeling of the Heavenly Dao.

Lin Yang’s heart tightened sharply. At the same moment, a system alert sounded in his mind.

“Ding. Detected: Ancient Heavenly Patriarch’s assault. Intent: to subjugate Immortal Wangshu and seize the Dark Star. Host may choose one of the following options:

Option 1: Assist Immortal Wangshu in repelling the Ancient Heavenly Patriarch’s invasion; reward: supreme innate spiritual treasure, ‘Sun-Moon Essence Wheel.’

Option 2: Kill the Ancient Heavenly Patriarch; reward: ‘Great Star Art’—a technique comprising three thousand great Dao divine powers.

Option 3: Immediately sever ties with Immortal Wangshu and avoid involvement in this stellar realm conflict; reward: one superior innate spiritual treasure.”

Listening to the system prompt and sensing the terrifying, heavenly might, Lin Yang now fully comprehended the situation.

The Ancient Heavenly Patriarch.

The name alone might ring few bells, but mention the Three Primal Heavens of Antiquity, and some would recall.

During the Dragon Han tribulation, besides the key figures—Hongjun, Luo Hou, Yin Yang, Qian Kun, the Five Elements, Ancestor Dragon, Primordial Phoenix, and First Qilin—there existed other formidable and ruthless beings.

The Three Primal Heavens were three such powerful entities: the Cang Tian, Xuan Tian, and Huang Tian Patriarchs. The Ancient Heavenly Patriarch was one of these three.