Volume One, Chapter 20: The Three Primeval Days, The Map of Mountains, Rivers, and Nations

Regarding these three ancient ancestors, there are even rumors that they are incarnations of parts of the very essence of the Heavenly Dao itself.

One can only imagine the immense power these three possess.

Lin Yang noticed Wang Shu’s expression, which grew solemn in that moment.

Just as Wang Shu was about to speak, Lin Yang said, "I never expected that in the Primordial Chaos, the dragon, phoenix, and qilin clans would vie for supremacy, contending for the fortunes of heaven and earth. I had thought this vast cosmos would be a tranquil place, but it seems strife exists here as well."

“Fellow Daoist, might you guide me to meet this Xuanyuan Daoist?”

Wang Shu had originally intended for Lin Yang not to get involved, but hearing Lin Yang’s words, she clearly understood his meaning. Her heart trembled, stirred by an inexplicable feeling.

She was a deity born from the Moon Star, inherently mastering the Moon’s law, which shaped her disposition—often cold, aloof, and solitary.

Even their conversations about the Dao were born from chance encounters when she saw Lin Yang sitting alone on the Moon Star, deeply immersed in the Dao with a reverence and focus that set him apart.

In their pursuit of the Dao, they were quite alike; that was why she invited Lin Yang to the Palace of Cold Moon to discuss the Dao together.

Yet, to Wang Shu, Lin Yang was merely an ordinary fellow Daoist.

Perhaps after this parting, they would never meet again. Even if Lin Yang returned to the Moon Star in the future, she might no longer cross paths with him.

Unexpectedly, at such a critical moment, Lin Yang stepped forward and stood by her side.

That undoubtedly moved Wang Shu. From her observations, while Lin Yang’s strength was formidable, he could not hide from her that his cultivation was only at the late stage of the Great Dao Golden Immortal.

She, on the other hand, was a Primordial Golden Immortal.

Naturally, the invading Xuanyuan Ancient Ancestor was also of the Primordial Golden Immortal rank.

The gap between a Great Dao Golden Immortal and a Primordial Golden Immortal was vast.

One could say a single strike from a Primordial Golden Immortal could easily crush a Great Dao Golden Immortal.

Yet, faced with such a powerful foe, Lin Yang chose to stay and face the enemy alongside her.

How could this not stir unusual emotions within her?

“Rest assured, though I am a Great Dao Golden Immortal, a Primordial Golden Immortal cannot easily subdue me. As for those below that rank, or those at the same Great Dao Golden Immortal level, I have never feared anyone,” Lin Yang said, seemingly noticing Wang Shu’s gaze.

He then produced a gourd—the Chaos Gourd.

“This is my companion treasure, called the Chaos Gourd. Perhaps it can lend you some assistance.”

Wang Shu was startled, staring at the gourd. “Is this... a primordial treasure?”

Lin Yang nodded. “When I took form, I nurtured seven great gourds. I fused them into this Chaos Gourd.”

He handed it to Wang Shu. “With my power, activating this gourd might not be enough to slay a Primordial Golden Immortal, but if you use it, it might succeed.”

Wang Shu did not take the gourd but smiled. “I appreciate your kindness. However, the mere arrival of this Xuanyuan Ancient Ancestor does not yet warrant using such a primordial treasure’s might. Let me show you my method.”

She then took out a scroll and unfurled it before Lin Yang.

The scroll displayed countless paintings depicting myriad living beings and all manner of things—flowers, birds, fish, insects, flying creatures, beasts, mountains, rivers, sun, moon, vast oceans, and the universe itself—truly encompassing all phenomena.

Lin Yang was astonished, for this scroll was a famous treasure of the Primordial Chaos: the Map of Mountains, Rivers, and Nations.

Legend held that this map was bestowed by Hongjun in the Purple Heaven Palace to Nüwa.

But how had it come into Wang Shu’s possession?

Lin Yang quickly reasoned that at this time in the Primordial Chaos, Hongjun had yet to become a sage, so the map need not necessarily be with him.

He had also speculated that the Sun Star nurtured treasures accompanying Emperor Jun and Taiyi.

As a deity born of the Moon Star, Wang Shu would surely have her own accompanying treasures.

The Map of Mountains, Rivers, and Nations was likely one of them.

Though not a primordial treasure, the map was a supreme innate spiritual treasure and a spatial artifact.

Its paintings contained a vast universe, encompassing the great Primordial Chaos and all its myriad phenomena within.

Lin Yang praised, “With such a treasure in your hands, victory is assured.”

Wang Shu nodded and, together with Lin Yang, left the Palace of Cold Moon.

They arrived on the surface of the Moon Star.

Outside, besides the Xuanyuan Ancient Ancestor clad in dark golden robes, thousands of powerful beings stood behind him, forming an imposing formation that radiated immense pressure.

The Xuanyuan Ancient Ancestor’s eyes flickered with doubt upon seeing Wang Shu emerge accompanied by a stranger.

He thought, Wang Shu was always solitary, dwelling alone on the Moon Star—why was she now walking with another, and especially a man?

Alongside his doubt, his eyes flashed with displeasure and murderous intent.

The Xuanyuan Ancient Ancestor had come with two aims: first, to seize control of the Moon Star, one of the two supreme stars.

Holding this star would greatly benefit him.

This raised a question: if the Moon Star was coveted, why not the Sun Star?

In truth, both the Sun Star and Moon Star were universally acknowledged for their importance.

They were the embodiments of Pangu’s left and right eyes; only these two stars could be called supreme stars.

Even the Purple Micro Star, located at the center of the cosmos and said to govern myriad stars, could not be considered supreme.

The Purple Micro Star could not dominate the Sun and Moon Stars.

But the Sun and Moon Stars were difficult to occupy because of their extreme nature.

One was the star of utmost Yang, the other of utmost Yin.

Neither the raging solar flames nor the bone-chilling lunar energy could be endured by ordinary beings.

Only Great Dao Golden Immortals could reside long-term on these stars.

Though the Three Heavens each had many such powerful beings under their command, they were often at odds and in conflict.

In this situation, any Great Dao Golden Immortal sent by one faction to occupy the Sun or Moon Star would be attacked by the others.

Moreover, even if one occupied these stars, the gains for the Three Heavens were not substantial.

Thus, over time, the Three Heavens tacitly abandoned their contest for the Sun and Moon Stars and turned their struggles toward other territories, especially the Purple Micro Star.

Currently, the Purple Micro Star was held by the strongest among the Three Heavens—the Ancient Ancestor of the Azure Heaven.

The Xuanyuan Ancient Ancestor and the Huangtian Ancient Ancestor frequently clashed with him, attempting to wrest control.

Recently, however, the Xuanyuan Ancient Ancestor unexpectedly detected traces of Wang Shu, rekindling his interest in the long-neglected Moon Star.