Primordial Era: The Great Celestial Venerable on the Road to Mythology

Chapter 34 Star Array Activated, Merit Descends from Heaven

The moment the great formation was activated, a deep rumble suddenly came from the depths of the ancient starry sky.

The sound was neither like thunder nor like bells and drums, but rather like the deafening roar of chaos at the beginning of time, deep and vast, as if it came from eternity, yet also as if it exploded right next to your ear.

All the immortals raised their heads, their gazes piercing through the clouds of the Thirty-Three Heavens, looking towards the distant starry sky.

Countless ancient stars, guided by the main star, slowly rotated along mysterious and unpredictable trajectories.

All the principles of the Dao intertwine to form a vast, all-encompassing net, connecting the entire ancient starry sky into one.

The power deep within the star's core was activated in an orderly manner, transforming into thick beams of starlight that shot straight into the chaos.

In the chaos, boundless chaotic energy was drawn by the great formation, surging into the ancient stars like rivers flowing into the sea.

The array patterns etched within the stars suddenly lit up, with layers of profound runes stacked upon each other, like fine millstones, pulverizing, purifying, and transforming the raging chaotic energy layer by layer.

Strands of pure stellar energy overflowed from the stars.

One-third of it was absorbed into the stars themselves, nourishing the source.

One-third of it was gathered by the great formation, transforming into a mighty torrent of star power that poured into the Thirty-Three Heavens and into every palace of the Heavenly Court.

The remaining third was projected into various parts of the primordial world.

The spiritual energy is increasing at a rate visible to the naked eye.

The celestial herbs and flowers in Heaven seemed to sense this vitality, swaying gracefully and blooming in profusion. The peach trees, in particular, were lush and verdant, and the peaches on them appeared even rounder.

"This...this is the Celestial Star Transformation Array?"

A monk murmured to himself, his voice filled with shock.

"The chaotic energy has actually been transformed! Such concentrated stellar power, truly remarkable!"

"Not only that, this stellar power also contains the Dao of Stars, making it even easier to comprehend than innate spiritual energy!"

The immortals discussed among themselves, their eyes filled with eager anticipation.

Those rogue cultivators were trembling with excitement—they had cultivated for many years and possessed considerable talent, but what they lacked was resources. If stellar energy could now be spread throughout the primordial world, their path of cultivation would be much smoother.

Not only ordinary cultivators, but even those powerful figures showed expressions of surprise.

Zhen Yuanzi stroked his beard, deep in thought, his gaze profound. He had just questioned whether the grand formation could be sustained, but now, seeing it with his own eyes, he was more convinced. This grand formation not only did not deplete the star's essence, but it was also continuously nourishing the star. Haotian's words were indeed true.

The Taoist Ran Deng's eyes flickered, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He had been in the Chan Sect for many years and had never seen such a grand gesture. With such resources, the Heavenly Court, given time, might truly be able to rival the orthodox lineage of the Sages.

A glint flashed in Duobao Daoist's eyes as he secretly calculated. The Jie Sect had numerous disciples, and resources were always scarce. If he could gain some access to this starlight…

Guang Chengzi's expression darkened slightly, but he had to admit that Haotian's move was truly astonishing.

As for Jieyin and Zhunti, their expressions were complicated.

Zhunti gazed at the abundant starlight, his eyes filled with greed. The West was barren, its spiritual energy scarce; with such starlight assistance, how could the West not prosper? But… this starlight belonged to the Heavenly Court; would Haotian simply give it away to the West for nothing?

Jieyin sighed and said in a low voice, "Junior brother, don't be greedy. It's already a great honor that you could come to the banquet today. We can deal with the matter of star power later."

Zhunti snorted coldly and said nothing more, but the light in his eyes did not go out.

Haotian raised his hand and waved it, and the Chaos Bell, which was hanging high in the Lingxiao Palace, flew out and fell into the eye of the great formation.

"clang--"

The mighty bell tolled throughout the heavens and earth, and the profound mysteries of time and space pressed down, stabilizing the foundation of the great formation.

In an instant, the formation grew increasingly powerful, and the effect of star power conversion increased by more than 50%.

The origin of the ancient stars slowly grew stronger, and the starlight it cast had already begun to liquefy. Wisps of mist rose from the Thirty-Three Heavens, becoming increasingly dense.

At that very moment, in the primordial world, a brilliant light of primordial yellow bloomed, countless auspicious clouds floated, and auspicious colors filled the sky. Streams of Daoist chants resounded throughout the heavens, and a misty purple aura appeared. Countless golden lamps, golden lotuses, necklaces, and hanging beads fell from the sky, and various strange phenomena of heaven and earth emerged one after another.

This is precisely the scene of Heaven desiring to bestow merit and divine light.

Above the heavens, the light of the primordial chaos gathered, and countless golden lamps, golden lotuses, necklaces, and dangling beads transformed into divine light of merit. That divine light then split into three.

Sixty percent of the merit fell into the ancient star and the Chaos Bell of the grand formation. The grand formation became more and more stable, and was also given a layer of protection in the dark. Anyone who dares to destroy this formation in the future will have to bear enormous karma.

Three parts of the merit fell upon Haotian and Yaochi. Haotian casually put it away, as it was of little use to him. Yaochi followed suit and put it away as well.

The remaining ten percent was divided into countless tiny merits, which flew into the bodies of the Heavenly Court's guards, such as Venus and the Sun God, who were in charge of the ancient stars.

Lu Ya happily accepted the merit, thinking to himself: It's really good that I got a "bonus" so soon after joining the company.

"Fellow Daoists," Haotian's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone present, "This is the Zhou Tian Star Transformation Array. From now on, the Heavenly Court will use this array to transform chaotic energy to nourish the ancient stars and the Thirty-Three Heavens. Any excess power will be projected onto the primordial world to benefit all living beings."

He paused, then continued, "The Heavenly Court needs manpower to maintain this formation. Maintaining this formation will bring merit. Even those who are not in charge of the formation can enter the Primordial Starry Sky to cultivate and comprehend the Great Dao of the Stars. Those who have made meritorious contributions can even cultivate under the Chaos Bell to comprehend the mysteries of space and time."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

The Chaos Bell! That's a supreme treasure from the creation of the world! If one could comprehend its profound mysteries, even just a smattering of them, it would be enough to make one's cultivation advance by leaps and bounds!

The previously hesitant cultivators could no longer contain themselves. Dozens immediately stood up, cupped their hands in salute to Haotian, and said, "Your Majesty, we are willing to join the Heavenly Court and serve it!"

Haotian smiled slightly and nodded: "After the banquet, go find Taibai Xingjun."

Venus smiled and nodded to everyone.

After the first batch, a second and a third batch followed. In no time, Sendai was bustling with people eager to sign up.

The disciples of the three religions exchanged hesitant glances. After all, they were disciples of a sage; rashly joining the Heavenly Court might displease their master. But the allure of the Heavenly Court... was truly irresistible.

Daoist Duobao pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "This matter should be reported to our master; we must not act on our own."

Guang Chengzi was also pondering how to approach Yuanshi Tianzun.

Looking at the bustling scene, Daoist Ran Deng felt a mix of emotions. He had worked diligently in the Chan Sect for many years, yet he had never received the status he deserved. The Heavenly Court… perhaps that was a way out?

Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions grew increasingly grim.

Zhunti gritted his teeth and said, "Senior brother, Haotian is poaching our talent! If this continues, he might gather all the rogue cultivators in the prehistoric world."

After a long silence, Jieyin sighed, "This is beyond our control. Haotian has the strength and resources, and it's only natural that rogue cultivators are willing to submit to it. We can only do our best to retain the talents of the West."

What could he possibly do? Unlike the Heavenly Court, the West did not control the ancient starry sky and had no way to replicate the actions of the Jade Emperor.

Zhunti gritted his teeth, but ultimately said nothing more.

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere was completely different now.