The Embodiment of the Heavenly Dao Discusses the Dao—What Are You Talking About

The Celestial Realm.

Ethereal Mist Peak.

A figure stood with hands clasped behind his back atop the mountain peak, clad in snow-white robes, long hair cascading down to his waist. His eyes shimmered like flowing galaxies, yet held depths as unfathomable as the abyss.

He gently closed his eyes, fingers lightly pinching a drifting celestial leaf as he murmured to himself:

"Why do humans live, and why do they fight?"

"Is the division between good and evil decreed by heaven, or is it merely the shackles of their own hearts?"

His voice was soft, yet it resonated with the heavens and earth. The surrounding mist churned in response, as if echoing his contemplation.

This man was known as "Tian Weizi," a renowned celestial mentor of the Celestial Realm.

Every thousand years, he would hold grand lectures on the Dao, and immortals considered it an honor to listen to his teachings.

Yet none knew—he was, in truth, the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao left in the mortal world.

The Heavenly Dao was merciless, having observed all living beings for countless eons, yet it had never understood why the human heart was so complex.

Thus, he took form and descended into the world, walking the Celestial Realm under the name "Tian Weizi," seeking answers amidst the mortal dust.

"Celestial Mentor!"

A young attendant in green robes approached on a cloud, bowing respectfully. "The banquet is prepared. All the immortals have gathered, awaiting your discourse."

Tian Weizi slowly opened his eyes, a trace of indifference flashing within them. "Understood."

He stepped onto the clouds, robes fluttering as if merging with heaven and earth.

Along the way, Tian Weizi silently calculated: "Nine thousand years have passed since descending into the world..."

In those nine millennia, he had witnessed battles between immortals and demons, the folly of mortals, the fall of the virtuous into darkness, and the enlightenment of the wicked.

Yet conflict never ceased, and greed, hatred, and ignorance remained ever-present.

The world lay in ruins, and the root of it all was humanity.

Thus, a thought flickered through his mind:

"Do humans… truly deserve to exist?"

But he quickly suppressed it.

If even the Heavenly Dao denied the meaning of existence, then for what purpose did this world endure?

Moments later.

Dao Inquiry Platform.

A white jade platform hovered amidst the clouds, surrounded by circling cranes and bathed in radiant light.

Below, seated on cushions, were the most distinguished immortals of the Celestial Realm—Immortal Lords and Venerables—all holding their breath in anticipation of Tian Weizi's lecture.

As Tian Weizi gracefully took his seat, his gaze swept over the assembly, but he paused abruptly—

In the front row sat two unfamiliar faces.

A woman with jade-like skin and features as delicate as a painting lazily nibbled on a celestial fruit, an aura of extreme cold faintly swirling around her.

Beside her, a man clad in black robes wore a faint smile, toying with a wisp of dark mist, his presence exuding an eerie malevolence.

"Immortal Venerable Su? Demon Venerable Qin?"

Tian Weizi was mildly surprised.

These two—one a prodigy of the Celestial Realm, the other a tyrant of the Demon Realm—were sworn enemies. Why were they sitting side by side today?

And never mind why Su Muwan suddenly had the interest to attend his lecture.

But Qin Luo…

Wasn’t he from the Demon Realm? How had he waltzed in so brazenly?

True, Ethereal Mist Peak was neutral territory, and his teachings were open to all beings.

But since most attendees were from the Celestial Realm, demons rarely showed up.

Still, what was even stranger…

Below the platform.

"Luo Luo, look at that white-bearded old man—his primordial essence is so rich!"

Su Muwan leaned close to Qin Luo’s ear, whispering excitedly, her eyes gleaming. "Should we just take him down later?"

Qin Luo chuckled. "My lady, have some restraint. Everyone’s watching."

"What’s there to fear?" Su Muwan scoffed. "With you backing me up, I’m not afraid of anyone!"

"Fair point."

Qin Luo nodded, his gaze sweeping the crowd as he licked his lips. "And besides… every immortal here has such abundant primordial essence."

"Qin Luo, you’re so wicked—I love it, hehehehe~~~~"

"My lady, you’re no better, hmph hmph~~~"

Their voices grew louder, drawing disapproving glances and furrowed brows from the surrounding immortals.

"Silence!"

A purple-robed Immortal Lord couldn’t hold back his rebuke. "Celestial Mentor Tian Weizi is about to speak! How dare you disrupt the sanctity of this occasion?"

Su Muwan rolled her eyes and snapped back, "Mind your own business! Keep yapping and I’ll beat you to death right now!"

The purple-robed Immortal Lord: "???"

He froze, his face flushing with humiliation, but in the end, he dared not retort.

After all, he truly was no match for Su Muwan.

The scene incited outrage among the others.

"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

"To speak such words in this solemn setting—utter disgrace!"

"Immortal Venerable Su, you’re not just offending one person, but all of us!"

"And to sit side by side with a demon! How shameful!"

"One immortal’s cultivation is worth a year—fifty of us make fifty years!"

"Exactly! If you don’t want to listen, then—"

SLAP!

Before the speaker could finish, Qin Luo lashed out, striking the loudest complainer across the face.

The man reeled, his head spinning from the blow.

Qin Luo then pointed at him and snarled, "Shut your trap! One more word and I’ll toss you into the Jade Pool to feed the sharks!"

The crowd: (⊙O⊙)…

Everyone was stunned. Did he really just slap someone in front of the Celestial Mentor?

On the platform.

Tian Weizi observed everything, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

Interesting.

These two… acted so freely, utterly unrestrained?

As if they didn’t care about the high-status immortals at all?

Still, occasionally guiding unruly souls could be an entertaining diversion.

He cleared his throat, his voice booming like thunder, instantly silencing all noise:

"Today’s discourse shall focus on the theme—‘The True Heart.’"

The immortals immediately straightened their postures—except for Su Muwan and Qin Luo, who continued glancing around, clearly uninterested.

Tian Weizi’s gaze settled on Su Muwan as he suddenly asked:

"Immortal Venerable Su."

"Huh?" Su Muwan blinked, meeting his eyes.

"Tell me—what is goodness?"

Goodness?

You’re asking me what goodness is?

Su Muwan tilted her head and blurted out, "Anyone who gives me their primordial essence is good!"

The immortals: "……"

Tian Weizi showed no reaction, then turned to Qin Luo.

"Demon Venerable Qin, what do you consider evil?"

Qin Luo grinned. "Anyone who stops Immortal Venerable Su from devouring primordial essence is evil."

The immortals: "？？？"

Wait—why are you two so obsessed with our primordial essence?!

Are you planning to devour us right after this?!

Tian Weizi fell silent for a moment before suddenly smiling.

"Fascinating."

He slowly rose, his sleeves billowing without wind.

"Then let me ask you this—"

"If goodness is what you desire, and evil is what obstructs you… then what, in your eyes, are all living beings of this world?"

All living beings?

Their purpose here was to consume primordial essence to strengthen themselves.

What did they care about the consequences?

With the three major factions already dragging them into chaos, they had no qualms about turning the world upside down.

They’d only take the essence—it wasn’t like they’d stop these people from reincarnating.

So…

What were all living beings to them?

Su Muwan and Qin Luo exchanged glances before answering in unison:

"An all-you-can-eat buffet!"

Dead silence filled the hall.

Tian Weizi: "……"

His slightly closed eyes opened fully for the first time.

Since the birth of his Heavenly Dao consciousness, this was the first time...

he doubted the Dao itself.

Were these two even on the same wavelength as them right now?