Chapter 5: The Opening of Heaven

But gradually, the distance between heaven and earth began to shrink, and some places were returning to chaos. Pangu, seeing this, became anxious and threw the Pangu axe into the air. Suddenly, the axe head exploded, and three rays of light broke through the void, truly a thousand threads of auspiciousness and ten thousand feet of auspicious clouds. Zhou Cheng looked and realized that it was the famous Taiji diagram, with Pangu coiled around the bell of chaos.

Hehe, thank you for your kind words, big brother. How happy Zhou Cheng is! What is this called? This is called Pangu's version of golden advice. Pangu has proclaimed that he will become a sage, and he has struck it rich. Zhou Cheng also understands that Pangu does not expect him to take care of those ancestral witches and the Three Pure Ones; his love has already merged with the newly opened world and all things that follow. This is great love, the utmost love.

Pangu took a step forward and instantly appeared thousands of miles away. He then turned back and pointed at Zhou Cheng, causing a transparent shell-like object to tightly envelop him. Meanwhile, Zhou Cheng's Qian Kun Ding flew towards Pangu. Pangu then said: "Little brother, your cultivation is still insufficient; the might of creation is beyond your resistance. To prevent significant damage to your cultivation, I will set up a great formation to protect you. I will temporarily borrow this Qian Kun Ding, firstly to refine the chaotic currents, and secondly to assist you in obtaining a portion of the merits of creation, which will surely benefit you in the future." Pangu then reiterated: "Little brother, your cultivation is still insufficient; the might of creation is beyond your resistance. To prevent significant damage to your cultivation, I will set up a great formation to protect you. I will temporarily borrow this Qian Kun Ding, firstly to refine the chaotic currents, and secondly to assist you in obtaining a portion of the merits of creation, which will surely benefit you in the future."

Brother, I have made up my mind. Today, I will have my final conversation with you. Pangu gazed meaningfully at the place where Zhou Cheng was. "When I opened the heavens, I glimpsed a fragment of the great Dao's secrets. Therefore, I have made some progress in both my cultivation and understanding of human nature. You will surely become a sage in the future, and I need not worry too much about you. I too will meet my end, but the being that arises from my demise will have little connection to me. If you encounter difficulties, just take action. However, the living beings of that world still require your care. I too will meet my end, but the being that arises from my demise will have little connection to me. If you encounter difficulties, just take action. However, the living beings of that world still require your care.

Brother, how do you find the world I have opened? This world is indeed as you described, much better than the chaotic space. Pangu smiled warmly, and Zhou Cheng felt that perhaps he should not have encouraged him to create the world in advance.

Zhou Cheng accepted it in a daze, knowing that this was the will of Pangu

Pangu straightened up and waved the axe in his hand: "I sense that this moment is the day I will create the heavens. However, breaking through the chaos is no easy task; even with my current magical power, it is still quite difficult." Zhou Cheng felt a sense of melancholy: "Elder brother, I can help you."

Indeed, your words are reasonable. Once I share the insights of creation along with the imprint of the primordial spirit with you," Pangu said, slightly trembling, as a mass of clear energy and two masses of turbid substances flew towards Zhou Cheng. "The insights of creation and a portion of the Pangu imprint will assist you in proving the Dao with strength in the days to come; the other portion is as you mentioned.

The outline of heaven and earth is becoming increasingly clear, and the illusion of the yin-yang fish between heaven and earth is gradually merging into nothingness. Zhou Cheng remains silent; he knows that the Dao between heaven and earth has finally been established, and the laws of the Great Dao have been set in place. The profound truths of the heavenly Dao, nurtured before the chaos was opened, will finally be enacted in the primordial chaos and in the worlds to come. The cycle of cause and effect, along with the entanglements of right and wrong, will henceforth ensnare all beings in the world, except for the sages. The reason he dared to seize the twelve-petal golden lotus before the chaos was opened is precisely because the heavenly Dao had not yet manifested, and he was untouched by the entanglements of right and wrong, allowing him to act according to his desires. In the future, he must exercise greater caution. The cycle of cause and effect, along with the entanglements of right and wrong, will henceforth ensnare all beings in the world, except for the sages. The reason he dared to seize the twelve-petal golden lotus before the chaos was opened is precisely because the heavenly Dao had not yet manifested, and he was untouched by the entanglements of right and wrong, allowing him to act according to his desires. In the future, he must exercise greater caution.

Pangu's lips revealed a final smile, and from his body, twelve streams of essence and three primordial spirits flew out, while the Qian Kun Ding soared towards Zhou Cheng, transforming into heaven and earth. The breath he exhaled turned into gentle winds and clouds, the sounds he produced became the rumbling of thunder, his left eye transformed into the sun, and his right eye into the moon. His four limbs and five body parts became the four poles of the earth and the colossal mountains of the wilderness. His blood turned into vast rivers, his veins became the mountains and roads, his skin and muscles transformed into fertile fields, his hair and beard became the stars in the sky, and the sweat on his skin turned into grass and trees. His breath became gentle winds and clouds, the sounds he produced became the rumbling of thunder, his left eye transformed into the sun, and his right eye into the moon. His four limbs and five body parts became the four poles of the earth and the colossal mountains of the wilderness. His blood turned into vast rivers, his veins became the mountains and roads, his skin and muscles transformed into fertile fields, his hair and beard became the stars in the sky, and the sweat on his skin turned into grass and trees. His teeth and bones became metal and rock, his essence and skeleton transformed into pearls and beautiful jade, and the sweat that flowed down became the nourishing dew for all things. Pangu contributed everything for the birth of a beautiful world, leaving behind a formidable man like Zhou Cheng.

"Pangu, how about we take a break before continuing to create the world?" Zhou Cheng was still too worried; after all, although Pangu was formidable, he had not yet reached the point of casually creating the heavens and the earth.

Ah, it is a pity that this world is just too lifeless, devoid of vitality. Life, since I have opened the heavens, I cannot allow such a situation to exist. Once I complete the final step, my brother, you will surely witness a brand new world. Pangu was very happy, and Zhou Cheng had once experienced that kind of happiness. When he was in kindergarten, the school gave him 2 yuan as a "Children's Day reward," and he spent it all on candied hawthorns for his classmates. Everyone admired him and called him the boss; that was a sense of achievement. Zhou Cheng had once experienced that kind of happiness. When he was in kindergarten, the school gave him 2 yuan as a "Children's Day reward," and he spent it all on candied hawthorns for his classmates. Everyone admired him and called him the boss; that was a sense of achievement

Zhou Cheng stood by, dumbfounded, awed by Pangu's grand technique, and he himself benefited immensely. Observing the scene of the opening of the heavens, Zhou Cheng's understanding of the Dao deepened. However, as the saying goes, while standing high allows one to see far, there are still many places that cannot be reached or understood. In the beginning of chaos, before all things were born, there existed a chaotic entity known as Wujie. Wujie represents polarity, referring to Yin and Yang. Wujie is the state before Yin and Yang are differentiated. Wujie gives rise to Taiji, and Taiji generates the interplay of Yin and Yang; thus, Wujie is the Dao. In the beginning of chaos, before all things were born, there existed a chaotic entity known as Wujie. Wujie represents polarity, referring to Yin and Yang. Wujie is the state before Yin and Yang are differentiated. Wujie gives rise to Taiji, and Taiji generates the interplay of Yin and Yang; thus, Wujie is the Dao. The Dao gives birth to One, which is Taiji; One gives birth to Two, which is Yin and Yang. The Taiji diagram initially appears as an empty circle, representing the state of Wujie. Because a point of the Dao enters its center, it forms Yin and Yang. The Dao is an absolute whole, indivisible, without beginning or end, formless, and cannot be pointed to. All things in the universe are reflections of the Dao, complex mirrors of the Dao's infinite intricacies. The Dao gives birth to One, which is Taiji; One gives birth to Two, which is Yin and Yang. The Taiji diagram initially appears as an empty circle, representing the state of Wujie. Because a point of the Dao enters its center, it forms Yin and Yang. The Dao is an absolute whole, indivisible, without beginning or end, formless, and cannot be pointed to. All things in the universe are reflections of the Dao, complex mirrors of the Dao's infinite intricacies.

It is unknown how many years have passed, but Zhou Cheng had unconsciously entered into cultivation several times. When Zhou Cheng awoke again, Pangu had undergone significant changes. Pangu appeared vibrant and full of life, seemingly burning his life force to the fullest. Upon seeing Zhou Cheng awaken, Pangu smiled slightly and then spoke.

One is the Pangu Sword, and the other is the Pangu Tower. How delighted Zhou Cheng was; from now on, using a club or striking with a brick would be much safer.

Brother, the elder brother is leaving. From now on, I will transform into the myriad things of heaven and earth. In the future, the world will be entrusted to your care. Pangu took one last look at Zhou Cheng. Zhou Cheng replied: Elder brother, rest assured, I will not fail in my duty.

Zhou Chengle was in a bad mood, thinking to himself that such life-saving items should definitely not be used recklessly. He decided not to use his own treasures, but to exclusively take advantage of others' instead

As Pangu was deep in thought, the space he had opened remained unstable. Although, compared to the great powers and magical beings, the newly created world had already shown significant differences from chaos, it was still the very beginning of creation, heavy with lifelessness. After a moment of contemplation, Pangu casually tossed aside three supreme treasures, and the Taiji Diagram of Pangu vanished into the world. The instability of the universe required the suppression of spiritual treasures. He then stretched his body, supported the heavens with his hands, and planted his feet firmly on the ground, releasing waves of misty energy that emanated from Pangu into the cosmos.

Pangu extended his hand and pointed, and the Taiji Diagram, along with the Pangu Coil, flew directly into his grasp. Pangu shook the Pangu Coil, and a surge of destructive power instantly shot towards the place where chaos was about to reform. He then threw out the Taiji Diagram, and a white jade golden bridge slowly sank between heaven and earth, supporting the cosmos. As the world stabilized slightly, Pangu struck the Chaos Bell with even more force, and waves of pale yellow light circles spread out, further solidifying the form of heaven and earth. Some turbulent air currents seemed to be calmed, and then the Qian Kun Cauldron floated between heaven and earth, instantly reaching a height of ten thousand zhang. Threads of chaotic air were drawn into the cauldron, while streams of light and elegant yet vibrant air flowed between heaven and earth. As the world stabilized further, Pangu struck the Chaos Bell again with greater force, and waves of pale yellow light circles spread out, further solidifying the form of heaven and earth. Some turbulent air currents seemed to be calmed, and then the Qian Kun Cauldron floated between heaven and earth, instantly reaching a height of ten thousand zhang. Threads of chaotic air were drawn into the cauldron, while streams of light and elegant yet vibrant air flowed between heaven and earth. The entire space gradually revealed a faint Taiji pattern, where the dualities of yin and yang generated each other, the four images and eight trigrams interacted, and the profound meanings of the five elements, six harmonies, seven killings, and nine palaces gradually emerged.

However, I observe that future generations are cunning and combative in nature. Even the most virtuous among them will ultimately succumb to the great principles of fifty and the evolution of forty-nine, leading to deficiencies in the heavenly way. Thus, the sage, being shaped by humanity, cannot escape cunning and conflict. As for you, my brother, while your defense is ample, it is difficult to guard against the resentment that has taken root. I originally intended to leave the Heavenly Axe with you, but I did not anticipate that in the act of creation, the axe must transform into a spiritual treasure to suppress the primordial chaos of heaven and earth. Therefore, I ultimately left you with the sharpest edge of the Heavenly Axe and the essence of the myriad creations that nurtured me for countless years. One is for offense, and the other for defense, and even Pangu cannot break through them. Pangu gazed deeply at Zhou Cheng, a blend of a friend's nostalgia and a brother's affection. "You wonder what form these two treasures take? I will help you refine them together, dear brother." The nostalgia of a friend and the affection of a brother coexist. "You wonder what form these two treasures take? I will help you refine them together, dear brother."

I have calculated that when the world is created, there will inevitably be a loss of life. Everything follows the cycle of fifty, and the Great Dao unfolds in forty-nine. It seems that this time, I must complete the final step, thereby tearing through the void, opening up chaos, and achieving the primordial state. Pangu paused and said, "After the creation of the world, it may not be very peaceful. I will pay the price of my own existence to complete this merit of creation, and in the future, the new world will lack guidance, relying on you, my younger brother, to take care of it. You are a person of great fortune, and I have long seen this. Perhaps in the future, you will attain the Dao of Primordial Unity and become a saint who is indestructible through countless tribulations, which is also quite possible."

Upon hearing this, Pangu nodded in approval, casually taking out two items. With a sweep of his hand, a sword and a tower instantly appeared, both the tower and the sword displaying a chaotic hue. The sword measured three feet in length, and the tower had eighteen layers. "Good, your ability to do this shows that you have not forgotten our brotherly bond. These two items are indeed above the Taiji Diagram, Pangu Pan, and the Chaos Bell. However, there is one point you must remember: a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure can lead to trouble. These two treasures are your life-saving items; do not use them lightly unless in a critical moment of life and death, lest you attract the attention of petty individuals." Pangu handed the two great chaotic treasures and the *Diagram* and *Book* to Zhou Cheng, genuinely worried that his brother would not be bullied. After all, as long as there is life, how can there be no emotions? But what about Hongjun? Perhaps not! Maybe Hongjun's emotions are directed towards heaven and earth, while Pangu embodies both the feelings for heaven and earth and those for Zhou Cheng.

After Pangu finished speaking, he no longer looked at the world, raised his axe to his chest, took a deep breath, and then made a swift stroke. Instantly, the chaotic space tore apart like a piece of silk, spreading out from Pangu as the center. The pure and turbid energies rose and fell, with the pure rising to become the sky and the turbid sinking to become the earth, thus the chaos was opened. Then Pangu shook his body, and in an instant, he grew to a height of billions of zhang. With his hands like claws, he let out a mighty roar, and the heavens and the earth were violently torn apart. The sky gradually rose, and the earth fell down. At this moment, there were still connections between the heavens and the earth, and the chaotic energies surged wildly. Pangu was seen holding the axe in his left hand and the cauldron in his right, either chopping with the axe or using the cauldron to gather. Then Pangu shook his body again, and in an instant, he grew to a height of billions of zhang. With his hands like claws, he let out a mighty roar, and the heavens and the earth were violently torn apart. The sky gradually rose, and the earth fell down. At this moment, there were still connections between the heavens and the earth, and the chaotic energies surged wildly. Pangu was seen holding the axe in his left hand and the cauldron in his right, either chopping with the axe or using the cauldron to gather.

Zhou Cheng immediately had a thought: "Elder brother, I observe that among the races that will emerge in the future, there seems to be a group that will not receive the favor of the Pangu primordial spirit, only cultivating their physical bodies and not attaining the primordial spirit. Why not share a portion with me, so that when the time comes and we have the opportunity, I can also lend a hand."

Upon hearing Pangu's words, Zhou Cheng felt quite uncomfortable. Although he was not a benevolent ruler, he understood the importance of gratitude and reciprocity. "If others respect me by a foot, I will return it by a mile" had been Zhou Cheng's motto in his previous life. He resented his insufficient cultivation, which prevented him from assisting Pangu in any meaningful way. Deep down, he silently resolved that he would ensure the survival of Pangu's lineage in the future, particularly that of the witch clan, which bore the strongest resemblance to Pangu.

Countless years have passed, and in a daze, Zhou Cheng felt something strange, thus awakening from his silent cultivation. He realized that Pangu beside him had already awakened and was staring at him. Zhou Cheng felt uneasy under that gaze: "Pangu, have you completed your cultivation so early?" Pangu replied, "Brother, after such a long period of quiet meditation, my understanding of the Great Dao has advanced further. What you said before was correct; my mission is to open the heavens. I had been too complacent. Ah, thanks to your reminder." Zhou Cheng felt uneasy under that gaze: "Pangu, have you completed your cultivation so early?" Pangu replied, "Brother, after such a long period of quiet meditation, my understanding of the Great Dao has advanced further. What you said before was correct; my mission is to open the heavens. I had been too complacent. Ah, thanks to your reminder."