Honghuang: My understanding is against the sky, I use the Gu Dao to prove the origin of the universe - Chapter 2

Chapter 2   A Vicious Guest Arrives, Zhu Yan Unleashes His Ferocity

“Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans vying for supremacy… Heaven and Earth shrouded in baleful aura… This must be the era of the Dragon-Phoenix Cataclysm!”

The First Calamity of the Long Han Era, also known as the Dragon-Phoenix Cataclysm, was the first immeasurable calamity to sweep across the entire Primordial World since the dawn of creation.

During this calamity, the three great innate clans—the scaled aquatic race founded by the Ancestral Dragon, the avian race founded by the Primordial Phoenix, and the beast race founded by the First Qilin—fought fiercely for the role of Heaven and Earth’s rightful ruler. Their battles turned the world upside down, darkened the sun and moon, and filled the air with killing intent.

“The Ancestral Dragon, the Primordial Phoenix, and the First Qilin, empowered by their immeasurable merit from founding their clans, have forcibly broken through to the Quasi-Saint realm. Their power now dominates the world and casts a shadow over all of existence…”

Chu Yuan’s expression turned grave.

“Quasi-Saints… Such beings could obliterate someone like me with just a breath.”

Though he had reached the Golden Immortal realm, in the face of a Quasi-Saint, he was still no more than an ant. It was crucial to recognize one’s limitations.

These thoughts didn’t stem from cowardice or loss of will—but from clarity and caution. If one, blessed with extraordinary comprehension, became arrogant enough to defy Heaven itself, death and obliteration would not be far behind.

One must understand: in times of great calamity, where karmic entanglements abound and killing aura clouds the mind, even Da Luo Golden Immortals fall like leaves in the wind. He, as a newly ascended Golden Immortal, must tread with utmost care.

“The Hunyuan Heaven Gu Scripture is indeed profound, and the Dao of Gu has limitless potential—but with my current strength still shallow, I must develop in the shadows.”

Chu Yuan thus set his course.

“Fortunately, the world is still young. Opportunities abound. As long as I move carefully, there may yet be a chance to seize my fortune amidst this calamity!”

Just as Chu Yuan was consolidating his cultivation and planning for the future—

BOOM!!!

A sudden explosion thundered from outside the cave dwelling. The entire cave shook violently, with fragments of rock raining down. The protective Illusion Maze Formation flickered madly with light—it was clearly under a powerful assault!

Chu Yuan’s face changed, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. Just after breaking through to Golden Immortal and stabilizing his foundation, someone dares to come knocking?

Whoever it was…

They came with ill intent!

Outside the cave, above the valley…

A massive beast resembling an ape, towering and ferocious, with a white head and bare feet, stood in the sky. Its body radiated a brutal and savage aura. It was relentlessly swinging its thick arms, pounding down on the formation-covered area below.

This beast was none other than a rare and ancient creature of the Primordial World, a fierce general of the beast race—Zhu Yan!

His cultivation had already reached the late stage of the Golden Immortal realm—two minor levels above Chu Yuan. At this early point in the newly formed Heaven and Earth, following the First Beast Calamity and now amid the Second Calamity, the Dao Ancestor Hongjun had yet to attain the Dao or begin his teachings. Most living beings, unless they were exceptionally gifted and had taken on human form to cultivate, still preferred to rely on their powerful original beast forms.

Zhu Yan was naturally combative and violently tempered. He was well-known within the beast clan, feared across a territory of hundreds of thousands of miles.

On this day, while patrolling his domain, he happened to pass by this region and sensed the spiritual energy fluctuations of what seemed like a precious treasure emerging from the valley below. Greed instantly stirred in his heart.

In the Primordial World, seeking treasures, exploring mysteries, and killing to seize fortune were all common practice—especially during the chaotic calamities, when fate was obscured, and one could act without scruples.

“Hmph! A mere formation dares to stop your granddaddy Zhu Yan?”

“I just acquired a treasure the other day—and now I stumble upon another fortune!”

“Clearly, luck is on my side!”

His eyes gleamed with ferocity as his assault grew fiercer. Though he lacked understanding of formation techniques, his brute strength was overwhelming, and his cultivation already far exceeded Chu Yuan’s. The Illusion Maze Formation, hastily set up by Chu Yuan, was little more than a fragile defense before his violent blows.

In the secluded cave dwelling, Chu Yuan’s expression was as calm as still water. Through the feedback from his formation, he could clearly sense the intruder’s cultivation and aura.

“Mid-stage Golden Immortal… of the beast clan… aura is ferocious and brimming with greed…”

In an instant, Chu Yuan discerned the visitor’s intentions.

“An enemy, not a friend—and certainly ill-intentioned.”

Despite that, there was not the slightest panic in his heart. After ten thousand years of secluded cultivation, Chu Yuan’s temperament had long since been honed into something as solid as a rock.

What was more, he himself had already stepped into the Golden Immortal realm, and had just used his heaven-defying comprehension to deduce the supreme inheritance of the Gu Dao (Path of Poisonous Insects). Why would he fear a beast of the same realm?

“Very well. Let’s see how powerful this Primordial Heaven Gu Scripture really is,” Chu Yuan muttered coldly, a glint of icy light flashing in his eyes.

Crack!

With a sharp, ear-piercing sound, the concealment formation outside the cave finally collapsed under pressure. Its glow dimmed entirely, dissolving into scattered motes of spiritual light.

“ROAR!”

A thunderous bellow erupted. Zhu Yan descended from the sky, his massive body crashing down before the cave entrance, kicking up a storm of dust.

As the dust settled, his bloodshot eyes immediately locked onto Chu Yuan, who sat cross-legged within.

“Hm?”

Zhu Yan was slightly taken aback. He had expected to find some rare treasure inside, not a lone cultivator whose origins he couldn’t discern. But after carefully sensing Chu Yuan’s aura, Zhu Yan’s brows relaxed and a sneer of disdain mixed with greed appeared.

“A newly advanced Golden Immortal, and your aura hasn’t even stabilized yet. Hmph. Judging by the location of this cave, you must’ve stumbled upon some fortuitous opportunity to break through.”

Zhu Yan’s voice was rough and booming, dripping with arrogance.

“Boy, your luck’s run out, meeting your granddaddy Zhu Yan! Be smart—hand over your treasures along with this cave, and I might just spare your pathetic life!”

Chu Yuan slowly opened his eyes, looking calmly at the ferocious beast before him. His tone was cold and measured.

“You destroyed my formation, barged into my cave, and now demand to seize everything I have. Don’t you think that’s a bit too tyrannical?”

“Tyrannical?”

Zhu Yan burst into maniacal laughter, as if he had just heard the greatest joke in the world.

“Hahaha! In this desolate wilderness, power is tyranny! And you, a newly advanced ant of a Golden Immortal, think you’re qualified to talk reason with me? Enough nonsense! Hand over the goods and scram—or die!”

Even before he finished speaking, a fierce gleam surged in Zhu Yan’s eyes. His massive hand, like a giant fan, descended toward Chu Yuan with overwhelming might.

The prehistoric lands were chaotic, and any being that could rise to the Golden Immortal realm—especially one like Zhu Yan—was often the reckless, brute-force type.

His earlier loud threats were just a smokescreen to throw his opponent off guard—now, he was going for a surprise kill to prevent any future trouble.

A violent gale howled as his palm fell. Even before it landed, the force of his strike made the very air hum with pressure. Yet Chu Yuan sat unmoving, only the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile.

Boom!

Vast, surging power erupted skyward!

Sun, moon, stars… wind, rain, thunder, lightning… all forms of life!

Various mystical phenomena manifested within his mana—it was truly extraordinary.

Zhu Yan hadn’t expected his mighty physique to be blocked by pure magical power, and he paused, stunned for a moment. But then, a vicious smile appeared on his face again…