In the blink of an eye, tens of epochs had passed, and the day of Gu Chuan's second sermon was drawing closer.
Chaos City had become livelier than ever, surpassing even the excitement of when the altar first opened. Countless demon gods came and went, their presence turning the city into a bustling metropolis akin to the great cities of the future. It was now regarded as the Sacred Land in the hearts of all demon gods.
Regardless of whether they were mighty overlords or weak and nameless, all were drawn here by the legend of Gu Chuan.
"It's finally here," someone murmured. "After traveling for tens of epochs, we've finally arrived in time for the second sermon."
"So this is the legendary Chaos City? It's truly magnificent."
Many of the weaker demon gods, having just set foot in the city, stared in awe, their eyes wide with wonder, as if they were country folk seeing a grand palace for the first time.
"There are so many demon gods here. I think I even saw an Overlord-level demon god. Are they going to devour us?"
A sense of unease spread among the weaker beings. In the vast chaos, there were no laws—only power. A stronger demon god could devour a weaker one at will. To stand so close to such terrifying entities was enough to make them tremble.
Yet, the high-level demon gods paid them no heed. They neither spared them a glance nor made any move to consume them. Instead, they simply passed by and headed deeper into Chaos City.
"The legend is true..."
The weak demon gods' initial fear gave way to excitement. They suppressed their emotions and whispered among themselves.
"There is no fighting allowed in Chaos City. Even high-level demon gods cannot hunt or kill lower-ranked ones. We have finally found a safe place."
For many of them, reaching Chaos City had been an arduous journey. They had braved chaotic storms and evaded powerful predators. Many who had set out on this pilgrimage had perished along the way, and only a handful survived.
But standing here now, all their hardships felt worthwhile. This was a paradise, a sanctuary amidst the chaos.
As long as they remained here, they were safe.
"What is this?"
A group of newly arrived demon gods widened their eyes in curiosity. Scattered throughout Chaos City were strange square structures—shops, though the term was unfamiliar to them. These buildings, built by various demon gods, were crude and simplistic, yet sturdy and functional.
Demon gods gathered in front of these structures, exchanging goods.
"I've asked around," one demon god said. "These places are called 'shops.' They specialize in selling treasures found in chaos, along with all sorts of bizarre items."
"Shops?"
The newcomers were stunned. In the endless chaos before this, the concept of trade simply did not exist. Demon gods had never needed to exchange goods, for the materials scattered across chaos—ores, herbs, and other resources—were seen as worthless.
But after hearing Gu Chuan's first sermon, everything changed.
Now, the demon gods understood the path of cultivation. They realized that many of the materials in chaos possessed unique properties, beneficial to their advancement.
Some Chaos Elixirs could enhance one's cultivation base.
Some Chaos Ores could be refined into powerful magical treasures.
Some rare and mysterious items held abilities beyond comprehension.
And so, the search for treasures began.
However, not all resources were useful to everyone. Some sought materials they did not possess, while others had excess of what they did not need. Thus, the practice of barter emerged—the first form of commerce in chaos.
Though primitive, it was still a revolutionary step.
"Look over there!"
A weak demon god pointed towards a massive square in the city. A strange sight unfolded before their eyes—high-level demon gods engaged in heated discussions with weaker ones, their faces flushed with passion.
This was unheard of.
In the chaos beyond, the strong never acknowledged the weak. If a low-level demon god dared to speak out of turn, a stronger being would silence them—permanently.
Yet here, they were debating, exchanging ideas as equals.
"They're discussing cultivation techniques," an older demon god explained. "Arguing over which methods are most efficient, which paths are best suited for different physiques and talents. This is a place of learning."
After Gu Chuan's first sermon, demon gods across Chaos City had gained great insights. However, every being had a different comprehension of the Dao.
Some focused on tempering the body, others on refining the soul.
Some sought speed, others endurance.
Some pursued power, others wisdom.
And so, arguments arose.
Every day, these demon gods gathered, debating their methods, exchanging philosophies. Their disputes were not fueled by hatred, but by the desire for truth. This was a battle of ideas—far more intense than any physical confrontation.
Yet, despite their disagreements, they always returned, eager to learn more.
Through these clashes of thought, their understanding deepened.
The laws of the universe were profound, and no single demon god could grasp them all. But through discussion and debate, they sharpened their wisdom, illuminating the Dao together.
"Can we listen in?"
The weak demon gods, filled with longing, hesitated at the edge of the square. They had missed the first sermon and knew little of cultivation.
If they could listen in, perhaps they could gain enlightenment.
"You may listen," the old demon god said, "but do not disrupt them. Chaos City forbids killing, but if you become a nuisance, getting beaten up is still a possibility."
That was good enough.
The weak demon gods eagerly sat at the edges of the gathering, listening intently, committing every word to memory.
This was their chance—an opportunity to grasp a sliver of the Dao.
A hundred epochs passed in the blink of an eye.
Then, at last, Gu Chuan awakened from his seclusion.
As his eyes opened, a terrifying force swept across Chaos City, stretching outward for thousands of miles. The sheer weight of universal law descended upon all who resided there.
The moment had come.
All demon gods felt it—an irresistible force, a power that shook the very fabric of existence.
The second sermon was about to begin.