Chapter 513
focuses on the high platform and cloud bed.
"Your demon race, apart from you, only has one demonic ape that survived from the Chaos Era who is a Primordial Golden Immortal! As for Yuan Feng, although you've described him in glowing terms, whether he can break through is still unknown!"
"And in my hands..."
Hongjun's gaze swept over the three thousand powerful Zixiao guests below, whose cultivation had greatly improved, especially the top experts in the front row.
"...yet there are a full six holy positions!"
"Once I have nurtured six meritorious saints, and with the combined power of the six saints and the authority of the Heavenly Dao, how could you, a mere two or three Grand Luo Golden Immortals, possibly contend with us? The Primordial World is ultimately the Primordial World of the Heavenly Dao, and the overall situation remains in my hands!"
Thinking of this, Hongjun felt reassured, and the gloom brought about by Luo Hou's breakthrough dissipated by more than half.
He slowly opened his eyes and calmly looked down at the three thousand guests.
At this moment, the three thousand Purple Cloud Guests in the palace had already recovered from the shocking changes in the Demon Realm. However, everyone's expression was extremely complicated, clearly indicating that Luo Hou's breakthrough had brought them a great psychological shock.
Hongjun took in everyone's reactions and spoke in a calm voice, as if expounding the ultimate truth of heaven and earth.
"The primordial Heavenly Dao has its limits. The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine, and one is removed. Under the Heavenly Dao, there are a limited number of Saintly positions, at most nine can be supported."
These words struck like a hammer blow to the hearts of all the Purple Cloud Guests! The number of Saintly positions is limited! At most nine!
This means that from this moment on, the competition is laid bare!
Hongjun continued.
"However, the position of sainthood is not something that can be obtained by chance. To become a saint of the Heavenly Dao, one must obtain the foundation for sainthood—the Primordial Purple Qi! This Qi is transformed from the origin of the Heavenly Dao. Only by obtaining it can one trigger the Heavenly Dao's response, entrust one's primordial spirit to the void of the Heavenly Dao, and achieve the indestructible position of sainthood."
Primordial Purple Qi! The Foundation for Sainthood!
Everyone's breathing became heavy instantly, and their eyes burned as they looked at the Dao Ancestor on the high platform.
Hongjun ignored the longing gazes below, his voice remaining calm, but he dropped an even bigger bombshell.
"However, the Primordial Purple Qi is also limited. Apart from what I have already used after merging with the Dao, only seven strands remain under the Heavenly Dao."
Only seven strands remain!
But Heaven's Dao can only accommodate a maximum of nine saints!
This means that even if one obtains the Primordial Purple Qi, it does not guarantee becoming a saint, but without the Primordial Purple Qi, one absolutely cannot become a Heavenly Saint!
At this moment, all the guests of Zixiao clearly realized that Hongjun was going to use the Primordial Purple Qi as a rein to firmly control the lifeline and destiny of the future sage!
Who becomes a saint, and when they become a saint, is all within their own thoughts!
This is practically blatant control!
Many powerful figures had dissatisfaction and resistance in their eyes, but even more so, they had helplessness and a deeper longing.
After all, this is currently the only clear path to sainthood! While the "Way of the World" is good, its future is uncertain and extremely difficult.
Hongjun was very satisfied with the complex and eager atmosphere below; it was exactly what he wanted.
His gaze slowly swept over the crowd, finally revealing his true intentions:
"I will select six disciples from among you and bestow upon them the Primordial Purple Qi to help them attain the venerable position of sage."
coming!
All the Zixiao guests felt a sudden jolt in their hearts, their gazes instantly sharpening as they stared intently at Hongjun, awaiting the list that would determine their fate.
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became extremely tense. The auras of the powerful figures unconsciously surged, and a sense of vigilance and competition arose between them.
However, in this tense moment when the silence was so absolute you could hear a pin drop, Hongjun did not immediately announce the six names. Instead, he abruptly changed the subject and dropped another bombshell that caught everyone off guard:
"However, Heaven is impartial, and the position of saint is not something I can decide alone."
Inside the Purple Cloud Palace, you could hear a pin drop.
The gazes of the three thousand guests of Zixiao were all focused on Dao Ancestor Hongjun on the high platform cloud bed. Tension, longing, trepidation, ambition... all sorts of emotions intertwined, almost setting the holy temple ablaze.
The Primordial Purple Qi, the foundation for sainthood, and the position of disciple, are related to their future on the Great Dao, which cannot help but stir their hearts and minds.
Hongjun's gaze was indifferent as he slowly swept over the beings below. His calm, unwavering voice rang out once more, like a final judgment, sealing the fate that had long been sealed:
"The number of saintly positions is predetermined, and the opportunities are set long ago. The fate was already decided when I gave my lecture at Zixiao Palace. It is already clear which of you can be my disciple."
Was it all preordained? Was it destined from the moment of the lecture at Zixiao Palace?
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill and began to recall the scene when they first heard the sermon, trying to find any clues.
Hongjun's gaze shifted slightly, landing first on Laozi, whose aura was the most ethereal and profound.
"Laozi, you are the embodiment of Pangu's primordial spirit, with profound roots and enduring blessings. Would you be willing to become my disciple and my personal chief disciple?"
Upon hearing this, Lao Tzu's usually calm eyes showed a barely perceptible ripple, and he immediately rose and bowed respectfully.
"Disciple Laozi greets Master!"
His tone was calm, yet it conveyed a sense of composure and acceptance.
Hongjun nodded, his gaze shifting to Yuanshi Tianzun, whose expression was both dignified and filled with suppressed excitement.
"Yuanshi, you are also a direct descendant of Pangu, with extraordinary talent. Would you be willing to become my disciple and my second personal disciple?"
The Primordial Celestial Venerable immediately rose, straightened his clothes, and solemnly performed a grand salute.
"Disciple Yuanshi greets Master! May Master live a long and prosperous life!"
His voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement and pride.
Immediately afterwards, Hongjun's gaze swept past the crowd and landed on a female immortal in the back row who was dressed in palace attire, exuding an air of elegance and nobility, but who looked slightly surprised at the moment.
"Nuwa, you possess great destiny and will have immense merit in the primordial world in the future. Would you be willing to become my disciple and my third personal disciple?"
Nuwa was taken aback at first, then a huge surprise appeared on her beautiful face. She quickly got up and bowed gracefully.
"Disciple Nuwa greets Master!"
She never imagined that she would be ranked alongside the Three Pure Ones and become a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor!
"good."
Hongjun responded lightly, then with a flick of his sleeve, three thick, condensed, and profoundly mysterious streams of Primordial Purple Qi flew out from his palms and entered the brows of Laozi, Yuanshi, and Nuwa respectively!
As the purple energy entered their bodies, all three of them trembled. They felt a profound and close connection instantly established between the depths of their primordial spirits and the void of the Heavenly Dao. Infinite profound principles surged into their minds. More importantly, an invisible and incomparably solid karmic bond between master and disciple had been established!
They felt with absolute clarity that the path to sainthood was already beneath their feet!
"Thank you, Teacher, for bestowing upon me this auspicious aura!"
The three bowed respectfully again to express their gratitude, their faces beaming with joy.
Below the stage, countless envious, jealous, and complex gazes were cast upon the three. Personal disciples! Primordial Purple Qi!
This is almost like taking a step into the holy realm!
However, Hongjun's actions did not stop.
His gaze slowly moved, past the front row, past the many powerful figures who were eagerly waiting, and even... past the old ancestor Hongyun, who always presented himself as a kind-hearted person and was now full of anticipation.
Ultimately, the light fell upon Jieyin and Zhunti, who were in the corner, their faces contorted with suffering, their bodies radiating a faint Buddhist aura.
Hongyun's smile froze instantly, her eyes filled with astonishment and confusion.
Hongjun's voice rang out again.
"Jieyin and Zhunti, although you two are from the West, you both have a heart set on the Dao, and your perseverance is commendable. Would you be willing to become my disciples?"
"A disciple in name only?" Upon hearing this, Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions of distress deepened, and their eyes revealed an undisguised disappointment.
They had thought they would at least get a title of direct disciple... but soon, this disappointment was replaced by great relief!
Even a disciple in name is still a disciple! They too possess the Primordial Purple Qi! They too have the potential to become a saint! Compared to those powerful beings who can't even enter the gate, they are already incredibly fortunate!
The two of them almost couldn't wait to get up, quickly step forward, and respectfully bowed deeply.
"Disciple Jieyin (Zhunti) pays respects to the Master! Master, you are compassionate!"
Hongjun remained expressionless and waved his hand again, sending out two slightly thinner strands of primordial purple energy that entered the space between Jieyin and Zhunti's eyebrows.
"Thank you for your kindness, teacher!"
The two felt the purple energy enter their bodies, establishing a faint connection with the Heavenly Dao. They were so excited that their voices trembled, and they kowtowed again.
At this point, five of the six disciple positions have been filled! Only one remains!
Swish!
Almost everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the old ancestor Hongyun, who had been sitting on the first futon in the front row since the lecture at Zixiao Palace, was known as the kind old man of the prehistoric world, and had even given up his holy seat futon!
Considering cause and effect, the law of destiny, and the right of seat, he should be the last disciple!
Even Hongyun himself straightened his robes, a simple and expectant smile on his face, ready to step forward to receive the summons.
However, Hongjun, standing on the high platform, casually glanced at Hongyun, as if he were just an insignificant pillar in the hall, without pausing or speaking.
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became eerie.
Hongyun's smile froze completely, becoming stiff and awkward. His outstretched foot stopped in mid-air, unable to move forward or backward.
His eyes were filled with confusion and disbelief, and he opened his mouth as if to say something.
Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he mustered his courage, stepped forward, bowed deeply to Hongjun, and his voice trembled almost imperceptibly.
"Please...please ask the Dao Ancestor...disciple...disciple Hongyun..."
Hongjun's gaze finally fell on him, but it was cold and indifferent, devoid of any emotion.
“Hongyun, you and I have no master-disciple relationship.”
There is no master-disciple relationship between them!
These seven seemingly insignificant words struck Hongyun's heart like a hammer blow of immense weight! And they struck the hearts of all the Zixiao guests as well!
Why?! By what right?! He was the first person to sit on the prayer mat at the Zixiao Palace lecture!
He even gave up the sacred meditation cushion to Jieyin! In terms of destiny, he should be number one! Now the Dao Ancestor has accepted five disciples, yet he singled out him?!
This is an absolute and blatant insult!
Hongyun's face turned deathly pale, her body swayed slightly, and her eyes were filled with immense disappointment, grievance, and confusion.
He couldn't understand what he had done to offend the Dao Ancestor.
Only Hongjun himself knew that he was wary of the "fate" behind Hongyun's seemingly honest and straightforward nature, and the mysterious connection that might exist between him and Pangu, who may not have completely perished.
In his perfect Heavenly Chess Game, Hongyun must be a dead piece!
A pawn destined to ignite calamity and settle karmic debts!
How could he possibly accept someone destined to die as a disciple and bestow upon them the Primordial Purple Qi?
Hongjun no longer looked at the dejected Hongyun, as if he were just an insignificant speck of dust.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the Purple Cloud Palace and looking towards the primordial world. The next moment, a grand and indifferent voice, yet resounding throughout the entire primordial world, came from his mouth:
"Tongtian, you are an incarnation of Pangu's primordial spirit, with extraordinary roots. Although you are arrogant, you are still capable of being cultivated. Would you be willing to become my disciple and my fourth personal disciple?"
This sound resounded in the ears of every living being in the primordial world!
What? Dao Ancestor Hongjun actually wants to accept Tongtian Jiaozhu, who betrayed the Xuanmen, established his own sword path, and hasn't attended lectures at Zixiao Palace for three thousand years, as his personal disciple? And a personal disciple at that? Even ranked before Jieyin and Zhunti?
The primordial beings were instantly in an uproar! Discussions erupted!
"The Tongtian Sect Master? The Dao Ancestor actually wants to take him in?"
"Hasn't he already embarked on the path of proving his path through the laws?"
"A direct disciple! Primordial Purple Qi! The Dao Ancestor is actually willing to give him such an opportunity?"
"This... the Dao Ancestor is truly magnanimous!"
Would the Tongtian Sect Leader agree?
All eyes were involuntarily drawn towards the Kunlun Mountains.
At the summit of Kunlun Mountain, atop a solitary peak, the Tongtian Sect Leader sat cross-legged, his sharp and pure sword intent contained within him, as if he had merged with the surrounding world.
He had already awakened from his deep comprehension of the sword, and all the disturbances in the outside world, including everything within the Purple Cloud Palace, were within his powerful divine sense.
When Hongjun's voice announcing the acceptance of a disciple reached his ears, he slowly opened his tightly closed eyes. Deep in his eyes, there was no ripple of emotion or excitement, only determination and composure.
A direct disciple? Primordial Purple Qi? A Heavenly Sage?
If it were three thousand years ago, he might have hesitated.
But now, he has come to understand his own sword path and embarked on the path of proving the laws of primordial chaos with his sword. Although the road ahead is difficult, he is free and unrestrained, and he no longer needs to entrust his primordial spirit to the Heavenly Dao and become a puppet in the hands of others.
This path was something he realized amidst life and death, a path chosen by his own Dao heart. How could it be changed by a single word from Hongjun or a wisp of Primordial Purple Qi?
He slowly raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the endless void, and met the eyes of the Dao Ancestor in the Purple Cloud Palace. Although he did not utter a word, the determination in his eyes and the firmness of his Dao heart spoke volumes.
Then, he slowly closed his eyes again, his sword intent flowing slightly around him, continuing to immerse himself in his own understanding of the laws, ignoring Hongjun's invitation that was enough to drive billions of living beings in the prehistoric world mad.
The Kunlun Mountains are silent, with only the whistling of the wind.
The wind on the summit of Kunlun Mountain seemed to freeze for a moment. The Tongtian Sect Leader opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a drawn sword, piercing through the void and reaching the Zixiao Palace.
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unwavering resolve, clearly resounding in every corner of the primordial world.
"I understand the Dao Ancestor's good intentions. However, my path is solely the sword. To attain the Dao of Hunyuan, I must use the sword in my hand to cut through the thorns in my path. The path of the sage is not my desire. I will not walk this path!"
The primordial world was utterly silent.
Stun! An unbelievable astonishment swept through the hearts of all living beings.
That's the position of Dao Ancestor Hongjun! That's the position of a direct disciple! That's the Primordial Purple Qi!
It is the Path to Immortality, the Heavenly Way! The Master of the Heavenly Sect actually refused? So decisively, so without leaving any room for negotiation?
After a brief silence, a deafening roar of discussion and uproar ensued.
"He...he actually rejected the Dao Ancestor?"
"Proving the Dao with a sword? That ethereal path of laws? Has he gone mad?"
"That's Primordial Purple Qi! With it, becoming a saint is practically a certainty!"
He actually discarded it like a worn-out shoe?
"What spirit! What courage! Knowing the road ahead is difficult, yet remaining steadfast in one's principles and unmoved by external things—this is the true seeker of the Way!"
"I admire you! We cultivators should have such a heart devoted to the Dao!"
"But... isn't he afraid of incurring the Dao Ancestor's wrath and unleashing his thunderous power by utterly disgracing him?"
"Disaster! Disaster! Kunlun Mountain is in for a rude awakening!"
Some admired it, some felt sorry for it, but most were deeply worried. (End of Chapter)