The Scalper Comes with His Own Security Team! Hongjun Splits on the Spot!

The great doors of Zixiao Palace silently slid open to either side!

Weird!

This was incredibly weird!

The anticipated scene of a thousand immortals battling for a cushion, their divine powers and treasures flying everywhere in a bloody frenzy, simply didn't happen!

Instead, a group of Primordial World's great powers, each holding a colored jade token, were walking in orderly queues as if attending a market fair!

The "entry tickets" distributed by Xuanzheng had, it seemed, become "civilized passes" to enter the Saint's dojo!

"Hmph! Putting on a show!"

Several potent demonic energies shot up into the sky like plumes of smoke. A few demon marshals, accustomed to walking all over others within the Demon Clan, arrived here surrounded by their retinues.

Upon witnessing this scene, a spectacle unprecedented in the Primordial World, their faces were etched with undisguised disdain and mockery.

"Do these petty tricks of the Witch Clan dare to obstruct our sincere pursuit of the Great Dao?"

One demon marshal, sporting a ferocious tiger's head, let out a chilling, sinister laugh.

He paid no mind to those timid souls obediently "buying tickets to enter." With a surge of demonic power, his form transformed into a streak of black light, heading straight for the six cushions radiating infinite profound aura at the front of the great hall!

"Heh heh heh! Another foolish youngster actively delivering themselves to boost my performance! Excellent, excellent, KPI will be exceeded today!"

Xuanzheng, currently mingling with a crowd of great powers holding "standing room tickets," had his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking leisurely.

The faint curve of his lips resembled that of a hunter spotting a fat sheep leaping willingly into a trap.

Just as the tiger-headed demon marshal's claws were about to brush the edge of a cushion!

"Halt! You demon! Stop right there!"

"Fellow Daoist! Please purchase your ticket voluntarily! Upholding the sacred order of Zixiao Palace's dojo is the responsibility of every cultivator!"

Two shouts, like thunderclaps from the nine heavens, boomed out!

The voices, initially sounding somewhat simple, were in fact full of robust energy upon closer listening, carrying an undeniable domineering force!

Two "ordinary listeners," who had been silently queuing all along, with stout physiques and auras contained as if they were bundles of silence, stepped out without any warning!

Their bulging muscles looked even more exaggerated than if they had been cast from Xuan iron!

Fists?

No!

They were two deadly weapons, larger than the heads of ordinary beings!

Though their Blood Essence was suppressed, it exuded a heart-pounding wildness and dominance!

These were top Great Witches of the Witch Clan, specially "hired" by Xuanzheng to disguise themselves as ordinary listeners and "maintain order"!

"Get out of my way!"

The tiger-headed demon marshal, seeing this, flew into a rage. His demonic power erupted without reservation as he attempted to pulverize these two oblivious stumbling blocks into dust!

"Bang--!"

"Crack--!"

The response was two iron fists, imbued with terrifying force!

And a crisp bone-cracking sound that made one's teeth ache!

The arrogant tiger-headed demon marshal couldn't even let out a complete scream!

His entire body, like a tattered sack struck by an ancient ferocious beast, was sent flying back at an even faster speed than he had arrived!

Mid-air, his nose bled profusely, his eyes turned black and blue. A gleaming tiger tooth, mixed with a mouthful of blood foam, traced an arc through the hazy chaos.

"Thump!"

He crashed heavily to the ground, his fate unknown!

As for the other demon marshals who had intended to take advantage of the chaos and force their way in, before they could even react, they were pinned down by several other "concerned citizens" who "righteously" surged out from the crowd, under the glorious banner of "assisting the Dao Ancestor in maintaining the order of Zixiao Palace and eliminating pests"!

The scene was a one-sided, no-contest thrashing!

Screams?

Non-existent!

Only the dull thuds of fists meeting flesh and the groans of dislocated bones!

A moment later.

The demon marshals, who had been so arrogant earlier, now had faces swollen worse than pig heads, bruised and battered, their clothes in tatters.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, they shamefully and tremblingly took out their most treasured spiritual materials from the "temporary ticket purchase point" set up by Xuanzheng – a stout Great Witch with a simple, honest smile.

All this was just to exchange for a few jade tokens, which Xuanzheng derisively called "special seating tickets for contemplating life in the corners of Zixiao Palace."

Then, each of them, filled with venom but daring not to speak out, retreated to the most inconspicuous corners of the great hall, drawing circles on the ground.

The entire scene was deathly silent!

So quiet you could hear a pin drop!

All the great powers of the Primordial World who witnessed this were utterly stunned by this sudden and unexpected move!

Their worldviews were once again forcefully grounded and repeatedly trampled by Xuanzheng!

This damned scalper actually brought his own security detail?!

And this security detail was outrageously powerful!

Was there any way for people to live?!

Who would dare to sneak into Zixiao Palace from now on?!

Soon, amidst a bizarre yet somewhat comical atmosphere, the six cushions at the front, symbolizing supreme opportunities, found their respective owners.

The Daoist Three Pure Ones from Kunlun Mountain sat cross-legged side by side. Grand Supreme Elder's expression was as calm as ancient water, Primordial Lord of Heaven's face was grim, while Sovereign of Heaven observed his surroundings with great interest, a playful smile on his lips.

Empress Nuwa, serene and composed, with the help of her elder brother Fuxi, steadily secured a spot.

As for Jieyin and Zhunti from the West, they righteously occupied two cushions thanks to the overbearing clauses in the "Saint Position Opportunity Targeted Investment Loan Contract" they had signed with Xuanzheng!

The signature look of suffering on their faces remained as thick as ever, as if the entire Primordial World owed them hundreds of Innate Spiritual Treasures.

But deep within their eyes, a hint of undisguised joy and smugness could be seen!

As for Hongyun, the foremost good-natured fellow of the Primordial World, he was currently comfortably situated in the "Zixiao Palace VIP Supreme Deluxe Box" specially built for him by Xuanzheng.

The so-called box was actually a small compartment temporarily set up in a corner using a few soundproof jade screens emitting a faint fragrance.

Not only was there a soft and comfortable cushion, but also a delicate low table. On the table, there was even an exquisite tea set, from which wisps of Enlightenment Tea fragrance were curling upwards.

Hongyun, with a look of relief after surviving a disaster, lowered his voice and whispered to Zhenyuanzi, who stood beside him looking bewildered:

"Brother Zhenyuan! Daoist friend Xuanzheng is truly a good person!"

Zhenyuanzi: "..."

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself speechless.

His mind was a complete blank. He felt that everything happening before him was more unbelievable and absurd than all the strange tales he had encountered in his billions of years of traveling the Primordial World!

Amidst this bizarre and "harmonious" atmosphere!

Buzz--!

The entire Zixiao Palace suddenly erupted in brilliant light!

Infinite Dao rhymes flowed, and purple qi came from the east for thirty thousand miles!

Upon the high platform and cloud bed, a blurry yet majestic figure slowly materialized amidst a chaos of light and shadow.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun!

His eyes, which seemed to contain the Three Thousand Great Daos, gazed expressionlessly downwards, overlooking the "audience army" below, a myriad of sights unfolding.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun had originally expected that upon opening the palace doors, he would see a fierce battle.

He had envisioned a chaotic scene where countless great powers, disregarding their status, would fight over the mere six cushions, spilling blood on the Dao field, and perhaps even a few unlucky fools perishing on the spot.

After all, this was a "scheme" he himself had set up, intended for selection and testing!

As a result...

What did he see?

Below, apart from the figures seated on the six cushions, which were somewhat normal, the rest...

What were all those masses of people behind them?!

Some sat cross-legged in an orderly fashion.

Some could only squat due to lack of space.

Some had nowhere to sit and could only stand leaning against the wall.

And even...

They were using their own little stools and leisurely cracking melon seeds!

The most outrageous thing!

The thing that almost made his Dao Heart falter!

Was that so-called "box" in the corner, enclosed by a few broken jade screens, emitting wisps of tea fragrance!

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's eyelids twitched uncontrollably, fiercely and violently, three times!

An unprecedented sense of absurdity surged straight into his Saint Heart!

His Saint sense, which permeated everywhere like flowing mercury, instantly swept through every corner of Zixiao Palace as if equipped with a full-map scan hack!

Those so-called "supplementary seats"!

Those bizarre "standing tickets" and "hanging tickets"!

Even that absurd "box ticket"!

Each and every one of them actually flowed with a trace of Heavenly Dao Merit power, faint yet undeniably real, and utterly undeniable!

The entire Zixiao Palace!

Instead of the chaotic disarray and endless fighting he had anticipated, the orderly queue, boasting a "star-studded lineup" and "complete setup," actually seemed to increase the "coverage" and "propagation efficiency" of the Great Dao he was about to impart. It was, perhaps, even slightly higher than he had originally imagined?

It was the stifling feeling of having painstakingly written a script, only to have it forcibly "optimized" into a monstrosity by some amateur director who appeared out of nowhere!

This left Hongjun in a state of silence that lasted for dozens of breaths.

[Heh heh heh! My very perception has been overturned by this seat, hasn't it? Old fossil! Dumbfounded, aren't you? Country bumpkin!]

[This is what you call a market economy, understand user experience? Paying for lessons is only natural! I'm doing this for your own good, helping you expand enrollment and improve teaching quality!]

[Besides, if you don't speak, I'll take it as your tacit approval! Even the Heavenly Dao has given me a commendation, what more do you, its spokesperson, want?]

Xuanzheng's inner monologue was at its absolute peak of arrogance.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's gaze, like two invisible sharp swords, pierced through the void and landed with pinpoint accuracy on Xuanzheng, who was stealthily mingling with the "standing-room-only" crowd. He had cunningly secured a "golden ticket" spot with an excellent view, perfectly positioned relative to the lecture platform.

That guy!

That damned Witch Clan!

He was currently standing with his hands clasped behind his back, sporting an innocent, pure, and harmless expression, looking around with wide eyes. He would occasionally nod at the "enthusiastic" listeners around him, flashing a "shy" smile.

It was as if he were truly just an ordinary, unremarkable, and studious young member of the Witch Clan who had come to Zixiao Palace for the sake of knowledge!

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's heart was filled with a maelstrom of emotions. His three corpses were practically leaping for joy, and his Primordial Spirit was throbbing with pain.

He wanted to swat this audacious little brat from the Witch Clan, who had disrupted his plans and dragged his reputation through the mud, to death right there in Zixiao Palace!

However!

Just as his killing intent was about to surge forth!

From the depths of the Heavenly Dao's will, a faint, almost imperceptible sense of "approval" emanated.

It was as if it were speaking to him in an irrefutable tone:

"Hongjun, this young man has done a fine job! Look, the classroom discipline, the enthusiasm for listening, the KPI for spreading the Great Dao – haven't they all been boosted for you? You need to be flexible and encourage innovation!"

Pressure!

From the high and mighty will of the Heavenly Dao!

From this hall full of "paying customers" with fervent gazes, afraid he might stop lecturing!

From Xuanzheng, who stood there with his hands clasped, feigning innocence as if he were the victim!

Layer upon layer, it pressed down upon Dao Ancestor Hongjun's heart!

Finally.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun indifferently withdrew his gaze, which had been on the verge of spitting fire.

His voice was as cold and detached as eternal, unmelting profound ice, betraying no hint of joy or sorrow.

"The time... has come."

"Let... us... begin... the... Great... Dao... lecture!"

These four words were practically squeezed out from between Dao Ancestor Hongjun's teeth, one by one!

Each word represented his...

resigned acceptance!

of Xuanzheng's "ticket-selling operation" in Zixiao Palace, an act that would surely go down in the annals of the Primordial World!

Inside the great hall, all the mighty figures of the Primordial World looked at Xuanzheng. Their initial expressions of mockery and anticipation of a good show had transformed into deep, heartfelt admiration!

And a sliver of... bone-chilling dread!

"Learned! Learned! So this is how you seek the Great Dao! This is how you snatch opportunities! It's just... this thick skin and terrifying strength, we can't even hope to match even a fraction of fellow Daoist Xuanzheng's prowess!"

This was the most accurate reflection of the thoughts of the vast majority of the Primordial World's mighty figures present at that moment.

Meanwhile, our General Consultant Xuanzheng, feeling quite pleased with himself, opened his little ledger to tally the rich rewards of his trip to Zixiao Palace.

[Heh heh! A massive amount of Innate Spiritual Material in hand! Several Innate Spiritual Treasures of decent quality acquired! A small sum of pure Heavenly Dao Merit safely pocketed!]

[Most importantly, that stack of 'Karma Debt Vouchers' bearing the true spirit imprints of the Primordial World's top mighty figures! Tsk tsk tsk, this will be the seed capital for our Great Witch Clan to dominate the Primordial World, build infrastructure, and pursue development in the future!]

[Oh, right! The repair reward for the Primordial World Bug Fixing Manual has also arrived – Heavenly Dao Certified - Zixiao Palace Order Maintainer Gold Medal (Unique)! With this gold medal, during the three lectures in Zixiao Palace, I am the Heavenly Dao-certified discipline committee member!

Whoever dares to cause trouble will have to answer to my fists and the Heavenly Dao's face! I can even intercept others' Merit with a small probability? Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Old Man Hongjun's defense system still has too many loopholes. It seems I'll have to "maintain" it more often in the future!]

Xuanzheng contentedly stroked his chin, a bright, innocent, and utterly "pure" smile gracing his face.

This trip to Zixiao Palace!

A massive profit!

Profited to the extreme!