The Bet Paid Off!

In the blink of an eye, everyone arrived outside Purple Heaven Palace one after another.

Seeing the only six Cushions within the palace, everyone's hearts trembled.

Instinct told them that these seats were anything but ordinary!

With that thought in mind, each of them secretly competed, afraid of falling behind.

Unfortunately, under Tongtian's lead, the first three Cushions were immediately claimed.

Seeing this, Laozi and Yuanshi hastily seized the fourth and fifth Cushions.

With only the final opportunity remaining, the struggle grew even fiercer.

"Brother, go first!"

Hong Yun was shoved forward by Zhenyuanzi and rushed ahead.

With an angry roar, Zhenyuanzi held the Earth Book in hand as his magical power surged forth, forcibly blocking everyone for an instant.

Though it was only a brief delay, who among those present was not an expert who had cultivated for thousands of years?

Naturally, Hong Yun would not miss such a fleeting opportunity. He dropped onto the Cushion with a plop.

Now that only Hong Yun's Cushion remains, let's see how you Two from the West intend to make trouble.

Tongtian watched coldly as he pondered to himself.

This seating arrangement was already vastly different from the plot he remembered.

Without Kunpeng, who would Zhunti target instead?

Seeing that no Cushions remained empty, the great powers could only give up and find their own places to sit.

Just as the commotion settled, a sorrowful cry rang out from within the palace:

"Senior Brother, we arrived too late!"

Everyone froze, then turned to look.

Jieyin and Zhunti stood there with grief-stricken faces, their expressions utterly miserable.

But who among them was not an old fox burdened with countless karmic ties?

How could they be moved to pity by a few tearful complaints?

They've finally appeared. Let's see just how good the acting of these future-famous Two Sages of the West really is.

Tongtian's lips curled slightly, and a trace of mockery flashed through his eyes.

"Senior Brother, we crossed countless mountains and rivers and endured untold hardships before reaching Purple Heaven Palace to hear the Dao."

"Yet the West is remote and barren. We had no treasures to protect ourselves, so we were delayed along the way."

"Who would have thought there would not even be a place to sit? How are we supposed to seek the Great Dao and return to enlighten all living beings?"

"How are we to face the people of the West? I would rather smash my head against a pillar and die here in Purple Heaven Palace!"

As Zhunti spoke, he made as if to ram himself into a pillar. His tragic display was so absurd that it left people both amused and exasperated.

But how could such petty tricks deceive these old monsters who had lived for countless ages?

Just as everyone watched coldly, waiting to see how Zhunti would end this farce, a voice suddenly rang out:

"Fellow Daoist, wait!"

At the shout, Hong Yun rose to his feet.

"I can see that you are earnest in seeking the Dao. The West is impoverished, and since you sincerely wish to spread the teachings, if you do not mind, take my seat."

As he spoke, he truly gave up his Cushion.

Even though Zhenyuanzi repeatedly signaled to him from the side, he paid no heed.

Before his words had even finished, Zhunti, who had just looked ready to die, instantly stopped in his tracks. Even his crying vanished.

He plopped down onto the Cushion and gave a Daoist salute.

"Fellow Daoist, you are truly kind-hearted. Then I shall accept without further ceremony."

Pfft!

No one knew who was the first to burst out laughing,

But Purple Heaven Palace instantly filled with snickering.

Hong Yun stood there blankly. Only after a moment did he come back to his senses.

He opened his mouth, but said nothing. He merely sighed softly and silently sat down beside Zhenyuanzi.

He had given up the seat himself. Was he supposed to ask for it back now?

Hong Yun could not bring himself to be that shameless.

Zhenyuanzi looked at Hong Yun, disappointment flashing through his eyes.

As for the other great powers present, they deliberately or unconsciously moved a little farther away from Hong Yun.

No one dared catch that sort of "foolishness."

Sitting on the Cushion, Zhunti's eyes darted about.

Clearly, he was unwilling to leave things at that and still wanted to seize another Cushion for his senior brother.

Watching secretly, Hongjun frowned slightly.

Though there was unfinished karma in the West, he had not intended to bestow Saintly Positions upon Jieyin and Zhunti.

That was why he had secretly acted while they crossed the chaos: to ensure that they missed the Saintly Positions.

Yet despite all his calculations, he had not expected Hong Yun, that reckless fool, to voluntarily surrender his Cushion.

His gaze flickering, Zhunti swept his eyes over Tongtian and Yuanshi. After a moment, however, his gaze settled on Fuxi and Nuwa.

"You are of lowly birth, covered in fur and clad in scales and shells. How are you worthy of sitting alongside us? Hurry and surrender your seats!"

Everyone was stunned, then revealed looks of anticipation.

Jieyin and Zhunti might not know the details, but they certainly did—

Fuxi and Nuwa were with Tongtian!

Now there would be a show to watch!

Already dissatisfied with Tongtian's earlier actions, Yuanshi immediately snorted coldly when he heard Zhunti speak.

"Exactly! Those lowly creatures born from dampness and eggs, covered in beast fur and bearing shells, are unworthy of sitting among us!"

Upon hearing this, Laozi, seated nearby, subconsciously glanced at Tongtian. Then he lowered his head, closed his eyes, and remained calm, as though he had heard nothing.

Had... the Three Pure Ones fallen out?

The great divine powers' eyes flickered, clearly filled with curiosity and interest.

The three brothers had originally been one, yet now they stood opposed to one another.

If they claimed there was no resentment between them, not even ghosts would believe it!

Tongtian's expression darkened, his gaze sweeping over Yuanshi and Zhunti like blades.

"What right do you have to set your sights on the elders of my sect?"

His words carried chilling fury, and the atmosphere within Purple Heaven Palace turned several degrees colder.

Zhunti speaking out was understandable, but even Laozi and Yuanshi had taken the outsiders' side. How could Tongtian swallow such an insult?

Was he still meant to be the same honest man as before, letting others push him around?

"Outrageous!"

"Tongtian, how dare you show disrespect to your elder brother!"

Yuanshi had always been arrogant and deeply concerned with his dignity. Rebuked by Tongtian in public, he could not save face, and rage immediately surged within him.

"I'm outrageous? I'm disrespecting my elder brother?"

Tongtian sneered, his tone dripping with ridicule.

"Respect has always been mutual. When have you ever truly regarded me as your third brother?"

"Since you refuse to give me any face, why should I make a fool of myself trying to please you?"

With those words, all pretense was completely torn apart.

But Tongtian did not care.

They were destined to part ways sooner or later. Since that was the case, why should he keep wronging himself?

He was not born to endure others' anger.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Yuanshi said "good" three times in a row. His face was as dark as ink, and the fury in his eyes nearly burst forth.

If not for the fact that this was a Saint's sacred ground, he would likely have already taught this disappointing younger brother a lesson.

Tongtian did not even spare him a glance and abruptly raised his hand.

In an instant, a fierce sword qi shot toward the unprepared Zhunti.

Though Zhunti reacted in an instant, the distance was too short, and his cultivation was already slightly inferior to Tongtian's.

Caught off guard, he hastily raised a defense, only to be blasted staggering by the sword qi. Even his robes were torn, leaving him in a most miserable state.

It immediately drew a burst of laughter.

"This is merely a small warning. Once the lecture is over, I will settle this debt with you properly!"

Tongtian snorted coldly, the killing intent in his eyes undiminished.

Zhunti's expression changed slightly. He had wanted to spit out a few harsh words, but when his eyes met Tongtian's, his heart trembled, and he forcibly swallowed them back.

The other party had dared to strike even within a Saint's Daoist sanctuary. If he provoked him further, Tongtian might truly turn hostile on the spot.

He was not afraid of fighting, but if he angered the Saint and was driven from the place where the Dao was being taught, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Thinking this, Zhunti said nothing more. He silently moved half off the Cushion and shared it with Jieyin, never again mentioning anyone giving up a seat.

Fuxi and Nuwa, who had remained silent at the side, felt a tangled mix of emotions at this sight.

They were moved that Tongtian had stepped forward for them, yet they also resented Zhunti for his earlier actions.

They had already made up their minds. If they found the chance in the future, they would make Zhunti pay the price!

Seeing Yuanshi and Zhunti suffer setbacks one after another, everyone's previously heightened mood also fell.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared upon the cloud bed.

Everyone's hearts jolted, their pupils shrinking as their faces filled with shock.

They had not sensed even the slightest spatial fluctuation!

It was as if that person had always been there!

"Greetings, Saint!"

Feeling that boundless pressure, as though it could swallow heaven and devour earth, everyone wore complicated expressions.

Only now did they truly understand—beneath a Saint, all were ants.

There was no need to act. A single thought was enough to erase everyone present.

"From now on, the seats shall remain as they are. They may not be changed!"

Hongjun's gaze swept across the entire hall before lingering on Tongtian for a moment.

Only after making Tongtian's scalp tingle did he slowly withdraw his gaze.

"We obey the Saint's decree!"

Everyone answered in unison.

Only Tongtian secretly rejoiced within.

He knew that he had won the bet!

In his past life, there had always been one question he could not understand—

Why had Hongjun bestowed the Primordial Violet Qi upon Hong Yun, ultimately allowing him to be plotted against and killed?

After thinking it through carefully, the only possible explanation was that Hongjun had tacitly permitted Zhunti to occupy that seat!

Otherwise, given Hong Yun's usual character, with no grudge or enmity between them, why would Zhunti scheme to harm him?

It was precisely because of this speculation that Tongtian had placed Fuxi, who originally had no seat, upon a Saintly Position.

The result spoke for itself.

"This lecture shall begin with Refining Essence into Qi and end with the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. It shall last three thousand years. Contemplate it well."

Hongjun spoke calmly, taking in everyone's expressions.

Upon hearing this, all the powerful cultivators grew solemn and sat upright, not daring to slacken in the slightest.

Just as Hongjun was about to begin his lecture, he suddenly frowned, his gaze sharpening slightly.

"The Dharma shall not be transmitted to Six-Eared Macaque!"

After saying this, he ignored everyone's confusion and began teaching the Dao.

"The principles of heaven and earth value sincerity, practice benevolence and righteousness, and uphold compassion..."

In an instant, heavenly flowers rained down, golden lotuses surged from the earth, and countless phenomena appeared.

The supremely profound voice of the Dao echoed in everyone's ears like a gentle stream, flowing straight into their hearts.

Even Tongtian, who had appeared somewhat casual before, was moved. He then calmed his mind and focused on comprehending the Dao.