Establish a religion?

Above the void, the great powers and experts who came to witness the ceremony and offer congratulations were also shocked, their expressions subtly shifting at the spectacle.

The originally calm and composed expressions vanished entirely, replaced by unconcealed shock and bewilderment.

Where was their air of being a high-level expert?

"Demon Master, what do you think of the Intercepting Sect now?"

Eastern Emperor Taiyi looked at the densely packed yet powerfully radiating disciples of the Intercepting Sect below, his heart tightening imperceptibly.

From this formation alone, one could infer that the Intercepting Sect's momentum was no less than that of the Heavenly Court, and even slightly superior in terms of top-tier combat power.

If there was a gap, it was only in numbers compared to the vastness of the Heavenly Court.

But this was understandable—the Heavenly Court was backed by the entire Primordial World's Demon Race; their sheer base number could crush most factions.

And the Intercepting Sect? With only 1.29 million disciples, they had managed to hone each one to such a degree, which could never be achieved merely by piling up resources.

Conversely, if the Intercepting Sect had a talent pool as vast as the Demon Race, other sects would likely not even have the qualifications to contend.

This point alone was enough to make one's heart palpitate.

"The growth of the Intercepting Sect's disciples must be closely related to the methods of operation within their sect."

Kunpeng remained silent for a long time, then spoke with a grave expression, "In my opinion, after this ceremony concludes, our Heavenly Court might as well learn from them and try implementing some of their methods."

Taiyi heard this, pondered for a moment, and nodded slightly, giving his tacit approval.

"Brother, I see a connection between the Intercepting Sect's disciples and the West."

A glint of fervor and greed flashed in Zhunti's eyes as he secretly transmitted to Jieyin, "When you and I achieve sainthood, and we join forces with Yuanshi and Dijun to deal with Tongtian, why not take this opportunity to convert all his disciples to the West?"

If not for his current lack of strength, he feared he would have already lost control and acted forcefully.

"There is no need to rush." Jieyin nodded lightly, "Let Tongtian raise them for us a while longer. When the time comes, it will be natural and effortless."

The two looked at each other and smiled. As their gazes swept over the disciples below, they no longer held mere envy and covetousness, but rather a sense of elders appraising their juniors.

They occasionally whispered, pointing and commenting, as if those disciples were already within their grasp.

This scene, falling into Tongtian's eyes, caused the corner of his mouth to curl into a cold sneer.

He found the persistent nature of these two "old acquaintances" both infuriating and absurd.

Infuriating because, whenever the West's destiny was involved, these two would resort to any means and always believed they would succeed; amusing because they consistently underestimated him and overestimated their own meager resources.

I only hope that when we face each other in battle in the future, they won't cry too miserably.

He whispered this inwardly, Tongtian withdrew his gaze and turned to look into the distance.

There were about a thousand great powers present.

Excluding the dozen or so individuals he had met before in Purple Heaven Palace, most of the others were Quasi-Saints who had broken through in recent years.

In terms of cultivation and magical treasures, these individuals were not yet comparable to those who had listened to the Dao in the past.

Having finally stepped into the Quasi-Saint realm, they at least had some confidence.

Looking across the Primordial World, they could be considered top experts.

After all the cultivators had stepped onto the island, Nuwa's figure quietly appeared in the void above.

"We pay our respects to Empress Nuwa."

"There is no need for formalities, everyone." Her tone was calm, and before her words had even finished, she had already begun her sermon.

"The Great Dao flows, Yin Yang gives birth, the Five Elements align, and all things are formed..."

Her words carried the force of law, and in an instant, celestial phenomena descended: heavenly flowers rained down, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, blooming layer upon layer in the void.

Although slightly inferior to the sermons of Dao Ancestor Hongjun and Tongtian, the profound Dao rhythm contained within was substantial and not to be underestimated.

The falling petals and lotus platforms were not illusions, but condensed essence of heaven and earth.

Mortals who touched them would find their cultivation speed far exceeding that of absorbing spiritual energy on normal days.

For this reason, whenever great powers lectured, countless low-level cultivators flocked, just to seize a sliver of opportunity.

This sermon progressed from the simple to the profound, step by step, allowing everyone present, regardless of their cultivation level, to gain insights.

In just a moment, everyone was immersed in a state of profound understanding.

Even those who had long comprehended their own Dao and entered the Great Luo realm or higher could not help but close their eyes in contemplation.

Even if their cultivated paths were not entirely the same as Nuwa's, the words of a Saint were, after all, supreme enlightenment, worthy of careful study.

Just then, a message arrived from Biyou Palace—

"Reporting to the Sect Master, Laozi from Kunlun Mountain requests an audience."

Tongtian, who was not present listening to the sermon at this time, was sitting alone in his hall, sipping tea.

Hearing the report, he raised his eyebrows as an elder beside him quietly informed him.

Laozi?

What was he here for?

Tongtian frowned slightly, pondered for a moment without understanding, and then sighed lightly, "Let him in."

The elder accepted the order and retreated.

Not long after, Laozi slowly walked into the hall.

"Third Brother..."

"Silence!" Tongtian raised his hand to stop him, his expression stern, "There are no brothers here."

They had already fallen out, so why pretend to be affectionate now?

Who was calling him brother!

Laozi's face stiffened slightly, his expression sharpened, and he changed his words: "Tong... Saint Tongtian, I have come this time with a request, and I hope you will grant it."

Seeing his humble attitude, devoid of his usual authority, Tongtian's eyes flickered.

He sneered inwardly: As expected, he only came when he needed something!

"Speak."

Laozi hesitated for several breaths before finally speaking: "This matter involves the Human Race created by Senior Sister Nuwa. I wish to borrow the power of the Human Race..."

"Wishful thinking!" Tongtian interrupted him with a roar before he could finish.

This time, his voice was laced with anger.

The Human Race was already considered the foundation of the Intercepting Sect's future; how could he allow others to covet them!

Laozi's expression changed drastically, a flicker of anger crossing his eyes.

If it weren't for the opportunity to prove his Dao, he would have already turned and left.

Before coming, he had thought that even if their relationship was broken, a few humble words would still leave room for maneuver.

Now, it seemed he had been too naive.

"The Human Race is under the protection of my Intercepting Sect; their allegiance is decided," Tongtian said coldly. "I advise you to give up this idea as soon as possible."

He paused, his tone growing colder: "Otherwise, even if you become a Saint through this, I will personally pull you down from your pedestal!"

Seeing that Laozi still seemed unwilling, Tongtian let out a scoff and spoke his threat directly.

If he agreed to this, who would accumulate merit and deduce the Great Dao for him in the future?

Those mortals were his carefully chosen helpers!

Upon hearing this, Laozi's face turned completely grim.

Knowing that his trip was fruitless, he let out a cold snort, no longer willing to play pretense, and turned to angrily exit the hall.

After leaving the Three Immortal Islands, he didn't stop at all and headed straight for beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

He was clearly going to the Purple Heaven Palace to reason with Hongjun.

In response, Tongtian merely curled his lips in disdain.

He wanted to see how Laozi would step into the Saint realm without the Human Race's destiny.

After a moment of thought, a notion suddenly flashed through his mind--

The words "Daoism" surfaced in his mind.

Although there was no concrete proof, he had a strong intuition that there was a predetermined fate.

After all, Laozi was a Saint destined by the Heavenly Dao.

Even if he lost the opportunity with the Human Race, he would find another way.

Becoming a Saint was only a matter of time and could not be stopped.

Forget it, why delve deeper?

It was enough to know that the other party would eventually prove his Dao.

As for whether it was based on establishing a sect or finding another method, what did it have to do with him?

Meanwhile, Laozi, filled with indignation, traveled at full speed and finally arrived beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Before him lay a vast and boundless chaos, without a trace of anything.

For a moment, he was at a loss.

Back then, when they listened to the sermon in the Purple Heaven Palace, it was because Hongjun personally revealed the location of the palace that the three thousand disciples could find the path.

Now that the sermon was over, the Dao Ancestor had already retracted his presence, and the palace had vanished into the void.

Laozi, who had rushed here on impulse, had ultimately come up empty.

Fortunately, he was a Saint appointed by the Heavenly Dao, and he possessed a protective destiny and enjoyed heavenly favor.

Just as he was about to turn away in despair, a distant sigh suddenly came from the depths of the chaos.

Immediately after, the Purple Heaven Palace manifested from the void, enveloped in golden light and auspicious rays.

Seeing this, Laozi's eyes lit up, and he practically strode into the palace.

"Master! You must uphold justice for your disciple! Tongtian that fellow has gone too far, he actually..."

"I already know your purpose for coming." Hongjun's faint voice interrupted his torrent of grievances. "Now, tell me, when I achieved sainthood, what was Tongtian doing?"

Laozi froze at his words.

He subconsciously began to ponder, his mind churning with past events.

After a moment, his body suddenly trembled, as if he had realized something.

As if unable to believe it, his expression was hesitant, and he cautiously probed, "Does Master mean... my true opportunity for enlightenment lies not with the Human Race, but with—establishing a Sect?"

As soon as the words left his lips, the strand of Primordial Violet Qi between his brows suddenly pulsed twice, as if in response.

Laozi was stunned at first, then exhilaration surged in his heart.

Seeing Hongjun remain silent, it was clear he had tacitly agreed.

He could no longer hold back, and immediately knelt down, kowtowing deeply.

"Thank you, Master, for your guidance and for dispelling my thousand-year delusion!"

"En, go." Hongjun gently raised his hand.

With a flash of light, Laozi reappeared on the Primordial World.

He turned back and bowed deeply towards the Purple Heaven Palace again, his expression solemn.

Thinking of Tongtian's aggressive demeanor earlier, he let out a cold laugh, secretly marking this grievance.

At this moment, he sensed the violet qi between his brows subtly merging with him, becoming more seamless. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.

From then on, he strode across the land, crossing mountains and rivers, visiting all corners of the world, all to comprehend the ultimate truth of teaching and enlightening all beings.

Time flowed silently, and a thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

Within the Intercepting Sect, most disciples had made progress under Nuwa's teachings.

Tongtian sat on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over those below. Seeing everyone radiating divine light and their realms ascending, he nodded with satisfaction.

If one were to speak of the greatest gains from this sermon, who else could compare to the Intercepting Sect?

Almost every disciple had broken through one or even several minor realms.

Such a grand occasion made countless outside cultivators extremely envious.

Although hundreds of billions of beings were listening, most only gained a slight understanding; among the rest, only a few truly grasped a portion and managed to break through.

Even though the number of those who broke through was not small, they still paled in comparison to the continuous breakthroughs and steady progress of the Intercepting Sect disciples.

"A thousand years have passed. Contemplate well, all of you."

Nuwa, sensing that the time was drawing to a close, slowly stopped speaking, leaving behind a simple sentence.

Without waiting for the crowd's pleas to keep her there, her figure flickered and she vanished into the void.

"How does it feel to have people tearfully beg you to continue lecturing like this?"

As soon as she appeared, Tongtian smiled and stepped forward, pulling her into his embrace, his tone playful.

"You talk too much!"

She shot him a glare and huffed playfully, but a faint blush involuntarily spread across her cheeks.