Hongjun Becomes a Sage

Da Bai was overjoyed. Ever since joining the Demon Clan, he had been living a very happy life.

After all, in terms of combat strength, he ranked among the top three in the Demon Clan. Even Grand Unity Golden Immortal Great Demons like Fei Lian and Jiu Ying, who had joined later, could not defeat him. Thus, he often bullied the other Demon Beasts. Di Jun and Tai Yi saw this but did not interfere, since strength reigned supreme within the Demon Clan.

Da Bai was so formidable because, after breaking through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, Qing Xuan had taught him the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Technique. By now, Da Bai had cultivated it to the Sixth Level.

Moreover, he was an Innate Divine Beast, born with the Water Law. His path of cultivation had therefore been exceptionally smooth, granting him immense combat power.

Even Di Jun and Tai Yi had indirectly probed into his cultivation technique. But Da Bai had followed Qing Xuan for so long that he was no fool.

Thus, he claimed that it was an innate technique of his own that others could not cultivate. Only then did Di Jun and the others abandon the idea, left to sigh that Da Bai truly possessed Heaven's Favor.

Only Bai Ze knew that the technique had been given to Da Bai by his boss. But Bai Ze regarded Da Bai as a friend, so he kept his lips sealed.

Now, Da Bai had even been entrusted with the important task of recruiting all sorts of powerful Demon Beasts into the Demon Clan. Ying Zhao was one of them.

"Brother, what benefits are there to joining the Demon Clan?" Ying Zhao asked curiously after taking human form.

"Benefits?" Da Bai glanced at him. "What do you want?"

"Do you have any Spiritual Treasures?" Ying Zhao asked expectantly.

"No."

"Then... do you have any powerful cultivation techniques?" Ying Zhao asked hesitantly.

"No."

"Then... what is there?" Ying Zhao asked carefully, suddenly feeling that the Demon Clan seemed rather unreliable.

Da Bai tilted his head and thought for a moment. Then his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Got it! The benefit of joining us is that from now on, you'll have someone to back you up!" Da Bai happily said, patting Ying Zhao on the shoulder.

"Hehehe!" Ying Zhao laughed awkwardly, his heart filled with unease about the days ahead.

Suddenly, a voice resounded between heaven and earth.

"High upon the Ninth Heaven's clouds I lie, Upon a Cushion, true Dao I attain; Beyond heaven and earth's dark and yellow, I alone shall hold the teaching's reign; Pangu birthed Taiji, Yin and Yang, Four Images followed their course; One Dao passed to three friends, Two teachings, Exposition and Interception, took their course; The Mystic Gate's foremost leader, One breath transformed into Hongjun; I am Hongjun. Today, I have become a Sage. At Zixiao Palace on Jade Capital Mountain beyond the Thirty-three Heavens, I shall expound the Great Dao. All those with affinity may come and listen."

The vast and imposing voice echoed throughout the entire Primordial Wilderness.

Heavenly music drifted through the air, golden flowers blossomed in profusion, countless beasts cried out together, and Auspicious Qi spread across the entire Primordial Wilderness.

For a time, throughout the lands of the Primordial Wilderness, plants, ordinary beasts, rare treasures, and more were all Enlightened with Intelligence, displaying extraordinary qualities.

"Big Brother, I never expected such a figure to exist in the Primordial Wilderness. Let's go take a look as well." After hearing this, Tongtian felt a yearning arise in his heart and wanted to witness Hongjun's magnificence firsthand.

"Hmph, he was merely born before us. What is there to see?" Yuanshi said arrogantly. In his eyes, the Three Pure Ones were the Heaven and Earth Orthodoxy. Had they been born at the same time, the three brothers would certainly have become Sages first.

As the eldest brother, Laozi considered the matter carefully.

"Since this man has walked ahead of us, we should go listen to his Dao. Perhaps it will benefit us."

The three brothers naturally followed Laozi's lead, and so they flew into Chaos.

Within Pangu Hall, the Twelve Ancestral Witches had gathered.

"Big Brother, should we go listen to Hongjun's Sermon?" Zhurong asked.

"Our Wu Clan Do Not Cultivate Primordial Spirit. We would not understand it even if we went, so there is no need." Dijiang waved his hand and spoke indifferently.

The Wu Clan revered only Father God Pangu. Even the first Sage between heaven and earth did not matter to them.

The other Ancestral Witches all agreed. Only Houtu thought for a moment before speaking.

"Big Brother, Hongjun is still the first Sage between heaven and earth. Many important figures will surely attend this time. It would be good for us to go broaden our horizons."

"What important figures? Can they beat us? What is there to see?" Qiangliang said disdainfully. If the Twelve Ancestral Witches joined forces, they would be invincible beneath heaven.

Upon hearing this, Houtu pouted and said nothing more. However, Xuanming beside her saw through her thoughts and said.

"Big Brother, how about this? Let Sister Houtu represent our Wu Clan. That way, no one can criticize us."

Houtu gratefully glanced at Xuanming, feeling that her own elder sister treated her best.

Dijiang thought about it and felt that this arrangement would work. He then instructed her.

"Fine. Then I'll trouble Sister Houtu to make the trip. If you encounter any difficulty, immediately send us a voice transmission. We will rush over at once."

"That's right! That's right!"

The other Ancestral Witches all agreed. She was their little sister, after all, and they feared that others might bully her outside.

"Thank you, brothers and sisters!" Houtu said before flying out of Pangu Hall.

Within Wuzhuang Temple, Qing Xuan heard Hongjun's words resounding between heaven and earth and sighed inwardly.

The Gears of Fate have begun to turn!

Qing Xuan thought for a moment. He had stayed at Wuzhuang Temple for several years, yet he still had not obtained the Kantuo Origin Qi. Whenever he mentioned it, Zhen Yuanzi changed the subject. Thinking of this, Qing Xuan decided to use his old method.

Qing Xuan then left his room and looked toward his two disciples.

"Come, follow your master to meet Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."

After saying this, Qing Xuan headed toward the rear courtyard, with Kong Xuan and Peng Xuan quickly following after him.

Before long, Qing Xuan saw Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun also walking toward his room.

"Fellow Daoist Qing Xuan, do you know Hongjun?" Hong Yun impatiently asked the moment they met.

"Of course I know him."

"Senior Hongjun is the foremost figure of the Daoist Sect. Previously, I followed him into battle against Luohu," Qing Xuan said.

"Since Senior Hongjun has become a Sage, I naturally must go offer my congratulations. Would you two like to come as well?"

Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun looked at each other. Then Zhen Yuanzi spoke.

"A Sage is expounding the Dao. Naturally, we should go listen."

"That's right, that's right!"

Seeing this, Qing Xuan no longer hesitated and said.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, I am willing to exchange treasure for treasure. I ask only for a strand of Kantuo Origin Qi. I hope you will grant my request."

Qing Xuan took out all his Spiritual Treasures apart from his Innate Supreme Treasure and allowed Zhen Yuanzi to choose freely.

Seeing this, Zhen Yuanzi knew that Qing Xuan was determined to obtain the Kantuo Origin Qi. After thinking for a moment, he said.

"Fellow Daoist Qing Xuan has discussed the Dao with us for a long time, and we have benefited greatly. Moreover, I greatly admire how you consider your disciples in all things."

Zhen Yuanzi took out a strand of Kantuo Origin Qi and continued.

"Take this qi. Let it be a token of friendship between us. How does that sound?"

Qing Xuan accepted the Kantuo Origin Qi, knowing that he would have to owe this favor.

So be it. Since things have come to this, I will owe him this favor.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist!" Qing Xuan handed the Kantuo Origin Qi to Kong Xuan and said.

"You two should return home first and cultivate diligently. Your master will accompany these two Fellow Daoists to Zixiao Palace."

Kong Xuan and Peng Xuan both replied.

"Yes, Master."

The two of them then headed outside.

Qing Xuan suddenly thought of something. "Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, the Ginseng Fruit Tree had its origin qi extracted. Is there any medicinal herb that can remedy it?"