Carrying three thousand forms alone, he headed for Taiqing's Eight Sceneries Palace.
Hongjun suddenly halted and looked ahead. Clouds and mist swirled before him, concealing an ancient Daoist temple. Bronze bells hanging from the eaves chimed softly in the wind, sending out profound and mysterious Dao melodies.
It was none other than the abode of Taiqing, the Morality Heavenly Venerate—the Eight Sceneries Palace.
Hongjun slowly climbed the steps and called out, "Friend, open the door! I have come today to bring you a great opportunity."
Once his words fell, the temple remained silent, without the slightest response.
Inside, Taishang sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, having already cursed Hongjun eight hundred times in his heart.
After a while, the vermilion palace doors finally opened a crack. The Golden Horn Daoist boy poked his head out, and upon seeing Hongjun, hurriedly bowed.
"Greetings, Dao Ancestor. Master said that since the Dao Ancestor has come, there is no need for ceremony. Please enter directly."
Hongjun stepped inside.
Seeing this, Taishang said indifferently, "I fear Taiqing lacks the fortune to enjoy this 'warmth' of yours."
Hongjun laughed loudly, found himself a meditation cushion, and sat down. Waving his hand, he said, "Friend, that is not quite right. Your Human Sect is the most capable of enjoying it."
Then, with a wave of his hand, three thousand Investiture application forms appeared out of thin air. Each was thicker than a fist, and they piled up in the center of the temple hall with a rustling sound, instantly forming a small hill.
Grand Master Xuandu, who stood nearby, felt his heart skip a beat at the sight. He turned to flee, only to be simultaneously pinned beneath the gazes of the two great figures in the hall.
His entire body stiffened. His feet no longer