Wuzhuang Temple: A Conversation About Destiny
Zhen Yuanzi straightened up, his face serious, and said, "Your Saint is mistaken! Rites must not be disregarded!"
"You are now Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal, indestructible through countless eons; we should naturally treat you with the respect due to Saint."
"The necessary authority must be maintained."
"If we continue to address each other as fellow Daoists, wouldn't that be breaking the rules and making us a laughingstock to outsiders?"
Hong Yun nodded repeatedly, agreeing, "Indeed, indeed, Daoist Brother Zhen Yuanzi is absolutely right."
"The majesty of Saint should not be taken lightly."
Although he has a carefree personality, he dares not be ambiguous on matters of principle and etiquette.
Seeing their resolute attitude, Zhou Ming pondered for a moment and understood their concerns.
He chuckled and suggested, "Very well, since you two fellow Daoists insist, I won't force you."
"How about this, when the three of us are alone, let's continue to address each other as fellow Daoists. It'll be more casual and show our closeness."
"Only when outsiders are present, or in a formal setting, may you address me as Saint."
"How about this, so as not to be impolite or damage our relationship?"
Upon hearing this, both Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun were taken aback, their faces showing hesitation.
"This... this might not be appropriate, right?" Zhen Yuanzi hesitated.
"Yes, Your Saint, this is somewhat inappropriate for your illustrious reputation..." Hong Yun also felt it was somewhat improper.
Seeing that they were still hesitating, Zhou Ming feigned displeasure, waved his hand decisively, and said, "It's settled then!"
Zhou Ming's tone hardened as he said this, "If you two continue to object, then you truly don't consider me, Zhou Ming, a friend!"
He said it half-jokingly and half-seriously.
Hong Yun was a cheerful and unrestrained person, and upon hearing Zhou Ming's words, she immediately burst into laughter. "Great!"
"Since Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming has put it this way, it would be extremely rude of us to refuse!"
"Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming!" he called out readily, his tone filled with a long-lost warmth.
Seeing this, Zhen Yuanzi smiled in relief and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Zhou Ming: "In that case, we will do as Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming says."
The three exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly, instantly easing the tension.
"Haha, that's more like it!" Zhou Ming was in high spirits.
"Come on, let's go inside and talk." Zhen Yuanzi stepped aside and gestured for them to enter.
"Please come in, fellow Daoist!" Hong Yun said with a smile.
The three arrived at the Ginseng Fruit Tree and took their seats as host and guest.
Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun stood up again and solemnly bowed to Zhou Ming.
"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming on achieving the Great Dao, Attain the Primordial Chaos, and becoming an unparalleled Saint Position! From now on, may you roam freely throughout the world!"
Their tone was filled with sincere congratulations and undisguised envy.
Saint! What a lofty being they are!
"Thank you both, fellow Daoists," Zhou Ming said calmly.
"I merely advanced a step ahead of you two fellow Daoists; it's nothing special."
"With your inherent qualities and comprehension, if you cultivate diligently without ceasing, you may very well have the opportunity to attain enlightenment in the future."
Upon hearing Zhou Ming's words, Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of bitterness and melancholy in each other's eyes.
Zhen Yuanzi sighed, his expression somewhat forlorn. "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me."
"We two are dull-witted and lack good fortune; for us, the path to enlightenment is truly... a long and uncertain one."
"We can't even touch the threshold, how dare we Prove the Dao and become a Saint?"
"Yes, yes!" Hong Yun sighed in agreement.
" To Prove the Dao and become a Saint is no easy feat. With our meager cultivation, we fear we have no hope of achieving it in this lifetime."
His tone carried a hint of self-deprecation and helplessness.
Seeing their slightly dejected expressions, Zhou Ming offered words of comfort, "Why do you two fellow Daoists belittle yourselves so much?"
The path of spiritual practice is inherently fraught with thorns and difficulties. Temporary hardship does not mean permanent hardship.
"It's just that the time isn't right yet."
"Perhaps, one day your fortunes will turn, and the opportunity for you two to achieve sainthood will descend from the heavens?"
"An opportunity..." Zhen Yuanzi murmured to himself, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.
Hong Yun was even more direct, asking with a worried expression, "Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming, please don't try to comfort us."
"Is this opportunity to become a saint truly something we can only dream of?"
"Look at the Nuwa, she created a race and gained immense Merit, which is why she became a saint in one fell swoop."
"Fellow Daoist, you have Prove Dao with Laws, and your Supernatural Power powers are unparalleled. What can we... what can we do?"
Hong Yun became increasingly dejected as she spoke, as if she could already see her bleak future.
Although Zhen Yuanzi didn't speak, the expression on his face clearly showed that he agreed with Hong Yun's view.
They were not belittling themselves, but rather acknowledging the Primordial Wilderness.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ming smiled calmly, his tone carrying a convincing power.
"Man proposes, God disposes; until the very last moment, who can say for sure?"
"The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Cycle is forty-nine, and one is hidden away; yet, all things still have a glimmer of hope."
"What you two fellow Daoists need to do now is to solidify your own Dao Foundation and comprehend your own Great Dao."
"Only when that Netherworld, preordained opportunity appears can we seize it firmly."
Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun's hearts skipped a beat when they heard Zhou Ming's meaningful words.
Hong Yun, being the most impatient, asked first, "Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming, have you... figured out something?"
"We humbly request your guidance, fellow Daoist, to show us the right path!"
Zhen Yuanzi looked at Zhou Ming with anticipation and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting. "We would be extremely grateful if you could enlighten us, fellow Daoist!"
Zhou Ming smiled calmly, not answering directly, but instead posing a question, "I wonder what you two fellow Daoists think of the newly born Human Clan?"
"Human Clan?" Hong Yun was taken aback. "The race Zaohua the Saint Nuwa?"
"That's right, it's the Human Clan created by Fellow Daoist Nuwa." Zhou Ming nodded.
Hong Yun was also somewhat puzzled. "That Human Clan, I think they are very weak. Looking at all the Ten Thousand Races of the Primordial Wilderness, they are probably the weakest."
"A strong wind can blow down a large area, so what's so special about it?"
Zhen Yuanzi nodded slightly in agreement. "What Fellow Daoist Hongyun said may be a bit direct, but it is the truth."
"From the perspective of the Human Clan, their vital energy is weak, and their Supernatural Power are not apparent. Compared with us, the Primordial Wilderness beings, they are indeed... vastly different."
"It seems... there's nothing particularly surprising about it."
"In this perilous Primordial Wilderness, even survival would be extremely difficult."
"Although the Nuwa promised to protect them, the Primordial Wilderness is treacherous, and the future is uncertain!"
Zhou Ming listened to their conversation, his smile unwavering, but he simply asked a question in return.
"Do you two still remember why Fellow Daoist Nuwa became a saint?"
"Of course I remember, Fellow Daoist Nuwa created the Human Clan and Merit sainthood through her merits!"
"The scene was magnificent, with purple clouds stretching thirty thousand miles eastward and Golden Wheel of Merit shining brightly in the heavens! Wow, truly..."
Hong Yun's voice abruptly stopped halfway through her sentence.
Zhen Yuanzi was also startled, and his previously calm face turned to one of horror.
Yes!
They were all awestruck by the grandeur of Nuwa's ascension to sainthood, but subconsciously overlooked a crucial question—how did Nuwa acquire such immense Merit?
Because of the creation of the Human Clan!
If the Human Clan were truly as weak and ordinary as they appear on the surface, how could they possibly bear such immense Merit, helping Nuwa ascend to heaven in one step?