"This is..."
Nan Ji sensed the changes within himself and exclaimed in surprise.
After all, before this, Nan Ji had not noticed anything at all.
Hongjun merely took a light sip of tea before continuing, "Ah, this old Daoist's disciple-grandson is simply so unusual. What can I do about it?"
That familiar sarcasm surfaced again, but Nan Ji was no longer as flustered as before.
Hongjun continued, "If the fortune of the first senior disciple of the Profound Sect's third generation had not been placed upon you, I truly would not dare imagine what the Profound Sect would become in the future."
Upon hearing this, Nan Ji immediately understood Hongjun's intentions.
Once Hongjun acknowledged Nan Ji, Nan Ji became Hongjun's disciple-grandson and the future chief disciple of the Profound Sect's third generation.
With this fortune and status, the Heavenly Dao would no longer regard Nan Ji as an anomaly.
Since he had ultimately benefited, Nan Ji sincerely bowed to the ground. "Thank you, Ancestor Master."
"Enough. I am not your teacher, who excels at instructing and enlightening others. You need not say such things to me in the future." After accepting Nan Ji's bow, Hongjun spoke again.
After speaking, Hongjun seemed to recall something and continued, "Since you acknowledge this old Daoist as your Ancestor Master and are also the foremost disciple of my Profound Sect, this old Daoist can only be stingy once and lecture on the Dao for you for nine years."
Upon hearing this, Nan Ji subconsciously exclaimed, "Ah, only that little?"
But Hongjun ignored him. Closing his eyes, he began to lecture seriously on the Dao.
Nan Ji had gradually figured out his temperament, so he hurriedly sat cross-legged and listened to Hongjun's lecture.
Unlike his previous lecture to the great powers of the Purple Heavens Palace, Nan Ji clearly sensed countless golden lotuses appearing from thin air.
Every one of them was formed from exceptionally pure spiritual energy, yet each contained profound Dao resonance.
What Hongjun taught was also unlike that previous mishmash.
He taught Nan Ji Daoist methods specifically suited to him, allowing Nan Ji to discover many problems in his prior cultivation.
Elsewhere, after the Three Pure Ones returned to Xuanqing Peak,
Yuanshi unexpectedly did not lecture Tongtian. Instead, they each returned to their own palaces to cultivate.
This made Tongtian feel rather uncomfortable. He had wanted to consolidate his cultivation realm, only to find Yuanshi's figure constantly appearing in his mind.
At once, he found it impossible to calm his heart and could not cultivate at all.
Tongtian said nothing to Laozi or Yuanshi and headed alone toward the foot of Kunlun Mountain.
Nine years passed in the blink of an eye.
When Hongjun stopped lecturing, Nan Ji slowly awakened as well.
Once awake, he checked his cultivation and could not help beaming with joy. "Thank you, Ancestor Master. I have broken through to the late Grand Unity Golden Immortal stage."
Feeling his cultivation improve once more, Nan Ji could not help sharing the news with Hongjun.
Hongjun still wore an expression neither pleased nor displeased. Instead, he said, "Ah, so in your heart, Ancestor Master is that great? How impressive. To be looked up to by my own disciple-grandson, this old Daoist is truly overjoyed."
"Hm?"
Nan Ji no longer feared Hongjun. Upon hearing this, he immediately examined himself.
He discovered that the golden lotuses within his body had not been fully refined.
Instead, they were stored throughout his body, slowly nourishing it.
Those golden lotuses not only contained an immense amount of spiritual energy, but also different Dao resonances.
This was simply heaven-defying.
Nan Ji hurriedly said excitedly, "Ancestor Master, this disciple thanks Ancestor Master."
Seeing Nan Ji react so quickly, Hongjun nodded in satisfaction and said, "These golden lotuses will be enough to support your cultivation until the late Quasi-Saint stage. That way, you will not call Ancestor Master stingy."
After saying this, Hongjun was preparing to teleport Nan Ji back to Kunlun.
Having learned from experience, Nan Ji hurriedly interrupted, "Ancestor Master, wait!"
"Hm?"
Hongjun seemed to have a little more patience with Nan Ji than with others.
"What, you cannot bear to part with this old Daoist? That truly makes me so happy."
Originally, it had merely been one of Hongjun's usual sarcastic remarks.
Yet unexpectedly, Nan Ji seized the opening. "That is indeed the case, Ancestor Master. After this disciple-grandson leaves you, I will have to wait another three thousand years. This disciple-grandson is exceedingly reluctant to part with you."
This time, Hongjun's previously serene expression changed.
He suddenly regretted speaking in irony.
After several breaths, Hongjun spoke meaningfully, "Then remain in this Purple Heavens Palace and accompany this old Daoist for three thousand years."
When Nan Ji saw Hongjun's drastic change in expression, he was delighted inside.
Now that Nan Ji understood him, he naturally was not afraid. Even for Daoist attendants such as Haotian and Yaochi, Hongjun would arrange suitable duties for them. Hongjun himself surely would not be lacking either.
Thinking this, Nan Ji gathered his courage and said, "Ancestor Master has yet to bestow a treasure upon Nan Ji."
Hongjun was about to say something after hearing this, but Nan Ji directly interrupted, "This disciple-grandson knows that all treasures in the Great Desolation have their ordained owners. I only ask Ancestor Master to grant me a statue of yourself, so that this disciple may worship it daily and fulfill my filial devotion."
At present, there was no concept of divine statues in the Great Desolation.
After hearing this, Hongjun did not reply. Instead, he closed his eyes, and a gigantic white wheel suddenly emerged behind him.
Feeling the waves of pressure emanating from the wheel, it seemed even more terrifying than the sensation Hongjun himself gave Nan Ji.
Could this be the Jade Disc of Creation?
However, Nan Ji did not dare look further and could only close his eyes quietly and wait for Hongjun.
"Oh my, I have to say, kid, being able to meet an Ancestor Master like this old Daoist truly is fortunate for you."
Hongjun suddenly spoke.
"Hm? Ancestor Master, is it done?" Nan Ji opened his eyes joyfully upon hearing this.
Hongjun ignored him. With a wave of his hand through the air, he fetched a brick from the Purple Heavens Palace.
Then, Hongjun lightly formed hand seals with both hands. The brick from the Purple Heavens Palace quickly turned into a mass of liquid, which gradually took human shape.
As the shape steadily stabilized, Hongjun's hands gradually slowed.
Nan Ji looked carefully and saw that the object floating in the air was precisely a statue of Hongjun.
Most importantly, Hongjun's face could be seen clearly on the statue.
This immediately excited Nan Ji, and he hurriedly said, "This disciple-grandson thanks Ancestor Master for bestowing this treasure. Ancestor Master is the best Ancestor Master in the Great Desolation."
"Oh, do not think this old Daoist does not know your scheme. If you could put such thought into cultivation, you truly would be the number one person of the Profound Sect."
Having his thoughts exposed, Nan Ji immediately blushed.
After mocking Nan Ji, Hongjun explained, "This object can communicate with this old Daoist and can also suppress living beings of the Great Desolation. It can even trap Saints for a short while."
"But you must understand that this object must follow the Heavenly Dao. You must not use it against the protagonists of a tribulation."
As Nan Ji listened to Hongjun's slow explanation, countless little stars seemed to shine in his eyes.
That had been his plan from the start.
Was burning incense not simply to ask for something? And a response bestowed by the person himself would surely be far more effective.
Just look at how Haotian would have to run into the chaos to weep his grievances in the future, while Nan Ji could simply do so from home...
He had never expected it to come with additional functions as well.
Nan Ji hurriedly put away the statue after hearing this. Just as he was about to thank Hongjun with a bow, he felt the world spin around him...
Then Hongjun's voice sounded, "Remember this, brat. This old Daoist will be watching you at all times!"
When Nan Ji regained consciousness, he discovered that he was already at the foot of Xuanqing Peak.
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