Refusing the Apprenticeship: Yuanshi's Wrath

Cihang used his great willpower to sort through his past life's memories and sealed them in the deepest part of his sea of consciousness.

He wasn't trying to forget these memories, but rather to eliminate the negative emotions they brought.

Although the Three Pure Ones had not yet attained the Dao, they were still peak Quasi-Saints.

If he showed even the slightest anomaly, he feared they would discover it.

Moreover, his past life was ultimately just the past. Even though he had achieved the status of a Quasi-Saint, it still didn't change the fact that he was a failure.

He resented Yuanshi and the Two Sages of the West for their schemes, but he resented his own powerlessness even more.

If he had the strength to match them, who would dare to scheme against him, and who could scheme against him?

This Great Desolation ultimately respected strength above all else.

He would not retrace the path of failure. In this life, he would not join the Xuanmen or worship Buddha.

He would forge his own path.

As his past life's memories were sealed, although the memories remained, they could no longer control his emotions, allowing him to face everything rationally.

Cihang's eyes regained their clarity and purity, containing only his pursuit and obsession with the Dao.

"Dong!"

The sound of the Dao dissipated, and a golden bell rang throughout Kunlun, awakening the cultivators who had been listening to the sermon.

"We thank the Three Pure Ones for the grace of their teachings!"

Cihang bowed along with the other cultivators towards the Three Pure Ones seated at the head.

"Rise, all of you!

We became disciples of the Dao Ancestor in Zixiao Palace and inherited the Great Dao of the Xuanmen.

Today, we preach to you so that the Xuanmen's teachings may spread throughout the Great Desolation. You should all cultivate diligently in the future and pass on the Xuanmen's orthodox lineage!"

Laozi's voice was devoid of emotion but filled with authority, leaving no room for objection.

"We respectfully obey the Heavenly Venerable's teachings!"

Everyone bowed and thanked them again.

After speaking, Laozi closed his eyes and resumed his meditation, indifferent to everything outside.

Seeing this, Yuanshi understood that Laozi had no intention of taking disciples, or rather, he did not have these cultivators in his eyes.

Knowing that Laozi's conditions for accepting disciples were strict, he did not press the matter.

"All of you who passed through the grand formation are individuals with exceptional character and perseverance.

The Dao Ancestor once preached to three thousand in Zixiao Palace. Today, I will also take a few disciples from among you to pass on my Great Dao!"

"We thank the Heavenly Venerable and hope for the Heavenly Venerable's favor!"

The cultivators bowed excitedly, their gazes filled with fervor as they looked at Yuanshi.

It's finally happening! Cihang thought to himself.

Was Yuanshi good to his disciples? Naturally, he was, but only to those he cared about.

"Guangchengzi, Juliusun, Yuding, Taiyi, Manjusri..."

Listening to the familiar names and watching those old acquaintances excitedly step forward to become disciples, Cihang felt an unprecedented calm.

Yuanshi had not yet attained the Dao, but he was a Saint personally appointed by Hongjun. Attaining the Dao was only a matter of time.

Naturally, no one would refuse to become Yuanshi's disciple; they were all ecstatic to be able to do so.

"Cihang, are you willing to become my disciple and inherit my Great Dao of Jade Purity!"

Yuanshi's authoritative gaze swept over Cihang.

However, unlike the others, Cihang was now exceptionally calm and composed, both externally and internally.

This could not help but make everyone look at him with greater respect.

"Cihang greets the Heavenly Venerable. Thank you for your favor, Heavenly Venerable, but alas, Cihang's aptitude is ordinary and insufficient to inherit the Heavenly Venerable's Great Dao!"

As soon as Cihang spoke, everyone in their hearts cried out in surprise, looking at Cihang with astonishment.

What was he doing? Did he know what he was refusing?

Was he crazy?

This was Yuanshi Tianzun, a future Saint.

And he refused?

Even Laozi, who rarely showed emotion, opened his eyes and looked indifferently at Cihang.

A flicker of light also flashed in Tongtian's eyes.

Everyone was watching Cihang, who dared to refuse Yuanshi.

"Hmm? Are you sure about this!"

Yuanshi's expressionless face also changed.

The mere casual display of his pressure made it difficult for Cihang to speak, and he almost collapsed to the ground as his figure flickered.

"Thank you for your kindness, Venerable One. Cihang admits his aptitude and comprehension are insufficient, and I am unworthy of your good intentions!"

Under the immense pressure, Cihang once again firmly refused Yuanshi.

"Since that is the case, then depart!"

Yuanshi waved his sleeve, and a torrent of divine power surged towards Cihang.

Cihang's expression changed; the powerful pressure almost suffocated him.

He immediately circulated all his divine power, and the Glazed Pure Vase was also summoned, emitting a divine radiance to protect himself.

The Willow Branch also scattered streams of vitality, restoring Cihang's rapidly depleting divine power.

He had anticipated that this action would offend Yuanshi, but he hadn't expected Yuanshi to act immediately.

After billions of years as master and disciple, he still didn't understand Yuanshi well enough.

Even with the Spiritual Treasure summoned, Cihang still found it difficult to resist the terrifying pressure. The divine light protecting him, formed by the Glazed Pure Vase, was rapidly fading.

"Brother, why ruin your mood over a junior disciple!"

Just as Cihang's defenses shattered, a streak of green light arrived, directly sending him out of Kunlun.

In the final moment, Cihang also saw the indifferent expressions of the Three Pure Ones, as well as the mockery and disdain from his former fellow disciples.

"Alright, the sermon ends here for today. If you are willing, you may remain in Kunlun to cultivate and be accepted as outer disciples of Kunlun!"

Because of Cihang, the Three Pure Ones were no longer in the mood to accept more disciples and collectively designated the remaining cultivators as outer disciples.

"We thank our teacher, thank you for taking us in and imparting the Dao!"

Everyone once again thanked him excitedly.

Even as outer disciples, no one would refuse.

Perhaps only Cihang would refuse a future Saint!

"You are quite kind. Do you intend to take him as your disciple?"

After the disciples left, Yuanshi looked at Tongtian with a displeased tone.

"Since he has no affinity, let him leave. Brother, why bother with a mere Mysterious Immortal!"

Tongtian had no other intentions. He was merely a little surprised that Cihang dared to refuse Yuanshi, so he helped him once.

As for anything else, there truly was nothing.

Although the Three Pure Ones had conflicts regarding the Great Dao at this moment, they still maintained their brotherhood.

"Originally, I saw that Cihang had some aptitude and destiny, and I wanted to take him as a disciple, but he was unappreciative.

Since he looks down on my Great Dao of Jade Purity, he is not qualified to hear my sermon!"

Although Cihang spoke humbly, Yuanshi felt his dignity had been slighted.

He would have accepted Cihang only because he had deduced a master-disciple connection between them; he didn't care much about Cihang himself.

"Since he has taken one of your moves, this matter is settled.

It's good that he didn't become a disciple. Although Cihang has some aptitude and destiny, he carries a trace of karma with the Chaos Demon Gods. It's better we don't get involved!

Now that our Teacher has merged with the Dao, we should focus on proving our Dao and must not fall behind the West or Nuwa!"

Laozi's words immediately settled the matter.

Yuanshi and Tongtian no longer argued and instead closed their eyes to comprehend the profound principles of the Heavenly Dao, hoping to prove their Dao and become Saints as soon as possible.

"Pfft!"

Outside Kunlun Mountain, Cihang reappeared out of thin air. Before he could even stabilize his body, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Cihang thanks Venerable Lingbao for his assistance!"

After a while, Cihang calmed his breathing, bowed towards Kunlun, and then left with his severely wounded body.

Cihang could feel that although Yuanshi's previous attack hadn't taken his life, it had damaged his foundation, making it impossible for him to cultivate and advance further in the future.

If Tongtian hadn't intervened at the last moment, his path of cultivation would have been cut short before it even began.

Although he was severely injured now, there was still hope for recovery.

However, this was also good. As Yuanshi had said, by receiving that palm strike, their karma was completely severed.

As for the humiliation and tribulation Yuanshi had brought upon him, he would remember it, and it was not something that could be resolved at this moment.