Dao Ancestor Preaches, Four Discuss the Dao

Dao Ancestor Hongjun manifested on the cloud bed, his face indistinct, his aura in harmony with the Dao. He was neither joyful nor sorrowful, only exuding the indifferent might of the Heavenly Dao. His gaze swept calmly over the three thousand guests of the mortal world below, pausing slightly on Xuan Wazi, who sat at the head. Though no emotion was revealed, Xuan Wazi, with the keen spiritual sense of the Chaos Bead, still detected an extremely subtle fluctuation, like a crack on the surface of ice.

Heh, old earthworm, you don't like seeing me sitting here, do you? Xuan Wazi chuckled inwardly, but his face remained solemn, like the other listeners, feigning respectful attention.

Hongjun spoke no further and began his lecture. The sound of the Dao issued from his mouth, faint at first, then vast, finally like a great bell, resounding deep within the hearts and minds of every listener. He expounded on the Dao of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal, from how to condense the Five Qi in one's chest, to how to return to the primal source, and then to how to sense the Heavenly Dao and condense one's own Grand Unity Dao Fruit, analyzing it point by point, explaining it simply and profoundly.

For a time, wondrous phenomena abounded within Zixiao Palace. Golden lotuses sprang from the earth, celestial maidens scattered flowers, and the Dao's resonance transformed into tangible runes that flowed through the air. The three thousand guests of the mortal world were immersed in it, entranced. Some frowned, pondering intensely; some showed joy, suddenly enlightened; some danced with abandon, appearing mad.

Xuan Wazi, seated at the head, felt it most clearly and profoundly. The Grand Unity Dao that Hongjun expounded was the orthodox path of the Mystic Gate, grand and magnificent. Though different from his own path, which was based on the Dao of Strength and the Primordial Dao Body, it served as an excellent validation and supplement. Many subtle and obscure points that had remained when he broke through through sheer force were now washed clean like by a clear spring, and he suddenly understood. His control over his Late-stage Grand Unity realm became more seamless, and the circulation of his magic power became more effortless.

At the same time, he keenly sensed that when Hongjun described how to sense the Heavenly Dao and condense the Dao Fruit, his Dao resonance implicitly pointed towards a tendency to "conform to the times and entrust oneself to the Primordial Spirit." Though not explicitly stated, it had already laid the groundwork for the future method of "severing the Three Corpses."

As expected, subtly influencing and guiding all beings towards the path governed by the Heavenly Dao. Xuan Wazi understood, but he had no intention of following this path. His Dao was "stubbornness," "transcendence," breaking through methods with strength, and being self-contained.

The three thousand years of lecturing, for the great powers, passed in the blink of an eye.

When Hongjun's Dao resonance slowly ceased, the wondrous phenomena within Zixiao Palace also gradually dissipated. The three thousand guests of the mortal world gradually emerged from their enlightenment, most showing the joy of their gains, and respectfully bowed to the Dao Ancestor on the cloud bed.

"This lecture concludes here," Hongjun said indifferently. "Your seats shall be determined by this occasion. The next lecture will be the same; no changes are permitted."

Upon hearing this, many great powers in the back rows showed regret, especially Di Jun and Tai Yi, a flicker of unwillingness flashing in their eyes. As for Jie Yin and Zhun Ti, standing in the second row, their faces showed even deeper sorrow, their gazes towards the six futons in front, especially Hong Yun, almost dripping with water.

After speaking, Hongjun's figure dissipated like smoke above the cloud bed, as sudden in his arrival as in his departure.

With the Dao Ancestor gone, the atmosphere in Zixiao Palace immediately relaxed considerably. The great powers rose one after another, some leaving directly to digest their gains; others gathered in twos and threes to exchange insights.

Xuan Wazi also stood up, stretching his limbs. His gaze shifted and fell upon Tongtian, Nuwa, and Hong Yun. These three were the ones he needed to "befriend" and "guide" in his plan.

A gentle smile spread across his face as he walked over and cupped his hands: "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, Fellow Daoist Nuwa, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, I am Xuan Wazi. Greetings."

Tongtian, being the most straightforward, saw Xuan Wazi and recalled him seizing the head seat and the previous discourse at Wuzhuang Temple. Far from being annoyed, he felt this person's temperament suited him. He cupped his hands in return: "Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi, congratulations on seizing the initiative and occupying the head seat. Your cultivation is profound, and your speed is even more astonishing. Tongtian admires you." His words were sincere; in the Primordial Era, strength reigned supreme, and Xuan Wazi's ability to rush to the front first was itself a manifestation of his strength.

Nuwa also bowed slightly in return, her voice clear and pleasant: "Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi." Her beautiful eyes held a hint of inquiry, clearly very curious about this mysterious guest in the head seat.

Hong Yun, on the other hand, laughed heartily, appearing very enthusiastic: "Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi! Thank you for your reminder just now; otherwise, I would have almost made a grave mistake!" He was referring to Xuan Wazi's telepathic message preventing him from giving up his seat, and he felt quite favorably towards Xuan Wazi.

"Fellow Daoist Hong Yun is too kind; it was merely a small gesture. I could not bear to see you miss an opportunity," Xuan Wazi said with a smile, then changed the subject. "Fellow Daoists, after parting ways at Zixiao Palace, do you have any free time? I have a few different views on this lecture and would like to find a quiet place with the three of you to have some tea and discuss the Dao, to exchange insights. What do you say?"

Tongtian's eyes lit up upon hearing this. He felt that although what Hongjun taught was good, it seemed to lack a sharp, forward-pushing edge. He immediately agreed: "Excellent! It suits my intentions perfectly!"

Nuwa also became interested in Xuan Wazi's "different views" and nodded slightly: "Agreed."

Hong Yun naturally had no objection. He enjoyed making friends and nodded repeatedly: "Let's go together!"

The four then left Zixiao Palace together. Instead of returning to their respective abodes, they went, at Xuan Wazi's suggestion, to a remote asteroid belt in the Primordial starry sky. With a wave of his hand, Xuan Wazi used the aura of the Chaos Bead to set up a restriction, isolating them from the outside. He then took out the spiritual tea rewarded by the system, brewed with the Laurel Divine Branch and primordial enlightenment tea leaves, and immediately, the aroma of tea filled the air, and Dao resonance permeated the surroundings.

"Fellow Daoists, please," Xuan Wazi poured tea for the three.

After tasting the spiritual tea, the discussion of the Dao began. Xuan Wazi did not directly negate Hongjun's Dao but first started from his own insights, elaborating on his understanding of concepts such as "strength," "creation," "seizing," and "freedom," naturally integrating the ferocity of the Dao of Strength and the transcendence of the "stubborn" Dao.

His views often took unconventional paths but subtly pointed towards the essence, making Tongtian listen with great satisfaction, feeling it was even more exhilarating than listening to the Dao Ancestor lecture. Nuwa also pondered, Xuan Wazi's understanding of "creation" seemed to complement the laws of creation she was comprehending. Hong Yun felt that the "freedom" Xuan Wazi spoke of was more unrestrained, far beyond his previous understanding.

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere, Xuan Wazi felt the time was ripe and lowered his voice mysteriously: "Fellow Daoists, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

Tongtian was the most impatient: "Fellow Daoist, please speak freely!"

Xuan Wazi looked around, confirming the restriction was stable, and then said: "By chance, I have glimpsed a sliver of heavenly secrets, perhaps seeing some vague Dao paths. This matter concerns the future Dao paths of the three of you, so I presume to inform you. I hope you will not spread it."

Upon hearing this, Tongtian, Nuwa, and Hong Yun's expressions became solemn.

Xuan Wazi looked at Nuwa and said earnestly: "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, I observe that your destiny is long and you bear great merit. In the future, you will have a tremendous opportunity to perform the merit of creation, and your merit will be enough to... hmm, achieve the highest position." He stopped short of directly saying "become a Saint," but the meaning was clear.

Nuwa's delicate body trembled, and a flash of surprise and contemplation appeared in her beautiful eyes. She had recently been comprehending the laws of creation and had indeed vaguely sensed that a great mission awaited her. Now that Xuan Wazi had pointed it out, she couldn't help but believe him by seven or eight parts.

Xuan Wazi then looked at Tongtian: "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, you are the orthodox lineage of Pangu, and your Primordial Spirit inherited the merit of heaven-opening. This is your foundation and also the key to your future transcendence. Remember, your foundation must not be abandoned!" He specifically emphasized "heaven-opening merit" and "transcendence."

Tongtian's eyes shot out brilliant light. Though straightforward, he was not foolish and immediately grasped the key: "Fellow Daoist means... my heaven-opening merit is the foundation for proving the Dao? And not just for self-protection?"

"Indeed," Xuan Wazi nodded with a smile. "As for the specifics, you will have to comprehend it yourself. When the time comes, it will naturally become clear." He was pointing Tongtian towards a path, telling him not to easily use the heaven-opening merit to establish a sect and become a Saint as in the original timeline, but to use it as an aid for proving the Dao through strength or through laws.

Finally, he looked at Hong Yun, his expression becoming serious: "Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, your disposition is kind, and your fortune is deep, which is a good thing. But... fortune conceals misfortune. The opportunity on your person is also a death warrant! If handled improperly, you may face a life-threatening disaster, and your true spirit may not survive!"

Hong Yun's face instantly turned pale, and he almost dropped his teacup. After taking the sixth seat, he had also felt a vague sense of unease. Now that Xuan Wazi had pointed it out directly, he panicked: "This... what should I do? Please guide me, Fellow Daoist!"

Xuan Wazi said gravely: "The only way now is to temporarily avoid the sharp edge. After the lecture concludes, you must immediately go to Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, find your friend Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, and under the protection of his Innate Wutu Great Formation, go into seclusion and cultivate. Do not step out unless you are absolutely certain! Remember, remember!"

Hong Yun clutched at this lifeline, nodding repeatedly: "Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist! Hong Yun will bear it in mind!" He had already decided in his heart to hide in Wuzhuang Temple upon his return.

After revealing the crucial points for the three, Xuan Wazi saw them each lost in thought and then dropped the final bombshell: "Furthermore, regarding the path of the Quasi-Saint, and even the methods of proving the Dao in the future, the three of you must be extremely cautious. The method of severing the Three Corpses, though it seems like a shortcut, is fraught with hidden dangers. Only those with great opportunities, great willpower, and great fortune can perfect it. Once you embark on it, you may never be able to turn back, forever remaining beneath the Heavenly Dao, unable to achieve great freedom and true bliss!"

He analyzed in detail the stringent requirements for the same origin spiritual treasures needed for severing the Three Corpses, and the immense difficulty of merging the Three Corpses. He even subtly hinted that Hongjun had succeeded with the help of the Heavenly Dao.

"As for becoming a Saint through merit, though it is a smooth path, it is also the most constrained by the Heavenly Dao. It seems immortal and indestructible, but in reality, you are puppets of the Heavenly Dao. Each time you are resurrected beneath the Heavenly Dao, the restraint deepens, until you completely lose yourself." Xuan Wazi's tone was heavy. "Such Saints are merely 'tools' for the Heavenly Dao to shepherd all beings. What freedom is there to speak of?"

These words struck Tongtian, Nuwa, and Hong Yun like thunder! They had just finished listening to Hongjun expound on the orthodox path of the Mystic Gate and were filled with hope for the future, only to have Xuan Wazi reveal the cruel truth beneath the seemingly perfect path!

For a time, all three were plunged into deep shock and contemplation. The joy brought by the lecture at Zixiao Palace was replaced by a sense of gravity and vigilance towards the path ahead.

Xuan Wazi watched their reactions, knowing that the seeds had been sown, and said no more, leisurely sipping his tea.

[Ding! Successfully guided key figures to recognize the hidden dangers of proving the Dao, deeply aligning with the 'not being a subordinate' (undermining the Dao Ancestor) behavior. Reward: Divine Ability 'Mind-Reading' (incomplete), Primordial Spiritual Material 'Nine Heavens Breathing Soil' one portion.]

The corners of Xuan Wazi's mouth curved upwards. This trip to Zixiao Palace had yielded far more than expected.