Dao Ancestor Hongjun manifested atop the cloud dais, his features indistinct, his aura fused with the Dao. He showed neither joy nor sorrow, only the aloof majesty of the Heavenly Dao. His calm gaze swept over the three thousand seekers of the mortal world below, lingering briefly on Xuan Wazi in the first seat. Though he revealed no emotion, Xuan Wazi's keen spiritual senses, sharpened by the Chaos Bead, still caught an exceedingly subtle fluctuation, like a crack spreading across ice.
Heh, Old Earthworm, seeing me seated here must make you unhappy, huh? Xuan Wazi chuckled inwardly, while maintaining a solemn expression like the other listeners, respectfully awaiting the lecture.
Hongjun did not waste words and began at once. The sound of the Dao emerged from his mouth, faint at first, then vast, until it resounded like great bells deep within every listener's heart and mind. He spoke of the path of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal: how to gather the Five Qi within one's chest, how to return them to unity, how to sense the Heavenly Dao, and how to condense one's own Grand Unity Dao Fruit. His explanation was methodical, profound yet easy to understand.
For a time, strange phenomena filled Zixiao Palace. Golden lotuses bloomed from the earth, heavenly maidens scattered flowers, and Dao essence became tangible runes flowing through the air. All three thousand seekers were immersed in it, enraptured. Some furrowed their brows in bitter contemplation; some beamed as enlightenment dawned; some danced and gestured wildly, appearing almost mad.
Seated in the first seat, Xuan Wazi felt everything with particular clarity and depth. Hongjun's path to Grand Unity was the Mystic Gate Orthodox Path, grand and majestic. Though it differed from Xuan Wazi's path founded upon the Great Dao of Strength and the Primordial Dao Body, it provided excellent confirmation and supplementation. Many subtle obscurities left behind when he had forced breakthroughs through brute strength now seemed washed clean by a spring, becoming suddenly clear. His control over his Late-stage Grand Unity cultivation grew more complete, and his mana circulated with ever greater ease.
At the same time, he keenly noticed that when Hongjun explained how to sense the Heavenly Dao and condense the Dao Fruit, the Dao essence faintly pointed toward a tendency of "following the will of heaven and entrusting one's primordial spirit." Though it was never stated openly, it had already laid the groundwork for the future method of "beheading the Three Corpses."
Just as expected. He's subtly guiding all beings onto the path of the Heavenly Dao's control. Xuan Wazi understood, but had no intention of taking that path. His Dao was "stubbornness"—breaking free, shattering methods with strength, and standing as a complete whole unto himself.
Three thousand years of lecturing passed in the blink of an eye for mighty cultivators.
When Hongjun's voice of the Dao gradually ceased, the phenomena within Zixiao Palace also slowly faded. The three thousand seekers awoke from their enlightenment one after another. Most wore delighted expressions at their gains and respectfully bowed to the Dao Ancestor upon the cloud dais.
"This lecture ends here," Hongjun said indifferently. "Your seats shall be determined by this arrangement. At the next lecture, they shall remain the same and may not be changed."
At those words, many mighty cultivators in the back rows showed regret, especially Di Jun and Taiyi, whose eyes flashed with unwillingness. Meanwhile, Jieyin and Zhunti, standing in the second row, wore even deeper expressions of sorrow as they looked toward the six cushions in front—especially at Hong Yun—with gazes so dark they seemed ready to drip water.
After speaking, Hongjun's figure dispersed from the cloud dais like smoke. He had come abruptly and left just as decisively.
With the Dao Ancestor gone, the atmosphere in Zixiao Palace immediately relaxed. The mighty cultivators rose one after another. Some departed directly to digest their gains, while others gathered in small groups to exchange insights.
Xuan Wazi also rose to his full height and stretched his limbs. His gaze shifted and fell upon Tongtian, Nuwa, and Hong Yun. These three were the people he planned to focus on "befriending" and "guiding."
A warm smile spread across his face as he walked over and made a Daoist salute. "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, Fellow Daoist Nuwa, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, I am Xuan Wazi. Greetings."
Tongtian had the most straightforward temperament. Seeing Xuan Wazi and recalling both his seizure of the first seat and their earlier Dao discussion at Wuzhuang Temple, he was not offended in the least. Instead, he felt that Xuan Wazi's disposition suited him well. Returning the salute, he said, "Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi, congratulations on seizing the initiative and taking the first seat. Your cultivation is profound, and your speed is astonishing. Tongtian admires you." He meant every word. In the Primordial World, strength was supreme, and Xuan Wazi reaching the front first was proof of his ability.
Nuwa also returned the greeting with a slight bow, her voice cool and pleasant. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi." Curiosity filled her beautiful eyes; she was clearly quite intrigued by this mysterious guest in the first seat.
Hong Yun burst into hearty laughter, appearing extremely enthusiastic. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi! Thank you for warning me earlier. Otherwise, I nearly would have made a grave mistake!" He was referring to Xuan Wazi's voice transmission stopping him from giving up his seat, and he had developed considerable goodwill toward Xuan Wazi.
"You are too polite, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun. It was merely a small effort; I simply could not bear to see you miss such an opportunity." Xuan Wazi smiled, then changed the subject. "The three of you, now that Zixiao Palace's lecture has ended, do you have some free time? I have a few differing views regarding this lecture and would like to find a quiet place to drink tea and discuss the Dao with you, mutually confirming our insights. What do you think?"
Tongtian's eyes lit up. He had been thinking that while Hongjun's teachings were excellent, they seemed to lack a certain sharp, advancing edge. He immediately agreed. "Excellent! That is exactly what I wanted!"
Nuwa was also interested in Xuan Wazi's "differing views" and nodded slightly. "Very well."
Hong Yun naturally had no objections. He had always enjoyed making friends and nodded repeatedly. "Let's go together!"
The four left Zixiao Palace together. Rather than returning to their respective abodes, they followed Xuan Wazi's suggestion and came to a secluded asteroid belt in the Primordial World's starry sky. With a wave of his hand, Xuan Wazi laid down restrictions using the aura of the Chaos Bead, sealing off the inside from the outside. He then took out the spiritual tea rewarded by the system, brewed from the Laurel Divine Branch and Innate Enlightenment Tea Leaves. At once, the fragrance of tea spread everywhere, and Dao essence filled the air.
"My fellow Daoists, please." Xuan Wazi poured tea for the three of them.
After tasting the spiritual tea, the Dao discussion began. Xuan Wazi did not directly reject Hongjun's path. Instead, beginning from his own insights, he expounded his understanding of concepts such as "strength," "creation," "interception," and "freedom." Naturally, his words blended the fierce force of the Great Dao of Strength with the unconstrained nature of the Dao of "stubbornness."
His views often took unconventional paths, yet faintly struck at the heart of things. Tongtian found them exhilarating, feeling even more satisfied than when listening to the Dao Ancestor's lecture. Nuwa also fell into thought; Xuan Wazi's understanding of "creation" seemed to complement the laws of creation she had comprehended. Hong Yun, meanwhile, felt that the "freedom" Xuan Wazi spoke of was far more unfettered than anything he had previously known.
Seeing that the atmosphere was harmonious, Xuan Wazi felt the time was ripe. He deliberately lowered his voice with a mysterious air. "My fellow Daoists, there is something I am unsure whether I should say."
Tongtian was the most impatient. "Fellow Daoist, please speak freely!"
Xuan Wazi looked around, confirming that the restrictions were secure before saying, "By a fortunate coincidence, I glimpsed a trace of heavenly secrets and may have seen some blurry paths ahead. This concerns the future choices of the three of you, so I am taking the liberty of telling you. I only ask that you do not spread this elsewhere."
At those words, Tongtian, Nuwa, and Hong Yun all turned solemn.
Xuan Wazi looked at Nuwa and said seriously, "Fellow Daoist Nuwa, I see that your fortune is enduring and that you bear immense merit. In the future, you shall encounter a tremendous opportunity and perform a deed of creation. The merit you gain will be enough to... mm, attain the supreme rank." He stopped there, not directly saying "become a Saint," but his meaning was already clear.
Nuwa's delicate body trembled, and surprise and contemplation flashed through her beautiful eyes. Recently, as she studied the laws of creation, she had indeed vaguely sensed that a great mission awaited her. Now that Xuan Wazi had pointed it out, she could not help but believe him seven or eight parts out of ten.
Xuan Wazi then looked to Tongtian. "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, you are of Pangu's Orthodox Lineage. Your primordial spirit inherited the merit of opening heaven. This is your foundation and also the key to your future transcendence. Remember: your foundation must not be discarded!" He deliberately emphasized "the merit of opening heaven" and "transcendence."
At those words, a sharp light burst from Tongtian's eyes. His temperament might have been straightforward, but he was no fool. He immediately grasped the crucial point. "Fellow Daoist, do you mean... the merit of opening heaven is the foundation for my attaining the Dao, rather than merely something for protection?"
"Precisely." Xuan Wazi nodded with a smile. "As for the specifics, you must comprehend them yourself. When the time comes, the answer will reveal itself." He was pointing Tongtian toward a clear path, ensuring he would not follow the original course and casually use the merit of opening heaven to establish a sect and become a Saint. Instead, he could use it to assist the Dao of Strength or the Dao of laws.
Finally, he looked at Hong Yun, his expression becoming grave. "Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, your nature is kind and your fortune profound. That is originally a good thing. But... fortune is where calamity lies hidden. What you carry is both an opportunity and a death warrant! If mishandled, you may face the calamity of death, with even your true spirit unable to remain!"
Hong Yun's face instantly turned pale, and he nearly dropped the teacup in his hand. After taking the sixth seat, he had already vaguely felt unease. Now that Xuan Wazi had exposed it directly, he immediately panicked. "Th-this... what should I do? Please teach me, Fellow Daoist!"
Xuan Wazi said in a deep voice, "For now, you can only avoid the edge of danger. Once the lectures end, immediately go to Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain and seek your friend, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi. Under the protection of his Innate Wutu Great Formation, enter secluded cultivation. Unless you have absolute confidence, you must not take even half a step outside! Remember this, remember it well!"
Hong Yun seemed to have grasped a lifeline and nodded repeatedly. "Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist! Hong Yun will remember it deeply!" He had already made up his mind to hide at Wuzhuang Temple as soon as he returned.
Having exposed the key matters concerning the three of them, Xuan Wazi saw each lost in thought and dropped his final bombshell. "Furthermore, regarding the path of the Quasi-Saint and the methods of attaining the Dao in the future, you must be extremely cautious. The method of beheading the Three Corpses may seem like a shortcut, but in truth, it is fraught with hidden dangers. Without immense opportunity, great perseverance, and great fortune, one cannot achieve completion. Once you step onto that path, you may find it difficult to turn back, forever beneath the Heavenly Dao, unable to attain true freedom and great ease!"
He analyzed in detail the harsh requirement that beheading the Three Corpses demanded spiritual treasures of the same origin, as well as the immense difficulty of unifying the Three Corpses. He even subtly revealed that Hongjun had succeeded only because he had received the Heavenly Dao's assistance.
"And although becoming a Saint through merit is a smooth road, it is also the path most deeply bound by the Heavenly Dao. It may seem to grant immortality, but in truth, it turns one into a puppet of the Heavenly Dao. Every resurrection beneath the Heavenly Dao deepens the restraints by another layer, until one ultimately loses oneself completely." Xuan Wazi's tone was heavy. "Such Saints are merely 'tools' for the Heavenly Dao to shepherd all living beings. What freedom could they possibly possess?"
Those words exploded like thunder in the hearts of Tongtian, Nuwa, and Hong Yun! They had only just heard Hongjun explain the Mystic Gate Orthodox Path and were full of hope for the future, yet Xuan Wazi had now unveiled the cruel truth beneath that seemingly perfect road!
For a time, all three sank into profound shock and contemplation. The joy brought by the lecture at Zixiao Palace was replaced by solemnity and vigilance toward the road ahead.
Watching their reactions, Xuan Wazi knew the seeds had been planted. He said no more and leisurely sipped his tea.
[Ding! Successfully guided key figures to recognize the hidden dangers of attaining the Dao. This deeply conforms to the behavior of "Not Being a Person" (digging out the Dao Ancestor's foundations). Reward: divine ability "Mind-Reading" (Incomplete), one portion of Innate Spirit Materials "Nine Heavens Breathing Soil."]
The corners of Xuan Wazi's lips rose slightly. This trip to Zixiao Palace had yielded far more than he had expected.
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