Three Guests Arrive to Discuss Violet Qi

The protagonist, Xuan Wazi, tidied his robes, the lingering fear from the system's revelation of the truth long replaced by the excitement of "hosting guests." He waved his sleeve, and the grand hall's doors silently opened. He called out with a hearty laugh, "Your esteemed presence graces my humble abode! Three fellow Daoists, please come in, come in!"

As they entered, the first was Old Ancestor Hong Yun, his expression still tinged with lingering apprehension. He kept looking around, as if afraid that this "Carefree Residence" might also harbor some hidden traps. Following closely behind was Nuwa. Her beauty was unparalleled, yet a veil of unspoken sorrow hung over her brow, clearly troubled by the Primordial Violet Qi and the path to sainthood. Lastly, there was Sect Master Tongtian. He strode in with powerful steps, his aura more refined and sharp than before, his gaze resolute. However, upon seeing Xuan Wazi, a flicker of complexity and inquiry couldn't help but show in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi, I apologize for the intrusion," Old Ancestor Hong Yun said first, cupping his hands. His tone carried a hint of cautious politeness.

"Your Carefree Residence is indeed unique and tranquil," Nuwa nodded slightly, her voice clear and melodious.

Tongtian was more direct, his gaze fixed intently on Xuan Wazi. "Fellow Daoist, regarding our unfinished conversation in the chaos just now, and the doubts in my heart, I have come to seek your guidance."

"By all means, by all means! We are all family here, no need for such pleasantries!" Xuan Wazi exclaimed enthusiastically, as if he hadn't been the one stirring up trouble at Zixiao Palace and Treasure Distribution Cliff earlier. He led the three to a tea table carved from innate warm jade in the hall and invited them to sit.

Without any visible action from him, an ancient set of tea utensils appeared on the table. He then took out some tea leaves that shimmered with Daoist charm. These weren't enlightenment teas, but merely some high-grade spiritual teas he had collected over time. Yet, with a slight infusion of his mid-stage Hunyuan Golden Immortal power, they immediately released a refreshing aroma that invigorated the spirit.

"Come, come, taste my treasured 'Cloud Mist Spirit Tips.' Though not the absolute finest, they possess a unique flavor," Xuan Wazi skillfully brewed the tea, his movements fluid and natural, exuding an air of detachment. This was especially true if one ignored the glint of amusement in his eyes.

Old Ancestor Hong Yun accepted the teacup, inhaled the aroma, and his mind settled slightly. He couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, Fellow Daoist Xuan Wazi, you have no idea. Ever since returning from Zixiao Palace, my heart has been like a rabbit's, fluttering with unease. That Primordial Violet Qi, holding it feels like a hot potato. If I don't take it, it's an opportunity for sainthood... What, what am I to do?" He looked expectantly at Xuan Wazi, hoping for a definitive answer.

Nuwa also took a small sip of tea. She put down the cup, her beautiful eyes looking at Xuan Wazi, her voice laced with confusion. "Fellow Daoist, you mentioned in the palace that the method of the Three Corpses is fraught with hidden dangers, and the Dao of Merit is not the best choice. Then this Primordial Violet Qi bestowed by the Dao Ancestor, hailed as the foundation of the Heavenly Dao, could it be... that there are also improprieties with it?" She, who comprehended the laws of creation, was meticulous in her thoughts and had long sensed that the Primordial Violet Qi's connection to the Heavenly Dao was too close, far from being a simple "opportunity."

Tongtian remained silent, quietly sipping his tea. However, the faint sword intent emanating from him indicated that he too was awaiting Xuan Wazi's answer, as it concerned his ultimate path.

Xuan Wazi looked at the three, inwardly chuckling, knowing the main event had arrived. He leisurely took a sip of tea, then set down the cup. The playful, cynical smile on his face softened slightly, replaced by a sincere expression of "I'm doing this all for your own good."

"Since the three fellow Daoists have asked, I shall speak frankly," he cleared his throat. "This Primordial Violet Qi is indeed the foundation of the Heavenly Dao, containing infinite mysteries. It can help one comprehend the Heavenly Dao, accelerate cultivation, and even... to a certain extent, lower the threshold for becoming a sage."

Upon hearing the first part, Old Ancestor Hong Yun's eyes brightened. However, upon hearing the words "lower the threshold," Nuwa and Tongtian both frowned slightly.

"However—" Xuan Wazi's tone shifted, becoming serious. "Every advantage has its disadvantage. This Violet Qi was stripped from the Heavenly Dao by Dao Ancestor Hongjun. Its essence is deeply bound to the Heavenly Dao! It is more like a... key, a key to unlock the position of a Heavenly Dao Sage."

His gaze swept over the three as he slowly continued, "If one directly uses it as a foundation, refines it into their body, and achieves the so-called Heavenly Dao Sage. Then, congratulations, from then on, your Primordial Spirit will be entrusted to the Heavenly Dao. As long as the Heavenly Dao exists, the Sage will not perish, possessing nearly infinite lifespan and immense power within the rules of the Heavenly Dao."

Old Ancestor Hong Yun listened with a hint of yearning, while Nuwa and Tongtian's expressions changed slightly.

"However," Xuan Wazi's voice deepened, carrying a strange sense of deterrence. "What is the price? The price is that your Dao will be deeply intertwined with the Heavenly Dao from then on! Your will must, to a certain extent, conform to the general trend of the Heavenly Dao! Your freedom will be limited by the rules of the Heavenly Dao! From then on, you will no longer be purely 'you,' but a 'Sage' within the Heavenly Dao system! If the Heavenly Dao suffers damage, you too will suffer backlash; if you defy the general trend of the Heavenly Dao, even as a Sage, you risk annihilation! Such Sages, though seemingly eternal, are in reality like those wearing shackles. How can there be true great freedom and great ease?"

His words struck the three like thunder!

Old Ancestor Hong Yun's face turned pale, the teacup in his hand trembling slightly. "Fellow... Fellow Daoist means that if one uses this Violet Qi, they become a... lackey of the Heavenly Dao? Like one who has signed a contract of indenture?"

Xuan Wazi nodded slightly. To put it bluntly, they were just dogs on the Heavenly Dao's chains.

Nuwa took a deep breath, a flicker of realization and lingering fear in her eyes. "So that's how it is... No wonder when I sensed this thing, I always felt that the 'Dao' contained within did not entirely belong to myself. If I were to achieve Dao with it, my Dao of Creation would likely become merely a part of the Heavenly Dao's operation, losing its infinite potential."

Tongtian let out a cold snort, sword energy erupting around him, slicing the surrounding air with a hissing sound. "Hmph! As expected! Bound by others, unable to be free, such a Sage is not worth becoming! My Dao, Tongtian's Dao, lies in seizing a sliver of vitality, in being unrestrained. How could I possibly accept such shackles?"

Xuan Wazi looked at their reactions with satisfaction and added more fuel to the fire. "Moreover, why don't you all consider, why was Dao Ancestor Hongjun so 'generous' as to distribute such a precious treasure to you? Was it purely fate and compassion? In the Primordial Era, there are countless beings with profound innate foundations and blessings. Why was it only the few who sat on the cushions? Is there no Heavenly Dao's scheming involved, no arrangement by Hongjun to consolidate the Xuanmen, or rather, to consolidate his own authority and that of the Heavenly Dao?"

As soon as he said this, even Old Ancestor Hong Yun completely awoke. Cold sweat broke out on his back. He had previously only felt it was a tremendous opportunity, but now, thinking about it, such profound scheming lay behind this opportunity!

"Then... then, according to Fellow Daoist's view, should this Primordial Violet Qi be completely discarded?" Old Ancestor Hong Yun asked, somewhat reluctant and somewhat fearful.

"Not so, not so," Xuan Wazi shook his head, revealing a profound smile. "I said, this thing is a key, a tool. The key lies in how it is used. Directly refining it to become a sage is the worst possible plan, tying your own hands. But if you merely use it as a guide, drawing inspiration from the profound laws and mysteries within, assisting in comprehending your own Dao, or... at a critical moment, using it to trigger certain opportunities that require 'Heavenly Dao recognition' before carrying and surpassing them with your own strength, only then can you reap its benefits without damaging the foundation of your own Dao path."

He looked at Nuwa. "For example, Fellow Daoist Nuwa, if your laws of creation were to achieve success, perhaps it could trigger immense merit. At that time, use this Violet Qi as a guide to accept the merit, then use the merit to cleanse your Primordial Spirit and deepen your comprehension of the laws of creation, walking a path of proving Hunyuan through laws. Wouldn't that be better than directly becoming a Heavenly Dao Sage?"

He then looked at Tongtian. "Fellow Daoist Tongtian aims to prove Dao through strength. The merit of opening the heavens is the origin of you Three Pure Ones, and it is more fundamental. You can regard this Primordial Violet Qi as a 'whetstone.' Use the Heavenly Dao's sharpness contained within to temper your own Way of the Sword, to clarify your mind and see your true nature. When the time is right, you can naturally break through the shackles and prove Hunyuan!"

Finally, he looked at Old Ancestor Hong Yun. "As for Daoist Hong Yun... uh, you have deep fortune, but your disposition... cough cough, requires more caution. This item can be comprehended, but it must never be used as the foundation for achieving Dao. Your fortune does not lie in this Primordial Violet Qi. Fortune lies in disaster, and disaster lies in fortune. When the time is right, you can naturally achieve the Great Dao." He spoke tactfully, but the meaning was clear: with Hong Yun's good-natured personality, if he truly became a Heavenly Dao Sage, he'd probably be sold and still help count the money for the buyer.

Old Ancestor Hong Yun's old face flushed, and he mumbled incoherently, but his gaze had become much firmer, clearly having taken the words to heart.

Nuwa and Tongtian, however, had brightened eyes, as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun, gaining a clearer understanding of their future paths. Xuan Wazi's words not only pointed out the trap of the Primordial Violet Qi but also indicated a feasible path to utilize its benefits while avoiding its harm!

[Ding! Host successfully guided Hong Yun, Nuwa, and Tongtian to deeply understand the hidden dangers of the Primordial Violet Qi, initially altering the destinies of key individuals. Scheme Evaluation: Excellent! Reward: Innate Spiritual Root 'Five Needle Pine' seedling ×1, Not-a-Human Points +666.]

Hearing the system notification, the protagonist felt even happier, but outwardly maintained a calm and composed demeanor. He raised his teacup. "Three fellow Daoists, the Great Dao is arduous, and the road ahead is long. One must discern between benefits and drawbacks and hold fast to one's true heart. Come, drink tea, drink tea."

The three raised their cups one after another, each with their own thoughts, but their gazes towards Xuan Wazi now held a measure of genuine gratitude and conviction. This visit was truly worthwhile!