In the Primordial World, years passed without notice. In the blink of an eye, three thousand years had gone by.
"Dong, dong, dong."
As an enigmatic bell rang out, the Dao Ancestor's second sermon began. Great powers from all sides flew toward the chaos.
Within Buzhou Mountain, Xuan Yi immediately rose upon hearing the bell.
"Nuwa, let's go. Father's second sermon has begun."
He then looked at Six-Eared Macaque beside him. "Six-Eared, come with your master this time. Once we reach Zixiao Palace, do not speak carelessly. Just listen to the Dao in peace."
Before Six-Eared Macaque could respond, Xuan Yi used his magic power to leisurely fly toward Zixiao Palace with Six-Eared Macaque and Nuwa. Fuxi, forgotten yet again, tearfully chased after them.
Inside Zixiao Palace, some of the original Three Thousand Mortal Guests had not come, while many new faces had appeared. The Primordial World was constantly embroiled in conflict, so it was only natural that some great powers had fallen. The newcomers had improved their cultivation over the past three thousand years and reached the level where they could cross the Chaos Gale, allowing them to come and hear the Dao Ancestor's second sermon.
By the time Xuan Yi arrived, the Three Thousand Mortal Guests had basically all gathered.
Only two spots remained vacant among the seven Meditation Cushions at the very front.
They belonged to Jieyin and Zhunti.
"Eh? Did I strike too heavily and beat those two to death? That shouldn't be possible, should it?"
"Forget it. Six-Eared, sit behind your master."
Not bothering to dwell on it, Xuan Yi had Six-Eared Macaque sit behind him.
"Heavens! Isn't that the Six-Eared Macaque?"
"He openly defied the Dao Ancestor's Imperial Decree. Is he trying to get himself killed?"
The gathered great powers were stunned when they saw Six-Eared Macaque. Xuan Yi had slept before the Dao Ancestor during the last sermon, and now he had actually brought the Six-Eared Macaque here. Everyone believed Xuan Yi was doomed.
"Squeak—"
The gates of Zixiao Palace slowly closed. Only then did Jieyin and Zhunti come rushing in.
The somewhat disheveled pair shot Xuan Yi a resentful glance before taking their places on their Meditation Cushions.
At that moment, Jieyin and Zhunti practically hated Xuan Yi to death.
Last time, Xuan Yi had nearly beaten them to death. They had spent the past three thousand years recovering from their injuries and had almost missed the Dao Ancestor's second sermon. Thinking of that, Jieyin and Zhunti glared viciously at Xuan Yi again.
"Senior Brother, isn't that the Six-Eared Macaque?"
At Zhunti's reminder, Jieyin also noticed Six-Eared Macaque behind Xuan Yi.
"He actually dared to bring the Six-Eared Macaque here to hear the Dao. Isn't that openly provoking the Dao Ancestor? Let's see how he survives this time."
Having learned their lesson from last time, Jieyin and Zhunti no longer dared to openly clamor. They only hoped the Dao Ancestor would descend and properly punish Xuan Yi.
"High upon the nine layers of cloud, a Meditation Cushion reveals the true Dao. Beyond heaven and earth, black and yellow, I alone shall be revered as the teacher. Pangu gave birth to Taiji, and the Two Principles and Four Symbols followed. One teaching passed to three friends; two teachings divided into Exposition and Interception. Leader of the Mystical Sect, one breath transformed into Hongjun."
As the words fell, Hongjun's figure appeared within Zixiao Palace.
Haha, the Dao Ancestor has arrived. Xuan Yi, you're dead for sure.
Jieyin and Zhunti screamed madly in their hearts.
As though responding to their thoughts, Hongjun turned his gaze toward Six-Eared Macaque.
With just one glance, Six-Eared Macaque felt as though he had fallen into an icy abyss. Dao Ancestor Hongjun had left far too great a shadow on him. If Xuan Yi had not been standing in front of him, he would have wanted to turn and run.
Don't be afraid, Six-Eared. You're Master's disciple now. You can't disgrace Master.
Six-Eared Macaque silently encouraged himself, and his chest slowly puffed out.
Seeing this, the corner of Hongjun's lips lifted in an imperceptible smile.
Hurry up and punish him. Hurry up and punish him.
Jieyin and Zhunti continued screaming madly in their hearts.
Unfortunately, Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not fulfill their wishes.
"The time has come. The second sermon begins. This time, I shall speak of the Dao of Quasi-Saints."
The Dao of Quasi-Saints taught this time was no longer merely about strengthening their foundations. It opened the door to an entirely new world for them.
"In the Primordial World, there are three methods of becoming a Saint."
"The first is Saint by Merit. Those who render great merit to the Primordial World will receive the power of merit when the Heavenly Dao responds. However, becoming a Saint requires an oceanic amount of merit."
"The second is Saint by Severing Three Corpses. Sever the Good, Evil, and Self Corpses from oneself, then merge the Three Corpses into one to become a Saint. I myself became a Saint through this method."
"The third is Saint by Strength. In the past, Great God Pangu sought to become a Saint through this method."
"Of these three methods, the first is the weakest, but also the easiest. The second requires Primordial Violet Qi and a Xiantian Magic Treasure as its foundation; otherwise, the Three Corpses cannot merge into one. Its Dao attainment is slightly stronger than the first method. The third is the most difficult, but after becoming a Saint, one's combat power will be extraordinarily powerful."
"This time, I shall chiefly explain the second method of becoming a Saint."
As Hongjun's words entered everyone's ears,
they were immediately overwhelmed by despair.
First, there was the simplest method, Saint by Merit. How could there be so much merit in the Primordial World? Since the world's creation, how many times had the Heavenly Dao bestowed merit? Relying on one's own strength, one likely would not gather enough merit to become a Saint even by the time of an immeasurable calamity.
Then there was the second method. How many Xiantian Spiritual Treasures even existed in the entire Primordial World? And it also required Primordial Violet Qi as a foundation. They did not even know what Primordial Violet Qi was.
There was no need to even consider the third method. Even Great God Pangu had failed. How could they dare attempt it?
"Dao, Dao, Dao."
Ignoring what everyone was thinking, Hongjun began preaching the Dao.
The many great powers present all began listening attentively.
As for their protagonist, Xuan Yi, his eyelids only grew heavier and heavier. Before long, he drifted off to sleep.
If not now, when?
Taishang, the foremost of the Sanqing, gave a soft shout. Immediately, a figure eighty percent similar to Taishang appeared within his Primordial Spirit.
As Laozi severed his Good Corpse, his realm smoothly reached the initial stage of Quasi-Saint.
"Good Corpse, emerge!"
Following Laozi, Nuwa also severed her Good Corpse.
After that came Yuanshi and Tongtian. Several hundred years later, Jieyin and Zhunti also severed their Good Corpses.
At this point, all six people seated on the Meditation Cushions had become Quasi-Saint experts.
Another thousand years passed, and great powers with excellent foundations, such as Di Jun, Tai Yi, and Zhen Yuanzi, also severed their Good Corpses and became Quasi-Saints.
Only Kunpeng felt that something was missing and remained unable to sever his Good Corpse.
As time passed, more and more great powers achieved breakthroughs.
In the Primordial World, years went uncounted. The three-thousand-year sermon soon came to an end. Those with outstanding foundations upon the Meditation Cushions, such as the Sanqing, Nuwa, Zhunti, and Jieyin, had all severed their Evil Corpses and become middle-stage Quasi-Saints.
"The Primordial World is in chaos. I intend to appoint heads of male immortals and female immortals to assist me in governing the Primordial World."
An ethereal voice awakened both the still-enraptured crowd and Xuan Yi.
Upon hearing this, the great powers' eyes turned red. All of them hoped the Dao Ancestor would choose them. Di Jun and Tai Yi were the most excited of all. If they could gain the Dao Ancestor's recognition, the demon race would truly be able to run rampant throughout the Primordial World.
"We respectfully obey the Dao Ancestor's Imperial Decree."
No one dared defy a Saint's will, and they answered in unison.
Hongjun was not surprised. "Since none of you object, I shall decide."
"East King Duke, you were formed from the first wisp of yang qi between heaven and earth, so you shall be the Head of Male Immortals. Queen Mother of the West was formed from the first wisp of yin qi between heaven and earth, so she shall be the head of female immortals. Are you willing?"
The two were stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.
"We respectfully obey the Saint's decree. We shall certainly do our utmost to assist the Dao Ancestor in governing the Primordial World."
Hongjun nodded and said,
"East King Duke, I bestow upon you the Dragon Head Staff. This treasure is a Top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure. I hope you will put it to good use. Queen Mother of the West, I bestow upon you the Western Plain Colored Cloud Brocade Banner. This treasure is likewise a Top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasure. I hope you will both use them well and not disappoint my expectations."
After Hongjun spoke, he waved his hand, and the two spiritual treasures flew toward the pair, quietly floating at their sides.
Neither had expected Hongjun to bestow magic treasures upon them. They immediately and excitedly took the treasures into their hands.
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor. We shall certainly devote all our strength to helping the Dao Ancestor govern the Primordial World."
The gathered great powers looked at the two with envy in their eyes. Top-grade Xiantian Spiritual Treasures—how many people had not even obtained a single Xiantian Magic Treasure since taking form? Yet the Saint had casually given away two at once.
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