Understanding the heart and seeing one's true nature

When Hong Yun left Mount Sumeru, he felt a sense of liberation and made a decision.

Regardless of what lies ahead, at least this time, he chose to stay true to himself.

The light of the Star Gate shone brightly again outside Wuzhuang Temple, Hong Yun's figure stepped out from the Star Gate.

He wore a relieved smile, clearly indicating that his conversation with the Two Sages of the West on Mount Sumeru had given him a new direction.

However, this moment of ease did not last long, as dozens of powerful auras suddenly rose up and Tuantuan him.

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, how have you been?" A cold voice came from the left. It was the Demon Master Kunpeng, who was surrounded by Demon Fire, and his eyes gleamed with a determined light.

A murderous aura surged from the right. The Ancestor Minghe, clad in a blood-red Daoist robe, spoke in a hoarse voice like the grinding of sand, "Hong Yun, you've had the Hongmeng Purple Qi for so long, yet you haven't achieved anything. It's clear this treasure is not meant for you. You'd better obediently hand over the Hongmeng Purple Qi, and I can guarantee your safe departure."

Further away, dozens of former Daoist friends from the Purple Sky Palace gathered together, each wielding Magic Treasure, eyeing the enemy menacingly.

A murderous aura permeated the entire area outside Wuzhuang Temple, even tinging the sky with gray.

"What do you all mean by this?" Hong Yun looked around, his voice unusually calm.

He noticed that these people were positioned in Formations that secretly blocked all escape routes.

The Kunpeng and the Minghe formed a pincer movement, one on the left and one on the right, while the rest of the group were scattered around, clearly indicating that this was premeditated.

Kunpeng sneered, and the Demon Master Palace spun in his palm. "Hong Yun, you should understand the principle that possessing a treasure is a crime."

The Six Saints have already emerged, but you alone have been unable to attain enlightenment, which shows that this Hongmeng Purple Qi is not meant for you.

You caused me to lose my Prayer Mat and the Sagehood Opportunity. Now, why don't you hand over the Purple Qi to me, and that will settle our Karma.

"Don't listen to his nonsense." The Ancestor Minghe's blood-red robe billowed, his voice seeming to echo from the Nine Netherworlds, "The Hongmeng Purple Qi is the Foundation for Sainthood. Since you are not fortunate enough to possess it, why not grant it to someone else?"

If I obtain this item, I will certainly remember your favor.

Before Hong Yun could answer, the Earth Veins suddenly trembled within the Wuzhuang Temple, Zhenyuanzi arrived with the Earth Scroll in hand to assist.

"You all certainly have quite the grand display!" Zhenyuanzi glared angrily. "Have you all forgotten where Earthly Realm are?"

"You dare to run wild on my Longevity Mountain? Have you even asked my Earth Scroll whether it would allow it?"

"Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan," an unnamed Daoist who had listened to Daoist teachings at the Purple Sky Palace stepped forward, a fake smile plastered on his face, "This matter is none of your concern. As long as Hong Yun hands over the Hongmeng Purple Qi, we will not harm him in the slightest."

Zhenyuanzi was furious upon hearing this. The Earth Scroll unfolded, transforming into a giant book that connected to the Earth Veins: "Nonsense! Hong Yun is my close friend. You all surround me at my door, and you dare to say it has nothing to do with me?"

Having said that, he was about to activate the Earth Vein Power.

Hong Yun reached out to stop her old friend, a hint of mockery appearing on her face.

Looking at the greedy faces of his former fellow cultivators from the Purple Sky Palace, he suddenly recalled his own obsession with the Hongmeng Purple Qi. How similar the two were!

The Two Sages of the West are right; his nature is carefree, so why should he force himself to become Sainthood?

"Gentlemen," Hong Yun's clear voice echoed in all directions, "You have all come for the Hongmeng Purple Qi?"

"Exactly!" the crowd exclaimed in unison, their eyes practically radiating desire.

Hong Yun suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter tinged with self-mockery. "How laughable! I, Hong Yun, have cultivated for countless eons, only today do I realize that I am no different from any of you, all blinded by these external things!"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, wondering what he was up to.

Kunpeng frowned deeply. "Hong Yun, stop playing tricks. You have to pay today, whether you like it or not!"

Hong Yun ignored the threat and turned to Zhenyuanzi, bowing deeply. "Old friend, thank you for your care over the years."

Only today have I realized that my path lies not in seeking externally, but within my own heart.

Seeing that he looked calm and composed, Zhenyuanzi felt somewhat relieved. "Have you figured it out?"

Before he could finish speaking, Hong Yun turned to face the crowd, his voice suddenly rising. "Heavenly Dao above! I am Ancestor Hong Yun Huoyun Cave. Today I have awakened to my true nature, knowing I am not Heaven-Appointed Sage, and willingly relinquish the Hongmeng Purple Qi, allowing it to return to the world and choose a new, more destined person!"

The moment these words were spoken, the world changed color.

The once clear sky suddenly became covered with dark clouds, and thunder rumbled.

The primordial Hongmeng Purple Qi's Hong Yun suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, slowly rising from the Heavenly Crown like a purple sun hanging high in the sky.

"Are you crazy?!" Kunpeng exclaimed in disbelief.

Although he wanted to seize the Hongmeng Purple Qi, he did not expect that Hong Yun would actually give up such a rare treasure. He even thought of fighting to settle the Two past karmic Karma, but unexpectedly, Hong Yun released the Purple Qi back to heaven and earth!

However, since Hong Yun had lost his Purple Qi, there was no need to get entangled with him anymore. He was stunned for a moment, but then he immediately realized what was going on.

Seeing this, the Ancestor Minghe was overjoyed. He didn't care what Hong Yun thought. With the appearance of the Blood God Spawn, the Blood Sea instantly expanded a thousand miles. "Hahaha, the Hongmeng Purple Qi is mine!"

Before he could finish speaking, he transformed into a streak of blood-red light and hurtled straight towards the Purple Qi.

This movement acted as a signal, and all the powerful beings acted simultaneously.

The Kunpeng Demon Master Palace transformed into the size of Shanyue, attempting to suppress the Purple Qi; moreover, a reclusive powerful figure unleashed various secret treasures, causing the heavens and earth to radiate brilliant light and disrupt the Laws.

Seeing this, Zhenyuanzi hurriedly unfolded the Earth Scroll to protect himself and Hong Yun: "Are you really sure? I only went to Mount Sumeru, I didn't expect you to change so much."

Hong Yun stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes no longer filled with confusion. "Zhenyuanzi, rest assured, I have decided to abandon the Saint and devote myself to cultivating the Hunyuan Great Law. This Hongmeng Purple Qi has become a shackle, so it's better to let it go."

He gazed at the chaotic scene of fighting in the air, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Look at them," he said, "How similar they are to my earlier bewildered self."

In the air, the Hongmeng Purple Qi seemed to possess a spirit, darting left and right amidst numerous attacks.

Whenever someone is about to succeed, someone else will always step in to stop them.

Just as Kunpeng's Demon Master Palace enveloped the Purple Qi, it was blasted away by the Minghe's Blood Sea; just as the Minghe's Blood God Spawn was about to touch the Purple Qi, he was forced back by the combined efforts of other powerful beings.

"Kunpeng! You're courting death!" Minghe roared, and the twin swords Yuantu Abi Bi transformed into blood-red rainbows, piercing straight for Kunpeng's back.

Kunpeng hurriedly turned to defend, and the Demon Master Palace clashed with the twin swords, unleashing a deafening roar, "Minghe! You're the one who's courting death!"

The two instantly engaged in battle. Both were Quasi-Saint Who Severed Two Corpses, and their overwhelming power caused Shanyue within a radius of ten thousand miles to collapse.

The other powerful beings also fought their own battles, some forming temporary alliances, others launching sneak attacks from behind.

What started as a three-way battle for treasure quickly devolved into a chaotic melee, with powerful figures frequently falling to their deaths, their blood staining the sky.

Hong Yun and Zhenyuanzi stood under the protection of the Earth Scroll, coldly observing this farce.

"The path of cultivation truly requires enlightenment; without enlightenment, even if the truth is heard, it will not enter the heart." Hong Yun shook his head. "For an external object, these great beings who have cultivated for billions of years are actually willing to risk their lives."

Zhenyuanzi thought it was quite normal, " In the Primordial World, cultivation is ultimately inseparable from the word 'struggle'. Opportunities, Fortune, and Merit —which one doesn't require active striving?"

But you, how come you suddenly seem so carefree and without desires? Do you really intend to walk that Path to Hunyuan?

Just as Hong Yun was about to answer, a Clear, Resonant Bell Chime bell rang out across the heavens and earth.

The sound pierced through all the fighting, silencing the chaotic battlefield. Suddenly, the Hongmeng Purple Qi broke free from all its restraints and transformed into a stream of light, flying eastward.

"Oh no! The Purple Qi has escaped!" someone shouted.