The First Preaching of the Dao Ends

Jieyin and Zhunti found Hongyun's location, then turned their gaze toward Kunpeng.

Everyone else on the futons was in groups, only Kunpeng was alone, relying solely on his extreme speed to snatch a spot on a futon.

"You scoundrel, how rude! Hurry up and give up your seat."

Unlike his attitude towards Ancestor Hongyun, Zhunti was not so subservient to Kunpeng.

It was because Kunpeng had no siblings and no close friends.

Kunpeng's expression immediately turned cold, killing intent surging in his gloomy eyes.

Although he knew these two Daoists were not to be trifled with, they had openly mocked him. If he did nothing, then Ancestor Kunpeng would have no place in the Great Desolation anymore.

At this moment, Kunpeng was not the "Kunpeng the Runner" he would later become; he still had some backbone.

He snorted coldly. "You want this futon? Are you worthy?"

With that, his aura surged, Kunpeng's Dharma form flickered, and his wings unfurled, changing the wind and clouds.

Zhunti did not expect Kunpeng to be so defiant, so he stopped wasting words. He formed a hand seal, and a beam of Buddhist light shot towards Kunpeng.

Kunpeng flickered, his speed as fast as lightning. He instantly appeared behind Zhunti, his claws fiercely grabbing at him. Zhunti quickly turned to block, and for a moment, the two fought fiercely.

Just as Jieyin was about to step in to help, Primordial, who was seated at the front, suddenly waved his sleeve, and a stream of magical power swept towards Kunpeng.

Kunpeng's attention was focused on guarding against Jieyin's sudden attack, but he didn't expect Primordial to make the move.

He stumbled, and Zhunti seized the opportunity, sitting in Kunpeng's spot.

Kunpeng was furious, glaring at Primordial.

"What does this mean, fellow Daoist?"

Primordial's face was arrogant, and he said coldly.

"You, who are born from moisture or eggs, scaled and armored, what qualifications do you have to sit with us?"

As soon as he said this, more than half of the Great Powers in Zixiao Palace turned their gaze to Primordial.

More than half of the listeners in Zixiao Palace were the "born from moisture or eggs, scaled and armored" beings that Primordial spoke of.

Lao Tzu and Tongtian, seeing that Primordial had angered the crowd, both felt resentful.

What was their relationship with you, Primordial? Why did you have to meddle? And not only did you meddle, but you offended most people with a single sentence.

But there was no choice. Since they were the Three Pure Ones, the trouble Primordial caused had to be borne by all three of them.

Lao Tzu and Tongtian also released their auras. They were all at the peak of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, with Lao Tzu even slightly surpassing them.

The prestige and strength of the Three Pure Ones were somewhat intimidating. At the very least, at this crucial moment of listening to the Dao, no one wanted to argue with them.

Even Tai Yi, who was indignant and had already taken out the Chaos Bell, was stopped by Di Jun.

Kunpeng was furious, but facing the pressure from the Three Pure Ones and the covetous glares of Jieyin and Zhunti, he could only endure it, as he was inferior in skill.

Retreating to the back, Kunpeng cast his murderous gaze towards Hongyun again.

If it weren't for his meddling, how could he have implicated himself?

He couldn't afford to offend the Three Pure Ones, nor could he afford to offend Jieyin and Zhunti. But Hongyun, he could?

Hongyun, noticing Kunpeng's gaze, also felt wronged.

He didn't know why he had given his seat to those two from the Western Lands.

After the farce of fighting for seats in Zixiao Palace ended, Hongjun slowly appeared on the cloud bed on the high platform.

Hongjun appeared on the cloud bed abruptly, and none of the Great Powers in Zixiao Palace noticed.

Realizing this, the Great Powers immediately put away their petty thoughts.

Saints were invincible!

Hongjun's gaze swept lightly over the scene in Zixiao Palace, lingering for a second on the people seated on the six futons at the front.

"From now on, the seating will be like this."

"We respectfully obey the Saint's order."

The Great Powers cupped their hands and bowed in unison.

"The preaching in Zixiao Palace will last for three sessions, each lasting thirty thousand years."

Hongjun spoke and did not wait for their response, beginning his sermon.

"From the Upper Pure Purple Mist Divine Sovereign, to the Grand Supreme Daoist Jade Morning Lord. Leisurely dwelling in the ruizhu [cinnabar pearl], composing seven-character verses, Dissolving into five forms, transforming into myriad spirits. This is the Yellow Court, known as the Inner Chapter, The heart strings strum thrice, the embryonic immortal dances. The Nine Qi reflects brightly, emerging from the heavens, The Divine Guardian Attendant is born from purple smoke. This is the Jade Book, which can be diligently studied, Chanting it ten thousand times ascends to the Three Heavens. A thousand calamities are dispelled, a hundred illnesses cured, And it also repels old age, prolonging life..."

When the Saint preached, heavenly flowers fell.

The Zixiao Palace was enveloped by Dao Charm, with celestial phenomena descending and golden lotuses springing from the earth.

Hongjun's voice seemed to traverse time and space, piercing through everyone's souls.

For a time, all were immersed in these profound Dao sounds, comprehending the ultimate principles of heaven and earth.

Spiritual energy surged within the Zixiao Palace, and a radiance flickered on everyone, as if they had made progress under the baptism of the Dao sounds.

After an unknown amount of time, Hongjun, who was Preaching the Dao, suddenly frowned slightly.

Then, he spoke with the authority of heaven.

"The Dharma is not transmitted to six ears."

In the Great Desolation, in an unknown mountain forest.

A monkey with six ears suddenly let out a scream.

Blood flowed from its ears, its eyes were clouded, and its clarity was gone.

This small interlude did not affect the listeners.

As the Preaching the Dao continued, everyone's comprehension deepened further.

Upon reaching the wondrous parts, some would laugh heartily, others would grieve inexplicably, and the myriad states of sentient beings unfolded one by one in the Zixiao Palace.

Some ordinary rogue cultivators, who originally had mediocre aptitude, actually broke through their own bottlenecks amidst these Dao sounds, drawing envy from those around them.

The six Great Powers seated in the front row were even more fully engrossed. Strange lights occasionally flickered above their heads, as if they had received special favor from Hongjun.

Time quietly slipped away amidst this profound Preaching the Dao, and the first session was about to end...

Soon, thirty thousand years flashed by.

Hongjun stopped the Dao sounds.

Everyone slowly awoke, their expressions varied, but all had gained something from the Sage's Preaching the Dao.

"The first session of Preaching the Dao ends here."

Hongjun finished speaking and paused, as if waiting for everyone's response.

Among them was an astute being, who immediately bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Dao Ancestor, for the grace of transmitting the Dao."

The crowd in the Zixiao Palace immediately reacted and bowed deeply towards Hongjun together.

"Thank you, Dao Ancestor, for the grace of transmitting the Dao."

Hongjun nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied, before speaking again.

"Due to the Calamity, the Primordial World is in chaos, and all beings are in fear. As a Heavenly Dao Sage, I will select two individuals to manage the Great Desolation."

A stir of excitement went through the crowd, especially among those with ambition.

Hongjun did not wait for them to nominate themselves.

"Dong Wang Gong, Queen Mother of the West."

Dong Wang Gong and the Queen Mother of the West, who were named by the Sage, immediately rose and bowed.

"You two are embodiments of Innate Yang Qi and Innate Yin Qi respectively. Dong Wang Gong is appointed as the Head of Male Immortals; all male immortals shall ascend to the Purple Mansion and pay homage to Mugong. The Queen Mother of the West is appointed as the Head of Female Immortals; all female immortals shall enter the Jade Pool and pay homage to the Golden Mother."

Dong Wang Gong and the Queen Mother of the West beamed with joy and bowed respectfully to Hongjun.

"We respectfully obey the Sage's Edict."

Hongjun nodded, then waved his hand, bestowing two Supreme Innate Spiritual Treasures: the Dragon Head Staff and the Western Plain Colored Cloud Banner.

The two were overjoyed once more.

The others in the Zixiao Palace looked at them with envy and jealousy. Some cultivators with ordinary roots also prepared to pledge allegiance to Dong Wang Gong and the Queen Mother of the West.

But more dismissed them with disdain.

It was one thing for female immortals; there were only a few renowned and powerful female cultivators in the Great Desolation, and the Queen Mother of the West knew her limits and naturally would not provoke them.

However, the situation among male immortals was entirely different.

There were simply too many powerful and unruly male immortals in the Great Desolation, such as the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun and Tai Yi, Minghe, Jieyin and Zhunti, Zhenyuanzi, the Twelve Ancestral Witches...

None of them would submit to Dong Wang Gong's authority. At most, they would give the Sage face, but any more than that would be Dong Wang Gong overestimating himself.

Having arranged everything, Hongjun left a parting sentence and vanished.

"Disperse. The next session of Preaching the Dao will begin in one hundred thousand years."