The Dao Ancestor Hongjun's figure faded away, but the lingering might of the Dao Charm within Zixiao Palace still left everyone yearning for more.
The many Great Powers wore, to varying degrees, the joy of gaining something and anticipation for the next Preaching of the Dao.
However, there were always people who wanted to seize this rare opportunity.
Dong Wang Gong held the Dragon Head Staff bestowed by Hongjun, sensing the might contained within this Supreme Innate Spiritual Treasure. Having also gained the title of Head of Male Immortals, he was brimming with confidence and pride.
Seeing that everyone was about to leave, he hurriedly cleared his throat, straightened his robes, and walked to the entrance of Zixiao Palace, attempting to display the majesty of the "Head of Male Immortals."
"Fellow Daoists, please wait!"
Dong Wang Gong's voice rang out as he tried to attract everyone's attention.
Some lower-level cultivators and rogue cultivators who had already been considering pledging allegiance stopped and looked at him curiously.
But the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun and Tai Yi, Nuwa and Fuxi, Zhenyuanzi, Jieyin and Zhunti, and the other top Great Powers acted as though they had not heard him at all. Their footsteps did not slow in the slightest as they transformed into streaks of light and prepared to leave directly.
Dong Wang Gong's face tightened with embarrassment, and he hurriedly shouted at the Three Pure Ones' backs.
"Fellow Daoists Lao Tzu, Primordial, and Tongtian! The three of you are Pangu's True Lineage, with profound Dao techniques. If you are willing to help me govern the male immortals of the Primordial World and establish order together, we will certainly be able to..."
Lao Tzu did not even raise his eyelids, as though he had heard nothing.
Primordial Heavenly Venerate merely snorted coldly, making no attempt to conceal the disdain in his eyes. Instead, he sped up a little more.
Sect Master Tongtian did glance back at him, though his expression was strange, as if he were looking at some rare species. He then shook his head, mounted a sword-light, and disappeared.
Dong Wang Gong's face stiffened, and he hurriedly turned toward Di Jun and Tai Yi.
"Fellow Daoists Di Jun and Tai Yi! The two of you are Sun Star Lords, born with the aura of emperors. If we join forces..."
Tai Yi directly summoned the Chaos Bell. The bell rang once, tearing through the chaos, and he could not be bothered to respond at all.
Di Jun did stop. He turned around with a half-smile and cupped his hands.
"Since Fellow Daoist Dong Wang Gong has received the Dao Ancestor's personal command, you should naturally devote yourself to the task. My brother and I are accustomed to living carefree lives, so I'm afraid we cannot be of much help. Farewell."
His words were polite, but his refusal was decisive and utterly free of hesitation. After speaking, he and Tai Yi transformed into golden rainbows and departed.
Dong Wang Gong was still unwilling to give up, so he looked toward Nuwa and Fuxi.
"Fellow Daoists Nuwa and Fuxi! The two of you..."
Nuwa and Fuxi were even more straightforward. They had already transformed into streaks of azure and white light and plunged into the chaos before Dong Wang Gong could finish speaking, leaving him not even their silhouettes.
Jieyin and Zhunti passed by him. Zhunti even kindly offered a reminder.
"Fellow Daoist Dong Wang Gong, you have a great responsibility on your shoulders. Take care of yourself."
The teasing in his tone made Dong Wang Gong's face turn alternately green and white.
Kunpeng walked past with a gloomy expression without even sparing him a glance. Zhenyuanzi traveled alongside Hong Yun. He merely gave Dong Wang Gong a slight nod before hurrying away.
In the end, the only ones left beside Dong Wang Gong were a few dozen rogue cultivators, most of them at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm or newly advanced Grand Unity Golden Immortals, all eager to find someone to shelter them.
Looking at the backs of those top Great Powers leaving without the slightest reluctance, then at the shrimp and crab soldiers around him, the pride and confidence Dong Wang Gong had felt moments ago instantly vanished by more than half. A tremendous sense of disappointment and embarrassment surged through his heart.
This left Dong Wang Gong deeply displeased. These people had not given him, the Head of Male Immortals, any face at all.
Once he unified the Primordial World, he would definitely make these people pay!
Within the chaos, Nuwa and Fuxi walked side by side.
"It seems Dong Wang Gong has let the title of Head of Male Immortals cloud his judgment. He actually dreams of ruling all male immortals."
Fuxi shook his head with a laugh, showing considerable disdain for Dong Wang Gong's actions.
Dong Wang Gong's strength might not be bad. He had taken form from Innate Yang Qi and possessed an emperor's destiny by nature.
But in the Primordial World, there were certainly those equal to or even stronger than him. If he wanted all the Great Powers to bow before him based solely on the title of Head of Male Immortals, he might as well keep dreaming—it would be faster.
Nuwa's expression remained calm.
"The Dao Ancestor may have another purpose in mind. But how could the order of the Primordial World possibly be restrained by a mere title?"
What she was thinking about was Qingxuan's inner voice. The schemes of the Heavenly Dao and Hongjun were everywhere. Dong Wang Gong was probably nothing more than a chess piece.
The two said no more and focused on traveling.
After listening to the Dao for thirty thousand years, they had gained tremendously. Not only had their cultivation advanced greatly, they had also gained a clear understanding of the path beyond the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.
Although they were already filled with wariness toward the Heavenly Dao and Hongjun, their comprehension of the Great Dao itself was genuine and substantial.
Soon, the Dao Field at Fengqi Mountain appeared in the distance.
After passing through the strengthened mountain-protecting array, a familiar scene entered their eyes.
Beside the warm spring, Qingxuan was indeed still lying on that bluestone, barely having changed his posture.
But the aura of cultivation emanating from him left Nuwa and Fuxi stunned at the same time.
Golden Immortal perfection!
It had only been thirty thousand years! He had leaped from the mid-stage of the Profound Immortal realm to Golden Immortal perfection?!
This speed... was simply inconceivable!
"Oh? Master! Martial Uncle! You're back!"
Sensing their auras, Qingxuan opened his eyes and cheerfully jumped down from the bluestone to greet them.
"Did the Preaching of the Dao go smoothly? Did anything interesting happen?"
Judging by their expressions, it must have gone pretty well. They definitely kept their meditation cushions!
But Master and big brother-in-law's auras seem even stronger. Looks like they gained quite a lot.
Hmm? Why do I feel like Master's looking at me strangely again?
Nuwa suppressed her astonishment and tried her best to make her voice sound natural.
"Yes, everything went smoothly. It seems you haven't neglected your cultivation over these thirty thousand years."
She truly could not bring herself to say the four words "cultivate diligently."
Fuxi, meanwhile, walked around Qingxuan twice, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"Martial Nephew, your cultivation speed truly makes me feel ashamed before you."
Qingxuan gave a sheepish laugh and brushed it off.
"Maybe it's because the Spirit Calming Dao Infusion Pearl Martial Uncle gave me is especially effective. I broke through in my sleep."
The Primordial Spirit Gathering Array is what really pulled its weight!
But with Master and Martial Uncle back, does that mean the first Preaching of the Dao has ended?
Then Dong Wang Gong and the Queen Mother of the West should be taking the stage next, and the demon race will be established.
Nuwa's heart trembled!
Dong Wang Gong really would meet a bad end!
Nuwa smiled at Qingxuan and said, "Your Martial Uncle and I gained a great deal from listening to the Dao this time. We have already faintly touched upon the realm above the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. After the two of us enter seclusion for a while, we will teach you the Dao when we come out."
The realm above the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm is the Primordial Origin Golden Immortal realm, also known as the Quasi-Sage realm.
By the second Preaching of the Dao, that old bastard Hongjun should be teaching the method of Slaying Three Corpses. After that, the Primordial World will enter the age of Quasi-Sages.
But that old bastard really has no good intentions. He teaches the method of Slaying Three Corpses while hiding the most important part.
The Innate Spiritual Treasures used for Slaying Three Corpses need to share the same origin and source. Only then can the three corpses merge into one after they have all been slain.
Looking across the Primordial World, not a single Great Power had become a Sage after Slaying Three Corpses.
Among the Three Pure Ones, Lao Tzu had slain all three corpses, yet had failed to complete the fusion and could only become a Sage by establishing a religion.
Primordial and Tongtian were the same.
Nuwa had become a Sage through the merit of creating humanity.
As for Jieyin and Zhunti, the two installment-plan Sages, there was even less to say.
Hongjun's move had directly severed the entire path of cultivation in the Primordial World.
Nuwa felt fortunate. Thankfully, Qingxuan was here.
Thinking of how Qingxuan's inner voice had unknowingly helped her so much, the softest place in Nuwa's heart was touched.
She suddenly reached out and gently rubbed Qingxuan's hair. Her movements were somewhat clumsy, but they carried a tenderness unlike anything before.
Qingxuan immediately stiffened, his eyes widening.
What the hell?! What's going on?!
Has the sun risen in the west? Or am I dreaming? Master is actually being this gentle?!
Could it be... could she have been afflicted by some strange Chaos Demon God curse in the chaos, leaving her out of her mind?
"..."
The small amount of emotion Nuwa had just felt instantly vanished, and a vein twitched faintly on her forehead.
She withdrew her hand and glared at him in exasperation.
"Stop letting your imagination run wild all day! Go cultivate properly!"
After saying this, she turned and walked toward her cave dwelling, though the tips of her ears were faintly red.
Fuxi watched, dumbfounded, from the side. He then revealed an enlightened smile, patted the still-bewildered Qingxuan on the shoulder, and left with a laugh.
So... what exactly just happened?
But... Master's hand was pretty soft...
Nuwa, who had already gone far, stumbled and nearly fell. She turned around and glared fiercely in Qingxuan's direction before quickening her pace and disappearing.
Within the Dao Field, the warm spring still bubbled, and the strange fragrance still filled the air. Only, certain subtle emotions had quietly begun to sprout like seeds, unnoticed by all.
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