As undercurrents surged through the Primordial World after the Witch Race established itself and gained recognition from the Great Dao.
That familiar, boundless Sage's Might descended once again right on schedule, instantly pacifying all the unrest in the Primordial World and drawing the minds of the various Great Powers back to the supreme Zixiao Palace.
"Shichen has arrived. The third lecture at Zixiao Palace begins. All who are fated may come and listen."
Hongjun's voice remained as calm as ever, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.
The third Preaching of the Dao had begun! This time, he would explain the true path to Becoming a Sage!
In an instant, powerful auras shot into the sky from all across the Primordial World, heading without hesitation toward the chaos beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Whether it was the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa and Fuxi, Di Jun and Tai Yi, Jieyin and Zhunti, Zhen Yuan and Hong Yun, or the other regular visitors to Zixiao Palace, not a single person was willing to miss this final and most crucial lecture.
Fengqi Mountain Dao Field.
Nuwa and Fuxi exchanged a glance, both seeing solemnity and anticipation in the other's eyes.
"Let's go. We have to attend this final lecture, no matter what."
Although she was already wary of the Heavenly Dao's Sage positions, the mysteries of the path to Becoming a Sage still possessed unparalleled appeal and were worth studying for reference.
Fuxi nodded.
"Indeed. Let's see what Dao Ancestor has to say this time."
The two transformed into streaks of light and departed.
Qingxuan watched in the direction where they had vanished and lazily yawned.
The third lecture, huh... The final feast is about to be served.
Taking disciples, distributing treasures, bestowing Primordial Violet Qi—a complete one-stop service. That old swindler Hongjun sure has this routine down.
What a pity. Eat the candy coating, then fire the shells back! Master and my brother-in-law absolutely mustn't get fooled!
The journey through the chaos remained difficult, but for the many Great Powers whose cultivation had advanced, it was already much easier than the first two times.
Inside Zixiao Palace, the meditation cushions remained unchanged.
Only the mindsets of the people were completely different from last time.
The Three Pure Ones wore tranquil expressions, yet their eyes held a determination to win; Jieyin and Zhunti looked even more miserable, but their gazes burned with greater eagerness; Nuwa and Fuxi appeared calm and unruffled, yet hid their vigilance; Di Jun and Tai Yi kept their domineering presence restrained, their ambitions soaring...
The figure of Dao Ancestor Hongjun appeared silently on the cloud bed. Without any unnecessary words, he began lecturing.
This time, what he expounded was no longer a specific cultivation method or divine ability. Instead, he went straight to the origin of the Path of Hunyuan, explaining the operation of the laws of Heaven and Earth and the principles governing the birth and destruction of the universe!
The content was far more profound and abstruse than that of the previous two lectures. Even the top Great Powers, such as the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa, listened as if intoxicated, occasionally knitting their brows as they found it impossibly mysterious and difficult to comprehend in full.
The heavenly music of the Great Dao thundered. Golden lotuses sprang from the earth, heavenly flowers rained down, and boundless Dao Charm nearly solidified into reality.
Many Great Powers listened until their faces flushed and white smoke rose from their heads. Clearly, they had reached the limits of their understanding.
Thirty thousand years of Preaching the Dao passed swiftly as the various Great Powers comprehended it ravenously.
When Hongjun stopped preaching, silence filled Zixiao Palace. Everyone remained immersed in the afterglow of the Great Dao, unable to return to their senses for a long time.
After a while, the various Great Powers gradually awakened, all wearing complicated expressions interwoven with satisfaction, regret, and confusion. They knew that the path of the Dao had been revealed, but how far they could walk depended entirely on their own fortunes.
Hongjun's gaze was indifferent as it swept over everyone below, and he slowly spoke.
"The three lectures are complete, and my Dao has been passed on to the Primordial World. Before long, I shall merge with the Heavenly Dao to complete its deficiencies. From this point onward, the Heavenly Dao shall be Hongjun, but Hongjun shall not be the Heavenly Dao."
The various Great Powers were all horrified upon hearing this!
Dao Ancestor was going to merge with the Dao?!
Their hearts held both shock and a trace of secret joy.
After all, having a Sage pressing down on them had made them feel somewhat constrained.
Before they could digest the news, Hongjun continued.
"My sect should have several disciples to inherit the Xuanmen's Dao lineage."
Here it was! The main event was here!
All the Great Powers held their breath, especially the few in the front row. Their heartbeats involuntarily quickened.
"The Three Pure Ones were transformed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and possess Heaven Opening Merit. They may become my direct disciples."
Hongjun first looked toward the Three Pure Ones.
Lao Tzu, Primordial, and Tongtian were overjoyed. They hurriedly rose and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Teacher!"
Hongjun nodded, then turned his gaze toward Nuwa, his eyes carrying a trace of scrutiny.
He had discovered long ago that Nuwa was not following his path of Slaying Three Corpses, but the Path of Hunyuan.
"Nuwa, very good! You will perform a great act of merit in the future. You may become my final disciple."
Nuwa had expected this already. She calmly rose and bowed.
"Greetings, Teacher."
After saying this, Hongjun fell silent.
This made Jieyin and Zhunti, who were seated on the meditation cushions as well, grow extremely anxious.
Zhunti's eyes shifted, and he immediately began to weep.
"Dao Ancestor, please take pity on the living beings of the West and accept the two of us brothers as disciples!"
Jieyin still wore his bitter-melon expression as he followed Zhunti in bowing down.
Hongjun's gaze swept over Jieyin and Zhunti, who were looking at him eagerly, and he said indifferently,
"Jieyin, Zhunti, although the two of you were born in the West, you possess great perseverance and great opportunities. Since that is so, I shall accept you as Registered Disciples. In the future, you shall cause the West to prosper."
Hongjun was once again using the two Sage positions to settle his Karma with the West.
Jieyin and Zhunti were somewhat disappointed that they had become only Registered Disciples, but obtaining the status of being disciples of a Sage was already an unexpected delight. They hurriedly bowed excitedly.
"Greetings, Teacher!"
The division of disciples was settled, and Hongjun continued,
"Since you are my disciples, you should have spiritual treasures to protect yourselves."
With that, he waved his sleeve. Countless rays of treasure light shot into the sky, dazzlingly brilliant. The powerful aura of Innate Spiritual Treasures filled the entire Zixiao Palace, leaving the Great Powers below staring wide-eyed and breathing rapidly, wishing they could charge forward and snatch them.
"Lao Tzu, as the eldest Martial Brother, you shall take charge of Xuanmen. I bestow upon you the Innate Supreme Treasure Taiji Diagram, which can suppress destiny and pacify earth, water, fire, and wind."
A scroll resembling a golden bridge and jade pillar flew toward Lao Tzu.
"Primordial, I bestow upon you the Innate Supreme Treasure Pangu Banner, which can tear apart chaos and open up Heaven and Earth."
A simple, ancient banner radiating chaotic sword qi flew toward Primordial.
"Tongtian, you enjoy slaughter and conquest. I bestow upon you the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. This formation cannot be broken by anyone other than the Western Saints. However, its killing power is too great, so you must not use it lightly."
Four ancient swords surging with baleful qi, together with the formation diagram, flew toward Tongtian, drawing sidelong glances from everyone. They were both envious and wary.
It could not be broken by anyone other than the Western Saints. Lao Tzu, Primordial, and Tongtian were brothers, leaving only the three other Sages. Didn't that mean Tongtian was invincible?
Lao Tzu and Primordial also felt uncomfortable. Wasn't this saying that Tongtian had already surpassed the two of them, his elder brothers?
"Nuwa, I bestow upon you the Innate Spiritual Treasure Red Gauze Ball, which can govern the marriages of Heaven, Earth, and humanity, forge matrimonial ties, and create immeasurable merit. I also bestow upon you the Rivers and Mountains Painting, which contains a vast world within. Trapping people and capturing objects will all be possible with a single thought."
A glowing red embroidered ball and a scroll flew toward Nuwa.
"Jieyin, Zhunti, I bestow upon you the Twelve-grade Golden Lotus of Merit, which can suppress destiny. I also bestow upon you the Blessing Vajra Pestle, Six Roots Pure Bamboo, and other treasures to aid the West in flourishing."
A golden lotus platform and several other glittering spiritual treasures flew toward Jieyin and Zhunti.
After the treasures had been distributed, seven strands of purple qi swirled into existence in Hongjun's hand, radiating profound Dao Charm.
"This is Primordial Violet Qi, the foundation for Becoming a Sage."
Hongjun's gaze swept over everyone, and he slowly said,
"Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti, you are my disciples and should receive this opportunity."
Six strands of Primordial Violet Qi flew out and entered the bodies of the six people respectively.
Of the seven strands of qi, six vanished in an instant.
The various Great Powers began speaking one after another.
"Dao Ancestor, please show mercy."
"Very well. Let this final strand of Primordial Violet Qi choose its own master."
After Hongjun finished speaking, he released the final strand of Primordial Violet Qi from his hand.
The final strand of Primordial Violet Qi circled around Zixiao Palace once. Under everyone's tense gazes, it suddenly plunged into the body of Ancestor Hong Yun, who was still staring blankly!
Hong Yun was stunned, then was overwhelmed by immense delight.
Beside him, the gaze of Ancestor Kunpeng instantly became incomparably sinister and resentful!
Why Hong Yun?! If he hadn't given up his seat...
"The Primordial World is vast, and there are many spiritual treasures. All who are fated may obtain them. I have placed some spiritual treasures outside the palace, on Treasure Distribution Cliff. You may go and collect them yourselves."
Before his voice had even faded, most of the Great Powers in Zixiao Palace instantly transformed into streaks of light and rushed outside, afraid that the treasures would be gone if they were a step too late.
Treasure light soared into the sky from Treasure Distribution Cliff. Clearly, countless rare spiritual treasures had been placed there!
The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti also rose to bid their farewells and headed toward Treasure Distribution Cliff.
Lao Tzu collected the Eight Sceneries Palace Lantern, the Taiji Talisman Seal...
Primordial collected the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage, the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud...
Tongtian gained the most: the Purple Lightning Hammer, Fishing Drum, Heart-Piercing Lock, Sea-Calming Pearl...
Nuwa and Fuxi also each collected several Innate Spiritual Treasures.
After most of the spiritual treasures had been divided up, Hongjun's voice rang out once again.
"The Great Dao has been passed on. I shall merge with the Dao. Unless there is a great tribulation of Heaven and Earth, Hongjun shall not appear. Conduct yourselves well..."
His voice faded, and Hongjun completely disappeared, as if he had merged with the entire Heaven and Earth of the Primordial World.
The third lecture at Zixiao Palace had come to a complete end.
Before you continue