Hongyun's Choice

Within Wuzhuang Temple, a gentle breeze stirred.

Beneath the Ginseng Fruit Tree, Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun sat facing each other in silence, the air thick with an indescribable gloom.

After the sermon at Zixiao Palace ended, Hongyun had not returned to Huoyun Cave but instead followed Zhen Yuanzi back to Wuzhuang Temple.

At this moment, his mind was a tangled mess, a chaotic blur.

That strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi lay deep within his Primordial Spirit, radiating an alluring aura of the Great Dao—it was the foundation for becoming a Saint, the ultimate opportunity dreamed of by countless mighty beings across the Primordial Wilderness.

Yet, whenever he recalled Kunpeng's gaze, one that nearly wished to devour him alive, Hongyun could not sit still.

Give it?

Or not?

That was the question.

To give it meant utterly abandoning the Saint position within reach, handing over this heaven-sent opportunity to another.

Who could accept that willingly?

Who could bear to part with it?

That was a Saint position! In the Primordial Wilderness, who did not crave it?

Hongyun asked himself—he could not bear to part with it, damn it, he truly could not!

But if he did not give it...

Then the karma forged between him and Kunpeng would have no chance of resolution.

A Dao-Blocking Grudge—no peace until death!

Hongyun understood Kunpeng's nature to some extent; he was absolutely someone who would repay a grudge tenfold, ruthless and merciless.

To be marked by him meant endless trouble in the days ahead.

Zhen Yuanzi picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and set it down slowly.

He watched Hongyun's shifting expression without urging or consoling.

He understood Hongyun's feelings at this moment.

The Hongmeng Purple Qi, the foundation for Sainthood—its weight was far too heavy.

If any other being in the Primordial Wilderness suddenly obtained such a supreme treasure, would they easily give it up?

Even knowing that a mountain of blades and a sea of flames lay ahead, they would likely gamble everything on a desperate struggle.

That Hongyun had agonized this long was already remarkable.

Hongyun closed his eyes tightly, yet his mind involuntarily conjured the scene in Pangu Hall when he spoke with Wu Ming.

Back then, he had not yet obtained the Hongmeng Purple Qi; he was merely troubled over yielding his seat.

Wu Ming's words now echoed with startling clarity in his ears.

"After the Third Preaching, I will naturally tell you the method of resolution. I only hope that when the time comes, Fellow Daoist will not be reluctant to part with it."

"Absolutely not! As long as I can settle this karma with Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, even if it costs me dearly, I will do so willingly!"

"I only hope that your words today are not a momentary impulse. When that time comes... do not regret it because the price is too great, unwilling to let go."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Wu Ming! As long as I can resolve this karma with Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, even if it costs me my entire fortune, or even this life, Hongyun will not so much as frown! I will not go back on my word!"

Back then, how resolute he had been, how solemn his oath.

Thinking of it now, it was truly...

Hongyun could not help but let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

"Heh... no wonder, no wonder Fellow Daoist Wu Ming warned me so seriously..."

Yes, the Hongmeng Purple Qi, the foundation for Sainthood—this price was far more than "too great."

It was utterly life-ruining!

A thousand, ten thousand times more important than his own life!

Across the entire Primordial Wilderness, how many could truly abandon such a temptation?

But...

In the end, it was his own act of yielding his seat that had indirectly implicated Fellow Daoist Kunpeng.

Though Fellow Daoist Wu Ming had said that the Cushion was never Kunpeng's to begin with, that the Heavenly Dao had long decreed it so.

But Kunpeng would not believe that.

In his eyes, Hongyun had destroyed his chance at a Saint position.

This unending, life-or-death karma had truly landed on Hongyun's shoulders.

Moreover, he had already made a heavy vow before Fellow Daoist Wu Ming and Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi.

To go back on it now?

What would that make him?

A man who breaks his word, fears death, and has his heart clouded by the lure of a Saint position?

How could he ever face Fellow Daoist Wu Ming again?

How could he ever face his closest friend, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi?

Throughout his life, Hongyun had always asked himself—he acted with openness and integrity, delighted in helping others, and had friends across the entire Primordial Wilderness. What was the foundation of it all?

Wasn't it just one word, "trust," and one word, "righteousness"?

If he were to abandon even the most basic trust and righteousness for the sake of this Hongmeng Purple Qi...

Then even if he managed to escape Kunpeng's pursuit by sheer luck, and even if he truly became a Saint, would he still be the same Hongyun he once was?

How could his Dao heart find peace?

A long time passed.

Suddenly, Hongyun's eyes snapped open. Deep within them, a fierce struggle flickered, but in the end, it all transformed into a relieved and resolute determination.

Enough!

Enough!

In the end, it was I, Hongyun, who owed Fellow Daoist Kunpeng.

This Hongmeng Purple Qi—I'll give it to him!

With this thought, Hongyun's state of mind strangely calmed. Though it still felt hollow, carrying a great sense of loss, the suffocating entanglement that had weighed on him vanished.

He looked at Zhen Yuanzi, his voice a little hoarse, yet exceptionally clear.

"Fellow Daoist."

Zhen Yuanzi raised his eyes to meet his, his gaze steady.

"Come with me. Let's go find Fellow Daoist Wu Ming."

Zhen Yuanzi's movements paused. He stared into Hongyun's eyes, as if trying to confirm something.

After a moment, he spoke slowly.

"Fellow Daoist, have you decided?"

"Yes." Hongyun nodded, his tone firm. "I've decided."

Zhen Yuanzi fell silent again. The wind within the temple seemed to stop, and only the occasional rustle of the Ginseng Fruit Tree's leaves broke the quiet.

"The Hongmeng Purple Qi..." Zhen Yuanzi slowly uttered these four words, each one as heavy as a thousand jun. "That is the foundation for becoming a Saint, Fellow Daoist Hongyun, you..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

"I know." Hongyun cut him off, a bitter smile spreading across his face. "I know better than anyone what this is."

"But karma is karma, and a promise is a promise."

"If I were to break my promise because I couldn't bear to part with this Hongmeng Purple Qi, then how would I, Hongyun, be any different from those fickle, petty men?"

"Besides, if I don't settle this karma, when Fellow Daoist Kunpeng comes looking for me, even you, Fellow Daoist, might be dragged into my troubles."

Zhen Yuanzi frowned. "Kunpeng... if he obtains the Hongmeng Purple Qi, he may not necessarily remember your kindness. More likely, he'll think it's only right, and even..."

Even think that you, Hongyun, owe it to him, that giving it is only proper, and after taking the Hongmeng Purple Qi, he still won't let you off!

Zhen Yuanzi didn't say the rest out loud, but Hongyun understood.

"So what? I only seek to settle the karma and find peace of mind."

"As for what he thinks or does after getting the Hongmeng Purple Qi, that's his business."

"At least, on the surface, this life-or-death karma will be resolved."

Zhen Yuanzi looked at Hongyun.

He saw the resolve in Hongyun's eyes—that expression of pain that no longer wavered.

He asked one final question.

"No regrets?"

"Absolutely no regrets!" Hongyun's eyes were clear, free of the earlier struggle and confusion.

Zhen Yuanzi slowly nodded, saying no more.

"Good. Since Fellow Daoist's mind is made up, I, this poor Daoist, will accompany you on this journey."

"But... we'll be troubling Fellow Daoist Wu Ming again."

Hongyun also stood up and made a deep bow to Zhen Yuanzi. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

Zhen Yuanzi reached out to support him. "Between you and me, there's no need for thanks."

"Let's go."

With those words, the two of them lingered no longer. They transformed into two streaks of light, shot out of Wuzhuang Temple, and sped off in the direction of Buzhou Mountain.