The news that Hong Yun had given the Hongmeng Purple Qi to Kunpeng was like a boulder hurled into a calm lake, instantly stirring up colossal waves throughout the entire Primordial Wilderness.
Kunlun Mountain, the Three Pure Ones' Daoist sanctuary.
Yuanshi raised his brows slightly. "Hong Yun's move truly exceeded my expectations."
"He abandoned the foundation for becoming a Saint just to settle a Karma... Hmph, pedantic!"
Taiqing kept his eyes closed, quietly resting. His fingers moved unconsciously as he kneaded them. Only after a long while did he slowly speak. "Great boldness. Great perseverance."
"It's just... what a pity."
Tongtian, however, laughed heartily, appearing quite uninhibited. "Wonderful! That old fellow Hong Yun usually looks so listless. Who would have thought he'd have such backbone!"
"Who cares whether he's pedantic or not? At least he dares to act and take responsibility. He's far better than certain people who hide their heads and show only their tails!"
Yuanshi snorted coldly and said nothing more.
Phoenix Nest Mountain.
When Nuwa heard about this, her brows furrowed slightly.
She sighed softly. "Fellow Daoist Hong Yun... Alas."
He was ultimately not a Sage's disciple. Whether obtaining the Hongmeng Purple Qi was a blessing or a disaster was truly difficult to say.
Even she, a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor, had chosen to distance herself from the Heavenly Court and return to Phoenix Nest Mountain to avoid trouble, hadn't she?
Why?
Wasn't it because she feared that Di Jun and Taiyi would develop designs on her?
The Saint position was truly tempting!
Even she, a future Saint with a legitimate claim, had to act cautiously. Hong Yun was merely a Rogue Cultivator with no roots or backing. Having obtained the Hongmeng Purple Qi, he had practically committed the crime of possessing a treasure.
Now that he had given it away, although it was regrettable, it might well be a way to escape.
"Brother," Nuwa looked toward Fuxi beside her. "Why do you think Fellow Daoist Hong Yun suddenly came to his senses and handed the Hongmeng Purple Qi to Kunpeng?"
Fuxi plucked at the strings of his zither, producing several clear, melodious notes.
Fuxi stopped what he was doing and sighed. "This matter is probably inseparable from Fellow Daoist Wu Ming."
"After the Treasure Distribution Rock in Zixiao Palace, Fellow Daoist Wu Ming once told Hong Yun to seek him out after he had come to his senses."
"Presumably, it was for today's matter."
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming..." Nuwa murmured to herself.
She recalled that after leaving Zixiao Palace, she and her brother had hurried back to Phoenix Nest Mountain without staying long at the Heavenly Court.
Although Di Jun and Taiyi treated her courteously, the Demon Clan was powerful, and with the Hongmeng Purple Qi being such a hot potato, she had always felt somewhat uneasy.
Now that she thought about it, although Hong Yun had lost his chance at the Saint position, he had escaped that vortex. Perhaps... it truly was a good thing?
"But now that Kunpeng has obtained the Hongmeng Purple Qi, will Di Jun and Taiyi really allow him to refine it in peace?" Nuwa asked again.
Fuxi shook his head. "Difficult. Di Jun is a man of exceptional talent and strategy, while Taiyi's combat strength is unmatched. How could they tolerate an uncontrollable 'future Saint' at their side?"
"Kunpeng's fortune and misfortune are intertwined."
Nuwa said nothing more. Her wariness toward Wu Ming deepened further in her heart.
That Ancestral Witch of the Witch Clan seemed always able to see through the fog and make the correct choice.
The West, Mount Sumeru.
When Jieyin and Zhunti heard the news, their expressions became extremely ugly.
Zhunti wore a bitter expression and said anxiously, "Senior Brother! What should we do?"
"Hong Yun gave the Hongmeng Purple Qi to Kunpeng! The Karma between the two of them is settled!"
"But we still owe Karma to Hong Yun, as well as to Kunpeng. What do we do?"
He gritted his teeth.
"If not for the two of us back in Zixiao Palace..."
"If the Hongmeng Purple Qi were still in Hong Yun's hands, we would still have a chance to maneuver and find a way to resolve our Karma with them."
"Now that the Hongmeng Purple Qi has fallen into that fellow Kunpeng's hands, he has obtained the foundation of the Saint position. He'll probably resent us even more over what happened with the Cushions!"
"Our Karma will probably be even harder to settle!"
Jieyin sighed, the sorrow on his face growing heavier. "Junior Brother, calm down."
"What's done is done. Dwelling on it is useless."
"As for Kunpeng..." Jieyin paused. "Although he obtained the Purple Qi, he has also entered the quagmire that is the Demon Court."
"Di Jun and Taiyi regard him as a thorn in their side. Whether he can peacefully refine the Purple Qi remains uncertain."
"Our most urgent task is to comprehend the Hongmeng Purple Qi as quickly as possible and attain the Saint position!"
"As long as we become Saints, what would a mere Karma amount to?"
With that, Jieyin closed his eyes, his bearing solemn and majestic, and began meditating.
"But..." Zhunti still wanted to say something, but when he saw that Jieyin had already entered meditation, he could only swallow his words.
"Alas! It seems this is all we can do!" Zhunti gritted his teeth, sat down cross-legged, and forced himself to calm his mind and comprehend the Dao.
Yet the urgency and unwillingness between his brows refused to disappear.
Deep within the Sea of Blood, Ancestor Minghe sat atop the Karma Fire Red Lotus.
When he heard the news that Hong Yun had given up the Hongmeng Purple Qi, strange colors flashed through his blood-red pupils.
"Hong Yun... Kunpeng... Hongmeng Purple Qi... Demon Clan..."
Minghe muttered to himself, the corners of his mouth curling into a meaningful arc.
"Interesting. Truly interesting..."
"The waters of the Primordial Wilderness are becoming murkier and murkier."
"Only when the waters are muddy is it easier to fish..."
East Sea, Penglai Immortal Island.
When East Prince Gong heard the news, he leaped to his feet and began cursing.
"Hong Yun! You idiot! You've got the brain of a pig!"
"You're hopeless!"
"What a waste of the Dao Ancestor's regard!"
"The Hongmeng Purple Qi that had already fallen into your hands! A chance to become a Saint! You just gave it away?"
"If I had the Hongmeng Purple Qi, who would dare try to take it? I'd kill him!"
"You couldn't even seize such a heaven-sent opportunity. No wonder you can't become a Saint!"
East Prince Gong was so furious that his beard and eyes bristled. In his view, Hong Yun was simply the height of stupidity.
For a time, the entire Primordial Wilderness boiled completely because of Hong Yun's move.
Countless mighty figures and Rogue Cultivators discussed the matter animatedly.
Some admired Hong Yun's boldness, some mocked his stupidity, some took pleasure in his misfortune, and others schemed in secret.
Yet the instigator of it all, Hong Yun, was currently inside Pangu Hall on Buzhou Mountain.
The atmosphere inside the hall was relaxed.
A relieved smile rested on Hong Yun's face, and his entire person radiated the ease of someone who had finally been freed.
He lifted the tea before him and raised it toward Wu Ming and Zhen Yuanzi. "Fellow Daoists Wu Ming and Zhen Yuanzi, today's matter was all thanks to your assistance!"
"If not for the two of you, today I probably would have... Alas!"
Recalling the danger outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, Hong Yun still felt lingering fear.
If Wu Ming had not timely proposed the method of making an oath, he might truly have ended up fighting Kunpeng to the death, even implicating Zhen Yuanzi and the Witch Clan.
Zhen Yuanzi helped Hong Yun up. "Fellow Daoist, you're too serious."
"You were able to see through the temptation of the Hongmeng Purple Qi, hold fast to your true nature, and settle your Karma. I'm happy for you as well."
Although he regretted that his friend had lost the Saint position, seeing Hong Yun's peaceful state of mind and how he was no longer entangled by Karma, Zhen Yuanzi felt that this might be the best outcome.
Hong Yun sighed with emotion. "That's right. Although my heart feels empty without the Hongmeng Purple Qi, the heavy stone weighing on my heart has finally been removed."
"From now on, I can cultivate in peace without worrying over this matter."
Wu Ming looked at Hong Yun and nodded slightly. "Fellow Daoist, being able to let go of your Obsession is a great virtue."
"Although the Hongmeng Purple Qi is excellent, it also brings endless turmoil."
"Kunpeng obtained the Purple Qi. He may look glorious, but in reality, he has already fallen into a perilous situation."
"Di Jun and Taiyi will absolutely not sit by and watch him successfully become a Saint."
Zhen Yuanzi agreed. "Exactly. By entering the Demon Court, Kunpeng is making a pact with a tiger."
"If he wants to peacefully refine the Hongmeng Purple Qi, it will be difficult!"
Listening to the analysis of his two friends, the last trace of disappointment in Hong Yun's heart gradually faded.
Perhaps losing the Hongmeng Purple Qi truly was a good thing for him.
The three chatted for a while longer, exchanging some insights into cultivation.
Having settled the great matter weighing on his heart, Hong Yun was in high spirits.
Zhen Yuanzi was also happy for his friend.
The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
After a while, Wu Ming looked toward Zhen Yuanzi, his expression turning solemn.
"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."
Seeing the unusual look on Wu Ming's face, Zhen Yuanzi also restrained his smile. "What is it, Fellow Daoist Wu Ming?"
Wu Ming slowly spoke. "I do indeed have something I wish to ask for your assistance with."
"This matter... is of great importance. No one but you will do."
Zhen Yuanzi's heart stirred. For Wu Ming to take something so seriously, it was certainly no trivial matter.
He had known Wu Ming for many years and understood his character well. Wu Ming never asked others for help lightly.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, please speak freely."
Zhen Yuanzi sat up straight.
"As long as it is something I can do, I will not refuse."