The Third Lecture in the Purple Cloud Palace, Distributing the Violet Qi, Xuanxiao: Why Is There None for Me?

Time flowed leisurely. This day, a voice flashed simultaneously through the minds of all the powerful figures in the Primordial Wilderness: "The third lecture of the Purple Cloud Palace will begin in a hundred years. Those with affinity may all come to listen to the Dao."

Before long, Hongjun's calm voice drifted from within the Purple Cloud Palace: "Today, I shall lecture on the Dao of saints. As the saying goes, refine the soul in the profound origin; a single essence is a thing hard to suddenly perceive. One must attain ultimate truth to begin looking around, keeping far from death qi and all filthy, cheap things. Gather the six spirits to feast in the void, tie the pearls, solidify the essence, and nurture the spiritual roots. The jade stalk and golden keys are always complete and firm, close the mouth, curl the tongue, and feed on the fetal fluid..."

Laozi said, "Dare I ask, Teacher, what is a saint?"

Hongjun said, "To endure ten thousand kalpas without being worn away, to be undying and indestructible, is to be a saint. A saint lodges their soul in the Heavenly Dao space, and even if they die, they can be resurrected."

Yuanshi asked immediately after, "Dare I ask, Teacher, who can become a saint?"

Hongjun said, "Nine is the limit of numbers, but there are only seven saintly positions under my sect. The Three Pure Ones possess the great merit of opening the heavens and can achieve sainthood; Nuwa will have great merit in the future and can also achieve sainthood. As for Taiyi..." Hongjun was dumbfounded, thinking: Taiyi sat on a meditation cushion, so it wouldn't be right not to let him achieve sainthood... What should be done about this?

Taiyi saw Hongjun's expression and thought, What is the meaning of this? We've already taken him as master, yet only mine is missing? This isn't right, is it? Isn't our establishment of the Demon Court a great merit?

Within Hongjun's divine sense, he secretly connected with the Heavenly Dao and asked, "Well? This Taiyi sat on the Heavenly Dao meditation cushion, what should be done?"

The Heavenly Dao replied, "Then give her a streak of Primordial Violet Qi. Rest assured, it is controllable."

Having received the guidance of the Heavenly Dao, Hongjun said, "Taiyi also has the foundation to achieve sainthood and may become a saint."

Then, shifting his gaze to Jieyin and Zhunti, he said, "You two may also achieve sainthood in the future under great merit and great opportunity."

At this time, Xuanxiao raised his hand and said, "Grandfather Master, speaking of the merit of opening the heavens, I am also considered of direct descent from Grandfather God Pangu. Can't one of these saintly positions be allotted to me?"

Hongjun shook his head, produced an item, and said, "This item is called the Primordial Violet Qi. Obtaining it allows one to achieve sainthood. I have only seven in my hands, but the Heavenly Dao naturally retains a sliver of vitality, which you may strive for yourselves."

With that, he cast the Primordial Violet Qi into the souls of the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Taiyi, Jieyin, Zhunti, and the others, saying, "There are three methods of proving the Dao. The merit-based method involves refining the Primordial Violet Qi with merit and lodging one's soul in the Heavenly Dao."

Law-based Dao proving involves cultivating one's own laws to perfection, enabling one to become a Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Perfecting oneself yields a strength no less than that of a saint, but one cannot borrow the power of the Heavenly Dao. Under the Heavenly Dao today, law-based Dao proving is as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Dao proving through sheer force is the path taken by the Pangu Great God, but he failed."

Xuanxiao raised his hand and said, "Grandfather Master, is there truly no chance for law-based Dao proving?"

Hongjun shook his head and said, "Law-based Dao proving is difficult, but it is not entirely without a chance. Your foundation is quite profound, so you may try."

Afterward, Hongjun began distributing treasures. He took out the Taiji Diagram and said to Laozi, "This item is called the Taiji Diagram. It is of the Innate Supreme Treasure grade and can suppress the fortune of a grand teaching." Laozi received the Taiji Diagram and bowed in gratitude to the Dao Ancestor.

He produced the Pangu Banner and said to Yuanshi, "This item is called the Pangu Banner. It is of the Innate Supreme Treasure grade and can suppress the fortune of a grand teaching." Yuanshi received the Pangu Banner and bowed in gratitude to the Teacher.

He drew forth the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords and said, "These are the Immortal-Slaying Four Swords obtained from Luohu's hands, paired with the Immortal-Slaying Formation Diagram. Their might is boundless; once a saint arises, they cannot be broken without four saints."

Upon hearing this, Xuanxiao stepped straight out and said, "Grandfather Master, why didn't you say that this divine weapon of my father's can suppress fortune?"

Hongjun wore an awkward expression and said, "This item is a supreme treasure of slaughter and offense. As for suppressing fortune... compared to other spiritual treasures, it is not very easy to use."

Hearing this, Xuanxiao asked skeptically, "Then Grandfather Master, you are being partial. If my dad's spiritual treasure cannot suppress fortune, then when he establishes a faction in the future, won't his fortune be unstable? What will he do if he cannot hold it down?"

Yuanshi laughed heartily and said, "Xiao'er, aren't you worrying too much? With this sword formation, once a saint arises, four saints cannot break it. With me and your Eldest Uncle here, where on earth could four saints be gathered?"

Hearing this, Xuanxiao said no more, thinking: I certainly can't say I'm afraid that if an unexpected change happens in the future, you old fellows won't help us father and son. With this thought, Xuanxiao said to Hongjun, "Grandfather Master, since I am after all of direct Pangu descent, you wouldn't be wrong to give me a spiritual treasure that suppresses fortune, right?"

Looking at Xuanxiao before him, Hongjun thought, Nine-grade three flowers, with mysterious and unfathomable karma—it is not impossible to give him a spiritual treasure to be on good terms with him. With that thought, Hongjun took out a jade pendant and said, "The Yin Yang Pendant contains the Innate Yin Yang Energies within. It was one of the supreme treasures of the Yin-Yang Ancestor back then, and it can suppress fortune. Today, I bestow it upon you."

Xuanxiao received the jade pendant, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Thank you, Dao Ancestor."

Afterward, Hongjun produced a painted halberd and said to Taiyi, "The Blazing Sun Profound Yang Halberd was the divine weapon of the Chaos Golden Crow back then. It is a weapon of the top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure grade, and I bestow it upon you."

Taiyi nodded and said, "Thank you, Master."

Next, Hongjun produced the Innate Spiritual Treasures the Red Embroidered Ball and the Diagram of Mountains and Rivers, saying, "You usually dislike strife. These two top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures are bestowed upon you."

Nuwa nodded and said, "Thank you, Master."

Hongjun looked toward Jieyin and Zhunti and said, "The two of you will establish a heterodox path in the future, and it would not be good if you lacked spiritual treasures. The Twelve-grade Golden Lotus of Merit and the Blessing Divine Pestle, these two top-grade Innate Spiritual treasures, are bestowed upon you."

Jieyin and Zhunti wailed simultaneously, saying, "Tsk, Teacher, our Western lands are barren and impoverished..."

Hongjun's face darkened as he said, "Cry again, and even these two spiritual treasures will not be given."

In an instant, the two stopped their crying and behaved themselves.

Afterward, Hongjun said to the immortals of the Purple Cloud Palace, "Now that I am on the verge of merging with the Dao, some of the spiritual treasures I used back then are no longer of use. I have placed them all upon the Treasure-Dividing Cliff, and you may take them yourselves. This shall also fulfill our master-disciple bond."

With those words, he waved his hand and opened the gates of the Purple Cloud Palace.