Jieyin finally couldn't hold back any longer and shamelessly said, "Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, to be frank, our Western Lands are so poor we can barely scrape by. Last time, you obtained seven innate gourds and the Gourd Vine. Could you generously give them to my junior brother and me?"
They were very familiar with this routine. Last time, they had relied on their cries of poverty to swindle the Purple Cushion away from Hong Yun.
Hong Yun sighed inwardly. Their shamelessness really knows no bounds!
To ask him to give away all seven gourds and the Gourd Vine—how could an ordinary person have the nerve to make such a request?
Seeing that Hong Yun's expression was off, Jieyin hurriedly changed his wording. "If you're in a difficult position, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, giving us the seven gourds would be enough. You can keep the Gourd Vine for yourself."
Zhunti chimed in, "Exactly. You don't like fighting anyway. Keeping the Gourd Vine is more than enough for you. Give us the seven gourds to help revitalize the Western Lands, and it can count as accumulating merit and doing good deeds."
Hong Yun took a deep breath and gained an entirely new understanding of the pair's shamelessness.
His gaze swept over them, and he drawled, "Fellow Daoists, your perspective is too narrow!"
Jieyin froze. "What do you mean, too short?"
Zhunti was also baffled. "What are you talking about?"
Hong Yun continued, "Your horizons are too limited!"
His tone rose. "Your Western Lands are so poor. How could seven gourds possibly turn things around? If I were to show some kindness, I could point you toward a great path and give you an opportunity of immense proportions!"
Jieyin's eyes widened. "Really?"
Zhunti grew excited. "An opportunity greater than seven gourds?"
Their eyes gleamed. Revitalizing the Western Lands was the foundation of their very lives.
The Western Lands were unbearably desolate. The only place they could show off, Spirit Mountain, had been burned to the ground by Kunpeng last time, and they had only just managed to recover somewhat.
Life was far too hard. Now that they had heard about a great opportunity, how could they not be tempted?
The pair stared fixedly at Hong Yun, waiting for him to continue.
Hong Yun said unhurriedly, "Do you know that the Dao Ancestor intends to choose someone to become the leader of the myriad immortals? If you recommend yourselves and take that position, commanding the myriad immortals of the Great Desolation..."
Before he could finish, Jieyin and Zhunti instantly understood.
Commanding the myriad immortals!
When the time came, the myriad immortals would gather in the Western Lands and follow their orders. Would they still need to worry about the Western Lands failing to rise?
The Witch Clan and Demon Clan might even have to bow their heads.
Jieyin clapped his hands in wild delight. "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
This opportunity was a hundred times better than seven gourds.
Zhunti, however, was suspicious. "Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, is this information reliable?"
If they truly became the leader of the myriad immortals and commanded the immortals, then not only could they revitalize the Western Lands—they could even dominate the Great Desolation.
This opportunity was far too great, even more enticing than the cushion in Purple Firmament Palace.
Hong Yun pretended to be displeased and glared at him. "I, Hong Yun, have always treated others kindly. When have I ever deceived anyone?"
He hadn't lied. It was just that the position of leader of the myriad immortals was divided by gender, and Eastern Prince Gong and Queen Mother of the West had already been chosen by Hongjun.
Zhunti hurriedly smiled apologetically. "I misunderstood you, Fellow Daoist. I'll apologize at once!"
He solemnly gave a deep bow.
Hong Yun waved his hand. "Forget it. I won't hold it against you!"
Yet the system reward still did not sound. He wondered inwardly, Could it be that I have to wait until these two recommend themselves in Purple Firmament Palace before it counts as having successfully tricked them?
There was no rush. Given their personalities, they would definitely leap out and recommend themselves when the time came.
Even if they failed, they would still offend someone. They would either provoke Eastern Prince Gong or run straight into Hongjun's spearhead. In any case, they would not meet a good end.
After Hong Yun's hint, Jieyin and Zhunti's minds were filled with thoughts of how to convince Hongjun to make them the leader of the myriad immortals.
They instead cast the matter of the innate gourds aside and kept thanking Hong Yun.
Before long, the three arrived at Purple Firmament Palace.
Only a few days remained before the second lecture, and the mighty figures of the Great Desolation arrived one after another.
The moment Hong Yun stepped inside, he felt a gaze filled with bone-deep hatred stabbing toward him.
He followed the gaze and, sure enough, saw Kunpeng.
This feathered beast still remembers the grudge over the Purple Cushion!
Hong Yun muttered inwardly, but didn't take it seriously.
Although Kunpeng was fast, he was not particularly outstanding in other aspects among the mighty figures of the Great Desolation.
If he dared to cause trouble, Hong Yun would teach this mongrel bird a lesson.
Immediately afterward, several more gazes shot over, nearly all of them carrying hostility.
Hong Yun was speechless. "Why does my image as a good old man make me so hated?"
He swept his gaze over them one by one.
First came Dijun and Taiyi. After glaring at him fiercely, they turned their heads away.
Those two were tricked by me, but they were the ones who struck first. I only retaliated. It's not my fault!
Hong Yun thought to himself.
Another gaze came from Ancestor Minghe. He wore a half-smile, and his aura was sinister.
After losing ten strands of Netherworld Blood River outside Hong Yun's cave last time, he had harbored a grudge ever since.
Although he had recovered his losses, that did not mean he had no desire for revenge.
Minghe thought darkly, Hong Yun, once this lecture ends, I absolutely won't let you off!
This time, he had brought the entire Netherworld Blood Sea with him.
He did not dare to act recklessly during the lecture, but afterward, he intended to make Hong Yun pay.
A voice entered his ears. "Ancestor, rest assured. Leave this to me!"
It was Blood Mosquito Daoist, hidden within the blood sea.
Minghe gave a sinister laugh. "Good! Heh heh heh!"
The Blood Mosquito's mouthparts had fused with fragments of the God-Slaying Spear and were capable of piercing anything.
Although they were only fragments, they could easily break through a Supreme Grade Spiritual Treasure. Only a supreme treasure could block them.
Most importantly, it was deeply concealed, and no one knew of its existence.
Once Minghe's battle with someone reached its climax, the Blood Mosquito would launch a sneak attack with a single bite. Whoever was bitten would inevitably suffer severe injuries.
With this move, he had secretly killed quite a few mighty figures, and none had escaped.
Hong Yun curled his lips. "That old bastard Minghe!"
He did not stir up trouble, but neither was he afraid of it.
If Minghe came looking for trouble again, Hong Yun would simply teach him another lesson.
On the other side, the gazes of the Three Pure Ones also swept over coldly.
When the gourds had been divided at Buzhou Mountain last time, Hong Yun had emerged with a huge victory. They, however, had been mobbed and had to pay quite a few treasures before the matter was settled.
At the thought of this, Taishang Laojun, Yuanshi, and Tongtian grew furious.
Hong Yun sighed inwardly. "There really are quite a few people keeping an eye on me!"
He hadn't provoked any of them. Every one of these people had picked the fight first.
Buzz!
He simply released a formidable aura. He had to show a little of his strength.
Otherwise, every stray cat and dog in the Great Desolation would dare step on him.
In an instant, the aura of a peak Great Encompassing Golden Immortal erupted from him and swept through Purple Firmament Palace.
"This... is the aura of a peak Great Encompassing Golden Immortal!"
"What terrifying pressure! Hong Yun has actually reached this level!"
"How does he cultivate? This is simply absurd!"
Countless mighty figures stared wide-eyed in shock at Hong Yun.
Although they were all Great Encompassing Golden Immortals, most of them were still stuck in the early stage.
After hearing the Dao Ancestor's lecture once, it would take ten thousand years to advance from the early stage to the intermediate stage.
Even the mighty figures in the intermediate stage were shaken by this aura.
The gap between the intermediate stage and the peak was more than a hundredfold.
Taishang Laojun exclaimed in shock, "Impossible! At Buzhou Mountain last time, he was only in the late stage. How did he reach the peak so quickly?"
Yuanshi's eyes reddened with jealousy. "We're incarnations of Pangu's primordial spirit, with supreme innate foundations, and we haven't reached the peak yet. Why did he get there first?"
He had always thought highly of himself and never taken the other mighty figures seriously.
But now, Hong Yun had left him behind, and his heart burned with fury.
Tongtian widened his eyes, his face filled with disbelief.
Even Jieyin and Zhunti were stunned.
Hong Yun had not revealed his aura while traveling with them earlier, so they had never expected that he had already reached the peak.
They had only just touched the threshold of the late stage.
Demon Emperor Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi were utterly dumbfounded.
Since the battle between the Witch Clan and Demon Clan, they had cultivated painstakingly on the Solar Star. They had only reached the late stage, still far from the peak.
They had originally intended to deal with Hong Yun and take revenge this time, but he was actually this powerful.
"Hong Yun is far too monstrous!"
A peak Great Encompassing Golden Immortal possessed ten times the strength of one in the late stage.
Even if they joined forces, they might not be able to defeat him.
Ancestor Minghe was also startled, but he soon recovered his gloomy expression.
Although he was in the late stage, he was not far from the peak.
He might be able to break through during this lecture. With Blood Mosquito Daoist added to the equation, it was not impossible for him to secretly kill Hong Yun.
He snorted. "Hong Yun, just you wait!"
At that moment, Zhenyuanzi walked over to Hong Yun's side.
He had just arrived at Purple Firmament Palace and had been stunned by Hong Yun's aura.
"Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, congratulations! You've actually reached the peak of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm!"
Zhenyuanzi laughed heartily and offered his congratulations.
He remembered that this old friend disliked cultivating, yet in less than ten thousand years, he had soared from the intermediate stage to the peak.
That speed was simply frightening.
After Hong Yun released his aura, the others discussed it in hushed voices, all of them deeply shocked.
Quite a few mighty figures began considering befriending him.
Hong Yun's talent was simply too monstrous.
As for those who held grudges against him, their expressions shifted unpredictably. Clearly, each of them harbored ulterior motives.
Three days later.
Buzz!
A vast Saint's aura enveloped Purple Firmament Palace.
Purple qi came from the east, auspicious signs filled the sky, and Hongjun appeared.
"Greetings, Dao Ancestor!"
"We pay our respects to the Dao Ancestor!"
Countless mighty figures bowed in unison.
Hongjun swept his gaze over everyone and nodded slightly.
But immediately afterward, his brows drew together faintly.
Among the three thousand guests, he noticed that one person was missing.
Houtu had attended last time, but she had not arrived this time.
The Witch Clan cultivated the physical body rather than the primordial spirit, so listening to his lecture had been of little use to them in the first place.
But Houtu's absence made him look somewhat bad.
He remained composed outwardly, but inwardly he made a note of the Witch Clan.
He then glanced at the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti.
These six were the Heaven-appointed Six Sages. After the third lecture, he intended to take them as disciples.
He nodded in satisfaction. All six were in the late stage, not far from the peak.
In the Great Desolation, they were already top-tier combatants.
Just as he was about to begin the lecture, his gaze landed on Hong Yun, and he paused faintly.
"He has actually reached the peak of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm!"
Hongjun was secretly shocked.
The last time, Hong Yun had only been in the intermediate stage, yet he had reached the peak in less than ten thousand years.
That speed was even faster than his own had been back then.
However, a Saint was still a Saint. His expression flickered for only an instant, and no one noticed.
He said, "Everyone, today I shall lecture on the path to becoming a Quasi-Saint!"
"I cultivated to become a Quasi-Saint and attain the Primordial Unity. The method is Severing the Three Corpses..."
Hongjun began his lecture.
Heavenly flowers rained down in Purple Firmament Palace, while golden lotuses surged from the ground.
The three thousand guests listened with rapt attention, afraid to miss even a single word.
Hong Yun sat on the Great Dao Cushion and quietly comprehended the teachings.
The cushion could conceal his aura. Although it appeared ordinary, even a Saint could not see through its secrets.
Sitting on the cushion, he cultivated while listening, and his comprehension far surpassed that of everyone else.
Two hundred years passed.
Most of those listening in the palace were still shrouded in confusion.
The method of Severing the Three Corpses was profoundly mysterious, and those in the early stage of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm could not understand it at all.
Only the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Dijun in the front row were completely entranced.
They were all at the late-stage Daluo realm and had comprehended more.
But compared with Hong Yun, they were far behind.
"The Dao Ancestor's Severing the Three Corpses method is indeed profound. According to him, refining the Three Corpses is enough to reach the early stage of the Quasi-Saint realm!"
Hong Yun nodded to himself.
Hongjun truly lived up to his status as a Saint; his understanding far surpassed that of ordinary people.
At that moment, he discovered that the Qiankun Cauldron in his portable space had stopped.
Could it be that the seven gourds have been refined?
Curious, he quietly extended his divine sense inside.
He did not want to expose the Qiankun Cauldron and the gourd in Purple Firmament Palace.
The moment his divine sense entered, he was startled.
The seven-colored gourds inside the cauldron had all disappeared, leaving only a black gourd.
They had originally been red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple, but now they had fused into a mass of black.
The might radiating from this black gourd was astonishing even to his divine sense.
Based on Hong Yun's knowledge, he feared that only the Chaos Bell could compare.
He hurriedly sensed its restrictions.
"Forty-eight! It actually has forty-eight restrictions!"
Hong Yun's heart shook violently.
He had actually refined an Innate Supreme Treasure with forty-eight restrictions.
It was already among the finest treasures in existence.
"Fantastic!"
He could barely contain his excitement.
Magical treasures had always been his weakness. Now, that weakness had been filled in an instant—and the result had even surpassed his expectations.
"This treasure shall be called the Great Dao Treasure Gourd!"
Hong Yun named it silently.
But it was inconvenient to take it out in Purple Firmament Palace.
He could only separate a strand of his primordial spirit, send it into the cauldron, and slowly refine it.
Without refining it, he could not drive it at all.
Fortunately, he had the Great Dao Cushion, and his primordial spirit refined it at astonishing speed.
He estimated that he could refine most of it in two or three thousand years.
Two or three thousand years on the cushion were equivalent to two or three hundred thousand years for ordinary people.
His Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique was at the peak of the fourth revolution, and his primordial spirit was already exceptionally powerful.
He refined the treasure, listened to the Dao, and cultivated at the same time, accomplishing all three without delay.
Before you continue