As Dao Ancestor Hongjun continued Preaching the Dao, Ye Jun also gained a great deal.
Although Hongjun had refused to take him as a disciple, a Sage's understanding of the Great Dao Laws was still exceptionally profound.
"The Great Dao has fifty, but Heaven derives forty-nine..."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun explained his insights into the Dao to everyone, one word at a time.
The Three Pure Ones sat cross-legged on their meditation cushions, Dao Rhyme swirling around them. It was a sign that they were on the verge of a breakthrough.
The many gods and demons who had come to listen to the Dao all gained something, to a greater or lesser extent. Most took the opportunity to break through.
With the Sign-in System at his disposal, Ye Jun naturally kept pace with everyone else.
Time in the Primordial World flew by in the blink of an eye.
Thousands of years of Preaching the Dao passed in a flash. On this day, Dao Ancestor Hongjun slowly opened his eyes on his cloud bed.
Looking at the crowd below, he said, "That concludes this session of Preaching the Dao!"
As soon as the final word fell, the three thousand gods and demons stopped contemplating the Great Dao and turned their eyes to Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
"Though my lecture has ended, if any of you have questions, I will naturally answer them." Dao Ancestor Hongjun looked at the many gods and demons, who were still unsatisfied, and smiled.
His words set off a commotion below. A Sage would answer their questions!
At once, everyone who had come to listen to the Dao grew eager to ask something. After all, practicing alone could never compare to a Sage's guidance.
The Three Pure Ones at the front were even more excited. Taishang Laojun prostrated himself and asked, "Dao Ancestor, what method should one use to become a Sage?"
Becoming a Sage was of the utmost importance to every cultivator.
At once, the many gods and demons sat up straight, afraid they might miss a single word.
Hongjun knew this well. He slowly began, "There are three thousand Great Daos. Once one cultivates any of them to the utmost, one can Attain Dao and Become a Saint."
"Based on my experience, however, there are roughly three Methods of Becoming a Saint."
"The first is Sainthood through Merit. Accumulate enough merit, and you can communicate with the Great Dao and become a Sage through the power of merit!"
"The second is the Dao Method of Slaying Three Corpses, which I practice. Once the three corpses are united, one can Attain Dao and Become a Saint."
"The third, in my view, is the most powerful method of proving the Dao: Proving the Dao by Force!"
"One must cultivate the laws and techniques to the utmost. This is also the most difficult method of proving the Dao!"
Three Methods of Becoming a Saint!
Ye Jun listened and nodded. That sounded right. If he became a Sage, he would naturally choose Proving the Dao by Force!
So what if it was difficult?
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor!" the three thousand gods and demons said respectfully after hearing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's explanation.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun nodded slowly, indicating that they could continue asking questions.
After bowing, Yuanshi Tianzun asked, "Dao Ancestor, how many Sages can there be in the Primordial World?"
Ye Jun raised an eyebrow and looked at Yuanshi Tianzun with interest.
This guy really knew what to ask!
"Under the Heavenly Dao, nine is the ultimate number. There will naturally be nine Sages in the Primordial World," Hongjun replied.
Nine?
The three thousand gods and demons nodded. Tongtian Jiaozhu then asked, "Dao Ancestor, who can become a Sage?"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun smiled faintly and swept his sleeve. Three beams of golden light descended upon the Three Pure Ones at the front.
"You Three Pure Ones are the orthodox lineage of Pangu, so you can naturally become Sages. Are you willing to take me as your master?" Dao Ancestor Hongjun asked slowly.
The moment they heard this, joy lit up the Three Pure Ones' faces. What a rare opportunity—to be taken on as disciples by a Sage!
How could they possibly refuse?
"This disciple pays respects to Master!" the Three Pure Ones said, kneeling directly on their cushions.
Hongjun nodded in satisfaction. A wisp of violet radiance flashed across the three golden beams surrounding the Three Pure Ones, then entered their bodies.
Hongjun continued, "This is Primordial Violet Qi. It contains the Great Dao method of becoming a Sage. Cultivate diligently, all three of you, and remember not to waste your time with empty talk."
"Thank you, Master. We will obey your instructions!" the Three Pure Ones immediately bowed in gratitude.
"Nuwa, you will have a great opportunity in the future and can also become a Sage. Are you willing to take me as your master?" Hongjun then turned to Nuwa.
"I am! I am! This disciple pays respects to Master!" Nuwa exclaimed, bowing in gratitude.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun nodded calmly, then sent a wisp of Primordial Violet Qi toward Nuwa.
Seeing this, the three thousand gods and demons all assumed the Monkey would be next.
For one thing, the Monkey's strength was no less than that of the Three Pure Ones!
If the Three Pure Ones could become Sages, then the Monkey's chances were even better!
"Ye Jun, you were born with a great opportunity and will also have a chance to become a Sage in the future. Are you willing to become my Registered Disciple?" Hongjun asked Ye Jun.
A Registered Disciple?
The three thousand gods and demons were all dumbfounded. What was going on? There was only a two-word difference between a disciple and a Registered Disciple, but their statuses were worlds apart!
Even Tongtian of the Three Pure Ones was utterly confused. The Monkey had shown his talent ever since he climbed the Dao Steps.
And he was only being made a Registered Disciple?
No matter how hard they racked their brains, no one could figure out the reason.
Ye Jun gave a cold laugh inwardly. So Hongjun planned to take him as a Registered Disciple because that would make him easier to deal with?
"Dao Ancestor, I'm used to wandering far and wide, so I won't join your sect." Ye Jun cupped his hands.
Unbelievable!
That was the crowd's first reaction.
He had refused!
Someone had actually refused Dao Ancestor Hongjun's offer to take him as a disciple!
Even if it was only as a Registered Disciple, it still would have given him a close connection to a Sage.
He would have had a powerful backer in the Primordial World, and the Monkey had just refused!
Nuwa, standing beside Ye Jun, was also at a loss. Their conversations before this had shown that Ye Jun wasn't an arrogant person.
Why would he turn down such a great opportunity?
"It's fine," Hongjun said, his face impassive.
Though he said it was fine, the Monkey had just made him lose face!
He had personally offered to take the Monkey as a disciple, only to be rejected. At the thought, Hongjun wanted nothing more than to slap the Monkey to death.
If they weren't surrounded by so many people, how would the Monkey dare act so arrogantly?
Ye Jun refused without hesitation, while Jieyin and Zhunti looked on eagerly. The Three Pure Ones and Nuwa had all joined the Dao Ancestor's sect.
Surely there should be a place for them too!
Unfortunately, after waiting for a long time, Dao Ancestor Hongjun showed no intention of taking on any more disciples.
Jieyin and Zhunti steeled themselves, then scrambled to their knees and cried, "Dao Ancestor, the Western World cannot be without a Sage!"
"The Western World is already exceptionally barren, with little Spiritual Energy. Without a Sage, it will never be able to rise!"
Jieyin and Zhunti wept and wailed, even soaking their sleeves with tears.
What the hell!
The three thousand gods and demons were dumbfounded again. What was happening today?
First Ye Jun refused Dao Ancestor Hongjun's offer to take him as a disciple, and now these two old baldies were bawling their eyes out.
They were actually trying to win sympathy from a Sage!
Dao Ancestor Hongjun looked helpless. He could only say, "You two have great perseverance. I can take you both as Registered Disciples."
Before you continue