Heading to Wuzhuang Temple

Hongjun attained sainthood, and purple qi streamed eastward for thirty thousand li; heavenly anomalies descended across the eight wilds.

Countless great beings jolted awake from seclusion, gazing toward the east, their hearts shaken beyond words.

And that voice that resounded through heaven and earth—"Three thousand years hence, within the chaos, inside the Purple Cloud Palace, the way of sainthood shall be expounded"—sent every cultivator who heard it into a frenzy.

A saint preaching the Dao.

This was an unprecedented event since the Creation of Heaven and Earth. In the past, cultivation relied on groping alone, on chance encounters, on debating the Dao with fellow seekers to verify insights.

But now, a true saint was willing to openly teach, to impart the way of sainthood!

For any cultivator aspiring to the Great Dao, this was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

On Mount Sumeru, beneath the Bodhi Tree.

Xuande, Jieyin, and Zhunti sat in silence for a long time, letting the shock settle slowly in their hearts.

"The way of sainthood..." Zhunti murmured, his eyes brimming with longing. "To hear a saint expound the Dao in person—even if it cost me tens of thousands of years of life, it would be worth it."

Jieyin nodded slowly, his face calm, yet ripples stirred beneath his gaze: "Hongjun attaining sainthood is the first since the Creation of Heaven and Earth. This sermon will surely strike straight at the origin of the Great Dao. If we can hear it, the benefits will be boundless."

Xuande said nothing, only gazing toward the eastern horizon, his expression complex.

He was thinking of something else.

Legends of later ages...

Those fragmented memories from before his transmigration now surged like a tide into his mind.

He recalled various tales about the sermon at the Purple Cloud Palace.

Three thousand mortal guests gathered in the chaos, the saint seated high on the platform.

He remembered one more crucial detail:

Jieyin and Zhunti, because the West was farthest from the chaos, set out the latest. By the time they reached the Purple Cloud Palace, the six front cushions were already taken by the great beings of the East.

They had to scheme with a bitter ploy.

And those six cushions represented six Saint Positions...

Xuande's eyes flickered.

He looked at Jieyin and Zhunti beside him.

The two were now speaking in low voices, discussing when to set out and how to prepare.

From their words, Xuande gathered they planned to depart when the time was about right.

After all, three thousand years was not truly long for a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

But Xuande knew they could not wait.

The West was farthest from the chaos—that was a fact.

If they set out at the normal time, by the time they found the Purple Cloud Palace, those six cushions would likely already have owners.

He did not delude himself into thinking he could surely claim a cushion.

The heavenly secrets and karmic entanglements involved were far too complex—not something he could seize just by wanting it.

But at the very least, he had to ensure Jieyin and Zhunti were not late as the legends said. At least... let them have a fair chance to compete.

Xuande pondered for a moment, then finally spoke.

"Two Daoist brothers."

Jieyin and Zhunti stopped their conversation and looked at him.

Xuande said slowly, "This humble one has a word to say, though I know not if it should be spoken."

Jieyin replied, "Daoist brother, speak freely."

Xuande chose his words carefully: "This sermon at the Purple Cloud Palace is the first since the Creation of Heaven and Earth. A saint preaching the Dao will surely draw every great being in the entire Primordial Wilderness who aspires to the Dao. By then, those who come to listen may number in the thousands."

Zhunti nodded. "Naturally. Who would miss such an opportunity?"

Xuande continued, "And the West, as you both know, is remote, the farthest from the chaos."

If we set out at the usual time, I'm afraid..."

He paused, and Jieyin already understood his meaning, his expression turning slightly grave:

"Daoist brother means we need to depart early?"

Xuande nodded:

"Exactly. Depart early, find the Purple Cloud Palace early, and... secure a favorable position early.

This Humble One does not know what the Purple Cloud Palace looks like, but presumably, when a sage preaches, there is always a seating order.

If we can arrive a bit sooner, perhaps we can sit closer to the sage and hear more clearly."

He did not directly mention the meditation cushions—that would be too specific, specific enough to arouse suspicion.

But the reason of "arriving early to secure a good spot" was sufficient and reasonable enough.

Zhunti mused:

"Daoist brother speaks sense. The West is indeed remote; if we wait until everyone else has set out before we move, we might not even squeeze through the door."

Jieyin pondered a moment, then slowly nodded: "Daoist brother's thoughts are thorough. In your view, when should we set out?"

Xuande calculated the time in his mind.

Hongjun had said the lecture would begin in three thousand years.

Now, only three hundred years had passed, leaving two thousand seven hundred years until the lecture.

"Five hundred years before the lecture begins, we'll set out,"

Xuande said. "Leaving five hundred years to find the way should be enough."

Jieyin nodded: "Five hundred years, safe and sound."

Zhunti also said: "Then it's settled."

"However," Xuande added.

"This Humble One believes we should first seek out Zhenyuanzi and Daoist friend Hongyun, and invite them to come along.

Their dojos lie at the border between East and West, closer than ours, but they too need to prepare in advance.

With the five of us traveling together, we can look out for each other on the road."

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously.

"Good," Jieyin said. "Daoist friends Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun share with us the bond of jointly cultivating the Earth Vein; inviting them along is most fitting."

Zhunti also smiled: "With them accompanying us, the journey won't be lonely.

Daoist brother Zhenyuanzi is steady, and Daoist brother Hongyun is warm-hearted—both easy to get along with. Shall we set off now?"

Xuande rose: "No time to waste."

The three delayed no further, mounting their escape light and leaving Mount Sumeru, flying eastward.

The journey was uneventful.

With their speed, from Mount Sumeru to Wuzhuang Temple took only a few days.

In the distance, that divine mountain—not steep but exuding a steady, profound aura—came into view.

Longevity Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple.

Clouds and mist coiled around the mountain, faint rosy light shimmered, and the Wutu Essence Qi was rich yet gentle.

The three descended from the clouds and landed before the mountain gate.

The ancient gate remained unchanged.

The couplet "Immortal's Mansion of Eternal Life, Daoist House of Longevity Equal to Heaven" glowed faintly in the morning light.

Before they could knock, the gate opened on its own.

Two clear-eyed young Daoist boys came out to greet them—Qingfeng and Mingyue.

Seeing Xuande and the other two, they quickly bowed.

"Qingfeng and Mingyue pay respects to the three lords."

Qingfeng said, "Lords Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun sensed your arrival and ordered us to welcome you. Please follow us, three lords."

Xuande smiled slightly: "Much obliged."

The three followed the two boys through the gate, walking along a bluestone path into the temple.

Wuzhuang Temple remained elegant and simple, every plant and tree exuding a natural, harmonious aura.

The air was filled with a faint fragrance of grass and wood, along with that unique fruity scent, refreshing the mind.

After passing several corridors, the view suddenly opened up.

The Ginseng Fruit Tree still stood in the center of the courtyard, its branches and leaves lush like a canopy, the leaves translucent as jade, scattering specks of clear light under the sun.

Hanging from the tree were fruits like infant children, plump and fair, gently swaying, exuding an enticing aroma.

Beneath the tree, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun had already risen to greet them.

"Daoist brothers Jieyin, Zhunti, and Xuande!"

Hongyun was the first to greet them, his smile bright, his red robes like flames. "What wind blows all three of you here together? Have you brought good news?"

Zhenyuanzi also stepped forward, cupping his hands with a smile. "Three Daoist friends have traveled far. Please, sit quickly."

Everyone took their seats beneath the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

Qingfeng and Mingyue soon brought tea, the brew emerald green, steam curling upward.

Then, several jade plates were carried over, each bearing a ginseng fruit. The fruits lay on the plates, truly like sleeping infants.

Hongyun's eyes lit up at the sight:

"Aiya! The Daoist brother is generous today!

I've come as an old friend so many times, and you haven't offered ginseng fruit every time!"

Zhenyuanzi shook his head with a wry smile. "Daoist friends Xuande and the others are honored guests, naturally different. If you were an honored guest, I'd give them to you too."

Hongyun feigned anger: "Am I not an honored guest?"

Everyone laughed.

After a few pleasantries, tea and ginseng fruit consumed, the atmosphere gradually warmed.

Zhunti, unable to hold back his words, spoke first: "Daoist brother Zhenyuanzi, Daoist brother Hongyun, have you heard of that great matter?"

Zhenyuanzi's expression turned serious:

"Is Daoist friend Zhunti referring to... Ancestor Hongjun attaining sainthood and lecturing at the Purple Cloud Palace?"

"Exactly." Jieyin nodded. "This matter shakes the Primordial Wilderness. I imagine no one is unaware."

Hongyun sighed with emotion: "Purple qi comes from the east for thirty thousand miles, the Heavenly Dao emerges, a sage descends to the mortal world.

How could I not know of such a great matter?

Zhenyuanzi and I have been discussing these past few days whether to go listen to the lectures at the Purple Cloud Palace."

Xuande, hearing this, took the opportunity to speak: "This Humble One and the other two have come today precisely for this matter."

Zhenyuanzi looked at him. "Daoist friend Xuande, please speak."

Xuande said: "The lectures at the Purple Cloud Palace are the first since the Creation of Heaven and Earth, a rare opportunity.

This Humble One discussed with Daoist brothers Jieyin and Zhunti, planning to go together.

But the West is remote, farthest from Chaos. We worry that if we go late, we'll miss the chance. So..."

He looked at Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, speaking earnestly:

"We wish to invite the two Daoist friends to travel together. First, to have each other's support on the road;

second, more people make it easier to find the way. What do the two Daoist friends think?"

Hongyun clapped his hands immediately upon hearing:

"Good, good! I was just worrying about having no companion! The five of us go together, lively and fun on the road—how wonderful!"

Zhenyuanzi also nodded with a smile: "Daoist friend Xuande's words match my thoughts exactly.

The Purple Cloud Palace lies within Chaos. None of us have ever been there. We truly need to set out early and search slowly.

To travel with three Daoist friends is something I'd seek but hardly hope for."

Zhunti said joyfully: "Then it's settled! The five of us go together, no one left behind!"

Jieyin nodded slightly, a rare smile appearing on his face.

Xuande's heart was greatly at ease.

Everything was as he had expected.

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun had already intended to go. Their invitation now fit the other party's wishes perfectly.

Five traveling together, supporting each other on the road, and not being weak in numbers when they reached the Purple Cloud Palace.

"In that case," Xuande said, "let us discuss when to set out.

There are still over two thousand years until the lectures begin. This Humble One thinks we can wait a while longer, setting out when five hundred years remain.

There is still time now. The Daoist friends can prepare first."

Zhenyuanzi nodded: "Good."

Thus the matter was settled.