Hongjun became a Sage. Purple qi streamed thirty thousand li from the East, and wondrous signs filled the Eight Wildernesses.
Countless powerful cultivators jolted awake from seclusion and gazed toward the East, their shock beyond words.
Then came the voice that resounded through Heaven and Earth: "Three thousand years from now, within Chaos, I will lecture on the Sage's Path at Zixiao Palace."
Every cultivator who heard it was stirred into a frenzy.
A Sage lecturing on the Dao.
This was an unprecedented event since the Creation of Heaven and Earth. In
the past, cultivators could only rely on their own explorations, chance encounters, and discussions with fellow cultivators to confirm their understanding of the Dao.
But now, a true Sage was willing to lecture publicly and impart the Sage's Path!
For any cultivator aspiring to the Great Dao, this was a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity.
Beneath the Bodhi Tree on Mount Sumeru.
Xuande, Jieyin, and Zhunti sat in silence for a long while, letting the shock slowly settle in their hearts.
"The Sage's Path..." Zhunti murmured, his eyes full of longing. "Even if I had to give up tens of thousands of years of my life, it would be worth it to hear a Sage lecture in person."
Jieyin nodded slowly. His expression was calm, but waves stirred in his eyes.
"Hongjun becoming a Sage is the first such occurrence since the Creation of Heaven and Earth.
This lecture will surely point straight to the Origin Essence of the Great Dao. Hearing it would bring immeasurable benefits."
Xuande said nothing. He only gazed toward the Eastern horizon, his expression complicated.
He was thinking about something else.
The legends from later generations...
Those fragmented memories from before he had crossed over now surged through his mind like a tide.
He remembered all the legends about listening to the Dao at Zixiao Palace.
Three Thousand Red Dust Guests gathered in Chaos, while a Sage sat atop a high dais.
He remembered one more crucial detail:
Jieyin and Zhunti were the farthest from Chaos, in the West, and set out the latest. By the time they reached Zixiao Palace, the six cushions at the front had already been taken by powerful cultivators from the East.
They could only resort to a desperate ploy.
And those six cushions represented the six Saint Positions...
Xuande's gaze flickered faintly.
He looked at Jieyin and Zhunti beside him.
The two were speaking quietly, discussing when to set out and how to prepare.
From their conversation, Xuande gathered that they planned to wait until the time was closer before departing.
After all, three thousand years was not a long time for a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
But Xuande knew they could not wait.
The West was the farthest from Chaos. That was a fact.
If they set out at the usual time,
then by the time they found Zixiao Palace, those six cushions would likely already have been claimed.
He did not expect to secure a cushion for himself.
The Heavenly secrets and karmic ties involved were too complicated. It was not something he could obtain just by wanting to compete for it.
But at the very least, he had to make sure Jieyin and Zhunti did not arrive late as they had in the legends. At least... he could give them a fair chance to compete.
Xuande pondered for a moment, then finally spoke.
"Fellow Daoists."
Jieyin and Zhunti stopped talking and looked at him.
Xuande said slowly, "I have something to say. I wonder if it is appropriate to speak."
"Please, Fellow Daoist," Jieyin replied.
Xuande carefully chose his words.
"This lecture at Zixiao Palace is the first of its kind since the Creation of Heaven and Earth.
A Sage's lecture will surely draw every powerful cultivator in the Primordial Wilderness who aspires to the Dao.
There will likely be thousands of cultivators heading there to listen."
Zhunti nodded. "Naturally. Who would pass up such an opportunity?"
Xuande continued:
"And as you both know, the West lies in a remote region, farthest from Chaos.
If we set out at the usual time, I fear..."
He paused. Jieyin had already understood what he meant, and his expression turned serious.
"Are you saying we should set out early?"
Xuande nodded.
"Exactly. We should leave early, find Zixiao Palace early, and... secure a favorable place.
I do not know what Zixiao Palace looks like, but surely there will be a seating order for a Sage's lecture.
If we arrive sooner, perhaps we can sit closer to the Sage and hear the lecture more clearly."
He did not mention the cushions directly. That was too specific—specific enough to arouse suspicion.
But "arrive early and secure a good spot" was a sound and reasonable argument.
Zhunti seemed thoughtful.
"Fellow Daoist, you make a good point. The West is indeed remote. If we wait until everyone else has arrived before setting out, we may not even be able to squeeze through the door."
Jieyin pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly. "You have thought this through, Fellow Daoist. When do you think we should set out?"
Xuande calculated the timing.
Hongjun had said the lecture would begin three thousand years later.
Three hundred years had just passed, leaving two thousand seven hundred years until it began.
"We should set out when there are five hundred years left before the lecture," Xuande said. "Five hundred years should be enough time to find our way."
Jieyin nodded. "Five hundred years. That seems prudent."
Zhunti agreed. "Then it's settled."
"However," Xuande added,
"I think we should first visit Zhenyuanzi and Fellow Daoist Hongyun and invite them to come with us.
Their home lies near the border between the East and the West. They are closer than we are, but they will also need time to prepare.
The five of us can travel together and look out for one another on the way."
Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, then nodded together.
"Good," Jieyin said. "Fellow Daoists Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun share a bond with us through our joint cultivation of the Earth Vein. Inviting them along is only fitting."
Zhunti smiled as well. "With them along, the journey won't be lonely.
Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi is steady, and Fellow Daoist Hongyun is warmhearted. Both are easy to get along with. Shall we set out now?"
Xuande stood. "There's no time to lose."
The three did not delay. They mounted their Escape Lights, left Mount Sumeru, and flew East.
The journey passed without incident.
At their speed, the trip from Mount Sumeru to Wuzhuang Temple took only a few days.
In the distance, a sacred mountain appeared before them. It was not particularly steep, but it radiated an air of weighty serenity.
Longevity Mountain. Wuzhuang Temple.
Clouds and mist swirled around the mountain, and rosy light shimmered faintly. The Wutu Essence Qi was abundant and gentle.
The three descended before the mountain gate.
The ancient gate remained just as it had always been.
The couplet—"Immortal's Mansion of Eternal Life, Daoist House of Longevity Equal to Heaven"—gleamed faintly in the morning light.
Before they could knock, the mountain gate opened of its own accord.
Two handsome young Daoist attendants came out to greet them. They were Qingfeng and Mingyue.
Seeing Xuande and the others, the pair hurriedly bowed.
"Qingfeng and Mingyue greet the three masters."
"Master Zhenyuanzi and Master Hongyun sensed your arrival and sent us to welcome you," Qingfeng said. "Please follow us."
Xuande smiled faintly. "Thank you for your trouble."
The three followed the two attendants through the gate and along a flagstone path into the temple.
Wuzhuang Temple remained as serene and unadorned as ever. Every blade of grass and every tree exuded a sense of natural harmony.
The air carried a faint fragrance of grass and trees, along with a distinctive fruity aroma. A breath of it refreshed the mind.
After passing through several covered corridors, the view suddenly opened up.
The Ginseng Fruit Tree still stood in the middle of the courtyard, its luxuriant canopy spreading wide. Its leaves were as translucent as jade, scattering flecks of light in the sun.
Fruits shaped like little babies hung from its branches. They were plump and pale, swaying gently as they gave off an enticing fragrance.
Beneath the tree, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun had already risen to welcome them.
"Fellow Daoists Jieyin, Zhunti, and Xuande!"
Hongyun was the first to come forward, his smile bright and his red robes blazing like fire. "What brings all three of you here? Is there good news?"
Zhenyuanzi also stepped forward and greeted them with a smile. "You have come a long way, Fellow Daoists. Please, sit."
Everyone took their seats beneath the Ginseng Fruit Tree.
Qingfeng and Mingyue soon brought tea. The tea was jade green, and steam curled from the cups.
Next, several jade plates were brought in, each bearing a Ginseng Fruit. The fruit rested on its plate, looking just like a sleeping baby.
Hongyun's eyes lit up at the sight.
"Oh! You're generous today, Fellow Daoist!
I've visited you so many times, but you've never served me Ginseng Fruit every time!"
Zhenyuanzi chuckled and shook his head. "The three of you are honored guests, Xuande. Naturally, that makes this different. If you were an honored guest too, I'd serve you some as well."
Hongyun feigned indignation. "Am I not an honored guest?"
Everyone laughed.
After a little small talk, tea, and Ginseng Fruit, the atmosphere grew more relaxed.
Zhunti was not one to keep things to himself, and he spoke first. "Fellow Daoists Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, have you heard the big news?"
Zhenyuanzi's expression turned serious.
"Do you mean... Ancestor Hongjun becoming a Sage and lecturing at Zixiao Palace?"
"Precisely," Jieyin said with a nod. "The news has shaken the Primordial Wilderness. Surely everyone has heard."
Hongyun sighed. "Purple qi streamed thirty thousand li from the East, the Heavenly Dao emerged, and a Sage descended among mortals.
How could anyone not know about such a momentous event?
Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi and I have been discussing these past few days whether we should go to Zixiao Palace to listen to the lecture."
Hearing this, Xuande took the opportunity to speak. "The three of us came here today for just that reason."
Zhenyuanzi looked toward him. "Please, Fellow Daoist Xuande."
Xuande said, "The lecture at Zixiao Palace is the first of its kind since the Creation of Heaven and Earth. It is a rare opportunity.
Fellow Daoists Jieyin, Zhunti, and I discussed it and decided to go together.
But the West is remote and lies farthest from Chaos. We're worried that if we go too late, we'll miss our chance. So..."
He looked at Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, his expression sincere.
"We would like to invite you both to come with us. First, we could look out for one another on the way.
Second, traveling in a larger group would make it easier to find our way. What do you think?"
Hongyun immediately clapped his hands.
"Wonderful! I was just wishing I had someone to travel with! The five of us can go together, and make the journey lively. What could be better?"
Zhenyuanzi nodded with a smile. "You've said exactly what I was thinking, Fellow Daoist Xuande.
Zixiao Palace lies within Chaos, a place none of us has ever visited. We truly should set out early and take our time searching.
It would be my pleasure to travel with you three."
Zhunti said happily, "Then it's settled! The five of us will go together. No one gets left behind!"
Jieyin gave a slight nod, a rare smile appearing on his face.
Xuande felt greatly relieved.
Everything was just as he had expected.
Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun had already been planning to go. The invitation suited them perfectly.
Traveling as a group of five would let them watch out for one another on the way. And when they reached Zixiao Palace, they would not be so outnumbered.
"Since that's settled," Xuande said, "let's discuss when to set out.
There are still more than two thousand years until the lecture begins. I think we can wait a while and depart when there are five hundred years left.
There's time yet, so you can all make preparations first."
Zhenyuanzi nodded. "Good."
And so it was settled.