Haotian and Yaochi Repay a Debt of Gratitude

Xuande looked at the young man and woman, a faint warmth stirring in his heart.

He remembered that the last time he came, he had given them two Ginseng Fruits.

It had been a small gesture, and he hadn't expected them to still remember it.

Haotian lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over the seven figures, his eyes brimming with gratitude.

"All True Men." He stepped forward, speaking solemnly, "This junior has something to inform you of."

The seven all looked at him.

Haotian said, "After the Dao Ancestor finishes his lecture this time, he will distribute treasures at the Treasure Distribution Cliff outside the Purple Cloud Palace.

This junior heard the Dao Ancestor mention it and has come specifically to inform all True Men.

All True Men may... prepare in advance."

Treasure Distribution Cliff.

Distributing treasures.

The seven's hearts all stirred.

Hongyun's eyes went wide: "Distributing treasures? The Dao Ancestor is giving out treasures?"

Zhunti was also stunned: "This... this is a major event!"

Haotian nodded, his voice soft: "This junior is grateful for the kindness of all True Men in gifting fruits last time, especially the two Ginseng Fruits from True Man Xuande, which warmed the hearts of this junior and Yaochi.

Such great kindness is beyond repayment.

Upon learning of the treasure distribution, I thought I must inform all True Men, so that you may be prepared."

Yaochi also nodded gently, her gaze clear and sincere.

Xuande looked at these two youths, a surge of warmth rising in his heart.

When he had given the fruits back then, it was merely a small gesture, with no expectation of any return.

Yet he never imagined these two children would remember it for thousands of years, and now would share such important news.

The matter of treasure distribution was not something he could openly discuss with Jieyin, Zhunti, and the others.

Now that Haotian and Yaochi had told them, they could learn of it in advance, prepare early, and seize the advantage.

This debt of gratitude was too heavy.

"You two young friends have been thoughtful."

Xuande said solemnly, "This debt of gratitude, we seven have noted. In the future, if there is any need, just speak."

Haotian quickly waved his hand: "True Man, you flatter me! The kindness of True Man that day, this junior cannot repay. This small matter is not worth mentioning."

Yaochi also said softly: "All True Men are good people. This junior hopes that all True Men may obtain many treasures."

Hongyun laughed heartily, stepped forward, and patted Haotian on the shoulder:

"Good child! Good eyes! After the Dao Ancestor finishes distributing treasures, I'll treat you to a drink!"

Haotian staggered from the pat, but couldn't help laughing.

Everyone laughed.

In that laughter, something warm flowed.

Haotian and Yaochi bowed once more, then returned to the palace gate to continue waiting for other great powers.

The seven found a spot outside the palace gate and sat down cross-legged.

Hongyun was too excited to sit still, pacing back and forth:

"Distributing treasures! The Dao Ancestor is giving out treasures! What do you think, how many treasures does the Dao Ancestor have? What can we get?"

Zhunti smiled: "Daoist friend Hongyun, calm down. The Dao Ancestor distributes treasures; they must go to those with affinity. You can't force it."

Hongyun glared: "I know you can't force it! But thinking about it is fine, isn't it?"

Everyone laughed.

Fuxi looked thoughtful: "Haotian and Yaochi being able to inform us of this is an unexpected joy.

This way, we can prepare in advance and won't be caught off guard when the time comes."

Zhenyuanzi nodded: "Exactly. This matter is of great importance.

Without advance notice, when the treasures appear and everyone scrambles for them, we might not seize the advantage.

Now that we know ahead of time, we can handle it calmly."

Nuwa said softly: "Those two children, they repay kindness and have pure hearts. If they achieve greatness in the future, they will surely be people of deep blessings."

Jieyin spoke slowly: "Good. Good karma yields good fruit, that is the principle."

Xuande said nothing, only watching Haotian and Yaochi on either side of the palace gate.

The two youths were busily greeting the great powers who arrived one after another, their faces bearing just the right measure of respect.

Yet in his eyes was a weariness that others could barely detect.

Guarding this place within Chaos, greeting those who came and seeing them off, day after day, year after year.

Among those great powers, how many truly held them in regard? How many would say a single word of thanks—"You've worked hard"?

He had given them two fruits, yet they had remembered it for thousands of years, even entrusting him with secrets like the distribution of treasures.

This was a karmic bond of goodwill.

He withdrew his gaze and continued sitting in stillness.

Time slipped away quietly in the waiting.

The Three Pure Ones arrived first.

Laozi's face was calm, his steps unhurried; Yuanshi remained as solemn as ever; Tongtian still carried that hint of carefree ease.

The three nodded slightly in greeting to Xuande and the others, then sat down on the other side of the palace gate.

Dijun and Taiyi followed close behind.

The brothers' expressions were even graver than last time, faint light flickering in their eyes.

Minghe came alone, a faint aura of bloodlight surrounding him, and found a corner in the distance to sit.

Kunpeng followed right after, still wearing that same sinister look.

Of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, only Houtu had come once again.

She appeared alone in Chaos, nodded slightly to Nuwa, then found a place to sit.

East King Duke and West Queen Mother arrived side by side. The auras around them were more solid than last time—clearly, their three-thousand-year seclusion had borne fruit.

Randeng came last, his steps slow, his gaze deep.

One after another, the Three Thousand Cultivators gathered once more.

Haotian and Yaochi stood guard on either side of the palace gate, welcoming each arriving great power, their faces always bearing just the right measure of reverence.

But when their gazes swept over the seven of Xuande's group, that reverence gained a trace of genuine warmth.

Xuande saw this and felt a stir of emotion in his heart.

He looked up at the great powers arriving one by one, then suddenly his mind moved, and he focused his perception.

Laozi's aura was utterly different from three thousand years ago.

That unfathomable feeling, that Dao resonance faintly merging with heaven and earth, that natural pressure radiating from every gesture and step...

Quasi-Saint.

Laozi had already severed one corpse and reached the Quasi-Saint realm.

Xuande nodded inwardly.

As expected, the Three Pure Ones were true descendants of Pangu, with deep foundations and extraordinary comprehension.

Three thousand years after first hearing the Dao, one of them had already succeeded in severing a corpse. And that one was Laozi.

He looked up at the other great powers.

Yuanshi was still at the peak of Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, one step away from severing a corpse.

Tongtian was about the same.

Dijun and Taiyi, Minghe and Kunpeng, East King Duke and West Queen Mother, Randeng and Houtu... all remained at the late stage or peak of Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, none having severed a corpse.

Only Laozi had entered Quasi-Saint.

This was the gap.

Xuande did not dwell on it too long.

He knew that severing a corpse was no easy matter.

It required opportunity, comprehension, spiritual treasures, and time.

That Laozi had been the first to sever a corpse was his own ability.

He simply noted this information silently.

At last, the palace gate that had been sealed for three thousand years slowly creaked open.

"Creak..."

The familiar sound rang out, and everyone opened their eyes at once, turning to look at the door.

Within the gate, the purple glow remained, deep and unfathomable.

The crowd rose and filed in.

Xuande's seven walked at the front.

Stepping through the palace gate, they saw before them the same spacious hall, and atop the dais ahead, that simple cushion sat quietly.

Below the dais, six cushions were still arranged there, exactly as they had been three thousand years ago.

Everyone took their seats.

On those six cushions, Laozi, Jieyin, Zhunti, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa sat down in order.

The remaining cultivators either sat cross-legged in the rear or found spots on the ground on either side, each choosing their own place.

Xuande still sat not far behind Jieyin and Zhunti.

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun sat beside him, Fuxi sat behind Nuwa, and Houtu sat a bit farther away.

Once everyone was seated, the great hall fell into utter silence.

On the high platform, a figure slowly materialized.

Ancestor Hongjun still wore that plain appearance—gray Daoist robe, gaunt features, with no trace of aura fluctuation.

But the moment he appeared, the entire hall went still.

"We pay respects to the Ancestor."

The Three Thousand Cultivators rose simultaneously and bowed in greeting.

Hongjun nodded slightly, signaling for everyone to sit.

Once they were settled, he spoke slowly, his voice not loud yet clear in every ear.

"This sermon will last three thousand years. I shall begin expounding the Sage's Path."

The Sage's Path.

The great hall was utterly silent.

All eyes converged on that plain figure on the high platform, filled with reverence and longing.