Dao Ancestor Hongjun

As everyone chatted, Shao Siming walked in.

"Your Majesty, the banquet at Xiandu Palace is ready. Please proceed."

"Good. Excellent. My dear ministers, please take your seats first." Donghua nodded and addressed everyone.

There was a reason for this. He couldn't take his seat first and watch his ministers slowly find theirs.

The Primordial Wilderness wasn't governed solely by strength; social etiquette mattered, too.

These customs had taken shape during the era of the Dragon-Han Three Clans, with the Dragon Clan placing the greatest emphasis on order and proper conduct.

Everyone rose and took their leave.

Only Donghua, Great Commander of Fate, and Shao Siming remained in the hall.

"Great Commander of Fate, from today's conversations, I can tell that you've managed the Thirty-Five Divisions very well without neglecting your own cultivation. That's commendable," Donghua said suddenly.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I've only done what I ought to do." Great Commander of Fate was still a man of few words.

Seeing this, Donghua reflected, My predecessor really had a keen eye. Great Commander of Fate may not say much, but he truly has a gift for management.

"The Purple Mansion is such a vast power. It depends entirely on the Thirty-Five Divisions to function and coordinate, and there are bound to be conflicts between the various factions."

"But in such a relaxed setting today, not a single person complained to Donghua or asked him to step in and settle things. That alone showed Great Commander of Fate's talent for management."

"Most importantly, he was a dedicated cultivator who pushed himself relentlessly. He hadn't let his cultivation slip at all, and even now, he remained among the top tier of the Purple Mansion."

"Tell me, what reward would you like?" Donghua asked. Subordinates who had rendered meritorious service deserved to be rewarded.

Great Commander of Fate replied, "I wouldn't dare accept one. I've only done my duty. Your Majesty already gave me the High-grade Spirit Treasure Yin-Yang Furnace. How could I ask for another reward today? Please reconsider."

"Facts are facts. You've managed things well and rendered meritorious service, so you deserve a reward. This is how you manage the Thirty-Five Divisions, so why should the same rule not apply to you?" Donghua countered.

But Great Commander of Fate said nothing more, looking as though he couldn't accept it.

"Never mind. You clearly can't think of anything, so I'll decide for you. You focus on the Path of Life and Death. I gave you the Yin-Yang Furnace last time, so you don't need another treasure for now."

"And you still have to manage the Purple Mansion, which naturally leaves you with less time to cultivate."

Donghua spoke to the silent Great Commander of Fate and took out a Bodhi Seed.

"This was a gift from my friend, Western Zhunti, after I became Head of Male Immortals. It came from the Bodhi Tree, one of the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots, and can help one comprehend the Great Dao. I give it to you today in the hope that you'll soon reach the Quasi-Saint realm."

With that, Donghua handed the Bodhi Seed to Great Commander of Fate.

Seeing this, Great Commander of Fate had no choice but to accept it.

"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty. I'll cultivate diligently, manage the Purple Mansion well on your behalf, and follow in your footsteps."

"Don't talk about owing me anything. I've watched you all grow from weakness to strength, and your progress makes me very glad. Once you become a Quasi-Saint, we'll address each other as fellow Daoists."

Donghua knew how to paint a grand vision, too. The Bodhi Seed was precious, but it was only useful to those below the Quasi-Saint realm.

If I didn't paint a big enough picture for you, what kind of leader would I be?

"Let's go to Xiandu Palace and see how Xiao Si's banquet turned out."

"If she hasn't prepared it well, I'll have to punish you."

Shao Siming pouted, looking as though she didn't want to answer him.

Donghua left Jingyang Palace first, with the two of them following behind.

When they arrived at Xiandu Palace, they saw—

Good heavens. Even Donghua, who had experienced the bustling splendor of city life in his Previous Life, couldn't help widening his eyes.

Inside the great hall of Xiandu Palace, incense curled through the air and auspicious clouds shimmered in a dazzling array. The jade terrace was adorned with colorful decorations, while precious pavilions were wreathed in mist. Phoenixes and luan birds soared in ethereal forms; golden blossoms and jade petals seemed to drift and gleam.

Set out in the upper rows were Nine Phoenixes Crimson Clouds Pure and Eight Treasures Purple Rainbow Stools. Five-Colored Gold-Inlaid Tables and Thousand Flowers Jadeite Basins filled the hall.

On the tables lay Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow, along with spirit wine and Spirit Fruit. Every delicacy was exquisite, every rare fruit and fine dish fresh and splendid.

One place above the hall stood empty. It was Donghua's seat.

Four seats had been arranged at the front below him. They were for Grand Origin Immortal Lord, Barefoot Immortal, Lord of the Clouds, and one other guest, whose place was still empty.

Beyond them, the seating varied. There were officials from the various divisions, Archipelago Island Lords, clan leaders, the Three Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, and Divine Generals from various factions.

Great Commander of Fate stepped forward and took the empty seat at the front.

Donghua was about to sit down when he noticed that there was no place for Shao Siming in the hall.

Despite the jade-green girl's maidlike appearance, her status and cultivation were both impressive.

In terms of status, she ranked among the top five in the hall.

In terms of cultivation, her late Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm was no weak showing.

He glanced at Shao Siming.

She pretended not to notice.

Donghua went forward and took his seat.

Everyone rose and paid their respects. "We greet Your Majesty."

"My dear ministers, there's no need for formalities. Please sit."

Once everyone sat down again, the immortal maidens attending them began pouring wine and serving tea.

Donghua noticed that no one had poured his wine. Did he have to do it himself?

As he wondered, a pair of jade-white hands picked up a wine flask and poured wine into his cup.

Donghua turned and saw that it was Shao Siming.

Isn't this a bit extravagant? Having a Grand Unity Golden Immortal pour wine?

Shao Siming paid no attention to his thoughts and continued her work as a maid at his side.

Donghua picked up his wine cup and said, "My dear ministers, it's a rare occasion for us to gather in one hall and share a banquet."

"As the heavens grow ever broader, so does our Dao flourish day by day. Let us raise our cups together—to the Dao Ancestor and the Immortal Dao!"

"The heavens grow ever broader, and our Dao flourishes day by day! To the Dao Ancestor and the Immortal Dao!"

Everyone followed suit, raising their cups to the Dao Ancestor and the Immortal Dao.

Their words had barely faded, and they hadn't yet drunk, when a phantom figure appeared above the great hall of Xiandu Palace.

No one could make out his figure or see his face. Daoist rhythms swirled around him, as though he himself were the Dao.

Compared to his, Donghua's Daoist aura was like a firefly beside the blazing sun.

Yet only Donghua, Barefoot Immortal, and Grand Origin Immortal Lord in the hall could see what the phantom looked like.

Donghua hurried to his feet and bowed. "Your disciple Donghua greets Master. I didn't know you were coming, so I failed to welcome you. Please forgive me."

Only then did everyone realize that the Dao Ancestor had arrived.

They hurried to their feet and bowed. "We greet the Dao Ancestor."

"No need for formalities. Rise." Donghua felt his body lighten, and he found himself standing upright.

"Please take the seat of honor, Master, and have a cup of wine." Donghua tried to use his magic to move his Emperor's Seat, but found that he couldn't budge it.

"No need. I was roaming the Primordial Wilderness in spirit today when I suddenly felt something in my heart. It turned out you were offering a toast. Before I attained the Dao, I used to drink and discuss the Dao with some fellow Daoists. Now, they're all gone."

"Since I attained Sainthood, you're the first person to offer me a toast. So I came uninvited—and took the opportunity to see you, too."

As Hongjun spoke, Dao Sound flowed around him, yet his words were warm and kind. He seemed like a true teacher and elder.

"Master's visit today is the greatest honor for the cultivators of the Purple Mansion. Everyone here cultivates the Dao you taught, so this place is your own residence. How could you be uninvited? We couldn't be happier to have you here."

Donghua promptly laid on the flattery.

Hongjun smiled faintly. "We haven't seen each other for a while. Your cultivation hasn't advanced, but you've certainly learned to speak like this. You should cultivate diligently and not disappoint my hopes for you."

"Still, your Preaching of the Dao earlier was quite good. You showed the bearing of an Immortal Dao Great Power. I'll accept your cup of wine."

The wine cup on Donghua's table flew into Hongjun's hand by itself. He drank from it, and the cup returned to its place.

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