Dao Ancestor Hongjun

As they chatted, Shao Siming walked in.

"Reporting to the Imperial Sovereign, the banquet at Xiandu Palace is ready. Please proceed, Imperial Sovereign."

"Good, excellent. Then, my ministers, please take your seats first." Donghua nodded and said to everyone.

This was also a matter of etiquette. He couldn't possibly take his seat first while his subordinates slowly sat down.

The Primordial World wasn't solely about strength; it also involved social graces.

These rules were established during the Dragon-Han Three Clans era, with the Dragon Clan being particularly meticulous about rules and order.

Everyone rose and took their leave.

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

"Great Commander of Fate, from today's conversation, it's clear you manage the Thirty-Five Divisions very well, and you haven't neglected your own cultivation. That's very good," Donghua suddenly said.

"Thank you for your praise, Imperial Sovereign. It is what I should do." The Great Commander of Fate remained as taciturn as ever.

Seeing this, Donghua sighed inwardly, "My original body truly had discerning eyes. Although the Great Commander of Fate speaks little, they are indeed insightful in management."

"A force as vast as the Purple Mansion relies on the coordination of the Thirty-Five Divisions. There must be conflicts between the various factions."

"Yet, in such a relaxed setting today, not a single person complained to me or asked me to mediate. This fully demonstrates the Great Commander of Fate's management talent."

"Most importantly, this individual is a diligent cultivator, training relentlessly. Their cultivation has not fallen behind at all. Within the current Purple Mansion, they still firmly hold a spot in the top tier."

"Speak, what reward do you desire?" Donghua asked. It was imperative to reward meritorious subordinates.

The Great Commander of Fate: "This subordinate dares not accept. I merely did my duty. Imperial Sovereign already bestowed upon me the High-grade Spirit Treasure, the Yin-Yang Furnace. How could I dare to ask for a reward today? I implore the Imperial Sovereign to withdraw this offer."

"Facts are facts. You managed well, and those with merit naturally deserve rewards. This is also your method of managing the Thirty-Five Divisions, so why doesn't it apply to you?" Donghua retorted.

However, the Great Commander of Fate remained silent, appearing unwilling to accept.

"Forget it. Seeing as you won't say anything, I'll decide for you. Your primary cultivation is the Path of Life and Death. I gave you the Yin-Yang Furnace last time, so you won't be lacking Spirit Treasures in the short term."

"And you still need to manage the Purple Mansion, so your cultivation time will naturally be less."

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

"This is a gift from Fellow Daoist Western Zhunti after I became the Head of Male Immortals. It's a Bodhi Seed from the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots, the Bodhi Tree, which aids in comprehending the Great Dao. Today, I bestow it upon you, hoping you will reach the Quasi-Saint realm soon."

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

Upon seeing this, the Great Commander of Fate had no choice but to accept.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Imperial Sovereign. I will certainly cultivate diligently, manage the Purple Mansion well for you, and follow in your footsteps."

Donghua: "Don't speak of favors or anything like that. I've watched you all grow from weakness to strength. Your growth brings me great joy. When you achieve the Quasi-Saint realm, we shall address each other as Fellow Daoists."

Donghua understood how to paint a grand vision. While this Bodhi Seed was precious, it was only effective for those below the Quasi-Saint realm.

"If I don't paint a big enough picture for them, then being a leader is for naught."

Donghua: "Let's go to Xiandu Palace and see how the banquet Little Si has prepared?"

"If the banquet isn't prepared well, I will punish you."

Shao Siming pouted, looking as if she didn't want to bother.

Donghua led the way out of Jingyang Palace, with the other two following behind.

Upon arriving at Xiandu Palace.

Good heavens, Donghua, who had experienced the bustling city life of his previous life, couldn't help but widen his eyes.

Inside the Great Hall of Xiandu Palace, Jade Incense Wafted, Auspicious Mists were Colorful, Jade Terraces were Laid with Colorful Knots, and Treasured Pavilions Emitted Misty Vapor. Phoenix Soaring and Roc Ascending Ethereal Forms, Golden Flowers and Jade Calyxes with Shadows Floating and Sinking.

Arranged 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.

On the tables were Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow, Spirit Wine and Spirit Fruit. Delicacies of a Hundred Flavors, each dish exquisite, and Exotic Fruits and Auspicious Dishes, each color vibrant and new.

Above the Great Hall, one seat was left empty; it was Donghua's seat.

Below, arranged at the very front were four seats: Grand Origin Immortal Lord, Barefoot Immortal, Lord of the Clouds, and one remaining empty seat.

Further down were numerous others, including the Commanders of various Divisions, the Archipelago Island Lords, the Clan Leaders of Various Races, the Three Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, and Divine Generals from all sides.

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

As Donghua was about to step up to his seat, he noticed that there was no seat for Shao Siming in the hall.

Although this green-clad young woman appeared to be a maid, her status and cultivation were not low.

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

In terms of cultivation, she was at the late stage of Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, definitely not weak.

He turned to glance at Shao Siming.

Shao Siming pretended not to see him.

Donghua walked forward and took his seat.

Everyone rose and bowed, "Greetings, Imperial Sovereign."

"All my ministers, please be excused. Take your seats."

After everyone was seated again, the attending Fairy Maidens began pouring wine and serving tea.

Donghua, however, noticed there was none beside him. Did he have to do it himself?

As he was thinking this, a pair of jade hands picked up the wine pot and began pouring wine into his goblet.

Donghua turned his head and saw it was Shao Siming.

"Isn't this a bit extravagant? Having a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal pour wine."

Shao Siming paid no mind to this and began performing the duties of a maidservant beside him.

Donghua picked up his goblet and said, "All you Ministers, today we are gathered in one hall, feasting here. It is truly a rare occasion."

"As the saying goes, The Heavens Are Vast, My Dao Flourishes Daily. Let us all raise our cups together, to Revere the Dao Ancestor, and Revere the Immortal Dao."

"The Heavens Are Vast, My Dao Flourishes Daily, Revere the Dao Ancestor, Revere the Immortal Dao."

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

As soon as everyone finished speaking, before the wine was even drunk.

Suddenly, above the Great Hall of Xiandu Palace, a phantom image appeared.

No one could discern its form or face, only seeing Dao Rhyme swirling around it, as if that was the Dao itself.

Compared to this, Donghua's Dao Rhyme was like the light of a firefly against the bright sun.

In the hall, only Donghua, the Barefoot Immortal, and the Grand Origin Immortal Lord could clearly see the phantom image.

Donghua quickly stood up and bowed, "Donghua greets Teacher. I did not know of your arrival and failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will forgive my transgression."

At this moment, everyone else finally realized that it was the Dao Ancestor who had arrived.

They all quickly stood up and bowed, "Greetings, Dao Ancestor."

"There is no need for formalities, rise." Donghua felt his body lighten and he stood up straight involuntarily.

"Please take the honored seat, Teacher, and have a cup of Unrefined Wine." Donghua used his Magical Power to try and move his Emperor's Seat, but found he could not.

"No need. I was wandering the Primordial World today and suddenly felt a connection. It turns out you were offering a toast. Before I attained the Dao, I used to drink and discuss the Dao with some Fellow Daoists, but alas, they are long gone."

"After attaining Sainthood, you are the first person to offer me a toast. I came uninvited, and decided to stop by and see you."

As Hongjun spoke, Dao Sound flowed, yet his words sounded kind and approachable, like a true teacher or elder.

"It is a great honor for us cultivators of the Purple Mansion for Teacher to grace us with your presence today. All beings in this Purple Mansion cultivate the Dao that Teacher has passed down. This place is naturally your secondary residence, so how can it be considered uninvited? We are overjoyed."

Donghua offered a string of flattery.

Hongjun chuckled lightly, "It has been a few Aeons. Without advancing in the Great Dao, you have learned such words. You should cultivate diligently, so as not to disappoint my expectations."

"However, your previous Preaching of the Dao was indeed excellent, possessing the demeanor of an Immortal Dao Great Power. I will drink this cup of Unrefined Wine."

The wine goblet on Donghua's table automatically moved into Hongjun's hand, and after he drank it, the goblet returned to its original position.