The scene returned to Purple Cloud Palace.
Hongjun looked at Tongtian with satisfaction and nodded approvingly.
"To become a saint, one must first attain the Grand Dao Golden Immortal realm. Saints are Grand Dao Golden Immortals, but Grand Dao Golden Immortals are not necessarily saints. Simply put, Grand Dao Golden Immortal is a cultivation realm, while sainthood is a status bestowed by Heaven and Earth. Grand Dao Golden Immortals survive countless calamities, yet they are not truly immortal and indestructible. Only after becoming a saint and gaining the favor of the Heavenly Dao can one become genuinely immortal and indestructible!"
"As for how to become a saint..."
Hongjun paused, then took out an object before continuing, "Only by merging with Primordial Purple Qi can one become a saint."
Everyone's eyes immediately turned toward the violet-glowing object in Hongjun's hand.
Heavenly Dao laws coiled around it, and a single glance was enough to make one lose oneself in its profound mysteries.
What a treasure!
That was everyone's first thought.
Hongjun was very pleased by the blazing looks in the crowd's eyes, but when he saw Styx, he froze.
Styx's gaze was as still as an ancient well, seemingly completely unmoved by the Primordial Purple Qi in his hand.
Was Styx not interested in Primordial Purple Qi?
Of course not.
Although he would not use Primordial Purple Qi to attain the Dao, Styx was still somewhat curious about it.
He was simply certain that the futon seats were equivalent to Primordial Purple Qi.
Therefore, there had to be a share for him.
Di Jun spoke up and asked, "May I ask, Saint, who may obtain this Primordial Purple Qi?"
Hongjun temporarily suppressed his thoughts about Styx and answered, "Those fated to receive it shall receive it."
Everyone could not help looking toward the six people seated on the Futons.
Those fated to receive it—it was difficult not to associate those words with the futon seats.
Hongjun said, "Nine is the ultimate number between Heaven and Earth, so there are nine strands of Primordial Purple Qi in total. One was used when I attained the Dao, while another serves as a sliver of life and will not easily appear in the world. Thus, seven strands of Primordial Purple Qi remain in Heaven and Earth."
As he spoke, Hongjun directly took out six strands of Primordial Purple Qi.
Although they had already guessed that the six strands were meant for the six people on the Futons, the others could not help fantasizing.
What if?
But Hongjun directly shattered their fantasies.
"Styx, are you willing to enter my sect?"
Hongjun called Styx's name first, which surprised Styx as well.
Styx was stunned for a moment, but he still answered crisply, "No."
Entering Hongjun's sect offered him no benefits. Instead, he would have to follow Hongjun's orders. He would have to be a fool to agree.
But the others did not see it that way!
This was a saint accepting a disciple! The others wished they could replace Styx and be accepted as the saint's disciple.
Even Laozi could not help shooting Styx a somewhat jealous look.
On the other hand, Hongjun, who had been rejected by Styx, had expected it long ago, so his expression did not change much.
He still looked unfathomable, then let out a sigh.
With a light tap of his fingertip, a strand of Primordial Purple Qi flew before Styx.
"Very well. Then I shall bestow this strand of Primordial Purple Qi upon you!"
The crowd erupted into an uproar.
Someone immediately stood up in objection. "Saint, Styx has shown you such disrespect. Why must you bestow Primordial Purple Qi upon him?"
Styx immediately looked over with killing intent in his eyes.
The man shuddered under Styx's gaze, but he still forced himself to stand firm.
Styx knew this man. He was a Great Luo Golden Immortal under the demon race!
It seemed Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Taiyi, and the others were very dissatisfied that he had obtained Primordial Purple Qi.
Still, that was understandable.
If Styx had not received Primordial Purple Qi, would the people beneath the Futons not have had a chance?
But understanding did not mean Styx would tolerate such a thing.
Styx gave a cold smile, then shot Di Jun an icy look.
He would not vent his anger on that Great Luo Golden Immortal. That would be meaningless.
If he wanted to vent his anger, he would only seek out Di Jun behind him.
Of course, not now.
If he dared to act in Purple Cloud Palace, Hongjun would have a perfectly legitimate reason to suppress him.
Styx was not that foolish.
Hongjun ignored the Great Luo Golden Immortal's words.
Thinking about it, that made sense.
Leaving aside the fact that the Primordial Purple Qi was to be obtained by those sitting on the Futons rather than assigned by Hongjun—
That man's objection was meaningless.
Even if Hongjun had assigned it, Hongjun had already said he would give it to Styx. For someone to jump out and object was not that a slap to Hongjun's face?
Hongjun's disregard was like a slap across the faces of Di Jun and that demon race Great Luo Golden Immortal.
Moreover, their objection had drawn Styx's wrath.
Their actions could truly be called a loss that outweighed any gain.
Hongjun looked at Laozi again. "Laozi, you are the head of the Three Pure Ones. In the future, you are destined to accomplish a great merit. Are you willing to enter my sect?"
Laozi hesitated slightly.
If Hongjun had asked to accept him as a disciple first, Laozi would certainly have agreed immediately.
Yet Hongjun had first tried to accept Styx as his disciple, only to be refused.
If he agreed now, would that not mean he was picking up something Styx had rejected?
But the temptation of Primordial Purple Qi was indeed difficult for him to resist.
Hongjun's gaze toward Laozi began to turn cold.
Styx dared refuse him perhaps because the Heavenly Dao supported him from behind the scenes.
Yet now Laozi actually dared hesitate as well!
Where would that leave Hongjun's dignity?
If the Three Pure Ones had not been transformed from Pangu's primordial spirit, he would not even have regarded them highly.
And Laozi still dared put on airs before him.
Hmph!
But after hesitating for a while, Laozi ultimately agreed, and Hongjun's expression improved considerably.
Hongjun also bestowed a strand of Primordial Purple Qi upon him.
Afterward, Hongjun followed the same method and accepted Yuanshi and Tongtian as his second and third disciples.
Nüwa became his fourth disciple.
After that, Hongjun paused and said nothing.
Kunpeng, seated in the final position, felt his heart sink.
Could it be that the saint was no longer accepting disciples?
Fortunately, Hongjun ultimately still gave Kunpeng a strand of Primordial Purple Qi, though he did not say whether Kunpeng could become a saint.
As for those before him, aside from Styx, Hongjun had explicitly accepted them as disciples and said they could become saints.
Everyone's gazes toward Kunpeng immediately became subtle.
But Kunpeng, immersed in joy, noticed nothing at all.
In his view, now that he had Primordial Purple Qi, even if the saint had not accepted him as a disciple, he at least had some assurance!
Besides, he was not the only one whom the saint had not accepted as a disciple.
Was there not also Styx?
Kunpeng's joy stood in stark contrast to the despondency of the other great powers in Purple Cloud Palace.
"Waaah, waaah, waaah!"
The sound of crying rang out, leaving everyone stunned.
The sound came from Jie Yin and Zhun Ti. The two of them kowtowed and pleaded, "Saint, please see clearly. We two disciple-brothers came from the Western Lands with all our hearts devoted to seeking the Dao! Please take pity on us and bestow Primordial Purple Qi upon us!"
The others all moved away, clearly looking down on the two of them for behaving like this.
Besides, had they not seen that all six strands of Primordial Purple Qi had already been bestowed? Where could there be any more Primordial Purple Qi for these two?
Just as everyone silently criticized Jie Yin and Zhun Ti for being petty, Hongjun sighed and actually took out another strand of Primordial Purple Qi.
Everyone's eyes widened. There really was another one?
Before you continue