What is a Quasi-Saint

Not long after, the Purple Cloud Palace appeared in sight once again.

The great doors stood open, and quite a few mighty figures had already arrived ahead of time.

Xuanqing spotted Patriarch Styx sitting on the steps at the entrance at a glance, the fellow clutching two swords with a face like everyone owed him money.

Old Ancestor Hongyun was also there, pulling Zhenyuanzi along as he animatedly recounted something with great gusto.

Xuanqing paid them no mind and walked straight into the Main Hall.

The people in the hall hadn't all taken their seats yet.

Of the six Prayer Mats at the very front, the Three Pure Ones had already claimed three.

Yuanshi Tianzun had his eyes closed. Sensing Xuanqing's entrance, he didn't even lift his eyelids, merely nodding slightly.

Xuanqing took the hint and obediently walked over to stand behind Yuanshi Tianzun.

"Master, your disciple has arrived," he transmitted with his divine sense.

"Mm. Your cultivation has grown, your foundation is considered stable—you haven't been slacking off." Yuanshi Tianzun's voice rang out in Xuanqing's mind.

Xuanqing chuckled softly and said nothing.

Right after that, the two from the Western Lands also arrived.

Jieyin still wore that bitter expression, as if the whole world owed him something.

Zunti, on the other hand, had his eyes darting everywhere. The moment he entered, he began scanning the surroundings, checking who was holding any precious treasures.

When Zunti's gaze landed on Xuanqing, Xuanqing clearly felt a sensation like being targeted by a starving wolf.

He quickly shrank his neck and hid further behind Yuanshi Tianzun.

"Daoist Zunti?" Yuanshi Tianzun suddenly opened his eyes, his tone icy.

Zunti let out a dry laugh, pressed his palms together, and said, "Daoist Yuanshi misunderstands. I merely feel that this child has a connection with my Western Lands."

"Scram." Yuanshi Tianzun replied with only a single word.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned somewhat awkward, but more people were secretly laughing in their hearts.

Xuanqing mentally gave his master ten thousand thumbs up.

This was the benefit of having backing—whether you were a future Sage or a current Quasi-Saint, if you dared to scheme against him, his master would just lay into you directly.

As time passed, the three thousand mighty figures gradually all arrived.

When Dijun and Taiyi entered leading the mighty figures of the Demon Race, Baize was among them.

Baize glanced at Xuanqing, his expression complicated, but he quickly looked away.

Xuanqing, however, generously returned a smile, which made the corner of Baize's eye twitch in irritation.

Just then, Houtu also walked in, accompanied by several burly men of the Witch Clan.

When she saw Xuanqing, her eyes lit up. She was about to greet him, but Qiangliang beside her pulled her back.

Qiangliang glared at Xuanqing, his look clearly a warning: Stay away from my sister!

Xuanqing rubbed his nose, complaining inwardly: You Witch Clan really pass down this little-sister-protecting mania through the bloodline.

When everyone had settled into their seats, the hall suddenly fell silent.

An overwhelming, supreme pressure descended without a sound.

On the high platform, the figure of Hongjun Dao Ancestor appeared as if in a dream.

He was still the same as ever, his eyes deep like a pool of stagnant water, revealing no emotion.

"The sermon begins."

Hongjun Dao Ancestor wasted no words, speaking directly.

The moment he opened his mouth, heavenly flowers rained down and golden lotuses sprang from the earth.

Xuanqing quickly cast aside stray thoughts and focused entirely on listening.

The spiritual power within his body began to circulate involuntarily with the Dao Ancestor's voice. At this moment, the Myriad Qi Returning to Yuan Purification Technique seemed to undergo some kind of elevation.

Xuanqing felt that the threshold to the Golden Immortal realm was now only a single thin sheet of paper away.

Outside the Main Hall, Chaos churned.

Inside the Main Hall, the sound of the Dao reverberated.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor sat on the high platform, his voice spreading throughout the Purple Cloud Palace.

The content of this sermon was a hundred times more profound than the last.

The three thousand mighty figures in the hall still had varied expressions—some scratched their heads and ears in confusion, some wore pained looks, and others burst into loud laughter.

Xuanqing, hiding behind Yuanshi Tianzun, also found his head spinning from listening.

He possessed double the merit and fortune, with extremely high comprehension, yet even he found these contents obscure and difficult to grasp.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor was expounding on the path of the Quasi-Saint.

"Above the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal is the Quasi-Saint."

"To become a Quasi-Saint, one must Slay Three Corpses."

"The Three Corpses are the Good Corpse, the Evil Corpse, and the Obsession Corpse."

At the front of the Main Hall, Taishang Laojun opened his eyes and asked softly.

"Teacher, what is the foundation of a Quasi-Saint?"

Hongjun Dao Ancestor paused his lecture, his gaze calm.

"A Quasi-Saint touches the realm of a Sage but has not attained the Sage position."

"Slaying one corpse places one at the early Quasi-Saint stage."

"Slaying two corpses places one at the mid Quasi-Saint stage."

"Slaying all three corpses places one at the peak Quasi-Saint stage, where one may glimpse the opportunity to become a Sage."

Yuanshi Tianzun also spoke, his voice majestic.

"Teacher, what is needed to slay a corpse?"

Hongjun Dao Ancestor replied, "One must use an Innate Supreme Treasure or an Innate Spiritual Treasure as a vessel."

"The higher the grade of the vessel, the stronger the Three Corpses that are slain."

At these words, the sound of swallowing saliva echoed through the Main Hall.

The three thousand great beings exchanged glances, their eyes burning with fervor.

Innate Spiritual Treasures were already scarce in the Honghuang; now they had become hard currency.

Without a Spiritual Treasure, one could only muddle along at the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm for a lifetime.

Tongtian Cult Leader, being straightforward, asked directly, "Teacher, besides slaying the Three Corpses, are there other methods?"

Hongjun was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"There is also the path of proving the Dao through Strength, splitting heaven and earth, breaking laws with force."

"There is also the path of becoming a Sage through Merit, blessing all living beings, resonating with the Heavenly Dao."

"However, the method of slaying the Three Corpses is the most stable."

Xuanqing nodded as he listened; he was currently walking the path of merit.

If he accumulated enough of his double merit, perhaps one day he would ascend on the spot.

Next, Nüwa, Jieyin, and Zunti also raised their questions one after another.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor answered each one, his tone unhurried.

The lecture lasted for three thousand years, and the Dao Rhyme within the Main Hall reached its peak intensity.

Xuanqing felt his body glowing—it was the power of merit surging wildly.

His Great Yi Mysterious Immortal mana had reached saturation, with only a single membrane separating him from the Golden Immortal realm.

But that membrane was exceptionally tough, impossible to break through no matter what.

It seems I'm still missing an opportunity. Xuanqing understood that such matters couldn't be rushed.

As the lecture neared its end, Hongjun Dao Ancestor suddenly stopped.

He looked at the six figures at the very front, his gaze profound.

"You six, seated upon the Prayer Mats, share a fate with me."

"From today onward, you shall be my formal disciples."

Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nüwa, Jieyin, and Zunti all rose at once.

They respectfully performed a grand bow: "We pay respects to Teacher!"

The other great beings in the Main Hall watched with reddened eyes.

These were Sage disciples!

With such a title, they could swagger through the Honghuang without a care.

Xuanqing also basked in the reflected glory; he was now a direct grand-disciple of a Sage.

This seniority placed him firmly in the top tier of the Honghuang.

"The lecture is over. You may all disperse."

Hongjun Dao Ancestor waved his Sleeve Robe, and his figure vanished from the high platform in an instant.

The three thousand great beings rose one after another and filed out of the Purple Cloud Palace.

Xuanqing followed behind Yuanshi Tianzun, preparing to leave.

That scoundrel Zunti sidled over again, a fake smile plastered on his face.

"Young Friend Xuanqing, my Western Lands' Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss possesses many wondrous methods. Won't you consider paying a visit?"

Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly, and the Three Treasures Jade Scepter emitted waves of immortal light.

Zunti shrank his neck, let out a dry laugh, and fled faster than a rabbit.

"Disciple, return to Kunlun Mountain first." Yuanshi Tianzun turned his head, his tone softening slightly.

"Your master still has important matters to discuss with your two senior uncles. Travel safely."

Xuanqing quickly replied, "Master, rest assured. This disciple will act with discretion."

He exited the Purple Cloud Palace, directly summoned the Merit Golden Wheel, and transformed into a streak of light that shot into Chaos.

Passing through the chaotic thunder and flames, Xuanqing returned to the Honghuang lands.