Hongjun had attained Sagehood!
Those four words rang like the voice of the Great Dao, exploding in Xuanqing's Consciousness Sea.
He immediately abandoned the thought of breaking through to the Great Yi Mysterious Immortal realm and jolted awake from his deep state of cultivation.
This was Hongjun's first sermon! A supreme opportunity in the Primordial World!
Nearly all the mighty figures of the future Primordial World had emerged from Zixiao Palace. The Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, Jieyin, and Zunti—the six future Heavenly Dao Sages—were all Hongjun's personal disciples.
And that wasn't even counting top-tier Innate Godly Beings like Dijun, Eastern Emperor Taiyi, Kunpeng, Zhenyuanzi, and Hong Yun.
Missing this sermon would be like missing the first carriage of the entire Primordial World era!
Xuanqing's heart burned with excitement, but he soon calmed down.
He was only at Xuan Immortal Peak. Compared to those mighty figures who were Golden Immortals, Taiyi Golden Immortals, or even Da Luo Golden Immortals, he was still leagues behind.
The Thirty-Three Heavens? What kind of place was that? With his meager cultivation, reaching it would be a problem, let alone listening to Hongjun's sermon.
As Xuanqing pondered, a gentle yet dignified voice rang out.
"Xuanqing."
It was Yuanshi Tianzun's voice!
"This disciple is here!" Xuanqing replied respectfully at once.
"Hongjun Dao Ancestor has attained Sagehood. This is an opportunity such as has never been seen in ages. Your foundation is secure, so there is no need to rush your breakthrough. Come with your master to the Thirty-Three Heavens and see the vastness of the world. It will benefit your future cultivation."
Xuanqing's heart leaped with joy!
Sure enough, having a powerful patron was the way to go! He had still been worrying about how to get there, and his master had already offered to take him.
"Many thanks, Master! This disciple will obey!"
"Mm. Make your own way here. Your Senior Grand Uncle, Third Martial Uncle, and I will go on ahead." Yuanshi Tianzun's voice faded away.
Xuanqing blinked in surprise.
Make my own way? Hadn't he said he would take me?
But Xuanqing soon understood Yuanshi Tianzun's intention.
The Sage's sermon lay far away, and the journey was fraught with danger. Reaching Zixiao Palace was a trial in itself.
His master could protect him for a time, but not for a lifetime. In the end, he would have to walk his own path.
"I understand!"
Xuanqing wasted no more time. With a thought, he transformed into a streak of azure light, shot into the sky, and left Crane Mountain Cliff, flying toward the boundless heavens beyond.
As soon as he passed beyond Kunlun Mountain's barrier, the sight before him left him stunned.
Countless beams of divine light soared from across the Primordial World, like a meteor shower turned upside down. Every one of them headed in the same direction—the elusive Thirty-Three Heavens.
From the depths of Beiming, a vast shadow blotted out the sky as it soared upward.
At the Undying Volcano, a young man radiating the aura of the Phoenix Clan's progenitor opened his eyes and leaped into the air.
Those were only the tip of the iceberg. Even more Innate Godly Beings of unknown origins flew out from their respective sanctuaries, each radiating an overwhelmingly powerful aura.
"Good grief, this looks like a festival rush," Xuanqing couldn't help muttering.
He composed himself and pushed the Myriad Qi Returning to Yuan Purification Technique, bestowed on him by Yuanshi Tianzun, to its limit. His speed suddenly increased as he plunged into the countless streaks of light and flew upward with all his might.
The higher he flew, the greater the pressure became.
The Nine Heavens Gale sliced at him like knives. An ordinary Mystic Immortal would probably struggle to maintain even their protective immortal radiance here.
Fortunately, Xuanqing wore the Mysterious Yellow Merit Robe and possessed an Immaculate Dao Body. This level of gale was nothing to him.
He looked up and saw three dazzling beams of pure light leading the way across the heavens, their speed astonishing.
Those three beams seemed to ignore the distance between space and time. After only a few flashes, they had left the crowd far behind.
There was no doubt: they were his master, Yuanshi Tianzun, his Senior Grand Uncle, Taishang Laojun, and his Third Martial Uncle, Tongtian Cult Leader.
Truly worthy of being the Pangu Orthodox—the future Heavenly Dao Sages!
Not far behind the Three Pure Ones came the second group.
Two golden rainbow streaks of True Sun Fire stretched across the sky, fierce and domineering. They were the Yao Clan's Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi.
Nearby, the siblings Nüwa and Fuxi rode Auspicious Clouds, Dao Rhyme swirling around them. They were no less swift.
Farther away, twelve streams of Turbid Qi surged into the sky. They did not cultivate their primordial spirits, but crossed the void on the strength of their bodies alone. Each step made space tremble. They were the Twelve Ancestral Mages.
Though they had no primordial spirits and could not comprehend the profound Great Dao, Hongjun's attainment of Sagehood was momentous. They wanted to join the spectacle and take the measure of things while they were at it.
Looking at these figures, Xuanqing felt a rush of emotion.
Just then, a sudden change occurred!
A swift, sinister beam of black light burst out from the second group, its speed instantly surging to the extreme. It overtook those ahead and tried to pass the Three Pure Ones at the front!
It was the Demon Beast Kunpeng!
His true form was a rare beast of the Primordial World, and speed was his greatest strength. Now, unleashing his full power, he seemed poised to catch up with the Three Pure Ones.
In the Primordial World, strength ruled.
The order of seating at Zixiao Palace could determine the size of one's future opportunities. Kunpeng was clearly trying to claim the top spot.
But though he was fast, someone was faster!
"Hmph!"
A cold snort came from one of the three beams of pure light ahead.
It was Yuanshi Tianzun!
He already disliked Kunpeng for coveting Xuanqing's Innate Merit Treasure. What was more, he had always looked down on those who were born from moisture or eggs, covered in fur or bearing horns.
Seeing Kunpeng act with such disrespect and try to get ahead of the Three Pure Ones, he was instantly enraged.
Without even turning his head, Yuanshi Tianzun casually swept his sleeve backward.
"Hum—"
A current of air appeared from nowhere. It seemed slow, yet struck Kunpeng's Demon Body-Protection Light squarely.
"Crack!"
The Demon Body-Protection Light, strong enough to withstand an Innate Spiritual Treasure's attack, was utterly helpless before the gray current. It shattered in an instant.
"Pfft!"
Kunpeng took a heavy blow. His enormous body staggered in midair, and he spat out a mouthful of demon blood. His aura immediately weakened.
His eyes filled with venom as he glared at Yuanshi Tianzun's back.
He could not understand it. They were both Da Luo Golden Immortals, so how could the other man's casual blow leave him utterly helpless?
Only after a long while did Yuanshi Tianzun's voice drift back, echoing through the void.
"You furred and horned creature—how dare you presume to stand as our equal? You don't know your place. Get down!"
The sight sent a jolt through all the mighty figures flying behind them, and their speed unconsciously slackened.
Among the Yao Clan's mighty figures, Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi wore dark expressions.
Though Yuanshi Tianzun had struck Kunpeng, Kunpeng was nominally one of the Yao Clan. It was as good as a public slap in their faces.
But what could they do?
They could clearly sense that the power in Yuanshi Tianzun's strike had exceeded the limits of an ordinary Da Luo Golden Immortal.
Da Luo Golden Immortal Late Stage!
He might even have touched the threshold of that realm!
With power like that, the brothers might not fare well even if they joined forces. What was more, Taishang Laojun and Tongtian Cult Leader, his brothers of the same origin, were right beside him.
"Elder Brother, endure it," Eastern Emperor Taiyi sent telepathically.
Dijun nodded slightly, his gaze growing even more inscrutable.
Elsewhere, the Twelve Ancestral Mages burst into laughter.
"Wonderful! I've never liked that Long-Feathered Bird!" Zhurong, whose temper was as fiery as ever, laughed loudly.
"Yuanshi's annoying to look at, but sometimes he does suit my taste," Gonggong said with a chuckle.
They were natural enemies of the Yao Clan, and were glad to see Kunpeng humiliated.
Nüwa and Fuxi exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity in the other's eyes.
The Pangu Three Pure Ones were indeed unfathomable.
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