Hongjun: Here, But Not Entirely

Di Jun, Tai Yi, Zhenyuanzi, and Red Cloud had thought they arrived early enough, but to their surprise, a crowd of great beings was already standing outside the gates of Purple Heaven Palace.

Di Jun and Tai Yi gazed at Purple Heaven Palace, unable to suppress their shock. The vast aura emanating from the palace pressed down upon their divine senses, compelling all living things to submit. The Great Dao was manifested there—brilliant, peerless, ever-changing, and myriad in its phenomena; it was impossible to grasp and beyond the power of words to describe.

Only by feeling it at such close range could one truly understand the terror of a Saint; even just the exterior of his dojo was this formidable.

It was no wonder Ling Xiao had always urged them to cultivate diligently. In the face of such an existence, power and status were merely fleeting clouds; only one's own strength was eternal.

While Di Jun and Tai Yi were observing Purple Heaven Palace.

The Three Pure Ones, Jieyin and Zhun Ti, Nuwa and Fuxi, and a host of other great beings were also watching them, all with strange expressions on their faces.

They could understand why the Golden Crows had come to listen to the sermon, but why had only two arrived? Where was the other one?

"That Golden Crow named Ling Xiao, it seems he did not come."

The Three Pure Ones exchanged silent glances. They had suffered a secret loss at Ling Xiao's hands while fighting for the Gourd at Mount Buzhou, so they naturally remembered him quite clearly.

"He does not understand the heavenly mandate. With such a great opportunity as the Dao Ancestor's sermon, he actually chooses not to come. Is this blind self-confidence, or just naive stupidity?" Yuanshi said with a chuckle.

If he wouldn't even come to hear the path to the Quasi-Sage realm, did he think he could figure it out on his own?

Even if he could, the time it would take would surely be immeasurable.

"The Primordial World is home to countless great beings; he is not the only one who didn't come, so there is nothing strange about it. Perhaps he truly has his own path of cultivation," Tongtian said dismissively.

Just as the Three Pure Ones were whispering among themselves, Jieyin and Zhun Ti looked at Di Jun and Tai Yi with flickering gazes.

Had they not been outside Purple Heaven Palace, they would have already made their move.

However, they were not in a hurry; it would not be too late to deal with Di Jun and Tai Yi after the sermon concluded.

The only thing they felt was imperfect was that Ling Xiao had not come, meaning they couldn't deal with him at the same time and would have to make a separate trip to the Sun Star.

"Two fellow Daoists, why is Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao not here?" Nuwa and Fuxi asked as they approached to greet them.

"My third brother is currently in seclusion and could not come."

Di Jun replied with a smile.

In seclusion?

Nuwa's eyes flickered with surprise. To enter seclusion right when the sermon was about to begin—was the Dao Ancestor's lecture really so unappealing to him?

She felt a hint of disappointment. She had wanted to ask Ling Xiao in person what he thought about the Ten Thousand Races and why he had hinted for Baize to seek her out, but as it turned out, he hadn't come at all.

Helpless, she and Fuxi returned to their original positions.

Time passed bit by bit, and the number of great beings gathered outside Purple Heaven Palace grew ever larger.

Finally, the gates of Purple Heaven Palace opened, and two children, a boy and a girl, walked out to announce that everyone could enter.

These two children were Haotian and Yaochi.

The crowd of great beings slowly surged into Purple Heaven Palace. Since their positions from the last time had already been set, there was no need to scramble for seats.

Di Jun and Tai Yi sat behind Zhenyuanzi and Red Cloud, their eyes wandering as they curiously examined the interior of Purple Heaven Palace, chatting idly as they did so.

"It is a pity that Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao did not come to listen to the words of the Saint," Zhenyuanzi said with a touch of regret.

"It is a pity, yes, but it does not matter. When we return, we can discuss the Dao with Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao and pass on what the Dao Ancestor has taught us, can we not?" Red Cloud said with a smile.

Di Jun and Tai Yi nodded repeatedly, for they had the exact same intention.

Soon.

Once all the great beings had arrived, the figure of Hongjun appeared upon the cloud bed in front, and instantly, the entire Purple Heaven Palace fell silent; one could hear a pin drop.

Even Di Jun and Tai Yi focused their gazes intently upon that figure.

"Too strong."

Although there was no terrifying pressure, just one look was enough to feel a power that was indescribable, unfathomable, and impossible to articulate.

In that moment, their desire to attain Sainthood became even more intense.

Hongjun's gaze swept across those below, and he immediately spotted the figures of Di Jun and Tai Yi sitting obediently, looking entirely harmless and wearing an expression of... inexplicable longing?

"Not bad."

Hongjun nodded inwardly. This time, the Golden Crows had not disappointed him; they had finally arrived to listen to the sermon.

"Wait... a variable?"

Suddenly, his expression froze. Within his eyes, strange phenomena rose and fell, and the laws of the universe surged.

"There is still one Golden Crow that did not come?"

At this thought, Hongjun could not help but frown. The Great Dao is fifty, and the Heavenly Derivation is forty-nine; it was normal for there to be variables, as long as the general trend remained unchanged, everything was destined.

However, what he had not expected was that the Sun Star had actually given birth to three Golden Crows.

He had been negligent before, busy with attaining Sainthood and preparing to merge with the Dao, and had not noticed the existence of this third Golden Crow.

Hongjun thought about it and realized that this extra Golden Crow might not be a bad thing; it could perhaps compensate for the weaknesses of Di Jun and Tai Yi.

After all, with their current cultivation levels, it was truly too difficult for them to contend with the Twelve Ancestral Witches.

As for this extra Golden Crow not coming to listen to the sermon, Hongjun did not take it to heart.

As long as the Destined Ones, Di Jun and Tai Yi, have arrived, that's all that's needed.

They're all here now, so why isn't the Dao Ancestor lecturing?

Inside the Purple Heaven Palace, the assembled great powers looked at each other with suspicion, some even bewildered. This feeling was eerily similar to the first time the Dao Ancestor had lectured.

A classic scene replaying!

However, this time felt a little different.

They all had the distinct feeling that the Dao Ancestor's gaze was fixed on Di Jun and Tai Yi.

Could it be that because they were newcomers, the Dao Ancestor was looking at them a bit more?

Jieyin and Zhun Ti, seated in the front row, exchanged a knowing smile.

"Those two, Di Jun and Tai Yi, did they perhaps offend the Dao Ancestor the moment they arrived?"

"If that's the case, it would be wonderful. It would save us the trouble of taking action ourselves..."

For a time, all eyes were on Di Jun and Tai Yi. The great powers wondered if they had done something to displease the Dao Ancestor.

Di Jun and Tai Yi thought the same, exchanging a silent glance. They both felt as if unseen eyes were constantly upon them.

Fortunately, Hongjun finally spoke, "This lecture will cover the Dao of the Quasi-Sage and will last for three thousand years. You must all calm your minds and comprehend."

Instantly, the great powers breathed a collective sigh of relief. The atmosphere had been too strange and oppressive. Thankfully, things had returned to normal.

Thus, the great powers held their breath, their minds focused entirely on the Dao Ancestor's words.

"The Dao of Heaven acts according to Heaven's will, and that is its completion. Therefore, Heaven has five thieves; those who perceive them prosper. When the five thieves are in the heart, they manifest in Heaven. The universe is in one's hand, and all transformations arise from one's body..."

"The Dao of establishing Heaven is to determine nature. Nature has cleverness and clumsiness, which can be hidden. The evils of the nine orifices lie in the three essentials, which can cause movement and stillness. Fire is born from wood; when disaster strikes, it must be overcome. Treachery arises in the state; when the time is right, it will collapse..."

The words of a Sage naturally manifested as heavenly flowers scattering and golden lotuses springing from the earth, accompanied by countless indescribable wonders.

The great powers listened, entranced. Some showed joy, others sorrow, some scratched their heads in confusion, while others sat in silent meditation.

Time flowed slowly, and the Daoist sounds within the Purple Heaven Palace continued unabated.

Soon, three thousand years approached their end.

On this day, within the Purple Heaven Palace, the Daoist sounds gradually ceased.