Hongjun finally finished speaking without being interrupted midway by the Western Two. This could not help but make Hongjun let out a long breath.
But the next moment, Daoist Zhunti stepped forward, his face full of bitter suffering as he spoke.
"Since the Dao Ancestor is willing to accept my brother and me as disciples, naturally, we could not wish for more."
"However, the West is truly too barren. We cannot even produce a single decent innate spirit treasure."
"Even if we learned the method of severing the three corpses from the Dao Ancestor, we would have no innate spirit treasures in which to entrust the three corpses."
Though Daoist Zhunti did not say that the two of them were unwilling to acknowledge Hongjun as their master, the meaning between his lines was equivalent to telling Hongjun: If you want to take us as disciples, then you must produce innate spirit treasures.
Hongjun ground his teeth in fury. He had originally planned to distribute treasures only after the third lecture, but now it seemed he could not wait until then.
After all, if even the Western Two refused to acknowledge him as their master, then he would truly lose all face.
At the same time, Hongjun felt that bestowing innate spirit treasures upon the Western Two would surely make the Three Pure Ones change their minds as well.
Thus, without the slightest hesitation, he took out the Blessing Vajra, the Eastern Azure Lotus Treasure-Colored Banner, innate prayer beads, and numerous other treasures, every one of them an innate spirit treasure.
"These innate spirit treasures are bestowed upon you two for your protection. They may also be used to sever the three corpses, preparing you for future sainthood."
In the end, he even took out an innate supreme treasure and directly gave it to the Western Two. Nor did he forget to say,
"This treasure is called the Indra Dharani Pagoda. It possesses forty-nine innate restrictions and contains eighty-four thousand Dharma gates. It can suppress the fortune of a great sect."
The Western Two had never dreamed that Hongjun would actually bestow an innate supreme treasure. For a moment, they were overwhelmed with joy.
Daoist Jieyin immediately prepared to step forward, thank Hongjun, and take the treasures into his possession.
However, Daoist Zhunti beside him pulled him back. Daoist Zhunti then bowed to Hongjun once more and said,
"Thank you, Master, for bestowing these treasures. But even with these treasures, my brother and I may not necessarily be able to attain the Dao and become Saints."
"After all, the spiritual veins of the West have now been completely destroyed. My brother and I must sort out the earth's veins, so it will be difficult for us to find time to quietly cultivate."
At this moment, Daoist Zhunti was telling Hongjun that the West had been ruined so thoroughly by him. There was absolutely no chance of fobbing them off with just a few spirit treasures.
How could Hongjun fail to understand that Daoist Zhunti was taking this opportunity to extort him? But he had no other choice now.
He immediately sighed and said, "Back then, the battle between the Dao and the Devil took place on Mount Sumeru in the West. In the end, Rahu's self-destruction resulted in the complete ruin of the West's spiritual veins."
"Although all of this was caused by Rahu, this poor Daoist was involved as well. I have, to some extent, become entangled in this karma."
"Today, this poor Daoist shall bestow two strands of Primordial Violet Qi to help you attain the Dao and become Saints sooner, so that you may better sort out the earth veins of the West."
As he spoke, Dao Ancestor Hongjun flicked his hand, and two strands of Primordial Violet Qi instantly flew forth toward Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin.
As the Primordial Violet Qi entered their bodies, the Western Two instantly understood what it was. This time, they had no further demands. They immediately fell to their knees.
"Master above, please accept this bow from your disciples." As they spoke, they performed the grand rite of master and disciple before Hongjun.
Hongjun nodded in satisfaction and reached out to help the Western Two to their feet. He then turned his gaze toward the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa.
"This Primordial Violet Qi is the foundation of the Great Dao. Those who obtain it may become Saints. Have you considered it well? Are you willing to acknowledge this poor Daoist as your master?"
As he spoke, four strands of Primordial Violet Qi had already appeared in Hongjun's hand. Several innate spirit treasures also floated in the air.
This was temptation—naked, undisguised temptation. So long as the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa acknowledged Hongjun as their master now, not only would the Primordial Violet Qi be theirs, but so would those innate spirit treasures.
This inevitably filled everyone present with envy. Dongwanggong secretly clenched his fists and even spoke up.
"What virtue or ability do the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa possess, that they dare be so ungrateful? The Dao Ancestor has shown such sincerity—are you still going to hesitate?"
As soon as Dongwanggong finished speaking, Dijun and Taiyi stepped forward as well. After first rebuking the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa, they directly knelt before Hongjun.
"Dao Ancestor, the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa do not know what is good for them and refuse to acknowledge the Dao Ancestor as their master. My brother and I, however, could not wish for more. We beg the Dao Ancestor to accept us as disciples."
Hongjun naturally had no intention of accepting Dijun and Taiyi, but the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa now wore determined expressions, with no intention of yielding whatsoever.
For the sake of his own face, Hongjun could only say, "Since you two are willing to acknowledge this poor Daoist as your master, this poor Daoist shall accept you as registered disciples."
He then took out several innate spirit treasures and bestowed them upon Dijun and Taiyi. However, he did not give them any Primordial Violet Qi.
Only then did everyone finally come to their senses. They hurriedly fell to their knees one after another, begging Hongjun to accept them as disciples. They were willing even to become registered disciples.
Seeing this, Hongjun felt that he had recovered at least some of the face he had lost. He immediately said to the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa,
"This poor Daoist will not force anyone against their will. When the Purple Cloud Palace next opens for lectures, this poor Daoist hopes you can give me a satisfactory answer."
After saying this, he no longer paid attention to the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa. Instead, he said directly, "There are countless living beings in the Primordial World, yet none now govern them."
"Today, this poor Daoist shall choose leaders among the male and female immortals to govern the Primordial World in my stead."
The moment Hongjun said this, Dijun and Taiyi stepped forward at once. Dijun even said directly, "Master, this disciple is untalented, but I am willing to serve as leader of the male immortals."
Hongjun shook his head at Dijun, then turned his gaze toward Dongwanggong and said,
"Dongwanggong was transformed from innate pure yang qi and may serve as leader of the male immortals of the Primordial World. I bestow the Dragon-Headed Staff as a token for commanding the immortal hosts."
"Queen Mother of the West was transformed from innate pure yin qi and may serve as leader of the female immortals of the Primordial World. I bestow a golden hairpin as a token for commanding the immortal hosts."
As he spoke, he waved his hand toward Dongwanggong and Queen Mother of the West. Two innate spirit treasures fell into their hands.
Queen Mother of the West did not hesitate to bow and thank Hongjun. But Dongwanggong spoke directly.
"Dao Ancestor, may I ask how this junior is supposed to command the male immortals of the Primordial World? By status, or by cultivation?"
"If by status, this junior is merely one of the three thousand fated ones and not a disciple of the Dao Ancestor. If by cultivation, this junior has no Primordial Violet Qi and cannot attain the Dao and become a Saint."
"With neither status nor strength, how can this junior make the male immortals of the Primordial World submit? How can this junior govern the male immortals of the Primordial World properly in the Dao Ancestor's stead?"
Before you continue