Hongjun Lost His Composure: How Was His Dao Discussion Supposedly Far Inferior to the Heaven-Earth Daoist's?

After his previous Dao Discussion, Hongjun had entered seclusion to gain more Heavenly Dao Authority.

He knew nothing of what had happened in the Primordial World.

Now, seeing his Daoist Abode more than half empty, his expression darkened.

They would not even come to hear the Quasi-Saint Dao? This was an insult to him, the Dao Ancestor!

Yuanshi seemed to notice Hongjun's displeasure. Considering himself a member of the Pangu Orthodox and the foremost among those present, he spoke first.

"Those Daoists are dull and of lowly origins. They cannot understand the Sage Dao you teach, Master."

"When they heard the Heaven-Earth Daoist was explaining the Great Firmament Dao, they went to him gladly."

"They are simply too unfortunate to hear your Sage Dao, Master. There is no need to pity them."

It was a deft response. Yuanshi branded the absentees as fools and declared that they were fated to miss Hongjun's Sage Dao.

What had been an embarrassment for Hongjun became a matter of their own ill fortune.

Hongjun's discomfort vanished at those words. He glanced at Yuanshi and nodded faintly.

"Good!"

With Yuanshi flattering Hongjun so earnestly, Zhunti and Jieyin were not about to hold back.

"I hear the Heaven-Earth Daoist is still explaining the Golden Immortal Dao. He cannot compare with Master's Sage Dao."

"He dares claim to teach the Primordial World while explaining only the Golden Immortal Dao? Utterly shameless!"

Both men had thick skins, and both had a vague sense that attaching themselves to Hongjun would put the Sage Dao within reach. They saw no reason to spare Qiankun, a Daoist they expected never to deal with again.

Seeing Yuanshi and Jieyin speak up, other Daoists below joined in.

In moments, Hongjun's embarrassment had dissipated.

Yet he remained dissatisfied. He silently calculated what had been said throughout the Primordial World and immediately understood.

Quite a few people had achieved breakthroughs at Qiankun's lectures. That was why word had spread that Hongjun's Dao Discussion was inferior to his...

The realization made Hongjun seethe.

When he had severed the Three Corpses and reached the Peak Primordial Unity Supreme Immortal realm, the Heaven-Earth Daoist had been only at the Middle Primordial Unity Supreme Immortal realm! The gulf between them had been enormous.

Though Hongjun had yet to become a Sage, he already understood the Sage Dao thoroughly. Once he gained Heavenly Dao Authority, he could become a Sage on the spot! Even joining with the Heavenly Dao and reaching the Heavenly Dao Realm afterward would be easy.

Those Daoists lacked the insight to understand his Supreme Sage Dao, yet they dared claim his Dao Discussion was inferior to that Qiankun brat's? This was too much!

Despite his anger, Hongjun kept an air of serene indifference.

Previously, he had focused only on establishing Karma with future Heavenly Dao Sages, without taking care to break down the Dao he taught. But now that such rumors were circulating, he could not, as Dao Ancestor, allow Qiankun to outdo him.

This time, he would carefully explain the Quasi-Saint Dao step by step. He would have every Great Firmament Golden Immortal present indebted to him for the explanation, and he would prove something to everyone in the Primordial World.

Their failure to understand him last time had not been his failing as Dao Ancestor. It had been theirs!

Having made up his mind, Hongjun cleared his throat.

"Today, I will explain the Quasi-Saint Dao!"

Everyone present snapped to attention, afraid of missing a single word.

On Yingzhou Island in the East Sea.

Li Yi appeared seated on the Jade Platform. The sight of his packed Daoist Abode left him somewhat astonished.

Roughly ten thousand had come to hear him last time. This time, there were nearly thirty thousand!

More striking still, almost two thousand of them were Great Firmament Golden Immortals!

Most conspicuous among them were the three at the front: the black-robed Tongtian, Nuwa, and Fuxi.

Nuwa had not chosen a place at the edge this time. She sat close to Li Yi, plainly resolved to take him as her teacher.

There were even members of the Witch Tribe in the crowd.

After the last Dao Discussion at Purple Cloud Palace, the Witch Tribe had given up on attending such lectures.

Born without Primordial Spirits, they could not cultivate the Dao and had left early. Houtu had stayed to the end, but she had gained nothing and had nearly fallen asleep.

The Witch Tribe had no intention of attending Hongjun's Second Lecture. But Houtu had heard of Li Yi's reputation and, curious, had come to Yingzhou Island.

Despite her high cultivation, she deliberately sat near the outside. If the lecture became unbearably tedious, she could slip away without offending the Heaven-Earth Daoist.

When Li Yi appeared, everyone rose and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Heaven-Earth Dao Ancestor!"

Li Yi's status and strength already placed him among the foremost figures in the Primordial World. As they had benefited from his teaching, calling him Dao Ancestor came naturally.

No one had decreed there could be only one Dao Ancestor, after all.

Li Yi nodded faintly and swept his gaze over the crowd.

"Today, I will explain the Quasi-Saint Dao. I will also discuss some Formation Dao."

"If you gain nothing from the Quasi-Saint Dao, you may still benefit from hearing about formations."

Li Yi had originally intended to explain only the Quasi-Saint Dao. But seeing Houtu, the compassionate future Earth Dao Sage, had made him want to establish Karma with her.

The Witch Tribe could not cultivate the Primordial Spirit Dao, but they could listen to the Formation Dao.

His words stirred the crowd, delight spreading across their faces.

Some Great Firmament Golden Immortals who had come from Purple Cloud Palace exchanged private messages.

"The Heaven-Earth Dao Ancestor is going to teach the Quasi-Saint Dao too?"

"Wonderful! I was worried he would still be teaching the Great Firmament Dao. This trip was worth it after all..."

Those who had yet to reach the Great Firmament realm were just as excited, their minds reeling.

Anything bearing the word "Saint" was part of the Sage Dao! Were they truly fortunate enough to hear it today?

Among the crowd, Houtu's expression shifted. The Formation Dao?

The Witch Tribe had indeed been studying it. Formations were fearsome in the Primordial World. Some innate grand formations could keep even Great Firmament cultivators out without anyone presiding over them.

Even if she could not understand the Primordial Spirit Dao, hearing about formations would make this trip worthwhile!

But... why did she have the feeling the Heaven-Earth Dao Ancestor had added the Formation Dao specifically because the Witch Tribe could not cultivate the Primordial Spirit Dao?

At the thought, Houtu gave a soft laugh and shook her head.

Her standing was not low, but it was far beneath this Dao Ancestor's. Why would he go out of his way to teach the Formation Dao for her sake?

Whatever thoughts were stirring below, Li Yi had already begun.

"Some of you did not attend last time. I will first briefly go over the Golden Immortal to Great Firmament Dao again."

"Those who heard it before may listen once more. Revisiting what you have learned can bring the Dao into clearer focus."

Li Yi had, after all, been through nine years of compulsory education. His teaching methods were ahead of the age.

No one below objected. The newcomers in particular bowed deeply to Li Yi, their gratitude growing stronger.