Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, Only the Four Sages Can Break It

As Hongjun's teachings grew more profound, some great beings could no longer understand at all and awoke from their state of enlightenment.

Watching Hongjun continue to speak without any sign of stopping, these great beings had no choice but to rely on the abundant Innate Spiritual Qi of Zixiao Palace to cultivate various divine powers and techniques.

Though this was abandoning the root for the branch compared to listening to the Dao, since the Dao could not be comprehended, this was the only option.

It was just like Houtu during the first sermon—after all, one couldn't simply sit there and wait for three thousand years to pass.

Thus, time flowed on, and gradually, three thousand years passed.

On the Dao platform, Hongjun ceased his teachings, and everyone below gradually awoke.

Many people breathed a sigh of relief, for this session had truly been difficult to endure.

Yet some were still savoring the lingering flavor—namely, the six future sages sitting on the six cattail mats in front: the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti.

Because they sat on the cattail mats, which had the effect of aiding their listening and comprehension of the Dao.

This secretly enhanced their enlightenment, widening the gap between them and the others without anyone noticing.

"Enough."

At this moment, Hongjun spoke from the Dao platform, saying, "This sermon ends here."

"If any of you have questions you do not understand, you may ask me."

Hongjun gave everyone an opportunity to ask questions.

Immediately, Laozi, sitting on the first cattail mat, stood up, bowed to Hongjun, and asked, "May I ask, Teacher, what is the Dao?"

"That which is sought but cannot be obtained is the Dao," Hongjun replied.

"If it can be obtained, then it is not the Dao."

Laozi seemed lost in thought, bowed once more to Hongjun, and sat back down on his cattail mat.

Then Yuanshi rose and asked, "May I ask, Teacher, what is a sage? What is a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin?"

Hongjun frowned slightly and answered, "A sage is a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin, but a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin is not necessarily a sage."

"There is a fixed number of sages—nine—which is the ultimate number of the Heavenly Dao, and there cannot be more. A sage's Nascent Soul is entrusted to the Heavenly Dao, allowing them to be immortal and eternal, coexisting with the Heavenly Dao forever."

"As for the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin, this is a path of self-proven fruition. The road is difficult, but if one succeeds, they can stand on equal footing with a sage."

Yuanshi grew somewhat excited and wanted to ask more, but Tongtian also rose and cut in first, asking, "May I ask, Teacher, how does one become a sage?"

"All Three Thousand Great Daos can lead to sagehood," Hongjun replied.

"However, as far as I know, there are three methods to become a sage. First, like the great god Pangu, splitting the heavens and opening the earth, breaking through chaos, and evolving the world—this is Dao Proving Through Strength, and it makes for the strongest sage."

"Second is the method of Severing the Three Corpses that I taught you earlier. This method severs the three obsessions of good, evil, and self, bringing one's cultivation to the limit just below sagehood. On this basis, if one can, with great perseverance, merge the three corpses back into one, they can prove the Dao through this method."

"Though this method is inferior to Pangu's Dao Proving Through Strength, it has the advantage of being stable and gradual. I myself proved the Dao through this method, so it has been verified."

"Third, Dao Proving Through Merit! Obtain Heavenly Dao merit, prove the Dao through merit, and the sage seat descends from heaven. A sage who proves the Dao through this method is the weakest among the three."

"But once one proves the Dao and becomes a sage, it is an entirely different level. You must understand—beneath the sages, all are ants!"

At the end, Hongjun could not help but sigh as he spoke.

Whether Hongjun said this intentionally or unintentionally was unclear.

The people below were all greatly shaken upon hearing this. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.

Beneath the sages, all are ants! Was this not too terrifying? Could it really be that absurd?

But Hongjun gave them no further explanation. Suddenly, he changed the subject and said, "Among you, a few are fated to be with me and may become disciples of my Mystic Sect."

"What?"

Hearing this, everyone became excited at once, looking up at Hongjun with fervent hope, each wishing to become his disciple.

But Hongjun paid them no heed. His gaze only fell on the six sitting in front. "Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian—you three are transformed from Pangu's Nascent Soul and possess great merit. You may become my disciples."

The three had been eagerly anticipating this. Hearing Hongjun's words, they immediately rose together, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Disciple pays respects to Teacher."

Hongjun smiled slightly and wasted no words. With a flick of his sleeve, three streams of Hongmeng Purple Qi flew into the Nascent Souls of the three.

Not only that, but Hongjun continued, "You three are disciples of my Mystic Sect, and you should have supreme treasures to protect yourselves and suppress the Destiny of my Mystic Sect."

Thus, from Hongjun's sleeve, several treasures were shaken out.

They were none other than the Taiji Diagram, the Pangu Banner, and the Four Swords of Zhu Xian along with the Zhu Xian Formation Diagram.

As these treasures emerged, their terrifying aura radiated outward, making it impossible for those below to open their eyes.

But Hongjun waved his hand and suppressed these treasures, concealing their divine light so that no strange phenomena could manifest.

Hongjun bestowed the Taiji Diagram upon Laozi, saying, "Laozi, you are the senior disciple of my Mystic Sect. It is fitting that you wield the Taiji Diagram. This is one of the treasures transformed from the Sky-Opening Axe, with immense power. Use it with caution."

"Disciple thanks Teacher." Laozi received the Taiji Diagram, overjoyed, and quickly bowed in gratitude.

Everyone watched with envy and jealousy.

Yuanshi and Tongtian were filled with anticipation.

At this moment, Hongjun indeed bestowed the Pangu Banner upon Yuanshi, saying, "Yuanshi, the Pangu Banner and the Taiji Diagram share the same origin. It is transformed from the blade of the Sky-Opening Axe."

"Among Innate Supreme Treasures, it has the strongest offensive power. You hold this treasure—do not use it lightly!"

"Yes, Teacher." Yuanshi was beside himself with excitement and elation, hastily receiving it and bowing in reverence.

After Yuanshi withdrew, Tongtian could no longer contain himself and stepped forward to bow as well.

Two consecutive Innate Supreme Treasures, handed out like common cabbages, filled Tongtian's heart with both anticipation and anxiety.

After all, Innate Supreme Treasures were limited in number, and those born from the Sky-Opening Axe—the Taiji Diagram, the Pangu Banner, and the Chaos Bell—had all found their masters.

What could he still receive? Those four swords and the formation diagram, though they suited his tastes, he prayed they wouldn't be too inferior!

At that moment, Hongjun bestowed the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and the Zhu Xian Formation Diagram, saying, "Tongtian, these Four Swords of Zhu Xian and the formation diagram are yours. They can form the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. This sword formation cannot be broken unless by four sages."

As soon as Hongjun spoke these words, the entire Zixiao Palace fell into dead silence.

Everyone stared with blazing eyes at the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and the Zhu Xian Formation Diagram held in Tongtian's arms.

Cannot be broken unless by four sages?

These four swords and the formation diagram, when assembled into a grand formation, could not be broken unless by four sages?

Everyone wondered if they had misheard.

After all, at this moment in heaven and earth, only Hongjun was a sage. If the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation could not be broken unless by four sages, then who could possibly be a match for Tongtian?

Involuntarily, deep wariness toward Tongtian took root in everyone's hearts, and they resolved that even if they couldn't befriend him, they would keep their distance and treat him with respect.

Otherwise, if Tongtian deployed this sword formation, wouldn't they become souls lost within it?