As for Daochen...
His main purpose in coming here was to help Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi secure the Sagehood Meditation Cushions, in preparation for the future Shaman-Demon Tribulation.
Secondly, Daochen had always been free-spirited. Becoming Hongjun's disciple and submitting to another's restraints? He would sooner die.
Especially since he possessed a system that supplied him with an endless stream of heavenly treasures for his cultivation.
Why should he eagerly pin his hopes on that strand of Hongjun's primordial purple qi?
That was how Daochen saw it, but the others thought differently.
Becoming a Sage's disciple meant having a complete path to Sagehood laid out before them.
That was far better than bitterly toiling away in secluded cultivation on their own.
But Hongjun had yet to speak, so the mighty figures of the Primordial World could only gaze at him expectantly.
Even the Three Pure Ones, always so proud and proclaiming themselves Pangu's true successors, watched Hongjun with eager eyes.
They waited for him to speak.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Hongjun remained expressionless, but he was fairly satisfied.
Yet when his gaze swept over the languid Daochen, his brows instinctively furrowed.
Hongjun looked at Daochen, and naturally, everyone else's eyes followed!
Arrogant!
Outrageous!
The Dao Ancestor was about to take disciples at such a solemn moment. It was one thing if you didn't want to become his disciple, but what was the meaning of that lazy attitude?!
For a moment, everyone glared at Daochen.
Daochen was rather baffled.
You wanting to become Hongjun's disciples is your business. What the hell does it have to do with me?
Why are you all staring at me?
"Daochen of the Sun Star greets you both, fellow Daoists. Please forgive the intrusion if I visit the Lunar Star in the future!"
Daochen simply ignored them all, turning instead to the dumbfounded Changxi and Xihe beside him and greeting them with a smile.
They would be neighbors in the future, after all. Surely there was nothing wrong with dropping by!
"Not at all... not at all... We sisters would naturally welcome your visit, fellow Daoist."
Caught off guard by Daochen's sudden question, Changxi and Xihe both froze.
But they quickly recovered.
"Excellent!"
"Our eldest brother really is..."
Eastern Emperor Taiyi and Dijun watched Daochen, who was under so many people's stares.
Yet he was still in the mood to chat and laugh with others.
Their admiration for him knew no bounds.
Watching Daochen chat merrily with Changxi and Xihe, the mighty figures of the Primordial World practically had flames shooting from their eyes!
Sage, hurry up and kill this disrespectful wretch!
But would Hongjun truly heed them and strike at Daochen?
"You three were born from Pangu's primordial spirit and possess the merit of opening heaven. You may enter my tutelage."
After a long while, Hongjun suddenly spoke.
"Your disciples pay their respects, Master!"
The Three Pure Ones' hearts trembled at his words, and they immediately prostrated themselves before Hongjun.
Then Hongjun turned his gaze to Nüwa behind them and said, "You, too, will encounter a tremendous blessing in the future. You may enter my tutelage."
"Your disciple Nüwa pays her respects, Master."
An enchanting smile blossomed on Nüwa's peerlessly beautiful face as she knelt before Hongjun.
"I, Jieyin (Zhunti), wish to enter the Dao Ancestor's tutelage. Please grant my wish, Dao Ancestor."
Seeing Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nüwa become Hongjun's disciples one after another, Jieyin and Zhunti grew anxious.
"Though your foundations are shallow, you will also earn tremendous merit in the future. You may enter my tutelage as registered disciples!"
Hongjun nodded slightly as he spoke.
Hearing Hongjun's reply, Jieyin and Zhunti were both delighted.
Registered disciples it is, then!
It was better than not becoming the Sage's disciples at all!
As the Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nüwa entered Hongjun's tutelage in succession, envy rose in the eyes of the many mighty figures of the Primordial World.
By now, they had come to understand.
Those Hongjun accepted as disciples were all seated on the Great Dao Meditation Cushions.
Since the Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nüwa had all become Hongjun's disciples...
What about Eastern Emperor Taiyi and Dijun, who were also sitting on Great Dao Meditation Cushions?
The Dao Ancestor still had not said a word about them!
Could it be that he had no intention of accepting them?
Not only did the many mighty figures of the Primordial World harbor this doubt, but Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi were also tense to the extreme.
Of the eight occupants of the Sagehood Meditation Cushions, six had entered Hongjun's tutelage.
Only the two brothers remained.
Will Master accept them?
Nüwa was also extremely nervous.
After all, Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi were members of the Demon Race.
If they could become Hongjun's disciples, it would be a tremendous boon for the Demon Race.
Daochen watched Hongjun with an enigmatic smile.
According to the Primordial World's original course, Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi had no fate with Sagehood.
But now, because of his transmigration, the two had taken seats on the Great Dao Meditation Cushions.
He was testing Hongjun's reactions step by step. Only by doing so could he prepare more thoroughly for when the Shaman-Demon Tribulation truly erupted.
Should I accept them or not?
In truth, not only was everyone present uncertain, but Hongjun himself harbored the same doubt.
Eastern Emperor Taiyi and Dijun's destinies had changed.
Even he could no longer see through them.
For a time, he could not fathom the matter either and did not know whether he should accept them.
"You two originally had no fate with my tutelage, but the heavenly order has changed, and your destinies have shifted. Even I cannot see through them."
"Since you have taken seats on the Great Dao Meditation Cushions today, perhaps you do have a karmic connection with me. Very well. Today, you two shall become my registered disciples!"
After a long while, Hongjun spoke slowly.
As for their opportunities to attain Sagehood, that would depend on their future fortune.
"Your disciple Dijun (Eastern Emperor Taiyi) pays his respects, Master. May all be well with you!"
Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi were both overjoyed and immediately prostrated themselves before Hongjun.
At the same time, their gratitude toward Daochen deepened.
After all, their entry into Hongjun's tutelage could be said to have been brought about single-handedly by Daochen.
Without Daochen's help, how could they have claimed seats of Sagehood so easily?
"Not bad."
Not far away, Daochen nodded slightly at the sight.
Eastern Emperor Taiyi and Dijun had become Hongjun's disciples.
He had now taken the first step in his plan.
The eight occupants of the Sagehood Meditation Cushions entered Hongjun's tutelage one after another, bringing the first lecture at the Purple Heavens Palace to a complete close.
Looking at the eight who had become Hongjun's disciples, the mighty figures of the Primordial World felt both envy and jealousy.
Unfortunately, their strength fell short of the others', leaving them powerless to contend for those six cushions.
Daochen, on the other hand, clearly had the strength to compete, yet had chosen not to.
That left them unable to fathom him.
Hmph. What use are strength and talent alone? Ignorant of heaven's designs, he let such an opportunity slip away today. In the future, he will ultimately become an ant beneath the tribulation.
Seated on a Great Dao Meditation Cushion, Yuanshi looked at Daochen with a flash of malice in his eyes.
He had suffered at Daochen's hands twice in succession. With his pride, how could he swallow that anger?
He was already pondering how he would recover his lost face from Daochen once he attained the Dao.
Before you continue