Chapter Sixty-Seven: Hongjun's Personal Welcome, Discussion of the Sage's Seat in the Purple Cloud Palace

“Fellow Daoist Chenxing, Fellow Daoist Nuwa, Fellow Daoist Fuxi, and Young Friend Zhu Feng, please come in, forgive this old Daoist for my neglect!”

At that moment, a voice reached the ears of all present. As the words fell, the grand gates of the Purple Cloud Palace creaked open, revealing an elderly man with an immortal bearing, accompanied by two young attendants, smiling amiably at Chenxing and the others standing before the doors.

It was none other than Hongjun, who had brought Haotian and Yaochi to personally welcome the guests from Fangzhang Island.

Everyone stared in astonishment at the unfolding scene. The time for the sermon had not yet arrived, yet the doors had opened. Who were these mighty beings—Chenxing, Nuwa, Fuxi, and Zhu Feng—that could prompt a sage like Hongjun to open the palace gates early in welcome?

Only those who knew Chenxing—the Three Pure Ones and a few others—were shaken to their core. They were aware of Chenxing’s acquaintance with Hongjun but had never imagined their relationship was so close, that even the now-sainted Hongjun would come out in person to greet him. Secretly, they resolved never to offend these individuals lightly in the future.

After returning the courtesy, Chenxing and his companions followed Hongjun into the Purple Cloud Palace. With a resounding bang, the great doors closed again, as if nothing had happened.

What shocked the crowd most was that the little fat cultivator who had been mingling among them, only at the Golden Immortal level, also entered the palace alongside Chenxing and the others. Many were stunned by this and regretted not having befriended that rotund fellow beforehand.

Inside the palace, after everyone had seated themselves, Hongjun was the first to speak. “Let me first congratulate Fellow Daoist Nuwa on attaining the rank of a Primordial Saint!” With that, he offered a distant bow.

Nuwa hurriedly rose to return the salute. “You are too kind, Fellow Daoist Hongjun. It was merely a fortuitous chance for me.”

Hongjun shook his head and smiled wryly. “You flatter this old Daoist. I suppose the Chaos Pearl has always been in your possession, has it not?”

Nuwa blushed, sneaking a glance at Chenxing, unable to utter a word.

Chenxing understood that, for someone like Hongjun who had already achieved sainthood, there was no need to hide such matters. He replied lightly, “If you had known about the Chaos Pearl beforehand, would you have still had the chance to become a Saint?”

Hongjun nodded bitterly. “Indeed! Perhaps it was my fate all along.” He sighed deeply.

Chenxing was right. Had Hongjun known that Nuwa possessed the Chaos Pearl, perhaps he would have been tempted by darker thoughts. And if he had, by some miscalculation, harmed Nuwa, with Chenxing’s strength, even as a Great Dao Saint, Hongjun could hardly guarantee his own safety.

Though a Heavenly Dao Saint possesses the ability to place their primordial spirit in the void and is not easily slain, in terms of power, the Great Dao Saint still surpasses them.

Hongjun knew well that Chenxing’s cultivation far exceeded his own, and that Chenxing could easily kill him if he so wished.

Although Great Dao Saints are not constrained by the Heavenly Dao and have limitless prospects, in the prehistoric world, being a Heavenly Dao Saint also comes with its own advantages. Both paths have their strengths and weaknesses, and it is hard to say which is superior.

Hongjun realized that, had he been unable to act against Nuwa because of personal feelings, knowing that she held the Chaos Pearl, it would have been a disaster for him. Such a matter would have become a heart demon, and with his nemesis, the demon lord Rahu, ever present, he might not have even been able to become a Heavenly Dao Saint.

Of course, only Chenxing, Hongjun, and Nuwa understood the true depth of these matters. Fuxi and the fat one were left bewildered by their cryptic exchange.

“But you have left me with a difficult problem, my friend,” Hongjun said, glancing at Nuwa, then smiling wryly at Chenxing.

Chenxing grinned and replied, “Now that Nuwa is my wife and has achieved the Dao, do you still wish to take her as your disciple?”

Hongjun shook his head. “I know your origins are extraordinary. I could not find a trace of you in the Heavenly Dao, not even a hint—indeed, I was warned by the Dao itself. The matter of Nuwa is of great significance, but for you, my friend, resolving it should be but a trifle, no?”

Upon hearing this, Fuxi and the others were unsurprised. Chenxing had taken Pangu himself as a disciple; the Heavenly Dao, which only came into being after the world’s creation, could hardly restrain him.

Chenxing fell silent for a moment, then asked, “In your opinion, how should we resolve this?”

“It seems we must find another to fill this position. The great momentum of fate cannot be defied. As for the Heavenly Dao, I shall have to trouble you to bear the consequences, my friend,” Hongjun said with a smile.

Chenxing naturally understood that after this sermon, Hongjun would merge with the Dao itself—he would become the Heavenly Dao, yet the Dao would not be his to command. The Heavenly Dao is impartial; henceforth, any consequences from Nuwa not formally taking a master would be things even Hongjun would not dare provoke lightly. Only someone as mysterious as Chenxing, in his eyes, could shoulder such a burden.

Chenxing smiled bitterly, resigned. “Very well.”

When Hongjun heard Chenxing agree, he breathed a sigh of relief and said with a laugh, “Now, let us consider who should fill this vacancy. Have you anyone in mind?” As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Fuxi and the fat one.

Chenxing had already made up his mind. “There is but one suitable candidate, and his taking the post will not disrupt the fate of the world.”

“Oh? Whom do you have in mind?” Hongjun asked with interest.

“Zhen Yuanzi!” Chenxing pronounced each syllable carefully.

Hongjun pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Indeed, only he would not affect the destiny of the world. Let it be so.”

The fat one, overhearing their conversation, curled his lip and muttered, “Why not just say Zhen Yuanzi is fated to be a background character? No need for all this mystery—two old foxes!”

Hearing his muttering, Chenxing and Hongjun exchanged a helpless smile.

“Unless you’d like to claim the saint’s seat yourself?” Hongjun joked.

“Ha! As if I’d want that! Your Fat Lord is destined for greatness, not these paltry titles!” the fat one boasted shamelessly.

Hongjun laughed and cupped his hands. “Then let me congratulate you in advance on reaching the pinnacle.”

The fat one returned the gesture with a straight face. “Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist Hongjun.” Suddenly, his expression turned sly. “May I ask, given our relationship now, would your future disciples be considered my juniors?”

Chenxing, hearing this blatant bid to become an elder, immediately looked away as if to say, “I don’t know this man.”

Nuwa stifled a laugh, watching the two make fools of themselves.

Hongjun was momentarily taken aback, but soon smiled. “Naturally. Although your cultivation is still shallow, as Chenxing’s brother and my peer, the hierarchy must not be confused.”

Seeing the fat one so pleased with this answer, Chenxing couldn’t help pouring cold water on him. “With your level of cultivation, do you really have the nerve to act as an elder?”

The fat one glared back. “So what if my cultivation is low? If you’re so capable, stop calling my godmother ‘Mom’! Dare you?”

Chenxing was instantly speechless—he truly dared not.

With the important matters settled, they began, at Hongjun’s suggestion, to discuss the Dao.

Time in chaos cannot be measured. That day, as all waited expectantly, the doors of the Purple Cloud Palace creaked open once more. The two young attendants stepped out, proclaiming in a loud voice, “The master will soon begin his sermon. All are to enter the hall immediately, and silence must be maintained!” With that, they returned inside, paying the crowd no further heed.

At this, everyone hurried to enter, causing a great commotion. The Three Pure Ones, being numerous, led the rush and were the first inside. Upon entering, they saw a cloud couch set atop a high platform, with six meditation cushions laid out below.

They knew at once that the cloud couch was for Hongjun, and so unceremoniously took the front three cushions, sitting cross-legged to rest and meditate.

By now, many others had entered. Seeing the Three Pure Ones seated, the quick-witted among them dashed for the remaining cushions. Hongyun, being formed from primordial red cloud and swift by nature, pulled his old friend Zhen Yuanzi with him, pressing Zhen Yuanzi onto the fourth cushion before taking the fifth for himself, glancing about with satisfaction.

Amidst the jostling, Kunpeng managed to slip into the last available seat. With the six cushions claimed, the scramble ended. Many looked on with envy and jealousy at those who’d secured seats.

No one noticed that Dijun and Taiyi were casting venomous glances at those on the cushions, especially Kunpeng. They had repeatedly invited Kunpeng to join the demon clan, only to be refused each time, which enraged them. Now, seeing Kunpeng secure a cushion—and possibly a great opportunity—made them fear he might soon surpass them in cultivation, fueling their anger further.

Just as the hall settled into expectant silence, awaiting the sage’s sermon, two Daoists entered from outside. Their robes were tattered and they looked utterly bedraggled.