Chapter Seventy-Four: Dividing the Seats of Sainthood, Redcloud Receives the Violet Qi

Chenxing observed the expressions of those present, inwardly scoffing at their lack of true devotion to the Dao. If not for being born in the relatively peaceful and prosperous Great Desolation, in a harsher world where cultivation was a ceaseless struggle for survival, they would likely be nothing more than cannon fodder. Greed, anger, ignorance, desire, darkness, ruthlessness, and venom—these traits were commonplace in the Great Desolation. Even the saints who had achieved the Hunyuan realm were not immune to such flaws. All the saints, including Hongjun himself, were constantly scheming to escape the shackles of the Heavenly Dao, which later gave rise to the saying, “The saint is unfeeling, regarding all things as straw dogs.”

Fortunately, Nuwa married him early; otherwise, would she not have become that heartless and indifferent Holy Mother in the end?

As Chenxing’s thoughts churned, Hongjun suddenly spoke: “Since I have achieved sainthood, beneath the Heavenly Dao, it is only right to enlighten all beings. Now that I have preached three times, henceforth I will not teach again!”

At these words, all those below hurriedly bowed and pleaded, “We beg the teacher’s mercy!”

But Hongjun was unmoved and replied calmly, “There is no need to plead further.” After a pause, he continued, “Under the Heavenly Dao, there should be seats for saints, to govern the Great Desolation on behalf of the Dao. The Great Dao arises from One, begins with Three, is fulfilled in Six, and reaches its utmost at Nine. Nine is the limit; nothing should be excessive. Therefore, there shall be eight seats for saints in the Great Desolation. I am the First Saint; my disciples may fill the remaining seven seats.”

Hearing this, all present immediately prostrated themselves, exclaiming, “Teacher, your mercy is boundless!”

“Zhenyuanzi, your foundation is profound, your fortune long-lasting, and your destiny is great. You are worthy of becoming a saint. This day, I accept you as my personal disciple. Do you accept?” Hongjun said indifferently.

Zhenyuanzi was overjoyed and knelt, bowing deeply. “Greetings, teacher! May your holy body be ever healthy!”

Hongjun nodded slightly, waved his hand, and a beam of purple light shot into Zhenyuanzi’s primordial spirit. “This is Primordial Purple Qi, the foundation for achieving sainthood,” he explained.

Zhenyuanzi was ecstatic, kneeling in gratitude.

“Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian were born of Pangu’s primordial spirit, the true orthodox line of Pangu. They have inherited Pangu’s legacy, possess deep foundations, enduring fortune, and are endowed with great wisdom, perseverance, and merit. You too are fit to become my personal disciples and attain sainthood.”

With another wave, three beams of Primordial Purple Qi flew into the primordial spirits of the three.

The three immediately knelt and called out, “Thank you, teacher! May you live eternally!” Rising, they could hardly conceal their joy.

After accepting the Three Pure Ones, Hongjun fell silent and closed his eyes, saying nothing more.

At this, Jieyin and Zhunti became anxious. Of the seven saintly seats, four had now been taken by Hongjun’s disciples, but when it came to them, he stopped. Unwilling to accept this, the two knelt and pleaded, “Teacher, please have pity on the impoverished West and accept us as your disciples!” They kowtowed unceasingly as they spoke.

Seeing this, Hongjun said helplessly, “Jieyin and Zhunti, you two are also innate spirits with profound roots, but your affinity with me is shallow. Since you beg so earnestly, I will accept you as registered disciples. See to your own conduct henceforth.” Without waiting for a response, he sent beams of Primordial Purple Qi into their primordial spirits.

Zhunti and Jieyin were instantly elated. Whether or not they were personal disciples no longer mattered. The two brothers had been alone for so long—now that they possessed Primordial Purple Qi, they felt supremely content.

The rest saw that Hongjun had already bestowed six beams of Primordial Purple Qi. Now only one remained. They all fell to their knees, begging, “Please, teacher, show mercy!”

Hongjun ignored them and said to himself, “Now only one beam of Primordial Purple Qi remains. Let fate decide who shall receive it!” With that, he turned his hand, and a beam of purple light swirled about the Zixiao Palace.

Everyone watched eagerly as the purple light circled once, then suddenly flashed and shot into the body of a man in fiery red Daoist robes—Hongyun.

When the Primordial Purple Qi entered his body, Hongyun stood dumbfounded for a moment before bursting out in laughter, shouting, “I have obtained the Primordial Purple Qi! I shall have a seat among the saints—I too shall become a saint!” In the original course of events, Hongyun forgot to thank the Dao Ancestor at this moment, bringing disaster upon himself.

But since Zhenyuanzi had replaced Nuwa as a disciple of the Dao Ancestor, seeing his old friend lose himself, he quickly tugged Hongyun’s sleeve and whispered, “Quick, thank the teacher!”

Startled, Hongyun immediately came to his senses and bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Dao Ancestor!” With this bow, the karmic debt was settled. Hongjun sighed inwardly and waved his hand. “Since you have obtained the Primordial Purple Qi, it is a matter of fate. When you achieve the Dao, I will accept you as a disciple. You may go.”

A chill ran through Hongyun’s heart. Though he had gained the Primordial Purple Qi, he had not been accepted as a disciple of the Dao Ancestor. Would this not bring endless peril in the future?

Looking around, he saw that many cultivators were already eyeing him with murderous intent, especially Kunpeng of the North Sea, whose glare seemed to burn with the hatred of sworn enemies.

Unlike in the original timeline, Hongyun was not blinded by the Heavenly Dao, and keenly sensed the danger surrounding him. In desperation, he looked to his old friend Zhenyuanzi for help.

Seeing the situation, Zhenyuanzi remembered the message Chenxing had sent him that day. He realized that if nothing was done, his old friend Hongyun would likely perish because of this purple Qi. He quickly bowed and pleaded, “Teacher, please save Hongyun’s life!”

Hongyun also prostrated himself in supplication, knowing he could not hope to escape the scheming of so many.

Hongjun smiled faintly and said to Hongyun, “Fate is decided by Heaven. This Primordial Purple Qi found you, which is also a kind of destiny. But your fortune is insufficient to sustain the Primordial Purple Qi. This is to act against the will of Heaven, and you will lose your life as payment for carrying such a foundation. Yet since you beg for help, I can teach you a method—perhaps it can save your life!”

Hongyun replied reverently, “Then I beg the Dao Ancestor for guidance.”

“To bear the foundation of the Dao requires great fortune and destiny. Though you cannot withstand it yourself, you may rely on outside aid. Seek one with immense fortune, and borrow their destiny to sustain your foundation. In this way, you might survive this calamity.”

“Great fortune?” Hongyun muttered, a light flashing in his eyes as he looked toward Zhenyuanzi. But before he could speak, Hongjun interjected, “Zhenyuanzi already bears a beam of Primordial Purple Qi; he cannot help you.”

Hongyun’s expression changed. Apart from Zhenyuanzi, he trusted no one. But as his gaze swept the crowd, he caught sight of a certain figure. His eyes brightened, and he hastened forward to bow deeply, saying, “To be chosen as Dao companion by a great saint must mean you possess extraordinary fortune. Might you assist me? I, Hongyun, will surely repay your kindness!”

The person Hongyun approached was none other than Chenxing. He believed Chenxing would not covet his Primordial Purple Qi, and trusted Zhenyuanzi’s assessment of Chenxing: outwardly genial, yet inwardly proud to the extreme. His cultivation was unfathomable, as if nothing in this world could move him.

If there was anyone who cared nothing for the Primordial Purple Qi, it would surely be him.

Chenxing, who had just been joking with his younger sister, was startled by Hongyun’s request and laughed. “You want my help for such a little bit of Primordial Purple Qi?”

Hongyun was a bit embarrassed by this response. ‘A little bit’? This was the very foundation of sainthood! Countless beings would kill for it—could he not show it a bit more respect?

Seeing Hongyun at a loss, Zhenyuanzi hurried forward. “Please, senior, help us!”

Chenxing considered for a moment before replying, “I can solve this for you, but both you, Zhenyuanzi, and Hongyun will owe me a favor.”

Hongyun immediately agreed, “Rest assured, friend. Should you ever call upon us, we will do our utmost.”

Zhenyuanzi also nodded, and Chenxing smiled. Who could know better than he what the Primordial Purple Qi truly was? It was nothing more than a wisp of Dao left behind in the Chaos by the Primordial Heart at the dawn of the universe.

Hongyun’s fortune was too thin to withstand the baptism of this Dao, and he should have perished. Yet, by chance, Zhenyuanzi had become Hongjun’s chief disciple, thereby linking his fate to Hongjun’s and barely preserving Hongyun’s life.

What they did not know was that, even with the cultivation of a quasi-saint like himself, solving such a problem was no more difficult than eating or drinking.

Chenxing extended his right forefinger and tapped between Hongyun’s brows. Instantly, his spirit entered Hongyun’s primordial spirit, where he saw the Primordial Purple Qi gradually withering due to Hongyun’s insufficient fortune.

Chenxing sighed inwardly; perhaps this was the Great Desolation’s version of squandering heaven’s gifts.

With a thought, the Primordial Purple Qi blended seamlessly into Hongyun’s primordial spirit, no longer requiring the nourishment of fortune. It was as if it had always been one with Hongyun, perfectly natural and harmonious.