C5 Purple Heaven Palace Lecture

As Hongjun was deep in his calculations within the courtyard atop Buzhou Mountain, Zhang Yan, who was busy tinkering with traps, suddenly let out a massive sneeze.

"Ah... Choo!"

"Hiss!" Zhang Yan inhaled sharply. "Hmm, did it get colder?"

Simultaneously...

"Crack!" A faint, splintering sound echoed within the Silent Room of the Purple Heaven Palace, jolting Hongjun's eyes open wide.

"A variable!"

Hongjun stared at the minuscule crack on the Creation Jade Plate, his face a mix of shadows and light.

Since he had covertly orchestrated the Dragon and Phoenix Catastrophe, slaying the Chaos Fiend God Mo Yi to ascend to sainthood, this was the first time he sensed elements of the cosmos slipping beyond his control.

After a moment's reflection, Hongjun regained his composure, and the Creation Jade Plate above him slowly vanished.

"The Great Dao numbers fifty, the Heavenly Dao forty-nine, sparing one."

"Could this variable be the lifeline the Heavenly Dao offers to all beings beyond the Cataclysm?"

His murmurs filled the Silent Room, only to fade away into silence.

"Disciple!"

Hongjun's gentle call was promptly met with a response from beyond the Silent Room.

"Yes, Master!"

As time marched on, the plaza outside the Purple Heaven Palace swelled with an increasing number of arriving powerhouses.

"Boom!"

A thunderous boom quelled all other sounds in the plaza, drawing everyone's gaze to the now-open doors of the Purple Heaven Palace.

A pair of Dao children, resembling porcelain dolls, stepped out with measured grace.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please come in."

The young Daoist's voice rang clear and bright.

While the crowd was still processing the sight, Fuxi and Nuwa, as if anticipating this moment, were already striding towards the Purple Heaven Palace.

In that instant, the siblings were single-minded, with Zhang Yan's advice echoing in their hearts: "We must secure the prayer mat that offers a chance at sainthood."

Approaching the entrance, they peered inside to see six prayer mats arrayed beneath the dais.

"It's... It's exactly as our brother described!"

"That is our opportunity for sainthood!" Fuxi and Nuwa's awe of Zhang Yan surged like the endless waters of the Luo River.

There was no time for hesitation.

The siblings were a blur as they dashed toward the six meditation mats.

In an instant, they claimed the first and second mats.

Those who made it to the Purple Heaven Palace were far from ordinary, with minds so transparent that even their eyelashes seemed to vanish.

In that moment, two figures, seemingly on the cusp of sainthood, fiercely vied for the unassuming mats, fully aware of the stakes.

Divine powers sparked to life, each one targeting the mats in a frenzied rush.

After the scramble, an elder, a middle-aged, and a youth secured three mats. These individuals had previously exchanged pleasantries with Fuxi and Nuwa outside the palace and recognized each other as incarnations of the Three Purities, born from the primordial spirit of Pangu.

The final mat was occupied by a red-robed Taoist with a benevolent smile. The Nuwa siblings knew him well from their early travels through the ancient world. He was the transformation of the very first red cloud, with skills as remarkable as his origins.

With that, all six mats were filled. Those who arrived later, though reluctant, dared not cause trouble within the Purple Heaven Palace and resigned themselves to sit on the floor, behind the occupied mats.

As the seating was settled, two more figures entered the palace.

Dressed in rags and weary from travel, they were overcome with despair upon seeing the crowded hall, and tears fell freely.

"We are truly unfortunate," they lamented. "Having traveled countless miles from the desolate west to seek enlightenment for its people, we find ourselves without even a spot to stand."

These were the western Taoists, Jieyin and Zhunti.

The compassionate Daoist Hongyun, moved by their plight and reminded of his own past struggles for enlightenment, offered solace.

"If it's not too much trouble, you're welcome to rest here," he said.

Jieyin, who was he? A man accustomed to the scarcity of the west, where even a single grass was cherished, his skin was as thick as the Nine-heaven Resting Soil. Seeing an opportunity, he wasted no time in joining Hongyun on the mat, unapologetically sharing the space.

It was unclear whether by design or by accident, but Hongyun found himself squeezed out of his place.

With no other choice, Hongyun resigned himself to sitting on the ground.

Once the seating was arranged, an old man with a youthful face and full of vigor took his place on the high platform without anyone noticing. His presence was so profound that the Taoist aura emanating from him was almost tangible, overwhelming those of lesser strength.

The newcomer was none other than Hongjun. He cast a brief glance downward, noting Fuxi seated serenely on a cushion, while Hongyun, who was also destined for sainthood, sat forlornly on the ground, prompting a twitch in the corner of Hongjun's eye.

But who was Hongjun, after all? He was the architect of the universe, having shaped its destiny for countless eons. His strategies were so deep and intricate that none had surpassed him since the dawn of creation.

"I am Hongjun!"

With a calm declaration, Hongjun captured the attention of all present.

"I am aware of the events that have transpired here. Zhunti and Jieyin have traveled vast distances in their quest for the Dao. Their dedication is admirable, and thus, they shall have a seat!"

As the universe's premier Sage spoke, his words became reality, and an additional cushion materialized beside the original six.

Zhunti and Jieyin were ecstatic, bowing deeply in gratitude.

"We thank the Saint for his compassion towards the West!"

Hongjun merely nodded, his expression neutral.

He had once battled Mo Ye in the West, and the region's current desolation was partly his responsibility—a debt he intended to repay with the status of a Sage.

"But what of Hongyun and Fuxi..."

Hongjun pondered briefly, then his face broke into a knowing smile. With the Heavenly Dao under his control, the power to grant sainthood was his alone, and he doubted Fuxi would dare challenge his authority.

Without further contemplation, Hongjun began his sermon.

"Today, we shall discuss the path to sainthood!"

The Sage's teachings were truly exceptional. Golden lotuses sprang from the earth, their blooms and wilts exuding a divine fragrance.

Enshrouded by the laws of the Purple Heaven Palace, millennia of enlightenment within its walls equated to mere days in the outside world.

"This... is the Dao!"

The discourse concluded, and those seated on the cushions were all beings of remarkable talent. After deep contemplation, the Three Purities, along with Jieyin and Zhunti of the West, ascended to the Quasi Saint Stage, mere inches from the ultimate realization of the Dao and the attainment of the primordial state.

"The cosmos possesses the mechanism for sanctification; nine is the ultimate number. Under the Heavenly Dao, there should be eight saints. However, the great Dao numbers fifty, yet only forty-nine are manifest, with one concealed—thus, the Heavenly Dao is not whole, allowing for only seven saints!"

"Yuanshi, Shangqing, Tongtian!"

"You three are incarnations of the Pangu Divine Spirit, sharing in the merit of opening the heavens, and therefore, you may attain sainthood!"

No sooner had he spoken than three streams of purple grandmist aura burst forth from within Hongjun's sleeves, bestowing their power upon the Three Purities.

"Thank you, Master!"

Even Yuanshi, typically so composed, couldn't contain his elation.

"Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nuwa are also worthy of sainthood!"

Hongjun summoned forth three additional streams of purple grandmist aura, prompting them to bow deeply and address him as Master.

After this sequence of events, of the seven prayer mats, only Fuxi remained.

Despite his steady demeanor, Fuxi's breath quickened, and anxiety took hold—his elder brother had been adamant that he was not destined for sainthood.