As the deadline for Hongjun's third sermon neared, more and more followers of the Immortal Path began to cut their evil thoughts, good thoughts, or obsessions and finally entered the Quasi-Saint Realm.
In Fire Origin Cave, Redcloud Ancestor emitted a pressure that reached thirty-thousand li.
In Wuzhuang Temple of Longevity Mountain, Zhen Yuanzi successfully severed a Corpse and entered the Quasi-Saint Realm.
In the Darknoth Sea, inside Darknoth Palace, Kunpeng severed a corpse and entered the Quasi-Saint Realm.
Near the Undying Volcano of the South, the Phoenix Clan felt a pressure that reached thirty-thousand li press down upon them. The elders frowned when they realized it was Jinchi, the Golden-Winged Great Roc, that reached the Quasi-Saint Realm.
The Blood Sea trembled as terrifying turbulence originated in the center. Minghe sat atop his Twelfth-Ranked Red Lotus of Karma with the Yuanti and Abi Swords circling around him. A moment later, a figure with seventy-percent similarities to Minghe appeared. His pure-white robes contrasted greatly against Minghe's blood-red ones.
None of these events escaped Heavenly Court's surveillance. With billions of demons under their flag, it was trivial for the Heavenly Court to dispatch a few demons to keep an eye on the Great Desolation—especially the territory of powerful gods like Redcloud Ancestor, Zhen Yuanzi, and Jinchi.
The only exception was Minghe, but that's because he resided in the Blood Sea. Even Golden Immortals of the Great Firmament were liable to be stained by the bloody miasma rising from it. Only Minghe, who was born from it, was unaffected.
However, none of this mattered to Di Jun at the moment. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the messenger kneeling below him. "Repeat what you just said."
The demon messenger shivered, but he dared not defy the Heavenly Emperor's orders. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Violet Manor has sent out an emissary asking the Fox Clan to join them."
Although Di Jun formed the Demon Clan and absorbed most of the remnants of the Hundred Clans except for the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and Qilin Clan, there were still a few clans that did not throw their lot in with him. The Fox Clan was naturally among them.
"Dong Wanggong, do you really think We are afraid of you?" Di Jun muttered. "You should have obediently played your role as an island owner. Once the Dao Ancestor's third sermon is finished, your end will be near."
Di Jun closed his eyes and calmed down. When he opened them, they were clear and unchanging. "Send an emissary to the Fox Clan. Tell them that they have until the end of the Dao Ancestor's third sermon to join the Heavenly Court."
"At once, Your Majesty.” The demon messenger inwardly sighed with relief, finally able to escape from the heavy atmosphere of the throne hall.
Di Jun sighed. After the fateful clash with the Titan Tribe, more and more problems had been cropping up. "It's time to unify the rest of the remaining Hundred Clans."
The Fox Clan's patriarch smiled bitterly as he received Heavenly Court's messenger. After experiencing the horror of the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, he wanted to keep the Fox Clan out of the next tribulation.
According to his experience, the protagonists of this tribulation should be the Heavenly Court, Titan Tribe, and Violet Manor, like the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and Qilin Clan of yore.
The Fox Clan nearly perished during the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, but both the Heavenly Court and Violet Manor were forcing him to make a decision.
The patriarch of the Fox Clan hated the alliance of ten thousand immortals. If they hadn't sent someone, Heavenly Court would have been content to ignore them and they would’ve passed the next tribulation safely.
As he sent away Heavenly Court's messenger, the Fox Clan's patriarch summoned all the Fox Clan's elders. They needed to make a decision soon.
In the chaotic boundary, the congenital gods gathered once more. At the head were the Three Purities. Each one possessed Late Quasi-Saint Realm cultivation bases, far above the rest. There was actually one less intermediate Quasi-Saint than advanced Quasi-Saints.
Perhaps Taiyi or Nuwa may have advanced to the Intermediate Quasi-Realm, but they had to take the time to recuperate from the injuries they received in the battle with the Titan Tribe.
Tongtian spotted Jieyin and Zhunti. Of everyone present, she expected him to have reached the Intermediate Quasi-Saint Realm, not Di Jun. 'Perhaps the West is too barren for them to get a decent innate spiritual artifact?'
She had accidentally stumbled on the truth.
Aside from them, she spotted more than twenty Quasi-Saints, but it was hard to tell which one stepped into the Quasi-Saint Realm by tempering their qi with the law.
Tongtian also spotted some new faces. Due to the battle with the Titan Tribe, Heavenly Court had lost quite a few demons. Many of them were also guests of Violet Heaven Palace, so this opening allowed a few lucky congenital gods to come. She even spotted that annoying guy who loitered around Kunlun Mountain.
Soon, the doors to Violet Heaven Palace opened, and Haotian and Yaochi stepped out, still appearing as children. "The Master will begin his third sermon. Please enter."
The three thousand guests filed into the main hall. The first to enter were the six people in front, Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti. And after them were the other Quasi-Saints, Di Jun, Taiyi, Redcloud Ancestor, Zhen Yuanzi, Kong Xuan, Jinchi, Minghe, and many more.
Of note was that Dong Wanggong attempted to enter the main hall above the others as head of the male immortals, but the collective glares from the Three Purities cowed him. So what if he was the head of male immortals christened by the Dao Ancestor? He was only an early Quasi-Saint, and the Three Purities were advanced Quasi-Saints.
Once everyone was seated, Haotian rang the Purple Gold Bell. The clear chime echoed in the hall, and Hongjun appeared out of nothingness as if he had always sat on the cloud throne in front of them.
Tongtian looked closely at Hongjun. Before, Hongjun gave her a mystifying aura that she couldn't see through. Now, she couldn't sense him at all. Even if his cultivation far surpassed hers and he hid his cultivation, Tongtian should still be able to detect him.
It had nothing to do with the difference in realms but a lifeform's awareness of another life. Now, she couldn't sense that at all, as if Hongjun had become an inorganic matter with no emotions.
Still, Tongtian couldn't ponder on such matters as Hongjun directly started to preach. Golden lotuses, soaring dragons, blazing phoenixes, qilins roaring, hundreds of flowers bloomed, and many more spectacular phenomena occurred. It was as if the hall of Violet Heaven Palace had transformed into heaven and earth.
Hongjun's voice seemed to merge with the world, echoing directly into everyone's heads.
The Dao that can be spoken of is not the Eternal Dao.
The name that can be named is not the Eternal Name.
Nameless, is the origin of Heaven and Earth.
The named is the Mother of all things.
Thus, the constant void enables one to observe the true essence.
The eternal being enables one to see the outward manifestations.
These two come paired from the same origin.
But when the essence is manifested, it has a different name.
This exact origin is called the "Profound Mystery."
As profound the mystery as It can be, it is the Gate to the essence of all life.
The Dao can be infused into nature and put to use without being exhausted.
It is so deep and subtle, like an abyss that is the origin of all things.
It is complete and perfect as a wholeness that can
Round off all sharp edges;
Resolve confusion;
Harmonized with the glory;
Act in unity with the lowliness.
The Dao is so profound and yet invisible, It exists everywhere and anywhere.
I do not know whose creation It is, It existed before Heaven and Earth.
The spirit of the valley is immortal.
It is called the mystic nature.
The gate of the mystic nature is regarded as the root of the universe.
It is everlasting and cannot be consumed.
Heaven is everlasting, and earth is enduring.
The reason that they are everlasting is because they do not exist for themselves.
Hence, they are long-lived.
Thus, although the Saint puts himself last, he finds himself in the lead.
Although he is not self-concerned, he finds himself accomplished.
It is because he is not focused on self-interests and hence can fulfill his true nature.
Can one unite the body and the spirit as one and embrace the "Oneness" without departing from the Great Dao?
Can one achieve harmony with such gentleness by holding onto the true spirit within as if the innocence of an infant?
Can one free oneself from worldly temptations and cleanse one's mind so that no faults shall be made?
Can a ruler love his people by governing with the Dao without personal intentions?
Can the mystic gate to all life essence be opened or closed without the virtue of the mysterious nature?
Can one gain the insight of nature and become a Saint without effort or action?
The Profound Mystery creates and nurtures all things without the desire to possess them.
It performs with all efforts without claiming for credit.
It flourishes all beings without the intention to take control.
Such is the Way of Saints.
As Hongjun spoke, those too weak started to nod off as their consciousness drifted. If the first sermon was for all beings at the Great Firmament Realm and below, and the second sermon was for Quasi-Saints, then the third sermon was for the future Saints of Heaven.
Before a hundred years had passed, more than ninety percent of three thousand guests had already fallen asleep. And after five hundred years, less than one percent were still awake. Even then, the Quasi-Saints struggled to comprehend the esoteric meaning behind Hongjun's words.
The Three Purities had it easier due to their Advanced Quasi-Saint Realm cultivation base, but even then, they struggled. For what the Quasi-Saints could not understand, they forced themselves to memorize it, even as their memories faded.
Jinchi and Kunpeng fell asleep at the two thousandth year.
Nuwa and Zhunti fell asleep at the two thousand and three hundredth year.
Kong Xuan fell asleep at the two thousand and five hundredth year.
Tongtian and Jieyin fell asleep on the two thousand and seven hundredth year.
Laozi fell asleep on the two thousand and nine hundredth year.
Yuanshii stayed awake throughout the whole sermon, but veins bulged in his head as he struggled to comprehend the profundities spoken by the Dao Ancestor.
Honjun’s eyes flashed with surprise as he glanced at Yuanshi, but he quickly schooled his features. After he finished speaking, the myriad phenomena disappeared, and all three thousand guests awakened.
They tried to recall Hongjun's sermon, but they couldn't remember anything, only vague recollection impressed on their minds. Some would discover that their future breakthroughs became easier, but the prime beneficiaries were the six in the front.
A hint of emotion returned to Hongjun's eyes as he scanned the three thousand guests below. "After I became a Saint of Heaven, I held three sermons to educate all beings in Heaven and Earth. With my duties fulfilled, I will merge with the Way of Heaven and make up for the deficiencies in the Way of Heaven."
All three thousand guests, no matter their true intentions, kneeled. "Please reconsider, Dao Ancestor!"
"Do not persuade me, I have already made up my mind," Hongjun said.
“The Dao Ancestor is benevolent!” After he sat back down again, Di Jun released a sigh of relief. He planned to deal with Violet Manor; with Hongjun occupied, he would have fewer scruples.
"Before I merge with the Way of Heaven, I will accept disciples to propagate my Immortal Path," Hongjun's eyes turned towards the Three Purities. "Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, are you willing to be my disciples?"
Without any hesitation, all three kowtowed. """Disciple greets Master!"""
Hongjun smiled. Then he turned towards Nuwa. "Nuwa, you will have great merits in the future, and can also be my disciple."
"Disciple greets Master."
Behind Nuwa, Fuxi smiled, happy for his sister. On the other hand, Di Jun's brows trembled for a moment before smoothing.
Jieyin and Zhunti looked at Hongjun with bright eyes. After Nuwa, it was their turn next, right? However, Hongjun closed his eyes and went silent. The two started to fret.
With two loud thuds, Jieyin and Zhunti knocked their heads on the ground. "Please have mercy on us two brothers. The West is barren. We hope to bring prosperity to the West with your teachings!"
Hongjun sighed and looked at the two of them. "Although your merits are slightly lacking and are not of Pangu's orthodox lineage, you have great perseverance and pure hearts towards the Great Dao. Would you two be willing to become my nominal disciples?"
Jieyin and Zhunti inwardly grumbled about Hongjun's unfairness. They also sat on the six prayer mats at the front. Why were they treated differently?
Still, they did not hesitate for a second and kowtowed. ""Disciple greets Master.""
Hongjun nodded. "The Heavens are heartless; Saints are not benevolent; all under Saints are ants!"
His words echoed in everyone's ears. All under Saints are ants? Doesn’t that include Quasi-Saints too? Each of them was a congenital god, a major power born in the Great Desolation. How could they be willing to be ants?
Hongjun ignored their inner thoughts and turned towards the six in front. "Under my Immortal Path, there should be seven Saints of Heaven."
As the deadline for Hongjun's third sermon neared, more and more followers of the Immortal Path began to cut their evil thoughts, good thoughts, or obsessions and finally entered the Quasi-Saint Realm.
In Fire Origin Cave, Redcloud Ancestor emitted a pressure that reached thirty-thousand li.
In Wuzhuang Temple of Longevity Mountain, Zhen Yuanzi successfully severed a Corpse and entered the Quasi-Saint Realm.
In the Darknoth Sea, inside Darknoth Palace, Kunpeng severed a corpse and entered the Quasi-Saint Realm.
Near the Undying Volcano of the South, the Phoenix Clan felt a pressure that reached thirty-thousand li press down upon them. The elders frowned when they realized it was Jinchi, the Golden-Winged Great Roc, that reached the Quasi-Saint Realm.
The Blood Sea trembled as terrifying turbulence originated in the center. Minghe sat atop his Twelfth-Ranked Red Lotus of Karma with the Yuanti and Abi Swords circling around him. A moment later, a figure with seventy-percent similarities to Minghe appeared. His pure-white robes contrasted greatly against Minghe's blood-red ones.
None of these events escaped Heavenly Court's surveillance. With billions of demons under their flag, it was trivial for the Heavenly Court to dispatch a few demons to keep an eye on the Great Desolation—especially the territory of powerful gods like Redcloud Ancestor, Zhen Yuanzi, and Jinchi.
The only exception was Minghe, but that's because he resided in the Blood Sea. Even Golden Immortals of the Great Firmament were liable to be stained by the bloody miasma rising from it. Only Minghe, who was born from it, was unaffected.
However, none of this mattered to Di Jun at the moment. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the messenger kneeling below him. "Repeat what you just said."
The demon messenger shivered, but he dared not defy the Heavenly Emperor's orders. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Violet Manor has sent out an emissary asking the Fox Clan to join them."
Although Di Jun formed the Demon Clan and absorbed most of the remnants of the Hundred Clans except for the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and Qilin Clan, there were still a few clans that did not throw their lot in with him. The Fox Clan was naturally among them.
"Dong Wanggong, do you really think We are afraid of you?" Di Jun muttered. "You should have obediently played your role as an island owner. Once the Dao Ancestor's third sermon is finished, your end will be near."
Di Jun closed his eyes and calmed down. When he opened them, they were clear and unchanging. "Send an emissary to the Fox Clan. Tell them that they have until the end of the Dao Ancestor's third sermon to join the Heavenly Court."
"At once, Your Majesty.” The demon messenger inwardly sighed with relief, finally able to escape from the heavy atmosphere of the throne hall.
Di Jun sighed. After the fateful clash with the Titan Tribe, more and more problems had been cropping up. "It's time to unify the rest of the remaining Hundred Clans."
The Fox Clan's patriarch smiled bitterly as he received Heavenly Court's messenger. After experiencing the horror of the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, he wanted to keep the Fox Clan out of the next tribulation.
According to his experience, the protagonists of this tribulation should be the Heavenly Court, Titan Tribe, and Violet Manor, like the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and Qilin Clan of yore.
The Fox Clan nearly perished during the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, but both the Heavenly Court and Violet Manor were forcing him to make a decision.
The patriarch of the Fox Clan hated the alliance of ten thousand immortals. If they hadn't sent someone, Heavenly Court would have been content to ignore them and they would’ve passed the next tribulation safely.
As he sent away Heavenly Court's messenger, the Fox Clan's patriarch summoned all the Fox Clan's elders. They needed to make a decision soon.
In the chaotic boundary, the congenital gods gathered once more. At the head were the Three Purities. Each one possessed Late Quasi-Saint Realm cultivation bases, far above the rest. There was actually one less intermediate Quasi-Saint than advanced Quasi-Saints.
Perhaps Taiyi or Nuwa may have advanced to the Intermediate Quasi-Realm, but they had to take the time to recuperate from the injuries they received in the battle with the Titan Tribe.
Tongtian spotted Jieyin and Zhunti. Of everyone present, she expected him to have reached the Intermediate Quasi-Saint Realm, not Di Jun. 'Perhaps the West is too barren for them to get a decent innate spiritual artifact?'
She had accidentally stumbled on the truth.
Aside from them, she spotted more than twenty Quasi-Saints, but it was hard to tell which one stepped into the Quasi-Saint Realm by tempering their qi with the law.
Tongtian also spotted some new faces. Due to the battle with the Titan Tribe, Heavenly Court had lost quite a few demons. Many of them were also guests of Violet Heaven Palace, so this opening allowed a few lucky congenital gods to come. She even spotted that annoying guy who loitered around Kunlun Mountain.
Soon, the doors to Violet Heaven Palace opened, and Haotian and Yaochi stepped out, still appearing as children. "The Master will begin his third sermon. Please enter."
The three thousand guests filed into the main hall. The first to enter were the six people in front, Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti. And after them were the other Quasi-Saints, Di Jun, Taiyi, Redcloud Ancestor, Zhen Yuanzi, Kong Xuan, Jinchi, Minghe, and many more.
Of note was that Dong Wanggong attempted to enter the main hall above the others as head of the male immortals, but the collective glares from the Three Purities cowed him. So what if he was the head of male immortals christened by the Dao Ancestor? He was only an early Quasi-Saint, and the Three Purities were advanced Quasi-Saints.
Once everyone was seated, Haotian rang the Purple Gold Bell. The clear chime echoed in the hall, and Hongjun appeared out of nothingness as if he had always sat on the cloud throne in front of them.
Tongtian looked closely at Hongjun. Before, Hongjun gave her a mystifying aura that she couldn't see through. Now, she couldn't sense him at all. Even if his cultivation far surpassed hers and he hid his cultivation, Tongtian should still be able to detect him.
It had nothing to do with the difference in realms but a lifeform's awareness of another life. Now, she couldn't sense that at all, as if Hongjun had become an inorganic matter with no emotions.
Still, Tongtian couldn't ponder on such matters as Hongjun directly started to preach. Golden lotuses, soaring dragons, blazing phoenixes, qilins roaring, hundreds of flowers bloomed, and many more spectacular phenomena occurred. It was as if the hall of Violet Heaven Palace had transformed into heaven and earth.
Hongjun's voice seemed to merge with the world, echoing directly into everyone's heads.
The Dao that can be spoken of is not the Eternal Dao.
The name that can be named is not the Eternal Name.
Nameless, is the origin of Heaven and Earth.
The named is the Mother of all things.
Thus, the constant void enables one to observe the true essence.
The eternal being enables one to see the outward manifestations.
These two come paired from the same origin.
But when the essence is manifested, it has a different name.
This exact origin is called the "Profound Mystery."
As profound the mystery as It can be, it is the Gate to the essence of all life.
The Dao can be infused into nature and put to use without being exhausted.
It is so deep and subtle, like an abyss that is the origin of all things.
It is complete and perfect as a wholeness that can
Round off all sharp edges;
Resolve confusion;
Harmonized with the glory;
Act in unity with the lowliness.
The Dao is so profound and yet invisible, It exists everywhere and anywhere.
I do not know whose creation It is, It existed before Heaven and Earth.
The spirit of the valley is immortal.
It is called the mystic nature.
The gate of the mystic nature is regarded as the root of the universe.
It is everlasting and cannot be consumed.
Heaven is everlasting, and earth is enduring.
The reason that they are everlasting is because they do not exist for themselves.
Hence, they are long-lived.
Thus, although the Saint puts himself last, he finds himself in the lead.
Although he is not self-concerned, he finds himself accomplished.
It is because he is not focused on self-interests and hence can fulfill his true nature.
Can one unite the body and the spirit as one and embrace the "Oneness" without departing from the Great Dao?
Can one achieve harmony with such gentleness by holding onto the true spirit within as if the innocence of an infant?
Can one free oneself from worldly temptations and cleanse one's mind so that no faults shall be made?
Can a ruler love his people by governing with the Dao without personal intentions?
Can the mystic gate to all life essence be opened or closed without the virtue of the mysterious nature?
Can one gain the insight of nature and become a Saint without effort or action?
The Profound Mystery creates and nurtures all things without the desire to possess them.
It performs with all efforts without claiming for credit.
It flourishes all beings without the intention to take control.
Such is the Way of Saints.
As Hongjun spoke, those too weak started to nod off as their consciousness drifted. If the first sermon was for all beings at the Great Firmament Realm and below, and the second sermon was for Quasi-Saints, then the third sermon was for the future Saints of Heaven.
Before a hundred years had passed, more than ninety percent of three thousand guests had already fallen asleep. And after five hundred years, less than one percent were still awake. Even then, the Quasi-Saints struggled to comprehend the esoteric meaning behind Hongjun's words.
The Three Purities had it easier due to their Advanced Quasi-Saint Realm cultivation base, but even then, they struggled. For what the Quasi-Saints could not understand, they forced themselves to memorize it, even as their memories faded.
Jinchi and Kunpeng fell asleep at the two thousandth year.
Nuwa and Zhunti fell asleep at the two thousand and three hundredth year.
Kong Xuan fell asleep at the two thousand and five hundredth year.
Tongtian and Jieyin fell asleep on the two thousand and seven hundredth year.
Laozi fell asleep on the two thousand and nine hundredth year.
Yuanshii stayed awake throughout the whole sermon, but veins bulged in his head as he struggled to comprehend the profundities spoken by the Dao Ancestor.
Honjun’s eyes flashed with surprise as he glanced at Yuanshi, but he quickly schooled his features. After he finished speaking, the myriad phenomena disappeared, and all three thousand guests awakened.
They tried to recall Hongjun's sermon, but they couldn't remember anything, only vague recollection impressed on their minds. Some would discover that their future breakthroughs became easier, but the prime beneficiaries were the six in the front.
A hint of emotion returned to Hongjun's eyes as he scanned the three thousand guests below. "After I became a Saint of Heaven, I held three sermons to educate all beings in Heaven and Earth. With my duties fulfilled, I will merge with the Way of Heaven and make up for the deficiencies in the Way of Heaven."
All three thousand guests, no matter their true intentions, kneeled. "Please reconsider, Dao Ancestor!"
"Do not persuade me, I have already made up my mind," Hongjun said.
“The Dao Ancestor is benevolent!” After he sat back down again, Di Jun released a sigh of relief. He planned to deal with Violet Manor; with Hongjun occupied, he would have fewer scruples.
"Before I merge with the Way of Heaven, I will accept disciples to propagate my Immortal Path," Hongjun's eyes turned towards the Three Purities. "Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, are you willing to be my disciples?"
Without any hesitation, all three kowtowed. """Disciple greets Master!"""
Hongjun smiled. Then he turned towards Nuwa. "Nuwa, you will have great merits in the future, and can also be my disciple."
"Disciple greets Master."
Behind Nuwa, Fuxi smiled, happy for his sister. On the other hand, Di Jun's brows trembled for a moment before smoothing.
Jieyin and Zhunti looked at Hongjun with bright eyes. After Nuwa, it was their turn next, right? However, Hongjun closed his eyes and went silent. The two started to fret.
With two loud thuds, Jieyin and Zhunti knocked their heads on the ground. "Please have mercy on us two brothers. The West is barren. We hope to bring prosperity to the West with your teachings!"
Hongjun sighed and looked at the two of them. "Although your merits are slightly lacking and are not of Pangu's orthodox lineage, you have great perseverance and pure hearts towards the Great Dao. Would you two be willing to become my nominal disciples?"
Jieyin and Zhunti inwardly grumbled about Hongjun's unfairness. They also sat on the six prayer mats at the front. Why were they treated differently?
Still, they did not hesitate for a second and kowtowed. ""Disciple greets Master.""
Hongjun nodded. "The Heavens are heartless; Saints are not benevolent; all under Saints are ants!"
His words echoed in everyone's ears. All under Saints are ants? Doesn’t that include Quasi-Saints too? Each of them was a congenital god, a major power born in the Great Desolation. How could they be willing to be ants?
Hongjun ignored their inner thoughts and turned towards the six in front. "Under my Immortal Path, there should be seven Saints of Heaven."
