READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 33 - The preaching is over. Hongjun accepts disciples!
Chapter 33: The preaching is over. Hongjun accepts disciples!
Between the heavens and the universe, an aura of Primal Unity pervaded. The ancient world was vaguely filled with awe-inspiring pressure. This made numerous quasi-saints raise their eyebrows, wearing solemn expressions and reverence in their hearts. However, Ye Xiu remained indifferent, casting just a glance into the depths of the void, displaying indifference towards Hongjun’s Divine Fruit. He seemed unconcerned with matters of blending or harmony; he believed he could cleave it with a single stroke.
…
The era of antiquity has no recollection of years. In the blink of an eye, a millennium had passed. It’s time for another sermon. At this juncture, numerous top innate powers in the ancient world have settled their inner thoughts, preparing to journey to the Purple Heaven Palace for the third sermon. Even Yuanshi, who had recently achieved quasi-sainthood, felt embarrassed as he contemplated discussing with the Heavenly Lord, but knowing that hearing the sermon at the Purple Heaven Palace couldn’t be delayed, he set aside this matter for now.
…
Soon, in the sky above the vast ancient wasteland, splendid rainbows emerged one after another. The three thousand visitors from the mortal realm, filled with excitement, transformed into streaks of light and flew directly towards the Purple Heaven Palace, thirty-three days away. These scenes were breathtakingly magnificent.
Before long, three thousand Purple Heaven guests had assembled and taken their seats. Before Hongjun arrived, many monks gathered, exchanged pleasantries, and conversed. However, there was an undercurrent of tension, with confrontations in secret, such as between Kunpeng and Hongyun, Dongwanggong and Dijun, and Donghuang Taiyi. Particularly, the latter, whose hatred was palpable, felt like a powder keg about to explode.
“The Tao Ancestor has arrived… Everyone, please be seated and listen attentively to the sermon.”
At that moment, a voice echoed in the hall. As the voice faded, the entire Purple Heaven Palace was adorned with blooming wildflowers, creating a vision of golden lotuses springing from the ground.
Furthermore, Hongjun’s figure appeared, shrouded in a profound Divine aura and surrounded by the three thousand laws, in the high hall. The preaching began, leading the way to enlightenment. Mysterious Tao sounds reverberated, and all the great supernatural beings in attendance swiftly entered a profound and mystical state, immersing themselves in it. Individuals like Laozi, Yuanshi, Ying Yin, Zhun Ti, and others, bathed in the divine voice of heaven, saw their cultivation bases grow exponentially. This sermon was equivalent to empowerment for those following the path of the extraordinary.
…
Inside the massive Purple Heaven Palace, the celestial sounds of the avenue filled the ears, and the vision of saintliness permeated. Rainbows billowed, and countless auspicious signs filled the air. The three thousand Purple Heaven guests were completely absorbed, unaware they had spent three thousand years in this sermon. As the final words of the Great Tao were spoken, the surrounding visions suddenly shattered, and tranquility returned.
Unlike the previous two sermons, Hongjun did not depart after concluding his preaching this time. Instead, he remained seated on the futon, surveying the individuals below with a piercing gaze, his eyes radiating brilliance. The attendees gazed at the lofty Tao Ancestor, awaiting his next significant announcement.
After a lengthy pause, Hongjun fixed his gaze upon the five candidates on the futon and spoke calmly: “After three sermons, each lasting three thousand years, you have exemplified the divine order, harmonized the ancient laws, and filled the gaps in Taoism. My merits and virtues have reached completion, and I am on the verge of merging with the way of heaven, returning to the cosmos.”
A resounding rumble filled the room as his words left everyone astonished. It was shocking to realize that Hongjun had ascended to the pinnacle of Tao just as they grappled with the quest to prove the Tao and attain sanctity.
In the midst of their myriad thoughts, Hongjun’s eyes landed on Laozi, Yuanshi, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti: “Taiqing Laozi and Yuqing Yuanshi are the embodiments of Pangu’s divine spirit, born with great fortune. You are now recognized as my direct disciples.”
“Taiqing Laozi is the first disciple, and Yuqing Yuanshi is the second disciple.”
As this proclamation was met with a surge of emotions, a clatter filled the room. Laozi and Yuanshi, overwhelmed with excitement, knelt and bowed before their master, professing, “Disciple Laozi (Yuanshi) pays homage to Master.”
The entire assembly couldn’t help but envy the recognition as Taoist disciples. Being a direct disciple meant they would be blessed with immense fortune and endless opportunities.
“Nuwa, as an innate deity with a destined path, you shall join my sect as the third direct disciple.”
Hongjun’s gaze turned to Nuwa, and she was momentarily shocked before realizing and bowing: “Disciple Nuwa pays homage to Master.”
With three direct disciples chosen, Jieyin and Zhunti, the remaining candidates, were a bit apprehensive. However, Hongjun’s attention finally fell on them, and he declared, “Jieyin, Zhunti, though you had no prior master-disciple relationship with me, I am indebted to the Western world. Both of you shall inherit the fortunes of the West and act for its betterment. Therefore, I accept you as registered disciples.”
In the past, during the conflict between Taoism and demons, the spiritual veins of the Western world were completely devastated, rendering it barren and desolate. Hongjun, recognizing his karmic debt to the West, offered his guidance.
“Disciple (Zunti)…greetings to Master!” The two disciples expressed their gratitude by prostrating themselves on the ground. To them, being the unnamed disciples of the Taoist ancestor was a supreme opportunity for great fortune!