Countless people were stunned, and those who had spoken up for Zhunti and Jieyin were even more bewildered.
Only Kunpeng gnashed his teeth in anger, glaring fixedly at Hongyun, his eyes filled with resentment.
He couldn't afford to provoke Taiyi and Yuanshi Tianzun, so Hongyun became the scapegoat.
However, this scapegoat role was deserved, as Hongyun had started it.
"Dong!!!"
A melodious bell rang out, the doors of Zixiao Palace closed tightly, and on the empty high platform, Hongjun's figure appeared. Everyone quickly bowed to Hongjun,
"We respectfully greet the Saint, may the Saint live long."
Hongjun's face was expressionless, much like Laozi's. His eyes were devoid of emotion as he scanned the hall, then looked at Xu Feng with a hint of confusion.
Yinglong?
And an Ancient Yinglong body at that. Could he be a descendant of that one?
Though both were Yinglong, an Ancient Yinglong was vastly different from the Yinglong appearing in the current Great Desolation.
As an old-timer, and one of the first beings to appear after the creation of the world, Hongjun could discern the difference. If not for the different aura and primordial spirit, Hongjun would have suspected if the Dragon Clan's old ancestor had returned.
Thankfully, it wasn't, but even if not, the relationship between the two was definitely very close, with shared bloodlines.
For some reason, Hongjun felt like a creditor had appeared.
During the tribulation of the Ancient Three Clans, Hongjun emerged victorious but incurred karmic debts with the West and the three clans.
However, the Phoenix Clan and Qilin Clan had no way to claim this karma, nor would they dare to. Originally, the Dragon Clan was the same, but unexpectedly, Xu Feng popped out, and thus, the creditor arrived.
Outwardly calm, Hongjun was secretly calculating.
He finally discovered, to his dismay, that it truly was related to the Dragon Clan's old ancestor, Yinglong. Damn it, the debt collector had arrived!!!
An Ancient Yinglong bloodline, burdened by shackles, with formidable strength, and having come to this Zixiao Palace, even snatching a seat—if he wasn't here to collect a debt, what was he here for?
Fortunately, that one should be gone by now.
"You two have traveled a long way from the West, and for countless years you have enlightened the beings of the West. You shall have great opportunities; take your seats."
Hongjun said indifferently, raising his hand. A rush mat appeared beside Jieyin. Zhunti was overjoyed and quickly sat down, continuously thanking Hongjun, which left a bitter taste in the mouths of others.
"The sermon begins. No noise is permitted. The seating is now fixed; no further disputes are allowed."
"I am Hongjun. I obtained the creation jade plate and comprehended the Supreme Great Dao. Now, in accordance with the Heavenly Dao, I shall preach to the beings of the Great Desolation three times, each for ten thousand years. All of you, listen carefully."
Holding the creation jade plate, Hongjun closed his eyes and began to preach.
Below, Hongjun did not make him give up his seat, so Xu Feng sat comfortably, listening intently. Although he did not follow the Three Corpses Dao Proving, the Dao may differ, but the essence is the same.
Listening to a Saint's sermon also brought Xu Feng many benefits. Moreover, Xu Feng discovered that ever since Hongjun began preaching, the shackles he bore had significantly lightened.
For him, this was a great opportunity.
Listen to the Dao, cultivate!!!
Others listened carefully to the Dao, while Xu Feng multitasked, cultivating while listening. This scene appeared very peculiar.
Above the high platform, Hongjun opened his eyes and glanced at him, thinking: This youth is teachable.
He was a creditor, and he had managed to sit on this rush mat by his own ability, so Hongjun would naturally open some convenient doors for Xu Feng. As for whether the Dragon Clan could rise because of Xu Feng, Hongjun didn't care at all. As long as Xu Feng didn't disrupt the order of the Heavenly Dao, why should he bother with so many things?
Is there something wrong with this person? He came here to cultivate?
Nuwa initially listened carefully to the Dao, but as time passed, she felt something was off. Someone beside her was cultivating. Turning back, she saw Xu Feng diligently cultivating, his aura growing stronger day by day. This scene left Nuwa a bit dumbfounded. Everyone came here to listen to the Saint's sermon, but he, of all people, was cultivating in Zixiao Palace???
"....."
To Xu Feng's right, the Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, and Zhunti didn't know what to say.
It must be said that running to a Saint's dojo and cultivating during a Saint's sermon, Xu Feng was absolutely the first person in the Great Desolation to do so!
A strange atmosphere spread, and slowly, others in the hall also noticed the situation on this side. Many people showed looks of utter bewilderment.
Not to mention, many people's attention was significantly diverted by Xu Feng cultivating in Zixiao Palace.
Awesome!! So awesome!!!
Although the shackles had not completely disappeared, a significant portion had already been reduced.
If Hongjun was willing, Xu Feng could loudly declare: he could stay in Zixiao Palace forever and not leave.
Anyway, he didn't follow the Three Corpses Dao Proving. The essence of the Three Corpses Dao Proving, he only needed to understand a little; he didn't need to ponder it painstakingly like others. Cultivation was the best choice. Ten thousand years was very important for those listening to the Dao, and even more important for Xu Feng.
"There are three thousand Great Daos, all of which can lead to Proving the Dao. Do you all understand?"
As soon as the ten thousand years were up, Hongjun stopped, regardless of how much the listeners had understood.
"May I ask Teacher, what is the Dao?"
Hongjun stopped his sermon, and everyone in Zixiao Palace also woke up. Laozi saw Hongjun looking at everyone without speaking, realized something, and quickly asked. This might be an opportunity.
Indeed, Hongjun glanced at Laozi and replied, "All things in heaven and earth are the Dao."
"I, in accordance with the Heavenly Dao, have preached to the beings of the Great Desolation three times. Now, I shall take a few disciples to pass on my orthodoxy." Having answered Laozi's question, Hongjun gave no opportunity to others and straightforwardly stated his intention to take disciples.
At that instant, everyone in Zixiao Palace widened their eyes, their faces filled with ecstasy, eagerly looking at Hongjun.
He was just a hair's breadth from the peak of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, with most of the bottleneck already broken. He could break through with a period of dedicated cultivation. These ten thousand years were very important to Xu Feng; his realm had almost advanced by a minor stage. Although he ultimately couldn't break through, Xu Feng still felt very satisfied.
Opening his eyes, he saw everyone staring eagerly at Hongjun, their faces filled with surprise and anticipation, and he knew Hongjun was about to take disciples.
What a pity, what's the use of anticipation?
No destined connection means no destined connection.
Hongjun only ever valued the Three Pure Ones. After all, the Three Pure Ones were transformed from Pangu's primordial spirit, already considered top-tier noble lineage in the Great Desolation. Hongjun didn't think much of anyone else. If Nuwa hadn't had great merit to achieve, she probably wouldn't even have gotten the status of a closed-door disciple.
As for Jieyin and Zhunti, there's even less to say; if not for the immense karmic debt owed to the West, even named disciples wouldn't have been their turn.
Under the gaze of thousands of eyes, Hongjun looked at the Three Pure Ones and said, "You three are transformed from Pangu's primordial spirit. You may be my direct disciples. Are you willing to take me as your master?"
"We are willing!!! Teacher above, please accept your disciples' bow!!!"
The Three Pure Ones were stunned for a moment, then quickly agreed, immediately performing the grand ceremony of apprenticeship to Hongjun.
"Nuwa, you will have great merit to achieve in the future, and you are also one of the fated ones. Are you willing to be my closed-door disciple?" Hongjun looked at Nuwa.
"This disciple is willing. Teacher above, please accept this disciple's bow."
Nuwa certainly wouldn't refuse such a good offer, so she immediately bowed to Hongjun, and the master-disciple relationship was thus established.
At this point, many people in Zixiao Palace felt something was amiss. It seemed that the Dao Ancestor was taking disciples starting from those sitting on the rush mats. Could these rush mats truly hold great opportunities?
Instantly, Kunpeng, who had been driven off, was furious to death, his eyes red, staring fixedly at Hongyun, his eyes filled with killing intent, scaring Hongyun into quickly shrinking his head and leaning behind Zhen Yuanzi. Not to mention Kunpeng, even Di Jun, Taiyi, and others were displeased.
It was just that everyone tacitly transferred their hatred to Hongyun, perhaps thinking he was easier to bully.
What's going on?
Why is everyone targeting me, Hongyun?
After accepting the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa, Hongjun remained silent. The others grew anxious, especially Jieyin and Zhunti, who immediately knelt and cried out, "We earnestly beg Teacher, please accept us, considering the barrenness of our West and the difficulty of cultivation there."
Turning to look at the two, Hongjun hesitated for a moment and said, "Very well, you two also possess great opportunities and great fortune. You may be my named disciples."
"This disciple thanks Teacher."
Named disciples couldn't compare to direct disciples or closed-door disciples, but it was better than nothing! Seeing that the Dao Ancestor seemed to have no intention of taking more disciples, they had to seize the opportunity.
Did he really only take those on the rush mats as disciples?