Chapter Twenty: Hongjun Attains Sainthood

On this day, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth suddenly surged violently, and all of the primordial wilderness was bathed in auspicious light. Celestial music drifted, fragrances spread, and shimmering drops of crystalline radiance descended from the sky, nourishing all things. In that instant, countless mortal spirit beasts, woodland sprites, and even unclaimed rare treasures were awakened to intelligence... countless demon beast clans also succeeded in taking form, shedding their mundane bodies...

Then, an immense pressure blanketed the entire wilderness, compelling all living beings to feel an urge to submit; ninety-nine percent bowed and knelt, while the few who managed to resist trembled with fear—even those beasts yet to awaken consciousness were no exception.

At the same time, a majestic voice seemed to resound at everyone’s ear: “I am Hongjun. Today I have become a Saint. In a hundred years, I shall expound the Dao in the Purple Cloud Palace. All fated ones may come and listen.”

Immediately, outside the wilderness, in the chaos beyond, a vast palace of purple and gold manifested, radiating dazzling light. It could be clearly seen from any corner within the wilderness.

“Hongjun has become a Saint?” Li Tian raised his head, gazing at the Purple Cloud Palace beyond the chaos, and murmured softly.

At that moment, his heart was both expectant and uneasy. He had countless times deduced the scene of traveling to the Purple Cloud Palace, but now that the day had arrived, he could not quell his worry. After all, beneath a Saint, all are as ants; unless one attains sainthood, no matter how elaborate the schemes, one is nothing more than a larger ant!

“So this is a Saint? How powerful,” Nuwa simply sighed.

Fuxi calculated with his fingers and said, “A Saint expounds the Dao—this is a great opportunity, not to be missed. We must hurry and go.”

“Agreed.” Li Tian and Nuwa nodded together.

...

Meanwhile, throughout the wilderness, countless cultivators of all races laid aside their affairs without hesitation and flew toward the chaos.

Yet, the chaos is not a place one can linger easily; it is filled with wild, chaotic currents. At minimum, one must be a Golden Immortal to barely survive within, and chaos storms are frequent—even a Taiyi Golden Immortal finds them hard to withstand!

In short, only those with the cultivation of a Great Luo Golden Immortal possess the qualification to journey to the Purple Cloud Palace with confidence. Of course, if luck prevails, a Golden Immortal may succeed, but in the current wilderness, even Golden Immortals are extremely rare, aside from a few innate deities.

Thus, though Hongjun declared “all fated ones may listen,” in truth it was like a sect choosing disciples—only those who pass the test may enter. And those who do? They must possess high cultivation, strong foundation, and great fortune.

...

On Mount Kunlun, the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) opened their eyes at the same time and gathered together.

“Elder brother, second brother, should we go?” Tongtian asked.

Laozi closed his eyes and meditated for a moment, then said calmly, “The wise may instruct us. Hearing the Saint’s teachings benefits us all. I sense a great opportunity awaits us.”

Yuanshi also sensed opportunity and said nothing; otherwise, with his proud temperament, he would never listen to another’s teachings.

...

In the Palace of Pangu, the Twelve Ancestor Witches learned that Hongjun had become a Saint, but merely glanced up and then ignored it. To them, besides Pangu, no one in this world was worthy of their attention.

Yet Houtu was momentarily lost in thought, but recalling that the Ancestor Witches never cultivate the primordial spirit, she shook her head and abandoned any thought of going.

Outside the Palace of Pangu, a sorrowful figure sat cross-legged upon a mat. Hearing the commotion, he glanced up, but remembering his circumstances, shook his head and resumed his meditation. He felt as if something had suddenly departed from him, but could not fathom what it was. He gave up thinking about it, but the sorrow on his face deepened.

...

Because the distance was not great, after a few years Li Tian, Nuwa, and Fuxi arrived at the edge of chaos. Gazing at the surging, tumultuous currents before them, Li Tian immediately summoned the Chaos Bell to shield the three as they ventured in.

Seeing the palace from afar was like chasing a mirage; it took them more than twenty years of slow flight through chaos to finally arrive outside the doors of the Purple Cloud Palace.

Putting away the Chaos Bell, Li Tian looked at the grand and magnificent palace before him and could not help but sigh. They had arrived early; at this moment, aside from the three, no one else was present, and the gates remained tightly shut.

The three sat cross-legged; Li Tian took out spiritual fruits and wine, as well as a Go board, and played chess with Nuwa and Fuxi to pass the time. Months went by. One day, Li Tian saw a beam of golden light approaching from the wilderness toward the palace.

That golden light was none other than the Seven-Treasure Exquisite Pagoda, a postnatal merit treasure said to be formed from Pangu’s merit in creating the world. Riding the pagoda was Laozi, one of the Three Pure Ones.

“So it’s Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian—fellow Daoists, it’s been a while,” Li Tian cupped his hands and smiled.

“Thank you, Supreme Heaven Daoist. The Three Pure Ones greet you,” Laozi nodded and offered a greeting, then stood before the palace gates, closed his eyes, and said no more.

Li Tian knew Laozi followed the path of supreme detachment and did not favor conversation, so he said nothing further. Tongtian, however, was familiar with the three and cheerfully approached.

“Fellow Daoists are truly at leisure,” Tongtian remarked, pointing to the chessboard.

...

“Tongtian Daoist, you flatter us,” Li Tian laughed and casually put away the board.

The group chatted idly, and when the great war of the three tribes was mentioned, Tongtian sharply criticized Li Tian and his companions for slipping away without a word, which left Li Tian embarrassed—it was indeed somewhat dishonorable.

Time passed unnoticed; more and more people gathered outside the palace. As the hundred-year mark approached, there were roughly three thousand present. Though traversing the chaotic currents to arrive was no easy feat, the wilderness held too many living beings!

During this period, Li Tian spotted a somewhat awkward figure—Zhen Yuanzi.

Though a thousand years had passed, that ginseng fruit tree was still inside the Chaos Bell, and he could not forget... truly, it was an act lacking in virtue. So whenever Li Tian caught sight of Zhen Yuanzi’s fiery glare, his own gaze would dodge with embarrassment.

Fortunately, Zhen Yuanzi was not foolish; knowing his own strength was lacking, he dared not provoke. Otherwise, Li Tian would certainly silence him before he could utter a word!

At last, on this day, the gates of the Purple Cloud Palace, long closed, opened under countless gazes. A handsome boy and girl each pushed open half the door and stepped out.

At this, the crowd outside the gates straightened in respect.

These two were none other than Haotian and Yaochi, famed in later generations. Their true forms were the innate stone of yin and yang, awakened by Hongjun, and only recently had they taken shape and attained the Dao—thus, they were half-disciples of the Dao Ancestor.

“Everyone, the Purple Cloud Palace is open. All fated ones may enter,” Haotian declared crisply.

He was worthy of his future role as Jade Emperor; his words carried a certain authority.

Yet Li Tian had no time for him. At the very instant the palace fully opened, he took Nuwa’s hand and pulled her inside.

The Three Pure Ones stood beside him; seeing Li Tian go in first, they sensed something and quickly followed.

Fuxi merely shook his head, unable to understand their rush.