Primordial Era: Reborn as Zhen Yuanzi, taking control of the underground passage

Chapter 219 Repaying Karma, Seating Arrangements

The main hall of Zixiao Palace was magnificent yet desolate, with the aura of the Great Dao flowing slowly like smoke and mist.

Hongjun Daozu walked directly to the only cloud bed futon at the top, sat down peacefully, and his figure seemed to be completely integrated with the entire palace, the endless chaos, and the mysterious Heavenly Dao.

Slightly below the futon he was sitting on, there was the empty space in front of him.

As Hongjun's thoughts stirred, the Daoist aura condensed, and three slightly smaller circles appeared out of thin air.

Yet, the futon, which also exuded a mysterious purple Daoist aura, floated in mid-air, its position prominently above the six famous purple futons!

The appearance of these three meditation cushions silently proclaimed the superior status of their users.

"Fellow Daoists, please have a seat," Hongjun said calmly, gesturing with his hand.

Zhen Yuanzi, Hongyun, and Yin Yang exchanged glances, and without refusing, they each took a seat on one of the three special futons.

Zhen Yuanzi sat in the center, Hongyun on the left, and Yin Yang on the right. These four most powerful beings in the primordial world formed a temporary seating arrangement within the Zixiao Palace.

If this scene were witnessed by powerful figures outside the world, their eyes would probably pop out in astonishment.

After taking his seat, Hongjun looked at Zhen Yuanzi and flicked his sleeve.

An ancient, simple, and majestic three-legged cauldron, exuding the aura of creation and returning to the origin, slowly flew towards Zhen Yuanzi. It was none other than the innate treasure—the Qiankun Cauldron.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, you once lent me your treasure to help me repair the Jade Disc of Creation and perfect the Heavenly Dao. I will always remember this cause and effect."

"Today, the item has been returned to its rightful owner. Thank you, fellow Daoist." Hongjun's voice was calm, yet carried a hint of solemnity. Returning the Qiankun Cauldron settles a karmic debt.

Zhen Yuanzi reached out and took the Qiankun Cauldron. With a sweep of his divine sense, he knew that the treasure was not only intact, but also seemed to have gained a mysterious Daoist charm that had been tempered by the Heavenly Dao, making it even more powerful than before.

He smiled slightly and put the cauldron away, saying, "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. This treasure is of great use to me as well." Hongjun took the initiative to return it, and his attitude was sincere. This cause and effect can be considered resolved amicably.

After settling the karmic debt of borrowing the treasure, Hongjun pondered for a moment and spoke again: "In the past, during the conflict between the Dao and the Demon, the three of you provided strong support to fight against Luo and maintain the order of the Heavenly Dao."

Later, Daoist Zhen Yuanzi repaired the western earth veins and purified the vengeful spirits, accumulating immeasurable merit. This karmic debt must also be repaid by this humble Daoist.”

He swept his light over the three people and continued, "Although the paths of the Primordial Saints are all based on different predestined methods, there are also common principles under the Heavenly Dao."

"Since the time for today's sermon has not yet arrived, I, a humble Daoist, will first explain some of the mysteries of the Dao of the Sages to my three fellow Daoists, as a way of repaying past kindness."

These words moved even those of Zhen Yuanzi and his companions who were of sound mind.

The Way of the Sage is the fundamental path that Hongjun now upholds, and it is also the highest realm that all cultivators in the prehistoric world dream of.

To receive a personal explanation from Hongjun, even if it's just a "little secret," is of immeasurable value!

"Very well! Then we will listen attentively." Zhen Yuanzi said solemnly. Hongyun and Yin Yang also put away their casual expressions and waited attentively.

Hongjun didn't say much and began to speak directly. He didn't start from the basics like he would later tell the story to the three thousand guests.

Instead, it goes straight to the core, explaining the mechanism of the operation of the Heavenly Dao, the wonder of the Primordial Dao Fruit, and the delicate balance between "following the will of Heaven and responding to the needs of man" and "defying the will of Heaven and fighting against fate".

He wasn't talking about specific techniques, but rather a state of being, a higher level of understanding and cognition of "Tao".

"A sage is a Primordial Golden Immortal, indestructible through countless eons, untouched by karma."

However, there are three ways to become a saint: the first is to prove the Dao by force, to perform the deeds of creating heaven and earth, and to suppress all paths with force. This method is the most difficult and also the strongest.

Secondly, by severing the three corpses, eliminating all attachments to good and evil, merging with the innate spiritual treasure, clarifying one's mind and seeing one's true nature, and conforming to the Way of Heaven, this is the path I walk.

Thirdly, one can achieve sainthood through meritorious deeds, establish supreme and grand vows, perform immeasurable acts of merit, gain the approval of Heaven, and receive immeasurable merit. However, this can be accomplished if one's foundation is slightly weaker.

The Daoist sound was faint and gentle, not resounding throughout the main hall, but rather flowing like a trickle directly into the depths of the three people's primordial spirits.

Hongjun further activated the power of the Zixiao Palace's origin, causing the flow of time inside the palace to be completely different from that outside. What might be a fleeting moment outside could be countless years passing inside the palace.

Zhen Yuanzi listened with rapt attention.

His way lies in the earth, chaos, inclusiveness, and transcendence, the heavenly order and primordial mystery spoken of by Hongjun.

It provided him with invaluable references to verify his own "The Chaos Scripture of the Earth", especially the expositions on "proving the Dao through force" and "achieving sainthood through merit".

This gave him a clearer plan and ambition for his future path of transcendence.

His body was surrounded by a surge of Daoist energy, with faint signs of the creation of chaos and the birth and death of all things appearing.

Hongyun Patriarch also reaped great rewards.

His pursuit of freedom and the Way of the Four Symbols, while seeking transcendence, also requires a clear understanding of the rules of Heaven in order to truly achieve "freedom without dependence."

Hongjun's words made him understand how to find the greatest freedom within the rules of heaven and earth, and his Dao heart became more harmonious and transparent.

The Yin-Yang Daoist benefited immensely from this. His method of Yin-Yang balance was inherently closely related to the order of Heaven.

Hongjun's sermons were like opening a door for him to a higher realm.

This allowed him to reach an unprecedented level of understanding of the transformation of Yin and Yang and the evolution of Tai Chi. The Yin and Yang energies circulated throughout his body, almost evolving into a real Yin-Yang world.

This discussion, limited to the four of them, lasted for quite some time.

When Hongjun finished explaining the mystery of "the interaction between the thoughts of a sage and the Way of Heaven," he stopped preaching, closed his eyes, and remained silent, leaving the three of them to digest the information on their own.

Zhen Yuanzi and the other two were also immersed in boundless enlightenment, their auras fluctuating, and their cultivation took another solid step forward silently.

Although he has not yet broken through to a higher realm, the path ahead has become clearer, and his foundation has become more solid.

Just as the three slowly opened their eyes, their gazes shining brightly, clearly indicating they had benefited greatly, "Clang—!"

A clear, melodious bell tolled, seemingly capable of cleansing the soul and connecting the past and the future.

The sound originated from the depths of Zixiao Palace and instantly spread throughout the palace and beyond, even penetrating the chaos and resonating in the minds of those powerful beings who were struggling on their journey!

The three-thousand-year period has arrived! The gates of Zixiao Palace burst open with a thunderous roar!

Almost the instant the palace gates opened, the powerful beings of the primordial era who had been waiting outside or had just arrived with great difficulty surged in like a tide!

The first to be affected were the Three Pure Ones—Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian—whose auras were intertwined and whose clear light soared into the sky!

Following them were Di Jun and Tai Yi of the Sun Star, Chang Xi and Xi He of the Moon Star, Kun Peng of the Northern Sea, Styx of the Blood Sea, Xi Wangmu of the Western Kunlun, and many other innate deities with different appearances and powerful auras.

As soon as they entered the solemn and sacred Zixiao Palace, the first thing they saw was Hongjun Daozu, who was reclining on a cloud bed, his aura in harmony with the Dao.

However, their attention was immediately drawn to the three purple futons floating in the air beneath the Dao Ancestor, and the three figures sitting on them!

"That is—?"

"Zhen Yuanzi? Hongyun? The Yin-Yang Taoist?"

"Why are they—why are they able to sit in those positions? And on those six prayer cushions?!"

In an instant, surprised, puzzled, envious, and wary gazes were cast upon Zhen Yuanzi and his companions. But at this moment, no one dared to utter a word of doubt.

Who dares to question the seating arrangement personally arranged by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun?

Moreover, these three were peerless experts who were contemporaries of the Dao Ancestor and participated in the war between the Dao and the Demons. It seems reasonable for them to sit in the upper positions.

The shock did not last long.

Because everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the six purple futons displayed at the very front, exuding a unique Taoist charm and an aura of opportunity!

An intuition told them that these six meditation cushions were of extraordinary significance and involved a major opportunity!

"Rob!"

No one knows who had this thought, but the next moment, all the powerful beings moved!

The Three Pure Ones were the first to enter, and now they were even more in sync. Laozi's figure swayed, as if ignoring space, and he was the first to land on the first futon, his face expressionless.

Yuanshi Tianzun followed closely behind, occupying the second futon with a majestic expression.

The Tongtian Sect Leader raised his sword-like eyebrows, his body transforming into a beam of sword light, and instantly landed on the third futon, his aura sharp and fierce.

The top three spots were almost instantly secured by the Pangu Sect, demonstrating its profound foundation and strength.

Jieyin and Zhunti, who had arrived earlier due to Zhen Yuanzi and were guarding outside the palace gate, rushed forward the moment the palace gate opened.

They were well aware of the importance of this opportunity!

However, they were ultimately a step too slow, or rather, in terms of pure speed and luck, they were slightly inferior to the Three Pure Ones.

Jieyin sat on the fourth prayer mat with great difficulty, while Zhunti occupied the fifth prayer mat.

After they sat down, both of them looked distressed and resentful, especially when they saw that the top three spots were occupied by the Three Pure Ones, which made them even more depressed.

Just then, a figure moving with incredible speed, seemingly transcending the limitations of space, flashed by like a ghost! It was none other than the Northern Darkness Kunpeng!

With his unparalleled speed, he actually arrived first and seized the sixth prayer mat before the gods could react!

Thus, the six prayer cushions symbolizing the opportunity for sainthood were finally settled:

First Futon: Taiqing Laozi; Second Futon: Yuqing Yuanshi; Third Futon: Shangqing Tongtian; West Futon: Jieyin Daoren; Fifth Futon: Zhunti Daoren; Sixth Futon: Kunpeng Laozu. Other great beings who were a step behind include Dijun, Taiyi, Styx, and Xiwangmu.

He could only watch helplessly as his prayer mat was taken, feeling extremely annoyed, but he dared not act recklessly in the sacred temple, so he had no choice but to find a seat at the back.