My classmates chose martial arts and fantasy, but I chose the prehistoric world.

Within the Purple Cloud Palace, the Daoist aura was as vast as the sea.

The illusory image of Dao Ancestor Hongjun hangs high, his face and form unseen, only his primordial aura, surpassing all other paths, envelops every inch of space.

"This time, after three thousand years, we will discuss the way of the sages."

Hongjun's voice rang out calmly, like water dripping on a stone, yet it seemed to contain the ultimate truth of heaven and earth, each word directly imprinted on the depths of the listener's mind.

"A sage is a Primordial Golden Immortal, who endures countless eons without perishing, and remains untouched by karma. He exists eternally with Heaven and coexists with the Dao."

"To become a sage, one must first sever the three corpses and attain a clear and enlightened Dao mind. Then, using the Primordial Purple Qi as a guide, one must merge with the three corpses, entrust oneself to the void, and entrust one's primordial spirit to the Heavenly Dao. Only by gaining the Heavenly Dao's approval can one become a sage."

"The Primordial Purple Qi is the foundation of the Great Dao and the basis for achieving sainthood. There are only seven of these in the entire world."

"To obtain it is to attain sainthood. To lose it is to have no hope for the rest of one's life."

After he finished speaking, the palace fell into a deathly silence.

Seven!

Only seven strands of primordial purple energy mean that only seven people can become saints!

Countless gazes instantly turned fervent, yearning, and even frantic.

Even figures like the Three Pure Ones, Emperor Jun, and Taiyi couldn't help but breathe more rapidly.

Holy throne!

That is true transcendence, a supreme existence that rises above all living beings, lives as long as heaven and earth, and coexists with the Dao!

Just like the current Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who is high above and looks down on all living beings!

Just like five thousand years ago, when the Dao Ancestor took a gourd from the gourd vine, no one dared to utter a sound, question, or express dissatisfaction!

At this moment, only Houtu and Mengchuan remained calm.

Houtu was calm because she had heard Meng Chuan say that of the seven primordial purple energies, six belonged to the people sitting on the six futons in the first row, while the last one belonged to Hongyun.

Others, no matter how much they want it, are destined not to get it.

Everything was predetermined.

Hongjun, however, seemed oblivious and continued his sermon.

"The path of the sage prioritizes merit and virtue. When merit and virtue are perfected, Heaven will naturally respond and bestow upon them primordial purple energy to aid in their sagehood..."

"The next step is to sever the three corpses. Once the three corpses are completely severed, one can merge them with the Primordial Purple Qi and thus achieve sainthood..."

"Thirdly, it is to prove the Dao through force. Without relying on external objects or merits, one uses one's own strength to break through the shackles of the Heavenly Dao and forcibly prove the Dao of Hunyuan. This path is the most difficult, but also the strongest. In the past, Pangu walked this path..."

At this point, Hongjun paused slightly.

The blurry, unreal figure seemed to glance in Meng Chuan's direction, almost imperceptibly.

But it only lasted for a moment.

"Today, we will first discuss the method of attaining sainthood through merit..."

The sound of the Dao arose again, profound and obscure, yet pointing directly to the origin.

No matter how agitated they were, everyone in the palace suppressed their distracting thoughts and listened attentively.

Even just listening to the teachings of the sages can be endlessly beneficial to one's own cultivation.

Meng Chuan closed his eyes and listened intently, his mind sinking into the sounds of the Dao.

For him, achieving sainthood through the merits of Heaven or by severing the three corpses was not the right path.

Only the phrase "proving the Way through force" caused a slight tremor in his mind.

But Hongjun only mentioned it briefly, clearly not wanting to say more.

As he was about to merge with the Heavenly Dao, he naturally did not want anyone to be able to prove the Dao of Hunyuan through the laws of the Great Dao and become a Great Dao Saint.

The Great Dao Sage is independent of the Heavenly Dao, on the same level as the Heavenly Dao, and not subject to its control.

Only those who achieve the Primordial Purple Qi Saint by severing their three corpses and are controlled by the Heavenly Dao are recognized as saints by the Heavenly Dao.

Houtu listened intently from the side.

She also followed the path of proving the law, which was different from the Heavenly Dao Merit and the severing of the Three Corpses. However, the principles of the Great Dao and the operation of the Heavenly Dao as taught by Hongjun were also helpful for her to evolve into reincarnation and perfect the Earthly Dao.

Time flowed slowly amidst the sounds of the Dao...

The first century.

Zhen Yuanzi's body suddenly surged with the Daoist aura of Earth, and the Earth Book appeared above his head, with the illusory images of earth veins flowing wildly within it. He slowly opened his eyes and bowed to the high platform.

"Please, Dao Ancestor, bear witness."

A point of yellow light flew out from between his eyebrows, transforming into a phantom that resembled him but had a kind face and a calm aura.

Good corpse!

Zhen Yuanzi flipped his hand, and a wisp of the original mark from the Earth Book fell into the illusory image.

"cut!"

The phantom of the benevolent corpse merged with the origin of the Earth Book, solidifying completely and transforming into an old man in a yellow robe holding a book, with a kind expression. He bowed to Zhen Yuanzi and disappeared into his brow.

Zhen Yuanzi's aura surged dramatically, and the Daoist essence of Wutu was perfectly sublimated, naturally radiating a pressure that surpassed even the Great Luo Immortals.

Quasi-Saint stage, achieved!

He sat down slowly, his face calm, but a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

After years of arduous practice, I have finally entered this realm!

Congratulations, fellow Daoist!

Beside him, Hongyun transmitted her voice, her eyes filled with joy.

Zhen Yuanzi smiled and nodded, continuing to listen attentively.

The third century.

Above Lao Tzu's head, amidst auspicious clouds, the benevolent corpse and the obsessive corpse simultaneously manifested, their auras perfectly harmonious.

At the same time, a third phantom flew out from between his eyebrows—its face was indifferent and its eyes were ruthless.

Evil Corpse!

Laozi flipped his hand and took out a top-grade innate spiritual treasure that he had acquired a few years ago.

"Cut again!"

The illusory image of the evil corpse merged with the spiritual treasure, solidified, and transformed into a cold and indifferent old man in a gray robe. He nodded slightly to Laozi and disappeared into his brow.

In an instant, Lao Tzu's aura surged wildly!

Three flowers bloomed simultaneously within the auspicious clouds, their Daoist charm perfect and profound, and a powerful pressure far exceeding that of a mid-stage Quasi-Saint suddenly spread out!

Late stage of Quasi-Saint, achieved!

The foremost of the Three Pure Ones, taking another step forward!

Many people in the palace gasped in shock.

Lao Tzu was already unfathomable, and now, having severed another corpse and entered the late stage of Quasi-Saint, his cultivation level once again surpassed everyone present.

Yuanshi and Tongtian exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming.

The eldest brother has already taken that step, and they cannot fall behind.

The fifth century.

The auspicious clouds surrounding Hongyun have completely transformed into celebratory clouds. His smile remains honest and simple, but his eyes now hold a deeper understanding born from years of experience.

He slowly rose and bowed to the high platform.

"Please, Dao Ancestor, bear witness."

A red light flew out from between his brows, transforming into a phantom that resembled him but had a bright smile and was completely innocent.

Good corpse!

Hongyun flipped his hand, and the purplish-red gourd he had obtained from Mengchuan—the Nine-Nine Soul-Scattering Red Gourd—appeared in his palm.

The gourd trembled slightly, releasing a wisp of scattered soul-stirring Daoist energy that fell into the illusory image.

"cut!"

The phantom of the benevolent corpse merged with the Daoist aura of the scattered soul, solidified, and transformed into a Daoist in red robes holding a gourd with a bright smile. He bowed to Hongyun and disappeared into her brow.

The aura of the red clouds surged, and the auspicious clouds and celebratory clouds merged completely, transforming into a misty auspicious cloud that enveloped overhead.

Quasi-Saint stage, achieved!

As he sat down, he looked at Zhen Yuanzi beside him, and the two smiled at each other, everything understood without a word.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Hongyun."

Meng Chuan sent his congratulations via telepathy.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist!"

Hongyun smiled brightly, her eyes filled with gratitude.

If it weren't for Meng Chuan's gift of the gourd, which gave him some insight, he would probably still need many years of hard work to sever his corpse.

The eighth century.

Taiyi's body erupted with crimson-gold divine flames, and the Chaos Bell flew out from his waist, hovering above his head, its clear sound ringing out.

A bright crimson light shone from between his brows, and a phantom figure, resembling him but brimming with fighting spirit and burning eyes, appeared.

Obsessive Corpse!

"cut!"

Taiyi gave a low shout, and the obsessive corpse merged with the prepared spiritual treasure, disappearing into his brow.

In an instant, his aura surged wildly!

His body was enveloped in crimson-gold divine flames that transformed into a tangible armor of fire. The Chaos Bell resonated softly in response, and the intensity of his power far surpassed that of an early Quasi-Saint!

Mid-stage Quasi-Saint, achieved!

Taiyi opened his eyes, his crimson-gold pupils burning like two great suns, and slowly turned his head to look at where Meng Chuan was.

His eyes held an undisguised, intense killing intent, along with a rekindled, almost arrogant confidence.

Mid-stage Quasi-Saint, wielding the Chaos Bell!

He felt incredibly powerful right now!

Even though Meng Chuan proved the Dao through force, he was ultimately only at the early stage of Quasi-Saint.

He was now a level above the other, and possessed a supreme treasure from the beginning of creation...

The great revenge may one day be fulfilled!

Meng Chuan felt the murderous gaze, but he didn't even lift his eyelids, ignoring it.

Houtu remained calm, only her fingertips twitched slightly.