Chapter Thirty: The Sage's Discourse

Watching the chaos and clamor erupt among the Daoists within the hall, Haotian and Jade Pool grew indignant. They, too, were disciples of a Sage—why did no one treat them with the respect they deserved?

When Kunpeng had burst into the Zixiao Palace, Ancestor Hongjun had instructed the two of them to preside over the gathering. Previously, whenever someone arrived, Haotian and Jade Pool would go to greet them. But this time, they resolved not to yield so easily; they must, on behalf of their master, “discipline” these unruly Daoists.

Haotian withdrew a bell from his waist and exchanged a glance with Jade Pool, signaling the moment had come. With a gentle shake, he declared, “This is the Sage’s sacred ground—no one is to make a racket.” Though his voice was not loud, its effect was profound.

One Daoist stepped forward and jeered, “What would a mere servant boy know? You’re just a doorkeeper—what right have you to manage us?” No sooner had the words left his lips than a mighty pressure descended from the heavens, forcing all present to their knees. Some attempted to resist, but were crushed to the ground, barely able to gasp for breath. Witnessing this, no one dared utter another word.

At that moment, Ancestor Hongjun appeared atop the high platform, while Haotian and Jade Pool took their places to serve as the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden at his side.

“To attend this assembly, you must quiet your minds and still your spirits. No fighting or disturbances shall be tolerated,” Ancestor Hongjun pronounced, seated with serene authority as he gazed down at the assembly.

The crowd hastily nodded in agreement, intoning, “We shall abide by the Sage’s decree.” There was no room for dissent—the Sage’s mere presence had flattened them with its might. What then of his true power?

Silence reigned throughout the hall. This was precisely the effect Ancestor Hongjun desired—an atmosphere in which he could properly teach the Dao to the denizens of the Primordial World. With a casual gesture, he pointed toward the Daoist who had spoken out of turn, and the man vanished without a trace.

The assembly was stunned. What divine power was this, that with a single finger, the Sage could obliterate a Taiyi Golden Immortal, leaving not even a wisp of ash? All present immediately prostrated themselves, crying, “The Sage’s divine abilities far surpass our own!”

“What is the Dao?” Ancestor Hongjun began. “The Dao is born of chaos, matures within the vastness, and is fulfilled amid the primordial world. The Dao is profound; its profundity is wondrous—wondrous beyond description…” So he began his discourse.

At first, the teachings were comprehensible to all. But as the principles of the Great Dao grew ever deeper, the assembly responded in diverse ways. Every living being has its own laws of survival, its own unique path.

Among those gathered in the Zixiao Palace, some closed their eyes to meditate, such as the Three Pure Ones and the Holy Mother of Taiyuan; some wept and laughed in simple delight, like Jieyin and Zhunti; others gesticulated wildly, like Styx and the Thunder God. The three thousand Great Daos each differ, and each person’s fate is their own, so their insights varied as well.

When Ancestor Hongjun concluded his teaching, the crowd lingered in contemplation. Soon, all awakened from their absorption in the Dao, and bowed deeply to Ancestor Hongjun, saying, “Our gratitude for the Sage’s guidance. Such merit as yours makes you the true Ancestor of the Dao in the Primordial World.”

No sooner had they finished speaking than the Wheel of Heavenly Law manifested within the hall, bestowing upon Ancestor Hongjun a stream of merit as a reward.

After receiving the flow of merit, Ancestor Hongjun smiled and addressed the assembly: “Today’s discourse ends here. If you have questions, you may raise them next time I teach. As for the next teaching, it shall be in three thousand years. During this time, avoid entangling yourselves in karmic affairs. You may now depart.”

Each attendee found their cultivation and power elevated by an entire rank—not merely convinced in word, but truly in heart, acknowledging the Sage’s boundless abilities. This was true conviction, both outward and inward.

It was clear that Ancestor Hongjun had issued a dismissal order. The assembly rose, saluted him respectfully, and departed in a flurry of light.

In fact, Houtu, the ancestral witch of the Wu tribe, had also attended, but upon hearing Ancestor Hongjun say further matters would be discussed next time, she slipped away swiftly, so that Tongtian did not see any members of the Wu tribe.

The Three Pure Ones, however, remained in the hall. Seeing that they had not left, Ancestor Hongjun said, “Return to your caves and cultivate well; in three thousand years, your positions shall be formally established.” With a wave of his hand, the Three Pure Ones rose and bid their master farewell.

Tongtian, who walked ahead, caught up to the Holy Mother of Taiyuan just as she reached the palace gates. “Fellow Daoist Taiyuan, please wait,” he called.

The Holy Mother of Taiyuan turned and asked, “What is it, fellow Daoist?”

Tongtian stepped forward and greeted her courteously, “Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

“Greetings to you as well,” she replied.

“Upon first seeing you, fellow Daoist, I could not help but be reminded of someone from my past,” Tongtian said, his words tumbling out. “If I have caused you any inconvenience, I beg your forgiveness.” The thought of his ill-fated elder sister left his heart unsettled.

“It’s no trouble. But your elder sister—what of her?” the Holy Mother of Taiyuan asked, puzzled, for she knew that the Three Pure Ones had no such sister.

“In the midst of battle, my brothers and I were separated. I was fortunate to be aided by an immortal maiden who healed my wounds and restored my strength. During that time, I came to regard her as my elder sister. But fate was unkind. Once, while gathering spirit herbs for me, she was struck down by a guardian beast, her soul shattered and her essence destroyed—she vanished from this world.

“When I saw you, fellow Daoist, it was as though I saw my sister again. There was a gentleness in your eyes that nothing could replace.”

Tongtian could hardly reveal that his sister belonged to a future life, or that he was a soul who had crossed over from another world—even if he told the truth, who would believe him?

“If that is so, let me be your elder sister,” the Holy Mother of Taiyuan replied, moved by his tale.

Meanwhile, Supreme Lord Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerable looked on as Tongtian and the Holy Mother of Taiyuan conversed with such intimacy. Primordial Heavenly Venerable remarked to Laozi, “Eldest brother, could it be that Little Lingbao has developed feelings of desire? Watching him joke and laugh with that immortal maiden, it certainly seems so.”

Primordial Heavenly Venerable nodded “seriously.”

Laozi could not help but smile at his brother’s antics, though he maintained his composure. He mused, “Do you not sense, brother, that the origins of the Holy Mother of Taiyuan are somewhat mysterious? Why do I feel she shares a tangled fate with us Three Pure Ones?”

Primordial Heavenly Venerable retorted, “What tangled fate? It’s just that the immortal maiden’s figure is particularly pleasing to the eye.”

Laozi shot him a glare and said nothing.

Tongtian then explained to Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerable the details of his fabricated story, insisting all was done for the sake of his elder brother—Primordial Heavenly Venerable.

Upon hearing this, Primordial Heavenly Venerable’s face wrinkled in embarrassment. “And you say Little Lingbao is the one harboring desire? Clearly, you’re projecting,” Laozi chided him with an amused severity.

“I have a question, sister, if you would indulge me?” Tongtian asked, somewhat shyly.

“Ask away,” responded the Holy Mother of Taiyuan, forthright as ever.

At that moment, Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerable approached.

Tongtian quickly asked, “Sister, what is your origin? Please don’t misunderstand me—I only wish to know why you give me such a sense of safety and warmth. I have no other intentions.”

In the Primordial World, one whose cultivation surpasses another can discern the other’s true form, but such inquiries are generally frowned upon and considered rude.

“Oh, is that all?” the Holy Mother of Taiyuan replied, and proceeded to reveal her background. Upon hearing it, Tongtian and the others were astonished.

How could this possibly be?