Hongjun finished speaking and looked at the crowd, asking,
"Do you have any other questions?"
The crowd looked at each other and said nothing. Seeing this, Taishang spoke,
"Dare I ask the Saint, is there a third method to achieve sainthood?"
As soon as Taishang spoke, the entire Zixiao Palace fell silent. Everyone looked at Taishang in confusion.
Hongjun had already stated that there were only two paths to sainthood: one by severing the three corpses, and the other by achieving merit. Taishang's question was essentially questioning Hongjun.
Taishang was clearly a wise man, so what was happening today that he would ask such a question?
Hongjun's expression darkened at the question. Did Taishang not understand his words?
Although Hongjun was displeased, he couldn't act out in front of so many people. He glanced at Taishang and said,
"A thousand people, a thousand faces, each different. Perhaps someone with great destiny and fortune can forge a new path, but as of now, I only know of these two!"
Taishang silently grumbled,
"Well said! You're still holding back! Why don't you mention achieving sainthood through Pangu's laws!"
If Hongjun didn't know about achieving sainthood through laws, Taishang would never believe it!
Moreover, the method of severing three corpses could indeed lead to sainthood, but severing the three corpses was difficult, and uniting them even more so.
Unless one possessed spiritual treasures of the same origin, such as the Dragon-Coiling Staff, the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, and the Qingping Sword, or a chaotic spiritual treasure like the Jade Disk of Fortune, it would be impossible for the three corpses to unite.
Hongjun had a clever plan! He hadn't revealed the crucial part of his method for severing the three corpses, making it impossible for anyone to achieve sainthood through it. This way, everyone could only pursue sainthood through merit, leaving no one as his opponent and allowing him to unify the Primordial World!
Seeing that no one else spoke, Hongjun said,
"I have been favored by the Heavenly Dao and, as the first Saint of the Primordial World, I bear the responsibility of educating all beings. Therefore, I shall preach three times!"
"The three sermons are now complete. I shall select those among you who are fated with me and accept them as my disciples! They shall monitor the world on my behalf, in accordance with the Heavenly Dao!"
"After today, I shall merge with the Heavenly Dao and complete it! From this moment on, I shall be the Heavenly Dao, no longer Hongjun!"
Everyone was greatly shocked. Hongjun was already the first Saint of the Primordial World, his status was incredibly noble. Even if others became Saints in the future, they would have to address him as senior. Now, he was going to merge with the Heavenly Dao, meaning Hongjun would become the Heavenly Dao of the Primordial World!
After the shock subsided, everyone became excited. To be favored by Hongjun would be like a crow flying onto a phoenix's branch. Not only would they be disciples of a Saint, but also disciples of the Heavenly Dao, a supremely transcendent status!
Taishang's expression also changed drastically. Unlike the excitement of others, Taishang's face was grim!
Hongjun was going to attack the Heavenly Dao. He wondered if the Heavenly Dao had taken his words to heart. If Hongjun truly became the Heavenly Dao, then he would be truly helpless.
Hongjun also had his own plans. If the Three Pure Ones were willing to become his disciples, it would be a good thing. Although the Three Pure Ones were not on the futons, they carried the merit of Pangu's creation, making it easier for them to achieve sainthood than Hongyun and others.
If they refused, he could still scheme to turn the three brothers against each other.
Hongjun ignored the shock of the crowd and looked at them, saying,
"The Three Pure Ones carry the merit of Pangu's creation and possess great fortune. They can be my direct disciples."
As Hongjun finished speaking, everyone immediately looked at the Three Pure Ones in astonishment, thinking how lucky they were to be favored by the Saint.
Zhenyuanzi, Hongyun, Nuwa, Fuxi, Dijun, and Taiyi all hoped that the Three Pure Ones would agree, as this was a rare opportunity.
Jieyin and Zhunti's faces immediately turned grim. The signs from the Three Pure Ones indicated that these three did not like them. If they were accepted as disciples by the Saint, how could their lives be good in the future?
The two's faces immediately fell at this thought, but they dared not question the Saint's decree. They could only hope that the Three Pure Ones would be foolish enough to refuse the Saint.
However, both knew the chances were slim, for after all, it was a Saint!
Yuanshi's expression turned ugly upon hearing Hongjun's words. He was a descendant of Pangu, and now Hongjun wanted to take him as a disciple?
Tongtian saw Yuanshi's grim expression and knew how proud his second brother was. Being a disciple of Hongjun was an honor in others' eyes, but to Yuanshi, it would only be a disgrace!
Tongtian also did not wish to become Hongjun's disciple, especially after he had previously called him an "old杂毛" (old scumbag). How much did he detest Hongjun!
Although Tongtian and Yuanshi were displeased, they did not speak as Taishang had not yet made his decision. They decided to see how Taishang would choose.
Despite his displeasure, Taishang showed no emotion and remained calm!
Hongjun saw that one of the Three Pure Ones was calm, one was angry, and one had a grim expression.
Hongjun naturally knew that the Three Pure Ones were proud. He flipped his hand, and three purple rays of light appeared in his palm.
Seeing the purple light, everyone thought that the Saint's actions were extraordinary. Recalling Hongjun's mention of the Primordial Violet Qi, they gasped and looked at the three rays of light with burning desire.
Tongtian and Yuanshi also saw the purple light and realized it must be the Primordial Violet Qi that Hongjun had mentioned. Both of them immediately felt tempted! After all, it was the key to becoming a Heavenly Dao Saint!
Compared to Hongjun, whom they disliked, they could simply look at him less. However, they still did not speak, waiting to see what Taishang would say!
Hongjun saw the expressions on Tongtian and Yuanshi's faces and, seeing their temptation, thought that accepting them should not be difficult!
Taishang smiled slightly upon seeing Hongjun bring out the Primordial Violet Qi to tempt the three, and then stood up.
Hongjun saw this and thought that Taishang was about to become his disciple. If he could win over Taishang, Tongtian and Yuanshi would surely follow.
Hongjun could already envision the Three Pure Ones performing the three prostrations and nine kowtows to him as a disciple, and his lips unconsciously curved upwards.
Jieyin and Zhunti saw Taishang stand up and also thought that Taishang was likely to agree. Their faces turned ashen, knowing that their future would be difficult!
Fuxi and the others, however, were full of joy. The Three Pure Ones had been kind to them, and their origins and fortune were not bad. This was what they deserved!
Taiyi thought that since Yuanshi would become a Saint, he would undoubtedly become a Saint in the future, and he felt genuinely happy for Yuanshi.
As for Taishang, his elder martial brother, and Tongtian, his junior martial brother, if they became disciples of a Saint, then he would also be considered part of a Saint's lineage!
Xihe and Changxi looked at the Three Pure Ones with complex emotions. When they first met on the Taiyin Star, they were all on equal footing. Now, after today, their fates would diverge dramatically!
Everyone in Zixiao Palace looked at the Three Pure Ones with envy, believing that their becoming disciples of the Saint was a certainty. They were all thinking of ways to curry favor with the Three Pure Ones after the sermon.
Under everyone's gaze, Taishang stood up. He looked at Hongjun and said,
"Thank you for your kindness, Saint!"
After Taishang finished speaking, Yuanshi and Tongtian also stood up together and said,
"Thank you for your kindness, Saint!"