Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Final Sermon

Returning to the Heavenly Court, Nuwa and Fuxi had not yet emerged from seclusion. Li Tian gathered the others in the Hall of Lingxiao to handle various affairs.

Now that the Heavenly Court and the tribe of Wu each ruled half of the vast world, the Wu tribe governed the western half, overseeing countless beings who lived carefree lives, with food and drink in abundance. Naturally, they saw no reason to risk provoking the Heavenly Court.

Thus, nothing major had occurred in the Heavenly Court for some time. Even when the occasional great demon caused trouble, no one paid much attention, as any member of the court could easily quell the disturbance.

The greatest event in recent years had been the chaos wrought by a divine beast called "Hou" several centuries ago. The Heavenly Court sent envoys many times, but suffered repeated losses. In the end, it was Qin Yuan who stepped forward and resolved the matter.

When the others mentioned Hou, Li Tian recalled its depiction in later legends. There were two main accounts: one described Hou as a divine beast; another as the progenitor of zombies.

Li Tian then asked Qin Yuan for details regarding Hou.

Qin Yuan clearly held no fondness for the creature, frowning as she spoke, “That Hou exudes a foul stench, delights in drinking the blood of living beings, and possesses cultivation at the early stage of Grand Luo Golden Immortal. Its body is incredibly tough—I tried several methods to kill it, and failed each time. In the end, I could only seal it away in a hidden place.”

Hearing her description, Li Tian concluded that Hou must indeed be the progenitor of zombies. Legend held that Hou once spread chaos through the world, until Nuwa and Fuxi jointly sealed it. Yet unwilling to be imprisoned forever, Hou split its soul into three parts, which escaped during the reign of the Yellow Emperor, possessing three individuals—one of whom was the Yellow Emperor’s daughter, the famed Drought Demon.

Its physical body became the renowned General Chen, released by later generations. General Chen lacked consciousness, driven only by Hou’s instinct to drink blood; any creature whose blood he consumed would be tainted with corpse poison and transformed into a zombie, thus General Chen became the ancestor of all zombies.

However, Li Tian did not intend to eradicate Hou completely. Zombies were insignificant, unlikely to make much trouble.

Time passed swiftly. Nuwa and Fuxi emerged from seclusion: Nuwa had broken through to the peak of Grand Luo Golden Immortal, and Fuxi had severed the Good Corpse, becoming a quasi-saint.

Ten thousand years later, the Palace of Zixiao opened once more. Li Tian led the Heavenly Court’s denizens to Zixiao Palace. This time, hundreds attended; Li Tian protected dozens, Fuxi and Nuwa, and other Grand Luo Golden Immortals shielded some as well. Were it not necessary to keep guardians in the Heavenly Court, thousands could have gone.

Outside the gates of Zixiao Palace, countless had already arrived—at least a hundred thousand souls. With the spread of cultivation, more and more were able to traverse the chaotic currents and arrive here. Coupled with the original three thousand disciples of Zixiao Palace, such numbers were unsurprising.

It must be said, Hongjun’s lectures were truly meritorious. Before his first sermon, any random Taiyi Golden Immortal could dominate the world; now, even Grand Luo Golden Immortals must act with caution.

As the gates of Zixiao Palace opened, scores of thousands entered the grand hall, each finding a seat, without a hint of crowding. It was, after all, the abode of a Saint, imbued with wondrous laws and surely containing spatial mysteries.

Once all were seated, Hongjun appeared silently atop the platform, swept his gaze over the assembly, and began his discourse.

“Saints are Grand Luo Golden Immortals of the primordial realm. Saints reside in the Void, endure myriad tribulations without perishing, are touched by karma yet remain unstained. They exist with the Heavenly Dao, and endure with the Great Dao...”

This time, his discourse concerned the nature of Saints, and their path of cultivation. His teachings were even more profound than before; many could not grasp his meaning, nor recall what he said. Having learned from previous experience, most forced themselves to listen, but gradually drifted into slumber. When they awoke, three thousand years had already passed.

“I obtained the Jade Disc of Creation, comprehended the Great Dao, and followed Heaven’s will to preach to all beings, lecturing thrice in Zixiao Palace. Now my merit is fulfilled, and henceforth, no further teachings will be given here.” Hongjun spoke calmly.

Upon hearing this, those just roused from sleep felt inexplicably unsettled.

What was happening?

Hadn’t the lecture just begun? How was merit already fulfilled?

Of course, Hongjun paid their thoughts no heed. He looked over the gathering, his gaze settling on the six seated upon meditation mats.

“When the Heavenly Dao flourishes, Saints emerge. Saints endure myriad tribulations without perishing, are untouched by karma. Saints act without striving, hence they suffer no defeat, nor loss. Remember this well.”

“We shall remember our teacher’s words,” Li Tian and the Three Pure Saints responded with a bow.

Hongjun nodded, then continued, “This is my last lecture. If you have any questions, ask them now.”

“What is the difference between Saints and Grand Luo, and Grand Luo compared to Taiyi?” Laozi was the first to speak.

“Saints place their primordial spirit in the Void, are immortal and indestructible. All beneath Saints are but ants. If one does not attain sainthood, then with the coming of the tribulation, all are at risk of annihilation.” As Hongjun’s words fell, the hall erupted.

All beneath Saints are ants?

For most, the power of Saints was an abstract concept, but now, Hongjun’s assertion struck them viscerally.

Countless eyes reddened with desire; all wished to become Saints. For if one failed, no matter how cunning their schemes, they were no more than a larger ant.

“Teacher, who may become Saints? Is there a fixed number?” Hongyun, standing at the front, voiced the question in everyone’s hearts.

“Nine is the number, beneath Heaven’s Dao, there shall be nine Saints,” Hongjun said calmly. His words caused every eye to burn with longing.

Only nine Saints—could they hope to be included?

Hongjun’s gaze then fell upon the six seated on meditation mats, as countless eyes watched anxiously.

Would six be chosen now?

“The Supreme Marvelous Law Heavenly Emperor, bearing the aura of a sovereign, shall one day be infused with the luck of myriad races, and may thus attain sainthood.” Hongjun looked first to Li Tian.

Seeing this, many hearts sank. It seemed certain that six would be allotted.

“The Three Pure Ones are the result of Pangu’s primordial spirit splitting into three, inheriting Pangu’s blessings and the merit of opening the heavens, and may also become Saints.”

Hongjun then turned to Nuwa. “Nuwa, you shall one day perform a great act of creation, earning immense merit, and may thus become a Saint.”

Lastly, Hongjun looked at Zhunti, who grew anxious under the gaze, but Hongjun spoke calmly: “Though you walk a side path, you possess great resolve, and may also attain sainthood.”

“Thank you, Teacher, for granting me this!” Zhunti was overcome with emotion, kneeling in gratitude.

He had been deeply affected by Hongjun’s words, “All beneath Saints are ants.” If he became a Saint, who could hinder the rise of the Western Teachings?

With all eyes upon him, Hongjun turned his hand, and seven streams of purple energy, each containing boundless mystery, appeared.

“Beneath the Heavenly Dao, to attain sainthood, one must use the Primordial Purple Qi as the guide.” With these words, Hongjun waved his hand, and six streams of Primordial Purple Qi flew to the six chosen ones.