Chapter Thirty-Nine: Dividing Treasures in the Violet Dawn

At this moment, Hongjun still held the final wisp of Primordial Purple Qi in his hand. Everyone watched with eager, shining eyes. After all, this Primordial Purple Qi was the indispensable key to sainthood!

"Master, I have cultivated arduously for countless years. Heaven and earth can attest to my pursuit of the Dao. I beg you to grant me the last strand of Primordial Purple Qi."

"I, too, am a man of great resolve. I implore Master to show mercy!"

"Please, Master, bestow the Primordial Purple Qi upon me!"

Countless people fell to their knees, pleading bitterly. Some even burst into tears, painting their misfortune as tragic as possible.

Hongjun gazed at the masses below, hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand. The final wisp of Primordial Purple Qi soared up, drifting into the grand hall of the Zixiao Palace and swirling among the assembly.

All raised their heads, following the movement of the Qi with hopeful eyes. But in the Zixiao Palace, none dared to act recklessly. Only when the wisp floated above their heads would they cautiously reach out, trying to seize it.

Yet the Primordial Purple Qi seemed to play hide-and-seek, darting about at incredible speed, evading every grasp.

At last, before everyone’s eyes, the Primordial Purple Qi flew straight to Hongyun's side and slipped into his body, vanishing without a trace.

The assembly was stunned, then erupted in disbelief.

Why him?!

Was it because he, too, had once sat upon the lotus mat?

As for the six recognized by Hongjun as Saints—Li Tian included—they dared not show any emotion. But toward Hongyun, many faces twisted with envy and hatred, their gazes sharp.

None more so than Kunpeng, who at that moment wished he could devour Hongyun whole.

My path to sainthood!

But Hongyun himself was oblivious to the undercurrents. To gain a strand of Primordial Purple Qi out of nowhere filled him with wild joy.

Who would have thought Hongyun would have such fortune!

"Thank you, Master, for your gift!" Hongyun knelt in excitement, expressing his gratitude.

But Hongjun seemed not to notice him, merely continuing, “The Great Dao is fifty, but Heaven manifests forty-nine. All beings and things possess a thread of hope. Sainthood is no exception. Whosoever has great wisdom and perseverance may vie for that sliver of chance.”

At these words, every eye in the Zixiao Palace lit up, all turning toward Hongyun with a crimson glint.

Li Tian, too, wore a peculiar expression. Wasn’t Hongjun’s statement an open invitation for everyone to contend for the strand of Primordial Purple Qi within Hongyun?

Hongyun sensed the change and shrank back slightly.

“Have you any further questions?” Hongjun ignored their thoughts, speaking again.

Li Tian considered, then asked, “Can one attain the Dao by the method of severing the Three Corpses alone?”

“Beneath Heaven’s order, all things are possible. Those not destined as Saints, if they possess immense merit and fortune, may also become Saints—but it is exceedingly difficult. Even if one severs the Three Corpses, without extraordinary fate, merging them may still be impossible.”

Hope flickered in countless hearts, but soon dimmed, for they understood the hardship in Hongjun’s words.

Li Tian nodded—this was as he had expected. After a moment’s thought, he asked, “If one comprehends a single Great Dao, can they become a Saint?”

Hongjun paused, then replied, “There are three thousand Great Dao, each leading to the primordial unity. Should one truly comprehend a single Great Dao, they may become a Dao Saint and transcend Heaven’s order.

Yet to realize a Great Dao is unimaginably difficult—even I have glimpsed only the faintest sprout of one.” With this, Hongjun shook his head.

At the mention of Dao Saints transcending Heaven’s order, Li Tian’s breath caught; even the Three Purities and Nuwa were momentarily dazed, but soon their hearts sank. Though Hongjun had twice expounded the three thousand Great Dao, not even Li Tian or the Three Purities had gleaned the slightest essence of them.

Without even the seed of the Dao, how could one hope for a towering tree?

Afterward, the Three Purities, Nuwa, and others each asked Hongjun a few questions, mostly about their cultivation difficulties.

When all had asked what they most wished, they heard Hongjun say, “In my early wanderings through the primordial wilds, I gathered many spiritual treasures. They are now of no use to me, so today I shall divide them among you.”

At these words, the assembly was stunned.

Did they hear right—the Patriarch was about to distribute his treasures to everyone?

Li Tian had already anticipated this, so he felt no surprise. Still, he was curious what treasure Hongjun would give him. As the chief disciple, when Three Purities all received innate supreme treasures, surely he would not be given only an innate spiritual treasure? But it seemed Hongjun possessed only three supreme treasures.

As everyone’s thoughts raced, Hongjun’s voice sounded calmly, “The Supreme Sumeru Emperor of Sublime Law, ruler of Heaven, boundless in providence, deserves a supreme treasure.”

At that, Hongjun turned his hand, and a golden seal appeared before him. With a flash of light, the seal flew before Li Tian.

Li Tian took it, examining it carefully, and confirmed it was indeed an innate supreme treasure.

But what was this seal-shaped supreme treasure? He had never heard of it.

“This seal is called the Heaven-Stabilizing Seal. I forged it from a piece of primordial chaos stone and a top-grade merit treasure, refined with chaotic spiritual flame. It rivals the supreme treasures, contains all the heavens, and can safeguard the fortune of the Heavenly Court.”

Li Tian was momentarily stunned, then bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master, for this treasure.”

He had never expected Hongjun would craft a supreme treasure especially for him.

It was a pleasant surprise, for he had resigned himself to not receiving one at all.

Hongjun then looked to Laozi behind Li Tian and said, “Laozi, formed from Pangu’s primordial spirit and one of the Three Purities. I have here the Taiji Diagram, transformed from Pangu’s axe, a supreme treasure fit for you to wield.”

With a wave of his hand, the Taiji Diagram, glowing with the power of yin and yang, appeared before Laozi. Laozi took it, feeling the resonance with his own Dao of Yin and Yang. Normally indifferent, even he was visibly moved, bowing in gratitude. “Many thanks, Master.”

Hongjun nodded, turning his gaze to Yuanshi. Another wave of his hand, and a flag of chaotic hues appeared before him.

“This is the Pangu Banner, also transformed from the Heaven-Opening Axe. It is yours to command.”

Yuanshi accepted it with both hands, feeling the immense power within. Overwhelmed with excitement, he bowed repeatedly. “Yuanshi thanks Master for the treasure!”

When it came to Tongtian, Hongjun hesitated briefly before four black, murderous swords and a formation diagram appeared in his hand.

“Tongtian, you too are formed from Pangu’s primordial spirit. I now bestow upon you the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords. These swords can form the most lethal array in the primordial world. If set by a Saint, they cannot be broken by less than the combined might of four Saints. Use them wisely!”

Set by a Saint, unbreakable except by four Saints together?

The assembly was stunned—did this not mean Tongtian would be invincible?

Laozi and Yuanshi’s expressions shifted, yet neither spoke.

Only Li Tian remained calm. Though the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords were the most formidable, they did not stabilize fortune. Tongtian might seem glorious now, but in the future, he would be the unluckiest among the Saints; his disciples would perish or flee, leaving the Western Sect to reap the rewards.

“Thank you, Master, for the treasure!” Tongtian accepted the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords, so overcome he was almost incoherent, oblivious to the expressions of those around him.

Unbreakable except by the power of four Saints—would he not be invincible from now on?