Saint of Heaven

Hongjun spoke for a long time. It was unknown if he only spoke for hours, days, weeks, even years. Whenever the Dao Ancestor spoke, no one could tell time any more.

It was an amazing experience for everyone involved despite their own incredibly advanced cultivation. These were not average immortals nor even ancient powerhouses. These three thousand, sans the infant, were all pinnacle veterans who survived a brutal war against equally elite opponents.

Every single one of them had pursed their path to the fullest and participated in apocalyptic battles. Yet in front of Hongjun, all of them suddenly transformed back into uneducated children.

It was insane for the difference between Chaos Immortals and a Dao realm being to be displayed once more. This time not only in terms of abilities, but in enlightened knowledge.

Hongjun address the intricacies of the Dao, he described the Dao in a way no one had been able to perceive. He spoke in such a way that people felt so enlightened that they too were on the verge of an advancement.

The way Hongjun described the Dao, it was truly like the origin of all things. As the three thousand guests immersed themselves in the words of an omnipotent Dao realm being, they felt as if they could all see the origin of the Dao.

The truth.

Beyond the primordial gulf, wherein all things originated from. Everything, even their own Dao were themselves, a transformation of this supreme origin. They began to realized that every concept they'd explored could be traced back to this origin that Hongjun was describing.

Was this what they'd all been working to this entire time? Was this The truth of the Dao realm? The singular point they would reach by working backwards in order to trace their origin?

Behind Hongjun, the faint presence of the Heavenly Dao watched patiently. Nobody could really discern its presence as they were all entrapped in Hongjun's words. It watched as everyone seemingly entered a meditative state of cultivation.

This was good for it. The Heavenly Dao was pleased that Hongjun was performing his role in its world. As it gazed towards the greater expanse of the Chaos Sea, the Heavenly Dao began working its own magic.

Gathering the qi around the Primitive World, the Heavenly Dao determined its next course of action and began constructing an ovoid shell.

All this was unnoticed by the individuals inside Zixiao Palace. Outside was a commotion, but inside everyone was too immersed.

Even Haotian was taking in his master's teachings. All the things he'd spoken about was an order of magnitudes more then everything Da Hai had worked out, wether by his own efforts or by guidance from Shiva and Pangu.

However, Haotian's eyes opened into slits. He was not fully sunken in to Hongjun's lesson. If this seminar was akin to an ocean, nearly everyone was sinking in its depths. But Haotian would be floating on the surface where the light of the sun was still visible.

Hongjun's words were curving around him. It was then that Haotian noticed Hongjun looking right at him. It was not a sudden snapping of the eye, it had been happening for quite some time.

Hongjun's thoughts were entirely disconnected from his words. The latter was like a recording being played. In their matching gaze, Hongjun nodded at Haotian.

'He doesn't want me to listen. He…he wants me to continue as I am?'

Around Haotian, a mysterious event was taking place. The mesmerising words of Hongjun resonated with these cultivators on such a fundamental level that it could be nothing but the only truth in this universe.

And so, time passed like a rapid river. It could've been only several decades Or as long as millennia. But people slowly woke up from the dreamlike state they had been in. Everyone felt as if they'd gained something from Hongjun's words. Inspirational ideas that could advance their Dao even closer to completion.

At the same time, many questions hung on everyone's heads. And as Hongjun finished his speech, the puzzlements they'd developed began pouring out.

"If I may dare to ask, why is the flow of silver essence halted by sand."

"If I may dare to ask, why does my path forward necessitate regret?"

"If I may dare to ask, how does my thoughts develop persona?"

"If I may dare to ask…"

Questions upon questions of the Daos cultivated by the person who asked. These Chaos Immortals, Great Principle or Primal Origin all felt compelled to ask the Dao Ancestor in hopes that he would clear up their misunderstandings.

It was all uninteresting to Haotian who barely listened at all. None of his fellow disciples sitting on the six cushions did either. In fact, Haotian had the distinct feeling Hongjun wanted him to ignore everything.

Deep in his heart, an illusionary image of a Dao fruit sat frozen. Haotian neither flexed it nor had he thought of it for the entire time up until now. But after Hongjun's latest lesson, he began contemplating.

'Even now, thinking of it alongside master's words. It's like even your Dao on the path of wuji is just another reflection of him. You haven't even come into contact with it, merely brushed against it through me. But even so…'

Haotian could easily figure what his origin would feel. The magnificent anger that sea god exude, the temper tantrum in the form of ferocious storms across the East Sea that would've followed had he still been around.

'The Dao realm is amazing, mesmerizing, terrifying, haunting. I don't think I can ever stop finding words to describe it.

'But…'

Haotian glanced at Hongjun addressing one question after another. He glanced around the room at other figures, specifically those cultivators incredibly advanced in studying the Dao even among Chaos Immortals.

Primal Zenith Chaos Immortals were few and far between nowadays. Those present all had troubled looks as they all sat around.

"If I may dare to ask?" A voice simultaneously riddled with rasps and filled with strength belonging to Eastern Emperor Taiyi called out. The Golden Crow looked towards Hongjun, ever so slightly to the Heavenly Dao's presence further back.

"Venerable Dao Ancestor expressed the intricacies of the Grand Dao where all Dao recreates?"

"Correct."

"Venerable Dao Ancestor detailed the method for a Chaos Immortal to complete their Dao and become Primal Zenith."

"Correct."

Taiyi's face became troubled. His own Dao fruit slightly trembled within him. He knew eyes of all those who'd already reached completion of their Dao having similarly troubled looks.

"But the Dao of oneself is cultivated by oneself. Should the Dao therefore not be taken to the apex by oneself? Is cultivation not the lonely path of seeking one's own way to reach pinnacle? I am deeply confused."

"Do explain young Taiyi, what is your perspective?"

Taiyi did not hesitate to make his statement known. "The Dao is the path of oneself. We as immortal cultivators are seekers of the Dao. We search high and low to find any method to complete out path so that it becomes perfect. From there, we grasp further concepts and become Limitless Supreme just as the forefathers before us, yourself, the Oceanic Suppression Lord, the Moon Star Lord, the Devil Ancestor.

"From my own inference, and what my colleagues have known, the Dao of oneself must be unique. The one who evolves it must be oneself, another cannot go in and tamper with it less it diverts to the interferer's way. Such is the way of the Devilish Dao, where innumerable Daos became facets of a singular Dao.

"By teaching us your perspective of the Dao, you offer us insight and ideas that we incorporate. This is no issue at all. But in the same breath, you also inform us of direct paths to go ahead. Methods of how we should complete the Dao. Would that not strip away our own individuality? Prevent us from improving after a certain point just like the Devil Great Emperors?"

Hongjun rubbed his long beard while a small smile adorned his lips. The six disciples sitting before him all held various contemplative expressions.

"Fellow daoist Taiyi have a point," Yuanshi added directly looking up at Hongjun. "Some of us here already completed our Daos as well. The lecture master performed was magnificent, yet why could I not sense the path of Wuji?"

"Wuji? What is that?"

"I have no clue, I think I heard a few dragons muttering about it before. Maybe they know?"

In the small chatter, Hongjun slowly chuckled. The presence of the Heavenly Dao moved forward transforming into the shape of four creatures, the Four Symbol Divine beasts which now represented its authority. The four hovered around Hongjun waiting for him.

"What you speak of is true," Hongjun made a dramatic pause. "Before the evolution of heaven that is."

"Evolution?"

Hongjun raised his hands, and along with the Four Symbols Divine Beasts conjured a three dimensional map of the Primitive World. The disc like shape of the Great Wilderness was visible, so were its numerous pieces floating into the void below it. There was the Netherworld beside the Great Wilderness and the Starry Skies locked in its own bubble hanging above them.

"During this yuanhui, a great many changes occurred. I'm sure you're all aware this latest tribulations was not the first of its kind. In fact, since time immemorial tribulations occurs every so often for a variety of causes. But most crucially, above all other reasons, they are mechanisms of fate.

"Something exists and continues to exist, it's accumulated karma flows alongside it towards a destination. This destination being a fated event that is predetermined to occur, this is absolute. The tribulations you've experienced, it could've been earlier or later, but sooner or later something would've occurred.

"But tribulations are not disasters in and of themselves, they're trials. Fate only dictates these significant event must occur, and the people that are going to be involved are ultimately flexible. I'm sure you're all wondering now what is the point of this explanation?

"You should know, Pangu was a tribulation for the Chaos Godfiends. The Chaos Godfiends were not just your forefathers, but the embodiments of the the fundamental laws which props up this existence we reside in. I and a few others overcame that tribulation and survived to the next era, I watched as existence shifted from chaos to this world.

"I can see your confusion already. The Chaos Sea is not simply the space outside the Great Wilderness. It is the infinite empty world that is merely a previous incarnation of the current world created by Pangu."

The four animals around Hongjun roared in approval. They sent out beams of light that scattered across the projection to show an outside world of nothingness. In it, the Primitive World was shaped like an oval.

"Each tribulation is destined to bring about a fundamental change in the world order. Pangu shifted chaos to this material world, Shenni shifted the environment to accomodate powerful beings and awakened the consciousness of the world in the Heavenly Dao, the latest tribulation completes heaven as it has fully taken over from chaos."

Then the Four Symbols Divine Beasts smashed together into one cloudy form above Hongjun. No one could look at it from any direction other then up. And in seeing it, one could only see supreme authority.

"Previously, you all cultivated based on the Grand Dao. Grand Dao is the origin of the Chaos Sea, the old order you could say. With its completion, the Heavenly Dao has assumed that position. It is the supreme power."

"If I may dare to ask," a Chaos Immortal among the crowd called out in panic. "The Heavenly Dao stands above the Dao realm?"

"Do not interrupt until I am finished," Hongjun frowned. The interloper cowered under Hongjun's gaze and immediately kowtowed in apologies. "It is time I revealed the truth of what I am to you all.

"I am not only Hongjun, I am the spokesperson of heaven. The Heavenly Dao and I are one, intention and enforcer. The realm of Dao exists as the final point of the old order of chaos. To reach it, one cultivates a sole path until the point where it transforms into all others. This is in actuality mimicking Grand Dao.

"As the Heavenly Dao have taken over from Grand Dao, that realm is no longer valid."

"WHAT!"

"If I may dare to ask master," Yuanshi began. "What even is Dao then?"

Hongjun had a solemn look as he continued. "The method of cultivation is in actuality, merely a reflection of the supreme authority. The system propagated through Grand Dao has passed to the hands of the Heavenly Dao. As the word of heaven is derived from the most primordial essence of Grand Dao, its fundamentals are more or less the same."

"To answer your question Yuanshi, the Dao is simply a path where meaning was derived from. That path was once Grand, now it is Heaven. Hence the path you'd all walked, which derived from grand, has now effectively ended. The concept of Wuji which you would all inevitably seek out is unobtainable for the same reason."

"Master, earlier you mentioned yourself a saint. What is that?" Tongtian was next to ask.

"You were paying attention, that is good. Saint of Heaven is the supreme being in the system propagated from the Heavenly Dao."

"!"

The hearts of many tightened with anticipation. A deep hunger in the eyes of those at the peak already was evident for all to see. The six sitting before Hongjun in particular took this information with utmost seriousness.

Haotian did not perk up however. He rested his chin on his index finger and processed something else.

"Master, how does one become a Saint of Heaven? What difference does it posses compared to the Dao realm?" Nuwa was the last to speak up.

The knowledge of the Dao realm wasn't widely known in days past. The dragons, phoenixes, and devils were the only factions with some knowledge to it. Even then they were speculative at best. Enemies of theirs like the races that would become united as demons were largely excluded from their rarer knowledge.

That was why, younger factions like the demons didn't have a single clue to begin with. Nuwa, being a young being had asked a question of great interest.

"A Dao realm being is like that of Pangu, almighty beyond all others. They pushed open the way forward with their own Dao allowing it to become the center of existence. Just like the Grand Dao, their own Dao propagate all things, this is known as Dao birth. Every Dao would be known to he, for his Dao transforms into them. Simply said, he could infer everything with a single thought."

Haotian sucked in a deep breath. His pupils dilated as realization finally hit him.

"The Saint of Heaven is one with all things. The power of heaven is shared with them, thus elevating them to the enlightened secret existing in everything. If the Dao realm is one going backwards in time, the Saint of Heaven connects with the present by uniting with heaven."

Hongjun opened his hand releasing a stream of fiery substance. It was purple in colour, shining brilliantly. It was beautiful and divine, something quite unlike anything anyone had ever seen before.

"Hongmeng Purple Qi, the source of a saint's power." One grip of his fist and that flame was gone. Hongjun glanced back at everyone with a triumphant look.

"To become a saint, one must be willing to accept heaven. What I have explained to you all in my lesson, do you recall? I have said the basic fundamentals are essentially the same, as in the development of a foundation through mortality and immortality is largely the same. But it is when you would've began perceiving the Dao does the path of sainthood diverge.

"One cannot cultivate a unique Dao, it must be a Dao connected to the heavens. Hence, it is not the law facets True Immortals cultivate. But the real Daos of the Chaos Godfiends themselves. All impurities must be discarded for the body needs to become pure. Then only a by accumulating great destiny can one then absorb Hongmeng Purple Qi and transcend the limits of an immortal."

"Master," Taishang called out. "Would that not mean the position of saint is limited? There only existed a hundred and eighty thousand minor Chaos Godfiends and three thousand greater Chaos Godfiends."

"Yes and no. The lesser godfiends are not in line to even catch heaven's gaze. The greater godfiends who make up the three thousand Great Daos are the only method forward. So yes, there are three thousand roads to sainthood.

"However.

Any burgeoning plans ceased.

"The Dao one chooses to walk is irrelevant without Hongmeng Purple Qi. That substance is the final step in connecting with the will of heaven and all things. And such substance is greatly limited."

Hongjun waved his hands and several purple embers emerged to blaze into man sized flames. Their dazzling purple hue resonated with so much power that aspiring saints salivated just looking at them. In total, they numbered seven.

"Then we must change our trajectory if we want to progress," Taiyi murmured. "Sister, the road ahead for us would be difficult."

Xihe was startled. In her heart, she couldn't help but slightly resent Taiyi. Now that Di Jun was dead, was he showing a true desire for power? He'd already claimed Di Jun's throne in place of his infant nephew.

'Just as I thought, our three saint teachers of Daoism's three lineages.' Taishang shared his thoughts via mental communication with Yuanshi and Tongtian. Yuanshi didn't answer immediately, but Tongtian asked Taishang for what he meant.

"My students, you are all individuals of great destiny. I wish to see you all become my fellow daoists. In my duty as your master, I grant you Hongmeng Purple Qi."

Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nuwa, Yaochi, Jieyin, all received purple qi under jealous gazes of attending immortals. But the urge to fight them for this opportunity left them as soon as they thought about their master.

"You Three Pure Ones are all immortals of great destiny, your predecessor's form as Pangu began this world's lifespan. As such heaven feels it owes you three a great debt. Your destiny as saints is its repayment."

"A thousand thanks to the Heavenly Dao and master for this kindness." Taishang and Tongtian maintained a composed procedure. But Yuanshi released a small sigh.

"Nuwa, you completed the human race, the last puzzle piece in completing the reincarnation cycle, and is a daughter of great Pangu. Your destiny is great enough to shoulder this saintly burden."

"Jieyin, the West Continent has suffered greatly due to Luohu's actions. Heaven has great expectations for you to fix it's damage."

"Yaochi, you are a daughter of heaven itself and my own disciple. I hope to see were you'll go with this gift in hand."

"Thank you master!" They bowed in thanks. However, Yaochi glanced around distressed. Hongjun did not move after giving her this legendary purple qi.

"Master," she asked nervously. "Big brother…uh I mean senior brother Haotian hasn't received…"

"Haotian will not be receiving Hongmeng Purple Qi."

"But…"

"It's fine Yaochi." Haotian appeared behind her to ruffle her head. "I am not bothered."

The people looking at this display felt their feelings vindicated. Haotian had indeed offended Hongjun in some way and now suffered the consequences.

"Sainthood will not be in Haotian's future," Hongjun nodded with finality. "This last Hongmeng Purple Qi, I have no right to decide it's fate so it's destiny shall go to whoever may be connected to it."

With a flick of his hand, the ball of fire was flung into the sky. Everyone watched puzzled as it fell into an arc. It fizzled as it descended, unaware of greedy/contemplative/hungry/thoughtful looks sent its way.

"Huh?" Daoist Red Cloud Hongyun yelped when it landed on his lap.

"Guess it's yours?" Zhen Yuanzi, his longtime friend uttered unsure. But seeing Hongjun nod, Hongyun was overcame with a sense of gratitude.

"Do not thank me," Hongjun denied before he could speak. "It was only coincidence."

Hongyun did not waste anytime withdrawing the qi into himself. Though he did not understand how to use it, he was very eager. The burning looks he was receiving from thousands of stares would've disintegrated him on the spot if weren't for Hongjun.

Now that they understood future cultivation had shrunken to only a few position connected with a one use artefact, people grew antsy.

"Now I shall educate all on the realm before sainthood." Hongjun did not tolerate any more of the growing tension. "The Chaos Immortal realm is blocked, though reachable it's existence is redundant. I shall teach you all an alternative pathway that shall secure the gateway to sainthood."

"I refer to this realm as Saint to Be, it is of equivalent to Chaos Immortals and comes after Great Unity Golden Immortal. The method of which is recorded in my Three Corpse Cleansing method."

Attention restored, Hongjun listed in detail how he wanted cultivation to be done. The three corpses, good thoughts, evil thoughts, obsession, all must be cut out in accordance to Hongjun's method. Only then, could one become a pure being.

Each corpse cut out advanced a Saint to Be from early, late, to middle, to late, and peak. A new Saint to Be was one who'd manifested the Dao fruit of the Great Dao they cultivated, cutting out any corpse denotes middle, then late, so on and so forth.

The parameters of abilities were very much tied to their sublevels. It was very systematic, more so then the previous Chaos Immortal realm where even Great Principle experts could have a Dao strong enough to overcome Primal Origin experts.

When he was finished, Hongjun flicked his wrist again. The door to the great hall was forced open.

"This lesson is over. You have all learned all that you can from me. You are free to leave and express my teachings to all beings. Spread the Dao as far as you go, such is the will of heaven."

"Thank you, honoured Dao Ancestor."

"Hm good. You are all wise beings then. My role as the teacher is complete, heaven and I are one hence I shall return to it. My worldly belongings are of no consequence to me. Treat them as a gift if you so wish."

For a moment, everyone was confused by Hongjun's words. But then, everyone remembered a geological feature of Zixiao Palace. A cliff face to its side had been filled with artefacts Hongjun collected over the years. His own personal wealth accumulated over countless years was sure to dwarf any expert sans perhaps the totality of the dragons.

Realizing what his words meant, the quick thinking darted out of the palace. All aiming for the place where Hongjun kept his treasures. The commotion was so much that Yaochi became furious.

"Master, they'll ransack your Treasure Sealing Cliff!"

"They're yours if you so wish. I have no need for anything anymore. You may as well use them," Hongjun merely said before turning away from the mess. Those words of consent were all that was needed for his five disciples to bolt out of the palace.

"Go," Haotian said to Yaochi. "This isn't an opportunity master gives out freely."

"But."

"GO!"

Yaochi flew out of the room leaving its final two occupants alone.