Chapter 108: Keeping It Is Also a Waste

At that time, the Dao Ancestor, after delivering teachings three times at the the Zixiao Palace, accepted six disciples, including the Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, and the two Western Saints.

During the final teaching, the Dao Ancestor bestowed seven strands of Hongmeng Purple Qi and said it is the foundation for becoming a saint.

After each of the six disciples received one strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi, they all attained the saintly rank, proving that Hongmeng Purple Qi is indeed the key to achieving sainthood.

Consequently, the seventh strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi became especially important, attracting the covetous eyes of many who long to become saints.

It was the Dao Ancestor who gave this crucial strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi to Hongyun.

He was the first‑generation Quasi Saint renowned for his kindness and wide friendships. Yet Hongyun was also one of the most unfortunate beings in the Vast Wilderness World, and his twisted fate is heartrending.

Initially, within the Dao Ancestor Hongjun's the Zixiao Palace, six seats were set up. The strong of the Vast Wilderness World all knew that anyone who occupied those seats would be chosen by the Dao Ancestor as a direct disciple.

Becoming a direct disciple meant the prospect of attaining the Dao and becoming a saint. Hongyun had once been one of the fortunate holders of that precious seat.

However, because of the shameless actions of the two Western Saints, Hongyun had to relinquish his position, thereby losing the chance to become a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor.

Nevertheless, Dao Ancestor Hongjun eventually bestowed a strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi upon Hongyun as compensation.

Today, the Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, and the two Western Saints—the six disciples who possess Hongmeng Purple Qi—have all attained the honor of sainthood.

Yet Hongyun, who also holds Hongmeng Purple Qi, still has not found a way to the path of sainthood.

For this reason, a crisis targeting Hongyun is drawing near.

After leaving the Human Race, Zhou Yi headed straight toward Fire Cloud Cave, where Hongyun was at that moment secluded in his dwelling, cultivating.

Following the Five Saints era, Hongyun's friend Zhenyuanzi sensed an ominous aura.

To shield his friend from misfortune, Zhenyuanzi invited Hongyun to practice within Five Village Temple.

Both were Quasi Saint‑level strongmen; together, even the strongest beings below a saint would have to think twice.

Yet it seemed Hongyun was fated to endure this tribulation.

Even after cultivating for a while in Five Village Temple, he still found it unbearable and finally decided to return alone to Fire Cloud Cave.

One should know that in the face of tribulation, people often act unusually because their minds are disturbed.

Hongyun is currently in that state, and anyone with eyes can see it; there are many who covet him.

If it were within Five Village Temple, the combined power of the two Quasi Saints might still give others pause.

But Hongyun, affected by the tribulation, insists on acting alone, undoubtedly courting death.

It is worth mentioning that Fire Cloud Cave has a special connection with humanity; the future Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of the Human Race will reside here in seclusion.

However, due to Zhou Yi's influence, humanity has taken another path, and whether the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors will still appear remains unknown.

When Zhou Yi reached the vicinity of Fire Cloud Cave and after a covert observation, he showed an expression that was exactly as expected.

"Great Peng Bird! Ming He Ancestor! As I thought, it's them!" Zhou Yi whispered.

Though many forces are watching Hongyun, the most powerful among them are the Great Peng Bird and Ming He Ancestor, the two Quasi Saints.

The Great Peng Bird has long harbored a grudge against Hongyun, believing that had Hongyun not yielded his seat to the two Western Saints, he himself would have had the chance to become a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor and thus attain sainthood.

As for Ming He Ancestor, he has long exhausted himself in pursuit of the Dao, emulating the life‑creating deeds of Nv Wa Sheng Ren, and created the Asura race.

Yet, no matter how hard Ming He Ancestor strives, the true saintly realm remains far out of reach. This outcome he cannot accept, believing his inability to break through is due to lacking the legendary Hongmeng Purple Qi.

After careful deliberation, Ming He Ancestor decided to cooperate with the equally treasure‑seeking Great Peng Bird; the two swiftly arrived near Fire Cloud Cave, evidently to seize the treasure in Hongyun's hands.

Ming He Ancestor and the Great Peng Bird are both renowned strongmen in the Vast Wilderness World, their powers unfathomable. By contrast, although Hongyun is not weak, facing the combined might of two Quasi Saint‑level foes leaves him with virtually no chance of victory.

For Zhou Yi, whether to rescue Hongyun is not a significant issue.

After all, there is no deep bond between them, and Hongyun is not a member of the Human Race.

As the supreme leader of humanity, Zhou Yi's primary concern is the interests of the Human Race.

However, if Hongyun were to submit to the human camp, possessing such a Quasi Saint‑level powerhouse would undoubtedly boost humanity's strength, which gives Zhou Yi a reason to intervene.

As for Hongmeng Purple Qi, Zhou Yi does not believe that merely possessing it can achieve the saintly realm.

Yet he is also curious about the true nature of Hongmeng Purple Qi, thinking the Dao Ancestor would not mention it without reason.

After waiting for a while, the Great Peng Bird and Ming He Ancestor ceased hiding their intent, heading straight to the outside of Fire Cloud Cave and calling for Hongyun to appear.

"Companion Hongyun, could you come out for a meeting!" the Great Peng Bird shouted publicly.

"Indeed, now that you've sensed our presence, why hide?" Ming He Ancestor echoed.

Confronted with such an obvious challenge, Hongyun knew he could not evade, so he stepped out of his dwelling and solemnly asked, "What brings you, fellow Daoists, here?"

Seeing the Great Peng Bird and Ming He Ancestor, Hongyun knew in his heart that this visit was far from a benevolent fate.

"Hmph, Hongyun, do you still recall the Hongmeng Purple Qi the Dao Ancestor bestowed upon you back then? We came for exactly that," Ming He Ancestor said bluntly.

"Hongyun, if you are willing to hand over the Hongmeng Purple Qi, we will leave at once; otherwise, today will be your death day," the Great Peng Bird threatened.

Hongyun's complexion changed abruptly, angrily retorting, "The Hongmeng Purple Qi was personally granted by the Dao Ancestor; how dare you openly seize it—aren't you afraid of the Dao Ancestor's punishment?"

"Don't overestimate your importance, Hongyun; although the Dao Ancestor gave you the Hongmeng Purple Qi, that doesn't mean it forever belongs to you. You still haven't fathomed its mystery, so keeping it is wasteful," Ming He Ancestor said disdainfully.

"Ming He, you're right, Hongyun; since you cannot comprehend the true essence of Hongmeng Purple Qi, it shows it never should have belonged to you," the Great Peng Bird added.

"I suggest you hand over the Hongmeng Purple Qi; that way you might still save your life," the Great Peng Bird said with a grim expression.

Hongyun's expression shifted in an instant; he knew deep down that the Great Peng Bird and Ming He Ancestor would not leave without a fight. Yet to hand over the very foundation of sainthood, the Hongmeng Purple Qi, so readily? Hongyun felt a surge of resentment.

"No amount of talk will help; do you really think I'll let you bully me? In any case, I will never hand the Hongmeng Purple Qi to them," Hongyun declared firmly.