Chapter 56: Everyone Gathered

When Hongjun arrived at the Eastern Continent, the whole continent was discussing the matter of expounding the Dao.

Hongjun heard them discussing that there was a Primordial Divine Sage who had been expounding the Dao for all beings for several dozen aeons, and Hongjun almost thought they were talking about himself.

If they hadn't said that the immense merit golden clouds fell down, transforming into part of that Primordial Divine Sage's merit golden wheel.

Only then did Hongjun realize, "Hasn't my lecture merit not been settled yet? And mine is merit auspicious clouds, how did it become transmitted as merit golden wheels?"

Oh, it's not him, then it's fine.

Nonsense!

Hongjun couldn't figure out which Primordial Divine Sage had suddenly set its sights on lecture merit, and kept lecturing for dozens of aeons.

For gathering fortune, reputation is a means with a very significant effect.

He never expected that someone would actually spread such fame by relying on lecturing on the Dao.

He had given countless lectures on the Dao for aeons before, so how had he not accumulated such great fame?

Unbeknownst to him, it was because his lectures were too suitable for ordinary mortal beings, concise, requiring little time.

Moreover, since the content was not close to the Dao, although it was for the benefit of all beings, it was actually far from the Great Dao, and those ordinary mortal beings could not understand the Great Dao.

Therefore, Hongjun had to lecture on what was important for cultivation, but which indeed could not support heavenly phenomena.

Although he lectured well, those contents were like when he first met Qi and gave a lecture—heaven and earth could show favor by opening a few golden lotuses, which was already a sign of trust in him.

Qi is different.

The Great Dao spoken of by Qi is far more profound; although beings cannot understand it, heaven and earth can, and thus manifest extraordinary phenomena for him.

Although beings cannot understand these profound contents, they also have a way to judge the height of one's Dao: by looking at the phenomena and their duration.

Is the content of Qi's lecture on the Dao important to them?

Actually it's not important, because they can't understand it, they also cannot comprehend it.

Is the content of Hongjun's lecture on the Dao important to them?

It is important, but is it profound? No, it's not profound. The most important thing is that its duration is too short, and there are no phenomena to attract the stronger beings around.

Whereas Qi's lecture on the Dao lasts at least a hundred years, during which phenomena appear, capable of drawing countless spiritual and strange beasts to follow his steps.

In the end, even if they don't understand and gain nothing, they will still hold Qi in the utmost reverence.

Moreover, after Qi's lecture on the Dao, heaven and earth become pure and tranquil, which is extremely beneficial to heaven and earth, so the beings living there can also perceive the change in the environment.

These are the reasons for Qi's such great fame.

This is also the fortune of beings that Hongjun had previously striven for but could not obtain.

A pragmatic person always wants to exchange actual benefits for others' trust, but can only accumulate bit by bit, making it hard to gain anything.

A tremendous gimmick, clearly empty, can still reap enormous fame; many of those discussing Qi's lecture on the Dao have not actually listened to his lecture.

Those who have listened but gained nothing, after interacting with those who have listened and gained something, will all turn into Qi's most faithful followers.

They will even be more loyal than those who have gained something, and will not tolerate anyone speaking ill of Qi.

Hongjun is now bewildered, because it seems many people are attributing Hongjun's earlier lecture merits to Qi as well.

Moreover, it seems to have become a consensus.

Hongjun calculated on his fingers, his face excited, and said:

"Fine youngster, if my Immortal Dao succeeds, there will certainly be a holy seat for you; with you present, what worry is there that the Immortal Dao will not flourish!"

Hongjun does not mind that Qi unintentionally ruined his plan, even appropriated his achievements.

He doesn't care about these; what he now wonders is whether Qi can be brought into the Immortal Dao.

His talent and foundation are top-notch in the world, and he also has such fortune, capable of undertaking great merit deeds for heaven and earth, and even now he has such a good reputation.

If this child enters the Immortal Dao, these reputations will all turn into capital for the great rise of the Immortal Dao.

He and Luohou will inevitably have a battle; regardless of victory or defeat, the Immortal Dao must ultimately continue to be transmitted.

He feels this child is excellent; if he achieves success and unites with the Dao, he should have a holy seat and can serve as the second leader of the Immortal Dao.

If he fails and dies in battle, this child is also one of the best candidates for inheriting the Primordial Jade Disc and preserving the hope of the Immortal Dao.

Of course, the premise of all this is that Qi is willing to abandon the Divine Dao, turn to the Immortal Dao, gladly lower his status, and become Hongjun's disciple.

Hongjun feels it's difficult, knowing that during the flourishing era of the Three Sovereigns, he and Yangmei, Luohou, etc., followed the Three Sovereigns in cultivation, received the blessings of the three Dao, yet there was no talk of taking a master.

Mainly, the Supreme Emperor wanted to take Yangmei as a disciple, but was mocked by him, who railed that the Supreme Emperor was daydreaming, being fellow Primordial Divine Sages and walking the same Dao, how could one lower one's status?

The Supreme Emperor was both angry and happy; Hongjun, Luohou, and others also strongly agreed, and the Supreme Emperor and they also agreed, being fellow Primordial Divine Sages, how could one do without face and act to lower one's status?

Zulong and they also thought likewise, being Primordial Divine Sages, all fellow Daoists, regardless of cultivation level or distance in time of birth, they are all peers on the Dao.

Unfortunately, Hongjun and them did not know that Qi, as an outstanding newcomer among the Primordial Divine Sages, had not inherited such integrity.

As long as he speaks, Qi will immediately accept, but getting Qi to abandon the Divine Dao is not very likely.

Even Nüwa and them could not possibly give up, after all the advantages of the Divine Dao are too great, and seekers' pursuit of perfection cannot be stopped.

Hongjun is just thinking idly; he now also worries about encountering what happened back then with the Supreme Emperor and Yangmei.

At this moment, Qi had just arrived at Yunmze Marsh.

"Daoist Qi, your fame has recently shaken greatly."

Di Jun laughed and teased:

"Yes, we haven't even noticed yet, but Daoist Qi's said outing actually turns out to be conducting such a great merit deed for heaven and earth."

Qi had not yet replied when Fuxi's teasing words followed close behind.

"Two fellow Daoists, just spare me, this trip could tire me out enough to be spiteful, and when I return I still have to endure your two's teasing."

Qi rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Di Jun and Fuxi burst out laughing again.

"Qi, there's no way—who let you abandon us to do such a great thing."

Upon hearing those words, Qi was slightly startled, turned his head, and looked over in surprise.

Taiyi, how did you come here!

Taiyi smiled and said:

I've been here a while; I just didn't expect you to go out and play, yet you performed such a great meritous deed—congratulations, Qi!

Qi laughed heartily.

Then a clear female voice said:

Alas, I also wanted to congratulate you, fellow Daoist, but you only have Taiyi in your eyes and can't see me.

Nüwa's eyes held a smile, but her expression was deliberately made to look sorrowful.

Qi was stunned upon hearing this; he swore he really hadn't been seeing things just now, but where did Nüwa come from again!

After carefully comparing the earlier surroundings, Qi laughed and scolded:

Well done, Nüwa, you actually use your transformation divine powers for mischief!

Nüwa broke into a smile.

After a long separation, everyone finally gathered together.

Ps: Finally finished writing—it's really hard not being full‑time! Please support!

(End of chapter)