Chapter 10: Listening to the Dao at the Purple Cloud Palace

Hongjun's sermon lasted for one thousand years and finally came to a halt

"Then can I select several options? Wouldn't that be much more impressive than just choosing one?" Zhou Cheng said, his words dripping with sarcasm. The people around him looked on, all feeling embarrassed, thinking to themselves: This person is truly not worthy of being called a human.

Jieyin and Zhunti occasionally nodded and shook their heads, with Jieyin sometimes displaying a great expression of suffering and Zhunti at times showing signs of anger. Looking at Nuwa and Fuxi, although they did not seem particularly affected, they appeared calm and composed. However, the few members of the demon clan and Hongyun Zhenyuanzi were continuously shaking their heads and sighing. What was the matter? It turned out that Hongjun's teachings were too profound, or perhaps their blessings were insufficient, as they were unable to comprehend it nine times out of ten, and even found it difficult to take notes. The remaining crowd fared even worse, with only Houtu remaining hidden behind others, appearing to be deep in thought. It turned out that Hongjun's teachings were too profound, or perhaps their blessings were insufficient, as they were unable to comprehend it nine times out of ten, and even found it difficult to take notes. The remaining crowd fared even worse, with only Houtu remaining hidden behind others, appearing to be deep in thought.

"I already know what you are thinking; in the future, there will be a way to connect. Now, please step back." Hongjun no longer looked at the crowd and stepped into the inner hall of the Purple Cloud Palace, leaving the others and Houtu behind.

Just as Zhou Cheng thought everyone was seated and Hong Jun was about to begin his lecture, four individuals entered from outside. Zhou Cheng turned to Zhen Yuanzi and inquired about the identity of the newcomers. Zhen Yuanzi patiently introduced them, revealing that the four were the latecomers: Nuwa, Fuxi, Jieyin, and Zhunti.

Upon seeing that there was no suitable position, Zhun Ti immediately looked anxiously at Jie Yin. Jie Yin, feeling helpless, sighed softly and made a distressed expression. When Zhun Ti saw that his senior brother also had no idea, he became furious and said: "Senior brother, what shall we do now? We have endured countless hardships to arrive here, yet we cannot even find a good position. It is truly humiliating; it would be better to die than to endure this." He pretended to rush towards the courtyard wall.

Just as Zhou Cheng was hesitating and unable to move forward, an ancient building with gray walls and blue bricks suddenly appeared before him. From a distance, it resembled a Taoist temple. The temple was not large and had no door; instead, there was a rectangular frame where the door should have been. In the center of this frame were three large characters: Zixiao Palace.

As Hongjun began to speak, the performances below also commenced. Hongjun's discourse was formless, with the accomplished taking precedence. There were no celestial phenomena changing, nor any chaotic spiritual energies surging; it was merely a subtle revelation of profundity amidst the plainness.

Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi are ultimately good-natured individuals, and Qi Qi stepped forward to say: "Fellow Daoist, you have arrived just in time; there will still be a good spot available later."

Upon seeing Zhou Cheng, Laozi was immediately filled with doubt. He turned to look at the two, Yuan Shi and Tong Tian, both of whom shook their heads, indicating that they had not heard of this person.

Haha, at the next Jiexiu Week, I shall refer to myself as the Qinglian Daoist. I have met you all." Zhou Cheng performed a respectful bow.

As everyone settled down, a few more individuals arrived from behind, among whom one person took Zhou Cheng by surprise; it was none other than the ancestral shaman Houtu. One might wonder why Houtu, knowing full well that her lineage had not cultivated the primordial spirit and did not recite the Huangting scripture, had come here. The rest of the attendees were all individuals with considerable but not profound magical powers, and no one paid much attention to it. The courtyard of the Zixiao Palace was quite spacious; even though around thirty people had taken their seats, it still felt somewhat sparse.

What?

You, this madman, are quite bold; what you covet is the profound secrets of the Great Dao. I understand your true intention; the number of the Great Dao is fifty, the evolution is forty-nine, and everything has a thread of possibility. You may take your time to seek it out. Hongjun surprisingly revealed a rare smile, indicating that even sages are human and possess emotions, albeit transcending the ordinary notions of good and evil. Otherwise, a sage would merely be an inanimate object, like a mountain stone, existing yet akin to annihilation. It seems that sages are indeed human and have emotions, but they transcend the ordinary notions of good and evil. Otherwise, a sage would merely be an inanimate object, like a mountain stone, existing yet akin to annihilation.

This sermon concludes here; you all should return and reflect deeply. When it is time for the next lecture, I will notify you. Hongjun observed that the audience had varying levels of understanding, so he ceased his discourse.

In fact, everyone is a person of profound magical ability, and the sudden appearance of several cushions in the Purple Cloud Palace has raised suspicions. Although they could not grasp the essence of the matter through calculations, they vaguely sensed its significant implications, thus leading to a farcical scene between latecomers and early arrivals.

Upon entering the Purple Cloud Palace, one observes a simple arrangement within the palace. In a modest courtyard, several individuals are sparsely standing. At the forefront, on a small elevated platform, there is an empty mat, with two young boys in white standing behind it, suggesting that this position belongs to Hongjun. In front of the small platform, six seats are vacant, yet no one has taken their place.

Zhou Cheng emerged from the Qingqiu Mountain, and with a swift motion, transformed back into his ordinary and simple blue robe. He then set off towards the heavens, as Hongjun had conveyed that those with fate could go, and informed him that the location was beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens. However, the Zixiao Palace is a place where saints expound their teachings, not accessible to ordinary individuals. Only those who are capable are deemed to have fate.

Zhou Cheng stepped forward gracefully, and instantly appeared outside the Thirty-Three Heavens. Here, he found a vast emptiness, reminiscent of the primordial chaos, yet devoid of the rampant chaotic currents. The void was Zhou Cheng's most profound impression of the space beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens. Although he had arrived outside the Thirty-Three Heavens, he was momentarily unaware of the exact location of the Purple Cloud Palace within this boundless expanse of the outer heavens.

Nüwa is delicate in appearance, while Fuxi is elegant. Jieyin has a prosperous figure, yet Zhunti appears gaunt, with small eyes and a long nose. Upon seeing the lack of seating, Nüwa furrowed her brow slightly. Fuxi, noticing this, said, "Sister, it seems we are late; let us take our seats quickly, as the teacher is about to begin the lecture on the great teachings."

The crowd at the Purple Cloud Palace did not dare to use spells, so a contest of strength began. The Three Pure Ones united and instantly pushed aside the three demon clan members who were vying for the top three positions. Just as the three demons steadied themselves and were about to make another attempt, the top three positions had already been firmly occupied by the Three Pure Ones. What was infuriating was that even the fourth position was lost, as it turned out Zhou Cheng had taken it. Originally, Zhou Cheng should not have been able to sit in the fourth position because Zhen Yuanzi was in front, but Zhen Yuanzi was truly a good-natured person. Upon seeing Zhou Cheng still behind him, eagerly gazing at that position, he immediately made way and sat in the fifth position, giving the fourth to Zhou Cheng.

The Three Pure Ones, being manifestations of Pangu's primordial spirit, inherit the legacy of his insights into the creation of the heavens. Coupled with Pangu's own partial understanding of the Great Dao, the Three Pure Ones are indeed deeply attuned. As for Zhou Cheng, it goes without saying that his comprehension of the Great Dao is profound; however, he is somewhat unfamiliar with certain subtle aspects. Upon hearing a segment from Hongjun, he suddenly experienced a moment of enlightenment, akin to a long-awaited rain after a drought, refreshing him to the very pores of his being. Although his body remained seated unchanged, his heart surged with an indescribable fervor.

The people in the courtyard noticed that someone had arrived again and all came forward to pay their respects. After a round of pleasantries, Zhou Cheng had somewhat acquainted himself with those figures. The old man, the old man, was the one with white eyebrows. He was dressed elegantly, exuding an air of auspiciousness, yet in Zhou Cheng's eyes, he seemed somewhat conventional. Beside him stood a man in black robes, with long eyebrows like swords, exuding a bold and generous demeanor; he was the Tongtian Daoist. There was also the Eastern Emperor Taiyi, who stood alongside Emperor Jun, holding the Eastern Emperor Bell. Following them was a sharp-nosed, monkey-faced man in black robes, who was the Kunpeng. There were a few others whom Zhou Cheng had heard of, such as Daoist Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi. However, he did not see Nuwa, Fuxi, Jieyin, or Zhunti, which suggested that they had not yet arrived.

"Master, I have a question," the disciple said as Houtu saw Hongjun stop speaking, and hurriedly stepped forward to bow down and speak.

"Teacher, may I ask where the Dao is? What is the Dao?" Although Laozi understood many things from Hongjun's teachings on the Great Dao, he found that there were even more things he did not understand, so he seized an opportunity during Hongjun's discourse to inquire about the Dao.

Several individuals were still waiting to discuss further when a young attendant on stage suddenly spoke up, saying, "The teacher is about to begin the lecture, esteemed friends, please take your seats and refrain from making noise." Upon hearing this, everyone immediately turned their attention to the five designated seats. It was clear to all that since they were instructed to sit according to the assigned positions, the closer one sat to the front, the better it would be.

The crowd then dispersed, and the matter here was concluded

Zhen Yuanci and Hongyun exchanged a helpless glance, then sat down beside the three members of the demon clan, closed their eyes to rest, and ceased to speak.

Upon seeing this, the onlookers were greatly alarmed, but only the three members of the demon clan and Zhou Cheng remained indifferent. Zhou Cheng maintained a calm demeanor and did not rise, yet he said, "My friend, do not act rashly; please do not be impulsive." The members of the demon clan were even too lazy to respond.

Before the heavens and the earth were opened, there existed a formless entity, born before the heavens and the earth. Silent and solitary, it stands alone and unchanging, circulating endlessly without peril, and can be regarded as the mother of all things. I do not know its name; I shall forcefully call it the Dao, and I shall forcefully name it the Great. The Great is called the Departing, the Departing is called the Distant, and the Distant is called the Returning. Therefore, the Dao is great, the heavens are great, the earth is great, and humanity is also great. Within the realm, there are four great entities, and all spirits reside within one of them. The spirit follows the earth, the earth follows the heavens, the heavens follow the Dao, and the Dao follows nature. Under the Great Dao, the heavens and the earth serve as the framework, and all existence is the Dao. Thus, the so-called Great Dao is omnipresent, and the Dao is also omnipresent.

The Dao resides in the original heart, and also in the universe. All things are the Dao, and the Dao is also all things. Hongjun pondered briefly and replied

"Lady Houtu, I am Zhou Cheng, and I have come to pay my respects to you here" Zhou Cheng stepped forward to greet Lady Houtu

"You all have arrived here, and you are all individuals of great fortune. I will now begin to expound on the primordial great law, and I hope that you will gain something and achieve success." Hongjun looked at the crowd below and then raised his eyebrows, saying, "Nüwa and Fuxi have come to grant you seats after the guidance of the Receiving and Assisting." Upon hearing this, the young man walked towards the small platform to properly arrange the positions for Fuxi and Nüwa. Zhou Cheng immediately speculated that perhaps the seating arrangement was a form of symbolism.

The great way has three thousand paths, and each one can lead to the Dao

"Fellow Daoists need not be overly courteous. This time, Master Hongjun has achieved success in his cultivation and is opening the palace to impart teachings, which is a great opportunity. Everyone should listen attentively; if one achieves something, this journey will not be in vain." Laozi returned the courtesy, and Zhou Cheng's humility elicited some goodwill from the Three Pure Ones. However, the few from the demon clan merely said indifferently, "Fellow Daoist has paid his respects!" Hmph, their temper is much greater than their abilities, Zhou Cheng thought to himself

In front of the Zixiao Palace, several stone steps wind down, truly embodying the principle that the greatest paths are the simplest, and what is transformed is extraordinary, Zhou Cheng remarked. As Zhou Cheng ascended the steps, he pondered what the situation would be like later. He hoped they wouldn't get too far ahead; at the very least, he needed to secure a spot as an inner disciple. However, he also couldn't stand out too much, as he was unwilling to experience the feeling of being the 'nail that sticks out'.

"Hehe, fellow Daoist, you are too kind. I have other important matters to attend to, so I must take my leave for now." Upon hearing Hongjun's words, Houtu did not linger any longer and immediately departed.

As everyone settled down, a distant chime resonated, and a figure appeared on the small platform. The crowd recognized it as Hongjun, and they all bowed, calling out thrice, "Teacher, may you have long life."

Zhou Cheng did not mind either; as for women, no one had ever met them, and he himself was also obscure. It was reasonable for others to return a courtesy.

"Teacher, may I ask what is the nature of the path to enlightenment?" Zhou Cheng could not help but ask.

In the future, it shall be as such; the Dao is boundless, and you must remember this. Hongjun, seeing that the miscellaneous matters had been settled, decided to begin his lecture

"As a member of the Witch Clan, if I do not cultivate my primordial spirit, I will ultimately be unable to attain the Dao. I dare to ask the Dao Ancestor, is there any good strategy?" Although Houtu did not understand anything, she did not forget her purpose for coming here at a critical moment

Hong Yun had been following Zhen Yuanzi closely, seizing the opportunity to take the sixth position. Upon seeing that all the spots were taken, the three members of the demon clan could only glare fiercely at the Three Pure Ones before sitting cross-legged on the empty ground behind Hong Yun

Upon hearing this, Zhun Ti immediately withdrew his posture, then pulled up Jie Yin, and sat down in his position with a thud. After swaying left and right for a moment, he turned back and said: "This time, I must thank you, fellow Daoist. Zhun Ti and my senior brother express our gratitude here." Upon witnessing Zhun Ti's performance, Nu Wa and Fu Xi both revealed expressions of disdain. The three members of the demon clan, on the other hand, openly sighed and lamented, regretting that they had not known to act like them earlier.

Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun were alarmed upon seeing this, and they both stood up, saying: "Fellow Daoist, do not be angry; this position can be given to you without any issue."