Chapter Forty-six The Second Sermon

  Zhuang Xiong smiled lightly and heard the sound of Nüwa's sobbing, but he didn't continue to scold or lecture her. Instead, he spoke softly into her ear: "Since you know my thoughts, shouldn't you have realized that I wouldn't let you off easily? This time, you had your own ideas, and I had my reasons. I know your will is firm, so I won't make things difficult for you. Perhaps we're on different sides due to the whims of fate or as a test. Or perhaps it's just because of an obsession in my heart that I cannot tell you about. But I hope this won't affect our relationship. Even if one day we meet on the battlefield, after all the dust settles, regardless of who wins or loses, can we still put everything aside and be together? Will you agree to that?"

  Nüwa was shocked and hastily lifted her tear-stained face, saying: "You say we might meet on the battlefield? What do you know?"

  Zhuang Xiong just smiled and shook his head, thinking to himself: "There are so many TV dramas and movies where the male and female leads from opposing sides fall in love, but half of them end up failing. I wonder what my luck will be like? Hopefully it'll be a beautiful ending."

  Nüwa saw that Zhuang Xiong wasn't speaking, and knew that there was no way to get anything out of him. She let out a soft sigh, then buried her head in his chest again. Who knows what she was thinking in her heart? Maybe being able to cherish this moment for a little longer was good enough anyway.

  Fuxi Tongtian also didn't come to disturb, just quietly watching from the side, with a smile of blessing in his eyes. For a moment, the scene between several people was surprisingly quiet. Even Ziyu was quietly floating aside, curiously looking at the two.

  After a long while, Zhuang Xiong reluctantly pushed away the fragrant and soft body of Nüwa, gently wiping away her tears, and said to Tongtian with a smile: "I've made a fool of myself in front of fellow Taoist Tongtian."

  Tongtian smiled and said: "I don't mind, but I wonder what kind of feeling Fuxi Daoist has in his heart now?"

  Zhuang Xiong smiled and said: "Who cares what he feels in his heart? I reckon this dead sister control is now full of acid."

  Fuxi was about to retort, but saw the crowd surging forward, and several people couldn't help but look over. It turned out that Jieying, Zhun Ti, and Reng Deng had squeezed in together. Zhuang Xiong saw that Reng Deng had finally joined forces with Zhun Ti, and silently cursed: "Damn it, the shameless duo of Hong Huang, do you have to be so fake?"

  He looked even more haggard than before, and his initial plump appearance was gone. His face had also turned a few shades yellower, but the smile on his face was still as warm as ever. The guide hadn't changed much, except that his face looked even more bitter, and his sickly complexion had worsened. However, the lantern bearer had undergone a significant transformation - his coffin-like face now wore a smile, which bore some resemblance to He's smiling face. But due to his bamboo pole-like body and dead fish eyes, he still exuded an eerie aura.

  When Zhuang Xiong was observing the three Zhunti, the three Zhunti also saw them. Rong Deng's body trembled with fear and quickly said a few words to Zhunti before turning around and leaving. Jie Yin didn't notice and saw Zhuang Xiong from afar, rushing forward to pay his respects: "Brother Xiong, I've wronged you greatly. My junior brother has already told me that after parting ways at the Purple Mist Palace last time, we've once again become entangled in a grudge. Thankfully, Brother Xiong's heart is kind and spared my junior brother's life. This time, he's brought him to apologize specifically. I heard Brother Xiong loves rare and unusual fruits, but I have a stalk of bitter bamboo that I've collected, which I'd like to offer as a token of goodwill." As he spoke, he arrived in front of Zhuang Xiong and produced a five-foot-tall jade bamboo with nine sections, three branches, and twelve leaves, emitting a radiant glow like jade after a spring rain. It was elegant, exquisite, lovely, and captivating - truly a work of art! Zhuang Xiong had seen countless spiritual roots before, but he couldn't help being stunned for a moment.

  Before Zhuang Xiong could react, the accurate one also followed up and swung his hand to land a golden apple tree, saying: "I misunderstood my friend in the Purple Mansion last time, I made a mistake by launching a sneak attack, and in the Hongyuan, I have also committed many wrongs. It's all my fault, so I went to the extreme west to find this golden apple tree. Although the gift is not heavy, but I traveled countless miles to the west, it's a thought, please don't despise me, Bear friend."

  The people in the Purple Cloud Palace were also drawn to this place, and for a moment, they had different expressions. Some looked at Sū Zhú with greedy eyes, some admired Ti's attitude, and others envied Zhuāng Xióng's good luck. They were all over the place. Zhuāng Xióng naturally noticed the gaze of the crowd, but he didn't think much of it. Even if someone came to snatch it, who would dare? This gift was just a bonus, whether it existed or not. His real goal was the two requests he made to Ti. So he didn't bother with small talk with the two, nor did he want to establish any relationship. He casually waved his Qīan Kūn fan and put away the two spirit roots, saying calmly: "It's settled then. I won't make a big deal out of this. You should all go do your own things."

  Zhunti and Jieying were both stunned, thinking that Zhuang Xiong would either bring up past grievances and say a few unfair or sarcastic words, or be delighted with the gifts and exchange some polite remarks. But they never expected that Zhuang Xiong would dismiss them with just a few casual words, seemingly unwilling to reason with them at all. The two exchanged a bewildered glance before awkwardly taking their leave.

  The people around him also saw Zhuang Xiong's attitude at this time, and most of them furrowed their brows, as if they felt that Zhuang Xiong shouldn't have used such an attitude, but for a moment didn't know what Zhuang Xiong did wrong. However, Zhuang Xiong was someone who would reason with them? On the other hand, Ming He showed Zhuang Xiong a look of approval, and when he felt that Zhuang Xiong noticed his gaze, he immediately lowered his head and closed his eyes, as if he had entered meditation.

  Fuxi couldn't help but feel a sour taste in his mouth, and he let out an odd cry: "Although we've long known you're the favorite of the Heavenly Dao, we can't compare to you. However, seeing you casually obtain one of the Ten Great Primordial Spiritual Roots, the Sorrowful Bamboo, is still infuriating. Especially with your nonchalant attitude, it makes people want to slap you in the face. That's one of the Ten Great Primordial Spiritual Roots, not some ordinary roadside flower or grass! Can't you show a bit more surprise?"

  Without waiting for Zhuang Xiong to answer, Tongtian interrupted and said: "I seriously suspect that Brother Xiong will not be able to answer. Anyway, the bitter bamboo can't be eaten, what's there to be surprised about? I'm a bear, not a panda!" As he spoke, he made several clumsy bear movements, causing Fuxi to laugh loudly and Nüwa to cover her mouth and giggle.

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but roll his eyes and said, "Of course I know that's one of the Ten Great Spiritual Roots, the bitter bamboo, and it has its own mysterious uses. But look at the wolf-like gazes around us, I'm not afraid, but do you think I want to be looked at like a fat sheep by a group of people? Besides, do you guys think this is a place for viewing?"

  Fuxi hurriedly corrected, "We're talking about expressions, expressions! Why can you make a face that's so matter-of-fact? Receiving the spiritual root, and it's such a good one at that, shouldn't you be happy at least?"

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but smile awkwardly and said, "Well, although I don't want to admit it, what I was thinking in my heart is indeed... anyway, this bitter bamboo can't be eaten. Of course, that sentence after 'Tong Tian' I absolutely didn't think of."

  Several people couldn't help but reveal an expression of "as expected".

  Zhuang Xiong didn't want to continue this topic, so he said: "Let's go, let's go and greet San Qing brothers and Zhen Yuanzi together."

  Fuxi was about to follow Zhuang Xiong, but Nüwa gently pulled him back. After a moment's thought, he sighed and said, "Forget it for now. As the ruler of the world, I'm afraid many of my original Daoist friends will be displeased. Let's talk about this again after some time has passed."

  Tongtian stood by silently, not speaking. Zhuang Xiong shook his head and said, "You're just being paranoid, the original is indeed a bit stubborn and doesn't like the demon tribe, but he's never looked down on us. He just doesn't like those unruly demons." Seeing that Nuwa and Fuxi were still unmoved, Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but sigh and say, "You're saying I'm overthinking, but it seems to me that you two are the ones who are being paranoid. The original Daoist friend just casually said something, and you've all remembered it. Forget it, I won't force you." Zhuang Xiong glanced at Fuxi and gently said to Nuwa, "Then I'll go over there now."

  Nüwa nodded slightly, "Hmm" sound. Zhuang Xiong smiled again, holding Nüwa's small hand and gently rubbing it, Tongtian also exchanged a few pleasantries with the two, before they all headed towards Sanqing together. Zi Yu hurriedly stepped on a small auspicious cloud to follow, thought for a moment, then jumped onto Zhuang Xiong's shoulder, Zhuang Xiong looked at him and this time did not shoo him away, only smiled and shook his head, lost in thought.

  He exchanged greetings with Sanqing, and then chatted with Zhenyuanzi for a few words. Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but feel bored. At this time, Laozi had already become somewhat transcendent and detached, while Yuanshi Tianzun was becoming increasingly solemn and dull. Tongtian was unusually well-behaved in front of the two, and Zhuang Xiong really didn't know what to say. It wasn't right to always bully Zhenyuanzi, an honest man. So he could only secretly exchange flirtatious glances with Nüwa while organizing his spiritual roots. He always thought that the golden apple tree wouldn't be the one Adam and Eve ate later, would it?

  Whether willing or unwilling, interesting or boring, time has passed bit by bit. Before one knows it, a hundred years have arrived, and the gate of the Purple Palace slowly opens under the push of Haotian and Yaochi. Everyone involuntarily stands up, carefully tidies themselves, and quietly waits to enter the palace.

  The Zi Xiao Palace opened, and Huang Tian said solemnly: "Please everyone, line up and enter, take your seats quickly, no noise is allowed. The teacher will be here soon."

  Zhuang Xiong saw that the little adult, Xiao Tian, had a mischievous glint in his eye. As they walked by, Zhuang Xiong casually slipped two golden apples into their hands and continued on his way, pretending nothing was amiss. However, he suddenly heard Hong Jun's voice whispering in his ear: "You foolish bear, you're already a foodie yourself, but do you have to turn my disciple into one too?" Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but think to himself: This Hong Jun is indeed keeping an eye on things outside. He didn't dare make a sound and quickly took his seat, placing the colorful egg in front of him. Seeing Zhuang Xiong's demeanor, everyone looked at him with strange eyes, but he simply shrugged it off nonchalantly.

  Not long after, when everyone was seated, Hong Jun appeared again on the front platform, but his breath was even more ethereal and elusive. Hong Jun glanced at Zhuang Xiong without speaking, then began to say: "Last time I talked about the Great Luo Golden Immortal, the Great Luo Golden Immortal is the ultimate state of immortality, understanding reason, knowing rules, accumulating magical powers, using divine abilities, ordinary people can reach this realm through cultivation if there are no accidents. Next, I will talk about the cultivation of sainthood, which is divided into two stages: quasi-saint and saint. The two are not on the same level, and it's even more different from the Great Luo Golden Immortal. It's only for those who have affinity, but can't be forced. After reaching the quasi-saint realm, one begins to comprehend the rules of the Heavenly Way, using the rules of the Heavenly Way, with a wave of the hand, one can achieve divine abilities, and with a thought, everything is under one's control. Summoning wind and rain, moving mountains and filling seas are just a thought away. If this lecture doesn't bring any gain, it means you have no affinity, and next time you won't be allowed to come here."

  Hongjun finished speaking, and without paying attention to the various colors on everyone's faces, he began to speak. This time, his speech was different from last time, but it was because the saint had used his divine powers to lecture. He spoke of heavenly flowers falling from the sky, golden lotus blossoming from the ground, and strange phenomena frequently appearing in the Purple Mist Palace. It was because the saint directly used his great magical power to spread the Tao, causing the rules of the Great Way to appear, the Heavenly Way's rules to be densely packed, and countless laws within the Purple Mist Palace were almost visible to the naked eye, giving rise to countless strange phenomena. Sometimes, the Tao transformed into golden dragons, sometimes flowers bloomed and fruits grew, and so on.

  At this time, it can be seen that the people who followed him had different depths of understanding. Some even wondered if there was any manipulation by Hongyuan. In short, although this strange phenomenon is visible to everyone, it seems to choose who to approach. Some people are surrounded by a crowd, while others can only watch with empty eyes, unable to see anything. Listening to Hongyuan's lectures is also bitter and difficult to understand, and one can only look at the dense laws in the air and try their best to comprehend them. However, no matter how hard they try to comprehend, seeing is not as good as personally experiencing it. Those who have a deep understanding, such as Sanqing, are surrounded by laws that match themselves, making it seem like they are about to be submerged. The five elements surge, the three flowers appear, and they immediately become immersed in listening to the lectures and comprehending the laws. The bottleneck of Daluo Jinxian is suddenly broken on the spot, and their cultivation rises rapidly, soaring into the sky. On the other hand, those with shallow cultivation, such as Ranyou, only have a faint thread of law power barely wrapping around him and the Lingguang lantern. However, Ranyou also has great determination and does not give up, using all his strength to comprehend that one thread of law.

  Zhuangzi is the spirit of the earth, the first living being born after Pangu opened up the sky, and he also has great virtues. Naturally, his footprints are deep and thick. Listening to Hongjun's preaching sounds like it's far away in the sky, yet it seems close to his ears. Around him, all kinds of principles surge and gush, and he involuntarily sinks into the profound realm of the Tao, carefully comprehending it.

  However, it was not only Zhuang Xiong who had gained something. The first to react was Kong Xuan. Zhuang Xiong had sunk into a state of enlightenment, and was completely unaware of the outside world. But Kong Xuan was right in front of him. Just as Zhuang Xiong had broken through the bottleneck of the Great Luo Golden Immortal and entered the quasi-saint realm, he heard a "crackling" sound coming from beside him, and was startled awake. He couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly, and somewhat regretted bringing an egg with him. However, looking at Kong Xuan's egg, which was constantly expanding its cracks, and thinking of Kong Xuan's legendary future, he was filled with anticipation, quietly waiting for Kong Xuan to be born.