Chapter 12: Zhou Cheng Preaches and Hong Jun Recruits Disciples

  Wuzhuang Guan, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun sat cross-legged opposite each other, discussing Zhou Cheng who had just left.

  "This Zhou Cheng seemed to have never heard of before, and didn't know what it was about. However, being able to arrive on time at the Zi Xuan Palace to listen to the lecture already showed that he wasn't an ordinary person. Strange, strange." Hong Yun thought hard, but couldn't think of anyone with the name Zhou Cheng in the vast expanse of the world.

  "I've never heard of him either, but this vast and boundless world is full of hidden masters who have secluded themselves from the world. Zhou Cheng must be one of them." Zhenyuanzi had also never heard of Zhou Cheng before, but suddenly he became a student of the Purple Cloud Palace who was ranked above himself, which made him quite surprised.

  "But I observe that this person has a kind heart and doesn't seem to be of the same ilk as those treacherous ones. Looking at those few people from the demon tribe, they really aren't good stuff," said Red Cloud.

  "Yes, I also think so. Zhou has become more mature and down-to-earth, so I gave him many Ginseng Fruits. It's also a way to get close to him, so that in the future, we can help each other out in the chaotic world. Now, with so many powerful cultivators emerging one after another, there will inevitably be conflicts." Zhenyuanzi's face turned gloomy, "We two are naturally carefree and don't want to make enemies with anyone. I hope those troubles won't involve us."

  "Hmph, if anyone dares to bully us brothers, we won't be afraid of anyone. You have the defensive treasure 'Big Treasure Book', I have the offensive treasure 'Nine-Nine Red Cloud Dispersing Gourd'. Both are congenital treasures, and when we fight, we won't be afraid of anyone."

  "Ah, well, we should still be more careful. Usually when nothing is happening, I just sit quietly and contemplate the Tao, reciting the Huang Ting scripture, hoping to achieve great enlightenment soon, like Master Hongyuan. Free and easy in heaven and earth." Zhenyuanzi thought that he wanted to become a blessed immortal, and in his view, as long as he lived long enough, even if the opportunity was not good, there would eventually be a time for achieving immortality.

  Three Purities returned to his own cultivation on Mount Kunlun and immediately closed himself off to contemplate the Great Way that Hongjun had spoken of. This Great Way was originally something that Hongjun had obtained from a small portion of the Creation God's divine artifact, the Jade Disc of Heaven, which he had comprehended through his own contemplation and then explained through his saintly cultivation, but truly, there were hardly any people who could understand it.

  After a period of closed-door meditation, the three Qing felt that although they had gained some insight, having a major breakthrough would ultimately depend on luck. The three men left their rooms one after another and gathered together to discuss the matter of Zi Xuan Palace's lecture.

  "I watched the crowd at Zixiao Palace, especially the three demons from the demon tribe who were extremely detestable. They were arrogant and domineering, not putting us brothers in their eyes at all. And it's not just us, I think they don't put anyone in their eyes." Yuanshu was furious with those three demons, even though he had managed to force his way past them and grab a spot.

  "Hmph, if it weren't for the Eastern Emperor's birth with the Chaos Bell in his womb, he wouldn't be so arrogant today. And that Di Jun is also extraordinary. Thinking about the River Chart and Luo Book, they were originally pre-heavenly spiritual treasures, with uses beyond compare. I really don't know how those two came to possess them." As a manifestation of Pangu's original spirit, Tongtian felt that his own treasure was not as strong as several demon tribes', and he couldn't help but feel resentful in his heart.

  "The treasure is ultimately used by humans, and if the treasure is too powerful, it will restrict one's own development potential. These are not worth worrying about." Laozi paused, "But now that there are many strong people emerging in the vast wilderness, and numerous powerful individuals, it seems that neither the Witch nor the Yao tribes are easy to deal with. We must be careful not to fall into their trap."

  "We three will advance and retreat together, relying on our three saintly cultivations to unite as one. We don't fear those numerous witches and demons." At this time, Tongtian was still very righteous, not like his later self who would have rather eaten the Primordial and Laozi alive.

  "That's for sure, my three brothers and I will advance and retreat together." Although the original words were not very pleasant to hear, they did show their attitude. After all, now is a situation where strength is more important than people, even if there are internal conflicts, it's always better to resolve them internally rather than externally.

  "That Zhou Cheng is also an unknown saint, we haven't even heard of him before, but fortunately he's a kind person and his personality seems to be in harmony with others. In the future, if there's an opportunity, I'd like to get to know him better."

  Zhou Cheng spent a good period of time on Qingqiu Mountain, not practicing or participating in Taoist activities. For him, the Tao could only be understood through sudden enlightenment or chance encounters. Every day, at dawn, he would get up and sit alone on the edge of the cliff, quietly watching the mountains, rivers, and sea of clouds, and sensing the vibrant vitality between heaven and earth. Next to his meditation cushion, there was always a cup of steaming hot tea, which he had picked himself on Qingqiu Mountain and roasted in a pot, similar to the green tea of later generations.

  A faint mist floated out of the teapot, bringing a sense of elegance and refinement that made one feel comfortable. After a while, he drank the tea and returned to his hut, calling out his two lazy disciples who were still sleeping in, preparing to expound on the Taoist teachings. In fact, both disciples had already achieved a high level of cultivation, but this did not prevent them from sleeping at night and resting, and even lying in bed could be used for cultivation. Of course, the main reason was still due to the influence of that lecherous master, who said that going to bed early and rising early was good for one's health.

  Zhou Cheng returned to the thatched hut and personally went to the two rooms to wake up his two apprentices. Zhu Yu was still sleepy, while Shi Zhong had been practicing all night.

  In front of the thatched cottage, three tatami mats were placed facing the stone steps for climbing. In front of the middle mat, a bamboo desk was placed. On it were placed a heavenly inkstone and a chaotic cycle brush. Inside the inkstone, there was actually a full load of black stuff, but I don't know if it's ink or not.

  Zhou Cheng cleared his throat lightly and began a new day of preaching.

  Zhou Cheng's lecture started from simple to difficult, from small to large. At the beginning of the lecture, there were only three people, including the master and his disciples, scattered and quiet. Zhou Cheng did not use his magical powers in the grand way he was lecturing on, as that would have been too showy and not in line with his character.

  Gradually, Zhou Cheng's voice of lecturing the Tao, although not loud, was quiet and calm, yet it spread far and wide. Many hidden demons were startled, and when they heard Zhou Cheng's words about the great Tao, although on the surface they seemed simple and unadorned, after listening to a few sentences, the demons suddenly sprang up like their eyebrows were on fire and rushed towards the mountain top. The crowd of demons knew what was proper and improper, and did not rashly climb to the top of the mountain. Instead, they sat along the stone steps according to their level of cultivation and understanding, one step at a time, day after day, year after year. Amazingly, all the stone steps from the highest point on the mountain to the lowest were fully occupied, with fox spirits being the most numerous. Those demons who had transformed into human form would pay respects to Zhou Cheng every day before listening to his lectures, using the etiquette of master and disciple.

  For ten years, the lectures went on, and both Zhu Yu and Shi Zhong benefited greatly, already reaching the realm of True Immortals. The distance to the realm of Taiyi Mystic Immortal was just a step away. Among the demons, there were also those with high strength, especially after many years of listening to the lectures, several people had already reached the realm of Taiyi Mystic Immortal, and it seemed that becoming Golden Immortals was within sight. Those few people with high cultivation always stared blankly at Zhou Cheng, Zhou Cheng naturally knew what they were thinking in their hearts, but he also didn't want to take them as disciples. However, being nominal disciples was still possible. You listen to your own, I'll lecture my own, if you want to come then come, if not then forget it.

  "This day, Zhou Cheng suddenly stopped speaking and said: 'Everyone below the mountain, retreat! For a period of time, I will no longer give lectures.' The crowd kowtowed in gratitude and left with a mix of sadness and disappointment, truly not knowing when they would be able to hear these great principles again."

  "Xiao Yu, Shi Zhong, Master is going to the Purple Mist Palace to listen to the Tao. You two take care of yourselves. If you get bored on Qingqiu Mountain, you can go out for a walk. With your true immortal strength, you may not be able to defeat others, but you can still escape. Don't forget to bring the Flowing Light Escape Technique that Master gave you. Remember to bring some elixirs when you go out, in case of an emergency." Zhou Cheng received Hong Jun's message, telling him to hurry to the Purple Mist Palace.

  Zhou Cheng left Qingqiu Mountain, restored his ordinary attire, and then took a step out, appearing outside the Thirty-Three Heavens.

  This time he was familiar with the road and quickly found the location of the Purple Mansion.

  After everyone arrived one after another, Hong Jun appeared on the small high platform, looked around at the crowd, turned his head and asked the two young boys: "Have all your fellow disciples come?"

  "Except for Zu Shen and Hou Tu, everyone else has arrived."

  "Today, I have called you all here for a reason. There should be several inner disciples under my gate. This time, it will be decided." Hong Jun didn't care about the commotion behind him and spoke out a shocking news that left everyone stunned, could it be that these people weren't his disciples? Or were there some who were just nominal disciples?

  Hongjun didn't care what the people below thought, and continued to say: "The first six positions were originally for my disciples to sit in, you six will be my disciples from now on, ranked by order of seniority." The three Qings, Jie Yin, Zhun Ti, and Zhou Cheng, upon hearing this, were overjoyed and congratulated each other nonstop.

  Hongjun looked at Nüwa, Fuxi, Red Cloud and the crowd of demons, and said after a moment's consideration: "Nüwa should be my seventh disciple. You come forward first and I will grant you the seventh position. As for the rest of you, your fate with me is limited, so you can just be nominal disciples." Originally, Zhou Cheng's position should have been Nüwa's, but the heavenly machine changed, even Hongjun as a sage, before meeting Zhou Cheng, had not calculated this anomaly.

  Everyone saw Hong Jun finish collecting his disciples, each with their own pain and joy. Nuwa saw Fuxi's painful expression and wanted to go forward to comfort him a few words.

  "Everyone will have their own destiny in the future, so let's not mention it again. Just sit back and listen carefully to my magnificent teachings."

  The profound truth of Hong Jun's teachings remains as high and deep as ever, yet people can only feel it vaguely, like clouds and mist. Even after reflecting on the last sermon, this time still feels like there are many things that aren't understood, making one feel like the path to enlightenment is long and endless, with no clear starting point in sight. Becoming a saint seems like an elusive mirage. However, despite not understanding, one can clearly feel their own spiritual progress improving, and can only sigh that Hong Jun's teachings are indeed extraordinary.

  Zhou Cheng knew that Hong Jun's disciples would all have sacred positions in the future, so he was overjoyed and listened more seriously. His "Hunyuan Pian" was also exquisite, but unfortunately, the "Shengren Pian" was too profound, and after repeated contemplation, he still gained nothing. It seemed that only by being humble and sincere in front of Hong Jun could he truly understand the Tao. As the saying goes, "only by suffering can one become a superior person." Using one's heart and effort is the first step to achieving the Tao. Even if one were to pretend to be a master, they would still have to learn the true skills. How much more so for being Hong Jun's disciple, which was a good thing after all!

  Hongjun finished a wonderful segment and stopped, looking at the crowd below: "Do you have any enlightenment?"

  Everyone looked at each other, feeling uncertain in their hearts. But as soon as they saw the confusion in others' eyes, their mood lifted: Hehe, I don't understand it, and neither does anyone else haha.

  The three of them gazed at each other for a moment, then Laozi stood up and asked: "May I ask, Master, what is the way to become a saint?"

  Everyone was shocked to hear this, and none of them had expected the old man to ask such a question. They too wanted to know, but they thought it was too far-fetched to become a saint, and no one had ever heard that there was a way to achieve enlightenment, thinking that Hong Jun's achievement was an accidental success.

  Hong Jun nodded in approval, but didn't answer directly, turning to ask Zhou Cheng: "What do you think?"

  "The disciple is foolish, indeed he does not know." Zhou Chengke did not want to be the first bird to stick out its head, and he didn't need to show off in front of Hong Jun either. After all, Hong Jun's expression clearly showed that he knew Zhou Chengke's strength and moral character inside and out.

  "Alright, since that's the case, I'll tell you all. The path to sainthood is no more than three options. The top choice is to prove the Tao with power, using one's own profound law and cultivation strength to prove the Tao; the middle choice is to borrow the pre-heavenly treasure, entrust it to the Three Corpses, cut off the Three Corpses, and naturally become a saint after cutting off good and evil along with one's own body. The lower option is to prove the Tao through merit and virtue, the specific method you will all know later. Today's lecture ends here, so you can all disperse now."

  The second lecture at Zi Xiao Palace has come to an end.