Chapter 2: Zi Xiao Listened and Paid Homage to Master Hong Jun

  Since the opening of heaven and earth, after the first sage Hong Jun appeared, the great gods in the vast wilderness rushed to the direction of Zixiao Palace on their clouds, all wanting to enter Zixiao Palace one step ahead of others, so as to occupy a good position. With this idea in mind, everyone showed off their unique skills and flew towards Zixiao Palace at their fastest speed in life.

  The four of them were no exception! With their fastest speed in life, they drove the clouds through the nine heavenly winds and went straight to the thirty-third heaven, breaking open the Hongmeng boundary and entering the chaos. All that could be seen was a gray mist everywhere in the chaos, making it difficult to distinguish directions. The chaotic air flowed in the chaos, although it seemed calm, but in reality, it was extremely dangerous. However, the chaotic air was the source of all things, with the ability to corrode everything, and the chaos was indeed the most dangerous place in the three realms. Only saints could come and go freely in the chaos without harming their bodies. Those below the saints, even if they had reached the quasi-saint realm, would be instantly refined by the chaotic air if they were not careful, making it impossible for them to reincarnate or be reborn. How much more so when the six paths of reincarnation had not yet been established! Therefore, those powerful beings in the vast expanse of the chaos dared not take a step forward.

  As soon as the four entered the chaos, a chaotic airflow rushed towards them. Before Yuan Shi Tong Tian Li Wen could react, threads of mysterious yellow air suddenly descended from all sides, blocking the attack of the chaotic air. The three looked up and saw that at this moment, Laozi had a seven-story pagoda on his head, with threads of mysterious yellow air hanging down from it to surround the four people. No matter how fiercely the outside chaotic air raged, it could not move the crowd in the slightest.

  Three people exclaimed: "Tian Di Xuan Huang Ling Long Pagoda!" Yuan Shi and Tong Tian looked at the Tian Di Xuan Huang Ling Long Pagoda with fiery eyes, while Li Wen, after being surprised, quickly calmed down and said calmly: "The Tian Di Xuan Huang Ling Long Pagoda is a treasure transformed from the merits of Pangu's creation of heaven. It should be obtained by us, the orthodox sect of Pangu. As the leader of our Pangu Orthodox Sect, it is only right that you obtain this spiritual treasure!"

  After listening to Li Wen's words, Yuan Shi and Tong Tian also slowly calmed down. Although their eyes still gleamed with fervor as they gazed at the Tower of Heaven and Earth, there was no longer a hint of greed in them, clearly indicating that they had agreed with Li Wen's words.

  The old man secretly observed the reactions of the three after taking out the Tower of Heaven and Earth, only nodding slightly when they had no objections to him having the tower. At the same time, he cast a grateful glance at Li Wen. However, Li Wen remained calm and composed, barely perceptibly nodding back at the old man.

  Several people did not speak again, and under the protection of the Tian Di Xuan Huang Ling Long Pagoda, they came to the outside of the Zi Xiao Palace without any danger. From a distance, only an ancient Taoist temple stood out in the midst of chaos, emitting waves of ancient and mysterious aura, as if the truth of the Heavenly Way was contained within. The four people seemed to have gained some insight, and for a moment, they were all immersed in their contemplation of the Heavenly Way, completely forgetting to enter the Zi Xiao Palace.

  After a short while, the already closed palace gate suddenly opened with a creak. A boy and girl Taoist disciple emerged from inside, who saw the four people bowing to them and asked: "Are you four Taoist priests here to listen to the Dao?" The four replied in unison: "That's right!" The two disciples heard this and said: "The old master has ordered us to receive the immortal friends who come to listen to the Dao. Since you four are here to listen, please follow me inside." The four followed the children into the Purple Cloud Palace.

  As they entered the palace, all they saw was a high platform in the center of the hall. Underneath the platform were seven meditation mats arranged in order, obviously for the listeners to use. The four of them exchanged a glance and tacitly took their seats on the first four mats according to age, closing their eyes to wait. The Daoist youth saw that they had taken their seats and no longer paid attention to them, instead going back outside the door to wait with the girl for the other listeners who were about to arrive.

  Before long, some powerful beings from the Primordial Chaos arrived at the Purple Mist Palace one after another. At this time, all seven meditation mats were already occupied. Li Wen secretly observed the crowd in the Purple Mist Palace. The fifth meditation mat below Li Wen was a woman with a beautiful appearance and colorful clothes fluttering around her. Li Wen thought to himself: "This must be the Nuwa who created humans." Then he looked at the sixth seat, which was a Taoist wearing a Taoist robe, with two buns on his head and a pale yellow face. Li Wen sneered in his heart: "This person is probably the Zhunti, who claims to be the most shameless saint. The one next to him must be Yinqiu without a doubt." However, he saw that the seventh seat was occupied by a Taoist who was over ten feet tall and had a face full of suffering, who was indeed Yinqiu.

  Apart from the people sitting on the futon, several great masters were also seated in the nearest place to the high platform, including the majestic Fuxi, the overbearing Emperor Jun and Donghuang Taiyi, Hongyun, the first good man of the Primordial Chaos, who wore a red robe with a large red gourd hanging from his waist, the elegant Zhunyuanzi, and the gloomy Kunpeng...

  At that moment, in the Liwen observation hall, a bell rang out with a "dang" sound. On the high platform in the center, an old man wearing ancient Taoist robes appeared silently, with a pair of golden boys and jade maidens standing behind him. It was indeed Hongjun Daoren, the first saint after the creation of heaven and earth!

  This divine ability instantly stunned all the great divine ability holders present, and now that the Purple Mansion has gathered more than 90% of the great divine ability holders in the vast wilderness, who are not high-ranking Daoists with profound skills? Now, Hong Jun suddenly appeared under everyone's eyelids without being detected by many great divine ability holders, which cannot help but shock everyone. Instantly, everyone showed even greater respect to Hong Jun.

  Hongjun didn't care about the reactions of the crowd below the high platform, and began to speak about the Supreme Tao. The saint's words were indeed extraordinary, as the earth burst forth with golden lotus flowers, the sky was filled with brilliant light, and the sound of celestial music echoed through the air. Heavenly maidens scattered flowers, and the Purple Cloud Palace above seemed to be pressed down by an icy glacier at times, and at other times it was like a sea of fire that engulfed everything. At times, it was like a spring rain that nourished all living things. The Supreme Tao flowed from Hongjun's mouth, and the crowd listened with mixed reactions - some laughed loudly, some furrowed their brows in deep thought, and some wailed in sorrow. Although they couldn't fully understand, they were able to remember some of it, and would only slowly ponder its meaning after returning to their mountains.

  Everyone was immersed in Hongjun's great way, but suddenly Hongjun stopped talking and no longer preached. For a moment, it was quite unbearable, yet they did not dare to make a loud noise. When everyone slowly calmed down, they were surprised to find that their Dao heart and magical powers, which had not been improved for many years, had actually increased significantly. This made them even more afraid to underestimate Hongjun.

  After a moment, Hong Jun opened his eyes, which had not been opened since he began to preach, and scanned the crowd below with a faint gaze. He then spoke: "I have obtained half of the Creation Jade from Western Kunlun, and I have obtained three thousand great paths. Today, I have preached for three thousand years, and according to the will of Heaven, I will select five disciples from among you." As soon as Hong Jun finished speaking, the crowd below began to discuss and speculate, all looking at him with fervent eyes, hoping to be chosen by him as his disciple. Even Laozi Yuanshi Tongtian looked tense, staring at Hong Jun. Li Wen, who had already known the outcome, couldn't help but feel anxious when it was his turn, and he too stared intently at Hong Jun.

  Hongjun seemed to ignore the emotions of the crowd and calmly said: "Si Qing, are you willing to worship me as your master?" Si Qing was overjoyed after hearing this, hastily got up from the couch, and together with others knelt down to Hongjun, saying: "Disciples (Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Li Wen) pay respects to Master, wishing Master a long and sacred life!" Afterwards, they stood up and ignored the envious and jealous glances of the crowd, standing aside.

  The five went down, leaving only one. The crowd stretched their necks to wait for Hongjun's words. Hongjun did not make the crowd wait any longer and said: "Nuwa, are you willing to worship me as your master?" Nuwa was overjoyed and thanked Hongjun. The crowd was shocked, but they had never thought that the last disciple would be Nuwa. However, they did not dare to disobey Hongjun's will, so they could only secretly sigh at their own shallow fortune.

  Hongjun continued: "Li Er, you are the eldest brother; Yuan Shi, you are the second brother; Tongtian, you are the third brother; Li Wen, you are the fourth brother; Nüwa, you are my closed-door disciple."

  Jie Yin Zhu Ti saw Hong Jun and did not accept himself as a disciple, but begged bitterly below, his expression sad and unbearable. Hong Jun had no choice but to say lightly: "You are not destined to be with me, you can only be taken as nominal disciples, are you willing?" Jie Yin Zhu Ti was overjoyed and thanked him, although he couldn't become a direct disciple, becoming a nominal disciple was better than nothing.

  Hongjun waved his sleeve and said sternly: "Three thousand years later, I will lecture again. You all retreat for now."

  Everyone did not dare to disobey, and was waiting to retreat, but saw Li Wen rush out of the crowd, bowing to Hong Jun: "I beg to report to the teacher, the disciple has something to ask for, and humbly asks the teacher to agree." The crowd was stunned, unaware of what else Li Wen had to do. Laozi, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa all looked at Li Wen with curiosity.

  Hong Jun didn't think much of it and calmly asked: "What's going on?"

  Li Wen said respectfully: "Good teacher knows, the disciple has not taken a Taoist name since he became an immortal. Now that I have joined the teacher's door, the teacher is kind and compassionate, and the disciple sincerely asks the teacher to give the disciple a Taoist name."

  Everyone was amazed!

  Hongyin closed his eyes, thought for a moment and said: "Hong, vast and boundless; Jun, infinite within the universe; so I am Hongjun. You are Pangu Xuanqing, from now on you will be called 'Hongxuan'!" Hongxuan was overjoyed and thanked him (from then on he was called Hongxuan).

  Four people came forward to congratulate Hong Xuan, and the rest of the crowd also swarmed forward to offer their congratulations. Hong Xuan responded one by one with courtesy, his movements steady and composed, neither arrogant nor flustered.

  Hong Jun no longer paid attention to the crowd, silently disappearing on the high platform, unknown where he came from, and also unknown where he went.

  Everyone saw Hong Jun had left and there was no longer any hope of waiting for him to return, so they all left the Purple Cloud Palace.

  Only seven of Hong Jun's disciples remained, and Ji Yin led the five to bow their heads: "Boundless Heavenly Lord! Fellow Daoist brothers, from now on we are fellow disciples, let us be polite!" The five hastily returned the courtesy, Laozi said: "Fellow Daoists need not be polite, from now on we are fellow disciples, and should take care of each other." Four people said in unison: "It should be so!"

  A few people bid each other farewell and left, Hong Xuan also followed three Shixiong back to Kunlun Mountain.

  It is: In the Purple Cloud Palace, there is a seat, studying from Hongyuan with the title of Hongxuan.