Chapter Thirty-Four: Listening to the Dao in the Palace of Purple Clouds

In the Netherworld Blood Sea, waves of blood surged violently. The Blood Sea incarnation of the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth also heard that resounding message from Ancestor Hongjun that swept across the primordial world, awakening from his meditative insight. “A sermon in the Purple Cloud Palace? My true body is not suited to go. It seems only this incarnation of mine, disguised as Ancestor Minghe, can make the journey.”

Soon, the Blood Sea incarnation of the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth departed the Netherworld Blood Sea, heading straight toward the chaos beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

On Mount Buzhou, Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian gazed into the distant chaos. They, too, had sensed Hongjun’s overwhelming aura moments before, realizing deeply the vast gulf between themselves and a Saint.

“To think that someone has attained sainthood so soon. A Saint is truly formidable,” said Yuanshi Tianzun, his expression flickering with complex emotions.

Tongtian could not contain his urgency and exclaimed, “Elder brothers, ever since we reached the Great Luo realm, our cultivation has stagnated. This sermon from the Saint is a rare opportunity—perhaps we’ll learn our next path in cultivation!”

“The chance to hear the Dao at Purple Cloud Palace must not be missed,” replied Laozi, rising to his feet. He then led Yuanshi and Tongtian away from Mount Buzhou, also heading beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Within the Hall of Pangu, the Twelve Ancestors of Wu were gathered. As for Hongjun’s sermon on attaining sainthood, they cared little. The Twelve Ancestors revered neither Heaven nor Earth, only their Father Pangu. Moreover, they did not cultivate the primordial spirit, so the great Dao elucidated by the Saint held little allure for them.

The Ancestors of Wu were uninterested, but in the vast primordial world, many were. In the West, Zhun-ti and Jie-yin set out. From Mount Qifeng, the siblings Nuwa and Fuxi departed. On the Sun Star, Emperor Jun and Taiyi. From the Five Pines Temple, Zhenyuanzi, from the Fire Cloud Cave, Hongyun, from the Northern Sea, Kunpeng. From the Eastern Sea’s Yingzhou Immortal Isle, the King of the East, from West Kunlun, the Queen Mother of the West, from Lake of Thunder, the Thunder God, and more—countless mighty beings and secluded cultivators emerged, each hurrying toward the chaos beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, afraid to miss the time of the sermon.

Above the Thirty-Three Heavens, Heaven had not yet taken form; only endless stars and biting astral winds filled the void. Any careless step here could mean utter annihilation. Beyond this lay the world-separating membrane between the primordial world and chaos. Passing through it led into boundless chaos.

Not to mention chaos was vast and limitless, without up or down or any directions. It was all too easy to become lost. The chaotic currents alone were beyond the endurance of ordinary beings. Without great cultivation and powerful treasures for protection, seeking Purple Cloud Palace within chaos was naught but a fool’s dream.

This itself was a test—enough to block the vast majority of those who wished to attend the sermon at Purple Cloud Palace. The opportunity to listen to the Dao there was never easily gained.

The Blood Sea incarnation of the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth possessed the Twelve-Petaled Red Lotus of Karma, a supreme innate treasure for protection. Thus, he had no fear of the chaotic currents and easily entered the endless chaos beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Within chaos, all was hazy, as if shrouded in a veil, cutting off all sense and perception. The Blood Sea incarnation, having entered chaos, was at a loss as to where the Purple Cloud Palace might lie, wandering aimlessly in search.

Yet, by chance or fate, the direction he chose seemed to be precisely that of the palace. Before long, a simple, unadorned, dark purple palace appeared in his sight.

Arriving outside Purple Cloud Palace, the Blood Sea incarnation saw that quite a few cultivators had already come, though the palace gates remained shut.

All who came to hear the Dao could only wait patiently outside, watching as more and more arrived. When over a thousand cultivators had gathered, no new arrivals appeared from the chaos for some time.

Suddenly, the gates of Purple Cloud Palace swung open, drawing all eyes. A boy and a girl emerged, bowing slightly to the crowd. “The Purple Cloud Palace is open. All destined guests, please enter.”

Hardly had their words fallen when, stepping aside, the crowd surged forward, jostling to enter the palace.

The Blood Sea incarnation, moving with the throng into the palace, glanced with curiosity at the boy and girl standing by the gates. “Are they to be the future Jade Emperor of Heaven and Queen Mother of the West? Their cultivation is not weak! Already Great Luo Golden Immortals—no wonder, having been taught by Ancestor Hongjun.”

Inside the Purple Cloud Palace, he saw at the very top a solitary purple cloud-bed. Below, in the front, were six meditation mats. In this vast hall, only these six mats stood out—clearly, they were extraordinary.

While most hesitated, three figures quickly claimed three of the mats—none other than the Three Pure Ones.

Next, Nuwa, shielded by Fuxi, claimed the fourth. Kunpeng, relying on his speed, seized the fifth. As for Hongyun, sheer luck allowed him to take the sixth while others were distracted fighting over it with Kunpeng.

With the six mats claimed, the rest dared not fight further within the Purple Cloud Palace. Though unwilling, they could only relinquish the chance and find the best seats they could nearer the front, settling in to await Hongjun’s appearance.

“It’s said there were three thousand mortals in Purple Cloud Palace, but there are far fewer now,” mused the Blood Sea incarnation, having just watched the scramble for seats, as he found a spot in a forward corner.

Just then, two more figures burst in at the palace gate, looking rather haggard, evidently having hurried and suffered some hardship in the chaos. They were Zhun-ti and Jie-yin from the West. Though both were now Great Luo Golden Immortals, lacking any powerful treasures for protection, they had evidently endured much to arrive.

Seeing there were no good seats left, Zhun-ti’s face fell, and he began to wail bitterly, “Brother! We’ve come all this way from the West for the sake of seeking the Dao for all lost souls, enduring countless hardships, only to find not even a decent seat. If we cannot hear the Saint’s profound words, how can we face the souls of the West?”

“Fellow Daoist, do not be so downcast. If you do not mind, you may have my seat,” said kind-hearted Hongyun, quickly rising.

Zhun-ti, shameless as ever, immediately brightened and hurried over to claim Hongyun’s spot. He then turned and smiled, “Many thanks for your generous offer, friend. I gratefully accept.”

“Truly the most shameless of all the Saints in the primordial world,” thought the Blood Sea incarnation, momentarily stunned, before shaking his head with quiet amusement. “Hongyun is quite the character—if he manages to survive in this world, it will indeed be a strange thing.”

Yet Zhun-ti, having secured a mat, was still not satisfied. Glancing at Kunpeng on the next mat, he suddenly unfurled his Seven-Treasure Wondrous Tree, sweeping Kunpeng aside before he could react. Jie-yin, seizing the chance, rushed forward to claim the vacated spot.

“You…” Kunpeng, landing awkwardly at the rear, was furious and nearly lashed out. But seeing the power of Zhun-ti’s treasure and knowing they were two against one, he hesitated. Most importantly, Kunpeng did not have Zhun-ti’s boldness to cause a scene in Purple Cloud Palace, and so swallowed his anger, finding another seat in silence.

Even as he sat, Kunpeng’s anger could not be quelled. He cast a resentful glare at Hongyun. If not for Hongyun giving up his place and inviting that greedy fellow, would his seat have been stolen?

Poor Hongyun, unaware he had been so maligned, was quietly conversing with Zhenyuanzi beside him.