Dao Ancestor Hongjun stated at the end of his second sermon that the third sermon would expound upon the Way of the Sages.
The three thousand guests in Zixiao Palace were all excited, keeping this in mind. Even the Sanqing (Three Pure Ones) were constantly anticipating the commencement of this third sermon.
As it turned out, Xu Fang, one of the Zixiao Palace's three thousand guests, had the audacity to claim he had forgotten. His demeanor suggested he wasn't lying, which left the Sanqing with no choice but to offer wry smiles.
"Enough, whether he remembers or not, the third sermon is imminent, let us depart!"
Taishang spoke, and Xu Fang nodded. The group then set off from Kunlun towards Zixiao Palace.
Flying unhindered, Xu Fang and the others soon arrived at the nexus where the Primordial Era connected with the Chaos.
Just as they were about to break through the heavenly membrane, Xu Fang called out to the Sanqing.
"Wait, three fellow Daoists, I have something to attend to."
The Sanqing looked over curiously, wondering what matter could possibly be more important than Dao Ancestor Hongjun's sermon.
Xu Fang then summoned the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. The pagoda materialized before them, expanding rapidly, its aura shaking, and its radiance gleaming.
The small Qilin, holding the Qilin Seal, bowed to Xu Fang. Without further ado, it entered the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. In a short while, it was standing within the pagoda, waving to the assembled company.
Seeing that everything was in order, Xu Fang promptly recalled the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda and tucked it into his embrace.
The Sanqing watched, dumbfounded. What kind of operation was this? Wasn't this smuggling contraband, sneaking into Zixiao Palace?
Observing the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle and Ao Xue's calm expressions, the Sanqing forced a wry smile. So, this was how they had operated last time?
"Alright, all done, let's go!"
Xu Fang announced, and with no further hesitation, they broke through the heavenly membrane and departed.
The Sanqing exchanged glances, shook their heads, and decided to let it be.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun hadn't said anything about it last time, so why should they interfere and ruin the little Qilin's opportunity?
Thus, they too broke through the heavenly membrane and proceeded.
In reality, with the little Qilin's current cultivation, it could have traversed the Chaos independently and reached Zixiao Palace.
However, Xu Fang still felt that it would be too conspicuous to bring the Qilin into Zixiao Palace by having it enter the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda in the Zixiao Palace plaza. It would be difficult to avoid attracting attention.
After all, regardless of how one looked at it, the little Qilin had no cushion position in Zixiao Palace. Smuggling should be done with a degree of discretion. Dao Ancestor Hongjun likely understood this tacitly, preserving face for everyone.
Breaking through the heavenly membrane and traversing the Sea of Chaos, Xu Fang and the Sanqing, along with others, soon landed in the Zixiao Palace plaza.
A considerable number of beings had already gathered there. Upon seeing Xu Fang and the Sanqing arrive together, they cast sideways glances, silently admiring them.
The Sanqing were beings valued by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and Xu Fang's close relationship with them naturally evoked envy.
However, Xu Fang paid no mind to the expressions of these beings. Instead, he began searching among the assembled crowd.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, are you looking for me?"
As Xu Fang scanned his surroundings, the Eastern King appeared, greeting him.
The Western Queen Mother also stood in the distance, nodding to Xu Fang.
Upon seeing the Eastern King, Xu Fang was overjoyed and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Good fellow, you're here!"
"Long time no see, I've missed you dearly!"
The Eastern King felt Xu Fang's warmth. This good Daoist Xu Fang truly had him in his heart!
The Eastern King was also quite emotional, expressing his joy at their reunion.
However, Xu Fang's subsequent words dampened the Eastern King's enthusiasm.
"Haha! I didn't see you just now, I thought you were dead!"
Xu Fang chuckled. Not seeing the Eastern King earlier had made him worry that the West or the Demon Clan had made a move against him.
"..."
The Eastern King was speechless. Why was it that every time they met, Xu Fang spoke so… as if he wished him dead?
Still, looking at Xu Fang's sincere expression, the Eastern King sensed that he genuinely cared, even if his words were poorly chosen.
Thus, the Eastern King stopped feigning and sighed.
"Alas! Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, don't bring that up. What difference is there between my current state and death?"
"It's good that you're not dead! Isn't that the happiest thing?"
Xu Fang said dismissively, attempting to comfort him.
However, the Eastern King's distress only intensified upon hearing this, and he couldn't help but begin to pour out his woes to Xu Fang.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, don't laugh. Do you know how miserable my life is now?"
"I am currently confined to Yingzhou Island in the East Sea, truly no different from being dead!"
Before Xu Fang could inquire, the Eastern King launched into an account of his tragic plight.
After the Wu and Yao clans declared their dominion over the heavens and earth, the Eastern King, though unwilling, heeded Xu Fang's advice and remained in the East Sea, refraining from rash actions.
His plan to ally with the Western Queen Mother and the Wu clan was also politely declined by the Wu clan.
Seeing the Wu and Yao clans consolidate their power in the Primordial Era after their declaration, the Eastern King could no longer sit idly by. He too dispatched people to recruit immortals throughout the Primordial world.
Hearing this, Xu Fang asked, confused.
"Isn't that quite good? The Wu and Yao clans would never venture into the East Sea; as long as you remain there, you are safe."
The Eastern King's face contorted with bitterness.
"Safe, yes, and as you said, the Wu and Yao clans have not entered the East Sea."
"However, they are stationed right at the edge of the East Sea! Those immortals who came to pledge allegiance to me were either persuaded to return or forcibly driven away!"
The Eastern King was utterly dejected. The Wu and Yao clans hadn't openly opposed him, but by guarding the borders of the East Sea, they prevented his Immortal Court from expanding. The immortals who wished to join the Immortal Court could not enter.
What was this if not being kept as livestock by the Wu and Yao clans? Wasn't that more unbearable than death?
"I see!"
Xu Fang nodded. He had known that the Wu and Yao clans would not let this matter rest and would surely target the Immortal Court.
Under this tacit understanding, they had blockaded the East Sea and restricted the development of the Immortal Court. For a man with such ambition as the Eastern King, being confined to the East Sea was indeed akin to death.
Xu Fang did not know how to comfort the Eastern King and simply patted his shoulder.
"Forget it, try to be optimistic. At least you're still alive."
In Xu Fang's opinion, this was the best possible outcome, as the Eastern King would not perish because of it.
However, seeing the Eastern King's unconvinced expression, Xu Fang knew he was unwilling to accept the arrangement imposed by the Wu and Yao clans.
Xu Fang felt helpless but believed that with the Wu and Yao clans sealing him off, the Eastern King would not be able to cause any significant trouble and would therefore be out of danger.
"My purpose in coming to Zixiao Palace this time is my unwillingness to accept this. I want to see if there is still any opportunity."
The Eastern King gazed towards the gates of Zixiao Palace, a flicker of hope on his face.
Perhaps this sermon on the Way of the Sages could elevate his cultivation.
Or perhaps, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, the one who had changed his fate, would have a change of heart, accept them once more, and bring about another change of destiny.
Therefore, to return to Zixiao Palace was to see if this place that had once altered his fate still held any promise!