In the Zixiao Palace, all beings were silent, listening intently as the voice of the Dao Ancestor echoed.
"A Da Luo Golden Immortal, who transcends destiny, wanders beyond the river of time. Their golden essence signifies immortality, eternally at ease across all space and time."
"That is to say, they are immortal gods, eternally at ease and unassailable in all space and time, unaffected by their past or future selves."
"A Quasi-Saint is an existence that has taken a step further upon the foundation of the Da Luo Golden Immortal's eternal ease and immortality."
"Beyond the Da Luo Golden Immortal, the first step a Quasi-Saint takes is to attempt a true transcendence, the path to Hunyuan."
"There are three thousand Great Daos, and each can lead to the Great Dao. Da Luo Golden Immortals merely possess the qualification to embark on the Great Dao; it is the Quasi-Saint who holds the key to determining the Great Dao!"
The Dao Ancestor Hongjun's voice resonated, expounding the difference between Da Luo Golden Immortals and Quasi-Saints, and elucidating the significance of Quasi-Saints, beginning to reveal the true essence of this realm.
This sermon was undoubtedly more profound than the previous one on Da Luo Golden Immortals, its mysteries incredibly intricate. Everyone listened as if entranced.
As the sermon continued, progressing from the shallow to the deep, it became increasingly wondrous and extraordinary.
However, the beings present had all heard Dao Ancestor Hongjun's last sermon and had accumulated three thousand years of cultivation. At this moment, they not only experienced no obstacles but felt their minds becoming ever clearer.
They all sensed, faintly, the nascent opportunity for breakthrough.
This caused them to focus even more intently, fearful of missing even a fraction and losing the chance to advance.
Time flowed by, and in a blink of an eye, a thousand years had passed since the sermon began.
Everyone had benefited greatly, especially those who had reached the peak of Da Luo, such as the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa, who felt increasing clarity, as if they could break through at any moment.
"Boom!"
With a sound, Taishang's aura surged, vast and powerful, drawing the attention of all present.
When the light receded and the energy dissipated, Taishang's cultivation had broken through the bottleneck, reaching the mid-stage of Quasi-Saint.
Before the crowd could even sigh in wonder, Yuanshi and Tongtian, beside Taishang, also broke through their respective bottlenecks, becoming mid-stage Quasi-Saints.
This phenomenon of breakthroughs did not cease. Nuwa, Zhun Ti Daoren, and Jie Yin Daoren, seated in the first six futons, also broke through successively, becoming mid-stage Quasi-Saints.
All beings present watched this scene with immense envy.
Indeed, occupying one of the front six futons was a tremendous fortune. These individuals were the first to break through and become Quasi-Saints!
Dao Ancestor Hongjun also looked over, nodding slightly.
As expected of the cultivation targets carefully chosen by himself and that other being, they had not disappointed.
With Taishang and the others entering the Quasi-Saint realm, they increasingly perceived the power of Saints, and their gaze towards Dao Ancestor Hongjun became more reverent.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun was pleased with their attitude. Their reverence was ideal; they would require little further guidance and could be readily utilized.
With these breakthroughs preceding them, the beings present saw hope and listened with even greater earnestness.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not stop there, continuing his sermon. During this time, more beings attained enlightenment and broke through on the spot, their advancements occurring one after another, too numerous to recount individually.
Listening to the Dao, the years passed by unnoticed. In a blink of an eye, three thousand years had gone by, and Dao Ancestor Hongjun's sermon abruptly concluded.
All beings present raised their heads, gazing at the high and majestic Dao Ancestor Hongjun with unfulfilled yearning in their eyes.
"Very well, this sermon shall end here. Any further profound Daos are beyond your current comprehension."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun waved his hand, stopping the unspoken words of the crowd, and announced the end of the sermon.
"Return and cultivate diligently. Do not forget the last sermon, where I shall expound the Dao of Saints for all!"
Seeing that no one was willing to leave, Dao Ancestor Hongjun added this remark.
Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed.
This sermon on the Dao of Quasi-Saints had caused many among them to break through on the spot, attaining the Quasi-Saint realm.
After becoming Quasi-Saints, they understood more profoundly the immense difference between Quasi-Saints and Da Luo Golden Immortals, a chasm as vast as the heavens and earth.
And compared to Saints, Quasi-Saints were but a drop in the ocean, incomparable!
Thinking of the abundant rewards from this session, everyone's anticipation for the next sermon on the Dao of Saints grew even stronger.
Thus, they all rose and bowed in salutation to Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor, for preaching to us. We have benefited immensely and offer our deepest gratitude!"
"Dao Ancestor Hongjun dispels confusion for all beings; your title is truly deserved and unshakeable!"
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor. We shall return to cultivate diligently, striving to reach the Saint realm as soon as possible to assist you in overcoming difficulties!"
While expressing gratitude for the sermon, the beings present also lauded Dao Ancestor's achievements and declared their submission to Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun listened to their words, nodded with satisfaction, and cast a glance at the crestfallen Dong Wang Gong and Xi Wang Mu, a faint smile gracing his lips.
Observing the attitudes of the beings present, he could gauge the sentiment of the Primordial Era towards him, their Dao Ancestor, as one of profound reverence and awe.
Under such circumstances, these two had become increasingly useless, devoid of any value.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's gaze finally settled upon the six futons in the front.
The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and the two from the West, feeling Dao Ancestor's gaze, were immediately overwhelmed with emotion. They hastily clasped their hands in salutation, bowing silently and with utmost respect.
"Cultivate well, all of you. I hope that one day you will soar to the heavens and become Saints like myself."
After saying this, Dao Ancestor Hongjun vanished, leaving behind a silent assembly of beings.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words seemed to be an encouragement to all present, or perhaps, they were solely addressed to those six.
This made the beings present envious. Truly, those six front futons represented immense fortune. Why hadn't they fought with all their might for them?
Kunpeng was filled with indignation. He glared at the slightly dejected Hongyun Daoren, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Had it not been for Hongyun Daoren's actions back then, he would now be among them, receiving Dao Ancestor Hongjun's encouragement, and would not have had to humble himself under the Demon Race!
Feeling Dao Ancestor Hongjun's emphasis on the Three Pure Ones and others, the beings present now stepped forward one after another to converse and forge connections.
Dong Wang Gong and Xi Wang Mu exchanged glances, their hearts filled with bitterness as they watched this unfold.
Even now, no matter how unwilling they were to believe it, they had to admit it.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun had truly abandoned them, completely and utterly.
After all, there was a time when such preferential treatment, surrounded by admiring gazes, belonged to them, the leaders of male and female immortals!
Xu Fang looked at the triumphant Three Pure Ones and others, then at the dejected Dong Wang Gong and Xi Wang Mu, and sighed.
Indeed, Dao Ancestor Hongjun was adept at the orderly replacement of old and new chess pieces!