Unknowingly, a long time has passed since Dao Ancestor Hongjun's voice echoed through the Great Desolation, and the thousand-year period of preaching is drawing ever nearer.
At this moment, as Xu Fang, accompanied by the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue, journeyed towards the Purple霄 Palace, they witnessed countless streams of light ascending and descending across the Great Desolation.
Without a doubt, these must be beings preparing to travel to the chaotic Purple霄 Palace to listen to the sermon.
After all, Dao Ancestor Hongjun is the first Saint in the world, his profound Dao surpassing all beings in the Great Desolation. His Great Dao is the method to achieve sainthood. Who wouldn't want to become stronger and behold even grander vistas from a higher vantage point?
Moreover, Dao Ancestor Hongjun explicitly stated that any sentient being with destiny is welcome to attend this preaching session. Who would be foolish enough to miss it!
Ao Xue sensed the powerful auras permeating the heavens and earth. As a Taiyi Golden Immortal, she felt immense pressure and couldn't help but worry.
"Senior, with so many beings heading to the Purple霄 Palace, I fear I won't have the chance to accompany you to listen to the sermon."
Senior and the big bird are both Da Luo Golden Immortals, likely able to secure a spot among the myriad beings. She, however, is merely a Taiyi Golden Immortal, which is somewhat precarious.
"Worry not, with me here, there's no problem."
The Golden-Winged Great Peng spoke reassuringly, then patted his chest grandly.
"If there truly is no space, at worst, I'll give you my spot!"
These words left Xu Fang speechless. He hadn't even secured his own spot, yet he was already thinking of giving his away. Did he think he was Hongyun Daoist!
Thinking of Hongyun Daoist, Xu Fang shook his head. It seemed he would indeed witness a struggle for seats.
Seeing that Ao Xue's brow was still furrowed, Xu Fang also began to comfort her.
"Rest assured, as the Great Desolation Treasure Hunting Squad, not one of us will be left behind!"
Xu Fang's words were more effective than the Golden-Winged Great Peng's. Ao Xue's brow gradually unfurrowed.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng, witnessing this, felt quite dejected. Why was it that despite his willingness to sacrifice, he couldn't match Senior's promise, which had no tangible substance?
Soon, they arrived at the location where beings were gathering to head towards the Purple霄 Palace.
Looking out, countless beings had already congregated here, all gazing intently at the chaos beyond the Great Desolation.
"Strange, why have they stopped here and not made a full charge towards the Purple霄 Palace?"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng, listening to the incessant chatter of the surrounding beings, was quite perplexed that they hadn't broken through the barrier of heaven and earth.
Just then, a few figures hurried over. They glanced at the beings milling about below and exclaimed with delight.
"Haha! These fellows are still hesitating here, truly missing out on a great opportunity!"
"Indeed, ignore them, we're heading to the Purple霄 Palace first!"
"Farewell, everyone, I shall take my leave first!"
These few beings, filled with joy, immediately disregarded the others and plunged through the barrier of heaven and earth, preparing to journey to the Purple霄 Palace to listen to the sermon.
However, their hasty departure led to an equally hasty demise.
Upon breaking through the barrier of heaven and earth, the boundless chaotic energy surged in. In mere moments, it ground them into nothingness, leaving not even a trace.
The beings at this location witnessed this and shook their heads.
"How many times has this happened? Another group of rash beings!"
"Opportunities are important, but without life, what use are they?"
"Alas, speaking of which, are we to wait here indefinitely?"
The beings discussed amongst themselves, clearly accustomed to such scenes.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's sermon was the greatest opportunity since the creation of the Great Desolation. Who wouldn't want to seize it?
However, it wasn't until the first wave of beings rushed out of the Great Desolation's barrier of heaven and earth and entered the chaos, only to be annihilated by the chaotic energy, that everyone belatedly realized.
How tempestuous and fearsome was the chaotic energy outside the Great Desolation!
Therefore, even though they knew the opportunity was within reach, everyone hesitated to step forward, lest they court death.
"So, this is how it is."
Xu Fang patted the Golden-Winged Great Peng's shoulder and said.
"Although Dao Ancestor Hongjun said that all beings with destiny could travel to the chaotic Purple霄 Palace to listen to the sermon."
"Yet, the very act of reaching the Purple霄 Palace is itself a test, which has already eliminated a majority of beings."
The Golden-Winged Great Peng, upon hearing this, finally understood.
No wonder Senior was so calm and composed in the face of so many beings rushing towards the Purple霄 Palace; he had understood this principle long ago.
As they saw now, weaker beings couldn't even leave the Great Desolation, naturally unable to reach the Purple霄 Palace. This was a sign of having no destiny.
"Then what should we do? Ao Xue is merely a Taiyi Golden Immortal!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng remembered those beings who had rushed to their deaths earlier. Weren't they also like Ao Xue, merely Taiyi Golden Immortals?
If they were like that, Ao Xue would fare no better.
"Yes, Senior, what should I do?"
Ao Xue also became anxious. The opportunity was at hand, yet she couldn't even leave the Great Desolation. How could she go to the Purple霄 Palace?
"This chaos is too perilous. I really don't have the confidence. Perhaps I should wait here for you all!"
After some thought, Ao Xue said.
Though somewhat conflicted, this was the only viable option at present.
"I've already said it, as the Great Desolation Treasure Hunting Squad, not one of us will be left behind. Do you think I, Senior, have been acting as Senior for nothing?"
Xu Fang spoke, and with a thought, the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda manifested, appearing beside Ao Xue.
"Today, let alone you being a Taiyi Golden Immortal, even if you were a Celestial Immortal, I would carry you to the Purple霄 Palace!"
As Xu Fang's words fell, the treasures within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda surged forth, enveloping Ao Xue and shielding her completely.
"This is truly thanks to Senior!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng exclaimed in admiration, silently putting back the Sky-Splitting Halberd and the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle that he had taken out.
Forget it, forget it. With so many treasures from Senior, there was no need for him to embarrass himself.
Ao Xue gazed at the treasures surrounding her, naturally understanding Xu Fang's intention, and was immediately overjoyed.
"Thank you, Senior! Ao Xue will definitely work hard and not let Senior's cultivation go to waste!"
With Senior's many treasures protecting her, Ao Xue no longer worried about the chaotic energy, especially with Senior and the big bird guarding her.
"Alright, enough said. If we delay any longer, there truly won't be any spots left."
Xu Fang waved his hand and shouted.
"Ascend!"
As the words fell, the more than ten treasures simultaneously erupted with dazzling brilliance, powerful energies flowing. They actually lifted Ao Xue into the air.
"This!"
The surrounding beings, shaken by the powerful aura of the treasures, stared dumbfounded at Ao Xue, who was floating in the air, glittering.
There was such a method!
The beings present watched as the group of three broke through the barrier of heaven and earth. For the two Da Luo Golden Immortals, there was nothing surprising about this. Their cultivation was more than enough to withstand the chaotic energy.