This sermon, open to all who are destined, was held in the Zixiao Palace, a sanctuary nestled within the chaos. This very location, however, inherently filtered the attendees, ensuring that only Great Luo Golden Immortals, the true powerhouses, could reach it.
As for the beings entering the Zixiao Palace, both Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the presence from the unseen realms had long made arrangements. The six prominent futons at the forefront were designated for those destined to guide and govern all sentient beings. Thus, even when Jieyin Daoist and Zhunti Daoist arrived late, they were still expected to occupy one of these seats.
As for Hong Yun Daoist, who had voluntarily given up his seat, and Kunpeng Daoist, who had been compelled to do so, their future struggles for the Great Dao were also foreseen by Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the unseen entity.
Furthermore, two other indispensable figures for this sermon were Dong Wang Gong and Xi Wang Mu. Regardless of any specific arrangements, their positions would have been secure.
Observing Dong Wang Gong and Xi Wang Mu seated in the back rows, Dao Ancestor Hongjun was perplexed, his expectation differing from what he saw.
"And how did a mere Taiyi Golden Immortal slip in?"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's gaze fell upon Dong Wang Gong and Xi Wang Mu, and he also noticed Ao Xue, a Taiyi Golden Immortal. He genuinely couldn't comprehend how a Taiyi Golden Immortal could traverse the chaotic energies and arrive at this place.
Xu Fang felt a tremor of anxiety as Dao Ancestor Hongjun's gaze swept over him.
"No way, no way, has Dao Ancestor Hongjun discovered my anomaly?"
As a saint, Xu Fang dared not guarantee that his secrets would remain hidden. His secrets were not merely his humble origins; they included his divine ability to communicate with treasures, and most importantly, the existence of the chat group. If Dao Ancestor Hongjun were to learn of these, he would undoubtedly be reduced to a human-shaped, mobile treasure detector, becoming a puppet for Hongjun and his Heavenly Dao companions.
The treasures, like the Liang Tian Chi, felt a prickle of unease under Dao Ancestor Hongjun's scrutiny, and they couldn't help but cry out.
"Creation Jade Butterfly, are you there, are you there? Is Hongjun staring at our master like that because he's seen through our master's secrets?"
"Yeah, yeah, that gaze is really unsettling. Big shot, give us a straight answer. If that's the case, we should all flee the Zixiao Palace immediately!"
"That's right, I haven't even been officially recognized yet, and I don't want to be stuck with that old scoundrel Hongjun!"
The treasures spoke out one after another, seeking help from the Creation Jade Butterfly.
"Alright, alright, what are you all shouting about?"
"This blind fool Hongjun isn't looking at your master; he's looking at Dong Wang Gong and the others."
The voice of the Creation Jade Butterfly rang out, sounding rather impatient. However, the treasures paid no heed to its tone, instead becoming exhilarated by its words. What a close call! In that moment, it truly felt like the Xu Fang Treasure Group was about to collapse, and everyone was ready to make a run for it!
Hearing this, Xu Fang also understood. So, the destined leader of the male immortals was too close to him, drawing the Dao Ancestor's attention. However, this also served as a warning to Xu Fang. If he were to become entangled with Dong Wang Gong, he might indeed attract Dao Ancestor Hongjun's scrutiny. Therefore, Xu Fang decided that he would keep a safe distance from him in the future, lest he suffer collateral damage.
"Fine, fine. Although it's not as expected, there aren't any major changes overall."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun mused to himself. These were, after all, trivial matters that had no bearing on the overall plan. He set the matter aside and withdrew his gaze.
Xu Fang also breathed a sigh of relief. Dong Wang Gong was a ticking time bomb, and to avoid being caught in the blast, he needed to stay far away. Dong Wang Gong, however, didn't understand and complained softly.
"Why are you looking at me strangely? Why are you staying so far away? Am I going to eat you?"
Xu Fang shook his head, still subtly distancing himself from Dong Wang Gong, and whispered, "Be quiet, the Dao Ancestor is about to speak."
Dong Wang Gong looked up and indeed saw that Dao Ancestor Hongjun had composed himself and was about to speak.
"To all beings who have arrived here by destiny, you are gathered today in the Zixiao Palace. The three thousand guests in the Zixiao Palace fill my heart with joy."
"I am Hongjun Daoist, and by the grace of Heaven, I have achieved sainthood."
"This sermon is in accordance with the will of Heaven, to impart the Dao and disseminate the Dharma for all beings in the Great Desolation. I am the Dao Ancestor of the Great Desolation. Do any of you have anything to say?"
The three thousand guests in the Zixiao Palace naturally had no objections. You are a saint, you are the greatest, and if you say you are the Dao Ancestor, then you are the Dao Ancestor.
"We pay our respects to Dao Ancestor Hongjun!"
The three thousand guests in the Zixiao Palace bowed in unison, acknowledging Hongjun's title as Dao Ancestor.
Hongjun nodded, quite pleased, and continued.
"As the Dao Ancestor, I deeply feel that the cultivation methods in the Great Desolation are incomplete, and it is difficult for reborn beings to comprehend the Great Dao. I will preach three times in the Zixiao Palace, each sermon lasting three thousand years."
"The first sermon will be on the Dao of the Great Luo Golden Immortal, the second on the Dao of the Quasi-Saint, and the third on the Dao of the Saint."
"From today onwards, when you return to listen to my sermons, you will do so according to the seats you occupy today."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun quickly concluded the rules of his sermon, much to the delight of the three thousand guests. They were all Great Luo Golden Immortals and yearned for the Dao of the Quasi-Saint and the Dao of the Saint. The thought of becoming a saint like Dao Ancestor Hongjun in the future filled them with excitement.
"Without further ado, everyone, clear your minds and listen as I expound upon the Dao of the Great Luo Golden Immortal!"
As Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke, everyone immediately fell silent. Although they were all Great Luo Golden Immortals, their comprehension could not compare to that of a saint.
Seeing this, Hongjun said no more and began his sermon. Instantly, his words flowed like a torrent, unleashing profound truths of the Great Dao, evoking myriad auspicious phenomena within the Zixiao Palace.
Billowing auspicious clouds, melodious immortal music, and the roaring sound of the Great Dao filled the air, accompanied by boundless purple energy from the east, crisscrossing the Zixiao Palace. The three thousand guests within the Zixiao Palace, listening to Hongjun's eloquent discourse, felt their arduous journey through the chaos to reach this place was indeed worthwhile, for they had come to hear the words of a saint's Great Dao.
In an instant, the beings in the Zixiao Palace sat in solemnity, their minds focused on listening. Within the Zixiao Palace, only Hongjun's eloquent voice resounded, its profound teachings filling the space, with no other sounds to be heard. And Hongjun, as a saint of heaven and earth, was truly able to make his words manifest. With every utterance, ripples of Dao charm spread, and Dao principles subtly emerged. However, the three thousand guests in the Zixiao Palace were so engrossed in the sermon that they paid no mind to these phenomena. A saint's sermon was a heavenly opportunity, and one must, without distraction, diligently comprehend the laws of the Great Dao and elevate one's cultivation realm!
Thus, time flowed by unnoticed, and three thousand years passed. Hongjun then stopped, no longer continuing his discourse. The three thousand guests in the Zixiao Palace, having been lost in the Great Dao, looked up at Hongjun as the sermon abruptly ended, their expressions conveying a sense of unfinished business.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun, seeing this, waved his hand gently, dispelling the myriad phenomena within the Zixiao Palace, and said, "Though the Great Dao is wondrous, it is not a matter of ascending to the heavens in a single step. Three thousand years of preaching are enough for you all to digest and refine what you have learned."
"This is all for now. Return and consolidate your gains from this sermon, and prepare yourselves for the second sermon three thousand years hence."
Upon hearing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words, the three thousand guests in the Zixiao Palace understood. Their current realms were indeed not conducive to comprehending more profound theories, and so they all nodded their respects to Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
Only Xu Fang grumbled inwardly, wondering if Dao Ancestor Hongjun's sermon came with a fee, unwilling to give even an extra minute or second, cutting it so precisely!