Primordial Era: If I remain in Longevity Mountain, I will steadily attain sainthood.

Chapter 21: On the Throne of Sainthood, Hongjun Accepts Another Disciple

"Teacher, since following the will of Heaven can lead to sainthood, does that mean that as long as one attains the Primordial Chaos Realm, everyone can become a saint?" Yuanshi asked.

Hongjun replied, "No. Not all those who attain the Primordial Chaos Realm can become saints, for under the Heavenly Dao, the positions of saints are limited."

Yuanshi then asked, "Under the Heavenly Dao, how many sage positions are there?"

Hongjun said, "Under the Heavenly Dao, there are nine Saintly positions."

Upon hearing this, Tongtian hurriedly stood up and asked, "Teacher, do you know who among us can become a saint?"

Upon hearing this, Hongjun glanced at Tongtian, making Tongtian uneasy. However, just when everyone thought Hongjun would not answer...

Hongjun still said, "The Three Pure Ones are transformed from the primordial spirit of Pangu. They possess the merits of creating the world and can become saints."

Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian were all overjoyed upon hearing this.

Hongjun then looked at Nuwa and said, "Nuwa also has the opportunity; she can become a saint in the future."

Nuwa was pleasantly surprised to hear this.

Hongjun then looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun and said, "You two also have the opportunity to become saints."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi was overjoyed. Hongyun, who was standing beside him, was stunned for a moment before also showing a happy expression.

However, Hongyun's heart was in turmoil at this moment. He was thinking, how come he also has the opportunity to become a saint?

No, it should be said that I was born with the opportunity to become a saint.

These six prayer cushions represent opportunities to become a saint; whoever grabs one has the chance to become a saint.

Hmm, so now the pressure is on the two Western Saints? Could it be that the original two Western Saints have simply disappeared like this?

Sure enough, at this moment, Jieyin and Zhunti became truly anxious and stood up to ask, "Teacher, do you know if there are any holy positions in our Western lands?"

Hongjun glanced at the two of them and said, "A great religion is flourishing in the West, and there should also be saints." However, he was vague and did not say how many saints there were or who could become a saint.

Hongjun then addressed the crowd, saying, "The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Dao is forty-nine, and all living beings have a sliver of opportunity. Although not all of you can become saints, you can all strive to attain the Primordial Dao."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed, and they each had their own thoughts.

Hongjun just mentioned that there are nine holy positions. The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Zhenyuanzi, and Hongyun have already taken up six of them, but there are still three positions left to be decided.

Those three saintly positions were everyone's hope. After all, if one could become a saint, who would want to remain merely a Grand Luo Golden Immortal?

Styx, in particular, had a fierce glint in his eyes. In his view, there were few saints now, but many powerful beings. If one wanted to become a saint, in addition to diligent cultivation, there was also the path of fighting.

In addition, he was a man who believed in killing and was inherently restless. If he killed all those in the palace who could compete with him, wouldn't it be more likely for him to become a saint?

Furthermore, the Kunpeng Daoist sitting in the corner revealed a deep resentment in his eyes.

He glared hatefully at Jieyin and Zhunti, who were standing in the other corner with bitter expressions on their faces.

If it weren't for these two, would he have lost his seat? Now, it's Zhen Yuanzi who has gained his seat and has the opportunity to become a saint.

Yes, now everyone has realized that those six prayer cushions are actually symbols of sainthood, and whoever can obtain them will have the opportunity to become a saint.

Kunpeng wasn't stupid, and he naturally understood. However, he didn't dare to hate Zhen Yuanzi. Firstly, Zhen Yuanzi had many people and was extremely difficult to deal with. Secondly, he had already been named by Hongjun and had a high probability of becoming a saint in the future, so he couldn't afford to offend him.

Therefore, Kunpeng vented all his anger on Jieyin and Zhunti.

Just then, Hongjun suddenly said, "When I was preaching, I observed the nature and foundation of your hearts. Now I will take several disciples from among you to establish the Xuanmen and pass on my Dao!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd stirred again, their eyes filled with both eagerness and nervousness as they looked at Hongjun, hoping to be chosen as his disciples.

Even the Three Pure Ones are no exception. Although the three have been named as capable of becoming saints, and they are always arrogant and consider themselves the true descendants of Pangu, in the primordial world, the accomplished are teachers. Now that Hongjun is a saint, his cultivation is superior to theirs.

Furthermore, Hongjun's selfless teachings and virtuous conduct were admirable to them, so the Three Pure Ones also intended to become Hongjun's disciples.

Needless to say, the others, even if they didn't get the Saintly position, if they could be taken in as disciples by Hongjun, with this status, even if their future achievements were not great, they would at least be free from calamities, right?

However, Hongjun quickly shattered everyone's illusions. It seemed that Hongjun was repeating the process of naming who could become a saint, only this time he was talking about who could become his disciple.

The first person he addressed was the Three Pure Ones: "Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian, you three are the transformations of Pangu's primordial spirit, possessing the merits of creating the world, and with profound roots and connections. Would you be willing to become my disciples?"

The three Qing were overjoyed and stepped forward to bow, saying, "We are willing." Then they performed the ceremony of becoming disciples.

Hongjun then said to Nuwa, "Nuwa, you will also have great merit and great fortune in the future. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Nuwa naturally did not refuse and stepped forward to perform the apprenticeship ceremony.

After accepting Nuwa as his disciple, Hongjun looked at Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun without hesitation and said directly, "Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, you two will have great opportunities in the future. You possess great wisdom and perseverance. Would you like to become my disciples?"

Just as Hongjun was speaking, a system notification sounded in Hongyun's mind.

"Ding, we have detected that Hongjun intends to take you as his disciple. You may make the following choices."

"Option 1: Become Hongjun's disciple and you will receive the top-grade innate spiritual root, Five-Needle Pine, as a reward."

"Option Two: If you do not become Hongjun's disciple, you will receive a top-grade innate spiritual treasure as a reward."

"Option 3: If you join Zhen Yuanzi in refusing to become Hongjun's disciple, you will receive a drop of Pangu's essence blood as a reward."

Upon hearing the system's notification, Hongyun didn't hesitate at all. What a joke! At this point, why would he still be agonizing over whether or not to become an apprentice?

This is clearly a free gift.

Therefore, Hongyun decisively chose option one. Anyway, Hongjun had already achieved enlightenment after giving three sermons, so why not become his disciple? Besides, there were many benefits to becoming Hongjun's disciple.

Besides, he has this opportunity to become an apprentice, something others would beg for but can't even dream of.

So, after making their choice, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi readily accepted Hongjun's offer of apprenticeship.

However, after accepting Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi, Hongjun stopped and remained silent, seemingly having no intention of accepting any more disciples, though he didn't say it explicitly.

Many great figures were present. Some were disappointed and sighed, some were annoyed and dissatisfied, some felt wronged and resentful, and some even offered their own recommendations.

But Hongjun ignored them all.

At this moment, Jieyin and Zhunti rose and bowed to Hongjun, saying, "Master, we two come from the West. The Western land is barren and cold, and it is difficult for all beings to cultivate the Dao. Therefore, we brothers and sisters are determined to revitalize the West. We have come here to preach the Dao despite the difficulties, but we entered the sect late and missed the opportunity. We beg you, Master, to have mercy and accept us as well. We are also good to the Western land, to spread the Great Dao, Master, and to promote the Xuanmen lineage!"

Upon hearing this, Hongjun finally opened his eyes, examined the two of them for a while, and nodded, saying, "Very well, although you two have a shallow connection with me, you are quite persevering and possess great wisdom and willpower. You shall become my disciples under my name."

(End of this chapter)