Inside Purple Cloud Palace, the atmosphere grew subtle.
Zhunti sat comfortably on the cushion Hongyun had given up.
The look of sorrow on his face had long vanished without a trace, replaced by a gleeful expression of a successful scheme.
Many powerful beings in the hall frowned, secretly cursing the thick-skinned Daoist from the West.
Some also secretly envied him; this cushion clearly wasn't ordinary, and sitting on it surely brought great benefits.
But Zhunti didn't care; as long as he could gain benefits, what were a few stares?
These Innate Great Gods were all born in the East, with deep roots from birth, and had never experienced hardship. How could they understand the difficulties he and his Senior Brother faced in seeking the Dao in the West?
One cushion was secured, but Senior Brother Jieyin was still standing!
How could this be?
Senior Brother must also have a seat!
The two of them, Senior Brother and Junior Brother, had always been united and advanced together!
Zhunti's eyes darted around, sweeping over the remaining cushions.
The Three Pure Ones?
No, no, the Three Pure Ones were transformed from Pangu's Primordial Spirit, with deep roots and long-lasting Luck. Confronting them head-on would definitely not end well. Moreover, the three of them were one, a solid block, not to be moved.
Nuwa?
Although she was a female, Fuxi was glaring beside her. These two siblings, working together, were also not easy to provoke.
Hmm?
Zhunti's gaze finally landed on the figure sitting alone on the fifth cushion – Kunpeng!
Yes, it's you!
This one looked weak, a lone wolf, seemingly easy to bully!
In terms of roots, he couldn't compare to the Three Pure Ones; in terms of backing, he was inferior to Nuwa, who had her brother's protection; in terms of popularity... looking at his unapproachable demeanor, he probably didn't have any life-and-death friendships!
Zhunti made up his mind, looked at Kunpeng, and began to brew his emotions again, preparing to use his old trick.
"This Fellow Daoist!" Zhunti's face instantly took on a sorrowful expression again, and he spoke to Kunpeng, "Look at my Senior Brother, who traveled from the distant, barren lands of the West, enduring countless hardships, just to listen to the Saint's Dao!"
"Now he doesn't even have a seat. Fellow Daoist, why not show some compassion and make it convenient?"
Jieyin immediately understood, stepped forward, and clasped his hands together: "Fellow Daoist, please make it convenient."
Kunpeng, who had been closing his eyes to sense the profoundness of the cushion, was interrupted by this sudden disturbance, and his face instantly darkened.
These two shameless scoundrels!
Just now, they used this very same tearful face to trick that fool Hongyun out of his cushion!
Now they've actually set their sights on him?
Do they really think this Seat is a soft persimmon?!
"Scram!" Kunpeng's eyes shot out a cold glare, and he unceremoniously spat out a single word.
"Fellow Daoist, why such words?" Zhunti was thick-skinned and didn't mind in the slightest, "A Saint's Dao field emphasizes Opportunity. My Senior Brother has an Opportunity with this cushion, why doesn't Fellow Daoist complete this good Karma?"
"Opportunity? I think you two want to snatch it!" Kunpeng sneered.
Just then, Yuanshi Tianzun, who was sitting on the second cushion, slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze, filled with undisguised disgust and disdain, swept over Kunpeng.
Then, he slowly opened his mouth and uttered the "famous saying" that shook the entire Purple Cloud Palace and was passed down for countless years: "Hmph! Those with fur and horns, those born of dampness and eggs, are they worthy of sitting here with Us?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Purple Cloud Palace suddenly fell silent!
Everyone looked at Yuanshi Tianzun in astonishment!
Even Grand Pure One, who was beside him, couldn't help but frown slightly, clearly feeling that these words were inappropriate.
Tongtian's eyes widened even more, looking at his second brother with some disbelief.
He clearly hadn't expected his second brother to say such harsh and merciless words!
This was simply an indiscriminate attack!
In one sentence, many powerful beings present were included!
Dijun and Taiyi's faces instantly turned extremely ugly, their eyes shooting out coldness.
Fuxi's brows were tightly furrowed, and Nuwa's delicate brows were also slightly creased.
Behind them, the Twelve Ancestral Witches, except for Wu Ming who remained calm, all frowned deeply.
This was practically pointing at Kunpeng's nose and cursing him in front of all the Great Powers of the Great Desolation, belittling his origins to the dust!
Kunpeng felt a surge of blood rush to his head, and his face instantly turned purplish-red!
"Yuanshi! You..." Kunpeng suddenly stood up, his body surging with Demonic Qi, his eyes filled with killing intent.
However, Yuanshi Tianzun merely glanced at him coldly, his gaze as if looking at an ant.
The Three Pure Ones were united; when Yuanshi spoke, although Laozi and Tongtian might not fully agree, they would not undermine him.
That invisible pressure heavily weighed on Kunpeng's heart!
And beside them, Jieyin and Zhunti, though they said nothing more, their aura as top-tier Great Powers firmly locked onto Kunpeng, ready to act at any moment.
Kunpeng subconsciously looked around.
Dijun and Taiyi watched coldly, even with a hint of schadenfreude.
Nuwa and Fuxi were expressionless.
Zhenyuanzi frowned, seemingly wanting to say something, but after looking at the Three Pure Ones and then at Jieyin and Zhunti, he ultimately chose to remain silent.
Hongyun hesitated to speak, but in the end, he only sighed.
As for Wu Ming and the Twelve Ancestral Witches...
"Tsk, Yuanshi, this fellow, his words are truly unpleasant," Zhurong muttered, pouting.
"But this Kunpeng is indeed a bit too weak," Gonggong echoed, with a hint of disdain in his tone.
"All of you, be quiet," Wu Ming said calmly, "Just watch."
The Ancestral Witches then grudgingly shut up, but their gazes towards Yuanshi and Zhunti were filled with ill will.
Kunpeng knew that he couldn't hold onto this seat today.
If he didn't leave now, it would only get more embarrassing!
"Good! Good! Good!" Kunpeng laughed in anger.
He suddenly stood up, casting a venomous glance at the culprit – Hongyun!
This debt, this Seat has noted it down!
Then, he looked at Yuanshi Tianzun and Zhunti, Jieyin.
Then, without a word, he walked to the back of the main hall, found an inconspicuous corner, and sat down again.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist, for your completion!" Jieyin quickly stepped forward, bowed towards the direction Kunpeng had left, and then unceremoniously sat on the vacated cushion.
Then he bowed to Yuanshi Tianzun: "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist, for speaking out righteously!"
At this point, the six cushions in Purple Cloud Palace finally settled.
A farce thus ended.
But everyone understood that Karma had been forged.
Silence once again returned to the hall, but the atmosphere was even more oppressive than before.
Some despised Jieyin and Zhunti's shamelessness, some disdained Yuanshi's harshness, and some sympathized with Kunpeng's plight.
Wu Ming took all of this in, transmitting to the Twelve Ancestral Witches: "Do you see? This is the Law of survival in the Great Desolation. If your strength is insufficient, you don't even have the qualification to firmly hold a position."
"Remember Kunpeng's fate today. We, the Witch Tribe, must never repeat the same mistakes!"
Zhurong, Gonggong, and others showed thoughtful expressions, and their gazes towards Kunpeng became more complex.
Time slowly passed.
Finally, the three-thousand-year period had arrived!
Buzz—
In Purple Cloud Palace, the endless Dao Rhyme and Law instantly became incredibly clear and dense.
Everyone's spirits were lifted!
Haotian and Yaochi, two exquisite child attendants, walked to the palace gates and slowly closed the heavy doors together.
"The Master has decreed that the palace gates shall be closed and will only open after ten thousand years."
As the palace gates completely closed, the hall became a world unto itself.
On the high platform, on the cushion that was originally empty, a figure had quietly appeared at some unknown time.
It was Hongjun!
Hongjun's gaze swept across the hall, and he spoke faintly, his voice flat, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears:
"All of you have come from afar; to be able to enter my Purple Cloud Palace means you have an Opportunity with this humble Daoist."
"Henceforth, when I preach the Dao, you shall listen according to the seats you occupy today. There shall be no further changes."
As soon as these words were spoken!
Kunpeng's face instantly became incredibly ugly, so dark it almost dripped water!
He stared intensely at Jieyin, who was sitting in his original seat, and also... at Hongyun, who had caused all of this!
On the other side, Hongyun's entire body trembled, his face filled with endless vexation and regret!
And Zhunti and Jieyin, sitting on the cushions, exchanged glances, both seeing undisguised ecstasy in each other's eyes!
They had gambled correctly!
This cushion was indeed a tremendous Opportunity!