The news that Hongyun gave the Hongmeng Purple Energy to Kunpeng was like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up monstrous waves across the entire Grandmist.
Kunlun Mountain, the Three Pure Ones' Daoist temple.
Yuanshi Tianzun's eyebrows slightly rose: "Hongyun's action is truly beyond this poor Daoist's expectation."
"To abandon the foundation of becoming a Saint, just to resolve a Karma... Hmph, pedantic!"
Laozi closed his eyes to rest, his fingers unconsciously twirling, and after a long while, he slowly spoke: "Great courage, great perseverance."
"It's just... a pity."
Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning laughed heartily, appearing quite unrestrained: "Wonderful! This Old Man Hongyun, usually looking so listless, I didn't expect him to actually have some spirit!"
"Who cares if he's pedantic or not, at least he dares to act and take responsibility, much better than some who hide their heads and tails!"
Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly, no longer speaking.
Phoenix Perch Mountain.
When Nuwa heard about this, her brows furrowed slightly.
She gently sighed: "This Fellow Daoist Hong Yun... sigh."
After all, he is not a Saint's Disciple. Obtaining this Hongmeng Purple Energy, whether it's a blessing or a curse, is truly hard to say.
Even she, a Personal Disciple of the Dao Ancestor, didn't she also choose to stay away from the Heavenly Court and return to this Phoenix Perch Mountain to avoid the limelight?
Why?
Wasn't it because she was afraid of Dijun and Taiyi having ideas?
The Saint position moves hearts!
Even she, a rightful future Saint, had to be cautious. Hongyun, a Loose Cultivator without roots or support, obtaining the Hongmeng Purple Energy was already a case of 'a man with a treasure is a target of crime'.
Now giving it away, though regrettable, might not be a bad strategy for escape.
"Elder Brother," Nuwa looked at Fuxi beside her, "Why do you think Fellow Daoist Hong Yun suddenly came to his senses and gave the Hongmeng Purple Energy to Kunpeng?"
Fuxi plucked the zither strings, producing a few clear and melodious notes.
Fuxi stopped his movements and sighed: "This matter, I'm afraid, has something to do with Fellow Daoist Wu Ming."
"After the Treasure Dividing Rock in Zixiao Palace, Fellow Daoist Wu Ming once spoke to Hongyun, telling him to seek him out after he had thought it through."
"Presumably, it was for today's matter."
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming..." Nuwa murmured to herself.
She recalled that after Zixiao Palace ended, she and her Elder Brother hurried back to Phoenix Perch Mountain and did not stay long in the Heavenly Court.
Although Dijun and Taiyi treated her courteously, the Yao Race was powerful, and with the Hongmeng Purple Energy being such a hot potato, she always felt uneasy.
Now it seems that although Hongyun lost the Opportunity to become a Saint, by escaping that vortex, perhaps... it really is a good thing?
"But if Kunpeng obtains the Hongmeng Purple Energy, will Dijun and Taiyi easily let him refine it in peace?" Nuwa asked again.
Fuxi shook his head: "Difficult. Dijun is ambitious and strategic, Taiyi's combat power is unparalleled; how could they tolerate an uncontrolled 'future Saint' by their side?"
"Kunpeng this time, blessings and misfortunes are intertwined."
Nuwa stopped speaking, her apprehension towards Wu Ming deepening a few points.
This Ancestral Witch of the Witch Race seems to always see through the fog and make the most correct choices.
West, Mount Sumeru.
Jieyin and Zhunti's faces turned extremely ugly upon hearing the news.
Zhunti's face was bitter, and he said anxiously: "Senior Brother! What should we do?"
"Hongyun gave the Hongmeng Purple Energy to Kunpeng! Their Karma is settled!"
"But what about the Karma we owe Hongyun and that Kunpeng?"
He gritted his teeth.
"In Zixiao Palace back then, if not for the two of us..."
"If the Hongmeng Purple Energy were still in Hongyun's hands, we would still have a chance to maneuver and find a way to resolve the Karma with the two of them."
"Now that the Hongmeng Purple Energy is in that Kunpeng's hands, he has obtained the foundation of a Saint, and he's probably even more resentful about the cushion incident back then!"
"Our Karma, I'm afraid, will be even harder to settle!"
Jieyin sighed, the sorrow on his face deepening: "Junior Brother, calm down."
"Since things have come to this, overthinking is useless."
"As for Kunpeng..." Jieyin paused, "He obtained the Purple Qi, but he also entered the muddy waters of the Demon Court."
"Dijun and Taiyi see him as a thorn in their side; whether he can safely refine the Purple Qi is still up in the air."
"Our top priority is to quickly comprehend the Hongmeng Purple Energy and attain the Saint position!"
"As long as you and I achieve the Saint position, what does a mere Karma count for?"
After speaking, Jieyin closed his eyes, his expression solemn and dignified, and began to enter meditation.
"But..." Zhunti still wanted to say something, but seeing that Jieyin had already entered meditation, he could only swallow his words back.
"Sigh! This is the only way!" Zhunti gritted his teeth, also sat down cross-legged, and forced himself to calm his mind and comprehend.
However, the eagerness and unwillingness in his brows could not be dispelled no matter what.
Deep within the Sea of Blood, Old Ancestor Styx sat upon the Red Lotus of Karmic Fire.
Upon hearing the news of Hongyun giving up the Hongmeng Purple Energy, an unusual glint flashed in his blood-red pupils.
"Hongyun... Kunpeng... Hongmeng Purple Energy... Yao Race..."
Styx muttered to himself, a meaningful arc forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Interesting, truly interesting..."
"The waters of this Grandmist are getting muddier and muddier."
"Muddy waters are good for fishing..."
East Sea, Penglai Immortal Island.
When Eastern King Duke heard this news, he immediately jumped up and cursed loudly.
"Hongyun! You idiot! Pig-headed!"
"You're truly useless!"
"Wasted the Dao Ancestor's regard!"
"The Hongmeng Purple Energy in hand! The Opportunity to become a Saint! You just gave it away?"
"If I had the Hongmeng Purple Energy, whoever dared to snatch it, I'd kill him!"
"You can't even grasp such a heaven-sent Opportunity; you deserve not to become a Saint!"
Eastern King Duke was so angry that his beard bristled and his eyes widened; in his opinion, Hongyun was utterly foolish.
For a time, the entire Grandmist was completely boiling because of Hongyun's action.
Countless mighty figures and Loose Cultivators discussed animatedly.
Some admired Hongyun's courage, some mocked his foolishness, some gloated, and some secretly plotted.
And the originator of all this, Hongyun, was currently in Pangu Hall on Mount Buzhou.
The atmosphere inside the hall was relaxed.
Hongyun's face carried a relieved smile, and his whole being exuded a sense of ease after liberation.
He picked up the tea in front of him and raised it towards Wu Ming and Zhenyuanzi: "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi, today's matter, thanks to the help of the two Fellow Daoists!"
"If not for the two of you, this poor Daoist today would probably... sigh!"
Recalling the danger outside the South Heaven Gate, Hongyun still felt lingering fear.
If Wu Ming hadn't timely suggested the method of swearing an oath, he would probably have been locked in an endless struggle with Kunpeng, even implicating Zhenyuanzi and the Witch Race.
Zhenyuanzi helped Hongyun up: "Fellow Daoist, you speak too seriously."
"You were able to see through the temptation of the Hongmeng Purple Energy, uphold your original intention, and resolve the Karma; this poor Daoist is also happy for you."
Although he felt regret for his good friend losing the Saint position, seeing Hongyun's peaceful state of mind now, no longer entangled by Karma, Zhenyuanzi felt that this might be the best outcome.
Hongyun sighed with emotion: "Yes, without the Hongmeng Purple Energy, although my heart feels empty, the big stone pressing on my mind has finally been moved."
"In the future, this poor Daoist can also Cultivate in peace, no longer needing to worry about this matter."
Wu Ming looked at Hongyun and nodded slightly: "It is a great good that Fellow Daoist can let go of obsession."
"Although the Hongmeng Purple Energy is good, it is also accompanied by endless storms."
"Kunpeng obtaining the Purple Qi seems glorious, but in reality, he is already in a dangerous situation."
"Dijun and Taiyi will never sit idly by and watch him successfully become a Saint."
Zhenyuanzi also agreed: "Indeed. Kunpeng entering the Demon Court is like seeking a tiger's skin."
"He wants to refine the Hongmeng Purple Energy in peace, difficult!"
Listening to the analysis of his two good friends, Hongyun's last trace of disappointment gradually faded.
Perhaps, losing the Hongmeng Purple Energy was truly a good thing for him.
The three chatted for a while, exchanging some Cultivation insights.
Hongyun had settled a major matter in his heart and was in high spirits.
Zhenyuanzi was also happy for his good friend.
The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
After a while, Wu Ming looked at Zhenyuanzi, his expression becoming serious.
"Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi."
Seeing the change in Wu Ming's expression, Zhenyuanzi also restrained his smile: "What is it, Fellow Daoist Wu Ming?"
Wu Ming slowly spoke: "This poor Daoist indeed has one matter; I would like to ask Fellow Daoist for help."
"This matter... is of great importance, and only Fellow Daoist can do it."
Zhenyuanzi's heart stirred; for Wu Ming to be so serious, it must not be a small matter.
He had known Wu Ming for many years and was well aware of his character; he never easily asked others for help.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, please speak freely."
Zhenyuanzi sat up straight.
"As long as this poor Daoist can do it, I will not refuse."