Chapter 157: Head of the Female Immortals

The aura of tribulation.

The "Principles of the Dao" expounded by Saint Hongjun were, unexpectedly, the very tribulation he was already familiar with.

Sensing a wisp of tribulation aura emanating from Hongjun's entire body and subsequently attaching itself to the gathering of Da Luo immortals, Hongying's expression remained completely unchanged; only a brief tremor stirred within his heart.

Bathed in this aura, Hongyun instantly felt his own Da Luo Golden Immortal Dao fruit stirring restlessly, as if eager to follow suit and achieve a breakthrough through accumulation and refinement.

He reined in his thoughts and temperament, quietly observing the scene unfolding before him while doing his utmost to suppress his own aura.

For he knew that now was not the right time for him to undergo a tribulation.

Firstly, within him resided the powers of one Yin tribulation and four Yang tribulations, and for the moment, he had no idea which kind of tribulation power he should use to derive and comprehend the laws, and thereby attain the realm of a Quasi-Sage.

The fundamental principles behind this still required his own careful deliberation.

Didn't he still have the rewards from last time that he hadn't yet carefully examined? It mattered not; once he thoroughly studied everything within them, it would not be too late to sort this matter out.

Secondly, his eyes had discovered the trickery hidden within, and he feared lest any complications arise.

The tribulation power utilized by those Da Luo Golden Immortals who had already broken through to the realm of a one-corpse Quasi-Sage all originated from the Daoist Hongjun, and thus carried a somewhat similar aura.

If he were to break through using the tribulation qi he had already acquired, he would stand out among them like a beacon in the pitch-black night, utterly out of place.

He had no desire to court attention on account of this, nor did he wish to spawn any additional complications.

......

At this moment, the expounding of the scriptures had concluded, but the multitude of Da Luo Golden Immortals, along with the few supreme masters who had already attained the status of one-corpse Quasi-Sages, were all immersed in contemplating the profound mysteries.

Some who were originally at the early stage of the Da Luo Golden Immortal realm had unconsciously advanced to the middle stage.

As for those who were already in the middle and latter stages, they had consequently reached the threshold of a breakthrough.

Of course, those who gained the most this time were none other than those great figures who had already ascended to the realm of one-corpse Quasi-Sages.

Saint Hongjun's discourse this time had primarily focused on the concept of the Quasi-Sage and expounded the method of the Quasi-Sage.

They had already reached a state where their cups were full and overflowing; with just a slight impetus, they easily stepped across that thin threshold.

"The discourse of the Dao this day spans countless words, yet the various realizations and insights are by no means identical."

Just as the host of Da Luo Golden Immortals were immersed in their comprehension, Daoist Hongjun's voice, resounding like morning bells and evening drums, directly imprinted itself into the depths of their souls and minds.

Had these words been uttered by a mere Da Luo, causing chaos and hoping to walk out of Purple Heaven Palace alive, they would merely be dreaming.

Yet, when they opened their eyes in anger, only to discover it was Saint Hongjun who spoke, their fiery wrath instantly dissipated.

Even if they didn't wish to extinguish it, there was no other choice.

"Now, the great tribulation is approaching. Although all you Da Luo Golden Immortals and one-corpse Quasi-Sages may not currently be caught within the tribulation, it is still hard to say.

If you choose to close your mountain gates and quietly recite the scriptures, that might suffice; naturally, you could remain aloof from worldly affairs.

However, should you become embroiled in the tribulation, beware of the destruction of both body and soul, plunging into a doom from which there is no return."

These words were spoken quite slowly, causing the expressions of everyone present to change in unison.

The implication was all too obvious: this was a warning for them to behave and remain well-behaved.

Seeing the scene plunge into an extraordinary silence, Hongjun did not say anything further. His gaze fell upon the two young attendants standing beside him, an unfathomable aura flickering within his eyes.

A moment later, he collected his thoughts, and his countenance grew hazy once more.

"Nevertheless, no matter how the Primordial Universe changes and shifts, it naturally requires governance. The Wu clan is flourishing like the midday sun, and the Demon clan has already formed a great climate.

Furthermore, there are those numerous male and female immortals. Taking advantage of the conclusion of this discourse on the Dao, I shall make one matter clear:

My attendant, Yaochi, has accompanied me for countless kalpas. Though her cultivation level has not appeared remarkable, she has actually been sealed by this poor Daoist and has already reached the peak of the Da Luo Golden Immortal realm."

Once these words were spoken, all the Da Luo Golden Immortals felt a wave of shock in their hearts, involuntarily raising their eyes to look at Yaochi.

Yet the young attendant Yaochi appeared before their eyes just as before—a delicate and demure maiden with a dazed expression, entirely devoid of any discernible aura, which only made them find it even harder to credit.

Some of these Da Luo immortals had existed since the opening of the heavens and the birth of consciousness in the Primordial world.

Through endless epochs of bitter cultivation, only today had they finally stepped into the realm of the Da Luo Golden Immortal.

What was the origin of this little attendant by Hongjun's side that she had already attained the peak of the Da Luo Golden Immortal realm?

Paying no heed to the astonishment of the Da Luo Golden Immortals, Hongjun cast his gaze upon Yaochi.

"Child, do you understand the Dao of Slicing the Three Corpses that I have expounded?"

Hearing this, a trace of bewilderment appeared in Yaochi's expression. She nodded, then shook her head.

"Reporting to Master, this attendant understands, yet somehow feels as though she does not understand."

Hearing this, Hongjun laughed heartily, and a spiritual treasure appeared out of thin air, coming to rest before Yaochi.

This spiritual treasure possessed a phoenix-headed wooden body, yet not the slightest trace of aura emanated from it.

"This is the Phoenix-Headed Staff, a spiritual treasure I have prepared for you. Holding this treasure, you shall wield the authority over female immortals and become the head of the female immortals of the Primordial world."

Ah?

Oh......

Hearing this, Yaochi was startled for a moment, but she still reached out to receive it, immediately dropping to her knees upon the ground.

"This attendant thanks Master."

Seeing this, Hongjun said nothing more, merely nodding slightly and quietly watching the Phoenix-Headed Staff undergo blood recognition and bonding with its master.

Yaochi felt as though a phoenix had flown forth from the staff, merging into her primordial spirit. Without encountering any resistance, it became her weapon as naturally as water flowing into a channel.

When she raised her eyes to examine the Phoenix-Headed Staff closely, she could not help being struck with profound shock:

The internal prohibitions within this Phoenix-Headed Staff numbered seventy-two in total—it was a Prehistoric Supreme Treasure!

Next should be Junior Brother Haotian, right.....

Thinking thus in her heart, Yaochi kept her expression unchanged as she bowed even lower, entertaining these thoughts.

In her view, whatever she did, she always did alongside Haotian.

Since Master had conferred upon her the title of some grand "Head of Female Immortals," then Junior Brother Haotian must surely be made the Head of Male Immortals, right?

......

Is it my turn now? Is it my turn?

Haotian thought to himself.

Just as Yaochi had imagined, Hongjun had always treated his two attendants equally.

Without exception.

In his view, this time would naturally be no different from the past.

Even all the Da Luo Golden Immortals, along with the supreme masters who had just attained the one-corpse Quasi-Sage realm, thought the same in their hearts.

Before reaching the Quasi-Sage realm, one held only reverence for a Saint.

Only upon reaching the Quasi-Sage realm could one more clearly perceive the vast chasm between oneself and a Saint.

Yet things fell short of expectations.

Saint Hongjun raised a hand and pointed directly at Dongwangong, who was seated in the second row.

At this moment, his voice no longer sounded as before, but instead carried the majesty of the heavenly might, brook no doubt:

"As for the head of the male immortals of the Primordial world, the heavenly secrets have long since been revealed; it is none other than Dongwangong, the Da Luo who achieved the Dao in the East."