Laozi's expression was heavy, his heart clouded with a persistent worry. His concern was far from groundless; in the entire Great Desolation, there were few with the motivation to hold a grudge against them, and even fewer with the power to actually harm them. Aside from Ling Xiao, he truly could not fathom who else would target them so precisely.
Yuanshi's eyes shifted at the mention of the name, but he quickly gave a dismissive laugh. "It is a possibility, but we have already Achieved Sainthood (achieve sainthood). We are no longer the beings we once were."
"Furthermore, we have Third Brother's Immortal Slaying Formation (Immortal Slaying Formation). There is absolutely no need to dread Ling Xiao."
As he spoke, Yuanshi glanced at Tongtian, as if asking: Is the formation ready? Tongtian gave a subtle nod, signaling that everything was in place. With that, Laozi dropped the subject, feeling perhaps he had indeed been overthinking.
In the next moment, Yuanshi's Dao-sound (dao sound) boomed across the Honghuang World, announcing that the Sanqing would soon open the heavens to preach the Dao. All who held an affinity were welcome to attend. The world erupted in a frenzy. Five Saints preaching—what did that mean? It meant the opportunity to "take flight" five times over! A single session of a Saint's lecture was worth eons of bitter cultivation.
The Sermon War
Time flew. The Sanqing and the Western Duo (Two Sages of the West) began establishing their Dao-sites within the Chaos (Chaos), much as Nuwa had done. At their realm, carving out a minor world within the primal void was a simple task.
Across the Great Desolation, powerful silhouettes flew from famous mountains and hidden immortal caves, racing toward the Chaos. This wasn't just about listening to the Dao; it was common knowledge that the Saints intended to recruit Disciples (Disciple). For many, this was the ultimate opportunity to find a protector.
With the Witch and Demon Races locked in a tense standoff, the threat of war loomed over everyone. If an immortal could hide under a Saint's banner, their future would be secured. Even many Great Demons from the Yao Race—inherently selfish beings who only followed strength—were looking for a way out. They had been proud when the Yao were strong, but now that the race was declining, they sought a new "Thigh" to cling to before the Witches could strike.
The Witch Race, seeing the world's focus shift to the Saints, also took the chance to breathe, their strained nerves finally relaxing.
Yuanshi's Humiliation
In the Chaos, the Sanqing established separate Dao-sites. Since their doctrines differed, they could not preach together. They had hoped to encounter Ling Xiao during the process to settle their old scores, but when he failed to appear, Yuanshi "magnanimously" declared that they would spare his life for the time being.
However, a problem arose within Yuqing Heaven (Yuqing Heaven).
Yuanshi sat upon his throne, his face dark. While many came to hear him, the "top-tier" experts and those with the best innate potential were few and far between. The crowds at Laozi's, Tongtian's, and even the Western Duo's Dao-sites were of significantly higher quality.
The reason was a dagger to Yuanshi's pride: the Eye of Divine Punishment incident. Because he had been wounded and forced to bow in front of the entire world, a rumor had taken root. Most living beings now believed that Yuanshi was the "Weakest Saint"—or at the very least, the one with the least "Face."
He could hear their whispers, hidden and vague, but the intent was clear. Yuanshi felt his scalp tingle with rage. Only his status as a Saint kept him from blowing a breath of wind to erase the lot of them.
"Bastards! Ignorant, blind wretches!"
His hatred for that giant eye now rivaled his hatred for Ling Xiao. He suspected Ling Xiao was behind it, but he couldn't be sure. Regardless, that eye was now second on his hit list. As the appointed time arrived, he suppressed his fury and began his lecture.
The Return of the Variable
Eons seemed to pass as the sermons reached their conclusion. Most attendees were satisfied, having gained profound insights. However, those in Yuqing Heaven were different. Whether it was a psychological bias or fact, they felt Yuanshi's lecture was... lacking. The number of people achieving breakthroughs was noticeably lower than in the other Dao-sites.
Subtle hints and snide whispers began to circulate. No one dared say it aloud, but the consensus was forming: Yuanshi truly isn't that great.
In truth, this had nothing to do with Yuanshi's skill. It was because the quality of the "talent" that chose his heaven was lower to begin with. As the saying goes: If you can't hit the target, you blame the gravity.
Yuanshi knew what they were thinking, and it drove him to the brink of an outburst. You're all talentless trash, and you're blaming me? Should I just pour my own magic power into your heads directly?
Just as he was about to pick out a few "troublemakers" to make an example of, his heart skipped a beat. A primal instinct made him snap his head toward a specific corner of the void.
The Void Realm (Void Realm) rippled. A figure slowly manifested, clad in a Grandmist Sun, Moon, and Star Robe. Everywhere the figure stood, the laws of creation flickered and died; the very fabric of Yuqing Heaven began to groan and buckle.
"I heard you've all been looking for me. You just won't let it go, will you?"
"Ling Xiao! You actually dare to show your face!"
"Good! Good! Good!"
Yuanshi was ecstatic, his joy bordering on the fanatical. He had been looking for a way to vent his rage, and Ling Xiao had delivered himself to his doorstep. By suppressing or defeating this peerless enemy in front of everyone, his reputation would be redeemed instantly. The title of "Weakest Saint" would be burned away forever.
The immortals remaining in the hall were dumbstruck. They stared at the terrifying silhouette, questioning their own eyes.
"Ling Xiao is still alive?!"
They remembered his lonely back as he walked into the Chaos eons ago, assuming that was his end. To see him reappear now, challenging a Saint in his own domain... was he insane? Or... had Ling Xiao also attained Sainthood?
The air grew heavy with anticipation. Ling Xiao wouldn't come here to die. He had a hidden card—and the world was about to see it.