"On one side was Fellow Daoist, your solemn reminder, on the other was the premonition of death that made me restless, and then there was my compassion for those two from the West…"
"Ultimately… ultimately, I still couldn't withstand that unseen pressure and the reluctance in my heart… and chose to give up my seat."
"After giving up the seat, the sense of crisis instantly disappeared, but in my heart… it felt empty, as if I had lost something incredibly important."
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun finished speaking, his face full of regret and lingering fear.
Wu Ming listened quietly, his face devoid of any change in expression.
As expected, how could the Heavenly Dao's grand trend be so easily altered?
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun's character was a contributing factor, but that clear sense of crisis was probably the real key that made him give up his seat.
That was the hidden interference and calculation from the Heavenly Dao, or rather, from the Saints.
Using Fellow Daoist Hong Yun's inherent character flaw, coupled with the threat of death, they forced him to comply.
This futon was originally prepared for Jieyin and Zhunti.
Wu Ming understood in his heart, looking calmly at Fellow Daoist Hong Yun.
"Fellow Daoist, do you know that what you gave up was not just a seat?"
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun suddenly looked up, his face showing even deeper confusion.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, what do you mean by that?"
Wu Ming did not answer directly, but instead asked a question.
"Fellow Daoist, have you ever considered why, in the vast Purple Cloud Palace, with three thousand powerful beings gathered, only those six futons were different?"
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun was stunned; he had never deeply considered this question.
"Why?" Fellow Daoist Hong Yun truly didn't know. He only felt that the futons were profoundly mysterious. Sitting on them, one's Primordial Spirit became clear and aligned with the Dao. It was indeed a great Opportunity, but he had never deeply considered its true meaning.
Zhenyuanzi also frowned, clearly having his thoughts stirred by Wu Ming's words.
"Because those six futons were prepared by the Saint for his future Disciples."
"Buzz!" Fellow Daoist Hong Yun felt a roar in his mind, and his entire being was stunned.
"Disciples?" Zhenyuanzi exclaimed, his face also showing an expression of disbelief.
"Not only that."
"Those who obtain those futons, barring any accidents, will all… be able to become Saints in the future!"
"Wh-… What?!" Fellow Daoist Hong Yun suddenly stood up.
"Become a Saint… a Saint position?!"
Zhenyuanzi also showed a shocked expression, his hand holding the teacup suspended in mid-air.
"Fellow Daoist, what you said… is it true?"
"Absolutely true." Wu Ming's tone was decisive.
Zhenyuanzi's face was also filled with astonishment as he looked at Wu Ming.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, this matter is of great importance. You… how did you know such details?"
Wu Ming met Zhenyuanzi's gaze.
"This matter concerns the secrets of my Witch clan, so it's not convenient to elaborate." Wu Ming did not go into detail, "But every word I say is true. After the second lecture concludes, Fellow Daoist will naturally understand that what I said is not false."
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun slumped back down, disheartened: "So… am I not… giving up a Saint position?!"
Wu Ming looked at his appearance and continued to speak.
"Initially, I thought so too." Wu Ming shook his head, "But only after hearing Fellow Daoist's detailed account of his feelings when he gave up his seat did I fully understand."
"Those six positions, from the very beginning, were prepared for the Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti."
"The grand trend of the Heavenly Dao, the calculations of the Saints, Fellow Daoist… you were destined not to be able to sit firmly in that position."
"That's right…" Fellow Daoist Hong Yun suddenly understood, then smiled bitterly, "No wonder… no wonder when I was unwilling to give up my seat, such a strong sense of crisis arose. So, it was the will of Heaven…"
Wu Ming changed his tone and said: "What Fellow Daoist should consider most now is not the lost Saint position that never belonged to you. Rather, it is how to resolve the Karma between you and Kunpeng."
"Because Fellow Daoist gave up his seat, it indirectly led to Kunpeng losing his position. Although Kunpeng would ultimately have found it difficult to retain his position, he is unaware of the inside story and will only blame Fellow Daoist."
"Regardless of the true ownership of the futon, in Kunpeng's eyes, it was you who first gave up your seat, which gave Jieyin and Zhunti an Opportunity, and then forced him to give up the fifth futon."
"In his eyes, what he lost was also a future Saint position!"
"Such an enmity for obstructing his Dao is irreconcilable!"
"Even if you tell him exactly what I said today, tell him that the futon never belonged to him, do you think…"
"Kunpeng, will he believe it? Will he be willing to believe it?"
Zhenyuanzi said with a solemn expression: "What Fellow Daoist Wu Ming said is absolutely correct. The struggle for Saint positions is already the greatest Karma in the Great Desolation. Fellow Daoist Kunpeng's temperament is already reclusive and vengeful. This time, he suffered such a great humiliation in Purple Cloud Palace. He will definitely blame Fellow Daoist Hong Yun for this."
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun's face once again became incredibly grim, even paler than when he had just learned of missing out on the "Saint position."
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun's expression grew even more bitter: "Alas… This matter, it truly was I who implicated Fellow Daoist Kunpeng. Even if the Saint position was predetermined, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng would certainly not believe it."
Zhenyuanzi frowned: "The Karma of a Saint position involves too much. This…"
"This… how can such Karma involving a Saint position be resolved? I'm afraid… it will be an endless struggle…" Fellow Daoist Hong Yun's eyes were filled with despair.
"Actually, it's not entirely without a way to resolve it." Wu Ming slowly began, "It just depends on whether Fellow Daoist… is willing to part with it."
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope igniting in his eyes: "Oh? Fellow Daoist actually has a way? To help me resolve this Karma with Fellow Daoist Kunpeng? Fellow Daoist, please don't deceive me!"
"Naturally not." Wu Ming's tone was firm, "Fellow Daoist and I have been friends for many years; you should know my character."
"However, there's not much use in saying this method now."
"After the third lecture, I will naturally inform you of the method to resolve it. I only hope that Fellow Daoist, at that time, will not be reluctant."
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun was unwavering and decisive.
"Absolutely not! As long as I can resolve this Karma with Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, even if I have to pay the greatest price, I will be willing!"
Zhenyuanzi looked at Fellow Daoist Hong Yun's resolute appearance, wanting to speak but holding back, finally just nodding lightly.
"I only hope that Fellow Daoist's words today are not just a momentary impulse. At that time… do not regret it or be unwilling to part with it because the price is too great."
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun took a deep breath, his eyes becoming incredibly firm. He solemnly bowed to Wu Ming.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, rest assured! As long as I can resolve this Karma with Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, even if it means giving up my entire fortune, I, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, will not even frown! I will never go back on my word!"
Wu Ming nodded slightly.
"Good, since Fellow Daoist has made this decision, then we shall speak of it after the third lecture."
What needed to be said had been said, and what needed to be pointed out had been pointed out.
With words exchanged, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat heavy.
After some more casual conversation, Zhenyuanzi and Fellow Daoist Hong Yun rose to take their leave.
"Today, many thanks to Fellow Daoist Wu Ming for speaking frankly and resolving many doubts in our hearts.
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun and I have disturbed you for too long, so we shall take our leave now."
"Once we have assimilated what we have gained, we will come to gather with Fellow Daoist again."
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun also cupped his hands in farewell to Wu Ming and the Twelve Ancestral Witches. Although his worry about Kunpeng had not lessened, he at least had a glimmer of hope for a solution.
"Farewell, two Fellow Daoists."
Wu Ming rose to see them off.
Zhenyuanzi and Fellow Daoist Hong Yun no longer lingered. They transformed into two streaks of light and swiftly departed the Buzhou Mountain territory.