Volume One: The Lich Cataclysm Chapter 143: Hongjun Accepts Disciples and Bestows Treasured Artifacts

At this moment, Hongjun seemed utterly unaffected by the monumental changes his words had set into motion. He turned his gaze toward Taiqing the Elder on the main seat and addressed him.

“I sense that cultivation in the Primordial World is arduous. Therefore, I shall establish the lineage of the Mysterious Gate. Taiqing the Elder, you were born of Pangu’s primordial spirit and are endowed with the merit of creation. You may become my first direct disciple, the chief student of the Mysterious Gate. Are you willing?”

After speaking, Hongjun fixed his eyes on Taiqing the Elder.

Upon hearing this, Taiqing’s heart stirred, and he rose to his feet.

“I, Taiqing, pay my respects to Master!”

Hongjun looked upon Taiqing with satisfaction and then produced two treasures, speaking to him:

“These are the innate supreme treasure, the Taiji Diagram, and my frequently wielded horsetail whisk. I bestow them upon you for your protection.”

With that, he handed the Taiji Diagram and the supreme innate spiritual treasure, the Supreme Whisk, to Taiqing.

“Taiqing thanks Master for these treasures.”

Then Hongjun turned his gaze to Yuqing.

“Yu Qing, Original Beginning, you too are born of Pangu’s primordial spirit and possess the merit of creation. You may become my second direct disciple. Are you willing?”

At these words, Yuqing Original Beginning rose at once and addressed Hongjun with excitement.

“I, Yuqing, pay my respects to Master!”

Hongjun, equally pleased, took out two items and spoke to Yuqing.

“This is the supreme treasure, the Pangu Banner, unrivaled in offense, along with the Celestial Auspicious Cloud, a wondrous treasure embodying myriad laws. Use them well.”

With a wave of his hand, the Pangu Banner and the Celestial Auspicious Cloud appeared in Yuqing’s possession.

“Yuqing thanks Master for the treasures!”

Yuqing happily stored the two treasures within his primordial spirit.

Seeing the two receive Hongjun’s gifts, the others looked on with envy, wishing those treasures had been bestowed upon them. They all gazed eagerly at Hongjun above.

Yet Hongjun was unmoved, turning instead to Shangqing Tongtian.

“Shangqing Tongtian, as one of the Three Pure Ones born of Pangu’s primordial spirit, you too bear the merit of creation. You shall be my third direct disciple. Are you willing?”

At this, Shangqing promptly rose and answered Hongjun.

“Shangqing Tongtian pays respects to Master!”

With both elder brothers becoming direct disciples, Tongtian did not hesitate in the slightest and agreed immediately.

Hongjun looked at Tongtian with satisfaction and took out several treasures.

“As my third direct disciple, you too should have treasures by your side. I now grant you these.”

He bestowed upon Shangqing Tongtian the Heavenly Dao treasure, the Six Souls Banner, the supreme innate spiritual treasure Heart-Piercing Lock, as well as the Fisherman’s Drum and the Purple Lightning Hammer.

Afterward, Hongjun studied Tongtian for a moment and, as if hesitating, produced another item.

The moment this item appeared, countless mighty ones present felt the overwhelming surge of killing intent.

“This is a unique treasure, also a great formation. However, it is incomplete. Should you one day find the means to restore it, it will surpass even an innate supreme treasure. Yet beware—its killing aura is immense; when complete, none but four Sages may break it. Use it with caution.”

In the end, Hongjun still handed the incomplete Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation to Tongtian, reminding him to be prudent. At the same time, he openly explained the method to break the formation before all the assembled mighty ones.

Tongtian gratefully accepted the treasures and bowed deeply.

“Tongtian thanks Master for these treasures.”

He took to heart only the words that when complete, only four Sages could break the formation. Sometime later, after receiving the treasures, Tongtian carefully asked Hongjun,

“Master, where exactly are the missing parts of this item?”

“Very well, since you ask, I will tell you. This formation originally belonged to the Demon Ancestor Luohu. Later, three swords and the formation’s core fell into my hands, while the last sword was taken by my old friend Qingxuan.”

Tongtian, like the countless others present, fell silent at these words. Still, he did not give up hope of someday obtaining the final sword.

Unaware of Tongtian’s thoughts, Hongjun then turned to Nüwa.

“Nüwa, great merit awaits you in the future. You may become my final disciple. Are you willing?”

Upon hearing this, Nüwa rose at once and bowed deeply.

“Nüwa pays respects to Master!”

Hongjun, pleased, spoke,

“As my final disciple, you too should have treasures for your protection. Take these two items.”

He brought out the supreme innate spiritual treasures, the Map of Rivers and Mountains and the Red Embroidery Ball, giving them to Nüwa.

Nüwa happily received them, placing them within her primordial spirit.

“Nüwa thanks Master for the treasures!”

She then returned to her seat.

After Nüwa was seated, Hongjun made no further mention of accepting disciples. At this, Zhunti and Jieyin grew anxious.

Zhunti began to wail and plead before Hongjun,

“Master Sage, please have pity on us brothers. The West is truly destitute—please accept us as your disciples!”

The two of them continued to cry and beg, leaving the assembled mighty ones dumbstruck.

At last, Hongjun could only sigh and say,

“Very well, since you are so insistent, I shall accept you both as registered disciples.”

Upon hearing this, many mighty ones in the hall thought, “So that’s an option!” and began to plead as well.

“Master Sage, please have mercy and accept us!”

Hongjun replied with a cold, expressionless voice,

“Do not persist. You are fated only to hear the Way from me, not to form a bond of master and disciple. Do not force it.”

Seeing Hongjun so resolute, the assembly dared not press further, fearing they might anger the Sage and lose even the chance to hear his teachings.

Zhunti and Jieyin, noting that Hongjun had not bestowed any treasures upon them, continued to beg,

“Master, our West is so poor, we have not a single decent treasure. We beg you to grant us a few for our protection!”

Seeing this, Hongjun reluctantly took out a few items.

“Here is the Guiding Banner, the Divine Scepter, and the Six Pure Bamboo.”

Just as he finished speaking, he received a message, and another item appeared in his hand.

“And also this Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus. I give these to you both—may you always keep the West in your hearts.”

After this, Hongjun ignored them.

The two, overjoyed at receiving four treasures, thanked Hongjun with broad smiles.

“We, Jieyin and Zhunti, thank Master Sage for these treasures.”

They then stored the items within their primordial spirits.

Just as they thought the matter was concluded, Hongjun suddenly addressed the entire hall.

“Eastern King and Western Queen, step forward!”

The two, hearing Hongjun’s summons, approached joyfully and bowed deeply.

“We, the Eastern King and Western Queen, greet Master Sage!”