Chapter 722 - 33: Afterwards (The Grand Finale)

In the morning.

Yang Mei was the very first willow tree since the Creation of Heaven and Earth—and a hollow one at that. He was classified as a [Class One] Innate Divine Demon, as defined by the "Innate Divine Demon Management Regulations and Methods," and was also a newly-ascended [Dao Fruit Celestial Saint]!

"Fellow Daoist Yang Mei!"

The one calling out was Red Cloud, who had formed from the first crimson cloud since the Creation of Heaven and Earth. According to the regulations, he was a [Class Two] Innate Divine Demon.

"Fellow Daoist Red Cloud..."

Yang Mei spoke with a smile, leaning on his old staff:

"Hongjun Dao Ancestor is about to begin his sermon on the Great Dao. Shall we go together?"

"Of course."

Red Cloud also smiled and nodded, then spoke in a hushed, mysterious tone:

"Speaking of which, I have some insider information. This time is going to be different. The Dao Ancestor himself plans to personally appoint nine [Controllers]. They will take turns watching over the world, maintaining this golden age, and doling out rewards and punishments..."

"Is that true?" Yang Mei was visibly startled. He asked in astonishment, "Is your source reliable?"

"Of course it is!"

Red Cloud thumped his chest, making a series of loud thuds.

"I got it from Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan Zi. You know him—he's an Eternal Being from the last Era. Would he ever say something that wasn't true? Besides..."

After a brief pause, Red Cloud continued:

"I also heard that the Dao Ancestor will make an exception and accept the nine chosen [Controllers] as his personal disciples!"

Yang Mei swallowed hard. 'A disciple of the Dao Ancestor...'

He was clearly tempted, but his excitement quickly turned to dejection:

"I suspect we won't have a chance. Those positions are probably reserved for the [Eternal Beings] from the last Era. Sigh..."

Sighing, the two Innate Divine Demons exchanged a few more pleasantries, then set off side-by-side toward the [Purple Cloud Palace].

As they entered the Purple Cloud Palace, Yang Mei looked up and saw, just as he'd expected, nine cushions arranged at the very front. A wondrous, profoundly mysterious radiance swirled above them.

Merely gazing upon them seemed to bring great enlightenment, instantly clarifying many long-held doubts!

Yang Mei couldn't help but swallow again. Not daring to compete for a seat, he pulled Red Cloud back to stand obediently and wait quietly.

As time went on, more attendees arrived. The majority were legendary [Eternal Beings]—powerful entities who had survived from the previous Era to the present day.

A smaller portion were Innate Divine Demons born in the current Era, along with some other beings who had been judged to be of great merit and virtue.

"That's Fellow Daoist Kunpeng! It's said he was an acquaintance of the Daoist Ancestor in the last Era!"

"That's Fellow Daoist Fengdu! Rumor has it he was in charge of all souls in the previous Era!"

"And that's..."

Watching these great figures arrive one after another, Red Cloud couldn't help but sigh in awe, his eyes filled with envy. 'If only I had been born in the last Era,' he thought.

The number of beings in the Purple Cloud Palace gradually grew. Once the count reached three thousand, the great doors boomed shut.

At that exact moment, on the highest cushion in the Daoist Palace, the white-haired, time-worn [Hongjun Dao Ancestor] materialized. Simply by sitting there serenely, he commanded the absolute attention of every being present.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor gazed upon the three thousand attendees and said with a smile:

"Today, I shall speak of the Great Dao. I speak to old friends, and to those of great merit and virtue."

"The path of cultivation begins with Qi Refining and Transformation, progresses through Qi Refining and Divinity Transformation, Refining the Spirit and Returning to Void, and Refining Void and Merging with the Dao. From there, one reaches the Golden Immortal Fruit Position, the Taiyi Fruit Position, and the Daluo Fruit Position, before finally culminating in the Dao Fruit Celestial Saint. Each step is a world unto itself..."

The Daoist Ancestor spoke with divine eloquence. With every word, heavenly flowers rained down and Golden Lotuses burst forth from the ground. After concluding this wondrous sermon on the Dao, his tone shifted:

"I wish to establish nine positions for [Controllers], whom I will personally appoint. Any [Controller] who is not already a member of the [Great Dao Committee] will be listed as a prospective member. The regulations concerning [Controllers] can be reviewed at your leisure later..."

Many beings in the Daoist Palace stared with wide eyes. Aside from Hongjun Dao Ancestor, the Great Dao Committee had only three permanent members in total.

They were [Taiqing the Great Venerable], [Yuqing Primordial Heavenly Venerate], and [Shangqing Spirit Treasure Great Heavenly Venerate]!

But now, the Great Dao Committee was going to add new members?

Could the three permanent members become four, five, or even more?

Amidst the astonishment of the assembled beings,

Hongjun Dao Ancestor gestured lightly toward the cushions:

"Bodhi, you may take a seat."

Holding the Seven Treasures Miaoshu, Bodhi looked up in astonishment. He bowed respectfully before cautiously seating himself cross-legged on one of the cushions.

"Amitabha, you may take the second seat."

Amitabha also performed a respectful bow.

"Houtu."

"Haotian."

"Kong Xuan."

"Wa."

"Emperor Jun."

"Xi He."

One being after another was named. Every single one of them shared a distinct trait: they were all [Eternal Beings] from the previous Era, and what's more, they were all [Dao Fruit Celestial Saints]!

Many of the other beings sighed, believing their chance at the final seat was gone...

"Yang Mei, you may take the ninth seat."

Yang Mei looked up, overjoyed. He instantly understood. It seemed the nine positions weren't based on one's personal relationship with the Daoist Ancestor—all nine members were [Dao Fruit Celestial Saints]!

Once all nine seats were filled,

Hongjun Dao Ancestor waved his hand. A gray stone materialized, suffused with a boundless, precious light that illuminated everything!

He said with a smile:

"Given the special nature of the [Controller] position—which requires monitoring all beings in the world and maintaining the Existence of the [Hongjun Era] and the [Era of Great Harmony]—I will bestow a great treasure upon each of you. If a [Controller] loses their virtue, their Supreme Treasure shall be reclaimed..."

As he spoke,

The large gray stone expanded, transforming into a massive boulder. The boulder then instantly fractured, and one by one, Supreme Treasures emerged from within.

The Qing Ping Sword, the Heaven-Opening Banner, the Taiji Diagram, the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Exquisite Pagoda, the Three-Bejeweled Ruyi, the Four Immortal Slaying Swords...

After the nine great treasures were bestowed, Hongjun Dao Ancestor looked satisfied. He glanced at [Supreme Celestial Battle Daoist Monarch] Chong Shanhu and gave a slight nod. The latter understood immediately, stepped forward, and cleared his throat.