CHAPTER 1943: CHAPTER 1224: PURPLE QI OF HONGMENG (PART 2)

"There are two sacred positions opened up, no, I should say three."

Jiang Chen glanced at the two strands of Purple Qi of Hongmeng in his hand and reached out once more, remarkably retrieving another strand of Purple Qi of Hongmeng from the void.

Upon seeing this strand of Purple Qi of Hongmeng, many of the Great Divine Transcendents present changed their expressions.

Because everyone was familiar with this strand of Purple Qi of Hongmeng, especially Jiang Chen, who could not be more familiar with it, as he once possessed this strand of Purple Qi of Hongmeng for a time.

Yes, this strand of Purple Qi of Hongmeng was the very one that the Daoist Ancestor had once bestowed upon Jiang Chen. But later, with Jiang Chen’s downfall, this strand of Purple Qi of Hongmeng disappeared between Heaven and Earth.

In search of this Purple Qi of Hongmeng, the Great Divine Transcendents of the Prehistoric World searched for countless years without any success. They presumed it had long been reclaimed by the Daoist Ancestor, but unexpectedly, it was still wandering between Heaven and Earth.

Thinking of this, many understood that they were fated not to have this Purple Qi of Hongmeng. Otherwise, despite its presence between Heaven and Earth, they would not have failed to find it after such a long search.

"Jiang Chen, I bestowed you the Purple Qi of Hongmeng, hoping you could use it to sever causes and focus on your practice, thereby naturally aspiring to the sacred position."

"But you, after obtaining the Purple Qi of Hongmeng, still went your own way, traveling and visiting friends everywhere, completely neglecting your cultivation."

"As a result, this led to your deadly calamity."

Looking at Jiang Chen’s greatly changed expression, Daoist Ancestor Hongjun spoke with anger at his lack of progress.

Speaking of the Daoist Ancestor calculating Jiang Chen through the Purple Qi of Hongmeng leading to his death at the hands of the Underworld River and Kunpeng, truthfully, it was somewhat unwarranted against the Daoist Ancestor.

Daoist Ancestor Hongjun was such a person, and all those of his era knew he was a master of intrigue and machination.

If he truly intended for Jiang Chen to die, there were countless ways for it to happen without leaving a trace, entirely unnoticeably.

Why bother using the Purple Qi of Hongmeng as a trap, leaving evidence? Totally unnecessary.

Regarding Jiang Chen’s death, it can only be said that he brought it upon himself. Unlike the Six Saints, the Daoist Ancestor never said he would certainly become a saint.

The Daoist Ancestor was almost explicitly telling Jiang Chen that the Purple Qi of Hongmeng was dangerous, and to be careful not to let it be snatched away.

Thus, if it were anyone else in Jiang Chen’s position, wouldn’t they normally find a place to hide and focus on cultivation until they became a saint and then ventured out?

Yet Jiang Chen took the Purple Qi of Hongmeng and paraded it openly, as if afraid others wouldn’t come to take it.

Too ostentatious, Jiang Chen’s death can only be said to be self-inflicted, not blaming anyone else.

Moreover, if Jiang Chen had truly hidden in the Fire Cloud Cave after obtaining the Purple Qi of Hongmeng and focused on cultivating, he indeed could have achieved sainthood.

Jiang Chen failed to become a saint not due to insufficient talent or lack of fate but because of the excessive entanglements he carried.

As the first Red Cloud to transform between Heaven and Earth and using the world’s first Cave Heaven as his Taoist Field, Jiang Chen truly had unique advantages.

His origin, among the many Innate Saints, was considered outstanding, truly having the bearing of becoming a saint. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have arrived at Zixiao Palace so early and occupied a cushion.

It was precisely because he befriended others everywhere, resulting in many entanglements with them, that led him to foolishly give up his position.

According to Daoist Ancestor’s thinking, although Jiang Chen had many entanglements, most were not deep. If he had secluded himself in the Taoist Field for one or two Quantitative Calamities, until those he was entangled with passed away, he could have roughly achieved sainthood.

This was Jiang Chen’s path to sainthood—gradually enduring it. But Jiang Chen refused, wandering outside, wasting Daoist Ancestor’s deep intentions and bringing about his own demise.

The Jiang Chen of the past did not understand these things; only after suffering a fatal blow did he come to fully grasp Daoist Ancestor’s intentions, leading to deep regret.

But alas, there is no remedy for regret in this world; even if he regretted it, it was too late, the bitter fruit he brewed could only be swallowed with tears.

"Teacher..."

Jiang Chen, filled with shame, gazed at Daoist Ancestor Hongjun, though he had a thousand words in his heart, he found himself speechless.

He owed the most to his teacher. If he had understood his teacher’s good intentions sooner, he wouldn’t have ended up in this current predicament.

"Jiang Chen!"

"Forget about the sacred position."

"Anyone can become a saint, except you. I once offered you the sacred position, yet you failed to cherish it, losing it altogether."

"The sacred position is incredibly precious. Once missed, it is forever lost."

Seeing Jiang Chen like this, Daoist Ancestor Hongjun couldn’t help but let out a long sigh and then told him a harsher reality.

In this life and world, there is no chance for him to become a saint.

Even someone as meritorious as Jiang Chen lost his qualification to become a saint after previously refusing it, let alone being part of the Heavenly Dao.

The status of a saint is so precious; being given one chance is already a great fortune, so how can there be a second chance?

Jiang Chen missed it, and there’s no chance of becoming a saint again.

"Sigh..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen’s face filled even more with shame and also with helplessness.

This was all self-inflicted, and no one else could be blamed.

"Three strands of Purple Qi of Hongmeng mean three sacred positions. Regarding Jiang Chen’s strand of Purple Qi of Hongmeng, as I see it, it should choose its master independently."

"Yet, who could have thought that, after countless years, not one person met the requirements to become a saint."

"Indeed, it is a failure in my teaching. I cannot be considered a qualified teacher, only teaching them abilities without educating them on the roles of saintliness and godliness."

After finishing with Jiang Chen, Daoist Ancestor Hongjun began reflecting on himself.

No matter the excuse, over eighty percent of the Great Divine Transcendents in the Prehistoric World were his disciples, taught by him. Now that his disciples caused trouble, he had an inescapable responsibility.

"Teacher, calm yourself!"

"It is our reckless actions, unrelated to the teacher. May the teacher calm his anger."

Hearing this, regardless of their true thoughts, everyone had to show expressions of shame on the surface. Besides, they couldn’t let Daoist Ancestor Hongjun continue his discourse.

Daoist Ancestor Hongjun is the embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, and every action of his is recorded by the Heavenly Dao. His evaluation of everyone today is no exception.

Initially, due to the reformation of Heaven and Earth, the new era beings did not much understand them, while the old era beings might have some knowledge, but would surely not dare to outwardly proclaim it.

This was a rare chance to wash away their past and emerge as praised sages and saints.

But with Daoist Ancestor’s words, as future generations utilize Divine Ability to deduce today’s events, who would believe they are saints any longer?

So, they could not let the Daoist Ancestor go on; otherwise, how could they reform themselves?

Seeing everyone like this, the Daoist Ancestor fully understood their hopes. Truly, they resembled him in many ways.

These were all leftover deeds from Daoist Ancestor’s past. How many of the strong individuals today know what Daoist Ancestor was like before the Great Ancient?

None knew, for any accounts of that time were erased by Daoist Ancestor, revealing only his most perfect side to the world now.

Everyone intended to emulate Daoist Ancestor, erasing all black marks and presenting their best selves to the world once more.

Having discerned their intentions, the Daoist Ancestor chose to refrain, giving them a chance to reform their ways.

...

After briefly addressing them, Daoist Ancestor Hongjun spoke of the allocation issues regarding the three strands of Purple Qi of Hongmeng.

"I have reclaimed Jiang Chen’s Purple Qi of Hongmeng and will decide at a later time who is suitable to receive it. As for Nuwa’s Purple Qi of Hongmeng, it will be left to the Human Race, as a form of compensation."

"Regarding the Upper Qing’s Purple Qi of Hongmeng, I have decided to hand it over to Taiqing and Yuan Shi, to complete the bond of brotherhood among them three."

At this point, Daoist Ancestor Hongjun looked toward the Upper Qing Saints, clearly seeking his opinion.

In response, the Upper Qing Daoist did not object; with his master having spoken, he could not refuse this honor.