Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu were originally flattered and about to perform a great禮 to Dao Ancestor Hongjun. Upon hearing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words, they froze on the spot, unsure of what to do.
They exchanged glances and shook their heads, unable to comprehend Dao Ancestor Hongjun's sudden pronouncement.
The sentient beings in Zixiao Palace, hearing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words and witnessing the scene before them, were also stunned.
Were Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu not personally enfeoffed by Dao Ancestor Hongjun as the heads of male and female immortals last time?
For this reason, everyone had always regarded Dao Ancestor Hongjun as the greatest backing for Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu.
Some sought refuge in the Immortal Court, while others wished to maintain good relations with them, believing that offending these two was tantamount to offending the one behind them.
Now, seeing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's demeanor, it seemed that the relationship between Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu and Dao Ancestor Hongjun was not as normal as they had thought.
At least, it was not what they had imagined!
Xu Fang, among the sentient beings, watched this scene and also lamented Dao Ancestor Hongjun's ruthlessness.
He had truly abandoned Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu like discarded pawns, casually tossing them aside.
Xu Fang didn't even need to speculate about conspiracy theories, as the supreme treasures in the chat group were already in an uproar.
[Dragon Head Crutch: Must you be so heartless and unjust, so ruthless?]
[Kunlun Mirror: I knew it. The biggest obstacle to Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu's survival was never the Wu and Yao tribes, but Dao Ancestor Hongjun himself!]
[Jade Butterfly of Fortune: I regret to say I cannot help. To be frank, how could Hongjun not know the situation of Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu? This is merely a way to distance himself.]
[Immortal Slaying Sword: That's exactly it. Clearly, Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu's survival does not align with the expectations of our Dao Ancestor Hongjun!]
[Pangu Banner: I am simply impressed by Hongjun, that old schemer. Does he wish for them to die so badly? After all, they helped him stabilize his destiny. Truly heartless!]
[God Slaying Spear: I've always said this old man Hongjun is no good. He uses people and then discards them!]
[Red Brocade Ball: You still have the nerve to say that? If you and Luohu had been more capable back then, Hongjun wouldn't have had a chance!]
[God Slaying Spear: As if I didn't give my all! That Luohu was useless, and I'm just a supreme treasure!]
[Dragon Head Crutch: Show some respect! This is a matter of life and death for us, and you're bringing up old grievances, not taking us seriously at all!]
[Kunlun Mirror: Indeed, the joys and sorrows of supreme treasures are not shared!]
[Chaos Bell: Haha! While I sympathize with your plight, I must say that with this, our Yao clan is finally unsealed and can attack the Immortal Court with impunity!]
[Seven Treasures Tree: Not bad, not bad. My Western realm, forget it. Those two in the West are scared stiff and probably won't have any thoughts.]
[Heaven Measuring Ruler: Utterly shameless!]
[Ruyi Jingu Bang: Yes, shameless Hongjun, who discards his tools after use, and the shameless Yao clan, who take advantage of others' misfortune!]
[Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda: I couldn't agree more. The Primordial Era is too deep, and we truly cannot grasp it!]
All the supreme treasures understood that, with just a simple word from Dao Ancestor Hongjun at this moment, he had subtly distanced himself from Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu, making his stance clear.
There was no need to think further. After this, it was equivalent to unsealing the Wu and Yao tribes, and Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu would face immense pressure.
Xu Fang listened to the conversation among the supreme treasures and sighed inwardly.
"Dong Wanggong's beginner's protection period has finally expired."
Just now, he had been fortunate that Dong Wanggong had survived by chance and that some things could be changed.
Now, it seemed that his existence clearly did not align with certain people's expectations, and his desire to help Dong Wanggong would become even more difficult.
Looking around, seeing everyone lost in thought, Xu Fang understood that the sentient beings present had basically grasped Dao Ancestor Hongjun's attitude.
Especially Hou Tu of the Wu tribe, who was deep in thought, and Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi of the Yao tribe, whose eyes burned with fiery intensity, made Xu Fang couldn't help but mourn for Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu.
Everyone had always believed that Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu were protected by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, so they either joined the Immortal Court or kept their distance, avoiding offending them.
The Wu and Yao tribes, because of Dao Ancestor Hongjun, had always refrained from attacking Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu, allowing the Immortal Court to develop.
Now, seeing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's attitude, how could they not be stirred, contemplating how to deal with Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu!
In such a situation, Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu were in grave danger!
Xu Fang observed their reactions, looked at the bewildered Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu, then at the aloof Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and sighed helplessly.
It seemed that completely changing this comedic fellow's fate was indeed fraught with difficulties!
He had initially rejoiced that Dong Wanggong had survived and could leverage this to change things. Now, it seemed he had escaped the immediate danger only to face greater peril.
The sentient beings present had their own realizations. Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu, as the parties involved, were too flustered and panicked to think so much.
They stared blankly at Dao Ancestor Hongjun, wanting to speak but holding back, hoping he would explain more clearly.
However, after Dao Ancestor Hongjun uttered his nonchalant words, letting everyone ponder, he ignored Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu and spoke directly.
"This time, I will expound upon the path of Quasi-Saints for you all, hoping to open the road to Quasi-Saint for you. I will lecture for three thousand years, and I hope you will listen attentively and not miss this opportunity."
With Dao Ancestor Hongjun speaking thus, Dong Wanggong and Xi Wangmu, however confused, dared not neglect the lecture.
They immediately bowed silently to Dao Ancestor Hongjun and sat down dejectedly, deeply troubled.
However, as Dao Ancestor Hongjun began his lecture, all the sentient beings were immersed in it, paying no mind to his despondency.
Xu Fang was slightly surprised. He had brought the little qilin with him, concealed within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, to sneak into Zixiao Palace and listen to the lecture, yet he had not been discovered?
The Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda was also curious and boasted about this in the chat group, soon facing ridicule from the treasures of Zixiao Palace, led by the Jade Butterfly of Fortune.
In their view, in Dao Ancestor Hongjun's eyes, these were all trivial matters of no consequence, not worth his attention.
Xu Fang chuckled inwardly at this. The Dao Ancestor's aloofness had actually provided the little qilin with a great opportunity.
"Never mind, dwelling on it is useless. I should listen to the lecture first!"
Seeing Dao Ancestor Hongjun lecturing incessantly, Xu Fang quickly cast aside his miscellaneous thoughts and began to listen intently.