Chapter 12 | A Socially Anxious Immortal Seeks Merit Online

Soon, everyone awakened from their epiphanies.

Hongjun looked at the crowd below the platform, his expression serene. “This lecture concludes here. I shall commence the second lecture three thousand years from now. I hope you all return and comprehend what you have learned well.”

He paused briefly before continuing, “Furthermore, the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity has only recently subsided, yet the countless immortals of the Primordial World remain loose and chaotic, causing frequent slaughter and conflicts that threaten to trigger another great calamity... Today, by the will of the Heavenly Dao, I shall establish the Heads of Male and Female Immortals to bring order to the Primordial World.”

All he needed to do was read the lines provided by the Heavenly Dao.

Hongjun gathered his sleeves and glanced at the varied expressions of the crowd below.

All three thousand guests of Purple Heaven Palace felt a sudden jolt in their hearts. Countless expectant, curious gazes turned toward the high platform as everyone harbored their own speculations.

Dijun and Taiyi moved slightly, harboring secret expectations.

The Three Pure Ones sat motionless with calm expressions, though Tongtian had a somewhat bored look on his face.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a look, thinking to themselves that these Heads of Male and Female Immortals couldn't possibly govern the West anyway—not that they cared to be governed in the first place.

Hearing this, the Twelve Ancestral Witches wore expressions full of disdain. No matter who it was, there was no way they could boss the Wu tribe around—otherwise, their fist-sized iron knuckles weren't just for show...

Yuan Heng also looked at the Dao Ancestor atop the high platform with curiosity. According to her memory, the Heads of Male and Female Immortals should be Duke of the East and Queen Mother of the West.

She just didn't know which specific individuals they were yet.

Yuan Heng stealthily peeked left and right, but she still couldn't match any face to those names.

Hongjun's gaze swept past the extraordinarily 'active' Yuan Heng in a flash before scanning the hall, speaking calmly, “Where are Duke of the East and Queen Mother of the West?”

From within the crowd below, a man and a woman stepped forward in response.

Duke of the East wore a purple cloud Daoist robe. He was tall and straight, his hair bound by a jade crown, with handsome features.

His brows tilted slightly upward, carrying a touch of arrogance, while an obvious joy was painted across his face.

Yuan Heng's gaze landed on him, blinking curiously. Whoa, how could someone naturally radiate such an aura of smug arrogance?

Walking around the Primordial World like that... is he really not afraid of being beaten to death?

Ah, wait, didn't he actually get beaten to death later on?

Yuan Heng glanced at Dijun and Taiyi in front of her, then shifted her gaze to the other protagonist.

What a gorgeous, cool-and-aloof big sister~

Queen Mother of the West wore plain white robes, her expression cool, elegant, and dignified, with a simple, refined hair bun—she was the very definition of celestial grace.

The two walked beneath the high platform, bowing their heads low.

They had truly become the center of attention for the entire hall.

Glancing at Duke of the East, whose face held hints of expectation and pride, the Dao Ancestor thought to himself that the Heavenly Dao was probably somewhat blind.

This guy doesn't look like someone who could govern the Primordial World no matter how you look at him.

But he said nothing. Though he didn't understand, he respected the decision.

“Duke of the East, you embody innate Pure Yang. Today, I decree you as the Head of Male Immortals in the world, bestowing upon you the Dragon-Head Cane to command all Yang male immortals of the Primordial World and oversee the Immortal Registry.”

A ray of golden light shot out from Hongjun's fingertip, and an ancient dragon-headed walking stick floated before Duke of the East, radiant with spiritual treasure aura.

Duke of the East's heart surged with excitement as he bowed to receive it. “This disciple respectfully obeys the Dao Ancestor's decree!”

Having listened to his preaching, referring to himself as a disciple was acceptable enough.

Hongjun then turned to the woman beside him, “Queen Mother of the West, you embody innate Supreme Yin. Today, I decree you as the Head of Female Immortals in the world, bestowing upon you the Immortal-Gathering Flag (the Plain White Cloud-Boundary Flag of the West) to command all Yin female immortals of the Primordial World and manage the Roster of Female Immortals.”

Another beam of light fluttered down, revealing a plain flag shimmering with brilliant colors before Queen Mother of the West, radiating a gentle treasure aura.

Queen Mother of the West remained calm and composed, bowing gracefully. “My thanks to the Dao Ancestor for the bestowal.”

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Hongjun was about to dismiss the crowd when his eyes suddenly met Yuan Heng's—her wide, sparkling, expectation-filled eyes brimming with curiosity.

Hongjun: Ah... Do you want one too?

But this seat is a hot potato.

Yuan Heng, who was actually just curious: ???

Looking at his ideal dream disciple staring so longingly, Hongjun felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.

The time has not yet come.

Hongjun closed his eyes briefly. “You may all depart.”

The immortals bowed together toward the high platform and dispersed one by one.

Yuan Heng followed the crowd outward. She had barely taken a few steps before Taiyi called out from behind her, “Hey, you, the flower-blooming one...”

???

Turning around, Yuan Heng saw Taiyi's face, brimming with arrogance and wild pride. She hesitated between bolting away and stopping.

Well, we'll see each other again anyway. You can run, but you can't hide forever.

Yuan Heng allowed a perfectly calculated touch of curiosity into her eyes. “Fellow Daoist Taiyi, what is it?”

What's up?

The lecture is over and he still won't let it go—does he finally want to beat me up after class?

Waaa, please no.

“What is your name?”

“Ah? Um... I am Yuan Heng.”

Taiyi narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips curving upward slightly. “Yuan... Heng. I've remembered it.”

Yuan Heng: !!!

Why remember me?! Please don't!

Standing beside him, Dijun helplessly nudged his somewhat edgy younger brother with his elbow. “Taiyi, enough. Don't frighten this Fellow Daoist.”

Wasn't it just being chased over and mocked by those two big brutes Zhurong and Gonggong earlier?

Why turn around and intimidate this young Fellow Daoist?

Taiyi rubbed the back of his head where Dijun had tapped him. “Aiya, Big Brother, give me some face in front of others.”

Can't you see I'm still threatening someone here?

After lodging his complaint against his dear elder brother, Taiyi looked up right into Yuan Heng's eyes, which were filled with rich amusement.

Taiyi: “...”

Oh no, my cool image is ruined.

Taiyi's face instantly flushed bright red, and he bolted toward the main entrance without stopping.

Dijun nodded slightly at Yuan Heng before departing as well.

Watching the backs of the two brothers as they walked away, Yuan Heng clicked her tongue inwardly. Lives so full of vitality... are they destined to head toward their predetermined end as well...?

Once outside Purple Heaven Palace, the crowd grew lively.

Kunpeng glared at Hongyun with utter contempt and hostility. He wanted to strike, yet was quite wary of Zhenyuanzi standing beside him.

He could only shoot countless deathly glares at Hongyun, hoping to stare him to death.

Hongyun: Eh? Why does Fellow Daoist Kunpeng keep staring at me? Could he be captivated by my handsome face?

Zhenyuanzi, who knew everything: “...”

Of course it's because he's petty and hates your guts, hey!

As for his other two nemeses... Jieyin and Zhunti had long since slipped away, being practically the first to sprint out of Purple Heaven Palace's gates.

Yuan Heng thought to herself that appearances were truly deceiving.

Those senior and junior brothers were seated on the Six Sages prayer mats, quite far from the gates, yet they moved with such remarkable agility. They clearly were terrified of trouble finding them.

Jieyin & Zhunti: Of course! In order to dodge Kunpeng, we didn't even have time to solicit you!

Yuan Heng's gaze shifted back to the Three Pure Ones, as things were getting quite lively around them.

Brandishing his newly bestowed authority like a grand mandate, Duke of the East approached the Three Pure Ones with a beaming smile to recruit them.

Naturally, that was impossible. The arrogance between his brows wasn't hidden in the slightest—and besides, those were the Three Pure Ones!

Manifested from Pangu's Primeval Spirit, how could they possibly submit to a self-proclaimed Head of Male Immortals?

Yuan Heng clicked her tongue silently. Being so full of himself, no wonder he brings calamity upon himself later. Look at Queen Mother of the West—she doesn't put on airs like this at all.

His strength isn't top-tier, yet instead of keeping a low profile, he accepts such a hot potato. Dijun and Taiyi over there are already glaring at him like hawks.