All the immortals and gods in the Journey to the West world looked in the direction of the Tongtian Sect Leader with great envy.

In their hearts, they all yearned to become noble retainers of a great merchant, just like the Tongtian Sect Leader!

However, everyone knows that since the identity of the Grand Merchant's Guest Elder has such incredible power, it can enable the Tongtian Sect Master to become a saint on the spot.

Therefore, obtaining the status of a Grand Merchant's Guest Elder must be extremely difficult!

How can one become a trusted retainer of a high-ranking merchant?

'Am I qualified to become a retainer of a prominent merchant?'

This question arose in the minds of every immortal and deity from Journey to the West.

As for whether they are qualified to become a high-ranking merchant's retainer, most of the immortals and gods in Journey to the West actually have the answer in their hearts.

They understood that the probability of them having such qualifications was extremely low, or even wishful thinking!

Even so, they still couldn't completely let go of this obsession.

After all, for any Taoist practitioner, attaining enlightenment and becoming a saint is their lifelong dream.

To pursue such a dream, they are willing to risk their lives!

At this moment, a broad road to enlightenment and sainthood is right before my eyes, even though walking on this road is almost impossible.

But they still won't give up easily!

...

On Flower and Fruit Mountain.

Nuwa, Laozi, Jieyin Daoren, Zhunti Daoren, and others who previously relinquished their Heavenly Dao Saint positions along with Tongtian Jiaozhu.

We watched as the Tongtian Sect Leader instantly became a saint after signing the guest elder contract.

They were all extremely envious.

'The old Taoist and Tongtian are both members of the Three Pure Ones and were both once sages. If he could become a guest minister of the Great Merchant, shouldn't the old Taoist be able to as well?'

'However, when the old Taoist sided with Ancestor Yin, he didn't mention making the old Taoist a guest elder...'

'This shows that it's unlikely I'll be invited by Ancestor Yin to become a guest elder of the Shang Dynasty, like Tongtian did. I must take the initiative!'

"However, this matter is of utmost importance. This old Taoist must consider it carefully and must not act hastily, lest we leave a bad impression on Ancestor Yin!"

Lao Tzu pondered how he could become a guest minister of a great merchant.

At the same time.

The same applies to Goddess Nuwa, Daoist Jieyin, and Daoist Zhunti.

They, like Laozi, had already joined Yin Zicheng's camp and were now his own people.

They felt that if they took the initiative to ask to become a retainer of a major merchant, the chances of success should be quite high.

But no one was 100% sure, and they were all seriously considering how they should behave to win Yin Zicheng's favor and successfully become a retainer of the great merchant!

...

While many powerful figures in Journey to the West racked their brains to become a powerful merchant's retainer like the Tongtian Sect Leader.

Hongjun, who was imprisoned in mid-air by Yin Zicheng, was utterly astonished to see Tongtian Jiaozhu, who had just recently deposed himself, become a saint on the spot simply by signing a ridiculous merchant guest contract. He could hardly believe it, as if he had seen a ghost.

"This...how is this possible?!"

"Proving the Dao through laws is so difficult, how could he possibly have achieved it so easily?!"

Hongjun Laozu attempted to prove his Dao through the laws.

However, even with the help of a divine artifact like the Jade Disc of Creation, it was still incredibly difficult for him to prove himself through the laws of the Dao.

Therefore, Hongjun Laozu ultimately abandoned the path of proving the Dao through laws and chose the easier path of severing the three corpses.

Having tried it himself, Hongjun Laozu was very clear about the difficulty of proving one's Dao through the laws.

He couldn't believe that the path to enlightenment through the laws that he himself had chosen to give up was as easy as eating and drinking for the Tongtian Sect Leader, who directly achieved sainthood on the spot!

...

The fact that the Tongtian Sect Leader achieved sainthood on the spot greatly shocked Hongjun Laozu.

His first reaction was that it was fake, and he might be seeing a hallucination.

But upon closer reflection, Hongjun Laozu realized that he was now nothing more than a prisoner.

Yin Zicheng had no need to create such an illusion about himself, a fish that could be slaughtered at will.

In other words, no matter how incredible it may seem that the Tongtian Sect Leader achieved sainthood on the path of laws.

But these are all true stories!

'Tongtian's conditions in all aspects are inferior to those of the original body, and he has just abdicated his sainthood, so he is in a very weak state... Under such circumstances, it is simply impossible for him to attain the status of a Primordial Saint through the laws!'

'He merely signed a retainer contract with Emperor Yin Shengzu, becoming a retainer of the Great Shang Dynasty. With the help of this retainer status, how could he have undergone such an incredible transformation?'

'Just how powerful is this Great Shang Dynasty, established by the Holy Ancestor Yin? If I could become a so-called Grand Shang Guest Minister like Tongtian, what immense benefits would that bring me?'

'Perhaps, with the benefits of this guest minister status alone, I, the true self, will be able to transcend the Heavenly Dao!'

While marveling at this, Hongjun Laozu couldn't help but imagine the rest of the story.

...

However, what Hongjun Laozu didn't know was that while he was imagining things...

Yin Zicheng's superior eyes had completely seen through his thoughts.

'Tsk tsk, he actually wants to become a retainer of a major merchant and enjoy the perks of such a position?'

'I must say, he's really dreaming!'

'I, Yin Zicheng, am not that magnanimous!'

Yin Zicheng smiled gently and looked at Hongjun Ancestor, saying calmly:

"Hongjun, why are you not saying a word?"

"Do you think it's an honor to be able to entertain this Holy Ancestor?"

"Then, I, the Holy Ancestor, will grant your wish and make your fun even greater!"

The words were spoken.

Yin Zicheng waved to Hongjun Laozu.