Everyone Who Sees It Gets a Share
The battle between the Demon Dao and the righteous paths has ended, and the ultimate victor is undoubtedly Hongjun. However, the curtain has not been completely lifted, as there are still many loose ends to be cleaned up.
For example, there are the remnants of those Chaos Demon Gods, and a large number of unclaimed spiritual treasures.
He originally thought that even if the group of Chaos Demon Gods elders outside the formation hadn't suffered heavy casualties, at least some of them would have been injured.
Once he finishes dealing with Luohou, he can conveniently take all the scattered spiritual treasures and, incidentally, collect the corpses of these old bones—that would be a truly Merit deed.
Hongjun's abacus was clicking away so fast that the beads were practically bouncing off the face of the Chaos Demon Gods.
But the result was completely unexpected and not at all what he had imagined.
Samsara, the Yellow Springs, the Piaomiao... none of them on his side died, and even the chaotic group on Luohou's side were full of life.
Hongjun couldn't even find the slightest injury on these old guys. The reason they were covered in dust and their clothes were slightly dirty was because they couldn't dodge in time when Luohou self-destructed and transformed into the Demon Realm.
Good heavens, that's really good heavens!
So all that loud fighting outside was just an act? If you're going to act, at least act properly! You didn't even get a scratch. Does that make sense?
They've been fighting for a hundred thousand years, and it's all just about human relationships and social niceties, isn't it?
They only used half their strength when fighting, but now that they're fighting for the magical treasure, they're all going all out.
But all these magical treasures are mine, mine, all mine!!
Hongjun, feeling a surge of suppressed anger, was about to collect the nearest Zhuxian Formation Diagram and the Four Swords of Immortal-Slaying.
But the Ancestor of Samsara beat him to it, not only snatching the array diagram away but also saying something.
"Brother Hongjun, don't forget what you said when you asked us to help. You only wanted to eliminate the Demon Dao and protect all living beings. All the spoils of war would go to the fellow Daoists who helped you. You, Hongjun, wouldn't take a single needle or thread."
"What, are you planning to take back what you said, fellow Daoist?"
Hongjun took a deep breath. He had indeed said that, not taking a single needle or thread.
So he wanted to take everything except a needle and thread.
However, this idea is unrealistic now. The Chaos Demon Gods have already formed a united front. When facing Hongjun, their auras are intertwined, and they advance and retreat together, giving Hongjun no chance whatsoever.
Individually, they might not be a match for Hongjun and his three corpses, but if they were to band together and fight to the death, Hongjun would have to consider whether it was worth it.
Moreover, an oath is an oath. Even if he is a Daoist, he cannot break his promise and forcibly take it on the spot.
Therefore, Hongjun tolerated it.
"I only intervened to help you stop the magical treasure."
"Thank you for your kindness, fellow Daoist, but this is a trivial matter and you need not trouble yourself. After a great battle, you should focus on healing your injuries."
That's pretty clear, you can go rest now.
Hongjun nodded. He could give up the other spiritual treasures, but he would never give up the floating Heavenly Book.
The Heavenly Book Investiture of the Gods List of Gods is a document appointing officials according to the Heavenly Dao. It's no exaggeration to say it's his lifeline; whoever tries to take it will die.
"The other spiritual treasures are for you to take yourselves, fellow Daoists. However, the Heavenly Book concerns my attainment of Dao and is something required by the Heavenly Dao. It was not included in my promise to you fellow Daoists, so I must take the Heavenly Book. I apologize."
Before Hongjun could finish speaking, he swayed and stood in front of the Heavenly Book, reaching out to grab it.
Sensing the Heavenly Dao Power on Hongjun, the Heavenly Book actually cooperated very well, even actively flying towards Hongjun's palm.
Just as the Heavenly Book was about to fall into Hongjun's hands, the space in front of Hongjun twisted into a pretzel shape, forcibly pulling the Heavenly Book out of Hongjun's hands.
It was Yangmei who made the move; he had already attained the Chaos Great Unity Golden Immortal and the Heavenly Venerable Dao Fruit.
At this level, Top-grade Innate Spirit Treasures are of little use, and even Innate Supreme Treasures are not very useful.
That's why Hongjun, after becoming a saint, gave away all the spiritual treasures as gifts. Since they were useless anyway, he figured he might as well use them to gain favor with others.
But the Heavenly Book is different; it involves the authority of the Heavenly Dao. If he could seize a portion of the Heavenly Dao's authority, he might be able to get himself a visa.
Being self-sufficient, having plenty of food and clothing, and incidentally manipulating others—what a wonderful thing that would be!
"Yangmei, you've attained enlightenment and become Primordial Unity Heavenly Venerable?"
With just one glance, Hongjun guessed Yangmei's cultivation level. Even with his current strength, he couldn't see through her, so there was only one possible outcome.
Yangmei followed the Principle Proving the Dao, becoming Chaos Great Unity Golden Immortal amidst Chaos, and ultimately achieving the position of Primordial Unity Heavenly Venerable.
Yangmei Mei smiled and said, "That's right, I still don't like being constrained, and the position of Sage is not suitable for me."
"Then why must you, fellow Daoist, try to seize the Heavenly Book from me?"
"Fellow Daoist Hongjun, everyone who sees it should get a share. Don't be so stingy."
Is this a petty thing to do?
There's no room for negotiation on this; he'll fight anyone who tries to take it from him.
Yangmei yanked hard, and the Heavenly Book flew into his hand. Although it resisted fiercely and Hongjun tried his best to stop it, it was all in vain.
"This Heavenly Book seems quite intriguing to me. I'll take it and study it for a few hundred eons. If I still can't figure it out, I'll return it to you later, okay?"
You big idiot!
Do you think I'm stupid enough to get back what you stole?
Even if he can't get his hands on this, it absolutely cannot fall into Yangmei's hands.
With this thought in mind, Hongjun held nothing back and unleashed his most treasured possession, the Creation Jade Disc.
The Creation Jade Disc was originally a Chaos Treasure, but it was broken. Hongjun obtained most of the fragments and pieced them together, but it was only restored to the level of Chaos Spirit Treasure. Moreover, its main function is to record the Three Thousand Great Daos, and its offensive and defensive capabilities are not particularly outstanding.
Even with the Heavenly Dao Power now, Hongjun knew very well that it was still not enough to suppress Yangmei, who was at the Heavenly Venerable First Heaven.
They were even less able to snatch the Heavenly Book from him.
If we can't win by force, then we shouldn't let anyone have it.
Therefore, Hongjun did not try to pull the Heavenly Book away, but instead struck it directly in front of the Heavenly Book with all his might. The collision of the Heavenly Dao's power and his own power shattered the void instantly.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Heavenly Book broke free from Yangmei's control, transforming into an elusive stream of light that pierced through the chaotic void shattered by their battle, disappearing without a trace.
This was something Yangmei hadn't anticipated. He hadn't expected Hongjun to be so decisive and resolute, saying he didn't want it anymore.
Even with Yangmei's abilities, it's impossible to know where this Heavenly Book will end up in the Primordial World.
"Hongjun, you have quite a strong grip."
Yangmei wasn't annoyed. He said with a half-smile, "Anyway, I'm not at a loss."
So who lost out?
The one who suffered the most was, of course, Luohou, along with the three ancestors who were tricked to death. Hongjun also felt that he had suffered a great loss.
Upon closer examination, the benefits he gained from this trip were far below his expectations.
There are still too many of these remnants of the Chaos Demon Gods alive, but we can't touch them now. We can only wait until we become Heavenly Dao Sage before we can slowly devise a plan.