Li Yuan stared at Ao Guang, whose attitude had suddenly changed, and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Those who recognize the times are true heroes. Fellow Daoist, you have a bright future ahead of you."
Ao Guang still wore a bitter expression as he replied.
"I only hope that you fellow Daoists will not become entangled with the Phoenix Race."
"This king can let you pass, but do not make things difficult for me."
Before him stood direct disciples of Saints, while behind him stood Quasi-Sage Ji Meng.
Neither side was a supreme existence he could afford to offend.
He could only beg these direct disciples of Saints not to do anything too excessive.
Xuandu, Guangchengzi, and Duobao had come to ease the conflict between the Wu and Demon races.
In their eyes, the Southern Blazing Undying Volcano was an excellent point of entry.
Li Yuan, meanwhile, wanted to find Kong Xuan.
He intended to recommend him to a Saint and have him accepted into the sect.
Kong Xuan's talent, combined with a Saint's guidance—
The future would surely be boundless.
Li Yuan suddenly stepped forward, hooked an arm around Ao Guang's neck, and spoke in a low voice.
"Fellow Daoist, although this is our first meeting, this daoist feels quite drawn to you."
"See those few over there? They are all direct disciples of Saints."
"Duobao, first disciple of the Interception Sect; Guangchengzi, first disciple of the Exposition Sect; Xuandu, first disciple of the Humanity Sect."
As Li Yuan continued speaking,
Cold sweat began to seep from Ao Guang's forehead.
He had initially thought they were all direct disciples of the same Saint.
Who would have thought he had gathered the Three Pure Ones synergy, and they were even first disciples—five-cost cards, no less.
Ao Guang's face turned deathly pale, and even his breathing grew hurried.
His gaze slowly shifted to Li Yuan beside him.
Those three were already so terrifying. Wouldn't this one be even more absurd?
"Hehe, this daoist is Li Yuan, one of the Humanity Sect's only two direct disciples."
Ao Guang's eyes rolled back, and he was about to collapse.
Fortunately, Li Yuan quickly pinched the spot beneath his nose.
"Fellow Daoist, your sleep quality is that good? You fall asleep the moment you hit the ground?"
"Do not sleep yet. This daoist actually has an even better way to keep you out of trouble."
Ao Guang got back to his feet and said solemnly,
"Please speak, Fellow Daoist. This king will listen attentively."
Li Yuan pointed at Xuandu and the other two, then finally at himself, smiling as he spoke.
"We are all direct disciples of Saints and represent the attitudes and prestige of three Saints. You cannot afford to offend us, right?"
"I cannot, I truly cannot."
"You are working for the Demon Court now, but you are merely under Demon Saint Ji Meng. You are relatives, so it is nothing more than a matter of saving face. You are not even part of the Demon Court's core."
"Yes, yes, Fellow Daoist is absolutely right. You see things very clearly."
"Then it is simple. We are disciples of Saints, so whatever we do is beyond your control. You are merely doing odd jobs for the Demon Court, and your salary is not much. We can simply mind our own business."
Ao Guang suddenly came to his senses and repeatedly shook his head.
"No, no. The Dragon Race has already surrounded the Phoenix Race. If I simply watch you fellow Daoists act, this king will be punished."
Li Yuan reached out and heavily patted Ao Guang's shoulder, smiling.
"Look at you, getting anxious again. I already said there was a way. I have two methods like this."
"First, let my three senior brothers beat you up. You would be unable to resist direct disciples of Saints, and then you could simply return and report back."
As he spoke, Xuandu brought out the Heaven and Earth Exquisite Pagoda, Guangchengzi brought out the Soul-Shaking Bell, and Duobao brought out the Qingping Sword.
The three of them all exuded the air of gangsters.
They wore hostile expressions as they stared fixedly at Ao Guang.
It was as though they would attack without hesitation the moment Li Yuan gave the order.
"Gulp—"
Ao Guang swallowed and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
His pleading gaze fell upon Li Yuan once more.
"Fellow Daoist, I think we should discuss the second method."
It had to be said that Li Yuan's proposal truly was a solution.
When the time came, Ao Guang could appear before Demon Saint Ji Meng covered in injuries.
Even Ji Meng would be unable to find fault with it.
Come on, they were the Three Pure Saints and the orthodox lineages of the Three Teachings.
They were merely a Quasi-Sage and a Demon Saint of the Demon Court. How could they compare?
It was just that a bruised and battered appearance would likely leave the Dragon Race with no dignity left within the Demon Court.
Thus, Ao Guang could only place his hopes on Li Yuan's second method.
Li Yuan chuckled softly.
"As for this second method, it is simple as well."
"Do you know why we came to the Southern Blazing Undying Volcano to visit the Phoenix Race?"
Ao Guang shook his head like a rattle drum, clear curiosity shining in his eyes.
"I don't know."
"It does not hurt to tell you. Second Martial Uncle Yuanshi has taken a liking to an extraordinary genius of the Phoenix Race and wishes to accept him into the sect as a direct disciple."
Li Yuan spoke frankly. He had already been considering it on the way here.
Although Second Martial Uncle disliked Wet-born and Egg-hatched Beings, with Kong Xuan's aptitude, entering the Exposition Sect should not be difficult.
After all, when it came to teaching disciples, Second Martial Uncle truly was quite capable.
Ao Guang fell into despair once more.
Direct disciples of Saints and Demon Saint Ji Meng had already been beyond his ability to offend.
Now even the Phoenix Race had become untouchable as well?
"Is that true?"
"Absolutely true!"
Hearing Li Yuan's firm reply, Ao Guang immediately began sighing.
It was over. If someone from the Phoenix Race entered a Saint's lineage,
Would they not ruthlessly strike against the Dragon Race in the future?
Li Yuan continued with a confident smile.
"This daoist knows your concern. You are simply afraid of retaliation from the Phoenix Race."
Ao Guang nodded rapidly and hurriedly replied,
"Exactly, exactly. Fellow Daoist is completely right. Please show me a clear path."
Li Yuan replied with a chuckle.
"It is not difficult. The Phoenix Race's eldest legitimate son will enter the Exposition Sect, but do not forget that the Dragon Race also has a direct descendant in the Exposition Sect."
"With Junior Brother Yellow Dragon in the Exposition Sect, they will become fellow disciples. What hatred could remain between them?"
"Do this later: have your subordinates unleash some large-scale divine abilities and techniques, then bombard the Southern Blazing Undying Volcano like mad and make plenty of noise."
"We will bring you straight to the Southern Blazing Undying Volcano, have a drink with the Phoenix Race's higher-ups, and give me some face. Then this matter will pass."
"The Demon Saint will see that you worked very hard, your relationship with the Phoenix Race can ease, and in the end, you can report back that disciples of Saints intervened."
A gleam of excitement appeared in Ao Guang's eyes.
"Wonderful, wonderful, this plan is truly wonderful."
"The relationship between the Dragon Race and the Phoenix Race may ease in the future, perhaps even improve completely."
"At the very least, we can become acquainted with several direct disciples of Saints, making it more convenient to travel through the Primordial World."
He marveled inwardly again and again before exclaiming aloud,
"I never expected that, despite cultivating quietly atop Kunlun Mountain, Fellow Daoist would possess such skill in social maneuvering."
"This king admires you, truly admires you. Please wait a moment, fellow Daoists. I will first go instruct my subordinates."
With that, Ao Guang transformed into a true dragon once more, soared into the sky, and disappeared into the mist.
Duobao frowned deeply and muttered,
"Conflicts can be resolved like that?"
Guangchengzi's eyes were unfocused as he said in amazement,
"The identity of a Saint's disciple can be used like that?"
Xuandu stared blankly at Li Yuan and murmured,
"Where did you learn all this social maneuvering?"
Li Yuan waved a hand. It was not an apology, but rather: brother, you still needed more practice.
"IP, Shandong, authority!"
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