Ao Guang curled his lips disdainfully and muttered.
"Though you're my senior, your cultivation has been crushed down to Golden Immortal by karmic force. Stop putting on airs."
"None of your juniors are worth much either. The Dragon Race at least has four Golden Immortals."
Several dark lines appeared across Yuanhuang's forehead as he forced a smile at Li Yuan and the others.
"It is truly an honor for the Phoenix Race to have you young friends visit the Southern Blazing Undying Volcano."
"Please, come inside. Let us sit and talk."
Li Yuan and the others entered the palace and took their seats.
Ao Guang eagerly followed after them.
Yuanhuang was the first to ask.
"May I ask why you young friends have brought Ao Guang here?"
He was actually somewhat uneasy.
He had no idea when Ao Guang had gotten involved with disciples of Saints.
If the Saint's disciples had come to persuade them to submit—
It seemed there was no path left for them other than surrender.
Even at its peak, the Phoenix Race had not possessed the strength to challenge three Saints.
Meanwhile, within the Eight Scenery Palace, Yuanshi clenched his fists inside his sleeves. Suddenly, he sent out a jade slip and said with a smile,
"I saw that child Kong Xuan earlier. His talent is excellent, and he would be very suitable for my Exposition Sect."
As soon as he said this, Tongtian tilted his head and stared at Yuanshi with a strangely wary gaze.
"Second Brother, don't you look down on those covered in fur and scales, born damp or hatched from eggs?"
Yuanshi instantly flushed red and hurriedly responded.
"What are you saying? Since I accepted Yellow Dragon, doesn't that mean I no longer have such prejudices?"
"As a Saint, as one of the managers of the Primordial World, I must treat all living beings in the Primordial World equally."
"Third Brother, that way of thinking is not good."
After saying that, he resumed his solemn demeanor.
This left Tongtian completely dumbfounded.
That way of thinking is not good?
Treat all beings equally?
Guangchengzi suddenly received a jade slip from his master.
"You are to take the initiative and invite Kong Xuan into the Exposition Sect."
He came back to his senses, though he was somewhat puzzled.
Wasn't Master unwilling to accept those covered in fur and scales, born damp or hatched from eggs?
His master's command could not be defied, so he said directly,
"My master has seen that Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan possesses extraordinary talent and wishes to accept him into the Exposition Sect as a personal disciple. I hope Senior Yuanhuang will grant this request."
In an instant, the atmosphere froze once more. No one spoke; everyone remained silent.
Xuandu frowned tightly and muttered in confusion.
"Second Martial Uncle is taking a bird clan member as a personal disciple?"
Li Yuan also wore a deeply suspicious expression.
"Have I been too trapped by my preconceived notions?"
Duobao shook his head and sighed.
"This is no less shocking to this daoist than the Wu-Demon races making peace."
Only Ao Guang's heart suddenly twitched as he stared wide-eyed at Kong Xuan.
If I'd known you were the one joining the Exposition Sect, I wouldn't have mocked you earlier!
Yuanhuang was struck by the sudden surprise. Only after a moment did he recover, wild joy appearing on his face.
A Saint's personal disciple, with a Saint as his backer—and one of the Three Pure Ones, whose reputation was the best!
He had never imagined that the declining Phoenix Race would receive such an opportunity.
Yuanhuang grabbed Kong Xuan's head and pressed it down toward Guangchengzi.
"My son agrees! My son agrees! My son agrees!"
Li Yuan raised an eyebrow and coughed twice.
"Don't you think you're a little too excited?"
Yuanhuang came back to his senses and realized he had lost his composure. He gave an embarrassed laugh.
He released the hands holding Kong Xuan's neck.
Once Kong Xuan stood back up, his face was full of confusion.
"I... I'm a Saint's personal disciple now?"
Li Yuan said with a cheerful smile,
"That's right. Besides, Fellow Daoist, your talent is exceptional. To be honest, staying at the Southern Blazing Undying Volcano is somewhat of a waste."
"If you join the Exposition Sect and receive a Saint's careful guidance, your future achievements will surely be immeasurable."
Ao Guang squatted in the corner and said sourly,
"Old bird, your son has become a Saint's disciple. Don't you think you should show some appreciation?"
Ah, that does remind me!
Yuanhuang came back to his senses and hurriedly took out five treasures.
"Please do not dislike them, young friends. The Phoenix Race's foundation cannot compare with the Dragon Race's. These are merely humble gifts; please accept them."
"These are Yuanfeng's Essence Blood, the Southern Blazing Fire Source, Qilin's Broken Horn, Phoenix Divine Feather, and a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Phoenix Feather Flying Blade!"
Li Yuan happily accepted Yuanfeng's Essence Blood and the Southern Blazing Fire Source.
Yuanfeng's Essence Blood could be combined with the Dijun's Essence Blood he had obtained earlier to cultivate the Nine Revolutions Chaos Art.
As for the Southern Blazing Fire Source, it happened to share the same source attribute as the Southern Earth Detaching Flame Light Flag.
"Thank you for your generosity, Senior Yuanhuang. We will certainly take good care of Kong Xuan."
After saying that, he saw Xuandu, Guangchengzi, and Duobao hesitating.
Li Yuan quickly advised them earnestly.
"Take them. If you do, Senior Yuanhuang will feel more at ease. Once we accept these treasures, Kong Xuan will definitely receive better treatment after joining the Exposition Sect."
"Besides, if you don't take them, how can I take mine? If I don't take mine, how can everyone benefit?"
Xuandu and the other two looked at one another.
"That does seem to make sense. This daoist will take Qilin's Broken Horn for alchemy."
"Since Eldest Senior Brother has taken his choice, then the Phoenix Divine Feather shall go to this daoist for refining qi."
"This daoist is Duobao, so naturally I should take this mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure."
Xuandu, Guangchengzi, and Duobao all smiled as they bowed to Yuanhuang.
"Thank you for your generosity, Senior."
Yuanhuang hurriedly waved his hands.
"As I should, as I should. You young friends have worked hard making this trip."
Kong Xuan sat to one side with a bewildered expression, saying nothing and having no idea what was happening.
Weak, pitiful, and helpless.
Li Yuan brought the conversation back on track.
"There is one more matter regarding the conflict between the Dragon Race and the Phoenix Race."
"The Dragon Race's actions outside are all thunder and no rain. They have had no real effect on the Phoenix Race. This is mainly so Ao Guang can account for himself before Ji Meng."
"For this daoist's sake, have a drink and let the matter pass. We're all brothers here."
Yuanhuang and Ao Guang exchanged glances. Then Guangchengzi's voice sounded beside their ears.
"Yellow Dragon and Kong Xuan will be fellow disciples from now on. Consider it yourselves."
As soon as those words fell, the two immediately clinked cups and drained their wine in one gulp.
Yuanhuang was the first to speak.
"Back then, it was my fault for plotting against Ji Meng, causing him to suffer unjustly and be expelled from the Dragon Race. If there is an opportunity, I will personally apologize to Ji Meng."
Ao Guang was also broad-minded and replied with a smile.
"Good. I hope that opportunity comes. Since that is settled, I shall take my leave first."
The mission had already been completed. It was time to return and report.
"Farewell!"
After Ao Guang left, Yuanhuang, Li Yuan, Xuandu, Guangchengzi, and Duobao began chatting casually.
They would all be relatives in the future, and getting acquainted could only be beneficial.
At the same time, Li Yuan's clone did not forget to continue writing in the Diary.
Meanwhile, Demon Saint Ji Meng, who was overseeing this place, nodded with a smile.
"Not bad, very good. It seems Nephew Ao Guang has been quite diligent."
Boom—!!!
Ji Meng suddenly frowned and stared toward the Southern Blazing Undying Volcano, muttering,
"Why have the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas all retreated?!"
Before you continue