"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, not only did we gain nothing from the last opportunity, we were even injured. How about we let this matter rest?"
Dijun stepped forward and spoke.
Though he did not explicitly lower his head, everyone present could clearly hear the concession in his words.
Clearly, he had become somewhat wary.
"It is not impossible to let the matter rest. That depends on whether you have sufficient sincerity."
Tongtian chuckled softly, his expression meaningful.
After returning to the island, he intended to enter Closed Door Meditation and cultivate, strengthening himself before formally establishing a sect and accepting disciples.
By then, he would naturally need all sorts of precious resources.
Yet he did not have much in reserve.
So he set his sights on them.
The Demon Race had vast lands and countless members. Though the resources in their treasury were not top-tier, they made up for it in sheer quantity.
As for Laozi and Yuanshi, he had long had his eye on that Heaven and Earth Mystic Yellow Exquisite Pagoda.
This time, he could simply go with the flow and take advantage of the situation.
"Then what compensation does Fellow Daoist believe we should offer?"
As the saying went, one had no choice but to bow beneath another's eaves.
Dijun not only feared the Tongtian before him, but also dreaded what he would become in the future.
After all, Tongtian held the foundation for becoming a Saint.
Even if he failed to Attain Dao Through Strength and instead cultivated the path of Slaying the Three Corpses, he would eventually become a Saint.
It was merely a matter of sooner or later.
If they did not settle this karma now,
it would likely become even more troublesome in the future!
Especially since the Demon Race would inevitably wage war against the Witch Race in the future.
If Tongtian supported the Witch Race then, the consequences would be unimaginable!
"Half the resources in the Demon Race Treasury."
Tongtian raised one finger.
"What? No!" Taiyi's expression changed drastically, turning as dark as the bottom of a pot.
This was far too ruthless!
Though the Demon Race had not occupied the entirety of the Primordial Wilderness, its members were innumerable.
They were spread across mountains and rivers. Accumulated little by little, their resources were incomparably abundant!
"If you think that is too great a loss, you may exchange the Chaos Bell instead. I would not mind."
Tongtian's smile vanished, and his tone became indifferent.
Yet it was precisely that indifference that made Dijun's heart tremble even more.
Before Taiyi could speak, he decisively agreed.
"If Fellow Daoist trusts us, once I return, I will have the resources delivered to your abode."
Hiss!
The moment those words were spoken, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath rang through the void.
Half the resources of the Demon Race Treasury!
And he was simply giving them away!
Such boldness truly befitted the ruler of the Demon Race!
The great powers sighed inwardly, their gazes unconsciously turning toward Tongtian with a trace of fervor in their eyes.
They had already begun considering whether they should join the Interception Sect.
"Big Brother..."
"Say no more!" Seeing that Taiyi still wanted to speak, Dijun immediately shot him a glare and stopped him from continuing.
Though he felt reluctant, resources were ultimately dead things, while people were alive.
As long as they lived, losing a few treasures was hardly a major matter.
If they truly pushed the other party too far, the consequences would be unbearable.
What use would ten treasuries be then?
"Good." Seeing how sensible he was, Tongtian nodded slightly before shifting his gaze to Laozi and Yuanshi.
"I wonder what compensation Third Brother desires?"
Laozi understood that this matter could no longer end peacefully, so he chose to be direct.
Yuanshi's face darkened beside him, and the anger in his eyes was nearly impossible to conceal.
But at his elder brother's signal, he could only forcibly suppress the fury in his heart and remain silent.
"I am quite interested in your Houtian Treasure of Merit—the Heaven and Earth Mystic Yellow Exquisite Pagoda."
Tongtian smiled faintly and revealed his true goal.
If demanding half the Demon Race Treasury had already been extortionate,
then this was outright pushing his luck.
The great powers watching from the sidelines immediately exchanged glances, utterly shocked.
That was a spiritual treasure comparable to an Innate Supreme Treasure!
It was exceedingly rare even in the entire Primordial Wilderness!
Its value far surpassed that of the Demon Race Treasury!
"Tongtian, you have gone too far!"
Unable to endure any longer, Yuanshi roared, and his aura suddenly erupted.
The great powers hurriedly retreated, afraid of being caught in the fallout.
Slap!
A crisp, resounding slap exploded through the void.
Immediately afterward, Yuanshi was sent flying backward for a full million li.
When he finally stabilized himself, his cheek was already swollen high and bright red.
Everyone's expressions changed in shock, their eyes filled with disbelief.
He could not even withstand a single move?
Was this the true strength of a Quasi-Saint?
"It seems you still do not understand the gap between a Quasi-Saint and a Daluo. If there is a next time, it will not be as simple as a slap."
Tongtian's voice was icy, and his cold gaze swept across them.
Everyone who heard this felt their hearts tighten.
Clutching his swollen cheek, a flash of ruthlessness and humiliation passed through Yuanshi's eyes.
This was a blatant humiliation!
He would rather suffer injuries than be disgraced like this before everyone!
"Fine. The Heaven and Earth Mystic Yellow Exquisite Pagoda is yours. I only hope that you will show some restraint in the future."
With a sigh, Laozi took out the Heaven and Earth Mystic Yellow Exquisite Pagoda and erased his Spiritual Sense imprint.
Then, under the burning gazes of the crowd, he tossed out the pagoda.
He knew that if he refused to give it up, Tongtian would sooner or later seize it by force.
Not only would he fail to keep the spiritual treasure then, he might even be injured.
Rather than that, he might as well hand it over willingly and preserve himself.
Now that the gap between them had widened, if healing injuries delayed his cultivation further, he might as well seize the time to cultivate and enter the Saintly realm as soon as possible.
"Let's go."
Tongtian caught the pagoda in one hand. Without even sparing the others a glance, he turned and headed toward the Great Desolation Continent.
He would not show them mercy merely because they had handed over the pagoda.
As for establishing teachings among the Human Race in the future, that would depend on his mood!
Fuxi smacked his lips, finding it rather dull.
He had originally wanted to test how strong he had become.
Yet every one of them was cowardly beyond belief. No one dared make a move.
A trace of fascination flashed through Nuwa's eyes, and she hurried after him.
Seeing the varying expressions of the great powers around them, the faces of Dijun, Taiyi, Laozi, and Yuanshi became incomparably ugly.
With a cold snort, the four of them flicked their sleeves and departed separately.
Three Immortal Islands.
As they gazed at the island's dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth, so thick it seemed almost impossible to disperse, Fuxi and Nuwa could not help but marvel.
After entering Biyou Palace, Tongtian casually tossed each of them a Yellow Central Plum and instructed them:
"If there is nothing important, settle down on this island and help me watch over the Three Immortal Islands."
"I need to enter Closed Door Meditation for a time. Once I emerge, I will announce it to the Primordial Wilderness and formally establish my sect and accept disciples."
Receiving the Yellow Central Plums, the siblings nodded in agreement.
It was foreseeable that, with Tongtian's current reputation, cultivators seeking to join the Interception Sect would arrive in an endless stream.
Thinking of that scene, the two of them could not help but look forward to it.
Inside the secret chamber.
Tongtian casually refined the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda into his body, then calmed his mind.
"System, open the Attribute Panel."
Host: Tongtian Cultivation Method: Primordial Supreme Merit Origin: Top-tier Innate Divine Demon Cultivation: Early Quasi-Saint Great Dao Laws: Array Dao (50%), Sword Dao (80%), Way of Deduction (30%), Way of Creation (40%); the remaining 2,996 have yet to be comprehended. Spiritual Treasures: Growth-type supreme treasure Sect Master's Seal, Innate Spiritual Treasure Sect Master's Edict, Innate divine weapon God-Slaying Spear, Innate spiritual object Creation Green Lotus, Houtian merit spiritual treasure Primordial Measure-Heaven Ruler, Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda...
"Still 2,996 laws short. The road ahead is long."
Looking at the densely packed entries for laws on the Attribute Panel, Tongtian could not help but reveal a bitter smile.
Fortunately, the Primordial Supreme Merit he cultivated was different from ordinary methods. He only needed to thoroughly comprehend one Great Dao to enter the realm of a Saint.
If he truly had to wait until he mastered all Three Thousand Great Daos, who knew how many years that would take!
He gently shook his head, steadied his emotions, and prepared to attempt a breakthrough.
Deep within Purple Heaven Palace.
East King Duke's face was as gloomy as water, his heart restless and uneasy.
Originally, he had planned to report Tongtian to the Dao Ancestor after the lecture ended and teach him a lesson.
Who would have thought that before he could even speak, the Dao Ancestor would personally bestow Primordial Violet Qi?
That left him feeling utterly miserable.
He had clearly been appointed Chief of Male Immortals in the Primordial Wilderness, yet he had not received even a wisp of violet qi.
He was indignant, yet he did not dare say anything.
He feared angering Tongtian and being settled with later.
After leaving Purple Heaven Palace, he witnessed Dijun and Laozi being forced to back down, making him even more grateful that he had not rashly stepped forward.
Above the Sun Star.
"Big Brother, are we really going to send him so many resources?"
Watching chest after chest of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures being carried away, Taiyi's heart ached.
If these treasures were used to nurture their subordinates, they would be enough to produce a group of experts ranging from Grand Unity Golden Immortals to Daluo Golden Immortals.
Giving them away for nothing—who would not feel the pain?
"They are merely resources. In the Primordial Wilderness, these are the least scarce things."
"Do not forget that Laozi paid with a Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda worth as much as your Chaos Bell."
"Surely you do not intend to keep these things and trade your Chaos Bell instead?"
Dijun waved his hand, looking entirely unconcerned.
Taiyi, however, could not help twitching his mouth upon hearing the words "Chaos Bell."
Unless someone had water in their brain, no one would make such a losing trade!
At the peak of Kunlun Mountain.
"Big Brother, Tongtian has become more and more heartless. He has no sense of honor at all!"
Yuanshi was furious, his heart filled with resentment.
That had been his elder brother's natal treasure, something comparable to an Innate Supreme Treasure.
It had been forcibly demanded just like that. Besides his indignation, he could not help feeling a trace of envy and jealousy.
Then he thought of the countless spiritual treasures Tongtian possessed, while the brothers did not even have treasures for Slaying the Three Corpses. It was truly miserable.
"It is merely being stored in his hands for now. So long as we are the first to attain the Dao and become Saints, I will make him spit it all out with interest!"
Thinking of the humiliation from before, Laozi's gaze immediately turned cold.
He would never let this matter rest.
It was simply not yet the right time, so he could only endure.
Hearing this, Yuanshi was initially stunned before suddenly understanding.
"Elder Brother truly has far-reaching vision."
Within Mount Sumeru.
"Senior Brother, the favor we owe Hong Yun this time is truly enormous."
Zhunti rubbed his faintly aching forehead, his face full of worry.
This involved the karma of two Saintly Positions. Its weight was immense.
Before you continue