Hong Yun's Death, Karma Settled

Longevity Mountain, Wuzhuang Temple.

Zhenyuanzi frowned tightly as he watched Hong Yun prepare to leave once again to "visit friends." He earnestly advised him, "Brother Hong Yun! The Primordial World is rife with undercurrents now. You possess a great treasure—who knows how many eyes are fixed on you! Listen to your elder brother's advice. Cultivate properly here at Wuzhuang Temple and comprehend the Primordial Violet Qi. Once you become a saint, where could you not go?"

Ancestor Hong Yun remained his usual cheerful, good-natured self, waving his hand indifferently. "Brother Zhenyuanzi, you worry too much! I, Hong Yun, treat everyone kindly. Who in the Primordial World does not know that? What enemies could I possibly have? Besides, cultivation requires a balance between work and rest. Staying in seclusion all the time will stifle me."

"I'm just going out for a stroll, visiting friends and discussing the Dao. Perhaps my state of mind will suddenly open up, and the opportunity to become a saint will come to me!"

He patted the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd tucked against his chest, as though afraid others might not know he possessed a treasure. "With this treasure protecting me, along with all the Protective Talismans you gave me, what could possibly happen? Don't worry!"

Seeing how utterly carefree he was, Zhenyuanzi was so angry he nearly tore out his beard. He knew Hong Yun's temperament well enough to understand that persuasion was useless. All he could do was stuff several life-saving Earth Evasion Talismans and an emergency communication jade talisman into his hands, repeatedly warning him, "If anything happens, crush the jade talisman immediately. I will arrive in an instant!"

"I know, I know! Put your heart at ease, Brother Zhenyuanzi!" Hong Yun laughed as he mounted his signature red auspicious cloud and leisurely departed Longevity Mountain, embarking on his "journey to his doom."

He first visited a newly acquainted rogue immortal from the "Immortal Court" in the Eastern Sea, where they spoke at length about "the future of the immortal path." Then, upon hearing that Kunlun Mountain had produced a new flavor of spiritual tea, he eagerly hurried off in Kunlun Mountain's direction...

That day, Hong Yun passed through a remote mountain range. He hummed a little tune as he admired the scenery along the way, wondering whether he could mooch some sunflower seeds from that kid Chen Song once he reached Kunlun Mountain.

Suddenly!

Whoosh—! Whoosh—!

Two brilliant, blinding streaks of golden light descended abruptly like swords tearing through the heavens, moving faster than ordinary Evasion Techniques. One blocked Hong Yun from the front and the other from behind! They were Di Jun and Taiyi, arriving with the Golden Crow Transforming into Rainbow Technique!

The phantom image of the Chaos Bell floated above Taiyi's head. Though it had yet to ring, its power to suppress the heavens and imprison space and time had already spread outward, making the space around Hong Yun thick and sluggish.

Di Jun held the River Diagram and Luo Book. This treasure could deduce Heavenly Secrets and seal off the aura of an entire region. Preventing Hong Yun from fleeing or calling for help was effortless.

"Hong Yun! Hand over the Primordial Violet Qi, and I may yet spare your life!" Di Jun's voice was icy, carrying the majesty and unquestionable authority of a Heavenly Emperor.

Hong Yun's expression changed drastically. Knowing trouble had come, he immediately summoned the Nine-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd. Crimson soul-scattering sand, containing the power to destroy souls and corrode bones, spread outward like red clouds and shielded his body. He shouted sharply, "Di Jun! Taiyi! We listened to the Dao together in Purple Cloud Palace. Why would you commit such despicable acts?"

"Elder Brother, why waste words with him? In the struggle for the Great Dao, there is no room for a woman's mercy!" Taiyi snorted coldly. Too lazy to speak further, he flicked the Chaos Bell in his arms with a finger!

Dong—!

The dull bell chime did not unleash a heaven-destroying shockwave, yet it carried a strange fluctuation that pierced straight into the primordial spirit. Ignoring the physical defense of the soul-scattering sand, it slammed viciously into Hong Yun's primordial spirit!

Hong Yun felt as though his primordial spirit had been struck by a heavy hammer. His vision went dark, his soul trembled, and even the mana controlling the soul-scattering sand stalled.

At that moment, a resentful, icy-black streak of light erupted from the shadowed void behind Hong Yun like a venomous serpent that had waited in ambush for ages!

Kunpeng had been building up power for some time. Knowing how formidable Hong Yun's treasure was, he chose to strike at the instant Taiyi used the Chaos Bell to shake Hong Yun's primordial spirit, targeting the moment his defenses were weakest!

"Kunpeng! Shameless!" Hong Yun was both shocked and enraged. He forcibly steadied his mind and drove the soul-scattering sand back in defense. The crimson curtain of sand surged toward Kunpeng like a tidal wave.

However, the three Quasi-Saints worked together flawlessly, their attacks crashing down like a raging storm.

Di Jun used the River Diagram and Luo Book to disrupt Heavenly Secrets and isolate the area from within and without. Taiyi used the Chaos Bell to assault Hong Yun's primordial spirit, disrupting the circulation of his mana. Kunpeng relied on his extreme speed and ruthless attacks, constantly seeking gaps in the soul-scattering sand's defenses to launch fatal strikes.

Though Hong Yun possessed a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure like the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd, neither his cultivation nor his combat awareness was among the best. Surrounded by three opponents of equal or even greater strength—Taiyi wielded the Chaos Bell—he was soon barely able to cope. The immortal light protecting his body flickered violently, new wounds continually appeared across him, and his aura rapidly weakened.

"Why... I bear no grudge against anyone..." Blood seeped from Hong Yun's mouth. His Daoist robe was torn, and his eyes were filled with confusion and despair.

Only now did he regret ignoring Zhenyuanzi's advice. Only now did he understand the principle that a man could be innocent, yet condemned for possessing jade.

"A man may be innocent, but possessing jade is a crime! And besides, you fool, you stood in someone else's way!" Kunpeng sneered viciously. His body split into countless afterimages, his claws flashing with cold light capable of tearing apart primordial spirits. He broke through the curtain of sand once more, leaving a bone-deep wound on Hong Yun's shoulder as frigid mana madly eroded his life force.

Dong! Taiyi struck the Chaos Bell again. This chime was even more majestic. Hong Yun's body shuddered violently, and he spat out a mouthful of blood tinged with golden light. His primordial spirit was on the verge of collapse.

In the shadows, Jieyin and Zhunti concealed their auras, disrupting the connection between the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd and Hong Yun's mind so it could not unleash its full power. They also ensured that the spatial fluctuations concealed Zhenyuanzi's distress jade talisman.

With his body and soul about to be destroyed, a trace of resolve and endless regret flashed through Hong Yun's eyes. He suddenly burned all his remaining essence blood and frantically poured it into the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd!

Boom—!

The Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd erupted with unprecedented crimson radiance. Countless grains of soul-scattering sand shot outward in every direction like an explosion, their power surging severalfold and temporarily forcing Di Jun, Taiyi, and Kunpeng back several steps.

"I hate this! Brother Zhenyuanzi, avenge me—!" Hong Yun used the last of his strength to let out an unwilling roar. Then, his body and most of his primordial spirit began to disintegrate and vanish amid the violent energy.

At the instant before he was completely annihilated, a strand of Primordial Violet Qi seemed to possess a will of its own. It gave a mournful cry, violently tore through a weak spatial node disrupted by the River Diagram and Luo Book, and fled into the depths of the void, disappearing without a trace!

The Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd also transformed into a streak of bloody light, following close behind as it smashed through the void and escaped!

"The Primordial Violet Qi!" Di Jun cried out in alarm. He activated the River Diagram and Luo Book in an attempt to intercept it, only to find the Heavenly Secrets utterly chaotic.

Taiyi hurriedly shook the Chaos Bell, trying to pin down the fleeing streak of light, but he was still a step too late. He could only watch helplessly as it vanished into the void.

Kunpeng was so furious his eyes nearly split apart. His main purpose had been to kill Hong Yun. Though he had succeeded, the loss of the treasures dampened the vengeance he had most desired, and he had not gained so much as a single feather!

Seeing this, the hidden Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance. Hong Yun was dead; the karma had been settled! Their objective had been achieved!

As for the Primordial Violet Qi... it seemed the fated opportunity had not yet come. It could not be forced, and trying might instead bring disaster upon them. The two quietly withdrew, concealing both their deeds and their names.

Only the enraged Di Jun and Taiyi remained at the scene, along with Kunpeng, who had personally slain his enemy yet felt incomparably stifled and hollow.

Di Jun's face was as dark as water. His scheme had failed, and he had even forged a deadly enmity with Zhenyuanzi for nothing. He turned his gaze toward the equally grim-faced Kunpeng, knowing he had to bind him fully to their cause.

"Fellow Daoist Kunpeng," Di Jun suppressed his anger, his voice carrying an undeniable command, "Hong Yun is dead. Zhenyuanzi will certainly not let this rest. Why not formally join my Demon Race Heavenly Court? We can resist powerful enemies together and share in the Demon Race's fortune. It is surely better than facing the wrath of the Ancestor of Earth Immortals alone, is it not?"

Kunpeng's expression shifted uncertainly. He knew well Zhenyuanzi's strength and his friendship with Hong Yun. Now that he had become a principal force in Hong Yun's death, Zhenyuanzi would undoubtedly fight him to the death. Facing him alone, his chances of survival were slim.

He looked at Di Jun and Taiyi, whose expressions were far from friendly, and knew that if he refused, he likely would not leave safely today either. In the end, he gritted his teeth and forced out several words through clenched teeth:

"...Very well! I am willing to join the Heavenly Court!"