Di Jun was stunned by Niu Ben's top-tier bloodline. His stern expression thawed like snow in the sun. "Young friend, I am Di Jun of the Demon Clan. I've come today to pay Senior Brother Taishang a visit!"
Niu Ben had recognized the visitor at once. In the entire Primordial Wilderness, there were only two Three-legged Golden Crows.
Ten Little Golden Crows would come along later, but by the Primordial Wilderness's historical timeline, the Demon Emperor and the moon goddess Xi He had yet to enter into Heavenly Marriage. Naturally, those ten Little Golden Crows did not exist yet.
Di Jun's manner, though, took Niu Ben by surprise.
Legend held that Demon Emperor Di Jun and Emperor Taiyi were both overbearing. After meeting Di Jun today, Niu Ben saw that rumors truly could not be trusted.
Niu Ben cupped his hands in return. "Master has already told me an honored guest was coming and asked me to wait here!"
Di Jun's heart jolted. He had not expected Taishang to foresee his visit and send someone to await him. Did that mean his purpose here might succeed?
Hope rose in him. He looked at Niu Ben, his manner growing warmer. "Please lead the way, young friend!"
"Please!"
Niu Ben gestured for him to follow, then led Di Jun to Taishang's Dao Field.
Taishang was already waiting there, a rich aura of Dao Follows Nature emanating from him.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Taishang!"
Even as he saluted, Di Jun could not calm the shock in his heart. He had just discovered that Taishang had already severed his Three Corpses. The aura Taishang radiated was terrifying.
To Di Jun, Taishang's aura was like the vast, fathomless Chaos Sea. All he could do was gaze up at him.
So this was Taishang, Head of the Three Pure Ones?
Had Primordial Heavenly Lord and Tongtian also severed their Three Corpses?
The Three Pure Ones shared one origin and had been born together, much like Di Jun and his younger brother, Emperor Taiyi. The brothers' cultivation was nearly equal; each had severed two Corpses. His brother even possessed the Chaos Bell, an Innate treasure, and might surpass him in actual combat.
The brothers themselves, however, relied far more heavily on Demon Race Fortune.
The path to sagehood through Three Corpses Severance demanded an immense amount of Fortune.
The stronger one's Fortune, the faster one cultivated.
The Three Pure Ones relied on themselves rather than Fortune. No wonder they would become Heaven-Appointed Sages.
The three of them were terrifying beyond measure.
Di Jun grew even more determined to win the Three Pure Ones over.
Taishang had deliberately revealed his cultivation. He had no desire to take part in the Primordial Wilderness's conflicts; he only wanted to attain the Great Dao.
Demon Emperor Di Jun's visit had been entirely within his expectations.
The Purple Mansion Immortal Court had now won over the Two Westerners. Once those two became sages, they would surely retaliate against the Demon Heavenly Court. Without a powerful backer, or a sage of its own, the Demon Heavenly Court would inevitably be crushed—perhaps even swept up in a single net.
That made the Three Pure Ones the Demon Heavenly Court's foremost targets for recruitment.
Taishang understood this perfectly, but acted as though he knew nothing. Smiling, he asked, "Di Jun, what brings you to Kunlun Mountain?"
Di Jun did not try to hide his purpose. He could not conceal it anyway, so he might as well come straight to the point and show his sincerity.
He cupped his hands and bowed again, then stated his offer outright.
"Senior Brother Taishang, I've come to invite the Three Pure Ones to join my Demon Heavenly Court!"
"If the Three Senior Brothers agree, the Demon Heavenly Court will set aside three of the Thirty-Three Heavens as Dao Fields for the Three Pure Ones. You may also share in the Demon Race Fortune and hold status equal to that of the Demon Emperors!"
His terms showed greater sincerity than East Prince Gong's.
Equal status meant the Three Pure Ones could sit alongside the two Demon Emperors and share the Demon Race Fortune.
Di Jun had spared no expense.
Listening from behind, Niu Ben clicked his tongue inwardly. Di Jun truly was born to rule. Compared with that unlucky East Prince Gong, he was better by more than a little.
Niu Ben also wondered how Taishang would choose.
Di Jun's heart climbed into his throat, his eyes full of anticipation.
He had offered everything he could.
Even if Taishang made more excessive demands, he could give them due consideration. Right now, the Demon Heavenly Court needed an ally it could openly rely on.
He also needed a legitimate reason to act.
Taishang's joining them would mean more than three future Heaven-Appointed Sages for the Demon Heavenly Court. More importantly, it would make a statement.
The Dao Ancestor had merely granted East Prince Gong the title of Head of Male Immortals.
The Three Pure Ones, however, were the Dao Ancestor's three Personal Disciples. If they openly joined the Demon Heavenly Court, East Prince Gong would no longer hold the moral high ground. No one could object if the Demon Heavenly Court moved against him.
Taishang gave a faint smile. "There's no need."
"My two brothers and I are accustomed to cultivating in peace. We have no taste for the Primordial Wilderness's conflicts. That is not the path of the Three Pure Ones. Junior Brother Di Jun, you should go."
The refusal left Di Jun disappointed. But Taishang had made himself clear: the Three Pure Ones' path did not lie in such conflicts. That meant they would not join Duke East's Purple Mansion Immortal Court either.
At least there was good news amid the bad!
"Niu, see our guest out!"
Niu Ben escorted Di Jun to the entrance of Kunlun Mountain.
Di Jun had much on his mind. When his gaze fell on Niu Ben, the longer he looked, the more startled he became.
Judging by Taishang's manner, this Niu must be an attendant at his side. Di Jun could try to win him over. With such powerful bloodline and foundations, even if Niu Ben could not become a sage, he would at least become a Quasi-Saint.
With Taishang behind him, anyone who targeted Niu Ben would be courting death. He would not stumble and perish along the way; becoming a Quasi-Saint was only a matter of time.
Besides, if Niu Ben joined, others would take it as a sign that the Three Pure Ones favored the Demon Heavenly Court, so long as no one went out of their way to explain otherwise.
"Young friend, I see you're a demon too. How would you like to come to the Demon Heavenly Court?"
"If you're willing to join, I can grant you the rank of Demon God. In the Demon Heavenly Court, a Demon God ranks just below the Demon Emperors and commands hundreds of millions of demons."
Niu Ben had not expected Demon Emperor Di Jun to turn his sights on him after failing to recruit the Three Pure Ones.
Good grief. He might as well flick those abacus beads right into my face.
If Niu Ben joined, he would effectively drag the Three Pure Ones into the mire with him.
Just as he was about to refuse,
the system's voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
[Ding!] [Congratulations, Master! You have triggered a God-tier Choice.] [Choice 1: Accept Di Jun's offer and take office in the Demon Clan. Reward: one Top-tier Innate Spirit Vein!] [Choice 2: Refuse. As a fellow ruler of the demons, why bow beneath another's roof? Rule the Demon Clan yourself! Reward: one Spirit Treasure Forging Scroll!]
Niu Ben's mouth twitched at the choices the system presented.
A Top-tier Innate Spirit Vein was certainly an excellent cultivation resource. But with the system at his side, why would he toil away cultivating on his own? He would look like a fool.
Besides, was he short on resources?
He had a sage's blessed land behind him. What was one mere spirit vein?
Even if the second choice offered no reward, he would choose it without hesitation.
How little sense would he need to have to join the Demon Clan?
The War of Wu and Demon Tribulation lay ahead!
Would anything good come of joining them?
Before you continue