Honghuang Fuxi: Nuwa, I Want You to Help Me Cultivate — Part 49

Hearing the conversation between the white-robed Daoist and Ao Qing, Eastern Prince Gong's expression changed.

Though he had never read the Dragon Clan's ancient records, he had heard legends of Great Immortal Yang Mei in certain Honghuang boastful tales.

When he learned that he had actually provoked an Innate God-Demon, even if the white-robed Daoist was merely Great Immortal Yang Mei's Good Corpse, cold sweat still broke out across Eastern Prince Gong's forehead.

Hearing the white-robed Daoist's lament, Ao Qing hurriedly said, hoping to curry favor with Daoist Yang Mei and have him spare both himself and Eastern Prince Gong, "Senior existed as an ancient god-demon since the era of Creation. Your mighty reputation has spread far and wide; this junior has admired you greatly since childhood."

"Oh? You admire me?"

The corners of the white-robed Daoist's lips lifted slightly, as though he were smiling.

"Yes! Senior is the Space Demon God who commands the Space Law, possessing immense strength. Many members of this junior's clan deeply revere you."

In order to escape Daoist Yang Mei's grasp, Ao Qing began ceaselessly flattering and praising him.

Daoist Yang Mei seemed quite taken with this. Looking at the two of them, he said, "I originally intended to kill you both and hang your heads upon the three immortal islands as sacrifices to Heaven."

"However, since you are both descendants of old acquaintances, I shall forgive your offense."

Upon hearing Daoist Yang Mei's words, Ao Qing and Eastern Prince Gong hastily sprawled on the ground and kowtowed to him.

Two Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals kowtowing and begging for mercy together left deep pits in the ground, even though the ground of Three Immortal Island was sturdier than ordinary earth.

As they kowtowed, they cried out, "Thank you, Senior, for sparing our lives!"

Yet Ao Qing and Eastern Prince Gong had completely forgotten that outside the Dragon Clan's Prison Heaven Great Formation, there was still a group of immortals watching Three Immortal Island emerge into the world.

Though these immortals were not highly cultivated, their vision had been strengthened by immortal power. From a hundred li away, they could clearly see the wings of a mosquito in the distance.

Thus, this group of immortals witnessed with their own eyes the sight of Eastern Prince Gong and Ao Qing kowtowing to the white-robed Daoist and begging for mercy.

"Heavens! The Dragon Clan's patriarch and the leader of the Immortal Court are both kowtowing to that white-robed senior!"

"I thought figures of such stature all had iron backbones and great majesty. Who would have thought that even they had to kneel and beg for mercy?"

"Just who is that white-robed senior?"

"Come to think of it, perhaps now isn't the time to investigate that white-robed senior's identity."

"If the Dragon Clan patriarch and Eastern Prince Gong find out that we saw them kowtowing, what will they do?"

One immortal voiced his concern.

"I suddenly remembered that my cave abode hasn't been cleaned in a long time! I'll be taking my leave first."

"My Dao companion is still waiting for me at home to cultivate together. I'm leaving too."

In an instant, all the immortals scattered and fled in every direction.

Great figures like Ao Qing and Eastern Prince Gong cared immensely about their reputations.

If they learned that a group of weak immortals had witnessed their disgraceful appearance, they would likely kill them all to silence them.

Although the Dragon Clan warriors within the formation had also personally witnessed Ao Qing and Eastern Prince Gong kowtowing, Ao Qing could keep their mouths shut.

Of course, if anyone could not keep their mouth shut, Ao Qing would likely wipe out their entire family.

Naturally, Ao Qing and Eastern Prince Gong were now panicked beyond measure. They only wanted to survive Daoist Yang Mei's hands and had no mind to care about face or dignity.

The two knelt trembling before Fuxi, utterly devoid of the airs of peak Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals, looking exceedingly humiliated.

Daoist Yang Mei was very satisfied with their kowtowing. He said, "It seems you did not intend to offend me, so I shall forgive your sins. However, though death may be spared, living punishment cannot be avoided."

At the first half of Daoist Yang Mei's words, Eastern Prince Gong and Ao Qing both looked overjoyed.

But when they heard the latter half, their faces, which had just blossomed like flowers, instantly withered.

"May I ask what Senior requires this junior to do?"

Eastern Prince Gong asked nervously.

Daoist Yang Mei said, "You need not pay too great a price. I am broad-minded and generous by nature, not some greedy and overbearing sort."

Kneeling on the ground, Eastern Prince Gong and Ao Qing nodded. "Senior speaks truly."

"How about this? I won't ask you to do anything."

Daoist Yang Mei said casually, "That little fellow—just give me the Nine Dragon Golden Staff."

"What?!!"

Eastern Prince Gong could not help crying out.

That cry greatly displeased Daoist Yang Mei. His tone instantly turned cold as he said, "What? Is one Nine Dragon Golden Staff not enough to buy the lives of you two?"

Gripping the Nine Dragon Golden Staff, Eastern Prince Gong said with great difficulty, "Senior may not know this, but this Nine Dragon Golden Staff was bestowed upon me by a Saint. I have no right to give it to another."

Naturally, Eastern Prince Gong was unwilling to hand over the Nine Dragon Golden Staff.

Not only was the Nine Dragon Golden Staff Eastern Prince Gong's sole Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, but he had also intended to use it to sever his Good Corpse.

Moreover, beyond being a spiritual treasure, the Nine Dragon Golden Staff was a symbol of authority.

With the Nine Dragon Golden Staff in hand, he represented the Saint-appointed Head of Male Immortals and possessed the authority to govern the male immortals.

If the Nine Dragon Golden Staff were gone, his prestige among the immortals would diminish considerably.

More importantly, without the Nine Dragon Golden Staff, how was he supposed to explain himself to Hongjun?

Was he supposed to say that he had feared death and handed over the golden staff just to stay alive?

Dao Ancestor would surely be deeply disappointed in him. He might even strip him of his position as Head of Male Immortals.

Eastern Prince Gong mentioned the Saint at this moment not to show off, but to use Hongjun's name to intimidate Daoist Yang Mei.

Although Daoist Yang Mei was an old acquaintance of Hongjun's, Hongjun's cultivation was ultimately higher than Yang Mei's. Surely he had to show the Saint some respect.

Chapter 72: A Surprise on Three Immortal Island

Eastern Prince Gong attempted to invoke the Saint's name to intimidate Daoist Yang Mei. It was the only way he could think of to keep the Nine Dragon Golden Staff.

Unfortunately, this Daoist Yang Mei seemed to be a fool with a stiff neck. Faced with the Saint's name, he did not show the slightest fear.

He said, "How you explain this to Hongjun is your concern. It has nothing to do with me."

"This Nine Dragon Golden Staff is the price for your life. If you are unwilling, then leave your life here instead!"

Daoist Yang Mei's words were icy, and Eastern Prince Gong and Ao Qing suddenly felt a chill crawl down their spines.

"I... I'll hand it over."

After hesitating time and again, Eastern Prince Gong ultimately decided to surrender the Nine Dragon Golden Staff.

As long as the green hills remained, there would be no shortage of firewood.

So long as he could make a comeback, he would be able to snatch the Nine Dragon Golden Staff back from Daoist Yang Mei's hands.

Thus, Eastern Prince Gong took out the Nine Dragon Golden Staff, removed his spiritual imprint, raised the staff high, and handed it to Daoist Yang Mei.

Daoist Yang Mei accepted the Nine Dragon Golden Staff, patted Eastern Prince Gong on the shoulder, and said, "Not bad. You are teachable."

Eastern Prince Gong's expression was utterly awful, as though he had eaten unwashed Nine-Turn Intestines.

Yet he could not vent the resentment in his heart. He could only lower his head and listen to Daoist Yang Mei praise him.

Looking at the two people kneeling before him, Daoist Yang Mei said, "Now that Three Immortal Island has emerged, this place is no longer suitable to serve as my Daoist Sanctuary."

"I will leave Three Immortal Island and seek out a new Daoist Sanctuary."

"The Serendipity of Three Immortal Island shall be left to you."

With that, Daoist Yang Mei shattered space and stepped into the Space Rift.

Eastern Prince Gong and Ao Qing shouted, "We respectfully see you off, Senior!"

The Space Rift gradually closed, and Daoist Yang Mei's trace vanished from Three Immortal Island.

Eastern Prince Gong and Ao Qing slowly rose to their feet, both wearing grim expressions.

However, Eastern Prince Gong's expression was undoubtedly the worst, since he had lost the Nine Dragon Golden Staff bestowed upon him by the Saint.

Although Ao Qing had lost face before his clansmen, as long as he gave the order, what had happened today would become an eternal secret buried in the hearts of the Dragon Clan members present.

But after Eastern Prince Gong lost the Nine Dragon Golden Staff, would he have a chance to retrieve it?

What puzzled Ao Qing even more was Eastern Prince Gong's standing in Saint Hongjun's heart.

If Saint Hongjun truly valued Eastern Prince Gong, then when Daoist Yang Mei had acted just now, the Saint should have stepped in to protect him.

Why would the Saint rather watch Eastern Prince Gong's Nine Dragon Golden Staff be taken away than help Eastern Prince Gong?

Could it be that Eastern Prince Gong was not important in the Saint's eyes?

If Eastern Prince Gong was merely a small chess piece in the Saint's eyes, then was there still any need for the Dragon Clan to continue cooperating with the Immortal Court?

At the end of the day, the Dragon Clan's alliance with Eastern Prince Gong's Immortal Court was never for a patch of land on the Honghuang Continent, but to gain the Saint's protection.

The Dragon Clan was no longer heaven and earth's favored child. To return to the Honghuang Continent, what they lacked was not merely land, but fortune.

And this fortune required a Saint to help the Dragon Clan make whole.

But if Eastern Prince Gong was merely an insignificant figure under the Saint, then no matter how much aid the Dragon Clan gave the Immortal Court, they would not gain the Saint's favor.

In truth, based on Ao Qing's observations, the Dragon Clan was stronger than the Immortal Court.

If the Immortal Court could not give the Dragon Clan what it wanted, then there was no need for the Dragon Clan to attach itself to the Immortal Court.

But the Saint's attitude was not something the Dragon Clan could fathom.

Therefore, Ao Qing intended to watch and wait for a while longer.

If Eastern Prince Gong truly could not bring the Dragon Clan what it desired, then the Dragon Clan would rather continue eking out an existence in the deep sea.

Choosing the finest tree to roost in was a principle every living being between heaven and earth understood.

Facing Eastern Prince Gong's grim expression, Ao Qing stepped forward and said:

"Eastern Prince Gong, please take heart. Though the Nine Dragon Golden Staff has been lost for now, the Serendipity of Three Immortal Island is still waiting for us to explore! So long as we make good use of Three Immortal Island's Serendipity, once you break through to the Quasi-Saint realm, you may not be unable to seize the Nine Dragon Golden Staff back."

Hearing Ao Qing's consolation, the bitterness in Eastern Prince Gong's heart temporarily eased.

He forcibly roused his spirits, straightened his back, and said to Ao Qing, "Clan Chief Ao Qing is right. Since the Saint chose me to serve as Head of Male Immortals, how could I let the Saint down?"

"I, Eastern Prince Gong, will surely make a comeback and reclaim what belongs to me!"