World-Ending Black Lotus! What Right Do You Have to Question Me?

A slight stir of Divine Sense revealed all things.

Ling Xiao smiled calmly. "It was merely a few hardships! There are no old enemies to speak of; I was simply once a poor judge of character."

"When I was down and out, even dogs despised me. Now that I have resumed cultivation and hold the esteemed position of Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, these Sect of Interception disciples have come sniffing after the scent."

"Just ignore them."

Ling Xiao looked at Wangshu, his eyes deep and clear.

With a slight movement of Mana, they arrived at the center of Penglai Immortal Island. A Ren Water Immortal Peach tree stood rooted in the earth, peach blossoms drifting down from the sky as the fragrance of Ren Water Immortal Peaches spread through the air.

The Ren Water Immortal Peach was a Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Root. This one on Penglai Immortal Island had been cultivated from the mother tree; it was above the mid-grade primordial level, yet short of the high-grade primordial level.

"Dao Friend truly has an excellent state of mind!"

"If it were me, I would exhaust every scheme and method, washing away karma with bloodshed and slaughter."

Wangshu landed before Ling Xiao and sat directly in a wicker chair.

She lightly crossed her jade-like legs, inadvertently revealing a flash of snowy white skin.

"The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation is about to descend. Would it not be better to watch the Sect of Interception bring about its own destruction step by step, until it finally collapses and falls apart? Rather than destroy them with your own hands, why not watch them struggle bitterly?"

"After I left the Sect of Interception, some people did regret it. But it is useless..."

With a sweep of Ling Xiao's jade sleeve, a pot of spiritual wine landed on the jade table, alongside Ginseng Fruit, Ren Water Immortal Peaches, and other primordial spirit fruits.

Wangshu personally poured the wine, and the two drank together.

The air was quiet, and they were perfectly at ease.

After a long while, Wangshu slowly said, "Dao Friend helped me escape the sea of suffering, but I am not one to forget kindness and betray righteousness. When they come to visit later, I will help you vent your anger."

As she spoke, a sharp gleam appeared in Wangshu's eyes.

Ling Xiao found this somewhat puzzling, but he did not ask.

A moment later.

Outside Penglai Immortal Island, Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao appeared.

Yun Xiao was tall and graceful, her proud figure wrapped in a plain-colored long dress. Her originally aloof, lovely face carried a gentle smile.

Qiong Xiao had a seductive figure and beautiful features, her red lips lush and alluring.

"Sister Yun Xiao, Junior Brother Ling Xiao is inside Penglai Immortal Island. I can sense his aura. These days, he has haunted my thoughts and dreams. I want to make everything clear with him."

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao also revealed a hopeful expression.

Ling Xiao had a gentle temperament. He would never abandon their sisters!

At Five Villages Temple, he had watched Qiong Xiao be tortured into serious injury by Daoist Hong Yun. His anger must have subsided by now.

Letting out a breath, Yun Xiao looked toward Penglai Immortal Island and parted her red lips. "Junior Brother Ling Xiao, Qiong Xiao and I have come to visit. We wish to discuss some matters with you face-to-face!"

Her ethereal voice echoed between heaven and earth.

At the center of Penglai Immortal Island, Ling Xiao sat in the wicker chair while Wangshu calmly watched the scene unfold. Hearing Yun Xiao's voice, Ling Xiao showed no emotional reaction.

Ding! Divine Choice Mission refreshed successfully!

Choice One: Refuse Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao entry into Penglai Immortal Island. Reward: Top-Grade Primordial Treasure Qilin Seal.

Choice Two: Show no mercy and kill Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao. Reward: Creation Water Spirit.

Choice Three: Meet Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao, and quietly watch their performance. Reward: Twelfth-Grade World-Ending Black Lotus.

The system's voice suddenly sounded in Ling Xiao's mind.

Ling Xiao's expression darkened slightly as he considered his options.

"If I kill Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao, I will invite Sect Master Tongtian's pursuit. The loss would outweigh the gain, and the Creation Water Spirit would not be of much use to me."

"If I refuse them entry into Penglai Immortal Island, given their stubborn natures, they will certainly make a scene here. Besides, I have no use for the Qilin Seal right now."

"Therefore, only the Twelfth-Grade World-Ending Black Lotus will do!"

The Thirty-Six Grade Primordial Chaos Green Lotus had nurtured five lotus seeds, which respectively transformed into the Creation Green Lotus, Pure World White Lotus, Merit Golden Lotus, World-Ending Black Lotus, and Karma Fire Red Lotus.

Among them, the Creation Green Lotus was Twenty-Fourth Grade. During the Lich Tribulation, it fell into the hands of the Three Pure Ones and transformed into three Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasures: the Taiyi Whisk, Three Treasures Jade Scepter, and Qingping Sword.

From then on, a saying spread through later generations!

Red flower, white lotus root, green lotus leaf—the Three Pure Ones were originally one family.

"System, I choose the third option!"

Ling Xiao made his decision. Soon, within the system space, a hundred-zhang lotus platform burned with raging demonic flames, while Silent Extinction Demonic Light evolved and destroyed the void.

"If I merge the Twelfth-Grade World-Ending Black Lotus into my origin, perhaps my Foundation can undergo another transformation."

"But this World-Ending Black Lotus alone is not enough. If I gather the remaining Creation Green Lotus, Merit Golden Lotus, and Karma Fire Red Lotus, I may have a chance to possess the Foundation of the Thirty-Sixth Grade Pure World White Lotus!"

"It seems there will be no lack of schemes during this Investiture of the Gods Tribulation..."

The Foundation of the Thirty-Sixth Grade Pure World White Lotus would surely rival the Chaos Demon Gods of the Creation Calamity era. At that time, Ling Xiao's comprehension and potential would undergo their ultimate ascension, reaching an entirely new realm.

At this thought, a sharp glint flashed through Ling Xiao's eyes.

The Creation Green Lotus had been divided into three Top-Grade Spiritual Treasures controlled by the Three Pure Ones, while the Merit Golden Lotus was in the hands of the Two Sages of the West. For now, he could only target Old Ancestor Styx and seize his Karma Fire Red Lotus.

"No need to rush. This matter must be handled slowly!"

Ling Xiao calmed his breath and focused his mind, quieting his restless heart.

Old Ancestor Styx was no ordinary figure. Known as the foremost person beneath the Saints, he occupied the Netherworld Blood Sea, commanded the Asura Clan, and had influence within the Netherworld.

Most importantly, as long as the blood sea did not dry up, Styx would not die!

That man was violent by nature. If a disagreement drove him to drag the Netherworld Blood Sea and Ling Xiao down with him, the loss would outweigh the gain.

"Dao Friend Ling Xiao, if you do not wish to see them, I will use my Mana to send them away now."

Wangshu played with the jade cup in her hand as she spoke to Ling Xiao.

Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao were an eyesore to her!

"Dao Friend Wangshu, why not watch a good show?"

"They have come to humiliate themselves at my doorstep. These Sect of Interception disciples truly are incorrigible, foolish, and ignorant. Let them come in!"

Ling Xiao formed a hand seal, and immortal mist transformed into a great path reaching the heavens, extending beyond Penglai Immortal Island.

Penglai Immortal Island was protected by a great formation. Unless a Quasi-Sage Great Being acted, it would be difficult to forcefully breach it. That was why Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao had not dared intrude on their own.

"Sister, Junior Brother Ling Xiao is willing to see us!"

Qiong Xiao was overjoyed, misty tears immediately appearing in her eyes. As she recalled every moment she had shared with Ling Xiao over countless ages, she felt both moved and nostalgic.

Before long, she would make Ling Xiao change his mind and renew their former bond with her.

Yun Xiao, however, frowned.

"Why did Junior Brother Ling Xiao not come out to welcome us?"

Doubt filled her heart, mixed with a trace of anger.

Before Ling Xiao entered the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, he had not been like this. Whenever they summoned him, had he not always come immediately? Whenever they sent him away, had he not always left?

But now, he had changed!

This made Yun Xiao uncomfortable, but before she could think further, Qiong Xiao grabbed her arm and flew forward.

In the blink of an eye, the two stepped into Penglai Immortal Island.

Before them, Ling Xiao and Wangshu were discussing something, neither of them even turning to glance at the sisters.

"Ling Xiao, who is she?"

Coldness, fury, heartbreak.

Yun Xiao flashed beneath the Ren Water Immortal Peach tree. Her pretty face was filled with rage, her brows tightly furrowed, and even her breathing grew heavy.

Seeing that Wangshu surpassed her in both bearing and beauty, Yun Xiao's pride was crushed. Then, endless fury blazed within her heart.

It was as though Ling Xiao had betrayed her!

At the same time, Qiong Xiao arrived before Ling Xiao.

With righteous indignation, she rebuked him angrily, "Junior Brother Ling Xiao, you have truly disappointed Sister and me. We had originally forgiven you for defying the sect and disrespecting Master, but now you are being ambiguous with another female immortal."

"If word of this spreads, it will damage the reputation of your position as Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, and we Three Xiao Sisters will be shamed because of it."

"Hurry and drive this wild woman out, or I will never speak to you again..."

Their words were condemning, their accusations forceful and assured.

Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao directed their hostility toward Ling Xiao and Wangshu.

Their auras surged forth wildly.

Ling Xiao leaned back in the wicker chair and said faintly, "When did I ever say I needed your forgiveness? From beginning to end, it has been you, Qiong Xiao, who kept pestering me. And what qualifications do you have to question me?"

"Dao Friend Wangshu is not the wild woman you speak of, Qiong Xiao!"

As he spoke!

Ling Xiao swept his jade sleeve, and a stream of Mana struck Qiong Xiao in the chest.

"Disrespecting the Heavenly Emperor—arrogant and ignorant!"

"Since you are a Saint's disciple, I shall only give you a slight punishment. But if you dare do this again, I will send you to the Heavenly Court's Execution Platform!"