Lu Ya: *I'll endure it!* An idiot fit for a museum!

Upon the Cloud Terrace.

Yuanshi Tianzun's lips twitched slightly as he stared at Zhunti in shock.

"You just handed over the Merit Golden Lotus like that?"

As surprise surged through him, Yuanshi Tianzun's thoughts churned. He immediately saw through Ling Xiao's intentions: to use treasures such as the Merit Golden Lotus and Qingping Sword to strengthen his origin, perhaps even transform his Foundation.

After all!

He still vividly remembered Ling Xiao's wretched state when he had left Kunlun Mountain.

His origin had been utterly destroyed, his primordial spirit depleted, and Dao Wounds covered his body.

Yet even so, Ling Xiao had remolded his Foundation and transformed it into the Twenty-Fourth Grade Pure World White Lotus. From that point onward, he had risen completely.

"If he merges treasures such as the Merit Golden Lotus, Qingping Sword, and World-Destroying Black Lotus, Ling Xiao's Foundation will surpass every Primordial God, then stand shoulder to shoulder with Dao Ancestor Hongjun..."

Yuanshi Tianzun sucked in a cold breath and drank Enlightenment Tea to suppress the shock in his heart.

His gaze fell upon Ling Xiao, his face filled with solemnity.

Ling Xiao followed Heaven and answered the Dao, deeply valued by Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

If he merged the Merit Golden Lotus and other treasures, he certainly would not be suppressed by the order of the Heavenly Dao. By then, Yuanshi Tianzun did not dare imagine what realm Ling Xiao's Foundation and comprehension would reach.

"Senior Brother Yuanshi, there is no need to be so surprised!"

"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao traded Buddha Relics and his Heavenly Dao Merit Halo for the Merit Golden Lotus of our Western Sect. He even helped us sort out the Karmic Force of Slaughter within our sect's fortune. My junior brother and I have made a sure profit from this transaction."

"Besides, without this good karma, how could we have obtained these Enlightenment Tea Leaves? I fear that from now on, Senior Brother's Sect of Enlightenment will be overshadowed by the Western Sect!"

Jieyin spoke calmly to Yuanshi Tianzun.

How could he fail to understand Ling Xiao's calculations?

But who told Ling Xiao to be so upright?

As long as the Western Sect did no evil, they would not offend Ling Xiao. Even if the Heavenly Court truly managed to suppress all the Sages one day, he and Zhunti could simply keep a lower profile.

In the Primordial Wilderness, the Sages appeared to wield great power, but in truth, they had always been under the control of the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun. Jieyin and Zhunti did not dare harbor rebellious thoughts.

The foundation upon which the Western Sect had been established was not seizing a sliver of heavenly opportunity...

"I knew you would not make an unprofitable deal!"

"Why not give me a few Enlightenment Tea Leaves? I think the spiritual treasures of the Western Sect's disciples could use some replacements as well."

"You know full well how skilled I am at refining artifacts!"

Yuanshi Tianzun patted Jieyin's shoulder and spoke with a kindly expression.

The Sect of Enlightenment naturally could not be suppressed by the Western Sect!

"What was Senior Brother saying? This humble Daoist does not understand."

Jieyin played dumb, then shifted his rear away, looking as though he did not wish to associate too closely with Yuanshi Tianzun.

The sight made everyone burst into laughter!

Amid the clouds, winds and currents shifted.

Once Yuanshi Tianzun and the Two Sages of the West had appeared, the last trace of worry in Ling Xiao's heart vanished. He calmly swept his gaze around and saw Bai Ze, Lu Ya, and the others wearing livid expressions.

"Lu Ya, weren't you going to invite Tongtian and Nuwa out?"

A faint smile touched Ling Xiao's lips as he looked at Lu Ya.

Tracing the matter from beginning to end, Ling Xiao had held the moral high ground throughout. Now, three Heavenly Dao Sages stood behind him. Even if Tongtian and Nuwa appeared, they would be powerless to reverse the situation.

If those two Heavenly Dao Sages still cared for their reputations, they would surely remain silent and let this matter gradually settle, rather than hold Ling Xiao accountable again.

"Demon Emperor, do not act on impulse!"

"This time, endure it!"

An inscrutable expression appeared on Ancestor Kunpeng's gloomy face.

He moved closer to Lu Ya and spoke earnestly.

After several breaths, Lu Ya snorted coldly and finally swallowed this humiliation. He turned and headed toward the Peak of Phoenix Perch Mountain, now reduced to ruins.

All the great beings of the Demon Clan flashed away.

They could not afford to provoke Ling Xiao, but could they not avoid him?

"Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan, are you still going to stubbornly persist and continue pestering Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao?"

Bhaisajyaguru Buddha pressed his palms together and looked at Kong Xuan in the distance. The latter's face was so dark it seemed capable of dripping water. His hands were clenched into fists, drops of blood falling from them.

Before Yuanshi Tianzun and the Two Sages of the West, how could Kong Xuan dare act rashly?

Humiliation, hatred, and pain raged within his heart.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng was no different!

All the Quasi-Sage great beings of the Phoenix Clan had been slain, while the remaining living beings once again bore the shackles of the Heavenly Dao. They were to suppress heaven and earth at South Sea Volcano, forever unable to escape their cage.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng had given the Phoenix Clan hope, yet because of him, that hope had now been crushed. Who knew how despondent and miserable those Phoenix Clan beings would become from now on?

"Ling Xiao, Western Sect, this humble Daoist will remember you."

"Senior Sisters, let us return to the Palace of Green Essence!"

Kong Xuan snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and departed.

Our Lady of Wudang, Our Lady of Golden Spirit, and Holy Mother Turtle Spirit looked at Ling Xiao and Wangshu with complicated gazes, their hearts filled with bitterness.

Had they not once ignored Ling Xiao completely, they should have been the ones standing at his side now.

Unfortunately, there were no second chances!

"Ling Xiao, you slandered Master and Martial Aunt Nuwa. Your crime is unforgivable! Today, with three Sages protecting you, this humble Daoist can tolerate your arrogance and insolence. But that may not be the case in the future!"

"Do not let this humble Daoist catch you in a mistake, or else..."

Holy Mother Turtle Spirit furrowed her brows and rebuked Ling Xiao.

Then!

Without waiting for Ling Xiao to react, she drifted away.

"An idiot fit for a museum!"

Ling Xiao raised his voice and shot back at Holy Mother Turtle Spirit's retreating figure.

"Ling Xiao, this emperor will avenge Qiushou Immortal and Lingya Immortal!"

The Golden-Winged Great Peng roared, then turned and flew toward the Peak of Phoenix Perch Mountain rather than following Kong Xuan and the others back to Golden Turtle Island.

Time passed, and the skies took on countless changing forms.

Standing atop the World-Ending Black Lotus, Ling Xiao looked down upon the devastated Phoenix Perch Mountain and met the gazes of countless Demon Clan beings without the slightest ripple on his face.

The human race and Demon Clan were not destined to be irreconcilable!

Ling Xiao slew demons and evil fiends.

If wicked people emerged among the human race, Ling Xiao would likewise suppress them. This was his responsibility as the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance and the master of the Kongtong Seal.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao, I am willing to forge a good bond with you!"

"How about I give you this Three Treasures Jade Scepter?"

Yuanshi Tianzun became slightly serious and withdrew his sagely might. He looked like a benevolent, highly respected elder.

The Sect of Enlightenment followed Heaven and answered the Dao, and Ling Xiao did the same.

In Yuanshi Tianzun's eyes, Ling Xiao was one of his own kind. Thus, using the Three Treasures Jade Scepter to befriend this Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance was not a bad idea.

Hearing this, Ling Xiao made a Daoist salute and politely declined. "One must not refuse a gift from an elder; this is the proper etiquette of heaven and earth! But this junior has no ties to the Sect of Enlightenment. If I rashly accept the Three Treasures Jade Scepter, I fear I would incur karma."

"Before long, this junior will personally visit Kunlun Mountain to call upon Heavenly Venerable. At that time, following the greater tide of the Heavenly Dao, I will give the Sect of Enlightenment another pillar of support. Then it will not be too late for Heavenly Venerable to grant me the Three Treasures Jade Scepter."

"Here are three Enlightenment Tea Leaves, a humble gift from me to Heavenly Venerable. Please accept them!"

As he spoke, Ling Xiao lightly waved his jade sleeve.

A jade box appeared, containing three Enlightenment Tea Leaves, and floated before Yuanshi Tianzun.

It was not that Ling Xiao was stingy, but rather that he could not play favorites.

At Mount Sumeru, Ling Xiao had only given six Enlightenment Tea Leaves to the Two Sages of the West. Giving three to Yuanshi Tianzun now was only reasonable.

If he gave more, the Two Sages of the West would surely be displeased.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao has considered matters thoroughly. It seems I was somewhat presumptuous."

"I will accept the Enlightenment Tea Leaves. If the opportunity arises, I would like to discuss with you the methods of elucidating the Heavenly Dao, haha..."

Yuanshi Tianzun accepted the jade box, approval appearing on his face.

After that, Ling Xiao watched Yuanshi Tianzun, the Two Sages of the West, and the others depart.

"Ling Xiao!"

"Why did you not accept the Three Treasures Jade Scepter? With the Great Dao you command, you should be able to erase so-called karma at will, shouldn't you?"

Wangshu's figure was graceful as she flew to Ling Xiao's side.

She took the initiative to hold Ling Xiao's hand, then leaned her delicate body against him, a trace of shyness on her face.

After this incident, their Dao companion bond had been thoroughly confirmed!

"Karma can be erased, but I cannot forget favors!"

"Heavenly Venerable respects Heaven and values the Dao, taking the etiquette of heaven and earth into account. I cannot become someone who betrays trust and righteousness either. Since I chose to follow Heaven and answer the Dao, becoming the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, I must keep my Dao heart upright and cannot covet petty gains!"

Ling Xiao wrapped an arm around Wangshu's slender waist. His bearing was transcendent, refined, and gentle.

Admiration shimmered in Wangshu's eyes.

Then.

Wangshu brought her red lips close to Ling Xiao's ear and teasingly said, "You promised to massage my shoulders and rub my legs. You cannot go back on your word..."