Primordial Measuring Ruler! Qiong Xiao Regrets It!

Ding! Divine Choice Mission refreshed successfully!

Option one: Forgive the Sect of Interception and follow Qiong Xiao back to Kunlun Mountain. Reward: one mouthful of Innate Wimp Qi.

Option two: Humiliate Qiong Xiao, ravage and kill her. Reward: the Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure, Town Abyss Sword.

Option three: Ignore Qiong Xiao and treat her as air. Reward: the Postnatal Merit Treasure, Primordial Measuring Ruler.

The cold system voice echoed in his mind, and joy flashed through Ling Xiao's heart.

"The Primordial Measuring Ruler—a supreme offensive treasure. Killing with it incurs no karma, and its destructive power is second only to the God-Slaying Spear, the baleful treasure of the Heavenly Dao. This treasure is fated with me!"

"System, I choose option three!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ling Xiao made his choice.

Too lazy to talk. Not worth listening to.

Qiong Xiao's expression disgusted Ling Xiao, and her absurd remarks left him speechless. Compared to arguing with her or suppressing her, Ling Xiao preferred to treat her like a fart and let her go.

As for becoming Dao companions, was Qiong Xiao worthy?

Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Primordial Measuring Ruler!

As the system's voice sounded again, strange phenomena erupted within the system space.

Purple-gold in color, its Dao might was magnificent.

Great Dao divine patterns flickered in and out of view. Merit Golden Light shone brilliantly, dense and weighty as though it bore a thousand jun. Its Dao rhythm was ethereal and vast, seemingly capable of opening the universe and destroying the heavens.

"For countless ages, I have risked life and limb for the Sect of Interception."

"From now on, I will live for myself. The Primordial Measuring Ruler will become my ultimate natal trump card. In the coming Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, this Postnatal Merit Treasure will keep me safe."

The corners of Ling Xiao's mouth lifted as he immediately made up his mind.

As for the Sect of Interception, Ling Xiao had chosen to stop caring. He would not concern himself with it at all.

But when it came to cultivation and planning for the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, he was serious!

"Junior Brother Ling Xiao, what are you still hesitating over?"

"I know you feel wronged, but you absolutely must not sever your karma with the Sect of Interception on your own. I have already given you a way out. What more do you want from me?"

Seeing Ling Xiao remain silent, the shyness vanished from Qiong Xiao's face.

It was replaced by a trace of frost!

As a primordial being, Qiong Xiao had her own pride. Being forced by circumstances to lower her head to Ling Xiao was already a tremendous humiliation and concession to her.

Yet Ling Xiao had ignored her feelings and still acted so high and mighty even now.

How had that once warm, considerate, and understanding junior brother become so mentally twisted?

Her fury surged without end, leaving Qiong Xiao choking on her resentment.

She did not dare say these words aloud. After all, Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun were watching from the side.

Still, the icy aura radiating from her exposed her current mood!

"You don't actually think I would be moved, do you?"

Ling Xiao did not even raise his eyelids as he mocked her calmly.

Then he changed the subject and raised his wine cup.

"Great Immortal Zhenyuan, Senior Hong Yun, there is no need for us to mind this jumping clown! Come, drink!"

Cups clinked amid a cheerful atmosphere.

Ling Xiao treated Qiong Xiao as air and had no desire even to acknowledge her.

Seated cross-legged atop a cushion, he carried a gentle and refined air between his brows. As for the farce just now, he had never taken it to heart.

Qiong Xiao, meanwhile, stood frozen in place, her crimson lips trembling faintly.

First, she had taken the initiative to show goodwill to Ling Xiao. Then, she had tried to provoke him. Yet it was all like punching cotton, unable to stir even the slightest ripple.

An inexplicable heartache turned her face deathly pale.

"Since Senior Brother Ling Xiao is unwilling to return to Kunlun Mountain with you, Fairy, you should leave Wuzhuang Temple. Otherwise, if you offend Senior Brother Ling Xiao and the two masters, we will not be able to bear the responsibility."

Qingfeng looked at Qiong Xiao, suppressing the grin that was about to reach his ears.

With a light wave of his jade sleeve, he assumed the posture of seeing a guest out.

Mingyue beside him gave a soft snort. He had truly broadened his horizons today.

A disciple of the Sect of Interception was actually such trash. It was utterly laughable.

"Ling Xiao, are you truly unwilling to return to Kunlun Mountain with me?"

At this point, Qiong Xiao no longer pretended.

Gritting her silver teeth, the grievance and rage in her heart erupted. She pointed at Ling Xiao's nose and interrogated him, while the pressure of a peak Golden Immortal of Grand Dao bore down on him.

But in the next instant, Hong Yun frowned. Boundless red sand flew from the gourd at his waist and, in the blink of an eye, drowned Qiong Xiao within it.

"You have no manners, yet you dare bark like a dog within Wuzhuang Temple? It seems Tongtian has spoiled the disciples of the Sect of Interception rotten. If I did not respect him as a Heavenly Dao Saint, I would have cast you into a place beyond all redemption."

"Damaging your origin, injuring your primordial spirit, and cutting down your cultivation—this is a small punishment from me. It will also let you experience the suffering little friend Ling Xiao endured!"

"If you refuse to accept it, go find Sect Master Tongtian to stand up for you. I am someone who nearly died once already. I do not mind detonating my origin and cultivation, dragging the Sect of Interception down to destruction with me."

As his words fell, the red sand dispersed.

Blood flowed from the corner of Qiong Xiao's mouth, and her aura became exceedingly feeble.

Cracks appeared across her skin. The Five Qi in her chest and the Three Flowers above her head had both been affected. In that instant, an entire level of her cultivation was cut away, and she fell to the late stage of the Golden Immortal of Grand Dao.

"Hong Yun, why talk about self-detonation so casually?"

"If this Qiong Xiao and Sect Master Tongtian refuse to accept it, I will simply detonate the Eastern Earth Veins. I would like to see how Sect Master Tongtian cleans up that mess then."

"They dared scheme against and bully little friend Ling Xiao. I will be the first to refuse!"

Zhen Yuanzi smiled helplessly and turned to stare at Qiong Xiao.

His tone was calm, and his eyes were as still as ancient wells.

Yet the terrifying killing intent he exuded was not much weaker than Hong Yun's.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao casually glanced at Qiong Xiao and slowly said, "The Sect of Interception's fortune is tainted with karmic slaughter, and the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation is in turmoil. What does any of that have to do with me?"

"Get lost!"

As soon as those words came out, before Qiong Xiao could even react in shock,

Qingfeng and Mingyue grabbed Qiong Xiao and directly threw her out of Wuzhuang Temple.

Covered in dust and dirt, with tears in her eyes.

Qiong Xiao had never suffered such humiliation before. Her Dao Heart could not help trembling as her jade hands clenched tightly into fists, her nails piercing her palms while blood dripped continuously.

It hurt too much!

"Junior Brother Ling Xiao must have suffered qi deviation. Otherwise, he would not be so heartless and ungrateful. In the past, no matter how harsh my demands were, he would greet me with a smile and satisfy them."

"Now, he actually told me to get lost. Impossible..."

"I must hurry back to Kunlun Mountain and tell Master what happened, so he can remove the demonic seed from Junior Brother Ling Xiao's body..."

An invisible obsession arose from the depths of Qiong Xiao's heart.

Regret, vexation, grievance!

Little did she know.

The moment that thought arose, the baleful qi of heaven and earth and the laws of the tribulation shrouded her primordial spirit. Even her True Spirit within the River of Life became entwined with a trace of black qi.

Clearly, Qiong Xiao had entered the tribulation!

Boom!

Dao Sound rolled forth, and immortal music rang out in unison.

Beyond the horizon, crimson-gold radiance shone brilliantly. Heavenly soldiers and generals strode upon the void, their armor gleaming with cold light and drawing Qiong Xiao's attention.

"Why have people from the Heavenly Court come?"

Qiong Xiao circulated her Mana, intending to change her bedraggled appearance. Yet before she could freshen herself up, a graceful figure landed before her.

The heavenly soldiers and generals also took up guard positions several hundred li beyond Wuzhuang Temple.

"Fairy Qiong Xiao, what game are you playing?"

The Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens saw Qiong Xiao's embarrassment, but she had come under Queen Mother Yaochi's orders to show goodwill to Ling Xiao. Naturally, she would not pass up the chance to vent Ling Xiao's anger for him.

As she looked Qiong Xiao up and down, taking in her miserable state, the Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens was slightly startled inwardly.

"The aura of the Nine-Nine Red Cloud Soul-Scattering Gourd. It seems Qiong Xiao angered Hong Yun and was taught a lesson. Queen Mother and the Heavenly Emperor guessed correctly—Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi attach great importance to Ling Xiao."

The Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens was quick-witted and saw through the entire course of events.

"I would rather ask you: why did the Heavenly Court send you to Wuzhuang Temple?"

Qiong Xiao circulated her Mana and finally washed away the filth staining her body. Yet her pale, lovely face and trembling figure made it clear that she was at the end of her strength.

If she did not heal in time, her foundation would surely be damaged.

Hearing this, the Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens said leisurely, "The Heavenly Court governs the Primordial Three Realms. Strictly speaking, I have no need to explain anything to you. But seeing you in such a state, I will mercifully tell you."

"By the orders of the Queen Mother and the Jade Emperor, I have come to visit Dao Friend Ling Xiao and present him with some gifts."

Having said that!

The Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens withdrew her gaze and headed directly toward the gates of Wuzhuang Temple.

Qingfeng and Mingyue hurried forward to welcome her.

Compared with Qiong Xiao's treatment, this was truly the difference between heaven and earth.

"That female immortal looks like a dog..."

A heavenly general pointed at Qiong Xiao and whispered to the others.

At that moment!

Tears slid from Qiong Xiao's eyes. Filled with unwillingness and regret, she flew toward Kunlun Mountain...