"Waaah..."
Zhunti let out a dry wail and used his sleeve to wipe away tears that did not exist at the corners of his eyes.
"My nephew, you have no idea... your uncle's West... it's poor..."
"Yes, yes..." Jieyin chimed in.
"Your uncles' West has shattered spiritual energy, making cultivation difficult. There are no heavenly treasures either. The Western Sect may be a sect, but its foundations are painfully shallow. There is hardly anyone there. How could it compare to your father and uncles? As for this Investiture of the Gods Scroll, your uncles are willing but powerless!"
As he spoke, Jieyin let out a regretful sigh.
He looked as though he truly regretted it and felt deeply ashamed.
If an ordinary person saw the two of them acting this way, even if they knew their true nature, they would probably find it difficult to say anything further.
But Qin Hong was different. There was only one way to deal with people who treated shamelessness as a weapon: be even more shameless.
Qin Hong's eyes reddened, tears faintly gathering within them as he spoke gently.
"So the two uncles are actually this pitiful. You are both Saints, yet the gap between you is so great..."
Hearing Qin Hong's words, Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged glances, delight filling their eyes. What a little fool. Still too young. Your uncles will teach you a lesson!
The two did not know that Qin Hong had seen through their little trick long ago.
"Father, Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle, you and these two uncles are fellow disciples. We are family, so we should help one another. Why not let the Three Sects take a small loss and each establish a branch sect in the West? That way, we can offer them some support. Or we could draw out a piece of land for the two uncles. Our foundations are deep, so we can develop in the West!"
Holy shit!!!
Cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron???
So this was what he had been waiting for???
How ruthless!
Looking at Qin Hong, who was blinking his large eyes, Zhunti and Jieyin felt as though they had eaten shit.
Establish branch sects and develop in the West with their deep foundations?
Wasn't this clearly saying that not only would they occupy the East's vast resources, but they would not even spare the West?
This was a move to seize their nest, wasn't it?!
Everyone present was shrewd. How could they fail to understand the meaning behind Qin Hong's words? Heavenly Lord of Morality and Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning both glanced at Qin Hong before fixing their eyes deeply upon Zhunti and Jieyin.
Silence spoke louder than a thousand words.
The moment Zhunti and Jieyin met the gazes of Heavenly Lord of Morality and Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning, their hearts went cold. They immediately understood that the two had been tempted!
The West was barren and unsuitable for cultivation; this was obvious to all. But who would ever complain that their territory was too large?
The Three Pure Ones had previously disdained the West because they had yet to fully consume the East. Now that the entire East was under their control, Zhunti and Jieyin could only make a move by relying on a calamity, showing just how powerful the Three Sects had become.
Now that they had fully consumed the East, the West might not be a delicacy, but it was still a bite to eat.
Seeing the panicked expressions on Zhunti and Jieyin's faces, Qin Hong sneered inwardly. Keep acting smug. Let's see how you deal with this move!
"Mm, I have heard that there are cultivators in the West who admire me, Tongtian. Establishing a branch sect is not impossible!" Sect Master Tongtian said, stroking his beard.
"Indeed. My Sect of Enlightenment is also willing to let more members of the Human Race embark upon the path of immortality." Heavenly Lord of Original Beginning voiced his opinion as well.
"Ah, non-action, non-action. If they admire my Daoist Sect, I shall naturally manifest before them!" Heavenly Lord of Morality said with a friendly smile.
This time, the Three Pure Ones were unusually united. Since their own interests were involved, how could they let such an opportunity pass?
Once the Three Pure Ones spoke, Zhunti and Jieyin became even more flustered. They really intended to make a move against the West!
Amid their panic, the two felt even stronger killing intent toward Qin Hong.
Murder and arson brought golden belts—Qin Hong was forcing them onto a dead end!
Among all the Saints present, only Nuwa saw things clearly. Looking at Qin Hong's confident little face, she could not help becoming more cautious.
Seeing the Saints' reactions, Qin Hong secretly glanced at Hongjun. Everything appeared to be aimed at Zhunti and Jieyin, but Qin Hong's main target was actually Hongjun. He wanted to see where Hongjun's guilt toward the West ended, while also gradually wearing down Hongjun's patience with the two Saints.
After all, favors lost their value if used too often.
Although the West's spiritual veins had shattered because Hongjun and Luohu had fought, Hongjun had already repaid the karma he owed with two Saint positions. The Investiture of the Gods Scroll did not require the two Saints to sign either, and they could freely seek benefits. What more did they want?
That was Qin Hong's plan. You want to harm my Interception Sect's interests without giving up anything, repay your karma, and let your Buddhist sect flourish? How could you possibly have such big dreams? How could you imagine things so perfectly?
Qin Hong had now completely embraced his position as Tongtian's son and the Young Sect Master of the Interception Sect.
Qin Hong knew that Hongjun would never simply stand by. In other words, even if Hongjun did not wish to interfere, how could Zhunti and Jieyin allow him to remain uninvolved?
Sure enough, Zhunti and Jieyin turned toward Hongjun. Just as they were about to bring up the karma he owed them, Hongjun spoke.
"Hong'er, the Three Pure Ones established their sects in the East, and their foundations lie in the East. It would not be suitable for them to establish themselves in the West. I have two Yellow Middle Plums here. They are of no great use, so I will bestow them upon Hong'er as snacks!"
As he spoke, two fruits emitting an extraordinary fragrance appeared before Qin Hong.
Yellow Middle Plums, one of the Ten Innate Spiritual Roots.
They were no less valuable than the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, perhaps even more precious!
After all, the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir could be refined so long as one had the ingredients, but the Ten Innate Spiritual Roots became rarer each time one disappeared.
Hongjun's purpose in taking out these two Yellow Middle Plums was obvious.
He would not allow the Three Pure Ones to interfere with the West. He was asking them to give him face; taking these two fruits would settle the matter. Once you ate another's food, you could not speak against them; once you took another's gift, your hand was bound.
Hongjun's intentions were obvious, and Qin Hong knew when to stop. He had never truly expected to seize the West.
Still, he had achieved part of his goal. Hongjun had given face and sent out two Yellow Middle Plums for the sake of the Two Sages of the West. Every favor used was one favor less.
Under Zhunti and Jieyin's resentful gazes and the other Saints' envious stares, Qin Hong grabbed both with his tiny hands and put them away, revealing a thoroughly satisfied expression.
He looked exactly like a little miser!
"Thank you, Master Ancestor. Master Ancestor treats Hong'er the best! Hong'er will definitely follow Master Ancestor's lead, definitely..."
Seeing that Qin Hong intended to start flattering him again, Hongjun hurriedly waved his hand.
"Daode, you three should quickly sign the Investiture of the Gods Scroll, lest another mishap occur!"
After speaking, Hongjun looked with lingering fear at Qin Hong, who was already chewing on a Yellow Middle Plum. That gluttonous manner, that wasteful manner—it was simply a squandering of heaven's gifts!
"Mm, so fragrant, so fragrant!" Qin Hong smacked his lips as he ate, the scent of the Yellow Middle Plum lingering beneath the Saints' noses.
The Saints were once again filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment, inwardly cursing the little bastard for being far too infuriating.
The Yellow Middle Plum was one of the Ten Innate Spiritual Roots. If consumed alongside other treasures, it possessed limitless wondrous uses. Yet Qin Hong was taking huge bites as though he were eating an ordinary spiritual fruit, making the Saints' hearts ache terribly.
Five Saints: What a waste of heaven's gifts!
Tongtian: My son is eating so happily. When we return, I'll go to Zhenyuan and ask for some Ginseng Fruit. My son loves eating!
Five Saints: A slave to his son. Impressive!
Tongtian: Naturally!
Before long, under several watching gazes, Qin Hong devoured one Yellow Middle Plum whole. His lingeringly unsatisfied expression made even Hongjun's eyelids twitch. Even he had never eaten one like that.
At this moment, the signing of the Investiture of the Gods Scroll began. Once it was signed, the fates of the Three Sects would be set. To change the outcome, they would have to oppose the Heavenly Dao.
Looking at Sect Master Tongtian's unconcerned expression, Qin Hong could not help but feel heartache. Father, your and my miserable days are about to begin!
Alas!
"Ding! The host has triggered a hidden mission. As a second-generation immortal with a powerful background, things like Yellow Middle Plums naturally taste best when eaten in huge bites. Reward: five hundred thousand years of cultivation."
Hm?
Just as Qin Hong was worrying about his future, the system's voice gave him a small bit of joy.
"Alas, what use are five hundred thousand years of cultivation? The Investiture of the Gods Scroll has already been signed. How can I reverse this?" Qin Hong spoke dejectedly, and his mood was not much better.
Before you continue