Demon Clan Establishes Heavenly Court, Xuan Wazi Offers Grand Gift

After collecting the Innate Gourd Vine and the seven precious gourds, Xuan Wazi was satisfied and did not linger on Mount Buzhou. He knew that Di Jun, Tai Yi, and the others would soon discover that their opportunity had been stolen. Although they wouldn't be able to find him, it would inevitably cause some commotion. He used the Chaos Bead to conceal his whereabouts and quietly returned to his hidden water mansion deep in the East Sea, preparing to digest his spoils and, at the same time, keep an eye on the developments in the Primordial Era.

Inside the water mansion, the Chaos Bead's aura isolated the interior from the outside.

Xuan Wazi first turned his attention to the vibrant [Innate Gourd Vine]. This vine was an Innate Spiritual Root. Although it had already borne fruit, it still contained immense life force of creation and the fundamental essence of Yi Wood. It was also a crucial item for Nuwa's future creation of humans.

He carefully transplanted the gourd vine into the inner space of the Chaos Bead, dedicating a special area for it. He used the [Innate Wu Earth Essence] he had collected as soil and drew upon the [Creation Green Lotus Dao Rhyme] to shower it with nourishing light and rain. As soon as the gourd vine was planted, it quickly took root. Its emerald green leaves unfurled, and seven-colored auspicious light flowed around it, making it appear even more mystical.

"With this vine here, when Nuwa creates humans in the future, I can go with the flow and offer this favor, forging a good relationship and also sharing in the merit of creation," Xuan Wazi nodded with satisfaction. He then took out a small portion of the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil he had obtained from the system and mixed it into the Wu Earth Essence, further enhancing its boundless creative energy.

Next, he took out the seven gleaming gourds. He first refined the most precious one, the [Chaos Gourd]. This treasure contained a chaotic space within it. Although it wasn't as vast and primordial as the unformed chaos within the Chaos Bead, it was more "malleable." It could devour all things and return them to their origin, transforming them into Chaos Qi, or it could use Chaos Qi to nurture specific things. It was both offensive and defensive, profoundly mysterious.

"Not bad. In the future, if someone displeases me, I'll use this gourd to capture them and turn them into a wisp of Chaos Qi. That's clean and efficient." Xuan Wazi partially refined it and hung it at his waist as one of his frequently used spiritual treasures.

He wasn't in a hurry to refine the remaining six gourds. The crimson gourd contained the essence of fire and could be used to forge fire-elemental magical treasures. The purple-gold gourd was incomparably sharp and suitable for refining swords or flying daggers. The water-blue gourd contained immense water essence and could control water and floods. The earth-yellow gourd was heavy and could carry objects, and it could also be used for sealing and defense. The cyan-green gourd was full of life force and had miraculous effects in healing injuries and cultivating spiritual plants. The black gourd was dark and devouring, capable of harming the soul and absorbing spiritual light.

"These gourds each have their own unique uses. I'll keep them for now. Perhaps in the future, I can bestow them upon my disciples, use them for trade, or refine them into clone magical artifacts." Xuan Wazi put away the six gourds and looked into the distance, his divine sense using the Chaos Bead to quietly observe the Primordial Era.

As he had expected, after a period of recuperation and integration, the Demon Clan's influence grew increasingly formidable. Di Jun and Tai Yi, relying on their Grand Perfection Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation and the might of the Chaos Bell, had subdued many powerful demons, such as Kunpeng, Fuxi, Bai Ze, and Gui Che, causing their forces to expand rapidly.

On this day, the Solar Star shone brightly, illuminating the Primordial Era! Above the Thirty-three Heavens, Di Jun's majestic and resounding voice echoed, proclaiming to the world:

"Heavenly Dao above! Today, Di Jun and Tai Yi of the Demon Clan, sensing the chaos and the law of the jungle among the myriad beings of the Primordial Era, have united all the demons in the world to establish the Heavenly Court, to govern the myriad stars, to regulate yin and yang, and to manage the order of the Primordial Era! All spirits of plants, beasts, birds, and aquatic creatures, those who have awakened their intelligence and absorbed the essence of the sun and moon to take form, can all join my Demon Clan and receive the protection of the Heavenly Court! The Heavenly Court is hereby established!"

As the voice fell, the Heavenly Dao responded, bestowing boundless golden light of merit. It split into two, with the majority falling into Di Jun and Tai Yi, and a smaller portion scattering among the many demon core members. By relying on the merit of establishing the Heavenly Court, Di Jun and Tai Yi's cultivation became even more refined and profound, their auras harmonious, and they had already touched the threshold of Quasi-Saint, their imposing aura unmatched!

At the same time, the Sun God Palace deep within the Solar Star was transformed into the Lingxiao Palace. The Chaos Bell in Tai Yi's hand was used to suppress the Heavenly Court's destiny. Although it was not a perfect fit, the Chaos Bell was one of the three primordial treasures of creation, possessing infinite power, and was temporarily sufficient to suppress destiny. The River Diagram and Luo Script were used to derive the foundation of the Great Zhou Heavenly Star Array, drawing upon the power of the ancient stars to envelop the Heavenly Court, its might awe-inspiring.

The Demon Clan's Heavenly Court officially stepped onto the stage of the Primordial Era!

"Tsk, they've established the Heavenly Court, moving quite quickly," Xuan Wazi mused, stroking his chin in his water mansion. "Two Grand Perfection Grand Unity Golden Immortals, relying on the merit of establishing the Heavenly Court and the Chaos Bell, can barely hold the fort. Unfortunately, although the Chaos Bell is powerful, it's not specifically designed to suppress destiny, and the Demon Clan lacks a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure for suppressing destiny. This destiny... it's unlikely to last long."

He was well aware of the subsequent developments and knew that while the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court appeared glorious, it was fraught with hidden dangers. However, this suited him perfectly; the more chaotic, the better for him to fish in troubled waters.

Just as the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court was established and its influence reached its peak, the system's quest arrived as scheduled.

[Ding! Detected the establishment of the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court, causing a shift in the Primordial Era's landscape. Sub-quest issued: Present a grand gift to the Heavenly Emperor.]

[Quest Content: While Di Jun and Tai Yi have just established the Heavenly Court and their foundation is unstable, infiltrate the Heavenly Court's treasury, 'borrow' some of its treasures, and leave behind a gift of 'Xuan Wazi was here.']

[Quest Reward: Divine Ability 'Myriad Transformations' (enhances transformation techniques, difficult to see through unless two major realms higher), Innate Spiritual Material 'Star Core' ×3.]

"Heh, System Bro, you really understand me!" Xuan Wazi's eyes lit up. "I was just thinking of visiting the Heavenly Court!"

He put on the [Heavenly Secret Concealment Mask] again, this time transforming into the appearance of an ordinary demon general, simulating an aura at the Golden Immortal realm. Then, he quietly left his water mansion and headed towards the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court, located within the Thirty-three Heavens.

At this moment, the Heavenly Court was holding a ceremony to establish its authority. Although the guards were strict, there were bound to be oversights due to the sheer number of personnel. With the concealment of the Chaos Bead and the transformations of the mask, Xuan Wazi easily blended into the South Heaven Gate, like a drop of water merging into the ocean.

He did not head directly to the Lingxiao Palace to provoke Di Jun and Tai Yi; that would be suicidal. His target was the Heavenly Court's treasury!

Relying on his keen perception of treasure auras and the fact that the Heavenly Court's Great Zhou Heavenly Star Array was not yet fully set up, allowing him to completely circumvent the internal defensive formations with his breaking-the-array abilities, he moved like an invisible ghost through the Heavenly Court's architecture. He soon found a palace with exceptionally strict guards and flowing formation lights – the Heavenly Court's treasury!

The treasury doors were tightly shut, guarded by several Grand Unity Golden Immortal level demon gods leading elite guards, and protected by layers of restrictions.

"A bit troublesome, but not impossible." Xuan Wazi hid in the distance, observing the treasury's defenses. He noticed that the treasury's defensive formation was subtly connected to the Zhou Heavenly Stars, but it seemed that due to the recent establishment of the array, there was a very faint, periodic fluctuation gap during its operation.

He waited patiently, like the most seasoned hunter.

Several hours later, when the Zhou Heavenly Stars rotated to a specific angle, and that almost imperceptible pause appeared in the connection between the treasury's formation and the star power—

"Now!"

Xuan Wazi moved! He did not force his way in. Instead, he used his newly acquired divine ability [Myriad Transformations], transforming his body into an almost invisible beam of starlight. He mimicked the frequency of the formation's fluctuations, like a key inserted into a lock, and silently merged into the defensive light barrier! The aura of the Chaos Bead simultaneously concealed all his fluctuations.

He had successfully infiltrated!

Inside the treasury, pearls and jade gleamed, and treasures were piled high! Although the Demon Clan had just been established and their collection was not as rich as it would be later, there were still countless spiritual materials, spiritual medicines, ores, and some Acquired Spiritual Treasures confiscated by the demons during their conquests. In a corner, a few low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures even emitted a faint, precious glow.

"Not bad, not bad. Although there are no top-tier items, the quantity makes up for it!" Xuan Wazi was unceremonious. Like a whirlwind sweeping through fallen leaves, his divine sense swept through, and he scooped up those high-quality spiritual materials, spiritual medicines, and those few low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, stuffing them all into the Chaos Bead! He only left behind some ordinary items he disdained.

After finishing all this, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he walked to the most conspicuous wall in the treasury. With his fingers like a brush, he channeled his magic power and, in a flamboyant manner, carved a line of large characters:

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Yunzi, sensing the nascent state of the Heavenly Court and its material scarcity, has come to present a grand gift as a token of my appreciation. I hope His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor will accept it. No need for thanks; we shall meet again if fate allows! -- Left by Xuan Yunzi."

The calligraphy was unrestrained and elegant, carrying a strong sense of "playful" mischief and teasing.

After writing, he still felt it wasn't enough. Beside the line of text, he drew a simple, winking smiley face.

"Perfect!" Xuan Wazi admired his own "masterpiece" and chuckled. He transformed into starlight again and, taking advantage of the next fluctuation gap in the formation, silently slipped out of the treasury and mingled with the passing demons, easily leaving the Heavenly Court.

Not long after, when the on-duty demon gods conducted their routine inspection of the treasury, they looked at the half-empty storage rooms and the glaring characters and smiley face on the wall, and were instantly terrified. They scrambled to report to Di Jun and Tai Yi.

"Xuan! Yun! Zi!" In the Lingxiao Palace, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi's furious roar echoed, the sound of the Chaos Bell shaking the Heavenly Court. "Search! Search the entire Primordial Era for this emperor! Find this unfilial thief! And tear him to shreds!!" Although they captured several Daoists with the Daoist name Xuan Yunzi and forcibly searched their souls, it all ended in vain. This was because the one who gave the gift was Xuan Wazi.

However, Xuan Wazi at this moment had long since returned to his East Sea water mansion, counting his spoils from this "donation." Hearing the system's quest completion notification, he was in a good mood, preparing to welcome the upcoming second sermon at Zixiao Palace.

[Ding! Sub-quest 'Present a grand gift to the Heavenly Emperor' completed! Rewards issued: Divine Ability 'Myriad Transformations', Innate Spiritual Material 'Star Core' ×3.]