The Demon Emperor's Token

He took out the token bestowed by Di Jun and continued, "Please inform Crown Prince Di Yi that Tai Cang requests an audience."

"Demon Emperor Token?!"

The Demon God's pupils contracted, and his anger vanished. After examining the token closely, he chuckled and said, "So it's young friend Tai Cang of Cang Gate! My apologies for my rudeness just now. The Demon Emperor has already decreed that you are not to be hindered."

He turned to a demon within the group and said, "Bai Shang, escort young friend Tai Cang to meet the Crown Princes."

"As you command!"

The demon named Bai Shang stepped forward, bowed to the Demon God, and then gestured to Tai Cang, "Please follow me, fellow Daoist."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Tai Cang nodded and bowed again to the Demon God, "This junior bids farewell."

The two then flew towards the Sun Star. Guards along the way bowed to Bai Shang, "Greetings, Lord Bai Shang!"

Tai Cang was secretly surprised—the guards of the Sun Palace were all direct subordinates of Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi. For them to be so respectful to Bai Shang meant his status among the Demon Race was extraordinary.

There was no record of Bai Shang in ancient texts. The only explanation was that he was a descendant of the Ten Great Demon Marshals.

Among the Ten Great Demon Marshals, only Bai Ze's surname was Bai—Bai Shang must undoubtedly be Bai Ze's son.

As Tai Cang followed Bai Shang into the rear hall, the Golden Crow Princes, who were sparring, immediately cheered:

"Bai Shang! You're finally here, come drink with us!"

"Today, we'll spar another three hundred rounds with you!"

Seeing this, Tai Cang became even more certain of Bai Shang's identity. If he weren't Bai Ze's son, how could he be so familiar with Di Yi and the others?

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang?" Di Yi suddenly spotted the figure behind them, a flash of surprise in his eyes. He leaped down from the Fusang Tree, "It really is you!"

The other Golden Crow Princes looked over upon hearing this and immediately forgot about Bai Shang, "It's really Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

"We thought you'd forgotten about us!"

"Bai Shang, you scoundrel, you brought Fellow Daoist Tai Cang without telling us beforehand! You deserve to be punished with three cups!"

Tai Cang cupped his hands with a smile, "I have an important matter to seek your help with on this visit."

Di Yi and the others' smiles faded, "Please, just say it. However, we haven't undergone our coming-of-age ceremony yet, and our father forbids us from interfering in clan affairs..."

"I only need eight branches from the Moon Laurel Tree. This matter concerns the foundation of my Dao path," Tai Cang stated frankly.

"That's it?" Di Yi chuckled in amusement, slinging an arm around Tai Cang's shoulders, "What a big deal! Let alone eight, we can get you a dozen! You just drink, I'll send someone to fetch them right away."

Di Er and the others laughed upon hearing this, and they all stepped forward to pull Tai Cang and Bai Shang towards the Fusang Tree, "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, why be so formal about such a small matter? We thought you had some earth-shattering plan!"

"Exactly, exactly. We're all family here. A few branches are nothing, just take as many as you need."

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, you scared us quite a bit. Come, come, let's have three cups first."

"Tenth Brother, quickly order someone to fetch some Moon Laurel branches!"

In the blink of an eye, Tai Cang was surrounded by everyone under the Fusang Tree, a cup of wine in his hand. Looking at these enthusiastic Golden Crow Princes, he sighed inwardly, These noble scions of the Heavenly Court are indeed generous.

It's truly unbearable to see them suffer in the future when associating with such magnanimous individuals.

I must improve my cultivation as soon as possible. Perhaps I can help them during Houyi Shooting the Suns.

With his decision made, Tai Cang no longer hesitated and began drinking heartily with Di Yi and the other Golden Crow Princes. During the feast, he was formally introduced to Bai Shang by Di Yi. As he had expected, this was indeed Bai Ze's son, and his cultivation had already reached Grand Unity Golden Immortal, surpassing everyone else present.

After several rounds of drinks, as the host and guests were enjoying themselves, a great demon at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm came to report, "Princes, the Moon Laurel branches are ready." With a wave of his hand, over a dozen Moon Laurel branches appeared before them.

Di Yi dismissed the messenger and turned to Tai Cang, "Are these enough? If not, just ask."

"They are sufficient," Tai Cang said with a smile, collecting the branches and cupping his hands in thanks, "This item is extremely important to me, and I need to send it back to the Intercepting Sect immediately. After I'm done, may I return to enjoy your company?"

He was indeed in a hurry to return. It wasn't that he genuinely wanted to save Duobao and the others, but rather to complete his plan to leave the Intercepting Sect before they broke through. If he delayed too long, by the time they underwent the Nine Tribulations, all his plans would be in vain.

"Of course," Di Yi readily agreed. They had learned a little about Tai Cang's intentions during their conversation. Although they didn't understand his reasons for leaving the Intercepting Sect, they respected his choice.

Di Yi raised his cup, "Then we shall await your return. We'll take you to a wonderful place then!" He said with a mysterious smile, and the other Golden Crow Princes also showed excitement. Even the usually calm Bai Shang displayed a look of anticipation.

"It's a deal!" Tai Cang took in everyone's expressions and agreed without hesitation. Although he didn't know where Di Yi was referring to, the fact that even Bai Shang was moved by it suggested it was extraordinary.

He raised his cup and drank it down in one gulp, "Everyone, Tai Cang will take his leave now." Before his voice even faded, he had already transformed into a golden light and shot straight into the sky, speeding towards the Kunlun Mountains.

"Crown Prince Di Yi!"

Watching Tai Cang's receding figure, Bai Shang frowned slightly and asked, "Tai Cang is ultimately from Cang Gate, not one of our Demon Race. Why are you taking him to the forbidden area?"

"My father once said that that area concerns the future destiny of the Demon Race, and outsiders must never know of it unless absolutely necessary."

As soon as he said this, Di Er and the others also turned their gaze to Di Yi. Although they hadn't opposed Tai Cang accompanying them, Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi had strictly forbidden outsiders from entering the forbidden area.

"Law!"

Di Yi's lips curved slightly, his eyes shining, "You haven't noticed yet, but I have sensed it clearly."

"I've been comprehending the law of fire for the past few days, so I'm particularly sensitive to fluctuations in law."

"When I saw Tai Cang earlier, I sensed a strong aura of law surrounding him, and the law he controls is precisely the space law."

At this point, a sharp glint flashed in Di Yi's eyes, "There are still many unsolved mysteries within the forbidden area, and many regions are sealed by spatial barriers, which even my father and uncle find difficult to break through in a short time."

"If Tai Cang were to assist, it would be different. He wields the law of space, and he will certainly help our Demon Race bypass most spatial restrictions and control that region sooner rather than later."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood and cupped their hands in admiration:

"Crown Prince Di Yi is truly far-sighted!"

"Eldest Brother truly has a discerning eye!"

"Tai Cang has noble character and will surely keep the secret strictly."

"Once the restrictions are broken, Father King will surely be overjoyed, and perhaps he will even allow us to travel outside the palace!"

Tai Cang was completely unaware of this.

At this moment, he was rushing towards the Kunlun Mountains with the Moon Laurel Tree, but as he neared the mountain gate, he was stopped by a golden light.

"Little friend Tai Cang, please wait!"

As the ethereal voice echoed, the golden light scattered into starlight, and Zhunti's figure slowly emerged.

"Zhunti?"

"Why is he here?"

Tai Cang's heart tightened, but he still bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Sage. May I know what guidance you have for me?"

Zhunti smiled kindly, waved his sleeve to isolate the surroundings, and said gently, "Little friend, you have a deep affinity with my Western Teachings. Why not join my sect as a personal disciple?"

"Your fate with the Intercepting Sect is coming to an end. Since you belong to the Cang Gate, why not switch to the West? My Senior Brother and I will teach you everything we know, and we will certainly not treat you as harshly as Tongtian."

(What a profound salvation technique!)

Tai Cang's gaze deepened, and he already understood Zhunti's intentions.

The Western Teachings were not a good place—when he betrayed the Cang Gate in the future, how could Laozi let go of a traitor? Even if Jieyin and Zhunti were both Sages, how could they contend against the leader of the Three Pure Ones? Moreover, the Western Two Sages owed a huge debt to the Heavenly Dao when they became Sages. Joining their sect was no different from cutting off his own path.

Tai Cang looked up at Zhunti and said calmly, "Sage Zhunti, I regret that I cannot agree.

Regardless of what happens in the future, I am still a disciple of the Intercepting Sect and will never consider switching to another sect.

Furthermore, have you considered the consequences of blocking my return to Kunlun?"

In an instant, a sharp sword qi broke through the air, instantly tearing apart the barrier Zhunti had set up. The residual power, undiminished, struck Zhunti heavily.

Zhunti was caught off guard and sent flying, his Sage body bleeding profusely. Although he healed instantly, his disheveled state was undeniable.

Tongtian!

After stabilizing himself, Zhunti was furious, his eyes filled with malice. The sword strike came too quickly and too fiercely, not only wounding him but also causing him to lose face in front of Tai Cang.

"Get back to your West!"

Tongtian's majestic voice echoed through the heavens, leaving no room for doubt. Four spatial rifts opened before Zhunti, and the Four Swords of Zhu Xian gleamed coldly.

"The Zhu Xian Sword Formation!"

Zhunti's expression changed drastically. Even as an immortal and indestructible Sage, he dared not face this peerless killing formation directly. Catching sight of Tai Cang's playful gaze, he was both ashamed and angry, but he had no choice but to retreat.

"Tongtian, this matter is not over!"

After uttering a harsh threat, Zhunti glanced unwillingly at the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and turned into a stream of light, fleeing towards the West.

Tai Cang witnessed all of this, his heart filled with emotion. Both were Sages, yet the gap between the Western Two Sages and the Three Pure Ones was so vast. Tongtian could injure Zhunti with a casual sword strike, and the Zhu Xian Sword Formation could shatter space. The might of a Sage was truly unfathomable.

"Return quickly."

Tongtian's voice transmission sounded in his ear, the spatial rifts closed, and the murderous aura in the heavens and earth gradually dissipated.

"This is the Sage realm..."

Tai Cang murmured to himself. Beings beyond the Grand Unity Golden Immortal were indeed awe-inspiring. Although the road ahead was long, he firmly believed that he would one day reach this realm.

Collecting his thoughts, Tai Cang transformed into a golden rainbow, cutting through the sky and heading straight for the Kunlun Mountains.

In the Upper Clarity Palace.

When Tai Cang returned to the Upper Clarity Palace, Deng Hua and Deng Qiu immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Senior Brother Tai Cang."

The two were filled with gratitude. Although they had only recently begun practicing the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art, they could already feel their cultivation improving. All of this was thanks to Tai Cang. If he had not shown any intention of recruiting them, they would have already joined him.

Tai Cang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two before he walked directly into the Upper Clarity Palace. The sound of footsteps echoed from within the hall. Many direct disciples of the Intercepting Sect were still undergoing tribulations, and Laozi and Yuan Shi were even seated among them.

"The Three Pure Ones are gathered..."

Tai Cang mused inwardly and quickly stepped forward to bow, "Greetings, Grand Clarity Sage! Primordial Clarity Sage! Supreme Clarity Sage!"

After speaking, he took out the branch of the Moon Laurel Tree without hesitation and placed it in the hall, saying to Tongtian, "Sage, the item you required has been brought back."

Tongtian looked at Tai Cang with a complex expression and waved his hand, tossing eight branches of the Moon Laurel Tree towards Duobao and the others. Instantly, a clear radiance flowed, and a cold energy entered their seas of consciousness, helping them stabilize their minds and resist the Nine Tribulations.

After completing this action, the complex emotion in Tongtian's eyes flashed away, and he said sternly, "Since the agreement has been fulfilled, from today onwards, you are no longer an inner disciple of the Intercepting Sect."

As soon as his voice fell, Tai Cang felt the luck of the Intercepting Sect within his body being drawn away. However, this trace of luck had little effect on him, as he was still the legitimate heir of the Cang Gate, recognized by Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao. As long as the Cang Gate did not decline, this luck would not dissipate.

"Thank you, Supreme Clarity Sage."

Tai Cang felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Ever since joining the Intercepting Sect, he had been plagued by worries about future calamities. He had initially wanted to change things with his own strength, but it had all been in vain. The ostracism from Duobao and others, coupled with Tongtian's favoritism, had long since eroded any goodwill he had towards the Intercepting Sect. Now that the master-disciple relationship was severed, it had instead cleared his Dao heart and advanced his cultivation.

Tai Cang.

Tongtian slowly rose, his gaze sharp. "Though you are no longer part of my Intercepting Sect, you are still a member of the Cang Gate. There is something that has troubled me for a long time, and I hope you can enlighten me."

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Tai Cang was surprised, but even Laozi and Yuan Shi showed astonishment. With the omniscient abilities of a Sage like Tongtian, there was actually something he needed to ask Tai Cang for advice?

"Please, Sage, speak."