Upon hearing this, chaos and deathly silence descended.
Three Innate Spiritual Treasure!
Two Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures!
In the Primordial Wilderness, Innate Spiritual Treasure are born from the Great Dao, each containing the Power of Heaven-Opening. The best ones are extremely rare and can suppress the Luck great sects.
The Two Saints of the West were already of shallow foundations; such compensation was tantamount to tearing out their hearts and bones.
Jieyin trembled violently, his withered face contorted, and a gurgling sound came from his throat, but no sound could be uttered; Zhunti's eyes were bloodshot, golden light bursting from the cracks in his holy body, and he hissed:
"Qing Huan! You... you're extorting me! Our West is barren, how could we possibly..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qing Huan interrupted him indifferently:
"Enough with the noise. If I say we'll pay, we'll pay." The words "Loan Saint" were like an invisible whip, striking the two men until their very souls trembled.
Before Laozi could respond, Yuanshi Tianzun changed drastically.
Wearing Yuqing Lotus Crown, her Gold Thread Jade Strands Sunset Robe fluttered without wind, and her Three Treasures Jade Ruyi hummed and vibrated, emitting a sharp, Pure Light.
"Absurd!" Yuanshi sneered, his voice like the clash of metal, carrying the overwhelming arrogance of the Orthodox Mystic Gate and a deep-seated contempt for the West.
"Qing Huan Daoist Qinghuan, we have come to quell the conflict, not to plunder on your behalf! Although the Two Saints of the West are unworthy, they were ultimately established by the Heavenly Dao."
"You immediately demand compensation for the sacred treasure, what do you think of the dignity of the Sage? Do you think the Three Pure Ones can be bullied?"
His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept across Qing Huan, carrying a hidden warning—if it weren't for the greater good of the Primordial Wilderness world, he would have already suppressed this fiend with the Ruyi!
The Sect Master Tongtian could no longer contain himself.
The Qingping Sword rang out loudly behind him, his Green Daoist Robe fluttered in the wind, his sword-like eyebrows stood up straight, and his starry eyes burned with fury.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan!"
Tongtian stepped forward, and the Chaos Qi was torn apart by the sword intent, emitting a piercing shriek.
"I respect your profound Dao Cultivation, but how is your action any different from that of the Devil Dao? Extorting spiritual treasures and destroying people's foundations—do you want to test the sharpness of my sword?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Qingping Sword was already half-drawn from its sheath. A flash of cold light appeared, tearing through the chaotic darkness and pointing straight at Qing Huan.
The sword intent was pure and violent, as if it could recreate the world, and the stars of all ages paled in comparison to its sharpness.
Tongtian was of a fierce nature and hated bullying the weak. Qing Huan's extortion touched a nerve. His previous dissatisfaction with the Two Saints of the West turned into resentment towards Qing Huan's domineering ways.
Qing Huan remained unmoved, his Dao Lotus divine light flowing, blocking Tongtian Sword Intent.
He slowly turned his head, staring straight at Tongtian. His eyes remained cold, but now held a hint of bloodthirsty interest.
"Sharp?"
Qing Huan chuckled, and the Chaos Divine Light at his fingertips suddenly surged, transforming into an illusory longsword. The sword was wrapped in an aura of annihilation, and wherever it passed, the void was annihilated, and all laws turned to ashes.
"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, your sword is sharp, but my sword..."
Each word was like ice hitting the ground. "It's not necessarily a disadvantage!"
In an instant, the two sword intents collided in the chaos!
A silent roar exploded, Pure Light and chaotic color intertwined and tore at each other, the aftershocks surged like a tide, shaking the Dao Lotus violently, the Two Saints of the West screamed in agony, their Saintly bodies cracked again, golden blood sprayed like rain.
The entire battlefield transformed into a sword domain, the killing intent so palpable it caused the robes of the Three Pure Ones to flutter wildly. Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda above Laozi head surged with Xuanhuang Qi, allowing him to stabilize himself. Tongtian's face was ashen, Qingping Sword hummed even louder—
Unexpectedly, Qing Huan dared to confront him head-on, and the annihilation sword intent was so fierce and overwhelming that it subtly suppressed his Immortal Slaying Sword!
Seeing that conflict was about to erupt, Laozi sighed softly. Flat Crutch at the void, and the Xuanhuang Qi cascaded down like a waterfall, instantly calming the turbulent chaos.
"Boundless Heavenly Venerate!"
Laozi's voice was calm, yet contained supreme Daoist wisdom, like the morning bell and evening drum, resonating deep within the soul.
"Fellow Daoists, please stop."
He first looked at Tongtian, his gaze carrying the reproach of an elder brother:
"Junior Brother Tongtian, the sword is a tool for protecting the Dao, not a means of fighting for victory."
"Although Fellow Qing Huan has acted improperly, there are reasons for his actions."
Turning to Qing Huan, his deep eyes held admonition and helplessness. "Fellow Daoist, Karma and effect have their limits. Extorting spiritual treasures and seizing them by force will ultimately lead to a lower level of evil, only increasing your karma and harming your Primordial Dao Heart."
The Two Saints of the West have already been severely punished; their sacred bodies are on the verge of destruction, their Dao Foundation are shaken, and their millions of years of arduous cultivation have been in vain. Is this punishment not severe enough? If they were to demand top-grade spiritual treasures again, it would be tantamount to severing their lineage, which might provoke Heavenly Retribution and cause turmoil in the Primordial Wilderness."
His speech was calm and measured, yet each word was like a weight, suppressing his restless murderous intent.
"How about we each take a step back? The Three Pure Ones are willing to bestow upon you three Innate Spiritual Treasure, to fulfill our friendship in mediating today. Jieyin Daoists Zhunti..."
Laozi's gaze swept over the two limp sages, his expression carrying a deeper meaning.
"We should also offer something in return, such as one or two treasured items, to atone for the offense. In this way, the Karma will be settled, and the world will return to peace and tranquility."
Laozi's suggestion was like sweet rain falling on parched earth. Although Yuanshi looked displeased, upon seeing his Eldest Senior Brother speak, the Jade Ruyi's Pure Light dimmed slightly, and he coldly snorted:
"Hmph, Eldest Senior Brother is merciful. Qing Huan, don't be so ignorant of your place!"
Tongtian suppressed his anger and slowly sheathed the Qingping Sword, but his starry eyes were still fixed on Qing Huan, clearly unwilling to accept defeat.
Qing Huan remained silent for a moment, the sword light at his fingertips gradually fading, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
The original intention was to humiliate the Two Saints of the West and test the bottom line of the Three Pure Ones. Laozi used "gift" instead of "compensation" to save face for the Three Pure Ones, give them a way out, and imply that the West needed to bleed money. This can be described as cunning and shrewd.
That's enough.
Qing Huan's voice was indifferent, looking down at the Two Saints of the West.
"Out of respect for Laozi Daoist Laozi, I will agree to this. Bring the three Innate Spiritual Treasure quickly. As for you..." His gaze was like a knife, piercing towards Jieyin and Zhunti.
"Two Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. If even one is missing, I will personally go to Spiritual Mountain and dismantle your Eight Treasures Merit Pool!"
The pressure shifted to the Two Saints of the West. Jieyin's face was ashen, his emaciated body trembling violently, his heart filled with a mixture of humiliation and fear.
The Western Sect was already impoverished, with few Innate Spiritual Treasure, and those of the highest grade were treasures to protect the sect! Zhunti struggled to get up, but was firmly suppressed by the divine light of the Dao Lotus. Blood gushed from his throat as he roared:
"Qing Huan! You... you're so ruthless! I, your teacher..."
Laozi spoke at the opportune moment, his voice gentle yet undeniably authoritative:
"Fellow Daoists, Karma must be repaid. Do not lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains."
Although Tongtian remained silent, his sword intent was hidden, like a blade hanging overhead.
The Jieyin closed his eyes, and a single, turbid tear slid down his cheek.
He communicated with the void through his Spiritual Sense, and after a moment, a flash of light appeared in the chaos, revealing two objects: one radiant with golden light, exuding boundless Merit;
The Blessing Divine Pestle, surrounded by purple mist, contains immense power to subdue demons.
These are all Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure that the Western Sect has kept hidden away.
"Take it!"
The Jieyin voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing together; cracks spread across the heart of the Dao, Luck the Western Sect mourned in response.
Zhunti's eyes were bloodshot with rage and hatred was boundless, yet he gritted his teeth and unleashed an item— the Green Lotus Treasure Banner, with its azure lotus blossoms, providing unparalleled defense.
The two top-grade spiritual treasures floated in the air, their radiance dimmed, exuding endless sorrow.
Qing Huan laughed loudly, his voice shaking the chaos, filled with boundless pleasure and contempt.
With a flick of his sleeve, the projections of the five spiritual treasures vanished into the Chaos Divine Light at his fingertips.
"Good!"
Looking down from a high vantage point, surveying all living beings.
"The Karma have been settled! Today's events serve as a warning from the Primordial Wilderness —the path of false sainthood is ultimately illusory; the might of tyranny is eternal! You should all take heed!"
After speaking, the Chaos Dao Lotus beneath his feet shone brightly, its three-colored radiance flowing and carrying his figure as it slowly faded away, merging into the endless chaos, leaving only a wisp of cold killing intent that lingered for a long time.