At the very moment when both sides were on the verge of clashing, with sparks about to fly, a sudden change occurred!
The dense spiritual energy within the Heavenly Court suddenly froze. An indifferent, lofty aura carrying an invisible pressure descended from nowhere.
The clouds beside everyone churned and condensed into the blurry figure of an old Daoist. Who else could it be but Hongjun?
Of course, this was merely a wisp of consciousness manifested by the Heavenly Dao through Hongjun's body, which had merged with the Dao.
The old Daoist's eyes were hollow, his face expressionless, and his voice devoid of the slightest emotion.
"Heavenly Court is a vital place in the Primordial World, and its existence concerns the operation of the order of Heaven and Earth. Only those of the highest status may rule it."
He looked toward Di Jun and Tai Yi.
"Di Jun, Tai Yi, you bear the responsibility of ruling the Demon Race, and you also possess the status of emperors. Heavenly Court is indeed connected to the destiny of the Demon Race."
He then turned toward Nuwa. A trace of imperceptible pressure seemed to appear in those hollow eyes.
"Nuwa, you have already attained the Primordial realm and transcended the mundane world. You should go to the chaos and open up a small world in which to cultivate in peace."
Good grief, this was clearly biased!
When Di Jun and Tai Yi heard that the Dao Ancestor stood on their side, their backs straightened at once, and they became far more confident.
Qingxuan stepped forward, his expression respectful enough that no one could find fault with it.
"Grandmaster, that is not quite right. In terms of status within the Primordial World, could there really be anyone with a status higher than that of a Sage?"
"What's more, my master is not only a Sage, but also a Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal and the Dao Ancestor of humanity."
"If we are truly discussing status, who could possibly rank higher than my master?"
"As for the status of an emperor, I am also the Co-Lord of the spirits of plants and trees. I should possess an emperor's destiny as well."
Qingxuan was not wrong. As Tongtian Jianmu and the Co-Lord of the spirits of plants and trees, he indeed possessed an emperor's destiny.
Nuwa smiled and stood behind Qingxuan, indicating that Qingxuan's position was hers as well.
She was now a Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal, not a Heavenly Dao Sage. Why should she obey the Heavenly Dao's orders?
Qingxuan paused, then changed tack and offered a seemingly conciliatory proposal.
"However, since Grandmaster has spoken, we cannot refuse to show you respect."
"How about this? We only want the top three heavens, where my master can cultivate in peace. We will leave the remaining thirty-three heavens to the Demon Race. How does that sound?"
The moment those words left his mouth, the expressions of Di Jun and Tai Yi grew even uglier.
The top three heavens? That was the best location, with the purest spiritual energy and the closest proximity to the origin of the Primordial Great Dao!
Moreover, if the top three heavens were truly given to Qingxuan and Nuwa, would that not mean that Qingxuan and Nuwa stood above the Demon Race?
As the Demon Emperor and Demon Emperor respectively, Di Jun and Tai Yi absolutely could not tolerate that.
"No!"
Tai Yi immediately roared his opposition.
"Heavenly Court is a complete whole. How can it be divided? And how could such an important place at the very top be given to someone else?"
Di Jun also shook his head with a grim expression, firmly refusing.
The atmosphere froze once more.
Hongjun's blurry figure rippled slightly, as if he were weighing the benefits and drawbacks.
Just then, Qingxuan spoke again.
"Since neither side can reach an agreement, why not follow the old customs of the Primordial World and determine ownership through strength?"
He looked toward Di Jun and Tai Yi.
"Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, I have heard that you are the God of War of the Demon Race, wield an Innate Supreme Treasure, and are known as the strongest beneath the Sages."
"As it happens, I am a disciple of a Sage. Why don't we have a bout and see whether you truly deserve the title of strongest beneath the Sages?"
"If you win, my master and I will withdraw. If I win, the top three heavens of Heavenly Court will become my master's Dao Field."
Hongjun, Di Jun, and Tai Yi considered the matter and decided that Qingxuan's proposal was acceptable.
After all, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi held the Innate Supreme Treasure, the Eastern Emperor Bell, and his battle record was genuine. The title of strongest beneath the Sages had been earned through battle after battle.
Although Qingxuan had endured the Heavenly Dao's divine lightning when Nuwa attained the Dao, no outsiders besides the Witch Race knew anything about Qingxuan's true combat strength.
By all appearances, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi had an overwhelming advantage.
"Fine, we accept!"
Di Jun and Tai Yi exchanged a glance. Tai Yi nodded. He felt that defeating Qingxuan would not be difficult. Even if Qingxuan was Nuwa's disciple, so what?
Tai Yi's battle intent surged as he looked at Qingxuan with disdain and provocation.
Nuwa knitted her brows slightly and looked at Qingxuan with concern. A person with a great reputation was never without ability.
Seeing the confidence on Qingxuan's face, she swallowed the words that had reached her lips and merely transmitted her voice in secret.
"Be careful. The Eastern Emperor Bell is extraordinary. If things go badly, surrender. There is no shame in it."
Qingxuan gave her a reassuring smile.
I was just worrying that I wouldn't have a chance to test myself!
Using Tai Yi as a whetstone is perfect for testing just how tough my body is after cultivating the sixth revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique!
After reaching an agreement, everyone moved into the chaos.
Tai Yi held the Eastern Emperor Bell in one hand, while Solar True Fire blazed around him like a scorching sun.
"Daoist Qingxuan, please! Blades and swords have no eyes. If you are injured, don't regret it later!"
Eastern Emperor Tai Yi was worried that if he injured Qingxuan, Nuwa would cause trouble for the Demon Race, so he issued the warning beforehand.
Qingxuan wore a relaxed smile.
"I have long heard that the ringing of the Eastern Emperor Bell shakes the Primordial World. Today, I finally have the chance to witness it!"
Qingxuan twisted his neck, producing a series of cracking sounds.
The aura of a mid-stage Primordial Origin Golden Immortal erupted without the slightest restraint. Runes of the Law of Strength flickered faintly across his body, and he seemed like a sleeping demon god that had just awakened. He grinned.
"Don't worry. I'm tough and can take a beating! Daoist Tai Yi, feel free to give it everything you've got!"
Sensing the aura radiating from Qingxuan, Hongjun and Di Jun, who were watching the battle, both looked grim.
They had not expected Qingxuan to have already reached the mid-stage of the Primordial Origin Golden Immortal realm.
Hongjun's cultivation was profound, and he had personally witnessed Pangu splitting open the heavens. He was even more familiar with the aura of the Law of Strength emanating from Qingxuan—so familiar that he could not have been more so.
Before his voice had even faded, Tai Yi had already attacked!
He had also sensed Qingxuan's aura. It was no weaker than his own, so he did not dare to be careless. His first move was already a killing move!
"Clang—!"
The Eastern Emperor Bell rang out with a thunderous boom!
Terrifying chaotic sound waves surged like a tangible tsunami, instantly tearing through layer upon layer of space and crushing toward Qingxuan!
Wherever they passed, the chaotic energy scattered and the void twisted!
This was a terrifying might capable of easily shaking a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to death!
Yet Qingxuan neither dodged nor evaded. Instead, a trace of excitement flashed in his eyes!
He let out a low growl. His blood and qi roared, and he pushed the Nine Revolutions Profound Origin Technique to its limit. His muscles bulged, while countless law runes seemed to flow beneath his skin!
He actually swung his fist, wrapped in chaotic-colored radiance infused with the Law of Strength, and punched straight at the terrifying sound waves!
BOOM!!!
His fist collided violently with the sound waves, producing a heaven-shaking explosion!
The scene of Qingxuan being blasted away by the sound waves never appeared. The chaotic sound waves, powerful enough to tear apart anything, were instead smashed apart by more than half by his fist, which contained the Law of Strength!
The remaining sound waves struck his body, merely causing him to sway slightly. A jade-colored sheen spread across his skin, and he remained completely unharmed!
"What?!"
Tai Yi's pupils contracted violently. He could hardly believe his eyes!
He had taken the Eastern Emperor Bell's sound waves with his bare hands? What kind of monster was this?!
Di Jun's expression also changed drastically, and he suddenly rose to his feet!
Before you continue