Zhunti's mind reeled. He stared at the blue-robed figure before him, disbelief filling his eyes as he whispered, "Qing Qiong... it's you!"
The Dao Venerable had a young attendant and a mount. Before Zhunti now stood the latter: Qiongqi, an extraordinary beast of heaven and earth.
Qing Qiong ignored Zhunti's shock. His gaze was cold as frost, and ancient Dao might bore down on the Heavenly Dao Saint as he demanded, "You dared touch my disciple, Zhunti? How bold of you."
With those words, Qing Qiong's vast, chilling pressure descended, sealing every route of escape around Zhunti.
Moments ago, Zhunti had been ready to seize Kong Xuan by force and make him a Western Protector. Now he was utterly shaken. The Dao Resonance surrounding him surged wildly, and his Dao Foundation, already thrown into disorder by that colossal claw of Chaos, grew more unstable. Dread and fear flooded his heart.
He had never imagined that Kong Xuan, a mere guardian of Golden Rooster Ridge and a Wandering Cultivator of Azure Nether Island in the eyes of the Prehistoric Era, had Dao Venerable Xuan Qing behind him!
The revelation struck Zhunti with bone-deep terror. All trace of the Western saint's arrogance vanished, and he hurriedly suppressed his killing intent.
He withdrew the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree's power, leaned forward slightly, and hastened to explain himself in a voice strained with deliberate courtesy.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Qiong, you misunderstand! This is all a misunderstanding!"
He repeatedly cupped his hands in apology. The forceful manner with which he had just bullied a junior was gone; every earnest word sought to absolve him of blame.
"I had no idea Kong Xuan was your disciple. My attack was an offense, and I sincerely hope you can forgive me!"
As he spoke, Zhunti frantically searched through