Demanding the Supreme Treasure, Hongjun's Helplessness

As Di Jiang took his seat, appearing calm and composed, Hongjun didn't beat around the bush. After exchanging a few pleasantries and inquiring about the scenery of Mount Buzhou, he changed the subject, saying softly:

"Young friend Di Jiang, the next time Purple Heaven Palace holds its lecture, if you have the leisure, you might consider attending. You may gain something."

Upon hearing this, Di Jiang's instinct was to refuse. He had his own path and wasn't particularly interested in the Heavenly Dao and Saintly methods Hongjun taught. However, as the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Hongjun had invited him so politely; if he were to refuse directly, it would be disrespectful to the foremost Saint of the Primordial World.

Thus, Di Jiang pondered for a moment before cupping his hands and saying, "Saint's kind offer is remembered by Di Jiang. If I am not occupied at the time, I will certainly come to listen to the Great Dao."

This was a soft commitment, whether he would actually go or not was another matter, but he hadn't definitively refused.

Hongjun nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with this response. He then moved on to the true purpose of today's invitation.

Hongjun looked at Di Jiang, his gaze seeming to penetrate Di Jiang's thoughts, and slowly said, "Young friend, have you been searching the Primordial World for Innate Spiritual Treasures recently?"

Di Jiang's heart skipped a beat. As expected! he thought. My little actions on Kunlun Mountain probably didn't escape his notice. He kept his expression unchanged, neither confirming nor denying, simply listening quietly.

Hongjun continued, "I observe that you have a significant affinity with Spiritual Treasures, and I happen to have a few idle items that might allow me to foster good karma with you."

The moment these words were spoken, even with Di Jiang's firm will, his heart couldn't help but race! Hongjun wanted to give him Spiritual Treasures? This was like pie falling from the sky! He knew very well how deep the Saint's coffers were!

In reality, Hongjun had a deeper plan. If he could directly take Di Jiang as a disciple and bring this Pangu bloodline, which possessed immense Heaven-Opening Merit, entirely into the Xuanmen, then resolving his karma with Pangu would be the cleanest and most thorough.

However, as soon as this thought crossed Hongjun's mind, he sensed a subtle rejection from the Heavenly Dao, as well as a clear lack of master-disciple destiny between himself and Di Jiang.

What puzzled him even more was that the Heavenly Dao seemed to have an inexplicable dislike for this child, Di Jiang. He wasn't a Saint destined by the Heavenly Dao. With no affinity and not being divinely ordained, forcing the matter would be inelegant. Hongjun regretfully abandoned this most convenient idea.

Since he couldn't take him as a disciple, he would settle for the next best thing and use Spiritual Treasures to resolve the karma! Giving away a few treasures in exchange for loosening Di Jiang's portion of Pangu karma seemed like a very worthwhile transaction to Hongjun.

After speaking, Hongjun fell silent, calmly watching Di Jiang and awaiting his response. His gaze seemed to say, "I have plenty of Spiritual Treasures. Just nod, and you can take them. Shall we settle this karma and call it even?"

Inside Purple Heaven Palace, the atmosphere was subtle. Haotian and Yaochi stood to the side, observing with their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts, yet they were filled with curiosity. Would this mysterious Daoist friend accept their master's gift?

Di Jiang's mind raced. What was Hongjun's intention? To simply foster good karma? Or was there a deeper meaning? But regardless, free Spiritual Treasures were not to be refused! Moreover, even if Hongjun had some scheme, if he was scheming with an Innate Supreme Treasure, he would accept it!

Di Jiang suppressed his excitement, doing his best to maintain a calm and respectful tone. "Saint's great kindness is deeply appreciated by Di Jiang. Since it is a gift from the Saint, Di Jiang would be impolite to refuse!"

Di Jiang immediately seized the opportunity, a smile appearing on his face that he thought was humble but was actually full of anticipation. He cupped his hands towards Hongjun and said sincerely:

"Saint's generosity is deeply appreciated by Di Jiang! Since the Saint has spoken, Di Jiang will shamelessly ask. I've heard that the Saint possesses a Taiji Diagram; a Pangu Banner; and a set of Immortal Slaying Four Swords;"

"Oh, right, and a Universe Cauldron... If it's convenient, would you bestow these upon this junior? And if you have any other Innate Supreme Treasures or Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, I wouldn't be picky, how about it? This junior will certainly remember the Saint's kindness and use them well!"

Di Jiang said this with a straight face and a steady heartbeat, as if he were merely asking for a few common cabbages. However, with each name he uttered, the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, seated on his cloud bed, his expression as placid as a calm well, twitched almost imperceptibly.

When Di Jiang finished speaking, Hongjun felt a tightness in his chest, nearly spitting out a mouthful of blood. His flawless Saintly demeanor was almost compromised, and the surrounding purple energy momentarily became disordered!

This child... how does this child know I have these Supreme Treasures?! Hongjun's heart was in turmoil. The Taiji Diagram and the Pangu Banner were his ultimate treasures, the Immortal Slaying Four Swords were obtained from Luohu, and the Universe Cauldron was also a secret. How did he know such detailed information?

Hongjun instinctively and frantically began to deduce the Heavenly Secrets, trying to ascertain the source of Di Jiang's information. However, no matter how he calculated, Di Jiang's origins seemed shrouded in a mist that even the Heavenly Dao couldn't pierce. He could only see his Pangu bloodline and Heaven-Opening Merit; beyond that was chaos!

Although the System had been annihilated by the Heavenly Dao, its information-masking effect remained. Perhaps only the Great Dao, which transcended the Primordial World, could know Di Jiang's true background, but the Great Dao clearly wouldn't concern itself with such matters.

With no result from his deductions, Hongjun's heart was even more bewildered. His gaze towards Di Jiang carried an indescribable scrutiny. This kid is too strange!

Seeing Di Jiang still looking at him expectantly, Hongjun forcibly suppressed his churning qi and turbulent Dao heart, forcing a slightly stiff smile onto his face and chuckling:

"Cough, cough... Young friend Di Jiang, there seems to be a misunderstanding. While I do have some collections, treasures like the Taiji Diagram and the Pangu Banner, which are Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasures, and formidable weapons like the Immortal Slaying Four Swords, I do not possess. You may have heard false rumors."

Hongjun paused, looking at Di Jiang's instantly deflated expression, which clearly conveyed "Are you trying to fool me?". He quickly tried to salvage the situation, attempting to regain some sincerity:

"However, that Universe Cauldron, I do indeed have one. This treasure is quite useful for artifact forging and returning things to their origin. If you need it, I don't mind bestowing it upon you."

Hongjun's thinking was that although the Universe Cauldron was also a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure with unique functions, its importance was slightly less than those three top-tier Supreme Treasures for offense and suppression. Using it to resolve part of the karma was also suitable.

However, upon hearing this, Di Jiang!

You good-for-nothing Hongjun, trying to play poor with me, huh? You're unwilling to give up the three strongest ones and are trying to fob me off with an auxiliary tool?

Di Jiang was immediately displeased, feeling that this old rascal Hongjun wasn't being sincere. But he also knew that forcing the issue was useless and might result in losing everything.

Thus, the expectant smile on Di Jiang's face completely vanished, replaced by an expression of disinterest, even a hint of disdain. He waved his hand and said nonchalantly:

"Oh, you don't have them? Then forget it. This junior thought the Saint was wealthy enough to solve my urgent problem. Since you don't have them, just pretend I never mentioned it!"

After speaking, Di Jiang even feigned disappointment and sighed.

This left Hongjun in a difficult position! He looked at Di Jiang's expression of "you've disappointed me," and a headache ensued. Why isn't this kid playing by the rules? Normally, upon hearing about a treasure like the Universe Cauldron, wouldn't one be overjoyed to accept it? Why is he being so picky, acting like he doesn't care for it?

This karma doesn't seem so easy to resolve! Hongjun felt that he might have underestimated the troublesome nature of this Pangu's True Lineage. Inside the Purple Heaven Palace, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat subtle and awkward.

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