East Prince Gong rode the immortal clouds away from the Sun Star, which had left him feeling deeply humiliated.
"Alone and unaided, no Pangu's True Lineage, no ancient great power..."
The words he had blurted out in a fit of rage echoed in East Prince Gong's mind. Now that he savored them, they seemed to mock him.
It was true. Though the Dao Ancestor had personally appointed him leader of the male immortals, aside from that title, he was no different. What real strength did he possess that could make top experts like Di Jun and Candle Dragon wary of him?
Back on Penglai Immortal Island, he looked at the familiar sight of auspicious clouds swirling and immortal cranes dancing, and at the immortals bowing to him upon his return. Yet he could no longer feel the satisfaction he once had. He waved everyone away and went alone to the secluded cultivation cave in the deepest part of the Immortal Palace.
Clouds and mist swirled inside the cave, and Dao Rhyme flowed naturally. But East Prince Gong's heart remained unsettled. Di Jun had lost to Candle Dragon because of the nearly invincible Time Law and his own absolute cultivation as a Primordial Origin Golden Immortal.
As for him, East Prince Gong, he seemed to have relied too much on his title as "leader of the male immortals," focusing on recruiting followers and building up his reputation while overlooking the most fundamental truth: in the Primordial World, strength was everything!
"Even someone like Di Jun and Taiyi can only retreat when faced with an overwhelming gap in strength. If I'm not powerful enough myself, then even if I establish the Immortal Court and recruit more people, I'll probably be no more than a pack of weaklings in the eyes of beings like Candle Dragon."
East Prince Gong murmured to himself, questioning for the first time the grand ambition behind establishing the Immortal Court. He recalled how he had maintained Penglai's influence by pressuring and placating immortals who hadn't truly pledged themselves to him, but had stayed only because of his title and authority as "leader of the male immortals." Suddenly, it all seemed meaningless.
"Enough, enough! A forcibly picked melon isn't sweet, and those forced to stay have no heart in it."
East Prince Gong sighed, weariness and understanding flashing in his eyes.
So East Prince Gong summoned all the immortals of Penglai. He said little, merely announcing that he would enter seclusion to seek a breakthrough in the Great Dao. He left the affairs of Penglai to several trusted aides to handle as they saw fit, adding that anyone who wished to leave was free to do so, and he would not stop them.
At these words, the immortals were astonished. Some had already been wavering but hadn't dared leave because of East Prince Gong's authority. Once they confirmed he was serious, they slipped away one after another.
East Prince Gong watched them go. Though he felt a touch of sadness, he felt more relieved. He stopped paying attention to those who left and no longer bothered to maintain the seemingly prosperous but hollow beginnings of the Immortal Court.
He placed the dragon-headed staff that symbolized his authority as "leader of the male immortals" beside him. His gaze grew more resolute and focused than ever.
"Titles and influence are all an illusion. Only one's own cultivation is the foundation for standing firm in the Primordial World!"
East Prince Gong sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. The pure Yang immortal energy around him began to flow slowly, blending and resonating with the innate spiritual energy of Penglai Immortal Island.
"Candle Dragon, Primordial Origin Golden Immortal, Time Law! One day, I, East Prince Gong, will reach that realm too!"
While East Prince Gong cultivated in seclusion, Hongjun gazed at the Demon Clan, whose fortune was growing ever more prosperous and whose influence had spread across nearly half the Primordial World. Then he looked toward Pangu Divine Hall on Mount Buzhou, where nothing had changed. He had already given up hope that Di Jiang would take the initiative to establish the Witch Clan.
"The Demon Clan is powerful, and Candle Dragon's authority grows by the day. But Di Jun bears the Heavenly Emperor Destiny, and his feud with Candle Dragon runs deep. The realization of his destiny is nowhere in sight, making it difficult to establish an effective balance."
Hongjun silently ran his calculations. "If this continues, the Demon Clan's fortune will become too powerful, and Variables may arise, upsetting the balance of the Heavenly Dao. I must get Di Jiang to come out and blunt the momentum of Candle Dragon and the Demon Clan!"
To spur Di Jiang into action, settling their karmic debt would be the best pretext and impetus. Hongjun pondered for a moment, then swept his sleeve. Three supreme treasures, each radiating boundless Dao Rhyme, appeared before him.
The Taiji Diagram, wreathed in Yin Yang Two Qi and capable of stabilizing the elements of earth, water, fire, and wind; the Pangu Banner, brimming with baleful energy and capable of shattering primordial Chaos; and the Immortal Slaying Four Swords, whose peerless sword intent could only be broken by four saints!
"I'll use these treasures to settle our karma, then offer him some guidance."
He could give Di Jiang the Pangu Banner or the Taiji Diagram, and perhaps add the Immortal Slaying Four Swords. But he couldn't give him both the Pangu Banner and the Taiji Diagram. Once Hongjun had made up his mind, he vanished from Purple Heaven Palace.
In the next moment, he appeared outside Mount Buzhou. Even for him, passing through the Five Elements Five Directions Grand Formation was difficult, and he could not force his way directly into Pangu Divine Hall. Once outside the hall, Hongjun had no choice but to send his voice inside.
"Little friend Di Jiang, Hongjun has come to visit."
Inside Pangu Divine Hall, Di Jiang had been thinking about how to help East Prince Gong establish the Immortal Court. At the sound of the voice, he abruptly opened his eyes, a flicker of surprise passing through them.
"Hongjun? Why would he come here in person?"
Though he was puzzled, a saint had come to visit, so he had to show proper respect. Di Jiang had Jiu Feng and the others withdraw, opened the doors, and welcomed Hongjun inside. The two took their seats in the hall.
"Your Eminence has come in person. May I ask what guidance you have to offer?"
Hongjun's gaze swept over Di Jiang. He keenly sensed the perfectly rounded Yin-Yang Dao Rhyme flowing around him, which had already reached the minor-completion stage. His heart tightened at once.
"This young man's Yin-Yang Law has already reached such a level! If he obtains the Taiji Diagram as well, he'll be even more formidable and harder to keep in check!"
He absolutely couldn't give him the Taiji Diagram!
"Little friend, you know that I am a Heavenly Dao Saint, and that my future path is deeply entangled with Pangu's karma. I've come today to offer you this treasure and settle the Destined Fate between us."
As he spoke, a banner wreathed in baleful energy flew from Hongjun's sleeve.
"This is the Pangu Banner, one of the Three Treasures of Creation. It is peerless in offense and can shatter primordial Chaos and space. It also complements your mastery of spatial laws. If you agree, I'll give it to you, and our past karma will be settled. What do you say?" Hongjun looked calmly at Di Jiang.
Di Jiang only glanced at the Pangu Banner, his expression unchanged. He picked up the Spiritual Tea beside him, took a sip, and then drawled,
"I'm grateful for Your Eminence's generous offer, but this treasure carries too much baleful energy. It doesn't quite suit my Dao Heart."
Hongjun's eye twitched almost imperceptibly. Your Great Formation of the Myriad Heavens was overflowing with baleful energy, yet you're complaining about the Pangu Banner. You just don't think it's good enough!
Hongjun reluctantly brought out the Immortal Slaying Four Swords as well, their baleful energy surging so intensely that it made one's heart shudder.
"The Pangu Banner may carry heavy baleful energy, but it is still a supreme treasure. What about these Immortal Slaying Four Swords? Though they aren't Creation treasures, their killing power is unmatched in the Primordial World. Their sword formation is practically unbreakable! With the Pangu Banner and the Immortal Slaying Four Swords, you could dominate the Primordial World!"
But Di Jiang remained unmoved, as if to say, That's all?
He set down his teacup, still sounding lazy.
"The Immortal Slaying Sword Formation is indeed powerful. But it's ultimately an external means of killing. I'd still rather rely on my own abilities."
Looking at Di Jiang, who wouldn't be swayed by any offer, Hongjun felt even more helpless. He knew what Di Jiang wanted, but that was a line he absolutely couldn't cross.
"Little friend..." Hongjun tried to say more.
But Di Jiang was already on his feet, making it clear that he was seeing his guest out. "I appreciate Your Eminence's kind offer, but these treasures are not what I need. As for our karma, it's best to let things take their natural course. Forcing it would only spoil things."
Having heard this much, Hongjun knew that continuing the discussion would be futile. He looked at Di Jiang as if trying to see straight through him, then finally put the treasures away.
"Very well, then I'll take my leave. Little friend, take care."
With that, his figure slowly faded, and he left Pangu Divine Hall.
"Settle Pangu's karma? Dream on! Either give me all three treasures, or there's nothing to discuss!"
Watching Hongjun leave, Di Jiang sat back down and continued pondering his grand plan to obtain the Book of Earth.
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