Obsession Dissipates, Refused Again

East Prince Gong rode the immortal clouds, leaving the Sun Star that filled him with humiliation.

"An orphan, not of Pangu's True Lineage, not an ancient Great Power..."

East Prince Gong's mind echoed with the words he had blurted out in extreme anger. Now, savoring them, they felt like a mockery of himself.

Indeed, although he was the head of the male immortals personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor, besides this title, he seemed to be nothing more. What true strength did he possess that could make top Great Powers like Di Jun and Candle Dragon wary?

Returning to Penglai Immortal Island, he gazed at the scene of lingering auspicious clouds and dancing immortal cranes. He saw the immortals bowing and paying respects to him upon his return, yet East Prince Gong could no longer feel the self-satisfaction of days past. He waved his hand, dismissed his attendants, and walked alone into the quiet cultivation cave dwelling at the deepest part of the immortal palace.

Inside the cave dwelling, clouds and mist swirled, and Dao Rhyme naturally formed. But East Prince Gong's heart could not calm down for a long time. Di Jun's defeat at the hands of Candle Dragon relied on the nearly unsolvable Time Law and his own absolute cultivation as a Primordial Golden Immortal.

As for him, East Prince Gong, he had always seemed to rely too much on the title "Head of Male Immortals," being enthusiastic about recruiting followers and building momentum, while neglecting the most fundamental point—in this Primordial World, strength ultimately reigns supreme!

"Even figures like Di Jun and Taiyi, when faced with an absolute difference in strength, can only retreat in defeat. If I am not strong enough myself, even if the Immortal Court is established and I recruit many people, in the eyes of existences like Candle Dragon, I will probably be like a clay chicken or a pottery dog, utterly vulnerable."

East Prince Gong muttered to himself, doubting for the first time the grand vision of establishing his Immortal Court. He recalled how, in order to maintain the influence of Penglai, he had reluctantly suppressed those immortals who did not genuinely submit but merely stayed out of fear of his title and authority as "Head of Male Immortals," and suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.

"Enough, enough! A forced melon is not sweet, and a person held against their will has no heart."

East Prince Gong sighed, a flicker of exhaustion and enlightenment flashing in his eyes!

Therefore, East Prince Gong summoned the immortals of Penglai. He didn't say much, only announcing that he would go into closed-door cultivation to seek a breakthrough in the Great Dao. The affairs of Penglai would be handled by a few trusted confidants as they saw fit. Anyone who wished to leave was free to do so, and he would not stop them.

Upon hearing this, all the immortals were shocked. Some immortals who had been restless and hesitant to leave due to East Prince Gong's authority, upon confirming that his words were true, quietly departed one after another.

East Prince Gong watched all this. Though a trace of melancholy lingered in his heart, it was more a sense of release. He no longer paid attention to the departing figures, nor did he bother to manage the nascent Immortal Court that appeared prosperous but lacked a solid foundation.

He placed the dragon-headed staff, which represented the authority of "Head of Male Immortals," beside him, his gaze becoming unprecedentedly firm and focused.

"Titles and influence are all illusions. Only one's own Dao cultivation is the foundation for standing in the Primordial World!"

East Prince Gong sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and the pure Yang immortal energy around him began to flow slowly, merging and resonating with the innate spiritual energy of Penglai Immortal Island!

"Candle Dragon, Primordial Golden Immortal, Time Law! One day, I, East Prince Gong, will also ascend to that realm!"

While East Prince Gong was cultivating diligently, in the Purple Firmament Palace, Hongjun looked at the increasingly prosperous destiny of the Primordial World, which almost swept across half of it, the Demon Clan. He then glanced at the Pangu Divine Hall on Mount Buzhou, which remained as still as stagnant water, and had no longer any hope for Di Jiang to actively establish the Witch Clan.

"The Demon Clan is powerful, and Candle Dragon's authority grows daily. However, Di Jun bears the destiny of the Heavenly Emperor, and his rift with Candle Dragon is already deep. His destiny fulfillment is still far off, making effective checks and balances difficult."

Hongjun silently deduced, "If this continues, the Demon Clan's destiny will become too strong, which may lead to unforeseen changes and be detrimental to the balance of the Heavenly Dao. It is necessary to make Di Jiang act, to curb the sharpness of Candle Dragon and the Demon Clan!"

And to propel Di Jiang, resolving Karma is the best excuse and driving force. Hongjun pondered for a moment, flicked his sleeve, and three supreme treasures radiating unparalleled Dao Rhyme floated before him!

A Taiji Diagram, encircled by Yin-Yang energies, capable of stabilizing the four elements; a Pangu Banner, with its fierce aura soaring to the heavens, capable of destroying chaos and primordial chaos; and a set of Immortal Slaying Four Swords, which only the Four Saints can break, with unparalleled sword intent!

"With these, I shall resolve Karma and then offer guidance."

Giving the Pangu Banner or the Taiji Diagram, at most adding the Immortal Slaying Four Swords. As for the Pangu Banner and the Taiji Diagram, they could not be given simultaneously. Hongjun's mind was made up, and his figure had already disappeared from the Purple Heaven Palace.

The next moment, he appeared outside Mount Buzhou. Even he found it somewhat difficult to traverse the Five Elements and Five Directions Grand Formation, let alone directly break into the Pangu Divine Hall. Arriving outside the Pangu Divine Hall, Hongjun had no choice but to transmit his voice inside:

"Little friend Di Jiang, Hongjun is here to visit."

Inside the Pangu Divine Hall, Di Jiang was contemplating how to help East Prince Gong establish the Immortal Court when he heard the voice and suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing within them.

"Hongjun? Why is he personally coming?"

Although puzzled, he had to give face to a Saint's visit. Di Jiang had Jiu Feng and others withdraw, opened the great door, and welcomed Hongjun in. The two sat down inside the hall.

"Saint's personal visit, what guidance do you have?"

Hongjun's gaze swept over Di Jiang, keenly detecting the harmonious and flowing Yin-Yang Dao Rhyme around him, which had reached minor completion. His heart suddenly tightened!

"This child's Yin-Yang Law has actually reached this level! If he obtains the Taiji Diagram, it will be like adding wings to a tiger, and it may be even harder to control!"

The Taiji Diagram absolutely could not be given!

"Little friend, you should know that I am a Saint of the Heavenly Dao, and my future Dao path has deep Karma with the Great God Pangu. I have come today to use this treasure to resolve the karmic connection between you and me."

As he spoke, a banner shadow radiating fierce aura flew out from Hongjun's sleeve!

"This is the Pangu Banner, one of the three primordial treasures for opening the heavens. It is unparalleled in attack, capable of breaking through chaotic space, and it also aligns with your Law of Space. If little friend agrees, this treasure will be gifted to you, and past Karma will be wiped clean. How about it?" Hongjun looked calmly at Di Jiang.

Di Jiang merely glanced indifferently at the Pangu Banner, his expression unwavering. He picked up the spiritual tea beside him and took a sip before slowly saying, "Saint's kindness is appreciated, but this treasure has too heavy a malevolent aura and does not quite align with my Dao heart."

Hongjun's eye corners twitched imperceptibly. Your Great Formation of the Myriad Heavens has such a heavy malevolent aura, yet you dislike the Pangu Banner? It's simply that you look down on the Pangu Banner!

Hongjun helplessly took out the Immortal Slaying Four Swords, which radiated a soul-stirring fierce aura!

"Although the Pangu Banner has a heavy malevolent aura, it is still a supreme treasure. How about these Immortal Slaying Four Swords? Although not a primordial treasure for opening the heavens, their killing power is unmatched in the Primordial World. Once the sword formation is set up, it is almost unbreakable! The Pangu Banner plus the Immortal Slaying Four Swords are enough for little friend to roam freely in the Primordial World!"

But Di Jiang remained unmoved, as if saying: "That's it?"

Putting down the teacup, Di Jiang still had that lazy tone!

"The Immortal Slaying Sword Formation's power is indeed extraordinary. However, it is ultimately an external tool for killing. I still prefer to rely on my own abilities!"

Hongjun looked at the unyielding Di Jiang, feeling even more helpless. He knew what Di Jiang wanted, but that was a bottom line he absolutely could not cross.

"Little friend..." Hongjun wanted to say more.

Di Jiang rose and made a gesture of seeing off their guest. "Saint, I appreciate your kind intentions, but these treasures are truly not what I need. As for matters of Karma, it's best to let them unfold naturally; forcing them would be counterproductive."

With that, Hongjun knew further discussion would be futile. He glanced at Di Jiang, as if trying to see through him completely, and finally had no choice but to put away the treasures!

"Since that is the case, I shall take my leave. Young friend, take care of yourself."

With those words, his figure slowly dissipated, and he left the Pangu Divine Hall.

"You want to settle Pangu's Karma? Dream on! Either give me all three treasures, or we won't talk about it!"

Watching Hongjun depart, Di Jiang sat back down, continuing to ponder his grand plan to seize the Book of Earth!