Denouncing Tai Yi

On the shores of the East Sea, atop a spiritually vibrant reef island.

Tai Yi stood against the wind, his golden robes dazzling, his smile warm.

He spoke gently to Zhu Ying, a Female Immortal of clam origins, her face pretty and slightly shy:

"...This is the 'Pearl of the Bright Moon over the Vast Sea'. It is condensed from a point of Innate lunar essence within Chaos. It resonates with your origins, and wearing it will calm your mind, quiet your spirit, and aid your cultivation."

"I felt an affinity with you upon seeing it, and hope you will accept it with a smile."

In his hand, he held a radiant pearl, imbued with the power of tides and moonlight. It was clearly a High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, a truly generous gift.

The clam spirit Zhu Ying looked at the pearl, then at Tai Yi's handsome face and "sincere" eyes, her cheeks flushed, her heart pounding.

Her cultivation was shallow; when had she ever seen such a display?

Just as she hesitated, wondering whether to reach out and take it—

"Tai Yi, you villain! How dare you deceive my partner! Prepare to die!"

A roar filled with towering rage exploded like thunder!

True Lord Li Huo took the lead. Before he even arrived, a pillar of crimson fire, capable of incinerating the heavens and boiling the seas, had already torn through the clouds, crashing down on Tai Yi's head!

Its power clearly drew upon his natal true fire, showing no mercy!

Close behind, Hermit Qing Mu's myriad green vines emerged like poisonous dragons from their lair, entangling and binding.

Bai Xiao Sheng summoned a Mountain and River Seal, sealing the void.

Several other aggrieved parties and supportive friends also unleashed various magical treasures, their divine powers shining brilliantly, filled with murderous intent, instantly engulfing the reef island where Tai Yi stood!

"Hmm?"

Tai Yi raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised, but not particularly flustered.

With a flick of his sleeve, he first gently sent the terrified, bewildered clam spirit Zhu Ying to a safe distance.

Then, the Solar True Fire around him surged, transforming into a miniature golden sun suspended above his head, its scorching, domineering, and all-consuming aura spreading out.

The crimson pillar of fire from True Lord Li Huo crashed into the golden sun projection, but like snow meeting the sun, it rapidly melted, and was instead devoured and assimilated by the Solar True Fire.

"Fellow Daoist Li Huo, why the anger? I and Fellow Daoist Zhu Ying were merely having a chance encounter, chatting and discussing the Dao. Giving a gift is a common courtesy. How does that constitute 'deceiving your partner'?"

Tai Yi said leisurely, his voice even clearer against the backdrop of the Golden Crow Divine Fire.

"Eloquent sophistry!" Seeing his attack fail, True Lord Li Huo was even more furious. "You seduce Female Immortals everywhere; the Great Desolation knows it!

"You even seduced my partner Ling Rui. Today, I will teach you a lesson!"

"A lesson?" Tai Yi smiled, his smile somewhat blurred in the Solar True Fire, but carrying a chilling meaning for True Lord Li Huo and the others. "Based on you all?"

Before he finished speaking, the golden sun projection above his head suddenly expanded!

"Reee--!"

A clear and majestic Golden Crow cry resounded throughout the East Sea!

The intensely blazing Solar True Fire swept out in all directions like a tsunami.

The myriad green vines instantly withered and charred, the Mountain and River Seal trembled and wailed, and the other incoming divine powers and magical treasures were scattered by the pure and domineering power of the flames!

Grand Unity Perfection, and the natal true fire of the top-tier Innate divine demon Golden Crow, was not to be trifled with!

True Lord Li Huo and the others retreated repeatedly, each using their powers to resist the ubiquitous heat, their faces changing color.

Only then did they realize that this "lickspittle bird" Tai Yi was actually so powerful!

"Fellow Daoists."

Tai Yi restrained his flames, but golden flames still swirled around him, like a god of fire.

He swept his gaze over the crowd, the warm smile on his face fading slightly, replaced by a touch of the arrogance and coldness belonging to the Golden Crow Crown Prince.

"The Great Desolation is vast, and interactions between cultivators depend on fate and mutual consent."

"Who I talk to and which Daoist I give gifts to seems to be none of anyone else's business."

"Fellow Daoist Li Huo, you say Fellow Daoist Ling Rui is your partner, but have you formally betrothed her, have you announced it to the Great Desolation?"

"If not, then she is a free person. What does my discussing the Dao and giving gifts to her have to do with you?"

"You... are quibbling!" True Lord Li Huo was choked speechless, his face red with anger. He and Ling Rui had indeed not formally become partners.

"Quibbling?"

Tai Yi chuckled, but his voice spread in all directions. "It is you who, without distinguishing right from wrong, gathered a crowd to attack, intending to carry out a siege. This is what breaks the rules and loses face, isn't it?"

"Does this Great Desolation belong to you, that you forbid others from interacting?"

His words stood on the moral high ground of "freedom of association" and "opposition to violence", instead putting True Lord Li Huo and the others on the spot.

Some of the surrounding cultivators whispered, feeling that although Tai Yi's actions were frivolous, his words seemed... to make some sense?

True Lord Li Huo and the others trembled with anger, but were temporarily at a loss for words.

Attack? They had already tried it, and probably wouldn't gain any advantage. Tai Yi's strength was beyond expectations.

Reason? It didn't seem to hold much water either.

Tai Yi breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that everyone had been fooled by him.

He hadn't broken through to Quasi-Saint yet, and the rewards the System gave him would have to wait until those little Golden Crows were born.

Although he had the Innate Supreme Treasure Chaos Bell in hand, if he really fought with these people, he was afraid he wouldn't gain any advantage.

Damn it... how could I, as a Transmigrator, be so frustrated...

"Enough!"

Just as the two sides were deadlocked and the atmosphere was delicate, a clear voice came.

Ripples spread through the void as Fuxi stepped out onto the Eight Trigrams Array Diagram, his face slightly grave, with faint and mysterious Heavenly secrets flickering behind him.

He looked at Tai Yi, his eyes showing undisguised alienation and a hint of annoyance.

True Lord Li Huo and the others felt more confident when they saw Fuxi arrive.

Fuxi's current realm was also Grand Unity Perfection.

He came because of Tai Yi.

The other party had been harassing Nuwa, disturbing their peaceful cultivation. If he didn't teach him a lesson, this licking bird would definitely shamelessly lick his sister.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Yi, there have been many rumors in the Great Desolation recently, all related to you."

Fuxi's voice was calm, but it carried a natural majesty.

"It is common for cultivators to make friends and discuss the Dao, but too much is as bad as too little."

"Your actions, Fellow Daoist, have damaged the reputation of many female cultivators, disturbed couples, and caused disputes among Daoists. This is not a sign of peace in the Great Desolation."

He paused and glanced at True Lord Li Huo and the others.

"Fellow Daoist Li Huo, gathering a crowd to make a scene is also inappropriate, but there is a reason for it. Fellow Daoist Tai Yi, shouldn't you offer some explanation and restraint?"

Fuxi's personal mediation naturally carried more weight.

He was not only Nuwa's brother, but also had profound cultivation and was skilled in Heavenly secrets deduction, giving him an excellent reputation in the Great Desolation.

True Lord Li Huo and the others looked slightly relieved, all looking at Fuxi, then staring at Tai Yi.

Tai Yi's heart skipped a beat.

Fuxi's attitude... could it be that he knew about his previous attempt to "greet" Nuwa?