Hongjun Goes All Out

Hearing the Old Man's words, Haotian's heart surged with joy.

It seemed the Old Man had really dug deep for the sake of peace and quiet.

The Chaos Bell!

That was an Innate Supreme Treasure!

It appeared the suffering he'd endured facing Primordial Heavenly Venerate head-on hadn't been in vain.

If that fellow hadn't made a direct move, today he probably couldn't have swayed the Old Man.

After all, the Chaos Bell had once sparked a scramble among the Six Sages.

Giving it directly to Haotian now was somewhat hard to justify.

Haotian was about to bow in thanks when Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke again: "As for the Investiture of the Gods.

Mm~!

This spiritual treasure was originally meant for great use later on.

Since you've already realized the issue of manpower now.

I might as well give it to you first.

As for the cultivation method, you should have heard of it.

Great Grade Heavenly Immortal Art.

This technique, the Old Daoist taught in passing during his lectures back then.

This art excels at combat, no less than the Three Pure Ones' Eight-Nine Arcane Art or Nine Revolutions Primordial Art.

Now, I'll give you the complete set of techniques as well."

With that.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun reached out and grasped.

A small bell appeared in his hand—this was the Chaos Bell he had cast into the chaos of time and space.

After all, it was a spiritual treasure that had passed through his hands.

When he banished it, how could he not leave some means behind?

With a thought, the Chaos Bell, the Investiture of the Gods, and the Great Grade Heavenly Immortal Art all appeared before Haotian.

Once Haotian received the two spiritual treasures and the technique, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke: "Sit properly!

The Old Daoist will help you refine them.

So you won't have to be distracted by this matter when you return."

Haotian quickly replied: "Thank you, Teacher!"

With that, Haotian sat down as instructed.

Then he heard Dao Ancestor Hongjun say: "Calm your heart and focus your mind!

Concentrate on infusing your Spiritual Sense into the spiritual treasures!"

Haotian focused on refining the spiritual treasures.

By the time both treasures were fully refined with the Dao Ancestor's help.

Unknowingly, a hundred years had passed in a flash.

Putting away the treasures, Haotian rose and bowed: "Thank you for your assistance, Teacher!"

Dao Ancestor Hongjun waved his hand and said: "Now that the spiritual treasures are given to you.

The help the Old Daoist can offer you ends here.

How you act after returning will depend on you.

It's best to avoid conflict with the Sages as much as possible.

The majesty of the Sages cannot be challenged—though this isn't a rule set by the Old Daoist.

Ultimately, it's a matter of respect for strength.

With your cultivation, facing a Sage directly still falls far short.

But don't be overly timid because of this.

As long as you act to maintain the stability of the Primordial World, the Old Daoist will naturally support you.

If there's nothing else, return now!"

Haotian bowed and said: "Disciple takes his leave!"

With that, Haotian slowly withdrew from the great hall.

Leaving the Purple Cloud Palace, Haotian used his divine powers to head toward the Heavenly Court.

As for Dao Ancestor Hongjun, after Haotian left, he did not return to the rear courtyard.

Instead, he sat on his cloud bed, a contemplative expression on his face.

What Haotian had said was the truth.

Now that he had helped Haotian, it meant Haotian would grow stronger.

But the problem also arose.

If those sages did not know restraint in the future, the conflicts that occurred would only become fiercer.

Yet if he had refused to help Haotian just now, the situation would likely develop in the direction Haotian had described.

With Karma accumulating, the frequent outbreak of Calamities was certain.

But now that he had helped Haotian, if the latter's struggles with the sages increased, would that not also be a form of Karma?

He did not know whether this assistance was right or wrong for the Primordial World.

Still, he, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, was not without means.

He hoped everyone would settle down; otherwise, they could all come to Chaos.

Since they were tired of the splendor of the Primordial World, let them witness the desolation of Chaos.

As for the Dao Ancestor's thoughts, the Six Sages naturally did not know.

At this moment, the Six Sages were still guessing the purpose of Haotian's visit to the Purple Cloud Palace.

Tattling?

That should not be the case.

After all, if he were to tattle, Haotian would have gone straight to the Purple Cloud Palace after Primordial Heavenly Venerate made his move.

Why wait until now?

And if it were tattling, it would not require a hundred years.

A hundred years!

A full hundred years!

Even if their crimes were too numerous to record in Haotian's eyes, it would not take that long.

Nor was it likely that the Dao Ancestor had given Haotian special training.

What kind of special training only took a hundred years?

After several rounds of fruitless speculation, among the Six Sages, Zhunti and Jieyin did not let the matter rest.

Only for Zhunti to speak: "Senior Brother!

How about we perform a divination?"

Jieyin looked at Zhunti with confusion upon hearing this.

Divination?

What do you plan to divine?

Divine what happened to Haotian in the Purple Cloud Palace?

Even if you had the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard, you would not be bold enough for that, would you?

If that old man felt offended, it would be hard to smooth things over.

And Zhunti, seeing Jieyin's expression, knew he had not explained himself clearly.

So he clarified: "Senior Brother!

We are not going to divine what happened to Haotian in the Purple Cloud Palace.

Rather, we will divine Haotian's current situation.

If I do not figure out Haotian's present state, I feel somewhat uneasy."

Hearing this, Jieyin could not help but twitch inwardly.

Uneasy?

Since taking form, when have you ever been at ease?

That old habit of caution had flared up again.

Still, over the years, much was owed to his caution.

Countless times, it had helped them avoid deadly calamities.

Even back when Rahula rampaged through the western Primordial World, they had managed to survive by the skin of their teeth.

That was naturally the merit of "caution."

Otherwise, where would the Two Sages of the West be?

They likely perished long ago, in that great calamity back then.

Even if they didn't fall on the spot, they probably couldn't escape the reckoning afterward.

Thinking of this, Jieyin nodded and said, "Very well, then!

Let's perform a divination."

That Haotian suddenly changed his usual demeanor.

First he confronted Primordial Heavenly Venerate directly, then he set about improving the environment in the northern Primordial World.

Compared to his conduct over the past dozens of kalpas, the difference was indeed vast.

And since he occupies the position of Heavenly Emperor, nominally governing the Primordial World, it's not a bad thing for us to be a bit cautious."

Yet as Jieyin's words fell, Zhunti did not take up the topic first.

Instead, he frowned and said, "Brother!

We've been refining that spiritual treasure for a hundred years now—why can't we achieve Haotian's effect?

This is truly strange.

Haotian, a cultivator who hasn't even attained the Dao, could refine such a spiritual treasure.

We have already become sages, yet we cannot refine one.

No matter how you look at it, this is deeply odd.

Could it be that that one deliberately held something back?"

Hearing this, Jieyin immediately fell into thought.

Held something back?

That was indeed held back quite deeply.

Even the Three Pure Ones, those personally taught disciples, likely never learned this skill.

But what baffled one was—if the Three Pure Ones didn't learn it, how did Haotian?

After a long silence, Jieyin spoke, "Brother does not know either.

This matter is shrouded in mystery.

We disciples never learned it, yet Haotian, a mere page boy, did.

Logically, this is impossible."

At this point, a flash of insight struck Jieyin's mind.

"Could it be that the position of Heavenly Emperor gave Haotian this ability?

Yes!

It must be so!

Otherwise, there's no explanation."

As Jieyin finished speaking, Zhunti's face showed envy.

But after envy came naked greed.

"Brother!

If the Heavenly Emperor's position is so wondrous, should we contend for it?

That is the method to imbue an Acquired Spiritual Treasure with Innate Dao Restrictions!

If our Western Region obtains this method, why worry about the West not flourishing?"

Hearing Zhunti's words, Jieyin was startled.

Was his greed flaring up again?

You really dare to think!

The Heavenly Emperor's position?

Is that something we can covet?

This junior brother of mine is good in every way, but his greed and excessive caution always keep one on edge.

Jieyin only wanted to change the subject quickly and steer Zhunti away from his greed.

So he hurriedly interrupted, "Junior Brother!

Let's focus on the divination.

As for the Heavenly Emperor's position, let's not think about it.

That one in the Purple Cloud Palace will not agree."