Yeah~!
Who should be appointed?
The three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace.
Some had died, while others had failed to become Quasi-Saints.
And after leaving Zixiao Palace, another group had gone into hiding, abandoning their names.
Once those three groups were ruled out, only a handful of well-known figures remained in the Primordial World.
But...
Even among those few, none were suitable.
Zhenyuanzi?
It wasn't hard to tell from Haotian's words earlier.
If that guy agreed to become the Heavenly Emperor, the Western Teachings would definitely suffer.
That wouldn't normally be a problem.
What did he care if the Western Teachings lived or died?
The problem was that the two from the Western Teachings would never agree.
If he forced Zhenyuanzi into the position, it would mean completely falling out with those two.
It wasn't that he was afraid.
It was just too much trouble.
Zhenyuanzi didn't have Haotian's backing.
Those two from the Western Teachings wouldn't hesitate to make a move.
Was Primordial Heavenly Venerate supposed to protect Zhenyuanzi every moment of every day?
And so Zhenyuanzi was ruled out.
What about Kunpeng and Minghe?
Given the reputations of those two, what would the people of the Primordial World think of Primordial Heavenly Venerate if he appointed either of them?
But Primordial Heavenly Venerate clearly wasn't willing to let this opportunity slip away.
Yuanshi sent another voice transmission a hundred years later. "Eldest Brother!
We can always look for another cultivator later.
The important thing is to get Haotian out of the running first."
But Taishang didn't even bat an eyelid at his words.
Did he take him for a three-year-old?
Look for someone later?
The one in Zixiao Palace hadn't spoken yet. Just try laying a finger on Haotian.
Hadn't he learned his lesson because the stick hadn't fallen on him yet?
No matter how sincere Haotian sounded now, the Old Man could say one word later, and Haotian would still obediently sit in that position.
But by then, the Sages would probably all come off worse for it.
Wasn't it obvious that Yuanshi couldn't find a suitable candidate right now?
Apart from Haotian, there were hardly any figures in the Primordial World fit for the job.
Rather than waste his effort, he was better off staying out of it.
Did he think Taishang would fall for his blarney?
The Old Daoist had no desire to wander around the Primordial World anyway.
If he didn't have to see that Haotian fellow, the man wouldn't bother him.
Taishang then replied coolly, "Then we'll talk once you've decided who'll take over."
At Taishang's words, Yuanshi fell silent at once.
For a moment,
the Five Sages of the Primordial World all turned their attention to Nuwa.
They wanted to see how Nuwa would respond.
They also wanted to find out how many trump cards Haotian had up his sleeve.
And just how much of his resignation speech had been true.
Haotian waited a long time after calling them out, but received no reply.
He had no choice but to turn toward Empress Nuwa.
"Sage Nuwa!
It seems Sages Taishang and Yuanshi have no intention of taking the Heavenly Emperor Position.
What do you say?
How about considering it again?
If you accept the Heavenly Emperor Position, then forget Kunpeng and Ying Zhao.
The affairs of the entire Demon Race will have nothing to do with me.
They could be weighed down by Karmic Debt, or even slaughter every living being in the Primordial World—I wouldn't bat an eye.
But if you have no intention of taking the position, then I'm sorry.
You're not taking either Kunpeng or Ying Zhao with you today!
That's final!
Even you, Nuwa, won't be able to save them.
If they manage to escape today while I'm still the Heavenly Emperor, you'd better keep them under close watch in Wa Imperial Palace.
Otherwise, if I see them in the Primordial World, I'll send them through Reincarnation!"
At Haotian's words, Empress Nuwa flew into a rage.
She said coldly, "Haotian!
Do you really think I can't do anything to you?
I'm taking them with me today.
If you dare stand in my way, I won't show you any mercy!"
"By all means, try, Sage!"
As Haotian's words fell, Empress Nuwa immediately prepared to attack.
This was going too far!
If she didn't teach the man a lesson, he'd think Sages had no temper.
But just as Nuwa raised her hand, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's voice rang in her ears.
"Since you can't manage the Demon Race, Nuwa, and have let them become entangled in Karmic Debt, then let Haotian manage them.
Don't accuse me of favoritism.
The Demon Race was given a chance, but failed to cherish it.
Dozens of Yuanhui have passed, and their Karmic Debt hasn't diminished in the slightest.
In the past, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin had also found a way to accumulate Merit.
They used it to offset their races' Karmic Debt, and that was how they managed to remain in the Primordial World.
Even so, the Dragon Race still suffered one calamity after another.
The Demon Race will be no exception."
As his voice faded, Dao Ancestor Hongjun suddenly appeared in midair.
Seeing him, Haotian and Nuwa hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Master!"
As soon as Nuwa and Haotian had spoken, the other five Sages appeared as well and bowed to Hongjun in unison.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun regarded them calmly. "Rise.
Since you're all here, let's settle the matter now.
That way, there'll be no more disputes over it."
At Hongjun's words, the Six Sages had no time to dwell on Haotian calling him "Master" just moments ago.
They could only stare in confusion, wondering,
Settle the matter?
What matter was there to settle?
Seeing their expressions, Dao Ancestor Hongjun said, "The disputes between you Six Sages and Haotian all stem from your disciples and followers, as well as the forces under your command, persisting in evil.
As Heavenly Emperor, Haotian cannot simply sit by and do nothing.
So, come up with a set of rules now. How should these matters be handled from here on?
Settle it today, in front of all the living beings of the Primordial World.
Once the rules are in place, there'll be no more dispute over how things are handled.
If anyone oversteps, don't blame the Old Daoist for showing no mercy."
As soon as Dao Ancestor Hongjun finished speaking, Primordial Heavenly Venerate said, "We Sages will discipline and deal with the disciples of our Great Sects ourselves.
There's no need for Haotian to interfere."
Hearing this, Haotian laughed coldly to himself.
You'll discipline them?
Just look at what you've taught them.
Their cultivation is nothing special, but they think the world belongs to them.
They have little Merit, but plenty of tricks up their sleeves.
And you call that teaching?
He immediately replied, "I've said it before: within the Primordial World, all under Heaven is the king's land; to the farthest shores, all are the king's subjects.
Since I'm the Heavenly Emperor, all living beings in the Primordial World must follow my rules."
Haotian's words drew an immediate and unanimous rejection from the Six Sages.
"Impossible!"
Haotian merely spread his hands.
"Then there's nothing to discuss, is there?
In that case, whoever wants to be Heavenly Emperor can take the job.
I have no taste for cleaning up other people's messes while being targeted for it.
Whoever does, let them take over.
We're done!
We're done!
The Sages can go find a new Heavenly Emperor. I, Haotian, will go find a new place to cultivate."
With that, Haotian turned as if to leave.
At this point, he truly had no patience left to argue with these Sages.
Heavenly Emperor?
Even a dog wouldn't take the job!
If his memories hadn't awakened a little late, after everything had already been decided, would he have taken on this miserable duty?
The Sages weren't happy?
Haotian wasn't happy either!
If they couldn't stand each other, then they could simply stop seeing each other.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun could tell that Haotian was truly fed up with the Six Sages and no longer wanted to negotiate with them.
Although he didn't know where Haotian had gotten the confidence to face the Sages' inevitable retaliation,
Dao Ancestor Hongjun certainly wasn't going to let him leave.
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