Compromise

Then Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke: "Haotian, wait a moment!"

Haotian stopped in his tracks at the words.

After calling Haotian to a halt, Dao Ancestor Hongjun turned to the Six Sages and said: "Show some sincerity in your negotiations. Don't think dragging this out benefits you. With Karma entangled across the Primordial World, it may seem that Calamities can eliminate Karma. But every Calamity inflicts damage on the Heavenly Dao. That damage takes a long time to repair. If Calamities occur frequently, the Immeasurable Calamity will arrive early. At that point, you Sages can indeed cultivate in solitude. But without the Heavenly Dao's support, it's hard to say how your cultivation speed will fare. I hope you'll think it over carefully."

Hearing Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words, the Six Sages had mixed thoughts.

The Immeasurable Calamity arriving early? The Heavenly Dao damaged? As long as it didn't harm their own interests, they would certainly take heed. Sages—they only contended for fortune and face. They still possessed compassion. But the crux now was that Haotian's actions had directly struck their sore spot. If they truly yielded to Haotian's words, wouldn't that mean they, the Sages, would have to heed Haotian's commands? Haotian, a cultivator who hadn't even attained the Dao, dared to bark orders before them, the Sages. How could that be? What about their dignity? And if Haotian did this, the Primordial World's fortune would largely be claimed by the Heavenly Court.

After a moment of deliberation, Taishang spoke: "I report to Master! It's not that we're unwilling to accommodate Haotian. Rather, his demands are truly excessive. If we agree to his terms, how can we Sages stand in the Primordial World? The Sages uphold the Heavenly Dao's way and act on its behalf. If we lose all authority, how can we continue this duty?"

Hongjun pondered this in his heart as well.

Indeed! The Sages' face still needed to be preserved. Otherwise, with the Sages' power, if they truly lost dignity and authority, how would they conduct themselves? A disorder among Sages would be a great disaster for the Primordial World. At this moment, the importance of balance only grew.

After a moment's thought, Dao Ancestor Hongjun said to Haotian: "This is also the truth. Haotian, you need to make some concessions."

Hearing the Old Man's words, Haotian weighed his options.

"Since the Teacher has spoken thus, this disciple will make some concessions. From now on, within the domains of each Sage's sanctuary, the Sages may decide matters themselves. But outside the Sages' sanctuaries, no matter who it is, all must act according to the Heavenly Rules. Whoever defies the Heavenly Rules, Imperial We may punish according to those rules."

As Haotian's words fell, a cold glint flashed in Primordial Heavenly Venerate's eyes.

Then he asked coldly: "If we Sages are bound thus, how will you, Haotian, conduct yourself?"

Haotian replied without hesitation: "Since the rules were set by Imperial We, Imperial We shall naturally abide by them."

After leaving the Heavenly Court, cultivators of the Heavenly Court must still act in accordance with the Heavenly Rules.

Within the Heavenly Court, all shall act according to Imperial We's decree."

As Haotian's words fell, Primordial Heavenly Venerate sneered, "Good! Good! Good!

I hope you, as Heavenly Emperor, will live up to your words!

Hmph!

This Seat accepts your terms!"

Hearing Primordial Heavenly Venerate's words, Haotian's heart suddenly tightened.

He abruptly recalled the matter of Yaoji.

He had been trapped into this.

But with things having reached this point, Haotian could not go back on his word.

Then Haotian spoke, "But if someone schemes, causing Heavenly Court cultivators to violate the Heavenly Law, then Imperial We will have to decide on Our own."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate knew full well that Haotian was leaving himself a way out.

How could that be allowed?

If so, how could This Seat still trap you?

"What schemes or no schemes?

Who can truly say for sure?

Either treat everyone equally, or don't talk about anything else."

Hearing Primordial Heavenly Venerate's words, a cold gleam flashed in Haotian's eyes.

Schemes?

Do you sages think only you can scheme?

If Imperial We sets schemes in motion, the Primordial World becomes the chessboard.

The Karma you sages stir up, Imperial We must dispel.

Can Imperial We not dispel Karma for Ourself?

Let's see if your disciples under Primordial can bear it.

With that thought, Haotian replied calmly, "Fine!

Then it's settled.

From now on, all beings in the Primordial World will be judged by deeds, not intentions!"

At Haotian's words, Taishang and the Two Sages of the West nodded, "Good!

This Seat accepts this matter.

From now on, all beings in the Primordial World will be judged by deeds, not intentions!"

But when it came to Nuwa, she did not agree outright.

Instead, she frowned and said, "Then what about my Demon Race?

They bear past Karmic debts.

The rules are only set now..."

Hearing this, Haotian raised a hand to interrupt, "Don't say Imperial We gives the Demon Race no chance.

Right now, if Sage Nuwa can provide a method for the Demon Race to eliminate their Karma, Imperial We can take a step back, only overseeing the Demon Race as they follow your method to wear down their Karma.

But if you cannot give a feasible plan, then I'm sorry.

How the Demon Race is dealt with will be up to Imperial We."

Hearing Haotian's words, Nuwa's expression immediately darkened.

Give a method now?

If she could truly think of one, why would she have waited until today?

After a moment of silence, Nuwa had to speak, "How do you plan to deal with them?"

Haotian replied indifferently, "Those with deep Karma and high cultivation will go to the Heavenly Court to maintain the operation of the Primordial World, thereby accumulating Merit and redeeming their sins.

Those with shallow Karma may cultivate on their own.

Those with heavy Karma and shallow cultivation shall re-enter the cycle of reincarnation."

Seeing that Haotian was not directly condemning all those with deep Karma in the Demon Race to death, Nuwa felt a slight relief in her heart.

But the worry on her face did not lessen by even half.

Because according to what Haotian had said, although most of those from the Demon Race could preserve their lives, from now on, they would no longer be the Demon Race.

Once they entered the Heavenly Court, given Haotian's nature, how could he ever let them leave again?

That meant, no matter what, this time the Demon Race would surely suffer heavy losses.

If she wanted the Demon Race to have any hope of recovery, she would have to step forward personally.

She would have to select some members of the Demon Race to teach and guide.

Otherwise, the Demon Race's decline would become an unchangeable certainty.

No!

There was still one demon who might be able to shoulder the burden of the Demon Race's affairs.

She only needed to lend a hand to help him break through to Quasi-Saint.

Then, when it came to watching over and teaching the Demon Race, she wouldn't have to handle everything herself.

At this thought, Nuwa's expression brightened slightly.

Then she spoke: "Fine!

I will go along with what you, Haotian, have said.

I hope you, Haotian, will remember today's words and keep a close watch on your Heavenly Court cultivators.

Hmph!"

Seeing this, Haotian's expression also turned quite sour.

Damn it!

There were clearly two Sages openly issuing threats right in front of him.

It seemed today's matter was destined not to end peacefully.

With the Old Man keeping things in check now, these Sages naturally wouldn't dare to scheme immediately.

But after some time passed, their retaliation would surely come.

At this thought, Haotian decided to go all the way.

"Fine!

Since the matter has been settled, let us swear a Dao Oath!

From now on, whoever goes back on their word will have their fortune scattered and suffer heavenly punishment."

As soon as Haotian said this, the Six Sages' hearts tightened.

Binding it with a Dao Oath?

This was to nail the matter down for good.

From now on, even if they wanted to use underhanded tricks to escape the constraints, it would be impossible.