Compromise

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

Haotian stopped in his tracks.

After stopping Haotian, Dao Ancestor Hongjun turned to the Six Sages and said, "Show some sincerity if you want to discuss this.

Don't think dragging things out will do you any good.

With Karma entangled throughout the Primordial World, it might seem that a Measure Calamity could wipe it away.

However,

every Measure Calamity inflicts damage on the Heavenly Dao.

It takes a long time to repair that damage.

If Measure Calamities occur too often, the Immeasurable Calamity will arrive early.

When that happens, you Sages will indeed be able to cultivate on your own.

But without the Heavenly Dao's support, who knows how fast your cultivation will progress?

I hope you'll think this through."

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

The Immeasurable Calamity arriving early?

The Heavenly Dao being damaged?

As long as their own interests weren't harmed, they would certainly take those things into account.

Sages.

They were only fighting over Fortune and face.

They still had compassion in their hearts.

But the crux of the matter was that Haotian's actions had struck directly at their sore spot.

If they agreed to Haotian's demands, wouldn't that mean

that even they, the Sages, would have to obey his commands?

Haotian was a cultivator who had yet to attain the Dao, and he wanted to order them, the Sages, around.

How could that be allowed?

What about their dignity?

Besides, if Haotian had his way, the Heavenly Court would surely claim a large share of the Primordial World's Fortune.

After a moment's consideration, Taishang spoke. "I respectfully report to Master!

It's not that we're unwilling to accommodate Haotian.

It's just that his demand is indeed a little excessive.

If we truly accepted his terms, how could we Sages hold our place in the Primordial World?

Sages uphold the Heavenly Dao and act on Heaven's behalf.

If the dignity of us Sages were utterly lost, how could we carry out our duties?"

Hongjun considered this in his heart as well.

Indeed!

The Sages' dignity had to be taken into account.

Otherwise, with the Sages' strength, if they truly lost their dignity and authority,

how could they conduct themselves?

Disorder among the Sages would also be a great calamity for the Primordial World.

At this moment, the importance of balance was only growing.

After a moment's thought, Dao Ancestor Hongjun said to Haotian, "This is indeed the case.

Haotian, you'll need to make some concessions."

Hearing the Old Man's words, Haotian considered it.

"Since Teacher has put it this way, then I'll make some concessions.

From now on, the Sages may decide matters within their own Daoist sanctuaries.

But once outside a Sage's sanctuary, everyone must act according to the Heavenly Rules.

Anyone who defies the Heavenly Rules may be dealt with by Us according to those rules."

As soon as Haotian finished speaking, a cold glint flashed in Primordial Heavenly Venerate's eyes.

He immediately asked coldly, "What about you, Haotian? Will you abide by them too?"

Haotian answered resolutely. "Since I established the rules, I must abide by them myself.

Once outside the Heavenly Court, its cultivators must also act according to the Heavenly Rules.

Within the Heavenly Court, they will act according to My orders."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate sneered as soon as Haotian finished speaking. "Good! Good! Good!

I hope you, the Heavenly Emperor, will keep your word!

Hmph!

I accept your terms!"

Hearing Primordial Heavenly Venerate's words, Haotian's heart gave a sudden jolt.

He had suddenly remembered Yaoji.

He'd fallen into a trap.

But things had reached this point, and Haotian couldn't take it back.

Then Haotian spoke up. "But if someone schemes to make the Heavenly Court's cultivators violate the Heavenly Law,

then I'll have to make the decision myself."

Hearing this, Primordial Heavenly Venerate naturally knew Haotian was trying to leave himself a way out.

That wouldn't do.

If things really went that way, how could he ensnare Haotian?

"What do schemes have to do with anything?

Who can say for sure whether there was a scheme or not?

Either treat everyone equally, or don't bring up anything else."

Hearing Primordial Heavenly Venerate's words, a cold glint flashed in Haotian's eyes as well.

Scheming?

Were the Sages the only ones allowed to scheme?

If I choose to scheme, the entire Primordial World will be my game board.

I have to resolve the Karma caused by you Sages.

Does that mean I can't resolve my own Karma?

Let's see whether the disciples under you, Yuanshi, can bear the consequences.

Having made up his mind, Haotian replied calmly, "Fine!

Then it's settled.

From now on, the beings of the Primordial World will be judged by their actions, not their intentions!"

At these words, Taishang and the Two Sages of the West nodded. "Agreed!

I accept this.

From now on, the beings of the Primordial World will be judged by their actions, not their intentions!"

But when it came to Nuwa, she didn't agree right away.

Instead, she frowned and asked, "What about my Demon Race?

They incurred their Karmic Debt in the past.

The rules are only being established now..."

Hearing this, Haotian raised a hand to cut her off. "Don't say I'm not giving the Demon Race a chance.

Right now, if Sage Nuwa can come up with a way for the Demon Race to eliminate its Karmic Debt,

I can make another concession and merely supervise them as they work off their Karmic Debt according to your method.

But if you can't come up with a viable solution,

then I'm afraid

I'll have the final say in how the Demon Race is dealt with."

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

Come up with a solution right now?

If she could have come up with one, would she have waited until today?

After a moment's silence, Nuwa had no choice but to ask, "How do you intend to deal with them?"

Haotian replied blandly, "Those with deep cultivation and Karmic Debt will go to the Heavenly Court to maintain the Primordial World's workings. They'll accumulate Merit that way and atone for their sins.

Those with little Karmic Debt may cultivate on their own.

Those with heavy Karmic Debt and shallow cultivation must enter Reincarnation again."

Seeing that Haotian hadn't simply condemned every member of the Demon Race with heavy Karmic Debt to death,

Nuwa felt slightly relieved.

But the worry on her face didn't lessen in the slightest.

Because according to Haotian, most of the Demon Race might survive,

but from then 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?

In other words, no matter what, the Demon Race would suffer heavy losses this time.

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

and select some of them to teach.

Otherwise, the Demon Race's decline would be inevitable.

Wait!

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

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

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

At this thought, Nuwa's expression improved slightly.

Then she spoke up. "Fine!

We'll do as you say, Haotian.

I hope you remember what you said today and keep an eye on your Heavenly Court's cultivators.

Hmph!"

Seeing this, Haotian's expression turned rather grim too.

Damn it!

Two Sages had openly threatened him.

It seemed there was no way to settle things peacefully today.

With the Old Man keeping them in check, the Sages naturally wouldn't dare start scheming right away.

But after some time passed, their retaliation was certain to come.

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

"Fine!

Now that we've reached an agreement, let's swear Dao Oaths!

Whoever goes back on their word from now on will lose all their Fortune and suffer Heavenly Punishment."

At Haotian's words, the Six Sages immediately felt a chill in their hearts.

A Dao Oath to bind them?

He was making sure the agreement was set in stone.

From now on, they wouldn't be able to resort to underhanded tricks to escape their obligations either.