Zhunti was immediately displeased when he heard this.
I was just here to sit on the sidelines.
And now you've dragged me into this?
I can't just agree to this.
I can't speak for the others.
But the Western Region is already impoverished. If we don't resort to a few crooked tricks, how can we ever prosper?
With that thought, Zhunti spoke up. "Since we Sages have given our word, we naturally won't go back on what we've said today.
Haotian, there's no need for this Dao Oath.
Do you really not trust us Sages?"
As soon as Zhunti finished speaking, Haotian nodded solemnly. "That's right!
I don't trust you!
What happened today must be bound by a Dao Oath.
Besides, you Sages won't be the only ones swearing it.
I'll swear one too.
If the Sages aren't even willing to do that, then I'll have to question your sincerity.
Could it be that you Sages have already decided to break today's agreement in the future?
Otherwise, why would you object to the Dao Oath?
If that's the case, then everything we discussed earlier is off. You can go find a new Heavenly Emperor, and I'll go find a new place to practice.
From now on, we'll have nothing to do with each other!"
The Six Sages exchanged glances, then secretly stole a look at Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
They had already made up their minds.
Judging by the situation today, if they didn't come to a resolution, it seemed no one would be allowed to leave.
Haotian could throw away the Heavenly Emperor Position and use that to withdraw from this dispute.
From the way he acted, he seemed almost eager to do so.
But what about them, the Sages?
Could they throw away their Sagehood?
Never mind whether that was even possible. Just comparing what each side stood to lose—
They would be taking a massive loss.
Given Old Man's attitude, if Haotian really did walk away, and they still had no perfect solution,
would Old Man let them go?
So that was it!
No wonder Haotian dared to stand up to the pressure from the Sages.
Something was seriously wrong with him right now.
He was in a state where the slightest provocation could set him off, ready to throw in the towel at any moment.
Haotian had already decided he didn't care what happened and was ready to simply give up.
They couldn't afford to push him.
Otherwise, he'd just turn on his heel and walk away.
And they'd be the ones left behind to face Old Man's wrath.
Having grasped the situation, Taishang said slowly, "Very well!
Since Haotian doesn't trust us,
then let us all swear Dao Oaths!
I, Taishang, hereby swear that from this day forward, any disciple or follower of mine
who leaves my residence must obey the Heavenly Rules. Should they break them, they will be punished according to the Heavenly Rules, and I will not interfere.
Otherwise, my Fortune will be exhausted, and Heavenly Punishment will befall me!
Heavenly Dao, bear witness!"
As his Dao Oath rang out, a peal of thunder sounded in the sky.
The Heavenly Dao had sensed the oath and answered Taishang's vow.
Taishang had acted so decisively
because he had thought the matter through.
How many disciples did he have, anyway?
At the moment, there was only Xuandu.
And Xuandu never even left his residence. How could he possibly break the Heavenly Rules?
He was the sort of person who could stand around talking without having to worry about the consequences.
Since the other Sages saw that Taishang had sworn his oath, what else could they do?
Resist?
That would only work if they could withstand the pressure.
Hadn't they seen how much sharper Dao Ancestor Hongjun's gaze had become after Taishang swore?
If they dared refuse, just imagine what Old Man would do to them.
With no choice, the other Sages followed Taishang's example and swore Dao Oaths.
Of course, Haotian did too.
Only after all the cultivators had sworn their Dao Oaths did Dao Ancestor Hongjun speak. "Good!
This matter is settled. I hope you will all conduct yourselves accordingly.
You Sages must remember the agreement you made today.
Haotian, you must faithfully carry out your duties. Do not speak lightly of giving up the Heavenly Emperor Position again.
You are dismissed!"
With that,
Dao Ancestor Hongjun went straight back to Zixiao Palace.
The cultivators hurriedly bowed. "We respectfully see you off, Master!"
A short while later,
the cultivators rose one after another.
Taishang and Master Tongtian glanced at Haotian, then returned to their residences with impassive faces.
Primordial Heavenly Venerate looked at Haotian and gave a cold snort.
His meaning couldn't have been clearer.
Just like Primordial Heavenly Venerate, the Two Sages of the West and Nuwa gave Haotian no warm looks.
They had faced Haotian twice and not only failed to gain the upper hand,
but had swallowed their frustration both times.
There was no way they could look pleased.
Besides, several of the Sages had already seen it clearly.
Haotian was dead set on throwing everything away.
If anyone dared push him, he'd blow up on the spot.
He didn't care one bit about the consequences.
The Six Sages were gone in the blink of an eye.
Only Kunpeng, Ying Zhao, and Haotian remained where they were.
At that moment, Kunpeng was breaking down inside.
You Sages could just flick your sleeves and walk away.
But what about me?
What am I supposed to do?
So I, Kunpeng, am the only one who gets hurt?
After thinking for a moment, Kunpeng broke the silence.
"Fellow Daoist!
This was all a misunderstanding.
Since Sage Nuwa has made her decision, I naturally have no reason to stop her.
How about you release me from my restraints, and I'll return to my residence?"
Haotian looked Kunpeng up and down when he heard this.
You want to leave?
It wasn't going to be that easy.
It had taken a Quasi-Saint getting involved for once. How could he let the opportunity slip?
If he just let Kunpeng go like this,
it would be like losing a fortune!
Haotian then said slowly, "A misunderstanding?
No! No! No!
You've got it wrong, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng. How could I possibly misunderstand?
I don't care what your reasons were for coming here.
As far as you and I are concerned, you came here of your own accord, didn't you?
I never invited you.
Since you've come, how can you just turn around and leave?"
Kunpeng felt a chill spread through him when he heard this.
He wouldn't be getting away without paying a price this time.
He'd play along for now, then seek compensation from Sage Nuwa once he was free.
Following her orders had put me through hell this time.
It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask her to compensate me for my losses, would it?
With that in mind, Kunpeng said awkwardly, "How would Fellow Daoist Haotian like to settle this matter?"
Haotian shook his head. "Why ask me?
Isn't figuring out how to settle this your problem?
What would it look like if I were the one to bring it up?"
Kunpeng felt a wave of bitterness wash over him at Haotian's words.
He wasn't going to name his terms?
That was the hardest situation to handle.
If he stated his terms, they could negotiate.
If he didn't even bring them up, then things were serious.
Either he wanted something enormous,
or he simply wanted Kunpeng dead.
So what was Haotian after?
Judging by his attitude so far, if they negotiated well, he wanted something enormous.
But if the negotiation went badly, he probably wanted Kunpeng dead.
Damn it!
The ones who took the Heavenly Emperor Position really were all rotten to the core.
Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi had been the same, and now Haotian was no different.
Was there something poisonous about that position?
Bah! Bah!
Now wasn't the time to complain.
The important thing was figuring out what to say.
After all, if he answered well, Haotian was after benefits.
If he answered badly, Haotian was after his life.
Between giving up wealth and giving up his life, Kunpeng knew which to choose.
And with Haotian looking so impatient, he probably wouldn't listen to him ramble.
After all, when facing the Sages, Haotian hadn't had the patience to argue things out.
He'd made his position clear: if they couldn't reach an agreement, he'd simply walk away.
Now that it was Kunpeng's turn, there was no point overthinking things.
Before you continue