In the end, it was I, Kunpeng, who bore it all!

After pondering for a moment, Kunpeng spoke: "Fellow Daoist Haotian, This Humble One is willing to use the River Diagram and Lo Shu Square to settle this matter. What do you think?"

Haotian's gaze swept over Kunpeng upon hearing this. "Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, you go too far! The River Diagram and Lo Shu Square? Aren't those Imperial We's possessions? You use Imperial We's things to negotiate terms with Imperial We?"

Hearing this at first, Kunpeng didn't react. He couldn't help but reply: "The River Diagram and Lo Shu Square are This Humble One's spiritual treasures. When did they become yours, fellow Daoist? Saying such things, you're a bit out of touch with reality."

At Kunpeng's words, Haotian said faintly: "Imperial We is not spouting nonsense! Fellow Daoist, think about it. After you fall, won't this treasure be Imperial We's?"

As soon as Haotian said this, Kunpeng's expression changed drastically. I'm still alive, damn it! You, Haotian, are already divvying up my inheritance? But this fellow wasn't wrong. After he, Kunpeng, fell, all spiritual treasures would belong to Haotian. Thinking of this, Kunpeng couldn't help but feel deflated. After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Then let fellow Daoist propose the terms."

Who would have thought Haotian would shake his head and say: "Fellow Daoist, your words are off! How would Imperial We know what you have to trade? So it's better for you to speak for yourself. That way, it won't put you in a difficult position, right?" Though he said this, Haotian thought to himself: I hope this fellow knows his place. If he's unwilling to offer his loyalty, then Imperial We will have to hold a funeral for him and inherit his legacy.

Sure enough! Upon hearing Haotian's words, Kunpeng instantly fell into despair. The most precious thing he had was the River Diagram and Lo Shu Square. Yet that spiritual treasure was already regarded by Haotian as his own. Having roamed the Primordial World for over a Measure Calamity, surviving the Dragon-Han Calamity and the Lich-Demon Calamity—was he going to fall here today? In his panic, Kunpeng suddenly had a flash of insight. An idea popped into his mind. Wait! It seems This Seat can still save himself. Haotian has already captured me. If he wanted to kill This Seat, he could just do it directly. Why go through all this? So Haotian must have some other scheme regarding me. But the problem is, even my most valued spiritual treasure is seen as his. What else is worth his scheming? Ying Zhao? No! This fellow has taken a liking to This Seat... ah, spit! This fellow has taken a liking to This Seat's strength. Thinking of this, Kunpeng couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"There's hope!"

Kunpeng then spoke: "This humble one knows his karmic sins are deep, and wishes to attach himself to the Great Heavenly Venerate's command. I will heed the Great Heavenly Venerate's teachings at all times and contribute to the peace of the Primordial World. If the Great Heavenly Venerate does not reject me, this humble one is willing to serve the Great Heavenly Venerate as my master."

Seeing that Kunpeng had finally grasped the situation, Haotian breathed a sigh of relief. This would boost the Heavenly Court's strength by a significant margin. But this fellow's reputation wasn't great. A backstab? No way! That had to be nipped in the bud.

Thinking this, Haotian couldn't help but say: "Well... Kunpeng, fellow Daoist, having such a heart, Imperial We should by rights grant your wish. But fellow Daoist, you... Ah! Imperial We will speak plainly. Fellow Daoist, your reputation precedes you; Imperial We truly finds it hard to feel at ease."

At Haotian's words, Kunpeng nearly choked on his breath. Good heavens! Now he was being looked down upon. And you're calling out my shortcomings to my face. Where's your courtesy? But the situation was stronger than the man; courtesy or not, it wasn't for Kunpeng to decide. After a moment of inner struggle, Kunpeng came to understand. He'd already thrown away his face, so why bother with that? Better to save his bird's life first. In the end, it was Kunpeng who bore it all!

Then Kunpeng spoke: "This humble one is willing to offer a strand of my Primordial Spirit."

Haotian heard this but still shook his head: "In the past, Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi also had a strand of fellow Daoist's Primordial Spirit. So, with just this act, Imperial We finds it hard to trust fellow Daoist. How about fellow Daoist also swear a Dao Oath? A Dao Oath plus a strand of Primordial Spirit, and there will be no more suspicion between you and me."

Hearing this, Kunpeng immediately closed his eyes. After a moment, he sighed. "Enough! I'll do as the Great Heavenly Venerate says! I, Kunpeng, now sincerely submit to the Great Heavenly Venerate Haotian. If in the future I commit an act of betrayal or harbor treacherous intent, may I be abandoned by the Heavenly Dao and die under the Heavenly Punishment. Let the Heavenly Dao witness this!"

Once Kunpeng finished his oath, Haotian moved his mind and released Kunpeng's confinement. However, the Law Domain, Haotian still did not withdraw. And after regaining his freedom, Kunpeng didn't think of fleeing either. That Law Domain wasn't removed; clearly, Haotian was on guard against him. Don't talk about trust or not. What was that worth? Haotian couldn't even trust a Saint, let alone him, Kunpeng? As for what Haotian was waiting for, Kunpeng naturally knew in his heart. He then separated a strand of his Primordial Spirit and respectfully offered it up. "Please, Your Majesty, accept this strand of Primordial Spirit!"

Haotian didn't stand on ceremony. He accepted that wisp of Kunpeng's Primordial Spirit and cast it into the Investiture of the Gods.

Only then did Haotian speak: "Now that you, Fellow Daoist, have come to the Heavenly Court, I shall assign you some tasks."

"Please instruct me, Your Majesty!"

Haotian nodded and said: "You must have heard what I discussed with Sage Nuwa just now, Fellow Daoist.

You should know well which members of the Demon Race carry heavy karmic sins.

I ask you to go and bring them all to the Heavenly Court.

Their karmic sins are deep; they cannot go without restraint.

Don't say I'm not giving them a chance.

However many you bring, I will arrange positions for them here in the Heavenly Court.

As for those you don't bring—that means you, Fellow Daoist, also consider them beyond redemption.

Once I have consolidated my forces, I will send troops to wipe them out.

I wonder if you, Fellow Daoist, are willing to take on this task?"

Hearing Haotian's demand, Kunpeng's face twitched.

This left him absolutely no way out!

If he accepted this task, then he, Kunpeng, would cut himself off from the Demon Race forever.

From now on, even if he left the Heavenly Court, no faction would ever take him in.

Not only would the Demon Race refuse to accept him.

Even other cultivators would have nothing to do with him.

At the slightest hint of risk, he would have to bear it all alone.

Of course.

For a Quasi-Saint like him, none of this was the most important thing.

Reputation?

Let it be ruined.

Being isolated didn't matter either.

For a cultivator, solitude was the norm.

The most critical issue was that this matter would earn him the enmity of Sage Nuwa.

Once he left the Heavenly Court, he, Kunpeng, would have to face a Sage's wrath alone.

Haotian could stand before a Sage, but he, Kunpeng, did not have that ability.

Yet if he refused Haotian's arrangement now.

What awaited him, Kunpeng, would likely be endless petty harassment.

Then tasks like guarding the gates would probably fall on him, Kunpeng.

A dignified Quasi-Saint reduced to gatekeeping—he, Kunpeng, might as well not live.

After weighing his options, Kunpeng could only clasp his hands and say: "Yes!

Your servant accepts the Imperial Decree!"

Offend Sage Nuwa?

He couldn't afford to worry about that anymore.

After all, this whole mess was caused by Sage Nuwa.

That he, Kunpeng, had fallen to this state was largely thanks to her.

Since the Sage had abandoned him first.

Now following orders was hardly a betrayal.

Hearing Kunpeng's reply, Haotian nodded and said: "Then I leave this matter to you, Fellow Daoist!

I await your good news in the Heavenly Court!"

"Your servant will not fail the mission!"

"Good!"

With that, Haotian turned and returned to the Heavenly Court.