Still Prefer the Way You Were-Defiant and Unruly

He wasn't particularly sharp, but he wasn't actually stupid, either.

What was this about an eight-petal bloom?!

Was an eight-petal bloom really that impressive?

When the Twelve Ancestor Witches broke through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, every one of them had achieved a Nine-Petal Bloom.

As for Xuanyuan, although they didn't know how many petals had bloomed when he broke through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, surely it couldn't have been fewer than nine?

At any rate, Dijiang believed Xuanyuan's talent was even greater.

In the vast Primordial World, no one could compare with him!

Even Taiqing Laozi, whom Hongjun had placed great hopes in and who had achieved a Nine-Petal Bloom, couldn't hold a candle to their brother.

As for Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi, they had achieved only an eight-petal bloom when they broke through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm.

At least a dozen people in Zixiao Palace had achieved an eight-petal bloom when they advanced.

What were they even worth?

Since their brother had said this, he was obviously planning to trick those two!

Dijiang quietly signaled to the others.

Zhurong, Gonggong, and the rest understood. They all drooped their heads, their auras vanishing in an instant like deflated balloons. One by one, they looked dejected and deeply wounded.

This is too much. They're overacting!

Xuanyuan smiled wryly inside, mortified.

So he secretly sent them a voice transmission, coaching the Ancestor Witches on how to act so their emotions seemed just right.

Seeing the Ancestor Witches back down, Donghuang Taiyi immediately grew cocky.

"Heh heh, at least you know what's good for you. From now on, you'd better take a detour whenever you see me. Otherwise, I don't mind showing you just how powerful a Daluo Golden Immortal is!"

Donghuang Taiyi was unbearably arrogant!

By contrast, Xuanyuan and the other Ancestor Witches looked furious, yet none dared to speak up.

Xuanyuan even complained in a pitiful voice, "We've already given you all the treasures. What more do you want?"

To Yuanshi, Jieyin, Zhunti, and the others, the scene gave an entirely different impression.

Three thousand years ago, when Xuanyuan and the others had first entered Zixiao Palace, they had been so arrogant. Now they were so utterly humbled.

So this was what it meant for beauty to fade and the powerful to fall.

Their resentment toward Xuanyuan and the others eased somewhat, and their attention shifted to Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi.

Xuanyuan had made it perfectly clear: with the Sage's intervention, he had handed all the treasures over to Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi.

For a moment, everyone was itching to make a move, but no one dared to strike first.

They were worried the Sage would interfere again.

Donghuang Taiyi still hadn't sensed the danger. He kept insulting Xuanyuan without pause.

"Go on, act arrogant again! I still prefer the way you were—defiant and unruly!"

"Know what's good for you and kneel to apologize. Since we're both disciples of the Sage, I might forgive you!"

Donghuang Taiyi looked down at Xuanyuan, savoring the pleasure of revenge.

He had waited three thousand years for this moment.

Naturally, he wasn't about to let Xuanyuan off easily.

"Damn it, I can't take this anymore!"

"A mangy bird dares to lord it over our brother? Big brother, don't stop me. I'm tearing this bird-man apart today!"

Zhurong and Gonggong clenched their fists, their faces blazing with fury.

If Dijiang and Zhujiuyin hadn't held them back, they would have already gone after that bird-man, Donghuang Taiyi.

What a joke!

A weakling who had only just broken through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm.

He dared to humiliate their brother?

Dijiang and Zhujiuyin were holding the two back, but they were just as furious.

Acting was one thing, but they couldn't stand being insulted like this by some bird-man, either.

They both looked at Xuanyuan. If he gave the word, they didn't care whether the Sage was involved or not—they would teach Donghuang Taiyi a proper lesson.

Xuanyuan gave a faint, amused smile and sent them a calm voice transmission. "No rush. Let him enjoy himself a little longer!"

He knew all too well that, before someone fell, they had to be allowed to get carried away first.

Let Donghuang Taiyi enjoy his triumph for a little while. He'd soon get what was coming to him.

"Second brother, that's enough. Say less!"

Dijun reached out to stop Donghuang Taiyi, his head already aching.

His second brother was wonderful in every way, except for being far too arrogant and conceited.

He looked down on everyone!

Even if Xuanyuan and the others hadn't broken through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, they were still at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal Realm.

And there were thirteen of them!

Did Donghuang Taiyi really think they were easy targets?

Besides, couldn't he see that Yuanshi, Jieyin, Zhunti, and the others had bloodshot eyes?

Every one of them was a Daluo Golden Immortal.

Taiqing Laozi had even achieved a Nine-Petal Bloom and possessed boundless potential.

If a fight broke out, it was obvious even to a fool that Hongjun wouldn't take their side!

"Big brother, what's there to fear? They're just Taiyi Golden Immortals. What trouble could they possibly cause?"

Donghuang Taiyi wore a haughty expression, determined to avenge the humiliation he had suffered three thousand years ago.

Just then, Taiqing Laozi spoke up. "Dijun, Donghuang Taiyi, we Sanqing won't get involved in your dispute with the Ancestor Witches. Return our treasures at once!"

"And ours as well!"

Jieyin and Zhunti chimed in right after him.

With Sanqing taking the lead, they weren't afraid of Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi.

Fuxi and Nuwa stood to one side. They didn't directly demand their treasures, but neither did they speak up for Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi.

Though they were both members of the demon race, the siblings looked down on Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi.

Donghuang Taiyi in particular was arrogant, conceited, and willing to kick someone when they were down. He was a complete scoundrel, and the siblings were ashamed to associate with him.

Dijun's expression darkened. The thing he had feared most had happened after all.

Sanqing, Jieyin, Zhunti, and the others really did think Xuanyuan had handed all the treasures over to them.

He hurried to explain, "Don't misunderstand. The two of us only took back the River Diagram and Luo Book and the Donghuang Bell. The rest of the treasures are still with Xuanyuan."

"What do you mean by that?"

Donghuang Taiyi glared at them. "Don't forget, this is Zixiao Palace, the Sage's sanctuary. Are you planning to follow those savages like Xuanyuan and snatch my spiritual treasures?"

Donghuang Taiyi was arrogant and utterly unconcerned. Since Hongjun had helped them take back the River Diagram and Luo Book and the Donghuang Bell from Xuanyuan, he naturally wouldn't stand by while Sanqing and the others tried to seize them.

Donghuang Taiyi's words completely enraged Yuanshi. Both were arrogant men, so they naturally couldn't stand each other. Yuanshi retorted, "You feathered, horned, and egg-born creatures—I have no interest in stealing your things. I'm only taking back the treasures that belonged to us in the first place!"

"Yuanshi, watch your mouth!"

Donghuang Taiyi flew into a rage. Three thousand years ago, right outside Zixiao Palace, Yuanshi had called them mangy birds. He had never forgotten that grudge.

"Was I wrong?"

Yuanshi made no effort to hide his contempt. "Your true forms are three-legged Golden Crows. Aren't you feathered, horned, and egg-born creatures?"

"You're asking for death!"

Before Yuanshi could finish, Donghuang Taiyi's face twisted. He immediately activated the Chaos Bell. Its thunderous boom rang through heaven and earth.

The Chaos Bell descended upon Yuanshi.

The Chaos Bell was a Supreme Grade Innate Supreme Treasure. When activated, its mighty toll shook the universe and dimmed heaven and earth. Qiankun trembled, and it could seal time and suppress space.

It was one of the greatest treasures in the Primordial World.

Donghuang Taiyi wielded it with the power of a Daluo Golden Immortal. Though he couldn't bring out the Chaos Bell's full potential, its power was still formidable.

Yuanshi hadn't expected Donghuang Taiyi to actually dare attack outside Zixiao Palace. He hurriedly brought out the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi. Five-colored radiance instantly filled the heavens, and countless shafts of rosy light illuminated the mountains and rivers.

The Three Treasures Jade Ruyi collided with the Chaos Bell. Yuanshi staggered back several steps, a trace of blood welling at the corner of his mouth.

The Three Treasures Jade Ruyi was only a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, nowhere near the Chaos Bell's level. Moreover, Yuanshi had been caught off guard and hadn't been able to use his full strength. It was only natural that Donghuang Taiyi had injured him with a single strike.

"Bold! You dare hurt my second brother!"

Tongtian's eyes turned bloodshot. He raised an innate sword and slashed at Donghuang Taiyi.