Xuanyuan waved a hand, signaling that Dijiang and the others need not say more, then turned to Taiqing Laozi. "There's no way we're giving the treasures back!"
Taiqing Laozi's expression darkened. "An innocent man can get into trouble for possessing a treasure. With so many treasures on you, aren't you afraid you'll bring calamity down upon the entire Witch Clan?"
"Why don't you try?"
Yuanshi taunted, "Eldest Brother, why waste words on him? Just attack!"
"Count the two of us in!" Jieyin and Zhunti chimed in.
"And the Old Ancestor!"
"This king is willing to help!"
Old Ancestor Kunpeng, Ancestor Minghe, and East Duke stepped forward one after another, their eyes fixed on Xuanyuan with amused expressions.
They admitted that Xuanyuan was exceptionally bold, but his strength was still lacking.
So what if he wielded the power of the Space Law? He was only at the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, after all.
The three of them alone might still have had some reservations, but with the Sanqing, Jieyin, Zhunti, and the other top experts joining them—
There'd be no chance of failure!
Xuanyuan had only himself to blame for being so greedy. He possessed so many Innate Spiritual Treasures yet didn't know enough to keep a low profile.
More than a dozen of them lined up, each radiating the powerful aura of a Daluo Golden Immortal as they locked onto Xuanyuan, ready to strike at any moment.
As the two sides faced off, a voice rang out, frightened but resolute.
"It's too much to gang up on one person like this!"
The speaker was the Six-Eared Macaque. Several others stood beside him.
Kong Xuan, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird, Sihuxiang, and the rest.
They had all been able to enter Zixiao Palace and hear Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor, preach thanks to Xuanyuan's help.
They were filled with gratitude toward him.
Even though they knew full well that standing up to Daluo Golden Immortals like the Sanqing, Jieyin, and Zhunti could have dire consequences, even costing them their lives—
They still stepped forward without hesitation to speak up for Xuanyuan.
"How ridiculous!"
Yuanshi snorted coldly, looking at the Six-Eared Macaque and the others with scorn and disdain. "You feathered and horned, damp-born and egg-hatched creatures dare to meddle in our affairs?"
Jieyin wore a compassionate smile. "You are destined to join me. Why not come to the Western World and cleanse yourselves of your karmic burdens?"
"What makes you think you're so important?"
East Duke glanced sidelong at them, impatiently saying, "If you know what's good for you, leave at once. Otherwise, one wrong step could cost you your lives."
Seeing this, Xuanyuan smiled and asked the Six-Eared Macaque, Kong Xuan, and the others, "The lecture ended ages ago. Why haven't you left yet?"
They looked toward Xuanyuan, bowed respectfully, and said gratefully, "We stayed here to thank you, Big Boss. Without you, we wouldn't be where we are today. It's just a shame we're too weak to help!"
Xuanyuan shook his head with a smile, not at all bothered. "It's the thought that counts!"
Back at the edge of the Outer Heavens, Xuanyuan had used the Taiji Diagram to help tens of thousands of people enter Zixiao Palace. Most of the others had left as soon as Hongjun's lecture ended, but the Six-Eared Macaque and the others had waited for him the entire time.
They were loyal and true to their friends. Having them there made all his careful planning worthwhile.
It was enough!
As he spoke, Xuanyuan looked toward Zixiao Palace and let out a sigh. "What a shame. I won't get the chance to fight."
The Sanqing and the others didn't understand what Xuanyuan meant—until the two attendants, Haotian and Yaochi, suddenly appeared.
"By decree of our master, no fighting is allowed outside Zixiao Palace!"
"Everyone, disperse. Return to Zixiao Palace to hear the next lecture in three thousand years."
Haotian and Yaochi each spoke a line, looking at the Sanqing and the others.
"Yes. We respectfully obey the Dao Ancestor's decree!"
The Sanqing and the others were unwilling, but they dared not defy Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor. They glared at Xuanyuan, bowed toward Zixiao Palace, then turned and disappeared into the Chaos Void.
With the Sanqing and the others gone, the lively grounds outside Zixiao Palace fell quiet.
Nuwa, Fuxi, Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, and the other neutral parties exchanged a few pleasantries with Xuanyuan before leaving as well.
Once they were all gone, the Six-Eared Macaque, Kong Xuan, and the others stepped forward, seeming eager to speak but unsure how.
Xuanyuan had a pretty good idea what they wanted to say. He nodded slightly and smiled. "We'll talk once we're back in the Primordial World!"
"Yes!"
The Six-Eared Macaque, Kong Xuan, and the others nodded respectfully and said no more.
Xuanyuan strolled over to Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi and tutted in amazement. "You two Demon Emperors are in rough shape!"
"Hahaha!"
Dijiang and the others burst into hearty laughter, thoroughly delighted.
In the Primordial World, the Witch Clan and the Demon Clan were the two most powerful races. They were constantly at odds as they fought for survival and growth.
They had fought Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi several times. At Xuanyuan's instruction, they had never used the power of the Law, so they hadn't gained much of an advantage in those battles.
In fact, because Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi possessed the two supreme-grade innate treasures, the River Diagram and Luo Book and the Chaos Bell, they had even suffered serious losses at their hands.
Now, seeing Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi sprawled on the ground like a pair of beaten dogs, they couldn't have been more pleased.
Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi struggled to their feet.
Donghuang Taiyi snorted. "Hmph! Don't get too cocky. Once we leave Zixiao Palace, I'll make you pay!"
Dijun's face was dark, and he said nothing, but he felt exactly the same as Donghuang Taiyi.
This time, they had been humiliated beyond belief.
And it was all Xuanyuan's fault!
Xuanyuan patted his chest. "You can talk tough all you want, but I'm shaking in my boots!"
"Second Brother, there's no point saying more. Let's go!"
Dijun couldn't wait to leave. He called to Donghuang Taiyi, ready to go.
"Did we say you could leave?"
Dijiang stepped forward and blocked the two of them.
"What else do you want?"
Dijun glared at Dijiang and roared furiously, "Do you really think I'm afraid of you? We can all go down together!"
"All go down together?"
Xuanyuan sneered and reached out. The dimmed River Diagram and Luo Book and Chaos Bell quivered violently a few times before landing in his grasp.
"Like you're worthy?"
Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi's expressions changed dramatically at the sight.
They hadn't expected Xuanyuan to dare seize the River Diagram and Luo Book and the Chaos Bell as well.
Donghuang Taiyi threatened him. "Aren't you afraid the Dao Ancestor will punish you?"
Dijun, meanwhile, seemed dazed. For some reason, he suddenly recalled the scene from three thousand years ago, when Jieyin and Zhunti had first entered Zixiao Palace.
Jieyin and Zhunti had played up their hardships, but the two brothers were truly suffering!
Xuanyuan shook his head. "We're lucky. We walked out the door and found treasures like the River Diagram and Luo Book and the Chaos Bell lying around. Even if the Dao Ancestor wanted to meddle, he couldn't blame us, could he?"
"That's right. We can testify!"
"The River Diagram and Luo Book and the Chaos Bell were lying on the ground. We brothers were lucky enough to pick them up. What right does Hongjun have to interfere?"
Zhurong and Gonggong laughed heartily.
Dijun's face darkened. "Xuanyuan, what exactly are you after?"
"Nothing in particular!"
Xuanyuan looked at Dijun and Donghuang Taiyi with amusement, then suddenly smiled. "It's been ages since I've had a barbecue. I hear the Sun Crystals from the Sun Star are pretty good—smokeless and odorless, perfect for grilling."
Before you continue