At Kunlun Mountain's Eight Sceneries Palace, through the Water Mirror Technique.
Sect Master Tongtian clearly saw Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun looking furious and murderous.
Especially Zhen Yuanzi, clutching his butt with an expression that said he wanted to kill someone. Even a Sage like Tongtian felt a little guilty.
"Damn, why are these two nice guys so angry?"
Tongtian's eyes darted around. Without another word, he flopped down onto a cushion.
He spread his arms and legs, closed his eyes, and instantly went into playing dead.
"Big Brother, Second Brother!"
"When Zhen Yuanzi and Fellow Daoist Hongyun get here, just tell them I'm asleep!"
"The kind of sleep where no amount of shouting can wake me. Whatever you do, don't let them in!"
Yuanshi Tianzun looked at his younger brother sprawled on the floor, completely lacking a Sage's dignity. He was dumbfounded, the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
"Tongtian..."
"Do you honestly believe what you're saying?"
"You've got to be kidding me. A Sage fell asleep? Why not just say a dream demon possessed you?"
"Can't you come up with a normal excuse?"
"Even saying you went into seclusion and had a cultivation deviation would be better than this!"
Yuanshi Tianzun scolded him in exasperation.
"Besides, your disciple Zhao Gongming didn't do anything heinous. It's just... well, his magic treasure's side effect was a little severe."
"Can't you take some responsibility and come out to explain things?"
"Even if you refuse to be reasonable, you're a Sage. What are you afraid of?!"
Hearing that, Sect Master Tongtian sprang to his feet like a carp, his face lighting up with excitement.
"Right!"
"I'm a Sage! What have I got to be afraid of?!"
"I'll bring out the Immortal Slaying Four Swords and set them up at the entrance to the Eight Sceneries Palace!"
"Let's see who dares come in and cause trouble. That'll make them think twice!"
Before he could finish, Yuanshi Tianzun finally lost his patience. He raised a foot without a trace of decorum and kicked Tongtian flying.
"You good-for-nothing!"
Yuanshi's forehead creased with frown lines, and his beard trembled with anger.
"I told you to explain things properly. Didn't you hear me?!"
"All you can think of are ways to be unreasonable!"
"Zhen Yuanzi and Fellow Daoist Hongyun are both famous good people in the Primordial Era. What are you planning to do, cut them down?"
"Don't ruin the reputation of the Three Pure Ones. Get up and go welcome them!"
Tongtian rubbed his butt as he got back up, muttering aggrievedly,
"Fine, I'll welcome them. But was the kick really necessary...?"
Just then, Laozi, who had been silent all along, coughed twice and waved his Whisk.
"All right, they're here."
"Come with me to greet them. Let's not be discourteous."
Outside the Eight Sceneries Palace, Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun had just landed with Zhao Gongming when the Three Pure Ones came out to greet them.
Zhen Yuanzi was about to lose his temper and demand an explanation for Tongtian's failure to discipline his disciples.
But before he could say a word,
Tongtian rushed up, grabbed Zhen Yuanzi's hand, and said with an expression of deep regret and utmost sincerity,
"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, I was wrong!"
"I was terribly, terribly wrong!"
"If my useless disciple hadn't refined such a despicable magic treasure, how could your butt have been hurt?"
"I heard that one poke split your butt wide open?"
"Does it still hurt? Is your butt all right?"
"Ah, it's all my fault. I didn't discipline my disciple properly, and made your butt suffer!"
Tongtian kept bringing up Zhen Yuanzi's butt.
Every time he did, Zhen Yuanzi's face darkened another shade, and his body gave another shudder.
Was this an apology?
It was public humiliation!
"Enough, enough!"
Zhen Yuanzi hurriedly waved his hands, his face red with embarrassment and shame.
"Senior Brother Tongtian, there's no need to say any more!"
"I've seen your sincerity. You really don't need to bring up my butt again!"
"Let's put this behind us, all right? Let's just put it behind us!"
Seeing that Zhen Yuanzi wasn't going to pursue the matter, Tongtian finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then he turned and chided Zhao Gongming with a laugh.
"You little rascal, do you have any idea what a mess you've caused?"
"Hurry up and apologize to your Martial Uncle Zhen Yuanzi!"
Zhao Gongming stood off to the side. Facing his master's scolding, he remained perfectly calm. He even straightened his sleeves before answering in an unruffled voice,
"Master, you're mistaken."
"If I didn't cause trouble, how would you get to show off your ability to solve problems?"
"I'm creating an opportunity for you to shine!"
As soon as he said that,
the entire crowd fell silent.
The Three Pure Ones, Hong Yun, and Zhen Yuanzi all froze.
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After mulling it over, they actually thought... that might make a damn good point.
"Ahem."
Laozi broke the silence, smiling as he shook his head.
"You slippery fellow. You certainly know how to talk."
"Fellow Daoists, now that the misunderstanding is resolved, why don't you come into the Eight Sceneries Palace for a chat?"
Inside the Eight Sceneries Palace, the Sages took their seats.
Zhao Gongming obediently served tea nearby, playing the part of a waiter.
After a few cups of Enlightenment Tea, the mood eased considerably.
Zhen Yuanzi coughed twice. Though his butt still ached faintly, he couldn't help praising Zhao Gongming.
"Though that magic treasure was a bit improper, I must say, Martial Nephew Zhao's talent in the Dao of Artifacts is truly rare in the Primordial Era."
"To refine a magic treasure that ignores defenses and locks onto its target through karma—given time, he'll surely become a great talent."
Hearing this, Sect Master Tongtian proudly puffed out his chest, as if he were the one being praised.
"Of course! Just look at whose disciple he is!"
At this point, Ancestor Hong Yun asked, puzzled,
"Senior Brothers, there's something I don't understand."
"By all rights, now that the Witch-Demon Tribulation has begun, the Tribulation Qi in the world should be growing heavier."
"But as I traveled here, I found that the Tribulation Qi in the world had begun to dissipate, and even seemed to be receding. Why is that?"
Laozi smiled faintly and pointed at Zhao Gongming, who was pouring tea.
"We have Gongming to thank for that."
"He used his magic treasures to resolve the conflict between the Human Race and the Demon Race."
"He also helped Di Jun and Di Jiang, those sworn enemies... well, find something to talk about."
"Even the Dragon Race has grown much stronger with his help and is no longer troubled by karmic burdens."
"You could say that, through his own efforts, he forced this impending tribulation back and brought peace to the Primordial Era."
Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi listened, their expressions turning solemn. They couldn't help but praise him repeatedly.
"An immense merit! This is an immense merit!"
After a moment's thought, Zhen Yuanzi suddenly proposed,
"Senior Brothers, since the Tribulation Qi has dissipated and the Primordial Era is at peace for now,"
"why don't the three of you take the lead and hold a Kunlun Sacred Gathering?"
"Since the Dao was taught at the Purple Cloud Palace, many fellow disciples haven't seen one another in years."
"Some have founded sects, while others have gone into hiding to cultivate."
"Let's take this opportunity to gather the Great Experts of the Primordial Era, along with their disciples,"
"And have them come to Kunlun to discuss the Dao and recreate the golden age of the Purple Cloud Palace!"
Tongtian's eyes lit up. He slapped his thigh.
"Great idea! I love a lively gathering!"
Yuanshi Tianzun nodded slightly as well.
"This will promote the prestige of the Mystic Gate and give our disciples a chance to broaden their horizons. Excellent."
Seeing that everyone agreed, Laozi nodded.
"Good."
"Then, in our names, we shall send out invitations far and wide, summoning the Great Experts of the Primordial Era to Kunlun."
Then Laozi turned to Zhao Gongming.
"Gongming, I'll leave this matter to you."
"See that the fellow disciples of the Four Sects are all summoned back to Kunlun, and make the arrangements for the gathering."
"This disciple accepts the decree!"
With the Sages' decree issued, Kunlun Mountain, once quiet and deserted, instantly grew lively.
Countless disciples of the Three Teachings who had been out gaining experience returned one after another.
Even the disciples of the Western Teachings lingered and refused to leave.
After finishing the preparations, Zhao Gongming had just returned to his cave abode and was about to cultivate for a while.
Knock, knock, knock!
A series of hurried knocks sounded at the door.
"Senior Brother! Senior Brother Gongming, open up!"
Zhao Gongming opened the door and saw Yellow Dragon True Person standing outside, beaming with excitement.
He was holding a jade box that radiated a rich immortal aura.
"Senior Brother Huang Long, what's got you so excited?"
Huang Long said eagerly,
"Senior Brother, I've got money! No, wait, I've got materials!"
"Master summoned me just now. Not only did he not scold me, he praised me for doing well and rewarded me with a top-grade heavenly treasure!"
"I came to ask you to help me refine a magic treasure!"
"At this Kunlun Sacred Gathering, with immortals from all over the world coming to pay their respects, I, Huang Long, am going to make a name for myself!"
"I'll show everyone that I'm not the Four-Nothing True Person!"
Zhao Gongming looked at Huang Long's high-spirited expression, took the jade box, and opened it.
Inside was a cord, glowing with five-colored light and seemingly capable of binding all things...
[Ding! High-grade artifact-refining material detected: Innate Fierce Beast Skin.]
[Rating: Excellent.]
[Matching blueprint: Can be refined into a powerful conceptual magic treasure focused on control.]
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