Haotian Bullies by Power

Then his expression suddenly changed. He first clasped his fists and bowed toward the depths of Purple Firmament Palace, then said coldly, "To be frank with you two Daoists, Heavenly Secrets must not be revealed—this is the Saint's decree."

"If you two have any grievances, you may as well speak to the Saint directly later!"

At these words, East Prince and Kunpeng's expressions changed at once.

Before the Two People could speak, Haotian sternly continued, "Furthermore, as the Saint's attendant boy, I too call myself a disciple before the Saint."

"Yet you two set yourselves up as my elders..." His Gaze Like Lightning swept across their faces.

"It seems you both consider yourselves of the Saint's generation."

"I shall also report this matter truthfully to the Saint and respectfully request the Saint's judgment!"

The moment these words fell, East Prince's face turned deathly pale, while cold sweat seeped from Kunpeng's brow.

Outside the palace gates, everything fell silent. Even the surging Chaotic Cloud Sea seemed to have frozen solid.

The watching Great Powers were all shaken.

No one had expected this little attendant, merely at Golden Immortal Early-stage, to be so adept at "slapping labels" on people.

At this time, the Great Powers had yet to witness Hongjun make a move with their own eyes.

Yet the magnificent heavenly might that had blanketed the Primordial Wilderness when he attained the Dao still lingered in their hearts.

Even the Three Pure Ones, the most highly cultivated among the Great Powers, had to admit it.

Compared with Hongjun's Saintly Might that day, their present cultivation was nothing more than a firefly before the bright moon.

Thus, if East Prince and Kunpeng truly angered the Saint over that verbal dispute just now, the consequences... were unthinkable.

In but an instant, the stakes of the matter had flashed through the minds of every Great Power present.

East Prince and Kunpeng included.

Though the Two People had always been proud and arrogant, they understood that pride depended on whom one faced.

Before Haotian, a Golden Immortal Early-stage cultivator, they could naturally look down from above.

But the Saint standing behind him was someone they absolutely dared not provoke.

After several breaths of stalemate, Hongyun finally saw that things were going badly and stepped forward two paces. With a smile, he clasped his fists and said, "The two Daoists must be so eager to seek the Dao that, in their momentary haste, they spoke improperly."

"The Saint Child belongs to the Saint's lineage and possesses a broad and magnanimous heart. I hope you will overlook it."

As he spoke, he secretly transmitted his voice to East Prince and Kunpeng. "You two Daoists crossed the chaos over countless billions of miles, enduring every hardship to arrive here, all for the Primordial Chaos Great Dao."

"If a moment's temper caused you to miss such a peerless opportunity, would that not be sacrificing the great for the small?"

These words were like Spring Water washing over their hearts, and the embarrassment on East Prince and Kunpeng's faces eased somewhat.

The Two People thought, That is indeed true... Compared to seeking proof of the Great Dao, what do a little face and pride amount to?

Seeing this, Hongyun gently advised them again, "This Daoist knows that you two are both figures in the Primordial Wilderness who command respect and establish your own lineages, imposing and majestic in every direction."

"But before Purple Firmament Palace, this Saint Child represents the Saint's dignity."

"If you truly provoke him into reporting what happened just now to the Saint, then for you two Daoists, I fear..."

These words gave the Two People a way down.

In truth, from the moment Haotian spoke those words, they had understood their predicament.

Not to mention becoming enemies with the Saint—even being remembered by the Saint was a consequence they could not bear.

After a long silence, Kunpeng was the first to clasp his fists. His voice low, he said, "This Daoist was too anxious just now and misspoke. I hope the Saint Child will forgive my offense."

Seeing Kunpeng lower his head, East Prince secretly sighed and clasped his fists as well. "Please forgive me, Saint Child."

Seeing the Two People bow their heads, Hongyun felt somewhat relieved. He again smiled and bowed to Haotian. "Saint Child, now that the two Daoists have apologized, please be magnanimous and do not pursue the matter further."

Haotian nodded slightly, secretly laughing to himself.

He had never intended to make things difficult for them.

Hongjun's preaching of the Dao was meant to repay the Karma of Heaven and Earth. He would certainly not bar Innate Divine Beings from his gates over such a trivial matter.

Haotian had said those things merely to borrow the Saint's might and give them a slight warning.

Now that he saw the Two People lower their heads, with Hongyun mediating as well, Haotian's thoughts shifted slightly. He said warmly to Hongyun, "As fellow Innate Divine Beings, Fellow Daoist's character is lofty and pure, inspiring deep admiration."

"For Fellow Daoist's sake, let this matter end here."

At these words, everyone was stunned.

All those present were ancient "old monsters" who had lived for who knew how long, and in an instant they heard the deeper meaning in Haotian's words.

He clearly intended for East Prince and Kunpeng to owe Hongyun a favor!

For he had said that it was for Hongyun's sake that he would no longer pursue their offense.

Hongyun was also taken aback, unable to understand why this Saint Child, whom he had only just met, was helping him so much.

A favor from Innate Divine Beings such as East Prince and Kunpeng was incomparably precious in the Primordial Wilderness.

But once the words had been spoken, there was no taking them back.

Hongyun immediately straightened himself and made a deep bow. "Thank you, Daoist, for seeing this through. Hongyun will remember this kindness in his heart."

Haotian said no more. He retreated to the left side of the palace gates and stood there with his eyes closed, Yaochi on the right, the two of them like jade statues.

East Prince and Kunpeng turned to face Hongyun and cupped their hands with complicated expressions. "This time... many thanks to Daoist Hongyun."

Hongyun returned the gesture with a hearty laugh. "You two are too courteous, Daoists."

"Since we dwell in the same Primordial Wilderness, we should naturally look out for one another."

With that, the three went their separate ways.

Yet what Hongyun could never have expected was that, at this very moment, East Prince and Kunpeng felt not the slightest gratitude toward him. Instead, a trace of resentment had arisen in their hearts.

The reason was simple.

Haotian, the instigator of this affair, was a disciple of a Saint. They could not afford to provoke him.

But Hongyun was someone the Two People did not fear.

They had originally intended to force Haotian into revealing when the gates would open, thereby gaining some face before the Great Powers.

They had never expected that not only would they fail to gain face, they would lose it instead—and, for no reason at all, end up owing Hongyun an enormous favor.

Naturally, the Two People were unwilling to accept this.

Meanwhile, as soon as Hongyun returned to the crowd, a Daoist clad in a brown robe, with the air and bones of an immortal, came up to him.

A helpless look rested on Zhenyuanzi's face as he transmitted, "Worthy Brother, how could you rashly involve yourself in another's karma just now?"

"Fortunately, that Saint Child was broad-minded... Had you encountered someone narrow-hearted, who bore a grudge against you as well and lodged a complaint against you before the Saint, would that not have been a disaster?"

Hongyun, however, did not take it to heart. Smiling, he said, "Elder Brother worries too much."

"Anyone who has achieved success in cultivation naturally possesses a temperament beyond that of ordinary people."

"That Saint Child was able to enter a Saint's sight; he must surely be a man of lofty virtue."

"Daoist East Prince and Daoist Kunpeng are both honored Great Powers. They merely spoke out of turn in a moment of impatience."

"I stepped in to mediate and defused a disturbance. Is that not a good deed?"

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi could not help shaking his head with a soft sigh. "Worthy Brother, Worthy Brother—how can success in cultivation be equated with broad-mindedness?"

"Among the countless billions of living beings in the Primordial Wilderness, all who possess Spiritual Intelligence have seven emotions and six desires, favors and grudges, likes and dislikes."

"Even those who cultivate the Dao of Detachment ultimately find it difficult to cast off their obsession with attaining the Dao."

"Even you, Hongyun, with your free and easy nature, still harbor the desire to attain the Primordial Unity and become wholly unfettered and free."

"Your Elder Brother has existed in this world since before heaven and earth opened, enduring endless ages, yet I have never seen a person truly without desire or hatred."

His gaze was distant as he spoke with earnest gravity. "You see all people as flawless jade, and act solely on the sincerity in your heart."

"Though this heart is kind, the Primordial Wilderness is perilous. Sooner or later, you will suffer for it."

After hearing this, the smile on Hongyun's face gradually faded.

Only after pondering for a moment did he say quietly, "Elder Brother's teachings are right... From now on, I will certainly watch my words and actions, and no longer lightly involve myself in another's karma."