Haotian Offers a Plan

Moreover, most crucially, at this moment, the Primordial Great Powers—including Kunpeng himself—still did not know that the six Golden Clouds represented the future Saint Positions!

Once Hongjun gave his third sermon and revealed the secret of the Saint Positions, Kunpeng would learn that because of Hongyun's actions, he had missed his chance at sainthood...

Then, Kunpeng's hatred and killing intent would truly reach their peak!

The tribulation of Hongyun's fall would follow soon after!

Thinking of this, Haotian slowly shook his head, his expression grave. "Karma has already been deeply sown, tangled beyond unraveling."

"This Daoist... does not possess the ability to resolve it completely."

Upon hearing these words, a flicker of deep disappointment and worry could not help but flash through Zhenyuanzi's eyes.

Then Haotian changed the subject and continued, "However, though it cannot be resolved, This Daoist does have a plan that may help Fellow Daoist Hongyun... eliminate the calamity brought about by this Karma."

Zhenyuanzi's spirits lifted, and he hurriedly asked, "Daoist, please speak! What is this good plan?"

Hongyun, who had not cared much before, also perked up.

Although he had always appeared unconcerned by Zhenyuanzi's advice and remonstrations, in truth, a measure of worry had already arisen within him. Now that he heard Haotian had a solution, he naturally could not help becoming interested.

Haotian's gaze swept over the two, and in a calm voice, he uttered a word that shattered the peace like a stone striking the heavens: "Kill!"

"Kill?" Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun were both stunned.

"That's right." Haotian nodded, his tone indifferent yet carrying a chill. "Since the source of the hatred lies with Kunpeng, find a way to remove Kunpeng."

"Once the root is destroyed, all the disasters and entanglements born from it will naturally vanish like smoke."

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun: "...!"

The two stood dumbfounded for dozens of breaths. Within the hall, only the faint rustling of the Ginseng Fruit Tree's leaves brushing together could be heard.

Hongyun was the first to recover. His brows drew tightly together as he repeatedly shook his head, his voice filled with disapproval. "Daoist, those words are mistaken!"

"Between Daoist Kunpeng and This Daoist, there have only been a few misunderstandings and disputes. It is far from the point of fighting to the death and forging an irreconcilable enmity."

"How can one rashly harbor killing intent merely out of concern for oneself?"

"Such an act, which harms the harmony of Heaven, is not the deed of a benevolent man!"

Recovering from his shock, Zhenyuanzi let out a long sigh and shook his head with a bitter smile. "Daoist, this plan... I fear it will be difficult to carry out."

"Leaving aside the fact that slaughtering a fellow Innate Divine Being without cause violates Heaven's law and natural order, easily inviting Karma Backlash."

"Kunpeng himself is also a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, with a profound foundation. On top of that, he possesses one of the greatest escape arts in the Primordial World, said to carry him ninety thousand li with a flap of his wings, soaring upward to the vault of heaven."

"Even if the two of us joined hands and could gain a slight upper hand, to kill him completely..."

"Difficult—difficult as climbing to heaven."

"If he truly wishes to flee, vast as the Primordial World is, I fear no one could keep him."

Haotian showed not the slightest surprise or displeasure at their reactions.

He had anticipated this outcome long ago.

Hongyun was so kind and magnanimous that he was nearly foolishly so.

Though Zhenyuanzi was more pragmatic, anyone who could become Hongyun's closest friend was not by nature a cold-blooded, bloodthirsty person.

To have them willingly adopt such a ruthless plan of "pulling up the grass and its roots" was almost impossible.

Yet based on Haotian's knowledge of the "future," this was indeed the most direct and effective solution he could offer.

Kunpeng was narrow-minded and vindictive, repaying every slight in kind.

Do him a favor, and he might not be grateful.

Have a grievance with him, and he would surely etch it into his heart, waiting for a chance to retaliate.

The secret of the Saint Positions had not yet been revealed, yet his hatred had already taken deep root.

When the truth came to light, the killing tribulation would be at hand.

Faced with an enemy of such formidable strength, peerless escape techniques, and a habit of lurking in the shadows, unless Hongyun never left Zhenyuanzi's protection for the rest of his life, he would be impossible to guard against. Sooner or later, there would be a lapse.

This was precisely the principle that while one might be a thief for a thousand days, no one could guard against thieves for a thousand days.

Seeing their clear opposition, Haotian said no more about the plan. Instead, he cupped his hands and said, "This matter ultimately concerns you two Dao Brothers. How you choose to decide rests entirely upon your True Hearts."

"This Daoist still has other matters to attend to, so I shall not impose any longer."

Because of Haotian's earlier suggestion to "remove Kunpeng," Hongyun's impression of him had declined somewhat. He felt the proposal was too ruthless and did not quite meet his standards for a benevolent friend.

But knowing that Haotian had intended to help him through his troubles, he did not come to dislike him.

Hearing that he wished to leave, Hongyun still tried to persuade him to stay. "Daoist, why be in such a hurry?"

"Why not remain a while longer? We can drink tea and discuss the Dao—would that not be wonderful?"

Zhenyuanzi hurriedly cupped his hands as well, concern showing on his face. "Could it be that Brother Hongyun and This Daoist have been lacking in our hospitality, causing Daoist to feel displeased?"

"Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan, do not misunderstand." Haotian broke into a smile, his expression sincere. "This Daoist has deeply appreciated the warm hospitality of you two Dao Brothers."

"It is indeed because I have urgent matters that demand immediate attention, and I have no choice but to take my leave. It is absolutely not because I bear the slightest dissatisfaction toward either of you."

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi felt somewhat relieved.

Unlike Hongyun, his desire to befriend Haotian was not entirely because of Haotian's character. More than that, he valued Haotian's mysterious ability to seemingly "foresee the future."

The warning before Purple Firmament Palace and its fulfillment within the palace had made him keenly aware that this Saint Child surely harbored some great secret or extraordinary opportunity, making him well worth befriending.

Hongyun, on the other hand, placed greater importance on compatible temperaments when making friends. What he admired was the magnanimity and humble virtue Haotian had displayed before.

"Since that is so, This Daoist will not insist on keeping you any longer."

"May your journey go smoothly, Daoist, and may you soon attain your wish." Zhenyuanzi cupped his hands, his voice carrying reluctance at parting.

Hongyun also gathered himself and said sincerely, "Whenever Daoist has leisure in the future, whether you come to my Huoyun Cave or return to Wuzhuang Temple, This Daoist and Elder Brother will sweep our couches clean to welcome you."

Haotian replied with a smile, "Certainly. If fate allows, I will surely visit again someday."

With that, he rose, straightened his robes, and prepared to ride the clouds away.

"Daoist, wait!" Zhenyuanzi suddenly called out to stop him.

Haotian halted and turned back.

Zhenyuanzi had already brought over a warm, lustrous Jade Box. He carefully placed within it the three Ginseng Fruits untouched before Haotian, along with the three remaining before himself.

He then closed the lid, sealed it with Dao essence, and presented it to Haotian with both hands.

"This meeting was so hurried that we failed to let Daoist enjoy yourself fully. Moreover, Daoist gifted us a couplet that dispelled our confusion, leaving This Daoist deeply unsettled."

"These mere six fruits are too trifling to count as a proper token of respect. Consider them something to pass the time along the road, and a small gesture of This Daoist's sincerity. I hope Daoist will by no means refuse." Zhenyuanzi's words were earnest, his expression solemn.

Seeing this, Haotian knew it was a gesture of sincere goodwill. To refuse again would only seem affected.

So he ceased his formalities, accepted the Jade Box with both hands, and stored it in the Great Dao Space. Then he solemnly cupped his hands. "In that case, I will shamelessly accept."

"Many thanks for Fellow Daoist's generous gift. When we meet again someday, I will surely repay it."

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun escorted Haotian all the way beyond the gates of Wuzhuang Temple.

Haotian cupped his hands once more in farewell, then summoned a clear, lean ray of cloud-light. In the blink of an eye, he vanished amid the Spirit Mist and rosy clouds swirling around Longevity Mountain.

Before the gates of Wuzhuang Temple, Zhenyuanzi gazed fixedly in the direction Haotian had departed, his brows tightly furrowed. He remained silent for a long while, and the worry on his face only deepened rather than faded.