Hongjun Bestows Treasures, Invites to Subdue Demons

Upon confirming that he was about to face the true form of the Devil Ancestor Luohu and his supreme Primordial killing treasure, the God Slaying Spear, East King Duke found that with no way to avoid the confrontation, he suddenly calmed down.

Because the Chaos Bead was among his Three Flowers, he could, at the cost of sustaining heavy injuries, shatter the void and escape. Even Luohu, at the late stage of the Quasi-Saint realm, might not necessarily be able to stop him. The only consequence of doing so would be exposing the fact that he possessed a supreme treasure.

However, even so, East King Duke did not immediately bring out the supreme treasure. Instead, he turned to face the threat, wanting to take this opportunity to test the limits of his current strength.

The God Slaying Spear, the number one killing treasure of the Primordial world—the mere mention of its name was enough to convey its terrifying power.

Especially in the hands of Luohu, a Devil Ancestor at the late stage of the Quasi-Saint realm, its power was even more pronounced. The moment it appeared, life withered wherever it passed.

East King Duke felt himself locked on by a boundless intent of destruction. Naturally, he would not sit and wait for death. Infusing his Supreme Yang Power, he pushed the Yin-Yang Two Qi of his Twelfth-grade Innate Yin-Yang Dao Lotus to the limit, manifesting two Yin-Yang Protective Divine Dragons that coiled around his body. He then opened his divine sense wide, attempting to discern the trajectory of the God Slaying Spear so he could do his utmost to protect his vital points.

In the blink of an eye, the spear, trailing a blood-red stream of light, was upon him. He flashed nearly ten thousand miles away.

"Awoo!"

The Yin-Yang Protective Divine Dragons lunged toward the tip of the God Slaying Spear. A pressure enveloped tens of thousands of miles, and the manifested dragon forms instantly dissipated. The Dao Lotus shook violently, nearly flying out of his control.

The spear shaft pierced through his Supreme Yang Immortal Light, grazing past him. The immensely powerful aura of destruction caused the immortal power within him to surge, and his Dao body turned icy cold.

At this moment, a pitch-black figure could be seen stepping out from the shattered space.

Black lotuses bloomed around him. He seemed to move slowly, yet he appeared capable of crossing the void in a single step.

The might of Luohu was impossible to contend with.

He could wait no longer. Even if it meant exposing his supreme treasure, he had to flee. Just as East King Duke intended to bring out the Chaos Bead to shatter the void with the power of the treasure, a sigh reached his ears.

"A dignified Devil Ancestor, bullying a junior like this—Luohu, you have gone too far!"

Following this ethereal voice, three sword beams flashed by, carrying sharp Chaos Qi.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The Chaos Sword Qi struck the God Slaying Spear, sending it flying backward.

Immediately after, a figure appeared out of thin air not far from East King Duke. He was an old man with disheveled hair, wearing coarse linen robes and holding a horsetail whisk. His depth was impossible to discern, yet his aura was unfathomably profound.

East King Duke suppressed the thought of bringing out the Chaos Bead and watched the situation unfold.

As the God Slaying Spear was knocked back, Luohu finally stepped out from the shattered space and gripped it firmly.

With a wave of the long spear, malevolent Qi filled the sky, howling as it moved.

This was the first time East King Duke had faced the Devil Ancestor directly. Clad in a demon-patterned black robe, with devilish Qi transforming into flames around him, his face was obscured by great magic, making it impossible to see his features. The sword intent surging within him was heart-stopping; an ordinary cultivator might be completely consumed just by glancing at him.

"Hongjun, you intend to protect this junior?"

Luohu glanced at East King Duke before turning his attention to the old man.

As expected, this seemingly ordinary old man was the first sage of the later Honghuang era, the master of the Mystic Gate, Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

East King Duke had not expected that these two fated rivals would confront each other right in front of him.

"With me here, I naturally cannot allow you to slaughter the innocent at will."

Hongjun spoke indifferently.

"Innocent? The Great Tribulation has already begun, and all Honghuang Beings are caught within it. How can you speak of innocence?"

Luohu let out a cold snort, speaking with disdain.

"Daoist Luohu, you had best return. The Dao and Demon cannot coexist. If you truly wish to settle this with a battle, I am more than happy to oblige."

Hearing these words from Hongjun, Luohu fell silent for a moment, then said coldly, "You and I will eventually have a battle, but we both know the time is not yet ripe. Hongjun, I will wait for you at Mount Sumeru!"

After Luohu finished speaking, he did not even glance at East King Duke again. Taking his avatar, which was already heavily injured, he stepped into the void and vanished in an instant.

Once Luohu's figure disappeared, East King Duke finally let out a sigh of relief and bowed to Hongjun.

"Junior East King Duke pays respects to the Senior!"

Hongjun looked at East King Duke, his eyes seemingly carrying a profound meaning, and then he smiled slightly. "No need for such formalities. Since there is nothing else to do, would you like to have a chat with this old Daoist?"

"That is exactly what I desire, though I dared not ask."

"Good!"

Hongjun smiled slightly and nodded in satisfaction, then mounted a cloud and flew off into the distance.

East King Duke hurried to follow. After a long while, they arrived at an ordinary immortal mountain. Upon entering the formation, he saw a Thatched Cottage set up on the summit, clearly established by Hongjun.

"Though you reside overseas, you keep the grand trends of Honghuang in your heart and enter the Great Tribulation alone. This is exactly how we who cultivate the Dao should be."

Hongjun looked at East King Duke and praised him with a smile.

He held the supreme treasure, the Jade Plate of Creation, and his ability to deduce was unparalleled. East King Duke was not at all surprised that this future Dao Ancestor could know his origins and background.

"Senior, you flatter me. To be honest, I am ashamed; I underestimated that Devil Ancestor. If you had not arrived, I surely would have been killed by him."

"Little friend, there is no need for that. According to my deductions, even if I had not come, your life force would not have been severed."

East King Duke was slightly startled. Hongjun's ability to deduce was truly extraordinary. Although he did not know that East King Duke possessed a supreme treasure, he had already calculated that he had his own way to escape.

Smiling noncommittally, East King Duke felt a stir in his heart. He had previously thought about studying the method of attaining the Dao through the Three Corpses, and since he was meeting Hongjun now, it was the perfect opportunity to ask for guidance.

He spoke up, "May I ask, Senior, is there a Dao to be attained after Daluo? I beg you to bestow the Dharma Gate upon me, so that my path forward is not cut off."

Hongjun shook his head.

"The time for my Dharma Gate to be revealed to the world has not yet come, and your Great Dao is different from mine."

East King Duke looked thoughtful and nodded slightly.

Hongjun continued, "Your Supreme Yang immortal arts are exquisite, and your path is already clear. Why ask me?"

"The road ahead is difficult; this junior feels as if walking on thin ice."

"Cultivation is inherently an act of defying the heavens. I see that you are a person of great perseverance and will surely be able to attain the Primordial Dao."

"I accept your auspicious words, Senior!"

Hongjun pondered for a moment, then reached out, and a spiritual banner appeared in his hand.

"You and I share a bond of fate. This treasure is the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner. I gift it to you; it may protect you on your path to the Dao."

Seeing the banner in Hongjun's hand, East King Duke was greatly shocked. The Five Innate Banners were world-famous, formed from the leaves of the Chaos Green Lotus. Each one was a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. The Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner governed the center, capable of manifesting ten thousand golden lotuses. Its defense was peerless, causing all evil to retreat and rendering it immune to all spells—it was a supreme treasure of the Primordial World.

However, with the treasure right before him, he dared not accept it easily. One had to know that in all affairs of the Primordial World, nothing could escape the concept of Karma. To accept Hongjun's treasure was to accept Karma. Furthermore, in his past life, this item was a treasure bestowed by Hongjun upon Jade Purity Primordial Heavenly Venerate.

Seeing East King Duke's hesitation, Hongjun understood his thoughts and said, "The Devil Race acts against the natural order, inciting the Primordial Tribulation and causing the suffering of all living beings. As practitioners of the Dao, we should eliminate the devils and defend the Way. In one hundred thousand years, I intend to march upon the West and would like to invite you to join me."

East King Duke replied, "My cultivation is shallow; I would be unable to contend with the Devil Ancestor."

Hongjun added, "You need not worry. I intend to invite several other fellow Daoists. When the time comes, Luohu will be held back by us; you only need to slay the remaining members of the Devil Race. With your abilities, you are certainly capable of the task."

Hearing this, East King Duke pondered for a moment before nodding. He took the banner from Hongjun's hand and said, "In that case, I shall respectfully comply. Thank you, Senior, for the treasure."

Hongjun clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent!"