Diverting Disaster East, Suppressing the Grand Pure One

Di Jun's arm sank as he undeniably placed his hand on Taiyi's shoulder, forcefully cutting off the words Taiyi was about to utter.

He took half a step forward and solemnly clasped his hands towards the Pure Yang Daoist, his voice steady yet clearly resonating throughout the valley:

"Fellow Daoist's Spiritual Power is peerless. My brother and I are ashamed to be inferior. This three-move agreement shall be nullified. We have lost this match, and my brother and I shall depart now."

After saying this, Di Jun's gaze swept over the seven gourds with flowing treasure light on the rock face as if by chance. A trace of imperceptible heartache flashed in the depths of his eyes, which then turned to resolve.

He secretly sent a divine sense to Taiyi: "If we don't retreat now, I fear we won't be able to escape unscathed. That East King Duke is unfathomable."

Originally, Fuxi stepping forward to establish the three-move agreement was a brilliant move for them.

With Taiyi wielding the Innate Spiritual Treasure Chaos Bell, who among those below the Sage realm could defeat him within three moves?

Even if he couldn't win, he could at least remain undefeated.

At that point, Di Jun could seize the opportunity to persuade everyone present to ostracize the East King Duke. Innate Spiritual Treasures were limited, and who among those present would want one more person to share them with?

If this plan succeeded, not only would the Spiritual Treasures be obtained, but it would also be an opportunity to suppress the East King Duke, making the title of Immortal Head personally bestowed by the Dao Ancestor undeserved.

At that time, he could order people to widely spread the results of this battle among the myriad races of the Primordial World.

They would simply focus on publicizing Taiyi's victory, and there would be no need to elaborate on the details and intricacies.

Once Taiyi's invincible image, looking down upon all beings and rivaling the top great powers, was deeply ingrained in people's hearts, he would then choose an opportune moment to rally everyone, proposing the establishment of the Yao Race under the guise of uniting the myriad races to resist the Great Tribulation.

At that time, with Taiyi's already established mighty reputation, heroes from all directions would undoubtedly flock to him, and many potential obstacles would naturally disappear without a trace.

This was originally a foolproof plan, a stratagem that killed two birds with one stone. However, Di Jun had calculated everything except for the unexpected variable.

He had not anticipated that Jieyin and Zhunti would dare to act so shamelessly and openly seize Spiritual Treasures; what shocked him even more was that the East King Duke, while contending with Taiyi, still had residual strength and, with a backhand, completely suppressed Zhunti!

The second move just now seemed to be evenly matched, but the East King Duke was clearly not using his full strength.

If they stopped now, it could still be considered a draw. If they continued to entangle, not only would the Spiritual Treasures be out of reach, but Taiyi might even suffer a great loss under everyone's watchful eyes.

It would be better to admit defeat now, which would preserve the dignity of the Yao Race and leave room for maneuver in the future.

With his thoughts racing, Di Jun had no other choice but to retreat to advance.

Just as the situation was delicate and everyone was lost in their own thoughts, Laozi, who had been observing the situation, suddenly stroked his long beard and spoke slowly, revealing the hidden mystery that no one could see through:

"I never expected that Fellow Daoist East King Duke has already severed his Three Corpses and attained the Dao Fruit of a Quasi-Saint."

This statement was earth-shattering!

Everyone's gaze shifted, and they all turned to the Pure Yang Daoist. The previous doubts—why he could forcefully contend with the Chaos Bell, and how he still had the strength to suppress Zhunti while fighting Taiyi—all had answers now.

So that was it!

Taiyi possessed formidable strength, coupled with an Innate Spiritual Treasure in hand; although Zhunti's character was unbearable, his cultivation was indeed top-notch in the Primordial World.

It was already an unbelievable matter for the East King Duke to fight two opponents without being at a disadvantage.

Now that the truth was revealed, it turned out that the East King Duke had quietly taken that crucial step, reaching the realm of a Quasi-Saint before everyone else!

The Pure Yang Daoist met everyone's gaze and glanced at Laozi, who seemed to be flattering him. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

This Laozi, while appearing kind, is actually calculating every step. The Pure Yang Daoist sneered inwardly, instantly seeing through the scheme.

First, he incited Taiyi to fight me, using Taiyi's hand to probe our true strength and trump cards. Now that he sees I have the upper hand, he immediately reveals my cultivation realm...

This move, while seemingly promoting him, was full of calculation.

The phrase "Quasi-Saint realm" effortlessly transformed his earlier astonishing feat of fighting two opponents into an expected realm suppression.

It not only erased the brilliance of his fighting two opponents but also pushed him into the spotlight under everyone's gaze.

Truly a skillful move!

Facing Laozi's "kindness," the Pure Yang Daoist sneered inwardly, but his face was as serene as a spring breeze, showing no hint of disturbance.

He calmly turned around, bowed respectfully towards the direction of the Thirty-Three Heavens, and his voice, like a clear spring, rang out:

"Taiqing Fellow Daoist flatters me. My ability to break through was entirely due to the Dao Ancestor's grace, bestowing opportunities, which allowed me to glimpse a trace of the Quasi-Saint path.

It is shameful to say, but I merely relied on the help of my elders and cannot be considered to possess any true skill."

The Pure Yang Daoist's tone shifted slightly, and his gaze sincerely fell back on Laozi. His words were earnest, yet each carried the weight of a thousand pounds:

"On the contrary, Taiqing Fellow Daoist does not rely on external things or heavenly mandate, but solely on his own comprehension of the Great Dao to have already understood his own Quasi-Saint realm;

Such a foundation and realm, not relying on the favor of a Sage and forging one's own path, is truly a testament to great perseverance and great wisdom, and it is what truly makes me admire you and feel inferior!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the gazes that had focused on the East King Duke because of the word "Quasi-Saint" instantly became complex, and many eyes quietly shifted towards the calm-faced Laozi.

"I..."

Just as Laozi was about to explain, the Pure Yang Daoist had already taken the lead, his voice like the clashing of gold and jade, clear and firm, undeniably interrupting his words and instantly seizing the initiative of the entire scene.

"Since I have gained a slight advantage this time, the ownership of these Spiritual Treasures shall be decided by me. Does any Fellow Daoist have any objections?"

The Pure Yang Daoist's gaze was like lightning as he slowly swept over every great power present.

As his voice fell, there was a moment of silence in the field, followed by a few responses, some deep and some slow.

"No."

"No."

Seeing no public objections, the Pure Yang Daoist immediately made his decision, allowing no further discussion:

"Since that is the case, Fellow Daoists of the Three Pure Ones may take two, Fellow Daoist Nuwa may take one, and Fellow Daoist Hongyun may also take one. The Spiritual Treasures are right before your eyes; everyone may collect them at their leisure."

His words were concise and his distribution efficient. He then shifted the topic, guiding everyone's thoughts toward higher aspirations:

"We have just finished listening to the Dao Ancestor's sermon. Such an opportunity is rare. We should quickly return to our respective abodes, enter closed-door cultivation, and meticulously comprehend the Method of Severing Three Corpses to break through to Quasi-Saint. Only then can we live up to the Dao Ancestor's grace."

A subtle silence fell upon the valley.

The Pure Yang Daoist had not explicitly stated the ownership of the remaining Spiritual Treasures, but his stance, standing with his hands behind his back and remaining silent, had already revealed everything.

Might makes right. The remaining treasures should naturally be decided by him, the strongest present.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the valley became subtly tense once more.

The Spiritual Treasures, which had been so coveted moments before, now floated quietly in the air, yet they seemed like a mirror, reflecting the calculations and schemes in everyone's hearts.

Almost in unison, gazes filled with inquiry, anticipation, and even a hint of imperceptible provocation, all turned towards Laozi, whose words had just been forcefully interrupted by the East King Duke.

Everyone present understood clearly. Currently, only this leader of the Three Pure Ones, Taiqing Laozi, who was also at the Quasi-Saint realm, possessed the sufficient strength and standing to contend with the East King Duke and question the rules he had set.

This silent gaze was a silent endorsement, and also a silent declaration of war.

They pushed Laozi to the forefront, forcing him to make a choice between the Spiritual Treasures and his dignity.

The Pure Yang Daoist's gaze was like lightning as he looked at Laozi, who remained still. His voice was calm but laced with hidden barbs:

"Fellow Daoist Taiqing, why do you hesitate to choose? Do you perhaps feel that the Three Pure Ones are one and should advance and retreat together, with each taking one?"