The Sages: Teacher! Help!
Hongjun said calmly that he wasn't in a hurry about Laozi's affairs; they were minor matters that could be put off for later.
"Please give your instructions, teacher!"
Upon hearing that there was something important to tell them, the saints paused for a moment before responding respectfully.
Deep down, they were somewhat afraid, because almost every time the Dao Ancestor entrusted them with important matters, things would go wrong; there was very little stability to be found.
Even if they were unwilling, the saints dared not object and could only obediently listen to them.
Laozi, in particular, was filled with urgency and resentment, and had no idea when the Dao Ancestor's so-called arrangement would actually be implemented.
Give me a straight answer!
Hongjun's gaze swept over the assembled saints without revealing his true feelings, and he continued, "Ling Xiao risked his life to seal the Heavenly Dao, ultimately suffering Dao injuries and teetering on the brink of death."
"That wretched creature has gone to the Three Immortal Islands to recuperate, but it's all in vain. Its very essence has been damaged by the Heavenly Dao, and it's beyond cure."
"I must now merge with the Dao to refine the remaining seal, and I am unable to leave for the time being. You may go to the Three Immortal Islands and kill Ling Xiao."
At this point, the saints' expressions changed slightly; so this was the idea the Dao Ancestor had in mind.
"If you can kill Ling Xiao, everything except the Jade Plate of Creation is yours!"
Hongjun then dropped a bombshell, causing the expressions of the Three Pure Ones and the Two Western Sages to change drastically. It was quite a sight.
Jieyin Zhun Ti were so excited their eyes were shining. Killing Ling Xiao would give them everything except the Jade Plate of Creation.
This means that the Chaos Green Lotus is also among them!
Chaos Supreme Treasure!
If they had this, wouldn't their Western Sect take off immediately?
There's no need to go all the way to the East to preach, only to be met with indifference.
The place where the Chaos Green Lotus resides is the center of the world!
Countless living beings will flock to it at that time.
Thinking of this, Jieyin and Zhun Ti glance, both seeing the surprise and excitement in each other's eyes.
They never expected to encounter such good fortune so soon after their resurrection.
"Etc!"
Suddenly, their expressions froze as they realized something terrible.
How did I die?
He was crushed to death by the severely injured Ling Xiao!
This made them wonder if they could really kill Ling Xiao on their own.
Wouldn't going there be like giving it away for nothing?
Even if they wanted to kill, they were powerless to!
"Teacher, um... we fought Ling Xiao before, but unfortunately we were defeated. With just the strength of a few of us, I'm afraid it would be difficult to kill Ling Xiao, especially with those two bastards, Di Jun and Tai Yi, protecting him!"
Zhun Ti, shameless as ever, spoke up, uttering a truly astonishing statement!
Narrow defeat?
Three Pure Ones glanced sideways, looking at him with a shocked expression.
You were all crushed by Ling Xiao like chicks, without even a scream, so how did you narrowly lose?
Do you really think we weren't there?
That's outrageous!
Even Hongjun's expression stiffened upon hearing this; the Two Western Sages spoke as if he were dead.
He ran away, he didn't die!
Even I, the patriarch, was almost sealed away, and you all think you can narrowly lose?
After calming down a bit, Hongjun spoke calmly:
"You need not worry. As time goes by, Ling Xiao's injuries will inevitably become more and more severe, and he will not be a match for you."
"You only need to divide the work: some of you should hold off Di Jun and Tai Yi, while others go and kill Ling Xiao. In this way, we can achieve great success."
Hongjun's arrangements were well-reasoned and logical, which made the saints nod repeatedly, full of confidence, feeling that they had already succeeded more than halfway.
"We will obey our teacher's decree!" Jieyin and Zhun Ti immediately agreed.
Driven by the prospect of huge profits, they decided to take a risk.
With them taking the lead, the Three Pure Ones hesitated for a moment, but then agreed.
The Two Western Sages have set the precedent; if they refuse, how can they maintain their standing before the Dao Ancestor?
"Good!"
Laozi nodded slightly in satisfaction, letting these foolish disciples test the waters first. If they succeeded, all the better; if they failed, he would at least know Ling Xiao's current state.
"There's no time to lose, you should all go."
"Yes, teacher!"
The saints nodded, then turned and left Purple Heaven Palace. Hongjun watched them until they disappeared from sight before slowly withdrawing his gaze and closing his eyes.
A short while later, Hongjun suddenly opened his eyes again, and he sensed the presence of all the saints.
You're back so soon?
He was stunned for a moment, and then he heard a deafening cry for help.
"Teacher! Help!"
"Not good!"
Hongjun suddenly stood up and disappeared from the spot. When he reappeared, he was already outside the Purple Heaven Palace, looking around warily as if searching for something.
"Since you're already here, why don't you show yourself?"
He looked in one direction expressionlessly, put his hands behind his back, and asked calmly.
"Hehe, Little Earthworm, long time no see!"
A leisurely laugh rang out, the Chaos in front of the Purple Heaven Palace broke apart, and several figures appeared out of thin air. In the hands of one of them, the Three Pure Ones and the Two Western Sages were imprisoned.
Upon seeing these figures, Hongjun's pupils constricted sharply, and his expression immediately darkened.
Putting everything else aside, he recognized one of the elderly men with long eyebrows very well; it was none other than his old rival, Yang Mei.
"Willow Tree Spirit! What are you doing here? And why are you imprisoning my disciples?"
Hongjun asked coldly, his expression unfriendly.
"It's been so long since we last met. I've come here with some old friends to reconnect and catch up!"
Yang Mei smiled kindly, while the remaining demon gods followed with cold laughs, their eyes filled with chilling killing intent.
Hongjun's heart sank. The demon gods, including Yang Mei, had their killing intent written all over their faces. He naturally knew what these demon gods were planning.
In the past, he would have been completely unfazed and could have easily taken advantage of the situation.
However, some of his magical power has been sealed, and he now has a cultivation level of only about the sixth or seventh level of Sage.
Of the seven demon gods before him, he knew Yang Mei's background well, and he roughly knew the origins of the others as well.
Especially that Shadow Demon God, whom Hongjun greatly feared.
If a fight really breaks out, he'd be fighting seven against one, and he'd probably get utterly thrashed unless he fought desperately and used every possible means.
With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Hongjun weighed the options carefully, but on the surface, he remained as calm as an old dog, showing no sign of panic.
It even faintly released a powerful aura, attempting to frighten away the demons and gods.
If we show fear and apprehension at this moment, wouldn't that provoke the Seven Demon Gods' desire to attack?
"Yang Mei, enough nonsense, release my disciple, or nobody's leaving here!"
Hongjun's gaze sharpened as he stared directly at Yang Mei and the others, and he roared with overwhelming force.
This magnificent aura immediately excited the Three Pure Ones and the Two Western Sages, making them feel the care and power of their teacher.
Faced with such a powerful enemy, the teacher casually rebuked him.
The saints had experienced the terror of the demon gods before them; one of them had subdued them with a mere wave of his hand.
There were seven such powerful demon gods, but the teacher still didn't take them seriously, his face showing invincibility.