Unashamed, Even Proud of It
Ling Xiao returned to the Ling Xiao Palace, and the two "Ling Xiao" looked at each other and smiled, merging into one.
"Finally back..."
"Using the original version is still the most reliable..."
Ling Xiao murmured to himself, stretching his limbs as if reborn.
This trip was incredibly fruitful; not only did they acquire the Three Immortal Islands, but they also brought back an Innate Supreme Treasure.
Although it wasn't exactly low-key, it was all worth it.
"I won't go out unless there's absolutely nothing else to do. I need to go into seclusion and focus on my cultivation..."
Ling Xiao made up his mind. Hongjun had finished speaking three times. According to the original plot, the next step would be Nuwa Creates Humans and the six sages being born in turn.
Of course, this period may be far away, because Nuwa is currently in charge of the demon race, and her mind is probably focused on how to develop the demon race, so she doesn't have much free time to think about other things.
Looking back now, his small gesture back then, which led Baize to invite Nuwa to come forward and rule the demon race, did have some effect. As long as Nuwa created humans a little later, he would have more time to develop.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, keep it up, do a good job!"
Ling Xiao chuckled lightly, stopped thinking about it, and began cultivating in a meditative state.
The conflict between the Witch Clan and the Demon Clan in the Primordial World is becoming increasingly fierce and escalating. Thanks to Ling Xiao, three Ancestral Witch were destroyed, which greatly reduced the pressure on the Demon Clan.
Although we still can't beat them, it's still better than nothing.
Besides the great war between the Witch Clan and the Demon Clan, conflicts were also constant throughout the Primordial World.
The spiritual treasures that fly out from the Treasure-Dividing Rock in the Purple Heaven Palace keep appearing, attracting many powerful figures to fight over them. They often fight fiercely over a single Innate Spiritual Treasure.
There's no way around it, we're too poor. Not every powerful being has a bunch of magical treasures.
Aside from a very few exceptional cases, Innate Spiritual Treasure remain rare and highly sought after.
Regardless of their strength, the most important thing about Innate Spiritual Treasure to them is that they can be used to Slashing the Three Corpses.
Therefore, many powerful beings strive for the three Innate Spiritual Treasure even before they have severed their three corpses, preparing in advance without considering whether they can sever their three corpses or whether they are even capable of it.
Purple Mansion Island.
In the battle of the Three Immortal Islands, Duke of the East was thrown into the sea by Ling Xiao, but he secretly pretended to be dead and sneaked back.
The Duke of the East was initially humiliated by this. As the Head of Male Immortals, how could he tolerate being defeated by a mere Golden Crow?
After learning about Ling Xiao's achievements, he felt relieved. Even the Ancestral Witch, the Three Pure Ones, and the Demon Clan couldn't defeat him, so it was understandable that he had lost.
He even used this opportunity to win over powerful figures and recruit them into the Immortal Court.
The Duke of the East subtly claimed to the outside world that he had fought Ling Xiao for three hundred rounds and was ultimately defeated. He even had his subordinates spread this news widely.
They were not ashamed, but rather proud.
On that day, those powerful figures who witnessed the Duke of the East being casually suppressed by Ling Xiao either died, were injured, or went into seclusion.
Those who knew the truth didn't bother to speak, or perhaps they didn't want to offend the Duke of the East.
Although the outside world knows that the Duke of the East was defeated by Ling Xiao, few know the specific details.
The Duke of the East graciously admitted his defeat, but it was a well-timed and elegant defeat.
To outsiders, it was astonishing that even the Three Pure Ones and the Six Great Ancestral Witch had failed to defeat Ling Xiao, yet the Duke of the East had managed to hold out for so long, which only proved his immense power.
As a result, under this banner, the Duke of the East's career developed quite smoothly over the past thousand years.
Today, on Purple Mansion Island, various magnificent palaces stand tall, reflecting half the sky. The main base of the Immortal Court has finally taken shape.
Immortals occasionally flew in and out, giving it a touch of the Immortal Court atmosphere.
In the largest palace in the center, the Duke of the East and the core members of the Immortal Court were receiving the immortals who had come to surrender.
"Immortal Master, we have come here because of your reputation. We have heard that you shone brightly in the battle of the Three Immortal Islands, engaging in an earth-shattering duel with Ling Xiao, the strongest of the Three Crows..."
Below the main hall stood several immortals, the one in the lead speaking with a look of admiration. They had recently heard of the Duke of the East's prestige and wanted to join a force, so they chose to come to the Immortal Court to give it a try.
The Primordial World has become increasingly turbulent lately, and joining a powerful force can provide some protection.
The Witch Clan had significant limitations, so the Immortal Court became their best option.
The Duke of the East sat on his throne made of celestial gold, listening calmly. Only after the king finished speaking did he slowly open his mouth:
"Hehe, fellow Daoist, you flatter me. Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao is indeed extraordinary in combat power, invincible. Even the Three Pure Ones and the Ancestral Witch are no match for him, not even a single blow."
"To my shame, even after giving it my all, I could only last three hundred rounds with Ling Xiao Daoist Lingxiao before ultimately losing."
He shook his head and sighed, looking helpless, but in his heart he saw a different picture: the higher Ling Xiao was praised, the more his strength would be highlighted.
Upon hearing this, the fellow Daoists below were even more astonished. Such a powerful being Ancestral Witch was not even a match for Ling Xiao.
The fact that Duke of the East could fight for three hundred rounds, and although he ultimately lost, was enough to prove his strength. It seems that the Dao Ancestor's choice of Duke of the East as the Head of Male Immortals was not without reason.
In an instant, the immortals who came to seek refuge not only gained a deeper understanding of Ling Xiao's power, but also looked at Duke of the East with even greater respect.
A little analysis would mean that the Duke of the East has become the most powerful being outside of Ling Xiao?
Of course, this is on the premise that we don't include the Dao Ancestor.
Joining such a force would give me so much peace of mind.
They have a very promising future.
What they didn't notice was that the other key figures of the Immortal Court in the main hall, such as Xuanshui and Yuanmu, had turned somewhat green with embarrassment, looking around awkwardly as if they wanted to find a crack in the ground to disappear into.
They had accompanied the Duke of the East to the Three Immortal Islands and witnessed Duke of the East being beaten to his knees in the void by Ling Xiao before finally sinking into the sea.
Forget about fighting for three hundred rounds; even three rounds would be a stretch.
Moreover, this was done while he was working with the Queen Mother of the West.
Such a poor performance, yet it's been touted as something extraordinary, is making those of them who know the truth find it hard to believe.
Although this wasn't the first time I'd faced this situation, each time I felt a different kind of shame.
Whenever a powerful figure comes to seek refuge, the Duke of the East always mentions this one-sidedly to demonstrate his own strength.
Every time I hear it, it evokes a new feeling, but the sense of shame remains unchanged.
However, as members of the Immortal Court and key figures, they naturally wouldn't expose it; on the contrary, they had to cooperate fully.
Because the honor and disgrace of the Immortal Court are closely related to them.
The Duke of the East did this in order to attract more powerful figures to join the Immortal Court.
So, the core members of the Immortal Court could only bite the bullet and spout nonsense.
The Duke of the East was determined to protect his power, remaining calm and accepting the situation with equanimity, comforting himself inwardly.
"This is not for myself, but for maintaining the order of the Primordial World; I bear a great responsibility."