Lu Ya: I'll Endure! You Museum-Ready Idiot!

On the cloud platform.

The corner of Primordial Celestial Worthy's mouth twitched as he stared at Sage Zhunti in shock.

"You just handed over the Merit Golden Lotus like that?"

Even as surprise filled him, tumultuous waves surged through Primordial Celestial Worthy's mind. He immediately saw through Lingxiao's intentions: to use treasures such as the Merit Golden Lotus and the Green Duckweed Sword to strengthen his origin, perhaps even transform his innate foundation.

After all!

He still vividly remembered Lingxiao's wretched state when he had left Kunlun Mountain.

His origin had been completely destroyed, his Primordial Spirit drained dry, and Dao wounds covered his body.

Yet even so, Lingxiao had been able to rebuild his innate foundation and transform it into the Twenty-Four-Grade Purifying White Lotus. From that day onward, he had risen completely.

"If he fuses treasures such as the Merit Golden Lotus, the Green Duckweed Sword, and the World-Destroying Black Lotus, Lingxiao's innate foundation will surpass all innate divine beings, then stand shoulder to shoulder with Dao Ancestor Hongjun..."

Primordial Celestial Worthy drew in a sharp breath and drank Enlightenment Tea to suppress the shock in his heart.

His gaze fell upon Lingxiao, his face solemn.

Lingxiao followed Heaven and answered the Dao, deeply favored by Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

If he fused treasures such as the Merit Golden Lotus, he surely would not be suppressed by the order of the Heavenly Dao. When that time came, Primordial Celestial Worthy did not dare imagine what level Lingxiao's innate foundation and comprehension would reach.

"Senior Brother Primordial, do not be so surprised!"

"Little Friend Lingxiao traded Buddhist Path Relics and his Heavenly Dao Merit Golden Wheel for our Western Sect's Merit Golden Lotus. He even helped us sort through the killing karma within our sect's fortune. This transaction leaves us brothers with nothing but profit."

"Besides, without this good fruit, how could we have obtained these Enlightenment Tea leaves? I fear that from now on, Senior Brother's Clarifying Sect will have to bow its head before the Western Sect!"

Jieyin spoke to Primordial Celestial Worthy with a composed expression.

How could he fail to understand Lingxiao's schemes?

But who told Lingxiao to be so upright?

As long as the Western Sect committed no evil, they would not offend Lingxiao. If the Heavenly Court truly managed to suppress all the Saints one day, then the two brothers could simply keep a lower profile.

In the Primordial World, the Saints appeared to command the winds and clouds, yet in truth, they had always remained under the control of the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun. Jieyin and Zhunti did not dare harbor rebellious thoughts either.

The foundation upon which the Western Sect had been established was not to seize a thread of Heaven's secrets...

"I knew you would never make a losing deal!"

"How about giving me a few Enlightenment Tea leaves? I think it is time for the Western Sect's disciples to replace their spirit treasures as well."

"You know full well how formidable my artifact-refining Dao is!"

Primordial Celestial Worthy patted Jieyin on the shoulder and spoke with a kindly smile.

The Clarifying Sect naturally could not be suppressed by the Western Sect!

"What is Senior Brother talking about? This poor Daoist cannot understand."

Jieyin played dumb, then shifted his backside outward, looking as though he had no desire to deepen his friendship with Primordial Celestial Worthy.

The sight made everyone laugh.

Amid the clouds, winds and clouds shifted.

After Primordial Celestial Worthy and the Two Sages of the West appeared, the last trace of worry in Lingxiao's heart vanished. He calmly swept his gaze over the surroundings and saw Bai Ze, Lu Ya, and the others wearing faces as dark as iron.

"Lu Ya, weren't you going to invite Lord Tongtian and Lady Nuwa out?"

A faint smile curled across Lingxiao's lips as he looked at Lu Ya.

Tracing the matter back to its beginning, he had held the moral high ground from start to finish. Now, three Heavenly Dao Saints stood behind him. Even if Lord Tongtian and Lady Nuwa appeared, they would be powerless to turn the tide.

If those two Heavenly Dao Saints still cared for their reputations, they would surely remain silent and let the matter gradually settle rather than hold Lingxiao accountable again.

"Demon Emperor, you must not act on impulse!"

"This time, endure it!"

An inscrutable look appeared on Kunpeng's gloomy face.

He moved close to Lu Ya and earnestly advised him.

After several breaths, Lu Ya let out a cold snort and finally swallowed this stifling humiliation. He then turned and headed toward the summit of Phoenix Perch Mountain, which had already become ruins.

All the mighty figures of the Demon Race flashed away.

If they could not afford to provoke Lingxiao, could they not afford to avoid him?

"Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan, are you still going to stubbornly persist and continue pestering Fellow Daoist Lingxiao?"

Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Buddha pressed his palms together and looked at Kong Xuan in the distance. The latter's face was so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it, his hands clenched into fists as drops of blood fell from them.

Before Primordial Celestial Worthy and the Two Sages of the West, how could Kong Xuan dare act rashly?

Humiliation, hatred, and pain ravaged his heart.

The Golden-Winged Great Roc was no different!

All the quasi-Saint mighty figures of the Phoenix Clan had been slain. The remaining beings had once more been burdened with the shackles of the Heavenly Dao, forced to suppress heaven and earth at Southern Brightness Volcano, forever unable to break free from their cage.

The Golden-Winged Great Roc had given the Phoenix Clan hope, yet because of him, that hope had now been crushed in his grasp. Who knew how despondent and miserable the Phoenix Clan's surviving beings would become in the future?

"Lingxiao, Western Sect—I'll remember you all."

"Senior Sisters, let's return to Azure Roaming Palace!"

Kong Xuan snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and departed.

Holy Mother Wudang, Holy Mother Golden Spirit, and Holy Mother Turtle Spirit looked at Lingxiao and Wangshu with complicated expressions, their hearts filled with bitterness.

If they had not once turned a blind eye to Lingxiao, the ones standing by his side now should have been them.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs.

"Lingxiao, you slandered Master and Martial Aunt Nuwa. Your crime is unforgivable! With three Saints protecting you today, I can tolerate your arrogant, overbearing ways and your utter contempt for others. But that may not be the case in the future!"

"Don't let me catch you by the handle, or else..."

Holy Mother Turtle Spirit frowned deeply as she berated Lingxiao.

Then!

Without waiting for Lingxiao to respond, she drifted away.

"You idiot fit for a museum exhibit!"

Lingxiao raised his voice and shot back at Holy Mother Turtle Spirit's retreating figure.

"Lingxiao, I, the Emperor, will avenge Qiushou Immortal and Spirit Fang Immortal!"

The Golden-Winged Great Roc roared, then turned and flew toward the summit of Phoenix Perch Mountain, rather than following Kong Xuan and the others back to Golden Turtle Island.

Time flowed on, and the world changed in a myriad ways.

Standing atop the World-Destroying Black Lotus, Lingxiao looked down upon the devastated Phoenix Perch Mountain. Facing the gazes of countless Demon Race beings, his expression did not ripple in the slightest.

The human race and the Demon Race were not destined to be irreconcilable!

Lingxiao would slay demonic fiends and evil devils.

If wicked people appeared among the human race, Lingxiao would likewise move to suppress them. This was his responsibility as the Eastern Extremity Qinghua Emperor and wielder of the Kongtong Seal.

"Little Friend Lingxiao, I am willing to form a bond of goodwill with you!"

"How about I gift this Three Treasures Jade Ruyi to you?"

Primordial Celestial Worthy slightly composed himself and withdrew his saintly might. He appeared like a kind-faced, highly respected elder.

The Clarifying Sect followed Heaven and answered the Dao, and Lingxiao likewise conformed to the Heavenly Dao.

In Primordial Celestial Worthy's view, Lingxiao was one of his own kind. Thus, using the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi to befriend this Eastern Extremity Qinghua Emperor was not out of the question.

Hearing this, Lingxiao gave a Daoist salute and politely declined. "One must not refuse a gift from an elder; such are the rites of Heaven and Earth! But this humble Daoist has neither kinship nor ties with the Clarifying Sect. If I rashly accepted the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, I fear I would become entangled in karma."

"Before long, this junior will personally visit Kunlun Mountain to pay respects to Celestial Worthy. At that time, in accordance with the greater course of the Heavenly Dao, I will give the Clarifying Sect another pillar of strength. Then it will not be too late for Celestial Worthy to bestow the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi upon me."

"Here are three Enlightenment Tea leaves, a modest gift from me to Celestial Worthy. Please accept them!"

As he spoke, Lingxiao lightly waved his jade sleeve.

A jade box appeared, holding three Enlightenment Tea leaves, and floated before Primordial Celestial Worthy.

It was not that Lingxiao was stingy, but that he could not favor one over another.

Back at Mount Sumeru, Lingxiao had given the Two Sages of the West only six Enlightenment Tea leaves. Giving Primordial Celestial Worthy three now was only reasonable.

If he gave more, it would surely cause displeasure in the hearts of the Two Sages of the West.

"Little Friend Lingxiao has considered matters thoroughly. It seems I was somewhat rash."

"I shall accept the Enlightenment Tea leaves. If an opportunity arises, I would like to discuss with you the methods of expounding the Heavenly Dao, haha..."

Primordial Celestial Worthy accepted the jade box, an appreciative look appearing on his face.

After that, Lingxiao watched Primordial Celestial Worthy, the Two Sages of the West, and the others depart.

"Lingxiao!"

"Why didn't you accept the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi? With the Great Dao you command, shouldn't you be able to erase so-called karma as you please?"

Wangshu's graceful figure flew to Lingxiao's side.

She took his hand of her own accord, then leaned her delicate body against him, a trace of shyness on her face.

After this incident, their Dao companion bond was completely confirmed!

"Karma can be erased, but I cannot forget human sentiment!"

"Celestial Worthy follows Heaven, values the Dao, and respects the rites of Heaven and Earth. I cannot become someone who breaks faith and betrays righteousness either. Since I chose to follow Heaven and answer the Dao, becoming the Eastern Extremity Qinghua Emperor, then I must keep my Dao heart upright and cannot covet petty gains!"

Lingxiao wrapped an arm around Wangshu's slender waist. His bearing was otherworldly, refined, and gentle.

Admiration shimmered in Wangshu's eyes.

Then.

Wangshu pressed her crimson lips to Lingxiao's ear and said playfully, "You promised this palace that you would knead my shoulders and massage my legs. You can't go back on your word..."