A Complete Victory

Having obtained the Eastern Green Lotus Treasure-Colored Banner and the three spiritual treasures, Bai Jing immediately stored them in the Source-Yang Cauldron before their treasure light could even fade.

Bai Jing's actions were exactly the same as Hongyun's just now. Tongtian laughed at the sight and immediately sent a voice transmission to Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun. "Fellow Daoist Bai Jing must never have seen many spiritual treasures. He is already so eager to put them away over a mere four treasures."

"Third Brother, Fellow Daoist Bai Jing has profound attainments in the Dao of artifact refinement. In the future, he can simply refine spiritual treasures himself," Yuanshi Tianzun said.

Laozi said nothing, merely nodding in agreement.

When Bai Jing and Yuanshi Tianzun had previously discussed the Dao of artifact refinement, Laozi had listened in as well. He knew full well that Bai Jing's attainments in artifact refinement were no less than his second brother's.

Tongtian had merely made an offhand joke. Seeing that his two elder brothers did not appreciate it, he immediately changed the subject. "Second Brother, did you not wish to discuss the Dao of artifact refinement with Fellow Daoist Bai Jing? Why not take this opportunity to invite Fellow Daoist Bai Jing to Kunlun Mountain for a gathering?"

Yuanshi Tianzun had the same intention. Just as he was about to extend the invitation, he saw the Western pair land before Bai Jing.

Zhunti bowed to Bai Jing and said, "Fellow Daoist, when my senior brother and I saw you put away those treasures just now, we were struck by a realization. The treasures you took have an affinity with us brothers. Please hand over the treasures you took, and I am willing to exchange a favor for them."

At those words, the gazes of the great powers present immediately turned toward Bai Jing and the Western pair.

Bai Jing was not anxious in the slightest. He returned the bow with a smile and said, "Fellow Daoists, the Dao Ancestor once said that treasures belong to those fated to obtain them. Since these four treasures came into my possession, does that not mean they are fated to be with me? Are you two trying to defy the Dao Ancestor's will by attempting to seize them?"

Bai Jing had slapped a massive accusation onto them, and Zhunti was immediately left speechless. At that moment, Jieyin stepped forward and said, "Fellow Daoist, your words are mistaken. My junior brother and I have no intention of seizing your treasures. When we saw you store away those spiritual treasures, we were struck by a realization and felt that an opportunity originally belonging to us had vanished. That is why we wished to inspect them."

"Oh? And how do you two wish to inspect them?"

"Please take out the spiritual treasures you just collected and allow my junior brother and me to confirm them. If none of them are opportunities that originally belonged to us brothers, we are willing to apologize and make amends to you."

Bai Jing burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Are you two fellow Daoists joking with me? Everyone knows the West is barren. Once I take out these spiritual treasures, you will surely claim they are your opportunities!

Of all the great powers here who have collected magical treasures, neither of you wished to inspect theirs. Yet when it comes to me, you insist on inspecting them. Do you take me, Bai Jing, for someone weak enough to bully?"

As he spoke, Bai Jing's aura erupted. The powerful pressure of a Golden Immortal of Chaos made both Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions change.

Yet Jieyin and Zhunti had not been frightened into their cultivation. Zhunti said coldly, "Fellow Daoist, are you afraid to let us brothers inspect them because you have a guilty conscience?"

"What a joke. Did I seize the fated treasures you speak of from your hands?"

With so many great powers present, Jieyin and Zhunti naturally could not lie through their teeth. Jieyin said, "Though those treasures did not pass through my hands, they are indeed fated to be with me!"

"I will say it again: the Dao Ancestor said that treasures belong to those with affinity. If we speak of fate, those treasures have already fallen into my hands, so my affinity with them is naturally deeper. Why must you two fellow Daoists be so aggressive?"

Once Bai Jing said this, Jieyin and Zhunti both knew there was no point in arguing further.

Jieyin snorted coldly. "Sharp-tongued! I spoke to you kindly, yet you refused to listen. Since that is the case, I will simply take you down myself!"

"Senior Brother, I will join you!" Zhunti echoed.

Houtu sighed at those words and took a single step forward, coming to stand beside Bai Jing.

Seeing Houtu and Bai Jing stand on the same side, Jieyin's expression shifted slightly. "Houtu! Does your Witch Clan intend to become enemies with my West?"

"Fellow Daoist Bai Jing is a friend of the Witch Clan." Houtu's words were brief and forceful, her stance unmistakable.

Seeing Houtu take Bai Jing's side, Taiyi, who had been watching the show, immediately sent a voice transmission to Dijun. "Big Brother, should we help the Western pair?"

"Why should we help the West?" Dijun asked in return.

"The Witch Clan and our Demon Race—"

"Taiyi, I told you long ago that now is not the time to tear all pretenses apart with the Witch Clan, at least not until I have spoken with them."

Taiyi was somewhat unwilling. He felt that Big Brother's negotiations with the Witch Clan would surely lead nowhere. They might as well seize this opportunity to kill one of the Ancestral Witches in advance, gaining some initiative in the future war against the Witch Clan.

But his elder brother's attitude was so resolute that, as a good younger brother, Taiyi ultimately did not go against his brother's wishes.

Meanwhile, Jieyin and Zhunti were already in a predicament, like riding a tiger they could not dismount from.

Jieyin had no confidence in facing Houtu. Zhunti's cultivation was even a step weaker than his own, and he did not know whether Zhunti could handle Bai Jing.

Just as the two hesitated, Bai Jing made the first move.

A small ruler suffused with profound yellow energy appeared in Bai Jing's hand. The moment it emerged, Bai Jing's aura, which had been like an abyss swallowing all things, gained several degrees of killing intent.

In the blink of an eye, the small ruler expanded to several hundred zhang in length and smashed down at Zhunti's head.

Zhunti clearly had not expected Bai Jing to strike first. In his haste, he took out the Seven-Treasure Wonderful Tree and swept it toward the descending ruler.

Like Kong Xuan's Five-Colored Divine Light, the Seven-Treasure Wonderful Tree was said to sweep away anything.

Seven-colored radiant light swept straight toward the Primordial Measure of Heaven Ruler. Bai Jing neither dodged nor evaded, pouring the Great Dao of Devouring into the Primordial Measure of Heaven Ruler and meeting the seven-colored light head-on.

It was as if the seven-colored radiant light had encountered something incomparably terrifying. The instant it touched the Primordial Measure of Heaven Ruler, it was devoured completely.

With the aid of the Great Dao of Devouring, the Primordial Measure of Heaven Ruler shattered the Seven-Treasure Wonderful Tree's radiant light, its might growing even fiercer. Zhunti heard the explosive crack of air splitting, and before he could react, the ruler slammed directly into the Seven-Treasure Wonderful Tree's true body.

The seven-colored radiant light surrounding the Seven-Treasure Wonderful Tree immediately dimmed several degrees, while Zhunti himself was sent flying outright.

Bai Jing pressed his advantage without mercy. A twelve-grade white lotus platform appeared beneath his feet, while a great azure-gold cauldron appeared above his head.

With three magical treasures in hand, including a top-tier defensive spiritual treasure like the Source-Yang Cauldron, Bai Jing had no fear that Zhunti would leap over the wall in desperation. He immediately gave chase.

"Ah!" Amid a miserable scream, the Primordial Measure of Heaven Ruler struck Zhunti's shoulder, shattering half his body.

"Junior Brother!" Jieyin cried out in alarm. He wanted to go help, but Houtu firmly blocked his way.

A moment later, Bai Jing returned, carrying Zhunti in his hand.

There was no doubt that Bai Jing had won this battle—and won a complete victory.