Poaching? It doesn't exist.

The atmosphere inside the Lingxiao Treasure Hall instantly dropped to freezing point due to Xiao Kuang openly poaching Qin Yuan.

Di Jun's face was ashen, Solar True Fire flickering in his eyes; Eastern Emperor Taiyi was enveloped in Chaos Qi, his bell chiming low; Old Ancestor Kunpeng's gaze was sinister, as if he might lash out at any moment. Qin Yuan himself frowned, remaining silent, the air thick with awkwardness.

However, Xiao Kuang seemed oblivious to this tense atmosphere, or perhaps he simply didn't care. Seeing that Qin Yuan didn't immediately agree, he didn't press the issue. Instead, he grinned and changed the subject, as if he had just made a casual joke.

"Oh, I was just joking to liven things up!" he chuckled, his gaze then sweeping over the other female Immortals of the Demon Race in the hall. "Little Di, your Demon Race is truly blessed with talent and outstanding individuals! Especially these female Immortal friends, each one is remarkable and pleasant to talk to..."

Di Jun's internal alarm bells blared. He quickly stepped forward, attempting to block Xiao Kuang's "aggressive" gaze. "Dao Ancestor is too kind. My subordinates are dull and do not deserve such praise. How about... this junior leads Dao Ancestor to the Immortal Peach Garden for a stroll? While it may not compare to Queen Mother of the West's Immortal Peaches, it has its own unique flavor." He tried to divert Xiao Kuang's attention with food.

"Immortal Peaches? Great, great!" Xiao Kuang was indeed drawn in, but then added, "But just eating fruit is boring. Let's have Daoist friend Qin Yuan, and... the young lady in red over there with the fiery aura, accompany us? We can eat and chat, fostering friendly exchange between the Demon Court and Purple Heaven Palace!"

The "young lady in red" he pointed to was another famous female Demon Saint of the Demon Race—Bifang! She had a single-legged crane body, was surrounded by Southern Bright Lihuo, and possessed a fiery and direct personality.

Di Jun's face turned even greener. This clearly showed he hadn't given up! He still wanted to take them away?! Qin Yuan and Bifang also looked taken aback. The thickness of this Dao Ancestor's skin was truly beyond imagination.

But since the Dao Ancestor had spoken, Di Jun dared not openly refuse. He could only brace himself and signal Qin Yuan and Bifang to follow, praying that this ancestor would leave quickly after eating the peaches.

The group arrived at the Demon Race's Immortal Peach Garden. Although it couldn't compare to Queen Mother of the West's innate Ren Water Immortal Peaches, it was still a rare spiritual root, with abundant fruit and radiant immortal light.

Xiao Kuang was unceremonious. He plucked the largest one and began to eat, juice flowing everywhere. While eating, he critiqued, "Hmm... the taste is alright, just a bit undercooked... the spiritual energy isn't potent enough... grafting techniques need improvement, Little Di!"

Di Jun forced a smile at the side, his heart bleeding. These were all spiritual roots he had painstakingly cultivated!

While eating peaches, Xiao Kuang's mouth didn't rest. He began to "educate" Qin Yuan and Bifang:

"Daoist friend Qin Yuan, look at your demeanor, cold and aloof, suited for a broader platform! Spending your days fighting and killing in the Heavenly Court is such a waste! Come to Purple霄 Palace, you can be in charge of the backyard zoo... ah, no, you can lead the new aesthetic trend for the flying creatures of the Primordial Era!"

"Daoist friend Bifang! Your understanding of the Fire Law is very deep! But your direction is a bit off! What future is there in setting fires and fighting? Come to Purple Heaven Palace, you can be in charge of barbecue... ah, no, you can be in charge of researching the inheritance and innovation of fire civilization! Our barbecue grill is lacking a professional like you!"

He then lowered his voice and added mysteriously, "Moreover, our benefits are great! Two days off a week is the basic, annual leave is standard, and there's Heavenly Dao Merit as performance bonuses! If you perform well, you might even have a chance to touch... hehe, some 'shiny' good things~" He hinted at Primordial Violet Qi (though in his eyes, it looked like a light tube).

Qin Yuan and Bifang listened, dumbfounded, their thoughts in a complex whirl. Although the Dao Ancestor's words were unreliable, "Heavenly Dao Merit" and "shiny good things" were indeed extremely tempting. Furthermore, being personally recruited by the Dao Ancestor of Purple霄 Palace gave them a strange feeling of "importance."

Di Jun, listening from the side, felt his lungs were about to explode with anger! This wasn't just poaching; it was trying to collapse his entire wall of talent! And right in front of him! Yet, he still had to maintain his smile, daring not to erupt!

After touring the Immortal Peach Garden, Xiao Kuang rubbed his head. "Ah, I suddenly feel a bit dizzy. I must be unaccustomed to being in the Heavenly Realm. Little Di, do you have any spiritual medicines or immortal elixirs to calm the nerves and nourish the brain? I'd like to take some back to study, so I can recover soon and continue serving all beings in the Primordial Era!"

Di Jun's mouth twitched. He had no choice but to lead him to the treasury.

Upon entering the treasury, Xiao Kuang was like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, finding everything novel. "Oh! This gourd is nice! It'll be great for holding wine!" "Hey! These beads are shiny! I'll take them back as light bulbs!" "Wow! This herb smells good! I'll take it back to make soup!"

He didn't care what use these items had. As long as they looked pleasing or smelled good, he would wave his hand and stuff them directly into his Sleeve Universe (a space opened by Heavenly Dao Authority), calling them "research samples."

Di Jun watched his treasury's treasures disappear at a visible rate, his heart bleeding, yet he still had to force a smile. "Dao Ancestor likes them... that's good... that's good..."

Finally, Xiao Kuang was completely satisfied, his belly full, his hands laden with spoils, and he had successfully planted the seeds of job-hopping in Qin Yuan and Bifang's hearts.

Before leaving, he patted Di Jun's shoulder and said earnestly, "Little Di, keep up the good work! The Demon Race has a bright future under your leadership! Remember the 'Fortune Management Method' and the 'Essence of Slacking' I taught you, and you'll definitely build the strongest team in the Primordial Era! I'm very optimistic about you!"

With that, he mounted his wobbly escaping light and, under the complex gazes of the assembled demons, swaggered away.

Only when Xiao Kuang's figure completely disappeared into the horizon did the smile on Di Jun's face vanish, replaced by an utterly ashen expression.

"Bang!" He punched a nearby jade pillar, shaking the entire Lingxiao Hall.

"This is too much!" Eastern Emperor Taiyi was also burning with rage. Old Ancestor Kunpeng said sinisterly, "Your Majesty, this Dao Ancestor... is he not being too unrestrained!" Qin Yuan and Bifang exchanged glances, seeing a hint of hesitation and... longing in each other's eyes?

Di Jun looked at the ransacked treasury and thought of his poached key officials, feeling a tightness in his chest, a surge of frustration with nowhere to vent.

This Dao Ancestor wasn't here for an inspection; he was clearly here to rob! He ate, took, and poached people!

The Demon Race had truly suffered a massive loss this time!

Meanwhile, the distant Xiao Kuang was happily counting his "loot." "Good haul! Next time I'll go check out the Witch Race. I heard Sister Houtu has a lot of local specialties over there..."

Heavenly Dao (faintly sensing): ... (Too lazy to be angry anymore, just wants to record who he's harmed this time)