Chen Xuan wore a pensive look. He did not immediately ask Hongjun for the Pangu Banner.
This only made Hongjun even more anxious. He feared Chen Xuan would cling to the Fortune Jade Disk and refuse to let the matter go.
So he simply took out several Innate Spiritual Treasures, including a few of the Five Directions Flags. He even set the Earth-Mountains and Rivers Statecraft Diagram before Chen Xuan.
Chen Xuan examined them carefully from beginning to end, but ultimately shook his head at Hongjun.
"Daoist Hongjun, these Innate Spiritual Treasures are certainly fine. But compared with the Four Swords of Execution and the array diagram, they're hardly worth mentioning."
"How about you give me all these Innate Spiritual Treasures as well, Daoist Hongjun? That should just about make up for the lost Execution Array Diagram."
Hongjun was taken aback. He had never dreamed that Chen Xuan's appetite would be so enormous.
These Innate Spiritual Treasures might not be of much use to Hongjun, but they would be crucial for winning people over in the future. If he gave them all to Chen Xuan, how would he distribute treasures later?
So he said with an uneasy expression, "These are all the treasures this poor Daoist owns. Daoist Azure Lotus, can you really bear to take them all away?"
As soon as Hongjun finished speaking, Yin-Yang Ancestor chimed in from the side. "Daoist Hongjun, you're being far too modest."
"These Innate Spiritual Treasures are but a drop in the ocean among your many collections. At the very least, you haven't even brought out the Pangu Banner."
By now, both Qiankun Ancestor and Yin-Yang Ancestor loathed Hongjun beyond words.
If they had a chance to kick him while he was down and make him suffer a loss, how could they let it pass?
To Chen Xuan, this was as good as having a first-rate hype man. So he seized the opportunity and said,
"Oh, right. The Pangu Banner should be an Innate Supreme Treasure. That ought to be comparable to the Execution Array Diagram."
"If Daoist Hongjun is unwilling to part with the Fortune Jade Disk or these Innate Spiritual Treasures, and can't find another Execution Array Diagram, then just give me the Pangu Banner."
After weighing the pros and cons, Hongjun ultimately chose the Pangu Banner. After all, Rahu was dead, and his own path to the Dao was practically complete.
As long as he attained sainthood before Chen Xuan and the others, it would no longer matter whether he had the Pangu Banner.
Hongjun then took out the Pangu Banner and handed it to Chen Xuan. "In that case, I'll use this Pangu Banner to settle my karmic debt to you, Daoist Azure Lotus."
Chen Xuan accepted the Pangu Banner with a smile and nodded to Hongjun. "Though I'm taking a bit of a loss, I suppose I can accept it."
"If you ever need anything in the future, Daoist Hongjun, just send someone to let me know. I'll naturally do everything I can to help."
The corner of Hongjun's mouth twitched. I wouldn't dare ask for your help again. You're far too expensive.
He simply bade Chen Xuan farewell and returned to Purple Cloud Palace on Jade Qiong Mountain.
Watching Hongjun's expression as he left, Yin-Yang Ancestor and Qiankun Ancestor were positively delighted.
They immediately said to Chen Xuan, "If not for your help today, Daoist Azure Lotus, the two of us would surely have been tricked to death by Hongjun on Mount Sumeru."
"We can never repay you for saving our lives. From now on, whenever you have a task for us, we'll give it our all—even if it costs us our lives."
Chen Xuan helped them to their feet, then said with a smile, "It was a small favor. There's no need to take it to heart."
"You two should return to your own abodes and heal your injuries as soon as possible. After all, you don't have much time left."
Though they did not quite understand what Chen Xuan meant, the two nodded to him before heading back to their respective abodes.
After watching Yin-Yang Ancestor and Qiankun Ancestor leave, Chen Xuan turned his gaze to Ancestor Yang Mei and asked,
"Daoist Yang Mei, do you truly intend to flee into Chaos to avoid disaster and never return to the Primordial World?"
Ancestor Yang Mei sighed. "Why ask when you already know the answer, Daoist Azure Lotus? I'd like to stay, but would that person allow it?"
"Living in constant fear is worse than leaving for the peace of Chaos."
Seeing that Ancestor Yang Mei had firmly decided to leave, Chen Xuan sighed. "If that's the case, then I have nothing more to say."
"But please leave behind a token. If the Primordial World can one day accommodate you, or if we need you, I'll have some way to contact you."
Ancestor Yang Mei smiled and nodded. "I hope that day comes. Whenever you summon me, Daoist Azure Lotus, I'll return, even from the depths of Chaos."
As he spoke, Ancestor Yang Mei took out a Willow Branch and handed it to Chen Xuan.
"This Willow Branch was cut from my true form, the Hollow Willow. It contains a trace of my origin. Just snap it, Daoist Chen Xuan, and I'll sense it right away."
Chen Xuan accepted the Willow Branch and stored it in Fortune Space. Then he said to Ancestor Yang Mei,
"If you trust me, Daoist Yang Mei, why not set the ley lines of the West in order before you leave? It should earn you some merit."
Ancestor Yang Mei's eyes lit up. He immediately bowed to Chen Xuan. "Thank you for showing me the way, Daoist Azure Lotus."
He then headed straight for Western Mount Sumeru, intending to make one final contribution to the Primordial World before leaving.
Chen Xuan merely smiled faintly and headed toward Kunlun Mountain.
Chen Xuan had just returned to Kunlun Mountain and had not yet entered the mountain-guarding formation to see his three disciples when a clear, piercing phoenix cry suddenly rang out from the sky.
Immediately afterward, an enormous phoenix soared into the heavens. It then swore an oath before the Heavenly Dao.
"I am Yuanfeng, clan leader of the Phoenix Clan. I deeply regret my grave sins and the boundless karmic debt I brought upon the Primordial World. I am willing to sacrifice my soul to preserve the legacy of the Phoenix Clan. From this day forth, the Phoenix Clan will guard the Undying Volcano and take no part in the struggle for supremacy over the Primordial World. Let the Heavenly Dao bear witness."
As Yuanfeng made her oath before the Heavenly Dao, her soul began to dissipate. Her body transformed into a rain of spirit that nourished the already devastated lands of the Primordial World.
The Phoenix Clan had only just retreated to the Undying Volcano when an enormous qilin soared into the sky and made the same kind of oath.
"I am Primordial Qilin, clan leader of the Qilin Clan. I regret my grave sins and the boundless karmic calamities I brought upon the Primordial World. Today, I am willing to sacrifice my soul to preserve the legacy of the Qilin Clan. From this day forth, the Qilin Clan will serve as auspicious beasts of the Primordial World and take no further part in the struggle for supremacy. Let the Heavenly Dao bear witness."
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