Pangu Banner Obtained, Guiding Yang Mei

Chen Xuan wore a contemplative expression and did not immediately demand the Pangu Banner from Hongjun.

This inevitably made Hongjun even more anxious, fearing that Chen Xuan would refuse to let go of the Fortune Jade Disk.

He simply took out several innate spiritual treasures, including several of the Five Directions Flags. He even placed the Earth-Mountains and Rivers Statecraft Diagram right in front of Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan examined them carefully from start to finish, but in the end, he shook his head at Hongjun.

"Fellow Daoist Hongjun, although these innate spiritual treasures are not bad, they are hardly worth mentioning compared to the Four Swords of Execution and the array diagram."

"Why don't you, Fellow Daoist Hongjun, gift all these innate spiritual treasures to me? It could barely be considered enough to compensate for the lost Execution Array Diagram."

Upon hearing this, Hongjun was shocked. After all, he had never dreamed that Chen Xuan's appetite would be so large.

Although these innate spiritual treasures were not of much use to Hongjun, they were the key to winning over hearts in the future. If he gave them all to Chen Xuan, how would he distribute treasures later?

Therefore, he said with a troubled look, "This is my entire savings. Does Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus really have the heart to take them all away?"

No sooner had Hongjun finished speaking than the Yin-Yang Ancestor on the side interjected, "Fellow Daoist Hongjun is being overly modest."

"To you, Fellow Daoist Hongjun, these innate spiritual treasures are merely the tip of the iceberg among your many collections. At the very least, I haven't seen you bring out the Pangu Banner."

At this moment, both the Heaven-and-Earth Ancestor and the Yin-Yang Ancestor felt a resentment toward Hongjun that was beyond words.

Having the opportunity to kick a man while he was down and make Hongjun suffer, how could they possibly let it pass?

For Chen Xuan, this was equivalent to having a top-tier straight man to set up his jokes, so he immediately seized the opportunity.

"That's right, the Pangu Banner should be an innate supreme treasure. It could indeed compare to the Execution Array Diagram."

"If Fellow Daoist Hongjun is unwilling to part with the Fortune Jade Disk or these innate spiritual treasures, and cannot find the 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 Dao was effectively complete.

As long as he attained the Dao and became a saint before Chen Xuan and the others, whether he had this Pangu Banner or not was no longer important.

Then, Hongjun took out the Pangu Banner and presented it directly to Chen Xuan. "Since that is the case, I shall use this Pangu Banner to settle the karma between us, Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus."

Chen Xuan smiled as he took the Pangu Banner and nodded at Hongjun. "Although I am at a slight disadvantage, it is barely acceptable."

"If Fellow Daoist Hongjun has anything to ask of me in the future, feel free to send someone to notify me. I will naturally assist with all my might."

The corner of Hongjun's mouth twitched uncontrollably. I dare not use you again, he thought, your price is simply too high.

He simply bid farewell to Chen Xuan and returned directly to the Purple Cloud Palace on Jade Qiong Mountain.

Watching the expression on Hongjun's face as he left, the Yin-Yang Ancestor and the Heaven-and-Earth Ancestor could not have been happier.

They immediately said to Chen Xuan, "If not for the rescue of Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus today, the two of us would surely have been done in by Hongjun here at Mount Sumeru."

"We have no way to repay the debt of saving our lives. From now on, whatever Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus commands, we will do our utmost to fulfill, even if it costs us our lives."

Chen Xuan reached out to help them up, then said with a smile, "It was merely a small effort, why do you two take it to heart?"

"You two should return to your own dojos and heal your injuries as soon as possible. After all, there is not much time left for you."

Although they did not quite understand the meaning behind Chen Xuan's words, the two nodded at him and headed toward their own dojos.

Watching the Yin-Yang Ancestor and the Heaven-and-Earth Ancestor leave, Chen Xuan turned his gaze toward the Yang Mei Ancestor and asked him.

"Fellow Daoist Yang Mei, do you really intend to go into the Chaos to avoid disaster and never return to this Primordial World?"

The Yang Mei Ancestor sighed and said, "Why does Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus ask when you already know the answer? I would like to stay, but would that person agree?"

"Living in fear every day is not as secure as going far away into the Chaos."

Seeing that the Yang Mei Ancestor's mind was made up, Chen Xuan sighed. "Since that is the case, I have nothing more to say."

"However, I ask that you leave behind a token, Fellow Daoist Yang Mei. When the Primordial World can accommodate you, or when I need you, I can reach you."

The Yang Mei Ancestor smiled and nodded upon hearing this. "I hope to see that day. Whenever Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus summons me, I will rush back, even from the depths of the Chaos."

As he spoke, the Yang Mei Ancestor took out a willow branch and presented it to Chen Xuan.

"This willow branch was taken from my true form, the Hollow Willow. It contains a trace of my origin. Fellow Daoist Chen Xuan, you need only snap it, and I will be able to sense it immediately."

Chen Xuan reached out and took the willow branch, storing it in the Fortune Space. He then said to the Yang Mei Ancestor.

"If you trust me, Fellow Daoist Yang Mei, why not tidy up the ley lines of the West before you leave? This should be a significant merit for you."

The Yang Mei Ancestor's eyes lit up upon hearing this. He bowed to Chen Xuan, "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Azure Lotus, for pointing the way."

He then headed directly toward Mount Sumeru in the West, preparing to make one final contribution to the Primordial World before leaving.

Chen Xuan merely smiled calmly at this, then headed directly toward Kunlun Mountain.

Just as Chen Xuan returned to Kunlun Mountain, before he could even enter the mountain-guarding array to see his three disciples, a loud phoenix cry suddenly echoed from the sky.

Immediately afterward, a massive phoenix soared into the sky. At the same time, it made a Heavenly Dao oath in mid-air.

"I am Yuan Feng, leader of the Phoenix Clan. Today, I reflect on my grave sins and the boundless karmic debt I have brought upon the Primordial World. I am willing to sacrifice my own soul to ensure the inheritance of the Phoenix Clan. From this day forward, the Phoenix Clan shall guard the Undying Volcano and no longer participate in the hegemony of the Primordial World. May the Heavenly Dao bear witness."

As Yuan Feng made the Heavenly Dao oath, his soul began to dissipate. His physical body transformed into a spiritual rain to nourish the scarred and devastated Primordial land.

Just as the Phoenix Clan retreated to the Undying Volcano, a giant Qilin soared into the sky and likewise made a Heavenly Dao oath.

"I am the Primordial Qilin, leader of the Qilin Clan. Because I reflect on my grave sins and the boundless karmic consequences and disasters I have brought to the Primordial World, I am willing to sacrifice my soul today to leave an inheritance for the Qilin Clan. From this day forward, my Qilin Clan shall be the auspicious beasts of the Primordial World. We will no longer participate in the hegemony of the Primordial World. May the Heavenly Dao bear witness."