For My Little Brother, I'm Getting Involved

Upon hearing that the masterminds behind this were actually the Western Two Sages, anger instantly flashed across Houtu's face.

"What kind of Sages are they, to be so vile? Someone kindly gave up their seat for them, letting them obtain Sagehood for nothing, yet instead of repaying that kindness, they only think of silencing people forever."

"Brother, we can't ignore this. And we have to let Red Cloud Ancestor know that the masterminds behind this are the Western Two Sages."

If Lu Xuan had encountered this matter himself, he would definitely have chosen to stay out of it. With his cultivation, he simply had no right to meddle in a conspiracy of this level.

But now that Houtu was by his side, it was not impossible for him to get involved. He might even seize this opportunity to find an ally for his little brother, Tongtian.

When the Investiture of the Gods Calamity came in the future, with Red Cloud Ancestor aiding Tongtian, it might not be impossible for the Interception Sect to turn the tide against the wind.

What was more, having Red Cloud Ancestor was equivalent to having Zhen Yuanzi. After all, these two were inseparable best friends of the Primordial World and would certainly stand together through thick and thin.

Still, Lu Xuan would not place himself in danger. He immediately gave Houtu some instructions, then hid within the mist of Wuyi Mountain.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed. During those seven days, neither Nether River Ancestor nor Demon Master Kunpeng left Wuyi Mountain for even half a step. At the same time, there was no sign of Red Cloud Ancestor.

Until the eighth day, a Daoist carrying a red gourd entered the bounds of Wuyi Mountain. Yet he had no sense at all of the danger approaching.

He even took the time to survey the entirety of Wuyi Mountain before saying, "Didn't Sage Zhunti say there was a Spirit Treasure in Wuyi Mountain fated to me? Why can't I sense the slightest trace of a Spirit Treasure's aura?"

The moment Red Cloud Ancestor said this, it all but confirmed Lu Xuan's claim that the masterminds behind this affair were the Western Two Sages.

Houtu could not help giving Lu Xuan a thumbs-up. "Brother, you really guessed right. Red Cloud Ancestor really was tricked here by Daoist Zhunti."

Lu Xuan shook his head. "Strictly speaking, he was not tricked, because there really is a Spirit Treasure in Wuyi Mountain."

"However, not just anyone can afford to use this Spirit Treasure. Use it poorly, and you may even have to stake your life on it."

Lu Xuan was referring to the Treasure-Dropping Coin in Wuyi Mountain. It was truly a Spirit Treasure fit for a divine tycoon. Though it could bring down Innate Spirit Treasures, Merit was the price.

If one could not pay enough Merit, then one would have to repay the debt with one's life.

In the original course of the Primordial World, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao had lacked sufficient Merit to repay the karmic debt of bringing down the Sea-Calming Pearl, and in the end, they lost their lives.

Thus, Daoist Zhunti had not deceived Red Cloud Ancestor. There truly was a Spirit Treasure in Wuyi Mountain. That was why even the cautious Zhen Yuanzi had failed to see through this conspiracy.

At the same time, Red Cloud Ancestor finally found the aura of the Spirit Treasure. Delight appeared on his face as he immediately fled in that direction.

Lu Xuan nodded to Houtu and followed after him. However, he did not reveal himself, still using the Pangu World-Opening Map to conceal their auras.

Just then, two treasured swords brimming with Blood Fiend Aura shot into the sky from below, their targets aimed directly at the newly arrived Red Cloud Ancestor.

Red Cloud Ancestor instantly sensed two killing intents locking onto him. Without hesitation, he sacrificed the Ninety-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd in his hand.

Unfortunately, Red Cloud Ancestor had underestimated those two killing intents. He had never imagined that the one attacking him was Nether River Ancestor, or that the two swords he had unleashed were the Innate Spirit Treasures, the Yuantu and Abi Swords.

The Yuantu and Abi Swords traced elegant arcs through the air, evading the Ninety-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd before continuing their relentless slash toward Red Cloud Ancestor.

Only then did Red Cloud Ancestor finally see clearly who was attacking him. At once, two magical treasures flew from his hand. One was a Coral Tree, while the other was a shining pearl.

The two Spirit Treasures struck the Yuantu and Abi Swords respectively, helping Red Cloud Ancestor block that deadly blow.

This caused the Coral Tree and pearl to fall directly into Wuyi Mountain, vanishing without a trace.

But Red Cloud Ancestor had no time to concern himself with that. With a wave of his hand, he recalled the Ninety-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd.

Cradling the Ninety-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd with one hand resting upon its stopper, Red Cloud Ancestor finally said, "Fellow Daoist Nether River, you and I have neither old grudges nor recent enmity. Why did you launch a sneak attack on me?"

"If it is for this Spirit Treasure, you only needed to speak. I would not contend with you for it. Why must you act in such a manner?"

Nether River Ancestor stepped out from the mist atop the Twelve-Petal Karma Fire Red Lotus and gave Red Cloud Ancestor a Daoist salute.

"How could a mere Innate Spirit Treasure be worth having me and Fellow Daoist Red Cloud make such a fuss? It was only that I failed to see who the newcomer was just now. I hope Fellow Daoist Red Cloud will not take offense."

Seeing that Nether River Ancestor carried not the slightest killing intent and even wore a trace of guilt on his face, Red Cloud Ancestor moved his hand away from the gourd's stopper.

He smiled and said, "No matter, no matter. Since Fellow Daoist Nether River arrived here first, I will not contend for this Spirit Treasure."

After saying this, Red Cloud Ancestor gave Nether River Ancestor a Daoist salute and prepared to leave Wuyi Mountain.

Unexpectedly, at that very moment, a palace fell from the heavens and smashed directly into Red Cloud Ancestor's back, sending him plummeting into Wuyi Mountain.

That single blow made Red Cloud Ancestor spit blood. As he swallowed medicinal pills, he turned to look at the person who had ambushed him.

When he discovered that his attacker was actually Demon Master Kunpeng, a look of confusion appeared on Red Cloud Ancestor's face.

"Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, as the Demon Master of the Demon Race, you do not lack Spirit Treasures. Why would you ambush me in secret over a single Spirit Treasure?"

The instant Red Cloud Ancestor spoke, Lu Xuan and Houtu, hidden in the shadows, nearly burst out laughing. Red Cloud Ancestor had offended someone without even knowing it.

Sure enough, Demon Master Kunpeng spoke in the next moment. "Hongyun, if you had not yielded your seat in Zixiao Palace that day, how would I have lost my Sagehood?"

"In the end, you gained a strand of Primordial Purple Qi, taking both reputation and benefits for yourself. I, Kunpeng, alone gained nothing. Do you think I would be willing to accept that?"

"Hand over the Primordial Purple Qi in your possession today, and perhaps I shall let it go. Otherwise, Wuyi Mountain will become the burial ground of you, Hongyun."

Only now did Red Cloud Ancestor understand why he had offended Demon Master Kunpeng, and he also understood why Nether River Ancestor was here.

He could not help turning to look toward Mount Sumeru, then sighed. "So it was all a conspiracy, all for the Primordial Purple Qi in my possession."

"Even if I must fight until my soul scatters and my spirit dissipates today, I will not let your treacherous scheme succeed. If you want the Primordial Purple Qi, then go ask the Dao Ancestor for it."

As he spoke, Red Cloud Ancestor had already opened the mouth of the Ninety-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd and aimed it directly at Demon Master Kunpeng.

At that moment, Lu Xuan spoke to Houtu beside him. "Houtu, it is time for you to make your move."