Exchanging for the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner, Ambushed on the Road

After leaving Treasure-Dividing Cliff, Xiao Teng caught up with Queen Mother of the West.

"Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West, wait for me!"

Hearing Xiao Teng's voice, Queen Mother of the West stopped.

"Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West, you were walking far too quickly."

"I merely wished to return sooner. Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Xiao Teng, on obtaining the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi. Your ascension to sainthood is within reach," Queen Mother of the West said in congratulations.

Xiao Teng gave a bitter smile. "Having this Primordial Chaos Purple Qi fall into my hands may not necessarily be a good thing."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"The other six saints acknowledged Dao Ancestor Hongjun as their master and thus gained his protection, while I stand alone. A common man commits no crime, yet he is guilty for possessing jade. Having obtained something so important, I will naturally become an easy target."

Queen Mother of the West glanced around. Though she saw no one, she vaguely sensed that someone was watching them.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she said softly, "In that case, Fellow Daoist Xiao Teng, I shall travel with you. If anyone truly tries to intercept us, I can offer some assistance."

Xiao Teng was slightly surprised. Queen Mother of the West usually avoided trouble, yet she had taken the initiative to offer him help. Such goodwill was rare indeed.

Xiao Teng shook his head and declined. "Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist. There is no need for Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West to take such a risk. The karma involved is far too great; it would be better if you did not get entangled in it."

"However, if I can obtain the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner and gather the Five Directional Banners, I may be able to escape safely."

Queen Mother of the West frowned in thought for a moment. Then she raised her jade-like hand, and a streak of light flashed as the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner appeared in her palm.

She handed it to Xiao Teng and said warmly, "If that is the case, I shall lend you this Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner for the time being."

Xiao Teng accepted it and joked, "If I refuse to return it, would you not suffer a loss?"

Queen Mother of the West smiled faintly. "It is merely a magical treasure. If it can help you overcome this crisis, that will be its fortune. If you do not return it, then I will simply have learned that you are not someone worth befriending."

Seeing how open-minded she was, Xiao Teng's expression turned solemn. "We agreed before to make an exchange. I will exchange the opportunity to become a saint with you."

With that, he activated the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner and set up a barrier that blocked spiritual energy fluctuations and divine-sense surveillance.

"This belongs to you."

Xiao Teng took out the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi and handed it to Queen Mother of the West.

Queen Mother of the West was stunned. "What are you doing? You are giving this to me?"

Xiao Teng nodded. "Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West values loyalty and righteousness. Xiao Teng will remember this in his heart. We agreed earlier on an exchange, and I will not go back on my word."

"The opportunity to become a saint that I mentioned before is this Primordial Chaos Purple Qi. It is of little use to me now, and since we had already agreed upon it, it should rightfully be yours."

"No, this is far too precious. Its value vastly exceeds that of the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner."

Though the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner was precious, it could not possibly compare to a place among the saints.

Queen Mother of the West refused it, leaving Xiao Teng greatly surprised. Even he might not have been able to resist such temptation, yet Queen Mother of the West could reject it.

"It is all right. This was what we agreed upon before. The Primordial Chaos Purple Qi has limited use for me, so it should rightfully belong to you, Fellow Daoist."

Xiao Teng guided the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi into Queen Mother of the West's body.

Queen Mother of the West was filled with confusion, unable to understand why Xiao Teng would give such an opportunity to her.

Once the transfer of the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi was complete, Xiao Teng removed the barrier and said, "This is not a place to linger. Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West, return to Kunlun Mountains quickly."

"Everyone currently believes the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi is on me, so they will not trouble you. Once the attention dies down and the situation becomes more stable, I will visit you at Kunlun Mountains."

With that, Xiao Teng left directly, the Calabash Kids following closely behind him.

He planned to return to the Three Immortal Isles first.

When they reached the shore of the East Sea, the sea wind howled, carrying a salty scent that could not disperse the oppressive killing intent hanging overhead like dark clouds.

Xiao Teng soon found himself surrounded by a group of people. They were Di Jun and Taiyi.

Behind them stood more than twenty Great Luo Golden Immortals of the demon race.

"Fellow Daoists, what is the meaning of this?" Xiao Teng feigned confusion.

Di Jun smiled as he spoke. "You Fellow Daoists possess extraordinary strength. My demon race is in need of capable people, so we have come to invite you to join us and achieve great things together. From this day forth, you will enjoy endless wealth, honor, and supreme opportunities."

Xiao Teng sneered inwardly. This group of demons had quite the scheme. On the surface, they were recruiting him, but in truth, they wanted to seize his treasure, dressing it up in such righteous words.

Yet Xiao Teng remained calm on the surface. He cupped his hands and smiled. "Fellow Daoist Di Jun overestimates us. My children and I have grown used to living freely and have no intention of joining the demon race. I hope you will understand."

Di Jun's voice suddenly turned cold. "In that case, it seems we must have a proper 'discussion of the Dao.'"

Xiao Teng raised a brow, a mocking smile curling across his lips. "I know these words 'discussion of the Dao' very well, Fellow Daoist Di Jun. I heard that you previously sought out Eastern King Duke for a 'discussion of the Dao,' and Eastern King Duke ended up losing his life. You have come to find me today; surely this is not merely a sparring match?"

Di Jun snorted coldly. "Since you understand, obediently hand over the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi. Then I may still spare your life."

"My apologies, but the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi is not on me."

Di Jun acted as though he had heard the greatest joke in the world and threw back his head in wild laughter. "Hahaha! It is not on you? You actually dare say that? We clearly saw you take it. Could you have already handed it over to someone else?"

Xiao Teng wanted to say that he had indeed given the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi to someone else, but Di Jun would most likely not believe him.

"Are we fighting? I'll help!"

Just as the tension reached its peak, a clear voice cut through the stagnant air. White Lotus drifted over gracefully and landed beside Xiao Teng.

"Why are you here?"

"I was worried someone might covet your Primordial Chaos Purple Qi, so I secretly followed you. I did not expect it to be true—and there are quite a few of them."

Seeing this, Di Jun demanded sharply, "Fellow Daoist, do you also intend to become an enemy of my demon race?"

White Lotus gave a disdainful laugh. "You are clearly relying on numbers to bully the few and trying to bully my Fellow Daoist Xiao Teng. How has it become me opposing the demon race instead?"

"In that case, let you taste our power and send you all back to chaos together!"

Di Jun swiftly formed hand seals and summoned the River Diagram and Luo Writing, wrapping layer after layer around the surrounding space as though forging an invisible cage that gave Xiao Teng and the others no path of escape.

"Di Jun, are you certain you want to provoke me? Do not regret it later!" Xiao Teng asked.

"So what if I provoke you? Once I obtain the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi, my demon race will soon dominate the Primordial World!"

Di Jun unleashed the Solar True Fire at Xiao Teng.

Wu Wa stood before Xiao Teng and sprayed water to block it. Water and fire collided, dissolving one another.

Di Jun's eyes widened in utter shock. "How is this possible? My Solar True Fire is the strongest flame in the world, yet it was extinguished so easily. What kind of water is that?"

Wu Wa grinned, revealing two little canine teeth. "It's my saliva. How does it taste?"

With that, Wu Wa opened his mouth again and sprayed even more water at Di Jun.

Di Jun immediately twisted aside to dodge, thinking inwardly, These Calabash Kids may not seem highly cultivated, but their methods are so bizarre and troublesome. I underestimated them.

"Everyone, attack together!" Di Jun ordered.

The demon race's Great Luo Golden Immortals moved at his command, charging forward like starving wolves descending on prey.

The Calabash Kids showed no fear. They each fought on their own, some breathing fire, some spraying water, some turning invisible to launch surprise attacks. Each of them held off two or three Great Luo Golden Immortals alone.

For a time, the battlefield descended into chaos. Spells flashed and crisscrossed, while deafening explosions rang out without end.