Returning to Western Kunlun, Invitation from the Demon Race

After weighing it over, Di Jun gritted his teeth and chose the second path.

"Enough, stop fighting!" Di Jun shouted loudly, his voice laced with unwillingness and fury.

But Xiao Teng seemed not to hear him at all, showing no intention of stopping as he let the Calabash Kids continue their attacks.

In the blink of an eye, the Calabash Kids struck again and killed another Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

"All right, that's enough."

Xiao Teng spoke to stop them. If they kept killing, Di Jun would truly risk everything against them.

Hearing him, the Calabash Kids withdrew their hands in unison and halted their assault.

Di Jun clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His face was full of resentment, yet he did not dare start another battle. If they continued fighting now, the losses would surely be devastating. And if there was a yellow sparrow lurking behind them, waiting to reap the spoils, the Demon Race would be finished for good.

"We'll remember today's debt. Just you wait!" Leaving behind this threat, Di Jun led the Demon Race away in streaks of fleeing light.

As Xiao Teng watched the Demon Race flee, he knew that once today's karmic entanglement had been forged, it would not be so easily resolved in the future.

They could have waited until the Shaman-Demon Tribulation ended, but he knew the Calabash Kids could never endure such stifled grievance. They would certainly settle the score with the Demon Race.

The Calabash Kids dispelled the formation, while Xiao Teng put away the Five Directional Banners.

"Fellow Daoist White Lotus, come with us to the Three Immortal Isles and try the Five-Needle Pine fruit there," Xiao Teng warmly invited.

White Lotus was also curious about the Three Immortal Isles and gladly agreed.

The group of nine swiftly flew toward the Three Immortal Isles in a grand procession.

Xiao Teng showed White Lotus around the Three Immortal Isles and even treated her to the fruit of the Five-Needle Pine.

"The Three Immortal Isles truly are a wondrous place. May I live here?" White Lotus asked.

Xiao Teng readily agreed. "Of course. The Calabash Kids and I usually stay on Penglai Island, where it is somewhat noisy. If you wish, you may choose either Fangzhang Island or Yingzhou Island."

After a brief consideration, White Lotus ultimately chose to reside on Yingzhou Island.

After that, Xiao Teng and the Calabash Kids devoted themselves to cultivation on the Three Immortal Isles.

Having given the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi to Queen Mother of the West, Xiao Teng could no longer follow the same path to attaining the Dao as the others.

Among the various methods of attaining the Dao, Xiao Teng was more inclined toward Proving the Dao Through Force.

As long as he cultivated the Law of Conception to great completion, he should be able to attain the Dao and become a Sage. Not only he, but White Lotus and the Calabash Kids could also follow this path.

Yet Proving the Dao Through Force was far more difficult than becoming a Sage through Severing the Three Corpses. He would have to explore this path himself.

Of course, Proving the Dao Through Force was still far too distant for them. Their most urgent task was to cultivate to the realm of a Perfect Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal. Only then could they glimpse the path to attaining the Dao and becoming a Sage.

Time flew by, and ten thousand years passed in an instant.

Xiao Teng's aura grew increasingly vast and profound as his cultivation successfully entered the Late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.

The Calabash Kids cultivated much faster than Xiao Teng. Advancing a thousand miles in a day, they were on the verge of reaching Perfect Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

During those ten thousand years, Xiao Teng also successfully deduced the Five Elements Formation. With it, he finally possessed the ability to contend against Taiyi's Eastern Sovereign Bell.

Having stayed on the Three Immortal Isles for too long, Xiao Teng felt that it was time to venture out.

Thus, he decided to travel the Primordial World with the Calabash Kids, personally experiencing the endless Great Dao contained within heaven, earth, and all things.

The Calabash Kids also cheered with delight, their hearts brimming with anticipation.

Elsewhere, Kong Xuan and Roc cultivated diligently day and night and finally reached the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal realm without mishap.

Seeing that the spiritual power around them had stabilized and their strength had greatly increased, Xiao Teng allowed them to venture out for experience.

The two bid farewell to Mount Kongtong and entered the Primordial World, their eyes filled with eagerness and longing.

Although Six-Eared Macaque had recovered his strength and was capable of traveling abroad, he chose to remain behind and guard Mount Kongtong.

Xiao Teng respected Six-Eared Macaque's choice and let him do as he pleased.

During the ten thousand years Xiao Teng spent cultivating, the Witch Clan and Demon Race developed at a furious pace, their populations directly doubling.

The north and east of Mount Buzhou became Demon Race territory, while the lands south of Mount Buzhou belonged to the Witch Clan.

Because of territorial disputes and old grudges, war between the two races flared up from time to time.

However, the Demon Race was clearly weaker than the Witch Clan. Many demons became the Witch Clan's blood food, which instead strengthened the Witch Clan.

After traveling for several thousand years, Xiao Teng and the Calabash Kids once more set foot in Western Kunlun.

This time, Queen Mother of the West personally came out to welcome them.

With a smiling face, Queen Mother of the West said, "Fellow Daoist Xiao Teng, you have finally arrived."

Xiao Teng replied, "I cultivated on the Three Immortal Isles for a time and did not come over promptly."

"Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West, was your journey back from the Purple Cloud Palace smooth?"

Queen Mother of the West answered, "I am no longer the leader of the female immortals, and no one knows that the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi is on me. Thus, the journey was peaceful."

"Enough talk. Please, everyone, come in."

Queen Mother of the West welcomed them into Western Kunlun.

"You have come at just the right time. This batch of Yellow Center Plums has ripened again, so everyone may as well have a taste."

With a wave of her hand, Queen Mother of the West summoned a stone table before them in an instant.

The table was covered with dazzling spiritual fruits and spiritual water. Most eye-catching among them were the Yellow Center Plums and the Five-Needle Pine fruit Xiao Teng had brought.

After glancing at Queen Mother of the West's cultivation, Xiao Teng said, "Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West, your realm has already reached perfection. Are you planning to Sever the Three Corpses next?"

Queen Mother of the West nodded slightly. "The path of Severing the Three Corpses established by Dao Ancestor Hongjun is indeed a shortcut to becoming a Sage."

Xiao Teng nodded. Whether the Three Pure Ones or Nuwa, all followed this path. Only Nuwa gained vast Merit after Severing the Three Corpses, so she could be considered to have achieved Merit Sainthood.

It would truly be difficult for Queen Mother of the West to follow the path of Merit Sainthood unless she could open another path and find a wholly new opportunity. Therefore, attaining the Dao through Severing the Three Corpses was still the most suitable choice.

Although attaining the Dao through Severing the Three Corpses was regarded as the weakest method of becoming a Sage, the difference between a Sage and a Quasi-Saint was still as vast as heaven and earth.

As they spoke, Bai Ze from the Heavenly Court suddenly arrived at Kunlun.

Xiao Teng, the Calabash Kids, and Queen Mother of the West discussed the Dao for a while longer.

At that moment, Bai Ze of the Heavenly Court suddenly arrived at Western Kunlun.

Seeing him, Queen Mother of the West's delicate brows furrowed. "What is Bai Ze doing at my Western Kunlun?"

The Demon Race had previously come to recruit Queen Mother of the West, but she had rejected them outright.

"Perfect timing. Let's go out and give him a good beating," Si Wa said.

Xiao Teng stopped the Calabash Kids. "Do not act rashly. Let's first see what Bai Ze has come for."

Queen Mother of the West sent a voice transmission. "Bai Ze, why have you come to my Western Kunlun?"

Bai Ze answered in a clear voice, "Fellow Daoist Queen Mother of the West, I have come on behalf of the Heavenly Emperor and the two Empresses to deliver an invitation. Ten thousand years from now, the Heavenly Emperor will marry the two Empresses. We hope you will spare the time to attend the ceremony."

"All right. Leave the invitation behind, and you may go."

"Yes."

Bai Ze tossed over the invitation, which turned into a streak of light and flew into Western Kunlun.

Afterward, Bai Ze departed.

Queen Mother of the West caught the invitation and looked at it. "Di Jun is getting married? That is rather unusual. Xihe and Chang Xi—are those the two from the Lunar Star?"

(Queen Mother of the West or White Lotus—who do you all think should be the female lead?)