"The Pangu Banner is an item for my protection. It cannot be given away lightly."
Hongjun fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking. "However, if the twelve of you can attend the third sermon at Violet Firmament Palace from beginning to end, then after the sermon concludes, I can lend you the Pangu Banner for one Yuanhui of contemplation."
"Lend?"
Dijiang slightly raised his brows, sneering inwardly.
This old fox really won't act without seeing a benefit. Even now, he's still trying to scheme against us.
Lend it for one Yuanhui?
By the time that Yuanhui is over, you'll have merged with the Dao. Then won't you be able to handle us however you please?
"Dao Ancestor, you must be joking."
"We of the Pangu Orthodox Lineage never borrow things. Either give it to us, or we brothers won't be going to Violet Firmament Palace."
"Also, I've decided to raise the price. One Pangu Banner isn't enough. You must add either a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure or a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Root."
Dijiang folded his arms over his chest, a faint sneer on his face as he calmly looked at Hongjun.
Trying to bargain with me? You must not know who holds the initiative now.
If you're asking for help, then ask properly!
"You..."
A trace of anger flashed through Hongjun's eyes.
He was a dignified Sage, yet he had already compromised again and again. Dijiang was still so ungrateful, pushing his luck and even raising the price. And he had the nerve to demand a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure or Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Root right off the bat. Did he think this old Daoist ran a wholesale business?
Yet, seeing Dijiang's utterly unyielding expression, Hongjun took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart.
"Fine!"
Hongjun ground out a single word through clenched teeth. "The Pangu Banner and a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure can both be given to you. But only after the third sermon at Violet Firmament Palace ends!"
Hongjun no longer dared to bargain. He could see that Dijiang had seen through his scheme and seized his weakness. If he continued bargaining, Dijiang would definitely raise the price again.
"It's a deal!"
Dijiang burst into laughter, his eyes full of triumphant amusement. His original goal had only been the Pangu Banner, yet he had unexpectedly gained an extra Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure as well. He had made an absolute killing this time.
"See you at Violet Firmament Palace in thirty thousand years."
Hongjun coldly left those words behind. His figure instantly vanished into thin air, as though he did not wish to remain here another moment.
Only after watching Hongjun leave did the eleven Ancestor Witches finally let out long breaths of relief.
"Big Brother, you're incredible!"
Zhu Rong excitedly rushed forward. "You extorted another Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure from that old fox Hongjun, along with the Pangu Banner! That's the Pangu Banner!"
"That's right, Big Brother. With the Pangu Banner, the power of our Twelve Capitals Divine Baleful Formation will definitely rise to another level!" Gonggong was equally excited.
"Don't celebrate too early."
Dijiang's smile faded, and his expression turned solemn. "Since Hongjun is willing to give us the Pangu Banner, it means that after merging with the Dao, he is absolutely confident that he can suppress the Pangu Phantom wielding the three treasures of creation."
"This third sermon at Violet Firmament Palace will definitely be a trap."
"Then are we still going?" Houtu asked with some concern.
"Of course we are. Why wouldn't we?"
Confidence gleamed in Dijiang's eyes. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Not only are we going, but we're also going to make a good haul at Violet Firmament Palace!"
"Let's go. Back to Pangu Hall to enter seclusion!"
To the great powers of the Primordial World, thirty thousand years were no more than the time it took to enter seclusion once.
Over these thirty thousand years, the Primordial Wilderness Continent appeared calm on the surface, but in secret, countless great powers successfully severed one corpse and entered the Quasi-Saint Realm.
The Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Taiyi, Nuwa, Fuxi, Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, Minghe...
These innate sacred beings who had listened to the Dao at Violet Firmament Palace had almost all experienced an explosive surge in strength.
And during these thirty thousand years, earth-shaking changes had also taken place within the Spirit-Gathering Formation at the foot of Mount Buzhou.
Under the careful guidance of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, more than a hundred Daluo Golden Immortals were born among those ten billion living beings!
The number of Grand Unity Golden Immortals had reached a terrifying several hundred thousand!
Although this force still could not compare to those innate sacred beings in terms of top-tier combat power, its mid-level combat strength was already enough to crush any faction in the Primordial World.
"Dong—"
The thirty-thousand-year deadline had arrived.
A distant, melodious bell rang out from the depths of Primordial Chaos beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, echoing throughout the entire Primordial World.
"Violet Firmament Palace has opened!"
Countless great powers emerged from seclusion, transforming into streams of light as they rushed toward the chaotic void.
Mount Buzhou, Pangu Hall.
"Let's go, brothers."
Dijiang rose to his feet, and the terrifying pressure of the Late-Primordial Golden Immortal flashed past in an instant.
"Let's meet those new friends and, while we're at it, take back our Pangu Banner!"
"Yes, Big Brother!"
The eleven Ancestor Witches answered in unison, their fighting spirits blazing.
Whoosh!
Twelve streams of silver Space Law flowed, and the Twelve Ancestral Witches instantly vanished from Pangu Hall.
Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, in the chaotic void.
Before Violet Firmament Palace, the three thousand guests of the mortal world had already gathered.
Unlike the previous two times, everyone now radiated an unfathomable Quasi-Saint Dao aura.
In particular, the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti seated at the very front possessed auras that were impossibly deep.
"Eldest Brother, look over there."
Yuanshi Tianzun suddenly frowned, his icy gaze turning toward the depths of Primordial Chaos.
Amid the violent chaotic currents, twelve towering figures slowly approached as though taking a leisurely stroll.
The chaotic gales capable of tearing Daluo Golden Immortals apart were silently dissolved by an invisible Space Law as soon as they came within a hundred yards of them.
"It's them!"
"The Twelve Ancestral Witches actually came too?!"
Everyone before Violet Firmament Palace inhaled sharply and hurriedly made way for them.
The fearsome reputation the Twelve Ancestral Witches had earned during the battle over the Gourd Vine on Mount Buzhou, as well as their later frenzied plundering of Spirit Treasures throughout the Primordial World, had long spread among these great powers.
Yuanshi Tianzun in particular turned livid the moment he saw Dijiang and the others. His fists clenched tightly, his eyes filled with humiliation and killing intent.
"Second Brother, calm down."
Laozi pressed a hand against Yuanshi's shoulder and transmitted in a low voice, "This is Violet Firmament Palace, the Dao Ancestor's sacred ground. Do not act recklessly."
Yuanshi Tianzun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the fury in his heart. He snorted coldly, turning away and refusing to look at them again.
Dijiang led the eleven Ancestor Witches swaggering up to the gates of Violet Firmament Palace.
His gaze swept over the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, and the others, while a teasing smile curled across his lips.
"Well, well, isn't this Fellow Daoist Yuanshi?
It's been tens of thousands of years. Do your knees still hurt?"
Zhu Rong was someone who feared chaos would not be great enough. The moment he opened his mouth, he stabbed directly at Yuanshi Tianzun's sore spot.
"You're courting death!"
Yuanshi Tianzun flew into a rage. The pressure of the Early Quasi-Saint Realm erupted, and he was about to attack.
"Silence."
At that moment, the heavy violet-gold gates of Violet Firmament Palace slowly opened.
Hongjun's ethereal, distant voice drifted out from within the palace, instantly suppressing Yuanshi Tianzun's pressure.
"The sermon is about to begin. Please enter."
Before you continue