The Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus

Xu Tong did not hesitate in the slightest.

Neither the first option nor the second held any appeal for him.

Ruin Demon Master Kunpeng's plan? What would he gain from that?

As for seizing Hong Yun's primordial violet qi, that was an even bigger joke.

Even while he remained in seclusion, Hongjun was practically itching to deliver primordial violet qi straight into his hands. Why would he need to steal it?

The primordial violet qi was something all the other factions would fight tooth and nail to obtain.

Xu Tong only had to nod, and he could receive it immediately.

But all Xu Tong wanted to say was, I'm not falling for that damn trap of yours.

He only wanted to cultivate in peace. The farther primordial violet qi stayed from him, the better.

As Xu Tong made his choice, a pitch-black Twelve-Grade Black Lotus appeared before him.

It was none other than the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus awarded by the system.

An aura of destruction radiated from the black lotus.

Within it lay an incomplete law of destruction.

Xu Tong nodded at the sight.

"The law of destruction and the Law of Strength do have a certain marvelous similarity, but unfortunately, this one is too violent. Going too far is just as bad as falling short. In the end, it's a cut below."

Despite his words, Xu Tong was not disdainful of it. After all, something like this was exceedingly rare. He might not think much of it, but to anyone else, it would be a supreme treasure.

Come to think of it, the system seemed never to have granted him an offensive treasure. All the Spiritual Treasures he currently possessed were defensive.

Is the system trying to turn me into a meat shield? Xu Tong grumbled inwardly.

After putting away the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus, Xu Tong recalled what the system had just told him.

"To think that even after I gave up Sagehood and Kunpeng obtained the Prayer Cushion, he still wasn't satisfied. He still wants to target Hong Yun."

"He ought to know that fate is ordained by heaven."

In truth, Kunpeng had never been among Hongjun's candidates. Never mind sitting on the Prayer Cushion-even if he sat right beside Hongjun, Hongjun would not spare him another glance.

One could only say that Kunpeng was a little too willing to stop at nothing to become a Sage.

Though he bore the title of Demon Master, his heart and breadth of spirit were, frankly, far too narrow.

He was far too devoted to scheming.

Even so, Xu Tong merely shook his head and dismissed it with a smile.

Whatever happened between Hong Yun and Kunpeng was their own affair. It had not the slightest thing to do with him.

With that thought, Xu Tong resumed his cultivation. He was drawing ever closer to becoming a primordial Daluo Golden Immortal.

In the western lands, a great peng bird streaked through the sky. It was Kunpeng.

The ones he intended to join forces with were none other than Zhunti and Jieyin.

From the very first moment he had seen those two, Kunpeng had known they were no innocents.

Moreover, after learning that there was more to the Prayer Cushions than met the eye, their first reaction had not been gratitude toward Hong Yun, but a trace of worry.

That, too, had shown Kunpeng their true nature.

Kunpeng was absolutely certain that Zhunti and Jieyin were currently in their cultivation grounds, agonizing over how to repay this immense karmic debt.

After all, this was no simple favor they owed.

A karmic debt tied to becoming Sages was something they might never repay in their entire lives.

After all, although Tongtian did not care for it, in everyone else's eyes, becoming a Sage was a stroke of fortune, even if it meant becoming someone else's puppet.

Just as Kunpeng was about to reach Mount Sumeru, a barrier suddenly blocked his path.

"Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, why have you come to our western lands instead of cultivating in the North Sea?"

Zhunti and Jieyin had detected Kunpeng as soon as he entered the western lands.

Now that he was almost at Mount Sumeru, they naturally could not let him proceed any farther.

At the sight of the two appearing, a hint of a smile curved Kunpeng's lips.

These were precisely the two he had come to find.

Now that the men themselves had appeared, Kunpeng was naturally pleased.

"My fellow Daoists, I trust you've been well."

"It has been a long time since the three of us parted at the Purple Cloud Palace."

Kunpeng did not immediately explain why he had come, offering greetings first instead.

Zhunti and Jieyin paused. As far as they recalled, they had no particular friendship with Kunpeng.

His courtesy could not help but put them on their guard.

Both were fond of scheming themselves. Faced with Kunpeng, who shared that fondness, they naturally became all the more wary.

Jieyin was the first to react. He chuckled at Kunpeng, arranged his face into an amiable expression, and said, "You are too courteous, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng. We did not expect you to visit our western lands. We have been remiss as hosts."

"But may I ask what brings you to our western lands today?"

Though Jieyin spoke of being remiss, he showed no intention of inviting Kunpeng into Mount Sumeru.

After all, Kunpeng was one of the foremost mighty beings in the Primordial World. Inviting such a dangerous figure into their home would hardly be wise.

Kunpeng was not surprised by Zhunti and Jieyin's behavior.

He smiled and said, "I have come today to offer you two an opportunity. I simply don't know whether you would be interested."

Upon hearing that there were benefits to be had, both men's eyes lit up.

But they quickly regained their composure. As experts in plots and schemes, they knew perfectly well that free pies did not simply fall from the sky.

Zhunti bowed with his hands clasped. "Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, what exactly are you referring to?"

Kunpeng gave a sheepish smile.

"I have come today to help you two settle your karmic debt to Ancestor Hong Yun. Would you be interested?"

Kunpeng spoke at an unhurried pace.

But at his words, Zhunti's and Jieyin's pupils contracted.

Those words had struck straight into their hearts.

What was troubling them most right now? This very matter.

Logically speaking, becoming a Sage was a good thing. After all, they would stand beneath one and above all others.

Yet before Zhunti and Jieyin had even become Sages, they already owed a karmic debt as vast as the heavens.

One they could never repay.

Even if they became Sages, they would still be working for Hong Yun. In the future, they would be like his nursemaids, obliged to handle whatever he needed.

Otherwise, the Heavenly Dao would come to settle accounts with them.

Who the fuck could stand that?

They had cultivated for so many years, only to cultivate themselves into someone else's nursemaids?

That was why the two had been agonizing over this matter all this time.

Now Kunpeng had suddenly appeared, saying he had a solution.

It truly filled them with unexpected delight.

Zhunti was just about to ask Kunpeng how he could settle this karmic debt, but before he could speak, Jieyin stopped him.

Abandoning his previous demeanor, Jieyin looked at Kunpeng with a face full of warmth.

"You have traveled a long way, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng. Why not come to Mount Sumeru for some tea first? We can sit down and talk."

Hearing Jieyin's words, Zhunti caught on as well.

Discussing such a secret matter out in the open like this was far too careless.

Zhunti hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, yes. You have come a long way, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng. Please have some tea first."

Kunpeng did not refuse.

The three immediately hit it off, exchanged smiles, and entered Mount Sumeru.

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