"Ah..." After leaving Golden Turtle Island, Gungun sighed, cradling the Water-Fire Gourd against its chest.
Why couldn't you control yourself? How could you let someone buy you off so easily? Where was your honor? Your pride? Your bottom line?
Fine, my bottom line could move up or down depending on the price offered.
Gungun gave up. It admitted that it was a money-grubbing bear.
It wasn't as though it coveted everything. If Tongtian had offered only a houtian spirit treasure, or a low-grade or even mid-grade innate spiritual treasure, it would never have agreed so readily to help him regain face. But... the Water-Fire Gourd was a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure nurtured by the primordial spiritual root, the gourd vine. It shared its origins with the Purple-Gold Gourd in Laozi's hands, the Nine-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd in Red Cloud's hands, and the Chaos Gourd in Yuanshi's hands. It was no ordinary treasure, so Gungun hadn't been able to resist.
Forget it. I agreed, and that's that. It's no big deal. So many Jiejiao disciples serve as gods in the Heavenly Court now. Even if only for their feelings, I can't completely ignore this. Only by keeping those below comfortable can the stage remain standing firm and let this bear keep performing, Gungun reflected.
Then it stepped forward. After a few steps, the space around it rippled, and it vanished.
Inside the Heavenly Emperor Palace.
Once back, Gungun put away the Water-Fire Gourd, then had someone summon Zhao Gongming, the Three Xiao Sisters, Immortal Wuyun, and Golden Cudgel Immortal.
They had all been granted Divine Positions and were currently serving in the Heavenly Court, rather than in the lower realm.
Soon, all six arrived. Together, they bowed with clasped hands to Gungun on the imperial throne and said respectfully, "Your subjects