Seeing that Yuanshi still looked unconvinced, Laozi added, "Gu Changqing may possess a special divine ability."
"A special divine ability?" Yuanshi asked strangely. "What kind of ability?"
Laozi sighed softly and said, "A divine ability for slaughtering Saints!"
"Slaughtering Saints?"
Yuanshi was dumbfounded.
"As long as the Heavenly Dao endures, Saints cannot die."
"That was what Master said!"
Yuanshi absolutely refused to believe that anyone in this world could slaughter a Saint!
Saints were ordained by heaven. Who would dare slaughter them!
Seeing Yuanshi's agitated expression, Laozi continued, "Master also said that one could attain the Dao by severing the Three Corpses. Many in the Primordial World have severed the Three Corpses, yet no one has attained the Dao to this day. Gu Changqing attained the Dao, but he did not sever the Three Corpses."
"Senior Brother?" Yuanshi paused slightly, sensing something amiss. "Senior Brother, what do you mean?"
Laozi smiled bitterly. "I mean nothing. I only mean that if you encounter Gu Changqing in the future, avoid him if possible. Even if Gu Changqing lacks the ability to slaughter Saints, he can still suppress us with ease. The four of us Saints joined forces, yet he still easily suppressed the Two Sages of the West. That alone proves Gu Changqing's strength."
"Then..." Yuanshi frowned. "What about exterminating the demon?"
Laozi replied, "We shall discuss the demon extermination after Master emerges from seclusion. Our most urgent task is to seek peace with Gu Changqing."
"Seek peace?" Yuanshi raged. "Gu Changqing and I cannot coexist under the same sky! If we are to seek peace, you might as well suppress me!"
Laozi continued, "I know your Chan Sect suffered considerable losses. Xuandu likewise had the Three Flowers atop his head cut away. But so what?"
"Must you wait until the Human and Chan Sects are all sent onto the list before you are satisfied?"
"Or are you confident you can deal with Gu Changqing?"
"I..." Yuanshi was left speechless by Laozi's rebuke.
"I will follow Senior Brother's arrangements."
Gu Changqing was a madman who even dared suppress Saints.
At this point, Yuanshi had no choice but to lower his head.
If even the Chan Sect was gone, what would there be left to fight over?
Laozi nodded and said, "Come. Let us go see Nüwa."
Peace talks required an intermediary.
Laozi knew perfectly well that whether he or Yuanshi went to Gu Changqing to seek peace, they would certainly be beaten back.
When Nüwa saw Laozi, she immediately said coldly, "Senior Brother is occupied with countless affairs every day. What brings you here to see Nüwa today?"
"You have suffered, Junior Sister Nüwa." Laozi spoke gently. "After today, you may return to Wa Palace."
"Oh?" Nüwa asked curiously. "Senior Brother, are you not afraid that I will join forces with Senior Brother Tong Tian and Fellow Daoist Gu Changqing? Are you not afraid I will reveal the affairs of your Demon Extermination Alliance?"
"It no longer matters." Laozi smiled bitterly. "We failed and no longer have the strength to exterminate demons. Whether Gu Changqing is a demon can only be decided by Master."
Nüwa was not surprised in the slightest that the Demon Extermination Alliance had failed. It would have been strange if they had succeeded.
In her view, Gu Changqing's strength was greater than hers. If Gu Changqing joined hands with Tong Tian, the Saints would not stand a chance.
Yet she had never imagined that Gu Changqing alone could defeat all the Saints!
Nüwa had just stepped out the door when Laozi called out to stop her.
"Wait, Junior Sister Nüwa." Laozi followed after her and added, "I have an improper request. I wonder if it would be convenient for you?"
"It would not." Nüwa refused. "Since it is an improper request, there is no need to mention it."
After being confined for so long, it was impossible for Nüwa not to harbor some anger.
Laozi said, "This concerns the rise and fall of the Human Race and the stability of the Primordial World. Will Junior Sister Nüwa stand by and do nothing?"
Among the Saints, Nüwa was the most softhearted and indecisive.
Hearing Laozi put it that way, Nüwa truly stopped. Turning around, she asked coldly, "What is it?"
Laozi continued, "The Investiture of the Gods Calamity is ordained by heaven, but the calamity has now spiraled out of control. Only Junior Sister can still mediate to some extent."
Nüwa sneered. "What virtue or ability do I possess to command such prestige? Senior Brother must have chosen the wrong person."
Laozi said, "Not so. Among the Saints, only Junior Sister has remained neutral. Both sides trust you more readily."
Nüwa sneered inwardly.
Heh heh!
If he truly trusted her, he would not have forcibly kept her in the Eight Scenery Palace.
Laozi continued, "The two sides are now like fire and water. The Human and Chan Sects are evenly matched against the Intercepting Sect. If the conflict continues escalating and spins out of control, then at best, countless lives will perish; at worst, the Primordial World will shatter."
"I do not believe this is what Junior Sister wishes to see either. Peace talks have become inevitable. At the very least, we must ensure that the war does not spiral out of control."
For the Saints, shattering the Primordial World in battle would not be difficult.
As the leader of the Demon Sect and the mother of the Human Race, Nüwa could not help but consider the circumstances of both races.
Her grudges with the Saints were minor matters. If they brought disaster upon the two races, the sin would be immense!
Thinking of this, Nüwa asked, "What should I do?"
Laozi said, "Junior Sister need not trouble yourself. You only need to act as a bridge and give everyone an opportunity for peace talks."
Nüwa nodded. "Very well."
Laozi said, "I will have to trouble you, Junior Sister. If Junior Brother Tong Tian and Gu Changqing are willing to negotiate, we shall meet at Wa Palace three days from now."
"Alright."
If both sides could make peace, it would also be a blessing for the Primordial World.
After leaving the Eight Scenery Palace, Nüwa did not return to Wa Palace, but headed for Golden Turtle Island instead.
Finding that Tong Tian was not on Golden Turtle Island and hearing that he had gone to Chaoge, she hurried there as well and found him within the Grand Tutor's Mansion.
Upon seeing Tong Tian, Nüwa immediately told him about the peace talks.
"Peace talks?"
Tong Tian immediately refused. "Impossible!"
He now held an absolute advantage and could wipe out the Human and Chan Sects in one sweep. How could Tong Tian possibly agree to peace talks at such a time?
Nüwa said, "If the battle spirals out of control, a war among Saints will be unavoidable."
"So what?" Tong Tian said disdainfully. "Do you think I fear them?"
Nüwa smiled bitterly. "Senior Brother Tong Tian is unrivaled in battle, and Gu Changqing of your sect possesses invincible divine abilities as well. Naturally, you have no reason to fear. But what about the disciples of the Intercepting Sect? What about the Human Race?"
"Once a Saint war erupts, lives will be lost and blood will flow like rivers. If the Human Race suffers too grievously, what meaning will there be in the Human Emperor?"
"Does Senior Brother Tong Tian wish to see the painstaking efforts of his disciples come to nothing?"
"Would Senior Brother rather see the benefits already within reach turn into nothing but an illusion?"
Seeing Tong Tian remain silent, Nüwa continued, "If Senior Brother Laozi and the others act unfairly, I will certainly stand with Senior Brother Tong Tian."
"Fine!" Seeing Nüwa say this, Tong Tian replied, "This time, I will give Junior Sister that courtesy."
In Tong Tian's view, if he did not give Nüwa this courtesy, she might very well side with the Human and Chan Sects, and the scales of victory would tilt.
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Nüwa smiled. "We shall gather at Wa Palace three days from now. I hope Senior Brother will not miss the appointed time."
"Alright!"
After Tong Tian agreed, Nüwa headed to Chong City and met Gu Changqing.
When she mentioned the peace talks, Gu Changqing was not surprised.
Two of the four Saints had already been eliminated. They did not even have the chance to fight to mutual destruction.
If they did not seek peace now, were they planning to surrender only after reaching the end of the road?
Gu Changqing answered with a question instead. "What did Master say?"
Nüwa replied, "Senior Brother Tong Tian has agreed. The peace talks are set for Wa Palace three days from now."
"Good." Gu Changqing agreed without hesitation and smiled. "I must give Nüwa's face, and I must obey Master's will."
"Excellent!" Nüwa smiled. "Fellow Daoist Changqing is truly righteous."
Before coming, she had not expected Gu Changqing to be so easy to talk to.
When young men achieved success, who would not be arrogant?
Yet Gu Changqing cared only for the greater good and all living beings, harboring no personal grudges.
Nüwa's favorable impression of Gu Changqing deepened further.
After seeing Nüwa off, Gu Changqing summoned Shi Ji and instructed, "Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji, go southeast and have Wen Zhong compile a list of the casualties. I have urgent need of it."
"Alright!"
Shi Ji vanished beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.
Peace talks?
Gu Changqing sneered inwardly. There it is—the opportunity has come!
At these peace talks, the Pangu Banner and Taiji Diagram were his for the taking!
Before you continue