Hongjun and the Elder of Chaos exchanged a look, the joy in their eyes lingering long afterward.
But before either could say anything more-
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Outside the Zixiao Palace, four successive sounds of rushing air rang out.
Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti-the Four Saints-had arrived as well.
At that moment, the Four Saints were likewise all smiles, brimming with excitement.
Four streaks of light settled, becoming four figures who filed into the Main Hall of the Zixiao Palace.
"Greetings, Master!"
The Four Saints bowed in unison, but this time, their voices carried an irrepressible exhilaration and joy, utterly unlike their usual respectful yet restrained manner.
Before Hongjun could even respond, Taiqing Laozi stepped forward, an uncontainable smile on his face as he spoke in a ringing voice.
"Congratulations, Master! Our heartfelt congratulations!"
"The Chaos Supreme Treasure, the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe, has finally fallen into the hands of our Profound Gate!"
Laozi spoke with ringing conviction, his delight written all over his face.
Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi followed close behind, his face likewise radiant as he cupped his hands in congratulations.
"Master, your calculations are divine, your strategies laid from within the command tent. Though Gu Changqing and the others enjoyed a moment of dominance, they were ultimately one move behind."
"Now that the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe is ours, the strength of our Profound Gate has soared. However arrogant Gu Changqing may be, what waves can he possibly stir up now?!"
Yuanshi's words carried the exhilaration of finally holding his head high.
Clearly, much of the frustration of being repeatedly suppressed by Gu Changqing seemed to have dissipated with the arrival of this Chaos Supreme Treasure.
Although Jieyin and Zhunti were less demonstrative than Laozi and Yuanshi, a rare trace of joy appeared on their habitually sorrowful faces.
Zhunti