The Fourth Heavenly Devil Enters the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace; the Heavenly Venerable's Move Holds Deeper Meaning
This figure was none other than the Fourth Heavenly Devil.
Behind him stood dozens of composed Devil Race cultivators, all of whom were his subordinates who no longer wished to fight. Each of them looked respectful, yet could not hide their unease.
In the campaign against the Devil Race, the Heavenly Court deliberately entrusted most of the tasks to the disciples of the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace, and their direct arrival at the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace was somewhat like walking into a trap.
However, they had no objections, since they had nowhere else to go even if they didn't follow the Fourth Heavenly Devil.
The Fourth Heavenly Devil did not choose them randomly. These were all his subordinates who had not participated in the war between immortals and demons before. They were absolutely loyal to him, had good potential, were worth cultivating, and did not have fanatical loyalty to the Devil Race.
Upon seeing Li Taiqing arrive, the Fourth Heavenly Devil immediately stepped forward, their tone tinged with caution:
"Master Li, I wonder if the Mystic Heaven Dao Venerable... has reached a conclusion?"
He had already prepared for the worst, after all, the Devil Race and the Immortal Realm had a long-standing feud, so it was understandable that the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace was unwilling to take him in.
However, the fact that they are still alive at least shows that even if the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace doesn't take them in, they probably won't kill them all.
Li Taiqing glanced at his slightly uneasy expression and nodded slightly.
"Master has already issued a decree."
His tone was calm yet carried an undeniable authority, which made the Fourth Heavenly Devil stiffen. They immediately bowed, held their breath, and listened quietly.
I knew this was a life-or-death moment.
"Our master said that the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace was established to judge people based on their Daoist heart, not on their birth."
Li Taiqing slowly spoke, relaying Han Xuanji's words word by word:
"Master said that you are not a very evil person and have sincerely surrendered. Master allows you to lead your troops into the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace and temporarily come under my command to atone for your sins and perform meritorious service, while observing your character and behavior."
If you are truly devoted to the Dao and abide by the palace rules, your master will generously grant you a path to immortality.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Fourth Heavenly Devil breathed a sigh of relief, their initial unease instantly replaced by ecstatic joy.
A moment later, the Fourth Heavenly Devil suddenly reacted, and with a "thump," they knelt down and kowtowed heavily in the direction of the Mystic Heaven Hall. Their voices were choked with emotion, yet extremely solemn.
"Thank you, Mystic Heaven Dao Venerable! Thank you for not despising us Devil Race! We, the Fourth Heavenly Devil, swear to serve you to the death, Venerable Dao Venerable Mystic Heaven Dao Palace. If we harbor any disloyalty, we will surely suffer the backlash of the Great Dao and have our souls annihilated!"
Seeing the Fourth Heavenly Devil suddenly kneel down, the dozens of Devil Race cultivators behind him also immediately knelt down, shouting in unison:
"I pledge my allegiance to the Mystic Heaven Dao Venerable! I pledge my allegiance to the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace! I will never waver, even unto death!"
After kowtowing, the Fourth Heavenly Devil stood up, bowed deeply to Li Taiqing, and spoke with deep gratitude:
"Thank you so much, Daoist Li, for speaking so kindly to the Palace Master! I am deeply grateful; I will gladly serve you in the future, no matter the cost!"
The Fourth Heavenly Devil are now at the peak of the Hunyuan One Qi Chaos Realm, approaching the Hunyuan Taiji Realm. They are exceptionally talented and were previously valued by the Devil Ancestor. This is why they were able to continue to fish in troubled waters without lifting a finger. If others had done the same without contributing, they would have been punished long ago.
Li Taiqing slightly raised his hand, gesturing for them to stand up, his tone calm:
"No need to thank me. This is an opportunity given to you by your master because he thinks your character is still acceptable."
Remember, once you enter the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace, you must abide by the palace rules and abandon the old habits of the Devil Race. If you dare to make the slightest move, neither your master nor any of us disciples of the Dao Palace will show you any mercy.
In reality, although the Devil Race was created by the Devil Ancestor, it is also one of the races of the Immortal Realm. Moreover, they can absorb immortal energy, and even their cultivation methods are adapted by the Devil Ancestor from the many Immortal Dao Cultivation Method passed down by the Dao Ancestor. They are originally from the same source.
In the past, there have been instances where Devil Race practiced Immortal Dao Cultivation Method, and in reality, there were no problems.
"Your subordinate will heed the Daoist's teachings!"
The Fourth Heavenly Devil quickly agreed, knowing that this was their only chance in this life, and they absolutely could not miss it.
He must strictly control these subordinates from now on and prevent them from causing trouble.
Li Taiqing nodded, turned around and said:
"Come with me, I will take you to the outer gate to settle you in and arrange your residence and place of cultivation."
From now on, you will be members of the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace. Cultivate diligently and atone for your sins through meritorious service.
"Yes! Thank you, Master Li!"
The Fourth Heavenly Devil respectfully responded and quickly signaled their subordinates to follow, their steps light as they trailed behind Li Taiqing.
He was incredibly excited; joining the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace meant he would no longer have to live in constant fear.
The news that Li Taiqing had led the Fourth Heavenly Devil and their followers to settle in the outer sect spread like wildfire throughout the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace in a short time.
The disciples of the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace had no objections, after all, this was an order personally given by the founder, to be carried out by the eldest disciple.
After some time, this news spread throughout all the major powers of the Immortal Realm.
Within the Immortal Domain, whether it was a grand sect with profound heritage, an ancient Aristocratic Clan of immortals, or an immortal city where Rogue Cultivator gathered, this matter was being discussed everywhere, with a cacophony of voices and differing opinions.
"What? The Mystic Heaven Dao Palace actually sheltered Devil Race? How is that possible! Immortals and demons are irreconcilable enemies, how could the Dao Venerable make such a decision?"
A young cultivator looked shocked and spoke with bewilderment. In their minds, the Devil Race was synonymous with evil, and they were sworn enemies of the Immortal Realm, with no possibility of coexistence.
Some veteran cultivators stroked their beards and pondered, their tone quite apt:
"That's not quite right. I've heard that those Fourth Heavenly Devil were originally generals of the Devil Race, but they never directly participated in the war between immortals and demons, and they have never shed the blood of the Immortal Realm beings. The Dao Venerable has always judged people by their Dao heart, neither taking in evildoers nor giving up on those who can be molded. This action may not be inappropriate."
Some even lamented:
" Immortal Realm Realm's current state is entirely due to the Dao Venerable's efforts. If it weren't for the Dao Venerable's presence in the Thirty-Three Layers of Heaven, deterring the Chaos, we would probably still be being slaughtered by the Devil Race. How could we possibly cultivate in peace? How could we possibly fathom the Dao Venerable's vision?"
Despite the discussions, no force or cultivator dared to openly criticize Han Xuanji, nor did anyone dare to question the decision of the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace.
Everyone knew that Immortal Realm Mystic Heaven Dao Venerable's successful campaign against the Devil Race and the salvation of all living beings was largely due to the great merit of Xuan Tian Dao Zun. Not to mention taking in a few Devil Race who had not committed any evil deeds, even if Han Xuanji made an even more astonishing decision, all parties in the Immortal Realm could only bow their heads and obey, and no one dared to raise any objections.
When the news reached the Heavenly Court, it sparked a new wave of discussion. However, unlike the doubts of other forces in the Immortal Realm, the celestial officials and emperors of the Heavenly Court offered many explanations for the deeper meaning behind Han Xuanji's actions.
"Gentlemen, the Great Heavenly Venerable's taking in the Fourth Heavenly Devil and their followers was not a momentary act of kindness, but a brilliant strategy to win their hearts and minds!"
A celestial official in purple robes clapped his hands and sighed deeply, his tone full of admiration.
"Although the Devil Ancestor has retreated, his remaining forces are still scattered in various places, either hiding in dangerous areas or concealed in subordinate small worlds. If we simply try to wipe them out, it will only arouse their will to fight to the death and increase the losses of the Immortal Realm."