Inside the main hall of Zixiao Palace.

Hu Le and the Kunpeng Ancestor leaped between the prayer mats, the sounds of their swords clashing echoing continuously.

After more than ten rounds, the Kunpeng Ancestor was hampered by his injuries and fell into a disadvantageous position, only able to parry and dodge while jumping and dodging.

"How dare you make a move within my Zixiao Palace! Stop right now!"

Hongjun Laozu appeared on the cloud platform at some unknown time.

Kunpeng was overjoyed to finally see Hongjun appear. He feinted with his sword, then turned and rushed to the cloud platform, bowing down to pay his respects.

However, Hu Le was not about to let him go. He caught up and struck the Kunpeng Ancestor hard on the back with his staff.

Kunpeng was surprised by Hu Le's ferocity. Even after Hongjun Patriarch spoke up, he still dared to continue his attack.

The Kunpeng Ancestor scrambled to the side to avoid the attack, yelling shrilly, "Xuanxiang! How dare you! You dare to act so arrogantly in front of a sage!"

Hu Le sneered, but still tried to step forward with his cane.

Upon seeing this, Hongjun Laozu slightly raised his eyelids and pointed at Hu Le from a distance.

Hu Le felt as if time and space around him had frozen instantly, and he could no longer move.

He was greatly alarmed.

Is this the method of a sage?

Truly remarkable!

The saying "Below the sage, all are but ants" is indeed true.

Fortunately, the power that sealed off time and space quickly dissipated, and Hu Le regained his freedom.

Having witnessed the sage's methods, Hu Le felt a sense of apprehension and stood still, not continuing to pursue Kunpeng.

He already understood that with Hongjun the Ancestor present, he probably wouldn't be able to do anything to Kunpeng this time...

The Kunpeng Ancestor had already turned over and stood up from the ground. Seeing that Hu Le did not continue to chase after him, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He bowed to Hongjun Laozu and said, "Sage! This scoundrel dared to make a move in Zixiao Palace. He has no respect for your majesty. I hope you will punish him severely."

Seeing this, Hu Le just sneered but didn't say anything in rebuttal.

He knew that while a sage could make his own decisions on everything, he also had to act in accordance with the will of Heaven.

He was deeply favored by fate and possessed the fortune of Pangu. As long as he did not defy the heavenly way and was not beset by calamities, even the ancestor Hongjun would not be able to do anything to him.

Therefore, he was too lazy to argue, letting the Kunpeng Ancestor spout his flowery words as he pleased...

Hongjun, the patriarch, paid no attention to Kunpeng's words, simply saying, "You two are already highly accomplished masters, and should have extinguished the seven emotions and the six desires. How can you act rashly and without cause because of a single thought, thus disturbing the peace of my Zixiao Palace?"

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not my fault. It is only because Xuanxiang has gone too far, barbarically attacking my dojo and trying to kill me. I had no choice but to fight back," the Kunpeng Ancestor complained with a wronged expression.

Hu Le bowed to Hongjun Ancestor, then scolded Kunpeng Ancestor: "Kunpeng! With a sage in front of you, you still dare to spout nonsense? Do you really think you're so clever that you can fool the sage's discerning eyes?"

Hongjun Patriarch remained calm and asked, "What exactly caused this conflict between you two? Please tell me in detail. I will act as a mediator today and resolve this matter between you."

Otherwise, if cause and effect become entangled and turn into a calamity in the future, you two will surely regret it too late.

Just then, Emperor Jun and his wife also rushed to the outside of Zixiao Palace. After asking Haotian and Yaochi, they learned that Hu Le and Kunpeng Ancestor had already entered the palace.

They were finally relieved.

In their view, no matter how ruthless and domineering Hu Le was, once he entered the Daoist temple of Hongjun, he should not dare to continue to act violently.

Then, Di Jun asked Haotian to go into the palace to inform them on his behalf.

Haotian Tongzi entered the hall, and Hu Le had already explained the reason for his actions.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor Jun and Consort Changxi are outside requesting an audience," Haotian reported as he strode to the Cloud Platform.

"Go and bring them in." Hongjun Laozu did not refuse to see the couple.

After Haotian Boy left, Hongjun Ancestor looked at Kunpeng and asked calmly, "Kunpeng! Was what my friend Xuanxiang said true? Is his disciple really in your hands?"

"Your Majesty, I did indeed capture a petty thief before, but at that time I truly did not know that this boy was a disciple of Xuanxiang."

The Kunpeng Ancestor said in a half-truthful tone.

Before he captured Kongkong'er, he didn't know that Kongkong'er was Hu Le's apprentice. But after he brought him into the Demon Master's Palace, Kongkong'er revealed his identity.

After all, with his cultivation level, taking down Kongkong'er would have been a matter of a snap of his fingers. At that time, Kongkong'er couldn't even fight back, let alone have time to reveal her identity.

By the time he learned that Kongkong'er was Hu Le's disciple, it was already too late...

Hearing Kunpeng Ancestor's explanation, Hongjun Ancestor didn't say much, only instructing, "Now that you know, return your disciple to Xuanxiang. With your status, how can you hold a grudge against a mere junior?"

Just then, Emperor Jun and his wife entered the hall. After hearing these words, they immediately guessed why Hu Le had been chasing after the Kunpeng Ancestor.

The couple stepped forward and paid their respects to Hongjun Laozu.

"And what brings you two here?" asked the Hongjun Ancestor.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, my wife and I came to rescue our clan's demon master, but now that Your Majesty has intervened, we know that the demon master's life is no longer in danger."

Upon hearing this, Hongjun Laozu nodded slightly, "You two step aside and let this old Taoist explain the cause and effect for them. You can also serve as witnesses."

"yes."

The couple agreed and stepped aside.

Hu Le glanced at the couple, deciding not to argue with them for the time being, and walked up to Kunpeng, coldly saying, "Kunpeng, the Sage has already spoken; return my disciple immediately."

Kunpeng Ancestor glared fiercely at Hu Le, then looked up at Hongjun Ancestor, "Sage, of course I can return that brat to him, but before that, Xuanxiang must return the spiritual treasures he took to their rightful owners."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jun and his wife felt a sense of contempt.

This Kunpeng is utterly absurd; it nearly lost its life and is still so greedy...

Hu Le glanced at Kunpeng Ancestor indifferently, then said to Hongjun Ancestor, "Sage, Kunpeng has no sincerity at all. He even dares to disobey your imperial decree. Why do you still need to protect him?"

Let's settle our own score; there's no need to trouble the sage any further.

He will surely establish a great sect in the future to enlighten all living beings, and the Taiyi Nine Palaces Sword Formation is a protective formation bestowed by the Heavenly Dao. How could a mere Kunpeng possibly covet it...

Upon hearing this, Hongjun turned to look at Kunpeng and said, "Kunpeng, that spiritual treasure was never meant for you, so why force it? Hand over the person first."

"The sage is biased! I, Kunpeng, will not accept this!"

The Kunpeng Ancestor suddenly shouted loudly.

If he really did as Hongjun Laozu instructed, wouldn't he gain nothing, end up with nothing but injuries...?