Chapter 171 What did you say?! — This piece of trash has finally arrived! ...

The destined person is the one who is most compatible with you in this world, the one who can complement you in terms of the five elements, destiny trajectory, and even the harmony of yin and yang.

Only when the destined ones come together can it truly be described as "meeting with a smile on the road to Penglai, where the beauty of the world is but dust."

Everyone destined for marriage has their own destined partner.

This applies not only to those in the immortal realms, but also to all living beings in the myriad realms.

However, the immortals are surrounded by pure energy and reside in the Nine Heavens, closer to the laws of heaven and earth, and thus their influence on the destined person is stronger.

But so what?

Among all living beings in the myriad worlds, how many can truly meet their destined one, truly form a marriage bond with their destined one, and achieve harmony between their families?

Why did the Moonlit True Lord, who was in charge of marriage in heaven and earth, have no successor? Why did he abandon his immortal position tens of thousands of years ago, and why has no one succeeded him?

It's because the obstacles between mortals destined for each other are like towering mountains and treacherous peaks, endless and impossible to overcome.

Before the stars of love even begin to shine, ordinary people are already forced into arranged marriages due to family background, status, wealth, age, and other reasons, based on what they consider "suitable."

Don't we still live our lives the same way?

Xiao Taozhi was the destined one for her brother Dongjun, so she could never be just a wild fairy.

She probably just hasn't reached the immortal rank required to awaken the ancient immortal bloodline yet.

Just like the previous Koi Fairy, who only barely awakened the bloodline of Zhu Jiuyin after reaching the Celestial Immortal level. However, due to insufficient immortal power, he could not bear the true power of Zhu Jiuyin and could only transform into a young dragon first.

Beneath the seemingly calm surface, Mingguang quietly orchestrated a momentous event.

He looked at Xiao Taozhi's left cheek, which was still slightly red. He thought that she could have easily dodged the woman's slap, but because she led people to force the enemy into a corner, the woman's eldest son was beheaded by the desperate and mad immortal. Because of her guilt, she had to endure the woman's slap.

She's always like that—seemingly fierce and intimidating, yet always taking unconventional approaches.

But in reality, when it comes to matters concerning the common people, she is most compassionate and gentle, like spring breeze and dew.

She is the most dutiful and virtuous immortal in the entire Nine Heavens.

Her first competition to eradicate cults was for the peace and tranquility of the people; her second competition, where she built a bridge with her own body, was for the reincarnation of all living beings.

Now, at this inopportune moment when she shouldn't have been so ruthless, and in order for these mortals to return home safely, she risked offending the ancient immortal clan, which already had its eyes on her, and slaughtered the Eighth Palace Elder and his henchmen overnight.

She had to rip out her own heart to do these things, yet she willingly accepted a slap from a resentful mortal.

But how can you blame her for the child's death?

If she hadn't intervened with these elders, not only would the woman and her three children have been saved, but all the other people would have had no chance of survival or even having their lifespans restored.

Just moments ago, Xiao Taozhi had been nestled in his arms, refusing to look up in grievance. But now, seeing that the people had all boarded the spirit boat and no longer resented her, and had even received the nourishment of Dongjun's advancement, Xiao Taozhi was overjoyed again.

Her eyes sparkled with laughter, her face glowed like a peach blossom, and she was a sight to behold.

Mingguang stared at her for a long time, thinking that he could allow Xiaotaozhi to use him, control him, and step on him to prove his position and win the competition.

Even if she attains the status of a supreme immortal and awakens the bloodline of some ancient incarnation god, he will never let her go.

He had devised an extreme method to completely bind him and Xiao Taozhi together, a method that even the resurrected Yuehua Zhenjun, who was in charge of marriage, could not separate them.

It was Xiao Taozhi who first pursued him, admired him, and used clever tricks to win him over, thus winning his heart and making him fall in love.

Even if Xiao Taozhi is unwilling, he will not allow her to resist.

Bitao failed to capture the light and shadow in her vision, nor the myriad thoughts swirling in her mind.

Bitao was plotting her next move in her mind.

Dongjun's advancement was an unexpected joy; the timing was practically divine intervention on her part!

After advancing, Dongjun reaches the realm of Divine True, unlike the original Divine True who only knew how to hide and slip away, relying on his eyes to spy on people's privacy to travel the world.

Dongjun is a god with truly outstanding combat power.

With a deity from the mortal realm "holding the fort" and the immortals on the Milky Way monitoring him, both the overt and covert paths are blocked. Who could easily harm Mingguang?

Just as everyone was looking at the spirit boat that was taking off and carrying mortals to the mortal realm, a person from the Nine Heavens Palace gracefully arrived on a spirit boat.

Bitao, Mingguang, and their subordinates all looked at the man who had gracefully arrived.

He arrived alone by boat, without any immortals following him. His dark purple robe fluttered in the wind like a banner. Wherever he passed, the spiritual fires that were spreading wildly outside the Nine Heavens Palace were suddenly extinguished, and the smoke and dust dissipated in an instant.

The world seemed to suddenly fall into tranquility because of his appearance.

Strangely, Bitao and the others did not sense any spiritual energy emanating from him, whether violent or gentle.

He landed on the spirit boat amidst the wary stares of the crowd, bringing only a refreshing breeze with him.

Bathed in the warm morning light, he maintained a comfortable distance from the others and spoke gently in the direction of Bitao: "I am Xu Li, and I hold the position of Palace Master of Jiuxiao Palace."

"I have been in seclusion for the past few days, preparing for the Five Elements Tribulation Transformation Array for the Ascension Ceremony. I came out of seclusion this morning and only then did I learn that the new Immortal Master of the Immortal Alliance has come in person. I am truly sorry for not welcoming you properly."

"The Nine Heavens Palace has prepared lodgings for you all, and a banquet to welcome our immortal lord from afar. Please come in."

No one, including Bitao and everyone around her, moved.

They all recognized him as Xu Xingshen, who had come personally to invite them to the Nine Heavens Palace.

Looking across the entire Immortal Realm, there are very few people who have such a face.

But after a night of fierce fighting, their boiling blood had not yet completely cooled down. The ships that transported the people back to the mortal realm could still be seen. It was a foregone conclusion that the elders of the Nine Heavens Palace had harmed the people. What kind of good person could the master of the Nine Heavens Palace be?

Bitao looked at the legendary Xu Xingshen, then glanced at the silent procession of the Nine Heavens Palace immortals gathering in the distance behind him, and after a moment smiled and said, "Xu Xingshen, I've long admired your name."

“But this isn’t the first time we’ve ‘met.’ I’ve seen your idol before,” Bitao said. “I was almost captured by your followers and sent here to be your furnace.”

Xu Li raised an eyebrow slightly, and Bi Tao continued, "But if I had known earlier that Xu Xingshen was so handsome, I might not have needed anyone else to catch him. I would have been like my sister Bingjing, longing for him and offering myself up."

Xu Li remained silent for a moment.

Bitao looked around and deliberately said, "Ah...Xu Xingshen, look, our true first meeting should have been in the Mingtang Hall, but it turned out to be in such a messy situation."

“I have long admired the fame of God Xu Xing. This time, I led my subordinates to travel a long way to visit God Xu Xing, taking advantage of the excitement of the Ascension Ceremony.”

"Unexpectedly, on the way we discovered that Elder Qingwen of the Nine Heavens Palace was harming mortals and living off the life force of mortals. Although we are sinful immortals who were punished to go down to the mortal world to atone for our sins, we are still immortals of the Nine Heavens. How can we sit idly by and do nothing about such evil deeds?"

"I originally planned to kill only Qingwen and then go to the Nine Heavens Palace to meet with the Star God. However, I discovered that the eight elders under the Nine Heavens Palace have interconnected palace formations, and each of their palaces is filled with formations specifically designed to absorb mortals. They even keep a group of mortals as snacks. They don't even spare children!"

"I'm sure Xu Xingshen is too busy with his affairs to know about the elders' heinous acts."

"Therefore, last night, while Xu Xingshen was in seclusion preparing for his ascension ceremony, we cleaned up the mess for you. This was to prevent the Heavenly Dao from detecting these people who are using the power granted to them by Xu Xingshen to commit evil deeds and implicate him. What do you say, Xingshen?"

Bitao said, "Xu Xingshen, you won't blame us for being too righteous and presumptuous, will you?"

What a sharp tongue!

Xu Li twitched his lips and smiled, saying, "Of course. It is my fault and oversight that my Nine Heavens Palace has such an elder who brings disaster to the people and disregards the Heavenly Dao."

"How could we blame the Immortal Lord? We are too grateful for the Immortal Lord's righteous help."

"Immortal Lord, please give me a chance to express my gratitude."

Bitao turned to her subordinates and said, "Since God Xu Xing has condescended to personally invite us, let us also witness the magnificence of the Nine Heavens Palace and taste the welcoming banquet that God Xu Xing has prepared for us."

"Ji Chunjun followed me, and Han Shang led his men to bring the spirit boats over and park them directly in the Nine Heavens Palace. Xu Xingshen said that a place had been prepared for us long ago."

Bitao grabbed Mingguang's hand, but Mingguang was looking at Xu Xingshen in deep thought.

Pulled back to his senses by Bitao, Mingguang looked at her and said to her, "My darling, I've wronged you these past two days. I haven't had time to find you any good food to help you recover from the injuries caused when you separated your immortal veins."

"There must be many rare and precious herbs in Xu Xing's palace. I'll swallow my pride and cook them for you later."

Xu Li seemed not to hear what the two were saying and stepped onto the small boat first.

The small boat was only big enough to hold one person, but after Xu Xingshen stepped on it, the boat suddenly changed, like a mustard seed space, rapidly growing larger and taller, and soon becoming a large spirit boat that could hold dozens of people.

It's not surprising that the spirit boat could grow larger or smaller; what is surprising is that even though Bitao and the others saw the spirit boat grow larger, they still couldn't sense any fluctuations of spiritual energy from Xu Li.

This person's polite attitude was strange, as if he didn't care at all about their killing of the elders of the Nine Heavens Palace.

However, his position as the master of the Nine Heavens Palace was well-deserved, and his strength was indeed unfathomable.

Even Bitao's expression became more serious, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on Mingguang's hand.

The group boarded the spirit boat and flew towards the Nine Heavens Palace.

Bitao gazed at Xu Xingshen standing at the bow of the boat on the shore, wondering in her heart who had stronger magic power after their advancement, him or Dongjun.

That useless Dongjun has already advanced to the level of a true god; I hope he doesn't lose to Xu Xingshen.

Bitao was hoping that after she "sacrificed herself to heaven," he would protect Mingguang and her group of subordinates.

Dongjun is indeed good-looking but useless now.

He is unconscious.

His whole body was burning hot, and he burned a big hole in the bed board of the inn.

Shangyuan Shenzhen dragged the large tub of water for bathing into the house, picked up Dongjun and threw it in. The bath water soon began to boil and bubble.

The room was now filled with steam, and amidst the steam, he was using a ladle to pour water onto Dongjun's head.

Shangyuan Shenzhen rolled up the sleeves of his robe, which were drenched in sweat from the heat. In a daze, he felt that he was not a true lord at all, but a blacksmith.

With a "clang," he swung the water ladle like a sledgehammer at Dongjun's head.

What a worthless piece of trash!

He devoted himself to raising Dongjun for so many years, and in doing so, he offended all his old friends.

But he spoiled him so much that he became a wicked, arrogant, and ill-tempered brat.

As a result, he was controlled by a female immortal and made to be used like a dog or a donkey. After being worshipped by a few mortals, he actually grew hair.

The Supreme God was truly furious!

Could it be that he has always been too good to Dongjun?

That fairy Bitao almost drove him crazy, but he actually grew Heaven and Earth Feathers and is now beginning to receive the inheritance of the rules of heaven and earth!

So all "children" are the same. No matter how many different ways you cook "food" at home, it's useless. But if you've never tasted "shit" before, even a bite of it tastes delicious, right?

But soon, he scooped up half a ladle and continued to pour water on Dongjun's head, making a "bang bang" sound.

Dongjun was trapped in the illusionary sea of ​​consciousness inherited from ancient times, and he was bound to a volcano that was about to erupt.

The laws of heaven and earth transformed into chains that bound him, restricting his original limbs and wings.

The chains are invisible, and no matter how much he struggles or pecks with his beak, he cannot break them.

The clouds on the horizon were dyed the color of lava, and everywhere there were rolling heat waves that could instantly incinerate people into ashes.

Dongjun knew he had to break free and leave. He stretched his neck and cried out to the sky, trying his best to flap his heavily chained wings, but he only stirred up the lava in the mountains, making it bubble and boil like water.

After struggling in vain for too long, Dongjun had no strength left.

He collapsed to the ground, panting.

Then he heard the voices of other creatures in the mountains.

They were a group of small demons who had not yet taken human form; they were all kinds of beasts.

They were talking as they walked toward the mountain where Dongjun was.

"Oh my, it's so hot! It's like there's a sun buried underground!"

"Yes, yes, my mother said that this mountain is about to erupt, and that we should quickly cross the mountain to the other side of the river, where there are no fires burning at the foot of the mountain..."

Dongjun propped his head up with his beak and watched a large group of chattering little demons talking about crossing the mountain to live on the other side of the river.

They come in all shapes and sizes, flying in the sky, running on the ground, and swimming in the water—a truly comprehensive collection. Their numbers are enormous.

The ground trembled as they walked this way.

Soon Dongjun saw that the source of the ground tremors was a group of large, plump, and healthy Tianhuan cattle.

The "cows" were also chatting.

"Let's go, let's go. There's no grass to eat in these mountains. Although we can occasionally eat Crimson Flame Grass here to increase our cultivation, it's really unbearable to go three days without food!"

"Yeah, let's run faster... Why do I feel like it's getting hotter and hotter?"

It's getting hotter and hotter because the lava in the volcano is about to erupt.

And these oblivious, swarming little demons continued to approach.

When Dongjun saw the group of Heavenly Ring Bulls with huge ringed horns and bodies several meters long, his first reaction was to try to lure them over and throw them into the lava beneath him.

While it cannot extinguish the lava, at least enough flesh and blood can delay the eruption of magma to some extent.

Give him a little more time, and he'll be able to break free!

Dongjun belongs to the Golden Crow clan, and he was born to be the king of all beasts.

He channeled a bit of spiritual energy to command these stupid little demons to plunge into the volcano's crater, where they would never know how they died.

This is currently the only way to save oneself.

He had to break free from the "laws" of his consciousness as soon as possible. He needed to return to reality, settle accounts with Bitao, and check on his younger brother's condition.

Anyway, these little demons are all illusions created from his sea of ​​consciousness.

But just as Dongjun was about to activate his spiritual energy to attract those lesser demons, the volcano beneath him suddenly began to tremble. Lava splashed out due to the tremors, flowing down the ground like honey.

And those foolish little demons were completely unaware of the impending danger.

Dongjun spoke, imbued with spiritual energy, but instead of the bird calls that would stun the lesser demons, it uttered a human voice: "Don't come any closer! The lava is about to erupt!"

"Run!"

Dongjun heard his own voice shouting, "Run! Run back! Run down the mountain!"

For a moment, he was stunned.

He was shocked by his own voice and by his own instinctive reaction.

He had traveled through the myriad realms of Shangqing Realm for many years. Although he had never wantonly slaughtered demons and strange beasts, he had never truly cared about them either.

Foolish thing.

They're just a bunch of idiots.

They were just a bunch of fools who lived in a star realm rich in spiritual energy and were lucky enough to gain intelligence, but were unable to take human form until their deaths.

Even those who have taken human form only clumsily imitate the appearance of humans; in reality, they still live a primitive, blood-eating life.

Dongjun's detachment from worldly concerns is reflected in his appearance, his conduct, and even his very soul.

After all, he possesses the noblest bloodline in the Nine Heavens.

But at this moment, he himself is still bound to the crater, yet he is urging these little demons who can serve as his flesh and blood shields to run away quickly.

Has he gone mad?!

Has Bitao made you stupid?

Have you been brainwashed by her idea that putting the common people first and saving them is the duty of a celestial being?

The "people" of Shangqing Realm and Taiqing Realm are different, so this theory does not apply to Shangqing Realm!

How can cunning and ferocious demons and beasts be compared to "humans"?

The group of lesser demons heard Dongjun's voice, saw him bound to the mountain in chains, and even saw lava flowing around him and onto his body.

A little demon screamed at the top of its lungs, "Don't go any further! Run! The lava is about to erupt!"

"Someone tied a big bird to the crater; I can already smell the roasted bird!"

"Ahhhhhh—run! Get across the river to the other side!"

"The Tianhuan cow can swim, everyone get on its back!"

"What about the big bird? It was the one that warned us of the danger."

"It's no use reminding us, we can't save him, run, run!"

...

Dongjun watched as flocks of birds flew past him across the sky, and saw the celestial oxen that shook the earth sink into the water, carrying the creatures of the mountains and forests away.

No one came to save him.

Demons and monsters, driven primarily by bestial instincts, would show no mercy to a "big bird" that is about to be burned.

Dongjun's blood turned cold.

He really shouldn't have listened to Bitao's nonsense.

The earth groaned incessantly as it threatened to collapse, and before the crimson torrents that filled the heavens and earth, Dongjun finally broke free of his chains.

It roared and flapped its wings, soaring into the sky!

He broke free.

He broke free from the laws of heaven and earth!

His scorched, tattered wings rode the wind in the air, feeling cool to the bone.

He looked back and saw that most of the lava from the volcanic eruption had flowed into the river.

Those "beasts" who abandoned him are almost all in the river now.

The Sky Ring Cattle can swim, but they are not agile at all, and they cannot escape the waterfall-like lava.

Ordinary river water cannot extinguish all the lava in an instant.

The heat from the mixture of water and lava will boil these "beasts" alive!

This must be the exhilarating feeling of "getting revenge".

He kindly reminded them, but none of them were willing to lend him a helping hand.

They deserve to die.

But as white mist rose from the boiling river, the "beasts" began to wail.

Dongjun thought of his last battle with Bitao and the others, when they faced the two elders, and how that group of people were used as human shields and were wantonly slaughtered by the banished immortals.

Their cries were no different from the screams of the beasts at that moment.

How did Bitao make it back then?

She braved danger alone, rushing into the crowd to separate the immortal from the common people.

After saving all the people, she could have easily dodged the slap, but out of guilt, she endured a slap that seemed ridiculously slow to her.

She endured her grievances and tears, but without uttering a single complaint, she continued to rescue and escort those people back to the mortal realm.

In the end, she earned the worship and reverence of the people.

By the time Dongjun realized what was happening, he had already let out a long roar and flown towards the volcano.

He activated the Golden Spirit Shield, which blocked the lava from cascading down the mountain.

He landed and transformed into human form.

His entire body was scorched by the lava, his skin barely clinging to his skin. His flesh was raw and red, revealing his bones, and all the heat from the lava had transferred to his body.

He looked at those "beasts" who still didn't turn back and only cared about scattering and fleeing.

He picked up a little fox demon who hadn't had time to jump onto the back of the Heavenly Ring Bull and had been burned to death by the lava.

For the first time, he embraced all the people who belonged to him.

For the first time, I learned how to protect the common people.

The illusion shattered amidst extreme heat and pain.

Dongjun suddenly opened his eyes, but his face was covered in tears.

He was almost steamed alive by the water vapor, yet dared not let the vapor escape outside the formation, leaving him in a sorry state before the sight of the bare-chested Shangyuan Shenzhen.

Hot tears streamed down Dongjun's face, mingling with the steam.

Being pushed up ten steps by others is not as good as taking a fall yourself.

Dongjun looked at his hands and remembered the little fox demon, whose soft body had died in his palms.

Within that body was an extremely weak power that had once entered his hand.

As immortals, we should spare no effort to help all living beings.

Because they themselves are being provided for by these common people.

He also understood what Bitao had used to control him.

It is her heart for all living beings.

Dongjun had always suspected it; he had also watched the competition between Bitao and the others, so it was impossible for him not to guess.

However, he has never wanted to admit that the hearts of all beings in the Taiqing Realm can control the True Lords of the Shangqing Realm.

Now he understands that "all living beings" does not refer to the human race, but to all living beings in this world.

He is supported by all living beings, so naturally he is subject to their control.

Naturally, we must strive for the benefit of all beings and fight for their sake.

Dongjun cried out in a trembling voice, "Master, I understand what the laws of heaven and earth are."

As he spoke, he did not activate his spiritual energy, but only released a trace of the weak power that the little fox demon in his sea of ​​consciousness had given him—and the steam and heat filling the room immediately dissipated.

"Okay... fine."

The Supreme God smoothed his long, wet hair that clung to his chest and back, his handsome face displaying a feigned indifference and profound wisdom.

However, with his chest and breasts exposed at this moment, his image was hardly "profound".

Looking into Dongjun's eyes, which were as red as molten lava, he seemed to see a "child" from hundreds of years ago who was clearly injured but pretended to be fine.

"It's good that you're awake." It doesn't matter why his child is growing up.

Shangyuan Shenzhen silently kicked the large hammer he had gotten from the blacksmith under the bed, where a hole had been burned in it.

It's no longer needed.

Dongjun quickly got out of the bathtub, which was almost empty, and changed his clothes and used a cleansing spell.

He vanished like a gust of wind, leaving only the words, "I'm going to find my brother!" in the room.

The God of the Upper Realm truly believes you'd better go and find your younger brother.

Instead of using your brother as an excuse to go find that Fairy of the Peach Blossom.

Bitao Xiaoxian was indeed Dongjun's destined one before, but now that the fate has shifted, even Shangyuan Shenzhen can no longer see her past.

Because of her, Dongjun grew feathers that symbolize heaven and earth, and because of her exemplary conduct, he suddenly realized the true nature of being an immortal.

It would be hard not to try and win her over as her destined one.

After all, Dongjun left in such a hurry that he hadn't forgotten to take the fairy pearl that Bitao Fairy had eaten.

The Supreme God made a hand seal to wash away the sweat from his body, then raised his hand to cover himself with his robe. In the blink of an eye, he was once again the elegant and refined True Lord, as radiant as the bright moon and gentle breeze.

He shook his head and sighed that Dongjun would probably "unable to control his emotions" again, but his expression was very excited, as there was another exciting event to watch.

Moreover, Mingguang was deeply in love with Bitao Xiaoxian and was willing to use himself as a bargaining chip to send her back to heaven to obtain the position of Taixian. He seemed gentle and harmless by Bitao Xiaoxian's side, but he had many plans in his heart. A fleeting glance from him made even Shangyuan Shenzhen feel frightened.

If Dongjun were to compete with him... then brothers would turn against each other, all vying for the same woman... tsk tsk tsk.

Dongjun kept saying he was looking for his younger brother, but actually the first person he looked for was Bitao.

After all, the younger brother is with Bitao.

Moreover, he is now eager to see Bitao.

For some reason he couldn't explain, he really wanted to tell Bitao about his illusionary world within his sea of ​​consciousness.

But he could imagine how Bitao would laugh at him if he dared to say it.

Dongjun concealed himself and entered the Nine Heavens Palace.

On the way, they encountered the blind boy Taiji hurrying along the palace corridor. Dongjun appeared and asked Taiji, "Where are Mingguang and Bitao?"

Tai Chi deftly twirled a small knife in his hand, his face solemn.

After looking at Dongjun for a moment, he said, "The nineteenth floor, the Auspicious Radiance Hall."

As soon as Dongjun arrived at the entrance of Xianghui Hall, he heard Bitao's voice coming from inside.

"Xu Xingshen, we've had our fill of food and drink, and we've said all the nonsense we needed to say. Let's get straight to the point. I know about your people asking Mingguang to help him ascend to immortality."

"Ascension is under your control. Over the years, the celestial rotation and the yin-yang sundial have cast all the sinful immortals into this realm. You have done your fair share of eliminating dissidents, haven't you?"

Xu Li sat not far from Bi Tao, watching her devour her meal in a flash, seemingly without any sense of vigilance or defensiveness; all the plates around her were empty.

Bitao's appetite was greater than the sum of all the women Xu Li had ever seen in his life.

If he could openly poison the food, several Bitaos would have died by now.

However, Xu Li has now discovered that Bi Tao's lips may be poisonous.

spiteful.

"I'm telling you, aren't you tired? Sending so many people to target me every time, have you even managed to hurt a hair on my head? But you directly sent me to the position of Xuanxian. Anyone who didn't know better would think that the people behind you have been secretly in love with me for thousands or tens of thousands of years, and are so infatuated with me that they can't extricate themselves."

Bitao laughed wildly, leaning back in her chair.

Her beautiful peach blossom eyes were curved, and her cheeks were red from drinking strong liquor, like two ripe peaches.

She looked at Xu Xingshen and said, "Anyway, all the immortals in the Nine Heavens are watching. Don't tell me you don't know we're in a competition... The things you did in this realm, the Heavenly Realm has definitely already started looking for the relevant immortals to punish you. After so many years of tribulations in the mortal realm, there must be a list of immortals who have returned to Heaven."

“Star God, you are not in the Heavenly Realm, so you may not know, but I have a close friend who is the attendant of the Eastern King Duke, who oversees the male immortals in the Nine Heavens. He holds the position of the Nine Heavens Immortal Supervisor and is very capable.”

"If you manage to send me to my death this time, I won't hesitate to speak well of the people you're trying to save to my best friend."

"After all, the celestial positions in the Nine Heavens are like the officials in the mortal world. There are always many corrupt officials who hold positions without doing their jobs, but we can't kill them all, right?"

"The one I told you about before, Bing Lun, the brother of my sister Bing Jing who made you let go, he's from the Ancient Immortal Clan. He even tried to kill me in the first competition, but I still forgave him, didn't I?"

"I am a broad-minded and inclusive person, and I would be a very good emperor."

"If you ask me, you're all just old-fashioned. Times change, and the heavens can't be controlled by one side forever. It's time for a change. If it wasn't me, it would have been someone else... Star God, don't you agree?"

Xu Li's eye twitched slightly; he almost thought their grand plan had been discovered. His back was even sweating.

But looking at Bitao's arrogant demeanor, it seems that she simply believes the position of Emperor is hers for the taking, given her status as a wild immortal.

Xu Li almost wanted to laugh.

Xu Li glanced at Mingguang beside Bitao more than once.

This was originally the "future emperor" most desired by their ancient immortal clan.

Mingguang sat silently beside Bitao.

She slightly raised her eyelids when she mentioned "best friend." She'd been a puppet on strings all night, manipulated at will!

Xu Li took a deep breath and quickly turned the ring in his hand.

A palace by the window flickered in and out of view as Xu Li turned the ring on his finger.

Xu Li had imagined that Bi Tao would be cunning and clever, and difficult to deal with, but who knew that when he actually faced her, she was just a little clever but arrogant brat.

He lost patience with Bitao.

His head was buzzing from Bitao's words all night, and he had to agree with her shameless boasting.

Even the "Celestial Venerable" had never had to deal with Xu Li so stubbornly!

Why did he take on the task of negotiating with such "low-class things"?

Why not just kill them?

Anyway, she's going to die if she's caught in the Five Elements Calamity Transformation Formation.

Whom Heaven wishes to destroy, it first makes mad.

All that she said was just a plea for him to send her to her death, wasn't it?

Moreover, after her death, Mingguang, who is unfit to be an emperor and has been held hostage until now without being able to utter a single word, will die right after her.

They all have to die.

Xu Li ignored Bi Tao's words and suddenly said to the door, "Fellow Daoist outside, now that you're here, won't you come in?"

Dongjun pushed open the palace door and was the first to meet Bitao's gaze.

His breathing became slightly sluggish for a moment.

Bitao glanced at him, showing no surprise at his appearance.

In reality, Bitao was calling out in her heart.

—That piece of trash, he's finally here!

She practically wore herself out talking to Xu Li!

She'd be better off using this time to "talk things out" with Mingguang behind closed doors.

Bitao finally got up from the table of leftovers, leaned on the table for support, and said to Xu Li, "Anyway, you all already know my purpose. I made it very clear the day I revealed the Light Immortal Vein."

"I won't mind the trouble, I'll say it again: no matter who's behind you, at tomorrow's ascension ceremony, I want to be the one chosen to ascend to heaven and assume my position."

"If I return to heaven smoothly, Mingguang's severed immortal veins can be properly reattached. After that, whether you continue to send this 'future emperor' back to heaven or help him return to heaven in other ways, I don't care."

"Anyway, I'm going to win this third Ascension Competition. Consider it compensation for the Ancient Immortal Clan's repeated attempts to kill me. After this, all grudges between me and the Ancient Immortal Clan will be wiped clean."

"From now on, everyone will be holding a celestial position in the Heavenly Realm. We'll see each other all the time, so this is the only way to coexist peacefully."

"If I cannot successfully return to heaven and attain my position..."

Bitao and Xu Lidong had been chatting all night, from the breeding and utilization of the furnace cauldron to how hundreds of immortals of the ancient immortal clan were brought down by her and how they died tragically, and what they cried out before they died—and now the truth was finally revealed.

Bitao smiled slightly, but her tone suddenly turned serious.

Without a trace of arrogance, he said in a gentle, double-meaning way, "Then you'll probably have to find another emperor to serve you."

Of all the things Bitao said that night, this was the only truthful thing she said.

She did not return to heaven, but infiltrated the ranks of those behind the scenes, who wanted to find a new emperor to serve.

"What did you say?!"

Before Xu Xingshen could respond after Bitao finished speaking, Dongjun's voice rose so high it almost ripped out the last syllable.

"Tell me what you did to Mingguang's immortal veins?!"