Don't let Yu Ding take on any more disciples.

Chapter 558 You're Not Allowed to Treat Your Uncle Yu Ding Like This
hum!
A cracked, crimson-gold divine pearl flew out from Yu Ding's sleeve. Amidst the myriad rays of light, a golden beam emerged and transformed into the phantom of a goddess dressed in a simple white robe adorned with gold trim.

She looked to be around thirty years old, beautiful and dignified, with a slender figure and a head of black hair, casually draped over her shoulders without any adornment. There was a touch of vermilion between her eyebrows, and her brows carried a hint of authority. She appeared before the two of them like this.

She is none other than Xihe, the female ruler of the Demon Court and the goddess of the sun.

Of course, it wasn't her true form; she was now just a wisp of a soul, though she wore a joyful smile on her face.

"Mother...Empress Dowager? You...you're still alive?"

Upon seeing who it was, Liu Jinwu, who had been drowsy and about to give up, suddenly perked up, let out a heartfelt call, and shed two lines of clear tears, unable to hold back his tears of joy.

"Xuan'er!" Upon hearing this, Xihe looked up and nodded to the six golden crows, then turned her gaze to Yu Ding and said with a smile, "Yu Ding, it's been a long time!"

Liu Jinwu was stunned on the spot. The joy, smile and tears on his face froze, and he was at a loss for what to do.

Yu Ding looked at the beautiful woman before him, a strange glint in his eyes, and nodded slightly, saying, "Greetings, Empress!"

If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, who would believe that such a graceful and stunning goddess is already the mother of ten sons?

Xihe laughed and said, "You call me the Heavenly Empress?"

“Uh…” Yu Ding paused for a moment, then asked, “Then…the Empress?”

Xihe's smile immediately deepened, and she said in a half-smile, "Your Majesty?"

Hearing his mother's tone, Liu Jinwu asked with some surprise, "Mother, you and him..."

"I forgot to tell you, Master Yuding is an old friend of mine."

Xihe laughed and said, "You stay there and don't move. I'll catch up with this old friend."

An old friend… A thoughtful look flashed in Liu Jinwu’s eyes. How could he not know that Yu Ding knew his mother and was an old friend?
Xihe said this as she walked to the side.

Yu Ding coughed dryly and said, "There's no need for that. We can catch up here."

Xihe stopped and turned around to look at him. Although he was only a wisp of divine soul, his eyes carried a sense of majesty.

Yu Ding silently followed and came to Xi He's side.

Xihe said in a low, displeased voice, "Back then, when you asked me for a favor and accompanied me on a walk on the moon, you called me Little Hehe. Now things have changed, and you call me Empress Tianhou when you see me?"

Xiao Hehe… Yu Ding felt goosebumps rise on his arms and gave a dry laugh: “Absolutely not. I’m very happy to see Your Majesty again.”

As Liu Jinwu watched Xihe and Yuding's retreating figures, his expression gradually shifted from bewilderment to deep thought. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Something seems... off!"

"Speaking of which, I am really able to retain a wisp of my soul and live to this day thanks to you. The favor you owed me back then is now even."

Xihe rolled her eyes at Yu Ding: "Otherwise, do you think I rushed out after being awakened by Nuwa just to see Xiao Liu?"

Yu Ding forced a smile. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the way this innate master was looking at him was strange.

He was such a talent back then, knowing Houtu, Nuwa, Nuba... he even knew Dijun's wife.

"Yu Ding, stay away from my mother."

Suddenly, Liu Jinwu let out a loud cry. The two quickly turned around and saw Liu Jinwu with an angry expression.

"It was your mother who got close to me..." Yu Ding subtly shifted half a step to the side, widening the distance between himself and Xi He.

Xihe scolded, "Little Six, you mustn't be rude to your Uncle Yuding."

Liu Jinwu felt a sudden "boom" in his head, stumbled back three steps, and stood there dumbfounded, saying incredulously, "Mother, what did you say? Uncle... Uncle Yu Ding?"

Yu Ding waved and smiled at Liu Jinwu from behind Xihe, then shrugged and looked at Xihe, indicating that it had nothing to do with him and that it was all his mother's idea. This scene almost made Liu Jinwu explode with anger.

Xihe said calmly, "Yu Ding is an old friend of mine. What else could he be but your uncle?"

"what!"

The six golden crows could no longer listen. They became completely enraged and lost their minds. A burst of blazing golden light erupted from their bodies, causing the golden true fire inside the sun star to erupt all at once. It engulfed them and transformed them into a huge burning golden crow that bombarded the jade cauldron.

Yu Ding snorted and was about to make a move when Xi He, whose expression changed, arrived in front of Yu Ding and shouted loudly at the burning, angry golden crow, "Little Six, you mustn't treat your Uncle Yu Ding like that!"

The enraged golden crow that was swooping down was clearly stunned in mid-air when it saw Xihe blocking its way. Then, it seemed to stop forcibly, triggering a backlash of power. Its golden flames, which were burning all over its body, caused continuous explosions everywhere, and finally it exploded with a loud bang.

In the blazing explosion, golden blood spilled from the corner of Liu Jinwu's mouth as he tumbled and crashed onto the platform, looking utterly pathetic.

Yu Ding sighed inwardly. Xi He had blocked not only the six golden crows but also him, who was about to make a move. Otherwise, if he had slapped him, he would have definitely shown the sixth one why flowers are so red.

After struggling to his feet, Liu Jinwu looked miserable and stared at Yu Ding with a face full of anger, saying, "Mother...you actually protected him like this...could it be that you..."

Yu Ding frowned and quickly clarified, "This humble Taoist has a past relationship with the Empress Dowager, it's not what you think. If your mother hadn't stopped me just now, I would have already subdued you, you wretched creature. How could I allow you to slander my innocence like this?"

"Genius... Pfft..."

Upon hearing this, the six golden crows could no longer hold back and, like a volcanic eruption, spat out a mouthful of golden divine blood.

Xihe whispered, "Master, what do you think about Xiao Liu's matter..."

Yu Ding shook his head and followed Xi He's form of address, saying, "Your Majesty, you have no idea what Xiao Liu has done."

This Nuwa really knows how to create difficult problems for people; it feels like she's doing it on purpose.

Otherwise, how could Xihe have been awakened at this crucial moment?

At this moment, the six golden crows, who were spitting blood, became even angrier: "Stop saying 'little'! Don't think that just because you have a past relationship with my mother, you, Yu Ding, are a generation older than me!"

The Three Pure Ones were of the same generation as his father, the Emperor, and had listened to his lectures together in the Purple Cloud Palace.

By this calculation, Yu Ding was of the same generation as him, so he simply couldn't stand Yu Ding's condescending tone.

Yu Ding coldly swept his gaze over: "You plotted against Yuan Hong and Yang Jian, causing them to fight to the death first, and then you ordered your men to kidnap my disciple Long Ji. How can I forgive you for such a huge karmic debt?"

Liu Jinwu was taken aback: "I acknowledge Yang Jian and Long Ji's affair, but what does Yuan Hong, a mere ape demon, have to do with you, a member of my demon race?"

With a flick of his jade whisk, he coldly snorted, "This humble Taoist is indeed Yuan Hong's master."

Liu Jinwu was shocked: "You...it's actually you?!"

Yuan Hong was the first person in the prehistoric world to venture into the Heavenly Realm alone, wreak havoc, and escape unscathed. It was with this battle that Yuan Hong's name resounded throughout the prehistoric world.

During the days following Yuan Hong's sudden emergence, the question of where he learned his vast supernatural powers and his lineage sparked countless speculations among the creatures of the prehistoric world.

Unfortunately, Yuan Hong was too tight-lipped and failed to divulge even a single word, so even those with great supernatural powers could not calculate the secrets of heaven.

He had initially investigated out of curiosity but to no avail, and over time the matter lost its appeal.

But he never expected to get the answer to this unsolved mystery under these circumstances: Yuan Hong was actually... Yu Ding's disciple.

Xihe was puzzled by their conversation, but seeing her son's expression, she understood.

Yu Ding continued, "Moreover, this brat is still up to no good, attempting to repeat the glory of the Demon Court, launching a war to seize the heavens, plotting to seize the throne of the Heavenly Emperor, and constantly jumping around without a moment's peace, resulting in countless deaths and injuries."

"Your Majesty, it's not that I'm disrespectful, but your son is far too troublesome. Keeping him around is a scourge to heaven and earth, and I must take responsibility for them."

The six golden crows roared, "If you're going to kill me, then kill me! Stop with the nonsense..."

Xihe said, "Do you know that not only does Mother have some connection with Fellow Daoist Yuding, but he is also Mother's benefactor. Mother is still able to have a wisp of her divine soul remaining in this world thanks to him?"

The Six Golden Crows exclaimed in shock, "Wh...what?" He looked at the jade cauldron and saw that it was calm with its eyes slightly closed, looking unfathomable. His heart trembled.

Xihe looked at the jade cauldron and sighed, "Is there really no room for reconciliation in this matter?"

"Given what he did, I would have definitely beaten him to a pulp and killed him completely, but I never expected..."

Yu Ding considered the matter carefully and said, "In that case, for the sake of the Empress, I will give him a way out. Right now, we are in the midst of the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, which is being carried out by the new Heavenly Court to select and confer the position of the Righteous God of the Zhou Heaven. It would be better to let him achieve the path of godhood."

"Thus, my calculations have given him a way out, and secondly, he can inherit the family business he so longed for. What does Your Majesty think?"

Xihe glanced at her son, let out a helpless sigh, and said with a heavy heart, "Thank you."

Yu Ding had already given her face because of their past friendship, and since she only had a wisp of her soul left, she could do nothing but agree.

Yu Ding nodded slightly: "Of course!"

Actually, he didn't make things too difficult. His initial goal was simply to give Lao Liu a job offer from the Heavenly Court.

After all, the six golden crows were the only surviving son of the Demon Emperor. Although Di Jun had caused the great calamity of the witch and demon, he had also unified all races and promoted the history of the prehistoric world, which was a meritorious act. If he were to do something like exterminating everyone, it would damage his own fortune.

He wasn't afraid that this sixth brother would cause trouble in the Heavenly Court. Not to mention that the Jade Emperor was his good friend, most of the gods he would be appointed in the future would be from the Chan and Jie sects, and his disciples and nephews could surround and kill him.

Upon learning of his fate, Liu Jinwu lowered his head and remained silent.

Xihe's spirit walked over and touched the face of the six golden crows: "You did so much, only to get this result. Was it worth it?"

Liu Jinwu said in a hoarse voice, "Mother!"

Xihe shook her head and said, "Among you brothers, you, the sixth one, are the most like your father. But after all this fighting and strife, what have you left in the end? What have you gained? Haven't you learned your lesson from back then?"

Liu Jinwu looked bitter and didn't know how to answer.

“Actually, we can’t entirely blame him…” Yu Ding suddenly said.

Seeing that it was Yu Ding who spoke up, and that he was speaking up for them, the Six Golden Crows and Xihe were taken aback.

Xihe said, "He walked the path himself; if not him, who else is to blame?"

"Back then, there were quite a few remnants of the Demon Court, and among them must have been some ambitious individuals. The Sixth Prince was also the only remaining crown prince of the Demon Emperor, and thus the legitimate heir of the Demon Court."

Yu Ding said, "Even if he doesn't want to compete, those with ulterior motives will find him and use their power to coerce him, forcing him to compete, even if they use him as a puppet..."

It can be seen from that battle for the heavens that the remnants of the Demon Court still have a few Great Luo Realm Demon Saints left.

Back then, Di Jun and Tai Yi were able to subdue all the demon races and monsters of the prehistoric world by means of their fists and absolute strength.

Both of them are quasi-saints who have severed their three corpses, and they also possess magical treasures such as the River Chart and the Luo Book and the Chaos Bell, making them virtually invincible below the level of saints.

Now that it's the Six Golden Crows, he has neither the heaven-reaching magical power of his father nor the Chaos Bell. As a fellow Great Luo Immortal, how can he suppress those demon saints?
If you lack strength, you're even less likely to outwit those old monsters. Didn't you see that even Bai Ze was forced to wander around after being sidelined?

Xihe remained silent, while the six golden crows gave the jade cauldron a complicated look.

Surprisingly, he didn't expect that Yu Ding, his enemy whom he had hated for many years, actually... understood him quite well.

No wonder his father once said that the person who understands you best is your enemy.

Yu Ding chuckled again, "Of course, some of those old men are loyal enough not to embarrass him in front of a crowd..."

The Six Golden Crows said, "Hmph, haven't you already given me enough face? We're just using each other."

Yu Ding said deeply, "Sixth Prince, I hope that my act of mercy in keeping you here today is the right thing to do. Today I will send you on your way, and let the karma of the past return to dust."

As he spoke, he swept his whisk, and before the six golden crows could react, a beam of immortal light swept past, removing the divine talisman from their heads.

As soon as the talisman left, the primordial spirit of the Six Golden Crows immediately flew out of its body and drifted away in a daze. Once the primordial spirit left, its physical body could no longer hold on and it fell into a deep sleep.

After bowing to Kunlun Mountain, Yu Ding withdrew his sword fingers, and a sword light slashed through the neck of the six golden crows, leaving only their primordial spirits heading towards the Investiture of the Gods Platform.

Finally, it was resolved... Yu Ding breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't afraid of opponents who could fight, but he was afraid of such cunning guys. It wasn't that this sixth brother was too strong to beat, but that he was too cunning.

Not only was he well-hidden, but he also created quite a few avatars to carry out his missions outside. If he hadn't forced this guy out with the Seven Arrows of Nailhead this time, it would have been really difficult to find him.

Xihe stared blankly as his primordial spirit departed, and it took her a long time to come back to her senses.

Only the enormous corpse of the golden crow remained in the original location.

Yu Ding paused for a moment and then said, "I'm sorry!"

The main reason is that the things Liu Jinwu did crossed his bottom line, namely his disciple. Anyone who schemed against his disciple must die.

"Ha, what can someone who's died once not let go of?"

Xihe shook her head: "Compared to the complete destruction of body and soul, achieving the path of divinity is already the best outcome. I know you have already made the greatest concession."

"Well, actually it's not that big..." Yu Ding said, "His obsession with the Demon Court is too deep."

These six golden crows have not lived in vain compared to their brothers, having severed both the good and evil corpses, but they fell because of their obsession with the demon court.

Xihe smiled helplessly: "There's nothing I can do, he's exactly the same as his deadbeat father."

Yu Ding coughed lightly: "What are the Empress's plans next?"

Xihe glanced at him, a half-smile on her face, and said, "There's no one else here, yet you still call yourself the Empress?"

Yu Ding couldn't bring himself to call out the cheesy "Little Hehe," so he could only laugh awkwardly to cover up his guilty conscience.

This is truly... a terrible tragedy!
You seem to have changed a lot.

Xihe's eyes flickered with reminiscence as she said, "Back then, you killed a celestial being to save the weak and were hunted down by the Heavenly Court. At that time, you hadn't even become a disciple of a sage yet, but you dared to come to the Heavenly Court alone with just a sword to debate with the gods and defend yourself. Your demeanor, your spirit, your sharp edge—I've only ever seen that in you in my entire life..."

His words were filled with undisguised admiration.

"Um... excuse me for interrupting."

Yu Ding coughed lightly: "Actually, at that time, I had already passed the Kunlun Jade Void Trial and was about to become a disciple of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, but before I could follow the Heavenly Venerable in cultivation, I still had to settle my karmic debts."

It was precisely because of this that he dared to go to the Heavenly Court to cause trouble; this should be considered the final test before becoming a disciple of a saint.

He thought his jade cauldron was a sure thing, but when he encountered danger, his prospective master really didn't care. In his panic, he "asked" a beautiful and kind older sister for directions, which helped him escape danger and successfully overcome that calamity. Later, he successfully became a disciple of a saint.

It wasn't until later that he learned that the older sister was actually the legendary Heavenly Empress Xihe, which gave him a fright. After all, although this Heavenly Empress was not as powerful as the Quasi-Saint Di Jun Taiyi, she was still a strong person in the Daluo realm.

Based on the principle of not owing each other anything, he gave her a brocade pouch as a token of gratitude and exchange during their last meeting.

Huang Long, on the other hand, helped keep watch.

Xihe immediately opened her beautiful eyes wide and looked at the jade cauldron in shock.

Oh dear, the house has collapsed... Yu Ding smiled to himself and glanced at the Xihe Divine Pearl, saying, "I am in the midst of a great calamity and have important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now. This divine pearl will be returned to its rightful owner."

Xihe glanced deeply at the jade cauldron, then moved and flew towards the golden divine fire. Her voice came from within the flames: "Keep this. It's a pity it's severely damaged and has lost its divinity, its grade has dropped. Otherwise, it might have been of greater help to you during the great calamity. From now on, I will cultivate my true body here..."

Yu Ding looked at the pearl, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out to take it.

Never mind, we can't waste the kindness of our older sisters!