Primordial Era: Starting with the repair of Penglai Immortal Island

Beside the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, Jieyin and Zhunti were the first to sit down cross-legged.

Haotian and Yaochi sat opposite the two saints, while Huanglong, Xuandu, and Duobao sat on either side of Haotian and Yaochi.

The golden waters of the Merit Pool flowed slowly among them, the golden light reflecting on everyone's faces and giving them a warm glow.

A Western disciple brought over several cups of Bodhi tea.

The tea is clear and refreshing, with a subtle linden aroma. It is slightly bitter at first, but leaves a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

Huang Long picked up his teacup, took a sip, and felt a gentle, mysterious power flowing through his body, making him feel refreshed.

While the effects of this Bodhi tea cannot compare to those of the Innate Enlightenment Tea, it is a level above those of the Acquired Enlightenment Tea!

But he had no interest in sipping tea. His attention was entirely focused on the two sages opposite him.

Jieyin and Zhunti remained silent after sitting down, one stroking the Seven Treasures Tree back and forth, the other looking down at the golden lotus in the pond.

Neither of the two sages seemed to be speaking first, as if they were waiting for Haotian to speak first.

Haotian wasn't in a hurry. He slowly sipped his tea, seemingly determined not to speak first.

The atmosphere around the Eight Treasures Merit Pool was eerily quiet.

The golden pool water rippled silently, and the Bodhi leaves swayed gently in the breeze, scattering strands of spiritual light.

After several rounds of tea changes, it was Zhunti who finally broke the silence.

"Junior Brother Haotian," Zhunti's voice was gentle and unhurried, like a senior brother chatting with his junior brother, "This time, the Heavenly Court has reopened the three Heavenly Gates in the southeast, west, and central regions, connecting the four continents, so that all beings in the prehistoric world have a way to enter the Heavenly Court. This is a great merit, beneficial to the operation of the Heavenly Dao and to all beings in the prehistoric world. Junior Brother Haotian and Junior Sister Yaochi, as the Heavenly Emperor and Queen Mother, have performed immeasurable merits. The three junior nephews have also made invaluable contributions by helping out."

These words were perfectly watertight.

First, acknowledge the Heavenly Court's achievements, giving them ample face and allowing Haotian and the others to lower their guard.

Huang Long gently rubbed his fingers along the rim of the teacup, knowing that there would definitely be a "but" coming next.

Sure enough, Zhunti paused for a moment, then changed the subject.

"but......!"

The word wasn't drawn out for long, but the tone suddenly became somber.

"In the past, when the Demon Ancestor Rahu detonated the earth's veins, demonic energy raged, turning this land into scorched earth. My senior brother and I came here to establish the Western Sect and made a grand vow to restore a peaceful and joyful land to Xiniu Hezhou. For countless eons, my senior brother and I have moved spiritual veins from all over the primordial world, planted immortal herbs and elixirs, purified the land, and educated the living beings. Every drop, every inch of soil, is the result of our hard work and dedication."

As Zhunti finished speaking, his gaze suddenly shifted from Haotian's face to Huanglong.

Jieyin also opened his eyes, those sorrowful eyes looking at Huanglong as well.

Seeing the gazes cast by the two sages, Huang Long's expression changed slightly. He had previously thought that although the two sages had some schemes, they were nothing more than the Western Heavenly Gate in the void.

But at this moment, the gazes of the two sages fell upon him, making him vaguely realize that their true target might not be Haotian and the Western Heavenly Gate.

"And today," Zhunti's voice was full of sorrow, "the evil aura of the Zhuxian Sword has stirred up the demonic energy beneath the earth, and the hard work of countless Huiyuan has vanished in an instant. The land of Xiniu Hezhou has once again been eroded by demonic energy, and outside Mount Sumeru, everything has turned into scorched earth."

After saying this, he shut his mouth and didn't say another word.

But the two sages' gazes remained fixed on Huanglong. Their silent stares sent chills down Huanglong's spine, giving him an urge to unleash the small Pangu Banner bestowed upon him by his master.

Haotian opened his mouth, as if to say something.

He is the Heavenly Emperor, and he spearheaded the opening of the Western Heavenly Gate. If anything goes wrong, he should be held responsible.

Just as he was about to speak, Yaochi gently nudged him, and Haotian swallowed back the words he was about to say.

It was only because of Yaochi's reminder that he noticed that Jieyin and Zhunti's gazes had shifted, and that they were not looking at him, but at Huanglong.

Haotian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood.

The targets of Jieyin and Zhunti were not him, not Yaochi, and not the Heavenly Court. Their target from the very beginning was Huanglong.

He turned to look at Huang Long, a complex expression in his eyes.

Unexpectedly, in the eyes of the two saints, Jieyin and Zhunti, this Heavenly Emperor was not as good as Huanglong.

But this also relaxed Haotian's tense mind. If Huanglong could solve the needs of the two saints, it would be best to transfer the cause and effect between the Heavenly Court and the saints to Huanglong!

Huanglong sensed Haotian's gaze.

He glanced sideways at Haotian and saw that the usually majestic and solemn Heavenly Emperor was now looking at him with an almost pitiful expression, his eyes conveying a powerful message.

"Nephew, it's all up to you now!"

Huang Long sighed inwardly.

He put down his teacup and stood up.

"My two senior uncles," Huang Long bowed respectfully, his voice steady, "the opening of the Western Heavenly Gate this time, and the demonic energy triggered by the Execution Sword's malevolent aura, was indeed due to our oversight. I feel deeply ashamed that my two senior uncles have suffered the loss of countless junyuan's worth of energy. If there is anything I can do, please let me know, and I will do my utmost."

As soon as he finished speaking, Duobao also stood up.

He bowed to Jieyin and Zhunti with his hands clasped.

"My two senior uncles," Duobao's voice boomed, "this turmoil of demonic energy in Xiniu Hezhou was ultimately caused by the evil energy of the Zhuxian Sword. If you two senior uncles want to blame someone, blame me, Duobao alone. This matter has nothing to do with Junior Brother Huanglong."

Xuandu also stood up without saying a word, but his meaning was clear: if there was any mistake, he was willing to share the responsibility with Huanglong and Duobao.

The three quasi-saints under the Sanqing Sect stood side by side, facing the two saints without flinching.

Haotian and Yaochi exchanged a glance, then stood up simultaneously to face Jieyin and Zhunti.

"My two senior brothers," Haotian's voice regained its imperial majesty, "the greatest beneficiaries of this opening of the Western Heavenly Gate are the Heavenly Court, myself, and Yaochi. If you two senior brothers wish to investigate the cause and effect of the demonic energy surge, the Heavenly Court shall bear the responsibility."

Yaochi nodded in agreement, the plain-colored cloud banner shimmering slightly in her sleeve: "Senior brothers, the Heavenly Court is willing to bear all the consequences of the resurgence of demonic energy in Xiniu Hezhou. Please do not make things difficult for Junior Nephew Huanglong."

The atmosphere around the Eight Treasures Merit Pool suddenly became more solemn.

The golden lotus of merit swayed gently in the pond, and the Bodhi leaves rustled softly in the wind, but everyone felt an invisible pressure.

Five quasi-saints facing two saints... this is inherently an asymmetrical confrontation.

However, Huanglong, Xuandu, and Duobao stood side by side, none of them showing any intention of taking a step back.

Jieyin and Zhunti looked at the five people in front of them, their faces turning slightly pale.

Zhunti's eye twitched.

His plan was to target Huang Long alone, but now all five of them have stood up, with even Haotian and Yaochi blocking Huang Long's way.

Three quasi-saints from the Sanqing Sect jointly took responsibility, while two quasi-saints from the Heavenly Court stepped forward in the name of the Heavenly Emperor... How can this be resolved?