Primordial Era: Cultivation level equals the sum of the Jie Sect's total; the Three Pure Ones a

The Demon Master's Palace.

Xuandu followed Kunpeng into the main hall. There were no luxurious decorations inside, only the flickering blue demonic flames, which reflected the demonic patterns on the four walls, making them appear and disappear uncertainly.

He had just sat down on a jade throne made of black ice when Kunpeng waved his sleeve, without the slightest hint of fire or smoke.

"Buzz!"

The entire Demon Master Palace suddenly trembled!

Thousands of dark blue demonic patterns lit up from the palace walls, rapidly moving around and eventually transforming into a massive light curtain that completely enveloped the entire palace!

Above the light screen, demonic energy surged, and the chilling air of the Northern Sea permeated the air. Furthermore, layers of spatial ripples rippled, completely isolating the inside from the outside.

Not only sight and sound, but even divine sense and celestial perception were forcibly blocked by this great formation!

Xuan Du's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

"Goodness."

His mind raced with thoughts.

The protective array of the Demon Master Palace was activated without warning, and it was clearly being activated at full power, leaving no gaps whatsoever.

This is by no means an ordinary way of treating guests.

Who are we defending against?

To guard against the powerful divine senses of various factions that lingered and secretly peered in after the great battle at the bottom of the North Sea.

Or... is it specifically guarding against a few particular individuals?

Xuan Du's eyes flickered slightly as he scanned the now blurred void outside the formation.

Among them, there must be the gazes of those two from beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens and the Demon Court.

Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi!

Kunpeng's actions clearly indicated that he did not want the Demon Court to know the content of his upcoming conversation with him!

They might not even want them to know about the conversation itself!

"It seems... the rift between this sorcerer and the sorcerer court is even deeper than rumored."

Xuan Du understood in his heart, but his face remained calm, as if he was completely unaware of the suddenly rising array.

He simply picked up a teacup carved from the cold jade of the North Sea and took a small sip of the icy, bone-chilling spiritual tea.

The tea has a refreshing aroma, carrying the unique, solitary, and austere charm of the Northern Sea.

"Fellow Daoist, please forgive me."

Kunpeng took his seat in the main position, the forced smile on his face vanished, replaced by his usual deep and sinister expression.

"The North Sea has been quite turbulent lately, with many petty villains around. We're activating the great formation to prevent eavesdroppers from behind the walls."

His voice was hoarse, but his tone carried a subtle hint of solemnity.

Xuan Du put down his teacup and nodded slightly:

"Fellow Daoist, your considerations are thorough."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the ever-shifting demonic array's light barrier, his tone indifferent:

"However, such a display might arouse some unnecessary suspicion."

A glint of malice flashed in Kunpeng's eyes, and a cold, sharp smile curled at the corner of his lips:

"Suspicion?"

In the primordial world, who doesn't suspect whom?

"Even the highest-ranking sages are not without their own schemes and calculations."

He looked at Xuan Du, his voice lowering slightly:

"Fellow Daoist, your sword strike that severed Randeng and forced Yuanshi back was far more significant than my mere formation."

"Some things, once done, are done. Hesitation will only bring trouble."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became subtle.

Xuan Du's gaze narrowed slightly as he met Kunpeng's eyes.

Their eyes met, and they both saw the deeper meaning in each other's eyes.

Kunpeng's words, seemingly referring to himself, were actually... also a subtle dig at Xuandu.

By slaying Randeng with his sword, he had already forged a blood feud with the Chan Sect.

Now that you've done it, there's no need to be timid or hesitant anymore.

Kunpeng's activation of the great formation to isolate the inside from the outside world at this moment clearly indicates that he has made some kind of decision.

This decision may completely change his position in the primordial world, and even... his future fate.

"Fellow Daoist's words are indeed insightful."

Xuan Du spoke slowly, his fingers gently stroking the rim of the ice jade teacup.

"But I wonder... why did you invite me to the palace and erect this isolation array?"

"You wouldn't really be... offering me this cup of Northern Darkness Cold Tea just for that?"

He raised his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, piercing straight into Kunpeng's heart.

Kunpeng remained silent for a moment, with only the crackling of demonic fire echoing softly within the hall.

After a long while, he took a deep breath, and the last trace of hesitation and probing in his deep eyes finally faded, replaced by determination.

"Fellow Daoist speaks frankly, and I will not beat around the bush either."

Kunpeng leaned forward slightly, his voice low but clear:

"This humble Taoist... wishes to escape the demon court."

"!!!"

Even though he had suspected it beforehand, Xuandu was still slightly shaken when Kunpeng said those words in person.

To escape the Demon Court?

This is a momentous event!

Kunpeng was an ancient demon master, a guest of Zixiao Palace, and held a prestigious position. He was also one of the nominal giants of the Demon Court.

Although he and Di Jun and Tai Yi were outwardly on good terms but inwardly estranged, the nominal relationship between ruler and subject still existed.

If he were to openly break away, it would be tantamount to slapping the Demon Court hard across the face.

It will further shake the morale of the Demon Court, which was already somewhat unstable due to the setback at the East China Sea!

At that time, would the Wu tribe let such a good opportunity pass by?

The balance of power may be subtly tilted as a result!

"Fellow Daoist, do you know what these words mean?"

Xuan Du's expression remained unchanged, but his tone became more serious.

"It means... a complete break with Dijun and Taiyi, and becoming an enemy of the entire Demon Court."

"It also means... that there is no room for maneuver in this great calamity."

Upon hearing this, Kunpeng let out a cold laugh, a long-suppressed resentment flashing in his eyes:

"A complete break? Becoming enemies?"

"Fellow Daoist, do you think that I and the Demon Court can still be considered as one mind, ruler and subject?"

He flicked his sleeve, his tone laced with sarcasm:

"Emperor Jun and Taiyi, though they appear to respect me as their demon master, are in reality wary of me at every turn and constantly try to hinder me!"

"Back then in Zixiao Palace, I had a chance to compete for that sacred seat, but who secretly interfered and ruined my opportunity?"

"Later, the Demon Court was established, and Demon Masters were appointed. They may seem to hold high positions, but in reality, they have little power! When will the Demon Court's army outside the Northern Underworld truly obey my commands?"

"Even during this incident in the North Sea, when those two used their divine senses to probe, did they ever truly take my Demon Master's Palace seriously?"

The questions were accusations born of long-standing resentment.

Xuan Du listened quietly, understanding in his heart.

The conflict between Kunpeng and the Demon Court has indeed deepened to the point of being irreconcilable.

Old grudges, power struggles, suspicion and defensiveness...

These factors have long since eroded the already fragile bond between the two sides.

Now that the great calamity is approaching and the world is about to collapse, Kunpeng is... looking for a true way out for himself.

"so......"

Xuan Du slowly set down his teacup, his gaze fixed on Kunpeng:

"Fellow Daoist, you've chosen this moment to tell me these things..."

"Are you trying to use me to convey this message to Master?"

"Or...is there another motive?"

A dark light shone brightly in Kunpeng's eyes. He no longer concealed his intentions and said in a deep voice:

"I wish to leave the Demon Court, but though the primordial world is vast, there are very few who can truly accommodate me and who are not afraid of the Demon Court's retaliation."

"Among the Three Pure Ones, Taiqing is inactive and Yuqing is arrogant, neither of which are good choices."

"The two Western Saints... Hmph, trying to get something from a tiger."

He looked at Xuan Du, his tone becoming sincere:

"Only the Jie Sect teaches without discrimination, seizing every last chance for survival, and with the Tongtian Sage in charge of killing, they fear nothing."

"As the vice leader of the Jie Sect, you have the deep trust of the Sages, and your courage and strength are unparalleled in the prehistoric world."

"This humble Taoist... wishes to join the Jie Sect, seeking the protection of the Sages, and striving for that sliver of opportunity for liberation amidst countless eons!"

After he finished speaking, the Demon Master's Palace fell into a deathly silence.

Only the large array of light curtains flowed quietly, separating the inside from the outside into two worlds.

Xuan Du's heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

really!

Kunpeng's true purpose was actually... to surrender and join the Jie Sect!

An ancient demon master, a quasi-saint at the peak, a powerful being who wields the supernatural ability of extreme speed, actually wants to give up his position as a venerable figure in the Demon Court and willingly become a disciple of the Intercepting Sect!

The sincerity... or rather, the decisiveness behind this is extraordinary.

Moreover, Kunpeng's choice to have a private conversation with him at this time and place clearly indicates that he had chosen the right opportunity.

He had just killed Randeng, revealing his peak Hunyuan strength, and had received undisguised protection from Master Tongtian.

This undoubtedly reassured Kunpeng.

The Jie Sect has both the strength and the determination to accept him!

"I understand your intentions, fellow Daoist."

Xuan Du spoke slowly, his expression solemn:

"However... this matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by me alone."

"We need to consult with the Master, and let the Master make the decision."

Upon hearing this, Kunpeng nodded:

"That's how it should be."

He paused, then said:

"However, before that, I have a pledge of allegiance to offer to you, my fellow Daoist, and also to the Jie Sect."

"Oh?"

Xuan Du's eyes flashed upon hearing this.

A ruthless glint flashed in Kunpeng's eyes as he whispered:

"I can do my best to help the Golden-Winged Roc and make him willingly join the Jie Sect."

"also......"

His voice was lowered even further, almost inaudible:

"The Demon Court's Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array has a key array eye that I secretly arranged years ago, leaving a back door."

"If the Jie Sect and the Demon Court ever clash in the future, I... can temporarily disable this formation's core."

"!!!"

Upon hearing this, Xuandu's pupils suddenly contracted!

The Great Array of the Celestial Stars!

The Demon Court's Primordial Array, used to suppress destiny and resist the Witch Clan's Heavenly Divine Array!

If we could find a single flaw in its formation... the significance of that would be immeasurable!

In order to gain the trust of the Jie Sect, Kunpeng even revealed such a secret!

Their sincerity is undeniable!