Primordial Era: Jade Cauldron Forgot to Take on Disciples

Chapter 426 Crab Feast at Zixiao Palace

Just as Li Changgeng was begging for mercy.

The ten Yama Kings of the Underworld all came out to greet him.

They were stunned to see Yang Jian holding Taibai Xingjun in his hand. Seeing Taibai Xingjun's disheveled appearance, they wished they had never come at all. As a close minister of the Heavenly Emperor, if he held a grudge, they would suffer greatly.

Li Changgeng realized that he had lost face big time. Not only was he losing all his dignity, but Yang Jian's posture didn't seem to be just for show. If he didn't confess, he would probably lose his life.

He hurriedly transmitted his voice, saying, "This old man confesses! It was the Heavenly Emperor who told me to say this."

Yang Jian loosened his grip, and his figure vanished, having already left the Underworld and ascended straight to the heavens.

Li Changgeng immediately plopped down on the ground, rubbed his chin which felt like it no longer belonged to him, and made sure his beard was still there before preparing to stand up.

The King of Hell, who was nearby, rushed over to help him up.

"Star Lord, we didn't mean to see that~"

King Qin Guang spoke cautiously.

Li Changgeng's eyes widened suddenly, silencing him from saying the rest of his words.

"It's alright. I have a gentle temperament. You can all relax. As long as I don't hear about this from other fellow Daoists, everything will be fine. I won't hold it against you."

All the Yama Kings nodded in agreement, and then prepared a banquet to entertain them.

Li Changgeng shook his head: "Let's disperse. I have important matters to attend to. I will accept your invitation another day."

After the group of Yama Kings wisely left,

He looked in the direction Yang Jian had left and sighed, "What a pointless thing to do!"

It's unclear whether he was lamenting the undeserved misfortune he suffered, or for some other reason.

~~~~

Yang Jian did not go to the Lingxiao Palace to question Haotian.

Haotian risked offending all the saints by specifically reminding Yang Jian, which was already the height of benevolence and righteousness.

What good would it do for him to seek out Haotian in the past? It would only add to his troubles.

For a moment, Yang Jian felt that he had nowhere to go in the vast world, so he flew aimlessly into the primordial wilderness.

His efforts to reach the level of a saint now seem somewhat absurd and laughable.

If he cannot completely eradicate the Three Corpses, he will be unable to achieve the Primordial Dao Fruit, and any attempt to glimpse the Sainthood will be nothing but a pipe dream.

To sever the three corpses, one must abandon the Investiture of the Gods. Without the hundreds of Great Daos contained within the Investiture of the Gods, even if one achieves the Primordial Dao Fruit, one is merely a pawn in the hands of the saints.

The other sages who are also chess players would certainly not agree to the idea of ​​someone being promoted from a chess piece to the one who wields the pieces.

Just as Yang Jian was lost in thought, a continuous series of bell tolls suddenly rang in his ears, and the profound Taoist aura jolted him awake.

Before me was a vast expanse of purple mist and clouds. As the mist and clouds dissipated, the palace behind it was revealed.

"Purple Cloud Palace!"

Yang Jian's pupils contracted.

Suddenly, I realized something.

He and the Three Saints had not reached the point of falling out; they were still very much in love. The Three Saints had not explicitly expressed any intention to control him, so Haotian's reminder was premature.

Furthermore, Haotian's Heavenly Court only stood firm in the prehistoric world because of Hongjun Daozu. Haotian only wanted to prevent Hongjun from merging with the Dao, but did not want to see Hongjun suppressed by the saints.

If Hongjun fails in the struggle for the Dao, the Heavenly Court will inevitably lose its greatest support. At that time, how could the saints tolerate the Heavenly Court taking over their rule over heaven and earth?

Therefore, it's less that Haotian enlightened him and more that Hongjun wanted to use this to sow discord between Yang Jian and the other saints.

Just as Yang Jian was pondering, the gates of Zixiao Palace opened automatically, and a voice called out, "Young friend Yang Jian, it's been a long time! Come in quickly!"

Yang Jian hesitated for a moment, weighed the pros and cons, and then stepped inside.

He is protected by the Tai Chi diagram, so no one can control his will or predict his whereabouts.

His arrival at Zixiao Palace was not orchestrated by Hongjun, but rather it was his own subconscious decision to come here.

Just as Yang Jian had seen before, Hongjun was still brewing tea.

Hongjun sat at the tea table, where a clay stove was steaming and bubbling.

Two large blue-and-white porcelain platters were placed in front of them, each plate filled with bright red crabs.

The bright blue porcelain plate and red crab were so appealing that they made one's appetite soar, even Yang Jian was no exception.

Yang Jian took his seat without saying a word, watching Hongjun busily arranging the tea leaves.

After Hongjun filled the teacup, Yang Jian suddenly asked, "The Dao Ancestor said that whenever a great calamity is approaching, it is time to drink tea. It has only been a thousand years since the last great calamity, and the Dao Ancestor is offering tea again. Could it be that another calamity is about to strike?"

"good."

Hongjun nodded in agreement, then changed the subject: "However, this time is a little different."

"I would like to hear the details."

"This great calamity has little to do with ordinary people."

Yang Jian's pupils contracted, a suspicion forming in his mind, but he still feigned ignorance and asked, "I don't understand."

Hongjun pointed at Yang Jian, then at himself: "This calamity is between us."

Yang Jian chuckled, "What merit do I possess to be compared to the Dao Ancestor?"

Hongjun nodded: "Originally, it was impossible, after all, you are still far from being as good as me, but if this old Daoist says you can, then you can."

Yang Jian didn't understand.

"You want to go further, but the other fellow Daoists won't allow you to sit on equal footing with them. This primordial world is vast, but it's very small for a sage. Once you're in, the other fellow Daoists won't have room to move around."

As Hongjun was speaking, he suddenly shook his head and chuckled, "This old Taoist has fallen into the trap of being a know-it-all again. You know perfectly well, yet you're pretending to be stupid with me."

Hongjun pointed to the red crabs on the blue and white porcelain plate and said, "These two are Jieyin and Zhunti. I used my supernatural powers to turn them back into these two fools. If you can eat one of them, you can inherit the Primordial Purple Qi in it and ascend to sainthood without having to sever all three corpses."

Yang Jian's pupils dilated in surprise as he looked at the delicacies on the plate, unable to believe that the two Western Saints, as saints, had been turned into two dishes by Hongjun and placed on the table.

Hongjun seemed to notice Yang Jian's surprise, so he explained, "These two were originally intended to keep the other fellow Daoists in check. Now that they are no longer useful, there is no need to waste them. It would be better to use them to help you, young friend."

"These are indeed delicacies; I've had a real feast for the eyes."

Yang Jian exclaimed in admiration.

"Please use it."

Hongjun smiled and gestured for Yang Jian to do as he pleased.

Yang Jian didn't refuse. He pulled over the huge blue and white porcelain plate in front of him and examined the bright red crab on it. The crab was coiled on the plate and, although it emitted an enticing aroma of ripeness, it still looked like a living creature, as if it would stand up at any moment.

This blue and white porcelain plate is also extraordinary. Although it is only one zhang in diameter, it is blessed with the supernatural power of containing Mount Sumeru in a mustard seed. If the plate is broken, the crab will instantly grow to the size of a giant standing on the ground.

Yang Jian stretched out his hand, and as soon as it entered the porcelain plate, his palm seemed to disappear. As Yang Jian activated his magic power, he added the Heaven and Earth Manifestation to his arm that had entered the porcelain plate, and only then did his arm reappear in the porcelain plate.

He reached out and grabbed the crab's two large claws, trying to twist them off.

(End of this chapter)