Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

When the Three Pure Ones issued their edict, the primordial world was in an uproar.

In the Netherworld, Houtu sat quietly on a futon in the Pingxin Hall, her body radiating the Daoist energy of reincarnation. Upon hearing the decree of the Three Pure Ones, a faint yet genuine smile appeared on her flawless face, which carried a hint of eternal compassion and sorrow.

"The Three Pure Ones have finally displayed the true majesty of Pangu." She murmured to herself, her voice echoing in the empty hall. "Brother Xuanbao... you always manage to come up with such... ingenious methods. Hehe, it suits your unconventional nature. The demon race... after this incident, their fortunes will be further damaged, and the karmic backlash will likely intensify. But... alas, it's all for the best after all."

Her gaze seemed to pierce through the netherworld, looking towards Mount Buzhou, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "The sons of the Wu tribe, I'm afraid they're getting impatient. The Heavenly Divine Banner is complete, and Xing Tian will soon be born... The great calamity is truly coming."

In the West, on Mount Ling, the two saints, Jieyin and Zhunti, sat beneath a twelve-petaled golden lotus of merit and a seven-jeweled tree, listening to the resounding decree, their faces showing a slight bitterness.

"Alas, the Three Pure Ones, are you being a bit too forceful?" Daoist Zhunti sighed, his sorrow deepening. "Forcing the demon race like this may cause unforeseen changes and intensify the calamity."

Zhunti's eyes gleamed, and he slowly said as he twirled his prayer beads, "Senior brother, the Three Pure Ones' actions, though seemingly domineering, are actually perfectly timed. They chose this moment to launch their attack precisely because they saw that the demon race was beset by internal and external troubles and unable to attend to other matters. By taking back Penglai, they not only gained tangible benefits but also established their authority and intimidated the prehistoric world."

Moreover, this matter is most likely related to that scoundrel Xuanbao. That kid is incredibly strong, almost reaching the level of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal. The key is that his scheming is becoming increasingly unfathomable. And this time it's the Three Immortal Islands again... Tsk tsk, how come all these blessings have fallen into their hands?" His tone couldn't help but carry a hint of sourness and envy.

"Junior brother, be careful what you say." Jieyin shook his head. "The Three Pure Ones are powerful and should not be trifled with. Now that the Great Calamity is about to begin, our Western Regions are barren and need to be even more cautious in protecting ourselves and accumulating strength. As for the demon race... let them be. Perhaps, after this setback, the demon race's fortune will decline further, and it may not be without opportunity for our Western Regions..."

At Wuzhuang Temple, Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun were playing chess. When the imperial edict was issued, the chess pieces on the board paused slightly.

"Fellow Daoists Sanqing, this move... is somewhat aggressive," Zhen Yuanzi said, stroking his beard in thought.

Hongyun laughed heartily, slamming down the chess piece in his hand: "Brother, you're mistaken! I find it exhilarating! The demon race has become increasingly reckless in recent years, forging that damned Witch-Slaying Sword and committing boundless slaughter in the primordial world—they deserve this retribution! The Three Pure Ones are the true descendants of Pangu, possessing profound virtue; their intervention to punish the demon race is truly acting on behalf of Heaven! That Penglai Immortal Island, formed from chaos, how could such violent beings as the demon race occupy it for long? Returning it to its rightful owner is the perfect time!"

Zhen Yuanzi shook his head and chuckled: "You know, ever since you were ambushed by the demon race, your personality has changed quite a bit. You're not as naive as before."

Hongyun blushed slightly at the words, "Alright, alright, don't talk about me like that. When we became sworn brothers, my third brother made me feel ashamed. As he said, people always have to grow up!"

"Haha," Zhen Yuanzi laughed heartily, seeing Hongyun looking somewhat embarrassed. "Just as Third Brother said, Second Brother, you're a repressed pervert... haha."

"What is meant by 'secretly passionate'..."

……

In the Northern Underworld, at the Demon Master's Palace, the Kunpeng Ancestor, hidden among layers of restrictions, heard the decree. His sinister face first showed shock and anger, which then turned into deep mockery and a hint of schadenfreude.

"Di Jun, Tai Yi... Heh heh, back then you actually tried to force me to join the demon race, did you ever imagine this day would come? Fortunately, I saw the situation was not right and did not join the demon race, otherwise I would be like the demon race today, hated by everyone. I want to see if you will endure humiliation and live in seclusion, or resist to the end and bring about your own destruction!"

In an instant, discussions arose throughout the primordial world, with undercurrents surging. But regardless of the intentions of the various factions, a consensus had already formed: the Three Pure Ones were slapping the demon race in the face. Then, everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the majestic Heavenly Court beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

The Heavenly Court, the Lingxiao Palace.

Dead silence.

The imperial edict had long since faded away, but each word, like a red-hot branding iron, was deeply seared into the souls of every high-ranking demon in the hall, bringing humiliation, anger, fear, and endless chill.

Di Jun sat high on his throne, his face eerily calm. There was no roar, no slamming of the table, and even the scorching solar fire surrounding him was completely contained, with only a thin layer of golden light flowing over his body, yet it exuded a suffocating oppression more intense than before a volcanic eruption. His right hand rested on the armrest, which, crafted from solar refined gold, silently dented once more, its edges even beginning to melt into a dark golden liquid. Drops fell, scorching small holes in the polished floor with a hissing sound that was particularly jarring in the otherwise silent hall.

Donghuang Taiyi stood beside the imperial throne, his chest heaving violently, golden flames almost bursting from his eyes. The Chaos Bell above his head emitted a deep, angry hum, its body trembling slightly, sending ripples of chaos spreading and blurring the surrounding space. He gritted his teeth, even drawing golden blood from his gums, yet he forced himself not to lash out. He merely swept his eyes, burning with rage, over the silent demon saints and demon gods below.

Ji Meng, Ying Zhao, Jiu Ying, Ci Tie, Shang Yang, Gui Che, Qin Yuan, Bi Fang, and other demon saints, as well as hundreds of demon gods, all had ashen faces, lowered their heads, dared not look at Di Jun Tai Yi, and dared not make the slightest sound.

"Heh...hehe..." After a long while, Di Jun finally let out a low, hoarse laugh, as if squeezed from the depths of his throat, breaking the suffocating silence in the hall. He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the ministers below. His eyes were calm and unwavering, yet all the demons who were looked at felt a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads.

"Have you all heard the decree of the Three Pure Ones?" Di Jun's voice was not loud, and even a little hoarse, but it clearly reached the ears of every demon.

"We...have heard you." A suppressed, uneven response came from below.

"Good to hear." Di Jun nodded, his fingers tapping lightly on the melted armrest, making a soft "tap, tap" sound. "Then tell me, how should my demon race deal with this?"

Silence fell over the hall once more. What to do? To obey and withdraw from Penglai would mean utter loss of face and prestige, becoming a laughingstock of the primordial world, morale collapsing, and internal discord looming! To disobey? Thirty days later, the Three Pure Ones would arrive; who would dare stand in their way? At that time, it wouldn't be as simple as losing Penglai; the entire demon race might face annihilation!

"Your Majesty!" The Ghost Chariot Demon Saint finally couldn't hold back any longer and knelt down with a thud. His voice was hoarse and choked with sobs. "The Three Pure Ones have gone too far! Our demon race, which rules the heavens, has never suffered such a humiliation! Penglai was won by our demon warriors through bloody battles. How can we hand it over just because of the Three Pure Ones' decree? Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I am not reconciled!"

"Unwilling to accept it?" Di Jun looked at him, his eyes still calm. "So, Gui Che, you mean to rebel?"

"Your Majesty..." Gui Che stammered, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Disobey orders? Did he dare say it? If he did, what if Di Jun actually accepted his suggestion and made him lead the charge thirty days later? He'd have to fight with his head on the line!

"Your Majesty, I believe... perhaps we could send an envoy to Kunlun to explain the situation, request an extension of time, or... or perhaps in exchange for other compensation?" Qin Yuan, the Demon Saint, spoke with a forced smile, his voice hoarse. He knew all too well the terrifying power of the Three Pure Ones. Although the Demon Saints present were all Quasi-Saints, a Saint could kill a Quasi-Saint without even lifting a finger; a single glance was enough. Therefore, all those below the Saints were mere ants. At this moment, it was best to avoid conflict as much as possible.

"Explain the pros and cons? Request an extension?" Taiyi finally couldn't hold back any longer, abruptly turning his head, golden flames erupting from his eyes, his voice booming like thunder, "Qinyuan! Did that demon donkey kick your brain? That's an edict from the Three Pure Ones! The Three Pure Ones clearly want Penglai, they want to slap us in the face! Sending envoys? Requesting something? Do you think my demon race hasn't lost enough face already?!"

Qin Yuan trembled with fear at Taiyi's anger and dared not utter another word.

"Then... then are we really just going to accept this?" The Nine-Headed Demon Saint's nine heads drooped simultaneously, his voice filled with resentment and bitterness. "Our demon race finally managed to seize Penglai Island, so was the blood of our demon warriors shed in vain?"

"What can we do if we don't admit it?" A cold voice rang out; it was Yingzhao, the usually taciturn demon saint. He raised his head, his eyes flashing with a mixture of wisdom and helplessness. "Your Majesty, Eastern Emperor, fellow colleagues. The situation is beyond our control. The three saints of the Three Pure Ones have arrived with overwhelming force, their minds made up. Our demon race is currently beset by the covetous eyes of the Witch Clan on the outside, a formidable enemy at hand; internally, we are burdened by karma due to the matter of the Slaughtering Witch Sword, our fortune is unstable. To oppose the Three Pure Ones at this time is to commit suicide. The Zhou Tian Star Array may be able to hold out for a while, but it will inevitably fall if held for too long, and the Three Pure Ones possess the supreme treasure of creation, so breaking the array is not impossible. Once the array is broken, the foundation of our demon race will be destroyed in an instant."

He paused, his voice growing even heavier: "Penglai, though desirable, is ultimately an external thing. The foundation of the demon race lies in the Heavenly Court, in the celestial sphere, and in the billions of demon people. To gamble the fate of the entire race for a single island is not something a wise person would do. Although the Three Pure Ones' decree is harsh, it has not cut off the demon race's path to survival. They only want Penglai and have not asked for anything more. This... perhaps it is because they have left themselves a way out, unwilling to completely break ties with the demon race at this time, lest they prematurely trigger a great calamity with too wide an impact."

Yingzhao's words were like a bucket of cold water, slightly sobering up the enraged demons in the hall. Yes, they couldn't win, they really couldn't. The Three Pure Ones weren't the Eastern King Duke, nor were they those easily manipulated wandering immortals. They were three Heavenly Saints, the true descendants of Pangu! To fight them head-on would only lead to death.

Di Jun listened quietly, though his brows furrowed from time to time, his fingers still tapping slowly. After a long while, he exhaled a long, deep breath, the heat of which seemed to distort the space in front of him.

"What Yingzhao said, though unpleasant to hear, is indeed the wise and prudent advice given the current situation," Dijun said slowly, his voice weary yet tinged with a resigned coldness. "Face? Dignity? They are worthless in the face of life and death. The Witch Clan is the real threat, and the Three Pure Ones... at this moment, our demon race truly cannot afford to offend them."

He stood up, his once upright and sturdy body now appearing somewhat hunched. His gaze swept over the assembled officials in the hall, finally settling on Taiyi's face, which was filled with resentment and pain, a hint of guilt and resolve flashing in his eyes.

"Issue my decree." Di Jun's voice returned to its clear, cold tone, carrying an undeniable resolve. "The garrison on Penglai Island, the palace complex, and all demon personnel and supplies are to begin their immediate evacuation. They must all be removed from Penglai Island within thirty days, without fail. All buildings and formations that can be taken are to be taken; anything that cannot be taken… must be abandoned. No destruction is permitted! Anyone who dares to disobey or intentionally damages anything on the island will be annihilated, body and soul, their true spirit banished to the Nine Netherworlds, never to be reincarnated!"

"Your Majesty!" Taiyi suddenly grabbed Dijun's arm, his tiger-like eyes filled with tears. "Big brother! Are we just... giving up like this?"

"Second Brother." Di Jun grasped Taiyi's hand tightly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, but his voice was unusually calm. "Endure this momentary humiliation to save the entire clan. We brothers will remember this shame. When we have wiped out the Wu tribe and ruled the primordial world, when we brothers have become saints, one day... we will settle accounts with the Three Pure Ones for today! But for now, retreat!"

The last word, "withdraw," was practically roared by Di Jun, echoing endlessly in the Lingxiao Palace with boundless resentment, anger, and frustration.

"Your subject... obeys the decree!" The demon saints and gods below, regardless of their inner thoughts, could only bow and accept the order, their voices bitter. They knew that from this moment on, the dignity of the demon race had been torn down and trampled underfoot by the Three Pure Ones. And they could only swallow their pride and bear the pain.

Five days after the decree was issued, a large number of demons rose from Penglai Island like a receding tide, hastily and chaotically retreating towards the Heavenly Court. The island's once magnificent palaces, numerous watchtowers, and operating formations all dimmed and shut down. The demons' retreat was "clean" and "swift," even somewhat haphazard. Many ordinary supplies that they couldn't take with them were carelessly abandoned, and some low-level demon beasts got lost in the chaos, wailing and running wildly across the island.

On the East Sea, countless aquatic creatures, rogue cultivators, and spies from other forces witnessed this scene from afar, their hearts filled with complex emotions. The once mighty Penglai Immortal Island, which commanded respect throughout the East Sea and attracted countless immortals, now resembled an abandoned old house, appearing particularly desolate under the setting sun. The hasty retreat of the demon race perfectly embodied the phrase "defeated general."

The news spread rapidly throughout the primordial world, causing another huge uproar. The demon race... had actually backed down! They had obediently withdrawn from Penglai within the thirty-day deadline! Although it had been expected, the fact that it was right before their eyes still shocked and saddened countless beings. The divine might of the Three Pure Ones was now fully displayed! And the prestige of the demon race had plummeted to its lowest point.