Everyone walked toward Biyou Palace. As soon as they stepped inside, Bixiao rushed over, tugged at the sleeve of the Leader of Tongtian, and acted coquettishly, "Master, why did you hit my head? Look, you raised such a big bump, it's so ugly and it hurts so much." The Leader of Tongtian just smiled silently.
Yunxiao hurried forward and said, "Bixiao, come over here at once. Don't anger Teacher." Hearing this, Bixiao knew her eldest sister was upset, so she obediently retreated behind Yunxiao, shrinking her head and daring not to say another word.
The Leader of Tongtian smiled and said, "It's fine. Bixiao, my disciple, I bestow upon you a drop of Three-Light Divine Water. Don't be angry anymore." Bixiao took the divine water, quickly put it away, and thanked him with a grin, "Thank you, Master." With that, she didn't forget to stick her tongue out at Yunxiao.
Yunxiao glared at her and said, "Teacher, don't spoil Bixiao so much."
The Leader of Tongtian looked at the people standing before him: Duobao, Wudang, Jinling, Guiling, Zhao Gongming, the Three Xiao Sisters, Wuyunxian, and the Gold-Hoop Immortal. These were the ones who had supported Duobao just moments ago. The others either had cultivation bases that were too low or stood too low in seniority, and thus had missed the scene that had just transpired.
The Leader of Tongtian asked, "Yunxiao, Masui, do you harbor any resentment toward me for not distributing spiritual treasures to you?"
The group vaguely guessed what this was about. Since the Leader of Tongtian had summoned only their small circle, he clearly had something to discuss in private.
Yunxiao and Masui replied, "Not at all, Master."
"Do you hold any grudge against your Senior Brother Duobao for causing you to lose your spiritual treasures?" the Leader of Tongtian asked again.
The two of them hastily answered, "No, not at all."
The Leader of Tongtian nodded in satisfaction. He glanced around the room, smiled, and said, "The ten of you are the most elite and core disciples of Jiejiao. The fact that you were able to see and pay attention to the problems within Jiejiao, and even put forward your own suggestions, is truly commendable. I am very pleased. But do you know why I didn't let everyone else know just now, or make my stance public?"
Duobao and the others remained silent.
The Leader of Tongtian couldn't help feeling speechless. "Why are you all looking so serious? Fine, I get it."
Influenced by Tongtian, his personality had changed. Although he was still somewhat casual and bold, he had become much more approachable.
Duobao's eyes moistened, and he felt as though his former master had truly returned. As it turned out, the Leader of Tongtian before attaining Sainthood was not like the Leader of Tongtian after attaining Sainthood. Duobao had been the one who accompanied Tongtian the longest; in fact, it was Tongtian who had given him his chance in the first place. Back then, before achieving Sainthood, Tongtian had obtained the Duobao Pagoda during one of his travels. Usually, when he acquired a pre-historic spiritual treasure, he would refine it immediately, regardless of whether it possessed any spiritual intelligence. At that time, the Duobao Pagoda had been discovered by a Daluo Golden Immortal of the Demon race, who was preparing to claim it for himself and erase its nascent intelligence. Just then, Tongtian discovered it, killed the demon, and seized the treasure. Originally, Duobao had already accepted his fate, thinking he had merely escaped a wolf's den only to enter a tiger's lair. Yet, Tongtian did nothing of the sort to him; instead, he expounded the Dao to him and used pre-historic spiritual treasures to enrich his primordial origin. Duobao would never forget that day when Tongtian saved him and said, "Oh? The spiritual treasure has gained intelligence? Not bad, not bad. Would you like to be my founding senior disciple?" From that moment on, an indissoluble bond between the two was forged.
Watching Duobao's tear-streaked face, the Leader of Tongtian could not help but recall the days before he became a Saint, when brothers were affectionate and friends were respectful. He quickly pulled his thoughts back to the present.
With a mix of a smile and a scolding, he said, "You foolish child." Thinking of how Duobao would later be captured by Laozi and transformed into the Buddhist Shakyamuni Buddha, the Leader of Tongtian flared up in anger once more. Although this move had split the Western Teachings, why was it always he and Jiejiao that ended up getting hurt?
The Leader of Tongtian took out a fairy robe and a jade tablet, handing them to Yunxiao and Masui respectively.
He said to Yunxiao, "Yunxiao, you possess the Golden Dipper of Mixun, which grants you formidable offensive power, but your personal defense leaves much to be desired. This Moon-Shadow Flowing-Sand Skirt is a supreme-grade pre-historic spiritual treasure."
The Moon-Shadow Flowing-Sand Skirt was condensed from the purest moonlight energy and flowing-sand essence in heaven and earth. This spiritual treasure possessed wondrous powers, granting its bearer the protection of moonlight in battle, blurring their figure and making it difficult for enemies to land an attack.
The appearance of the Moon-Shadow Flowing-Sand Skirt resembled a stream of flowing sand, shimmering with a silver radiance. The patterns woven into the skirt were like moonlight itself—mysterious and beautiful. When the wearer put on the Moon-Shadow Flowing-Sand Skirt, it would automatically merge with their body, forming a powerful defensive barrier to protect them from any harm. This spiritual treasure also possessed formidable offensive capabilities. When the wearer launched an attack, the skirt would unleash a powerful surge of moonlight energy, dealing fatal damage to the enemy. At the same time, the flowing sand upon the skirt would transform into countless sharp blades to assault the enemy's body, making defense nearly impossible. The Moon-Shadow Flowing-Sand Skirt was an immensely powerful pre-historic spiritual treasure, and only someone with formidable strength and a pure heart could wield it.
Yunxiao accepted it with a face full of joy, then integrated it into her body to prepare for refining it back in her quarters.
"Masui, your mastery of the Dao of Sealing is quite good. This jade tablet is a top-grade pre-historic spiritual treasure—the Heaven-Sealing Tablet."
The Heaven-Sealing Tablet, a top-grade pre-historic spiritual treasure, was rumored to have been formed from Pangu's own spine when he cleaved heaven and earth apart. Inscribed upon the Heaven-Sealing Tablet was the most ancient sealing formation in existence, possessing the wondrous power to seal all things in heaven and earth.
The Heaven-Sealing Tablet was rectangular in shape, crystal clear throughout, and radiated potent spiritual energy. Strange patterns and ancient runes were carved across its surface, shimmering with a mysterious light that commanded instant admiration.
The Heaven-Sealing Tablet possessed mighty sealing power, capable of sealing any object or living creature within its bounds. Be they demons, ghosts, immortals, or Buddhas, once sealed by the Heaven-Sealing Tablet, escape was impossible. At the same time, the tablet could be used to seal the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, preventing it from overflowing and maintaining cosmic balance.
"I hope this can help enrich your Dao," said the Leader of Tongtian.
Even Masui's poker face cracked into a smile. He hurried forward to receive it and said, "Thank you, Master."
The Leader of Tongtian then unclasped the Chaos Hammer from his waist. "Wuyun, I probably don't need to say much about this Chaos Hammer. You possess immense strength, yet you lack a powerful spiritual treasure. Today, I bestow this spiritual treasure upon you."
Wuyunxian quickly said, "Master, this Chaos Hammer is your beloved possession. This disciple cannot accept it."
The Leader of Tongtian scolded, "Fool! I am a Saint, and I still have the Four Swords of Executing Immortals. To me, the Chaos Hammer is merely a decorative trinket. Look at you—you can't even defeat Gongming's Sea-Calming Divine Pearls."
Wuyunxian chuckled sheepishly, had no choice but to step forward and accept it, and began stroking it with unconcealed joy. It was clear he had been eyeing it with envy for a long time; it was just that Wuyunxian was an introverted person who didn't know how to express himself and only knew how to work.
Seeing this, Bixiao wondered why she hadn't received anything. She bounced out and blurted, "Master, Master! What about me? What about me?"
Yunxiao failed to stop her, and her face darkened once more. Qiongxiao covered her face with her hand. The two sisters exchanged a glance, the helplessness in their eyes understood by each other alone.
The Leader of Tongtian patted Bixiao on the head and said, "Yes, yes, yes." With that, he unclasped the Heart-Piercing Lock from his chest and handed it to Bixiao.
The expressions of the disciples below all shifted dramatically, and even Bixiao was startled. Yunxiao hurried forward to pull Bixiao back, saying, "Master, please retract your decree." Qiongxiao also bowed and said, "Master, my younger sister is unruly. Please take back your order." Panicked, Bixiao chimed in, "I don't want it anymore! I don't want it, Master!"
With a wave of the Leader of Tongtian's hand, the Heart-Piercing Lock automatically fastened itself around Bixiao's neck. Bixiao was left dumbfounded. This Heart-Piercing Lock was a supreme pre-historic spiritual treasure; leaving aside its sheer might, it was a treasure the Leader of Tongtian had kept on his person ever since he first made his mark on the world, meaning it held immense significance to him. And yet he had just given it to Bixiao like this?
Watching his disciples' reactions, the Leader of Tongtian was even more pleased.
He said, "It's fine. They are merely external objects. I have the Four Swords of Executing Immortals—who could possibly be my match?"
Although the disciples fell silent, they still felt something was amiss, though they couldn't quite put their finger on it.
The Leader of Tongtian spoke again, "Duobao, regarding what you said just now, do you have any further thoughts?"