Having dealt with Taiqing and Yuanshi, the robed Ling Wudao turned his gaze toward Jieyin and Zhunti.
"You two bald donkeys, how do you think this seat should deal with you?"
Hearing this, the two immediately dropped to their knees. "Senior, it was our fault before. We shouldn't have intervened in the affairs of the Human Race and the Monster Clan. We beg senior to let us return to the Western World."
"Hmph!"
"Jieyin, the two of you involved yourselves in the affairs of the Human Race and the Monster Clan for the very purpose of seizing the Human Race's Qi fortune, while also hoping to gain benefits from Taiqing and the Monster Clan."
"Your shameless behavior disgusts this seat to the core. However, considering that your hearts are entirely set on the West, this seat can spare your lives."
Hearing this, Jieyin and Zhunti felt immensely fortunate—thankful that they had not perished on the spot like Taiqing and Yuanshi.
Though they could still be resurrected, dying in such a wretched manner was entirely unacceptable to them. After all, having their physical bodies crushed and their blood spattered all over the earth was a horrific way to die, and besides, they had no idea what consequences awaited resurrection from the Heavenly Dao Void.
"Many thanks, senior, for sparing our lives. We shall never again harbor designs on the Human Race."
"Jieyin, I certainly won't take your word for it."
"I can let you return to the Western World, but you must hand over the Blue Lotus Treasured Flag as your punishment. If you refuse to hand it over, then this seat won't mind thoroughly destroying the Western Teaching."
At these words, Jieyin and Zhunti panicked completely. The relief they had felt at escaping death instantly dissolved back into despair.
After all, that was a supreme-grade innate spiritual treasure! Supreme-grade innate spiritual treasures were pitifully scarce in the present Primordial World, let alone one of this caliber.
Yet if they refused to hand over the Blue Lotus Treasured Flag, the Western Teaching would be annihilated. Compared to the destruction of their sect, the Blue Lotus Treasured Flag seemed utterly trivial.
Realizing this, Jieyin immediately retrieved the Blue Lotus Treasured Flag and presented it before the robed Ling Wudao.
"Senior, please take the Blue Lotus Treasured Flag!"
Looking at the flag before him, the robed Ling Wudao's expression remained entirely unchanged. With a wave of his hand, he sent it over to his present self.
"Take this. To me, this treasure is of no use, but right now, it will be of great use to you."
Ling Wudao smiled faintly and put the Blue Lotus Treasured Flag away.
"Future self, I won't say too many words of thanks; giving it to myself is the same either way. I'll leave the Heavenly Dao matters in your hands; I'm heading back to Shouyang Mountain now."
"Mother Nuwa, Master Tongtian, please accompany me to Shouyang Mountain. There are some matters I need to discuss with you both."
Without waiting for the two to react, Ling Wudao flew straight toward Shouyang Mountain.
Nuwa and Tongtian exchanged glances and immediately followed in the direction Ling Wudao had taken.
Seeing his present self depart, the robed Ling Wudao addressed the Heavenly Dao, "This seat does not wish for anyone to know of today's events. Erase the memories of everyone who participated in this matter—as for Nuwa and Tongtian, leave them be."
Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Dao immediately replied, "Understood, senior!"
"Seeing that you are so sensible, this seat shall grant you a benefit."
With that, the robed Ling Wudao raised his hand and waved, causing a multicolored Talisman to appear before the Heavenly Dao.
"This talisman can save your life in the future. But if you continue to collude with Hongjun, this talisman will become your death warrant."
Having spoken, the robed Ling Wudao's figure slowly vanished into the void.
Seeing him leave, the Heavenly Dao reached out to catch the talisman in the void, then vanished above Shouyang Mountain.
Upon returning to the Heavenly Dao Void, the Heavenly Dao finally relaxed.
Back at Shouyang Mountain, his heart had remained suspended the entire time. That future self of Ling Wudao was simply too terrifying; if he had grown even slightly displeased, both the Heavenly Dao and the entire Primordial World would have been wiped out.
Moreover, the other party seemed to know everything about him; otherwise, he wouldn't have handed over a life-saving talisman.
That Ling Wudao was someone who must not be offended under any circumstances. However, the schemes between himself and Hongjun could still proceed—so long as he refrained from provoking Ling Wudao.
Since the power of the Human Dao resided with Ling Wudao, he would inevitably become the Master of Human Dao. Managing the Primordial World together with him might not be a bad idea. However, the Earth Dao must be suppressed and prevented from awakening at all costs; otherwise, half of his authority would be lost once more.
"For now, this is the only way. I'd better act according to his wishes first!"
With that, the Heavenly Dao raised his hand in a wave, and a terrifying surge of Heavenly Dao power manifested across the Primordial void. Immediately afterward, the memories of everyone who had laid eyes on the robed Ling Wudao were instantly erased.
At the same time, Taiqing and Yuanshi happened to be resurrecting within the Heavenly Dao Void. Upon catching sight of the Heavenly Dao, they immediately dropped to their knees and proclaimed, "We pay our respects to the Heavenly Dao!"
The Heavenly Dao glanced at them briefly before speaking slowly, "Return! The cost for this resurrection is waived. If you perish again next time, both of you shall forfeit ten thousand years of cultivation."
Hearing that they didn't have to pay any price, the two felt an involuntary surge of elation—after all, ten thousand years of cultivation was not something easily regained.
Taiqing and Yuanshi rose to their feet and spoke in unison, "Many thanks, Heavenly Dao. We shall take our leave now."
With that, the two transformed into streams of light and flew toward Kunlun Mountain.
Upon returning to the Yuxu Palace on Kunlun Mountain, Yuanshi spoke up, "Eldest Brother, it seems we have lost a portion of our memories."
Taiqing's brow furrowed deeply. "We have indeed lost part of our memories. I still cannot recall how we perished."
At these words, Taiqing's face instantly darkened.
"Second Brother, the grudge of Ling Wudao stripping me of the Human Teaching remains crystal clear in my mind. Now that I no longer have the blessing of the Human Teaching's Qi fortune, my combat prowess is far inferior to yours."
"Second Brother, although my Saintly Dao Fruit has been repaired, it could shatter at any moment. Therefore, I intend to join your Interpretation Teaching."
"What do you think?"
"Eldest Brother, if you are willing to join the Interpretation Teaching, I naturally welcome it. It's just that the Interpretation Teaching already has a vice-master... how about this?"
"You and I shall act as co-masters, and we will jointly promote the Interpretation Teaching. That way, Eldest Brother, you won't be wronged."
Hearing Yuanshi's words, Taiqing burst into a hearty laugh.
"Very well, then we shall promote the Interpretation Teaching together! However, I must reclaim the Human Race's Qi fortune. Only then can I vent the hatred in my heart."
"Eldest Brother, Nuwa now stands on the side of the Human Race and is blessed by the entirety of the Human Race's Qi fortune. I fear her strength will soon break through to the Fifth Layer of Sainthood, and by then, even if the two of us join forces, we will be no match for her."
"No matter. Eldest Brother has a plan; if it succeeds, we can seize half of the Human Race's Qi fortune."
"I wonder what this plan is. Can you share it with me?"
"Second Brother, we do it like this, and then like that—that way, we can seize half of the Human Race's Qi fortune."