This figure was precisely the Four Heavenly Demons. Behind him stood dozens of Demon Race Cultivators with steady auras; they were all subordinates under his command who no longer wished to fight, each showing a respectful expression that could not hide the unease in their hearts.
In the campaign against the Demon Race, the Heavenly Court had deliberately left most matters to the Disciples of the Xuantian Dao Palace to complete, so their coming directly to the Xuantian Dao Palace felt somewhat like walking into a trap.
However, they had no complaints; after all, even if they didn't follow the Four Heavenly Demons, they had nowhere else to go.
Naturally, the Four Heavenly Demons hadn't chosen them at random; these were subordinates who had not participated in the previous War of Immortals and Demons, were absolutely loyal to him, possessed good potential and value for cultivation, and lacked fanatical loyalty to the Demon Race.
Seeing Li Taiqing's arrival, the Four Heavenly Demons immediately stepped forward quickly, his tone carrying a hint of caution.
"Daoist Li, I wonder if Lord Xuantian Dao Venerable... has reached a decision?"
He had already prepared for the worst in his heart; after all, the Demon Race and the Immortal Realm had long-standing grievances, and it was only logical for the Xuantian Dao Palace to be unwilling to take him in.
However, since they were still alive, it at least showed that even if the Xuantian Dao Palace didn't take them in, they likely wouldn't be driven to total extermination.
Li Taiqing looked at his slightly cramped appearance and nodded faintly.
"Master has already issued a Dharma Decree."
His tone was peaceful yet carried an unquestionable majesty, causing the Four Heavenly Demons to stiffen all over as he hurriedly bowed and held his breath, listening quietly.
He knew deeply that this was the moment that would decide their fate.
"Master says that the Xuantian Dao Palace stands in the world to judge people by their Dao Heart, not to judge good or evil by their origins."
Li Taiqing spoke slowly, conveying Han Xuanji's words word for word.
"Master says you are not a person of great evil and have surrendered with sincerity. Master permits you to lead your troops into the Outer Sect of the Xuantian Dao Palace, temporarily coming under my jurisdiction to redeem yourselves through service while your Heart-Nature and actions are observed.
If you truly turn towards the Dao and strictly abide by the palace rules, Master will not hesitate to bestow upon you an Immortal Path of the Great Dao."
As the words fell, the Four Heavenly Demons breathed a sigh of relief, the unease in his eyes instantly replaced by wild joy.
A moment later, the Four Heavenly Demons suddenly reacted, falling to his knees with a "thump" and kowtowing heavily toward the Xuantian Hall, his voice choked with emotion yet incredibly solemn.
"Thank you, Xuantian Dao Venerable! Thank you, Lord, for not despising us of the Demon Race! I, the Four Heavenly Demons, am willing to pledge my life in loyalty to the Dao Venerable and the Xuantian Dao Palace. If I have any duplicity, may I suffer the backlash of the Great Dao and have my Divine Soul annihilated!"
Seeing the Four Heavenly Demons suddenly kneel, the dozens of Demon Race Cultivators behind him also immediately fell to their knees, shouting in unison.
"We are willing to pledge loyalty to the Xuantian Dao Venerable! Loyalty to the Xuantian Dao Palace! Faithful unto death!"
After finishing the kowtows, the Four Heavenly Demons stood up and gave a deep bow to Li Taiqing, his tone full of gratitude.
"Thank you, Daoist Li, for your kind words before the Palace Master! Great kindness cannot be expressed in words; if the Daoist has any orders in the future, I will not hesitate even at the cost of ten thousand deaths!"
The Four Heavenly Demons was now also at the Perfection of the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal, a Powerful Expert close to the Celestial Golden Immortal Realm, and exceptionally gifted. Previously, he was someone the Demon Ancestor valued quite highly, which was why he had been able to safely slack off all along; if anyone else had failed to contribute like him, they would have been sanctioned long ago.
Li Taiqing raised his hand slightly, signaling them to rise, his tone indifferent.
"There is no need to thank me; this is the opportunity Master has given you, considering your Heart-Nature is acceptable.
Remember, once you enter the Xuantian Dao Palace, you must strictly abide by the palace rules and discard the old habits of the Demon Race. If you dare to make even the slightest suspicious move, neither Master nor we Disciples of the Dao Palace will show any mercy."
In reality, although the Demon Race was a race created by the Demon Ancestor, strictly speaking, they were also one of the races of the Immortal Realm and could even absorb Immortal Qi. Their cultivation methods were even adapted by the Demon Ancestor from various Immortal Dao Cultivation Techniques passed down by the Dao Ancestor; they shared the same origin.
In the past, it wasn't as if no Demon Race members had practiced Immortal Dao Cultivation Techniques; in fact, there wouldn't be any issues.
"This subordinate will keep the Daoist's teachings firmly in mind!"
The Four Heavenly Demons hurriedly responded; he knew this was the only chance in his life and absolutely could not be missed.
He would definitely have to strictly control these subordinates later to ensure they didn't ruin things.
Li Taiqing nodded, turned, and said:
"Follow me. I will take you to the Outer Sect to settle in and arrange residences and cultivation places for you.
From now on, you are people of the Xuantian Dao Palace. Cultivate well and redeem yourselves through service."
"Yes! Thank you, Daoist Li!"
The Four Heavenly Demons responded respectfully, hurriedly signaling his subordinates to follow, and walked lightly behind Li Taiqing.
He was incredibly excited in his heart; by joining the Xuantian Dao Palace, he wouldn't have to live in fear every day anymore.
...
The news of Li Taiqing leading the Four Heavenly Demons and his followers to settle in the Outer Sect spread through the Xuantian Dao Palace in a short time, as if it had grown wings.
The Disciples of the Xuantian Dao Palace had no objections; after all, this was an order personally issued by the Ancestral Master and executed by the Eldest Senior Brother.
After another period of time, this news swept through all the major powers of the entire Immortal Realm.
Within the Immortal Domain, whether it was the deep-rooted Great Sects and Holy Lands, the ancient Long-Life Families, or the Immortal Cities where Loose Cultivators gathered, everyone was discussing this matter; the crowds were boisterous, and opinions varied.
"What? The Xuantian Dao Palace actually took in the Demon Race? How is that possible! Immortals and Demons are irreconcilable; how could the Lord Dao Venerable make such a decision?"
Some young Cultivators were full of shock, their tones filled with confusion; in their hearts, the Demon Race was synonymous with evil, at loggerheads with the Immortal Realm, with absolutely no possibility of coexistence.
There were also veteran Cultivators stroking their beards in contemplation, their tone objective:
"You can't say that. I've heard that the Four Heavenly Demons was originally a Great General of the Demon Race, but he never directly participated in the Great War of Immortals and Demons and never stained his hands with the blood of Immortal Realm creatures. The Lord Dao Venerable has always judged people by their Dao Heart, not taking in the wicked but not giving up on those who can be molded; this move may not necessarily be improper."
Even more people sighed:
"The Immortal Realm can have today all thanks to the Lord Dao Venerable supporting it single-handedly. If the Lord Dao Venerable were not presiding over the Thirty-Three Heavens and deterring the Chaos, we would probably still be slaughtered by the Demon Race right now; where would this talk of peaceful cultivation come from? How could we possibly fathom the Lord Dao Venerable's vision?"
Discussion was just discussion; not a single power or Cultivator dared to say a word against Han Xuanji openly, nor did anyone dare to question the decision of the Xuantian Dao Palace.
Everyone was clear that the Xuantian Dao Venerable's contribution to the Immortal Realm's successful campaign against the Demon Race and the salvation of all living beings was paramount. Let alone taking in a few Demon Race members who hadn't committed evil, even if Han Xuanji made an even more shocking decision, the various parties of the Immortal Realm could only bow their heads in compliance, and no one would dare to have any objection.
When the news reached the Heavenly Court, it sparked a new wave of heated discussion. However, unlike the confusion of other powers in the Immortal Realm, the various Immortal Officials and Emperors of the Heavenly Court offered many explanations for the deep meaning behind Han Xuanji's move.
"Everyone, the Great Heavenly Venerable's taking in of the Four Heavenly Demons and his followers is by no means a moment of softheartedness, but a brilliant psychological tactic!"
An Immortal Official dressed in purple robes clapped his hands and sighed, his tone full of admiration,
"Although the Demon Ancestor has retreated, there are still remnant forces scattered everywhere under his command, either hiding in dangerous lands or concealed in subordinate Small Worlds. If we were to blindly purge them, it would instead provoke their will to fight to the death, needlessly increasing the losses of the Immortal Realm."