Upon hearing this, Hongyun didn't hesitate in the slightest.
He took a deep breath, tidied his Daoist robe, and with a solemn expression, spoke loudly towards the Nine Heavens:
"The Great Dao is above!"
"Great God Pangu is above!"
"Heavenly Dao is above!"
"Disciple Hongyun, in Zixiao Palace, due to the act of yielding my seat, formed Karma with Fellow Daoist Kunpeng."
"Today, feeling the suffering of being entangled by Karma, I willingly bestow the Hongmeng Purple Energy granted by the Dao Ancestor upon Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, to resolve the past grudge of yielding the seat and to dissolve the enmity of obstructing the Dao!"
"Hongyun's heart, Heaven and Earth can bear witness! The sun and moon can attest!"
"Should there be any falsehood, I am willing to suffer the scorn of the Great Dao, Heavenly condemnation, the destruction of both body and soul, and never be reborn!"
As the oath was made, some inexplicable rule in Heaven and Earth seemed to be touched.
Outside the South Heaven Gate, the wind stopped and clouds lingered.
An invisible pressure descended, enveloping everyone's hearts.
This was an oath jointly witnessed by the Great Dao, Pangu Will, and Heavenly Dao!
Just as the oath fell.
Buzz—!
A brilliant purple glow suddenly burst forth from Hongyun's body, hovering in mid-air.
That was precisely the Hongmeng Purple Energy!
Profound, vast, filled with endless temptation!
The entire area outside the South Heaven Gate instantly became terrifyingly quiet.
All eyes, including Dijun and Taiyi, were fixed on that purple Qi, their breathing becoming heavy.
It... it was real!
Hongyun, he actually made a solemn oath and took out the Hongmeng Purple Energy!
Hongyun looked at the Hongmeng Purple Energy hovering before him, his heart a mix of emotions; he reached out, gently held the purple Qi, and walked towards Kunpeng.
"Fellow Daoist Kunpeng."
"This item, is for you."
"The Karma between you and me, from this moment... is completely cleared."
Kunpeng dazedly took the Hongmeng Purple Energy, his entire body stiff.
He... he really gave it?
Hongyun he... he really gave me the Hongmeng Purple Energy?
An indescribable surge of ecstasy instantly swept through Kunpeng's entire being, drowning all his thoughts.
Hahaha! The Hongmeng Purple Energy, it's finally mine!
Kunpeng laughed wildly in his heart, almost wanting to howl to the sky, to vent this excitement of having recovered what was lost.
He greedily felt the profound principles of the Dao contained within the Hongmeng Purple Energy, as if he could already see the day he would achieve Enlightenment to become a Saint and overlook the Grandmist!
However, this ecstasy didn't last long before a chilling coldness suddenly shot up from the soles of his feet, instantly extinguishing the fire in his heart.
Kunpeng's movements stiffened.
He subconsciously raised his head to look at Dijun and Taiyi not far away.
Dijun and Taiyi were quietly looking at him.
More accurately, they were looking at him, and the Hongmeng Purple Energy in his hand.
Their expressions were calm, without any ripples.
Kunpeng's heart sank with a thump.
This is bad!
Almost subconsciously, he put away the Hongmeng Purple Energy, hiding it deep within his Primordial Spirit, as if it would be snatched away if he was even a moment too slow.
Seeing him accept the Hongmeng Purple Energy, Hongyun's face showed a relieved expression, and he spoke again, his voice carrying the ease of liberation:
"Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, the Karma between you and me is now settled."
Kunpeng's mind was in turmoil at this moment; how could he still have the heart to dwell on past grievances?
He just wanted to leave this troubled place quickly!
He subconsciously nodded: "Good. The Karma between you and me is now settled."
Hongyun gave him a deep look, saying nothing more.
He turned and nodded to Wu Ming and Zhenyuanzi.
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi, let's go."
Wu Ming and Zhenyuanzi looked at the ever-changing expression of Kunpeng, then at the expressionless Dijun and Taiyi in the distance, and without saying much, nodded.
The three no longer lingered, transforming into three streaks of light, leaving the South Heaven Gate and flying towards Mount Buzhou.
Outside the South Heaven Gate, only Dijun, Taiyi, and Kunpeng remained.
Looking at the receding figures of the three, Kunpeng felt no relief from resolving the Karma; instead, he felt even heavier.
He knew that the real trouble had just begun!
Sure enough, no sooner had Hongyun and the others left than Dijun and Taiyi walked over.
The two unhurriedly approached Kunpeng.
Dijun's face still bore his characteristic, gentle smile, but that smile made Kunpeng feel no warmth whatsoever.
"Demon Master, what a great Opportunity."
"Congratulations, Demon Master, for obtaining this foundation for becoming a Saint."
"In the future, our Demon Clan Heavenly Court might just gain another Saint."
"At that time, our Yao Race's unification of the Grandmist will be just around the corner!"
Every word from Dijun's mouth was like a hammer, heavily striking Kunpeng's heart.
Taiyi stood by, silent, but his body faintly pulsed with the aura of Sun True Fire, carrying an invisible deterrent.
Kunpeng's scalp tingled, and he screamed inwardly: "Damn! What a hasty decision!"
"It was really a hasty decision!"
"Why was I in such a hurry to join the Demon Clan Heavenly Court back then!"
"Was my brain filled with water or something?!"
How did he get so muddled back then that he joined the Demon Clan Heavenly Court?
To deal with Hongyun?
Now Hongyun was dealt with, and the Hongmeng Purple Energy was in his hands.
But he had thrown himself into another, larger vortex!
One wrong move, and he might be swallowed whole, along with the Hongmeng Purple Energy, leaving nothing but dust!
The Yao Race gaining another Saint?
That sounds good!
He feared that before he could even become a Saint, this Hongmeng Purple Energy would be "borrowed" by them through various means!
Kunpeng's internal alarm bells rang loudly, countless thoughts frantically spinning in his mind, seeking a way to escape.
Run!
He must run immediately!
Leave this troubled place right now, the farther the better!
He forced a smile that was uglier than crying, bowed deeply to Dijun and Taiyi, putting on an extremely humble posture: "Your Majesty flatters me."
"This... this is all thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune."
"Um... Your Majesty, Your Highness Taiyi..."
I suddenly remembered that I have some... um, some important matters to attend to in Northern Abyss."
"It's a matter of great importance, and cannot be delayed."
"So... I'd like to return to Northern Abyss first, and after handling my private affairs, I will return to the Heavenly Court to serve Your Majesty and await your command!"
Having said that, without waiting for Dijun and Taiyi to reply, Kunpeng's magic power surged, and he instantly transformed into a streak of light, like an arrow released from a bow, shooting towards Northern Abyss!
That speed was more than ten times faster than when he had come to the Heavenly Court earlier!
It was practically a desperate escape!
Looking at Kunpeng's desperate fleeing figure, Taiyi frowned, and the Sun True Fire on his body subtly flickered.
Outside the South Heaven Gate, only Dijun, still smiling, and Taiyi, whose expression was clearly displeased, remained.
Looking in the direction where Kunpeng disappeared, Taiyi finally couldn't hold back.
"Big Brother!"
He called out in a deep voice, his tone clearly showing dissatisfaction and urgency.
"You just let him go? That was Hongmeng Purple Energy!"
Dijun raised his hand, stopping Taiyi from speaking further.
His gaze was still fixed on the horizon where Kunpeng had vanished, his eyes deep, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.
After a moment, he slowly withdrew his gaze, his tone calm and unruffled.
"No hurry."
"Let him go first."
"We'll talk when we get back."
"Hongmeng Purple Energy is not that easy to obtain."
"Having entered the gates of this Heavenly Court, having touched the Luck of my Yao Race, he thinks he can just run away?"
"Heh heh."
With that, Dijun turned and walked towards the Lingxiao Palace.
Taiyi looked in the direction where Kunpeng had disappeared, then at Dijun's back, a hint of unwillingness flashed in his eyes, but he ultimately suppressed the urge to act, snorted coldly, and followed Dijun.
The South Heaven Gate returned to its usual tranquility, but everything that had just happened was like a stone thrown into a lake, creating huge ripples in the Grandmist.