72: Hongjun visits

Waiting and waiting, Hongjun still received no response; he even began to wonder if he had left a bad impression on those two Fellow Daoists last time.

Speaking of which, there was a slight unpleasantness, but he had already brought out a Top Grade Innate Spirit Treasure as compensation to resolve that Karma.

Therefore, those two Fellow Daoists shouldn't harbor any ill will toward him.

He wasn't some wicked person, after all... Hongjun shook his head and sighed. Just as he was about to leave, two figures appeared, though they were not those two Fellow Daoists.

Jin Feng bowed in greeting. "Senior, I am sorry to have kept you waiting. The Daoist Venerable is already waiting in the hall."

Qing Luan reached out to invite him. "Please, Senior, follow us."

It was then that Hongjun noticed several other figures following behind the two.

A boy, a girl, and a dog.

This young boy and girl had the Dao Rhyme of those two Fellow Daoists flowing around them; they should be their Disciples.

Since they were meeting, Hongjun Old Ancestor was not a stingy person either; with a wave of his hand, several treasures were sent out.

"Since you are the Disciples of those two Fellow Daoists, consider these as meeting gifts."

Everyone was stunned. It was one thing for Ling Ling and Lu Shu; as Disciples of the Daoist Venerable, receiving meeting gifts was appropriate.

However, Jin Feng and Qing Luan did not have that relationship, yet they also received bestowed treasures.

Even the Tiangou, who had followed along just to watch the excitement, received an object for grinding its teeth.

"Second Sister..." Ling Ling, Lu Shu, and the others looked at each other, then all turned their gaze toward Qing Luan.

Despite Jin Feng's usually carefree manner, when things actually happened, everyone still relied on the more steady Qing Luan to make the decisions.

This seemed to be a certain Bloodline Legacy that had continued since their birth.

"Take them. What this old Daoist lacks least is treasures," Hongjun said with a chuckle.

This was indeed the case. If the treasures of the Primordial World totaled ten parts, Hongjun possessed eight of them.

Among the items he carried, even the worst were Innate Spirit Treasures.

During the distribution of treasures at the Treasure Distribution Cliff, even a dog could become wealthy in one go.

For such a being, casually bestowing treasures was truly more than normal.

"Thank you, Senior, for the bestowed treasures!" The group accepted the treasures and then led Hongjun inside.

Along the way, Hongjun discovered that the Immortal Volcano was also a paradise-like existence.

Far removed from the front lines of war, a peaceful scene presented itself everywhere.

Scarlet Crystal Vines crawled everywhere, each leaf flowing with pure Fire Spirit Qi, reflecting a seven-colored halo under the sunlight.

Several small Fire Spirit Beasts frolicked among the vines; they were not afraid upon seeing a stranger, but instead curiously approached.

Fire lotuses bloomed within the magma pools. These lotuses were crimson throughout, with the True Intent of Nirvana pulsing at their centers, emitting a tranquil fragrance that calmed the mind.

Above each Fire Lotus floated a dao pattern, vaguely forming some sort of profound Formation.

This caused Hongjun to stop involuntarily.

Qing Luan explained softly, "The Daoist Venerable uses the True Intent of Nirvana as a guide to transform the volcanic malice into vitality. These fire lotuses are both the eyes of the Formation and a sanctuary for all living beings in the Immortal Volcano."

Hongjun nodded and continued to look ahead, seeing a glassy lake flowing quietly within the heart of the volcano, its surface reflecting the stars across the sky.

Various cultivation Formations were scattered orderly along the lakeshore, where Cultivators of various races and all kinds of fire-attribute Essence Spirits lived in harmony.

White Cranes brought spirit fruits, and Fire Apes offered Jade Nectar, presenting a scene of carefree elegance.

This piece of heaven and earth was filled with the Dao Rhyme of those two Fellow Daoists.

Mutually supporting and generating, transforming into one another.

Hongjun nodded in appreciation. "With the right time, place, and people, you two Fellow Daoists are quite carefree and at ease."

Before long, Hongjun was brought to a simple palace, but the one waiting there was not both of them, but only Yuan Feng alone.

"Do not be offended, Fellow Daoist. His body... he has had some insights recently and is currently in seclusion. You can tell me anything; I can also make the decisions."

Yuan Feng sat upon the main seat, looking quite radiant.

Hongjun smiled slightly and did not take it to heart.

Everyone has times for seclusion; it was perfectly normal.

"Since that is the case, Fellow Daoist, then this old Daoist will not beat around the bush."

Hongjun knew that Yuan Feng had a straightforward personality and did not like many twists and turns.

Rather than engaging in pointless formalities, it was better to speak plainly.

"I have come to ask you two Fellow Daoists for your assistance."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Yuan Feng's mouth, thinking to herself that it was indeed as expected.

Hongjun had indeed come to ask for their help, just as Wutong had predicted.

However, it was impossible for them to agree to this matter easily.

Hongjun's opponent was powerful beyond imagination.

Moreover, it involved entering the tribulation, which made it even more impossible.

"If you are asking us to help you in a battle of techniques, I am afraid we cannot help."

Hearing this, Hongjun shook his head slightly. "You are mistaken, Fellow Daoist."

This caught Yuan Feng quite by surprise.

Aside from a battle of techniques, what else could Hongjun be asking for?

"What is your request then? Please, let us hear it."

Hongjun nodded and spoke unhurriedly:

"I know that this is a tribulation for me and the other Fellow Daoists. And you two do not like to be tainted by unwarranted Karma, let alone enter the tribulation."

"My request is actually concerning this very matter."

As he spoke, Hongjun took out an object upon which a bit of Dao Rhyme flowed.

It was related to Qing Wu's arrangements in the Western Land.

"It was also because I discovered these in the Western Land that I concluded you two had made arrangements long ago."

"According to the warnings of the Heavenly Secret, I have learned that the Western Land will likely suffer a devastating blow in the coming disaster. But this is my Dao, and I cannot avoid it."

"Therefore, I would like to ask you two to step in. I do not ask that you completely enable the Western Land and its many living beings to avoid this disaster, but only hope that you can reduce the damage somewhat."

"I shall be in your debt!"

Hongjun spoke with such sincerity that Yuan Feng was also quite moved.

"This time, Wutong's prediction was actually incorrect."

However, since Wutong had made arrangements early on, it meant that this was what they had intended to do from the start.

Even if Hongjun had not come to ask, the two of them would have acted.

After all, as beings of the Primordial World, how could they stand by and watch the Primordial World suffer such a blow without doing anything?

They had to do their part, after all.

But now that Hongjun had put it this way, he owed them a favor.

A favor's value could be large or small.

If the other party were just an insignificant person, then it would naturally be not worth mentioning.

But the other party was clearly a future top-tier powerhouse, so the value was immeasurable.

"What you have said is for the sake of all living beings in the Primordial World. Even without your request, we would have acted."

Hongjun merely shook his head upon hearing this. "That you two would act is due to your great righteousness."

"My coming to request it is also just wanting to make some reparations in advance."

"Very well. In that case, the two of us will accept this favor from you."

Yuan Feng finally agreed.

After all, why refuse a favor delivered right to the door?

Especially since the other party was a Primordial powerhouse like Hongjun; it was definitely not a loss.

Having finished this, Hongjun did not stay long. Although he had three Slaying the Corpses incarnations working for him, there were still some people he had to see personally and some things he had to do himself...