Chapter 2606

Seeing Huang Lao directly toss a primal soul to Xu Jie, even Xu Jie himself was stunned and blurted out.

"Senior, what are you giving me this thing for?"

Huh???

As soon as his words fell, Huang Lao glared with tiger eyes and said unhappily.

"You little brat, you're usually sharp as a tack, so why do you sometimes act stupid?"

Huh??? That's harsh, I, Xu Jie, am being crafty.

Before Xu Jie could reply, Huang Lao went on saying to himself.

"You brothers, after you enter the Heavenly Pool, we could still stay and guard you in the Heavenly Spirit Tribe, but once I and Young Ye Zhangqing leave, you brothers need to have something in hand—can you guarantee the Heavenly Spirit Tribe won't have second thoughts? Don't end up getting sacrificed without even knowing."

"I, old man, am really worried now—are you planning to mess around with the Heavenly Spirit Tribe?"

Hearing this, Xu Jie and Zhao Zhengping suddenly realized, "Ah, that's how it is," and Zhao Zhengping even more so said in realization.

"No wonder you, Elder Huang, took two primal souls—now I get it. Why didn't you give one to me? I'm the Senior Brother!"

"You?"

Upon hearing that, Huang Lao turned his head to look at the thick‑eyebrowed, big‑eyed Zhao Zhengping; for some reason he always felt that Zhao Zhengping had an abundance of righteousness, yet unconsciously his brow always betrayed a hint of foolishness.

Of course, he didn't dare say it outright for fear of hurting him; besides, this Zhao Zhengping kid is not bad—simple‑minded and full of righteousness.

So after thinking, he spoke tactfully.

"Zhao Zhengping kid, just focus on your swordplay; don't overthink other things—this thing you can't handle."

"Senior, you overpraise me; my sword talent is hardly worth mentioning, but I will surely diligently cultivate from now on."

Thinking Huang Lao was praising his swordsmanship, Zhao Zhengping, barely concealing his joy, replied respectfully.

His words sounded respectful enough, but the corners of his mouth that he couldn't suppress made Huang Lao involuntarily rub his forehead.

What was I saying again? sigh………………………

Understanding Huang Lao's meaning, Xu Jie also put away that primal soul, then immediately asked.

"Then what does Elder Huang need other Heavenly Spirit Tribe primal souls for? Will you give me one too?"

Seeing Xu Jie's eyes full of doubt, Huang Lao fell silent for a long while—has foolishness become contagious? Where is this kid's usual sharpness?

You know, Zhao Zhengping may be foolish, but he makes up for it with diligence, a heart full of righteousness, and a smidge of sword talent—even if he's a bit stupid, there's still hope.

But what about you, Xu Jie—besides this brain of yours, what else do you have left?

If you even lost your brain, Xú Lǎosān could truly return to Xia Jie to retire.

A flicker of worry crossed his eyes, yet Huang Lao still tried to salvage the situation and asked.

Old Three.

Here.

What cultivation level are you at now?

This………………… is the Immortal Realm, almost perfected.

You say with that bit of Immortal Realm cultivation, how many in the Heavenly Spirit Tribe could kill you?

Huh…………… many.

So you understand?

Understand what?

From now on, don't bother your Senior Brother while he practices his sword.

Faced with Xu Jie's answer, Huang Lao choked a bit, then said gloomily, "Foolishness really is contagious."

But Zhao Zhengping didn't know yet, and hastily spoke up to defuse the situation for his junior brother.

"Elder Huang, having a junior brother to train with is pretty good."

Huh???

You two follow different paths.

He then didn't want to say more and directly explained.

Old Three, just hold onto what I give you; I'm afraid that one day someone might secretly kill you, and if you meet someone who disrespects our ancestors, those few primal souls won't help you—do you understand?

Oh, I see now—thanks, Elder Huang.

Finally understanding, Xu Jie immediately bowed deeply, his heart full of gratitude—Elder Huang really has been good to him.

As for this, Huang Lao felt not the slightest relief, but rather grew anxious.

Although he is not the Protector of the Way for Xu Jie and Zhao Zhengping, aside from Ye Zhangqing, he has hardly any relation with those fellow disciples.

But hearts are made of flesh; after spending so long together, feelings naturally arise.

When in the Immortal Realm, whenever he had time, Huang Lao also often gave them guidance in cultivation.

This even included their masters—Shīzūn and Hong Zun that lecherous old man—who also often followed Huang Lao in Xiūliàn.

Having come to regard them as his own juniors, anything he could consider for them, he naturally would.

So at this moment, Huang Lao spoke to Xu Jie with earnest sincerity.

Old Three.

Here.

From now on, when you have nothing to do, read more books and study some left‑handed methods; don't get mixed up in sword‑wielding nonsense—it's not for you.

Huh???

Although he didn't really grasp Huang Lao's meaning, Xu Jie still obediently nodded in agreement.

Huang Lao is doing this to leave them sufficient talismans for protection.

With the primal souls of the entire Heavenly Spirit Tribe in hand, even if Ye Zhangqing and he lead people away later, the two brothers will face little danger.

If even then they still die, then all we can say is that heaven's will is hard to defy.

You hold the lives of the entire tribe in your hands; how could you die?

On the other side, after returning to their respective lineage stations, several ancestors quickly took action.

Summon all the elders of the tribe together.

Naturally, they started with these people first.

Looking at these elders below, the ancestor spoke directly.

Each of you, hand over two strands of origin divine soul now.

Huh???

Hearing this, all the elders were stunned. What does it mean? Why suddenly demand origin divine soul?

Ancestor, this is..................

Our Heavenly Spirit Tribe has already submitted to the Human Race; it's the Upper Tribe's command.

What? What about the Sea God? What do we do with the Sea God?

This news can't be kept hidden; it'll have to come out sooner or later, so better to explain it all now to avoid trouble later.

At first hearing this, everyone was indeed shocked; how could our allegiance change without a word?

We used to worship the Sea God; how did we switch to the Human Race?

As for this, Ling Yunyi's grandfather was the most direct.

The Sea God is too weak to protect our Heavenly Spirit Tribe; the Human Race is strong, and following it offers a future.

This???

That may be what you said, but it's too sudden—what about the Sea God?

An elder raised a question: you suddenly switched allegiance—will the Sea God agree? How will we handle it if they cause trouble?

This problem is even simpler.

The Sea God has already been wiped out by the Human Race.

What?

The elders exchanged glances, thinking they hadn't left the tribe lately and had been staying put.

Did I sleep through it? So many major events have occurred in the tribe—how do I know nothing about them?

It shouldn't be— the Sea God has been wiped out, yet we haven't heard a whisper? This is strange, downright absurd.

Enough talk—each of you, hand over two strands of origin divine soul now.

Ancestor..................

What, you have an objection? Just hand it over—I won't harm you.

I..................

Ancestor, don't hit me—I'll hand it over. Can I just give one? Isn't the rule to hand over only one?

The times have changed—quit your nonsense and hand it over.