Chapter 326: Extorting the Two Sages, Five Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures in Hand!

The silence in the arena spread like a hush, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The oppressive atmosphere left everyone struggling to breathe.

Yet countless eyes turned to Laozi, filled more with deep shock and disbelief than anything else.

Laozi... actually surrendered voluntarily?!

Fighting two against one, he couldn't even manage to hold his own?!

This scene is truly shocking and unbelievable!

"Hiss... the Supreme Sage surrendered so easily?!"

"Aren't the Three Pure Ones the most proud? Today they actually surrendered willingly?!"

"Exactly, the grudge against Tongtian Sage hasn't been settled yet."

"This... the Three Pure Ones bowing in surrender is truly unprecedented in history."

Countless mighty figures whispered among themselves, speaking thus.

The arrogance of the Three Pure Ones needs no further explanation.

And as the leader of the Three Pure Ones, Laozi needs no further explanation either.

Therefore, no one among all beings expected this battle to end in such a way.

More importantly, in the understanding of all beings, Tongtian had already been "annihilated" by Chen Ku earlier.

Between the two sides, there is an irreconcilable blood feud.

Now, is Laozi not even going to avenge Tongtian's grudge?!

Upon thinking this, the expressions of all beings grew even stranger.

At the same time.

In the primordial world.

Laozi's admission of defeat caused Di Jun, Taiyi, and others to change expression drastically, then sink into deep gloom.

They too had stared unblinkingly, awaiting the outcome of this sage's battle.

Moreover, without doubt, the outcome of this battle also determined whether the Demon Race could continue slaughtering humans and forging the Slaughter Witch Sword.

However, as Laozi's words faded.

The anticipation in Di Jun's eyes gradually dimmed.

Exchanging a glance with Taiyi, both saw the disappointment in each other's hearts.

Slaughtering humans... is hopeless!

His thoughts surged, and Di Jun had already made some kind of decision.

Hearing the murmured discussions of all beings, Laozi Yuanshi's face turned ashen, yet he remained silent.

In fact, Laozi's choice to surrender was also a helpless move.

In this great battle, the two of us were completely suppressed.

Meanwhile, Chen Ku grew braver with each fight.

How can we possibly fight on?!

Moreover, Jieyin and Zhunti, along with four other sages, were watching from the side.

Once they entered the fray, we two would have even less strength to resist.

Better to admit our inferiority now than suffer a crushing defeat later.

This way, we might still salvage a bit of face.

Yuanshi's eyes blazed with fire, though he still harbored deep resentment and unwillingness.

But he also knew Laozi's decision was the wisest.

Thus, Yuanshi also said nothing more.

But upon hearing Laozi's words, Chen Ku frowned slightly at this moment.

"Surrendered...?"

He muttered to himself, his gaze shifting as if pondering something.

To just let this end so easily, to spare Laozi Yuanshi?!

Know this: earlier, Laozi Yuanshi most wanted to put me to death, even resorting to a sneak attack for that purpose.

Chen Ku is no soft persimmon without a temper.

To repay blood with blood, tooth for tooth—that is Chen Ku's nature.

Therefore, in Chen Ku's heart, he naturally does not wish to end this so easily.

But just then, Jieyin approached slowly and said meaningfully in Chen Ku's ear:

"Disciple, humanity is still suffering now!"

"This matter... should not be dragged on further."

Jieyin naturally also perceived Chen Ku's thoughts.

But his considerations were far more thorough.

Sages are indestructible and immortal!

Therefore, even if this battle continued, the final outcome would still be nothing.

On the contrary, it might even drive Laozi Yuanshi into a desperate frenzy.

If we end up fighting to the death and breaking the net, the Buddhist sect would inevitably have to pay some price.

At the same time, Jieyin also knew that Chen Ku cared most about the beings of humanity.

That is why he appealed to Chen Ku with the suffering of humanity.

Upon hearing his master's advice, the cold severity in Chen Ku's eyes eased somewhat.

He also understood the principle of knowing when to stop.

Moreover, this time the matter had blown up to such an extent that it was simply earth-shattering.

There was no need to say more; the Dao Ancestor Hongjun must have already taken notice.

If I continued to provoke Lord Laozi and Yuanshi, I might well draw the Dao Ancestor Hongjun himself into the fray.

By then, the trouble would only grow worse.

After weighing the pros and cons, Chen Ku knew that withdrawing now and ending this battle was indeed the best outcome.

However, even so, he would not let Lord Laozi and Yuanshi off so easily.

"Hehe.... Since you admit defeat."

"Then as the loser, naturally you must pay some price."

Chen Ku finally spoke.

Upon hearing this, Lord Laozi and Yuanshi's expressions changed, realizing something.

"What do you want?!"

Yuanshi glared, his face dark with suspicion as he countered Chen Ku.

In fact, the two had already sensed something.

This brat, I fear, is about to extort us.

Indeed!

Facing Yuanshi's question, Chen Ku showed a hint of a cold, stern smile.

"Well said......"

"Leave behind ten pieces of top-grade innate spiritual treasures, and you may depart as you wish."

The words were spoken.

Lord Laozi and Yuanshi's faces froze instantly.

Then, shocked, they turned to look at Chen Ku.

Ten pieces of top-grade innate spiritual treasures?!

Listen up!

Is this even human speech?!

Do you brat think top-grade innate spiritual treasures are free Chinese cabbage?!

Even a sage wouldn't be so extravagant!

"Don't even dream of it!"

Lord Laozi, without a second thought, flared with anger and refused outright.

Yuanshi stared at Chen Ku with mingled hatred and fury.

"Chen Ku, even if we admit defeat, we will not tolerate your bullying to such an extent!"

"If you open your mouth like a lion, then we will fight you to the death!"

For a sage to actively admit defeat is already a great disgrace.

Now we must also be extorted by Chen Ku like this.

Yuanshi was nearly driven to vomit blood from anger.

Thus, his anger surged again, and he thus angrily rebuked Chen Ku.

As he spoke, a flicker of madness appeared in his eyes, as if he wished to intimidate Chen Ku this way.

But upon hearing his words, Chen Ku seemed to have seen through Yuanshi's inner thoughts.

"Oh? Yuanshi Sage truly has backbone."

"Then let's try?!"

Whoosh!

As his words fell, his hand holding the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler trembled lightly once more.

The divine radiance of the Great Dao burst forth again, endless sharpness sweeping across, seizing hearts and souls.

Feeling the might of the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler, Yuanshi, who had previously glared angrily, froze instantly.

"You......"

He still wanted to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.

Unmoved by reason or force!

This Chen Ku is simply unmoved by reason or force!

Clearly, Yuanshi's earlier words were merely a show of strength.

I never expected Chen Ku to be so unreasonable, completely unresponsive to this tactic.

Now Yuanshi is utterly speechless.

Put plainly, they have already lost this battle; Yuanshi's so-called toughness is merely a stern exterior masking inner weakness.

Watching this, Lord Laozi frowned tightly, his face full of helplessness.

"Ah... no need for more words!"

"Chen Ku, you know, ten pieces of top-grade innate spiritual treasures are absolutely impossible!"

"We two...... can at most give you five pieces to settle this matter."

Unexpectedly, Lord Laozi spoke again, actually initiating bargaining with Chen Ku.

Upon saying this, it again drew a collective gasp from all beings.

Five pieces of top-grade innate spiritual treasures?!

Such a gesture is already enough to shock the world and astonish customs.

After all, one must know that innate spiritual treasures are limited in number.

To hand over one is to lose one, and the loss is irreparable.

All beings clearly saw that Laozi also gritted his teeth to propose such terms, his face full of anguish.

Obviously, this is also something the sages find hard to accept.

However, Laozi also has his own considerations.

Previously, the great war raged across the heavens, even the battle of the Nine Sages, which nearly destroyed heaven and earth, during which Hongjun Daozu never manifested.

Compared to that, Chen Ku's act of "extortion" is hardly worth mentioning.

Hongjun Daozu is even less likely to appear.

In other words, even if we grit our teeth, we two can only accept our fate.

Who let Chen Ku's combat power be too monstrous?

As for Chen Ku.

Upon hearing Laozi's words, he was not surprised at all, and immediately smiled.

"Five items?... Well, five items it is then!"

"Who let this seat have a compassionate heart? Today, I shall not quibble further."

He said this with a smiling tone.

Upon hearing this, Laozi Yuanshi could not help but twitch the corner of his mouth fiercely.

Compassionate heart?!

How dare you brat say such things without changing expression or heartbeat?!

Shameless!

Truly too shameless!

While secretly cursing, Laozi also could not help but feel full of regret.

Chen Ku agreed so readily, obviously he had left room for negotiation from the start.

I...... ultimately still fell into this brat's trap.

However, since words have come to this, it is also irreparable.

Laozi pondered, trying to find five spiritual treasures with the weakest power, or rather, more "obscure" ones, to give to Chen Ku.

Thus, the loss to himself could also be minimized.

Who would have thought, just at this moment, Chen Ku spoke slowly:

"Alas... mere five spiritual treasures, this seat really needs to think about it."

"Ah... ah......"

After a pause, he then said calmly:

"Then let us choose the Eight Views Palace Lamp, Jade Void Glazed Lamp, Xuandu Heavenly Plow, Slaughter God Treasure Saber, and Taiji Symbol Seal—these five!"

Upon saying this.

Laozi's expression instantly froze.

Chen Ku's words directly shattered his little scheme.

Obviously, regarding Laozi Yuanshi's accumulation, Chen Ku is also well aware.

Moreover, the five top-grade innate spiritual treasures he mentioned are each miraculously effective, directly striking Laozi Yuanshi's pain point.

Even for Laozi Yuanshi himself, they are extremely important existences.

Laozi's face turned ashen.

From the bottom of his heart, he naturally does not want to hand over the top-grade innate spiritual treasures Chen Ku mentioned.

But Chen Ku has already specified these few spiritual treasures, obviously he had long harbored schemes.

If I do not agree, this brat might still pull off some heaven-defying act, entangling endlessly.

Immediately, Laozi Yuanshi recalled the previous terror of being suppressed by the "Three Styles of Opening Heaven."

"Good!"

"This seat agrees to you!"

After a long silence, Laozi spoke almost word by word.

Thereafter, Laozi Yuanshi turned his palm, and the five top-grade innate spiritual treasures instantly appeared, shining brilliantly, immortal light dazzling.

Seeing this, Chen Ku's eyes lit up.

He was not polite, waved his hand, and directly stored the five treasures away.

And with his divine sense surging, he directly erased the divine consciousness imprint belonging to Laozi Yuanshi on the spiritual treasures.

Feeling that he had completely lost the five top-grade innate spiritual treasures, Laozi Yuanshi only felt his qi and blood stagnate.

If not for desperately suppressing it, he would really have spat out a mouthful of old blood.

But even so, Chen Ku still sighed and said:

"Alas......"

"Laozi Shibo opened his mouth, and directly cut off five top-grade innate spiritual treasures."

"This time, it can be counted that the two Shibo owe me a favor."

Infuriating!

Truly too infuriating!

Laozi Yuanshi, who had just barely suppressed his anger, saw it flare up again.

What a brat who takes advantage and then acts innocent!

Having obtained the five top-grade innate spiritual treasures, Chen Ku indeed appeared somewhat complacent and self-satisfied.

In the conversation, they also addressed each other as "Shibo."

However, such a form of address made Laozi Yuanshi feel utterly heartbroken.

Moreover, it was clearly his own loss of the spiritual treasure, yet in Chen Ku's mouth, he ended up owing this brat a favor?!

If looks could kill, Chen Ku would have long since been torn limb from limb, flying sideways, and already dead and gone.

Laozi forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart, and also did not respond to Chen Ku's words.

He said unhappily:

"Hmph, Chen Ku, what you want, this seat has already given!"

"You can also tell this seat, where is Tongtian now?!"

Laozi feared that if he continued along Chen Ku's words, he would truly die of anger.

Therefore, he immediately changed the subject, inquiring about Tongtian's whereabouts.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ku shrugged with a helpless expression.

"This matter, this seat truly cannot inform!"

"This seat merely exiled him into space; the exact position, however, was not paid attention to."

"Hehe.... Perhaps only waiting for him to find his way back himself."

Hearing this, Laozi Yuanshi's face sank like water, yet he had nothing to say.

They also knew that Chen Ku's words were not false.

The horror of spatial exile lies precisely here: besides the exiled person, no one else can seek or find them.

For a moment, Laozi Yuanshi was also helpless.

However, seeing the two still somewhat unwilling expressions, Chen Ku suddenly smiled.

"Although this seat does not know where Tongtian is now."

"However, since the Three Pure Ones share deep affection."

"Then this seat does not mind helping others for joy, sending the two of you to meet Tongtian Shibo, how about that?!"

Chen Ku said this with a smile, his face full of sincerity and harmlessness.

If one did not know, they might truly think he enjoyed helping others and did not wish to see the Three Pure Ones separated.

But upon hearing this, Laozi Yuanshi was first stunned, then couldn't help but shudder all over.

Sending myself to meet Tongtian?!

Is this guy trying to also exile us two into space?!

Joke!

Could I possibly fall for this?!

"Hmph, that's not necessary!"

Laozi snorted coldly, his expression unpleasant, and thus replied.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ku actually showed a hint of regret.

However, Laozi Yuanshi had already grown too lazy to pay attention to him.

Laozi formed hand seals, extended his divine sense, and sensed for a moment.

"Forget it, the third brother is ultimately safe!"

"With his cultivation, he will surely be able to find the way back."

After a moment, Laozi looked toward Yuanshi and said thus.

Helplessly, this matter can only be left as is.

Without further words, the two glared hatefully at Chen Ku once more, then flicked their sleeves and departed in anger, first returning to the Honghuang world.