Chapter 34: with translation of chapter title

In the Zi Xiao Palace, the former bustle and clamor were gone!

And Hongjun did not rush to speak, merely gazing at Chen Ku with a look that seemed profound.

Seeing this, the latter grew ever more terrified.

After all, his identity as a transmigrator was his greatest secret, and absolutely must not be known to outsiders.

Once exposed, he would certainly be regarded as an anomaly.

Thus, it's no wonder he was so terrified and uneasy.

After a long while, the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive, almost making it hard to breathe.

Chen Ku steeled himself and spoke:

"Patriarch, leaving this disciple, what… what is the purpose?"

After a pause in his words, Chen Ku again wore a bitter expression.

"This disciple has always been diligent, just like Master Jieyin and Uncle Zhunti, wholeheartedly seeking to revive the West, with no other motive."

"Even while traveling between heaven and earth, I have everywhere shown forbearance and never harmed the innocent."

"This disciple… this disciple is entirely a good person."

Chen Ku's words could be said to be a preemptive strike.

Hongjun, as the Dao Ancestor, claims to treat all beings equally and harbors no selfish thoughts.

Even if he wanted to act against me, he would need a reasonable justification.

And here Hongjun.

Hearing Chen Ku's words, he first froze, then his expression turned strange.

Forbearing everywhere? A good person?!

Hmph!

You brat, do you think this seat knows nothing?

You should know that back when under the primordial banana tree, Chen Ku joined forces with Jieyin and Zhunti to forcibly seize the opportunity of the Old Ancestor of the River of Darkness, and Hongjun knows of this.

This brat claims to be a good person, truly thick‑skinned.

Hongjun felt deeply speechless.

Of course, he deliberately left Chen Gu alone, not to seek any justice for the Old Ancestor of the River of Darkness.

The ownership of a mere banana fan is hardly enough to affect the greater situation, and there's no need for Hongjun to pay too much attention to it.

After pondering a moment, Hongjun then spoke in a low voice:

"Chen Ku, there was once an object in the realm beyond the heavens that you obtained."

"However, this object ought not to belong to you."

Hongjun's veiled words, as the Dao Ancestor, seem to covet a junior's opportunity, which is indeed somewhat improper.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ku's heart sank involuntarily as he thought of something.

Yet he could not help but let out a long breath, his mind set at ease.

The Dao Ancestor mentioning the realm beyond the heavens? In that case, it seems not because my transmigrator identity was exposed.

If so, other matters would not be a big problem.

He showed no expression on his face, feigning a look of bewilderment and doubt as he said:

"The realm beyond the heavens?!"

"As expected, the Patriarch knows all; this disciple and my master and uncle indeed once entered the realm beyond the heavens."

"However, that place was empty and desolate; we three merely gathered some stardust."

"If there is anything improper, this disciple will go find my master and uncle to have them return the stardust."

Saying this, Chen Ku immediately prepared to leave the Zi Xiao Palace to seek Jieyin and Zhunti.

Behind him, hearing Chen Ku's response, Hongjun's face stiffened further, utterly speechless.

This brat, does he truly not understand my implied meaning?!

Or is he… again beating around the bush, trying to shift the topic to escape?!

One must say, daring to play such petty tricks before the Dao Ancestor—probably only Chen Ku would do that.

This fellow is not only thick‑skinned, his cunning is also cut from the same cloth as Jieyin and Zhunti.

Hongjun thought to himself, and simply stopped pretending.

He sighed, then spoke again:

"What I refer to is the sand of the thirty‑three heavenly layers!"

"Know that greed is insufficient; a snake cannot swallow an elephant."

This time, Hongjun finally laid it out completely.

Not bad!

His aim is precisely that thirty‑three‑layer heavenly sand!

Upon these words, Chen Ku, who had been feigning doubt, froze instantly.

So that's how it is!

The sand of the thirty‑three heavenly layers has no other heaven‑defying function; it solely concerns the future establishment of the Heavenly Court.

Given that, there is no doubt that the Dao Ancestor Hongjun is demanding this treasure of me precisely for the future Heavenly Court.

Upon this thought, Chen Ku involuntarily drew a cold breath inwardly.

At present, the Witch‑Demon Great Calamity has not yet fully erupted; could Hongjun already have foresight into the future trend?!

Immediately thereafter, Chen Ku denied this speculation!

This is absolutely impossible!

Even a Dao Ancestor couldn't do that!

Perhaps it's just that Hongjun had a vague feeling, knowing that the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand shouldn't be obtained by anyone.

With that thought, Chen Ku relaxed a bit more.

However, although he understood Hongjun's meaning, Chen Ku was not prepared to simply hand over the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand.

He turned to look at Hongjun the Dao Ancestor, his face showing unprecedented sorrow and grievance.

"This... Grandmaster, the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand is also one of my opportunities."

"Since I, as a disciple, have sensed its location, by rights it should belong to me."

"Moreover, this item is a rare great fortune for the West, enough to bless all beings in the West."

"I hope Grandmaster will pity my sincere heart."

Chen Ku didn't respond to Hongjun's words; instead he said this, emphasizing the importance of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand to himself and even to the West.

Upon hearing this, Hongjun's face remained calm, and he said nothing.

If it were any other cultivator, they would have long ago handed over the treasure without a second word, even begging Hongjun the Dao Ancestor for forgiveness.

Unexpectedly, Chen Ku dared to speak so firmly, showing no intention of producing the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand.

But just who is Hongjun the Dao Ancestor?!

In an instant, he understood Chen Ku's meaning.

This kid... is negotiating terms with me.

How does the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand have anything to do with your West?!

In short, the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand isn't nearly as important as Chen Ku claims.

He's just relying on that treasure in his hand as a bargaining chip, seeking only enough benefits.

This damn...

Under the endless immortal light and divine radiance, Hongjun was already filled with black lines, speechless to the extreme.

Troublesome!

Too troublesome!

Even when facing the Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, and others before, everyone obeyed Hongjun's words.

Yet today like this is still the first time ever.

However, Hongjun clearly sensed that the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand is extremely important and must not be lightly given up.

If it remains in Chen Ku's hands, it will have a staggering impact on the future course of the Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, Hongjun is determined to obtain it!

Of course, with his strength, if he simply seized it by force, Chen Ku would naturally have no recourse.

But Hongjun cannot do that.

First, as a lofty Dao Ancestor, to seize a junior's opportunity—if this got out, what would all beings think? Where would the dignity of the Dao Ancestor be?

Second, the three lectures on the Dao have now ended, and Hongjun is about to begin merging his body with the Dao.

The more critical this moment, the more he must avoid even a speck of karmic obstruction, or it will surely hinder his progress toward merging with the Dao.

In other words, he still has to go along with Chen Ku's wishes in order to possibly retrieve the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand.

He glanced at Chen Ku with annoyance, and Hongjun secretly let out a regretful sigh.

"If that's the case, then I, too, cannot force the issue."

"I will exchange two treasures for your Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand—would that be acceptable?"

Before his words even faded, Hongjun swept his wide sleeve.

In an instant, two beams of supreme, dazzling immortal light burst forth, wrapping two treasures whose aura shook the heavens and were terrifyingly supreme.

"These two treasures are the God-Slaying Spear and the Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus!"

"In that case... you kid should be able to hand over the Thirty-Three Heavenly Sand, right."

Gazing at the two divine lights above his head, and then hearing Hongjun the Dao Ancestor's words,

In that moment, Chen Ku's expression also shifted, shocked beyond words!