Chapter 741: Slapping Faces

"Amitabha..."

At that moment, the Buddhist Mingyue Buddha Master suddenly spoke: "I can attest to this—Master He's words are true!"

"Zhou Qingmei was originally a yin-dwelling corpse demon that had survived for tens of thousands of years; I had tried repeatedly to subdue her!"

"Master He defied heaven's will, forcibly helping Zhou Qingmei shed her corpse form and return to life, aiding her to break through Body Integration and revive using the cosmic principles of Dafa Xiangdi!"

"Amitabha... truly, he defied the Dao. Master He's actions have amassed heavy karmic retribution!"

He Pingsheng did not know why Mingyue had suddenly come forward to testify for him.

But after careful thought, he understood.

This fellow had no good intentions.

The more he helped He Pingsheng humiliate Zhao Xiangdu, the deeper Zhao Xiangdu's hatred for He Pingsheng would grow.

Mingyue feigned righteousness, but his heart was utterly malicious.

Yet he left no opening—He Pingsheng could not accuse him face-to-face.

Before Zhao Xiangdu could speak, countless prodigies below began whispering among themselves.

"This... this this this... is it true?"

"Can someone dead truly be revived this way?"

"It is possible, but who can guarantee that death will inevitably lead to becoming a corpse demon?"

"The success rate of becoming a corpse demon is countless times harder than achieving enlightenment with a heavenly spirit root!"

"It's not just about difficulty—it's about fate, about fortune!"

"Hehehe... this is getting interesting!"

"I think, since He Pingsheng gave her a second life, her becoming his master is not excessive—washing his feet, dual-cultivation, body integration—all of it is only right!"

Public opinion can melt gold!

Zhao Xiangdu, even if he wished to defend himself, had no words left.

He knew that no matter what he said now, he could not wash away the filth already clinging to his image in everyone's eyes—he could only leave quickly.

Once the storm passed, he would find He Pingsheng privately and settle this matter.

He simply could not let He Pingsheng take Zhou Qingmei away.

"Hmph..." Zhao Xiangdu swept his sleeve and sneered: "Then I entrust Qingmei to your care. You saved my consort's life—I am deeply grateful, and I shall repay you handsomely in the future!"

"Great Emperor, I have a word!" Suddenly, Wang Dun rose, bowing solemnly to Zhao Xiangdu.

Seeing it was a human prodigy, Zhao Xiangdu nodded, smiling warmly: "Wang Dun... I've heard your name. You are the future of our human race—speak!"

Wang Dun said: "Your Eminence."

"I've just heard of your dealings with He Pingsheng. Regardless, he saved your consort's life... no, he brought your consort back from death!"

"This is a great virtue!"

Zhao Xiangdu's face darkened: "I... naturally know this."

"I already said I shall repay him handsomely in the future!"

Wang Dun said: "Oh oh oh—did His Majesty check the almanac? Is today not an auspicious day, so you can't repay him now? Must you wait for 'the future'?"

Pfft...

Some Great Emperors couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Countless prodigies smiled wryly.

Indeed, when Zhao Xiangdu first uttered "I shall repay you handsomely in the future," no one had thought it odd.

But after Wang Dun's blunt retort, everyone saw Zhao Xiangdu as utterly hypocritical.

If you're going to repay, repay now... why the hell wait for "the future"?

Almost everyone in the hall turned to look at Zhao Xiangdu.

Zhao Xiangdu was now both embarrassed and furious.

Everyone was watching!

Give or not give?

He had to give!

Zhao Xiangdu glanced at his storage ring, stared for a long while, then realized he had nothing truly valuable to offer.

After all, something too low in value would invite ridicule.

But if it were too valuable, he couldn't bear to part with it.

Yet he was Zhao Xiangdu—ruler of a domain for countless years. Though most of his wealth was surrendered to the Phoenix Clan, he still possessed many treasures.

After a few breaths of thought, Zhao Xiangdu waved his hand and drew forth a jet-black spear from his storage ring: "This spear is called the Five-Metal Soul-Cutting Spear—a lower-grade 【Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure】. It's more than sufficient for a Void Refinement sixth-layer cultivator!"

"Consider it my thanks for saving Zhou Qingmei's life!"

Sssss...

At its appearance, many prodigies in the hall drew sharp breaths.

That was a Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure.

Even if it was lower-grade.

To put it plainly—even Body Integration experts might not possess a treasure of this caliber.

Even if it was lower-grade.

Yet He Pingsheng merely waved his hand gently and returned Zhao Xiangdu's divine spear, shaking his head—clearly refusing to accept it.

"What?" Zhao Xiangdu frowned: "You find it contemptible?"

"Young man, this item is already excellent. For you, it will suffice until Body Integration—and even if you one day ascend to Mahayana Emperor realm, you can still use it!"

"Don't be ungrateful!"

As Zhao Xiangdu spoke, his expression was stern.

The other prodigies in the hall nodded in agreement.

True—Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasures were precious.

Even lower-grade ones.

Even among those present, few possessed such treasures.

"This is quite good!"

"A fine treasure!"

"Ah, I've been lacking a spear-type magic treasure—if I had this, I'd be like a tiger with wings!"

"Envious... but if saving a life earns you a Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure, it's understandable!"

The prodigies buzzed with chatter!

The entire hall was filled with murmurs.

He Pingsheng was drowned in gossip.

Yet he remained unmoved.

Beside him, Zhou Qingmei could no longer hold back. With a sharp clang, she drew her 【Heavenly Ice Sword】, channeled her magic power, and the twenty-eight seals upon it exploded open.

Also a Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure.

But hers was a supreme treasure.

"This..." Everyone trembled.

"Heavens! A Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure! A Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure!"

"Supreme treasure!"

"Sssss..."

The prodigies' emotions shifted instantly.

Zhao Xiangdu's eyes flickered slightly.

As a Great Emperor, he possessed no Emperor Weapon.

Yes!

Not only did he lack one, but across the entire Fire Continent, across the entire Spirit Realm, countless Mahayana Emperors lacked Emperor Weapons.

Many Mahayana Emperors used only Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasures.

For instance, Zhao Xiangdu's usual weapon was a superior-grade Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure whip.

Yet Zhou Qingmei possessed a supreme treasure?

How did she obtain it?

"Ladies and gentlemen..." Zhou Qingmei stood in the hall, turned, her eyes sharp and commanding as she swept the crowd: "This sword is called Heavenly Ice, sealed with twenty-eight layers—it is a supreme Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure!"

"This treasure was bestowed upon me by my master, He Pingsheng. Do you truly believe our master would accept a mere lower-grade Heaven-Piercing Magic Treasure?"