Chapter 36 Better to be cooked than grind grain! The heroes of Central Plains knelt before the mountain gate!

Nine Heavens Carefree Immortal Palace, backyard.

That [bronze sea god fishing net], casually fashioned from the remains of a Mahayana Stage expert, was currently hanging haphazardly on the armrest of the purple-gold divine seat like an ordinary bamboo fish basket.

Deep within the fish basket, three Ancient Sea Gods who once struck terror into the Forbidden Sea and could flood the Eastern Desolation at a whim—the Star-Devouring Demon Squid, the Flying Sea Ray, and the Nine-Headed Abyss Venomous Python—were now forced to shrink to the size of thumbs. Like three pitiful loaches, they huddled together, shivering uncontrollably.

"Old Five... Old Eight... We are dignified ancient gods; are we really going to be stewed in a pot by these two-legged beasts of the land?" The Star-Devouring Demon Squid's ten million tentacles were tangled into a mess, its voice filled with utter despair.

"There's no escape. The Laws of Creation lingering on this bronze net are a hundred times more terrifying than our Old Ancestor! That youth in the purple-gold windbreaker is definitely an immemorial fierce god in human skin!" All nine heads of the Nine-Headed Abyss Venomous Python sighed in unison, unable to even muster the strength to bite its own tongue to commit suicide.

Just as the three pieces of "old seafood" were silently weeping over their impending fate as hotpot ingredients...

The Heaven-Shrouding Flying Sea Ray peeked out through a gap in the bronze net with extreme caution.

With just that one look.

This ancient behemoth, who had lived for a hundred thousand years, nearly had its eyeballs pop right out of their sockets!

"You... Look quickly! That laborer outside turning the millstone... who is he?!" The Flying Sea Ray's voice trembled like a tattered rag in the wind.

Hearing this, the Star-Devouring Demon Squid and the Nine-Headed Abyss Venomous Python hurriedly squeezed toward the gap to look outside.

In a corner of the Immortal Palace's backyard, a burly man covered in crimson demonic scales with three eyes on his forehead was harnessed to a massive stone mill. He was pushing the millstone with desperate, standard, and even fawningly small steps.

And above that man's head circled an ice-blue True Dragon at the Great Perfection of the Soul Transformation Stage, occasionally whipping him with its tail.

"Lord Dragon, please appease your anger! This little demon will speed up immediately! I guarantee I'll complete the daily spiritual liquid quota set by the Head Butler! I won't slack off!"

Whipped once, the burly man didn't dare to strike back; instead, he wore a sycophantic smile. His legs kicked so fast they became an afterimage as droplets of spiritual liquid, crushed from pure immemorial Devilish Qi, flowed along the millstone's groove and into the lawn.

The moment the three Ancient Sea Gods in the fish basket clearly saw the man's appearance and aura, it felt as if ten thousand bolts of divine lightning had struck their minds simultaneously, causing their Dao Hearts to shatter!

"That... Is that the [Immemorial Nine Nether Demon Emperor] who almost devoured the Shenhuang Continent a million years ago?!"

"Three eyes, red scales, Nine Nether demonic might... there's no mistake! Our Forbidden Sea's ancient records have his portrait! He's a forbidden existence that even the True Immortals of the Upper Realm couldn't completely kill back then!"

"He... He's actually here acting as a beast of burden for a millstone?! And he calls a mount 'Lord Dragon'?!"

At this moment, the worldviews of the three pieces of old seafood underwent a complete and total dimensional collapse.

Even the Immemorial Demon Emperor from a million years ago could only be a laborer turning a millstone in this courtyard, and even had to desperately compete and fawn just to meet a daily quota?!

By comparison, why did they, three pieces of "small seafood" with only a hundred thousand years of cultivation, feel that being stewed in a pot was a grievance? This was clearly the mercy of that Great Lord! If they were kept here to work, wouldn't they be exploited until they could never be reincarnated?!

"No! I'd rather be steamed than ever push that millstone!" The Nine-Headed Abyss Venomous Python covered its nine heads in despair, its eyes full of weariness of life, even beginning to pray to be served on the dining table quickly.

Just as the old seafood in the fish basket were experiencing a collapse of their values...

*Creak—*

The gates of the Immortal Palace were pushed open with great reverence from the outside.

Having stepped into the Half-Step Mahayana Stage and radiating Extreme Dao Sword Intent and Divine Elephant Blood Qi, Qingxu Immortal Master entered, holding several bulging Storage Pouches with utmost respect.

He first cast a fanatical look at Lin Yuan, who was lying on a red sandalwood rocking chair, then bowed deeply: "Old Ancestor! The ten-million-strong army of the Central Continent's Yuhua Immortal Dynasty has been entirely exterminated! Not a single fly entered the territory of the Taixuan Dao Sect!"

"Mm, well done. Your movements were quite swift."

Lin Yuan kept his eyes closed and waved a hand lazily. "Just a bunch of rabble; if they're killed, they're killed. What's there to report?"

"Old Ancestor's Divine Might is peerless, viewing the heroes of the Central Continent as mere weeds. This Junior is in awe!" Qingxu Immortal Master kowtowed, then held the Storage Pouches high with both hands. "Old Ancestor, these are the spoils of war left by the Immortal Dynasty's army. Among them are the remains of that [extreme dao imperial weapon] which was shattered by this Junior. I do not dare to keep them and have come specifically to offer them to the Old Ancestor!"

Lin Yuan opened his eyes slightly and glanced at the pile of Storage Pouches emitting various cluttered spiritual lights and metallic fragments, his brow furrowing instantly.

"Qingxu, do you think my courtyard is too empty, so you're stuffing all kinds of scrap metal into my place?"

Lin Yuan's tone carried a hint of disdain. "The fragments of whatever broken tower that was aren't even qualified to prop up my table legs. Old Wan!"

"Your old servant is here!"

Standing to the side, the Head Butler Demon Venerable Wanhua, who had just finished tidying the Immortal Realm Coiled Dragon Pillars, immediately ran over with the steps of a True Immortal physique, acting like a complete lackey.

"Take the junk this old man brought. Take those weapon fragments to the kitchen and melt them down to forge a few kitchen knives for us. As for the Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills in those Storage Pouches... they're an eyesore. Take them to the backyard to use as fertilizer for the Creation Golden Lotuses," Lin Yuan ordered casually.

"Your old servant obeys! Master is wise. Although the material of this extreme dao imperial weapon is a bit poor, it's barely adequate for slicing seafood!" Demon Venerable Wanhua took the Storage Pouches and turned toward the kitchen with great efficiency.

Qingxu Immortal Master, kneeling on the ground, watched in stunned silence.

The remains of an extreme dao imperial weapon... used to make kitchen knives?!

The resources and foundations of a ten-million-strong army... used as fertilizer?!

Is... is this the Old Ancestor's perspective?! Qingxu Immortal Master felt that his vision was still too narrow; before the Old Ancestor, he was simply like a bumpkin who had never seen the world.

"Alright, you may leave. Guard the mountain gate well; don't let anyone disturb my sleep." Lin Yuan closed his eyes again.

"Yes! This Junior takes his leave!" Qingxu Immortal Master withdrew with great respect, closing the gate behind him.

Peace returned to the Immortal Palace once more.

Lying on the rocking chair, Lin Yuan seemed to remember something. He lightly tapped the armrest of the purple-gold divine seat, his gaze falling on the hanging bronze fish basket.

"These pieces of seafood have been hanging here for half a day. If they stay any longer, the meat won't be fresh."

Lin Yuan yawned and beckoned to Jinyue, who was wiping the jade steps by the spiritual spring. "Jinyue, take this fish basket to the kitchen. Tell Old Wan to make braised demon squid, steamed Flying Sea Ray, and a seafood porridge with snake segments tonight. Be quick, I'm a bit hungry."

"This servant will do so immediately!" Jinyue stepped forward obediently and picked up the bronze fish basket.

Inside the fish basket.

Hearing Lin Yuan's "death sentence," the three Ancient Sea Gods didn't wail; instead, they all breathed a sigh of relief in unison, their eyes erupting with a wild joy akin to liberation!

"Wonderful! Finally going into the pot! We finally don't have to push the millstone!" The Star-Devouring Demon Squid's tentacles were trembling with excitement.

"To become a meal for this supreme forbidden existence is the greatest honor of our lives! A worthy death! A worthy death!" All nine heads of the Nine-Headed Abyss Venomous Python nodded frantically.

As they passed the millhouse, the three pieces of seafood in the basket even cast a look of extreme pity at the Immemorial Nine Nether Demon Emperor, who was sweating profusely and being whipped by Little Bing until he howled.

"Do you see? That is the price of living." The Flying Sea Ray sighed. "Brothers, on the road to the Yellow Springs, let's go with dignity!"

...

An hour later.

An aroma of Immortal Rank seafood, so rich it wouldn't dissipate, drifted out from the kitchen of the Nine Heavens Carefree Immortal Palace, instantly enveloping the entire Taixuan Peak. The hundred-thousand-year ancient Laws contained within that scent caused the flowers, grass, and trees at the foot of the mountain to grow wildly.

Lin Yuan sat at the red sandalwood dining table, enjoying this incomparably luxurious seafood feast with great satisfaction.

Meanwhile, outside the mountain gate of the Taixuan Dao Sect.

The scene at this moment, if seen by any Mortal of the Shenhuang Continent, would likely cause their Soul to Fly Away and Spirit to Scatter from fright on the spot.

A dense crowd of people stretched from the foot of Taixuan Mountain all the way to the horizon a hundred miles away!

These people were not an army come to attack the Taixuan Dao Sect.

They were the surviving Holy Land ancestors, ancient family heads, and reclusive Sect masters of the Central Continent!

The news that the Yuhua Immortal Dynasty's ten-million-strong army and extreme dao imperial weapon had been killed in a single second before the Taixuan gate was like an apocalyptic hurricane, sweeping through the entire Central Continent in just half a day!

Not only that, what made their hearts and livers split with fear was the terrifying image of that True Immortal's divine eye being sliced open by a single sword strike from across the Nine Heavens!

At that moment, all the giants of the Central Continent finally understood a cruel truth: that existence in the Eastern Desolation was not some reclusive expert, but a supreme forbidden being who could grind the Immortal Realm into the dirt!

Who would dare to act out? Who would dare to wait and see?

If they ran too slowly, they might not even have the qualification to offer gifts and would be swatted to death like flies!

The Holy Lord of Central Continent's [Heavenly Derivation Holy Land], bringing a hundred thousand years of Sect foundation, a hundred stalks of Grade 8 Immortal Herbs, and ten top-grade Spiritual Veins, begs to see the Taixuan Old Ancestor! I only beg the Old Ancestor to show mercy and leave a sliver of heritage for my Holy Land!"

An old Holy Lord with white hair and cultivation at the Peak of Void Returning knelt without any dignity on the bluestone steps of the Taixuan gate. He slammed his head heavily against the ground, blood flowing from his forehead, yet he didn't even dare to wipe it.

"The Emperor of Central Continent's [Myriad Sword Divine Dynasty] is willing to surrender with the whole country! From this day forth, the Myriad Sword Divine Dynasty is willing to be a subordinate Sect of the Taixuan Dao Sect! We will pay tribute every year and come to court every season! This is my dynasty's national treasure, the 'Myriad Swords Returning to the Ancestor Map.' I beg the Immortal Master to introduce me!"

An Emperor wearing dragon robes held a scroll radiating ten thousand feet of sword light with both hands, kneeling before Qingxu Immortal Master with an attitude as humble as a eunuch.

Before the mountain gate, these big shots who usually called the shots in the Central Continent and could make the continent shake with a stomp of their feet were now like Mortals scrambling for discounted vegetables at a market, desperately pushing forward and competing to offer their most core treasures.

Countless rare treasures, immortal Cultivation Techniques, and peerless Saintesses were piled onto the Taixuan Dao Sect's plaza as if they cost nothing.

Qingxu Immortal Master held a dark-gold longsword, standing in the center of the gate like a guardian god.

He looked at these Central Continent giants whom he once had to look up to and didn't even have the qualification to meet, now kneeling at his feet like a pack of pugs wagging their tails and begging for pity.

An unprecedented sense of dreamlike wonder filled Qingxu Immortal Master's heart.

"When one man attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven... the ancients did not deceive me."

Qingxu Immortal Master took a deep breath and boisterously released his Half-Step Mahayana pressure, his gaze sweeping across the field with extreme coldness:

"Silence, all of you!"

The area outside the mountain gate fell instantly silent; one could hear a pin drop.

"The Old Ancestor is currently dining in the Immortal Palace and hates noisy people the most," Qingxu Immortal Master shouted in a heavy voice. "Pile up these pieces of junk you've brought here for now. As for whether the Old Ancestor will see you or accept your surrender, that depends on his mood!"

"Now, everyone, retreat a hundred miles! Anyone who dares to make a loud noise before the gate will be executed without mercy!"

Hearing Qingxu Immortal Master's scolding, those Central Continent giants didn't have the slightest bit of anger; instead, they felt as if they had been granted a great pardon, scrambling to retreat.

"Yes, yes, yes! Immortal Master Qingxu's lecture is correct! We will absolutely not disturb the Old Ancestor's meal!"

"Retreat quickly! Everyone, keep your mouths shut! If anyone dares to make even a tiny sound, this seat will hack them alive!"

The massive group of hundreds of thousands of Central Continent's top elites thus honestly retreated a hundred miles away, kneeling in a dense mass. They even suppressed their breathing to the extreme, fearing that a slightly louder breath would upset the forbidden big shot who was currently eating seafood.

...

At the same time.

Nine Heavens Immortal Realm, ruins of the Xuanyin Hall.

That Heavenly Patrol Golden Immortal, whose hall had been snatched away by Lin Yuan across the planar barrier and whose divine eye had even been slashed blind, was currently sitting cross-legged in the empty Chaos.

He was drenched in immortal blood, and his originally brilliant immortal light was now incredibly dim.

"The Lower Realm... the variable in that Lower Realm, his physical foundation has already broken the cages of the Heavenly Dao, and he can even ignore the Laws of the Severance of Heaven and Earth..."

In the Golden Immortal's remaining right eye, a light of extreme resentment and fear flickered.

He tremblingly took out a golden Jade Slip radiating immemorial immortal light, bit his tongue hard, and sprayed a mouthful of life-essence immortal blood onto the slip.

"With my strength alone, I can no longer suppress this scoundrel. I must report this to the [Immortal Court]!"

"The Reincarnation of the Supreme Immortal Emperor is also by that person's side... if that woman recovers her cultivation and colludes with that Lower Realm monster to attack the Nine Heavens, I will surely die!"

"Message the Immortal Venerable! Say that an immemorial god-demon remnant has been revived in the Lower Realm and has become a prairie fire! I implore the Immortal Venerable to activate the 'World-Extinguishing Array' and shatter the planar core of the Shenhuang Continent at all costs to... bury this variable in the Lower Realm!"