Taishang looked at Tongtian with a look of helplessness.
Seeing this, Tongtian began to waver. He asked with lingering doubt, "Big Brother, is that really not some kind of treasure?"
Taishang nodded, "It's as real as it can be, more real than you being my brother!"
Tongtian was speechless. He had actually considered snatching a broken stone. How shameful! How utterly shameful!
At the same time, Tongtian grumbled inwardly. He couldn't believe that Nuwa, a dignified Saint, would give away such trash, and then shamelessly call it a rare treasure. It was too much!
Seeing Tongtian's indignant look, Taishang knew the boy was complaining about Nuwa.
Taishang couldn't help but say, "Why are you so upset? Nuwa didn't give it to you! What's there to be angry about?"
Tongtian's fur bristled at this. "How is it unrelated? If I went through great trouble to get a broken stone from Shennong, wouldn't the whole world laugh at me? It's all Nuwa's fault!"
"Instead of blaming others, you should reflect on yourself! A Great Dao Saint can't even distinguish a broken stone. Aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"
Seeing Taishang defending Nuwa and scolding him, Tongtian stormed out of Taiqing Palace in a huff.
"You just know how to defend Nuwa! Go live with her then! Hmph!"
Taishang: ??????
This is rebellion! Truly, one must discipline their younger brother early. Now, one can't even say anything to him, and he dares to throw a tantrum!
"Come back here and explain yourself. What did I do wrong?"
Tongtian heard the voice from behind him but ignored it, heading back to his own Shangqing Palace.
Go back? Go back to be beaten? Hmph! He only knows how to defend outsiders!
Taishang watched Tongtian storm away, utterly bewildered. He had only spoken the truth! How did it turn into defending Nuwa in his brother's eyes? Taishang didn't bother with Tongtian and instead wondered about Kong Xuan's progress in comprehending the Great Dao from the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree.
Taishang summoned Jinjiao. "Jinjiao, go to Sanqing Peak and summon Kong Xuan to see me!"
Although Jinjiao didn't understand why Taishang suddenly wanted to see Kong Xuan, he knew that Taishang's thoughts were beyond the comprehension of a mere attendant. He accepted the order and headed for Sanqing Peak.
On Sanqing Peak, after Jinjiao found Kong Xuan and explained his purpose, Kong Xuan immediately returned to Taiqing Palace with Jinjiao.
Those on the peak saw Kong Xuan and Jinjiao leave together and began to speculate about the reason.
Although Jinjiao and Yin jiao were only attendants, no disciple of the Daoist sect dared to underestimate this pair of brothers. Jinjiao and Yin jiao were both elders from Kunlun. Not only were they good friends with Qi Chen and Duobao, but they were also Taishang's personal attendants. In a sense, Jinjiao and Yin jiao almost represented Taishang himself! Even Taishang's eldest disciple, Zhenwu, dared not look down upon them!
After Jinjiao led Kong Xuan to Taiqing Palace, he returned to the medicinal garden he was responsible for.
Taishang looked at Kong Xuan and said with a faint smile, "Xuan'er, how has your comprehension of the Great Dao from the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree been?"
Kong Xuan scratched his head sheepishly. "Eldest Martial Uncle, I've almost finished comprehending the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree!"
"Have you gained anything? How is your Five-Colored Divine Light?"
"This Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree indeed has a similar essence to my divine ability. I have already incorporated many of its profound techniques into my divine ability!"
Taishang nodded. This was within his expectations. Since Zhunti seemed afraid that he would swallow the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, it was time to return it.
"If that's the case, then return the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree to me!"
Upon hearing this, Kong Xuan reluctantly took out the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree. He felt that if it remained in his possession, combined with his Five-Colored Divine Light, it would undoubtedly shine brilliantly!
After Taishang took the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, he couldn't help but smile at Kong Xuan's reluctant gaze. "Don't regret it. If you become a Saint, your Five-Colored Divine Light will be no less than this Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree!"
"This Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree was originally refined from Zhunti's original form, the Western Geng Metal Wood Bodhi Tree. It has no connection with you. If I had given it to you, it might have brought you utter destruction."
Kong Xuan also knew that Taishang's words were reasonable. He didn't have the courage to take a Saint's spiritual treasure! Moreover, this spiritual treasure was not refined from a Saint's original form. If it were in his hands, it would be a humiliation to Zhunti.
"Eldest Martial Uncle, rest assured, I understand!"
Taishang nodded and then let Kong Xuan leave.
However, Kong Xuan remained rooted to the spot. Taishang raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Do you have something else?"
Kong Xuan scratched his head sheepishly. "Eldest Martial Uncle, you didn't tell my master about my matter, did you?" After all, it was too embarrassing. He, a disciple of Shangqing, was almost defiled by a demon.
"Rest assured, I wouldn't interfere in the affairs of a junior like you. Since you know shame, you should strive to improve through it. Cultivate diligently!"
Upon hearing this, Kong Xuan's heart was completely put at ease! This incident also made him realize that he couldn't underestimate anyone.
After Kong Xuan left, Taishang looked at the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree in his hand. After some thought, he took it to Yuqing Palace. Tongtian's words had displeased him, so he decided to go and talk to Yuanshi.
In Yuqing Palace, Yuanshi and Taishang sat facing each other. Yuanshi noticed Taishang's unhappiness. "Big Brother, what's wrong?"
Taishang, hearing this, poured out everything that had happened at Shennong's wedding and in Taiqing Palace to Yuanshi.
Yuanshi couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. "Third Brother's personality has always been unruly and his words are often careless. Why should Big Brother bother with him?"
"He actually said I'm defending Nuwa, which implies I'm biased towards outsiders. I'm furious!"
Yuanshi hadn't expected that Taishang would be unable to tolerate Tongtian during his seclusion. "In the past, whenever Third Brother and I had a conflict, Big Brother always sided with Third Brother. Are you not able to stand him today?"
"Second Brother!"
Yuanshi was surprised that the usually mature and steady Big Brother had reached this point, complaining like a resentful woman. "Big Brother, alright, alright, don't be angry. After I re-enter Sainthood, we'll teach him a lesson together!"
Taishang shook his head. "I could teach him a lesson by myself. It's just that I feel like Third Brother might be unwell?" Taishang pointed to his head as he spoke.
"Third Brother's illness isn't a day or two. We've lived together for so long, doesn't Big Brother know this?"
"Really? I felt he was alright before. During the time you were out of the palace, I feel Third Brother has gone downhill."
Yuanshi shook his head, feeling that Taishang might have been genuinely tormented by Tongtian during this period, which led him to come and complain. Yuanshi listened to Taishang's incessant complaints while comforting him. He had been in Yuqing Palace all this time and had no idea what had transpired between the two brothers.