"Only this you must keep firmly in mind: even with the Black Qilin guarding you, you must never commit too many wicked deeds. Ruling a nation requires even greater caution. If one day that vicious beast turns, suppressing your benevolent side, grave calamity will surely befall you—"

Xiu Guan's expression turned solemn, his words carrying a clear warning. "At that time, even I will likely only be able to protect you alone. These two divine beasts might very well prove insufficient to save you."

Zong Shou shook his head, still hesitant about bringing Xiaori into his Sea of Soul.

By his very nature, he was resolute against performing truly wicked acts.

However, he could not control the hearts of men; the Aura of the Kingly Way was the convergence of popular sentiment. It was the expectation and perception of the common people under his rule.

If the nation’s governance was clear and the people lived in peace and prosperity, the populace would naturally harbor more benevolent thoughts. But if he governed tyrannically, causing widespread suffering, malevolent thoughts would coalesce.

The irony was that he himself could not sense this shift. Many enlightened rulers throughout history fell into this trap, unknowingly committing foolish acts in their later years.

Although he maintained the Si Tian Jian, the Tai Chang Ling, and other ritualistic offices, those with stronger abilities could observe the Kingly Aura. Yet, constrained by the laws of heaven and earth, they could not issue warnings.

Subduing this Black Qilin brought considerable benefits, but the latent dangers were also great.

Yet, he understood that Xiu Guan and Long Ying had acted as they did, using these two divine beasts as proxies for the impending calamity.

His actions today seemed to earn the approval of heaven and earth, even leading to him being hailed as a living Saint King.

But who could guarantee that everything he did would always be correct?

In this world, there truly were no perfectly flawless saints—

Therefore, power must be delegated downward, pushing all matters to public adjudication. This was partly an evasion of responsibility, but also a means to prevent his own errors.

The reason he was unwilling to incorporate Xiaori into his White Hole Dharma Body was that he refused to make this little earth-dog a scapegoat.

With the Black Qilin present, the two beasts were mutually antagonistic, yet also bound in a symbiotic relationship.

If he truly committed acts that incurred the wrath of gods and men, this little fellow would be unable to leave him; they would perish together.

"The Qilin feeds on energy and cannot be separated from you. Even if you are reluctant now, Junior Brother, after a period of time, it will still be unable to break free. This method only carries some temporary risk; once you reach the Zenith Realm in the future, all worries will vanish—"

Wei Xu also offered a few encouraging words with a smile, yet showed no inclination to dwell on the matter, instead changing the subject: "Did Junior Brother bring that Myriad Manifestation beast with you? Might I have a look?"

Zong Shou grew more perplexed but still summoned Xiao Jin. It had been wrapped around his arm like an arm guard.

Now gathered in his palm, it resembled a golden jelly. Two large eyes suddenly blinked open, looking at the assembled group with watery innocence.

"The top-five peerless divine beasts in the world truly are astonishing!"

Wei Xu smiled, then his fingers suddenly split open. Three drops of golden blood shot out, striking Xiao Jin's body.

"My success in overcoming the tribulation this time owes an immense debt to you, Junior Brother. I possess nothing of value to offer as thanks, so I can only use these three drops of essence blood to help your spirit pet ascend to a higher plane."

"Senior Brother—"

Zong Shou was deeply moved. Wei Xu spoke of it so lightly, yet those three drops of crimson-gold blood pulsed with vigorous life essence. Within them was contained an incomparably mysterious, profound, and vast surge of vital energy.

They were clearly Wei Xu’s vital essence blood, encapsulating his understanding of the Dao of Mirrors.

To call them essence blood was an understatement; they were equivalent to a combination of an ultimate Dao scripture and three Immortal-grade spiritual elixirs.

The depletion of such essence blood, even for Wei Xu, a Saint Venerable in the Zenith Realm, would require at least three to five centuries to fully regenerate.

Xiao Jin, ever astute, swiftly absorbed the three drops of essence blood before Zong Shou could voice his refusal.

Having already broken through to the Immortal Realm, its true essence now surged madly, much like Xiaori had previously. Its physical form slowly softened, gradually slipping into slumber.

Zong Shou opened his mouth, forced to retract the words of refusal.

He had originally intended to request several of the ancestral hall's ultimate defensive artifacts. With Wei Xu’s grand gesture, he found it impossible to bring up the matter now.

Though he inwardly grumbled, Zong Shou also felt a flicker of expectation. Myriad Manifestation possessed the power of Mimicry. While not the same Dao as Wei Xu's Mirror Reflection, the two shared similarities.

Having devoured the Primordial Crystal of the Formless Demon God, and now imbued with Wei Xu's Mirror Reflection technique, what heights might it reach in the future?

Still, he mourned the loss of the ancestral hall's Immortal Treasures, several of which were crafted by Xi Zi and remained unclaimed. If he could have acquired those, they too might have had the potential to advance to Divine Artifacts. This Senior Brother Wei Xu likely discerned his intent and preemptively silenced him.

Truly an old fox—

Silently cursing, Zong Shou forced a disingenuous smile upon his face. "Why must Senior Brother go to such lengths? You truly make this Junior Brother feel deeply ashamed. Senior Brother, this is the very time to consolidate your foundation after conquering the tribulation—"

Wei Xu smiled and waved a hand, signaling Zong Shou to stop. Then his expression solidified. "Junior Brother, do you realize this battle is not yet over?"

Zong Shou’s brows drew tight, his eyes gleaming with cold intensity.

Indeed, it was not truly over. The Dao, Demonic, and Confucian sects had suffered a humiliating defeat today; how could they accept it quietly?

They would never willingly permit the Cangsheng Dao to rise unchallenged.

Though three Zenith Realm cultivators had perished today, their overall strength still held a distinct advantage.

The three sects could do nothing about the Cangsheng Apex Realm itself, but they could certainly attack from the outside—

The Cangsheng Dao's mineral veins, its subordinate forces in various locations, the Three Sects and Six Gates, and even his Great Qian.

The first few targets were inconsequential; they could be abandoned, at worst leading to mutual destruction between the Four Teachings.

Only Great Qian, Qian Tian Mountain, he could not forsake; fighting to the death for it was essential, and it was a necessary defense for the Cangsheng Dao.

The Dao and Confucian sects had been severely setback because of him, suffering heavy losses. A retaliation against Great Qian was not an unimaginable outcome.

"Qing Xuan suffered minor injuries, and Tai Huang's vital essence was severely depleted during his escape. Both are wary of the Fen Kong Lu family and will likely not strike directly at you. Zhu Zi must first safeguard Dong Zhongshu's primordial spirit to ensure his successful resurrection millennia later. None of them will directly engage. Tai Shi lost an arm and similarly requires time to heal. The only one to worry about is the Supreme Primordial Demon. However, even this figure stands alone and cannot prevail."

The Daoist Master Yuan Jing also floated over, sneering, "Everyone sustained considerable harm today; even those five God Venerables expended much divine power. In my view, another great war between Zenith Realm powers will not erupt immediately. If these three sects wish to reclaim their honor, they must do so through conflicts in the mortal world. Although you annihilated three hundred thousand Daoist troops in the Cloud Realm with a single sword strike, the Great Shang still commands tens of millions of soldiers, and the Dao Gate retains over fifty thousand Purple Qilin Flame Lancer cavalry who retreated intact. If they combine forces and move west, they can crush everything!"

War between great nations?

Zong Shou's heart stirred, and he looked at Xiaori, who was still circling nearby.

The little earth-dog also seemed to sense the shift. It looked up at the casualties, noticing that everyone around was watching it with knowing smiles.