Xu Mo hadn't expected the Old Demon Emperor to suspect he had used a sacred artifact.
He felt a touch of surprise, but it was understandable. After all, advancing from the Heaven-Treading Realm to Sainthood in just a few decades was indeed astonishing. Only someone like Xu Mo, who possessed a system, or Bai Yue, a child of destiny with immense fortune, could achieve such a feat.
Xu Mo, holding Hao Jiao by the neck, said, "Whether I used a sacred artifact or not, you'll know if you fight me."
Upon hearing Xu Mo's words, the Old Demon Emperor's expression flickered uncertainly, and he began to hesitate.
Could it be that this Emperor of Da Gan had truly attained Sainthood?
"Demon Emperor, save me! You owe my father a debt of gratitude, and you promised to repay it!" Hao Jiao, with Xu Mo's grip on his neck, shouted desperately, his face filled with panic.
His Divine Cord Realm cultivation was utterly useless against Xu Mo, leaving him with no power to resist. He felt the vast disparity in strength and was filled with despair. He had thought that reaching the Divine Cord Realm would allow him to contend with the Emperor of Da Gan, but he found himself no different from a mere chick in the Emperor's hand, ready to be slaughtered.
The Old Demon Emperor's face darkened as he looked at Hao Jiao, who was pleading for help. He hadn't anticipated that repaying a debt would lead to such a predicament. He finally confirmed that Xu Mo was not relying on the power of a sacred artifact but had genuinely entered the Saint Realm.
This realization struck him with immense shock, and he couldn't fathom how Xu Mo had achieved it. However, this was not the time to ponder such matters; he was barely able to protect himself. By stepping forward to aid Hao Jiao, he had placed himself in opposition to the Emperor of Da Gan, and he knew he was in trouble.
The Old Demon Emperor took a deep breath and looked at Xu Mo. "Emperor Qian, this is a misunderstanding. I merely intended to repay a debt and resolve the karma between myself and Emperor Hao. You have attained Sainthood and should understand the significant impact of karma on cultivators. This time, consider it my debt to you."
He lowered his stance, demonstrating his ability to adapt. Having lived for thousands of years, the Old Demon Emperor was capable of accepting anything; survival was the ultimate principle.
"Oh?" Xu Mo was somewhat surprised by the Old Demon Emperor's sensible approach. He understood the concept of karma he mentioned.
Karma was an incredibly profound force, seemingly non-existent yet ever-present, invisible, intangible, and unfelt. However, its influence on cultivators was immense, especially for those with greater power.
"You're not saving Hao Jiao?" Xu Mo asked, looking at the Old Demon Emperor.
The Old Demon Emperor shook his head directly, not even glancing at Hao Jiao. He stated decisively, "No. If I were to persist, I fear I would perish here today."
"You are quite self-aware!" Xu Mo nodded, acknowledging the Old Demon Emperor's adaptability, a trait far superior to most, honed by his millennia of existence.
Hearing the Old Demon Emperor's words, Hao Jiao's face turned to utter despair. He cried out, "No! Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, you owe my father a debt, and you promised to help me! Are you not going to repay this karma?" His voice trembled. If the Old Demon Emperor did not save him now, his fate at Xu Mo's hands would be horrific.
The Old Demon Emperor looked at Hao Jiao and sighed, shaking his head. "It is not that I am unwilling to repay the debt, but the situation is beyond my control. I am powerless." He could only express his regret. Although this karma would affect him later, he had no choice but to disregard it.
A sudden urge to vomit blood washed over the Old Demon Emperor. He had come today to repay a debt, but instead of doing so, he had incurred another. What kind of situation was this?
Hao Jiao's face was etched with despair. He understood that the Old Demon Emperor would not save him. The thought of what awaited him sent shivers down his spine. He then turned to Bai Yue, pleading with her to save his life, appealing to their past relationship.
"Your Majesty, I served under you for many years. I beg you to show mercy and save me!" Hao Jiao pleaded with utmost sincerity, his former arrogance and haughtiness completely gone.
However, Bai Yue did not even spare him a glance. For someone like her, wholly devoted to the path of cultivation, the Great Jin Dynasty itself could be relinquished. Hao Jiao was merely an insignificant subordinate, whom she cared nothing about. Moreover, Bai Yue was well aware of Hao Jiao's long-held malicious intentions. She had no concern for the fate of such a person.
Xu Mo looked at Hao Jiao, whom he held in his hand, and said coldly, "Stop your futile struggles. Your fate is sealed: you will die before the graves of my Da Gan soldiers, atoning for your sins!" For this war criminal who had caused the deaths of thousands of Da Gan defenders, Xu Mo would not grant him a swift end.
After restraining the crestfallen Hao Jiao and tossing him aside, Xu Mo turned his attention to the Old Demon Emperor. The Old Demon Emperor's heart tightened, fearing that Xu Mo would not spare him and would attack him. He mentally communicated with the sacred artifact he carried, ready to unleash its power and escape at any moment.
However, Xu Mo did not make a move. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Old Demon Emperor, do you have anything to say?"
The Old Demon Emperor remained silent, pondering Xu Mo's intentions. After a long pause, he said, "There is nothing to say. You have had a great fortune and achieved Sainthood before me. You have surpassed me, and I accept it with a willing heart. As for today's events, I owe you a great debt."
Xu Mo listened and slowly nodded. He had no intention of attacking the Old Demon Emperor, primarily because there was no deep animosity between them. While beasts from the Monster Beast Mountains occasionally encroached upon Da Gan's borders, these were wild beasts not under the Old Demon Emperor's command. The beasts of the Ten Thousand Monster Kingdom were the Old Demon Emperor's subjects.
Another reason was a remark from the drifting bottle. "This Old Demon Emperor is on the verge of Sainthood and will achieve it soon. Then he will be in the same faction as you." Upon first hearing this, Xu Mo was puzzled and only gradually understood after further questioning, realizing why the drifting bottle had told him not to kill Bai Yue.
During the Saint's Ascension, there were factions, with Saints from the same world uniting to oppose Saints from other worlds. Worlds with only a single Saint were the most unfortunate, forced to face worlds with multiple Saints alone. Such worlds were also the easiest targets for purging. Typically, during the Ascension, the first to be purged were these 'lonely' worlds, as they were weaker and easier to bully. Therefore, the drifting bottle had advised Xu Mo not to harm his potential allies, lest he find himself alone during the Ascension and become a target for other worlds.