Hearing their cries and wails, as if they were indeed confessing the truth, Tao Qian finally opened his eyes.
He gazed at the three Demon Immortals with a look of lament, as they continued to cry and plead, seemingly completely unaware of their own "transformation."
Only when Tao Qian thought about it, he cast a Spirit Mirror Technique.
In front of the three immortals, a Cloud Light Mirror appeared simultaneously, reflecting their current forms and features.
At first sight, each of the three Demon Immortals had possessed immortal Qi.
But now, within the tree knot cages, each imprisoned a demon.
One was covered in thick yellow wax armor, with disgusting tentacles hanging down, the body covered with armored tumors, and long needle-like feeding appendages—it was the transformation of the Yellow Aphid Immortal.
The second wore pitch-black scale armor, had back-grown membranous wings, sharp claws, and feeding appendages, with a fierce, venom-spraying countenance.
Although the third still appeared in human form, its body was covered with bright phosphorescent wings, white hair, a distorted face, and blood-red eyes, completely resembling that of an Evil Demon.
Three sharp screams instantly resounded.
Seeing these, the three Demon Immortals could no longer defend themselves. If they hadn't murdered Spirit Treasure Disciples and only drawn essence blood from relics, even if mutations would occur, they wouldn't have been so thorough.
Especially the next moment, the ironclad evidence suddenly emerged.
As Tao Qian devoured the Immortal Veins, many vines on the Miraculous Tree's roots withered away along with the Cave Mansion, thereby revealing many relics that retained the shape of humans, almost confirming the Yellow Aphid Immortal's previous statement.
Yet, not far from Tao Qian, within a Cave Mansion, a demon's corpse suddenly appeared.
The corpse was covered in holes from which various Alien Insects drilled, its face no longer recognizable, tusks sticking out, evil eyes proliferating, and limbs turned into sharp claws. The chest and abdominal flesh peeled back to show an oval meat membrane, marked with a crimson ghost face, as if nurturing some bizarre demonic fetus.
But still, only a shell remained, its essence blood long drained.
Tao Qian looked at the corpse and sighed,
"Your previous allegations were not entirely false. Spirit Treasure Disciples did indeed die during Foundation Establishment, and their relics would remain on this Miraculous Tree. However, unlike other Demon Immortals on the rest of the roots, it was only you three who not long ago broke your vows and entirely consumed all the relics in this area."
"That alone could have been overlooked, but you three tasted the sweetness of essence blood and became unsatisfied with just relics, targeting living disciples."
"You indeed couldn't violate that iron law, but you cleverly exploited the greed of disciples coming for Foundation Establishment, using an excessive amount of Immortal Spiritual Qi to forcefully break her No-leak Body, not waiting for the Great Venerable of the Miraculous Tree to intervene, you all rushed up and drained her essence, for by then she was no longer considered a Spirit Treasure Disciple, but rather a class of a demon, causing her death in this Evil Demon form."
"Although it was this senior sister's too great greed, leading to her death and the extinguishing of her path, you three demons have already completely fallen into demonhood, could you possibly think there would be a good end?"
"Even if I weren't here today, you three demons wouldn't survive."
"You mutated and corrupted, causing the death of a Spirit Treasure Disciple, if you were allowed to continue and harm a second one, then the seniors and teachers of Spirit Treasure might as well give up their Immortal cultivation pursuits for losing such face."
"Rest in peace, dying by my hand is a fortune for you three demons."
Exposing the truth, as his words fell, Tao Qian closed his eyes again.
He completely ignored the following cries and pleas of the three Demon Immortals and even seemed deaf to their subsequent curses and insults.
Of course, Tao Qian's words have not been fully said.
His coming here for Foundation Establishment, encountering these three Demon Immortals... was all arranged by Duobao True Monarch.
His first purpose was to have Tao Qian deal with these Fallen Demon Immortals.
The reason for not entrusting this to the Great Venerable of the Miraculous Tree was simple; given his unique status and the peculiar state of the Great Venerable, if really left to his handling, the three demons might still have a slight chance of survival, but it was different with Tao Qian.
These three Immortals of the Miraculous Tree were destined to die.
Even ants try to steal life, let alone three heads of Fallen Demons?
Knowing Tao Qian wouldn't respond, they realized that without resistance, their accounts would truly be settled.
Thus, the three demons simultaneously stopped pleading and after exchanging a glance, they all took action.
The Yellow Aphid Immortal suddenly extended its feeding appendage into the tree wall, beginning to frantically draw the tree's sap, and although it was highly poisonous to him, causing his bowels to rupture not long after, he nonetheless continued relentlessly, seemingly wishing to drain the tree wall dry.
Then, the Black Cicada Immortal suddenly began to emit sharp, terrifying screeches that pierced through the clouds and starlight, unknown where they spread.
While the Flower Moth Immortal continually flapped its membranous wings, releasing storm-like beautiful phosphorous powder, drifting upwards.
It seemed like a signal sent out by the three Demon Immortals!
Or perhaps, Tao Qian's absorption was too ruthless.
After not too long, this section of the Spirit Treasure Miao Tree roots that penetrated the Star Membrane and hung down into the Penglai Sea began to tremble and then, amidst a thunderous explosion, withdrew, as if about to return to another world immediately.
Seeing this scene, Tao Qian showed no reaction, not even stopping his absorption; his No-leak Body was just short of filling up, with Foundation Establishment Realm nearly within reach.
He merely glanced casually at the dying three demons and muttered to himself,
"Killing you is one reason, helping me achieve perfect Foundation Establishment is another."
"Let's see how my master handles it."
Almost at the moment Tao Qian finished speaking,
amid the Penglai Sea, atop a secluded and chilly Immortal Island of majestic and grand landscape, a boisterous voice suddenly echoed,
"Hold on, Great Venerable Miraculous Tree, my dear disciple has not yet established his Dao Foundation."
"He has diligently helped you exterminate three pests, the Great Venerable ought to reward him."
"My disciple merely has a larger appetite, but he has not broken any rules, Great Venerable should not skimp on just one root."
Before his words concluded, clusters of dazzling golden light drifted out from the depths of the Immortal Island.
Within each cluster of light was a golden rope filled with talismans.
Bathed in starlight, these golden ropes instantly extended infinitely, in a moment reaching the sky, tightly binding the withdrawing roots of the Miraculous Tree, the talismans at the ends of the ropes flashing as Golden Armored Divine Generals, resembling Barbaric Giants, leaped out each clutching a golden rope, and then began to contest the strength of the Miraculous Tree's roots.
This tug-of-war undoubtedly created a great commotion.
All across the vast Penglai Sea, the many masters within the thousand Immortal Islands, those Devil Immortal Daoists, all distinctly heard the noise.
They each emerged from their Cave Mansions, either deploying Divine Skills or peering at the scene.
Some, friendly and enthusiastic towards Duobao Daoist, even shouted their offers to help.
But there were quite a few who understood Duobao True Monarch's temperament, like Yunhua Immortal and others,
hearing the noise here, after predicting with fingers, they were both amazed and couldn't help but spit out,
"Merely at Foundation Establishment and yet so fiercely draining the roots of the Great Venerable Miraculous Tree, this nephew disciple of ours is truly remarkable; elder brother indeed stumbled upon a treasure."
"Teacher spoke rightly, did not mistake the Daoist title, elder brother being called Duobao is too appropriate, truly enviable."
"Shameless Duobao, just flaunting your treasured disciple moments ago, yet here we go again?"
"Utilizing the hands of Fallen Demon Immortals to secure unobstructed Immortal Veins for swallowing, then turning around to slay those three demons... This child's disposition and tactics, eerily similar to elder brother's, truly fitting to be master and disciple."
"It seems I need to instruct my disciples, not to underestimate this nephew disciple due to his low Cultivation Realm, to avoid being the subject of plots by this cunning master and disciple duo."
The Devil Immortal Daoists looked on in surprise, spitting on Duobao as they watched.
On another part of the Penglai Sea, bathed in the universal starlight, with multicolored clouds rising and the shell-like corners of palaces barely visible, the elegant buildings deep within the serene Shell Palace complex were hosting Yunhua Immortal, serving a gathering of female fairies, amidst the shimmering lights, phoenixes carrying flowers, Qingluan presenting dances, truly a feast of immortals.
But just at that moment, the scenery-spoiling voice of Duobao Daoist came through.
Prompting all the female fairies to simultaneously gaze toward the location of the Spirit Treasure Miao Tree, all possessing extraordinary means, after a few looks they roughly guessed the happenings associated with the Miao Tree roots.
For a moment, this sparked envy among the female fairies towards Duobao Daoist.
Among them, one wearing a green robe, naturally adorned with a Spiritual Treasure Immortal Ring and with a visage young as a maiden, candid by nature, completely forgot Yunhua Immortal was present and just looked afar at the roots of the Spirit Treasure Miao Tree, her vision capable of penetrating the clouds to see Tao Qian seated in the pond, and even the scene of the near-exhausted Immortal Veins.
Only to hear her voice clicking in amazement, she crisply said,
"If I remember correctly, the last time someone drained a segment of the Great Venerable Miraculous Tree's roots at Foundation Establishment was the reincarnated Wushou Ancestor."
"This child not only matches the Second Generation Ancestors in talent but also shares elder brother's cunning heart, if he also learns the Spirit Treasure Sky Displaying Skill, wouldn't that make him another Duobao True Monarch?"
"I too lack a disciple, how did I not recruit one earlier, with him protecting the Dao in the future, who knows how many calamities could be avoided…"
The green-robed fairy half-spoke, then suddenly felt the atmosphere at the table turn chilly.
Turning back, indeed the female fairies were all holding back their laughter, looking at her with teasing eyes.
Looking up, even Sister Yunhua had a hint of amusement while watching her.
Fortunately, she was quick-witted, haste in revealing a flattering smile to Yunhua Immortal and then deliberately speaking despite sounding harsh, she suggested an idea for Yunhua Immortal,
"Sister Yunhua, don't be angry, regarding schemes, we are indeed not as adept as elder brother."
"But we don't need to scheme, this child already has a deep master-disciple connection with Sister, just get close to him, take extra care of him, give him more benefits."
"I see this child values relationships deeply, given time, he will surely treat Sister as a dear senior."
"In doing so, it's as if gaining another disciple, not differing much from elder brother."
As the green-robed fairy finished, she appeared quite pleased with herself.
Yet unexpectedly, another straightforward fairy followed up immediately,
"Sister Lue, elder brother is adept in schemes, how do you know your plans are not already within his Divination Technique?"
"Perhaps our elder brother's lazy character is acting up again, wanting Sister Yunhua to take on the teaching duties in his stead, to bring up a good disciple for him."
Hearing this, the green-robed fairy's face turned flustered, about to retaliate.
However, just at this moment, Yunhua Immortal, who had been watching the show, suddenly stood up, revealing a dazzling smile, then said,
"Alright, isn't everyone curious to see what the unprecedented disciple chosen by elder brother, fit to Survive Three Calamities, looks like?"
"The child has established his Dao Foundation, let's go and take a look at this rarity, and offer some welcoming gifts."