Duobao was full of question marks. Was there something wrong with Saint Zhunti? Couldn't he see the aura of Interception Sect doctrine all over him...
Wait, his mistake, his mistake. He had hidden the Interception Sect doctrine on himself.
And his current appearance had been created by combining Little Master and Eldest Master's appearances.
The ratio was seven parts Little Master and three parts Eldest Master.
After all, how could he travel through the Primordial World using his true face? That would be far too dangerous.
Using Little Master's and Eldest Master's appearances could withstand—
Seeing this, Saint Zhunti's eyes held a trace of satisfaction. He knew that once he revealed the bearing of a Saint, the other party would surely be stunned and naturally join their Western Sect.
After all, an invitation from a Saint... No, wait, this guy was turning around and leaving???
But why did this person's appearance somewhat resemble Tongtian's? Could he be related to Tongtian?
"Fellow Daoist, I am Saint Zhunti of the West—A phantom??"
Saint Zhunti was dumbfounded.
When had this person left??
How was that possible?
He was a dignified Saint, yet he had not sensed the slightest trace. How could a Golden Immortal vanish before his very eyes?
"Sure enough, he is a talent who can help our West rise to greatness. However, the connection is still there.
"You are destined for my Western Sect." Saint Zhunti muttered, delight flashing through his eyes.
However, this Trading Market was a small world. All manner of divine patterns formed an innate formation, and even he, a Saint, had no way to search it directly with his primordial spirit.
Moreover, this was Yuanshi Tianzun's territory, so he did not dare act too presumptuously.
Duobao hurried along. Fortunately, the arrangements here were much the same as those in Daoism. The disciples of Daoism all possessed a certain degree of control over the formations here, allowing him to easily evade Saint Zhunti's notice.
Before long, Duobao sensed the locations of his master, Sect Master Tongtian, Yuanshi Tianzun, and the Grand Pure Saint, and hurried to seek his master's help.
After all, being targeted by a Saint was no good thing.
Soon afterward, Duobao arrived outside a leisurely estate.
When he entered the estate and saw what was happening by the pavilion, his eyes widened.
What was this??
He saw his master, Sect Master Tongtian, pouring tea for Lady Nüwa with a fawning smile on his face, every movement exceptionally careful.
Good heavens! Was this really his master? Was he a counterfeit? Or was this merely his master's incarnation??
Meanwhile, his two senior uncles stood nearby with smiles on their faces, looking utterly pleased, as though they were extremely satisfied with his master and Lady Nüwa.
Master vs. Lady Nüwa??
"Duobao, what is it!"
Sect Master Tongtian's voice interrupted Duobao's wild thoughts. He hurried outside the pavilion and respectfully bowed.
"Greetings, Eldest Uncle. Greetings, Second Uncle. Greetings, Lady Nüwa. Greetings, Master.
"Master, this disciple has an urgent matter to report."
At this, Sect Master Tongtian's eyes lit up. Putting on a stern expression, he said, "Confidential?"
Daoist Duobao looked at his master's expression. He clearly looked like he desperately wanted to leave this place. Duobao's mind immediately became active, and he said seriously, "Master, yes.
"It concerns this disciple's life and death."
After years of honing his acting skills, how could Duobao fail to see through it?
Delight flashed in Sect Master Tongtian's eyes. He silently praised Duobao's quick wit. This disciple was a keeper.
"Mm. Elder Brother, Second Brother, Junior Sister Nüwa, I will go handle this matter first."
After saying that, Sect Master Tongtian grabbed Duobao and headed out. In two steps, they were already outside the estate.
Just then, a voice drifted out.
"T-Tongtian Senior Brother, remember what you promised about coming to Nüwa Palace."
Duobao clearly felt his master's hand tremble. The speed at which he took Duobao away increased at once.
Inside the pavilion, the Grand Pure Saint and Yuanshi Tianzun exchanged a glance. Both saw amusement in the other's eyes. At last, someone could keep their younger brother in line.
"Senior Brother Grand Pure, you are the leader of the Human Sect. I intend to pass the mark of the Human Dao to Senior Brother Tongtian. What do you think?" Lady Nüwa asked earnestly, helplessness appearing in her eyes.
In the past, she would never have considered giving away the mark of the Human Dao, because if it could awaken, it could stand on equal footing with the Heavenly Dao.
Perhaps it might even grant an opportunity for transcendence.
But after coming into contact with Sect Master Tongtian, she understood that some things could not be controlled, so it was better to let go.
After deeply exchanging insights with Sect Master Tongtian, she learned that Tongtian intended to abandon his position as a Saint. She had been moved by his boldness.
Yuanshi Tianzun frowned tightly and said seriously, "Junior Sister Nüwa, this is no joking matter.
"Do you understand what kind of opportunity you would be giving up?"
The Grand Pure Saint raised his hand and released the Taiji Diagram, sealing off the area. He said calmly, "Discuss this with my third brother. I cannot decide for him.
"By nature, he loves freedom and does not wish to be bound by anything."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Grand Pure. I think he will agree." Lady Nüwa said calmly, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
"Junior Sister Nüwa, if you force him, my third brother may oppose you. You should discuss it with him slowly." Yuanshi Tianzun could not help but advise her. He was quite satisfied with this younger sister-in-law.
He did not want the young couple to fall out over this matter.
"It is fine. I will sleep him into agreeing..."
Grand Pure Saint: ...
Yuanshi Tianzun: ???
Elsewhere in the Trading Market.
After Sect Master Tongtian finished listening to Duobao's account, his eyes lit up. In an instant, he transformed into Duobao's current appearance, even his origin aura nearly identical.
After all, Duobao's current appearance was also a transformation.
That shameless Zhunti only knew how to keep targeting his people.
If he did not give Zhunti a heart demon this time, he would not rest.
Seeing his master's transformed appearance, Duobao reverted to his original form and released the aura of Interception Sect doctrine around him.
He took out several formations Li Er had prepared for him to block karma and activated them.
"Master, should I leave now, or continue staying here?" Duobao asked seriously. Although his master had taken over this matter for him, he still felt that staying far away would be better.
"Stay here for now. That fellow cultivates the Dao of Affinity and can sense you. Even if you block all karma, he can still sense you.
"If you leave, he will become wary." Sect Master Tongtian said calmly, anger flashing in his eyes.
That fellow refused to change. Eldest Brother had warned him not to cultivate this Dao again last time, yet he was still continuing.
"Master, this Trading Market matter is quite important. Do not ruin it.
"Otherwise, if Second Uncle takes action..." Duobao reminded him cautiously, afraid that his master would take things too far.
"Your master knows his limits."
Duobao watched his master's figure slowly fade away and helplessly shook his head. Then he set up formation after formation, perfectly integrating them with the Trading Market and concealing his presence.
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He would use this time to study the secrets behind the Asuras' existence.
At the same time,
Saint Zhunti slowly strolled through the Trading Market, studying the formation arrangements here. Although he could not learn the core portions, what he could understand was already enough to benefit him immensely.
Just then, he saw that familiar figure again, with an identical origin aura.
Whoosh—
"Fellow Daoist, please wait—I am a Saint of the West.
"Fellow Daoist, you are fated with my West."
Sect Master Tongtian looked at Saint Zhunti, showing slight surprise as he asked uncertainly, "Are you really a Saint?
"Earlier, I thought you were... fake...
"After all, how could a Saint act like this—"
Embarrassment appeared on Saint Zhunti's face, only to vanish in an instant. He said lightly, "I see that you are fated with my Western Sect.
"I wonder..."
Before Zhunti could finish, Sect Master Tongtian raised a hand and interrupted him. "The West is a barren land of harsh mountains and foul waters. I am not fated with it.
"Unless—"
Zhunti frowned, somewhat displeased. He had lowered himself to invite this insignificant Golden Immortal, yet this fellow actually dared put on airs.
"Young friend, unless what—"
"You give me enough resources—"
Displeasure appeared on Zhunti's face, but he immediately suppressed it. After all, his Dao of Affinity had sensed that this person was the opportunity connected to the West's future prosperity.
But if this person accepted his resources, karma would be established. At that point, even if he did not wish to go, he would have to. Otherwise, Zhunti would simply forcefully convert him.
"Surely not? A dignified Saint is relying on nothing but words about affinity?" Sect Master Tongtian could not help mocking him, a perfectly timed trace of disdain flashing through his eyes.
"This is a seed from the twelve-petaled Golden Lotus—You!!!! How is this possible!!!"
Zhunti's eyes widened. He pointed at Sect Master Tongtian, his finger trembling constantly as his expression shifted from surprise to shock, then to panic.
Sect Master Tongtian tossed the seed in his hand, a gentle smile on his face while his eyes were filled with coldness.
"I truly am fated with the West—"
Zhunti forcibly calmed himself and turned to leave. Inside, he was nearly going mad.
Smack!
Zhunti's body suddenly sank. Sect Master Tongtian had placed one hand on his shoulder and directly pinned him down.
"Tongtian!! What are you trying to do!!" Zhunti asked through gritted teeth, panic appearing in his eyes.
Why was Tongtian's physical strength so terrifying? He could not move at all unless he unleashed the power of a Saint.
"Zhunti, I have quite a few incarnations traveling through the Primordial World, and you still happened to encounter one.
"You were right. The two of us really are fated. Come, let us go to the West and have a chat—" Sect Master Tongtian said with a false smile, killing intent flashing in his eyes just enough for Zhunti to sense it.
Before Zhunti could answer Sect Master Tongtian, an old man walked out from nearby. He stood with his hands behind his back, studying the laws of the Trading Market.
"Dao Ancestor, save me—"
Hongjun was interrupted, and displeasure appeared on his face. He had been examining the laws of this Trading Market and was right in the middle of enjoying himself.
After all, the laws here had given him much insight, granting him several more measures of confidence in dealing with the laws within the Creation Jade Disc.
Most importantly, he had discovered that most of the laws here were newly created and could perfectly supplement the laws of the Heavenly Dao in the original Primordial World.
"What is it now!" Hongjun said unhappily, impatience showing on his face.
Sect Master Tongtian immediately became interested. This teacher of his seemed a little more human. Hadn't it been said that after merging with the Dao, he would become increasingly emotionless and desireless, just like the Heavenly Dao?
Zhunti did not know how to explain himself for the moment, because he was in the wrong in this matter, and he had been found out.
But he also understood that the person he had first encountered, the key figure who could bring prosperity to the West, had to be one of Sect Master Tongtian's people.
Otherwise, why would Tongtian transform into that person's appearance to mess with him? Or perhaps, as Tongtian had said, that person truly was one of his incarnations.
"This is the Trading Market. All things may be traded, including karma.
"I will serve as the public witness." Hongjun said calmly, wisdom gleaming in his eyes.
He did not want to ask what had happened. It was obvious that Tongtian had the right of it. Otherwise, given Zhunti's shameless nature, he would already be chattering away.
He might even squeeze out two tears.
These two were one lawless troublemaker and one person who owed him a debt.
Sect Master Tongtian raised a brow. Though unwilling, the Trading Market was too important, and he could not make things too hostile.
After all, this shameless fellow was also someone his second brother had invited as a witness.
"I want the Green Lotus Treasured Banner, and this matter ends here.
"As the saying goes, there is no fourth time after three.
"And which time is this for you?" Sect Master Tongtian said calmly, releasing Zhunti's shoulder without the slightest concern that Zhunti might flee.
His expression even seemed to invite Zhunti to confront him head-on.
Zhunti's face changed drastically. He knew he would have to pay dearly, but he had not expected it to be this severe.
The Green Lotus Treasured Banner was one of the Five Innate Divine Banners. It possessed the power to calm the mind, repel all evil, and remain impervious to ten thousand arts.
It was also one of his important innate treasures.
Surprise flashed across Hongjun's face. He had not expected Tongtian to truly dare demand it. This was practically asking for Zhunti's life.
Sect Master Tongtian bowed to Hongjun and said seriously, "Teacher, Fellow Daoist Zhunti says that I am fated with the West.
"How about this? Let the West belong directly to me.
"I will certainly allow the West to prosper once more—"
"Fine!! I will give it!!" Zhunti hurriedly said, terror flashing in his eyes.
Although the West was poor and lacking in spiritual energy, it could slowly recover so long as its earth veins were sorted out.
Furthermore, Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao owed the West a karmic debt. They would certainly repay the West in the future, and that would be the moment of the West's great prosperity.
If Hongjun directly gave the West to Sect Master Tongtian now, Zhunti did not dare imagine how he and his senior brother could repay the merits they owed in the future.
Moreover, Tongtian had established sect rules that served to enlighten the living beings of the Primordial World and promote its development, gaining enormous amounts of merit.
Most crucially, as those sect rules gradually spread, their merits would only increase.
If the West were truly given to Tongtian, he might actually be able to make it prosper again. He could directly pour those immense merits into the West's barren land, sort out its earth veins, and use merit to invoke the world's laws to bless it.
Most fatal of all, Zhunti saw a flicker of temptation on Hongjun's face. Hongjun clearly thought this could be done.
Sect Master Tongtian looked at the Green Lotus Treasured Banner before him and sighed deeply.
"Fellow Daoist, your West is fated with me."
Saint Zhunti: ...
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