Chapter 36

Even when facing a Saint's divine abilities, they would never retreat.

At this moment, the void within Lingxiao Treasure Hall was torn apart as the Kongtong Seal descended with a roar, emanating endless Human Dao Grand Momentum.

The Three Human Sovereigns continuously poured their Human Race Destiny into the Kongtong Seal, making the aura it released increasingly terrifying.

Its power had already surpassed that of ordinary Human Race Saints and was closing in on that of a Heavenly Dao Saint.

Seeing this, Zhunti's pupils contracted slightly, and towering waves arose within his formerly tranquil Dao heart.

He understood that the Human Race had borrowed some kind of power. Perhaps Taishang had lent them his own Human Race Destiny.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, he looked through the void toward Eight Sceneries Palace and voiced both his sentiment and his doubts regarding Senior Brother Li Er's scheme.

Within Eight Sceneries Palace, Li Er's response to Zhunti carried a faint trace of mockery.

Zhunti was left speechless by the retort. He could only confidently invoke his status as a Saint, claiming that Saints were untouched by karma, and asking who would dare judge his karma.

At this moment, Zhunti's heart was filled with arrogance. Even when facing Li Er, he felt no fear.

He believed that even if he could not defeat Li Er, he would not lose a Saint's dignity.

Today's karma had no direct connection to Li Er, the Supreme Saint. At most, Li Er could lend the Three Human Sovereigns a hand; he could not personally deal with Zhunti.

After all, Zhunti's karma with Hong Yun had nothing to do with Li Er.

Although Li Er had claimed Hong Yun under the identity of the Grand Pure lineage and could offer indirect aid, if he personally descended and initiated a conflict between two Saints, he would lose all justification.

Zhunti's objective was clear. He only needed to take down the Three Human Sovereigns.

He mocked Li Er, believing that even with the Kongtong Seal's aid, the Three Human Sovereigns remained insufficient before the power of a Saint.

In his view, the Three Human Sovereigns could only end up as his defeated subordinates.

Faced with Zhunti's arrogance, Li Er merely smiled faintly and said he would knock down Zhunti's Saint Dao Fruit.

The moment those words were spoken, unease rose in Zhunti's heart.

Though their earlier exchange had been calm, Li Er's words were like a bombshell, instantly putting Zhunti on guard.

As a Saint, his perception of danger was exceptionally keen.

Zhunti simply did not believe Li Er could knock down his Saint Dao Fruit.

He firmly believed that he and Li Er, both Saints, were evenly matched. Even if Li Er had attained Dao through Slaying Three Corpses to Attain Dao, he could not casually strip another of their Saint Dao Fruit.

An intense conviction of invincibility surged within him. Even before a powerhouse like Li Er, he would never submit so easily.

Though Li Er was invincible among All Saints, he was still lacking before the Heavenly Dao.

As a fellow Saint, Zhunti would never allow his Saint Dao Fruit to be knocked down.

With a cold snort, Zhunti's Sixteen-Foot Golden Body shot toward the Kongtong Seal.

Today, he would begin with the Kongtong Seal and challenge the Three Human Sovereigns.

In an instant, as Zhunti unleashed his Sixteen-Foot Golden Body, the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree appeared in his hand. It was his Dao Attainment Supreme Treasure, said to be capable of brushing away anything.

With a flash of treasure light, its formidable offensive aura made the expressions of countless Quasi-Saint magnates change.

Aiming at the Three Human Sovereigns and the Kongtong Seal, Zhunti intended to brush them all away at once.

Although he could not strike a killing blow against the Human Race Saints, merely seizing their treasure was already enough to shake the world.

In the past, the Kongtong Seal had only exercised its authority of affixing seals and had never displayed great divine might.

But today, under the assault of the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, it bloomed with boundless radiance, as though some great momentum had awakened. A terrifying aura spread outward.

As heaven and earth changed color, the space above Lingxiao Treasure Hall was enveloped by the Kongtong Seal's dreadful aura.

Human Race Destiny condensed in the void, releasing boundless power.

Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa were all deeply shocked. The Kongtong Seal's display had exceeded the level expected of a Human Dao Supreme Treasure.

Behind the Kongtong Seal was something like a pure land, shielding the Three Human Sovereigns from harm.

Yuanshi and Tongtian exchanged glances, their expressions solemn.

They realized that their eldest brother had acted.

Naturally, Zhunti noticed all of this as well.

He sneered. So what if Taishang had acted? He was determined to seize the Kongtong Seal.

Zhunti's Sixteen-Foot Golden Body and Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree contained endless divine might.

He launched a fierce attack upon the Three Human Sovereigns and the Kongtong Seal.

The Three Human Sovereigns—Fuxi, Hong Yun, and Xuanyuan—contracted their pupils. Then they murmured, "This is a contingency left behind by the Supreme Saint. It must be extraordinary. We have nothing to fear."

Under everyone's eager gaze, Zhunti's assault came crashing down.

Hong Yun, Fuxi, and Xuanyuan stood beneath the Kongtong Seal, feeling as though heaven and earth themselves were shaking violently.

Yet despite the overwhelming force of Zhunti's attack, they were not affected in the slightest.

Zhunti's attack was actually blocked by the Three Human Sovereigns.

Hong Yun and the others settled their minds.

Meanwhile, as Zhunti attacked with boundless Saintly might from opposite the Kongtong Seal, the Human Race Destiny upon the seal vanished in an instant, replaced by surging Daoist Sect Grand Momentum.

This momentum erupted from the Kongtong Seal, plunging all of Lingxiao Treasure Hall into dead silence.

Zhunti's Sixteen-Foot Golden Body divine ability was forcefully shattered. He himself suffered grave injuries, spraying blood from his mouth as his body flew backward.

Faced with that attack, Zhunti felt intense fear.

Since attaining Dao and becoming a Saint, he had never experienced such a powerful feeling.

It was the pressure brought by the Daoist Sect Grand Momentum released from the Kongtong Seal.

Carrying the power of Daoist Sect Grand Momentum, the Kongtong Seal seemed to be the only existence in the void as it launched its final attack on Zhunti.

Within Lingxiao Treasure Hall, the void lost all color.

Zhunti now faced a strike sufficient to shake his Saint Dao Fruit and damage his Dao foundation.

Wielding the Kongtong Seal allowed one to decide the rise and fall of the Human Emperor. To Zhunti, it could even threaten his Saint Dao Fruit.

Senior Brother Jieyin immediately understood Zhunti's need upon hearing his cry.

Zhunti was terrified beyond measure, his fear of the Kongtong Seal having seeped into his bones.

Zhunti faced an exceedingly dire situation. If he could not withstand the Kongtong Seal's pressure, he would lose his Saint Dao Fruit and fall to the Quasi-Saint realm.

Though in theory, a Saint Dao Fruit that had been knocked down could possibly be recondensed, no one wished to experience such a fall.

At this moment, Zhunti's expression changed drastically under the pressure of the Kongtong Seal.

The Quasi-Saint magnates from every side likewise felt the immense pressure emanating from the Kongtong Seal, and their hearts trembled with fear.

The three Saints also watched the duel, curious whether two Defensive Supreme Treasures could block the Kongtong Seal's power.

Today, these great powers personally witnessed a soul-stirring clash.

They had thought they were merely watching an ordinary conflict, yet they unexpectedly witnessed Zhunti, one of the Two Sages of the West, suffer unprecedented suppression.

Even two Defensive Supreme Treasures could not withstand the Kongtong Seal's might. Saint Zhunti suffered grave injuries, and even his Saint Dao Fruit was threatened.

The majestic Kongtong Seal descended as though carrying the grand momentum of heaven and earth, dealing a fatal blow directly to Saint Zhunti.

The Dao Fruit upon his body seemed to be crushed and shattered beneath the suppression of heaven and earth. The wondrous sight left everyone amazed.

All Saints felt immensely satisfied by this. It was the outcome they had long awaited.

Yet the unknown variables within this battle were impossible to grasp. Whether Zhunti's Saint Dao Fruit could truly be completely knocked down still required further observation.

But they knew that no matter what happened, today's scene would be forever etched into their memories.

At the moment of its descent, at the moment the Kongtong Seal exercised its authority of removal, Saint Zhunti's Dao Fruit shattered with a crash, and his cultivation plummeted to the Quasi-Saint realm.

This change left countless Quasi-Saint great powers shocked and chilled to the bone.

Zhunti became the first among the Saints to fall from his Saint position. One moment he had been a Saint, and the next he had fallen back to Quasi-Saint, a turn of events that left everyone astounded.

Had Saint Zhunti of the West truly had his Saint Dao Fruit knocked down by the Kongtong Seal's grand momentum? Even while remaining in Xuandu Purple Mansion, he could still knock down a Saint Dao Fruit. Perhaps only the Supreme Saint possessed such overwhelming authority.

Powerhouses such as Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa also sensed the gravity of this event and felt a sense of crisis.

Even Zhunti's resilient Dao heart could not help but waver at this moment. He realized that the Supreme Saint truly possessed the ability to knock down his Saint Dao Fruit.

This blow was indeed no small matter to him. Even if he could cultivate again in the future, today's humiliation had already dealt a severe blow to his Dao heart.

He had thought that becoming a Saint would allow him to roam freely and without restraint, yet he had never expected to encounter such a calamity.

Other than Li Er, he was invincible beneath heaven!

At this moment, Li Er forcefully shattered Zhunti's Saint Dao Fruit, causing him to fall from the Saint position.

Zhunti's heart was instantly torn apart.

At this moment, he understood the truth—Saints, too, could fail, and Saint Dao Fruits, too, could be knocked down.

Yet Zhunti flew into a rage in an instant. His eyes turned blood-red as he roared, "Li Er, you and I are irreconcilable!"

As though confirming Zhunti's words, a figure appeared. Transcendent and untouched by worldly dust, possessing the bearing of a true Saint, he stood above Lingxiao Treasure Hall. It was Li Er.

In an instant, everyone within Lingxiao Treasure Hall rose to their feet and bowed deeply toward Li Er, saying respectfully, "Greetings, Supreme Saint!"

Whether they were members of the Heavenly Court or Quasi-Saint magnates, all paid their respects accordingly.

Zhunti, overcome with fury and stripped of his Saintly bearing, roared angrily at Li Er.

At this moment, he was no longer a Saint.

Li Er glanced lightly at Zhunti and smiled calmly. "Go ahead and report it.

"If a Saint owes karma and refuses to repay it, how can he be called a Saint?"

His words were calm, yet they fully displayed the dignity and bearing of the Daoist Sect Leader.

That unhurried tone further highlighted Li Er's depth and composure, leaving all convinced.

When facing Zhunti, who had also once been a Saint, Li Er showed no fear whatsoever, displaying extraordinary majesty and bearing.

This stance alone was enough to suppress Zhunti by a margin and shake everyone present.

Zhunti demanded, "Are you questioning my decision?"

Li Er replied, "Junior Brother, our paths differ, and we cannot work together."

Seeing Zhunti about to speak in anger, Jieyin sighed.

Golden light surged around him in dense layers, raising a defense for Zhunti.

Jieyin frowned and said to Zhunti, "Stop being rude."

The golden light in his pupils receded, and he continued, "We have already lost. We must accept that fact."

He went on, "If we keep arguing, Li Er will use the opportunity to make things even harder for us.

"Today's humiliation is something we can only endure."

Although Jieyin was not as clever as Zhunti, under such circumstances he could distinguish the situation clearly. He knew that continued entanglement was useless and might instead give Li Er an opportunity to teach them a lesson.

Thus, it was better to yield.

After all, the Li Er before them even dared to stand firm against the Heavenly Dao. What could they, as Heavenly Dao Saints, possibly do? Zhunti naturally understood Jieyin's meaning. Though fury burned in his heart, he also understood his own circumstances.

He fell silent and spoke no more.

Within Lingxiao Treasure Hall below, the eyes of the many Quasi-Saint great powers shifted as they looked upon Li Er with reverence.

They all knew that throughout the entire primordial world, perhaps only Li Er before them could make a Saint yield and accept a reprimand.

"The Supreme Saint truly is an existence who can drive even Saints to despair."

In the void, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa looked at the dispirited Zhunti and sneered, but none of them said anything.

As spectators, they needed to remain silent at such a crucial moment.

Li Er said to Zhunti, "Now that you are no longer a Saint, you should not be saying that Saints are untouched by karma anymore, should you?"

Zhunti's expression was ugly, but he was no ordinary person after all. Once he had calmed slightly and accepted reality, he stared at Li Er and said, "Laozi, you are ruthless!"

He did what he said, and more importantly, he did it thoroughly.

Because of a single sentence, Li Er had caused Zhunti to lose the fruit of his Saintly realm.

It made Zhunti feel a trace of regret. Recalling his earlier words and actions, he remained unwilling to accept it.