Chapter 37

If he had not spoken so improperly back then, perhaps Li Er would not have acted this way.

Now, Zhunti had fallen from his Saint position and become nothing more than a Quasi-Saint.

Li Er smiled faintly, as though he were merely stating a fact rather than showing off.

At this moment, Zhunti had no mind to complain to Li Er any further. He knew that even if he complained, Dao Ancestor would not say anything.

He admitted his mistake. He had underestimated Li Er's strength and overestimated the gap between himself and Li Er.

After taking a deep breath, Zhunti turned to Hong Yun and asked how Li Er wished to settle this karmic debt.

Hong Yun immediately understood. He mentioned how he had lost the Primordial Violet Qi back then, and how Zhunti's loss of his Saint Dao Fruit now was simply repayment in kind.

Upon hearing this, the Quasi-Saint mighty figures present all sighed at the severity of the retaliation.

But Hong Yun also mentioned that the Two Sages of the West had only gained their chance to become Saints because he had yielded his position to them.

Though they had now entered the Daoist Sect, they cultivated a side path and were unworthy of possessing Daoist Sect Destiny.

If they surrendered their Daoist Sect Destiny, then the karmic debt of the Saint position between them and Hong Yun could be wiped clean.

Only then did everyone understand why Hong Yun had made trouble today.

What he sought was not the elusive Primordial Violet Qi, but the Daoist Sect Destiny held by the Two Sages of the West.

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Daoist Sect Destiny originated from the blessings granted after one entered Hongjun's school and received the Primordial Violet Qi and a Saint position.

In the Primordial World, only the Six Saints of the Daoist Sect shared this destiny.

Although Hong Yun was one of the Saints, he had never refined the Primordial Violet Qi and thus did not possess Daoist Sect Destiny.

Now that he demanded the Daoist Sect Destiny in Jieyin and Zhunti's hands, it meant he intended to kick them out of the Daoist Sect lineage.

The one guiding this decision was undoubtedly Li Er.

As the Daoist Sect Leader, he could not reclaim Jieyin and Zhunti's Daoist Sect Destiny, for it had been bestowed by Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

As the Earthly Sovereign Saint of the human race, Hong Yun himself had no need for Daoist Sect Destiny.

The motive behind this decision was worth pondering.

With the support of Daoist Sect Destiny, Hong Yun might have had a chance to enter the Daoist Sect and use its momentum to attain sainthood.

But in reality, Hongjun had never accepted him as a disciple, not even recognizing him as a nominal disciple.

Now that Hong Yun had already attained the status of a Saint, Daoist Sect Destiny was useless to him.

Clearly, Hong Yun did not want this destiny for himself. There was someone else—Li Er.

Li Er's scheme against Jieyin and Zhunti had been for the Daoist Sect Destiny in their hands.

In the future, a killing tribulation would arise among the Saints' disciples, beginning the struggle over Daoist Lineage.

Li Er had no interest in that, but as the Daoist Sect Leader, he needed to stop the Western Sect from taking away Daoist Sect Destiny.

The course of heaven was set. Unable to change the greater trend, he chose to alter the lesser one—for example, reclaiming the Western Sect's Daoist Sect Destiny in advance and expelling them from the Daoist Sect, avoiding the future trouble of them abandoning the mysterious Dao to become Buddha and taking away its destiny.

Li Er had arranged for Hong Yun's reincarnation, bestowed upon him the title of Three Sovereigns Saint, then used this karmic debt to force the Two Sages of the West to surrender their Daoist Sect Destiny. Everything was under Li Er's control.

Li Er planned with a vision beyond his era. This was the greatest advantage he possessed as a transmigrator.

As Hong Yun's condition was revealed, Jieyin and Zhunti gave Li Er a deep look, their eyes filled with even greater wariness.

They realized that Senior Brother Laozi had long since calculated everything.

Facing this situation, Li Er merely smiled faintly and said nothing.

This caused Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions to shift uncertainly as they began to think deeply.

They began to question everything that had happened when Hong Yun attained the Earthly Sovereign Dao, realizing that Li Er's plans far exceeded their imagination, layer upon layer, several steps ahead.

They began to understand why the human race's killing tribulation had occurred, why Zhen Yuanzi had suddenly aided the human race, and why Hong Yun had been placed in the position of a human emperor after his death.

They discovered that their Senior Brother Taishang's schemes were unfathomably deep, one link after another, leaving them as though they were viewing flowers through fog.

Jieyin and Zhunti finally understood that they had no choice.

Faced with Li Er's overwhelming strength, they knew that if they did not surrender their Daoist Sect Destiny today, they likely would not meet a good end.

Compared to establishing a side path in the future, Daoist Sect Destiny was not particularly useful in their hands.

Thus, they ultimately decided to agree to Li Er's demand.

When Venerable Yuanshi, Sect Master Tongtian, and Empress Nuwa learned that Jieyin and Zhunti were willing to give up their Daoist Sect Destiny, they were immensely shaken.

They knew full well the enormous impact this would have on Li Er and the Daoist Sect Destiny under his control.

Behind the surrender of Daoist Sect Destiny lay a shift in the great trend of the Primordial World.

The conflict among the three sects, which had originally stabilized, was stirred up once more.

The invincible momentum Li Er had forged became even more secure because of this incident.

Within the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, countless Quasi-Saint titans were stunned. The reverence in their eyes was as intense as if they were facing deities.

They understood that Jieyin and Zhunti's decision had not been made lightly, but after careful consideration.

Faced with the rise of the Three Sovereigns of the human race and Li Er's overwhelming power, they realized that their situation had grown increasingly difficult.

Amid the conflict between the Daoist Sect and the side path, their choice was not simply one of giving up or choosing.

Even if they established a side path in the future, they would still have to face the widening gap in strength between themselves and Li Er.

In the Primordial World, it appeared that four Saints and three sects coexisted, but the importance of Daoist Sect Destiny was self-evident.

Jieyin and Zhunti's decision undoubtedly intensified this trend.

The future course of Li Er and his Daoist Sect Destiny would become the key to the greater trend of the Primordial World.

Since the Dragon-Phoenix Great Tribulation, the demonic path had been defeated, and the Daoist Sect had stood supreme.

In the Primordial era, the Daoist Sect became the ruler.

The Enlightenment Sect, the Interception Sect, and the Western Sect each had their own traditions, yet all belonged to branches of the Daoist Sect.

At present, Daoist Sect Destiny did not mean much to them.

It might be converted into side-path destiny in the future, but if they could not overcome the present tribulation, there was no point discussing the future.

Above the void, Li Er faced Jieyin and Zhunti with a faint smile and demanded that they surrender the last of their Daoist Sect Destiny.

Though Jieyin and Zhunti were unwilling, they had no choice but to compromise under Li Er's pressure.

They released their auras and gathered the Daoist Sect Destiny, ultimately surrendering every last connection they had to the Daoist Sect.

Having lost their Daoist Sect Destiny, Jieyin and Zhunti were like crippled men.

This struggle marked the moment when the Two Sages of the West ceased to belong to the Daoist Sect lineage.

Boundless, resplendent Dao destiny gathered toward Li Er.

In an instant, the vision of every Quasi-Saint mighty figure seemed to be obscured.

Though it could not be touched or described, this destiny truly existed.

Thus, beneath that radiance, even Quasi-Saint titans could not look directly at it.

Then, when the radiance descended into Li Er's hand, the connection between Jieyin, Zhunti, and the Daoist Sect was completely severed.

From this day onward, Li Er had achieved his goal. No matter how the Two Sages of the West became Buddhas, they would no longer be able to take even a trace of Daoist Sect Destiny.

For in that instant, he had reclaimed all of the Two Sages of the West's Daoist Sect Destiny.

When the radiance faded, the Daoist Sect Destiny around Li Er was greater than ever, drawing sighs from everyone.

In contrast, Jieyin and Zhunti were pale, their auras in disarray.

Under such circumstances, there was no need for words.

Even Yuanshi remarked, "Big Brother has completely eliminated the threat posed by the Two Sages of the West this time."

"You truly deserve the position of supreme Daoist Sect Leader."

Tongtian remained silent. His discord with Jieyin and Zhunti stemmed, ultimately, from their differing paths.

Now that they had been swept out of the Daoist Sect, it was a good thing for them as well. There was no longer any need to worry that they would perfect their side path in the future and take away Daoist Sect Destiny.

Jieyin said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Taishang, the karma between us and Hong Yun should be completely settled now, correct?"

Li Er smiled. "It has been settled."

Jieyin said, "Then we shall take our leave."

The moment his words fell, the oppressive aura throughout the void quietly dissipated.

Soon after, the Two Sages of the West departed one after another.

As Jieyin and Zhunti retreated in defeat, Li Er let out a soft sigh. "It is finally over."

His scheme against the Two Sages of the West had come to a complete conclusion today.

He had also accomplished the feat of expelling the Two Sages of the West and the entire Western Sect from the Daoist Sect.

Indeed, this was an unprecedented achievement, one that even Dao Ancestor Hongjun and his predecessor Laozi had failed to accomplish.

Patriarch Hongjun believed in following the momentum of the Heavenly Dao.

During the initial Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, his clash with Demon Ancestor Luohu had devastated the western lands.

To make amends, he had brought the Two Sages of the West under his wing.

Therefore, the Daoist Sect could not reject the Two Sages of the West.

This was even more so for his predecessor Laozi. Although the Three Pure Ones were exalted and may not have thought highly of the Two Sages of the West, when the secret plan of the Investiture of the Gods unfolded, Zhunti's schemes still drove the Daoist Sect into a difficult situation.

In the end, most of the Enlightenment Sect betrayed the sect, the Interception Sect was nearly destroyed, and the originally weakest Western Sect rose to become a powerful force.

Li Er, however, had skillfully seized the opportunity and avoided a direct clash with the Western Sect.

Though his predecessor Laozi had attempted strategic arrangements, Li Er had moved first and severed the Western Sect from Daoist Sect Destiny.

Through this battle, he displayed the majesty and wisdom of the Daoist Sect Leader.

With one scheme, he had made the Two Sages of the West surrender their Daoist Sect Destiny and be expelled from the Daoist Sect with a flick of his fingers.

Even if the Western Sect abandoned the mysterious Dao to become Buddha in the future, it would no longer affect the Daoist Sect.

Li Er's actions proved that his wisdom and decisiveness surpassed those of others by far.

In this Primordial era, remaining undefeated required not only formidable strength, but also shrewd calculation.

This was the greatest difference between Li Er and his predecessor Laozi, or even Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

Li Er received recognition and praise from Hong Yun and the human race's Three Sovereigns—Fuxi and Xuanyuan's encouragement and support.

As praise for Li Er arose, the Three Sovereigns felt stirred.

Besides being leaders of the human race, the Three Sovereigns also belonged to the Grand Pure lineage.

Li Er, the supreme Taishang, was both their patriarch and the invincible supreme Saint of the Primordial World.

Historically, they had only received Li Er's bestowal during the abdication ceremony on Mount Tai. Today, upon meeting him again, Li Er had helped them repel the Two Sages of the West and praised them once more. How could they not be excited?

Before they saw Li Er make any move, they felt a gentle force enter the bodies of the Three Sovereigns.

That force was like a divine stroke of genius. With a light sweep, it erased the Dao wounds left behind by their battle with Zhunti.

Even injuries inflicted by a Saint could be so easily removed, leaving the Three Sovereigns astonished.

They then said gratefully, "Many thanks, Supreme Saint!"

Li Er merely waved his hand indifferently and smiled. "It was only a trivial matter."

The reverence the Three Sovereigns felt toward Li Er grew even deeper. They believed that only the Taishang before them was qualified to speak such words.

Then Li Er waved his hand, and the cracks in the void and the ripples left by the earlier battle instantly calmed.

It was as though an invisible hand had smoothed everything over, restoring it to its original state.

After finishing this, Li Er turned to look at Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa. Their expressions were complicated.

He merely smiled faintly and nodded to them.

Then, with one step, he arrived before the three Saints.

Yuanshi and Tongtian congratulated Li Er. "Congratulations, Senior Brother Laozi!"

Li Er chuckled softly but said nothing.

He knew that although Yuanshi and Tongtian were his brothers among the Three Pure Ones, they still harbored caution toward him deep down.

After all, Jieyin and Zhunti's fate was right before their eyes. He understood their speculation and unease.

Yet Li Er understood everything clearly and chose to remain silent, offering no explanation.

It did not matter what they thought.

He, Grand Supreme Elder Lord, had acted all his life without needing to explain himself to anyone.

As they spoke, he smiled faintly, his gaze shifting as he said, "The matters here are settled. I intend to leave. What do you all think of departing together?"

Yuanshi and Tongtian smiled. They had come today purely to watch this grand spectacle.

Now that the show had ended, there was naturally no reason to remain.