Who Wants the Remaining Merit?

Upon hearing this, Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, their hearts skipping a beat at the same time.

They remembered!

Damn it!

How could I have forgotten about that!

Seeing the two of them freeze instantly, Zhou Ming continued to "kindly" remind them.

"It seems you two have remembered."

"However, to avoid any misunderstandings, let me remind you again."

"Back then, the two of you wanted to exchange information about the Hongmeng Purple Qi from me."

"But you personally promised, and are willing to pay the price of one-third of the Merit of your future Dao Lineage."

"Now that you two have established the Western Teachings, your Merit have been bestowed."

"Shouldn't you keep your promise and give me my share of the Merit?"

The Jieyin and Zhunti's faces changed from green to white, then from white to black—a truly spectacular display.

In exchange for the opportunity to become saints, they did indeed make a vow, offering one-third of the Merit of their future Dao Lineage.

But little did they know that they would use borrowing from the Heavenly Dao to prove their Dao!

This Merit was borrowed, and every bit of it was carefully calculated, just enough for the two of them to become saints.

If Zhou Ming were to take one-third of it...

The consequences would be unimaginable!

Zhou Ming looked at the two silent men and said no more.

He raised his hand, ready to draw his share from the Merit Golden Light.

"Saint, please wait!"

Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions changed drastically, and they spoke up to stop them almost simultaneously.

Zhou Ming stopped what he was doing, looked at the two of them, and gave them a half-smile.

"What, you two, are you trying to back out?"

"Don't forget, you swore an oath back then."

"I don't need to remind you two of the consequences of breaking your oath, do I?"

Zhou Ming's words made Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions even more unpleasant.

How could they possibly forget the consequences of breaking their Heavenly Dao Oath!

But!

This Merit was borrowed from Heavenly Dao!

No more, no less, just enough for the two of them to attain enlightenment simultaneously!

If Zhou Ming were to take away one-third of their merit, the remaining Merit would be far from enough for the two of them to become saints at the same time!

Then they will never be able to repay the karmic Karma they owe to Heavenly Dao!

For a moment, they were caught in a dilemma!

Jieyin his hands together, his face once again showing his sorrow, and bowed deeply to Zhou Ming.

"Saint Majesty, please forgive us; we have absolutely no intention of going back on our word."

"But... but these Merit are crucial to the great cause of my brother and me achieving sainthood."

"If the Saint takes away one-third of it now, then the two of us will have failed completely and will have no hope of becoming sages!"

"We humbly beseech Your Saint to show mercy and allow us to first attain Merit through merit."

Zhunti, who was standing to the side, reacted very quickly and immediately echoed.

"Yes, yes, yes! We beg Your Saint to be lenient!"

His eyes lit up, and a "brilliant" idea popped into his head.

"Saint, isn't what you want just to Merit?"

"How about this: you let our fellow disciples achieve sainthood first?"

"We currently owe you and the Heavenly Dao Merit. We will repay these Merit once we become saints."

"We will certainly do everything in our power to promote our Western Teachings and earn more Merit!"

"By then, the Merit we accumulate will definitely be far greater than what we have now!"

"At that time, when you, Saint, come and take away one-third of the Merit of our Dao Lineage, won't you gain even more than you do now?"

Jieyin heard Zhunti's suggestion, his eyes lit up instantly, and he almost wanted to applaud his junior brother.

Junior brother's plan is truly Gao Ming!

Zhou Ming, aren't you just after Merit?

What does this little bit of Merit amount to?

The real prize will be the Merit we accumulate after we become saints!

If you take it now, wouldn't you be losing out?

Thinking of this, Jieyin quickly spoke up as well.

"Indeed! Junior Brother is absolutely right!"

"Saint, why don't you wait a little longer, until we can promote and develop the Western Teachings in the future?"

"Having accumulated a vast amount of Merit, you can come and collect it later. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Just as the two of them were filled with anticipation and secretly rejoicing at Zhunti's wit.

Zhou Ming spoke up.

"What you said makes a lot of sense."

Upon hearing Zhou Ming's words, Jieyin and Zhunti were overjoyed.

However, Zhou Ming's next words made their expressions freeze again.

Zhou Ming continued slowly.

"But I want it now."

"As for whether you two can become saints, or whether you can accumulate more Merit in the future, what does that have to do with me?"

He shrugged, his face revealing undisguised mockery.

"Besides, I'm only taking one-third of what's rightfully mine."

"The remaining two-thirds, won't it still allow one of you to Prove the Dao and become a Saint?"

"I'm actually quite curious..."

"Whom do you two intend to use the remaining Merit for?"

Upon hearing Zhou Ming's words, the expressions on Jieyin and Zhunti's faces instantly turned extremely grim.

They were certainly aware of Zhou Ming's sinister intentions.

This is not just about preventing the two brothers from attaining enlightenment at the same time.

They even wanted to turn the two brothers against each other over this one and only spot to become saints!

How sinister their intentions are!

The already sorrowful face of the guide was now even more gloomy. He clasped his hands together Jieyin prayer as he faced Zhou Ming.

"Would Saint truly do such a thing?"

"Really... can't you be a little more accommodating?"

Zhou Ming shook his head, his expression unchanged.

"No."

"Now, I will reclaim my share of Merit."

Hearing Zhou Ming's resolute words, Jieyin's last shred of hope vanished.

He knew there was no turning back now.

Jieyin let out a long Turbid Qi, as if expelling all the resentment and anger in his heart.

"Fine."

"In that case, the Saint may proceed."

Zhunti nearby, was shocked and hurriedly shouted.

"Senior brother, you mustn't!"

"Without that one-third of the Merit, neither of us can simultaneously Prove the Dao and become a Saint!"

Jieyin waved his hand, interrupting Zhunti.

It's alright.

"Isn't there still two-thirds left?"

"Enough for one person to become a saint."

He turned his head and looked intently at Zhunti.

"You can use the remaining Merit, junior brother."

"You must first Prove the Dao and become a Saint and enlightenment. Then, in the future, you can lend me a hand and help me accumulate Merit to Prove the Dao and become a Saint."

Zhunti thought, Zhunti resolutely refused.

"No!"

"Senior brother! You absolutely mustn't!"

"Senior brother, your cultivation is far superior to mine, and your foundation is more solid. The remaining Merit should rightfully be yours to Prove the Dao and become a Saint!"

"After you Prove the Dao and become a Saint, your chances of accumulating Merit will be far greater than mine!"

Jieyin slowly shook his head.

"No, junior brother, you should use it."

"You are more intelligent than me, and your resourcefulness is unparalleled. After you become a saint, you will surely be able to come up with a way to revitalize the West."

Zhunti also looked resolute.

"No! Senior brother, you use it!"

"You are stronger than me! Only when you become a saint can you protect my the West Paradise!"

The two spoke back and forth, politely deferring to each other, their words sincere and deeply moving.

The scene was a perfect example of brotherly love and respect, moving all who heard of it to tears.

Just as the two of them were politely deferring to each other, putting on a great show, and trying to gain some sympathy from Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming's untimely voice rang out once again.

"Okay, okay."

He waved his hand, looking impatient.

"You two, stop putting on this act of brotherly affection and mutual deference."

"That trick won't work on me."