A Heaven-Opening Mark in Hand
Zhou Ming looked at him, his inexplicable smile widening.
"The Saint-Smiting Pill was crafted by Hongjun himself, based on the rules of Heavenly Dao."
"Its sole purpose is to bring down Saint."
Boom!
These casual words, upon reaching the ears of the Tongtian Sect Master, were no less powerful than a bolt of Chaos Divine Thunder, exploding deep within his Primordial Spirit!
To bring down Saint?
How is that possible!
The primordial Primordial Spirit Saint is entrusted to the Heavenly Dao, making him immortal and indestructible, impervious to all eons—this is the ironclad law of the Primordial Wilderness!
But Zhou Ming actually claimed to possess elixirs capable of killing Saint?
What chilled him to the bone even more was that this elixir was actually refined by the Dao Ancestor himself!
An absurd yet chilling thought began to frantically grow in his mind.
"Why would the Dao Ancestor... why would he refine such a pill?" The Tongtian Sect Master's voice was hoarse; he couldn't understand, and he couldn't believe it.
"Why?" Zhou Ming chuckled softly. "Don't you understand, fellow Daoist?"
"You Three Pure Ones are the transformations of the Father God Pangu Primordial Spirit Pangu. You bear the Merit of creating the world and are born to be the protagonists of this Primordial Wilderness."
"Hongjun Dao Integration and ruled the Primordial Wilderness Heavenly Dao on behalf of the Heavenly Dao. Do you think he can completely trust you?"
Zhou Ming's words shattered his last shred of illusion.
"Once the Tribulation ends, he will take out this Saint-Smiting Pill and have you all consume it."
"Once you take this pill, your life and death will be completely in his control, and you will no longer be able to resist him in the slightest."
Zhou Ming's words completely shattered the Tongtian Sect Master's defenses.
He had no doubt that Zhou Ming would lie to him.
Because this kind of thing doesn't require deception; it's very easy to verify.
Once the Tribulation ends, we'll see if Master Hongjun truly produces the so-called "Saint-Smiting Pill," and then the truth will be revealed.
Silence fell once again within the main hall.
Houtu, Di Jiang, Zhu Jiuyin looked at the distraught Tongtian and couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
Even Heavenly Dao Saint is ultimately nothing more than a pawn in the hands of a higher-level being.
It's really unpleasant to feel like your Fate is completely controlled by others.
After a long while, Zhou Ming's voice rang out again, breaking the silence.
"Fellow Daoist, what's your decision now?"
Are you satisfied with the terms I've offered? Can this deal proceed?
The Tongtian Sect Master slowly raised his head, and a glimmer of light rekindled in his lifeless eyes.
That was a yearning for freedom, an obsession with escaping the Fate of being a pawn!
"Can!"
He hesitated almost without any hesitation.
"I've made the deal!"
"However, I have one more request."
"I hope that you, fellow Daoist, can help my Interception Sect overcome this calamity, rather than... only protecting a portion of our disciples."
He looked at Zhou Ming, his words carrying a hint of pleading.
"I know this request is a bit excessive, but as long as you are willing to help, I will not hesitate to do whatever it takes afterward."
"Just for the sake of... our past friendship, I beg you to help me this once more."
"I will certainly repay this favor in the future."
He simply couldn't bear to watch his tens of thousands of disciples perish tragically in the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, or be taken away by the Two from the West.
He was willing to pay any price to save them, even if it meant incurring their favor.
Pangu Hall, the atmosphere became subtle once again.
Houtu, Di Jiang, Zhu Jiuyin all looked at Zhou Ming.
They knew that their Elder Brother never did anything that would lose money.
The three Heaven-Opening Mark were exchanged for Tongtian's liberation from the Heavenly Dao and his ability to rebuild his Primordial Hunyuan. This was perfectly fair to Tongtian, who was in dire straits.
Now Tongtian wants to increase the stakes, will his Elder Brother agree?
Zhou Ming pondered for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.
After a long while, he finally spoke slowly.
"Fine."
"I can ask Fellow Daoist Nuwa to help you one more time."
"However, my Wu Clan will not interfere."
"As for whether you and Nuwa can protect your Interception Sect's Dao Lineage within the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, that depends on your own abilities."
Upon hearing this, the Tongtian Sect Master's face immediately lit up with ecstatic joy!
Nuwa!
If he could gain Nuwa's assistance, he would be able to gather the combined strength of three Saint to fight against the four from the Primordial Lord.
With the added power of the Myriad Immortals Formation, the Interception Sect was no longer powerless to fight back!
"Thank you, fellow Daoist!" The Tongtian Sect Master bowed deeply to Zhou Ming from the bottom of his heart.
"Thank you, fellow Daoist!" The Tongtian Sect Master stood up and bowed solemnly to Zhou Ming.
Zhou Ming still offered a reminder.
Fellow Daoist, don't have too high expectations.
"After all, you are facing four Saint."
"Moreover, your disciples, whether they were Investiture of the Gods or converted by those two the West, in a sense, all found a place to belong."
"The best outcome would be if some core disciples could remain, ensuring the continuation of the Interception Sect 'Dao Lineage. Fellow Daoist, please don't be too demanding."
Zhou Ming's tone shifted, becoming more meaningful.
"After all, fellow Daoist, you will one day relinquish your Saint Position and begin cultivating from the Primordial Hunyuan."
"At that time, you yourself will fall from your Saint Position, your life hanging by a thread. How will you then be able to protect these tens of thousands of disciples?"
Zhou Ming's words were cold, yet incredibly realistic.
The Tongtian Sect Master remained silent.
He understood what Zhou Ming meant.
Yes, if I'm about to give up my Saint Position, what will I use to protect them?
Perhaps, finding them a better place to settle down is the only thing I can do.
After a long while, he slowly nodded, his voice filled with endless sorrow and helplessness.
"I see."
"If we lose this battle, I would rather they be Jieyin to the West by Jieyin and Zhunti than be listed on the Investiture of the Gods."
Although being taken to the West meant a change of allegiance, at least their lives were safe, and their Dao Path would not be severed.
But if one were to be Investiture of the Gods, driven by the Heavenly Court, with True Spirit bound and never able to escape, that would be true annihilation!
"It's good that you've grasped this point, fellow Daoist." Zhou Ming nodded, indicating his understanding.
The Tongtian Sect Master no longer hesitated.
Then, a flash of light appeared between his brows, and a mark containing endless profound mysteries of the Great Dao was imprinted out by him and slowly flew towards Zhou Ming.
"Fellow Daoist, this is one of the Heaven-Opening Mark."
"The other two copies, I will present to you with both hands after you help me break free from the Heavenly Dao and relinquish my Saint Position."
A hint of barely suppressed joy finally appeared on Zhou Ming's face.
The Heaven-Opening Mark!
The Primordial Spirit inheritance of Father God Pangu!
After planning for so long, I finally got it!
"Good." Zhou Ming nodded in satisfaction, sensing the vast and boundless Heavenly Dao essence within.
"Now that the deal is done, I will not trouble you any further."
The Tongtian Sect Master bowed once more and prepared to take his leave.
He still has so much to do.
However, just as he turned around and was about to step out of the Pangu Hall, he suddenly stopped.
He turned around, looked at Zhou Ming, and hesitated for a moment.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming."
"I have another request."
Zhou Ming looked at him. "Fellow Daoist, please speak."
The Tongtian Sect Master took a deep breath, seemingly making a momentous decision.
"Fellow Daoist... could you also help my two elder Elder Brother escape the Heavenly Dao?"
Upon hearing this, Houtu, Di Jiang, Zhu Jiuyin, who were inside the hall, were all stunned.
Did they hear that right?
Tongtian actually wants to help Taiqing and Primordial Lord?
Those two were his enemies who were driving him to his death!
The Tongtian Sect Master ignored the crowd's astonishment and continued speaking to himself.
"At that time, you can naturally make demands and ask for benefits from them, and I'm sure they won't refuse."
A complex look of reminiscence crossed his face.
"Furthermore... if the three of us brothers were to assist you in comprehending this Heaven-Opening Mark, the results would likely be even better."
Zhou Ming stared at Tongtian, remaining silent for a long time.
He never expected that, even at this critical moment, Heavenly Heart would still cherish that brotherly bond.
Or perhaps, after breaking away from the Heavenly Dao, he wanted to win back his two elder Elder Brother and restore the glory of the Three Pure Ones as one?
Zhou Ming thought for a moment and then slowly spoke.
"If they're willing."
"And, if conditions permit."
"I can also help them escape the Heavenly Dao."
"However..." Zhou Ming changed the subject.
"Fellow Daoist, you must not tell them about this now."
"It's not too late to tell them when you're ready to relinquish your Saint Position."
The Tongtian Sect Master was no ordinary person; he instantly understood Zhou Ming's intention.
Saying it now will only increase the Variables.
Once he is truly about to relinquish the Saint Position, he will then bring this matter up, and the choice between Primordial Lord and Taiqing will be their own business.
"I understand." The Tongtian Sect Master nodded solemnly.
He bowed deeply to Zhou Ming and the three Ancestral Wu of the Wu Clan.
"Then I shall take my leave."
As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't linger for a moment. With a flicker, he transformed into a streak of azure light and disappeared into the Pangu Hall.