When Cangjie saw Zhunti appear, his heart sank.
Although he had never seen this Western saint in person, he already had some understanding of his conduct and style from the descriptions of Emperor Xuan and the Three Ancestors.
Cangjie composed himself, stepped forward, and Zhunti, saying, "I was unaware of the arrival of the Saint Zhunti and hope for your forgiveness. May I ask what brings you here, Sage?"
Yao Ji's expression also changed slightly, and an ominous premonition rose in her heart.
With a compassionate smile Zhunti his face and surrounded by Buddha Light, Zhunti appeared kind and approachable.
He clasped his hands together and returned the greeting. "Greetings, everyone. I have come here because I sensed that there is someone here who has an affinity with my Western Teachings, and I have come to guide him into my Buddhist path to cultivate the supreme Buddhist Dharma."
These words, spoken casually, caused both Yao Ji and Yang Tianyou to change color simultaneously.
The two of them glanced at the three children behind them simultaneously, alarm bells ringing in their hearts.
The next moment, Zhunti's gaze swept past everyone and landed on Yang Jiao, who was hiding in Yang Tianyou's arms in the distance.
That gaze was gentle, yet it seemed to penetrate everything, looking directly into the essence of the soul.
"This child—" Zhunti spoke slowly, his voice carrying an undeniable authority, "Is destined for my Western Teachings."
He looked at Yang Jiao, his smile widening, "Child, would you like to come with me to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss to learn the supreme Buddhist Dharma, attain great freedom, and realize great liberation?"
Yang Jiao felt his whole body stiffen, as if he were locked in place by an invisible force.
Under those eyes, he felt as if all his secrets vanished, and fear welled up inside him.
"Father..." He trembled and snuggled closer to Yang Tianyou, his little hands tightly gripping his father's clothes.
Yang Tianyou shielded his son behind him, remaining neither humble nor arrogant. "The Emperor is above, and my son is young and doesn't understand. I'm afraid..."
"What are you afraid of?" Zhunti still smiled. "This is a preordained destiny, beyond human power to change. This child is destined to be a protector of our Western Teachings."
Cangjie stepped forward, blocking Yang Tianyou's family. " Saint Zhunti, this child is a member of our human race and will be taught by our people. Human affairs are none of your concern. I will inform Mother God Nuwa and Father God Lin Tian of this matter!"
He invoked the names of Nuwa and Lin Tian, hoping that Zhunti would have some reservations.
However, Zhunti merely narrowed his eyes, his smile fading slightly, "Young friend Cangjie, are you threatening this humble monk?"
Before the words were even finished, an immense and boundless pressure from a saint descended upon them!
Cangjie felt an immense increase in pressure throughout his body, as if his internal energy had solidified.
He grunted, veins bulging on his forehead, but he didn't retreat an inch!
"The realm of words, open!"
Cangjie's magical power surged, transforming into countless golden characters in the air!
The words swirled and danced, forming a mysterious realm—the realm of words!
Within this realm, countless words circulate, including "benevolence," "righteousness," "propriety," "wisdom," and "trustworthiness."
It contains "courage", "perseverance", "loyalty", "filial piety", "integrity"...
Every word radiated a dazzling light, resisting the oppressive power of the saint!
The pressure lessened considerably, allowing Cangjie to finally catch his breath, though his face was as pale as paper.
"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Zhunti's eyes. "Entering the Dao through literature, forming domains through words. The martial arts of the human race indeed have their unique aspects."
"However..." Zhunti's tone shifted, his smile vanishing completely, "Below the level of a sage, all are but ants. This is not just a saying."
He looked at Yang Jiao, his eyes cold and devoid of compassion. "This child is ordained by Heavenly Dao to be the protector of our Western Teachings."
Having planned this for years, how could I give up with just a few words?
As he spoke, Zhunti raised his hand, and a golden hand materialized out of thin air, reaching out to grab Yang Jiao!
Cangjie tried to stop it, but found that he couldn't even move a finger; the true essence within his body had completely solidified!
Yang Tianyou's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He tried to push his son away, but he was just as unable to move!
In her desperation, Yao Ji unleashed her full power as a late-stage Mystic Immortal, transforming her longsword into countless sword beams that slashed towards the golden hand!
However, before the sword light could even get close, it shattered inch by inch under the saint's pressure!
Yao Ji coughed up a mouthful of blood and staggered backward!
The golden hand continued its grabbing towards Yang Jiao, seemingly about to abduct him.
" Zhunti!"
A furious roar exploded in the void!
In the void, a figure appeared out of thin air, blocking the golden hand between Yang Jiao!
The man was dressed in a Bagua Daoist robe, with a handsome face and a vast aura that was in no way inferior to that of Zhunti!
The visitor was none other than Fuxi!
Fuxi raised his hand and pointed, and a Yin -Yin Yang Taiji Diagram appeared out of thin air, slowly rotating and blocking the golden hand three feet away from him!
The interplay of Yin Yang energy dissolves the oppressive aura of the sage!
" Zhunti!" Fuxi's gaze was icy as he stared at Zhunti. "You, a sage, have dared to bully the weak and forcibly seize a human child! Is this the compassion you claim to have from your Western Teachings?!"
Zhunti frowned, withdrew his golden hand, and smiled again, "So it is Fellow Daoist Fuxi. This humble monk has come only to guide those with affinity; how can there be any talk of robbery?"
"A destined person?" Fuxi sneered. "Your Western Teachings's destined people are everywhere in the Primordial Wilderness. What? Do you think the human race is easy to bully?"
With a single step, his aura subtly suppressed Zhunti!
"This child is of human blood!" Fuxi stared intently at Zhunti. "His fate is up to him, and his parents! When did it become your place, a Western sage, to interfere?"
A cold glint flashed in Zhunti's eyes. " Fellow Daoist Fuxi, this child is destined for the West; it is ordained by Heaven. Are you not afraid of defying the Heavenly Dao by forcibly stopping him?"
" The Heavenly Dao?" Fuxi laughed loudly. "I, Fuxi, have comprehended the Eight Trigrams and deduced the secrets of Heaven. What is ordained by Heaven, and what is man-made? Your so-called 'ordained by Heaven' is nothing but an excuse to impose Karma and to seize by trickery!"
He turned to look at Yang Jiao, his voice softening slightly. "Child, what's your name?"
Yang Jiao timidly peeked out from his father's arms and whispered, "I... my Yang Jiao."
" Yang Jiao," Fuxi nodded, "Would you be willing to follow this Saint Zhunti to the West to learn some Buddhist Dharma?"
Yang Jiao quickly shook his head and hugged Yang Tianyou tightly. "I don't want to go! I want to stay with my parents, and with my younger brother and sister!"
Fuxi looked at Zhunti: "Did you hear that? He doesn't want to go."
Zhunti's expression finally darkened. " Fuxi, do you truly intend to become an enemy of my Western Teachings?"
"An enemy?" Fuxi's expression remained calm. "My actions, Fuxi, require no explanation. Even if I were to become an enemy of your Western Teachings, so what?"
He paused, then continued, "Moreover, this is human territory. You, a Western sage, have entered human territory without permission and are forcibly seizing human people! Zhunti, do you really think there are no humans?"
A Zhunti resentment flashed in Zhunti's eyes.
He had been planning for this for many years, and finally this opportunity came along.
If successful, the Western Teachings will be able to plant a seed among humanity, with great potential for the future.
However, if this attracts Nuwa and Dao Venerable Lin Tian, then I...
Zhunti a deep breath, glanced at Yang Jiao, but dared not linger any longer. He transformed into a beam of Buddha Light and disappeared into the horizon.
"Thank you Venerable Yuan!"
Venerable Yuan is an honorific title used in the Primordial Wilderness to refer to those who break through to the Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal.
Yao Ji, holding the three children's hands, knelt down with Yang Tianyou and paid their respects to Fuxi.
Fuxi quickly told them to stand up, "There's no need for that. I just can't stand Zhunti."
Suddenly, he looked towards the northeast and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist in hiding, come out."
"Huh? There's someone else there?"
Everyone looked completely bewildered, not understanding what was going on.
At this moment, a rift appeared in the void, revealing a figure dressed in a Daoist robe.
"Who are you? Yuding?"