Lin Dong felt deep admiration.
If he searched his own heart, he knew that if the Primordial Era required him to sacrifice himself to become reincarnation, he could not do it!
Ninety-nine percent of the Primordial Era's cultivators could not do it either.
Yet Ancestral Witch Houtu had not hesitated in the slightest!
Heavenly Dao took pity on her. Her primordial spirit ascended, and she became Sage Pingxin.
Before such great love, Lin Dong could only feel respect.
Yet Heavenly Dao handled matters unfairly!
Pingxin had not truly become a Sage.
Not until Shangqing Heavenly Venerate Lingbao abolished his own Sage status and the Primordial Violet Qi returned to Pingxin.
Lin Dong suddenly changed his view. Perhaps the unfair one was not Heavenly Dao, but the Incarnation of Heavenly Dao!
For now, he set this matter aside.
The urgent matter was stopping the Two Sages of the West from invading!
Sage Pingxin of the Six Paths of Reincarnation could never be desecrated!
Lin Dong sneered. "Just because I won't leave Penglai Immortal Island until I prove the Dao doesn't mean I have no way to act."
"The gap between Pingxin and the two Sages lies only in cultivation."
"Then I'll erase that gap!"
"Primordial Era Merit? I have plenty!"
Primordial Era Merit was useful to cultivators, such as the eight disciples Little Friend Lingbao had brought.
But to Lin Dong, it was utterly useless!
He had signed in since the beginning of creation, accumulating immeasurable Merit.
Every time he signed in, Merit was measured in zheng!
What was zheng?
Ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred million, trillion, jing, gai, zi, rang, gou, jian, zheng!
Converted into Primordial Era units, that was immeasurable!
Lin Dong's daily Merit was measured in immeasurable amounts!
Other than refining pills and artifacts, this Merit had no use.
Now, it could finally come in handy!
He had never intended to contact Shangqing Heavenly Venerate Lingbao through Little Friend Lingbao.
Even if that man had abolished his Sage status, he was still a Hunyuan Grand Unity Golden Immortal!
How could someone like Lin Dong, a mere Primordial Golden Immortal, influence him?
But he could borrow Little Friend Lingbao's strength!
As a direct descendant of the Mystic Gate, even the Two Sages of the West would not dare act rashly against him.
No sooner thought than done.
Lin Dong took out a bracelet, a little trinket refined in imitation of Taishang Laojun's Vajra Bracelet.
This treasure could not only strike people, but also store items.
It had used immeasurable Merit during its refinement, making it ideal for storing Merit!
With a casual toss from Lin Dong, the Vajra Bracelet broke through the array and followed a line of Karma straight toward Little Friend Lingbao.
Inside Biyou Palace.
Taishang and Yuanshi were thoroughly confused by Tongtian's words.
The Two Sages of the West were threatening Pingxin. Shouldn't they lend her aid?
Why did Tongtian look so certain of victory?
Tongtian smiled. "Do you two senior brothers know who received my Primordial Violet Qi?"
Taishang and Yuanshi were even more puzzled.
Why bring up the Primordial Violet Qi now?
Hmm?
Yuanshi hurriedly asked, "Junior Brother, you know where that violet qi went?"
The Primordial Violet Qi was the opportunity of the Great Dao!
Whoever obtained it, no matter how much effort it took to nurture them, it would be worth it—it meant another Sage!
The Sages understood its value best.
Hong Yun appeared to have fallen beneath the joint assault of three Demon Sages, but he had actually reincarnated and would eventually become a Sage.
When that happened, Kunpeng and the Two Sages of the West would face disaster!
Taishang was moved. "Could it be... that it went to Fellow Daoist Pingxin of the Six Paths of Reincarnation?"
Yuanshi stared at Tongtian in shock.
Tongtian clapped his hands and laughed. "Exactly!"
"Pingxin has already proven Sainthood. She has merely kept a low profile and not announced it to the Primordial Era!"
Yuanshi shook his head. "Even so, Pingxin alone would still struggle against two Sages."
"We should hurry there and support her!"
At that moment, a beam of light tore through time and space, landing before the three great powers without touching Biyou Palace's defenses.
Taishang and Yuanshi stared at the treasure in astonishment.
Mysterious yellow light flowed around it, Great Dao Talismans flickered, and it was actually a bracelet!
Tongtian grabbed it, swept it with his divine sense, and immediately understood.
He laughed heartily. "Let me lend Fellow Daoist Pingxin a hand!"
With a wave of his hand, he tore open time and space, and the bracelet shot toward the Netherworld.
The two Sages were dumbfounded. That was helping Pingxin?
No matter how they looked at it, it seemed unreliable!
Immortals and mortals were separated, and the Three Realms were set on their paths.
Though the Primordial Era was one whole, it had been forcibly divided into Three Realms.
In just over a hundred years, the Three Realms seemed to have grown accustomed to it.
Other than top cultivators being restricted, everyone else welcomed this move.
The emperors of the mortal world and all living beings breathed sighs of relief, no longer needing immortal guidance.
The ghosts of the Netherworld no longer had to fear immortals converting them for Merit.
The Heavenly Court of the Earth Immortal Realm was even more pleased. In principle, it could enter and leave freely, and its status among the Three Realms greatly increased.
Other than the Sages, everyone rejoiced at Hongjun's move!
The great powers of the Netherworld Realm let out long breaths.
Such as Ancestor Minghe of the Netherworld Demon Sect in the Boundless Sea of Blood.
He sincerely praised Hongjun's wisdom.
At last, he would no longer be harassed by the disciples of the Sages!
At last, he could cultivate in peace!
Minghe, leader of a sect, the current Demon Sect Leader, and a Peak Quasi-Saint.
In the Primordial Era, he could be called an ancestral master.
Why was he so lacking in ambition?
In truth, aside from the Sages, Minghe was one of the three greatest Quasi-Saints.
He feared no cultivator!
But he had never left the Boundless Sea of Blood.
He cultivated the Blood God Son Great Method, with 480 Million Blood God Sons serving as his avatars.
The Blood God Sons merged with the Sea of Blood, and there was a saying in the Primordial Era: "As long as the Sea of Blood does not dry up, Minghe cannot die!"
Which Quasi-Saint could dry up the Sea of Blood?
Leaving aside whether they could withstand the siege of the Blood God Son Array.
Who would dare destroy the Sea of Blood itself?
It was said to have formed from Pangu's impure blood, where the filthy qi of the Primordial Era gathered. It was practically a garbage processor.
The Sea of Blood was supremely yin and filthy, yet Minghe lacked no Merit!
In terms of Merit, he did not lose to any Quasi-Saint!
Such a great power should have feared nothing.
But he was afraid! Afraid of the disciples of the great Sage sects!
The Mystic Gate was manageable. The disciples of the Ren, Chan, and Jie Teachings, as well as Wa Imperial Palace, followed the rules and rarely came to the Sea of Blood.
The Western Teachings were different!
Guarding Mount Sumeru's palm-sized territory, they grew envious whenever they saw cultivators in the Primordial Era.
Regardless of aptitude, innate foundation, or Karma, they wanted them all!
Minghe could casually destroy ordinary Western Teachings cultivators.
But he did not dare!
Zhunti's shamelessness was renowned throughout the Primordial Era!
Who dared underestimate him? No one!
Minghe was troubled.
He had welcomed the separation of immortals and mortals and the setting of the Three Realms' paths most of all!
Yet now, he had shut himself tightly inside Blood God Palace and did not dare emerge.
His body even trembled faintly.
Who would have thought that after the Three Realms were divided and immortals could not descend to the mortal realm, the Two Sages of the West would still descend in person!
Minghe nearly coughed up blood!
The Netherworld Realm was chaotic and boundless, with only the Six Paths of Reincarnation providing light.
Because the two Sages had arrived, rosy clouds bloomed, violet qi stretched across the sky, Buddhist chants rang out, and strange fragrances filled the air.
Minghe was fortunate that the two Sages had not come for him, but for Empress Pingxin.
He worried: Could Pingxin withstand the joint assault of two Sages?
Minghe was no saint. He worried for Pingxin only out of self-interest.
The Asura race he had created was one of the Six Paths.
If the cycle of reincarnation fell, would he not be absorbed by the Western Teachings?
Absolutely not!
But he could only watch helplessly, unable to think of any solution.
They were Sages!
Minghe's heart tightened. "If only I had proven the Dao..."
Unfortunately, he did not have that fate!
The Netherworld Realm was dark, with only the Six Paths of Reincarnation glowing dimly.
Wearing an imperial robe, Pingxin sat high within the great hall, her gaze full of compassion.
Even as the two Sages descended, she did not rise. She merely watched them with cold eyes.
"Why have the two Sages come to my reincarnation instead of meditating at Mount Sumeru, presiding over the Ten Directions Bodhi Array, and facing the calamity of slaughter?"
There was not the slightest respect for Sages in her tone.
Yet Jieyin and Zhunti did not mind.
Pingxin had the qualifications for this.
Houtu had transformed into reincarnation with immense compassion, and Pingxin had been born from her primordial spirit.
Ordinary members of the Witch Clan had no primordial spirits, but the Twelve Ancestral Witches did.
However, the Ancestral Witches' bodies were too powerful, suppressing their primordial spirits so greatly that they could not even learn techniques properly.
When Houtu transformed into reincarnation and linked the Three Realms and Six Paths, she rendered great service to the Primordial Era and Heavenly Dao.
Heavenly Dao bestowed immeasurable Merit upon her. Her primordial spirit ascended, approaching the Sage realm, and she became Sage Pingxin.
Heavenly Dao entrusted her with guarding reincarnation, for reincarnation was crucial to the Primordial Era.
With reincarnation, the Primordial Era's cycle was complete, and All Heavens and Myriad Worlds became one.
Heavenly Dao granted her a privilege: "As long as she does not leave reincarnation, she is a Sage!"
Within reincarnation, Pingxin was a Sage. Outside it, she was merely a Peak Quasi-Saint.
Reincarnation was like a Dharma treasure, and Pingxin was its artifact spirit.
Though Jieyin and Zhunti were Sages, they greeted her first.
Zhunti smiled. "Empress Pingxin, the Western Teachings have gained many disciples, but their Karma is too heavy."
"We need to borrow the cleansing power of reincarnation and help them pass through it once."
Pingxin calmly asked, "What if I refuse?"
The two Sages simultaneously revealed familiar shameless smiles.
The Sages in Biyou Palace and Wa Imperial Palace saw this and cursed together, "Shameless!"
They were all too familiar with those smiles.
After proving the Dao, whenever they discussed matters in Zixiao Palace and anything involving the West arose, the two Sages would surely show those smiles.
It left the Sages speechless.
Sages should possess pride and dignity, their every word and action determining life and death.
But the Two Sages of the West had faces anyone could step on at any time.
When they needed dignity, they were supreme Sages; when they did not, they were utterly shameless rogues.
The Sages of the Mystic Gate had cursed them in private more than once.
They could be cursed all they liked, but the fact remained—these two shameless scoundrels were indeed supreme Sages of the Primordial Era!
Though Jieyin and Zhunti smiled, they were helpless inside.
If there had been even the slightest possibility, they would never have wished to fall out with Pingxin.
Reincarnation concerned the grand scheme of the Heavenly Dao and could not be touched lightly.
Houtu had transformed herself into reincarnation out of great love, and every living being in the Primordial Era owed her Karma.
The two Sages were no exception.
With the immeasurable calamity approaching, they should not form such immense Karma.
The Primordial Era cared not for right or wrong, only Karma.
The greater the Karma, the less it mattered to the two Sages themselves, but the harder it would be for the Western Teachings to bear.
Circumstances had forced their hand!
Since attaining the Dao, the two Sages had never forgotten the Rise of the West.
The West lacked sufficient foundations and could not support the path of Sagehood.
This had forced the two Sages to make the Forty-Eight Great Vows and borrow Heavenly Dao Merit to become Sages.
But Merit had to be repaid!
If it was not repaid, the Heavenly Dao's punishment would be terrifying.
For countless years, the two Sages had traveled throughout the East, accepting disciples and spreading their teachings.
Yet the Mystic Gate controlled the East, while the Human Sect, Chan Jiao, and Interception Sect had blocked every path for them to preach.
The two Sages had been frantic.
Who could have expected Tongtian to abolish his own Sagehood and dissolve the Interception Sect?
Over nine thousand seven hundred disciples, expelled just like that!
The two Sages were overjoyed!
Tongtian feared the sins and Karma of his disciples, but the Western Teachings did not!
The Interception Sect disciples' combat strength was first-rate, acknowledged throughout the Primordial Era.
If the Mystic Gate did not want them, the Western Teachings would take them all!
Given time, the two Sages believed that the Western Teachings could become the greatest sect in the Primordial Era without even needing to spread their teachings!
The Rise of the West was within reach!
But there was not enough time!
They had barely finished taking in the Interception Sect's discarded disciples when Hongjun summoned the Sages to discuss the Investiture of the Gods. The immeasurable calamity had arrived!
Those discarded disciples had become hot potatoes.
Abandon them? Absolutely impossible!
These disciples were seeds, the hope of the Rise of the West!
Not a single one could be discarded!
After much thought, the two Sages finally found a solution.
The Western Teachings cultivated this life in pursuit of the next!
With the two Sages overseeing them, no matter how many lives their disciples underwent in reincarnation, they could all be guided back into the sect.
They could use the power of reincarnation to dissolve Karma and turn them into true disciples of the Western Teachings.
It would accomplish two things at once!
Only, they would have to offend Fellow Daoist Pingxin.
Things had come to this. They could no longer worry about it!
Zhunti brought his palms together before his chest and spoke solemnly.
"Within the Primordial Era, Karma endlessly cycles. Where is there any right or wrong?"
His expression was grave as he slowly continued.
"The Western Teachings are devoted to goodness. We are willing to exchange the cultivation of this life for the blessings of the next, saving all living beings."
With unquestionable resolve in his voice, he looked across at her.
"Fellow Daoist, you are fated to be connected with my Western Teachings!"
Pfft!
Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa nearly frowned at the same time, inwardly criticizing him.
Zhunti's shamelessness was simply unparalleled in the Primordial Era!
Empress Pingxin governed the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun had to show her considerable respect when he met her.
How dare you say such things?
Had he gone mad?
Anger flared in Nuwa's heart, and she wished she could immediately step in and teach him a lesson.
How could she allow the Two Sages of the West to treat Fellow Daoist Pingxin with such disrespect?
Yet just as she was about to act, a thought suddenly arose in her heart.
"Why are the Three Pure Ones so composed?"
The Six Paths of Reincarnation were critically important to the Mystic Gate. How could the Three Pure Ones not take them seriously?
Taishang's Human Sect and Yuanshi's Chan Jiao both understood the importance of reincarnation.
If reincarnation fell into the hands of the Western Teachings, the Mystic Gate would be in danger!
How could the Three Pure Ones possibly remain unmoved?
Nuwa's thoughts raced as she secretly speculated.
"The Three Pure Ones have not acted. Could it be that Pingxin has a way to deal with this herself?"
She focused her gaze, but she could not see what Pingxin was relying on.
This made no sense!
Still, Nuwa suppressed her urge to act.
She decided to wait and watch, following the lead of the Three Pure Ones.
If the Three Pure Ones acted, she would definitely join forces with them and severely punish the Two Sages of the West!
Upon hearing Zhunti's words, Pingxin's expression remained as calm as water.
"If you want to scheme for the Six Paths of Reincarnation, just say so. Why hide it behind all these pretenses?"
Zhunti's heart jolted at her words.
He had not expected Pingxin to be so blunt!
He hurriedly waved his hands, his tone urgent.
"Empress, you misunderstand! Though the Six Paths of Reincarnation are fated to be connected with the West, they are not something we can monopolize."
Though he coveted the power of reincarnation,
and had secretly plotted small moves before,
he did not dare to announce it so openly as Pingxin had.
How could the Western Teachings bear such immense Karma?
Some things could be done but not spoken of, even by Sages.
Pingxin smiled faintly.
"Two Fellow Daoists, the Six Paths of Reincarnation cannot be coveted. You may not even entertain such a thought!"
She paused, and her tone shifted.
"You want reincarnation? Simple!"
"As long as either of you can defeat me, I will hand reincarnation over to you!"
Taishang, Yuanshi, and Nuwa all changed expression.
"How can you be so reckless?"
Would this not give the Two Sages of the West an opening?
They absolutely did not believe Pingxin could win!
Yet delight appeared on Jieyin and Zhunti's faces.
"Empress, do you truly mean that?"
This conflict over the Six Paths of Reincarnation shook all the Sages of the Primordial Era.
Taishang and Yuanshi knew that Pingxin had received Tongtian's Primordial Violet Qi and attained Sagehood.
But even so, they could not help feeling worried.
Though the Mystic Gate Sages often mockingly called the Western Teachings an unorthodox path,
none could deny that Jieyin and Zhunti were veteran Sages!
They had attained the Dao long ago, their cultivation firmly established at the Fifth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm.
Pingxin, however, had obtained Primordial Violet Qi only a few thousand years ago.
The gap in time between them was like a heavenly chasm!
Crossing it was easier said than done.
Taishang and Yuanshi had splitting headaches.
Tongtian, however, reassured them.
"Two senior brothers, watch with peace of mind. I believe in Fellow Daoist Pingxin!"
They wanted to believe him, but how could they?
Yuanshi hurriedly asked.
"Junior Brother, didn't you give Fellow Daoist Pingxin a treasure? Where is that bracelet?"
Though Yuanshi had only glimpsed that bracelet from afar,
he dared swear on his name as a Sage that it was definitely a Supreme Merit Treasure!
In the present situation, any treasure was an aid!
Tongtian smiled leisurely.
"No hurry. A good show must unfold slowly to have any flavor!"
Yuanshi was nearly angered enough to stomp his feet.
At a time like this, he was still joking around?
Yet he suddenly noticed Tongtian's calm expression, as though everything was under his control.
A thought stirred in Yuanshi's mind.
"Could Junior Brother have planned this long ago?"
He suddenly recalled that whenever Tongtian had made his plans, he always liked to admire the astonishment on others' faces.
Yuanshi laughed at himself.
Ever since Tongtian had abolished his own Sagehood and dissolved the Interception Sect,
he had lost his former insight into the Heavenly Dao.
This was not the standard he should have had!
Yuanshi's state of mind relaxed, and he decided to trust Tongtian this once.
The Three Pure Ones were all Pangu's legitimate heirs and equally intelligent.
Whoever could perceive the Heavenly Secret would gain the upper hand.
Yuanshi turned to look at Taishang and saw that he remained calm throughout.
Among the Three Pure Ones, only he himself had been unable to keep his composure.
Yuanshi reflected inwardly.
"Have I become too attached to empty fame?"
Everyone in the Primordial Era knew that Yuanshi was the wisest.
But perhaps that great reputation had instead become his shackles.
His mind cleared, and he regained his usual composure,
quietly waiting for events to unfold.
If Tongtian had a backup plan, that would naturally be for the best.
If not, with the Three Pure Ones joining forces, what was there to fear?
Nuwa still could not completely suppress herself. The words of the Two Sages of the West had filled her with rage.
Yet the Three Pure Ones remained as steady as mountains.
After thinking it over repeatedly, she ultimately did not act.
Yuanshi's wisdom surpassed all the Sages. Since he did not move,
he must have concluded that Pingxin would be safe—though she did not know what basis he had.
Nuwa chose to trust the judgment of the Three Pure Ones.
Within Zixiao Palace, Hongjun stared at Pingxin, his gaze narrowing slightly.
"The Primordial Violet Qi actually fell into her hands. The Two Sages of the West are likely to suffer."
He furrowed his brow slightly.
"Still, it is only a minor inconvenience."
Hongjun secretly made up his mind. If the Four Saints of the Mystic Gate all aided Pingxin,
he would definitely intervene and stop them!
Pingxin had to make a mistake, and the Two Sages of the West were the best chess pieces.
Within the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Pingxin said calmly.
"Two Fellow Daoists, which one of you will offer guidance?"
"As long as either of you can defeat me, I will hand reincarnation over without hesitation!"
The Two Sages of the West were ecstatic.
Zhunti stepped forward, bringing his palms together.
"Since that is the case, Fellow Daoist, please!"
The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree in his palm bloomed with seven-colored radiant light,
This treasure had been formed from the Merit of the Western Teachings' founding,
It could both suppress Luck and wound enemies; it was a supreme treasure.
Zhunti transformed, revealing an eighteen-armed, twenty-four-headed Golden Body Dharma Image,
Each hand held a different magical treasure, all supreme treasures for subduing demons.
The might of a Sage swept through reincarnation, fully displaying the power of the Fifth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm!
All twenty-four of his heads shouted in unison:
"Fellow Daoist, forgive my offense!"
In an instant, Zhunti had already ascended the platform,
Twenty-four pairs of Sage Eyes locked onto Pingxin,
Eighteen magical treasures sealed off all directions,
Temporarily cutting Pingxin off from the power of reincarnation.
Before you continue