Pingxin Proves Sainthood and Battles Zhunti

Lin Dong felt a surge of admiration.

If he asked himself, if the Primordial Era required him to sacrifice himself to create the cycle of reincarnation, he could not do it!

Ninety-nine percent of the cultivators in the Primordial Era could not do it either.

Yet, the Ancestral Witch Houtu had done so without a moment's hesitation!

Heavenly Dao showed mercy, her primordial spirit sublimated, and she became the Sage Pingxin.

For such great love, Lin Dong could only feel respect.

However, Heavenly Dao was unfair in its dealings!

Pingxin had not truly become a Sage.

It was not until Shangqing Heavenly Venerate Lingbao abolished his own Sage position that the Primordial Violet Qi returned to Pingxin.

Lin Dong suddenly changed his perspective: perhaps the one who was unfair was not Heavenly Dao, but the Incarnation of Heavenly Dao!

He set this matter aside for the moment.

The most urgent priority was to stop the Two Sages of the West from invading!

The Sage Pingxin of the Six Paths of Reincarnation must never be profaned!

Lin Dong sneered, "Just because I don't leave Penglai Immortal Island before proving the Dao doesn't mean I am out of options."

"The gap between Pingxin and the two Sages lies only in their cultivation of the Dao."

"Since that is the case, I shall erase that gap!"

"Merit of the Primordial Era? I have plenty of it!"

Merit of the Primordial Era was useful to cultivators, such as the eight disciples brought by little friend Lingbao.

But to him, Lin Dong, it was completely useless!

Since signing in at the beginning of the creation of the world, he had accumulated countless amounts of merit.

Every time he signed in, the merit was measured in units of "Zheng"!

What is a "Zheng"?

Ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred million, trillion, quadrillion, quintillion, sextillion, septillion, octillion, nonillion, decillion—Zheng!

Converted to the units of the Primordial Era, it was immeasurable!

Lin Dong's daily merit was calculated in immeasurable amounts!

These merits had no use other than for alchemy or refining artifacts.

Now, they would finally come in handy!

He had never thought of contacting Shangqing Heavenly Venerate Lingbao through little friend Lingbao.

Even if that person had abolished his Sage position, he was still a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin!

How could he, a mere Golden Immortal of the Origin, influence him?

But he could borrow the power of little friend Lingbao!

With his status as a direct disciple of the Mystic Gate, even the Two Sages of the West would not dare to act rashly.

He acted as soon as he thought of it.

Lin Dong took out a bracelet, a small trinket he had crafted in imitation of the Vajra Bracelet of Taishang Laojun.

This treasure could not only strike people but also store items.

He had used immeasurable merit when refining it, making it the most suitable vessel for storing merit!

Lin Dong tossed it casually, and the Vajra Bracelet broke through the formation, following the thread of Karma straight toward little friend Lingbao.

In Biyou Palace.

Taishang and Yuanshi were left completely bewildered by Tongtian's words.

The Two Sages of the West were threatening Pingxin, so why shouldn't they offer assistance?

Why did Tongtian look as if he had everything under control?

Tongtian smiled and said, "Do my two senior brothers know to whom my Primordial Violet Qi returned?"

Taishang and Yuanshi were even more confused.

What was the point of mentioning the Primordial Violet Qi at this moment?

Hmm?

Yuanshi asked urgently, "Junior brother, do you know the whereabouts of that violet qi?"

The Primordial Violet Qi was the opportunity for the Great Dao!

To obtain it, no matter how much effort was spent in cultivation, it would be worth it, as it meant the creation of a Sage!

Sages knew its value best.

Hongyun appeared to have fallen under the siege of three Demon Sages, but in reality, he had reincarnated and would eventually become a Sage.

When that time comes, Kunpeng and the Two Sages of the West will face impending disaster!

Taishang felt a stir in his heart: "Could it be... Fellow Daoist Pingxin, who returned to the Six Paths of Reincarnation?"

Yuanshi looked at Tongtian in shock.

Tongtian clapped his hands and laughed: "Exactly!"

"Pingxin has already attained the status of a Sage, she is simply keeping a low profile and has not announced it to the Primordial Era!"

Yuanshi shook his head: "Even so, it would still be a stretch for Pingxin to face the two Sages alone."

"We must hasten to support her!"

At this moment, a ray of light tore through space and time, landing before the three great powers without triggering the defenses of Biyou Palace.

Taishang and Yuanshi stared at the treasure in astonishment.

Mysterious yellow light swirled around it, and Great Dao runes flickered; it was actually a bracelet!

Tongtian grabbed it, probed it with his divine sense, and suddenly everything became clear.

He laughed heartily: "Let me lend Fellow Daoist Pingxin a helping hand!"

He reached out and slashed, tearing through space and time, and the bracelet flew straight toward the Netherworld Realm.

The two Sages were stunned: That's how he's helping Pingxin?

It looked completely unreliable!

Immortals and mortals were separated, and the Three Realms were set on their paths.

Although the Primordial Era was once a single entity, it had been forcibly divided into three.

In just over a hundred years, the Three Realms seemed to have grown accustomed to it.

Except for the top-tier cultivators who were restricted, everyone else welcomed this move.

The Emperors of the human world and all living beings breathed a sigh of relief, no longer needing the guidance of immortals.

The ghosts of the Netherworld were spared from being converted by immortals seeking Merit.

The Heavenly Court of the Earth Immortal Realm was even happier; legally, they could enter and exit freely, and their status in the Three Realms had greatly increased.

With this move by Hongjun, everyone except the Sages was overjoyed!

The great powers of the Netherworld breathed a long sigh of relief.

Take, for example, Old Ancestor Minghe of the Netherworld Demon Sect in the Boundless Sea of Blood.

He sighed sincerely at Hongjun's wisdom.

Finally, he was free from the entanglement of the disciples of the various Sages!

Finally, he could cultivate in peace!

Minghe, the master of a sect, the contemporary leader of the Demon Sect, was a peak Quasi-Saint.

In the Primordial Era, he could be called a patriarch.

Why was he so lacking in ambition?

In truth, apart from the Sages, Minghe was one of the top three Quasi-Saints.

He feared no other cultivator!

But he never left the Boundless Sea of Blood.

Cultivating the Blood God Son Great Method, he had 480 million Blood God Sons as his clones.

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 will not die!"

Among the Quasi-Saints, who could dry up the Sea of Blood?

Not to mention whether one could withstand the siege of the Blood God Son formation.

Who would dare to destroy the Sea of Blood itself?

It was said to be formed from the pus and blood of Pangu, a gathering place for the filth of the Primordial Era, acting as a sort of cosmic waste processor.

The Sea of Blood was extremely yin and filthy, yet Minghe lacked no Merit!

In terms of Merit, he was second to no other Quasi-Saint!

Such a powerful being should have been fearless.

Yet he was afraid! He feared the disciples of the Sage sects!

The Mystic Gate was fine; the disciples of the Ren, Chan, and Jie sects, as well as those from the Wa Imperial Palace, followed the rules and rarely came to the Sea of Blood.

The Western Teachings were different!

Stuck on the tiny patch of land that was Mount Sumeru, they grew jealous whenever they saw other cultivators in the Primordial Era.

Regardless of aptitude, foundation, or Karma, they wanted everyone!

Minghe could easily kill ordinary disciples of the Western Teachings.

But he dared not!

Zhunti is shameless, a fact well-known throughout the Primordial Era!

Who would dare underestimate him? No one!

Minghe was distressed.

He was the one who welcomed the separation of immortals and mortals and the stabilization of the Three Realms and Six Paths the most!

Yet now, he kept the Blood God Palace tightly shut, not daring to step out.

His body even trembled slightly.

Who could have expected that after the separation of the Three Realms, where immortals were forbidden from descending to the lower realms, the Two Sages of the West would manifest their presence in the mortal world!

Minghe nearly coughed up blood!

The Netherworld Realm was chaotic and vast, with light emanating only from the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

Because of the arrival of the two Sages, rosy clouds bloomed, purple mist spanned the sky, Sanskrit chants echoed, and exotic fragrances permeated the air.

Minghe felt fortunate that the two Sages were not coming for him, but were heading toward Empress Pingxin.

He worried: Could Pingxin withstand the siege of the two Sages?

Minghe was no saint; his concern for Pingxin was purely out of self-interest.

The Asura clan he created was one of the Six Paths.

If the cycle of reincarnation were to fall, wouldn't he be forcibly recruited by the Western Teachings?

Absolutely not!

But he could only stare helplessly, with no plan of action.

The opponents were Sages!

Minghe's heart tightened: "If only I had attained the Dao..."

Alas, he lacked that destiny!

The Netherworld Realm was gloomy, with only the hazy light of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

Wearing her imperial robes, Pingxin sat high in the great hall, her eyes filled with compassion.

Even as the two Sages descended, she did not rise, merely watching them with a cold gaze:

"Why have the two Sages come to my reincarnation cycle instead of meditating on Mount Sumeru, presiding over the Ten Directions Bodhi Array, and dealing with the impending tribulation?"

Her tone held not a shred of the respect due to Sages.

Jieyin and Zhunti, however, did not mind.

Pingxin had the qualifications to act this way.

Houtu had transformed into the reincarnation cycle out of great compassion, and Pingxin was the manifestation of her primordial spirit.

Ordinary members of the Witch Clan lacked primordial spirits, but the Twelve Ancestral Witches possessed them.

However, the physical bodies of the Ancestral Witches were so powerful that they suppressed their primordial spirits to the point where they could not even learn spells properly.

When Houtu transformed into the reincarnation cycle, connecting the Three Realms and Six Paths, she performed a great service to the Primordial Era and the Heavenly Dao.

Heaven bestowed immeasurable Merit upon her, causing her primordial spirit to sublimate, nearing the Sage realm, and becoming the Sage Pingxin.

The Heavenly Dao entrusted her with the duty of guarding the reincarnation cycle, which was of vital importance to the Primordial Era.

With the reincarnation cycle, the Primordial Era's cycle was complete, and the various heavens and myriad worlds were fused into one.

The Heavenly Dao granted her a special privilege: "Within the reincarnation cycle, you are a Sage!"

Inside the reincarnation cycle, Pingxin was a Sage; outside of it, she was merely a peak Quasi-Saint.

The reincarnation cycle was like a magical artifact, and Pingxin was its artifact spirit.

Although Jieyin and Zhunti were Sages, they bowed first.

Zhunti smiled and said: "Empress Pingxin, our Western Teachings have gained many disciples, but they carry heavy Karma."

"We need to borrow the purifying power of the reincarnation cycle to help them pass through it once."

Pingxin calmly retorted: "And if I do not permit it?"

The two Sages simultaneously revealed their familiar, shameless smiles.

In Biyou Palace and Wa Imperial Palace, the various Sages saw this and cursed in unison: "Shameless!"

They were accustomed to this smile.

After attaining the Dao, whenever they discussed matters in Zixiao Palace, the two Sages would inevitably reveal this smile whenever the West was involved.

It left the other Sages speechless.

Sages should possess pride and dignity, their every word and action determining life and death.

But the two Sages of the West could have their faces trampled upon at any moment.

When dignity was needed, they were supreme Sages; when it was not, they were the ultimate scoundrels.

The Sages of the Mystic Gate had cursed them in private more than once.

Scolding aside, the facts remained—these two shameless scoundrels were indeed the supreme Sages of the Primordial Era!

Though Jieyin and Zhunti were smiling, they were actually helpless.

If there were even a sliver of possibility, they would never want to antagonize Empress Pingxin.

The Six Paths of Reincarnation concerned the grand design of the Heavenly Dao and could not be touched lightly.

Houtu had transformed into the cycle of reincarnation out of great love, and all living beings in the Primordial Era owed her Karma.

The two Sages were no exception.

With the Immeasurable Calamity approaching, they should not be incurring such heavy Karma.

In the Primordial Era, right and wrong did not matter; only Karma mattered.

The greater the Karma, the less it would affect the two Sages themselves, but the Western Teachings could not bear the burden.

Forced by the situation, they had no choice!

Ever since they attained the Dao, the two Sages had never forgotten the goal of the Rise of the West.

The foundation of the West was insufficient to support the path of a Sage.

This forced the two Sages to make the Forty-Eight Great Vows, borrowing Merit from the Heavenly Dao to become Sages.

But Merit must be repaid!

If not repaid, the punishment from the Heavenly Dao would be terrifying.

For millions of years, the two Sages had traveled throughout the East, taking disciples and spreading their teachings.

However, the Mystic Gate controlled the East, and the three sects of Ren, Chan, and Jiejiao had blocked their path to proselytizing.

The two Sages were anxious beyond measure.

Who could have expected Tongtian to abandon his Sage position and disband Jiejiao?

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 combat prowess of Jiejiao disciples was first-rate; the entire Primordial Era had witnessed it.

Since the Mystic Gate did not want them, the Western Teachings would take them all!

Given time, the two Sages believed that the Western Teachings would not even need to proselytize to become the number one sect in the Primordial Era!

The Rise of the West was just around the corner!

But time was running out!

They had just finished taking in the discarded disciples of Jiejiao when Dao Ancestor Hongjun summoned all the Sages to discuss the Investiture of the Gods; the Immeasurable Calamity had arrived!

The discarded disciples had become a hot potato.

Abandon them? That was absolutely impossible!

These disciples were seeds; they were the hope for the Rise of the West!

Not a single one could be discarded!

The two Sages pondered bitterly and finally found a way.

The doctrine of the Western Teachings was to cultivate in this life to seek blessings in the next!

With the two Sages presiding, no matter how many lifetimes the disciples went through in reincarnation, they could always be guided back to the sect.

By borrowing the power of reincarnation to dissolve Karma, they would become true disciples of the Western Teachings.

It was killing two birds with one stone!

The only catch was that they had to offend fellow Daoist Empress Pingxin.

Things had reached this point; there was no turning back!

Zhunti pressed his palms together before his chest and spoke solemnly:

"In the Primordial Era, Karma cycles endlessly; where is there any room to speak of right or wrong?"

His expression was grave as he said slowly:

"The Western Teachings are devoted to kindness, wishing to exchange the cultivation of this life for the blessings of the next, to deliver all spirits."

With an unquestionable firmness in his tone, he looked toward the opposite side:

"Fellow Daoist, you and our Western Teachings are destined to have a connection!"

Pfft!

Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Nuwa frowned almost simultaneously, secretly disparaging him.

The shamelessness of this Zhunti was truly a marvel of the Primordial Era!

Empress Pingxin held authority over the Six Paths of Reincarnation; even Dao Ancestor Hongjun had to show her a measure of respect upon meeting her.

How could you dare to utter such words?

Have they gone mad?

Nuwa felt a surge of anger, itching to strike out and teach them a lesson:

How could she allow the Two Sages of the West to be so disrespectful toward fellow Daoist Pingxin?

Yet, just as she was about to act, a thought-form suddenly arose in her mind:

"Why are the Three Pure Ones remaining so composed?"

The Six Paths of Reincarnation are vital to the Mystic Gate; how could the Three Pure Ones not take them to heart?

Taishang's Human Sect and Yuanshi's Chan Jiao both understand the weight of the reincarnation cycle.

If the cycle were to fall into the hands of the Western Teachings, the Mystic Gate would be in peril!

How could the Three Pure Ones possibly remain indifferent?

Nuwa's mind raced as she speculated:

"Since the Three Pure Ones have not acted, could it be that Pingxin has her own strategy?"

She focused her gaze, yet she could not discern what Pingxin was relying on.

This defied all logic!

Nevertheless, Nuwa suppressed the urge to intervene.

She decided to observe the situation and follow the lead of the Three Pure Ones.

If the Three Pure Ones made a move, she would certainly join forces with them to severely punish the Two Sages of the West!

Upon hearing Zhunti's words, Pingxin's expression remained as calm as water:

"If you wish to scheme against the Six Paths of Reincarnation, just say so directly; why hide behind such pretenses?"

Zhunti was shaken to his core upon hearing this.

He had not expected Pingxin to be so blunt!

He hurriedly waved his hands, his tone urgent:

"Empress, you misunderstand! While the Six Paths of Reincarnation have an affinity with our West, it is not something we could ever monopolize."

Although he coveted the power of the reincarnation cycle, and had indeed plotted in the shadows, he would never dare to speak of it openly as Pingxin had.

How could the Western Teachings bear the weight of such Karma?

Some things can be done but never spoken of, even by a Sage.

Pingxin smiled indifferently:

"Two fellow Daoists, the Six Paths of Reincarnation are not to be coveted—not even a single thought-form is permitted!"

She paused, then shifted her tone:

"You want the reincarnation cycle? Simple!"

"As long as you can defeat me, the cycle shall be yours!"

Taishang, Yuanshi, and Nuwa all changed color upon hearing this:

"How could she be so reckless?"

Was this not handing the Two Sages of the West an opportunity?

They absolutely did not believe Pingxin could win!

Jieyin and Zhunti, however, were overjoyed:

"Empress, are your words true?"

The struggle over the Six Paths of Reincarnation shook all the Sages of the Primordial Era.

Taishang and Yuanshi knew well that Pingxin had attained the Sage position by obtaining the Primordial Violet Qi from Tongtian.

Yet, even so, they could not help but feel anxious.

Although the Sages of the Mystic Gate often jokingly referred to the Western Teachings as a heterodox path, no one could deny that Jieyin and Zhunti were veteran Sages!

They had attained the Dao long ago, and their cultivation was firmly established at the Fifth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm.

Pingxin, however, had only obtained the Primordial Violet Qi a few thousand years ago.

This gap in time was like a chasm!

How could it be easy to bridge?

Taishang and Yuanshi were plagued by a headache.

Tongtian, however, offered reassurance:

"Two senior brothers, watch the battle with peace of mind; I trust fellow Daoist Pingxin!"

They wanted to believe it, but how could they?

Yuanshi asked urgently:

"Junior brother, didn't you gift a treasure to fellow Daoist Pingxin? Where is that bracelet?"

Although he had only caught a glimpse of that bracelet from afar, Yuanshi dared to assert by his name as a Sage that it was definitely a Supreme Merit Treasure!

In the current situation, any treasure was a source of assistance!

Tongtian smiled leisurely:

"No rush. A good show must unfold slowly to have any charm!"

Yuanshi was nearly angered to the point of jumping up.

What time was it, and he was still being so playful?

But he suddenly noticed Tongtian's calm demeanor, as if he had everything under control.

A thought stirred in Yuanshi's mind:

"Could it be that junior brother has had a plan all along?"

He suddenly recalled that whenever Tongtian finalized a strategy, he always loved to admire the shocked expressions of others like this.

Yuanshi gave a self-deprecating smile:

Ever since Tongtian abolished his own Sage status and disbanded Jiejiao, he had lost his former insight into the Heavenly Dao.

This was not the standard he should have!

Yuanshi's state of mind relaxed, and he decided to trust Tongtian for once.

The Three Pure Ones were all the orthodox lineage of Pangu, equal in wisdom, and whoever could discern the Heavenly Secret would be one step ahead.

Yuanshi turned to look at Taishang, seeing that he remained indifferent as always.

Among the Three Pure Ones, only he was the least able to keep his composure.

Yuanshi reflected inwardly:

"Could it be that I am too obsessed with empty fame?"

The Primordial Era all knew that Yuanshi's wisdom was supreme.

But this great reputation had perhaps become a shackle instead.

His mind cleared, and he regained his former composure, waiting quietly for the situation to evolve.

If Tongtian had a backup plan, that would certainly be for the best;

if not, with the Three Pure Ones joining forces, what was there to fear?

Nuwa still could not hold back; the words of the Two Sages of the West had made her burn with rage.

Yet the Three Pure Ones remained as steady as Mount Tai.

She pondered repeatedly, but ultimately did not make a move.

Yuanshi's wisdom surpassed all other Sages, and since he did not move, he must have determined that Pingxin was in no danger—even if he didn't know the basis for it.

Nuwa chose to trust the judgment of the Three Pure Ones.

In Zixiao Palace, Hongjun stared at Pingxin, his gaze narrowing slightly.

"The Primordial Violet Qi has actually fallen into her hands; the Two Sages of the West are likely to suffer a loss."

His brows furrowed slightly:

"However, it is only a minor trouble."

Hongjun secretly made up his mind that if the four Sages of the Mystic Gate all assisted Pingxin, he would definitely intervene to stop them!

Pingxin had to make a mistake, and the Two Sages of the West were the best chess pieces for that.

Within the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Pingxin said indifferently:

"Two fellow Daoists, who will offer their guidance?"

"As long as one of you can defeat me, I will hand over the Reincarnation!"

The Two Sages of the West were overjoyed.

Zhunti stepped forward, pressing his palms together:

"In that case, fellow Daoist, please!"

The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree in his palm bloomed with seven-colored radiance.

This treasure was formed from the Merit of establishing the Western Teachings.

It could both stabilize Luck and injure enemies, making it a supreme treasure.

Zhunti shook his body and transformed, revealing his golden body dharma image with eighteen arms and twenty-four heads.

The magical treasures in his hands were all different, each a supreme artifact for subduing demons.

The might of a Sage swept across the cycle of reincarnation, fully displaying the power of the Fifth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm!

His twenty-four heads shouted in unison:

"Fellow Daoist, my apologies!"

In an instant, Zhunti had ascended the high platform.

Twenty-four Sage eyes locked onto Pingxin.

Eighteen magical treasures sealed off the four directions.

They briefly severed the connection between Pingxin and the power of reincarnation.