Quasi-Saint Peak Reveals the Sub-Saint Realm

"Senior brother, you have spoken incorrectly."

"Rulai has been reincarnated, washing away the Karma of his past life. Now, as a member of the Human Race, he inherits the Luck of the protagonist of heaven and earth. This is precisely the moment to carry on the past and open up the future."

"Our disciple possesses great Luck."

"Furthermore, he has completely inherited the Dao Fruit of his previous life. By attaining enlightenment and true consciousness in this life, breaking through to establish something new, and innovating, he has truly reached the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm."

The more Zhunti spoke, the more excited he became.

"What are the three top Quasi-Saints of the Primordial Era? No, from the moment Rulai became the World Honored One, he became the only Quasi-Saint in a league of his own in the Primordial Era."

"Zhen Yuanzi and Kunpeng must both rank behind him."

"With the World Honored One in charge of Buddhism, we need not worry; he will surely lead Buddhism to great prosperity."

Zhunti was speaking from the heart; he was not merely boasting for his disciple.

In his Dharma Eye, Rulai had already pulled half a step ahead of Zhen Yuanzi and Minghe.

That half-step gap was a chasm.

The Quasi-Saint realm was already the final stage before the Hunyuan realm.

This was even more true for the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm.

That Rulai could take a step further from his already lofty position, advancing another half-step within the peak Quasi-Saint realm, truly exceeded Zhunti's expectations.

Rulai had now reached a critical threshold.

He could enter the Hunyuan realm at any moment.

This level of cultivation could be called a Sub-Saint.

Previously, only three great beings in the Primordial Era had been able to reach this level.

They were the Three Sage Emperors in Huoyun Cave who suppressed the Luck of the Human Race.

Although the Three Sage Emperors carried the word "Sage" in their title, they only had the name of a Sage without the reality; they were pseudo-Sages.

Even so, their cultivation level was incomparable to ordinary cultivators.

They were the legendary Sub-Sages!

Only by inheriting the gathered Luck of the generation of the protagonists of heaven and earth, pioneering the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and having immeasurable Merit bestowed upon them, could they have achieved such a state.

The Sages had originally thought that no other cultivator could ever be like the Three Sage Emperors.

Who could have imagined that Rulai would also be able to reach this realm?

Zhunti was quite pleasantly surprised!

This was an entirely unexpected joy.

Zhunti suddenly noticed that Jieyin did not seem very happy, and he asked curiously, "Senior brother, are you worried about something?"

Jieyin's expression was heavy.

"It is, of course, a good thing for our Buddhism that the World Honored One's cultivation is rising day by day."

"But junior brother, the World Honored One is not invincible among the Quasi-Saints!"

Zhunti disagreed, "Who else could rival the World Honored One?"

Jieyin looked distressed, "The Eight Immortals of Biyou Palace!"

Zhunti said bitterly, "Don't those Eight Immortals just rely on having a bit more Merit and more powerful Dharma treasures? In terms of true cultivation... the World Honored One is still higher..."

He could not continue, as Jieyin was staring blankly at him.

Zhunti sighed dejectedly; he could not deceive himself!

Merit and Dharma treasures were, after all, part of a cultivator's strength!

And they were a very important part at that.

Take Tongtian, for example.

On the Investiture of the Gods Battlefield, facing the provocation of Great Immortal Yang Mei, he chose to upgrade right in the middle of the battle.

Within a Time Array spanning one hundred million years, he burned his Merit frantically, raising his own cultivation from the peak of the Twelfth Layer of the Heavenly Dao Realm straight to the Eleventh Layer of the Dao Integration Realm!

Burning Merit for one hundred million years was simply shocking.

But there was no other way; Tongtian simply had that much Merit, and having Merit meant he could be willful.

He forced Great Immortal Yang Mei to swallow the bitterest of fruits—he was sent into Nirvana by a single strike of an axe from the newly upgraded Tongtian!

Zhunti recalled Duobao's performance within the Immortal Slaying Sword Array.

With a single Earth Splitting Chisel, he had reduced the Willow Tree avatar of the peak Dao Integration Realm great being, Great Immortal Yang Mei, to ashes.

That Willow Tree Daoist was a super great being whom it was acknowledged that even the avatars of the Sages could not defeat.

Yet, he was simply reduced to ashes by a single strike from Duobao.

And Duobao's Immortal Slaying Sword Array was an supreme Chaos Spirit Treasure!

For Rulai to want to surpass Duobao... would also be extremely difficult!

Zhunti was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred!

For a Sage of the Heavenly Dao to actually envy the head disciple of Biyou Palace—if this were spoken aloud, most of the other Sages would agree with him!

A Sage like Jiang Ran envying a Quasi-Saint; before the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, no one would have believed such a thing!

Yet, after the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, which of the Sages did not envy Duobao?

Not to mention the Earth Splitting Chisel, which was highly likely a replica of a Chaos Supreme Treasure.

The Immortal Slaying Sword Array alone, Was a genuine Chaos Spirit Treasure!

The two Sages of the West combined did not even possess a single Innate Supreme Treasure, How could Zhunti not be envious?

Envy was inevitable!

Just as Jieyin had said, with boundless Merit and sufficient cultivation, if Duobao truly followed Tongtian's example and burned his Merit, Rulai might not necessarily be able to surpass him.

Coupled with those two great Dharma treasures...

Zhunti suddenly realized that Rulai truly did not have a guaranteed path to victory.

He turned his thoughts, then laughed:

"Senior Brother is overthinking it!"

Hmm?

Jieyin looked at Zhunti in confusion.

Zhunti smiled and said, "Senior Brother, do not forget, the Rise of the West is destined!"

"The Heavenly Dao is on our side, not his. Even if Duobao has more Merit and stronger Dharma treasures, so what?"

"Does he dare to act against the heavens?"

Jieyin nodded silently!

Indeed, any cultivator in the Primordial Era with even a modicum of cultivation could sense the will of heaven.

They would absolutely never act against the heavens.

This was a painful lesson paid for in blood by the cultivators of the Primordial Era, learned through the Desolate Beasts' Calamity, the Dragon-Han Calamity, and the Witch-Demon Calamity.

Before the three great calamities, the Primordial Era was a place where Quasi-Saints walked everywhere, and Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals were as common as dogs.

But those powerful Quasi-Saints only cultivated Supernatural Powers and did not understand the timing of heaven, so they ultimately turned to dust within the calamities.

Especially after Dao Ancestor Hongjun attained the Dao, the majesty of the Heavenly Dao was further established.

Any cultivator in the Primordial Era with a bit of cultivation, while practicing the Dao, would not only cultivate Supernatural Powers but also improve their cultivation base and gain insight into the Heavenly Dao.

If one does not understand the Heavenly Dao, it is like sailing on the ocean without a rudder; not only does it lead to taking the long way around, but it is also very easy to head in the wrong direction!

That is the greatest loss!

Duobao is the head disciple of Biyou Palace, possesses the cultivation of a Peak Quasi-Saint, and has a body full of Merit, How could he not know the current trend of the Heavenly Dao?

Duobao would not become an obstacle to the Rise of the West.

Jieyin thought about it and agreed.

The Sages had discussed it in Zixiao Palace, and the Rise of the West had become a consensus among the Sages and a trend of the Heavenly Dao.

As the head disciple of Biyou Palace, how could Duobao not know this?

Jieyin nodded slowly and said, "I was overthinking it!"

He brought up the previous matter again, "But Junior Brother, although we are plotting against Sun Wukong, we are doing so on Jin'ao Island after all."

"That is Tongtian's dojo; are you sure there will be no problems?"

Zhunti sneered, "We are plotting against Sun Wukong, and we are not the ones handling it directly."

"Even if Tongtian is furious, so what? Could he really come to Mount Sumeru to fight us?"

"You must remember, Dao Ancestor Hongjun has explicitly forbidden the Sages from taking action."

Zhunti laughed very smugly, "So what if the Four Saints of the Mystic Gate have more people?"

"With Sages forbidden from acting, their advantage has already been neutralized."

Zhunti said proudly, "When it comes to wisdom, what do the Sages of the Mystic Gate amount to?"

Jieyin nodded, feeling slightly more at ease.

The world says the Two Sages of the West are shameless and lack character, but who among those capable of proving the Dao and becoming a Sage lacks great wisdom?

Shamelessness is merely a facade!

Zhunti simply feels that acting with a shameless attitude makes it more convenient to achieve his goals.

It does not mean he is only capable of shamelessness.

Anyone who thinks so had better prepare for the consequences!

Zhunti is quite proud of his own wisdom.

He does not believe his wisdom is inferior to that of Yuanshi.

As for the claim that among all Sages, Yuanshi possesses the greatest wisdom...

That is purely because Zhunti chooses not to show off.

If Zhunti were to truly compete, it is not certain that Yuanshi would be able to win!

This is the unanimous thought of the Two Sages of the West.

Zhunti smiled and said:

"Think about it, Senior Brother, even if Tongtian is furious, so what?"

"That Angel was not sent by us; he was an envoy of Haotian... If Tongtian settles the score with Haotian, wouldn't that just give us a show to watch?"

Zhunti said coldly, "For Western Buddhism Spreading East and the Rise of the West to occur, the Eastern Mystic Gate must decline accordingly!"

Jieyin finally felt relieved.

He agreed, saying, "In the Primordial Era, we only speak of Karma, not right or wrong!"

Zhunti laughed loudly: "Excellent!"

He gazed leisurely toward the Heavenly Court: "It is better if the Mystic Gate falls into chaos!"

Jieyin wore a smile: "Excellent!"

Haotian sat high upon the Hall of Lingxiao, feeling slightly annoyed.

He had been schemed against by the West once again!

Previously, the Sage Zhunti, one of the Two Sages of Buddhism, had personally sent a voice transmission asking Haotian to cooperate in scheming against a Monkey.

Haotian had agreed without much thought.

The Rise of the West is a grand trend of the Heavenly Dao, something any cultivator with even a modicum of cultivation can sense.

As the one who governs the Three Realms by the decree of the Sages, how could Haotian not know the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao?

He simply treated it as doing Buddhism a favor.

With the Rise of the West, Buddhism will become the protagonist of heaven and earth.

Although Haotian is the noble Heavenly Emperor, he cannot act against the heavens.

Even though he dislikes the West and Buddhism from the bottom of his heart, the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao cannot be defied!

What other choice did Haotian have?

However, after actually carrying out the scheme against the Monkey, Haotian suddenly remembered one thing: where was this Monkey?

One look, and Haotian was so frightened his soul nearly scattered!

The Monkey was actually a guest inside Biyou Palace on Jin'ao Island in the East Sea!

To scheme against the Monkey inside Biyou Palace is to offend Tongtian deeply!

Yet, the bad news did not end there.

At that time, the Sages inside Biyou Palace were not just Tongtian alone.

Besides Tongtian, there were also Taishang, Yuanshi, and Nuwa!!

Haotian's heart turned cold.

This meant that he had schemed against the Monkey right in front of four Sages, giving all four Sages a resounding slap in the face!

He, a mere Peak Quasi-Saint, had actually gone out of his way to slap the faces of four Sages!!

This was madness!

He is the Lord of the Three Realms and the Emperor of the Heavenly Court, it is true, Yet he still had to be governed by the Sage's edicts.

Where did Haotian get the confidence to challenge the Four Saints of the Mystic Gate, or even provoke them?!

"The Sage of the Western Teachings is truly plotting against me again!"

The frustrating part was that their schemes had actually come to fruition!

This was quite troublesome!

Haotian felt a chill run straight through his heart.

Looking with his Dharma Eye, he saw that Monkey riding a cloud directly from Biyou Palace, hauling an Angel half a head taller than himself.

Behind him, seven of the Eight Immortals of Biyou Palace were actually following along!

Haotian himself was a Peak Quasi-Saint, but weren't each of the Eight Immortals of Biyou Palace also Peak Quasi-Saints?

Haotian panicked inwardly: Could it be that the Sage of Biyou Palace has issued a decree to depose me?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was possible.

His heart grew increasingly frantic.

Just as he was in a state of panic, the Four Heavenly Masters came to report: "Great Heavenly Venerate, Taishang Laojun of Doushuai Palace requests an audience!"

Hm?!

Haotian was even more terrified!

Taishang Laojun was the Good Corpse avatar of the Sage of the Human Sect.

He only refined pills and meditated in Doushuai Palace, almost never interfering in the affairs of the Heavenly Court.

He never expected that just because he acted as a blade for Buddhism to scheme against Monkey, Taishang Laojun would actually emerge!

Could it be that the Sage had a decree to deliver?

Was he going to depose him?

Haotian hurriedly said: "Invite him in quickly!"

Taishang Laojun slowly entered the Hall of Lingxiao, and his opening words made Haotian's heart sink: "I ask the Great Heavenly Venerate to dismiss those around you!"

Haotian became even more flustered.

The Sage must have a secret decree, otherwise why would he say such a thing?

Haotian hurriedly ordered the crowd of Immortal Officials to withdraw.

Taishang Laojun looked at Haotian indifferently:

"The Great Heavenly Venerate is the co-ruler of the Three Realms, holding a noble position. Within the Mystic Gate, one could say you are second only to the Sages, supreme above all others."

"Yet I do not know why you have forgotten the Karma between you and the Western Teachings from before, and instead acted as a blade for the Two Sages of Buddhism, needlessly lowering your own status?"

Boom!

Haotian's face turned deathly pale!

His heart was pounding violently.

The matter has been exposed!

It wasn't just the matter of him scheming against Sun Wukong that had been exposed;

Even the fact that after being schemed against by Zhunti, he had racked his brains to come up with a plan to scheme against Chan Jiao, ultimately triggering the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, had also been exposed!

This was supposed to be a top-secret matter.

Even the Western Teachings, whom he had schemed against, did not know.

But the Four Saints of the Mystic Gate knew it clearly.

How could Haotian not be terrified?!

He stammered: "Laojun... I... I..."

Taishang Laojun ignored him and continued on his own, "Your sister, Princess Yunhua, was schemed against by Zhunti to descend to the mortal realm, where she fell in love with Yang Tianyou and bore three demigod children."

"That Zhunti then turned the tables, ordering you to execute Princess Yunhua to uphold the strictness of the Heavenly Laws."

"It was we, the Four Saints of the Mystic Gate, who rejected Zhunti's absurd proposal to preserve the dignity of the Great Heavenly Venerate."

"But it seems that as time has passed, the Great Heavenly Venerate has forgotten this Karma."

"You have actually forgotten this Karma and are even willing to act as a blade for the Western Teachings."

"Are you content with this position of Heavenly Emperor?"

Haotian was speechless!

The Sage actually understood this matter so clearly that his sense of luck vanished in an instant!

In other words, his actions were laid bare before the eyes of the Sages; not a shred of privacy could be hidden.

Haotian suddenly dropped to his knees before Taishang Laojun.

"Laojun, please be lenient, I know I was wrong!"

Taishang Laojun remained expressionless, speaking word by word, "Originally, when your own sister was schemed against by the Two Sages of the West, you, a mere Peak Quasi-Saint, had the audacity to plot against the Two Sages of the West and incite the Investiture of the Gods Calamity..."

"Although the Sages knew, they said nothing."

"After all, it was the Western Teachings that were in the wrong first."

"The Sages were quite pleased that you had such courage—you are the Great Heavenly Venerate of our Mystic Gate, and to see you show such resolve, we were only happy for you!"

"However, you should not have acted as a blade for Buddhism, daring to scheme against the Four Saints of the Mystic Gate."

"Are you trying to cut yourself off from the Mystic Gate?"

Haotian shook his head frantically; he was terrified!

Taishang Laojun's words had been exceptionally stern.

If he couldn't grasp the gravity of the situation now, what right did he have to be the Heavenly Emperor?

Haotian cautiously defended himself:

"Laojun, aren't you overestimating that Monkey?"

"It is nothing more than a wild monkey that has just been born!"

Taishang Laojun glared fiercely at Haotian.

The rest of Haotian's words were choked back in sheer terror!

Taishang Laojun sneered:

"A wild monkey?"

"A wild monkey whose cultivation reached the Quasi-Saint stage the moment it was born?"

"Find me a second one like that in the Primordial Era!"

Hmm!?

Haotian thought for a moment, and was instantly stunned!

A Quasi-Saint from the moment of birth?!

Not only had he never seen one, he had never even heard of such a thing!

Haotian was the gate-keeping boy of Hongjun, and he had seen countless powerful beings.

Among them were the current Sages and the Quasi-Saints of the past.

Those powerful beings were all supreme figures who dominated their respective eras.

But even those innate gods and invincible cultivators, at the moment they first took form and were born, had not been able to reach the Quasi-Saint stage!

If one truly became a Quasi-Saint upon taking form, it meant their Dao was already fully formed; as long as they had sufficient opportunity, Merit, and cultivation, they could smoothly attain the Hunyuan.

Such a powerful being would have no need to seek a master; the heavens and earth themselves were its Dao!

Haotian cursed the Western Teachings in his heart.

So, they had let him scheme against such a terrifying powerhouse?

If nothing else, had Haotian known that Sun Wukong's cultivation was at the Quasi-Saint level, he would have treated him with the utmost respect!

He would never have thought of ways to plot against the Monkey.

To scheme against a Quasi-Saint with whom he had absolutely no Karma, he must have been insane!

Taishang Laojun said indifferently:

"Just because this fellow Daoist had high cultivation upon birth does not mean he lacks a master."

"He has a lineage!"

Ah?!

Haotian was even more shocked!

This Monkey had a master behind him?

If the disciple's cultivation was already at this level, what must the master's cultivation be...

Haotian asked tremblingly: "Which Sage in the Primordial Era is the master of this fellow Daoist Monkey?"

He knew that whenever Buddhism came looking for him, it was never for anything good.

However, having previously schemed against the Western Teachings and ignited the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, he was already feeling guilty, like a thief with a troubled conscience.

When the two Sages of the West approached him this time, Haotian had readily agreed, just to ensure the two Sages of Buddhism wouldn't grow suspicious.

Looking back now, it was a trap at every turn!

Haotian suddenly realized that, aside from the Sages of the West, he had managed to offend almost everyone in the entire Primordial Era!

Now that things had come to this, how could Haotian dare to put on airs?

He hurriedly knelt before Taishang Laojun, shouting, "Old Daoist, save me! Old Daoist, save me!"

In his desperation, Haotian didn't even use the imperial "We."

Taishang Laojun waved his hands hurriedly, "This Old Daoist does not have that ability."

"That great being's strength is too high; even my true self is no match for him."

"You, pray for your own good fortune!"

Haotian gasped, drawing in a cold breath.

What kind of talk was this?

The Sage of the Jade Void Palace, Venerable Lord Yuanshi, was a Sage of the Heavenly Dao!

What could possibly exist that would make even a Sage of the Heavenly Dao tremble with fear?

Taishang Laojun continued, "Originally, the Sages had discussed that Yang Jian would be the one to convey these words to you."

"But... heh!"

Haotian's face was filled with shame.

How could he not understand the implication behind Taishang Laojun's words?

Although the relationship between Yang Jian and Haotian was stiff, they were still uncle and nephew, and being kin, he would have delivered the message more tactfully.

But for Taishang Laojun to step forward personally, it meant that something major had happened.

Taishang Laojun glanced at Haotian, "Your Fate is not something the Sages can control; just wait and see how Fellow Daoist Wukong decides to deal with you!"

Huh?!