Tongtian Breaks the Game, Shocking Hongjun

Tongtian frowned, deep in thought!

" 'I' have two strategies. The first is to divide the Eastern and Western Saints into two camps, thus allowing for favoritism!"

"Be strict with the Xuanmen, but lenient with the West!"

"The Western Teachings are a heretical sect. Even if they commit minor offenses, it is still the affair of a heretical sect!"

"As for the second strategy..."

Tongtian suddenly awoke, a cold glint flashing in his eyes!

Lin Dong's words echoed in his ears: "The greatest Karma in the Primordial Era is the destruction of the Primordial World!"

A chill ran down Tongtian's spine!

"From my understanding of Yuanshi, he will definitely make a personal move!"

"When a Saint makes a move, it can be considered world-ending!"

"Even with restraint, the Primordial World will still be damaged..."

"At that time..."

Tongtian remained impassive, scanning the Saints!

"They will fall into Hongjun's scheme!"

Tongtian found his own deduction hard to believe!

Hongjun, the dignified Incarnation of Heavenly Dao, the Dao Ancestor of the Xuanmen, the teacher of all Saints, would actually scheme against the Saints?

Was this method too crude?

But upon second thought, Tongtian gave a wry smile!

Hongjun's strategy was not crude, but supremely brilliant!

True inaction that achieves everything!

Had Hongjun set up any obstacles?

None!

On the contrary, he had even delegated authority!

The Investiture of the Gods List should have been personally written by him!

As the Incarnation of Heavenly Dao, writing the list on behalf of Heavenly Dao would prove the Mandate of Heaven!

Even if the Sages were displeased, they dared not speak much!

In the Primordial Era, Heavenly Dao was supreme, who dared disobey?

But Hongjun was not "autocratic" like this, instead letting the Sages participate!

What did the Sages think?

They themselves believed they truly grasped the general trend of Heavenly Dao—this was the greatest fallacy!

The act of writing the Investiture of the Gods List gave the Sages a sense of satisfaction in shaping destiny!

They never imagined this was Hongjun's scheme!

Hongjun laid down the framework, just waiting for the Sages to perform!

He sat steadily on his high platform, waiting for the Sages to walk into his trap!

A sentence flashed through Tongtian's mind: Heaven and Earth are the chessboard, Creation is the path of the game, all living beings are the pieces, sitting quietly in Zixiao Palace, controlling the rise and fall of epochs!

This was Dao Ancestor Hongjun, truly living up to his name!

Tongtian felt a chill in his heart!

If he hadn't had the chance to enter Penglai Immortal Island, if he hadn't gotten Senior Lin Dong to analyze the mysteries of the Primordial Era!

He feared he would have long ago become Hongjun's pawn!

With Senior Lin Dong's help, Tongtian could temporarily transcend the chessboard, observing the situation as a player!

But he felt no joy!

The Investiture of the Gods Calamity, the Sages discussed it together!

It originally had nothing to do with him, a Hunyuan!

But Hongjun refused to let him off!

In both Zixiao Palace meetings, he was summoned to attend!

This meant he was also within Hongjun's calculations!

Hongjun was the Incarnation of Heavenly Dao, always taking the initiative!

How difficult it was to jump out of his chessboard!

If he couldn't escape the game, Hongjun's follow-up moves would come one after another, adding more trouble!

In Tongtian's primordial spirit sea, thoughts surged like a tide!

Countless thought-forms surged, like a tornado sweeping through the sea of consciousness!

Incompatible thought-forms were all discarded!

Gradually, only a few star-like thought-forms remained in the sea of consciousness, illuminating everything!

This was Tongtian's strategy to break the deadlock!

To comprehend heavenly principles and seize the chance for survival!

Tongtian's eyes snapped open, his gaze calm!

He intended to break the deadlock!

Hongjun also opened his eyes, saying calmly, "The Investiture of the Gods Calamity, the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao, cannot be delayed!"

"Your time is running out!"

"The Investiture of the Gods List must be signed!"

"All Saints, what are your thoughts?"

The Dao Ancestor's voice broke the silence, and the Saints could no longer feign deafness!

They looked at each other, speechless!

Hongjun was not in a hurry!

He did not expect to reach a decision this time!

Once, twice, all were forms of invisible pressure!

This pressure existed in their hearts!

The Saints vaguely sensed it!

His speaking this time had taken it a step further!

Like a frog in warm water, slowly heating up, by the time the frog realizes the water is hot, it's half-cooked. How can it escape from the palm?

The Saints' expressions changed drastically!

They truly felt boundless pressure!

Although Hongjun had not spoken harshly, his status was undeniable!

He was the Incarnation of Heavenly Dao, speaking on behalf of the Heavenly Dao!

Who dared to take him lightly?

Saints do not defy Heaven; defying Heaven is not for saints!

Saints are merely positions under the Heavenly Dao!

Their actions are all constrained by the Heavenly Dao!

Therefore, all the saints were uneasy!

Just as they were about to speak, they suddenly heard a voice: "Dao Ancestor, this disciple has a question and has come to seek your guidance!"

Hmm?

The saints looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was Tongtian!

Hongjun stared at Tongtian, his gaze unfathomable, and finally nodded: "Speak!"

Tongtian was not afraid of Hongjun's gaze!

Although Hongjun was the Incarnation of Heavenly Dao, he also had to abide by the rules of the Heavenly Dao!

As long as the rules did not change, Hongjun had no reason to touch him!

This was Tongtian's reliance!

"The Investiture of the Gods Calamity is the great trend of the Heavenly Dao, but the paths of the saints are all different!"

"Even if they compromise and sign the Investiture of the Gods List!"

"If disciples are on the list, the saints will inevitably feel resentment!"

He bowed respectfully: "May I ask the Dao Ancestor, if saints personally enter the fray, is that permissible?"

What?

The five saints looked at Tongtian in unison!

Astonishment flashed in their eyes!

It was nothing else, Tongtian had hit the nail on the head!

Taishang, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti indeed had this intention!

But they were also confused!

The Investiture of the Gods Calamity was an Immeasurable Calamity, so what was wrong with saints entering the fray?

The five saints turned their heads to look at Hongjun, and were shocked to see his expression change drastically!

His eternally unchanging poker face had actually turned grim!

The five Sages were aghast!

They were all beings of great wisdom!

They immediately understood Tongtian's words, which contained crucial information!

However, they couldn't grasp it for a moment!

Hongjun's expression was solemn. After a long period of contemplation, he finally nodded solemnly: "Granted!"

Tongtian, with a smile on his face, slowly rose from his futon and said loudly:

"Cultivators wield the profound powers of heaven and earth. How earth-shattering is their might?"

"A mere True Immortal can overturn mountains and drain seas, burning the heavens and boiling the earth!"

"Let alone the esteemed status of a Sage!"

"The Investiture of the Gods Calamity is known as an immeasurable tribulation. The disciples of the Three Sects are all outstanding talents of the Primordial Era. How can their power be compared to mortals?"

"May I ask, Master..."

Tongtian respectfully bowed and asked:

"If the cultivators of the Three Sects clash, and the Primordial Era is affected... is that permissible?"

The five Sages, who had been somewhat confused, were completely bewildered upon hearing Tongtian's question!

What kind of question was that?

When powerful beings fought, how could the Primordial Era not be affected? Otherwise, how could they be called powerful beings?

This question seemed to lack any profound meaning!

Zhunti's lips curved slightly, revealing a hint of mockery. Just as he was about to speak sarcastically, he suddenly heard a voice as cold as ice resound:

"Those who destroy the Primordial Era bear the greatest sin!"

"The gravest sinners will have their souls scattered and vanish, with no place to exist!"

"Even Sages cannot escape punishment!"

Hiss!

The five Sages were dumbfounded!

Zhunti's smile froze instantly!

The words of mockery he intended for Tongtian were already at his lips, but he hadn't expected Dao Ancestor Hongjun's answer to be so surprising.

Tongtian's question hit the nail on the head, each word piercingly accurate!

In contrast, he, Zhunti, hadn't grasped Tongtian's deeper meaning and had wanted to mock him. He was like a clown!

Fortunately, those sarcastic words hadn't been spoken, otherwise, he feared he would have lost all face!

Zhunti's dignity could only be discarded when he himself chose to.

The world called him the most shameless Saint in the Primordial Era, but that was merely an appearance!

Those who could attain the Dao possessed supreme wisdom, unfathomable magical power, profound cultivation, and immeasurable merit.

Zhunti was just such a person!

If abandoning face could bring him or the Western Teachings great benefits, he would undoubtedly cast aside his dignity without hesitation!

But if others sought to humiliate him, that was absolutely not permissible!

This was the true meaning of Zhunti's "shamelessness"!

Zhunti secretly rejoiced, he had almost brought shame upon himself!

He understood this clearly in his heart.

Amidst his relief, he scanned his surroundings and was stunned!

Something seemed wrong!

He sensed a hint of abnormality.

Taishang, Yuanshi, Nuwa, and Jieyin all wore solemn expressions.

Zhunti's heart trembled!

Something is wrong!

There must be a huge secret behind this matter!

Otherwise, why would all the Sages look so solemn?

He casually glanced at Hongjun and was even more shocked—the Dao Ancestor's face was already as dark as ink!

Hiss!

Zhunti's heart suddenly accelerated!

He had never seen Hongjun like this!

In his memory, the Dao Ancestor had always been calm and composed since ancient times, serene and detached, as if nothing in the Primordial Era could shake his heart.

However... what was this scene today?

Zhunti carefully recalled Tongtian's question and his face instantly turned ashen!

After all, he was a peerless figure who had attained the Dao and become a Sage, with extraordinary wisdom.

As long as he carefully considered the context of Tongtian's question, he could glimpse the mystery within!

Could Sages personally enter the fray to fight?

The Dao Ancestor hesitated slightly but still replied, "Yes!"

But the question that followed was perplexing!

What if the battle affected the Primordial Era?

Under normal circumstances, when Sages clashed, destruction would be the norm!

Since Sages could enter the arena, wouldn't it be natural for the Primordial Era to be shaken?

Why not?

But the fact was, it was not allowed!

Not only was it not allowed, but the Dao Ancestor's words were so stern they were terrifying!

"Those who destroy the Primordial Era will be unforgivable, even Sages will be punished!"

When had the Primordial Era ever had such strict decrees?

Sages represented the will of the Heavenly Dao and acted on behalf of heaven, they should have been free from Karma!

But unexpectedly, if the Primordial Era was damaged during the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, they would receive heavy punishment!

The deeper meaning behind this, upon careful consideration, is chilling!

A thought suddenly arose in Zhunti's heart: "This time, I truly must thank Tongtian!"

He had revealed a massive hidden danger to all the Saints!

It was truly fraught with peril!

The Saints would never have thought of these issues!

The Investiture of the Gods List was jointly decided by them, The Disciples of the Three Sects were all treasures to their hearts, who would willingly abandon them?

As Tongtian said, if a Disciple's True Spirit were to be listed, how could a Saint remain unmoved?

The answer was obvious!

They would definitely not be able to remain unmoved!

The Saints had likely long harbored the intention to strike first, hoping the other party would be completely unaware.

Would they ask Saint Hongjun if he could participate?

Absolutely impossible!

They wouldn't even mention it!

If they did, wouldn't it be an explicit declaration that they, as Saints, intended to intervene in the great tribulation?

They wouldn't even ask the first question, Let alone the subsequent ones!

Having attained enlightenment for many years, the Saints had rarely clashed.

Who could have foreseen that destroying the Primordial Era would be such a heinous crime?

Only Tongtian had seen through it!

Even though he had Karma entanglements with Tongtian, Zhunti couldn't help but sigh in thanks!

Too terrifying!

Too subversive!

The great tribulation had not yet begun, and the Saints had almost stepped into the abyss!

No!

Not one layer, but two layers of abyss!

Zhunti had a bizarre thought: "If Tongtian hadn't asked that first question..."

"Dao Ancestor wouldn't necessarily have given an affirmative answer."

"If, during the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, he had given a negative answer... what would the other Sages do?"

The more he thought, the more terrified he became!

Zhunti's face grew increasingly grim!

Hongjun's gaze was sharp, fixed on Tongtian!

Once again, he had been disrupted by Tongtian's moves!

The first time, Tongtian expelled nine thousand sinners from Jiejiao, crippled his own Saint position, and disbanded the sect!

The second time, in Zixiao Palace, Tongtian severed the Western Teachings' scheme to escape the Investiture of the Gods Calamity!

The third time, it was now!

Tongtian, in front of all the Sages, had exposed his hidden killing move!

"A variable!"

Hongjun's heart churned, unable to calm the waves!

He had never expected, That Tongtian, who should have been a mere pawn on the chessboard, would repeatedly deviate from the planned moves, even beginning to break the game!

As if he had transformed into another player, engaging in a game with him!

How absurd this feeling was!

Yet, it had become reality!

"Perceive heavenly secrets, seize life's opportunities!"

Hongjun couldn't help but recall Tongtian's teachings, This action actually fit seamlessly with the laws that Tongtian controlled!

"From existence to non-existence... once he perceives the game is unfair, he flips the board?"

"Interesting!"

"But this is absolutely not the ability Tongtian should possess!"

A master knows his disciple best.

Hongjun knew Tongtian's nature intimately!

When it came to courage and perseverance in facing adversity, Tongtian was unmatched!

But Tongtian's strength lay in bravery, not strategy!

Such a grand vision was beyond Tongtian's capabilities!

Hongjun vaguely glimpsed a supreme figure on Tongtian.

That figure actually made him feel a trace of familiarity!

"Who exactly is secretly guiding Tongtian?"

"Could he have seen through my secret?"

Hongjun, the Incarnation of Heavenly Dao, the Ancestor of Xuanmen, and the Teacher of all Saints, felt a hint of panic!

Though the Primordial Era was vast, he firmly believed no one could surpass him in Cultivation!

Yet, someone had truly appeared!

What's more, he investigated with the Heavenly Dao Origin but found no trace of this person!

This contradiction made Hongjun restless!

He took a deep breath:

"This council ends here. All Saints may disperse!"

The five Saints were relieved and rose one after another.

Before leaving, they solemnly bowed to Tongtian in thanks!

This was a sincere gesture—even Jieyin and Zhunti were no exception!

Seeing this, Hongjun wished he could slap the Two Sages of the West off the clouds with one palm!

What two muddled fools!

Outside the thirty-third heaven of the Primordial Great World, within Zixiao Palace.

Hongjun sat high on the Heavenly and Earthly Cushion, his face as dark as water.

He no longer possessed his usual composure of strategizing with confidence.

Recalling the scene just now, his heart was filled with complex and indescribable emotions.

The Two Sages of the West, Jieyin and Zhunti, actually sincerely thanked Tongtian!

Every time he thought of this, Hongjun wished he could destroy the saint positions of these two sages with a single palm!

Truly foolish beyond measure!

He had racked his brains and laid out the Witch-Demon Calamity and the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, for what purpose?

Was it not to repay the Karma owed to the Primordial Era before he had proven his Dao?

For this, how many things against his conscience had he done?

To repay Karma, he had given his two saint positions to Jieyin and Zhunti!

Otherwise, with the foundation of the West, how could it possibly nurture two sages?

To repay Karma, from the moment he proved his Dao, he had planned the Witch-Demon Calamity and the Investiture of the Gods Calamity!

If he had not interfered, the Witch Clan—Pangu's descendants, naturally blessed with destiny—

would have long dominated heaven and earth, how could the Demon Race have survived?

All of this, for what?

Was it not for the great prosperity of the West!

With countless innate deities existing, who would believe the Western Teachings' doctrine of the afterlife?

Cultivating the present life, seeking the next?

Innate deities only had this one life, telling them to believe this was simply absurd!

As for the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, it was even more obvious!

To be frank, after experiencing the Witch-Demon Calamity and the teachings of the various sages, in the Primordial Era, where was the malevolence and Karma that could trigger an Immeasurable Calamity?

With sages presiding and cultivators having their own teachings, how could boundless killing intent possibly arise?

The conditions for the Immeasurable Calamity were simply not met!

But Hongjun did not care at all!

He wanted to forcefully trigger the calamity, weaken the Xuanmen forces, and promote the great prosperity of the West, thereby repaying the Karma of the Heavenly Dao!

Even though the Xuanmen was created by him, it had to be weakened when the time came!

If possible, he did not wish to weaken the Xuanmen.

But the Two Sages of the West were helpless against the Eastern Xuanmen!

The Three Pure Ones were one, their defenses watertight!

Nuwa, though at ease, possessed the highest Cultivation!

These four Saints had completely severed the hope of the Western Teachings spreading eastward!

Hongjun pondered endlessly, only by weakening the Xuanmen could the Western Teachings spread east. Otherwise, after another epoch, it would still be difficult!

How could he wait for an epoch?

Time waits for no one, every second counts!

Hongjun harbored a wild plan. If successful, he could ascend to the heavens in one step!

But the prerequisite was to first settle the Karma of the Primordial Era!

His greatest Karma was when he had not yet proven the Dao, he had joined forces with Luohu and turned the West upside down!

He had to settle this Karma before he could implement his grand plan for ascension!

But this step was directly blocked by Tongtian!

Hongjun's face was filled with gloom!

He never expected that Tongtian would dare to expel his Disciples, abolish his Saint position, and disband Jiejiao!

The Disciples scattered by Tongtian, the Human Sect disdained, Chan Jiao did not take them, and Nuwa wouldn't even glance at them.

All were taken in by the Two Sages of the West!

Logically, Tongtian's actions had actually aided Hongjun!

Now, in terms of the number of Disciples, the Western Teachings ranked first in the Primordial Era!

In terms of strength, they were also the strongest in the Primordial Era!

But what was the use of that?

As long as the Western Teachings did not leave Mount Sumeru, their "first" place would not be recognized by anyone!

Saints vied for Destiny and Orthodoxies, not for anything else!

In the Primordial Era, the Xuanmen was the orthodox path, while the Western Teachings were merely a heretical path!

Hongjun calmed himself down.

He realized that blaming the Two Sages of the West was indeed improper.

Only he knew his plan; how could the Sages guess it?

How could the Two Sages of the West have imagined that he, the Xuanmen Dao Ancestor, would go to great lengths to weaken his own great sect?

This was the crux of the matter!

It was understandable that the Sages had not perceived his plan!

But Tongtian had actually seen through it!

This made Hongjun's heart tighten!

Tongtian was currently in a special state, not a Saint, only Hunyuan!

Just as he said, without official duties, he was carefree!

He possessed unparalleled freedom!

What Saints could not do, Tongtian might be able to do!

This was a huge variable!

"Tongtian absolutely does not have such a grand perspective; he must have been guided by a master!"

"Who is it?"

"Yang Mei?"

Hongjun's brows furrowed tightly!

A cold light flashed in his eyes; anyone who obstructed his path should perish!