The Western Teachings Contracted Their Sphere of Influence
Jiang Yun never expected this situation to occur. It seems that the Three Pure Ones are now even more wary of Pangu than Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
It's no wonder they don't have the energy to get involved in Hongmen affairs. They and Hongjun now share the same enemy, and with the Heavenly Dao present, Hongjun poses no threat to them. Therefore, cooperating with Hongjun is a natural thing.
"Therefore, regardless of our original intentions, once we have a clear understanding of the strength and identity of both the Heavenly Dao and the Dao Ancestor, everyone knows that the existence of the Hongmen is now dispensable."
The attempt to gather several Saints to 'oppose' the Dao Ancestor is as absurd as ants trying to shake a mountain.
If the Dao Ancestor truly intended to destroy the world, he would be going against the will of the entire Primordial World Heavenly Dao Will, and there would be no need for the Hongmen; the Heavenly Dao would have its own backlash.
If the Dao Ancestor had no such intention, the existence of the Hongmen would actually be a potential disturbance to the established Order, and its demise would be in accordance with the inevitable will of Heavenly Dao.
Jieyin added at the end, "To follow the will of Heaven and the people, and to understand the will of Heaven, is the way that we Saint should follow."
Faced with the Great Trend of the Primordial Desolation, even the collective will of individuals, like the Hongmen, is ultimately no match for the fleeting torrent of the Heavenly Dao.
That's all I have to say, teacher. Think it over carefully.
Thank you for your guidance, teacher.
Jiang Yun remained calm and bowed in response to the Jieyin's admonition.
The words of the Two Sages of the West seemed to be a message from the Heavenly Dao Will, aiming to shatter his sliver of illusion about "using human strength to fight against the overwhelming force."
Knowing the relationship between Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao, Jieyin and Zhunti felt relieved, no longer needing to worry about certain things, and could devote more energy to the development of the Western World.
After discussing the above situation with Zhunti and Zhunti, Jiang Yun and Jieyin agreed that Primordial World situation in the Western World well, and ignore external affairs. The original plan to repair other regions of the Primordial World seemed to be a thankless task, so it would be better to give it up.
Protecting this pristine land before him is perhaps the only thing he can do, and the most important thing he should do, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people.
Ten thousand years of contemplation and enlightenment are like rivers flowing into the sea.
Jiang Yun's Dao Heart did not succumb; instead, based on recognizing the cold and hard Laws of the Primordial World, he found a new place for himself.
Rather than being a doomed failure going against the tide, it is better to become the cornerstone of a "pure land" in this vast Primordial World, a place where one can find refuge, pass on traditions, and protect one's heritage.
The Great Trend of the Primordial Desolation are vast and unstoppable, and cannot be reversed by one person alone, but one must walk the path under one's feet step by step.
The Western Region land he protected bears his own mark, a mark that may be small, but is real and unwavering.
Based on this idea, Jieyin and Zhunti then issued commands and transmitted the Saint decrees.
The edict contains four points:
First, recall the core forces of Western Teachings.
All Direct Disciple and Inner Disciple of the Western Teachings, regardless of where they are in the Primordial World or what tasks they have at hand, shall, within a thousand years, complete the handover and return to the main sect's Dao Field on Mount Sumeru!
As the Witch-Demon Great Tribulation intensify, it would be wise to recall all of the sect's core forces to avoid them being dragged into the Great Tribulation.
Second, outer disciples take turns on duty regularly.
All outer disciples, regardless of which region they are stationed in, must establish a strict system of regularly returning to the mountain to report on their duties, practice, and take turns on duty.
Those stationed at external outposts must return to the mountain once every ten thousand years to undergo inspection and listen to sermons.
If a special mission is delayed, prior notification is required, and a maximum delay limit must be specified.
Third, the cooperation model among allies has been adjusted.
All large-scale restoration projects and collaborations in the Primordial World Western Teachings Leader and requiring a massive investment of Fortune and manpower, are suspended, specifically targeting areas outside the Western Land.
The cooperation with the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and other allies has shifted to one where the other party takes the lead. The Western Teachings will only provide limited support when necessary, based on the principle of reciprocal exchange, such as information sharing, exchange of specific resources, and support for non-core Formations.
Key church personnel originally stationed among the allies, such as elders responsible for liaison or technical guidance, were withdrawn as appropriate.
Fourth, the repatriation of strategic resources.
The personnel scattered throughout the Primordial World for resource gathering and exploration are being gradually withdrawn.
Apart from maintaining basic alliances and the necessity of domestic development in the Western Region, large-scale external resource investment will be temporarily halted.
All precious Spirit Materials and rare treasures collected outside will be prioritized for transport back to the treasure vault of Mount Sumeru.
The Western Teachings began to systematically shrink its influence, handing over some affairs outside the Western Region to its allies.
The Spirit Land Construction that the Western Teachings had previously carried out in the Northern Primordial Desolation is now being handed over to the Northern Sea Dragon Palace. The Western Teachings has only left behind some disciples and followers who want to gain experience outside, while the rest have returned to their own Earthly Realm.
The same procedure was followed in the southern region of the Primordial World, where the Phoenix Clan took over.
The Direct Disciple and Inner Disciple of the sect were summoned back to the mountain gate, and other disciples would also return to Mount Sumeru regularly. Jieyin, Zhunti, and others would give sermons regularly.
Once this edict was issued, it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves within the Western Teachings and its related forces.
Within Mount Sumeru, the Star Gate Formation flashed frequently, and people returning to the mountain gate emerged from it. Then, Evasion Light shot towards the Main Peak like weary birds returning to their nests.
The light of the protective array subtly became more solid than before, and the alert level was also secretly raised.
The outer disciples were discussing among themselves. Some were worried about the situation outside the sect, but many more sensed a sense of self-protection and cohesion within the sect before a storm was brewing.
As for the Direct Disciple and Inner Disciple, they have access to more information and know some inside details.
After so many years of experience abroad, many people can see the current situation in the Primordial World clearly. The last war between the Witch-Demon War was indeed astonishing. It is understandable that the higher-ups in the sect would take such action for the safety of their disciples.
As for the various forces associated with the Western Teachings, they were indeed somewhat uneasy upon seeing these actions by the Western Teachings.
Even a sect with Saint in charge is so cautious; they must not have known the situation was really this bad!
Ao Shun, the Dragon King of the Northern Sea, came to Mount Sumeru to inquire about information from Jiang Yun as an envoy of the Dragon Clan.
"Daoist Friend Jiang Yun, is your sect's current action... perhaps a temporary retreat due to the matter of the Witch-Demon?"
My Dragon Clan and the Western Teachings are of one heart and mind. If you make any important discoveries, we hope you will share them with our Dragon Clan so that we can make arrangements as soon as possible!
Jiang Yun remained calm, his tone completely even. "The Dragon King has filtered it."
This matter was a strategy devised by the two Saint leaders after careful consideration of the situation, in order to concentrate their strength, consolidate the foundation of our Western Region, and thoroughly study the Great Dao.
Although the situation in the Primordial World is currently turbulent, there are Saint balancing all sides. As long as you do not actively get involved in the Great Tribulation, nothing will happen to you.
Furthermore, the cooperation between my Western Teachings and the Dragon Clan will remain unchanged; it's just that you will be in charge of some matters. The support my religion will provide in the future will focus more on information sharing and the exchange of resources that we need.
Jiang Yun was telling the truth. The great calamity of the Witch-Demon Great Tribulation had little to do with the Dragon and Phoenix clans. As long as they didn't show themselves, they would be safe.