"Is that it?"
"How did Tongtian and Primordial Lord's relationship become this good?!"
In Western Heaven, Jieyin, who had been watching the show all along, was instantly stunned.
He had thought Tongtian would fight Primordial Lord, igniting all the old conflicts between the two sects.
After all, Tongtian's visit to Primordial Lord meant that their relationship had not been particularly harmonious before.
Yet after saying only two sentences, Tongtian had even apologized to Primordial Lord in the end.
What kind of relationship could Tongtian and Primordial Lord possibly have?!
"Senior Brother, don't you feel that something is wrong with the Three Pure Ones' traditions? Their relationship is so good. If they truly join forces completely in the future, will there still be any place for our Western Teachings in the Great Wilderness?"
Zhunti's brows drew tightly together.
He increasingly felt that something was wrong with the Three Pure Ones' teachings.
The relationship between these Three Pure Ones was far too outrageous!
Thinking of everything that had happened, the disciples of the Three Teachings had stopped fighting among themselves and could even join forces.
It increasingly looked as though they intended to unite completely!
"No, we must inform Teacher of this!"
Jieyin immediately panicked.
They had originally planned to take advantage of the Three Pure Ones' conflict, letting the snipe and the clam fight while the fisherman profited. If the Three Pure Ones truly reconciled, wouldn't their Western Teachings be the only ones left to take a beating?
No, this matter had to be reported to their master.
Afterward, the two of them hurried straight to Purple Cloud Palace without the slightest hesitation—to complain!
Beyond the Great Wilderness, above Immeasurable Heaven.
An ancient divine palace was reflected in the chaos.
The All-Heavens Auspicious Cloud roiled, immeasurable golden lotuses surged forth, and vast amounts of Dao Rhyme coiled around it...
Under those many taboos, its true appearance could finally be seen.
Ancient and imposing, simple and profound, the name within the palace alone was enough to make the Great Wilderness tremble.
Purple Cloud Palace!!!
It was none other than the supreme Dao arena of Dao Ancestor Hongjun!
On this day, outside the long-silent Purple Cloud Palace, two divine lights blazed with dazzling brilliance. They tore through the void, pushing through the chaos as they advanced.
They were naturally Zhunti and Jieyin.
The two of them rushed straight to Purple Cloud Palace and stood in the chaos outside it. They spoke respectfully: "Teacher, your disciples Zhunti and Jieyin request an audience. We have an important matter to report!"
As their voices fell, the gates of Purple Cloud Palace opened.
The two hurried into the main hall. Seeing Hongjun's figure reflected in the void, they spoke respectfully: "This disciple pays respects to Teacher."
"What brings you here today?"
Hongjun's voice was indifferent, without joy or sorrow.
Previously, he had ordered the two of them to take his decree to the human race and guide the Three Sovereigns into Fire Cloud Cave. Not only had they botched the task, they had even had their physical bodies destroyed, completely disgracing the dignity of a Saint.
As a result, he could no longer force the Three Sovereigns into Fire Cloud Cave.
Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged a glance, instantly understanding the other's intentions.
Zhunti stepped forward and spoke respectfully: "Reporting to Teacher, the reason we came today is because of our three senior brothers, the Three Pure Ones!"
"Earlier, when this disciple followed your decree to the human race, I was attacked by the three senior brothers of the Three Pure Ones acting together, and my physical body was destroyed."
"Later, Haotian of Heavenly Court detained the soul of Shennong's daughter Nüwa and coveted the position of Human Emperor's Sage Teacher. As a result, the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones' senior brothers joined forces with the Netherworld and attacked Heavenly Court."
"This matter originally had nothing to do with our Western Teachings, but Senior Brother Tongtian and Senior Brother Primordial Lord did not see it that way. They repeatedly blocked the entrance to the West, using the disciples of the West as threats and coercing this disciple."
"Later, the disciples of the Three Pure Ones' senior brothers joined forces and slew our Western Teachings' disciple Maitreya in the Battle of Zhuolu."
"Although it appears to have been done by the disciples of the Three Pure Ones' senior brothers, in truth, it may have been caused by the Three Pure Ones acting together!"
"We implore Teacher to uphold justice for our Western Teachings!"
Zhunti's every sentence revolved around the Three Pure Ones joining forces, yet he never stated it outright.
He knew that if he made it explicit, Hongjun might think he was deliberately stirring up trouble. But he was merely describing the facts. Given Teacher's cultivation realm, a little deduction would be enough for him to discover the many implications.
Such a thing had happened?
Hongjun was stunned upon hearing this.
Although he was the spokesperson of the Heavenly Dao, he would not interfere with anything in the Great Wilderness as long as it did not involve a re-enactment of the catastrophic fusion of the elements or shake the authority of the Heavenly Dao over the Great Wilderness.
Now, hearing Zhunti's tearful complaint, he felt an ominous premonition.
He then carefully deduced the matter and immediately discovered that Zhunti's words were true.
The Three Pure Ones had indeed stopped fighting among themselves!
This situation also left Hongjun greatly puzzled.
Although he had known that Primordial Lord had set aside his prejudices, setting them aside did not mean the internal fighting had ended.
After all, the Chan Sect and Interception Sect had been fighting for so many years. Their prejudices ran deep, and it was impossible for the conflicts between the disciples of the two sects to be completely resolved merely because Primordial Lord had attained enlightenment of the Dao.
Yet things were now very different. Not only had Primordial Lord set aside his prejudices, the disciples of the two sects had also been affected. Although they were not to the point of loving one another, they had at least made peace.
"This absolutely cannot continue. The actions of the Three Pure Ones violate the Heavenly Dao!"
Hongjun's heart tightened.
Looking across the countless calamities of the Great Wilderness, there always had to be equally powerful factions restraining and checking one another. There could never be a situation where one faction dominated alone.
Take the Dragon-Han Initial Tribulation, for example.
The Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans had been nearly equal in strength.
The same had been true of the Witch-Demon Calamity, with the Witch and Demon Clans evenly matched.
Only this was in accord with the Heavenly Dao.
Originally, the Three Pure Ones had fought among themselves, with the Interception Sect and Chan Sect being as incompatible as fire and water.
The Interception Sect accepted disciples regardless of their origins, and Myriad Immortals Come to Court. It prevailed through its sheer number of disciples, surpassing the entire Great Wilderness.
The Chan Sect valued quality over quantity. Most of its disciples possessed great destiny and fortune. Though few in number, they had still been evenly matched with the Interception Sect.
But now, the Chan Sect and Interception Sect had made peace.
It was like the Witch and Demon Clans forming a marriage alliance and reconciling during the Witch-Demon Calamity of old. How could that be allowed?!
Did that not mean that the entire Great Wilderness would belong to the Three Pure Ones?
This went against the Heavenly Dao!
Hongjun's brows twitched slightly as countless calculations formed in his mind.
Zhunti and Jieyin stood respectfully below.
Although Dao Ancestor Hongjun had not spoken, from their teacher's expression, they knew that he was also unwilling to see the Three Pure Ones join forces.
Since that was the case, with Teacher's assistance, why should they fear the Three Pure Ones?
After a long while, the two finally saw Hongjun open his eyes and slowly speak: "The two of you need not leave today. Stay in Purple Cloud Palace and listen to your teacher expound the Dao!"
Hongjun also knew that directly interfering in the relationship between the Three Pure Ones might very well have the opposite effect and make the bond between the three brothers even deeper.
Thus, cultivating Zhunti and Jieyin was the proper path.
He also understood who would suffer the greatest threat from the Three Pure Ones living in harmony.
Naturally, it was Zhunti and Jieyin.
Cultivating the two of them would allow them to sow discord among the Three Pure Ones and contend with them. Only then would things accord with the Heavenly Dao.
Zhunti and Jieyin were instantly overjoyed. "This disciple thanks Master!"
They knew what this represented.
In the past, when they had listened to the Dao Ancestor expound the Dao three times, their strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. They had even obtained Primordial Violet Qi and achieved Sainthood, which represented supreme opportunity.
After becoming Saints, they could feel the gap between themselves and their teacher even more clearly.
Now that Teacher had kept the two of them behind to listen to the Dao, what else could it mean?
It naturally meant that he intended to increase their strength!
If they could listen to the Dao beside Teacher, wouldn't their strength surpass the Three Pure Ones by a whole level?
Without the slightest hesitation, the two immediately took out their meditation mats, sat down below Hongjun, and began listening to the Dao.
Before you continue