I'll Take Eight, I Say

"Primordial Lord of Heaven has finally arrived!"

Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged glances, seeing relief in each other's eyes.

Initially, facing Tongtian and Grand Supreme Elder Lord of Morality alone, they hadn't been entirely confident about securing another Sage position.

But with Primordial Lord of Heaven's arrival, things were very different!

Primordial Lord of Heaven had always looked down on the Intercepting Sect, a fact well-known throughout the Great Wilderness.

The primary reason for the split among the Three Pure Ones in the past was precisely Primordial Lord of Heaven's prejudice against the Intercepting Sect!

Although the Human Race was now flourishing, with eight vacant Sage Teacher positions, it should have been a fair distribution among the Buddhist Gate, Heavenly Origin Sect, Human Sect, and Intercepting Sect, with two positions for each.

However, given Primordial Lord of Heaven's prejudice, he would undoubtedly target Tongtian!

And if they played their cards right, they could definitely benefit from the allocation of these Sage Teacher positions!

Smiles appeared on both their faces simultaneously, as if they could already see the future.

Primordial Lord of Heaven's profound gaze swept over Zhunti and Jieyin. His expression was indifferent, but he sneered inwardly.

As a transmigrator, how could he not know what Zhunti and Jieyin were plotting?

Perhaps the original Primordial Lord of Heaven, in his desire to suppress the Intercepting Sect, would have tacitly approved or even supported their schemes.

But alas, he was no longer the original Primordial Lord of Heaven!

He withdrew his gaze and settled it on Nuwa, slowly saying, "Greetings, Junior Sister Nuwa. The Human Race is destined to prosper, and the Human Emperor is about to emerge. As the Sage Mother of the Human Race, this matter of the Human Emperor and Sage Teacher should also be brought up."

"We are here to discuss this, and I ask for your understanding, Junior Sister."

Nuwa's expression was indifferent, devoid of joy or sorrow. She merely nodded at Primordial Lord of Heaven.

Although she was extremely unwilling in her heart.

After all, as the Sage Mother of the Human Race, with the Human Race now flourishing, she had to share its destiny with others. How could she possibly be happy?

But she had no lineage under her, and the Sage Teacher positions had the tacit approval of Dao Ancestor Hongjun. The grand trend of the Heavenly Dao was thus. No matter how unwilling she was, she could only agree.

Nuwa gave a bitter smile inwardly.

Heavenly Dao Sages, ha!

Outsiders only saw the glory of the Sages, but how could they know the many restrictions placed upon them?!

The bitterness was known only to herself.

"Now that Senior Brother Primordial Lord of Heaven has finally arrived, and the Six Sages are all gathered, the allocation of these Sage Teacher positions should finally be decided."

Jieyin clasped his hands together, his face filled with sorrow, and glanced at Zhunti.

Zhunti immediately understood and spoke directly, "The Human Race is destined to prosper. According to heavenly secrets, there will be three Human Emperors and five Emperors emerging, totaling eight Sage Teacher positions."

"In my opinion, these eight Sage Teacher positions should be allocated as follows: one to the Intercepting Sect, two each to the Human Sect and Heavenly Origin Sect, and three to the West."

"I am also aware that these eight Sage Teacher positions should ideally be divided equally among the Buddhist Gate, Heavenly Origin Sect, Human Sect, and Intercepting Sect, with two positions for each."

"But as all you Senior Brothers have witnessed, the path my Buddhist Gate has taken has been one of extreme hardship."

"Furthermore, the disciples of the Intercepting Sect are mostly demons, who were the executioners that slaughtered the Human Race during the Witch-Demon Calamity. To atone for this karma, the Intercepting Sect should therefore relinquish one Sage Teacher position!"

Zhunti's tone was firm and brooks no argument.

He had made up his mind!

He would suppress the Intercepting Sect and gain benefits from it.

After all, Primordial Lord of Heaven's prejudice against the Intercepting Sect ran too deep.

And Grand Supreme Elder Lord of Morality was a proponent of inaction; once a decision was made, he wouldn't interfere too much.

Immediately, he sent a friendly smile towards Primordial Lord of Heaven.

Although his proposal allowed the Buddhist Gate to benefit from a loophole, it suppressed the Intercepting Sect. He believed Primordial Lord of Heaven would have no objections.

Thus, Primordial Lord of Heaven would surely agree, and the future looked bright!

The Human Race would prosper, and the Buddhist Gate would also flourish!

Tongtian, listening to Zhunti's proposal, could no longer contain himself. His heart seethed with anger, and just as he was about to speak, he saw the smile Zhunti sent towards Primordial Lord of Heaven.

He suddenly understood, and a chill ran down his spine.

Second Brother, even though my three brothers have split up, we are still brothers. Now you are colluding with outsiders to suppress your own kin!

His anger grew, and just as he was about to retort, he saw Primordial Lord of Heaven glare at Zhunti and speak directly, "The West gets three Sage Teacher positions? Who gave you the nerve? Dao Ancestor?!"

???

Tongtian, who had been feeling a chill, was completely stunned. The words he was about to say were immediately swallowed back.

What was going on?

Was Second Brother speaking up for the Intercepting Sect?

Had he misjudged, thinking Second Brother had colluded with Zhunti and Jieyin?

It wasn't just Tongtian who was bewildered.

Zhunti and Jieyin's smiles froze on their faces, and they looked at Primordial Lord of Heaven in confusion.

How could such a thing happen?

It seemed they had underestimated the fraternal bond between the Three Pure Ones.

After all, the Three Pure Ones were originally one. Although they had separated, their conflict had not yet escalated completely.

The two exchanged a glance, and an idea formed in their minds.

Then, Zhunti looked at Primordial and spoke directly, "Even if we in the West cannot have three venerables, the Intercepting Sect only deserves one!"

He then looked at Tongtian, saying, "The disciples of the Intercepting Sect are of mixed quality, mostly beasts with fur and horns, or those born from wetness and eggs. How can they be worthy of being Sage Teachers? One is already too many!"

"These matters, Senior Brother Primordial, please do not forget!"

His last sentence was directed at Primordial, with heavy emphasis.

He was deliberately trying to sow discord between Primordial Lord of Heaven and Tongtian, reigniting old animosities.

After all, in the Great Wilderness, no one held a deeper prejudice against the disciples of the Intercepting Sect than Primordial Lord of Heaven. Although he was speaking subtly now, making it seem as if he himself was suppressing the Intercepting Sect.

But no one was foolish.

With a little thought, anyone would know where these words originally came from!

And as long as Tongtian refuted him using his disciples as an excuse, how could Primordial, who had always looked down on the disciples of the Intercepting Sect, tolerate it?

Just as he had predicted, Tongtian's expression changed slightly, a hint of anger showing.

Though subtle, this was still the wrath of a Sage!

Before he could speak, a more indifferent and majestic voice, with an unyielding coldness, was heard.

"All living beings are born from heaven and earth. Although their origins may vary, there is no distinction between noble and lowly sentient beings."

"You speak of the Intercepting Sect's disciples. I, on the other hand, wish to ask your Western Teachings, which are located in barren lands with harsh mountains and rivers, what qualifications do you have to teach the Human Emperor?!"

Silence--

In an instant, the vast Palace of Empress Nuwa became utterly silent.

Everyone was stunned, especially Zhunti and Jieyin. It was like a thunderclap from the heavens, freezing them in place as they stared blankly at Primordial Lord of Heaven.

Were these words spoken by Primordial?

Perhaps at first, it was solely due to fraternal affection, but now, he was absolutely showing favoritism to the Intercepting Sect!

Since when did Primordial Lord of Heaven and Tongtian's relationship become so good?!

Not just them.

Even Nuwa was stunned, looking at Primordial Lord of Heaven in disbelief.

Listen to that! Were those words something Primordial would say?

She knew clearly that Primordial's prejudice was not just against the Intercepting Sect, but against all beings with fur and horns.

And what he had just said was not just favoritism, it was almost as if he had completely set aside his own prejudices!

These words definitely did not come from Primordial!

I must have misheard!