"It's nothing." Laozi spoke in a low voice. His breathing was slightly labored, but he forcefully suppressed the surging blood qi. In that instant just now, he had actually felt his soul tremble faintly, as though a supreme will had thundered a rebuke directly at him, nearly shattering his Dao heart. Fortunately, the other party had harbored no killing intent. Otherwise, how could it have stopped at a dull ache in his chest? His primordial spirit might well have split open. He silently circulated the Mystic Arts, spiritual light flowing around his body, and only then did the stifled qi slowly disperse.
"Those two from the West... They certainly made a big move." Heavenly Lord of Morality narrowed his eyes. The cold glint in their depths was chilling. Not a trace of his former kindness and generosity remained; only a bleak, icy intent was left.
Primordial Lord of Heaven and Sect Master Tongtian exchanged a glance and asked in unison, "Senior Brother, are you referring to... that one?"
Laozi gave a solemn nod. The other two stopped breathing for a moment, their faces filled with shock. Sect Master Tongtian blurted out, "Impossible! How could that one agree to the Two Sages of the West?" His tone was filled with disbelief.
Laozi's expression was grave. "Whether you believe it or not no longer matters. Since the fact has been established, there must be a deeper meaning behind it. If he truly wanted my life, that strike just now would have shattered my Purple Mansion."
Primordial Lord of Heaven clenched his teeth and enunciated each word. "The urgent matter now is to cut off the Western Teachings' path of expansion into the east!"
Laozi and Sect Master Tongtian nodded at the same time. Before long, the three bade farewell to one another,