Kong Xuan Makes a Move, Di Xin's Thoughts

"If you don't make a move soon, my Grand Tutor will be lost."

In a colorful space, Di Xin and Kong Xuan sat opposite each other. Everything Wen Zhong had experienced was clearly reflected in the wine within their cups.

"It's really not easy being the Pavilion Master of Star-Gathering Pavilion. Your Western Sage's disciples are not weak among the Da Luo."

Kong Xuan picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one go. His figure then vanished from the space, leaving Di Xin alone, gently tapping the table with a crisp "ding ling" sound.

This was an avatar of his destiny, which Kong Xuan had taken into the Five-Colored Space after they agreed to put on a big show yesterday.

The purpose, naturally, was to see the foundation of Yuan Futong's rebellion in the North Sea. He hadn't expected to actually see a few "big fish"!

Five of the Eighteen Arhats: Dragon-Subduing, Subduing Tiger, Hand-Reaching, Crossing the River, and Alms-Bowl!

Not to mention the smiling chubby fellow in front of him. With such attire and demeanor, who else could it be but the future Buddha of Buddhism, Maitreya Buddha, who famously said, "Laughs at all laughable things in the world; tolerates all intolerable things in the world"?

If Kong Xuan were to slaughter all of them, the waters of the Investiture of the Gods would truly be muddied. The three religions, nine schools of thought, and the six Saints from the East and West would all descend. Just thinking about it made him feel utterly refreshed!

As Di Xin was lost in his thoughts, the scene in his cup shifted again. A Five-Colored Divine Light appeared from the void. With a gentle sweep, it shattered Maitreya's palm strike!

"My Yin Shang's Grand Tutor is not for your sect to judge!"

As the Five-Colored Divine Light dispersed, Kong Xuan stood before Wen Zhong, his feet treading on air, hands behind his back. He looked ethereal and full of grace.

"Hoo hoo! Who are you?"

Wen Zhong hastily took two deep breaths, retracted his golden whip, and scrutinized Kong Xuan several times before finally confirming: I don't know this person!

"Grand Tutor, my name is Kong Xuan. I was originally the General of Sanshan Pass at Golden Rooster Ridge, and now I am the newly appointed Pavilion Master of Star-Gathering Pavilion by the Great King, in charge of all extraordinary individuals within Yin Shang!"

Kong Xuan stated his origin, providing a solid reason for his involvement.

The Western Sage's ill repute was well-known. It was better to be cautious before he severed his three corpses.

"The rebellion in the North Sea has been ongoing for a long time, so the Great King sent me to investigate and, incidentally, to snatch some of the Grand Tutor's merits."

(Your Great King sent me to help you. Be sensible and step aside.)

"This Daoist priest has profound cultivation and formidable divine abilities. Pavilion Master Kong needs to be careful."

Understood. I'll withdraw now.

After several battles and multiple uses of his Heavenly Eye, Wen Zhong was already exhausted and his magical power depleted. His previous attack was merely a bluff, hoping to scare them away.

Now, Kong Xuan's move was extraordinary, and he had given him an out. If he didn't seize this opportunity, when would he?

"I have broken their encirclement formation. I request the Grand Tutor to rally his troops and fight another day."

Seeing Wen Zhong's sensible reaction, Kong Xuan waved his wide sleeve. A divine light shot out, and the battlefield was instantly cleared of sand and wind. The sky became clear, sunlight spread everywhere, and the chaotic scene was restored.

Wen Zhong nodded, urged his Ink Jade Qilin, and used his remaining magical power to activate his golden body:

"Sound the gong to retreat!"

Maitreya watched his encirclement being broken without intervening. His face remained smiling, but a hint of apprehension appeared in his eyes.

Yin Shang actually had a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. They had been hiding their strength quite well!

"Are even the Saint's disciples afraid of incurring karma?"

Kong Xuan smiled at Maitreya, as if everything was within his grasp.

These disciples of the Western Teachings, like himself, carried immense karmic debt. Normally, they were fine as long as they were isolated by special means. If they were to kill hundreds of thousands of lives below, under the burden of sin, no one would fare well.

"If Your Excellency were not afraid of karma, you wouldn't have let them retreat first."

Maitreya retorted, his smile undiminished, as if enjoying a playful banter with an old friend, without a trace of hostility.

"Take one move from me, and I'll let you go."

Seeing Wen Zhong lead his troops away, Kong Xuan was too lazy to bicker with Maitreya any longer. He couldn't kill them, so he might as well drive them away first.

Before Maitreya could speak, a Five-Colored Divine Light rose from behind Kong Xuan and gently swept towards Maitreya!

"Behold my divine ability! Five-Colored Divine Light!"

"Not good!"

As the divine light surged, Maitreya suddenly cried out in alarm, flicking out a Golden Cymbals with his backhand, clapping them together!

With a "clatter!", the Five-Colored Divine Light, along with the Golden Cymbals and Maitreya himself, was swept away, turning into a rainbow that shot deep into the North Sea!

Resist? What was he thinking?

"Wasting time."

Kong Xuan glanced at the two injured and three good Arhats beside him, then turned and vanished into the air.

"Senior Brother Subduing Tiger, what about us?"

Hand-Reaching Arhat peeked in the direction Maitreya had disappeared, then quickly turned his head to look at Subduing Tiger.

"Cough, cough, let's save Dragon-Subduing first."

Subduing Tiger took out another spiritual pill and suddenly felt an emptiness within him. His eyes were already numb.

Three thousand years of hard work! All gone in an instant! But to save Dragon-Subduing and let him bear the wrath of Maitreya Buddha, cough, cough...

In one word: "Worth it"!

The elixirs entered his mouth, and Dragon-Subduing immediately opened his eyes and struggled to stand up. This Subduing Tiger fellow's elixirs taste pretty good, and the medicinal effects are potent!

"Cough, cough!"

Feigning a cough, Dragon-Subduing spat out two pools of congealed blood. He swayed unsteadily on the auspicious clouds, and was finally supported by Hand-Reaching and River-Crossing on either side, only then managing to "stand steady."

"Thank you, junior brother, for the elixirs. Maitreya, our senior brother, is in a great battle with the enemy. We should return to the camp first."

"Yes, senior brother."

Subduing Tiger looked at Dragon-Subduing suspiciously. Were his elixirs really that effective?

But when he lowered his head, he instantly understood everything!

That scoundrel Dragon-Subduing was actually faking being dead!

At his feet, Arhat-Subduing Tiger, who was less injured than Dragon-Subduing, lay quietly and motionlessly.

Meanwhile, Wen Zhong led his army back to camp. As soon as he entered the central army tent, he froze on the spot.

Seeing the astonishment in Wen Zhong's eyes, Di Xin stood up generously.

"Grand Tutor, it's only been a few years, and you no longer recognize this King?"

"Your subject Wen Zhong pays his respects to the Great King!"

As the Heavenly Eye between his brows opened and closed, confirming that Di Xin was real, Wen Zhong hurried forward two steps and clasped his hands together to pay homage. However, Di Xin quickly reached out and helped him up.

"Teacher, you are the commander-in-chief in this tent now. Let's dispense with the formalities."

"Great King, why have you come to the battlefield?"

Wen Zhong rose and, guided by Di Xin, sat down by the table.

"Thank you, Pavilion Master Kong, for saving my life!"

"I eat the King's grain and share his worries. It is merely my duty."

Kong Xuan raised his wine cup and drank leisurely on his own.

"Grand Tutor, this is merely a clone of mine."

Di Xin smoothly continued the conversation, recounting everything that had happened since the Nuwa Palace.

"As for Kong Xuan's presence here, it is twofold: first, to see which faction Yuan Futong will eventually join, and second, to use the merits gained from quelling the seventy-two rebel lords of the Northern Sea to suppress all opposition within the court!"