Jieyin and Zhunti Lose Face and Temporarily Rein In Their Ambitions

The Western Pure Land, atop Spiritual Mountain.

The hazy Buddha-light had long since lost its former serenity, replaced by an oppressive silence.

Seated on the Lotus Platform, Jieyin lowered his eyes. The Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus slowly revolved around him, but it could no longer radiate even the faintest warmth. Instead, it seemed cold and sluggish. His face, usually adorned with a compassionate smile, was now so dark it looked as though water might drip from it. His brows were tightly furrowed, and strands of visible black qi swirled between them. The resentment and fury of the Primordial Wilderness's inhabitants had tainted him; even the Merit Golden Lotus could not fully purify it.

Beside him, Zhunti clutched the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, trembling all over. His triangular eyes were bloodshot, filled with resentment and unwillingness to accept this. The scenes from the banks of the Luo River had just been shown to him in perfect clarity through the Water Mirror Technique. The curses and calls to arms of the Primordial Wilderness's inhabitants were like countless steel needles stabbing into his heart. He wanted nothing more than to charge out of Spiritual Mountain and tear Lin Yue limb from limb.

"Pfft!"

Another mouthful of golden blood sprayed from the corner of Zhunti's mouth, splattering across the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree. Its light as an Innate Spirit Treasure swallowed the blood instantly, but it still could not quell his fury. He jerked his head up, his voice as shrill as a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and roared, "This is too much! Lin Yue is going too far! He only captured ten of our disciples, yet he dares to make such a public spectacle of it and expose our plans to everyone! I, Zhunti, swear I won't rest until I