The Two Sages of the West Secretly Restore Their Strength and Plot a New Scheme

Western Niuhe Continent, Western Teachings Headquarters, Myriad Buddha Hall.

The hall was dark, lit only by a few dying lamps beneath the Lotus Platform. The flames had been pressed down to tiny sparks by the Heaven Opening pressure seeping in from outside, and even the light around the Lotus Platform was incomplete. The Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus floated in the center of the hall. Nearly half its petals had withered, and its once-radiant golden light had long since dimmed. In its place clung a faint layer of black Demonic Qi, entwined with and devouring the merit power within the lotus. A sizzling, corrosive sound filled the air. Every clash made the platform tremble slightly, scattering flecks of golden spiritual light that fell to the floor and were instantly swallowed by the black Demonic Qi.

Jieyin and Zhunti sat cross-legged atop the Lotus Platform. The holy purity of their Buddhist light was long gone; instead, it twisted together with the black Demonic Qi, forming a strange black-and-gold barrier around them. Their faces were as pale as paper, and traces of pale gold Sage blood remained at the corners of their mouths. The Power of a Sage around them fluctuated erratically, surging and then plummeting—a clear sign of the severe damage to their foundations after Lin Yue had grievously wounded them and the Great Dao had struck back.

"Senior Brother, this Heaven Opening pressure is far too overbearing. The damage to our foundations is getting worse. At this rate, we may fall from Sages to Quasi-Sages within a hundred years, and the very foundation of the Western Teachings may collapse completely!" Zhunti's eyes snapped open, bloodshot. His voice was hoarse and weak, filled with despair and resentment. He waved a hand, sending black-and-gold Buddhist light surging from his palm to dispel the