At Longevity Mountain's Wuzhuang Temple, as the time for the Ginseng Fruit to ripen drew ever closer, the atmosphere in the mountains grew increasingly subtle. Beneath the auspicious clouds and rosy mists, undercurrents and murderous intent were quietly gathering among the various factions.
Tongtian stood in the courtyard, sensing the powerful auras—some concealed, some in plain sight—that were arriving one after another around Longevity Mountain. His heart was as still as an ancient well. When soldiers came, he would meet them; when floods came, he would hold them back. He now had more than enough confidence to face this storm.
Yet when that vast, majestic cloud, carrying the familiar yet strange Innate Wutu Essence Qi, arrived at the mountain gate, even Tongtian and Zhen Yuanzi could not help being slightly moved.
The visitor was not the expected reinforcements from the Western Teachings or Chanism, but an "old friend" they had never imagined they would see!
The auspicious cloud dispersed, revealing an old man in a crimson Daoist robe. His features were ancient, but his brows and eyes held a hint of playfulness and languor. He carried a large vermilion gourd, and his aura was perfectly natural and harmonious. He, too, was a Quasi-Saint Great Power! Most striking of all, the auspicious aura coiling around him carried a faint quality that shared the same source as Zhen Yuanzi's Earth Book, yet was even more ethereal and transcendent!
"Fellow Daoist Hongyun?!" For the first time, Zhen Yuanzi lost his composure. He sprang up from his cushion, his face filled with incredulous joy and astonishment!
Ancestor Hong Yun! That kind-hearted man of the primordial world who had yielded his Saint Position cushion in Zixiao Palace, only to meet a terrible calamity and supposedly perish, body and soul! He was still alive?! And from the looks of it, had he even turned disaster into fortune and advanced greatly in his cultivation?
Extreme astonishment flashed through Tongtian's eyes, but it soon gave way to deep scrutiny and wariness. Hong Yun's return was far too suspicious! Especially since he had appeared at such a sensitive time—the Ginseng Fruit Gathering—and been "invited" by the Western Teachings!
"Hahaha, old friend Zhen Yuanzi! It's been so many years. I hope you've been well!" Ancestor Hong Yun chuckled as he descended from the clouds and cupped his hands to Zhen Yuanzi. His manner was as warm and casual as ever, as if he had merely returned from a trip abroad.
But deep within those seemingly clear eyes, there seemed to be an indescribable trace of world-weariness and... indifference.
"Hong Yun, you really are still—" Overcome with excitement, Zhen Yuanzi stepped forward and grabbed Hong Yun by the arm, carefully probing him with his Spiritual Sense. There was no doubt that this was Hong Yun's true source. It was simply more refined and profound than before, and carried an abstruse aura that Zhen Yuanzi could not see through.
"I was lucky, lucky not to have died completely. I received a stroke of fortune and slept until now before finally waking." Hong Yun smiled and patted Zhen Yuanzi's hand. Then his gaze shifted to Tongtian, and a complicated, inscrutable look flashed through his eyes. "You must be Fellow Daoist Tongtian? You're every bit as extraordinary as the rumors say."
Tongtian cupped his hands in return, his voice calm. "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, your fortune is profound. To be reborn after your tribulation is cause for celebration." But the alarm in his heart kept rising. The Hong Yun before him gave him an extremely strange feeling. He was clearly the original, yet seemed separated from Tongtian by a thin veil he could not see through. Most peculiar of all, deep within his Nascent Soul, there seemed to be a faint glimmer of Buddhist Golden Light.
Was it an illusion? Or...
"I heard the Ginseng Fruit at old friend Zhen Yuanzi's place was ripe, and my appetite got the better of me, so I shamelessly came to impose! As it happens, I can take this opportunity to meet some old friends and new acquaintances from across the primordial world." Hong Yun spoke cheerfully, as if entirely unaware that he had become a "chess piece" of the Western Teachings.
Zhen Yuanzi suppressed his excitement and doubts, and hurriedly invited Hong Yun inside for tea. The three top Great Powers of the primordial world took their seats beneath the Ginseng Fruit Tree. On the surface, they chatted amicably and reminisced about old times, but each had their own thoughts.
Tongtian secretly circulated his Chaos Dao Fruit, carefully sensing Hong Yun. The more he probed, the heavier his doubts became. Hong Yun's source was indeed unharmed, and even stronger than the legends claimed. Yet in his words and actions, there was always an indescribable sense of deliberate artifice, as though he were playing the role of "Hong Yun." And whenever the Western Teachings came up, beneath his seemingly casual tone lurked a faint hint of protectiveness, so subtle it was almost impossible to detect.
"So it seems that even after being revived, this kind-hearted man still failed to escape the Western Teachings' control. He may even have been converted and turned into one of their cards." Tongtian sneered inwardly, seeing through the Western Teachings' scheme. By bringing out Hong Yun, the "old friend" with whom Zhen Yuanzi shared a bond as close as brothers, they could make it difficult for Zhen Yuanzi to intervene. Through Hong Yun, they could also claim the moral high ground at the gathering and perhaps... seize an opportunity to make their move!
Sure enough, after a few moments of pleasantries, Hong Yun changed the subject and sighed as if in passing. "Alas, calamity qi is stirring in the primordial world, and strife never ceases. There's no need to look far: the feud between Fellow Daoist Tongtian, the Western Teachings, and the Heavenly Court has caused a great uproar. In my view, it's better to resolve a grudge than to let it fester. Why not take this opportunity to sit down and talk things through? The two Western Sect Masters are compassionate at heart; I'm sure they won't hold on to the past."
At those words, the atmosphere in the courtyard immediately grew tense.
Zhen Yuanzi furrowed his brow and set down his teacup, saying nothing.
Tongtian merely smiled faintly. "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, you're mistaken. I'm not the one picking a fight. Others have been pressing me at every turn, seeking to sever my Dao Path and destroy my disciples. If you were in my place, would you simply lie down and wait to die?"
Hong Yun chuckled and tried to smooth things over. "You're taking it too seriously, too seriously. Perhaps there's been some misunderstanding? I'd be glad to mediate when the time comes and turn hostility into friendship. Wouldn't that be splendid?"
Tongtian gave him a long look and said nothing more. There was no point talking to someone who wouldn't listen.
At that moment, Qingfeng and Mingyue's voices came from outside the temple:
"Master! Senior Brother Guangchengzi of Chanism has arrived!"
"Venerable Maitreya of the Western Teachings and Medicine Buddha have arrived!"
"An envoy from the Heavenly Court, Grand White Gold Star, has arrived!"
"An envoy from Ancestor Minghe of the Blood Sea has arrived!"
"Daojun Lu Ya of the Demon Clan has arrived!"
One heavyweight "guest" after another had arrived in person or sent an envoy, bearing gifts to formally pay their respects!
In the blink of an eye, immortal light blazed around Wuzhuang Temple, Buddhist hymns echoed, and demonic energy stirred faintly. Immortals had gathered from far and wide in a grand spectacle rarely seen before! Yet beneath the peaceful façade, undercurrents surged and murderous intent lurked everywhere!
As host, Zhen Yuanzi rose to greet the guests.
Ancestor Hong Yun also stood with a smile and said to Tongtian, "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, shall we go greet our old friends together?"
Tongtian sneered inwardly, knowing they meant to push him to the forefront. He rose without hesitation. "I'd be delighted. You need only ask."
The three made their way to the main hall in the front courtyard, where they found it already packed with guests.
Guangchengzi led Chanism's delegation, accompanied by several Golden Immortals of Chanism. Immortal light surged around them, and their expressions were haughty. When they saw Tongtian, their faces turned cold, their gazes sharp as knives.
Maitreya and Medicine Buddha led the Western Teachings, followed by a crowd of Bodhisattvas and Arhats. Buddha Light shone everywhere, and they wore smiles—but behind those smiles lay cold calculation. When Maitreya saw that Tongtian had indeed appeared, a glint of triumph flashed through his eyes.
Grand White Gold Star, the Heavenly Court's envoy, had the air of a genial old man. He cheerfully presented his gift, but his eyes kept darting toward Tongtian, appraising him.
Ancestor Minghe had sent an Asura Demon King, who reeked of blood, was unruly, and coldly surveyed the gathering.
Daojun Lu Ya sat alone in a corner, holding the Immortal Slaying Flying Knife and resting with his eyes closed. He seemed to have nothing to do with any of this, yet no one dared underestimate him.
Several other Rogue Great Powers and Earth Immortals from across the primordial world watched this rare gathering with expressions that varied from one to the next. Their gazes were especially curious, wary, and even covetous whenever they fell on Tongtian.
"Great Immortal Zhen Yuan, congratulations on the ripening of your fruit. This is a small gift; I hope you won't think it too humble." Guangchengzi spoke first, presenting his gift, but his eyes turned to Tongtian as he said coldly, "I never imagined that this sanctuary would be tainted by filth today, letting some public enemy of the primordial world slip inside!"
The moment he spoke, the atmosphere in the hall grew tense!
Maitreya immediately chimed in with a cheerful smile. "Senior Brother Guangchengzi, you're mistaken. Today is Great Immortal Zhen Yuan's joyous occasion. We've all come to offer our congratulations. There's no harm in setting past grievances aside for the moment." He seemed to be smoothing things over, but he stressed the words "past grievances."
Ancestor Hong Yun immediately agreed. "Venerable Maitreya is quite right! Old friend Zhen Yuanzi, Fellow Daoist Tongtian, everyone—please do me the favor of setting aside your grievances for today. Let's discuss the Dao and enjoy the fruit. What do you say?" He played the part of a peacemaker.
The gathered immortals turned their gazes toward Tongtian, waiting to see how he would respond.
Tongtian stood with his hands behind his back, facing the hostility—both open and concealed—from every side. His expression was calm, and a trace of mockery touched the corner of his lips.
His gaze passed over Guangchengzi and Maitreya, then finally settled on Hong Yun. He slowly spoke, his voice clear as it carried throughout the hall:
"Fellow Daoist Hongyun is still as 'warmhearted' as ever. I wonder, though, whether this 'warmth' comes from your own heart, or... whether you have no choice?"
The words rang out like thunder, instantly freezing the smile on Hong Yun's face! The Western Teachings' people, Maitreya among them, also changed expression!
"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, what do you mean by that?" Hong Yun's voice grew somewhat strained.
Tongtian no longer looked at him. He turned his gaze toward the radiant Ginseng Fruit Tree outside the hall, and his voice suddenly grew distant:
"The fruit is ripe, and the feast is about to begin. I wonder, though, whether today's fruit brings longevity—or annihilation?"
He abruptly turned his head, his gaze like lightning as he stared directly at Maitreya and Guangchengzi:
"You've gone to all this trouble to lay your trap. Isn't this the moment you've been waiting for? Why keep pretending? Whatever tricks you have, use them! I, Tongtian, am ready!"
Boom!
His words fell like a spark upon a fuse!
The atmosphere throughout Wuzhuang Temple erupted!
Guangchengzi shouted angrily, "Tongtian! How dare you!" Fan Tian Yin was already raised in his hand!
Maitreya's smile vanished, and he said coldly, "Since you refuse to see reason, don't blame us for using the means of subduing demons!" Buddha Palm Kingdom appeared once more!
The Western Teachings' Bodhisattvas and Arhats, along with Chanism's immortals, all brought out their magical treasures and divine abilities!
A great battle was on the verge of breaking out!
Zhen Yuanzi's expression darkened as the aura of the Earth Book stirred faintly, shielding the heart of the temple. Ancestor Hong Yun's expression shifted repeatedly as he stood in place, seemingly at a loss.
Tongtian, however, had already struck first!
He did not attack anyone. Instead, he abruptly summoned the twelve Great Evolution Chaos Formation Flags he had long since refined!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The twelve Misty Grey formation flags vanished into the void around the hall. In an instant, a simplified yet unfathomably intricate Chaos Array Formation took shape, enveloping the entire hall and part of the front courtyard!
In an instant, Chaos Qi filled the formation, blocking all probes of Spiritual Sense and warping space. It also greatly suppressed the effectiveness of the Western Teachings' and Mystic Gate's divine abilities!
"Not good! It's a Chaos Array Formation!" Guangchengzi cried out, realizing that Fan Tian Yin could barely even lock onto its target!
"Everyone, this villain is cunning! Together!" Maitreya shouted, driving Buddha Palm Kingdom down upon them!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The battle erupted in an instant! Light flashed, energy surged, and angry shouts and thunderous booms filled the Chaos Array Formation!
Amid the swirling Chaos Qi, Tongtian moved like a phantom and went straight for one of the masterminds behind this affair—Maitreya!
"Maitreya! Your smile ends today!"
The Chaos Bead blazed with light, and a razor-sharp sword aura of Chaos slashed straight toward Maitreya's face!
The Ginseng Fruit Gathering had become a battlefield!
No one noticed that Daojun Lu Ya, who had been sitting in the corner all along, quietly opened his eyes. His gaze fell on the Ginseng Fruit Tree, and a strange glint flashed through them.
At the same time, outside Wuzhuang Temple, four boundless Saint's Wills silently descended into the void, coldly "watching" the chaotic battle below.
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