Medicine Buddha's Thunderous Wrath, Spark Becomes Prairie Fire

Deep within the Thunder Marsh, inside a grotto-heaven, the atmosphere instantly tensed due to Medicine Buddha's sudden visit. Although Bixiao had taken the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill and was free of demonic poison, her vital energy was greatly depleted. She was currently resting and recuperating under the watchful care of Yun Xiao and Qiongxiao. Saint Mother Wudang and Kui Niu, on the other hand, projected their auras outwards, vigilantly locking onto the benevolent yet unignorable Buddhist light outside the grotto-heaven.

Tongtian's expression was calm, but his thoughts raced. Why had the Western Teachings come knocking at this time? Had they sensed Bixiao's situation, or did they have other intentions? He did not reveal himself immediately. Instead, he transmitted his voice using his divine sense, his tone icy, directly reaching Medicine Buddha, who was hidden at the edge of the Thunder Marsh:

"Fellow Daoist Medicine Buddha, not cultivating peacefully on Spirit Mountain, why come to this desolate place?"

At the edge of the Thunder Marsh, the Buddhist light rippled, revealing the solemn and dignified figure of Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light King Buddha. He held a medicine pot, a compassionate smile on his face. As if he hadn't sensed the hostility within the grotto-heaven, he responded with his divine sense, his voice gentle yet clear:

"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, this humble monk happened to pass by this place and sensed an anomaly in the spiritual energy. It seemed a disciple of yours was being troubled by Outer Realm Demonic Qi, so I came to inquire. Our Buddhist sect also possesses Spiritual Power for subduing demons, and perhaps we could offer a small effort. It appears now that Fellow Daoist has already resolved this calamity; it was merely this humble monk's overthinking."

His words were flawless, explaining his purpose, expressing goodwill, and finally downplaying his presence as merely "passing by" and "concerned."

Tongtian sneered inwardly, naturally not believing these words. His figure flickered, and he appeared outside the grotto-heaven, facing Medicine Buddha from a distance. The Chaos Bead flickered above his head, emitting wisps of energy that blocked external probes.

"Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist. A mere demonic poison is no longer a threat," Tongtian said plainly. "If you have nothing else, please return. This place is simple and not suitable for guests."

He directly issued a strong expulsion order.

Medicine Buddha's smile remained unchanged, seemingly unbothered by Tongtian's coldness. Instead, he took a step forward, his Buddhist light intensifying, pushing back the violent Thunder Spirit Qi around him. "Why must Fellow Daoist keep me at arm's length? This humble monk came not only to inquire about the safety of your disciple but also on the decree of our Buddha, the Tathagata, wishing to discuss a matter of great importance concerning the future pattern of the Great Desolation with Fellow Daoist."

Finally, he got to the point! Tongtian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh? What guidance does the Western Tathagata have?"

Medicine Buddha's gaze swept over the rolling thunder, implying, "This is not a place for conversation. Does Fellow Daoist not wish to invite this humble monk inside for a chat?"

Tongtian remained silent for a moment, then finally waved his hand, opening a corner of the grotto-heaven's restriction. "Please."

He wanted to see what the Western Teachings were up to.

The two entered the grotto-heaven one after another. Seeing Tongtian invite Medicine Buddha in, Wudang and the others remained vigilant but still paid their respects according to etiquette. However, the atmosphere remained heavy.

After taking their seats as host and guest, Medicine Buddha got straight to the point, no longer beating around the bush. "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, your Spiritual Power in the battle at the edge of Chaos has earned the admiration of our Buddha, the Tathagata. To heavily wound that Outer Realm Demon Nest with a non-Saint body and protect the peace of the Great Desolation is a merit for which all beings in the Great Desolation are grateful."

First, a compliment.

Tongtian remained unmoved, saying indifferently, "It was merely my duty; I dare not claim merit. If you have something to say, Fellow Daoist, please speak directly."

Medicine Buddha smiled slightly and continued, "Fellow Daoist is straightforward. Since that is the case, this humble monk will speak plainly. I believe Fellow Daoist is more aware than I of the current situation in the Great Desolation. Internally, disputes among the various sects have not subsided, and there are undercurrents of power struggles in the Heavenly Court's succession. Externally, the demon calamity from beyond the realms looms menacingly, its power far exceeding any Great Tribulation before. This is truly a time of critical danger."

He paused, observing Tongtian's expression. Seeing that he remained calm, he continued, "However, looking across the Great Desolation, there are very few who can truly see the essence of this calamity and possess the determination and ability to resist it. The Heavenly Court is burdened by many concerns, and the Saints each have their own agendas... Only our Western Teachings, whose founding principle is to liberate all beings and resolve calamities. And you, Fellow Daoist, possess a supreme treasure of Chaos, have forged your own Primordial Dao, possess extraordinary strength, and have even clashed head-on with those demon gods, knowing their harm deeply. We two sides are, in fact, the most natural allies in dealing with this demon calamity!"

"Allies?" Tongtian's lips curved into a smile that was not quite a smile. "Your sect wishes to ally with me, a 'traitor of the Mystic Gate,' a 'fugitive of the Heavenly Court'?"

Medicine Buddha said earnestly, "Why must Fellow Daoist belittle himself? The so-called orthodox Mystic Gate is merely an old shackle. Fellow Daoist abandoning his Saint Position and breaking free from the chains is a manifestation of great wisdom and courage! As for the Heavenly Court... Emperor Haotian is constrained by the Heavenly Dao's authority and the balance of power among various factions, making his actions inevitably restrictive. Our Western Teachings and Fellow Daoist, however, can step outside this situation and join hands to confront the true great enemy!"

His voice carried a hint of incitement. "If Fellow Daoist is willing to cooperate with our Western Teachings, our Buddha, the Tathagata, can promise: First, to exhaust the Western Teachings' resources to help Fellow Daoist perfect the Primordial Dao, regain the peak, and even surpass the past! Second, to use the Western Teachings' influence across all realms of the Great Desolation to vindicate Fellow Daoist and resolve past grievances with some factions. Third, to share all intelligence regarding the Outer Realm Demon Gods and fight shoulder-to-shoulder with Fellow Daoist in confronting the demon calamity, providing mutual support!"

The conditions were undeniably generous! Resources, vindication, intelligence, allies – it was almost the greatest sincerity the Western Teachings could offer!

Inside the grotto-heaven, Wudang, Yun Xiao, and the others were deeply moved. If the Western Teachings could truly fulfill their promises, it would undoubtedly be a godsend for them, who were currently isolated and outnumbered!

However, Tongtian fell silent. He tapped his fingers lightly on the stone stool, his gaze profound, as if weighing the pros and cons. After a long while, he slowly spoke, asking a crucial question:

"With such generous conditions, what do your teachings require of me? Or rather, after forming an alliance, who will be in charge?"

There was no such thing as a free lunch. What kind of people were the Two Saints of the West? How could they make a losing deal?

Medicine Buddha seemed to have anticipated this question. His smile grew, but with an unquestionable tone. "Fellow Daoist, please understand. An alliance naturally requires a hierarchy for unified command and to deal with the great calamity. Our Buddha, the Tathagata, is a Saint of the Heavenly Dao, presiding over the Western Pure Land, with countless Bodhisattvas and Arhats under him, and profound heritage. Logically and reasonably, he should be the leader. Fellow Daoist, with your vast Spiritual Power, you can serve as a Dharma Protector Venerable, a position of great respect, second only to the two Sect Masters. What do you say?"

Dharma Protector Venerable! It sounded like a high position, but in reality, it still meant being under the command of the Western Teachings!

Tongtian sneered inwardly repeatedly. As expected, the Western Teachings intended to annex him! They wanted to take his sharp blade and sheath it within the Western Teachings, to expand their territory, deal with the demon calamity, and in the end, even the Chaos Bead and the Primordial Dao would have to change their surname to "Western"!

He did not immediately turn hostile but continued to ask, "If I agree, what about my disciples, and those Intercepting Sect disciples still on the Investiture of the Gods?"

Medicine Buddha smiled. "Your disciples can all enter the Western Teachings and attain righteous fruit, enjoying supreme status. As for the Intercepting Immortals and Gods on the Investiture of the Gods... when our Western Teachings flourish and lead the pattern of the Great Desolation, we will naturally find a way to help them break free from their shackles, return to your command, or attain other fruits within our Western Teachings."

What a grand pie in the sky! Who couldn't make empty promises?

Tongtian slowly stood up. Although his aura did not erupt, an invisible pressure permeated the air. His gaze was piercing as he stared at Medicine Buddha. "What you say sounds beautiful, Fellow Daoist. Unfortunately, I, Tongtian, am accustomed to freedom and cannot tolerate restraint. This position of Dharma Protector Venerable should be left to those who are fated."

He refused outright!

Medicine Buddha's smile froze slightly but quickly recovered. His tone remained gentle, yet with a hint of deeper meaning. "Won't Fellow Daoist consider it further? You must know that with your solitary strength, facing the suspicion of the Saints, the pursuit of the Heavenly Court, and resisting the demon calamity from beyond the realms, you may find it insufficient. Cooperating with our Western Teachings is a win-win situation."

In these words, a hint of threat was already present. It implied that if Tongtian refused to cooperate, the Western Teachings might not be his enemy, but they would certainly not offer him help in his predicament, and might even add insult to injury.

Tongtian stood with his hands behind his back, his expression proud. "Insufficient? Heh heh, I will walk my own path! With the demon calamity upon us, if your teachings truly wish to protect the Great Desolation, then go subdue the demons. Why must you drag me into it? As for the Saints and the Heavenly Court, if they think I, Tongtian, am a pushover, let them try!"

His attitude was firm, yielding not an inch!

Medicine Buddha looked deeply at Tongtian, knowing that he could not persuade the other party today. He chanted a Buddhist name softly. "Amitabha. Since Fellow Daoist is so determined, this humble monk will say no more. I only hope Fellow Daoist will not regret today's decision. Farewell."

With that, his figure transformed into a stream of glazed Buddhist light and vanished within the grotto-heaven. He had come suddenly and left just as decisively.

Peace returned to the grotto-heaven, but the atmosphere was even more somber.

"Master, the Western Teachings have wolfish ambitions!" Qiongxiao said indignantly.

Yun Xiao worried, "Master, after refusing the Western Teachings, we likely have another potential enemy."

Tongtian's gaze swept over everyone. He said gravely, "The Two Saints of the West are deeply calculating. Cooperating with them would be like seeking skin from a tiger. If I had agreed today, the lineage of my Intercepting Sect would likely be completely severed! To be independent, though difficult, can preserve the lineage and allow our hearts to be clear!"

He paused, his tone turning firm. "Moreover, we are not without our reliance. Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi and Empress Pingxin have secretly responded, and the Dragon Clan is also observing. The disciples on the Investiture of the Gods are loyal to me. This spark has already ignited a prairie fire! What we must do next is to make this fire burn even brighter!"

His gaze seemed to penetrate the grotto-heaven, looking towards the distant river of fate.

"It is time to contact another crucial 'ally'."