The Medicine Buddha Visited Leize and Laid Out the Stakes; the Spark at Last Became a Raging Flame

Deep within Leize, inside the cave-heaven, the atmosphere tightened instantly at Medicine Buddha's sudden arrival. Bixiao had already taken the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill and shed the demonic poison, but her vitality was badly depleted. She lay quietly recuperating under the care of Yun Xiao and Qiongxiao. Saint Mother Wudang and Kui Niu let their auras spread, warily keeping the peaceful yet unmistakable Buddha Light beyond the cave-heaven under watch.

Tongtian looked calm, but his thoughts raced. Why had the Western Teachings come calling now? Had they discovered what happened to Bixiao, or did they have some other aim? He did not reveal himself at once. Instead, he sent his voice through divine sense, coldly addressing Medicine Buddha, who was concealed at the edge of Leize:

"Fellow Daoist Medicine Master, why have you come to this desolate place of mine instead of cultivating in peace at Spirit Mountain?"

At the edge of Leize, Buddha Light rippled faintly, revealing the dignified figure of Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light King Buddha. He held a medicine flask and wore a compassionate smile, as if he had not sensed the hostility inside the cave-heaven. He replied through divine sense as well, his voice gentle but clear:

"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, I happened to pass by and sensed something unusual here. It seemed that one of your disciples had been troubled by Outer Realm Demonic Qi, so I came to ask after them. Our Buddhist sect has some abilities for subduing demons and might be able to offer a little help. It seems you have already resolved the crisis, so I was worrying unnecessarily."

His words left nothing open to challenge. He explained why he had come, expressed goodwill, and then casually cast himself as someone who had merely been passing by and showing concern.

Tongtian sneered inwardly, naturally unwilling to believe a word of it. With a flash, he appeared outside the cave-heaven, facing Medicine Buddha from a distance. The Chaos Bead flickered above his head, streams of energy falling from it to block any probing from outside or within.

"Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist. A mere demonic poison is no longer a concern." Tongtian's tone was flat. "If you have nothing else, please return. This place is humble and ill-suited to receiving guests."

He dismissed him outright, his manner forceful.

Medicine Buddha's smile did not change. Seeming unbothered by Tongtian's coldness, he instead took a step forward. Buddha Light around him grew stronger, pushing aside some of the violent lightning energy around them. "Why keep me at such a distance, Fellow Daoist? Besides asking after your disciple's safety, I came on the Buddha Tathagata's decree, wishing to discuss with you a matter of great importance to the future of the Primordial World."

At last, he had gotten to the point! Tongtian narrowed his eyes. "Oh? What does the Western Tathagata have to say?"

Medicine Buddha's gaze swept over the roiling thunder around them, and he hinted, "This is no place to talk. Surely you don't intend to invite me inside for a discussion?"

Tongtian fell silent for a moment, then finally waved a hand and opened a corner of the cave-heaven's wards. "Please."

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

The two entered the cave-heaven, one after the other. Though Wudang and the others remained wary when Tongtian ushered Medicine Buddha inside, they greeted him according to the proper etiquette. The atmosphere, however, stayed tense.

After they had taken their seats as host and guest, Medicine Buddha got straight to the point. "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, your power in the battle at the Chaos Edge won even the Buddha Tathagata's admiration. To grievously wound that Outer Realm Demonic Nest without being a Saint, and protect the peace of the Primordial World—such merit has earned the gratitude of all its living beings."

First, he offered Tongtian a lofty compliment.

Tongtian was unmoved. "I only did what was expected of me. I dare not claim credit. Speak plainly, Fellow Daoist."

Medicine Buddha smiled faintly and continued, "You're direct, Fellow Daoist. In that case, I'll be frank. You surely understand the current state of the Primordial World better than I do. Internally, disputes among the various sects remain unresolved, while the Heavenly Court's transfer of authority stirs undercurrents. Externally, the Outer Realm Demonic Tribulation looms, its force fierce and far beyond that of any Great Tribulation before it. This is truly a time of peril, when our very survival is at stake."

He paused to study Tongtian's expression. Seeing that he remained calm, Medicine Buddha continued, "Yet across the Primordial World, there are few who can truly see the nature of this tribulation, let alone have the resolve and ability to stand against it. The Heavenly Court is burdened by concerns, and the Saints each have their own designs... Only our Western Teachings were founded on saving all living beings and resolving tribulations. And you, Fellow Daoist, possess a Chaos Supreme Treasure and have forged a new Primordial Dao. Your strength is extraordinary, and you have clashed directly with that Demon God, so you know the harm it can do. We are the most natural allies in responding to this demonic tribulation!"

"Allies?" A faintly mocking smile tugged at Tongtian's lips. "Does your sect wish to ally with me, the 'traitor to the Mystic Gate' and 'wanted criminal of the Heavenly Court'?"

Medicine Buddha replied solemnly, "Why belittle yourself, Fellow Daoist? What is called the orthodox Mystic Gate is merely an old shackle. You cast aside your Saint Position and broke free of your chains—that shows great wisdom and courage! As for the Heavenly Court... Haotian Shangdi is constrained by the Heavenly Dao Authority and the need to balance the various powers, so his hands are inevitably tied. But our Western Teachings and you can step outside that situation and join hands to face the true enemy!"

His voice took on a hint of persuasion. "If you're willing to work with our Western Teachings, the Buddha Tathagata can promise you three things. First, we will devote all the resources of the West to helping you perfect your Primordial Dao, regain your former heights as soon as possible, and perhaps even surpass them. Second, we will use the Western Teachings' influence throughout the Primordial World to clear your name and resolve old grievances with certain factions. Third, we will share all our intelligence on the Outer Realm Demon Gods and fight alongside you against the demonic tribulation, supporting one another!"

The terms were undeniably generous: resources, a cleared name, intelligence, and allies. They were nearly the greatest concessions the Western Teachings could offer!

Inside the cave-heaven, Wudang, Yun Xiao, and the others were shaken. If the Western Teachings truly honored their promises, it would be like timely aid in a snowstorm for their beleaguered group!

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

"Such generous terms. What does your sect want me to do? Or, once we're allied, who will lead?"

There was no such thing as a free lunch. What sort of figures were the Two Saints of the West? They would never make a deal at a loss.

Medicine Buddha seemed to have expected the question. His smile grew broader, but carried an unmistakable air of certainty. "You understand, Fellow Daoist. An alliance needs a leader and a hierarchy so that we can act in unison and face the tribulation. The Buddha Tathagata is a Heavenly Dao Saint who governs the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. He has countless Bodhisattvas and Arhats under his command, and profound foundations. By reason and sentiment alike, he should lead. With your vast powers, you could become a venerable protector, honored in status and ranking just below the two Sect Masters. What do you think?"

A venerable protector! It sounded like a lofty position, but in reality it meant joining the Western Teachings and submitting to their control!

Tongtian sneered inwardly. As expected, the Western Teachings intended to absorb him! They wanted to sheathe this sharp blade that was Tongtian, then wield it to expand their territory and face the demonic tribulation. In the end, they would probably even make the Chaos Bead and Primordial Dao belong to the West!

He did not lose his temper at once. Instead, he continued asking, "If I agree, what will become of my disciples and the Interception Sect members still on the Investiture of the Gods?"

Medicine Buddha smiled. "Your disciples can all join our Western Teachings and attain the fruits of enlightenment, with exalted status. As for the Interception Sect immortals and deities on the Investiture of the Gods... once our Western Teachings flourish and take the lead in the Primordial World, we'll find a way to free them from their constraints and return them to your side, or grant them positions in the West."

What a grand promise! Anyone could make empty promises.

Tongtian slowly rose to his feet. His aura did not erupt, yet an invisible pressure spread around him. His eyes shone as he fixed them on Medicine Buddha. "Your words sound lovely, Fellow Daoist. Unfortunately, I'm used to my freedom and can't stand being constrained. Save the position of venerable protector for someone else."

He rejected the offer outright!

Medicine Buddha's smile stiffened slightly, but he quickly recovered. His voice remained gentle, though it carried a deeper meaning. "Won't you consider it further? On your own, you must face the suspicions of the Saints and the pursuit of the Heavenly Court while also resisting the Outer Realm Demonic Tribulation. I'm afraid you may not have the strength for all of it. Working with our Western Teachings would benefit us both."

His words now carried a hint of threat. He implied that if Tongtian refused, the Western Teachings might not oppose him, but they certainly would not come to his aid in times of difficulty—and might even take advantage of his troubles.

Tongtian stood with his hands behind his back, proud and unyielding. "Not have the strength? Heh. I'll walk my own path! If your sect truly wants to protect the Primordial World in the face of the demonic tribulation, then go subdue the demons yourselves. Why insist on dragging me along? As for the Saints and the Heavenly Court, if they think I'm an easy target, let them try!"

His stance was forceful, yielding not an inch!

Medicine Buddha looked at Tongtian for a long moment, realizing there was no way to persuade him today. He chanted a Buddhist invocation. "Amitabha. Since you insist, I won't say more. I only hope you won't regret your decision today. Farewell."

With that, his figure transformed into a stream of luminous glass-colored Buddha Light and vanished from the cave-heaven. He had arrived abruptly and left just as decisively.

Peace returned to the cave-heaven, but the atmosphere grew even heavier.

"Master, the Western Teachings are treacherous!" Qiongxiao said angrily.

Yun Xiao voiced her concern. "Master, after refusing the Western Teachings, I'm afraid we've gained another potential enemy."

Tongtian's gaze swept over them all. "The Two Saints of the West are deep schemers. Working with them would be like making a deal with a tiger. If I'd agreed today, the Interception Sect's Dao Lineage might be utterly severed one day! Standing on our own is difficult, but it can preserve our Dao Lineage and let us follow our hearts!"

He paused, his tone turning firm. "Besides, we're not entirely without support. Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi and Empress Pingxin have secretly responded, and the Dragon Clan is watching. The disciples on the Investiture of the Gods are with me. This spark has already become a raging blaze! Now, we need to make the fire burn even brighter!"

His gaze seemed to pierce through the cave-heaven and look toward the Netherworld's River of Destiny.

"It's time to reach out to another key 'ally.'"