Western Teachings, Spirit Mountain.
"Master!"
Tathagata Buddha arrived, dragging his heavily wounded and battered body.
He dropped to his knees before Saint Zhunti and Saint Jieyin, unable to suppress his grief and indignation.
"Sigh, it's good that you survived."
"Didn't Dao Ancestor say that I would definitely be the next Saint? That the Primordial Chaos Grand Unity Golden Immortal should be me? Why did others get ahead of us?"
Tathagata Buddha was unwilling to accept this. What he had truly been worried about was his own position as a Saint!
"This venerable one does not know either."
Saint Jieyin shook his head. "Our teachings could originally have produced three Saints from one family. The Western Teachings would have flourished and surely dominated the prehistoric world, yet such an unforeseen change occurred."
"Do not worry. Dao Ancestor promised that you would surely become a Primordial Chaos Grand Unity Golden Immortal."
Saint Zhunti comforted Tathagata Buddha. "Come, follow the two of us to Zixiao Palace!"
"Yes, Master." Tathagata Buddha nodded.
The three of them then arrived beyond the heavens, within Zixiao Palace.
The moment they saw Dao Ancestor Hongjun, all three burst into tears.
Saint Zhunti dropped to his knees before Hongjun, hugged his thigh, and wailed loudly!
"Dao Ancestor, you must stand up for us! Spirit Mountain was destroyed, over a hundred thousand disciples were slain, and the Western Teachings are finished! We can no longer help ease Dao Ancestor's burdens!"
"This seat already knows of the matter."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun frowned slightly. "Stop crying and wailing. You are dignified Saints, yet you act like three-year-old children. What kind of conduct is this?"
At once, Saint Zhunti released Dao Ancestor Hongjun's thigh. Wiping away his tears, he said miserably, "Teacher, more than a hundred thousand elite disciples were slaughtered. We are simply too heartbroken."
"Does the prehistoric world lack people? What it lacks least is people."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun said softly, "Once the Journey to the West Tribulation restarts, it will naturally bring your Western Teachings hundreds of millions of believers once more."
"But who is the mastermind behind this? Can Teacher offer us some guidance?" Saint Jieyin looked deeply troubled.
"This seat does not know either." Hongjun shook his head.
After the incident at Western Spirit Mountain, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had also deduced the heavenly secrets. He had even used the Jade of Creation to communicate with the Heavenly Dao as its spokesperson, yet he still obtained no accurate information.
The heavenly secrets were completely hazy, shrouded in mist. Nothing could be seen clearly, nor could anything be deduced.
"Ah?!" Saint Zhunti, Saint Jieyin, and Tathagata Buddha were utterly shocked.
There was actually something even Dao Ancestor Hongjun could not deduce?
How was that possible!
After all, Hongjun had merged himself with the Dao. He was said to be the spokesperson of the Heavenly Dao; perhaps one day, he would even become the Heavenly Dao itself.
Yet there were still matters even the Heavenly Dao could not perceive.
It was simply unimaginable.
Could this mastermind behind the scenes be even more formidable than the Heavenly Dao?
Did such a person truly exist?
Could it be the Great Dao?
Saint Zhunti began crying again. "Then what should we do? If these masterminds secretly interfere and cause trouble, I fear the Journey to the West Tribulation cannot be restarted!"
"You bastard, can you stop crying already? You're so annoying." Dao Ancestor Hongjun could not help swearing.
Well, this is awkward!
Saint Zhunti quickly shut his mouth, his tearful expression immediately changing into a fawning grin.
It would not end well if he angered Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
"The masterminds are currently only at the early Saint realm. With two Saints on your side, that is enough to deal with them. To ensure the successful restart of the Journey to the West, this seat will grant you another Primordial Chaos Grand Unity Golden Immortal fruition."
"Really?!" Tathagata Buddha, Saint Zhunti, and Saint Jieyin were overjoyed.
"Yes. Tathagata is a Saint ordained by heaven. This venerable one will simply grant it to him a little early."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun nodded. With a wave of his hand, an ancient and desolate stone gate appeared before them.
"This is the Chaotic Infinite Mystic Realm, which this venerable one obtained while traveling through chaos. It contains incomparably clear Heavenly Dao Laws. Cultivate within this realm, and you will surely become a Primordial Chaos Grand Unity Golden Immortal within a hundred years."
"Thank you, Dao Ancestor!"
Tathagata Buddha was ecstatic and repeatedly kowtowed.
As long as he became a Saint, as long as he became a Primordial Chaos Grand Unity Golden Immortal, what would there be left to fear!
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"If there is ever anything the Western Teachings can do for you, Teacher, please do not hesitate to ask!"
Saint Jieyin and Saint Zhunti were thrilled. They repeatedly bowed in thanks and even pounded their chests as they made grand promises.
One family, three Saints!
In the prehistoric world, what person or sect could possess such supreme strength?
The Western Teachings would surely flourish!
Saint Zhunti and Saint Jieyin were as happy as children.
Tathagata Buddha was equally excited. He then entered the Chaotic Infinite Mystic Realm to cultivate.
Golden Ao Island.
Sect Master Tongtian had cursed Dao Ancestor Hongjun and was punished with a thousand years of confinement on Golden Ao Island.
At this moment, Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, Bixiao, and Zhao Gongming had all arrived at Golden Ao Island.
"Junior Sister, are you serious? The Sect Master's grandfather?"
After Yunxiao revealed the origin of the Enlightenment Tea, Zhao Gongming had been itching with curiosity.
Had he not feared someone might overhear them, he would have asked long ago. He certainly would not have waited until they reached Golden Ao Island.
"Senior Brother, why would I lie to you? The Sect Master said it himself." Yunxiao smiled brightly.
At this moment, Yunxiao no longer looked like a middle-aged woman.
Her face was youthful and fair, beautiful as a flower. Dressed in a white gown with a pink flower in her hair, she skipped along like a lovely young maiden in the bloom of youth.
"I simply cannot believe it! The grandfather of a Saint? That is too unbelievable." Zhao Gongming was still deeply shaken.
Who in heaven and earth could be the grandfather of the Three Pure Ones Saints?
Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun, the most formidable of all, would have to step aside.
Who exactly was this person?
I really want to meet him immediately.
"All right, Senior Brother. Your junior sisters would never deceive you. Let the Sect Master explain it to you himself! Hurry up, I want to see the Sect Master as soon as possible too." Qiongxiao pulled Zhao Gongming along, urging him to walk faster.
Deep within Golden Ao Island stood countless palaces, arranged row upon row in magnificent splendor.
Unfortunately, the people were gone and the buildings stood empty. Everything was cold and desolate now; there was no one there, nor were there any auspicious or immortal beasts.
Sect Master Tongtian sat in an ordinary little courtyard.
"Master!"
Upon seeing Sect Master Tongtian, Qiongxiao, Bixiao, and Zhao Gongming burst into tears of joy. They rushed over and knelt at his feet.
"You're finally back! Wuwuwuwu!"
"We missed you so much, Master."
"That's right. Don't leave us behind again."
Qiongxiao and Bixiao shed joyful tears, and Zhao Gongming was much the same, crying from happiness as well.
Sect Master Tongtian's nose stung and his heart warmed. He smiled happily. "All right, all right, my good disciples. You are all adults several million years old. What sort of sight is it, crying and sniffling like this? Your master promises you that I will never leave you again."
"Pinky swear!" Qiongxiao immediately held out her little finger.
"Fine, pinky swear." Sect Master Tongtian laughed heartily. "Pinky swear, and it will not change for a hundred million years."
"Yay!"
Qiongxiao, Yunxiao, and Bixiao practically leaped with joy.
Sect Master Tongtian was deeply gratified as well.
Many disciples of the Severing Teachings had been abducted by the Western Teachings and never returned.
Only these few before him had remained loyal from beginning to end. They would rather abandon their duties as heavenly gods and violate heavenly rules than leave Golden Ao Island, waiting for his return.
"Master, was that Enlightenment Tea truly given by your... grandfather?" Zhao Gongming could no longer hold himself back and asked again.
"Yes."
"Ah!"
Zhao Gongming, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao were shocked once more.
Although Yunxiao had mentioned it, and they believed she would not lie, hearing it directly from Sect Master Tongtian was truly astonishing.
"What kind of divine being could possibly be your grandfather, Master?"
"It was a chance encounter."
Thinking of how the Jade Emperor and Yang Jian had toyed with him, Sect Master Tongtian could not help but smile bitterly. He said to the Three Xiaos and the others, "Make your preparations. Today, you will accompany your master to meet your great-grandfather."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Yunxiao, Bixiao, Qiongxiao, and Zhao Gongming were overjoyed, clapping and cheering again and again.
A Saint's grandfather. Today, we must see what is so extraordinary about him.
What does he look like?
Perhaps there may even be some great opportunity!
Yunxiao and the others were both expectant and nervous!
Before you continue