"Little friend, you needn't say another word!" Tathagata, still as unruffled as ever, spoke up. "Whether the Jade Emperor can decide a monk's fate isn't for you to say. Your sins are too great. If you remain in this world, you'll only endanger all living beings. You'd be better off surrendering and coming back to Spiritual Mountain with me to cleanse yourself of your sins."
"Disgusting!" His words infuriated Chen Tong, filling him with deep revulsion.
Tathagata! If you acted with integrity, I might even admire you. But you're so hypocritical that, honestly, I'd love to beat you up. I have to admit, though, that wish would be hard to fulfill. But...!
Chen Tong's lips curved into a smile. "I may not be able to beat up the two of you, but taking care of those little shrimps shouldn't be a problem."
After speaking, Chen Tong slowly closed his eyes. Blue energy shimmered around him, then gradually blended into the water. The next moment, a watery blue ripple rose and took on the exact shape of Chen Tong, to Bing Lin's astonishment.
"Is that a clone technique?" Bing Lin murmured.
"Hm...?" The Jade Emperor and Tathagata both looked puzzled. "A clone technique? No!" They immediately realized what it was and said in unison, "Dao Body!"
The Dao Body was a secret technique a level above the clone technique. It possessed even greater power than the original body, and only a saint could comprehend it. Even the Jade Emperor and Tathagata, mighty as they were, had never managed to master it.
"This kid just keeps getting harder to read," the Jade Emperor muttered. He also sensed that things were turning ominous. At that moment, he was locked in a contest of strength with Chen Tong's original body and couldn't spare a