Queen Medusa Works for Faith, Xiao Yan's Future Rewritten

After bidding farewell to his three sisters, the wariness Zhao Gongming had felt was quickly dispelled by the flattery and praise of his fellow disciples around him.

After enjoying a few days of cheers and admiration on Golden Ao Island, his heart, already swollen with repeated victories, could no longer be contained.

He was eager to fully refine the new magical treasures he had acquired, especially the Qiankun Ruler, and make them his own.

Legend had it that the twenty-four Sea Calming Divine Beads, when combined with the Qiankun Ruler, could create twenty-four miniature worlds, the "Twenty-Four Heavens."

Such power would surpass even the highest-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures, rivaling some weaker Primordial Spiritual Treasures.

Once successful, his strength, Zhao Gongming's, would undoubtedly reach an entirely new level.

By then, any Golden Immortal from the Sect of Explanation, any Daoist Randeng, would be nothing more than an insignificant ant in his eyes, easily crushed.

He would even dare to say to a Saint, "I can fight you!"

Although Golden Ao Island was safe, it was crowded and not a suitable place for refining such precious treasures.

Therefore, after taking his leave from Sect Master Tongtian, Zhao Gongming mounted his Black Tiger once more and left Golden Ao Island with high spirits, intending to find a secluded immortal island in the depths of the East Sea for his seclusion.

He was now bursting with confidence, feeling that with the twenty-four Sea Calming Divine Beads protecting him, he could go anywhere in the Primordial Era.

He flew eastward for tens of millions of miles, venturing deep into the heart of the East Sea.

Soon, an island exuding an aura of immortality and abundant spiritual energy appeared in his sight.

The island was covered in exotic flowers and strange grasses, with cascading waterfalls and flowing springs, and auspicious beasts roamed freely. It was clearly a prime location, a blessed land.

"Hmm, this is the place."

Zhao Gongming nodded with satisfaction, and riding his Black Tiger, he landed on a peak in the center of the island.

He found a smooth, giant rock, sat cross-legged, and prepared to take out the Qiankun Ruler and the Sea Calming Divine Beads.

Just then, a gentle voice suddenly sounded behind him.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait."

Zhao Gongming was startled and spun around abruptly.

He hadn't even noticed when someone had appeared behind him!

Not far away stood a short, shifty-eyed Daoist in yellow robes, with a rather untrustworthy appearance.

The Daoist wore a benevolent smile, looking at him with a grin.

Zhao Gongming's internal alarm bells went off.

To be able to approach him so silently, this person's cultivation must be unfathomable!

He immediately stood up, conjured the twenty-four Sea Calming Divine Beads above his head, and a curtain of light descended, protecting him.

"Who are you? Why did you appear behind this humble Daoist so stealthily?" Zhao Gongming asked in a deep voice, his eyes full of vigilance.

Seeing his nervousness, the yellow-robed Daoist quickly waved his hand and chuckled, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to panic. This humble Daoist means no harm."

He bowed to Zhao Gongming and introduced himself, "This humble Daoist is Zhunti, from the Western Teachings. I was traveling here today and happened to see that Fellow Daoist carries a great destiny and immense fortune, and is fated to be connected with my West. I have come specifically to meet you."

"Western Teachings? Zhunti?"

Zhao Gongming's brow furrowed even tighter.

He had naturally heard of the two Saints of the Western Teachings.

They were notoriously thick-skinned and fond of "converting" fated individuals everywhere, which was essentially poaching disciples.

He hadn't expected to encounter them today.

And it was a Saint himself!

Zhao Gongming's heart sank to the bottom.

Though he was arrogant, he wasn't so foolish as to believe he could truly contend with a Saint.

However, he reconsidered: he was a disciple of Jiejiao, and his Master was Sect Master Tongtian. Even if Zhunti was a Saint, he probably wouldn't dare to kill him in broad daylight, would he?

With this thought, he felt a little more settled and said with a cold expression, "So it is Saint Zhunti, my apologies. However, this humble Daoist is from the Eastern Mystic Gate, a disciple of Jiejiao. I'm afraid there is no connection between us and your Western Teachings. I ask that the Saint please return."

He directly issued a dismissal.

Zhunti, however, was not angered in the slightest and maintained his smiling demeanor.

"Fellow Daoist, what you say is not entirely accurate."

He slowly walked forward and spoke eloquently, "The word 'fate' is marvelous and unpredictable. Although Fellow Daoist was born in the East, your path is secretly aligned with my West. Look at you, decisive in action and hating evil like an enemy – this is precisely the appearance of a Dharma protector Vajra in my Buddhist sect!"

"Fellow Daoist, do you know that although you are now renowned, you are already deeply mired in a Calamity, entangled by karma? You killed Guangchengzi, killed Chijingzi, killed True Lord Taiyi, forging immense karma. How could Venerable Yuanshi of the Sect of Explanation let you off the hook? You are now in grave danger, with your life hanging by a thread!"

Zhao Gongming snorted coldly, "So what? We'll deal with any attack as it comes. Since I, Zhao Gongming, dared to kill, I am not afraid of them seeking revenge!"

"Foolish! Utterly foolish!" Zhunti exclaimed with feigned distress, "Fellow Daoist, you are courting death! Venerable Yuanshi is a Saint. If he truly disregards his reputation and attacks you, how can you resist? And your Master, Sect Master Tongtian, can protect you for a time, but can he protect you for a lifetime?"

"If you remain in Jiejiao, your future is bleak. Your ultimate end will be to turn to ashes, ascend the Investiture of the Gods, be enslaved by the Heavenly Court, and never regain your freedom!"

Zhunti's words struck Zhao Gongming's heart like demonic whispers.

Although Zhao Gongming did not voice it, he knew in his heart that his current situation was indeed very dangerous.

Seeing a flicker of hesitation in his expression, Zhunti immediately pressed his advantage.

"But, fellow Daoist, you have another path you can take!"

He pointed to the west, a divine and yearning expression on his face.

"Come to my Western Teachings! My West is a Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, free from slaughter and strife. As long as you are willing to join me, I, this humble Daoist, can guarantee your enshrinement as the 'Victorious Fighting Buddha' of my sect, second only to my senior brother and me!"

"Regarding the karmic sin of slaughter on your person, my senior brother, Saint Jieyin, can use the water from the Eight Treasures Merit Pool to cleanse it for you, allowing you to regain a pure body!"

"Most importantly!" Zhunti's gaze, burning with fervor, fell upon the Sea Calming Divine Beads atop Zhao Gongming's head and the Qiankun Ruler in his hand.

"Your twenty-four divine beads and this Qiankun Ruler are destined to manifest the Twenty-Four Heavens! This is the foundation of a supreme Buddha-land! If you are willing to use these treasures to suppress the luck of my Western Teachings, it will be immeasurable merit, far surpassing your slaughter of the Sect of Explanation's Golden Immortals!"

"With merit adorning your body and luck protecting you, you will not only safely pass through this Calamity but may even have the chance in the future to achieve the Great Dao of Hunyuan and become a Saint!"

"Fellow Daoist, this is your bright path, your supreme opportunity! What are you still hesitating for?"

Zhunti's words were like heavenly flowers scattering and golden lotuses springing from the earth.

How tempting was the future he painted?

Becoming a Buddha, accumulating immeasurable merit, and even achieving sainthood!

Any Quasi-Saint mighty being hearing this would likely be moved.

However, Zhao Gongming merely looked at him coldly.

When Zhunti had spoken until his throat was dry and finally stopped, looking at him with anticipation.

Zhao Gongming smiled.

His smile was filled with utter disdain and mockery.

"Are you finished?"

He looked at Zhunti and said, word by word.

"If you're done, then get..."

"Lost!"

"You shameless bald donkey! You're trying to poach from me, Zhao Gongming! And you want to trick me out of my magical treasures? Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"

"I am the senior disciple of Jiejiao, and my Master is Saint Shangqing Tongtian! Even if I die, I will never betray my sect and go to your godforsaken West to become some bald Buddha!"

"If you know what's good for you, scram! Otherwise, don't blame my Sea Calming Divine Beads for not recognizing you as a Saint!"

Zhao Gongming's words were decisive, leaving no room for politeness.

In his heart, he utterly despised Zhunti's shamelessness.

The smile on Zhunti's face finally began to fade, little by little.

His gaze also turned icy.

"You refuse the wine offered, and insist on drinking the penalty wine."

He sighed softly, as if filled with helplessness.

"Zhao Gongming, since you have no affinity with my Buddha, then this humble Daoist can only... forcefully 'guide' you."

Before his voice even fell, a colossal, sky-obscuring golden palm descended upon Zhao Gongming!

The Saint had finally revealed his fangs!