Thinking back on everything that had happened, Sect Leader Tongtian felt a headache coming on. There was only one thing he wanted to know now.
Had the Heavenly Dao ever truly determined anything?
Back in the main world, Hong Jun had constantly used the Heavenly Dao's will as an excuse to drag them into trouble.
Whether it was the ancient battle for supremacy among the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans, or the later war between the Wu and Yao Clans, Hong Jun and the others had been behind it all.
But now that he thought about it...
Could all of it have been rumors fabricated by that old bastard Hong Jun to eliminate potential rivals?
The Heavenly Dao was nothing more than an emotionless will!
What could it determine?
It rewarded whoever benefited it and punished whoever harmed it.
Where did this idea of the Heavenly Dao determining everything come from?
It was just...
Glancing at Xuanming, who was resting with his eyes closed, Sect Leader Tongtian hesitated again. If the Heavenly Dao had no consciousness, then who was behind this kid?
"Grandmaster~!"
Just as Sect Leader Tongtian fell into thought, Xuanming opened his eyes after receiving his reward. Excited, he stretched out his left hand.
The next moment,
A hazy strand of violet qi, radiating endless mysteries, appeared in his palm and coiled around his wrist.
"It really is the Primordial Violet Qi?!"
Sect Leader Tongtian snapped back to his senses, surprise showing on his face. A flicker of remembrance crossed his eyes as he recalled the time he had spent in Zixiao Palace...
"Grandmaster, let's head back!"
Before Sect Leader Tongtian could start reminiscing, Xuanming had already risen to his feet. He put away the Primordial Violet Qi and asked,
"Grandmaster, who do you think should get this strand of Primordial Violet Qi? The Interception Sect has quite a few Quasi-Saints!"
"Hmm?"
Sect Leader Tongtian stared at Xuanming in surprise and uncertainty. "Kid, you don't want it? This is the foundation for becoming a Saint..."
"I have more!"
Xuanming smiled as he explained, "Grandmaster, the missions have changed. Once we completely destroy Buddhism in this world, we'll get another strand—no, two more strands of Primordial Violet Qi!"
"Hiss?!"
Even Sect Leader Tongtian couldn't help drawing a sharp breath. There were two more strands of Primordial Violet Qi to be had?
Wait...
What kind of monster was standing behind this kid?
Why did it feel like the Primordial Violet Qi, something as precious to them as a Chaos Supreme Treasure, was as common as cabbages to that unknown being?
Fortunately,
The last vestige of reason kept Sect Leader Tongtian from voicing his questions. After thinking it over, he handed the decision right back to Xuanming.
"Xuanming, since it's yours, you should decide who gets it!"
Seeing Xuanming about to refuse, Sect Leader Tongtian shook his head with a bitter smile. "To me, my disciples are all equally dear. I truly can't choose between them!"
"Then... all right!"
Xuanming considered it and agreed. After all, they were all his beloved senior disciples; giving it to one and not another would be awkward.
But he was different.
As one of San Xiao's disciples, he had never left San Xiao Island for as long as he could remember. He didn't have much of a bond with anyone else in the Interception Sect.
"Then let's give it to Eldest Martial Uncle. She's already at the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm. Perhaps this chance will let her become a Saint on the spot!"
"Good!"
Sect Leader Tongtian had already expected Xuanming to choose her. He smiled and nodded, then prepared to take him back to the main world.
However, before they could do anything, Journey to the West Tongtian came looking for them.
"Fellow Daoist, something doesn't seem right!"
Journey to the West Tongtian appeared nearby and hurried over, looking troubled. He briefly explained what he had learned.
"Uh?"
Sect Leader Tongtian and Xuanming exchanged glances, at a loss for words. Clearly, they hadn't expected Buddhism to react this way.
They were marching on the Heavenly Court without a second thought?
Interesting!
Xuanming rubbed his chin and crouched down to analyze the situation. "You two Grandmasters, how likely is it that we can get the Two Saints of the West to clash outright with Taishang and Yuanshi?"
"Very likely!"
Journey to the West Tongtian smiled as he explained, "Jin Chanzi is dead, so the medium for bringing Buddhist teachings east is gone. Buddhism's thousand-year plan has been ruined. The Two Saints of the West definitely won't let this go."
"But they'll definitely suspect that the culprit is you—me, that is!" Sect Leader Tongtian added from beside them.
He was sure the Two Saints of the West weren't as stupid as that bastard Duobao.
How could the Heavenly Court have done this?
Although the Heavenly Court had indeed suffered the greatest loss from the eastward spread of Buddhist teachings, that loss wasn't enough to make them break their vow to the Saints.
If the Saints on both sides clashed, Tongtian would clearly be the one to benefit.
So as long as they gave it some thought, they'd definitely suspect him.
And once they had a suspect, how could they still fight each other? They'd be more likely to join forces and beat Tongtian up again!
"Uh?"
Journey to the West Tongtian's smile vanished. Why was he always the one getting hurt? Did he really look that easy to bully?
"Grandmaster, don't panic!"
Xuanming offered his suggestion. "As long as we take the chance to wipe out Buddhism, then even if the Two Saints of the West figure out what happened, they won't let the Heavenly Court off the hook."
"No way!"
Journey to the West Tongtian hurriedly shook his head. "Your martial uncle and martial aunt are all in the Heavenly Court. If we drive Jieyin and Zhunti into a frenzy, those two old bastards might come east and start killing indiscriminately... Even if we win in the end, it'll be a pyrrhic victory."
"Exactly!"
Sect Leader Tongtian nodded. "We should stick to the original plan. Let's head back first and get your Eldest Martial Uncle to break through as soon as possible. Then we can deal with those few before anything else!"
"Fine!"
Xuanming thought it over and agreed. If the Saints lost their reason, they could reduce the entire prehistoric world to rubble.
Still, thinking of the Buddhist army that had already set out, Xuanming offered a reminder.
"Grandmaster, we might not be able to come back for a while. Why not bring my martial uncles and aunts with you, too? If they take out their anger on the Interception Sect disciples, that won't be good for them either!"
"Hmm... that makes a lot of sense!"
The two Tongtians exchanged a glance and agreed that Xuanming had a point. Journey to the West Tongtian flashed away to set off.
"Grandmaster, you should go too!"
Looking up at Sect Leader Tongtian beside him, Xuanming smiled and said, "Just send me to stay with Grandmaster Nuwa. The two of you will be faster, and I can have a good chat with Grandmaster Nuwa."
"Chat? What could you possibly have to talk about?"
Though Sect Leader Tongtian said that, he didn't waste a moment. In the blink of an eye, he had taken Xuanming from Five Finger Mountain to outside Wa Imperial Palace.
Meanwhile,
Inside Wa Imperial Palace,
Two figures sat facing each other, both wearing displeased expressions. It seemed they had just had an unpleasant argument.
"Your Majesty, Sect Leader Tongtian is here to visit!" The palace's young attendant cautiously stepped up to Nuwa and reported.
"Fellow Daoist Tongtian is here?"
Nuwa's heart gave a sudden jolt. She instinctively turned to look at the man across from her and saw that his brows had indeed furrowed.
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