Ye Changqing let out a cold laugh. These people had taken advantage of Sect Master Tongtian's absence to arrange everything neatly for themselves.
Did they really think the Interception Sect was easy to bully?
When Empress Nuwa saw him again, a hint of delight appeared on her face, but it soon turned to worry.
Ye Changqing looked even weaker than the last time she had seen him.
He really might be at the end of his rope...
Venerable Primordial snorted coldly and fell silent. What would happen if the Interception Sect took control of the Heavenly Court?
Laozi kept his eyes closed, looking as if his mind had wandered far away.
But Ye Changqing could feel his divine sense scrutinizing him, trying to uncover something.
The Two Sages of the West also dropped their smiles. When they looked at him, their faces were full of compassion for all living things.
After hearing Ye Changqing's words, Haotian Shangdi's expression changed. He anxiously looked toward Old Ancestor Hongjun above, afraid he might make a decision.
He and Yaochi had worked hard for tens of thousands of years to build up their fortunes. It would be disastrous if someone else reaped the rewards.
"Junior Nephew Ye, I don't mean to be harsh..."
"Even if I gave you the position of Heavenly Emperor, how many years could you hold it?"
Haotian Shangdi began trying to persuade him earnestly.
Holy Mother of Yaochi began her own performance, dangling Flat Peaches as bait in an attempt to lure Ye Changqing in.
Ye Changqing smiled faintly. It seemed they really had underestimated him.
Though he had suffered the Great Dao backlash, he had already successfully achieved the Primordial Unity Dao before that.
In terms of status and magical power, he seemed little different from the Saints present.
If all the wishes he had made could come true after his death, then when he returned, even Saints would be no more than clay chickens and earthen dogs!
What right did they have to tell him what to do?
Besides, everyone present except Nuwa, who had been deceived, had played a part in the Interception Sect's destruction.
Why should he show them any respect?
Ye Changqing's expression gradually turned cold as he watched their pathetic performance.
The Saints probably had no idea that, in Ye Changqing's eyes, they were nothing but clowns.
"What do you think?"
Ye Changqing looked at Dao Ancestor Hongjun on the cloud bed.
His question was directed at both Old Ancestor Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao.
"Impudent!"
"This Purple Sky Palace is no place for a junior like you to act out of line..."
Furious at having been bested by Ye Changqing, Venerable Primordial immediately flew into a rage and seized the chance to attack.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun made no move to stop him. He merely watched Ye Changqing with interest.
This was a good opportunity to test him.
Venerable Primordial immediately understood. With a cold laugh, he was about to attack Ye Changqing.
So many Chan Sect Disciples had lost face because of him.
Just thinking about it made Venerable Primordial grind his teeth in hatred.
But given Ye Changqing's current condition, crushing him would be like crushing an ant.
Venerable Primordial raised a finger and casually pointed at Ye Changqing from a distance.
"Heh. You can only blame yourself for being too exceptional..."
Empress Nuwa's expression changed dramatically. She tried to help Ye Changqing fend off the attack, only to discover that she couldn't move.
She was a Saint, after all!
There was only one person in Purple Sky Palace who could restrain her.
When she looked up at Old Ancestor Hongjun, she saw purple light flashing in his eyes, along with a clear warning.
Only then did Empress Nuwa understand. It was the Heavenly Dao!
The Heavenly Dao wanted Ye Changqing dead!
"Who dares harm my disciple?"
A roar that shook the chaos rang out. A streak of sword light crossed through space and slashed toward Venerable Primordial's finger.
Empress Nuwa finally relaxed. Ye Changqing was saved!
But just as the two forces were about to collide, a streak of purple light suddenly wrapped around the sword beam and dissolved it in an instant.
Venerable Primordial's finger, still carrying the might of heaven and earth, continued toward Ye Changqing.
"Senior Disciple Brother, watch out!"
Zhao Gongming cried out and summoned the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls to shield Ye Changqing.
But before even a breath had passed, he was sent flying, coughing up blood.
The might of a Saint was no force a mere Quasi-Saint could withstand.
"How dare you!"
Sect Master Tongtian, still rushing toward them, was so furious that his eyes nearly split. He roared and sped up.
But all he could do was catch Zhao Gongming as he was sent flying.
Bang!
Ye Changqing vanished before his eyes, utterly and soundlessly annihilated.
"Ah..."
"Primordial, I'll kill you!"
With bloodshot eyes and madness in his expression, Sect Master Tongtian charged at Venerable Primordial.
He could no longer sense Ye Changqing's presence...
That was his most promising disciple, the one who brought him the greatest joy!
"Fellow Daoist, please restrain your grief."
The Two Sages of the West silently blocked his way, advising him without expression.
"You again!"
"You deserve to die... All of you deserve to die!"
Seeing the two of them brought back the memory of how they had stopped him when Ye Changqing achieved Dao.
He looked at Venerable Primordial, then at Laozi, and saw the same expression on their faces.
Amusement!
The words Ye Changqing had spoken that day echoed in his ears once more.
"Master, see them for what they really are..."
Only now did Sect Master Tongtian understand Ye Changqing's good intentions, and how much pressure he had been under.
No wonder he had kept saying that one Saint was far from enough for the Interception Sect...
"Changqing..."
Sect Master Tongtian burst into tears and roared at the sky.
"Ahem..."
A familiar cough suddenly came from outside Purple Sky Palace.
Zhao Gongming helped the weakened Ye Changqing walk in.
"That's impossible!"
Venerable Primordial's face turned livid as he roared in disbelief.
Empress Nuwa's eyes shone with delight, and the weight lifted from her heart.
The smiles on the faces of the Two Sages of the West and Laozi abruptly vanished, their expressions gradually turning fearful.
Even Old Ancestor Hongjun opened his eyes wide in disbelief.
Ye Changqing had clearly been annihilated by Venerable Primordial's finger.
Not even the Heavenly Dao had found the slightest flaw. How had this happened?
"I once reincarnated for ten thousand lifetimes and transcended life and death. Whoever chants my true name shall find eternal life within the cycle of reincarnation!"
Ye Changqing's words boomed through the silent Purple Sky Palace like thunder from the highest heavens.
"Such arrogance!"
"Careful, or you'll bite your tongue..."
After recovering from his shock, Venerable Primordial sneered.
If Ye Changqing were really as powerful as he claimed, how could he have ended up so grievously wounded and near death?
The Two Sages of the West were also taken aback. Where had they heard something like this before?
They slapped their foreheads, then finally remembered. Wasn't this what they used to lure... ahem, enlighten living beings?
"I shall deliver you from the sea of suffering, never to enter the cycle of reincarnation again!"
Empress Nuwa recalled what Ye Changqing had said earlier in Empress Wa's Palace.
That was right. He was the lord of the Eternal World!
The beings in the Eternal World were immortal. Wasn't that eternal life?
She spoke softly. "I believe you!"
Sect Master Tongtian: ???
He looked suspiciously at the two of them, wondering if there was something between them.
Never mind. As expected of my disciple!
Even if he couldn't become a Saint himself, he had still found another way to add a Saint to the Interception Sect.
This old man is comforted!
Before you continue