Helping Jieyin and Zhunti

Haotian's eyes flashed with understanding and a faint glimmer of delight, then he began recalling the speech he had prepared long ago.

He had already guessed who these late-arriving, bedraggled figures were.

Two streaks of golden light shot toward the palace gates and were about to charge inside regardless of all else when Haotian stepped forward at just the right moment and raised a hand to bar their way.

"Two Dao Brothers, please halt."

The golden light stopped abruptly. Chaos Qi swirled faintly, then revealed the figures of two Daoists—none other than Zhunti and Jieyin.

At this moment, the Apricot Yellow Dao Robes on their bodies were torn in many places, stained with the heavy gray ash unique to the chaos and unextinguished Tribulation Fire.

Moreover, their faces were waxen, their auras unsteady and floating, and the fluctuations of their mana were in disarray. They had clearly suffered greatly.

Zhunti, whose face was lean and whose hair was gathered into twin topknots, forcibly suppressed his surging Qi and Blood and ragged breathing. He straightened himself with effort, cupped his hands in salute, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "May I ask why Saint Child has stopped us brothers? What are your instructions?"

Though urgency colored his tone, his manners did not fall short in the slightest.

"Two Dao Brothers, please allow me to explain: the gates of the Purple Firmament Palace opened long ago, and all the true cultivators who came to hear the Dao have already entered."

"Even if you two rush with all your strength to the palace where the Dao is expounded now, I fear... the seats in the front rows already have their owners."

These words were like silent thunder, striking Zhunti and Jieyin's already gloomy faces until they turned paper-white, utterly drained of color.

Their eyes met, and each saw in the other's gaze an unfathomable bitterness and a nearly despairing blankness.

Zhunti and Jieyin had been born on Mount Sumeru in the West.

This mountain had originally stood at the heart of the Western Continent, a sacred realm where spiritual essence gathered and natural beauty flourished, no less magnificent than Kunlun.

But in the previous great calamity, the lands of the West had unfortunately become the main battlefield of slaughter and war.

Mount Sumeru had become the very core of the calamity's eye.

It had endured the brutal slaughter of the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation and the final showdown of the Dao-Demon Conflict.

After those two vast calamities, the Western Spiritual Veins had been nearly destroyed, the Ancestral Root shattered, and the earth's energy exhausted. The land was scarred beyond recognition, nearly becoming a desolate forbidden realm where Dao Methods no longer existed.

Thus, although Zhunti and Jieyin were Innate Divine Beings, they were like duckweed without roots, utterly destitute.

Forget fateful treasures such as Innate Spirit Treasures—even acquired artifacts with the slightest trace of spiritual charm were difficult to find.

Their cultivation resources were desperately scarce. Though they possessed outstanding talent and sincere devotion to the Dao, they were like trees without water, unable to stretch and flourish.

Therefore, even after cultivating until now, they had only just reached the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal Early-stage.

As a result, every step through the chaos had brought calamity after calamity, and they had narrowly escaped death time and again.

The two had regarded this journey to hear the Dao at the Purple Firmament Palace as the key to finding a sliver of life for the West, which was why they had exhausted everything to reach this place.

Never had they imagined that upon arriving at the palace gates, they would hear such dreadful news.

They might not even have the chance to obtain a seat near the front, to hear the Saint's words at close range and comprehend the profound mysteries of the Great Dao!

In that instant, the bitter poverty accumulated over countless ages, the toil of their travels, and the hardships of their Dao Path all surged into their hearts, transforming into endless anguish.

Zhunti and Jieyin stood frozen where they were, their Dao Hearts violently shaken. They felt only darkness ahead, vast and boundless, leaving them utterly at a loss.

Seeing that the two had lost hold of their Dao Hearts because of his words, their spirits and forms both dejected, Haotian was also faintly surprised.

He knew that the two from the West were in dire circumstances, but he had not expected the obsession and pressure in their hearts to weigh so heavily.

Come to think of it... if they had not been driven into a corner, what dignified Innate Divine Being would be willing to repeatedly sacrifice their face and bearing, doing things they had no choice but to do?

"Two Dao Brothers, do not lose heart." Haotian's voice softened, carrying a calmness that soothed the heart. "Though the Great Dao is arduous, it always leaves behind a thread of life."

"I have a method that may somewhat ease your present predicament. Would you two be willing to hear it?"

These words were like a faint light in the dark night. Jieyin had yet to emerge from his grief, but a flash of clarity abruptly appeared in Zhunti's desolate eyes.

His True Form was the Top-grade Innate Spirit Root, the Bodhi Tree. He was born close to wisdom and skilled at discerning opportunities.

He had merely lost control of himself upon suddenly hearing such terrible news.

But upon hearing Haotian's words, Zhunti immediately came to his senses.

The other party was the Saint's attendant boy. Why would he deliberately stop them and point out their predicament for no reason?

There had to be room for a turnabout here!

As thoughts raced through his mind, Zhunti suppressed all stray thoughts, tidied his robes and bearing, then gave Haotian a deep bow with the utmost respect. "I beg Saint Child for mercy—please show us the way through this confusion!"

"My brother and I will hold this gratitude in our hearts forever and never forget it!"

Seeing how swiftly the other had seized this thread of hope, while remaining impeccable in his courtesy, Haotian secretly praised him. Yet his expression did not reveal it. He merely nodded slightly. "Fellow Daoist overstates it."

"Listen to me: the Great Dao has fifty; Heaven's evolution has forty-nine; one escapes."

"Among all things in the Primordial Wilderness, even in desperate straits, life may yet be found."

"Arriving late today may not be entirely a bad thing. Perhaps it is instead the beginning of another destined opportunity."

His words were deeply mysterious. Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged a glance, speculation stirring in their hearts, but neither dared reach a rash conclusion.

In the end, Zhunti thickened his face and earnestly asked again, "The mysteries in your words are profound... forgive our dullness. We hope Saint Child can explain more plainly."

A trace of hesitation appeared on Haotian's face, as though he were weighing something. After a moment, he gave a soft sigh. "Very well."

"Our meeting today is also a matter of fate."

"I shall speak plainly... I have been entrusted with the Saint's Edict to oversee the palace gates, and possess a measure of authority over the various formations and restrictions within."

"If the two Dao Brothers trust me, I can make some minor adjustments and provide a convenient means for you both, making the road to Yan Dao Palace somewhat clearer."

His words were already exceedingly blunt, leaving Zhunti and Jieyin shaken to the core, scarcely daring to believe their own ears.

At the gates of the Saint's Dao Field, he was discussing such an act of "cheating"?

Could it be that the Saint did not know?

For a moment, the Two People fell silent, their hearts filled with doubt and uncertainty.

Only after a long while did Zhunti cautiously speak again, choosing his words with the utmost tact. "Saint Child, your noble generosity moves This Daoist beyond words."

"Only... would acting thus... disturb the Saint's serenity, or violate the rules of Purple Firmament Palace?"

What he feared was that this might enrage the Saint and bring about an unfathomable calamity.

Haotian understood at once and replied candidly, "There is no need for you two to worry over this matter."

"I know my limits in what I do, and I will also report the reasons to the Saint." There was a calm confidence in his words, making it clear that he would bear responsibility for this matter.

This only set off even more towering waves in Zhunti and Jieyin's hearts.

The Two People truly could not understand what virtue or ability they, western Cultivators reduced to such straits, possessed to warrant such risky assistance from the Saint's Boy.

Reading their expressions and knowing their doubts, Haotian no longer concealed his intentions. He said frankly, "To be honest with you two, although Junior Sister and I have served before the Saint year-round, listening to wondrous teachings."

"Yet when karmic circumstances lead the way someday, we may also need to set foot in the Primordial Wilderness and temper our Dao Hearts."

"But the Primordial Wilderness is vast, and capable people abound. Without one or two Daoists to support and look after one another, the road ahead may well be fraught with twists and turns."

He paused slightly, his gaze clear as he continued, "The Great Powers of the Primordial Wilderness all possess vast Supernatural Powers, profound foundations, and enduring fortunes."

"Even if I wished to befriend them, it would likely amount to no more than a casual acquaintance—adding flowers to brocade, nothing more."

"But the circumstances of you two Dao Brothers are unique... If I can offer even a little help now, would that not be a friendship of sending charcoal in the snow?"