The Righteous Path's Erosion

Ning Ye discovered that he was standing within an illusory space.

Nine blazing suns hung high overhead. Though they were called suns, each contained a different phenomenon. Within some, towering ancient trees could faintly be seen; others seemed to hold dragons and elephants charging in flight. Still others revealed rolling heavenly thunder, as though crimson bolts struck without a day of rest. One sun was even black and white, like an ink-wash painting, free and natural in its brushwork.

Ning Ye understood at once. He bowed toward the black-and-white sun. "Greetings, Patriarch. Greetings, Sacred Venerables."

Langya Sacred Sovereign's voice descended from the sky. "Ning Ye, explain yourself. This was no coincidence, was it?"

Ning Ye smiled. "Naturally not. Sacred Venerable, you are wise and discerning. How would I dare deceive you? I trust you already knew that I painstakingly planted the Bitter Grove Pure Land, luring the Heavenly Net Evil Rakshasas over to hunt them for their bones and gather resources."

The Nine Sacred Venerables all gave a grunt of acknowledgment.

Of course they knew about such matters, and they would not care. This had been a trial to begin with. If Ning Ye could turn bitter labor into a profitable venture, that was his own ability—the reward for passing the trial.

Ning Ye continued, "Silver Arhat came over to pluck the fruit, so naturally I had to show him a little color."

Purple Zenith Sacred Sovereign said furiously, "So you colluded with the Devil Race and brought disaster upon the human realm? Do you know what you have done?"

Ning Ye shook his head. "I did not collude with the Devil Race. I would not do something so suicidal."

"Then how could things be such a coincidence? The moment you withdrew, the Devil Race pressed in?"

Ning Ye smiled.