Outside Golden Turtle Island.
After Zhao Xuan finished asking his questions.
Guangchengzi's expression had changed completely.
Because every word Zhao Xuan had said stood firmly on the side of "justice."
He was powerless to refute him.
And the key was—
Zhao Xuan was still going.
"With the divine posts not yet decided, who decided that Chan Sect disciples could avoid the tribulation?"
"With merits and faults not yet determined, who decided that my Jie Sect disciples had shallow roots?"
"With the Heavenly Mandate still unclear, who gave you the right to stand here and say that the Jie Sect demanding divine posts was improper?"
One question followed another.
There were no roars.
Yet they weighed more heavily than any roar.
Guangchengzi's fingers tightened slightly inside his sleeve.
The Yuqing Immortal Light above the clouds sank along with them.
Haotian looked at Zhao Xuan, his gaze growing much more intent.
He suddenly realized—
Zhao Xuan was truly trying to pressure more than just the Heavenly Court.
He was also pressuring the Chan Sect.
Even the entire system of the Investiture of the Gods.
Guangchengzi said coldly:
"Chan Sect disciples possess profound fortune and virtue. Their master will naturally protect them."
Zhao Xuan looked at him.
"Where does that fortune and virtue come from?"
Guangchengzi furrowed his brows.
Zhao Xuan said:
"Never enter the world."
"Never help overcome tribulations."
"Never guard the Sea Eye."
"Never protect the Human Race."
"Never help the Heavenly Court quell chaos."
"Just cultivate in seclusion on Kunlun."
"And then they possess profound fortune and virtue."
He paused.
"So Primordial World's fortune flew right into your sleeves on its own?"
The Jie Sect disciples' breathing grew heavy.
Satisfying.
So satisfying.
None of them had dared ask these questions before.
None of them had even thought they could.
But today, Zhao Xuan had asked them outright, right in front of Haotian, Taibai Jinxing, the Dragon Palace, and Guangchengzi.
Why?
Why could the Chan Sect do no work and still enjoy fortune?
Why did the Jie Sect have to enter the tribulation despite doing the work?
Guangchengzi's face finally turned cold.
"Zhao Xuan."
"Are you questioning the Chan Sect?"
Zhao Xuan's expression did not change.
"I'm keeping accounts."
He raised a hand.
Another Jade Slip flew out.
It hung in midair.
There were not many words on the Jade Slip.
Just one line.
"Before the Investiture of the Gods, publicly assess the merits and faults of the Three Teachings."
Guangchengzi's pupils contracted sharply.
Haotian also suddenly looked toward the Jade Slip.
Taibai Jinxing drew in a sharp breath.
This was Zhao Xuan's real blade.
Qingxiaozi was the first item on the ledger.
The Heavenly Court was the first table.
Now, Zhao Xuan wanted to bring the Three Teachings into it too.
Guangchengzi's voice turned cold.
"How could you be qualified to assess the merits and faults of the Three Teachings?"
Zhao Xuan said evenly:
"Then who is?"
Guangchengzi fell silent.
Zhao Xuan continued:
"Your Chan Sect can say that the Jie Sect should enter the tribulation."
"But my Jie Sect can't ask what merits your Chan Sect has?"
"Your Chan Sect can say that my Jie Sect doesn't deserve to demand divine posts."
"But my Jie Sect can't ask why your Chan Sect gets to avoid the tribulation?"
"Guangchengzi."
"Is this the rule of Yuqing?"
Guangchengzi did not answer.
Because answering would turn this into a dispute among the Three Teachings.
He could neither answer carelessly nor back down carelessly.
Just then.
Another tremendous boom came from the depths of the East Sea.
Boom!
A black-blue spiritual tide surged up toward the Nine Heavens.
The old Dragon Palace minister turned deathly pale.
"Your Majesty!"
"The Third Sea Eye is fifty percent cracked!"
Haotian's expression turned completely grim.
He looked at Guangchengzi.
"Guangchengzi."
"If the Chan Sect won't take on the Third Sea Eye, then stop obstructing the Heavenly Court from calling for help."
Guangchengzi's expression changed.
Haotian's words carried great weight.
The Heavenly Court had its own dignity.
The Chan Sect could use the Heavenly Mandate to pressure the Jie Sect.
But it could not make the Heavenly Court shoulder the blame for the East Sea's collapse on its behalf.
Zhao Xuan looked at Haotian.
"Your Majesty does see things clearly."
Haotian did not respond.
Zhao Xuan did not press him further.
He simply looked at Guangchengzi.
"You can stop us."
"Then put those words in the Jade Slip."
Guangchengzi said coldly:
"What words?"
Zhao Xuan raised a hand and pointed.
A second line appeared on the Jade Slip.
"Those who have not established merit may not claim divine posts first."
"Those who have not borne the tribulation may not claim a share of fortune first."
Zhao Xuan looked up.
"Then."
"Have Kunlun sign it too."
The Yuqing Immortal Light shuddered violently.
Guangchengzi's expression changed once again.
Sign?
How could he possibly sign?
If he signed, it would mean admitting that Chan Sect disciples' merits and faults should also be publicly assessed.
It would mean admitting that the Chan Sect could not claim all the fortune without bearing any of the karmic consequences.
It would mean admitting that those True Immortals of Fortune and Virtue who were avoiding the tribulation in seclusion on Kunlun Mountain should also be put on the spot and asked:
Why do you get to avoid the tribulation?
Guangchengzi said coldly:
"Zhao Xuan, you are out of line."
Zhao Xuan looked at him.
"That again."
"When you can't make a reasonable argument, you say I'm out of line."
"When you can't answer, you say I'm disrespectful."
"Guangchengzi, you are the foremost of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect."
"You're not a pageboy standing at the entrance to Yuxu Palace."
"Since you've come here today, make yourself clear."
Guangchengzi's gaze turned even colder.
"I've already said this."
"The Investiture of the Gods is the great trend of the Heavenly Dao."
Zhao Xuan nodded.
"Fine."
"Then let me ask you something, senior brother."
"Amid this great trend of the Heavenly Dao, who has merit?"
"Who is at fault?"
"Who should be placed on the list?"
"Who should avoid the tribulation?"
"Who decides?"
Guangchengzi said:
"The Dao Ancestor and the Sages will decide."
Zhao Xuan smiled.
"Then what are you here for?"
Guangchengzi's face stiffened.
Zhao Xuan's voice was calm.
"Since the Dao Ancestor and the Sages will decide."
"What gives you the right to say in advance that my Jie Sect demanding divine posts is improper?"
"Since the Investiture of the Gods has not yet been decided."
"What gives you the right to say in advance that my Jie Sect disciples have incurred karmic consequences and should bear the tribulation?"
"Since nothing has been decided."
"What gives your Chan Sect the right to stand safely on the shore, pointing at the Jie Sect disciples saving people in the sea and calling them creatures born from egg and womb, with no virtue in their cultivation?"
Holy Mother Guiling sneered.
"Speak."
"Weren't you just so good at talking about the Heavenly Mandate?"
"Where is the Heavenly Mandate now?"
Zhao Gongming stepped forward as well.
"Guangchengzi, if your Chan Sect truly believes in rules, then sign."
"If you won't sign, then don't get in the way."
"You want to shirk the work, share in the fortune, and stand aside claiming others don't deserve it."
"How can anything be that cheap?"
Boom!
Another muffled explosion rang out from the depths of the East Sea.
The black-blue tide of spiritual energy surged higher once more.
The sea churned.
The old Dragon Palace officials trembled all over, nearly unable to stay on their feet.
"Your Majesty!"
"We can't delay any longer!"
"If the Third Sea Eye cracks to sixty percent, Qingxiaozi alone won't be able to hold it down!"
Haotian's expression darkened to the extreme.
He glanced at Guangchengzi.
Then he turned to Zhao Xuan.
"Zhao Xuan, suppress the Sea Eye first."
"We'll discuss the rest afterward."
Zhao Xuan shook his head.
"No."
Haotian's gaze darkened.
Zhao Xuan said:
"That's exactly how we lost the chance to negotiate last time."
"Do the work first."
"Claim the credit afterward."
"Save people first."
Settle accounts afterward."
"In the end, the account disappeared, the credit disappeared, and all the karmic consequences landed on the Interception Sect."
"Your Majesty."
"The Interception Sect won't jump into the same pit twice."
Haotian fell silent.
Taibai Jinxing said quietly:
"Your Majesty, issue the Heavenly Court Petition first."
"The East Sea can't wait."
Haotian's fingers tightened.
Guangchengzi immediately said:
"Your Majesty, issuing this petition would violate the rules of the Investiture of the Gods."
Zhao Xuan looked at him.
"Then you go suppress it."
Guangchengzi didn't move.
Zhao Xuan continued:
"You won't suppress it, and you won't let anyone else suppress it."
"You won't shoulder the karmic consequences, and you won't let those who do shoulder them claim the credit."
"Guangchengzi."
"Are you protecting the rules of the Investiture of the Gods?"
"Or are you afraid this Jade Slip will tear away that spotless façade of the Chan Sect?"
Yuqing Immortal Light abruptly blazed around Guangchengzi.
A wave of pressure bore down on the sea.
Holy Mother Guiling's eyes sharpened, and she immediately stepped forward.
Zhao Xuan raised a hand.
"Let him exert his pressure."
Holy Mother Guiling gritted her teeth and stopped.
Zhao Xuan stood where he was, utterly unmoved.
"Guangchengzi."
"If you use your power to crush me today, that'll be perfect."
"I'll write this down too."
"The Chan Sect refused to save the East Sea."
"Refused to shoulder the karmic consequences."
"Refused to sign for the credit and blame."
"And then used Yuqing Immortal Light to pressure and obstruct the Interception Sect from saving the sea."
"I'll make sure the entire Primordial World sees this account."
Before you continue