The Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea

As for what happened next, Jieyin firmly believed the two of them had their own plans.

Nuwa's wide sleeves fluttered, and countless five-colored divine stones appeared in the air, instantly melting into flowing streams of light by her magic power.

"These five-colored stones can mend the heavens."

"However, a cracked sky is easy to mend, but the broken Buzhou Mountain is difficult to repair. If the Thirty-Third Heaven lacks support, I hope all Fellow Daoists have a **good plan!"

Was Buzhou Mountain merely a Blessed Land of the Primordial World?

This mountain was transformed from Pangu's spine, truly a pillar supporting the heavens!

Now that the mountain has collapsed and the pillar broken, if not remedied in time, even if the firmament is repaired, the heavens and earth will be overturned in an instant, and the Primordial World will be irrecoverably lost!

The Three Pure Ones and Jieyin understood the gravity of the situation and immediately fell into deep thought, seeking a solution.

But how could the heavenly pillar formed from Pangu's spine be repaired by ordinary means?

Even Sages were at a loss for what to do at this moment.

On the shores of the North Sea, violent waves surged.

Zhunti arrived with Lu Tian, treading on the waves, when he suddenly heard a clear sound in his sea of consciousness:

[Host has arrived at the North Sea Blessed Land and received a Merit Spiritual Treasure embryo]

"Why has my disciple come here?"

"Master, please allow me to explain. Since the heavenly pillar is broken, it may not be easy to re-establish Buzhou Mountain."

" ** I heard there is a Mysterious Turtle in the North Sea whose body can support the heavens, so I asked Master to come and take a look."

After Lu Tian finished speaking, he added with embarrassment: " ** My knowledge is shallow. If I have troubled Master..."

"Brilliant!" Zhunti clapped his hands and laughed, "How did I not think of this?"

"Let me show you my methods!"

Before his voice faded, the entire North Sea had been stirred into a tempestuous storm!

A moment later, a loud roar came from the bottom of the sea: No need to search, I will appear myself!

The sea surface suddenly churned, and a dark spiritual turtle emerged from the depths of the North Sea, slowly swimming towards the shore.

It did not reveal its true form, only being palm-sized, but its boundless life force and peak Quasi-Saint cultivation all indicated that this was the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea that Lu Tian was looking for.

You must be Zhunti, one of the Two Sages of the West, right?

The Mysterious Turtle carefully examined Zhunti and said slowly.

The Supernatural abilities of a Sage are indeed well-deserved.

I hid so well, yet you found me so easily.

Zhunti merely smiled calmly upon hearing this: This is the will of Heaven.

When he deduced the Mysterious Turtle's whereabouts, there were no obstacles; it was so smooth, didn't it mean that the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea was destined to bear the responsibility of supporting the heavens?

The Mysterious Turtle snorted angrily: ** The will of Heaven!

The will of Heaven dictates that I, who have cultivated diligently to this day, cannot achieve Form Transformation, am confined to the North Sea for life, and deserve to have my limbs severed to support the heavens?!

Go to ** the will of Heaven!

What a hot-tempered, ten-thousand-year-old turtle!

Lu Tian secretly clicked his tongue, but he understood its anger.

Knowing that he would be killed by a Sage to support the heavens, anyone who had cultivated for a long time would be unwilling to accept such an end.

Less nonsense, if you want my life, show me your true abilities!

The Mysterious Turtle roared, its peak Quasi-Saint cultivation fully erupting.

In an instant, the North Sea was engulfed by monstrous waves, with continuous towering surges, and countless sea creatures were instantly annihilated!

Mere wind and waves.

Zhunti was calm and composed, and a green bamboo branch appeared in his hand.

The bamboo branch emitted a hazy spiritual light, and without any visible action, the surrounding raging waves instantly subsided.

Master, wait!

Lu Tian called out urgently.

He came not only for the Merit of mending the heavens but also for the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea itself.

Senior Mysterious Turtle, may I have a word with you?

What is there to talk about with a junior like you? If you want to talk, have your Master come!

The Mysterious Turtle, unable to contain its rage, immediately manifested its ten-thousand-zhang true form and stomped its giant foot towards Zhunti!

Zhunti neither dodged nor evaded. With a light tap of the bamboo branch, the Mysterious Turtle instantly froze in place, unable to move even an inch.

Foolish, do you really think that a long cultivation age can contend with a Sage?

Zhunti glanced at Lu Tian, then tapped the Mysterious Turtle again with the green bamboo, only unlocking its hearing and speech abilities, while its other senses remained sealed.

Lu Tian immediately advised, "Senior Mysterious Turtle, you know better than anyone that the matter of supporting the heavens cannot be avoided."

"Even if it weren't us master and disciple who came today, the other Sages would have found you sooner or later."

"As for fighting a Sage..."

"Senior must have witnessed the consequences firsthand."

The outcome was clear—those who hadn't achieved Sainthood were nothing more than ants in the eyes of a Sage.

The Mysterious Turtle remained silent. Lu Tian, unperturbed, continued his persuasion, "However, using your limbs to support the heavens may not necessarily lead to your demise."

Upon hearing this, the Mysterious Turtle let out a couple of muffled grunts, showing some reaction.

Lu Tian secretly shook his head.

This Mysterious Turtle lacked wisdom and acted rashly.

It would resort to violence at the slightest displeasure, yet it chose Sages as its opponents.

No wonder its limbs were severed by Yuanshi.

Yuanshi had a violent temper; otherwise, he wouldn't have disappeared without a trace after receiving the Merit for mending the heavens.

"If Senior willingly offers your limbs to support the heavens, you will be saving hundreds of millions of lives in the Primordial World, earning immeasurable Merit!"

"With that Merit, you can reincarnate and cultivate anew, and reaching the Quasi-Saint realm again will be as easy as flipping your hand!"

"Our Western Teachings are eager for talent. If Senior wishes to join us after reincarnation, you will receive the protection of a Sage. With your Merit and cultivation, you can roam freely throughout the Primordial World, why be confined to the North Sea?"

These words piqued Zhunti's interest, and he immediately chimed in, "Fellow Daoist, my disciple speaks the absolute truth!"

"I have come personally precisely for the reincarnated body of Fellow Daoist Jieyin. If we truly intended to fight, why would I waste so many words here?"

"Fellow Daoist, in your cultivation journey thus far, have you ever stepped out of the North Sea even half a step?"

His mind raced, weighing the pros and cons—if he could bring the Mysterious Turtle into the Western Teachings, they would gain another top-tier Quasi-Saint!

Before he could finish speaking, another voice rang out:

"It seems this old Daoist has arrived a step too late."

"Fellow Daoist, do not be swayed by the Western Teachings' temptations. You might as well join my Human Teachings."

Although Dao De Tianzun's avatar was a beat behind, he finally arrived. Having overheard the conversation, he understood the situation.

"Lu Tian... is indeed exceptionally astute!"

"All the Sages were contemplating the reforging of Buzhou Mountain, but I never expected him to find an alternative path, proposing the strategy of supporting the heavens first."

Dao De Tianzun sighed inwardly.

All of them were Sages, possessing the ability to traverse heavens and earth. Their first thought was how to repair the immensely difficult problem of Buzhou Mountain, never considering finding a substitute.

Unexpectedly, Lu Tian had beaten them to it!

Upon hearing Lu Tian's words, the Mysterious Turtle couldn't help but waver.

Who would willingly face death if they could live?

Even if it meant reincarnation and cultivation anew.

Moreover, what Lu Tian and Zhunti said was not false—if it reincarnated, it wouldn't be eternally confined to the North Sea. With such immeasurable Merit, it would be enough to look down upon the entire Primordial World!

Lu Tian and Zhunti remained composed.

Dao De Tianzun had ultimately arrived one step too late.

Since Lu Tian and Zhunti had revealed the Heavenly Secrets first, they had bestowed upon the Mysterious Turtle the grace of enlightenment. Based on this Karma alone, the Mysterious Turtle would naturally consider them first.

Otherwise, why would Lu Tian have immediately dragged Zhunti to the North Sea the moment Buzhou Mountain shattered?

As expected.

The Mysterious Turtle's form shrank, and it bowed its head to Zhunti and Lu Tian: "Thank you, Sages and Fellow Daoist, for your guidance. When Sage Nuwa succeeds in mending the heavens, I shall support them, and then my True Spirit will reincarnate into the West."

The avatar of Dao De Tianzun, having made a futile journey, wore a grim expression.

After speaking, the Mysterious Turtle suddenly dove into the depths of the North Sea and retrieved an object, tossing it to Lu Tian.

"This is the turtle shell I shed in the past; it was originally useless. Since you wish to reincarnate, I shall gift it to you, Fellow Daoist."

Lu Tian accepted the turtle shell and thanked him, his mind already calculating—when he first arrived at the North Sea, he had also received an embryonic form of a Merit Magic Treasure. He wondered what its use might be.

At this very moment!

A vast Saintly might erupted, and a figure descended before them!

"Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea, I shall borrow your limbs for a moment!"

The one who manifested was none other than the true form of Yuanshi Tianzun!

Just as everyone was struggling to figure out how to repair Buzhou Mountain, Yuanshi suddenly had an epiphany: Since the Heavenly Pillar was difficult to restore, why not find another object to support the heavens?

He immediately thought of the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea.

It was fated for him to slay the Mysterious Turtle and share in the Merit for mending the heavens!

Thus, he arrived at the North Sea in an instant.

However, the moment Yuanshi Tianzun appeared, he saw Lu Tian, Zhunti, and the avatar of Dao De Tianzun already present. Furthermore, the Mysterious Turtle was bestowing its shell upon Lu Tian.

The scene instantly froze.

Yuanshi Tianzun's divine sense swept over, and he looked at the avatar of Dao De Tianzun in surprise, asking, "Brother, what is the meaning of this?"

The avatar of Dao De Tianzun sighed and transmitted his voice, "Second Brother, you are too late."

Lu Tian had come with Zhunti precisely for this Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea.

"I also arrived not long ago and was discussing important matters with the Mysterious Turtle. I didn't have time to inform everyone."

He concisely narrated the entire sequence of events regarding the changes in the North Sea. When he spoke of how Lu Tian and the others persuaded the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea to willingly support the heavens and subsequently convert to the Western Teachings, the Mysterious Turtle happened to grin sheepishly and bow to Yuanshi. "This old turtle greets the Sage. However, these four limbs have other uses now, so I'm afraid I cannot lend them to the Sage."

Rage ignited within Yuanshi! He had rushed to the North Sea at the first opportunity, only to be beaten to it by Lu Tian and Zhunti! According to his deductions, this merit should have been his, but now it was all for naught!

"Fellow Daoist Zhunti, you have a good plan!" Yuanshi glared at him. Zhunti, upon hearing this, chuckled, "Fellow Daoist flatters me! How can my meager skills compare to yours?"

Though his words were humble, his demeanor was undiminished. Seeing that Yuanshi's opportunity had been intercepted, Zhunti rejoiced inwardly and refused to show weakness. "Opportunities in the world are earned by skill. Since Lu Tian thought of it first, it is only right that the Western Teachings receive this fortune! If Yuanshi has the ability, he can kill the Mysterious Turtle right in front of me—we are both Sages, and even if there's a difference in cultivation, it shouldn't be this vast!"

Yuanshi Tianzun's face turned ashen. He knew he had lost his composure just now—the sudden loss of merit he thought was within his grasp, and his loss of decorum in front of everyone, would make anyone anxious. He felt even more humiliated now and simply flicked his sleeves, returning to Buzhou Mountain. After all, since the Mysterious Turtle was willing to support the heavens, it bore immeasurable merit, and even a Sage would not dare to stop it at this moment.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Nuwa is almost done," Zhunti said with a smile, reminding the Mysterious Turtle, "Fellow Daoist, you should prepare."

The Mysterious Turtle nodded, "Thank you for your guidance. I shall take my leave first."

At this moment, the Thirty-Third Heaven was already covered in five-colored glazed stones, and the ferocious heavenly rifts were gradually closing. Nuwa's actions were indeed swift, but it was a pity that Lu Tian could not witness the Sages' methods of mending the heavens firsthand.

"The Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea hereby swears! A resonant voice shook the Primordial World. Today, Buzhou Mountain collapses, the heavens and earth are about to fall, and all living beings will suffer. I am willing to sever my four limbs to support the four poles of heaven and earth!" Under the Heavenly Dao's blessing, this oath echoed throughout the universe, witnessed by all beings.

For such an act of immense merit, even the Heavenly Dao made an exception to create momentum and cheer him on.

Before the words had even finished.

The Mysterious Turtle suddenly manifested its true form, transforming into a primordial divine turtle of unknown height.

It held the Thirty-Third Heaven aloft with its head and its feet trod the depths of the North Sea, its pressure shaking the surroundings.

Without seeing it cast any spells or hand seals, its four turtle limbs, like pillars supporting the heavens, detached from its body and positioned themselves at the four cardinal directions, propping up the collapsing firmament.

Then, its physical body disintegrated bit by bit, transforming into four brilliant streams of light that flowed into its limbs, tempering the heavenly pillars to the supreme realm.

When heaven and earth were stabilized once more, the heavenly curtain forged from the five-colored divine stones fused seamlessly with the turtle limbs, and the Thirty-Third Heaven was finally supported.

The Primordial World returned to peace, and all the Sages showed expressions of relief.

For this act of mending the heavens, everyone had contributed, and the Heavenly Dao Merit naturally shone upon them.

As expected—

Beyond the Thirty-Third Heaven, immeasurable golden clouds of merit suddenly appeared.

The most abundant cloud enveloped the Mysterious Turtle's remaining True Spirit, directly sending it to the West for reincarnation.

At this time, Reincarnation had not yet been established, so the True Spirit directly entered a human fetus somewhere.

Nuwa received the second-highest share of merit.

Zhunti and Lu Tian also received vast rewards.