Chapter 50

As for what happened afterward, Jieyin believed the two of them would make their own arrangements.

Nuwa lightly waved her wide sleeve, and countless Five-Colored Divine Stones appeared in the air, melting into flowing rosy light in an instant under her mana.

"These Five-Colored Stones can mend the heavens."

"But while the rift in the heavens is easy to repair, Buzhou Mountain's broken form is difficult to restore. Without support, the Thirty-Third Heaven will collapse. I hope my fellow Daoists can offer a good solution!"

Was Buzhou Mountain merely one of the prehistoric world's Blessed Lands?

This mountain had been formed from Pangu's spine. It was truly the Pillar Supporting the Heavens!

Now that the mountain had crumbled and the pillar had snapped, if they did not remedy it quickly, then even if the sky were repaired, heaven and earth would topple at any moment. The prehistoric world would ultimately be doomed beyond redemption!

The Three Pure Ones and Jieyin all understood the gravity of the situation and immediately began pondering a solution.

Yet how could a heavenly pillar formed from Pangu's spine be restored through ordinary means?

Even Sages were helpless at this moment.

By the shores of the North Sea, raging waves suddenly surged.

Zhunti arrived riding the waves with Lu Tian, when a clear voice suddenly sounded in his sea of consciousness:

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

"Why have you brought me here, disciple?"

"Master, please hear me out. Since the heavenly pillar has broken, reconnecting Buzhou Mountain will likely be no easy task."

"I have heard that there is a Mysterious Turtle in the North Sea whose body can support heaven and earth. That is why I invited Master here to take a look."

After speaking, Lu Tian added somewhat sheepishly, "My knowledge is shallow. If I have troubled Master for nothing..."

"Wonderful!" Zhunti clapped and laughed. "How had I failed to think of this?"

"Watch your master's methods!"

Before his words had faded, the entire North Sea had already erupted into towering waves!

A moment later, a resounding roar came from the seabed: No need to trouble yourselves searching. This old man will reveal himself!

The sea suddenly churned, and an ink-black spirit turtle emerged from the depths of the North Sea, slowly swimming toward the shore.

It had not revealed its true form and was merely palm-sized, yet its immense vitality and peak Quasi-Saint cultivation declared without question that it was the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea Lu Tian sought.

"You must be Fellow Daoist Zhunti, one of the Two Sages of the West?"

The Mysterious Turtle carefully examined Zhunti and spoke unhurriedly.

"A Sage's divine abilities truly live up to their reputation."

"This old man hid himself so well, yet Fellow Daoist found me so easily."

Zhunti merely smiled faintly. "It is Heaven's will."

When he had deduced the Mysterious Turtle's whereabouts, he had encountered no obstruction whatsoever. Was such smoothness not proof that the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea was destined to bear the duty of supporting the heavens?

The Mysterious Turtle snorted angrily. "Heaven's will!"

"Heaven's will decreed that this old man could not transform even after cultivating all this time, that I must remain trapped in the North Sea for eternity, and that I deserved to have my limbs severed to support the heavens?!"

"To hell with Heaven's will!"

What a fiery-tempered ancient turtle!

Lu Tian clicked his tongue inwardly, yet he understood its fury.

Knowing that one would be slain by a Sage to support heaven and earth, anyone who had cultivated for countless years would be unwilling to accept such an end.

"Enough nonsense! If you want my life, then show me what you can do!"

With an angry roar, the Mysterious Turtle's peak Quasi-Saint cultivation erupted in full.

In an instant, enormous waves surged across the North Sea, billowing tens of thousands of feet high. Countless sea creatures were reduced to ash in the blink of an eye!

"Just some wind and waves."

Zhunti remained calm as a verdant bamboo branch appeared in his hand.

The bamboo branch bloomed with hazy spiritual light. Before anyone saw him make a move, the raging waves around them instantly calmed.

"Master, wait!"

Lu Tian hurriedly spoke up.

He had not come merely for the merit from mending the heavens. He valued the Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea itself even more.

"Senior Mysterious Turtle, may this junior speak with you?"

"What could I possibly discuss with a junior like you? If anyone wishes to speak, let your master do it!"

Unable to suppress its rage, the Mysterious Turtle immediately revealed its true form, ten thousand zhang high, and raised a massive foot to stomp down upon Zhunti!

Zhunti neither dodged nor evaded. He lightly tapped with the bamboo branch, and the Mysterious Turtle instantly froze in place, unable to move even the slightest bit.

"Foolish. Do you truly think that simply cultivating for a long time lets you contend against a Sage?"

Zhunti glanced at Lu Tian, then lightly tapped the Mysterious Turtle again with the green bamboo, releasing only its hearing and speech while keeping all its other senses sealed.

Lu Tian immediately persuaded it. "Senior Mysterious Turtle, you know full well that supporting the heavens is unavoidable, no matter what."

"Even if it were not my master and me who came today, the other Sages would sooner or later come looking for you."

"As for fighting a Sage..."

"Senior has surely witnessed the consequences firsthand."

The outcome was obvious—those who had not become Sages were nothing more than ants in the eyes of Sages.

The Mysterious Turtle remained silent. Lu Tian did not mind and continued persuading it. "But using your four limbs to support the heavens may not necessarily cost you your life."

Only upon hearing this did the Mysterious Turtle give two muffled snorts, finally showing some reaction.

Lu Tian secretly shook his head.

This Mysterious Turtle had yet to fully develop its intelligence and acted rashly.

At the slightest displeasure, it wanted to fight, and it had even chosen a Sage as its opponent.

No wonder Yuanshi had severed its four limbs.

Yuanshi had a violent temperament. Otherwise, he would not have vanished without a trace after obtaining the merit from mending the heavens.

"If Senior voluntarily offers your four limbs to support the heavens, you will save billions upon billions of living beings in the prehistoric world. Your merit will be immeasurable!"

"Then, carrying this merit with you into reincarnation and cultivating anew, returning to the Quasi-Saint realm will be as easy as turning your hand!"

"My Western Teachings thirst for talent. If Senior is willing to join after reincarnation, then under a Sage's protection, with merit and cultivation, you may roam freely through heaven and earth. Why remain trapped in the North Sea?"

These words even piqued Zhunti's interest, and he immediately echoed them. "Fellow Daoist, my disciple speaks the truth!"

"My personal arrival is precisely for Fellow Daoist Jieyin's reincarnated body. If I truly intended to act, why would I waste so many words here?"

"Having cultivated until now, have you ever taken even half a step beyond the North Sea?"

His thoughts turned swiftly as he weighed the gains and losses in an instant—if he could bring the Mysterious Turtle into the Western Teachings, they would gain another top-tier Quasi-Saint!

Before his words ended, another voice suddenly rang out:

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

"Fellow Daoist, do not believe the Western Teachings' deception. Why not join my Human Teachings instead?"

Though Dao De Tianzun's avatar was half a step slower, he had ultimately arrived. Having heard the conversation, he immediately understood the situation.

"Lu Tian... he truly is exceptionally quick-witted!"

"Every Sage had been considering how to restore Buzhou Mountain, yet he found another path and proposed the plan of supporting the heavens first."

Dao De Tianzun sighed inwardly.

All of them possessed the minds of Sages. With their heaven-penetrating, earth-reaching abilities, the first thing they considered was how to repair the supreme problem that was Buzhou Mountain. None had thought to find something else as a replacement.

Yet Lu Tian had unexpectedly beaten them to it!

After hearing Lu Tian's words, the Mysterious Turtle could not help but waver.

If it could live, who would willingly choose death?

Even if it had to reincarnate and cultivate anew.

Moreover, Lu Tian and Zhunti had not lied—if it reincarnated, it would at least no longer be trapped in the North Sea forever. With such boundless merit upon it, it would be enough to look down upon the prehistoric world!

Lu Tian and Zhunti remained calm and composed.

Dao De Tianzun had ultimately arrived too late.

Since Lu Tian and Zhunti had been the first to reveal the heavenly secret, they had the grace of enlightening the Mysterious Turtle. Based on this Karma alone, the Mysterious Turtle ought to consider them first.

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

Sure enough.

The Mysterious Turtle rapidly shrank and lowered its head toward Zhunti and Lu Tian. "I thank the Sage and Fellow Daoist for your guidance. Once Sage Nuwa finishes mending the heavens, I will support the heavens and then use my True Spirit to reincarnate in the West."

At the side, Dao De Tianzun's avatar had made the trip in vain, and his expression had already darkened.

After speaking, the Mysterious Turtle suddenly dived into the depths of the North Sea, returning with an object that it tossed to Lu Tian.

"This is the turtle shell I shed long ago. It was useless to me. Since I intend to reincarnate, I shall give it to Fellow Daoist."

Lu Tian accepted the shell and thanked it, while a thought arose in his heart—upon arriving at the North Sea, he had also received a Merit Dharma Treasure embryo. He wondered what wondrous use it possessed.

Just then!

Vast Sage's Might erupted, and a figure descended before them!

"Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea, this poor Daoist wishes to borrow your four limbs!"

The one who revealed himself was none other than Yuanshi Tianzun himself!

While everyone had been agonizing over how to repair Buzhou Mountain, Yuanshi had suddenly understood: since the heavenly pillar could not be restored, why not find something else to support the heavens?

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

It should be he who slew the Mysterious Turtle and received a share of the merit from mending the heavens!

Thus, he had rushed to the North Sea in an instant.

Yet the moment Yuanshi Tianzun appeared, he saw Lu Tian, Zhunti, Dao De Tianzun's avatar, and the Mysterious Turtle giving its shell to Lu Tian.

The scene instantly froze.

Yuanshi Tianzun swept his Divine Sense over the area and looked at Dao De Tianzun's avatar in surprise. "Elder Brother, what is going on?"

Dao De Tianzun's avatar sighed and transmitted his voice. "Second Brother, you came too late."

"Lu Tian brought Zhunti here precisely for this Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea."

"I only arrived not long ago myself. I was discussing important matters with the Mysterious Turtle and had no time to notify the others."

He briefly explained the entire course of events in the North Sea. As he described how Lu Tian and the others had persuaded the Mysterious Turtle to willingly support the heavens before joining the Western Teachings, the Mysterious Turtle happened to give Yuanshi an awkward smile and bowed. "This old turtle greets the Sage. However, these four limbs already have another purpose, so I fear I cannot lend them to you."

Fury surged within Yuanshi! He had rushed to the North Sea at the first opportunity, only for Lu Tian and Zhunti to get there before him! According to his deductions, this merit should have been his, yet now it was all for nothing!

"Fellow Daoist Zhunti, what a scheme!" Yuanshi said coldly. Zhunti merely laughed. "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist! How could my little tricks compare to yours?"

Though his words were humble, his bearing did not weaken in the slightest. Seeing Yuanshi's opportunity intercepted, Zhunti secretly rejoiced. Why would he show weakness? Opportunities in the world belonged to whoever had the ability to seize them. Since Lu Tian had thought of it first, the Western Teachings should naturally receive this fortune! If Yuanshi had the ability, he could simply kill the Mysterious Turtle before him—both were Sages, and even if their cultivation differed, the gap was not so vast!

Yuanshi Tianzun's face darkened. He knew he had lost his composure—merit he had believed was within easy reach had suddenly slipped away, and he had disgraced himself before everyone. Anyone would have been anxious. Now he felt even more humiliated and simply flicked his sleeve before returning to Buzhou Mountain. Since the Mysterious Turtle was willing to support the heavens, it now bore immeasurable merit. Even a Sage would not dare stop it at this moment.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Nuwa's side is nearly complete." Zhunti smilingly reminded the Mysterious Turtle, "Fellow Daoist, you should prepare yourself."

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 rift in the sky was gradually closing. Nuwa truly moved swiftly, though Lu Tian regrettably could not witness the Sages' methods of mending the heavens with his own eyes.

"The Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea swears here!" Its resounding voice shook the prehistoric world. "Now that Buzhou Mountain has fallen, heaven and earth are about to collapse, and living beings will suffer devastation. I am willing to sever my own four limbs to support the four poles of heaven and earth!" Empowered by the Heavenly Dao, this oath echoed throughout the universe for all beings to witness.

For such an act of immense merit, even the Heavenly Dao made an exception and lent it its support.

Before its words had faded.

The Mysterious Turtle suddenly revealed its true form, becoming a primordial divine turtle of unknown tens of thousands of zhang.

Its head held up the Thirty-Third Heaven, while its feet stood upon the abyss of the North Sea. Its might shook the four directions.

Without any visible spellcasting or hand seals,

its four turtle legs, each like a massive Pillar Supporting the Heavens, detached from its body on their own and settled in the four poles of heaven and earth, holding up the collapsing sky.

Then its fleshly body began breaking apart inch by inch, turning into four streams of dazzling light that poured into its limbs, tempering the heavenly pillars to an unparalleled state.

Once heaven and earth regained their stability, the celestial canopy forged from the Five-Colored Divine Stones merged seamlessly with the turtle's legs, and the Thirty-Third Heaven was finally supported.

The prehistoric world returned to peace, and all the Sages revealed pleased expressions.

Everyone had contributed to the merit of mending the heavens, so the Heavenly Dao naturally bestowed its favor.

Sure enough—

Boundless golden clouds of merit suddenly appeared beyond the Thirty-Third Heaven.

The largest portion enveloped the Mysterious Turtle's remaining True Spirit and sent it directly westward to reincarnate.

Since reincarnation had not yet been established, that True Spirit directly entered a human fetus somewhere.

Nuwa alone received the second-largest share of merit,

while Zhunti and Lu Tian also received vast rewards.