Just as the Twelfth Grade Merit Golden Lotus's protective barrier enveloped Mount Sumeru, Yuanshi's All-Heaven Fiendgod Qi Blade came slashing down.
"Rumble!"
The All-Heaven Fiendgod Qi Blade struck the Twelfth Grade Merit Golden Lotus's protective barrier, and a terrifying wave of energy instantly spread in all directions.
The immense energy swept across the surrounding peaks, pulverizing them into dust in an instant.
Meanwhile, Jie Yin, within the barrier, spat out a mouthful of blood. The terrifying force of the collision had not only caused the entire barrier to tremble violently, but part of the All-Heaven Fiendgod Qi Blade's power had even struck his physical body.
Jie Yin thought to himself, The Pangu Banner truly is powerful. With this treasure, even if my junior brother and I join forces, we may not be able to withstand Yuanshi.
Although the protective barrier had not shattered yet, countless tiny cracks had appeared across it.
If Yuanshi attacked once more, the barrier would surely break apart, and all of Mount Sumeru would be reduced to nothing.
Damn it! We must find a way to protect Mount Sumeru, or the entire mountain and the Western Sect will vanish from the Great Desolation forever.
On the other side, Zhun Ti was no better off. Although he possessed the Top Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Seven Treasure Tree, it was utter trash compared to the Taiji Diagram.
Under the Taiji Diagram's assault, the Seven Treasure Tree's divine light had not only dimmed, but it had even developed a faint crack.
When Zhun Ti saw the crack on his treasure, his heart ached terribly. The Seven Treasure Tree was a treasure he had spent countless years creating.
Now that the Taiji Diagram had damaged it, how could he not feel distressed?
Yet compared to Mount Sumeru and the entire Western Sect, sacrificing the Seven Treasure Tree was worth it. But if this continued, not only would the Seven Treasure Tree be lost, even the entire Western Sect might not survive.
Seeing that this could not continue, Zhun Ti hurriedly transmitted his voice. "Senior Brother, we must find a way to protect Mount Sumeru. If this goes on, our foundation will be completely destroyed."
"Junior Brother, I have no solution either. Taiqing and Yuanshi simply refuse to listen to anything now. I do not know which damned bastard framed us, but if I find out who it was, I will make him repay it a hundredfold."
"Senior Brother, this is not the time to discuss that. Let us first think of a way to preserve Mount Sumeru and the Western Sect!"
Upon hearing this, Jie Yin immediately fell into deep thought.
A moment later, a glimmer of light flashed in Jie Yin's eyes. "Junior Brother, let us call for Master together. Only Master can stop them now."
"This is our only option now."
After exchanging voice transmissions, the two immediately cried out together, "Master, please save our Western Sect!"
Far away in Zixiao Palace, Hongjun heard Jie Yin and Zhun Ti's cries and immediately awoke from meditation.
"What do these two want with me?"
Hongjun raised his hand and began to deduce the matter. Soon, he learned the full sequence of events.
So that was it. But even I cannot deduce the identity of the one who stole the treasures. Either this person possesses a treasure that conceals their aura, or their strength far surpasses mine.
Hongjun closed his eyes, then transmitted his voice to the Heavenly Dao.
Within the Heavenly Dao Void, the Heavenly Dao frowned slightly upon receiving Hongjun's transmission.
There was actually something in the Great Desolation that Hongjun could not deduce. Could it have been him? If it was him, then Hongjun truly would not be able to deduce even the slightest thing.
Sigh! It would be best to keep this matter secret. Otherwise, if the Heavenly Dao is held accountable in the future, that would be disastrous. But first, I must stop them from continuing their fight, or the Western Sect truly will be finished.
With that thought, the Heavenly Dao glared, and the sky above the Western World suddenly darkened.
Immediately afterward, the Eye of Heavenly Punishment appeared above the Western World. "Will you not cease at once?"
Upon hearing this, Yuanshi and Taiqing immediately looked up into the void. The moment they saw the Eye of Heavenly Punishment, they promptly recalled their treasures.
"Taiqing and Yuanshi pay respects to the Heavenly Dao!"
After saying that, the two were about to kneel.
"There is no need to kneel. Do you intend to destroy the entire Great Desolation?"
Yuanshi said, "We would not dare. It is simply that the Two Sages of the West have gone too far. They secretly stole our treasures, which is why we came to demand an explanation."
"I already know of your matter. The ones who stole your treasures were not Jie Yin and Zhun Ti, but someone else."
"Even I cannot deduce that person's identity. Let this matter end here. Do not continue fighting, or I will strip you of your Saint Positions."
As the words fell, the Eye of Heavenly Punishment slowly disappeared.
After the Eye of Heavenly Punishment vanished, Jie Yin said, "Senior Brothers, since this matter has nothing to do with us, should you not compensate my junior brother and me for our losses?"
Yuanshi sent the remaining Sarira before Jie Yin and Zhun Ti. "Let these Sarira serve as your compensation!"
"Elder Brother, let us go!"
With that, the two transformed into streaks of light and vanished from the Western World. Seeing Taiqing and Yuanshi leave, Zhun Ti said with an angry expression, "They have gone too far! They think they can dismiss us with just a few Sarira?"
"Junior Brother, say no more. It is already a tremendous blessing that we preserved Mount Sumeru and the Western Sect this time. The person who stole Taiqing's treasures must possess something that conceals heavenly secrets. We must return and guard our treasures carefully."
"Otherwise, if that thief comes to steal our treasures, our losses will be immense."
"Senior Brother is right. In that case, let us return and set up the formation again to prevent anyone from stealing from us."
"Agreed!"
As the words fell, the two recalled their treasures and flew toward Mount Sumeru.
Meanwhile, above Shouyang Mountain, after Ling Wudao's breakthrough, his body slowly descended onto the mountain peak. But just then, Nüwa suddenly appeared at his side.
"Wudao, congratulations on your breakthrough."
Ling Wudao smiled faintly before saying, "The commotion from my breakthrough was a little too great. The Saints have likely all noticed it."
"Other than Tongtian, who knows your strength, the other Saints would not care even if they knew you had broken through. Besides, they have no mood to pay attention to you."
"While you were making your breakthrough, Taiqing and Yuanshi went to trouble the Two Sages of the West."
Upon hearing this, Ling Wudao revealed a disappointed expression. "Sigh! I actually missed such a good show. What a pity."
Nüwa covered her mouth and laughed. "What is there to regret? They only fought for a short while before the Heavenly Dao stopped them. Neither side suffered any major losses."
"This is not the place to talk. Let us go back first."
With that, Nüwa flew directly toward Wa Huang Palace. Ling Wudao watched her, the corners of his lips rising slightly, then took one step and instantly vanished from where he stood.
After the two returned to Wa Huang Palace, Nüwa asked, "Did you gain anything from this breakthrough?"
Before you continue