"This humble monk has nothing to say and is willing to accept the punishment of the Heavenly Court."
Guanyin was also clear-headed and admitted it directly.
With the evidence laid bare, there's no point in continuing the argument.
The fact that the Great Emperor Ziwei, as one of the Four Sovereigns, was able to appear at the first opportunity already speaks volumes.
This time, He has failed!
"Very well, since you have admitted your mistake, then punish me according to the Heavenly Rules."
"You two fought without cause in the mortal realm, nearly causing a clash Great Dao. Fortunately, I arrived in time, but you are still guilty."
"Xu Zhicao, considering you are the victim and there were extenuating circumstances, you will be exempted from punishment this time."
"Thank you, Heavenly Venerable."
With just two sentences from the Great Emperor Ziwei, Xu Xiao extricated himself from the matter and awaited Guanyin's punishment.
As early as when he saw Guanyin, he had already communicated with the Ziwei Great Emperor Ziwei through the Star God Guide that the Great Emperor Ziwei had left him that day. This was the scheme he had set up for Guanyin.
As an important figure in the Western Sect, the other party has been making a lot of noise and causing trouble by taking advantage of the Journey to the West Calamity. This has already made many people unhappy.
"As for you, Fellow Guanyin, since you have admitted your mistake, you should be punished according to the Heavenly Rules."
Guanyin remained silent, listening with her eyes slightly closed.
"Those who fight in the mortal realm will, according to heavenly rules, suffer the torment of thunder and fire punishment."
"As for your attack on Heavenly Court deity, according to the heavenly rules, you should be stripped of your divine office, have your divine bones removed, and be cast into the Avici Hell."
Guanyin frowned upon hearing this. Was the Heavenly Court seizing an opportunity to torment me to death?
Xu Xiao, standing nearby, was also taken aback. Was this a serious gamble?
Fortunately, the Great Emperor Ziwei also knew this was impossible; the Western Sect would absolutely not agree. So, he changed his tone...
"However, considering your exceptional seniority and the many years of compassion you have shown to all living beings, if you can obtain the victim's forgiveness, I may be lenient with you."
At this, Guanyin's face showed an expression of extreme discomfort, as if she had eaten excrement.
He had just been tricked, and now he was being asked to obtain Xu Xiao's forgiveness? Wasn't this like having to swallow a broken tooth?
The frustration He felt was unimaginable, yet He had no choice but to comply.
Attacking Heavenly Court deity can be a big deal or a small deal. If the Great Emperor Ziwei really takes this seriously, the consequences could be much more severe.
Fortunately, Guanyin was no fool; she had endured countless humiliations and other forms of humiliation throughout her countless eons of cultivation.
Reluctantly, he walked towards Xu Xiao and bowed in a Buddhist gesture.
"Xu Zhicao, I was very rude just now. I hope you won't take it to heart."
Xu Xiao remained silent, accepting Guanyin's bow in hushed tones before speaking with a forced smile:
"Bodhisattvas are powerful beings who readily take action against us minor officials of the Heavenly Court. Now, do they think they can just let this matter slide with empty words?"
Upon hearing this, Guanyin's face twitched, but she quickly suppressed her anger and put on a smile.
Fortunately, it seems there's room for negotiation, but it will require some effort.
Xu Xiao dared to set a trap for Guanyin, so he naturally wouldn't mind taking this opportunity to get some benefits.
The Great Emperor Ziwei had already told him that Guanyin couldn't be punished for this kind of thing, and that he should handle it himself.
Big shots only need to see the other party lose face and they're satisfied, since they can't kill them anyway. But small fry like Xu Xiao have to seize every opportunity to squeeze some benefits out of him.
"Of course, it's not just empty talk. This humble monk has a few items here that I can use to apologize to the officer on duty."
As she spoke, Guanyin moved her hand, and several orbs of light appeared in front of her.
There was a grain of sand that shimmered with light, a necklace that radiated Buddhist light, and a willow branch that was exactly the same as the one in the Jade Purification Vase.
"These items are from my personal collection. If you like any of them, you may choose one as an apology for my offense."
As Guanyin spoke, a look of pain appeared in her eyes.
These Three Thousand Worlds Sand, the Eight Treasures Jeweled Necklace, and the willow branch are all top-tier treasures. If the Great Emperor Ziwei hadn't personally come out to support them, He would never have taken out such treasures to apologize.
Xu Xiao couldn't discern the origins or uses of these treasures; he could only sense that each item radiated a precious light, making them appear exceptionally extraordinary.
Even the Great Emperor Ziwei above nodded in approval upon seeing the items Guanyin had taken out.
"That's excellent. You two are both enlightened individuals; it's wonderful that you've been able to resolve your conflict."
"Same? No, at least two are required."
Xu Xiao couldn't distinguish between good and bad, but when he saw the Great Emperor Ziwei nod in approval, he naturally knew it was a good thing.
Since it's such a good thing, there's no chance like this, so naturally we have to ask for an exorbitant price!
"Alright... Cao can choose for himself!"
Guanyin didn't dwell on this issue with Xu Xiao and readily agreed.
These treasures were merely precious to Him, not indispensable; He simply considered them as items He had carelessly lost.
Anyone could see that Guanyin's face was even darker than before, almost as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"Okay, then I'll take this one, and this one too!"
Xu Xiao grabbed the Three Thousand Worlds Sand, then scooped up the willow branch as well, Guanyin with reluctance as Guanyin put the Eight Treasures Jeweled Necklace back into her sleeve.
Although I wanted to get them all, I decided against it.
The Eight Treasures Jeweled Necklace is clearly a ritual implement from the Western Sect. I wonder if Guanyin left any hidden features on it?
As for the Three Thousand Worlds Sand, Xu Xiao understood what it was once he held it in his hand.
This was actually a small world. Although it looked like just a grain of sand, it had been condensed into this form by a powerful being using his Magic Power.
It is a small world inhabited by countless living beings and governed by basic world rules.
Xu Xiao's Divine Sense entered the space and he could see hundreds of millions of living beings living peacefully within, chanting scriptures and reciting Buddhist sutras.
'Sure enough, Buddhism has the saying "a grain of sand contains a world," and these guys have directly condensed a small world into a grain of sand, constantly filled with believers chanting scriptures and reciting Buddha's name.'
'I don't know if this is Buddhist teaching or heretical practice!'
Xu Xiao sighed slightly, then carefully put Sha Shuo away. He could use this as a reference to study how to transform a world into this size.
This contains profound Dao of Space and rare experience related to creating a world. Once he fully understands it, it will be a tremendous gain for him.
As for the willow branch that is the same as the one in Guanyin's Jade Purification Vase, Xu Xiao can find a way to refine it into a magic weapon or something similar in the future. Pure natural materials don't have many places where you can tamper with them.
"Since you two have reached a reconciliation, I will not pursue the matter of your attack on Heavenly Court deity. Guanyin Daoist Guanyin, come with me to heaven to receive your punishment."
The Great Emperor Ziwei spoke without allowing any further discussion, and Guanyin nodded in agreement, as they ascended into the Heavenly Court together.
One thing at a time, the treasures were compensated, but the loss of face in front of the gods of Heavenly Court will not be small.
For powerful beings like them, the punishment of thunder and fire serves little purpose other than bringing shame upon themselves.
However, in doing so, Xu Xiao, as the one who set up the scheme, was now entangled with Guanyin, and even became involved with the Western Sect.
However, Xu Xiao was a troublemaker within the Daoist Sect, so he didn't care at all.
If there's a benefit, he wouldn't hesitate to lead the charge even if the opponent were the Tathagata Buddha.
You just need to initiate the team fight, and you will naturally be matched with teammates of the same or higher level.