Its trunk was sturdy and powerful, exuding a calm and steady aura. The leaves on the tree were vibrant green and seemed to drip with vitality, bathing in sunlight and glistening with crystal-clear dewdrops.

"do~"

The ancient sound of the wooden fish rang out, and Saint Zhunti manifested from beneath the old tree, and immediately looked towards Saint Jieyin, saying, "Earlier my elder brother and I agreed to watch from the sidelines, so why change your mind and send the Yaksha King and the others to block Yu Yuan?

Those three were painstakingly persuaded by me to join the protector ranks of the Eight Divisions. They should remain hidden and act gradually. If they are exposed because of this incident, I fear the loss may outweigh the gains!"

"Junior brother need not worry. You were pondering the great Dao and unaware of the reason; my actions were taken due to new developments..." Saint Jieyin explained the situation and added indifferently, "After Randeng and Nanji left the Earth Immortal Realm, they should have immediately returned to Kunlun to report their duties. However, they sought the help of our Western Sect. Do you understand the peculiarity in this, junior brother?"

Saint Zhunti's expression shifted slightly, "Elder brother means they were tricked?"

Saint Jieyin nodded slightly, "It is highly probable... If the Investiture of the Gods and the Divine Beating Whip truly fall into the hands of the Jie Sect, then during the Sealing God Tribulation, the Jie Sect will completely seize the initiative. Relying solely on the Chan Sect's strength, we cannot contend!"

Upon hearing this, Saint Zhunti understood what he meant.

For the current Western Sect, development requires seizing advantages from the East.

This is equivalent to snatching food from the territory of the Three Sects of Xuanmen.

If the Three Sects of Xuanmen could remain united as before, all rejecting the Western Sect, then the Western Sect could only watch helplessly, unable to do anything to them.

However, the current Three Sects have gradually drifted apart, maintaining only superficial harmony, while privately being enemies.

In such a situation, naturally, no one would waste their energy bothering with the Western Sect.

Now is also a time for rapid expansion of the Western Sect.

What they least want to see is one sect gaining the upper hand, becoming dominant, as that would mean the end of good times for the Western Sect.

Only if the Chan Sect and the Jie Sect continue to fight each other can it be the most favorable situation for the Western Sect.

Saint Jieyin is willing to reveal hidden strength to assist the Chan Sect, precisely because he does not want to see the already powerful Jie Sect gain control of the Investiture of the Gods and the Divine Beating Whip as well.

Saint Zhunti sighed, "By doing this, we may offend Tongtian."

"It is unavoidable."

Saint Jieyin said indifferently, "If the Jie Sect wins in this calamity with their power, our Western Sect can only continue to lie low in Niu Hezhou.

Only if the Chan Sect wins can we follow and share the spoils, divide Jie Sect's fortunes, and possibly counter the Chan Sect in the future."

Saint Zhunti nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Since elder brother has made a decision, then let's be thorough! Yu Yuan has always been cunning and meticulous. Now that he dares to leave the Earth Immortal Realm, he must have something to rely on. The Yaksha King and the others alone are far from enough. How about letting Emperor Shitian and the Heavenly Dragon King go to support them as well?"

"Not appropriate!"

Saint Jieyin shook his head and said, "After all, this is a struggle between the Chan Sect and Jie Sect. Although it is happening in Niu Hezhou, we can only act as a host, help a little with restraint; the key role must be played by the Chan Sect!"

"That's true too." Saint Zhunti mused, "At this point, it's time for the hidden trump cards that brother Yuanshi has been concealing to come into play, right?"

...

Kunlun Mountain

Inside Yuxu Palace.

The Merit Cloud rolled down heavily, and the Innate Auspicious Cloud drifted gently.

Rays of auspicious light radiated in countless directions, and a thousand layers of auspicious qi filled the air.

The ground was steaming with clouds and mist, pure and untainted, beautiful and splendid like a painting.

Yuanshi Tianzun sat cross-legged on a cloud bed, his fingers gently moving, and his profound eyes seemed to be watching the passage of endless time.

Although now affected by the calamity, making the Heavenly Mechanism chaotic and obscure, as a Saint, he could still feel that the fortunes of the Chan Sect had already decreased significantly.

From the very beginning of the treasure hunt in Wuyi Mountain, to the exposure of Yu Ding's "true face," the reputations of the Chan Sect have been hit repeatedly, with even their always stable and substantial Qi fortune showing subtle fluctuations.

Soon thereafter, the Qi fortune of the Chan Sect experienced yet another massive fluctuation, plummeting to rock bottom!

Yuanshi Tianzun carefully deduced for a while and discovered that the problem originated from the Western.

This made his expression somewhat gloomy.

Without a doubt, the sharp decline in the Chan Sect's Qi fortune was undoubtedly due to issues that arose during the exchange of the Investiture of the Gods and the Divine Beating Whip.

This time he had already dispatched the Vice Sect Hierarch Randeng Daoist and his chief disciple Nanji Immortal, and before they set out, he gave them thousands of warnings and countless instructions, yet a problem still arose!

Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze shifted towards the Western region, piecing together the situation bit by bit.

At the same time, the message from the Nanji Immortal pleading guilt and seeking reinforcements had also reached Yuxu Palace.

"It is correct to want to remedy the situation, but the approach is wrong... No matter, let's use this opportunity to test things out," Yuanshi Tianzun muttered to himself as he tapped the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi lightly three times in the air.

"Wretched beast, awaken!"

A grand voice sounded.

"Rumble rumble!"

The entire Qilin Cliff shook violently, the earth trembled, and stones flew everywhere, while a terrifying pressure emerged from nowhere, frightening Jiang Ziya who was studying scriptures under an ancient pine tree until his face went pale. If not for holding onto the tree beside him, he would have almost collapsed.

The next instant, a flash of light streaked by.

Simultaneously, the figure of a middle-aged man appeared in the spacious hall of Yuxu Palace.

He stood tall and sturdy, broad and tall, with a deep and handsome face whose features were as sharply defined as if carved by knife and axe, with thick brows like ink and deep, bright eyes that conveyed a sense of composed gravity.

His hair was thick and lustrous, lightly interspersed with strands of silver, showing the traces of years. He was dressed in an elaborate and intricate antique-style robe, the blue of it akin to the night sky, adorned with fine patterns, with golden threads outlining magnificent designs, making it appear exceedingly luxurious.

"Greetings, Saint!"

The middle-aged man greeted with a respectful bow, "May I know what instructions the Saint has for summoning me?"

Yuanshi Tianzun replied indifferently, "Go to the Western region, and obey the orders of Vice Sect Hierarch Randeng."

"As you command!"

The middle-aged man responded deferentially, but before leaving, he hesitantly asked, "May I know where my two children are now?"

"They are doing well... You shall meet them after you return from the Western region," Yuanshi Tianzun said flatly.

"Thank you for your grace, Saint!"

Once again, the middle-aged man bowed respectfully, then turned and left Yuxu Palace, hastening towards the Western.

After he departed, Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze flickered slightly as he glanced at the gourd enveloped by Chaotic Qi inside the hall.

"Where is the boy?"

"What commands do you have, Master?"

The Bai He boy in the corner quickly responded, hurrying to the center of the hall.

"Go to Daluo Mountain... Remember, do as I told you."

"Yes, the boy will go right away!" Knowing the gravity of the situation, the Bai He boy hurriedly turned and left.

Once Bai He departed, Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze once again ventured towards the Western, muttering to himself, "Though your Jie Sect holds great power, it can also become a target for all..."

...

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