Chapter 312: Four Saints' Accomplishments, Hidden Dangers Eliminated

Yuanshi Tianzun sighed, his face showing an expression that was neither smiling nor not, as a strand of purple qi appeared on him.

Primordial Purple Qi!

The Heavenly Venerable bore boundless pressure for a long time, ultimately taking the path he did not wish to take.

"Ah!"

Beside him, Lingbao Tianzun also sighed, his expression seeming somewhat dejected.

Yet his movements were swift and decisive, purple qi appearing at his brow, a mighty, vast aura flashing and vanishing instantly.

Then, in an instant, the universe seemed to freeze, only two suddenly born new stars shining and heating, illuminating eternity.

The two Saints… have returned to their places!

"Rumble!"

In a daze, it was the Heavenly Dao trembling, a faint echo resonating in the hearts of all beings, forming a profound Daoist sound.

It was quite strange; it seemed to be conveying a sense of joy… even though the Heavenly Dao is devoid of affection, emotion, and selfishness.

—Perhaps the Heavenly Dao also knows that having two more underlings to share the workload, to be exploited in various ways, is something worth rejoicing over in the thoughts of any living being?

The two Heavenly Venerables' faces twisted for a moment, then they both shook their heads, discarding this painful topic.

Although the Saints' positions have many pitfalls.

But, being able to act on behalf of Heaven, the increase in authority is genuine, and the boost to combat power is truly real.

After refining the purple qi and assuming their positions as Saints, they had become extremely strong, as if breaking through some barrier between levels, ready to stand in a brand-new world.

Faintly, Yuanshi and Lingbao seemed to perceive the ultimate truth of existence and non-existence, how to achieve something from nothing, how to create something from nothing.

"This is the principle of Great Simplicity… my combat power has reached the edge of this level."

This thought arose in Yuanshi's heart, and his Yuanshi Heavenly King Dharma Form became vaster and more substantial.

The Heavenly Venerable glanced again at Donghuang.

This time, he no longer felt as if viewing flowers through mist; instead, his perception was clear, hardly different from his current state.

Of course, there are still some differences.

Donghuang's achievement comes from his own cultivation, his foundation a bit more solid.

Yuanshi received aid from the Heavenly Dao; these gains, before being fully digested, were ultimately mixed with much moisture. Though his combat power is extremely strong, he cannot perfectly employ it, his attacks tending to be rigid and prone to flaws.

This soon manifested—

In the instant after the two Heavenly Venerables became Saints, with hearts in sync they attacked together, awe-inspiring Dao power sweeping across; Lingbao's sword shattered the surging chaos tide, opening a path; Yuanshi, enveloping himself in the radiance of the Three Treasures, condensed heaven, earth, and humanity, and threw a punch at Taiyi's face!

However, though the chaos was shattered, it was not utterly destroyed, rolling as it reorganized into a mighty next wave of cleansing.

Yuanshi, though he reached Taiyi's front, also gained no advantage.

After becoming Saints, the Heavenly Venerables' combat power is great, but with their control, they cannot perfectly display it, always easily neutralized by the opponent.

Even, Taiyi tried to rub against it, scraping some of Yuanshi's sharpness, turning it into fresh chaos, feeding it into the wave to continue strengthening.

Compared to before, everything seemed to return to its former course.

The only difference is that the two Heavenly Venerables now have some leeway, able to carve a path with their combat power, without fear of being trapped to death.

But soon, Yuanshi and Lingbao felt a hint of alarm, indeed retreating, tearing through layer upon layer of chaos waves, and leaping out of the battle circle.

"What a pity."

Taiyi's face showed a look of regret.

The two Saints' faces showed astonishment—they felt that the Heavenly Dao's support had fluctuated, a moment in time causing their combat power to drop, returning to its former state.

Had they not withdrawn quickly, they would likely have ended up with dirty faces again.

"This… why?"

Yuanshi drew a deep breath.

Taiyi merely smiled lightly, "Saints are noble because of the Heavenly Dao."

"And the Heavenly Dao is noble because of heaven, earth, and all beings."

"Without heaven and earth, without beings, the Heavenly Dao has no manifestation of power."

"You Saints, when dealing with ordinary opponents, are naturally invincible and can display peak strength."

"What a pity."

"Yet one cannot show off against the Emperor of Heaven."

"Because we, the Heavenly Court, speak for all beings and control heaven and earth… although the Saints' virtues and authority are now scattered, I only hold a share, but I can still interfere with your Heavenly Dao–boosted combat power."

"After all, the authority over heaven and earth is not in your hands, and my support in the Great Luo is stronger than yours… how then can you rely on your status as Saints to defeat me?"

Yuanshi Tianzun and Lingbao Tianzun gazed at each other, both able to see the alarm and dread in each other's eyes.

"That is practically a pit!"

"Saints, since you oversee teaching, you ought to have the demeanor of those who propagate it." Taiyi smiled, "So you shouldn't just shout about fighting… bullying a powerless, figurehead sovereign is fine, but truly facing an emperor who holds real power will bring you great loss."

When masters and kings meet, there is ultimately a distinction of strength and weakness.

Kings are secretly weak, masters are fierce, which gives rise to figures like imperial teachers, with disciples and disciples controlling the overall situation.

But if one encounters a sovereign who holds supreme authority, the situation reverses—like the dismissal of the hundred schools.

But now, it is an age where witches and demons oppose each other at extremes, and it is not yet the turn for Saints, whose existence is to teach all beings, to display their dignity.

Taiyi dares to come to the door, naturally having sufficient confidence.

Even if Yuanshi Tianzun and Lingbao Tianzun become Saints on the battlefield, what of it?

With the status of the Heavenly Court's sovereign, he can erase the instant boost the Heavenly Dao gives to Saints… and in a peak battle, victory or defeat sometimes hinges on that very moment.

Yuanshi understood, instantly losing his fighting spirit, unable to raise much will to fight.

Even the rather belligerent Lingbao Tianzun fell silent at this moment.

"Please, two Saints, see the situation clearly, do not make useless motions, vainly trying to oppose the overall situation." Taiyi, seeing the two Heavenly Venerables silent, having lost the will to wage war, pressed his hand forward, letting the chaos tide gradually recede and vanish, "Then, when the tasks from the Heavenly Dao's side are issued, we will work overtime day and night, contributing our share to the beautiful future of Honghuang."

In the Lich Great Tribulation, there's no need to think about how to intervene…… otherwise, a Saint's status isn't some death‑free gold medal; being able to save you once doesn't mean I can save you a second time.

Taiyi is half persuasion, half warning.

After saying that, he calmly turned and left, leaving a carefree silhouette in the eyes of the two Saints.

Yuanshi and Lingbao, at this moment they didn't even think about launching a sneak attack.

After all, in the starry sky, ancient stars have begun to move on special orbits, with over three hundred demon gods holding the battle flags and commanding the heavens.

It began at the moment they became Saints.

The Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation also started rotating in sync.

If anything falls out of harmony.

Then stars will fall like rain, and any who dare to harm the Heavenly Court's sovereign will be blasted to dust!

Donghuang is not fighting alone.

Behind him stand the entire Demon Race and the entire Heavenly Court, together being one of the two supreme powers of the present universe.

But behind the Three Pure Ones, there are no such blatant supporters.

……

Seeing Donghuang off, after putting on a show of bravado, he flicked his sleeves and withdrew without taking even a wisp of cloud.

Lingbao Tianzun remained silent, his eyes' light shifting.

Yuanshi Tianzun looked at him; although his own state wasn't great either, he was on the verge of exploding, yet he still forced himself to comfort his younger brother.

"Lingbao, don't take this matter too to heart."

"There's plenty of time ahead."

"A temporary win or loss proves nothing."

"As long as he hasn't yet become Pangu, we still have a chance to surpass him midway."

"Don't look at him now acting tyrannically, bullying with power, but he may not end up laughing last."

"Let's just watch him build his tower, then watch it collapse……"

Yuanshi muttered, saying quite a few words.

Lingbao turned to look at him, and was somewhat speechless.

After a long while, he softly sighed, "Elder brother, your concern for my heart is kind, but you guessed wrong."

"My mindset isn't that fragile."

"After all these years of weathering great storms, what haven't I seen?"

"The present Donghuang is merely a scenery in my endless divine life…… Many have once been more outstanding than him."

"Like the Dao Ancestor, who awakens the Heavenly Dao, born immensely powerful, vividly describing what it means to show off…… When I understood this situation, I felt no negative psychology at all."

"What can Donghuang's actions today amount to?"

Lingbao spoke slowly, the light in his eyes growing brighter, "As for me, I'm just wondering…… how could Taiyi become so inflated, so supremely arrogant?"

"Oh? Have you figured it out?" Yuanshi raised his eyebrows.

"Hmm, I have." Lingbao nodded slowly, "Nothing else…… it's just that numbers give strength!"

"After all, if it weren't for the numerous Great Luo in the Heavenly Court, how could he act high and mighty, even interfere with the operation of the Heavenly Dao and weaken the battle-power support of Saints?"

"If my command also had that many Great Luo, wouldn't it be able to counteract his influence?"

Lingbao Tianzun sighed, "In that case, from now on we must strive harder, build up my own Dao lineage…… when my wings are full, my presence will be vast, and we'll see who dares to put on airs before me."

As the Tianzun spoke, for a moment he seemed immersed in a beautiful future, a hint of a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"I think that might not be very realistic," Yuanshi muttered, "Even if you succeed, some sneaky fellows might have already prepared to reap the benefits, making your Sect Disciples do the labor."

"It's not that I'm being overly conspiratorial; countless facts have proven that some people can go dark to what extent……"

Yuanshi Tianzun muttered, saying quite discouraging words that made Lingbao Tianzun's mouth twitch, "Don't dampen my enthusiasm…… besides, anything could happen."

"What if I succeed?"

"By then, if your attitude is good and you flatter me a few more times, I might let you share in my glory."

"Lingbao…… are you really that full of yourself?" Yuanshi exclaimed, then his gaze grew subtle, "Future matters can be considered later. But for now, your reputation has been swept away."

"Even though Taiyi took on two of us without truly crushing us, any observant person can see we've suffered a loss."

"Losing is losing!" Lingbao said bluntly, "This era is Taiyi's stage; his fame is supposed to be above ours."

"As everyone knows, he is the Heavenly Court's Marshal of Troops, a representative of those who can fight…… whereas we? We merely have some minor achievements in preaching and teaching."

"We didn't win, which is completely normal in others' eyes…… but if we had won, that would be a major upset."

Yuanshi suddenly felt that his previous worry about Lingbao's mindset was incredibly foolish—this brother is utterly heartless!

"Yes, yes, you're right," Yuanshi said perfunctorily, then shifted tone, "But aren't you worried that this loss will affect the learning mindset of your Sect Disciples? And will your future disciples still join your Dao lineage?"

"Everyone thinks——if the teacher is so inadequate, can he teach good disciples? That's just disheartening."

"That's true as well." Lingbao nodded, "What do you suggest we do?"

"Let's erase this period of time……" Yuanshi proposed, "Although our becoming Saints is inevitably the result, the process can be tweaked a bit!"

"It's not being forced by others beating down our door, but rather feeling inspired and attaining enlightenment to become Saints right away!"

"Mm…… that works too!" Lingbao smacked his lips, "Then let's get started!"

Thus.

In the strange gazes of countless Great Luo powerhouses, events that had already occurred were subtly altered, the memories of all beings corrected throughout endless time and space, across the Myriad Heavens and all worlds.

This alteration can also affect beings below Great Luo, but it cannot interfere with the Heavenly Will administrator.

Donghuang Taiyi, holding the Chaos Bell, was heading for Mount Sumeru; feeling that spacetime fluctuation, he gave a dry laugh, didn't pay much mind, and for the sake of balance said, "Forget it, as long as the outcome stays the same, as for wanting to gild my own Sainthood…… it doesn't matter."

He shook his head, taking a few leisurely steps to the Buddhist holy land, where Jieyin and Zhunti were already waiting for him.

Before Donghuang could speak, they clasped their hands in salute, "Your Majesty Donghuang's purpose, we already know; after the two Kunlun Tianzun become Saints, we will follow suit and become Saints as well."

The Buddhist sect is very proper.

No need to force.

We'll do it ourselves.

"That's actually the best." Donghuang put away the Chaos Bell he was about to smash out, turned around, and looked at the golden light raining down across heaven and earth.

This is all Primordial Yellow merit!

The display of Yuanshi Tianzun and the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable is in no way inferior to that of the Virtue Heavenly Venerable.

Especially since they have already become saints, now feigning preparation to become saints... their actual strength is incredibly strong.

Furthermore, the act of spreading merit across the sky dazzled the eyes of countless beings.

Strength.

Wealth.

The two Daoist sect Heavenly Venerables launched a final round of advertising for their own Dao lineage.

"I, Yuanshi, today attain sainthood, spreading heaven and expounding the Dao; my Dao lineage is 'Spread'!"

"I, Lingbao, today attain sainthood, cutting heaven and seizing momentum; my Dao lineage is 'Sever'!"

They inherited the Virtue Heavenly Venerable's idea, explaining the two paths, and lit the final fire.

Unfortunately, because the timing was wrong, the effect fell far short of the expected peak.

Although there was some effect, it made the already fervent crowd even more fervent.

Donghuang watched this scene indifferently, turned, smiled at the two Buddhist sect leaders, and said, "You two, please."

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged glances, nodded readily, and said, "Good!"

They brought the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, splashed the merit inside like water, and likewise spread it out to dry.

Along with these actions, the Buddhist sect's former main business received publicity once again.

……

This day is destined to be recorded in history.

Because in a single day, four saints have been accomplished!

(End of chapter)