Chapter 544: Tongtian: Doubling the Zhu Xian Sword, Slaughtering at Will

A sudden, strange transformation occurred; the Twelve Ancestral Witches appeared in unison, tacitly blocking the paths of Dijun, Donghuang Taiyi, and Kunpeng.

Furthermore, they simultaneously restrained the three Demon Emperors!

This scene shocked everyone.

Whether it was Xuanzang, Sun Wukong, Nezha, or the Jade Emperor, the Buddha, and the hidden Great Abilities of the Earth Immortal Realm.

All were speculating on the origin of these eleven golden lights, and each one was of the Great Luo level.

Since the ancient times, the number of Great Luo Golden Immortals has become fewer and fewer; there are not many in the entire Three Realms.

Especially after experiencing multiple kalpas, the number of Great Luo Golden Immortals who fell in each kalpa is countless.

In the world today, suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, Great Luo Golden Immortals generally do not enter the mortal world, nor do they concern themselves with the affairs of the Three Realms; most live in seclusion above the Immortals or have left the Three Realms to seek other opportunities.

"Ancestral Witches?"

Guanyin, who was sent by Rulai Buddha to observe, revealed a look of surprise.

Had the Ancestral Witches not long since vanished, having fallen in that great war, with the Witch Clan subsequently disappearing without a trace?

"Things are becoming increasingly complex; first the Demon Emperors were resurrected, and now the Ancestral Witches have reappeared. Could it be they wish to reenact the ancient Witch-Demon Struggle? If so, how should Buddhism conduct itself?" Guanyin pondered.

Although the Human Race is currently the protagonist of heaven and earth, there is no constant protagonist in this world; the Human Race is the same and can likewise be replaced.

This is not a fantasy, because behind the Demon Race is the Empress Wa, and behind the Witch Clan is Houtu.

With two Saints backing them, the structure of this world can naturally be changed, provided some price is paid.

"How can this be? The Ancestral Witches have also been resurrected; whose handiwork is this?"

In the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor's expression was grave.

If it were said that the resurrection of Dijun and the Eastern Emperor was still within reason.

After all, whether it was Dijun or Donghuang Taiyi, both were peak Boundless Realm experts back then, equivalent to peak Quasi-Saints, only a step away from becoming Saints.

Such existences could not be easily erased to begin with, and they were protected by the Qi Luck of the Demon Race; even if they fell and sank into the Time River, sooner or later they would revive in the Time River and descend upon this world once more.

But the Ancestral Witches, born with incomplete Primordial Spirits, had their bodies turn into mountains and rivers after death, merging with heaven and earth; it was impossible for them to revive.

"Could it be that Houtu Great Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld has taken action? If it is the means of a Saint, it is not impossible. But the price..."

The Jade Emperor pondered deeply.

There are too many variables in the North Sea, one link after another; what does this portend?

Or is it that the structure of the Three Realms is about to be reshuffled?

Then will the Journey to the West continue?

Regarding this matter, the Jade Emperor was actually not very concerned.

The Journey to the West is Buddhism's Journey to the West, not the Heavenly Court's; it has little to do with him.

It is Rulai Buddha who should be anxious!

But if the ensuing turmoil involves the Three Realms, then as the Lord of the Three Realms, he cannot sit idly by.

"With such a strange transformation, I wonder what the Dao Ancestor's attitude is."

The Jade Emperor looked up, his eyes piercing through the Thirty-Three Heavens, reaching directly into the boundless Chaos.

Yet with his strength, he could not determine the location of the Dao Ancestor.

After the Investiture of the Gods, the Dao Ancestor merged his body with the Dao and there has been no news since; it is unknown if he succeeded or failed.

And the Saints of the Three Teachings were also taken outside the Three Realms to cultivate in the Chaos, forbidden from being tainted by mortal Karma.

At the same time, in the Chaos, a vast and ethereal palace stood in the void.

This palace seemed to have existed since time immemorial, having existed for an unknown number of years; it was filled with ten thousand rays of golden light, covered in Dao marks, and brimming with the profound aura of the Great Dao. Just looking at it could grant one sudden enlightenment and allow one to ascend in broad daylight.

Above the palace, three large characters formed by Dao marks were written: "Purple Heaven Palace".

Inside the palace, five mysterious figures sat on prayer mats in order; their faces could not be seen, but each possessed an aura of Chaos, their depths unknown, as if they were one with the Great Dao of heaven and earth, omnipresent.

They were precisely the former Saints of the Three Teachings.

Zhun Ti and Jieyin of the Western Sect.

Taiqing Moral Heavenly Venerable, Yuqing Primordial Heavenly Venerable, and Shangqing Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable of the Profound Gate.

During the Kalpa of the Investiture of the Gods, the Three Teachings contended, causing the Western Sect to rise while the Profound Gate gradually declined, having much of its Qi Luck usurped.

Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable, that is, Tongtian Jiaozhu, fought with true fire, setting up the Immortal Execution Sword Array to fight four Saints alone, wishing to destroy heaven and earth and return all things to Chaos.

The final result was naturally failure; though of the same Sanqing, he was betrayed by his own brothers and finally reported to the Purple Heaven Palace.

Regarding the Investiture Kalpa, the Dao Ancestor understood it in his heart; all causes and effects had long been perceived.

He ordered the Sanqing and the two Western Saints to remain in the Purple Heaven Palace from then on to comprehend the Dao, forbidding them from taking a single step out of the Purple Heaven Palace, and even more so from interfering in the affairs of the Three Realms or obstructing the development of the Heavenly Mandate.

Now, the five Saints have been comprehending the Dao in the Purple Heaven Palace for an unknown number of years; although they are not in the Three Realms, how could everything happening there escape the perception of Saints?

Watching the events on the Journey to the West, the faces of the two Saints, Zhun Ti and Jieyin, were filled with sorrow, and the bumps on their heads had increased significantly.

They cast their gazes toward the Sanqing Saints, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Especially with the resurrection of the Demon Emperors and the Twelve Ancestral Witches, they could no longer sit still.

"Senior Brother Tongtian, we were indeed in the wrong regarding that matter; now that Buddhism is flourishing, this is the trend of the Great Dao, there is no need to treat us like this. We are all of the same sect, like brothers," Saint Jieyin said.

Jieyin's face was mostly filled with sorrow, grief, and sadness; it was hard to see that he was a Saint who could reach the heavens and encompass the earth.

"Indeed, Senior Brother Tongtian, let the past be carried away by the wind; that matter was also the trend of the Great Dao, and we were helpless," Saint Zhun Ti said.

Hearing this, Tongtian Jiaozhu frowned and said impatiently:

"What are you talking about, weeping and wailing, dawdling and dithering?"

Seeing this, Jieyin said: "That Xuanzang is the person of the Heavenly Mandate for this kalpa, and also a reincarnation of someone from Buddhism; as a person of Buddhism, is it appropriate to use the methods of your Profound Gate?

That aside, now that the Demon Emperors have been resurrected and the Ancestral Witches have reappeared, in the entire Three Realms, this old monk cannot think of anyone else who could have done this besides you."

"That mysterious woman's Sword Dao is extraordinary and saintly, and the magic treasure in her hand is the Zhu Xian Sword; Senior Brother Tongtian, don't tell me you didn't see it," Zhun Ti said.

"Brother Taiqing, it is rumored that the Chaos Bell flew into the Chaos, but there are also rumors that the Chaos Bell was taken by you and kept in the Eight Views Palace," Jieyin said.

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name..." Taiqing silently recited the Tao Te Ching, looking as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

Taiqing is the head of the Sanqing and the eldest; he has flowing long hair and wears a spotless Taoist robe, yet he has white hair and a youthful face, with delicate features, not looking decrepit at all, as if he had lived a second life.

Compared to him, Yuqing Primordial Heavenly Venerable looks a bit older, though not by much.

Shang Qing Tongtian is the same!

Upon hearing this, Tongtian cast his gaze toward the Three Realms and said:

"It is strange to say, could it be that there are two Zhu Xian Swords, and they come in pairs!

If they are in pairs, the other three must be the same.

If I had possessed eight of the Four Swords of Immortal Execution back then, would I have been able to slaughter you all?"

"..." Zhun Ti, Jieyin.

"..." The two other Heavenly Venerables.

There is one more chapter, coming a little later.