Chapter 343

The scene.

Seeing Zhunti appear, his aura vast and mighty, shaking heaven and earth, everyone was in an uproar.

And the most shocked was naturally Zhurong without a doubt.

He steadied his stance, his eyes like torches, coldly staring at Zhunti.

"Zhunti, you Buddhist folk, are you all such shameless scoundrels?!"

"Hmph, even a saint must protect the murderer."

Zhurong shouted coldly.

Hearing this, all beings secretly gasped.

What a guy!

So bold right from the start!

No wonder he's the ancestor witch of fire.

Meanwhile, Zhunti's face remained calm and unperturbed, merely responding lightly:

"Zhurong, these two words 'murderer' are perhaps too heavy."

"You haven't yet clarified all the ins and outs of this matter—how dare you act so violently, slaughtering my Buddhist beings?!"

Calm and breezy!

Composed and unflustered!

But when a saint speaks, it inherently represents an unspeakable supreme majesty.

Zhunti's words also carried the intention of persuading Zhurong.

Yet, upon hearing his words, Zhurong hesitated not, immediately waving his hand.

"Hmph, what do I not know?!"

"Those Yinglong, Panlong, etc., are excessively violent, even wielding the Witch-Slaying Sword, deliberately targeting my Wu Clan lineage."

"The brothers Gonggong also perished at their hands."

"Today, if you do not hand over those few dragon beings and the Witch-Slaying Sword, I will not relent."

Zhurong spoke with resounding conviction, firm and resolute.

Compared to Zhunti, without doubt, he naturally believed Chiyou's report more.

In Zhurong's view, the Buddhist sect controlling the Witch-Slaying Sword was also an undeniable fact.

As for this, Zhunti remained calm.

Beside him, Yinglong and the other were just about to speak to explain something.

But Zhunti merely waved his hand lightly, indicating they need not say more.

Afterwards, he continued to look at Zhurong, responding:

"In my Buddhist sect, there is no such murderous weapon as the Witch-Slaying Sword hidden."

"Gonggong's death was merely an accident."

"Today, let each retreat a step, settle this matter—would that be acceptable?!"

In fact, Zhunti being able to explain so patiently was already somewhat beyond everyone's expectations.

Beneath a saint are ants; if he did not wish to waste words, a single thought could likely dispel Zhurong outright.

However, today after all involves many Western Buddhist sect members entangled in this.

Zhunti's idea is still that grievances should be resolved, not prolonged, with kind words to settle the matter.

Thus, he personally descended, using his saintly status to confer with Zhurong.

But just as his words fell.

On the other side, Zhurong, however, was full of impatient anger, shouting:

"Cease the nonsense, what 'each retreat a step'?!"

"Hmph, in my clan, the brother Gonggong died—this matter has no room for negotiation."

"In the past, the Demon Race slew our brothers Houyi and Kuafu; today, your Buddhist folk again slew Gonggong."

"Whoever it is, since they dare to strike down my Wu Clan with killing intent, you must pay blood debt with blood."

Zhurong fundamentally did not listen to Zhunti's proposal.

To avenge and repay hatred, to repay blood with blood!

This is the sole thought in Zhurong's heart.

Even facing a saint, he shows not the slightest fear.

After all, the Wu Clan lineage inherently does not revere heaven and earth, does not respect saints.

To dare such before a saint can be called overwhelmingly mighty.

Of course, in the eyes of some great powers, it can also be said to be rash and brainless.

And although Zhurong is forceful.

Zhunti is even more forceful.

"Today, since I have already come here."

"I will not allow the dragon beings to suffer any harm."

Merely this simple response already revealed the saint's attitude.

As he spoke, Zhunti's surroundings also emanated a vast, deep, unfathomable aura, sweeping forth, making scalps tingle, hearts tremble with fear.

Swords drawn, bows bent!

Not yielding an inch!

Zhurong fumed, his eyes red, his gaze cold and fierce.

He coldly stared at Zhunti for a long time.

Finally, he still could not suppress the fury in his heart, and roared to the heavens:

"Hmph, if you do not hand over those few people, I will come and take them myself!"

As his words fell, Zhu Rong once again released the boundless fire law.

His figure also surged with it, in an unstoppable, eye-shocking posture, he violently lunged toward Ying Long and the other again.

At the same time, he extended a palm, seeking to seize Ying Long and the other.

Seeing this, Zhunti's eyes suddenly sank.

Although he had previously been kind-eyed and spoke kindly, this does not mean that before a sage, Zhu Rong can act recklessly.

To my face, you still dare to attack the dragon clan?!

Is this not naked provocation?!

"Hmph!"

Zhunti let out a light snort.

Immediately, with a thought, the Seven Treasure Wondrous Tree was unleashed again.

For a moment, seven-colored radiance rose once more, obscuring the sky and sun, endless and boundless.

Hiss......

Between the flashing divine light and immortal radiance, it was vast and peerless.

No matter how mighty Zhu Rong's power, it could not withstand the might of this treasure.

In an instant, the fire law was completely suppressed, or rather, wiped away.

Then, the holy power flood engulfed Zhu Rong and directly blasted him back two hundred thousand li.

This time, Zhu Rong could not help but let out a pained groan.

With his law completely suppressed, Zhu Rong's breath became disordered, his origin trembling.

"You......"

The mighty ancestor witch, yet being so crushed.

Zhu Rong grew even more furious, leaping like thunder, his eyes nearly bursting as he glared at Zhunti, almost driven mad by rage.

Fortunately, at this moment.

A spatial passage appeared without warning.

Immediately after, Emperor Jiang, Candle Nine Yin, Xing Tian, and other ancestor witches stepped out one by one from the spatial passage.

Just as Tai Yi had seen before, Emperor Jiang and the others also came rushing to aid Zhu Rong.

As soon as they appeared, they saw Zhu Rong being blasted back two hundred thousand li.

Candle Nine Yin and the others' expressions changed.

"Zhu Rong brother, are you seriously injured?!"

"Zhu Rong elder brother......"

Several people immediately spoke, arriving beside Zhu Rong.

After a brief inspection, they found Zhu Rong somewhat disheveled but unharmed, and Emperor Jiang and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

This also shows that Zhunti still did not wish to become enemies with the Wu Clan, showing mercy, which is why Zhu Rong remained unharmed.

Without further words, Xing Tian immediately glared at Zhunti and shouted sternly:

"Zhunti sage, you are indeed a great sage, yet you attacked Zhu Rong's elder brother."

"Is this not a bit too much, bullying the weak with your strength?"

Xing Tian, after all, had ascended from a great witch, and even toward sages, he still held more reverence than the ancestor witches.

Therefore, although he questioned Zhunti, he did not dare to act as recklessly as Zhu Rong.

Upon hearing his words, Zhunti remained calm and undisturbed.

"The might of a sage is not to be offended!"

Zhunti merely glanced coldly at Xing Tian, and then gave no further response.

The sage's arrogant and disdainful look was evident without doubt.

Gong Gong, Xi Shou, and others, meanwhile, regarded Ying Long and the others with murderous eyes.

They had also learned of the death of Xiang Liu, and thus filled with righteous indignation, their anger burned.

After a moment, the leader Emperor Jiang spoke again.

"Zhunti sage, our Wu Clan has always had no grudge or enmity with the Buddhist school."

"This time, will the sage not give us an explanation?!"

"Why did Ying Long and the others attack our Wu Clan? The Slaughter Witch Sword..... where did it come from, and what is its purpose?!"

As he spoke, Emperor Jiang stared unblinkingly at Zhunti's expression, trying to discern something unusual.

Zhunti helplessly, it seemed he would have to explain again.

But thinking it over, he also felt relieved.

After all, the existence of the Slaughter Witch Sword must be of great concern to the Wu Clan, as it relates to their survival.

Therefore, they must inevitably investigate this matter thoroughly.

With a silent sigh, Zhunti then spoke softly:

"Today's events are all because your Wu Clan first imprisoned the human race."

"Ying Long and the others were merely following the instructions of my disciple Chen Ku's uncle, to protect the human race, and thus, upon seeing injustice, they came to help."

"As for Chi You, Xiang Liu, and others, they also committed acts of humiliating the dragon clan, and Ying Long, enraged, took action."

"As for the so-called Slaughter Witch Sword? I have already said, my Buddhist school possesses no such killer weapon."

That was merely Yinglong's own companion spirit treasure; by coincidence, it stirred the killing qi turmoil within Yinglong's body, which accidentally led to his death.

For Zhunti to patiently explain this far can already be said to have exhausted benevolence and righteousness.

And his attitude is also extremely clear.

Even if the Twelve Ancestral Witches all arrive, they absolutely cannot move Yinglong and the others.

Zhunti's words fell.

At the side, Yinglong finally found an opportunity and opened his mouth to defend himself:

"Indeed, what I used was the Yinglong Xuanhuang Sword, not some Slaughter-Witch Sword."

"Senior Chen Ku is the Holy Father of the Human Race; how could we possibly go against heaven and slaughter humans to forge swords?!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jiang, Zhu Jiuyin, and others could not help but reveal thoughtful expressions.

Compared to Zhurong, they are obviously much calmer.

It must be said, Yinglong bringing up Chen Ku's name does carry some persuasive weight.

Although all beings curse Buddhist people as shameless, in Emperor Jiang and others' impressions, Chen Ku's conduct is indeed upright and straightforward.

He truly does not seem like someone who secretly forged Slaughter-Witch Swords to target the Witch Clan.

For a moment, Emperor Jiang and the others fell silent, quite torn.

But regarding Yinglong's defense, Zhurong simply does not believe a single word.

"Scoundrel, even at death's door, you dare to spout nonsense here?!"

"Just by your so-called spirit treasure, could it possibly slay my Witch Clan's great witch?!"

Zhurong refuted in this way.

Ridiculous!

Know this: among the Witch Clan, the great witches are existences second only to the Twelve Ancestral Witches, with physiques incredibly strong and unmatched, and their strength is also extremely profound.

Zhurong firmly believes that ordinary spirit treasures simply cannot blast apart Yinglong.

Besides the Slaughter-Witch Sword, there is no other possibility.

And perhaps because the Twelve Ancestral Witches have all gathered, Zhurong's confidence is even greater, and he is even more forceful.

After pausing his words, he did not wait for Yinglong to speak again.

Only seen, Zhurong fiercely waved his big hand.

The Dou Tian God-Slaying Banner fiercely manifested and unfurled, fluttering and making a hunting sound.

The killing qi filling the sky also seemed to be controlled by it, rolling down in torrents, covering heaven and earth, releasing immense pressure.

"Brothers, there's no need to waste words with Yinglong and these people."

"Please join me in setting up the Dou Tian God-Slaying Grand Formation to seek justice for Brother Yinglong!"

Zhurong looked toward Gonggong and others, thus urging.

"I, too, do not believe Yinglong's words!"

"Hmph, Brother Yinglong cannot die in vain, otherwise where is the prestige of my Witch Clan?!"

"If we cannot avenge our own brothers, would we not be laughed at by all beings?!"

"Whether Yinglong truly possesses the Slaughter-Witch Sword will only be known after we capture him and investigate."

Gonggong, Qiangliang, Rushou, and several other Ancestral Witches also share Zhurong's attitude.

Therefore, they immediately responded and also took out their respective Dou Tian God-Slaying Banners under their control.

For a moment, seven or eight Ancestral Witches radiated fierce aura, their gazes hostile.

It seemed that in the next moment, they would truly set up the Dou Tian God-Slaying Grand Formation and directly confront the sage's might.

Seeing this scene, all beings' hearts trembled, unable to calm, in an uproar.

"Dou Tian God-Slaying Grand Formation? Hiss...... Will Pangu's phantom reappear in the world?!"

"These Twelve Ancestral Witches, for a single great witch Yinglong, actually go to such lengths?!"

"Heavens, if a sage-level great war erupts again, heaven and earth will inevitably face another catastrophe."

"We had better retreat quickly to avoid bringing fire upon ourselves."

Originally still observing, countless beings thus discussed and immediately withdrew, fearing to be caught in the war's aftermath.

Meanwhile, on Mount Wanshou, Zhenyuanzi stared intently, constantly monitoring this scene.

Moreover, the Queen Mother of the West, Minghe Laozu, and others were similarly unsettled.

For these ancient top-tier powerhouses, a sage-level great war is likewise an opportunity for enlightenment.

Whether it is Pangu's phantom or Zhunti the sage personally acting, every move contains profound Great Dao principles.

At this moment, in the Demon Court......

Emperor Jun Taiyi and others are even more eager and unable to wait.

"Excellent!"

"This matter ultimately still developed to the point where the Twelve Ancestral Witches all came forth."

Emperor Jun's face was exhilarated, his eyes bright.

All of this is exactly what he most wanted to see.

After all, how could mere Zhurong possibly shake the sage's might?!

At the side, Taiyi seemed to have already foreseen the outcome of this matter.

"After this battle, the Witch Clan will surely suffer heavy losses!"

"We, having unified the Honghuang heaven and earth, now face no suspense whatsoever."

Taiyi's words can be said to be arrogant!

However, this is also exactly the shared thought of countless Demon Race beings.

Looking at one's greatest enemy acting so recklessly, provoking the Dao lineage of a sage.

To speak without exaggeration, the Twelve Ancestral Witches have simply doomed the future of the Wu Clan.

Once the great war erupts, even if Zhunti does not kill the Ancestral Witches, he will inevitably inflict severe damage upon them.

And if even one of the Twelve Ancestral Witches suffers grave injury to their vital essence, the might of the phantom of Pangu will be greatly weakened.

By then, when the Demon Race launches a powerful declaration of war, they could annihilate the Wu Clan in one stroke and unify the Wasteland—would it not be effortless?!

Thinking of this, Taiyi's heart could not help but give rise to a sense of anticipation.

"Fight... hurry up and fight......"

The two continued to watch the scene unfolding between heaven and earth.

In the arena.

And speaking of Emperor Jiang and the others.

Unlike the eager readiness of Zhurong and the others.

Emperor Jiang, Zhu Jiuyin, Jumang, and several other Ancestral Witches did not rashly respond to Zhurong and his companions.

Emperor Jiang took a step forward, stared directly at Zhunti, and spoke:

"Zhunti Sage, this humble one asks once more......"

"Will Yinglong and the others hand it over or not?!"