Chapter 317: Don't Blame Me for Being Heartless! The Sudden Strike of Two Tongtians!

Xiyou Houtu's gaze was like a torch, staring straight at Jieyin and Zhunti.

Her tone carried an unquestionable firmness as she said, "Why is it impossible? The Underworld is a place under my jurisdiction; I have the right to decide its internal affairs. You send your disciples into the Underworld under the guise of exchange and learning, but in reality, you are eroding the foundation of the Underworld. Now that the situation is tense, I cannot tolerate any potential risks."

Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions were gloomy; they knew well that Houtu's decision was no trifling matter.

However, there was indeed a significant amount of Buddhism's influence infiltrated within the Underworld. If they were to withdraw all at once, not only would the losses be heavy, but it might also affect the status of Buddhism in the Journey to the West World.

"Houtu, your move is too extreme. There are many disciples of our Buddhism in the Underworld, and they have lived in harmony with the ghosts of the Underworld for many years. How can you say withdraw just like that?" Zhunti suppressed his anger, attempting to reason with her.

Houtu sneered and said, "Living in harmony? Hmph, that is merely your Buddhism's wishful thinking. All these years, you have been wantonly spreading Buddhist teachings in the Underworld, attempting to turn the Underworld into the backyard of Buddhism. Do you really think I, Houtu, don't know?"

Jieyin's expression changed slightly; he had not expected Houtu to expose their intentions so directly.

He took a deep breath, attempting to ease the atmosphere: "Houtu, we have no intention of occupying the Underworld; we only hope that Buddhist teachings can shine upon all living beings, allowing the ghosts of the Underworld to also attain liberation."

"Liberation?" Houtu's sneer deepened. "Your so-called liberation is nothing more than turning the ghosts into puppets of your Buddhism. The path of Reincarnation in the Underworld has its own operating laws; it does not need your Buddhism to interfere."

The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and the other Saints in Zixiao Palace also cast complex gazes over.

Originally, they had let Houtu come to prevent her from colluding with Lu Xuan and others, which would have caused them unfavorable influence. They had not expected that the goal would not be achieved, and instead, such a situation would arise, which really caught them off guard.

Of course, most of the Saints did not want to get involved in this matter.

After all, Buddhism had already gained immense benefits in the Underworld previously; if it could be weakened by taking this opportunity, it would also be a good thing for other sects! Seeing this, Hongjun sighed softly, knowing that he had to step out to mediate at this time: "Everyone, calm down. Although what Houtu says makes sense, the years of cooperation between Buddhism and the Underworld cannot be ignored. In my humble opinion, why don't both sides take a step back? Buddhist disciples can remain in the Underworld, but they must abide by the rules of the Underworld and must not preach or interfere with Underworld affairs without authorization."

Once these words were spoken, Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions eased slightly, and they immediately looked at Houtu.

Although Houtu was unwilling, she understood that it was not the time to completely tear off the mask with Buddhism, so she nodded, which counted as tacitly agreeing to Hongjun's proposal.

She said coldly, "For the sake of the Dao Ancestor, let it be this way for now! However, if I see people from Buddhism meddling in my Underworld affairs again, don't blame me for being heartless!"

The atmosphere in Zixiao Palace finally eased.

Both Zhunti and Jieyin of the Journey to the West World secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to themselves that they would have to talk to Ksitigarbha later about how to restrain the Buddhist disciples in the Underworld; if they were caught by Houtu, the other party might really strike hard! And just when everyone thought that the matter was about to come to an end, and Xiyou Houtu was also preparing to find an excuse to leave, suddenly—

"Preposterous!"

Outside the great hall, a roar came out of the blue, which suddenly gave everyone a shock.

"That is... Tongtian's voice?" Honghuang Yuanshi said with some uncertainty.

Because the Tongtian of both worlds were very similar in many aspects, including their voices, he was also unsure whether the one speaking at this moment was the Tongtian of their world.

Then, he suddenly noticed that the Xiyou Yuanshi not far away had a change in expression, feeling that things were not looking good.

Besides that, the three of Xiyou Laozi, Jieyin, and Zhunti also seemed to have thought of something, and their expressions all sank as well. This caused many Saints of the Great Desolation world to reveal looks of astonishment.

They always felt that there must be something going on here! Especially when thinking about how the Xiyou Tongtian had always been in a decadent state, and that the luck of the Jie Sect in this world had almost faded to the point of disappearing, they became even more convinced of their guess.

Everyone looked at each other, all realizing that the matter did not seem simple. With the arrival of that roar, the atmosphere in Zixiao Palace became tense once again.

The Xiyou Yuanshi Tianzun could not help but look at the Xiyou Hongjun, but the Xiyou Hongjun only glanced at him, his expression very calm.

That look seemed to be saying, handle it yourself.

Xiyou Yuanshi's expression was gloomy; he stood up and said to everyone, "Everyone, calm down, I will go out and take a look."

After speaking, his figure flashed, and he instantly appeared outside the great hall.

He saw that not far away, two Tongtians were arguing fiercely, and had even started to make a move.

"What are you doing!" Xiyou Yuanshi shouted angrily, his figure instantly appearing between the two, the powerful pressure causing the surrounding air to stagnate.

However, to his surprise, the two parties arguing did not stop because of his appearance, but instead began to confront each other even more intensely.

But they were not attacking each other, but instead launched an attack together toward Xiyou Yuanshi! Before Xiyou Yuanshi could react, he had already fallen into the joint attack of the two Tongtians. Among them, Xiyou Tongtian held the Qingping Sword, and Honghuang Tongtian even directly brought out the God-Slaying Spear!

Facing the joint attack of the two Tongtians, Yuanshi's expression instantly became extremely ugly.

His hands quickly formed seals, and his body was surrounded by rich Innate Primordial Qi, forming mysterious arrays, attempting to resist the fierce offensive of the two Tongtians.

"Tongtian, have you gone mad? We are both of the Three Pure Ones, why do you treat me like this?" Xiyou Yuanshi Tianzun shouted angrily, his voice filled with confusion and rage.

However, the Tongtian Jiaozhu holding the Qingping Sword only sneered and said, "Three Pure Ones? Back during the God Conferment, why didn't you think about our brotherly affection?"

Having said that, the Qingping Sword in his hand suddenly erupted with brilliant light, and together with Honghuang Tongtian's God-Slaying Spear, it blasted toward Xiyou Yuanshi Tianzun once again.

Xiyou Yuanshi Tianzun felt a chill in his heart; he knew that he could not sit and wait for death.

Therefore, he gritted his teeth, the magic power in his body surged wildly, and he instantly brought out the Spiritual Treasure Jade Ruyi, forcibly resisting the attack of the two Tongtians.

"Boom—"

The deafening roar resounded through the sky, and the entire Zixiao Palace seemed to be shaken by this terrifying power!

The other Saints in Zixiao Palace also walked out of the hall one after another, and seeing this scene, they all revealed looks of astonishment. (End of chapter)