Chapter 319: Tongtian: You Must Consider the Overall Situation

The gaze of Xiyou Tongtian Jiaozhu became exceptionally cold; he stared fixedly at Jieyin and Zhunti, as if he wanted to pierce through them with his eyes.

His words were filled with unquestionable resolution: "During the God Conferment War of the past, my Jie Sect had many disciples, yet quite a few betrayed their master for various reasons and defected to your Western Sect. Today, I demand that you hand over these traitors and give my Jie Sect an explanation!"

Jieyin and Zhunti's faces turned ashen.

If they were to hand over the former traitors at this moment, it would undoubtedly be a major blow to the reputation of their Buddhism, and it might even trigger a full-scale conflict between the Jie Sect and Buddhism.

Not to mention, many of the former Jie Sect traitors now held quite important positions within the Western Sect; if they were handed over, wouldn't that cause their Buddhism's strength to suffer a great loss?

Therefore—

"Tongtian, this matter concerns the face of our Buddhism; we absolutely cannot compromise easily," Jieyin said in a deep voice, his tone revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Zhunti also immediately added: "That is correct. During the God Conferment War of the past, everyone served their own masters; how can there be any talk of traitors?"

Xiyou Tongtian Jiaozhu sneered. He knew well the hypocrisy and selfishness of these Saints, but he did not intend to let the matter rest there: "If you do not hand over the traitors, my entire Jie Sect will fight you to the death!"

The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point; the air inside Zixiao Palace was tense to the extreme.

Seeing that both sides were about to erupt into conflict again, Honghuang Tongtian suddenly said to Xiyou Tongtian: "Fellow Daoist, please calm your impatience!"

Afterward, Honghuang Tongtian said to Xiyou Jieyin and Zhunti: "You both know the current situation; you must not disregard the overall situation for the sake of selfish interests."

Hearing this, both Jieyin and Zhunti of the Journey to the West World had their mouths twitch.

They couldn't help but think that in the past, it was always they who used "considering the overall situation" to coerce Tongtian; they never expected that one day they would be coerced by another Tongtian using the same phrase.

And Xiyou Tongtian, hearing the words of Honghuang Tongtian, also immediately reacted and laughed heartily: "That's right! If you do not agree to my conditions, it means you are unwilling to consider the overall situation, and you are selfish and self-interested!"

The two, Jieyin and Zhunti of the Journey to the West World, were helpless and could only look toward the Xiyou Hongjun.

Xiyou Hongjun's brows were tightly locked. He knew well that a decision had to be made at this moment; otherwise, if both sides truly erupted into conflict, the consequences would be unimaginable.

After weighing the situation, he looked at Jieyin and Zhunti and slowly spoke: "You two, just agree to Tongtian's request!"

Although Xiyou Hongjun's voice was calm, the pressure contained within it was something Jieyin and Zhunti could not ignore. They looked at each other and, in the end, could only nod helplessly.

"Fine. For the sake of the overall situation, we are willing to hand over those former Jie Sect disciples," Jieyin sighed at length, his tone filled with unwillingness and helplessness.

Zhunti also shook his head lightly; although he had a thousand reluctances in his heart, he understood that this was not the time to quibble over personal gains and losses.

He said in a deep voice: "We will arrange it as soon as possible to return those Jie Sect disciples to Tongtian Jiaozhu, but Duobao is now the leader of our Buddhism; it is absolutely impossible to return him to your Jie Sect!"

Seeing this, Xiyou Tongtian Jiaozhu curled his lips into a cold smile, but a trace of satisfaction that was hard to detect flashed in his eyes. He knew that being able to force Buddhism to make such a concession today was already truly not easy.

Thanks to the Tongtian of the Honghuang world! "Very well. I hope you keep your word and hand over all other Jie Sect traitors except for Duobao," Xiyou Tongtian Jiaozhu said coldly, then turned to look at the other Saints in Zixiao Palace, "As for you all, is there anything else you wish to say?"

The other Saints of the Journey to the West World remained silent; they knew well that today's matter had already come to an end, and there was no benefit in entangling further.

Moreover, they were clear in their hearts that the conditions proposed by Xiyou Tongtian Jiaozhu were not excessive, and they could not refute them. Only the Saints of the Honghuang world were silently watching the show and naturally would not express any opinions.

Seeing this, Xiyou Hongjun slowly spoke, breaking the silence: "Since the matter has been resolved, then implement it as soon as possible! You must all remember that the world is facing unprecedented challenges; we must unite as one and respond together."

Hearing this, the Saints nodded one after another to show their agreement. They knew that what Xiyou Hongjun said was not false; this was indeed not the time for infighting.

Xiyou Tongtian Jiaozhu also put away his stern expression and bowed slightly to Xiyou Hongjun: "Dao Ancestor, rest assured. As long as my Jie Sect is re-established, Tongtian will naturally do his utmost to contribute a share of strength to the Journey to the West World."

Having said that, he turned to leave, but suddenly, as if remembering something, he stopped his steps and said to the Honghuang Tongtian Jiaozhu: "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, although you and I come from different worlds, today's matter can be considered as getting to know each other through conflict. If there is an opportunity in the future, we might as well exchange pointers more often."

Honghuang Tongtian Jiaozhu smiled slightly and nodded: "I have the same intention. You and I originate from the same source; we should naturally be closer."

Having said that, the Tongtian Jiaozhus of the two worlds smiled at each other and left hand in hand, leaving only the other Saints in Zixiao Palace looking at each other in dismay.

How could the others not see that these two were actually guarding against a surprise attack from Xiyou Yuanshi and Xiyou Jieyin and Zhunti? With the two of them joining forces, even if Xiyou Yuanshi and the others wanted to go back on their word and stir up trouble, they would have to weigh whether they would end up losing more than they gained!

Xiyou Hongjun watched the departing back of Tongtian Jiaozhu and sighed lightly. Without hesitation, he immediately sent a message to his two Attendants, Haotian and Yaochi, ordering them to release the Jie Sect disciples on the Investiture of the Gods.

And after the two Tongtians left, Xiyou Houtu, who had watched a good show, also suddenly spoke: "Dao Ancestor, I still have some matters to handle in the Underworld, so I shall take my leave."

Xiyou Hongjun knew she was impatient to go and clean up the Underworld, so he did not hinder her, merely waving his hand to let her leave on her own.

Xiyou Houtu glanced at Xiyou Jieyin and Zhunti, a look of mockery appearing at the corner of her mouth, and then turned and left.

The faces of Xiyou Jieyin and Zhunti were incomparably ugly.

This time they had suffered heavy losses one after another; they were practically vomiting blood, yet they were helpless and could only hurry to start making arrangements, striving to minimize the losses.

……

The Heavenly Court, deep within Yaochi Shengjing.

Haotian and Yaochi, who were originally in seclusion, were jolted awake upon learning of Hongjun's message.

Haotian and Yaochi looked at each other, their hearts filled with shock and confusion. They never expected that Hongjun Daozu would suddenly send a message requiring them to release the Jie Sect disciples on the Investiture of the Gods.

"This... what is actually going on?" Yaochi's delicate brows were tightly furrowed, her eyes full of confusion.

Haotian pondered for a moment and slowly said: "It seems that something we don't know has happened between the Jie Sect and the Western Sect. Since Hongjun Daozu personally sent the message, this matter must be of great importance. Let us act according to the Dao Ancestor's instructions as soon as possible."

Yaochi nodded. Although there were still many doubts in her heart, she also knew that Hongjun Daozu's majesty and resolution could not be questioned.

Thus, she parted her red lips slightly and instructed the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals outside: "Quickly go and pass the order, have all the Jie Sect disciples on the Investiture of the Gods come to Yaochi Shengjing; I will personally remove the seals for them."

The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals received the order and left. Soon, many Jie Sect disciples gathered within Yaochi Shengjing, but they all had looks of confusion, not knowing what had actually happened. (End of chapter)