Primordial Era: Starting with the repair of Penglai Immortal Island

However, the laws of cause and effect of the Great Dao of the Primordial World are not determined by sages, especially when it comes to their level; the laws of Heaven will operate on their own.

If Jieyin and Zhunti truly abandon their duties, the demonic energy in Xiniu Hezhou will continue to spread, and every karmic consequence they create will be partially attributed to the Heavenly Court and Huanglong.

If this karmic debt is incurred, Western religions can use it as leverage in the future.

Moreover, as the demonic energy continues to resurface, this karmic connection will only grow stronger.

Like a snowball rolling down a mountain, it grew bigger and bigger until it finally destroyed the very foundation of their great path.

Huang Long fell silent.

Duobao fell silent.

Xuan Du also fell silent.

Haotian's face was slightly pale, and the plain-colored cloud banner of Yaochi fluttered gently in the wind.

They all knew the purpose of these words.

He was using a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement.

If Huanglong and the others really just left like that, not only would they owe the Xiniu Hezhou karma, but they would also be gossiped about in the prehistoric world in the future... The Heavenly Court reopened the Heavenly Gate, causing a demonic upheaval, and then just left, leaving the two saints alone to face the devastated land.

If this mess gets out, where will the Heavenly Court's face be? Where will the Three Pure Ones' face be?

Huanglong raised his head and glanced at the Bodhi tree beside the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

The branches and leaves of the Bodhi tree swayed gently in the breeze, and the Taoist patterns etched on each leaf emitted a faint spiritual glow.

The tree canopy covered half of the pond, casting shadows that fell right behind Jieyin and Zhunti.

"My two senior uncles," Huang Long's voice was steady and firm, "this disciple is willing to repair the earth's veins, purify the demonic energy, and restore the vitality of the land in Xiniu Hezhou, for a period of 30,000 years."

Zhunti's eyes lit up, but before he could speak, Huanglong continued with the next sentence.

"If my two senior uncles do not agree, I will have no choice but to crush this small banner and ask the three masters to descend upon Mount Sumeru."

He looked around and continued, "With the power of the three masters, it shouldn't be too difficult to reseal the endless demonic energy of Xiniu Hezhou and restore it to its state before we opened the Western Heavenly Gate. At that time, the karma between us and Xiniu Hezhou will also be wiped clean."

This statement leaves no room for argument.

Either accept 30,000 years, or I'll stay and work to settle the karmic debt.

If you refuse, I will immediately summon three sages to seal the demonic energy of Xiniu Hezhou back up, restoring it to its state before the opening of the Heavenly Gate, thus settling the karmic debt.

Two paths, you can choose for yourselves.

The difference is that the first path leads to purification in Xiniuhezhou, while the Western religion gains a restored piece of land.

The second path leads to Xiniuhezhou, which remains as desolate as ever, and the Western Religion gains nothing from it...!

An eerie silence fell over the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

Zhunti's fingers stopped on the prayer beads.

One by one, the beads of the rosary made of bodhi seeds were moved.

Golden lotuses bloom on the fingertips of the guide, one after another, blooming and withering, withering and blooming again.

Zhunti looked at the silent Jieyin, and a look of anxiety gradually appeared on his face.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but seeing the guide's silent expression, he swallowed his words.

He knew his senior brother was weighing the options... whether to accept the 30,000-year condition or continue bargaining.

Zhunti's inclination was quite clear: 30,000 years was fine, it was better than nothing.

But on Mount Sumeru, the one who truly makes the decisions is always Jieyin.

Just then, Xuan Du broke the silence.

"My two senior uncles," he said in a gentle, unhurried voice, "I also have some knowledge of the ways of life and creation. When we were on Shouyang Mountain, my master taught me some methods of planting herbs. I wish to work with my senior brother Huanglong on the land of creation in Xiniu Hezhou for 30,000 years to fulfill this cause and effect."

The fingertip that guided the movement finally twitched.

He slowly raised his head, his sorrowful eyes lingering on Xuan Du's face for a moment before turning to Huang Long, and finally glancing at Xuan Du one last time.

His lips twitched slightly.

"Nephew Xuandu," Jieyin's voice was hoarse with a hint of urgency, "I agree that Nephew Huanglong can purify the demonic energy in Xiniu Hezhou alone for 30,000 years. There is no need to trouble Nephew Xuandu."

Upon hearing this, Zhunti paused for a moment, then suddenly realized what he meant.

A hint of annoyance flashed across his face... His senior brother was right.

Adding another Xuandu would be too dangerous.

Duobao was displeased upon hearing this.

Duobao leaned forward slightly, his squinting eyes scanning Huanglong and Xuandu back and forth twice.

He looked at Huanglong, then at Xuandu, and suddenly grinned, startling Jieyin and Zhunti.

"My two senior uncles," Duobao patted the Zhuxian Sword in his hand, "Since this demonic energy was caused by the evil energy of the Zhuxian Sword, the greatest cause and effect naturally lies with me. My two junior brothers are working here, how can I, as their senior brother, stand idly by? I will also accompany my two junior brothers in this Xiniu Hezhou for 30,000 years, helping them out, and at the same time tempering my Dao heart."

He spoke casually, but a shrewd glint shone in his narrowed eyes.

He clearly distinguished between primary and secondary points in his statement... It was "accompanying the two junior brothers," not "helping the two senior uncles."

He stayed to stand with Huang Longxuan, not to work for the Western Church.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance.

Their gazes met briefly in the void before turning simultaneously to Huanglong, Xuandu, and Duobao.

Three quasi-saints from the Sanqing Sect stood side by side.

A Taiji diagram floated in front of Xuandu, Duobao held the Zhuxian Sword, and Huanglong held the Pure World White Lotus in one hand and the Small Pangu Banner in the other.

Behind the three were the Heavenly Emperor Haotian and the Queen Mother of the West, one holding the Heavenly Emperor Sword and the other waving a plain-colored cloud banner.

This lineup is unparalleled in the entire prehistoric world.

Jieyin remained silent for a long time.

His gaze swept across the three faces, then glanced at Haotian and Yaochi, before finally closing his eyes. When he opened them again, the sorrow in his eyes had returned to calm.

"My three nephews are kind-hearted and willing to leave behind something to purify the demonic energy for the sake of the people of Xiniu Hezhou. I am very pleased."

His voice was still hoarse, but the hint of coldness in his tone had disappeared. "Since that's the case, then we'll do as my three junior disciples say. We'll have a period of thirty thousand years. My three junior disciples will stay in Xiniu Hezhou to purify the demonic energy and repair the land. Once the thirty thousand years are up, this karma will be wiped clean."

Zhunti stood to the side, his lips moved, but in the end he didn't say anything more.

He sighed softly, clasped his hands together, and bowed his head in silence.

Just when Zhunti thought the matter was settled, Haotian suddenly spoke.

"My two senior brothers."

Haotian raised his Haotian Sword and stepped forward. "The greatest cause and effect of this is opening the Western Heavenly Gate for the Heavenly Court. The responsibility for this 30,000-year restoration should rightfully belong to the Heavenly Court. I am willing to stay and assist my three junior disciples in purifying the demonic energy."