Primordial Era: Starting by overwhelming the Sages, Hongjun was stunned!

Tongtian gazed at the azure sky.

Looking at this disciple who was the most restless and the most persistent.

He sighed softly.

"Bixiao, I don't blame you for hating Yuanshi."

"But you hate him, can he even feel it?"

Bixiao was stunned.

Tongtian continued:

"He can't feel it."

"Your hatred cannot harm him in the slightest."

"It will only hurt you."

Bixiao lowered her head, her eyes reddening:

"Master, I understand."

"But I can't let it go."

"I remember that palm strike very clearly."

"For countless years, I can see it every time I close my eyes."

Tongtian nodded:

"If you remember, then you remember."

"There's no need to deliberately forget."

"But you must remember, hatred can't solve problems."

"If you truly wish to take revenge, then cultivate yourself diligently."

"Wait until you're powerful, then you can demand an explanation."

"Instead of sitting here, gritting your teeth, and feeling restless."

Bixiao looked up, her eyes gleaming:

"Master is right."

"This disciple must cultivate."

"Disciple must become stronger."

"This disciple is going to find Yuanshi and ask him why he was so cruel back then!"

Tongtian nodded slightly:

"it is good."

"Then calm down."

"Without a calm mind, one cannot achieve spiritual cultivation."

Bixiao took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

This time, she didn't move.

Yunxiao opened her eyes, looked at her younger sister, and her eyes were full of heartache.

She reached out and gently took Bixiao's hand.

Bixiao grasped her hand in return.

The two sisters sat side by side, silently cultivating their spiritual practice.

As Tongtian watched this scene, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

The disciples each had their own wounds and their own hatred.

But they came back.

He returned to the Jie Sect and to his master's side.

This is the greatest blessing.

He turned his head and looked towards the edge of the island.

Kong Xuan had returned sometime earlier, standing with his hands behind his back in the chaos, gazing into the distance.

The small white flower on her lapel swayed gently in the wind.

Tongtian got up and walked to his side.

"Fellow Daoist, what are you looking at?"

Kong Xuan did not turn around:

"Look at that monk."

Tongtian was taken aback:

"Has he been exorcising demons again?"

Kong Xuan's lips curled slightly:

"I converted a group of them."

"Snake spirit, centipede spirit, gecko spirit, toad spirit, and hundreds of lesser demons."

"As soon as the sutra was recited, they all ran away."

Tongtian was stunned:

"They all ran away after one chant of sutras?"

Kong Xuan nodded:

"They weren't scared away."

"It is about salvation."

"There is a vow within that scripture."

"The power of vows accumulated over ten lifetimes."

"Upon hearing this, the demon felt compassion and laid down his butcher's knife."

Tongtian remained silent for a long time:

"This monk is truly a Buddha."

Kong Xuandao:

"Compared to those in Lingshan, there are truly many more."

Tongtian nodded and said nothing more.

The two stood side by side on the edge of the island, watching the chaos churning.

a long time.

Kong Xuan spoke:

"Master, the disciples have almost recovered."

"Next, it's time to do the second thing."

Tongtian turns his head:

"Recalling back old subordinates?"

Kong Xuan nodded:

"There are still 650 people on the list scattered throughout the Three Realms."

"These people must be found one by one."

"I plan to go in person."

Tongtian was taken aback:

"Will you go in person, fellow Daoist?"

Kong Xuandao:

"Some people don't want to come back, and some people dare not come back."

"Someone needs to go and invite, persuade, and guide them."

"Wow, that's sincerity."

Tongtian remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"it is good."

"Then I will trouble you, fellow Daoist."

Kong Xuan turned around and walked towards the edge of the island.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

Looking back, towards the heavens:

"Master, there's something I'd like to ask you."

The Path to Heaven:

"Fellow Daoist, please speak."

Kong Xuandao:

"Why didn't you admit defeat during the Investiture of the Gods?"

Tongtian was stunned.

Kong Xuan continued:

"With the four saints joining forces, the Immortal Slaughtering Formation will surely be broken."

"If you know you can't win, why do you still fight?"

"If you had admitted defeat sooner, perhaps not so many of your disciples would have died."

Tongtian remained silent.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke:

"Because I am the leader."

"Because I am the master."

"What will happen to my disciples if I admit defeat?"

"If I kneel, the Jie Sect will truly be finished."

"So I can't give up."

"Even if it means death, I will not."

Kong Xuan looked at him, her gaze calm:

"But you still knelt down in the end."

Tongtian nodded:

"He knelt down."

"Kneel before Hongjun in Zixiao Palace."

"That kneeling was worse than death."

But I have to live.

"As long as you're alive, there's hope."

"Only by living could we have waited until today."

Kong Xuan nodded slightly:

"So, you've learned it."

"I learned to be patient, I learned to wait, and I learned to admit defeat."

"There's nothing shameful about it."

Tongtian's eyes reddened.

"Fellow Daoist is right."

"It's not shameful."

Kong Xuan turned around, took a step, and disappeared into the chaos.

Chapter 138 Former Retainers

Kong Xuan left Jin'ao Island and headed west.

He was going to find someone.

A person who has been hidden for countless years.

A person who dares not come back.

A person who owes the Jie Sect a life.

Southern Jambudvipa.

An unnamed, deep mountain.

The mountains are high and the forests are dense, shrouded in clouds and mist.

There is a secluded cave in the mountains.

The cave was surrounded by layers of restrictions, making it completely airtight.

Kong Xuan landed in front of the cave, raised his hand, and gently tapped.

The restrictions crumbled layer by layer.

The cave entrance slowly opened.

Inside the cave, a figure sat cross-legged on a futon.

She was a woman with delicate features, yet she exuded a sense of vicissitude.

She looked up at the figure in black robes outside the cave entrance.

A flicker of horror flashed in his eyes.

Who are you?

Kong Xuan stepped into the cave and looked at her:

"From Jin'ao Island."

The woman's expression changed drastically:

"The Jie Sect?!"

Kong Xuan nodded.

The woman trembled all over:

"Wasn't the Jie Sect... wiped out?"

Kong Xuan said calmly:

"It was destroyed, then it came back to life."

"The Tongtian Sect Leader has left the Zixiao Palace, and the Jie Sect has been rebuilt."

"I've come to take you back."

The woman was stunned.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

She waited for endless years.

I waited and waited.

They thought the Jie Sect was really gone.

I thought my master was really dead.

I thought I would never be able to go back in this lifetime.

But now, someone has arrived.

Tell her that the Jie Sect has come back to life, that their master has emerged, and that they will take her back.

The woman stood up and knelt on the ground:

"Disciple...disciple pays respects..."

She didn't know what to call her.

Kong Xuandao:

"Call him Vice Leader."

The woman kowtowed:

"Vice Leader!"

"Disciple Shiji greets the Vice Master!"

Kong Xuan helped her up:

Get up.

"The cult leader is waiting for you."

Shi Ji stood up and wiped away her tears:

"This disciple will follow the Vice Master now!"

Kong Xuan nodded, turned around, and walked out of the cave.

Shi Ji followed behind.

As she stepped out of the cave, she glanced back.

This cave dwelling has been inhabited for countless years.

It was dark, cramped, and devoid of sunlight.

She's never coming back.

The two took to the clouds and flew towards Jin'ao Island.

Above the clouds, Shi Ji said softly:

"Vice Leader, how is the Leader...?"

Kong Xuandao:

"fine."

"You've lost weight and look older, but you seem to be in good spirits."

Shi Ji's eyes reddened again:

"Your disciple is unfilial."

"This disciple has been hiding for countless years, daring not to go out."

"This disciple is afraid of death, afraid of being captured, and afraid of bringing shame to the Jie Sect."

Kong Xuan shook his head:

"To live is the greatest act of filial piety."

"That's what the cult leader said too."

Shi Ji nodded and said nothing more.

Jin'ao Island.

In front of the Jiejiao Hall.

Tongtian was preaching to his disciples.

Suddenly, he looked up and gazed out of the island.

From the chaos, two figures arrived together.

Kong Xuan.

Rocky islet.

A glint of light flashed in Tongtian's eyes.

Shi Ji, his disciple.

During the Investiture of the Gods, he was burned to death by the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover used by the Immortal Taiyi, and thus his name appeared on the Investiture of the Gods List.

Later, when the list of successful candidates was broken and the person returned, she had disappeared without a trace.

So that's where they were hiding.

Shi Ji stopped in her tracks when she saw the figure in the green robe in the distance.

She gazed at Tongtian, at that aged and weary face.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

She strode forward and knelt down with a thud:

"Master!"

"Disciple Shiji greets Master!"

Tongtian looked at her, at her face filled with tears.

A wave of sorrow welled up in my heart.

Get up.

"It's good that you're back."

Shi Ji did not rise, but knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times.

His forehead hit the stone slab with a thud.

"Master, your disciple is incompetent."

"This disciple has been hiding for countless years, afraid to come out."

"This disciple has disgraced the Jie Sect."

Tongtian shook his head:

"It's not shameful."

"To be alive is the greatest blessing."

Shi Ji wept uncontrollably.

Jin Ling stepped forward and helped her up:

"Junior sister, don't cry."

"It's good that you're back."

Shi Ji nodded and wiped away her tears.

She gazed at Jinling, at Wudang, at Wuyunxian, at Zhao Gongming, at the Three Immortals of Sanxiao, and at the Ten Heavenly Lords.

Looking at these familiar yet unfamiliar faces.

A warm feeling welled up in my heart.

Family.

This is home.

She's finally back.

Tongtian looked towards Kong Xuan:

"Fellow Daoist, you've worked hard."

Kong Xuan shook his head:

"It's not hard work."

"Who should we look for next?"

Tongtian thought for a moment:

"There's one more person."

"Hidden in the Northern Continent of Julu".

"I've never dared to come back."

Kong Xuan nodded:

"I'll go."

He turned around, took a step, and disappeared into the chaos.

Beiju Luzhou.

The land was covered in ice and snow, and the wind was biting cold.

At the summit of an iceberg, there is a small cave.

Inside the cave, a figure was huddled up.

He was a man with handsome features, yet he exuded a gloomy aura.

He closed his eyes and silently endured the cold.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

Because he sensed that someone was coming.

That aura was as vast as the sea, unfathomable.

The man's expression changed drastically, and he got up to run away.

It's too late.

Outside the cave, a figure in a black robe slowly descended.

Kong Xuan.

He looked at the man and said calmly:

"Long-eared Immortal Dingguang".

The man froze.

He hadn't heard that name in a long time.

He was one of the Seven Immortals who served the Jie Sect.

During the Investiture of the Gods, in front of the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, he stole the Six Soul Banner and defected to the Chan Sect.

It caused the Jie Sect to suffer a great defeat and countless fellow disciples to die tragically.

He is a traitor.

He was the biggest traitor of the Jie Sect.

Long-eared Dingguang Immortal's face was deathly pale, and his whole body was trembling:

"You...you are..."

Kong Xuandao:

"Vice Leader of the Jie Sect"

"I've come to take you back on the orders of the leader."

Long-eared Dingguangxian was stunned.

go back?

Return to the Jie Sect?

He couldn't believe it.

He is a traitor.

He harmed the Jie Sect.

How could the cult leader possibly let him go back?

Kong Xuan looked at him:

"The cult leader said, let's not talk about the past."

"As long as you are willing to come back, the gates of the Jie Sect will always be open for you."

Long-eared Dingguangxian knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face:

"This disciple...this disciple is unworthy."

Kong Xuandao:

"Whether someone is worthy or not is up to the leader to decide."

"If he says you're worthy, then you are worthy."

Long-eared Dingguang Immortal kowtows:

"Disciple...disciple returns."

"This disciple will return on his knees."

"This disciple kowtows to each of his fellow disciples to apologize."

Kong Xuan nodded:

"Let's go."

Chang Er Ding Guangxian got up and followed behind Kong Xuan.

The two rose into the air and flew towards Jin'ao Island.

Above the clouds, the long-eared Dingguang Immortal trembled all over.

He fears.

I'm afraid to go back.

He was afraid to face the fellow disciples he had harmed.

He was afraid they would beat him, scold him, or kill him.

But he knew he had to go back.

Debts must be repaid.

Jin'ao Island.

In front of the Jiejiao Hall.

Chang Er Ding Guang Xian knelt in the square, head bowed, not daring to raise his head.

Three thousand disciples surrounded him, their eyes filled with hatred.

Zhao Gongming clenched his fist:

"Traitor! How dare you come back!"

Yunxiao's face turned ashen:

"If you hadn't stolen the Six Soul Banner back then, the Jie Sect wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat!"

Bixiao gritted her teeth:

"Kill him! Avenge our fallen comrades!"

The disciples shouted in unison:

"Kill him! Kill him!"

Long-eared Dingguangxian knelt on the ground, trembling all over, and dared not speak.

On the high platform, Tongtian watched this scene unfold.

silence.

a long time.

He spoke:

"shut up."

The two words were uttered, and a deathly silence fell over the area in front of the hall.

Tongtian stood up and walked down from the high platform.

They stopped in front of the Long-Eared Immortal.

She looked down at him.

Do you know your crime?

Long-eared Immortal Dingguang bows:

"Disciple knows his sin."

"This disciple deserves to die a thousand deaths."

Tongtian nodded:

"You deserve to die."

"But I will not kill you today."

Long-eared Dingguangxian was stunned.

Tongtian continued:

"Killing you won't bring back those fellow disciples who died."

"I'll spare your life and let you live to serve the Jie Sect."

"To atone for one's sins with meritorious deeds."

"Are you willing?"

Long-eared Dingguangxian was in tears:

"This disciple is willing!"

"This disciple is willing to serve like an ox or a horse to repay the Master's mercy in sparing my life!"

Tongtian nodded, turned around, and walked back to the high platform.

He sat down and looked at his disciples:

"From this day forward, Chang Er Ding Guang Xian returns to the Jie Sect."

"Anyone who brings up the matter of that year again will be expelled from the Jie Sect."

The disciples remained silent.

Some were unwilling, some were angry, and some were puzzled.

But no one dared to disobey their master.

Zhao Gongming gritted his teeth, turned around and left.

The Three Immortals have also left.

Jin Ling sighed softly and shook her head.

Wu Dang gazed at Chang Er Ding Guang Xian with a complex expression.

She stepped forward and helped him up:

Get up.

"Your master spared you, which is giving you a chance."

Cherish it.

Long-eared Dingguangxian nodded:

"Thank you, senior sister."

Wu Dang turned and left.

Chang Er Ding Guangxian stood still, gazing at the figure in green robes on the high platform.

A feeling I had never experienced before welled up inside me.

That was gratitude.

That was guilt.

That was the relief of surviving a disaster.

He knelt down and kowtowed three times to Tongtian.

Then he got up, silently walked to the corner, and sat down.

No one spoke to him.

He sat there alone.

Close your eyes and meditate.

Kong Xuan stood beside the palace gate, watching this scene unfold.

On the lapel, a small white flower swayed gently.

This long-eared Dingguang Xian is quite a character.

To be able to endure, to kneel, to bow one's head.

People like that are useful to keep around.

He turned and looked out at the chaos beyond the island.

One less person is on the list.

There are still 649 short.

Search them one by one.

Bring them back one by one.

The Jie Sect will grow stronger and stronger.

And he will be watching that day.

Chaos surged above Jin'ao Island.

A faint light flickered within the gray fog.

That is hope.

That was the hope for the Jie Sect to truly rise up.

In the distance, on the road to the Western Paradise.

Xuanzang, accompanied by Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing, was walking on an unnamed mountain path.

He was unaware of what was happening on Jin'ao Island.

They didn't know that the Jie Sect had been rebuilt, that the Heavenly Court had knelt down, or that Mount Ling had retreated.

He only knew that there was a road ahead, so he walked on it.

If there is a demon, he will deliver it.

If there's someone, he'll help them.

This is his Buddhist teaching.

This was his journey to the west.

On the mountain path, there were three figures, one in front and two behind.

Lopsided.

The path they took led to the Western Paradise, yet it did not belong to the Western Paradise.

It leads to Mount Ling, yet it does not belong to Mount Ling.

That was a path that belonged to me.

A road that doesn't require you to kneel.

A path where you can live standing up.