Investiture of the Gods: I am Bigan, the Master of Conspiracy

Chapter 137 The Sages Discuss and Admit Defeat!
From the perspective of Yuanshi Tianzun, Yin Ziyu's scheme to sow discord was indeed based on the unequal distribution of benefits within the Chan Sect.

But if the West doesn't take them in and allow them to apostatize, where can they go?
These two Westerners have betrayed their allies, which is why the Chan Sect has had such a huge impact in the Three Realms and has become a laughing stock in the Three Realms.

In this grand event that swept across the three realms, the defection of four direct disciples has caused a tremendous loss of fortune and has now brought this massive strategy to the brink of collapse.

Regarding the anger of Yuanshi Tianzun, Jieyin and Zhunti had their own thoughts.

By eliminating the Jie Sect and others, the Chan Sect was able to connect the top spiritual veins of the Heavenly Court, the Underworld, and the human race from Kunlun to Penglai. In the future, the westward expansion to the east will face a behemoth.

So, what will allow the West to prosper?
This scheme by the Chan Sect has posed a threat to the future of the two Westerners.

Since Yin Ziyu has provided an opportunity, it would be most advantageous for them to increase their own power, weaken the strength of the Chan Sect, and thwart their plan to sweep across the Three Realms. How could the two from the West refuse?
This situation is somewhat similar to the Warring States period, and the Chan Sect is somewhat similar to the Wei Kingdom in its early stages, which swept across all directions and aroused the vigilance of other forces.

Ultimately, they were defeated by the combined efforts of all parties.

While the Chan Sect's plan seemed flawless, it actually had a major problem. The Western Sect was willing to cooperate with the Chan Sect in annihilating the Jie Sect, but they were also happy to accept the four direct disciples of the Chan Sect offered by Yin Ziyu.

Faced with Yuanshi Tianzun's anger, Zhunti sighed, "Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, please calm down. These four did not betray the sect now, but after the grand gathering, they said that the Great Dao of Chan Sect was extinct. This is because you favor Guangchengzi. The fortune of the East Sea has gone to the South Pole, and the Jade Void Palace belongs to Guangchengzi. Do Cihang and the others still have a place to stand? I promised to let them come to the West after this matter. However, I did not expect that Bigan would see the changes in Guangchengzi's ability to become the sect leader so meticulously. Therefore, he used a divisive tactic. The urgency of their defection was also beyond my expectations, but I have no choice but to accept them!"

Upon hearing Zhunti's words, Yuanshi Tianzun angrily said, "Why didn't you two fellow Daoists inform me? How could you allow him to betray the sect!"

After listening, Jieyin sighed and said, "Could it be that Fellow Daoist Yuanshi is unaware? Since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, you have given everything to Guangchengzi. However, these three were not on good terms. Now that Guangchengzi has become the leader, it is inevitable that these three will betray the sect. No matter where they go, it is all predetermined. If my junior brother and I do not accept them, they will really run to the Jie Sect. What face will you have left, Fellow Daoist?"

The answers from Jieyin and Zhunti were impeccable, leaving Yuanshi Tianzun speechless.

Yuanshi Tianzun did not want to admit his mistake and wanted to blame the two Westerners for it.

The two Westerners, on the other hand, attributed the blame to the fact that apostasy was inevitable, while Yin Ziyu's schemes were unexpectedly brilliant.

At this moment, Laozi's voice came: "Yuanshi, do not blame the two fellow Daoists. If these people had defected to the Jie Sect, the Chan Sect would have declined even more. If it weren't for the widening rift within the Chan Sect, even if Bigan wanted to sow discord, he wouldn't have been able to do so. With the right timing, location, and people, it's only natural that the other side would have targeted the rift within the Chan Sect to devise a plan to break it. Junior brother, do not blame others!"

Lao Tzu's words immediately silenced Yuanshi Tianzun.

Yuanshi Tianzun understood in his heart, but simply did not want to admit that it was his mistake.

Because admitting your mistakes is admitting that you have a problem with your approach.

Yuanshi Tianzun immediately said, "Hmph, those who are disloyal betray their sect at this time are truly hateful. Now that the Jie Sect wants to reclaim the East Sea, these rogue cultivators are about to make a comeback. At this opportune moment, we should suppress them. What do you two fellow Daoists think? What do you think, elder brother?"

Seeing the current situation in the East China Sea, the sages all fell silent.

Laozi sighed, "Second brother, let Guangchengzi and the others return to Kunlun. If the great war breaks out, Penglai will not be able to be defended. All the rogue cultivators are in Penglai now, so it's just a matter of sinking Penglai!"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable roared, "Even if we sink it, we must not leave it to the Jie Sect!"

Laozi retorted, "The three mountains of Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou stabilize the spiritual energy of the East Sea using the Three Powers Formation. Regardless of the circumstances, Junior Brother seized the spiritual veins of the Jie Sect, thus sinking Penglai, destroying the Three Powers Formation of the East Sea, and causing the spiritual energy to decline. Do you really want your disciples to bear such karmic burdens? Now that the Great Tribulation has just passed, your insistence will trigger another Great Tribulation in the Three Realms. Aren't you worried about Master's wrath? Your plan is too hasty, neglecting the hearts of all beings. The Three Realms are now in a period without saints; it is impossible to suppress these rogue cultivators and great gods!"

"This"

Yuanshi Tianzun was furious upon hearing this, but he had to admit that Laozi was right.

The Jie Sect now uses the Ten Continents for their own benefit, giving them away to rogue cultivators, but they are also binding the hearts of all beings to their side. Once they take action, it will be a great calamity.

Regardless of the circumstances, this was an act of aggression by the Chan Sect against the Jie Sect, and they bear full responsibility for it.

Therefore, this karmic punishment will fall upon the Chan Sect due to the consequences it causes.

Zhunti said, "The people of the Jie Sect are bold and good at planning. They left three mountains in the entire East Sea and distributed the rest to these rogue cultivators. These rogue cultivators are also eager to gain benefits in the Three Realms. By leaving three mountains, the Jie Sect has essentially controlled the source of the East Sea's spiritual veins. The spiritual veins of the Ten Continents all originate from the three mountains. Even if the Chan Sect withdraws from Penglai, they cannot allow all three mountains to fall into the hands of the Jie Sect. They must also allocate one to others!"

Laozi sighed, "This cannot be determined, because the other rogue cultivators cannot tolerate anyone obtaining one of the Three Mountains. Apart from the Jie Sect, whoever obtains one of the Three Mountains cannot be recognized. However, the Jie Sect has the title of landlord, so it can be recognized. More importantly, these rogue cultivators want the Jie Sect to become their leader and thus become our enemies. These people do not form karmic ties and can obtain fortune. Even if the Three Mountains wanted to give it up, they would not accept it!"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable couldn't help but retort angrily, "Hmph, so the balance of power in the Three Realms depends on these people?"

The three of them understood Lao Tzu's words and what these rogue cultivators were seeking.

These are all old foxes who want the benefits but don't want to take responsibility. They'll get one of the Ten Continents without bearing much responsibility.

However, if one obtains one of the three mountains, one must bear the corresponding consequences. How could these people do that?
As long as the Jie Sect occupies the Three Mountains, the future Great Tribulation will be dominated by the Jie Sect. These independent cultivators will be able to make bets and reap benefits before and after the Great Tribulation, or they can abandon their original base and retreat to their own camp. Once they take over the Three Mountains, there will be no turning back.

Since the Jie Sect had no way back, the Three Mountains were given to the Jie Sect, allowing them to withstand the pressure from the Chan Sect, the Human Sect, and the Western Sect. This dramatically increased their importance in the Three Realms.

It plays a crucial role in the outcome of the battle between the two sides. Now that the Jie Sect is weak and occupies the front line of resistance, they will inevitably support the Jie Sect. If the Jie Sect becomes strong, they will then maintain a balance.

Jieyin sighed, "When the sages leave the primordial world, these people will inevitably scheme for fortune. And now, they are precisely using their own importance to scheme for fortune. After all, the higher their status in the Three Realms, the higher their fortune. These people have experienced countless eons, how could they not understand this! This is the current trend. Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, let Guangchengzi and the others withdraw. This humble Daoist of the West does not wish to bear such karma!"

Zhunti continued, “If the Chan Sect hadn’t encountered any problems, it would have been fine. But now the Chan Sect has failed to obtain the fortune, and as a result, the fortune has flowed into Bi Gan’s territory. On the Jie Sect’s side, the rogue cultivators have also obtained the fortune. The East Sea’s plan has failed. If we continue to fight, we will only accumulate karma. I, a humble Taoist from the West, do not wish to go and bear this karma!”

Zhunti's words were direct; he directly advised him to recognize reality.

A powerful force cannot afford to show weakness, for doing so will inevitably attract a pack of wolves. The Chan Sect was forced to disintegrate during the grand gathering because of a single willow branch; the impact was too great. Yin Ziyu used this as a strategy, directly causing the fortune gathered at Penglai Island to dissipate. Once dispersed, it could never be gathered again.

The scattered fortune was due to Yin Ziyu being the mastermind behind the scheme and responsible for it.

This acted like a magnet, causing the Chan Sect to draw upon the power of the East Sea, and part of the gathered fortune was taken by Yin Ziyu, while the Jie Sect, in its eastward expansion to reclaim lost territory, also took a portion of it.

Subsequently, Yin Ziyu used a strategy of alliance to increase the importance of rogue cultivators, which resulted in some of the fortune being distributed to these people.

At this point, the lost fortune is irretrievable, so the only way to regain it is to defeat all of these people.

However, defeating them would trigger a great calamity and accumulate negative karma. Basically, it's just about saving face, so it's a losing proposition, and they certainly wouldn't go to the Western Paradise.

The moment Yin Ziyu's scheme to sow discord succeeded, and the moment the four were released into the cycle of reincarnation, their defeat was already complete, and their fortune had been dissipated because of this.

Yin Ziyu used a divisive tactic as a spear to break the convergence of fortune, and used alliances as a shield to distribute the spoils among these powerful figures; the outcome was already predetermined.

Fighting will not solve any problems; on the contrary, it will cause another great calamity, which will destroy the future opportunities of the West. Why would the West participate in such a situation?

This time, Yuanshi Tianzun suffered great losses and had a significant impact, leading to a strategic retreat. However, defeat is defeat.

Times have changed. It is no longer realistic to try to suppress all living beings with the order of sages.

Laozi said, “Yuanshi, this scheme to sow discord has succeeded because it has been rooted in the long-standing discord within your Chan Sect. Now that its fortune has dissipated, war will trigger a great calamity, forcing it to retreat. At least for now, the discord within the Chan Sect will be resolved! If the war continues, the human race and even the Heavenly Court may be lost. Bigan may very well have such a plan!”

"Fine, then we'll do as my elder brother says!"

After hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun had no choice but to face reality and ordered Guangchengzi and the others of the Chan Sect to evacuate Penglai and return to Kunlun Mountain!

Yuanshi Tianzun understood all these things, but he really couldn't bear to admit it. However, considering the consequences of starting a war, and the loss of the human race and the Heavenly Court, Yuanshi Tianzun could only endure it.

After all, scheming in the East China Sea is a strategic offensive, but we cannot lose our base camp because of this.

The decree of the Primordial Celestial Venerable instantly fell upon Guang Chengzi, who was now caught in a dilemma.

Having just become the leader of the Chan Sect, he has already made such a mess of things. Such a massive strategic blunder will leave a lasting stain on his reputation throughout the primordial world.

At this moment, Guang Chengzi looked at Yin Ziyu, pondered for a moment, and then put away the Fantian Seal and said, "As expected of the High Priest of Yin Shang, what excellent methods and plans! Using the strategy of sowing discord as a spear and the lure of destiny as a shield, you have caused my situation to end like this. I admit defeat in this scheme!"

At this moment, Guang Chengzi weighed the situation and immediately realized that rather than slinking away in disgrace, it was better to admit defeat openly so as not to damage his reputation too much. Praising Yin Ziyu's ingenious plan was better than making himself look stupid.

Looking at Guang Chengzi in front of him, Yin Ziyu knew from his words that the other party would not fight anymore.

Yin Ziyu understood why the fighting would stop; it must be due to the intervention of a sage, who could assess the consequences of continuing the fight.

The luck has dissipated, and now Yin Ziyu has bound all the independent cultivators present with a strategy of alliance. It can be said that Yin Ziyu has completely seized the opportunity in terms of timing, location, and popular support.

Continuing to fight is just for face, but it could trigger a great calamity, which the opponent will inevitably give up.

Yin Ziyu said calmly, "This strategy is not my victory, but lies in people's hearts. Fellow Daoist, you were defeated by people's hearts. Now we are in an era without saints in the Three Realms. The great trend of the primordial world is that after a long period of division, there will be unity, and after a long period of unity, there will be division. How can it be changed by the will of an individual?"

Yin Ziyu's words immediately stunned everyone, and then they all nodded in agreement.

Zhen Yuanzi nodded in agreement: "The world's affairs, after a long period of unity, will inevitably divide, and after a long period of division, will inevitably unite. This is truly a profound truth, and it is truly wonderful beyond words!"

After pondering for a moment, Styx said, "If there are no saints in the Three Realms, the hearts of all living beings will inevitably be stirred, and once stirred, they will inevitably be divided!"

"The High Priest of the Yin Shang Dynasty truly has the power to sway the hearts of people in the Three Realms. The four Cihang disciples changed their minds because of the lack of a saint, and many others also changed their minds because of the lack of a saint in the Three Realms. Guang Chengzi went against the tide, how could he not fail? And this High Priest merely used a willow branch to stir up trouble, thus creating the current situation. It's truly amazing! He is indeed a man of exquisite wisdom and the way of cultivating the mind."

"."

Everyone was discussing it animatedly. Yin Ziyu succinctly pointed out the root of the problem, and Guang Chengzi was first taken aback, then sighed, "So be it, this is my defeat. I went against the tide. Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist!"

After saying this, Guang Chengzi looked at the members of the Chan Sect and said, "Give up Penglai Island and return to Kunlun Mountain!"

At Guang Chengzi's command, all members of the Chan Sect withdrew from Penglai Island.

Everyone was stunned by what they saw.

Zhen Yuanzi sighed, "Guang Chengzi's character has improved greatly. He can still cope with such a crushing defeat and accept defeat with equanimity. He is worthy of being the leader of the Chan Sect."

Seeing everyone from the Chan Sect disperse was a huge strategic victory for both Yin Ziyu and Jinling Shengmu, connecting the southern part of Nanzhanbuzhou with the East Sea. The strategic retreat of the Chan Sect could no longer encircle the main base of the Shang Dynasty.

Golden Spirit Mother looked at the many independent cultivators and immediately expressed her gratitude.

(End of this chapter)