On the Dragon-Slaying Platform, I was executed and became Yang Jian's brother-in-law.

Not to mention that Buddhism's fortunes may also dissipate significantly!

The Great Tribulation of Journey to the West will likely also be affected!

No!

We absolutely must not let the Holy Mother of Golden Spirit go to Mount Ling!

Buddha took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and resentment in his heart.

He clasped his hands together, and a compassionate smile returned to his face.

"Amitabha Buddha, Fellow Daoist Jinling, you are overthinking it."

"Since I said I would not contend, I will never go back on my word."

"Then let the Heavenly Court deal with Su Bai."

"This humble monk... will not interfere."

The Buddha spoke of it with great difficulty.

But no way.

It's not worth turning against the Golden Spirit Mother for Su Bai!

What's more, the Jade Emperor was also fanning the flames...

The Buddha sighed inwardly.

This time... it's a double loss...

He intended to subdue Su Bai, but instead got himself into a lot of trouble.

Never mind...

"However..." Buddha changed the subject, "Although this humble monk will not contend, there are still some scores that need to be settled."

His gaze was directed towards the direction of Mount Ling in the Western Paradise.

To be precise, it was looking in the direction of the Buddha of Joy—the Long-Eared Dipankara.

The Buddha sneered inwardly.

In the end, all of this was caused by Chang Er Ding Guang Xian!

If he hadn't used the illusion to harm Su Bai back then, there wouldn't be so many messes of trouble today.

Since things have already escalated to this point...

Then we can only use Long-Eared Immortal to settle the score!

Anyway, this traitor isn't well-liked in the West either.

Using him as a sacrifice is just right!

A cold glint flashed in Tathagata's eyes.

"Great Heavenly Venerable, Fellow Daoist Jinling," Buddha said with a smile, "Let the Heavenly Court handle Su Bai's matter."

"This humble monk believes that the Great Celestial Venerable will handle this matter fairly."

"but..."

"The most important thing is... settling accounts!"

Inside the Lingxiao Palace.

The atmosphere had just eased a bit.

The Buddha has stated that he will no longer contend for Su Bai and is willing to use Chang Er Ding Guang Xian to settle the score.

The Holy Mother Jinling was preparing to go to the underworld to check on Jiao'er's condition.

at this time

boom!

Suddenly, a vast Daoist aura emanated from outside the main hall!

The profound and unfathomable Daoist rhyme contained the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, causing all the immortals and gods present to feel a sense of unease!

"This is..."

The immortals all paled.

This aura... it's the Daoist essence of the Human Sect!

Moreover, there was a faint pressure from a saint within his aura!

"Could it be..." Venus's eyes widened.

next moment.

Outside the main hall, a figure slowly walked in.

He was an elderly man dressed in a Taoist robe, with white hair and a youthful face, exuding an air of otherworldly grace. He held a whisk in his hand, stood on auspicious clouds, and emanated a faint celestial light.

The most striking feature was the talisman on his forehead.

The talisman shimmered with golden light, clearly the symbol of the Zhengyi sect of Taoism!

"Master Zhang!"

The immortals exclaimed in surprise.

The person who arrived was none other than Zhang Daoling, one of the Four Celestial Masters!

Zhang Daoling held an extremely high position in the Three Realms.

Back when he was cultivating on Crane Cry Mountain in Shu, one night, Laozi descended from the sky and bestowed upon him three magical treasures—the Demon-Slaying Sword, the Male and Female Swords, and the Thunder Governor's Seal!

He personally taught him Taoist methods and accepted him as a disciple!

Although he was only a nominal disciple, he was none other than Laozi!

The leader of the People's Education Movement!

An incarnation of a saint!

Zhang Daoling's ability to receive direct instruction from Laozi, to some extent, represents the will of the Humanist Church!

This represents the attitude of the Supreme Sage!

"Master Zhang?" The Jade Emperor quickly stood up, a respectful smile on his face. "What brings you here, Master Zhang?"

"This humble Taoist greets the Great Celestial Venerable." Zhang Daoling bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Our teacher is currently in seclusion in the Thirty-Third Heaven refining elixirs and has no time to spare."

"Upon learning that the Heavenly Court was holding the Heavenly Peace Conference, I was asked to attend on its behalf."

The Jade Emperor's heart sank.

Did Laozi send Zhang Daoling?

What does this mean?

Does the People's Education Commission also want to interfere in Su Bai's affairs?

"I see," the Jade Emperor forced a smile. "It is an honor for the Heavenly Court that the Celestial Master has come."

"Please take a seat!"

Zhang Daoling didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to a seat to sit down.

His gaze swept across the main hall, finally landing on the Golden Spirit Mother, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"I've arrived at an inopportune time; have I disturbed you all?" Zhang Daoling said calmly.

"No, no, no, Celestial Master, what are you saying!" The Jade Emperor quickly waved his hand, "We are currently investigating the past and present lives of that Flood Dragon Demon King Su Bai to determine his crimes."

"Oh?" Zhang Daoling raised an eyebrow. "Any results?"

The Jade Emperor organized his thoughts: "Although Su Bai has rebelled, considering he is a disciple of the Xuanmen sect, and the Three Pure Ones are originally one family..."

"I intend not to punish him by making him reincarnate, but instead to make him reflect on his actions for several thousand years. What do you think?"

The Jade Emperor put it very tactfully.

The implication is that since Su Bai comes from the Xuanmen sect, and everyone is on the same side, why not give him a lighter punishment and a way out?

The immortals, upon hearing this, also felt that the solution was fair.

After all, Su Bai was indeed a third-generation disciple of the Jie Sect, a true member of the Xuanmen lineage.

A light punishment would be justifiable.

however--

"Oh..."

Zhang Daoling suddenly let out a cold laugh.

The laughter was full of disdain and mockery.

"Are the Three Pure Ones originally one family?"

Zhang Daoling slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the assembled immortals of the Jie Sect.

"The Intercepting Sect..."

He said, word by word, "Does he even deserve to be called a 'mystic'?"

boom!

These words were like a thunderclap, exploding throughout the entire hall!

The faces of the immortals of the Jie Sect instantly turned ashen!

"Zhang Daoling! What do you mean?!" Zhao Gongming suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at Zhang Daoling.

"What I mean is clear to Fellow Daoist Zhao," Zhang Daoling said unhurriedly.

"The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods and the transition from the Shang to the Zhou dynasty were ordained by Heaven."

"But you, the Jie Sect, defy Heaven's will and insist on supporting the Shang and destroying the Zhou!"

What was the result?

Zhang Daoling sneered, "The grand spectacle of ten thousand immortals from the Jie Sect paying homage is no more; less than one in ten disciples of the Jie Sect remains!"

"Either they're listed on the Investiture of the Gods and become gods in Heaven."

"Either they are converted by the West and become lackeys of Buddhism."

"And some simply perished, their very essence vanishing into nothingness!"

"How dare this Jie Sect call itself the Xuanmen?"

Zhang Daoling's words were extremely harsh; every word was like a knife, stabbing deeply into the hearts of the Jie Sect immortals!

"You!" Lü Yue roared in fury, "Zhang Daoling, you've gone too far!"

"This is going too far!" Zhang Daoling turned to look at her. "I was merely stating the facts."

What is left of the Jie Sect today?

"The Tongtian Sect Leader retreated into chaos, never to concern himself with worldly affairs again."

"Disciples of the Jie Sect either serve in the Heavenly Court or recite scriptures in the Western Paradise."

"The Jie Sect... has long existed in name only!"

"Daring to call himself one of the Three Pure Ones of the Xuanmen? How laughable!"

Zhang Daoling's words were extremely harsh, but the immortals of the Jie Sect could not refute them.

because...

That's the truth!

After the Investiture of the Gods, the Jie Sect was indeed utterly defeated.

The Tongtian Sect Leader was besieged by the Four Sages and had no choice but to retreat back to Chaos.

Of the ten thousand immortals of the Jie Sect, some died and others scattered.

The Jie Sect is now truly defunct in name only...

"That's enough!"

The Holy Mother of Golden Spirit finally spoke, her voice icy and chilling.

She slowly turned around and looked at Zhang Daoling.

"Zhang Tianshi, have you come here today just to humiliate my Jie Sect?"

The aura surrounding the Golden Spirit Mother began to rise, and the killing energy of Geng metal subtly surged.