Chapter 133 The Divine Might of Taiyi
The merit energy lingered in the sky for a moment, then suddenly split in two, falling downwards and surging into the bodies of the two Daoists, Zhunti and Jieyin.
However, without the merit of creating the heavens, how could the merit of establishing a sect be enough for the two to become saints?
As the merit energy entered their bodies, their auras surged dramatically, but at the very last moment before becoming saints, the merit energy was exhausted, and their ascension came to an abrupt halt.
"Now, this is the only way!"
Knowing that this opportunity was too good to miss, and that if they missed it, they didn't know how long they would have to wait to attain enlightenment again, the two exchanged a bitter smile and made their decision.
"Alas! In the end, we are not as blessed as the Three Pure Ones, who possess the merit of creating the world."
With a sigh, Jieyin and Zhunti straightened their expressions and simultaneously made a grand vow to the Heavenly Dao:
"When I become a Buddha, may all people in my realm love and respect each other, without hatred or jealousy. If this vow is not fulfilled, I will not become a Buddha."
"When I become a Buddha, may all people in my realm share the same good heart, without any deluded thoughts, and may they all know each other's intentions beforehand. If this vow is not fulfilled, I will not become a Buddha."
"When I become a Buddha, may all people in my realm know that the body is illusory, without any attachment. If this vow is not fulfilled, I will not become a Buddha."
...
Stuck at the critical juncture of enlightenment, Jieyin and Zhunti felt helpless and could only borrow boundless merit from the Heavenly Dao through the method of grand vows to achieve sainthood.
However, while this method could help them attain enlightenment, it also placed their strength at the bottom among saints.
The two made a total of forty-eight grand vows before they had accumulated enough merit for enlightenment.
Instantly, purple mist filled the sky, auspicious clouds gathered, and countless rays of light flew westward. The air above Mount Sumeru resounded with chanting, golden flowers fell from the sky, and golden lotuses sprouted from the earth, giving rise to numerous wondrous phenomena. The innate spiritual energy surged several times over.
Jieyin and Zhunti sat serenely atop Mount Sumeru, smiles playing on their lips, facing the eastern horizon, uttering the true words of the Great Dao, expounding the Dao of Relics.
Lotuses flew forth, carrying an alluring intent, causing those who heard them to yearn for the Western Paradise.
No wonder the two were so captivated; in truth, their attainment of enlightenment was a clever trick. Making a grand vow was like borrowing from the Heavenly Dao, but how could one so easily take advantage of the Heavenly Dao!
If they failed to fulfill their vow, the Heavenly Dao's backlash would be so severe that not only would their sainthood be lost, but even their lives would be uncertain.
To preserve their sainthood, Jieyin and Zhunti were determined to fulfill their grand vow, greatly promote the Western Paradise, and universally save all sentient beings.
However, the West is barren, and relying on this place to greatly promote Western religion would likely be impossible even after countless eons. Therefore, the two turned their attention to the East, a land of outstanding people and abundant resources. They wished to guide all those destined to attain enlightenment in the East, greatly promote Western religion, and fulfill their grand vow. It is known that after the completion of a grand vow, the Heavenly Dao will bestow rewards.
The greater the vow, the richer the reward; judging from the grand vow made by Jieyin and Zhunti, once fulfilled, the reward would be unprecedented.
"How dare you!"
On the Sun Star, Donghuang Taiyi saw many demons emanating Buddhist light, clearly bewitched by the chanting of Brahma, and was enraged. He roared towards the West and rang the Donghuang Bell.
With a resounding clang, heaven and earth fell silent; the Great Dao fell into stillness; time and space stopped operating; and even many powerful beings briefly lost consciousness, leaving only the echoing sound of the bell.
An unknown amount of time passed—it seemed like a fleeting moment, yet also like countless ages. Heaven and earth returned to normal, the extraordinary phenomena of Jieyin and Zhunti's enlightenment vanished, and the Sun Star returned to tranquility.
"Who won?"
Having regained consciousness, the powerful beings, curious about the outcome of the battle, hurriedly looked towards the Sun Star, only to find it a dazzling, white expanse. It was Donghuang Taiyi who had obscured the Sun Star.
The powerful beings withdrew their gazes and looked towards Mount Sumeru, where they saw Jieyin and Zhunti sitting smilingly in the void, continuing to expound on the method of condensing relics.
However, at this moment, their voices only echoed in the western lands and could no longer reach the eastern lands.
"Did Taiyi win? Or did other saints intervene?"
Undoubtedly, the two Western saints suffered a loss in this battle; otherwise, how could they be at ease spreading their teachings in the West?
However, whether it was Taiyi who suppressed the two western saints or other saints who assisted, the powerful beings, having lost consciousness at the time, could not know.
However, while they could not know, those saints, and those beings infinitely close to sainthood, saw it clearly.
"What? How could Taiyi be so strong, actually able to fight the two western saints to a draw?" Inside Nuwa's palace, Nuwa stood up in shock, looking at the Sun Star in disbelief.
"How is this possible?
Taiyi hasn't even reached the Primordial Chaos Realm yet, and he's already so powerful. If he takes another step forward, won't he be invincible?"
"At that time, with Taiyi and Dijun together, how will we sages face each other?"
On Mount Kunlun, Yuanshi Tianzun's eyelids twitched wildly. He never expected Taiyi to have such combat power, able to fight two opponents without being at a disadvantage.
Isn't it said that all below the sages are ants?
What's going on with Taiyi? Even if Jieyin and Zhunti are the weakest among the sages, they shouldn't be like this!
"The former number one in the Primordial World, I wonder if he can withstand my Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation!" "
Above the East Sea, the Tongtian Sect Leader's fighting spirit surged. The Four Swords of Zhuxian seemed to sense his emotions, clanging loudly, causing the aquatic creatures within a radius of millions of miles to tremble.
Meanwhile, the Taiqing Daoist on Shouyang Mountain remained calm, lost in thought.
"Senior Brother, with the Wu and Yao clans dominating the prehistoric world, we can't even spread our teachings, let alone establish a great sect. What should we do?"
As soon as the gazes of the powerful figures faded, Zhunti asked Jieyin with a worried expression.
Losing the battle with Taiyi was a minor matter compared to being unable to spread the teachings.
After all, the former was merely a loss of face in front of others, not a loss of flesh. The latter was a matter of life and death; if they couldn't establish a great Western Sect, they might truly die.
"It's alright. In my view, the Wu and Yao clans have heavy karma and their rule is not sustainable." "Shaking his head, the Guide said.
The Witch and Demon races have dominated the prehistoric world for many years, committing countless atrocities and accumulating immense resentment. Their karma is so profound that even saints tremble with fear.
A single spark is all it takes to ignite it, and then their decline will be imminent. Following the Guide's direction, Zhunti saw the fortunes of the Witch and Demon races.
Indeed, a thick layer of karma eroded their fortunes, constantly devouring them. Once the karma completely overwhelmed their fortunes, their decline would begin.
"How long will this take? It seems I'll need to lend them a hand!"
"Moreover, that scoundrel Taiyi has gone too far. I must give him a taste of his own medicine, to teach him that saints cannot be insulted!"
Silently calculating the speed at which karma eroded their fortunes, Zhunti's face darkened with displeasure. Looking at the sun, he seemed to be hatching some sinister plan.
(End of Chapter)