498: Chapter 498 Western Vows - The Descent of Two Saints

Suddenly, strands of Sanskrit chants surged from the western horizon, clear and distant, as if golden lotuses were blooming and precious trees were swaying—it was Jieyin and Zhunti establishing the Western Sect together, issuing forty-eight world-shocking grand vows in the sky:

"If I attain Supreme Bodhi and achieve Right Enlightenment, the Buddha land where I reside must possess immeasurable, inconceivable merit and adornments.

Forever ending the sufferings of hell, hungry ghosts, beasts, and all crawling and flying creatures;

All living beings, even those sinking in the Yama realm and the three evil paths, as long as they are reborn in my land and receive the nourishment of my Dharma rain, shall all attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi and never again fall into reincarnation. If this vow is not fulfilled, I swear not to become a Buddha.

If I become a Buddha, those in the ten directions who believe with a sincere heart and wish to be born in my land, even if they only recite my name ten times, must be guided to rebirth—except for those who have committed the five grave offenses or slandered the True Dharma.

If I become a Buddha, when living beings in the ten directions arouse the Bodhi mind, cultivate extensive virtuous deeds, and sincerely dedicate their merits to seek rebirth in my land, I will personally lead the assembly of saints to welcome them at the moment of their death; otherwise, I would rather renounce Right Enlightenment.

If I become a Buddha, if living beings in the ten directions hear my name, focus their thoughts on the Pure Land, cultivate extensive roots of virtue, and dedicate their merits to seek rebirth, yet do not have their wishes fulfilled, I will never attain Supreme Right Enlightenment...

May I use this merit to adorn the Buddha's Pure Land; to repay the kindness of teachers, parents, all living beings, and the nation; and to relieve the intense suffering of the three paths: hell, hungry ghosts, and beasts. May all who see or hear this arouse the Bodhi mind; and upon the end of this retribution body, all ascend to the Land of Ultimate Bliss."

Yet, although these forty-eight vows shook the Primordial World, they failed to instantly condense the merit for the Saint position—the power of the vows was vast, but the Heavenly Dao did not respond, and the Saint fruit hung suspended, yet to fall.

In desperation, the two had no choice but to lay bare their hearts and spill their blood, using their great oaths as a contract to borrow the foundation of a Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal from the Heavenly Dao, forcefully prying open the Saint gate. In an instant, purple qi came from the east, all spirits bowed their heads, and all celebrated the descent of the two Saints.

Jiang Chen stood quietly on the cloud, listening and only sighing. This path in the West had finally been forged by them—the great trend was like iron, and where it rolled over, even Saints had to bow their heads.

He understood that this was not greed, but forced by circumstances: Jieyin and Zhunti were originally one body with two souls; if one was stagnant, how could the other ascend to the other shore alone? This obsession of depending on each other for survival was hotter than the Great Dao and heavier than the Heavenly Dao.

In contrast, the Three Pure Ones were originally of the same root and origin, yet due to differences in doctrine, rifts grew day by day, eventually leading to a falling out and resorting to arms, and even the old promise that "Three flowers, white lotus root, and green lotus leaves were originally one family" became a joke in the Primordial World. That bit of kinship in their blood could not withstand the phrase "The Dao is different," truly a bitter wine swallowed while gritting their teeth.

At this moment, the eyes of the entire Primordial World were focused on one person—Hongyun. From the day he received the hongmeng purple qi, he was like a bright pearl hanging in the night, watched by ten thousand eyes. If it were not for Hongjun still sitting in Zixiao Palace, someone would have overturned Wuzhuang Temple to snatch it long ago.

Everyone suppressed their greed only because they feared the Dao Ancestor's majesty; now that the Six Saints had been established, and only Hongyun had not ascended to the Saint position, that taut string was on the verge of snapping.

But as this day passed, Wuzhuang Temple remained filled with curling clouds and mist; Hongyun had not stepped out a single step, and there were no signs of auspicious omens descending from heaven or golden lotuses springing from the earth. Disappointment receded like the tide, but the undercurrents became even more turbulent—Kunpeng was the first to be unable to hold back: back then, he had already firmly sat in the Saint position, but because Hongyun intervened, he failed at the last moment; now that Hongyun held the purple qi but was slow to become a Saint, could it be... that the will of heaven never belonged to him?

This thought not only exploded in his mind but also spread like a wildfire, crackling in the consciousness of countless powerful beings: Snatch it! As long as the purple qi is seized, the Saint position is within reach! That was the authority to transcend eternity and live forever—who wouldn't be tempted? Who wouldn't be envious? What surged in their blood was already uncontrollable restlessness and murderous intent.

After Laozi attained the Dao, he quietly retreated into the Heaven Beyond Heaven with Xuandu, just happening to catch a glimpse of the other four Saints from afar. They bowed to each other, understanding without words, and then each went to their own Dao field: Laozi opened the Taiqing Heaven, Yuanshi opened the Yuqing Heaven, Tongtian established the Shangqing Heaven, and Jieyin and Zhunti forged the Land of Ultimate Bliss together.

They immediately parted ways—the Three Pure Ones returned directly to Kunlun Mountain to settle their Dao field first and then discuss the mysteries; the two Saints returned to Lingshan, only to see that the once barren and scorched earth had long since taken on a new look: spiritual veins surged like dragons, vegetation was lush and colorful, occasionally there were spirit creatures and children playing on the clouds, and Sanskrit chants were carried gently by the wind. The two looked at each other and smiled; this was the place that truly made people feel at ease.

"Big Brother, now that all Six Saints are present, only Hongyun has not ascended to the position... The Dao Ancestor might not really stop us."

"Hmm, there is indeed something to be gained. However, I heard that he is currently hiding in Wuzhuang Temple, and Zhenyuanzi is close with the Saint Monarch Dao Chen, so we cannot snatch it openly." Dijun's eyes turned cold, his voice lowered extremely low, "Keep a close eye on him—as long as he dares to step out of the temple, that will be the time to strike. Does he really intend to cower under the ginseng fruit tree for the rest of his life?"

"Rest assured, Big Brother!" Taiyi sneered, his fingertips grazing the chaos bell at his waist, "If he is sensible and obediently hands over the purple qi, we might spare his life; if he continues to play deaf and dumb... then don't blame us for inviting him to taste what it means to be 'intolerable to heaven and earth'."

Dijun nodded in agreement, and the two sides finalized the matter. Who would have thought that before the words had even faded, Kunpeng quietly paused outside the door, hearing every word, and immediately turned and hid in the shadows of the pillars, flames of anger churning in his heart—back then he was forced into the Heavenly Court, subjected to coercion and inducement, and humiliated in public at Zixiao Palace; now they were targeting the hongmeng purple qi that should have belonged to him, how could he tolerate it? He would die before giving up this item!

Inside Wuzhuang Temple, Zhenyuanzi's brow furrowed slightly, an inexplicable anxiety occupying his heart, though he could not explain the source. He still insisted on persuading Hongyun to go into seclusion and cultivate, hoping he would soon penetrate the mysteries of the Saint Dao. But today, the five Saints appeared in the Primordial World, the world's aura changed abruptly, and that unease grew heavier and heavier, like dark clouds pressing down, lingering and not dissipating.

"Do not worry, Dao Brother. Perhaps the opportunity has not yet arrived; we just need to wait a few more days. Just set your mind at ease." Hongyun smiled brightly, naturally open-minded, thinking only that he was still lacking the right timing to become a Saint, and not worrying at all.

Zhenyuanzi looked at him, wanting to speak but stopping, finally letting out a long sigh, swallowing his full stomach of worry—perhaps, it really was not yet the time.

Although Hongyun was relaxed in his speech, he still followed Zhenyuanzi's advice and entered the quiet room to meditate.

A thousand years passed in a flash. Hongyun opened his eyes and left seclusion; his cultivation had not advanced in the slightest, and his restless heart had long been unable to bear it. As soon as he stepped out of the cave dwelling, he saw Qingfeng and Mingyue standing on the steps, and he hurriedly asked: "Has Dao Brother Zhenyuanzi left seclusion?"

The two lowered their heads respectfully: "Master has not yet left seclusion. We do not know what instructions you have, Martial Uncle?"

"Nothing, I just feel restless and want to go back to my cave dwelling to relax. If Dao Brother wakes up, please pass it on for me."

Qingfeng and Mingyue immediately bowed: "Master has ordered that Martial Uncle must not leave the temple and must focus on cultivation."

Hongyun felt stifled by the two juniors blocking him, so he had to use soft words to maneuver, rambling on and on, going in circles, until the two were dizzy and confused, and they muddledly gave way—Hongyun's figure flashed, and he was like a bird escaped from a cage, gracefully darting out of the Wuzhuang Temple gate.

He did not notice that as soon as his toes left the temple wall, several demon clan secret sentries followed him like shadows, reporting to the two Demon Emperors in the blink of an eye.

"Big Brother! A heaven-sent opportunity! As long as we seize the hongmeng purple qi in Hongyun's hands, you can ascend to the Saint position!"

"You are wrong, virtuous brother—Big Brother is lacking in talent and virtue; how can I compare to your peerless aptitude and flourishing fortune? As the Heavenly Emperor, carrying the livelihood of all demons on my shoulders, how can I only focus on seclusion? If you attain the Dao, the demon clan will have something to rely on. Moreover, you hold an innate supreme treasure, and it is your destiny; why push it away? We brothers have been open and honest with each other since the beginning of chaos; why say more?"

Taiyi felt a lump in his throat, his eyes grew hot, and hot blood surged in his chest—in this life, he must protect Big Brother, must lead the demon clan to trample the four poles and eight wildernesses, and rule the Primordial World, only then would he not fail this heavy trust!

"Big Brother... Little brother really doesn't know how..."

"Enough. Our hearts are connected, why the need for more words? Prepare quickly! You must know, those who covet this item are not just you and me."

Taiyi's gaze turned cold: Sure enough, several obscure auras were already speeding over! He curled his lips, his murderous intent chilling: "Anyone who reaches out, wipe them all out! The hongmeng purple qi can only be taken by my demon clan!"

"Hmm, and there is Kunpeng... I do not believe he is really willing to let go."

Taiyi understood upon hearing this, and the two looked at each other and smiled; there was no need for more words, the murderous intent was already like frost spreading across the fields.

Hongyun rode the wind; along the way, the mountains and forests were silent, the vegetation was quiet, and he just took it as the peace and tranquility of the world, not suspecting anything, and even less aware that deep in the dense forest ahead, there were already heavy ambushes, just waiting for him to step into the killing trap.

The moment Kunpeng appeared, his gaze was like a hook. He knew that if he dragged it out for another moment, Dijun and Taiyi would strike first, and he would have no chance to turn things around. He raised his voice and laughed: "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, long time no see! I have come here specifically to ask you for an item."

Seeing it was an old acquaintance, Hongyun was still smiling: "If you have a need, Fellow Daoist, just ask. If I can help, I will help; why be so polite?"

A string of sinister laughter rolled out of Kunpeng's throat: "What I want is precisely your hongmeng purple qi—Fellow Daoist, please part with it."

Hongyun's smile froze, and his back felt cold: even such words had been spoken; it was clearly a demand for his life! His face darkened, and he said resolutely: "I fear you have remembered wrong, Fellow Daoist—this item was personally bestowed by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun; how can it be transferred?"

"Since you are unwilling to let it go... then don't blame me for being rude!"

Before the words had finished, Kunpeng's eyes revealed a fierce light, and his sleeves shook violently, saying hatefully: "In Zixiao Palace, you ruined my path to sainthood; today I discussed it with you nicely, but you refused to drink the toast! Then—burn your soul, and pay for the blood debt with blood!"

A pale white divine thunder tore through the sky, carrying bone-chilling cold, striking directly at Hongyun's crown!

"Kunpeng, you lost your Saint position in Zixiao Palace; what does that have to do with me, Hongyun? If you have the ability, go settle accounts with the two Western Saints—could it be that you have your eyes on my hongmeng purple qi?" Hongyun was originally transformed from the first wisp of red clouds born at the opening of the world, his escape speed was like lightning, his body swayed, and he dodged the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder struck by Kunpeng.

"Hmph! If you hadn't hypocritically given up your seat, how would I have lost the Saint position? Stop talking nonsense, hand over the hongmeng purple qi, and submit to execution!" Was Kunpeng a fool? Every second counted now—even if he tried his best to cover the heavenly secrets, he couldn't hold on for long. He didn't believe Dijun and Taiyi would really be that slow. Before the words had finished, he had already shouted: "Fellow Daoist, come quickly to help me!"

As soon as the words fell, green light burst from his shoulder, and a gaunt Taoist stepped out; it was the Good Corpse he had beheaded.

"Please, Fellow Daoist, work together to capture this villain and wash away the shame of the past!"

"Good!"

Hongyun's heart sank—bad! He didn't know that Kunpeng had already beheaded his Good Corpse and attained the Quasi-Saint fruit position. The two had originally been equal in Dao practice and magic power, but now that the opponent had an extra avatar, the odds of victory were suddenly overturned. In just a moment, Hongyun was blasted until his robes were torn and his hair bun was scattered, and he laughed out of extreme anger: "Kunpeng! You bully people too much, without a shred of fellow Daoist righteousness! If I don't get justice today, I will never stop!"

Kunpeng didn't care about his cursing; seeing that he couldn't trap him for a moment, he simply revealed his true form—giant wings covering the sky, sharp beak like a blade, the Heaven-Swallowing Great Dharma was suddenly activated, a majestic suction force like an abyss or a sea locked Hongyun tightly, and his giant mouth opened, as if he was about to swallow him whole in the next instant!