Chapter 122: The Mysterious Figure in Black

After calming down, Zhunti began to ponder the future of the Western Sect. After all, to fulfill the grand vow he had made, the Western Sect must first flourish, and to prosper, it must escape the bitterly cold Western lands. However, the warning from the Three Pure Ones was still vivid in his mind, leaving him both ashamed and helpless. Facing even one of the Three Pure Ones, he felt insecure—let alone all three.

After much deliberation, Zhunti gritted his teeth and made a decision: to lead the Western Sect in pledging allegiance to the Heavenly Court. Of course, this was on the condition that the Heavenly Court would support the development of his sect. With the backing of the Court’s power, surely the Three Pure Ones would not dare to oppress them so severely.

The more he thought about it, the more he saw the wisdom in this plan. Although submitting to the Heavenly Court was somewhat humiliating for the time being, once the Western Sect prospered or he fulfilled his vow to the Way of Heaven, he could always withdraw. Moreover, he might seize the opportunity to recruit a number of dissatisfied deities into the Western Sect.

After all, he was a sage, immortal and undying. Even the supreme Sumeru Mysterious Dharma Heavenly Emperor and Nuwa could do little to him. There was no fear in failure.

With this thought, Zhunti’s face brightened, dispelling the previous gloom. He had long coveted the powerful and numerous deities of the Heavenly Court but never had the chance. Now, by submitting to the Court, he hoped to attract many disgruntled deities.

Soon, at Zhunti’s summons, many followers of the Western Sect gathered, including Maitreya and the Medicine Master, while others like Ransheng remained among the mortal races and could not return so swiftly.

The assembled disciples were anxious. The recent upheaval caused by the Three Pure Ones’ arrival was deeply felt by them all, and they sensed Zhunti’s mood was unstable. Each was cautious, fearing any misstep would make them the target of his anger.

However, upon seeing Zhunti calmly seated at the head, everyone was momentarily stunned. What was going on? Could their teacher have lost his mind? Smiling at such a time?

“All have arrived,” Zhunti greeted warmly, unaware of their thoughts. Then, he slowly revealed his decision.

“The Three Pure Ones are strong, and our Western Sect is weak. To allow the Western Sect to develop better, I have decided to lead the Western Sect to pledge allegiance to the Heavenly Court...” His calm and measured voice stirred a tempest among the listeners.

Pledge allegiance to the Heavenly Court? Despite all his flaws, Zhunti was still a revered sage; now he intended to submit to the Court? Many subconsciously disbelieved. Some even speculated that Zhunti suspected spies from the Heavenly Court within their ranks and was feigning this to test loyalty.

Realizing this, many immediately knelt in submission.

“Please, teacher, reconsider. We shall devote ourselves to the development of Buddhism with unwavering dedication!”

Seeing this, others hurriedly followed, eager not to be outdone in loyalty.

“Your dedication reassures me,” Zhunti said, comforted by their faith. “But the Three Pure Ones are relentless, confining our Western Sect to the Western lands. This is a grievous injustice, yet their power is great, and I am helpless. Thus, I must seek refuge under the Heavenly Court’s protection...”

His earnest words convinced the disciples further, and they knelt together again.

“Teacher, your merits for the West are great; your compassion boundless!”

Zhunti nodded in satisfaction, then spoke stirringly before leading a group of the Western Sect’s elite to the Heavenly Court by instant transmission.

To show respect, they first appeared outside the Southern Heavenly Gate.

“I am Zhunti, leader of the Western Sect, here to pay respects to the Heavenly Emperor. Please convey my greetings.”

Though resolved to endure humiliation and seek alliance with the Court, Zhunti felt embarrassed facing several young guards and thus gave a vague excuse, hoping to meet the supreme Sumeru Mysterious Dharma Heavenly Emperor first.

“Please wait,” the guards replied, unwilling to neglect the arrival of a sage whose power could crush a minor deity like an ant.

After multiple reports, a guard approached Maitreya Palace, mindful not to slight the visiting sage.

“Zhunti?” Li Tian frowned slightly after hearing the report. Scanning with his divine sense, he saw Zhunti and others outside the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Zhunti noticed Li Tian’s divine sense and returned a smile.

“What does he want?” Li Tian withdrew his divine sight, feeling an inexplicable unease. Recalling the recent message from the Three Pure Ones, he smiled wryly.

“This fellow must be trying to drag the Heavenly Court into a conflict with the Three Pure Ones.”

“I’m not here,” Li Tian muttered, closing his eyes without further explanation.

The guard was momentarily stunned, then bowed and withdrew. The Heavenly Emperor’s thoughts were beyond his guess; his role was simply to execute the Emperor’s will.

“Our Heavenly Emperor is not present!” the guard informed Zhunti before returning to his post.

Zhunti’s lips twitched; he had just sensed the presence of the supreme Heavenly Emperor—how could he be absent? Realizing Li Tian did not wish to see him, Zhunti felt both ashamed and angry. If he was going to be refused, at least give a credible reason.

But since he sought the Court’s alliance, he could not afford to make an enemy.

Suppressing his irritation, Zhunti stepped forward and smiled at the guard. “Is there any way to contact the Heavenly Emperor? I have urgent matters to discuss.”

“Our Emperor truly is absent. Please return another day,” the guard replied, knowing the Emperor did not wish to meet Zhunti, yet unwilling to offend the sage openly.

“Could you make an exception?” Zhunti asked hopefully, knowing his true aim was to join the Court, so meeting the Emperor was paramount.

“Please leave!” the guard said firmly.

The guards, weary of Zhunti’s persistence, instinctively drew their standard spiritual spears, pointing their tips at him—an unmistakable sign that if he did not leave, they would forcibly escort him out.

“You...” Zhunti was furious that these “mere ants” dared to threaten him. Yet this was the Heavenly Court—any violent act here would mean lifelong enmity with the Court.

Now, standing opposed to the Three Pure Ones, he could not afford another enemy.

Weighing his options, Zhunti calmed himself and said, “Very well, I shall return another day.”

Having suffered such humiliation, even he could not comfortably remain.

After he left, the guards secretly sighed in relief. They knew he wouldn’t act rashly here, but who could be sure he wouldn’t lose control? Fortunately, he departed.

Back at the Western Daoist Hall, Zhunti could no longer contain his shame and anger. He had brought his disciples to pledge allegiance to the Heavenly Court, only to be denied an audience!

Did they look down on the Western Sect so much?

The assembled disciples stood silently, heads bowed in fear.

“Dismissed,” Zhunti said, calming himself as he sat cross-legged and waved them away.

Once alone, Zhunti pondered again: Should he still seek alliance with the Heavenly Court? Without it, what future awaited the Western Sect?

At that moment, a low voice suddenly sounded, making Zhunti break out in cold sweat.

“Who’s there?”

Though this was his sanctuary and he was a sage, he had not specifically scanned the surroundings, yet he should have sensed an intruder.

“It is I.”

From swirling black mist emerged a man in a dark robe, who slowly removed his mask to reveal his face.

“It’s you!”

Zhunti’s pupils contracted as he instinctively took a step back, disbelief written across his face.