The thunder rumbled!
Just after all the Sages and various powerful figures had stated their stances, the conflict between Dao and Demon, which had seemingly been resolved long ago after the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation, had reappeared!
A rumble echoed from the depths of the chaotic void above the nine heavens, as if the Great Dao itself had sensed and been influenced by the differing energies of the Heavenly Dao and the Demonic Dao.
The sound of thunder, shaking countless individuals, resounded.
This was no ordinary Heavenly Tribulation.
Nor was it a common heavenly punishment.
This was the voice of the Great Dao, a level higher than the Heavenly Dao, the supreme existence of all worlds!
Clearly.
This round of Dao-Demon conflict had even been acknowledged by the Great Dao itself!
The next moment.
The Heavenly Dao, which held seventy percent of the fortune of the Great Desolation's three realms, and the Demon Sage, representing the Demonic Dao and holding over twenty percent of its fortune, spoke without delay!
"The Heavenly Dao and the Demonic Dao reside within a single heart. Who is right and who is wrong was clarified by this humble one long ago. Yet now, someone overestimates their own strength and brings up old matters."
"Hmph, this humble one is not talented, but I am willing to continue pushing the first round of the Journey to the West in the Earthly Immortal Realm. Words are futile; let our actions speak for themselves."
"As for Grand Sage Sun, though this child is mischievous, judging from the previous four Westward Journey tribulations, he is a sensible individual. Therefore, this humble one is willing to lower the difficulty of all subsequent tribulations as the spokesperson for the Heavenly Dao."
"May the countless beings of the Great Desolation's three realms open their eyes and see clearly, lest they choose wrongly."
"Otherwise, there will be no regrets in the future!"
As expected, it was Patriarch Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor, who spoke on behalf of the Heavenly Dao. This was also the first time Patriarch Hongjun had spoken since his three sermons in the past.
His words brought a sense of reassurance to the Sages Yuanshi Tianzun and Nuwa Niangniang, who had sided with the Heavenly Dao.
The two Saints of the Western Sect, who appeared neutral but were actually seeking self-preservation and avoiding offending either side, wore awkward expressions, unsure of what to say.
Laozi, on the other hand, was thick-skinned. It was fortunate that after declaring his neutrality, he had added, "Without his elder's guidance, this humble one dares not speak carelessly."
Therefore.
In terms of emotional intelligence, Laozi was far superior to the two Saints of the Western Sect, offending neither side!
Conversely, Tongtian Jiaozhu, being the only one among the six Sages who had openly rebelled against the Heavenly Dao and sided with the demons,
Now, upon seeing the Dao Ancestor Hongjun appear and warn all beings, even he, the rebellious leader of the Jie Sect, did not dare to directly confront Hongjun.
His face felt hot.
He felt a sense of powerlessness, as if he were fighting five against one.
Inside, he cursed both the Heavenly Dao and the Demonic Dao!
Seeing this scene.
The Demon Sage, dwelling deep within the thirteenth demonic land of the mortal realm, could no longer remain silent. Just as Tongtian Jiaozhu, the New Six-Eared Macaque, and the Jade Emperor were at a disadvantage compared to Yuanshi Tianzun and Nuwa Niangniang,
He decisively appeared.
Revealing a strange form that was unknown to anyone in the Great Desolation's three realms, and yet astonished them all!
"Greetings, Daoist Hongjun!"
"Greetings, all Sages!"
"Greetings to the two protagonists of the Westward Journey, Grand Sage Sun and the New Six-Eared Macaque."
The Demon Sage's opening remarks seemed somewhat polite.
But then.
Before everyone could assume he was civilized and easy to talk to, the Demon Sage's tone abruptly shifted, and he directly began to lash out at the Heavenly Dao, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and those who sided with them, Yuanshi Tianzun and Nuwa Niangniang!
"This humble Demon Sage is not talented, neither a Sage nor a spokesperson for the Heavenly Dao, but I do know the words 'propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame.' How could you three have forgotten them?"
"I dare to ask three questions."
"First, I ask the Heavenly Dao: Before chaos opened and primordial essence was unformed, was it an era when the Three Thousand Demon Gods coexisted with Great God Pangu?"
"Great God Pangu did not indiscriminately abhor the Three Thousand Demon Gods, nor did he seek to annihilate the Demonic Dao. Why is it that the Heavenly Dao, which itself originated from one of the Three Thousand Demon Gods, after surviving the creation of the world, suddenly betrayed its origins?"
"Since you can act so despicably, why is Saint Tongtian not allowed to do the same?"
This first question completely stumped the Heavenly Dao.
It truly had no answer.
At this moment, countless beings in the Great Desolation's three realms, including Sun Kong himself, finally understood that both the Heavenly Dao and the Demonic Dao were among the Three Thousand Demon Gods.
So, the ancient conflict between Dao and Demon had such a background?
In an instant, those who supported the Heavenly Dao decreased by at least ten billion, while those who agreed with the Demon Sage directly increased by over two billion.
The seven billion neutral beings were also fluctuating.
"It is only now that I, Old Sun, finally understand why, after I courted death so many times, Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not intervene, and even the Heavenly Dao..."
"So, the reason is actually here?"
"Fun, fun, truly fun. I never imagined that besides Old Sun, there would be the New Six-Eared Macaque, the Heavenly Dao, the Demonic Dao... and more people related to the Three Thousand Demon Gods coming out to put on a show. This Westward Journey is getting more and more exciting."
"This is how the Heavenly Dao and Demonic Dao that govern the Great Desolation's three realms should be, much more interesting than those courting death Buddhas from Spirit Mountain."
Sun Kong narrowed his eyes. Like others, he listened to the verbal sparring between the Heavenly Dao and the Demonic Dao. Not only did he learn more ancient secrets, but his worldview was also refreshed!
However.
For others, it was merely gossip.
Only Sun Kong made associations from it!
"Second, I ask Dao Ancestor Hongjun: During the past Dao-Demon conflict, my Demon Ancestor had a significant advantage and was on the verge of establishing the Demonic Dao and changing history. Yet you broke the rules, allied with Immortal Yang Mei, and even acted against him afterward."
"You rallied others to be loyal to you, yet you yourself went back on your word. What right do you have to ask Yuanshi Tianzun and Nuwa Niangniang to continue their loyalty?"
"And where do you get the right to continue claiming orthodoxy?"
This second question was even sharper. After the Heavenly Dao was unable to answer, it also left the spokesperson of the Heavenly Dao, Hongjun, dumbfounded.
On this matter, Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao were forced to admit its truth, yet they had no way to publicly defend themselves.
They could only suffer in silence!
However, this immediately led to a new reaction from the beings regarding their stances, a reaction unfavorable to the Heavenly Dao, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and even Sun Kong.
Those supporting the Heavenly Dao decreased by another trillion, while those who sided with the Demon Sage increased by over five hundred billion.
Such drastic changes made Sun Kong's brow furrow even tighter, and he felt a great sense of foreboding!
At this moment.
Seeing that the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun were both powerless to refute, and that Yuanshi Tianzun, Nuwa Niangniang, and others who had supported them showed signs of embarrassment.
This was arguably the most difficult moment for the Heavenly Dao faction since the end of the Dao-Demon conflict.
The Demon Sage naturally had no intention of backing down.
Instead, he relentlessly pursued his advantage.
Seizing this opportunity, he posed the third, and most devastating, question, directly ushering in a new beginning for this second Dao-Demon conflict that shocked and could not be ignored by everyone!
This time.
He was not asking about a specific individual.
But about everyone in the Great Desolation's three realms!