Chapter 501: Chapter 444, The Boat Is Capsizing!
Peace Heart Lady said with a smile, "Sister really knows how to joke around. How tiring it must be to meddle in the affairs of the Primordial World! I simply don’t have the ability like sister, to casually scheme and throw the Primordial World into chaos."
The Three Pure Ones and Jieyin and Zhunti turned their gazes to Nuwa. Nuwa did not act rashly, but when she did, it was earth-shattering, a force to be reckoned with.
Nuwa hooked arms with Peace Heart Lady, lightly laughing as she spoke, "If younger sister is not inclined to interfere in the affairs of the Primordial World, why come here at all? Is it perhaps because you’ve missed your sister!"
Peace Heart Lady, feeling helpless, said, "I truly did not wish to engage in the matters of the Primordial World, but Teacher kept inviting me relentlessly, so I had no choice but to come. I envy the close proximity sister and Teacher share, with just a bell toll, you’re already there."
Nuwa’s smile spread, "If younger sister is fond of it, you could also come to dwell amidst the Chaos and keep your sister company~ Sister has dearly missed you over the years."
Peace Heart Lady beamed, "Sister surely doesn’t wish for younger sister’s death, does she!"
Nuwa covered her mouth and chuckled, "Younger sister really knows how to jest."
Peace Heart Lady also began to laugh, creating an image of deep sisterly affection.
The several Saints watching Nuwa and Peace Heart Lady chatting and laughing so intimately, all felt a wave of emotion.
Tongtian couldn’t help but show a hint of a smile, whispering, "Elder Brother, Nuwa and Peace Heart share a good relationship!"
Primordial couldn’t hold back from saying, "To us Saints who are undying through countless Calamities, what use are Magic Treasures or Sects? They all are but illusions. It is the priceless relations which are most important, the friendship that survives the Infinite Calamity."
Taishang spoke softly, "Sometimes what you see is not the truth; you must learn to see through the appearance to the essence."
Both Tongtian and Primordial looked at Taishang, Elder Brother is being enigmatic again, but what illusion could possibly deceive the eyes of a Saint?!
...
Nuwa, arm in arm with Peace Heart, cooed, "Sister, let’s go inside!"
Peace Heart Lady gestured invitingly, "Sister, after you!"
"Please, younger sister first!"
"Sister is older, and to respect one’s elders is a virtue."
"Hehe~ younger sister is too modest, loving the young is also a virtue."
"Sister, after you!"
"Younger sister, you go first!"
Both of them laughingly deferred to the other.
Taishang coughed and said, "Perhaps I should go in first! Let’s not have Master wait anxiously." He walked towards Zixiao Palace.
Primordial and Tongtian quickly followed behind him.
Nuwa and Peace Heart exchanged glances, their eyes meeting as if lightning danced between them, simultaneously breaking into a smile and heading towards Zixiao Palace.
With a rumble, the doors of the Zixiao Palace opened, and all Saints stepped through its threshold.
Inside the Zixiao Palace, the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Peace Heart sat cross-legged on meditation cushions.
On the main seat, an elder appeared silently.
All Saints made a respectful bow and said in unison, "Greetings to our Master!"
Taoist Hongjun’s mighty voice responded, "No need for formalities."
Taishang inquired, "May we know why Master has summoned us?"
Hongjun spoke calmly, "Since the Divine Enthronement, there have been more than thirty Yuan Hui. Fate and cause and effect are tangled between Heaven and Earth, and a new Calamity is being nurtured."
All the Saints tensed, understanding that a new Calamity was beginning.
Saint Jieyin quickly asked, "Teacher, what is this Calamity? Who will be the person to face this Calamity?"
Hongjun looked down at Jieyin and Zhunti, and said, "I have once spoken that Buddhism shall rise for a Calamity. Buddhism is now reaching its zenith."
"The time when Buddhism prospers greatly is also the time when the Infinite Calamity descends; this is the Buddha Demon Tribulation."
"What?" Saint Zhunti exclaimed, "Master, this isn’t fair!"
Taoist Hongjun calmly replied, "The rise of this Calamity is the karma sown by your Buddhism, and as such, it shall fall upon Buddhism."
Saint Zhunti’s complexion changed several times—karma sown by Buddhism, but who could that be? Could it be Bai Jin?
Taishang asked, "Master, is the Demon Tribulation also meant for Buddhism?"
"All creatures of the Three Realms are within the Tribulation."
Taishang frowned at this; creatures of the Three Realms meant that not only Buddhism but also the Heavenly Court and the Underworld would be swept into the Tribulation.
Tongtian jovially commented, "The karma of the Western Sect, huh!" He turned his head to glance at Jieyin and Zhunti, his expression a mix of a smile and not, "I wonder how many disciples will remain in Buddhism after the Calamity."
Jieyin and Zhunti were at a loss whether to feel joy or concern at this moment. Joyous because Buddhism’s moment to thrive had arrived, but anxious that the next Infinite Calamity was destined for Buddhism—what should be done?
Saint Zhunti respectfully asked, "Still, it is up to the Master to reveal who is the one fated for the Tribulation."
Taoist Hongjun declared, "This Infinite Calamity is divided into two parts: first the Buddha’s Ascension Tribulation, followed by the Demon Rising Tribulation, collectively known as the Buddha Demon Calamity.
The one fated for the Tribulation bears the semblance of a Fierce Ape."
All the Saints fell into contemplation; the semblance of a Fierce Ape, could that be the Monkey Clan?
"Buddhism is destined to flourish; this is the unstoppable momentum of Heaven and Earth." Having left these words behind, Taoist Hongjun vanished from his seat.
All the Saints bowed respectfully, "We bid the Taoist Ancestor farewell!"
Then, the Saints rose from their seats.
The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and Peace Heart Lady all looked towards Jieyin and Zhunti.
Nuwa smiled, "Congratulations to the two junior brothers, the great prospering of Buddhism is a joyous event indeed."
Jieyin, with a look of helpless distress, said, "The Buddha Demon Calamity... It will be difficult for Buddhism to cross."
Yet Zhunti suddenly smiled, "The great prospering of Buddhism requires spreading the teachings to the East Victory Divine Continent and Nan Zhanbu Continent; I would request elder brothers and sisters to open the way of convenience for us."
Primordial subconsciously furrowed his brows.
Taishang calmly stated, "The unstoppable momentum of Heaven and Earth—junior brother, just proceed with your teachings."
Saint Zhunti bowed, "Thank you, elder brother!"
Nuwa turned to Peace Heart Lady with a smile, "If you tire of the Underworld, you can come visit Wa Emperor Heaven; I have many delicacies here."
Peace Heart Lady smiled slightly, "There’s no need; Bai Jin often visits the Underworld, so it’s not dull there."
Eh~ Tongtian looked over, puzzled why Peace Heart Lady suddenly mentioned Bai Jin.
Nuwa’s eyes narrowed, then she smiled, "Bai Jin also frequently visits Wa Emperor Heaven; he recently brought me a rare Silkie chicken, renowned for its beauty-enhancing properties.
Ah, his cultivation journey is not easy, yet he still takes the time to raise Silkie chickens for me, really shirking his duties. I’ve given him a good scolding."
"By the way, has Bai Jin brought you a Silkie chicken too, sister?"
Peace Heart Lady’s smile froze for a moment, squinting her eyes she said, "Bai Jin didn’t bring me a Silkie chicken, but he brought me a Xuan Turtle—a turtle shell decorated with Taoist patterns from a Chaotic Beast.
Presumably, Bai Jin suffered much to capture this Xuan Turtle, and I too gave him a reprimanding for it. We cultivators should still prioritize cultivation and Enlightenment."
Nuwa’s smile also gradually faded.
The atmosphere in the grand hall suddenly chilled, instantly turning from blazing sun to piercing ice. Zhunti swiftly pulled Jieyin a couple of steps back.
Tongtian sent a telepathic message, "Elder brother, what situation is this?"
Taishang telepathically replied in resignation, "That rascal Bai Jin, he’s stirred up trouble now."
Tongtian replied bewilderedly, "Trouble? What trouble? Bai Jin’s gifts should make them happy, shouldn’t they?
But that rascal Bai Jin, he didn’t even bring me a gift. Wait and see how I deal with him later."