113: Chapter 112 Discussion

Vajra Temple, side hall.

Tianxing sat cross-legged on the couch, eyes closed, adjusting his breathing. In three days, his aura had largely stabilized.

The recovery speed of cultivating immortal techniques was far beyond that of ordinary Great Emperors.

Li Xiaoyao sat to the side, idly flipping through a Buddhist scripture from the Vajra Temple, tossing it aside after two pages.

Outside the hall, Mingxu and Daoist Tianji stood under the eaves, each lost in thought. Neither was in a hurry to leave.

Firstly, they wanted to wait for the two Fellow Daoists from Taixuan Sect to emerge and at least say hello.

Secondly, what had happened in the past few days was too significant: the Devil Emperor's Clone descended, was slain with a single sword, and the Demonic Path was severed.

Before taking these matters back to the Central Domain, they needed to ask a few more questions.

The hall door opened, and Li Xiaoyao walked out, stretching. Seeing the two standing under the eaves, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoists, you haven't left yet?"

Mingxu cupped his hands and said, "We were just about to bid farewell to the two Fellow Daoists. It's just..."

He glanced at Daoist Tianji.

Daoist Tianji stepped forward, not beating around the bush: "Fellow Daoist Li, there is something this poor Daoist doesn't understand. That day, when this poor Daoist divined the whereabouts of the Buddha Fetus, all three attempts yielded no results. May I ask how the Taixuan Sect found that Small World?"

Li Xiaoyao looked at him, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening. "Ah, that was our Sect Master who made the move."

Daoist Tianji's pupils contracted slightly.

In the battle at the Emperor-Burying Abyss of Guixu, two Peak Great Emperors appeared, and everyone thought that was the Taixuan Sect's ultimate trump card.

Now it seemed that the Sect Master, who had never made a move, was probably more unfathomable than anyone else.

He was silent for a moment, took a deep breath, and solemnly cupped his hands: "If there is an opportunity in the future, this poor Daoist will certainly pay a visit."

Li Xiaoyao smiled, "Welcome."

Daoist Tianji retracted his gaze and looked towards the distant, ruined temple complex: "The appearance of the Heavenly Demon this time is no small matter. After this, the Central Domain will likely have to re-evaluate things."

He paused, then added, "If the two Fellow Daoists are free, why not come to Tianji Pavilion for a visit? Although Tianji Pavilion is not as good as Taixuan Sect, its collection of books contains many ancient secrets."

Li Xiaoyao smiled and agreed. Mingxu also cupped his hands, and together with Daoist Tianji, they transformed into streaks of light and disappeared into the horizon.

On the other side, Abbot Du Nan, Sect Leader Lianxin, Head Monk Zhikong, and Liao Chen sat together.

Abbot Du Nan lowered his head, silent for a long time.

Of the four Quasi-Emperors of the Vajra Temple, Elder Du Fa had fallen, and Elders Du Zhen and Du Xiang had their Dao paths severed. Now, only he remained.

He knew in his heart that after this calamity, the Vajra Temple had fallen far behind the other three factions.

But he couldn't say it aloud. In front of Sect Leader Lianxin, Head Monk Zhikong, and Liao Chen, some words could only remain unspoken.

He took a deep breath and slowly began, "Everyone, we must discuss how to repay this kindness."

Silence fell in the hall for a moment.

Sect Leader Lianxin sighed, "Repay? With our cultivation, what could two Peak Great Emperors possibly value?"

Head Monk Zhikong smiled bitterly, "Exactly. They can even slay a Devil Emperor's Clone. Our meager assets, I'm afraid, they wouldn't even bother to look at if we offered them."

Liao Chen remained silent, just listening quietly.

Abbot Du Nan was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "If treasures aren't valued, what about territory?"

The hall fell silent for an instant.

Head Monk Zhikong looked up at him.

Liao Chen's eyelids also moved.

Sect Leader Lianxin hesitated, "You mean..."

Abbot Du Nan didn't beat around the bush, but his tone was calm, as if stating something that had to be done.

"Everyone, you all see the current situation. The Taixuan Sect in the Eastern Domain has risen, with two Peak Great Emperors presiding.

Although the Great Emperor in the Northern Domain is low-key, he is also a hegemon.

And there's no need to mention the Southern and Central Domains."

He paused, his voice deepening: "Only the Western Domain has nothing."

Sect Leader Lianxin frowned, wanting to say something, but remained silent.

Abbot Du Nan continued: "We originally wanted to Cultivate the Buddha Fetus, betting that the Western Domain could produce a Great Emperor. What was the result?

The Buddha Fetus became a disaster, almost dragging the entire Western Domain down with it."

He gave a bitter laugh, "This path is a dead end."

Head Monk Zhikong asked softly, "Then you mean..."

Abbot Du Nan looked at them, enunciating each word: "The general trend will only become more chaotic in the future. Heavenly Demons have already appeared; who knows what else will come next?

Without a Great Emperor in our Western Domain, how can we protect ourselves?" He paused, "Instead of stubbornly holding on here, it's better to find a patron."

Sect Leader Lianxin was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Are you saying... submit to the Taixuan Sect?"

Abbot Du Nan nodded.

Head Monk Zhikong hesitated, then spoke: "It was Junior Brother Zhiming who went to the Eastern Domain for help initially, and the Bodhi Institute has no objections."

Sect Leader Lianxin frowned deeply, saying nothing.

She knew in her heart that Abbot Du Nan was right. The Western Domain had no Great Emperor; this was a fact.

But for her, the dignified Sect Master of Lianhua Sect, to utter the words 'submit' felt truly unpleasant.

Liao Chen suddenly spoke, her voice calm: "Duchen Nunnery is willing to submit."

Sect Leader Lianxin was startled and looked at her.

Liao Chen didn't explain, merely stating indifferently: "You all saw those people from the Central Domain. When we sought help, they ignored us completely.

If Daoist Tianji hadn't divined a change in the Western Domain, that one from Taixu Palace wouldn't have come at all. Submitting to them is worse than submitting to the Taixuan Sect."

Sect Leader Lianxin was silent for a long time. She recalled the battle, the backs of Tianxing and Li Xiaoyao fighting the Devil Emperor's Clone together, and the power of Li Xiaoyao's final sword.

She finally sighed, "Lianhua Sect is also willing."

Abbot Du Nan stood up, taking a deep breath. The string that had been taut in his heart for so long finally loosened.

He glanced at the three of them, said nothing, and turned to walk out of the hall.

Sect Leader Lianxin, Head Monk Zhikong, and Liao Chen followed behind him.

The four came outside the side hall, stood before the door, and bowed in unison. "Abbot Du Nan of Vajra Temple requests an audience with the Emperor."

The hall door opened, and Li Xiaoyao walked out, smiling at them. "What is it?"

Abbot Du Nan took a deep breath and bowed: "The four major powers of the Western Domain wish to honor the Taixuan Sect as supreme. We humbly request the two Emperors to take us to the Taixuan Sect to pay respects to the Emperor Lord."

Li Xiaoyao glanced at Tianxing. Tianxing nodded.

Li Xiaoyao smiled, "Alright. Let's go then."

Abbot Du Nan was startled, "Now?"

Li Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow, "Otherwise? Don't you want to pay respects to the Sect Master?"

Abbot Du Nan quickly said, "Yes, yes. This poor monk lost his composure."

He looked back at Sect Leader Lianxin, Head Monk Zhikong, and Liao Chen. The three nodded.

Li Xiaoyao raised his hand, tearing open the Void Realm.

"Let's go." He stepped in first.

Tianxing followed behind him. Abbot Du Nan took a deep breath and stepped in. Sect Leader Lianxin, Head Monk Zhikong, and Liao Chen exchanged glances and also entered the rift.

The rift slowly closed. The Vajra Temple returned to quiet.