“Alright, I understand.”
After a brief pause, Shui Miao stepped forward, glanced at everyone, and clasped his fists together. “Esteemed seniors, I have no desire for rewards or titles. I only wish to stick to my chosen path and strive to achieve it. As for any misunderstandings between Daoism and Buddhism, I’m sure you all possess the wisdom to figure out a solution.”
“There’s also the matter of the Buddha asking me how to resolve the Buddhist reforms. I must say, since I don’t know much about the Buddhist realm, I won’t comment. This issue originated in the Heavenly Court, not the Buddhist realm, so the Heavenly Court should focus on solving its own problems first without complicating matters unnecessarily. Of course, I also don’t believe the Buddha would take advantage of this situation to attack the Heavenly Court.”
“But what if they do?” Yuanshi Tianzun stroked his beard and casually asked.
Shui Miao furrowed his brow and looked at Buddha. “Senior Buddha, how would you respond?”
An issue that had been secretly contested was now brought to the forefront.
Buddha’s statement would directly influence the development of the situation.
After a brief pause, Buddha spoke calmly, “In the primordial chaos, the world was in disorder. The venerable Hongjun, who cultivated the Primordial Purity Qi, brought the egg of Pangu and created the universe. Later, the venerable Hunkun, who cultivated the Primordial Spirit Qi, the goddess Nuwa, who cultivated the Primordial Void Qi, and the noble Daoist Lord Luxian, who cultivated the Primordial Brightness Qi, arrived one after another. Together, they created the Three Realms, giving birth to all living beings and making the Three Realms flourish as they do today. However, in recent years, the Heavenly Court has been idle, indulging in pleasures and pursuing wealth and glory, leading to the decline of moral values. As a disciple of Master Hunkun, I care deeply about the rise and fall of the Three Realms. Witnessing the Heavenly Court’s suffering of the people, I cannot bear it any longer. Today, even if I were to seize control of the Three Realms, spreading the light of Buddhism and restoring the order of the Three Realms, what would be wrong with that?”
Buddha expressed his intention clearly—he would fight for the people of the Three Realms.
Indeed, with Buddha’s immense power, except for the goddess Nuwa, no one else present could rival him.
Seeing Buddha mention her, Nuwa stepped forward and said, “Buddha, how about this? For my sake, please give the Heavenly Court ten more years. If the Heavenly Court cannot reform and restore the prosperity of the Three Realms within ten years, you may take over the Three Realms then. If anyone dares to oppose you, I will be the first to stand against them.”
“I also guarantee it. Ten years is the deadline, and I will never break my word.”
Jiutian Xuannü added.
Buddha gently shook his head. “Ten years is too long. Three years will suffice.”
…
Buddha gave Nuwa face but pressed hard.
Everyone looked at Nuwa and Jiutian Xuannü, who in turn looked at the Jade Emperor, Tai Shang Lao Jun, and Yuanshi Tianzun.
Shui Miao sensed with his divine consciousness that Tai Shang Lao Jun, Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian Jiaozhu, and the Jade Emperor were communicating mentally.
In Shui Miao’s view, three years would be enough.
With the right order and direction, if they devoted themselves wholeheartedly, improvements could be seen in half a year, the Immortal Realm could be adjusted within two years, and the Heavenly Court would undergo a complete transformation in less than three years.
Moved by this thought, Shui Miao communicated with everyone in his realm.
“What do you all think about the current situation?”
In the grand hall of the Tianji Sect in his realm, Shui Miao manifested a projection and transmitted all the information to everyone, speaking first.
“Buddha is being aggressive, and the Heavenly Court’s leaders have their own hidden agendas. The situation is very complicated. However, if I were the Jade Emperor, I would agree to the three-year period. It’s enough time to accomplish many things,” Tianyi Dejun said solemnly, looking at everyone.
“Ai!” Wenchang Dijun lightly sighed and continued, “The Heavenly Court is plagued by internal conflicts, and no one listens to each other. This decision is difficult to make. But I believe the Jade Emperor will eventually speak up and step forward. He must confront those powerful figures. If he cannot resolve the internal conflicts within the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Court may indeed fall under the light of Buddhism.”
Shui Tianyi Shengmu frowned, “I find it strange. Isn’t the Jade Emperor very powerful? Why has he been so ineffective this time?”
“Hehe…” Xuankong’er smiled faintly and explained, “The Jade Emperor is indeed extremely powerful. His Dao cultivation is actually much deeper than Tai Shang Lao Jun’s. He has been cultivating since childhood and has endured 1,750 trials, each trial lasting 129,600 years. You can calculate how many years he has lived and how profound his Dao cultivation is. However, in the last war between immortals and demons, he fought fiercely with the Demon King Wuyezhi, and both were severely injured. Now, weakened and needing to heed the words of the three major leaders, it’s not surprising.”
“Speaking of the war between immortals and demons, it reminds me of the Heaven Gate in the immortal-demon realm. Do you know where that Heaven Gate leads?” Shui Tianyi Shengmu was very curious about mysterious matters, “It is said that the Heaven Gate leads to a new universe beyond the Three Realms. But according to legend, the Three Realms were created by Hongjun with Pangu’s egg. If that’s true, why can’t even the goddess Nuwa enter the Heaven Gate? Why did they create that Heaven Gate?”
“Legends are just legends, full of both truth and falsehood—who can distinguish them?” Wenchang Dijun couldn’t help but shake his head, “I’ve thought about this question for a very long time. Perhaps Hongjun and the others were lying. Pangu may not have existed at all. Those legends were just stories created by some people to better control the Three Realms.”
“Indeed, I don’t believe much in the Sanqing Sect either. They sit high above, making up these lies just to prevent us from challenging their status. No matter how idle and corrupt they are, we can only be angry but dare not speak out, because they claim to be the incarnations of Pangu’s primordial spirit. Who dares to doubt them, it’s a grave offense.” Tianyi Dejun shook his head in sigh, deeply feeling the harm caused by these arrogant leaders.
Xuankong’er nodded and murmured to himself, “If I have the chance, I must go in and find out the truth…”
Debates raged in the realm, while the immortals outside were also busy.
Suddenly, Yuanshi Tianzun stood up and shouted, “Rulai, stop pretending to be compassionate. We all know you are two-faced. You just want to seize control of the Three Realms. You think you’re so powerful? Good. Today, the Heavenly Court will issue a challenge to your Buddhist realm. Three years from today, we will have a three-on-three battle, without involving the innocent. Best of three. If you win, the Three Realms will be under your Buddhist realm’s control. If we win, then you must stay in the Western Heaven forever, obeying the Heavenly Court and being at its service.”
“Good, good, good. Then we will meet here again three years from today.”
Buddha nodded with a half-smile and turned around, taking countless deities and disappearing.
Yuanshi Tianzun’s sudden statement was the result of a unanimous decision after discussion.
The decision was made, and things were settled. Nuwa and Jiutian Xuannü felt helpless.
At that moment, Nuwa used her divine power to bring Jiutian Xuannü and Shui Miao to the Nuwa Palace in the farthest reaches of the heavens.
Nuwa’s palace was built on a planet unfamiliar to Shui Miao. This planet was also mountainous and picturesque, with green trees and charming scenery.
Nuwa looked at the vast cosmic stars and suddenly turned around, looking at Shui Miao and saying, “Shui Miao, you must leave the Three Realms far away. Both the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist realm want to recruit you to their side. If they can’t, they will kill you. Therefore, you must leave.”
“Yes, I also thought of this. They will definitely go to any lengths to prepare for the battle three years from now.” Jiutian Xuannü had always cared for Shui Miao very much, treating him as one of her own. She thought for a moment and looked at Nuwa, “Your Majesty, although the universe is vast, where can we go to avoid their pursuit?”
“There’s no way. I can only send them to a foreign world!” Nuwa sighed lightly, “However, the foreign world is an extremely dangerous place. But compared to the Three Realms, at least there won’t be so many super-powerful beings troubling you. As long as you are cautious, you should be safe.”
Nuwa looked at Shui Miao and gave him two talismans, one for going to the foreign world and one for returning.
Shui Miao accepted the talismans and thanked Nuwa and Jiutian Xuannü.
Holding the talismans, Shui Miao didn’t leave immediately. He thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty Nuwa, Your Majesty Jiutian Xuannü, I will return three years from today. At that time, I want to stand as a third force and fight them for control of the Three Realms. I wonder if Your Majesty Nuwa and Your Majesty Jiutian Xuannü will stand by my side?”
“You want to fight for control of the Three Realms? Why?”
Nuwa was greatly surprised.
Shui Miao smiled faintly and shook his head gently, “Your Majesty, you have seen it yourself. None of them truly care for the people of the Three Realms. They are only fighting for power. I want to completely change this situation.”
…
Although Shui Miao’s words were spoken lightly, they carried an unyielding determination.
Jiutian Xuannü paused and then nodded, “Shui Miao, if you still think this way three years from now and have sufficient strength, I believe I will stand by your side for the sake of the people of the Three Realms.”
“Good, good! Shui Miao, young people like you are rare. This time you are going to the foreign world. I will lend you a Primordial Treasure to help you achieve and transcend yourself.” Nuwa was deeply moved and immediately summoned a mirror the size of a palm, covered in seven-colored scales, and handed it to Shui Miao.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will rely on my own efforts.”
Shui Miao activated the talisman and instantly vanished to the foreign world.
“He didn’t even take the Primordial Treasure?”
Nuwa was deeply moved by Shui Miao’s integrity.
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