On Jiepai Pass, Kong Xuan stood proudly, his gaze falling upon countless immortals looking up in awe.
Zhunti's eyes held admiration. "As expected of Daoist Qing Ling's chief disciple. Since you are a junior, I shall yield to you three points. I will not use the power of a Sage's Hunyuan, but face you with a body at the half-step Hunyuan realm."
Upon hearing this, Kong Xuan bowed. "Thank you for your grace, Sage. Your words remind me of the Nine-Bend Yellow River Grand Formation before Sishui Pass. It was also a senior and junior, but one was benevolent, the other malevolent."
Zhunti chuckled. "No. If I and Daoist Yuanshi had swapped positions, I might have revealed an angry Vajra appearance. Little friend Kong Xuan, make your move."
Kong Xuan could only prepare himself with solemnity. His previous words were merely a momentary distraction.
Yuanshi, hearing this, merely shook his head in silence.
But for Tongtian, these words filled him with regret for the past. It was the final weight that would lead him to make a choice.
Kong Xuan gazed at Zhunti, the Five-Colored Divine Light condensing around him, the primordial essences of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth mutually beginning and ending. The Five-Colored Divine Light gave birth to the primordial essences of the five elements: fire transforming into the great sun rising, water evolving into a boundless sea, metal transforming into swords, wood becoming lush ancient trees, and earth solidifying into majestic mountains.
The primordial essences of the five elements then shrank and merged, falling into Kong Xuan's hands. With a sweep of his hand, the Five-Colored Divine Light brushed away time and space, instantly enshrouding Zhunti. The primordial essences of the five elements transformed into five rings, evolving into a Five Elements World, within which the Sage Zhunti was trapped.
At this moment, countless powerful beings were stunned. Could a peak powerful being trap a Sage? Even without utilizing the Sage's Hunyuan might, a Sage was far more powerful than a half-step Hunyuan.
However, amidst everyone's astonishment, the five-colored world began to tremble. The five-colored light flickered violently, and it seemed it would collapse within mere moments.
Kong Xuan's expression changed. With another sweep of his hand, the blue and golden lights, which were particularly effective against Zhunti's innate metal and wood essence, were unleashed again, stabilizing the Five Elements World somewhat. He breathed a sigh of relief. How many in the world truly knew a Sage's foundation? Besides the Sages themselves, very few did. But Kong Xuan's mother, Yuan Feng, knew, Kong Xuan's master, Qing Ling, also knew, and Kong Xuan naturally knew that Sage Zhunti's true form was born from the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots, and would naturally be somewhat restrained by the metal and wood divine light.
But Kong Xuan dared not dwell on it. He pointed afar, and the Eight Directions Divine Cauldrons gathered infinite Xuanhuang Qi, descending upon the Five Elements World to suppress it. Kong Xuan himself transformed, becoming a five-colored peacock unfurling its tail, its resplendent beauty and radiant light illuminating all heavens. He channeled his strength into his form, spreading his wings to descend and suppress the Five Elements World.
Within the Five Elements World, Zhunti observed his surroundings with keen interest, thinking, "Such wisdom guarantees he will not be obscure in the future. My Western world lacks precisely such a powerful being from the East! Even ordinary half-step Hunyuan would require more effort. Though I could break free, it would hardly be harmonious. Let it be. I shall wait here for a while and break out on the day before the three-year deadline. If Daoist Yuanshi wishes to do anything, one day will be enough. Little friend Kong Xuan will also have enough time for his plans. This is also showing respect to Daoist Qing Ling. If Daoist Tongtian truly wishes to act then, that day would also be a leap month of the three years, and it would still be within the three-year period. No one's face will be lost, and what does it matter if my own face is lost?"
Thus, the Five Elements World remained intact, and Kong Xuan's heart finally settled. If Zhunti had broken out, his plan of achieving enlightenment through the luck of humanity would have been in vain.
On Kunlun Mountain, Yuanshi became restless. He stared at the Five-Colored Divine Light, thinking to himself that no matter how difficult it was to break, for a Sage's eyes, it would at most take some time. Could it be that Qing Ling had left some contingency within?
At the summit of the World Tree, Qing Ling smiled. "Destiny guides all things in the grand flow of history, but whether I am present or not ultimately makes a difference."
Several months later, it was the final day of the three-year period. Amidst the doubts of countless immortals and powerful beings, Zhunti emerged holding the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, smiling. Golden lotuses bloomed for a hundred thousand miles, and a sea of lotuses swayed outside Jiepai Pass.
Kong Xuan's innate divine ability was broken. He spat out a mouthful of vital blood, retreated, and reverted to human form, saying with difficulty, "Thank you, Sage, for holding back."
Zhunti smiled and said, "Amitabha! Little friend, your divine abilities are indeed extraordinary. This humble monk has learned a great deal."
The disciples of Chan Sect finally breathed a sigh of relief, but in their hearts, they felt that this Sage before them was far weaker than their own master. This was not due to their limited vision; even peak powerful beings felt the same. Thus, in the future, it would be spread throughout heaven and earth that Sage Zhunti was the weakest among the Seven Sages. Only the elders who were at the half-step Hunyuan realm might have guessed something, but they would naturally not say a word.
Zhunti smiled. "Little friend, since your divine abilities have been broken, it is time for me to speak. You have a karmic affinity with my Western world. Why not accompany me to the West and enjoy bliss early?"
Kong Xuan's expression darkened. "This junior also yearns for the great doctrines of the West, but I have already received my master's direct teachings and fear I am not suited."
Zhunti sighed softly. "Then this humble monk must act personally." With that, he pointed a finger, and infinite brilliance surged towards Kong Xuan. Buddhist chants filled the world, and bodhi flowers bloomed. Kong Xuan was instantly transformed into a five-colored peacock.
But at this very moment, a steady voice echoed from afar, shaking the heavens. "Sage Zhunti, do you truly intend to attack my disciple from Fu Yu Mountain?" A man in dark robes stood in the air, his hair unbound, looking calmly at Zhunti.
"Who is this? How dare he be so bold?"
"Could it be the Sage of All Beings?"
"Certainly not. Although the Sage of All Beings is mysterious, the sacred statue in the Hall of All Beings does not look like this."
Zhunti paused, then smiled. "So it is Daoist Qing Long. Are you here to stop me? Although I am taking Kong Xuan away, it is for his own good. Otherwise, with his Phoenix clan body relying on the luck of humanity, he will face immense calamities and immeasurable human tribulation afterward."
Upon hearing this, Qing Long pointed a finger, and a golden light shot out, transforming into a figure with clasped hands. "This Ming Wang greets the Sage. I am willing to learn the great doctrines of the West!"
Zhunti was surprised. "Is this the future body created by Daoist Qing Ling's Three Lives Hunyuan Path?"
Qing Long nodded. "Indeed. I ask that the Sage step aside now. Otherwise, he will not be able to sit still."
Zhunti sighed. "Very well. This humble monk is not insatiable." He then said to Ming Wang, "Little friend, please come with me."
Ming Wang clasped his hands. "Ming Wang thanks the Sage."
Zhunti smiled casually. "This humble monk merely does not cling to appearances."
On Jiepai Pass, Kong Xuan reappeared and bowed to the departing Sage Zhunti. "I bid farewell to the Sage." The disciples of Chan Sect also bowed and bid farewell.
Kong Xuan then said, "Thank you, Senior Uncle, for your intervention."
Qing Long shook his head. "I did not intervene. Besides, I truly cannot defeat a Sage. I can only say that Sage Zhunti is worthy of being a Sage, and is wise enough to appear foolish. From now on, you will recuperate in Chaoge. Your master is about to act, and the rest is not something you can interfere with."
Kong Xuan's heart settled, and he smiled. "Since Master is going to act, this disciple is naturally completely at ease."
The two parted ways. Kong Xuan departed, as did other disciples of Fu Yu Mountain.
Within Jiepai Pass, the immortals departed, leaving it an empty city. Yet, none of the disciples of Chan Sect dared to enter. For high in the distant sky, sword intent soared, intending to cleave the heavens and awe the eight directions.