Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1313 - 74: Silver Tongue, Who Will Prevail? (5 Updates)

Inside the Crystal Palace.

After the Great Venerable finished speaking, there was a brief silence in the scene.

Until Shakyamuni Tathagata spoke again.

"Well said, well said, the Great Heavenly Venerate was once the ruler of the Three Realms and should not engage in treacherous acts." Shakyamuni Tathagata said.

The Queen Mother of the West also chimed in, "I too believe in the character of the Great Heavenly Venerate. The Great Heavenly Venerate has always acted with integrity, and we ought to candidly inform him about the Promotion Ceremony; he will surely bring peace to our hearts with his actions. Therefore, let us ally with the Great Heavenly Venerate."

How to reassure our allies?

Of course, it is for the Great Heavenly Venerate to take the lead.

I believe with the Great Heavenly Venerate's noble character and upright style, he would willingly assume leadership without us saying much.

Moreover, the Great Heavenly Venerate was once the supreme of the Three Realms, and he should be shown due respect; failing to let him lead would belittle him, would it not?

Therefore, you are the leader, Great Heavenly Venerate.

In the absence of the Great Heavenly Venerate, the three parties present reached a majority rule over the minority.

Yes, in the absence of the minority...

It is indeed a joyous occasion.

Afterward, Shakyamuni Tathagata volunteered to invite the Great Heavenly Venerate into the alliance, while the Queen Mother of the West led the Immortal Queen back to Penglai Island.

The Great Venerable watched these two parties leave, revealing a mocking expression, then instructed Xuanwu King and Tianpeng to handle matters while he retreated to a side hall behind the Dragon Palace.

Heavenly Charm was meditating and controlling her breathing in the hall; seeing the Great Venerable enter, she immediately greeted him.

"Among kin, no need for formalities."

The Great Venerable gestured for her to sit and then informed Heavenly Charm of the prior conversation.

"When personal interests are involved, these so-called Immortals and Buddhas are no different from ordinary beings."

He spoke lightly, with a tinge of regret, "It's a pity the attempt to redirect troubles eastward didn't work."

The best result would have been a three-way alliance to first surround and kill the Great Heavenly Venerate. Alas, the Queen Mother of the West and Shakyamuni Tathagata were not impulsive people and wouldn't act rashly just because the Great Heavenly Venerate had ulterior motives.

Whether successful or not, attempting to kill the Great Heavenly Venerate would only benefit Jiang Li and the Great Venerable in the end and could result in severe injury or being dragged down by the Great Heavenly Venerate.

Instead of making wedding clothes for others, it's better to use this to force the Great Heavenly Venerate to take the lead.

In doing so, not only is the Great Heavenly Venerate's promotion prevented, but it also offers additional support. Once Jiang Li's side collapses, let's see with what the Great Heavenly Venerate will ascend.

As for whether the Great Heavenly Venerate agrees, it depends on the means of the three parties.

"At least, the great war will continue. Emperor Jiang is growing stronger, and neither the Great Heavenly Venerate, Shakyamuni Tathagata, nor the Queen Mother of the West will give him too much time."

Heavenly Charm consoled, "As long as the Great Heavenly Venerate agrees to take action, the next battle won't be far."

Anyway, as long as the battle begins.

"Yes, at least the great war will continue. Emperor Jiang's slowing of the offensive has disrupted the whole situation, forcing me to expose the Emperor Xihuang Dao Fruit's Promotion Ceremony, which temporarily set the two's minds at ease and coaxed the Great Heavenly Venerate into the arena."

The Great Venerable said, his eyes slightly lost in thought, "Once in the field, one cannot withdraw. Even if the ancestor cannot be revived, the Dao Fruit must be reclaimed; the Great Heavenly Venerate must die."

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Shakyamuni Tathagata and Medicine Buddha left the Dragon Palace, ascended to the sea surface, traveled thousands of miles through the air, and suddenly wielded the Seven Treasures Miao Tree, slicing open a rift.

The two entered straight through the rift, witnessing a magnificent scene before them.

Layer upon layer of clouds were arranged beautifully, with heavenly palaces above, immortals and deities seated, divine light bursting forth, resembling the former grand scene of the Heavenly Court.

Yet in the next moment, the Thirty-Three Heavens all shrank, settling behind a dignified figure, and that grand scene was actually evolved from Qi mechanisms.

The dignified figure was naturally the Great Heavenly Venerate, who, accompanied by the Drought Demon Ba, greeted the visitors.

"Great Heavenly Venerate."

"Buddha."

After mutual salutations, Shakyamuni Tathagata got straight to the point, saying, "I've heard that the Great Heavenly Venerate is undergoing a Promotion Ceremony, which has already lasted eight hundred years. I didn't believe it at first, but now seeing the Great Heavenly Venerate, I do."

Upon hearing Shakyamuni Tathagata's words, the Great Heavenly Venerate instantly knew his plans had been exposed.

The visage of this supreme of the Heavenly Court visibly darkened, evidently not unruffled even if profound and high-minded like the Great Heavenly Venerate upon being unmasked.

"Did the Buddha come today just to tell me this?" the Great Heavenly Venerate lowered his voice.

"Not only that; we also ask the Great Heavenly Venerate to take action and lead the united forces against Emperor Jiang."

Shakyamuni Tathagata continued, "The Buddhist sect, Queen Mother of the West, and the Great Venerable have all agreed to this."

"The Buddha is indeed candid." The Great Heavenly Venerate was amused despite his vexation.

Boldly intending to trap me yet speaking openly about it—have they banked on my compliance?

"The Buddhist sect appreciates the Great Heavenly Venerate's favor and is candid in return; it's as it should be," Shakyamuni Tathagata said with an unchanged expression. "And if the Great Heavenly Venerate does not comply, we may have to first ally with that Emperor Jiang to eliminate the third party watching from the sidelines."

"I observe Emperor Jiang suddenly slowing his offensive, most likely also aware of the Promotion Ceremony. Great Heavenly Venerate, he might now wish to remove you more than any of us."

"The Great Heavenly Venerate, having set such a hidden scheme, who knows if there are more? Besides, removing the Great Heavenly Venerate avoids a First Grade contender; Jiang Li would still hold advantage and remain invincible in this era—what's not to like?"

Shakyamuni Tathagata's points made sense, and after his discussion, Jiang Li indeed had the potential to ally.

As for whether relations would sour after killing the Great Heavenly Venerate—and during the process—such things were old playbooks. Being seasoned, there would naturally be considerations and precaution.

The only concern is that Fuxi Dao Fruit must not fall into Jiang Li's hands, and that outcome can be accepted.

The Great Heavenly Venerate also understood these old friends' thoughts, and his expression grew even darker.

Seeing this, Shakyamuni Tathagata changed his tone again, saying, "If the Great Heavenly Venerate is willing to take action, we shall work together sincerely. With our collective power, we should be able to eliminate Emperor Jiang. By then, the Great Heavenly Venerate can personally strategize over the Great Zhou and rebuild the Heavenly Court."

This way, the Great Heavenly Venerate still has the opportunity to complete the Promotion Ceremony, albeit with an uncertain time frame.

It might take decades or even centuries.

Anyway, decades or centuries in the grand scheme of things are still familiar territories for them.

The Great Heavenly Venerate's expression gradually restored calmness.

"The Buddha remains eloquent as ever," he suddenly chuckled.

"I am merely expressing my intentions," Shakyamuni Tathagata smiled as well. "Rather than vying and contending with the younger generation, wouldn't returning to the past, where we old friends frequently interacted, be better?"

Overturn the current situation and set up a new game.

Just like before the End of Dharma, when all parties were high above the skies, casting moves from afar.

And now, there's no presence of the likes of the Three Pure Ones over them.

"Good." The Great Heavenly Venerate nodded.

"Good."

Shakyamuni Tathagata smiled, both sides reaching an understanding, then departed without lingering.

However, as soon as the two Tathagatas disappeared, the Great Heavenly Venerate's face turned indifferent again.

"Great Heavenly Venerate, are we truly going to join?" the Drought Demon Ba asked worriedly from behind.

"Certainly. I have always been one to keep my word."

The Great Heavenly Venerate sketched a cold smile, "Upon noticing Emperor Jiang slowing his assault, I knew the Promotion Ceremony had been leaked; taking the spoils unexpectedly is unlikely. Now, the Great Venerable has divulged the Promotion Ceremony... Ha, this child wants to gain Tathagata's and the Queen Mother of the West's trust, thinking I don't know the Feng family desires the resurrection of Emperor Xi?"

"Come, let's see which party prevails in this match."