Chapter 52: Ji Qingyou Discourses on the Dao

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"
"Twitter, twitter, twitter!"
"Coo, coo, coo!"
As Ye Zhetian's voice fell silent, a group of small animals enlightened in the Dao had their session abruptly interrupted. They all gazed at the two figures with immense dissatisfaction, loudly chiding them, though no one could understand their utterances.

Ye Zhetian cast a stealthy glance toward Lin Jun hidden in the shadows. Finding that not only did his master harbor no blame, but instead gave a faint nod, Ye Zhetian instantly regained his confidence.

"Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof!" Resuming the dignified bearing of a Sect Master, it let out a furious string of barks at the two obnoxious humans who had stood up.

"The Sect Master says, everyone else can understand its speech, so why can't you two? Are you looking for trouble?" The left and right protectors hastily translated from the side.

"Sect Master Ye, what kind of talk is that? Who's looking for trouble! We came here by invitation, and if we can't understand you, aren't we even allowed to say so?"

"Sect Master Ye, you'd better give us an explanation for this! Otherwise, if word gets out, it might not bode well for your Grand Dao Sect! Who knows, even your master might punish you!"

At the mention of the word "Master," Ye Zhetian instantly appeared somewhat flustered. Although it had already gained spiritual intelligence, its sentience was not yet profound enough to easily discern the sinister motives of certain individuals, leaving it only with a vague sense that something was amiss.

Seeing its reaction, the two sect masters were secretly overjoyed and laced their words with traps. "However, Sect Master Ye, expounding the Dao within the Grand Dao Sect is a tremendous blessing for the likes of us and various minor sects. To accomplish such a feat certainly brings you considerable karmic merit."

As the Sect Master of the Vajra Sect spoke, he formed a gesture of paying homage to the Buddha. Then, seeing Ye Zhetian encouraged and once again wagging its tail, he sighed, "It is merely a pity that Sect Master Ye cannot speak human language, creating such an unfortunate misunderstanding."

Amidst Ye Zhetian's visibly disappointed gaze, his voice paused before he continued, "Yet, this is not without a solution."

With a gleam of fanatical devotion in his eyes, he declared, "As long as Sect Master Ye devotes yourself to my Buddha, under the radiance of the Buddha's light, there may yet come a day when you can speak aloud!"

"Utter nonsense!"

At this moment, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Emperor Sect appeared enraged.

"What is all this about your Buddha and my Buddha? There is only one true god in this world! That is the Heavenly Emperor Lord!" As he spoke, he struck a pose of devout faith.

Immediately afterward, while the Vajra Sect Master's face rapidly turned ashen, he directed his gaze toward Ye Zhetian upon the lecturing platform, his voice grandiose and imposing.

"All humans are born with sin! From the very moment of birth, everyone exists to atone for their transgressions! The reason you, Sect Master Ye, remain unable to speak to this day is precisely because your innate sins are profound! If you do not worship the Heavenly Emperor Lord to seek atonement, you may very well remain mute for the rest of your life!"

"Woof, woof, woof!" Hearing this, a flash of panic crossed Ye Zhetian's eyes. It still longed to call out "Master" with its own voice!

"The Sect Master asks how one can cleanse the sins upon oneself?" The left protector hastily translated.

The Heavenly Emperor Sect Master was instantly overjoyed, offering a solemn guarantee, "Rest assured on that score, Sect Master Ye. As long as you sincerely worship my 'Heavenly Emperor Lord,' the day you gain the power of human speech will surely arrive!"

"Shameless braggart! Spewing such baseless fabrications—beware lest my Buddha brings down punishment upon you!"

The Vajra Sect Master bellowed, brilliant golden light suddenly bursting forth from his body. Glaring at Ye Zhetian on the platform, he sternly rebuked, "My Buddha is here, why do you not bow, Ye Zhetian!"

As he spoke, he formed a hand seal, and instantly a colossal statue of the Buddha manifested behind him! It evoked an overwhelming urge to prostrate oneself in worship!

However, clad in the Grand Dao Cloak, Ye Zhetian had already reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, rendering all of this completely ineffective against it. Yet, being stirred up by these two major sects, a sense of bewilderment flickered in its eyes.

Though well-read in the ancient Confucian classics, its worldly experience had not yet reached such a level.

Witnessing this scene, before Lin Jun could make a move, Ji Qingyou could no longer stand by and watch.

She had possessed the body of a male, and her cultivation realm was concealed; ordinary members of the Grand Dao Sect did not recognize her. However, possessing a formidable soul, she stood up at that moment, her unique aura instantly manifesting.

Her gaze, sharp as lightning, fell upon the two sect masters harboring obvious ulterior motives, specifically lingering on the Vajra Sect Master, her voice laced with disgust.

"I have long heard of the Vajra Sect's reputation, but there is one thing I am quite curious about. May I ask this Vajra Sect Master, where does your 'Buddha' come from?"

Hearing this, an expression of haughty pride instantly appeared on the Vajra Sect Master's face. Gazing far toward the western horizon, he pressed his palms together, his voice resounding with immense majesty.

"My Buddha naturally came into being with the creation of heaven and earth, transcending all things in this world as the supreme and exalted sovereign!"

As he spoke, he turned his arms wide, gazing at the crowd with absolute devotion.

"All those who believe in my Buddha shall ascend to the Blissful Pure Land, enjoying the ultimate bliss of celestial beings! Whereas those who defy the will of my Buddha shall suffer endless calamities in this lifetime, eternally plunging into the sea of suffering, forever denied reincarnation! That is the most foolish choice one could make!"

"Then may I ask this exalted sovereign, if believing in your Buddha leads to the Blissful Pure Land, while not believing brings eternal damnation, does that mean all living beings and everything in creation are controlled by your Buddha? Are the joys and sorrows of all beings entirely within the whim of your Buddha's single thought?"

"Precisely!" The Vajra Sect Master grew even more arrogant. Golden light blazed behind him, and though standing on flat ground, he looked as though he stood upon a mountain peak.

Ji Qingyou smiled faintly, her voice calm and composed.

"Since that is the case, does it not mean that all of this is controlled by your Buddha? If one believes in it, it grants eternal bliss, but if one believes in anyone else, it inflicts disasters upon them?"

"You could put it that way." The Vajra Sect Master's expression shifted slightly.

"Then let me ask you: does believing in your so-called Buddha guarantee ascension to the Blissful Pure Land?"

A trace of displeasure flashed across the Vajra Sect Master's face. "All things require cultivation. Countless generations pass without many even catching a glimpse of my Buddha—how could you possibly expect to succeed the moment you begin practicing?"

"Since that is so, believing in your Buddha does not necessarily bring any tangible benefits, yet failing to believe in it guarantees retribution in the form of calamities. Pray tell, what on earth is this so-called Buddha of yours?"

"Audacious!"

The Vajra Sect Master flew into an instant rage, but Ji Qingyou couldn't be bothered to spare him another glance.

Having heard these words, a flash of absolute clarity instantly crossed Ye Zhetian's eyes, as if its spiritual intelligence had awakened a notch further.

Simultaneously, sparks of realization lit up the eyes of the others present.

"You are the audacious one!"

The Vajra Sect Master attempted to strike, but was instantly suppressed by the left and right protectors!

Debating the Dao was not their forte, but combat certainly was!

Seeing the Vajra Sect Master subdued, a flicker of resentment crossed the Heavenly Emperor Sect Master's eyes. However, at this juncture, it was clearly no longer appropriate to "tame" Ye Zhetian; he would simply have to await another opportunity.

Yet, just as he intended to sit back down, Ji Qingyou had no intention of letting him off.

Her spiritual intelligence far surpassed Ye Zhetian's, and she had instantly perceived the malicious intentions hidden by both men.

"All humans are born with sin. May I ask this Heavenly Emperor Sect Master, were your mother sinful when she gave birth to you?"

Looking at the Heavenly Emperor Sect Master clad in white robes, Ji Qingyou smiled faintly.

The Heavenly Emperor Sect Master's gaze turned frigid. "A mere mortal, this sovereign cannot be bothered to explain anything to you."

"May I ask this Heavenly Emperor Sect Master, were your father sinful when he fathered you?" Ji Qingyou persisted relentlessly, her words striking straight at his heart.

"Impudent!" The Heavenly Emperor Sect Master flew into a towering rage. No matter how much he tried to exercise restraint, he could not endure such unbridled provocation.

"Oh? So, this Heavenly Emperor Sect Master intends to kill me then?"

Ji Qingyou smiled faintly. Although she had possessed the body of an ordinary male, a distinct and extraordinary aura emanated from her.