Chapter 53: Born Into Sin

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"
"Twitter, twitter, twitter!"
"Coo, coo, coo!"

As Ye Zhetian fell silent, a group of small animals enlightened in the Dao were abruptly interrupted. One by one, they cast deeply dissatisfied gazes toward the two individuals, loudly voicing their accusations, though no one could understand what they were saying.

Ye Zhetian furtively glanced at Lin Jun hidden in the shadows, and finding that his master not only harbored no blame but gave a faint nod instead, his confidence instantly surged.

"Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof!" Displaying his sect master's imposing manner anew, he let out a barrage of barks at the two obnoxious humans who had stood up.

"The Sect Master says, everyone else can understand him speak, 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 this? Who's looking for trouble! We were invited here, and if we can't understand what you're saying, aren't we even allowed to speak?"

"Sect Master Ye, you'd better give us an explanation for this! Otherwise, if word gets out, I'm afraid it won't be good for your Great Dao Sect! Who knows, even your master might punish you!"

Hearing the words "Master," Ye Zhetian momentarily panicked. Although he had already gained a degree of spiritual wisdom, it was not yet profound enough for him to easily discern the sinister motives of certain people; he only sensed vaguely that something was amiss.

Seeing his reaction, the two sect masters were instantly overjoyed, weaving traps into their words: "However, Sect Master Ye, expounding the Dao within the Great Dao Sect is a tremendous blessing for people like us and various minor sects. To achieve such a feat, you must surely accumulate a share of merit through it."

As the master of the Vajra Sect spoke, he made an Amitabha gesture. Then, seeing Ye Zhetian encouraged and wagging his tail once more, he sighed: "It is merely a pity that Sect Master Ye cannot speak human words, leading to such a misunderstanding. It truly is a shame."

Amidst Ye Zhetian's visibly disappointed gaze, he paused for a moment before continuing:

"However, that does not mean there is no solution."

As he spoke, a radiant glow of faith burst forth from his eyes. "As long as Sect Master Ye devotes yourself to our Buddha, under the blessing of our Buddha's divine light, there may yet come a day when you can speak!"

"Utter nonsense!"

At this moment, the master of the Heavenly Emperor Sect appeared furious.

"What's all this about your Buddha and my Buddha? There is only one true god in this world! And that is the Heavenly Emperor!" With that, he struck a pious pose.

Immediately following this, as the Vajra Sect master's face rapidly turned ashen, he directed his gaze toward Ye Zhetian on the preaching platform, his voice grandiose and imposing.

"All humans are born with sin! From the very moment of birth, everyone exists to atone for their sins! The reason Sect Master Ye still cannot speak to this day is precisely because your innate sins are profound! If you do not worship the Heavenly Emperor to seek atonement, I am afraid you will never be able to utter human words for the rest of your life!"

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

"The Sect Master asks how he can wash away the sins upon his body," the left protector hastily translated.

The Heavenly Emperor Sect master was instantly overjoyed, giving his solemn assurance: "Sect Master Ye, rest assured on this matter. As long as you devoutly worship our 'Heavenly Emperor,' the day you finally speak human words will surely come!"

"Shameless boasting! To spout such groundless falsehoods—beware lest my Buddha brings down punishment upon you!"

The Vajra Sect master shouted sternly, brilliant golden light suddenly blooming across his body. Glaring at Ye Zhetian on the stage, he said with severity: "My Buddha is right here, why does Ye Zhetian not pay homage!"

As he spoke, he formed a hand seal, and a giant Buddha statue instantly manifested behind him, instilling an overwhelming urge to prostrate oneself in worship!

However, Ye Zhetian, cloaked in the mantle of the Great Dao, had already reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm; none of this had the slightest effect on him. Yet, being disrupted by the meddling of these two major sects, a sense of bewilderment clouded his eyes.

Though he had read extensively from ancient Confucian and Daoist scriptures, his worldly experience had not yet reached such a sophisticated level.

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

She had seized control of a male vessel whose cultivation realm was not overtly displayed, and since ordinary members of the Great Dao Sect did not yet recognize her, her soul remained remarkably powerful. As she stood up, a unique and formidable aura instantly manifested.

Her lightning-sharp gaze fell upon the two sect masters, whose ulterior motives were glaringly obvious, specifically locking onto the Vajra Sect master, her voice tinged with deep aversion.

"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, a look of profound arrogance appeared on the Vajra Sect master's face. Gazing toward the western horizon, he pressed his palms together, his voice resounding magnificently.

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

With that, he opened his arms wide, facing the crowd with absolute devotion.

"All those who believe in my Buddha shall ascend to the Blissful Realm and enjoy the ultimate bliss of celestial beings! Whereas those who defy the will of my Buddha shall suffer endless calamities in this life, plunging forever into the bitter sea of misery, never to attain salvation for ten thousand generations! It is the most foolish choice one could ever make!"

"Then let me ask this revered entity: if believing in your Buddha grants ascent to the Blissful Realm, while disbelieving consigns one to eternal damnation, does that mean all living beings and everything in their lives are controlled by your Buddha? Are the joys and sorrows of all living beings entirely at 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 the peak of a towering mountain.

Ji Qingyou smiled faintly, her voice calm and collected.

"Since that is the case, does it not mean that everything is controlled by your Buddha? If one believes in it, it grants eternal bliss, but if one believes in anyone other than it, calamities are unleashed upon them?"

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

"Then I ask you: does believing in your so-called Buddha guarantee ascent to the Blissful Realm?"

A trace of displeasure flashed across the Vajra Sect master's face.

"All things require cultivation. How many people fail to catch even a glimpse of my Buddha across countless lifetimes? 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 benefits, yet refusing to believe in it guarantees that calamities will be inflicted upon you. Pray tell, what on earth is this so-called Buddha of yours?"

"Audacious!"

The Vajra Sect master flared up in instant rage, but Ji Qingyou couldn't be bothered to spare him another glance.

Hearing these words, a flash of clarity instantly pierced through Ye Zhetian's eyes, as if his spiritual wisdom had blossomed even further.

Simultaneously, sparks of realization flickered in the eyes of everyone else present.

"You are the audacious one!"

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

They might not excel at debating the Dao, but when it came to combat, they were certainly adept!

Seeing the Vajra Sect master subdued, a trace of reluctance flashed in the eyes of the Heavenly Emperor Sect master, but at this particular juncture, it was clearly no longer feasible to "subdue" Ye Zhetian; he would simply have to wait for another opportunity.

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

Her spiritual wisdom far surpassed Ye Zhetian's, and in an instant, she had seen right through the sinister intentions harbored in secret by both men.

"All humans are born with sin—may I ask this Heavenly Emperor Sect master, was your mother sinful when she gave birth to you?"

Looking at the Heavenly Emperor Sect master clad in white robes, Ji Qingyou smiled lightly.

The Heavenly Emperor Sect master's gaze turned frosty. "Mere mortal rubbish, this deity cannot be bothered to explain it to you."

"I ask you, Heavenly Emperor Sect master, was your father sinful when he fathered you?" Ji Qingyou persisted relentlessly, her words striking straight at his core.

"Impertinent!" The Heavenly Emperor Sect master burst into fury; no matter how much restraint he practiced, he could not endure such unbridled provocation.

"Oh? Then, Heavenly Emperor Sect master, are you planning to kill me?"

Ji Qingyou smiled faintly. Though inhabiting the ordinary body of a man, she radiated a distinctive and formidable aura.