Chapter 1485 - 534: The Saint Behind the Scenes
It’s not the doing of the West;
It’s not the doing of the Heavenly Court;
It’s not the Hongjun Evil Corpse causing trouble;
Who exactly is pushing the Longevity Golden Immortal Calamity behind the scenes?
Li Ping’an kept pondering.
He had been trying to communicate with the Heavenly Dao and had drawn some conclusions, roughly outlining a range.
The possibility of Nüwa is almost zero, as she has no motive and can’t achieve this level, leaving no trace in the Heavenly Dao.
The same can be said for Zhunti.
Li Ping’an previously suspected Daoist Jieying the most, but during his communication with the Heavenly Dao, it clearly stated that Jie Yin Zhunti was not behind the promotion of the Longevity Calamity.
That leaves only the Three Pure Ones.
Senior Uncle Grandmaster?
Taiqing advocates for non-action, and Taiqing possesses the memory of Pangu, which could be seen as the continuation of Pangu’s will.
From the perspective of helping the world through the ultimate calamity, Taiqing might be pushing the heavenly calamity.
Although Li Ping’an didn’t know what necessary connection there was behind this, he couldn’t rule out this possibility.
Taiqing’s suspicion is about ten percent.
Could it be the Grandmaster pushing it?
What motive would Yuanshi Tianzun have to do such a thing?
Similarly, what motive would the Tongtian Sect Leader have to promote the Longevity Calamity? The Jie Sect has so many disciples not yet immortal.
Even if the Tongtian Sect Leader wanted to ’slim down’ the Jie Sect, there was no need for such a cumbersome plan, nor to send disciples crashing into the heavenly tribulation, turning to ashes.
What benefit would the Tongtian Sect Leader gain once the heavenly tribulation was completed?
Li Ping’an didn’t dare to claim he fully understood the Tongtian Sect Leader, nor could he judge based solely on his intuition.
Realistically speaking, if any Saint was pushing the Longevity Calamity to land, aiming to strike at the Heavenly Court, destroying the human roots there, then the Tongtian Sect Leader could also have a ten percent suspicion.
The final possibility is Yuanshi Tianzun.
Yet what necessity does Yuanshi Tianzun have to scheme against the Heavenly Court?
In the recent battle of Saintly Might, Yuanshi Tianzun benefited the most, by reprimanding the Saints, elevating the Chan Teaching in the hearts of the beings to a new level.
’Is it the Transcender Teacher causing chaos?’
After much thought, Li Ping’an felt only this explanation was barely reasonable.
Yet the Heavenly Dao was no longer in its previous weak state, vulnerable to inner illusionary realm tricks; after the Six Saints returned, it quickly grew strong. The Transcender Teacher, existing beyond the world, would find it challenging to manipulate the Heavenly Dao as it stands now.
An impasse.
Li Ping’an stared at the faint ripples on the water surface, his thoughts becoming increasingly tangled and chaotic.
He personally leaned towards the idea that it was Jie Yin Zhunti misleading the Heavenly Dao, intentionally aggravating conflict between the Heavenly Court and all beings.
They have ample motive but lack sufficient means;
The Three Pure Ones lack motive but possess abundant means;
The Holy Mother has neither motive nor means... well, no offense meant.
So who did it?
Did the Heavenly Dao itself malfunction?
A familiar call came from the side: "Your Majesty."
It was Yun Zhongzi who had arrived.
Li Ping’an stopped pondering, his murky gaze clearing up, as he casually put away his fishing rod, turned to look at Yun Zhongzi, and showed a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.
The ministers of the Heavenly Court standing behind him also felt a bit relieved upon seeing this smile.
Li Ping’an said: "Teacher, too, has come for the Longevity Calamity?"
"Indeed," Yun Zhongzi nodded with a smile, observing Li Ping’an’s expression, he gently asked, "All beings are anxious and angry, waiting for His Majesty to give a response. His Majesty must quickly provide an explanation to the public."
Li Ping’an sighed: "I also can’t figure out what’s going on, how can I explain it convincingly?"
Yun Zhongzi asked: "This matter wasn’t determined by the Heavenly Court?"
"Certainly not determined by the Heavenly Court."
Li Ping’an glanced at the Jade Pool, shook his head, and said:
"Neither I nor the Jade Pool have the ability to drive such a major change.
"This celestial rule is being brewed by the Heavenly Dao, and it will soon manifest. The one pushing from behind seems to be a Saint, but this Saint’s identity is difficult to ascertain."
Yun Zhongzi pondered slightly.
Li Dazhi said: "Isn’t it obvious? It’s definitely the two leaders of the Western Sect causing this!"
"Father, we have no evidence."
Li Ping’an intended to say that the chance of those two elders making a move was unlikely, because if they were to provoke a conflict between the Heavenly Court and all beings, Taiqing would not stand idly by.
—From the last time Zhunti planned a scheme against Yao Ji, Taiqing intervened to remind me, so we can see.
Li Ping’an pondered a bit and frankly replied:
"As for this Saint who can manage to leave me, the Jade Pool, the Eastern King, and the top twenty of the Heavenly Dao sequence incapable of capturing their trace within the Heavenly Dao, it likely can only be among the top three.
"As to which one specifically, I can’t say for sure, nor dare to.
"In short, this matter is very difficult to ascertain who is behind it right now.
"We can only find a way to defuse the anger of the beings."
A minister said: "Your Majesty, why not just firmly claim that it’s the doing of the Western Sect? All beings just want an explanation."
"If we deceive the beings, then the beings will deceive us both; this precedent must not be set."
Li Ping’an shook his head and said:
"We cannot break our principle, to always adhere to the truth, and not to add charges to the Western Sect just because they have committed many misdeeds, otherwise how can the various departments of the Heavenly Court act on behalf of Heaven and behave properly?
"Let the Eastern King go to release all the information we currently have, and let the Heavenly Square Pavilion exert some effort.
"If this matter cannot be resolved, then I might as well cease to be this Heavenly Emperor."
All immortals bowed their heads in unison, and the Eastern King hurriedly led over ten ministers to the Tong Ming Palace.
The East Sea Dragon King stepped forward with a bow, speaking in a calm voice: "Your Majesty, all beings are ignorant; there is essentially no need to explain too much to them."
"Dragon King, this is the principle of conduct for the Heavenly Court."