Generally whenever the phrase "but" appears, it basically means that what was said before is as good as nonsense.
Seeing their anxious expressions, Lord Taishang smiled and said, "However, we the Three Pure Ones will not intervene in the struggles between the living beings of later generations and the Ancient Gods. If you wish to protect these living beings, you must take action yourselves."
Sun Wukong glared at Lord Taishang.
Lord Taishang smiled faintly and said, "From ancient times until now, there have been too many Ancient Gods dissatisfied with us three. Should we intervene, it would surely incite a great war among the Ancient Gods, and then it would not be about protecting the living beings of the Three Realms but potentially crippling the entire Three Realms."
So that was it, Sun Wukong and the others were relieved.
Lord Taishang and the others were not worried about their own safety; they had been aloof from the beginning of time until now.
But if the Three Realms were crippled, most likely few living beings would remain.
This went against the original intentions of Lord Taishang and the others.
"Actually, the living beings of the present are much more perfect than the Ancient Gods. We would prefer to see such a future generation, rather than revert to the era of the Ancient Gods," he said earnestly.
At that moment, Emperor Jun and Tai Yi, the Eastern Emperor, walked over.
Their gaze was piercing as they stared at the group.
Especially towards Sun Wukong, the looks from the Eastern Emperor Tai Yi and Emperor Jun were as if they wanted to devour him alive.
Both had suffered minor setbacks at the hands of Sun Wukong and held immense dissatisfaction towards him.
Sun Wukong, undaunted, glared back at them, his eyes extremely sharp.
With Lord Taishang here, he didn’t fear a thing.
"Taishang, have you made up your minds? When will you remove the barrier and let us return?"
Emperor Jun asked in a deep voice.
His eyes were sharp as he stared at Lord Taishang, showing little reverence.
Both Emperor Jun and the Eastern Emperor Tai Yi had once, during a period, been equals with the Three Pure Ones.
Their power was extremely close to that of the Three Pure Ones, and they were surrounded by numerous formidable beings.
Even the Three Pure Ones could not confidently assure victory against them.
If it had not been for their overbearing rule, the Ancient Gods would not have banded together to defeat them and then exile them.
In the end, the Three Pure Ones also took action. Emperor Jun and the Eastern Emperor Tai Yi were both figures who had survived a fight against the Three Pure Ones without perishing; naturally, they did not hold much reverence towards the Three Pure Ones.
Lord Taishang smiled faintly and said, "We the Three Pure Ones are indifferent to the covenant between you and the Ancient Gods. If you wish to return, you must take action yourselves; this is none of my concern."
Emperor Jun’s pupils turned cold as he said crisply, "Taishang, we blocked those beings Beyond the Domain for the Three Realms, and yet you say it’s none of your concern. Without our intervention, the entire Three Realms would have been destroyed."
"You could choose not to resist; I wouldn’t mind."
Lord Taishang said lightly.
Emperor Jun’s expression stiffened; not resisting would mean they died first.
If he were as noble as he claimed, he wouldn’t have been exiled.
After all, his earlier speech was merely to build himself a monument.
Unfortunately, what could Lord Taishang not see through? He simply would not entertain that approach, rendering Emperor Jun speechless.
Emperor Jun was so furious he almost wanted to take action; he glared menacingly at Lord Taishang, murderous intent surging in his eyes.
Lord Taishang remained composed, just watching him, indifferent to whether he would strike or not.
The Eastern Emperor Tai Yi also spoke up, his tone grave, "Regardless of whether it is for ourselves, we have guarded this part of the cosmos. Elder Lord, to say so is quite disheartening."
Glancing at the Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, Lord Taishang chuckled and said, "You are quite clever, far stronger than this impulsive and overbearing Emperor Jun."
Emperor Jun’s face darkened, and he wanted to erupt in anger but ultimately restrained himself.
He coldly stared at Lord Taishang, remaining silent.
But everyone could see that his anger had reached its peak.
Lord Taishang’s expression grew serious, and he said softly, "I have said it before, I do not get involved in the conflicts of the Three Realms. It is now a matter between you Ancient Gods and the later generations’ living beings. If you insist on forcing me to take a stand, I can only side with the later living beings. When you Ancient Gods had control over the cosmos, it really wasn’t much better than obliteration itself."
From Lord Taishang’s words, it was clear he was extremely dissatisfied with the Ancient Gods governing the cosmos.
It might as well be obliteration, that was his thought.
Though the Eastern Emperor Tai Yi and the others were furious, they were helpless.
Pressuring Lord Taishang further would only make him stand with the future living beings.
Though the Ancient Gods had the upper hand, with the Three Pure Ones aiding the future living beings, it was hard to predict the outcome.
Sun Wukong and the Great Emperor Ziwei exchanged glances, and an idea formed immediately.
Sun Wukong smiled and said, "Emperor Jun, and that Bird Person, you’ve gone too far, daring to pressure the Daoist Ancestor, showing disrespect to him is simply preposterous. Kneel down and kowtow to the Daoist Ancestor and apologize."
The Great Emperor Ziwei also scolded, "Exactly, Supreme Daoist Ancestor is a revered deity across the Three Realms, esteemed by all living beings. What are you? Merely former Supreme Beings of the Three Realms, daring to disrespect the Daoist Ancestor, completely ignorant of what’s at stake; hurry up and kneel to apologize and ask for the Daoist Ancestor’s forgiveness, otherwise, should the Daoist Ancestor become enraged, you all will die."
Yang Jian disdainfully glanced at the Eastern Emperor Tai Yi and the others, also speaking out to rebuke, "Just you two, like crawling insects, daring to be insolent in front of the Daoist Ancestor, it’s utterly ridiculous. If it weren’t for the Daoist Ancestor’s compassion, he should crush you like two stinking bugs to prevent you from causing trouble in front of him again."