Founding a Sect!

With no destined opportunity, he had still secretly used his innate talent to eavesdrop. Anyone would have been displeased.

Otherwise, if he had listened to the lecture and then gone around boasting, "I eavesdropped on the Dao Ancestor's lecture," wouldn't that have ruined the rules?

That was why those words had been spoken.

As for whether the dignified Dao Ancestor would still hold this matter against him afterward?

That was far from certain.

If he truly bore a grudge against a little monkey from back then over such a matter, then this Dao Ancestor would be far too petty.

If that had really been the case, he would have slapped him to death the moment he discovered him eavesdropping. Why would he have waited until now?

After hearing this, Nuwa was initially stunned. Then, after considering it carefully, she gradually came to agree with Tongtian's view.

Meanwhile, the Six-Eared Macaque, still unaware that a turning point was about to come, stood in the formation full of anticipation.

Ever since he had been shut out by the Dao Ancestor's single sentence that day, he had traveled everywhere in search of a master and the Dao, yet no one had ever been willing to accept him.

That loneliness and bitterness had filled his heart with regret and remorse.

Of course, he was not entirely innocent either.

He knew that he had been the one at fault first.

But even so, he had not given up.

When he accidentally heard that the Interception Sect was being established and recruiting disciples far and wide, hope rose in his heart.

As long as he could pass the assessment, he could become a disciple of the Interception Sect.

For that, he crossed countless mountains and rivers, enduring every hardship. After spending a full thousand years, he finally reached the East Sea.

He had only one thought in his heart—

Enter the Interception Sect!

Even if he could only become a menial disciple, he would be willing!

Just as Tongtian and Nuwa noticed Six-Eared.

Several ancient great powers on the island, who were enjoying the banquet while secretly observing the assessment, also turned their gazes toward him.

After several exchanges through divine transmission, everyone understood.

Some were displeased, some frowned, and some secretly rejoiced...

Among them were quite a few who had once refused to accept him.

For a time, everyone wore different expressions, their thoughts impossible to fathom.

In the blink of an eye, a thousand years had passed.

Of the tens of billions of cultivators who had initially entered the trial, only 1,209,600 remained after undergoing layer upon layer of tests.

Though that number was still enormous.

Compared with those who had been eliminated, however, it was insignificant.

At this moment, the eliminated cultivators were scattered across the East Sea.

They gazed at the distant Three Immortal Islands, their eyes filled with longing and desire.

Among them were even people whose cultivation had reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, yet they had still failed to pass.

They beat their chests and stomped their feet in frustration, their faces full of unwillingness.

"The assessment has concluded. Those who failed, please leave on your own. When the sect opens to recruit disciples again, you may return to participate."

"The specific time will be announced separately."

Fuxi stood atop the high platform, his gaze sweeping calmly over the crowd as he made the announcement in an even tone.

Though he spoke that way, a trace of contempt had already arisen in his heart.

The reason was actually very simple.

Aside from a small number of people, such as Fuyuan, whose origins were clean, many of the rest had poor character and corrupt intentions.

Thus, the grand formation had naturally detected and exposed them.

If not for preserving the Interception Sect's reputation, Fuxi would not have wanted to waste another word on them.

Hearing that there was still room for another chance, a sliver of hope immediately ignited in everyone's hearts.

They secretly resolved that after returning, they would cultivate diligently and strive to improve themselves!

As the crowd gradually dispersed, the great powers who had come to witness the ceremony also nodded to one another and took their leave in succession.

The disciple recruitment ceremony had already concluded. What followed was an internal matter of the Interception Sect, so it was not appropriate for them to remain.

Thus, they left of their own accord without any hesitation.

When Fuxi led the many newly inducted disciples back to the dojo, Sect Master Tongtian emerged from Biyou Palace at just the right moment.

"Disciples greet the Sect Master!"

More than a million disciples shouted in unison, their voices shaking the nine heavens. Even the spiritual energy around the Three Immortal Islands seemed to freeze slightly from the reverberation.

Looking around,

Everyone's eyes burned with blazing light,

As though the words "reverence" had nearly been carved into their gazes.

"Rise."

"As the saying goes, without rules, there can be no order.

Today, I will establish the sect rules here. I hope you will remember them well and discipline yourselves strictly."

"First: the Sect Master's words are the sect's doctrine. They may not be questioned, much less defied!"

"Second: fellow disciples may not harm one another. Sparring is permitted, but stop when appropriate."

"Third: in times of trouble, we advance and retreat together. If any fellow disciple encounters danger, the entire sect must provide its full support."

"Fourth: you may not do anything that damages the sect's reputation. Violators will be severely punished without exception or leniency."

The moment his words fell, everyone responded in unison as if they had rehearsed it countless times.

"Disciples shall obey the decree!"

Seeing how enthusiastic the disciples were, Tongtian revealed a satisfied expression and continued:

"Second, I will soon expound the Dao for a thousand years. How much you comprehend will depend entirely on your own fortune."

The moment they heard that they would have the chance to listen to the Sect Master expound the Dao immediately after joining, everyone was overjoyed.

If the occasion had not been inappropriate, they would likely have already cheered in delight.

"Third, after the lecture ends, you must go to the Law Enforcement Hall to receive your identity tokens."

"Different realms will receive tokens of different grades. The token will serve as proof of identity."

"In the future, all resources you require may be claimed with this token."

"Other than the mission board, the remaining four major rankings will open simultaneously after the tokens have been distributed."

"The rankings will be updated every thousand years. The top hundred may all receive generous rewards."

"The rewards include, but are not limited to, Innate Spiritual Treasures, pills, materials, and other precious resources."

After laying out all the subsequent arrangements in one breath,

Tongtian looked at the disciples' incomparably excited expressions, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

He could not help recalling a saying from later generations:

"You may be able to make a fortune, but I never take a loss."

The various functions provided by the system alone ensured that he would profit without fail.

What was more, the stronger his disciples became, the stronger he became as well.

This was a true win-win situation!

"Disciples thank the Sect Master!"

As a deafening wave of sound rose, Tongtian sat upright in the void and slowly parted his lips:

"There was something formed in chaos, born before Heaven and Earth. Silent and formless, it stood alone and remained unchanged."

"It moved through all things without exhaustion and could be called the mother of Heaven and Earth."

"I do not know its name, so I reluctantly call it the Dao; reluctantly naming it, I call it Great."

"Greatness means passing on; passing on means going far; going far means returning."

Profound and mysterious Dao sounds echoed through the air, piercing straight into everyone's hearts.

In an instant, heavenly flowers rained down while golden lotuses rose from the earth.

All manner of phenomena appeared around Tongtian, magnificent beyond measure.

As everyone's minds drifted, they seemed to enter a mysterious state,

The mana within their bodies began circulating on its own,

And the already abundant spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth surged over like a tidal wave,

Gathering in the blink of an eye into an enormous spiritual energy vortex spanning hundreds of millions of li.

The scene was so grand that even Nuwa, Fuxi, and several elders stood dumbfounded, their faces filled with shock.

As the spiritual energy entered their bodies, everyone's cultivation quietly rose...

On the Sun Star,

"Tongtian's strength has greatly increased this time. Will it affect the situation of the Primordial Wilderness in the future? What do you all think?" Dijun sat in the seat of honor, lightly rubbing his brow as he spoke.

If it had been Laozi, Yuanshi, or the others, he would not have been worried.

But Tongtian was different.

Leaving aside the unfathomable depth of his own strength, given the current situation in the Primordial Wilderness, almost no one aside from Dao Ancestor Hongjun could match him.

What was more, the disciples he had accepted were all exceptionally talented.

If given enough time to grow, this group of disciples would undoubtedly become an enormous threat to the Demon Race!

Not to mention that he still possessed the Universe Cauldron—a supreme treasure capable of mass-producing Innate Spiritual Treasures!

He vaguely had a premonition: if the Interception Sect were allowed to continue growing, the future balance of Heaven and Earth might undergo unimaginable changes...

In less than two kalpas, there would no longer be any force in the Primordial World capable of contending with the Interception Sect.

The so-called "uncrowned king" described exactly such a scene.

At the thought of Sect Master Tongtian's terrifying strength, Kunpeng and the others' expressions darkened slightly.

Even Eastern Emperor Taiyi, who had always believed in subduing others through strength, could not help falling into thought.

He indeed admired strength, but that did not mean he was reckless.

Knowing full well that he could not even withstand a single move from the other party, how could he foolishly consider confronting him head-on?

With a soft sigh, Dijun found himself caught between laughter and tears.

They had once been so arrogantly proud, yet now the mere mention of Tongtian's name robbed them of all courage.

Was that not far too ironic?

After a long while, Kunpeng, who was honored as the Demon Race's teacher, finally spoke slowly.

"For now, the Interception Sect is not enough to pose a true threat. Our foremost concern should still be the Witch Race."

"At the same time, the Demon Race should begin clearing away some obstructive forces."

"First integrate or eliminate the other races, then fight the Witch Race to the death."

"If we win, we can join forces with Laozi, Yuanshi, and those people from the West to deal with Tongtian."

"If we lose..."

He did not continue, but everyone already understood.

If the Demon Race were defeated, how could they have the spare strength to concern themselves with Tongtian and the Interception Sect?

Whether they could even preserve their lives would be uncertain!

Dijun pondered for a moment before finally nodding in agreement and saying solemnly:

"Very well. We shall proceed according to the Demon Teacher's words."

"Taiyi, lead a portion of the Demon Race to deal with the Azure Luan and the other avian clans that refuse to submit."

"Demon Teacher, take another portion of the Demon Race and purge the scaled beasts and land-dwelling beasts."

"Bai Ze, you and the other nine Demon Gods will deal with the plant spirits and monsters."

"Those unwilling to submit will be eliminated directly!"

"Once the various forces have been integrated, we will march on the Purple Mansion."

Though his words carried bloodshed and cold brutality,

No one in the hall voiced any objection.

The Demon Race's unification could not be stalled by the resistance of a few stubborn forces!

Kunlun Mountain.

Watching Yuanshi sit on his cushion in agitation, scratching at his ears and cheeks, Laozi frowned slightly.

"Second Brother, your mind is disturbed."

"Elder Brother, Tongtian has already recruited disciples far and wide. Should we also establish a sect and accept some disciples?" Yuanshi paused slightly before asking in a low voice.

To be honest, ever since the brothers had fallen out, his dissatisfaction with Tongtian had only deepened day by day.

Therefore, when he saw Tongtian recruiting disciples far and wide, a desire to compete naturally arose in his heart.

He was confident that, with his identity as one of Pangu's Orthodox Lineage, the number of disciples coming to study under him would certainly not be fewer than those seeking Tongtian!

If he then selected outstanding disciples of exceptional aptitude and profound fortune from among them, he could naturally suppress Tongtian in terms of momentum.

"This matter requires careful consideration." After pondering for a moment, Laozi replied concisely.

It was not that he did not wish to contend with Tongtian, but he was clearer-headed than Yuanshi.

At present, they had neither reputation nor resources.