Sword Formation Revealed, Undercurrents Surge

Xuanwei pushed his speed to the limit, his body enveloped by a blend of Immortal Qi and the Profound Yellow Torch Flame, streaking across the sky like a meteor. He was incredibly anxious. How dare the Western Teachings launch a surprise attack on Golden Ao Island on the eve of Sect Master Tongtian's sermon? They even used the Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi? What were they trying to do? Stop the sermon? Or test the strength of the Intercepting Sect?

By the time he saw the outline of Golden Ao Island in the distance, the shocking battle had already subsided. The sea outside the island had returned to calm, though the air still carried a sharp sword intent and a faint trace of destructive energy, testament to the ferocity of the recent battle.

He quickly descended, his escape light landing him at the island's main gate. The disciples on duty recognized him and hurried to greet him, their faces still etched with lingering shock.

"Senior Brother Xuanwei, you're back!"

"How is the situation? That battle just now..." Xuanwei asked urgently.

The disciple said, still trembling, "It was the Western Teachings' Gandharva Bodhisattva. We don't know where he got a strand of Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi, but he came here to cause trouble, saying he wanted to 'stop killing with killing' and prevent Master from preaching 'heretical doctrines.' Fortunately, Senior Brother Duobao intervened in time, fighting him with the Azure Pine Sword for over a hundred rounds. He eventually repelled Gandharva, and the Fiend Qi was temporarily sealed by Senior Brother's supreme magical power."

Senior Brother Duobao made a move? And he even used the Azure Pine Sword? Xuanwei felt a chill in his heart. Daoist Duobao was profoundly cultivated, already at the Quasi-Saint realm. Even he had to fight for over a hundred rounds to repel the opponent. The strength of Gandharva, and the power of that strand of Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi, were likely no small matter.

"Did Master make an appearance?" Xuanwei asked again.

"No. Master merely issued a decree from Biyou Palace, saying, 'A mere clown, not worth mentioning. The sermon will proceed as scheduled,' and then there was silence."

Xuanwei nodded. Sect Master Tongtian clearly didn't take this matter seriously, or perhaps, it was a test for his disciples. He bid farewell to the disciples on duty and immediately headed to the main hall of Biyou Palace to seek an audience with Duobao.

In a side hall of the main hall, Xuanwei met Daoist Duobao. Duobao's expression was calm, his aura steady, showing no signs of having just experienced a great battle. Only his eyes were deeper than usual. Suspended before him was a mass of swirling black energy, wrapped in countless Supreme Pure runes, struggling violently. It exuded a heart-stopping intent of annihilation – the very Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi.

"Senior Brother," Xuanwei stepped forward and bowed.

Duobao nodded slightly, his gaze shifting from the Fiend Qi to Xuanwei. "You've returned. Your cultivation has advanced further, good." His tone was calm, yet carried a hint of approval.

"I heard Senior Brother just repelled a powerful enemy, upholding the prestige of our Intercepting Sect. I am truly impressed," Xuanwei said sincerely.

"It was merely my duty," Duobao waved his hand, his gaze returning to the Fiend Qi, his brow furrowed. "This Fiend Qi is incredibly pure, undoubtedly the intent of the Immortal-Slaying Sword. However... its origin is peculiar. The Four Immortal-Slaying Swords are Master's supreme treasures for combat, suppressing the fortune of the Intercepting Sect. Though their sword qi is potent, it has its own order and would not easily fall into external hands. This Fiend Qi carries a certain... filth and resentment that it shouldn't possess, as if it were refined through some wicked art."

"The Western Teachings?" Xuanwei immediately thought of this possibility.

"It may not be them who personally refined it, but they are certainly involved," Duobao's tone turned cold. "Their intention in coming here was not to obstruct the sermon, but to test Master's attitude with this Fiend Qi, to disrupt the situation in the Primordial World, and even... to tarnish the reputation of our Intercepting Sect."

Xuanwei's heart sank. The Investiture of the Gods calamity had not officially begun, yet the covert struggles had already started. The Western Teachings were eagerly jumping into the fray to muddy the waters.

"Leaving this thing on the island is a disaster. I must send it to the depths of Biyou Palace as soon as possible for Master to deal with personally," Duobao said. He looked at Xuanwei. "The sermon is imminent, and there may still be scoundrels lurking inside and outside the island. Your reputation is growing, and your cultivation is usable. You need to pay close attention, help maintain order, and report any abnormalities immediately."

"Disciple understands!" Xuanwei responded solemnly. He knew this was Duobao giving him an opportunity to train and take on responsibility.

Leaving the main hall, Xuanwei returned to the Medicine Garden in the back mountains. He first checked the situation of the light cocoon underground, confirming that it was still steadily absorbing the Chaos Spiritual Energy he had left behind and was unaffected by the battle outside the island. Only then did he feel slightly relieved.

Afterward, he activated the Medicine Garden's restrictions and sank his consciousness into the Chaos Bead space, beginning his final closed-door cultivation sprint, utilizing the time difference. One day outside was eighteen days inside. He had to seize this precious time to adjust himself to his peak condition to deal with any situation that might arise during the sermon.

Inside the Chaos Bead, he focused on three main tasks:

First, to consolidate his peak Heavenly Immortal cultivation and attempt to touch the bottleneck of True Immortal. With the tempering from the Chaos Wood Dao Rhyme emitted by the Remnant Seed of Jianmu and the power of the Torch Flame, the Immortal Qi itself became increasingly solid, and the Profound Yellow starlight within it shone brighter.

Second, to deepen his control over the "Chaos Domain" and "Supreme Pure Divine Thunder." Especially for the Chaos Domain, through his confrontations with the Nine Nether Demonic Qi and the Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi (indirectly perceived), he gained a deeper understanding of its properties of "distorting laws" and "weakening spiritual power." He attempted to combine it with his escape techniques, making his movements within the domain more unpredictable.

Third, to comprehend the "Primordial Order Token" gifted by Yunxiao. Although this token had no offensive or defensive capabilities, the Primordial Dao Rhyme contained within it was of great help in harmonizing the various powers within his body and calming his mind. It even accelerated his comprehension of the "Chaos Heaven-Opening Art." Holding the token, he felt as if he could sense a trace of concern beneath Yunxiao's cold exterior, and his heart couldn't help but feel a warmth.

Time flew by in diligent cultivation.

When Xuanwei felt that his condition had reached its peak, just a step away from True Immortal, the outside world finally welcomed the date of the sermon at Biyou Palace!

On this day, the entire Golden Ao Island resounded with chimes and bells, and immortal music filled the air! Countless auspicious energies surged from Biyou Palace, transforming into visions of dragons and phoenixes, golden lotuses sprouting from the ground, and myriad other phenomena! A vast and boundless Saintly might descended like spring rain, enveloping the entire island, filling all disciples with awe and joy.

Xuanwei ended his seclusion and emerged from the Medicine Garden. He saw countless escape lights in the sky, like a hundred rivers converging into the sea, gathering from all directions towards the enormous plaza in front of Biyou Palace! The myriad immortals of the Intercepting Sect, both inner and outer disciples, regardless of their origin or lineage, all rushed over, eager to hear the words of the Saint!

The plaza was already crowded, with immortal qi swirling. Powerful auras were everywhere; True Immortals and Mysterious Immortals were common, and there were even beings at the Golden Immortal level! Daoist Duobao, Golden Spirit Mother, Wudang Mother, Turtle Spirit Mother, and other direct disciples, along with the Seven Attendant Immortals, Zhao Gongming, the San Xiao sisters, and other core disciples, were already seated in the front areas, their auras profound and their Dao Rhyme natural.

With his current reputation and cultivation, Xuanwei found a cushion (suspended) in a relatively forward position. His gaze swept across, and he saw Yunxiao, with her cool and refined demeanor, not far away, with Bixiao, who was smiling charmingly, and Qiongxiao, who was gentle and quiet, beside her. Yunxiao seemed to sense his gaze; her clear eyes flickered, and their eyes met for a brief moment before parting. She remained cool, but Xuanwei keenly caught a faint trace of softness deep within her eyes.

He also saw Zhao Gongming, who was currently chatting and laughing with a few friends, exuding a heroic aura. He also saw Golden Light Immortal, Lingya Immortal, and others among the Seven Attendant Immortals...

However, he also felt some unfriendly gazes. Besides Lingxiao's undisguised jealousy from the Heavenly Origin Sect's area, within the Intercepting Sect itself, some disciples looked at him with scrutiny, doubt, and even subtle rejection. His cultivation had advanced too quickly, and he was highly valued by core disciples like San Xiao, inevitably drawing envy.

Xuanwei understood, but he didn't care. In the face of absolute strength and reason, these petty individuals were not worth worrying about.

Just then, a grand, all-encompassing Saintly might, imbued with the supreme intent of "intercepting a sliver of life for all beings," descended abruptly!

The entire plaza fell silent instantly!

Sect Master Tongtian's figure did not manifest. Only a beam of azure Dao light, filled with infinite sword intent and vitality, hung high above the cloud couch, as if the Great Dao itself was manifesting here.

"Today, I shall preach the Supreme Pure Dao."

Sect Master Tongtian's clear and powerful Dao voice resounded, like a great bell striking the hearts and minds of every listener.

Unlike the rigid and predetermined path he had felt when listening to the sermon at Yuxu Palace, the Dao preached by Sect Master Tongtian was filled with the wisdom of "change" and "struggle"! He expounded the principles of heaven and earth, analyzed wondrous spiritual techniques, and, more importantly, taught how to find vitality in desperate situations and how to intercept the "one that escapes" amidst myriad constraints!

This Dao voice resonated deeply with Xuanwei's own Dao! The Immortal Qi within his body, the Wutu Earth, Wood, Chaos, and Torch Flame powers, all circulated independently with the Dao voice, becoming more vibrant and more integrated! The fragment of the Chaos Bead in his sea of consciousness also trembled slightly, absorbing this Supreme Pure Dao Rhyme, and its repair progress quietly increased!

He listened with rapt attention. Many previously perplexing issues in his cultivation suddenly became clear, and he gained new insights into the use of the "Chaos Domain," "Supreme Pure Divine Thunder," and even the "Torch Flame" power. His aura condensed and sublimated with the Dao voice, and the bottleneck to True Immortal seemed to grow thinner and thinner...

However, just as he was immersed in the Great Dao, on the verge of a breakthrough—

The beam of azure Dao light hanging high above the cloud couch suddenly erupted with sword qi! A supreme sword intent, surpassing all things, capable of annihilating and destroying, able to slay immortals, trap immortals, and sever immortals, awoke like a slumbering ancient beast!

It was not directed at anyone in particular, but rather Sect Master Tongtian, while discussing the chapter on "slaughtering to protect the Dao," naturally invoked a trace of the true meaning of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation!

In an instant, the sky above the entire plaza seemed to transform into the phantom images of four colossal swords, their lights intersecting, sealing off all directions, and extinguishing all life! Infinite slaughter, destruction, and finality permeated the air, causing the hearts and minds of all listeners, including those Golden Immortal disciples, to tremble violently, as if they would be crushed by this supreme sword intent in the next moment!

Xuanwei bore the brunt of it! His cultivation was relatively low, and he possessed a treasure like the Chaos Bead, which represented "creation" in contrast to "ending." Under the stimulation of this Immortal-Slaying Sword intent, his Immortal Qi violently vibrated, and the Chaos Bead in his sea of consciousness erupted with a powerful light, autonomously activating a layer of chaotic halo to protect his core essence!

But it was precisely under this extreme pressure and opposition that enlightenment struck him, as if thunderclap exploded in his mind!

"Ending... is also a beginning... Destruction... breeds new life... Chaos... encompasses all... including... slaughter!"

The sliver of Torch Flame within him, stimulated by this destructive sword intent, didn't extinguish. Instead, it burned even more fiercely! It was an unyielding conviction that persevered through destruction and passed on through desperation!

"Break!"

Xuanwei cried out silently in his heart. Fueled by the extreme pressure of the Immortal-Slaying Sword intent and the tenacious protection of his own Torch Flame, the solid True Immortal bottleneck within him shattered with a roar!

A boundless power surged into every corner of his immortal qi essence like a river breaking its banks! His aura instantly skyrocketed, shattering the limits of Heavenly Immortal and firmly stepping into a brand new realm—early True Immortal!

Furthermore, because he broke through in the peculiar state of the Immortal-Slaying Sword intent clashing with his own Torch Flame, his True Immortal origin was not only more refined but also carried a faint, unique resilience, as if it could maintain its core amidst slaughter and ignite hope within destruction!

The moment he broke through, the cyan Dao light hanging high above the cloud bed seemed to fluctuate slightly, and an imperceptible thought swept over Xuanwei.

Sect Master Tongtian's grand and indifferent Dao voice seemed to carry a hint of... profound meaning that was barely audible?

"Slaughter... is not the goal; protecting the Dao... is the foundation. A sharp sword... requires a righteous heart to wield it..."

As the Dao voice faded, the terrifying Immortal-Slaying Sword intent receded like a tide, and the sky above the plaza cleared.

All the disciples breathed a collective sigh of relief. Many looked at Xuanwei with envy and complexity in their eyes. It was evident that they had all seen Xuanwei break through under the pressure of the sword intent just now.

Xuanwei stabilized his newly formed True Immortal cultivation, but his heart was filled not with joy, but with solemnity.

Sect Master Tongtian's final words... were they a casual remark, or... did they hold a deeper meaning?

He vaguely felt that he had formed a subtle connection with the core of the Investiture of the Gods calamity—the Immortal-Slaying Sword formation.

Whether this connection was a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.