Xuanwei pushed his speed to the limit. Immortal radiance and the Mysterious Yellow Kindling Fire intertwined around him as he streaked across sea and sky like a meteor, anxiety surging in his heart. The Western Teachings had actually dared to launch a surprise attack on Golden Ao Island on the eve of Sect Master Tongtian's sermon? They had even used Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi? What were they trying to do? Stop the sermon? Or test the Interception Sect's strength?
By the time he glimpsed Golden Ao Island's outline in the distance, the breathtaking battle had already subsided. The waters beyond the island had returned to calm, though sharp sword intent and a faint, lingering aura of destruction still remained in the air, revealing how fierce the battle had been.
He swiftly descended and landed at the island's gate. The disciples on guard recognized him and hurried forward, lingering fear still visible on their faces.
"Senior Brother Xuanwei, you've returned!"
"How is the situation? That battle just now..." Xuanwei asked urgently.
The disciple said with lingering fear, "It was Gandharva Bodhisattva of the Western Teachings. Somehow, he obtained a strand of Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi and came here to cause trouble. He claimed he wanted to 'use killing to stop killing' and prevent Master from preaching his 'heretical path.' Fortunately, Eldest Senior Brother Daoist Duobao intervened in time and faced him with the Azure Pine Sword. After more than a hundred exchanges, he finally drove Gandharva back. Eldest Senior Brother also temporarily sealed the fiend qi with his supreme magic power."
Eldest Senior Brother Duobao had acted? And even used the Azure Pine Sword? Xuanwei's heart tightened. Daoist Duobao's cultivation was profound; he had long since reached the Quasi-Saint realm. If even he needed over a hundred exchanges to drive the enemy away, then Gandharva's strength, as well as the power of that strand of Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi, could not be underestimated.
"Did Master appear?" Xuanwei asked again.
"No. Master only sent down a decree from Biyou Palace, saying, 'A jumping clown is not worth mentioning. The sermon will proceed as scheduled.' There was no further movement after that."
Xuanwei nodded. Master Tongtian clearly had not taken this matter seriously—or perhaps this was a trial for his disciples. After bidding farewell to the guards, he immediately headed to the main hall of Biyou Palace to see Duobao.
In a side chamber of the main hall, Xuanwei met Daoist Duobao. Duobao looked as composed as ever, his aura steady, with no sign that he had just undergone a great battle. Only his gaze seemed deeper than before. Floating before him was a mass of black airflow wrapped in countless clear immortal runes, constantly lunging in every direction. It radiated a heart-pounding intent of annihilation—it was precisely that strand of Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi.
"Eldest Senior Brother." Xuanwei stepped forward and saluted him.
Duobao gave a slight nod, shifting his gaze from the fiend qi to Xuanwei. "You're back. Your cultivation has improved again. Not bad." His tone was calm, but it carried a trace of approval.
"I heard that Eldest Senior Brother repelled a powerful enemy and upheld the Interception Sect's prestige. I deeply admire you," Xuanwei said sincerely.
"It was merely my duty." Duobao waved a hand, his gaze returning to the fiend qi as his brows furrowed slightly. "This fiend qi is incomparably pure. It is indeed Immortal-Slaying Sword intent, but... its origin is suspicious. The Four Immortal-Slaying Swords are Master's supreme killing treasures, suppressing the Interception Sect's fate. Though their sword qi is immense, it follows its own laws and would not easily end up outside. This strand of fiend qi carries an unnatural... filth and resentment. It seems to have been refined through an evil art."
"The Western Teachings?" Xuanwei immediately thought of that possibility.
"Perhaps they did not refine it themselves, but they certainly cannot be uninvolved." Duobao's tone turned cold. "Their purpose in coming here was not truly to obstruct the sermon. Their real aim was to use this fiend qi to test Master's attitude, disrupt the situation in the Primordial World, and perhaps even... tarnish the Interception Sect's reputation."
Xuanwei's heart sank. The Investiture of the Gods tribulation had not yet officially begun, but the hidden struggle had already started. The Western Teachings were impatient to enter the fray and muddy the waters.
"This thing is a danger if it remains on the island. I must send it deep into Biyou Palace as soon as possible for Master to handle personally." Duobao looked at Xuanwei. "The sermon is imminent, and there may still be petty schemers watching both inside and outside the island. Your reputation has been rising, and your cultivation is sufficient for some use. Remain vigilant, assist in maintaining order, and report any abnormalities immediately."
"This disciple understands!" Xuanwei answered solemnly. He knew that Duobao was giving him an opportunity to temper himself and shoulder responsibility.
After leaving the main hall, Xuanwei returned to the Medicine Garden in the rear mountains. He first checked on the Light Cocoon underground and confirmed that it was still steadily absorbing the Chaos Spiritual Energy he had left behind. It had not been affected by the battle beyond the island, and only then did he relax somewhat.
Afterward, he activated the Medicine Garden's restrictions and immersed his mind in the Chaos Bead space, using the difference in time flow for one final closed-door push. One day outside equaled eighteen days within. He had to seize this precious time to adjust himself to his best condition and face anything that might happen during the sermon.
Within the Chaos Bead, he mainly did three things:
First, he devoted himself to consolidating his peak Heavenly Immortal cultivation and attempted to touch the threshold of True Immortal. With the Chaos Yi Wood Dao Rhyme emitted by the Remnant Seed of Jianmu and the tempering of the Kindling Fire's power, his immortal qi body became increasingly solid, while the Mysterious Yellow starlight contained within it grew brighter.
Second, he deepened his control over the Chaos Domain and Supreme Pure Divine Thunder. The Chaos Domain in particular had given him a deeper understanding of its traits of "Law Distortion" and "weakening divine abilities" through its clashes with the Nine Nether Demonic Qi and his indirect perception of Immortal-Slaying Sword Fiend Qi. He tried combining it with his escape art, making his movements within the domain even more elusive and unpredictable.
Third, he studied the Primal Chaos Token Yunxiao had given him. The token possessed no offensive or defensive power, but the Primal Chaos Dao Rhyme within greatly aided him in harmonizing the various powers in his body and calming his mind. It even accelerated his comprehension of the Chaos Heaven-Opening Art by several degrees. Holding the token, he seemed able to sense a trace of concern beneath Yunxiao's cold exterior, and warmth rose in his heart.
Time flew by amid arduous cultivation.
When Xuanwei felt that he had adjusted himself to peak condition, with only a final step separating him from True Immortal, the day of Biyou Palace's sermon finally arrived in the outside world!
On that day, bells and chimes rang across Golden Ao Island as immortal music filled the air! Countless auspicious auras surged into the sky from Biyou Palace, transforming into myriad phenomena: dragons and phoenixes bringing blessings, golden lotuses blooming from the earth, and more! Vast, boundless saintly might descended like spring rain, enveloping the entire island and filling every disciple with reverence and joy.
Xuanwei ended his seclusion and walked out of the Medicine Garden. In the sky, countless streaks of escape light gathered from all directions toward the enormous square before Biyou Palace like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea! The Interception Sect's myriad immortals, whether inner or outer disciples, regardless of origin or lineage, all came rushing over so long as they were on Golden Ao Island or in the nearby seas, eager to hear the Saint's Great Dao!
The square was already packed with people, immortal qi swirling everywhere. Powerful auras could be found all around; True Immortals and Mysterious Immortals were commonplace, and there was even no shortage of Golden Immortals! Daoist Duobao, Golden Spirit Mother, Mother Wudang, Turtle Spirit Mother, and other personal disciples, along with the Seven Attendant Immortals, Zhao Gongming, the San Xiao sisters, and other core disciples, had all taken their seats in the front. Their auras were deep and unfathomable, their Dao Rhymes naturally perfected.
Thanks to his current reputation and cultivation, Xuanwei found a floating meditation cushion in a relatively forward position. His gaze swept across the crowd, and he saw the cool and aloof Yunxiao nearby, as well as Bixiao, who smiled charmingly beside her, and the gentle, quiet Qiongxiao. Yunxiao seemed to sense his gaze. Her clear eyes shifted slightly, meeting his for only an instant before separating. She remained as cold as ever, but Xuanwei keenly caught the faintest trace of softness deep within her eyes.
He also saw Zhao Gongming. The future God of Wealth was currently chatting and laughing with several friends, his aura bold and forthright. He also saw Golden Light Immortal, Immortal Lingya, and others among the Seven Attendant Immortals...
However, he also sensed some less-than-friendly gazes. Aside from Lingxiao's undisguised jealous glare from the Chan Sect's area, some disciples within the Interception Sect looked at him with scrutiny, doubt, and even faint rejection. His cultivation had risen too quickly, and he had won the regard of core disciples such as the San Xiao sisters. It was inevitable that this would provoke envy.
Xuanwei understood, but he did not care. Before absolute strength and reason, such petty people were not worth worrying about.
Just then, a vast and all-embracing saintly might descended abruptly, carrying the supreme intent of seizing a thread of life for all beings!
The entire square instantly fell silent!
Sect Master Tongtian's figure did not manifest. Only a streak of azure Dao light, containing endless sword intent and vitality, hung high above the cloud couch, as though the Great Dao itself had appeared there.
"Today, I shall expound the Supreme Pure Great Dao."
Sect Master Tongtian's clear and powerful Dao voice rang out like a great bell, striking the hearts and minds of every listener.
Unlike the strict rules and predetermined heavenly fate Xuanwei had sensed when listening to teachings at Yuxu Palace, the Dao taught by Sect Master Tongtian was filled with the wisdom of "change" and "striving"! He explained the truths of heaven and earth, analyzed wondrous divine arts, and more importantly, taught how to seek life within desperate circumstances, how to seize The One That Escapes amid countless restraints!
This Dao voice was highly compatible with Xuanwei's own path! The immortal qi, Wu Earth, Yi Wood, chaos, and Kindling Fire power within him all began circulating on their own with the Dao voice, becoming more active and more intertwined! The Chaos Bead fragment in his sea of consciousness trembled slightly as well, absorbing this Supreme Pure Dao Rhyme while its restoration rate quietly increased!
He listened, utterly engrossed. Many difficult problems from his past cultivation suddenly became clear, and he gained new insights into the use of the Chaos Domain, Supreme Pure Divine Thunder, and even the power of the Kindling Fire. His aura continuously condensed and ascended within the Dao voice, while the barrier to True Immortal seemed to grow thinner and thinner...
However, just as he immersed himself in the Great Dao and reached the crucial moment before a breakthrough—
The azure Dao light suspended above the cloud couch suddenly erupted with sword qi that shot into the heavens! A supreme sword intent that transcended all things—one that could slay immortals, massacre immortals, trap immortals, and exterminate immortals—awakened violently like a sleeping primordial beast!
It was not directed at anyone. Rather, as Sect Master Tongtian spoke of "using killing to protect the Dao," he had naturally stirred a trace of the true intent of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation!
In an instant, the sky above the entire square seemed to transform into the phantoms of four colossal heaven-supporting swords. Their sword light crisscrossed, sealing off all directions and extinguishing every trace of life! Endless intent of slaughter, destruction, and finality spread through the air, making every listener—including the Golden Immortal disciples—tremble in soul, as though they would be crushed apart by this supreme sword intent in the next moment!
Xuanwei bore the brunt of it! His cultivation was relatively low, and he carried the Chaos Bead, a treasure of "creation" opposed to "finality." Stimulated by this Immortal-Slaying Sword intent, his immortal qi body shook violently. The Chaos Bead in his sea of consciousness burst forth with brilliant light, instinctively forming a layer of chaotic radiance around his core origin!
Yet under this extreme pressure and opposition, inspiration suddenly struck him, as though thunder had exploded in his mind!
"Finality... is also a beginning... destruction... gives birth to new life... chaos... embraces all things... including... slaughter!"
The spark of Mysterious Yellow Kindling Fire within him, stimulated by that destructive sword intent, did not extinguish. Instead, it burned even more fiercely! It was an undying conviction that endured amid destruction and carried onward through hopeless circumstances!
"Break!"
Xuanwei shouted soundlessly in his heart. Borrowing the ultimate pressure of the Immortal-Slaying Sword intent and the tenacious protection of his own Kindling Fire, the solid True Immortal bottleneck within him shattered with a resounding crash!
Vast power surged into every corner of his immortal qi body like a river bursting through a dam! His aura instantly soared, breaking through the limits of Heavenly Immortal and firmly entering an entirely new level—early-stage True Immortal!
Moreover, because he had broken through amid that strange confrontation between the Immortal-Slaying Sword intent and his own Kindling Fire, his True Immortal origin was not only more condensed, but also carried an exceedingly faint, unique resilience—as though he could preserve his original heart amid slaughter and kindle hope amid destruction!
At the instant of his breakthrough, the azure Dao light above the cloud couch seemed to ripple faintly, and an almost imperceptible thought swept over Xuanwei.
Sect Master Tongtian's vast and indifferent Dao voice seemed to carry a trace of something nearly inaudible... something meaningful?
"Slaughter... is not the purpose. Protecting the Dao... is the foundation. A sword may be sharp... but the heart that wields it... must be righteous."
As the Dao voice faded, the terrifying Immortal-Slaying Sword intent receded like a tide, and clarity returned to the sky above the square.
All the disciples let out long breaths. Quite a few looked at Xuanwei with envy and mixed emotions. Clearly, they had all seen that he had broken through under the sword intent's pressure.
Xuanwei stabilized his newly formed True Immortal cultivation, yet there was little joy in his heart. Instead, he was filled with solemnity.
Master Tongtian's final words... had they been a casual remark, or... did they carry another meaning?
He vaguely sensed that he had formed a subtle connection with the core of the Investiture of the Gods killing tribulation—the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation.
Whether that connection was a blessing or a curse remained unknown.
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