Merit Protection, Invulnerable to All Laws, Untouched by Karma

These words instantly plunged the atmosphere in the field to freezing point.

This was no longer about reasoning—it was a naked display of power through authority!

The implication was clear: what I, Guangchengzi, say is the rule! You, Duobao, do you accept it or not?

Duobao Daoist's face darkened, and the harmonious aura he had cultivated through seeking, appraising, and refining treasures instantly turned sharp and fierce.

He let out a cold snare, stepped forward, and stared straight at Guangchengzi's arrogant face.

"Senior Brother Guangchengzi? I can't bear that title. I only recognize my master, Tongtian—when did I ever have a senior brother?"

"The rules of Second Senior Uncle don't apply to us!"

"This treasure came to my junior sister Jin Ling first, so it's hers. If you want it, take it by skill—why spout all this empty nonsense!"

Duobao Daoist's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck home, ruthlessly tearing away Guangchengzi's flimsy excuse of "destiny."

You!

Guangchengzi flew into a rage, his mana surging as the shadow of an ancient seal flickered above his head—his famed magic treasure, the Kunlun Seal.

"How dare you! Duobao, you show disrespect to This Seat!"

"Disrespect? Compared to your bandit-like behavior, I've been more than polite!" Duobao Daoist stood his ground, and the disciples behind him rallied together, summoning their magic treasures in unison as beams of treasure light shot into the sky.

Seeing this, Cihang Daoist, True Person Puxian, and the others immediately moved to stand behind Guangchengzi. Two streams of treasure light clashed fiercely in the valley, the air seeming to freeze as a great battle hung by a thread.

Niu Ben, hiding behind a massive boulder, watched with his heart pounding.

Holy crap, this was way more exciting than any movie from later ages!

If a real fight broke out and the commotion stirred Primordial Heavenly Lord and Tongtian Cult Master, that would be the biggest joke of all.

Just as he was settling in to enjoy the show, a cold mechanical voice abruptly rang in his mind.

[Ding! God-Tier Choice System triggered!]

[Detected that the host is at the scene of the first large-scale conflict between the Chan and Jie sects. Please make the following choice.]

[Option One: Mediate this dispute on the grounds that the Three Pure Ones share the same roots, displaying the magnanimity of Taishang's lineage. Reward: 100,000 Power of Merit!]

[Option Two: Continue to stand by and let the conflict between the disciples of the Three Pure Ones escalate, planting the seeds of the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods ahead of time. Reward: 100,000 years of cultivation!]

Niu Ben's breath caught in his throat.

100,000 years of cultivation!

For any seeker of the Dao, that was an irresistible temptation, enough to save countless ages of bitter training.

But the other option offered 100,000 Power of Merit!

Niu Ben's thoughts raced.

Cultivation could be slowly built up over time.

But merit—in the Primordial Wilderness—was the true hard currency!

With merit protecting the body, one became invulnerable to all laws and untouched by karma.

Especially now, with the future Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods about to unfold, the Power of Merit was far more valuable than any magic treasure or cultivation level—it was a life-saving talisman!

"Option one! I have to pick option one!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Niu Ben made his decision in his heart.

He took a deep breath and stopped suppressing his aura.

He stepped out into the open.

He could see clearly: although every disciple under Primordial Heavenly Lord had an extraordinary Origin and pure aura, they were far outnumbered by Tongtian's followers.

As for Tongtian's side, while the disciples' Origins were mixed in quality, they had the advantage in numbers and carried a fierce, fearless spirit.

This conflict had been brewing for a long time.

Primordial Heavenly Lord chose his disciples based on Origin, fortune, and enlightenment—only accepting top-tier Innate Beings, following an elite path.

Tongtian, on the other hand, taught without discrimination, allowing all beings to seek the Dao. His disciples came from all walks of life, with every kind of Origin imaginable.

These two completely different doctrines meant that their disciples naturally looked down on each other.

Primordial Heavenly Lord's disciples thought highly of themselves, believing Tongtian's followers were nothing but wet-born, egg-hatched, fur-clad, horned creatures that dragged down the prestige of Kunlun Immortal Mountain.

Tongtian's disciples, in turn, saw Primordial Heavenly Lord's followers as hypocritical and arrogant, looking down on others just because of their good Origins.

Both sides had been holding in this resentment for a long time.

Today's Houtian Spiritual Treasure was merely the spark.

Just as the tension in the valley reached its peak, deep within Kunlun Mountain, in three Dao Fields, three supreme beings turned their gazes to this very spot.

In the Jade Purity Palace, Primordial Heavenly Lord sat upright on his Cloud Bed, watching the light screen showing his disciples at each other's throats. His expression was calm, but deep within his still, well-like eyes, a trace of barely perceptible displeasure flickered.

He tacitly approved of his disciple's actions.

In his view, Tongtian's disciples were beneath notice—such a heavenly treasure should naturally be held by those with deep fortune under his own tutelage.

In the Upper Purity Palace, Tongtian lounged sideways on his throne, watching his Senior Disciple Duobao refuse to yield an inch, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"This is my disciple, Tongtian!"

Under the Heavenly Dao, all beings have the right to fight for a sliver of life. To struggle—that is the Great Dao!

If Duobao had backed down today from a mere scare, he would have been disappointed instead. As for a fight? Strike first, talk later! As his master, was he afraid of anyone?

In the Taiqing Realm, the Taishang Daoist still sat with eyes closed, as if nothing in the outside world concerned him.

Non-action. Clarity and stillness.

The conflict between disciples was, in his eyes, but a tiny ripple in the evolution of the Great Dao, unworthy of stirring his heart.

What drew his attention more was that ox, his mount, hiding behind a rock and watching with relish, as if enjoying a show.

What was this ox up to now?

In the valley, Guangchengzi had reached his limit.

"Fine! Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, today I'll show you what the Heavenly Decree means, and what rank and status demand!"

The phantom of the Kunlun Seal above his head instantly solidified, unleashing a terrifying might that could suppress mountains and rivers!

Duobao Daoist sneered in return, the phantoms of countless Magic Treasures swirling around him, his aura no weaker!

A massive clash seemed imminent.

"Fellow senior brothers, hold your hands."

A clear voice, yet carrying boundless authority, fell like a morning bell or evening drum from the Nine Heavens Above, ringing through the entire valley.

The voice was not loud, but it bore an undeniable rhythm of the Dao, instantly suppressing the tense, drawn-out atmosphere on both sides.

Who?!

Guangchengzi and Duobao's hearts jolted at the same time, both looking up to the sky.

Both sides turned their gazes to the void.

The next moment.

An Azure Ox appeared.

They naturally recognized it as their Great Martial Uncle's mount.