Kunlun Mountain Trembles, Sage's Decree

Above the firmament, two supreme wills continued to clash wildly.

On one side was the Jade Pure Immortal Light, manifesting the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Clouds, majestic and boundless.

On the other was the Immortal Slaying Sword Intent, tearing apart the void of the universe, domineering and peerless.

The entire Primordial World, under the fury of these two Heavenly Dao Sages, was like a lone boat in a storm, liable to capsize at any moment.

The divine senses of countless powerful beings lingered at the edge of the East Sea, yet they dared not cross the boundary, fearing they would be ground into dust by even a sliver of the escaping Dao charm.

Everyone understood that if these two Sages were to truly fight, sinking half the Primordial Continent would be no mere jest.

However, amidst this standoff that could shatter the minds of Quasi-Sages, a subtle, almost imperceptible fluctuation appeared in Yuanshi Tianzun's cold and merciless will.

He discovered that Tongtian's attitude was more resolute than ever before.

The soaring sword intent showed no sign of yielding; instead, it grew more condensed, as if it would transform into the true Immortal Slaying Sword Formation in the next moment, enveloping this entire realm.

Are we really going to fight?

Yuanshi Tianzun's will rapidly weighed the options in the void.

For a dead disciple and an incompetent deputy sect leader, am I to fight to the death with my own brother, Tongtian, another Heavenly Dao Sage?

Even if I win against Tongtian in the end, it will be a pyrrhic victory.

At that point, how will the Heavenly Origin Sect maintain its dignity? Where will my, Yuanshi Tianzun's, authority lie?

The two Sages fighting like street thugs would only make the two from the West and the one from Nuwa's palace laugh their heads off.

More importantly, that young man in green below has been watching the entire spectacle with a detached air, as if the standoff between Sages is merely a boring play.

This made the nameless fire in Yuanshi Tianzun's heart burn even hotter, but it also made him more wary.

Continuing this entanglement carries too many variables; the gains would not outweigh the losses.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort, filled with endless rage and unwillingness, echoed from the highest heavens. It was like billions of thunderbolts exploding simultaneously, shaking countless beings until their Primordial Spirits felt like they would split.

Immediately after, the Jade Pure Immortal Light that had enveloped the East Sea slowly retracted towards Kunlun Mountain, like a receding tide.

The terrifying pressure that could freeze time and space also dissipated.

But just as the Heavenly Origin Sect's immortals thought the matter was over, their hearts surging with endless humiliation and unwillingness, an icy, majestic decree, brooking no defiance from any living being, spread from Kunlun Mountain throughout the four seas of the Primordial World.

"Disciples of the Heavenly Origin Sect shall not set foot in the East Sea for ten thousand years!"

This voice was like the pronouncements of the Heavenly Dao; every syllable contained the Supreme Power of Words Manifesting as Law, transforming into golden Law runes that were branded at the boundary between the East Sea and the Primordial Continent.

Daoist Burning Lamp's expression froze instantly.

True Lord Yu Ding, Taiyi Zhenren, and all the remaining Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect were stunned.

Their minds went blank, and they almost thought they had misheard.

What?

Master... isn't pursuing this further?

Not only is he not pursuing the murderer of Senior Brother Chi Jingzi, but he's also ordering us, the Heavenly Origin Sect, not to come to the East Sea for ten thousand years?

Is... is this a punishment for us?

A sense of absurdity and humiliation, far greater than the grief of their fallen senior brother, erupted in their chests like a volcano.

Why!

We are the victims!

Daoist Burning Lamp's old face turned a deep purple, his chest heaving violently. He nearly spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot.

He understood, of course, that this decree was not a punishment for them.

This was his Master finding a way to save face!

Unable to win, or rather, unwilling to fight, yet unable to retreat directly without losing face, he could only use this method to declare that the matter was temporarily settled.

On the surface, it seemed to be restraining his disciples, but in reality, it was a declaration to Tongtian, and to the entire Primordial World, that he, Yuanshi Tianzun, had conceded today!

A profound humiliation!

This was an unprecedented, profound humiliation since the founding of the Heavenly Origin Sect!

"Pfft!"

Finally, one Golden Immortal's Dao Heart shattered. Unable to suppress the churning Blood Essence within him any longer, he spat out a large mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning ashen.

His Dao Heart, under these successive blows, had developed cracks.

"Let's go!"

Daoist Burning Lamp almost gritted out the word through clenched teeth.

His eyes were filled with venom as he glared fiercely at Lin Feng, his gaze brimming with immense hatred, boundless frustration, and a sliver of fear, deep within his bones, that he himself was unwilling to admit.

If they didn't leave now, he feared his Dao Heart would collapse, and he would go mad on the spot.

Before his words even finished, Daoist Burning Lamp was the first to transform into a fleeting stream of light, fleeing madly towards Kunlun Mountain without looking back. His speed was more than ten times faster than when he arrived.

The other Golden Immortals, like stray dogs, followed closely behind. Their faces were filled with grief, indignation, malice, unwillingness... all sorts of extremely complex emotions. They tucked their tails and shamefully escaped.

The scene was as pathetic as it could get, completely lacking the majesty and dignity of disciples of a Sage.

Watching the Heavenly Origin Sect's immortals flee in disarray, a brief silence fell over the East Sea.

Immediately after, the Primordial World's great powers who had been watching from afar had their divine senses explode.

"What did I just see? Yuanshi Tianzun... retreated?"

"Not only did he retreat, but he also issued a decree: he will not enter the East Sea for ten thousand years! This is equivalent to designating the entire East Sea as that person in the green shirt's territory!"

"Hiss! With the power of one person, he forced back a Sage and suppressed the Heavenly Origin Sect for ten thousand years! What kind of feat is this?!"

"Too fierce! This is practically rubbing Yuanshi Tianzun's face into the ground repeatedly!"

"After today, the heavens of the Primordial World will probably change..."

Just as the entire Primordial World was shaken by Yuanshi Tianzun's retreat, the domineering sword intent that had enveloped the East Sea sky slowly receded.

Sect Master Tongtian's sharp, Saintly will returned to its peaceful state.

Immediately after, a friendly divine sense, carrying three parts admiration and seven parts curiosity, crossed the endless void and accurately landed on Lin Feng.

"Fellow Daoist, you have excellent methods! May I ask which esteemed expert you are?"

"If you have the time, you are welcome to visit my Biyou Palace on Golden Ao Island for a chat."

This divine sense carried no arrogance at all; instead, it conveyed a sense of equality and camaraderie.

Sect Master Tongtian had developed a fondness for talent.

Even more so, he had developed a desire to recruit him!

Someone who could, with his own strength, turn the Heavenly Origin Sect upside down and force Yuanshi Tianzun to back down – if he could be brought into the Intercepting Sect, how could the Intercepting Sect not flourish?

Lin Feng felt the goodwill in the divine sense and simply smiled faintly, not responding.

Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao behind him were completely stunned.

Their beautiful eyes widened, their small mouths agape. Looking at Lin Feng's back, their hearts churned with immense waves.

Their Master, the proud and world-defying Sect Master of the Intercepting Sect, had actually... personally extended an invitation to Young Master?

And addressed him as "Fellow Daoist"!

What an honor! What great regard!

At this moment, they finally understood what a wise and brilliant decision it was to choose to follow Young Master back then.

This was not just latching onto a powerful figure.

This was clearly latching onto a pillar supporting the heavens, one that even the Sages of the Heavenly Dao wanted to latch onto!