Zhou Ming's promise: I want the Heaven-Opening Mark

However, just as the Tongtian Sect Master was about to step out of the Pangu Hall, Zhou Ming's voice came again from behind him.

"Fellow Daoist Tongtian."

The Tongtian Sect Master paused, turned around, and looked at him with some confusion.

"Is there anything else, fellow Daoist?"

Zhou Ming looked at him and said slowly.

"Back then at the Treasure-Dividing Rock, you and I exchanged Spirit Treasure. At that time, I said I owed you a favor."

I will always remember this favor.

"If you, fellow Daoist, truly find yourself in a hopeless and irreversible situation, you may come to Buzhou Mountain to seek me out."

Upon hearing this, the Tongtian Sect Master was slightly taken aback.

He never expected that Zhou Ming would still remember this matter after so many years.

Zhou Ming continued speaking.

"This Tribulation is Killing Tribulation for your Mystic Gate, so it is inconvenient for me to directly intervene."

"Otherwise, neither Hongjun nor the Heavenly Dao would stand idly by."

"Therefore, it's impossible for me to directly intervene and help your Interception Sect safely weather this Tribulation."

The Tongtian Sect Master nodded, indicating his understanding.

But then Zhou Ming changed the subject.

"But..."

"We should try to find a way to block one of the Saint for you, fellow Daoist. It's still within our capabilities."

Upon hearing this, Tongtian abruptly raised his head, looking at Zhou Ming in disbelief.

Block a Saint!

what does that mean?

This means that at the most critical moment, he will no longer be alone, facing the siege of four Saint!

This means that his Immortal Execution Sword Formation, which is said to be unbreakable by any but the Four Saints, may be preserved!

This means that his Interception Sect might... still have a glimmer of hope!

The Tongtian Sect Master opened his mouth, a thousand words welling up in his heart, but in the end, they all turned into a single word.

He bowed deeply to Zhou Ming.

"Okay! I understand!"

"Thank you, fellow Daoist!"

This time, his voice was filled with boundless gratitude.

After saying that, he didn't say anything more. He turned around and transformed into a sword light, soaring into the sky and disappearing into the horizon in an instant.

The figure of the Tongtian Sect Master completely disappeared into the sky, and the soaring sword intent also dissipated.

Pangu Hall, the usual tranquility had returned.

Houtu withdrew her gentle gaze from outside the hall and landed on Zhou Ming, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

"Elder Brother."

"You've gone to such lengths to guide Fellow Daoist Tongtian; surely it's not just to repay that favor from back then?"

Zhou Ming turned around and met Houtu's probing gaze, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Indeed, Sister Houtu understands me best."

"Elder Brother, what exactly do you want to gain from Fellow Daoist Tongtian?"

A thought flashed through Houtu's mind, and she spoke somewhat uncertainly.

"Could it be... the Heaven-Opening Mark?"

Zhou Ming nodded with a smile.

"Good."

"What I want is that Tongtian Seal, the Heaven-Opening Mark from the Father God."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Houtu's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"The Heaven-Opening Mark is the fundamental inheritance of the Three Pure Ones as the Pangu Orthodox. It contains the Great Dao insights of the Father God in Heaven-Cleaving Earth-Splitting, and it is extremely precious."

"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, how could you possibly bear to hand it over to your Elder Brother?"

Even if my Elder Brother were willing to pay a huge price, I'm afraid... he wouldn't agree to the exchange.

In Houtu's view, this was almost impossible to succeed.

This is no longer a matter of the magnitude of the cost; it's that Tongtian simply cannot possibly use the Heaven-Opening Mark to make a deal.

Zhou Ming, however, remained calm and composed, as if he had already made up his mind about the matter.

"Don't worry, Sister Houtu, I've already planned for this."

"Tongtian in his current state would naturally not agree to this."

"But when the Tribulation truly begins, Interception Sect is deeply embroiled in it, its Dao Lineage Interception Sect, he will be willing."

Zhou Ming's tone was calm, yet it exuded a confident insight into people's hearts.

"When that time comes, he will be more than willing to hand over the Heaven-Opening Mark to me in exchange for that sliver of hope."

"After all..."

Zhou Ming paused, then said meaningfully.

"The taste of that Saint-Smiting Pill is not pleasant."

Will the Interception Sect really face another tribulation?

Houtu asked, somewhat puzzled.

"My Elder Brother has already told him the truth about the possible alliance of the Four Saints. Faced with such a hopeless situation, will the Interception Sect really still enter the calamity?"

"Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune is an instinct of all living beings."

"Knowing it's a dead end, why would they go flying like moths to a flame?"

"If his disciples are all willing to be Investiture of the Gods of the Gods, wouldn't his Elder Brother's plan fall through?"

From Houtu's perspective, since she already knew that defeat was inevitable.

Choosing to compromise and back down, and preserving strength, is the wisest option.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ming gently shook his head.

"Sister Houtu, you underestimate Tongtian too much, and you also underestimate his disciples."

"Every single Jie Sect Disciple is, at heart, just like Tongtian —unruly and rebellious."

"The teachings of the Interception Sect aim to seize a glimmer of hope for all living beings, seeking a Great Dao unfettered freedom."

"Of those who can become his disciples, how many are truly afraid of death and resigned to their fate?"

"In their hearts, apart from absolute reverence for their master Tongtian, they held little respect for the other Saint."

"Should we make them bow down to Primordial Lord Tianzun, submit to the Two Saints of the West, and voluntarily be included on the list?"

"This is worse than killing them."

"When that time really comes, they would rather fight a fierce battle, even if it means their own death!"

Even if a very few were willing to be listed to save their lives, they would have no choice but to be swept along by the tide of events.

Houtu fell silent. She recalled the behavior of the disciples of the Interception Sect, most of whom were indeed unruly and quick to seek revenge.

It is indeed difficult to get them to surrender without a fight.

"Not to mention..."

A subtle, enigmatic smile curved at the corners of Zhou Ming's lips.

"I still gave Tongtian a glimmer of hope."

"A promise that can shield him from a Saint once."

"This made him think that the Immortal Execution Sword Formation might not be broken, and the Interception Sect might not lose."

"With this hope in mind, do you think he'd still compromise?"

"How could the entire Interception Sect possibly accept defeat willingly?"

Houtu understood instantly.

My Elder Brother's move truly demonstrated an extreme mastery of human nature.

First, he pointed out the desperate situation, making Tongtian feel despair.

Then, offer a glimmer of hope, allowing him to grasp at this lifeline in his despair.

They've schemed to such an extent to manipulate people's hearts.

The Elder Brother is the most terrifying strategist in this Primordial Wilderness.

"My Elder Brother's wisdom and foresight are Houtu admirable."

Houtu exclaimed sincerely.

Then, she remembered the unfamiliar term that Zhou Ming had mentioned earlier.

"Elder Brother, what exactly is this ' Saint-Smiting Pill '?"