Seizing a Thread of Life!

Zhunti abruptly rose to his feet, pointed at Tongtian, and shouted, "Tongtian, as the Dao Ancestor's direct disciple, how dare you deceive him with false words!"

"Fellow Daoists, watch as I teach this madman a lesson!"

The Saints were stunned and looked at one another.

When had Tongtian ever deceived the Dao Ancestor?

His reason for refusing to cultivate virtue and willingly relinquishing his position had been perfectly justified!

Hongjun had not refuted him either, merely asking Tongtian to state the true reason.

Who would have thought Zhunti would immediately pin such a grave accusation on him, pressing him so aggressively!

Nuwa secretly shook her head. The Western Saint truly had no grace in his conduct.

Taishang and Yuanshi exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

They saw straight through Zhunti's intentions.

He wanted to seize the chance while Tongtian had lost his Saint position to humiliate him viciously and crush the prestige of the Three Pure Ones!

Though they did not wish to see Tongtian humiliated by the West, on second thought, letting him suffer a little was not necessarily a bad thing.

All the Saints knew that Pangu's Three Pure Ones were favored children of the Heavenly Dao, destined to become Saints.

Even if Tongtian abolished his own Saint position, once the opportunity arrived, he would still inevitably regain it!

Thus, Taishang and Yuanshi remained silent, watching Zhunti make trouble.

Seeing that two of the Three Pure Ones had remained silent, Nuwa naturally said nothing either.

Hongjun wore no expression, as though he had not seen the scene before him.

Zhunti was exceedingly shrewd. Seeing Hongjun remain silent, he knew this was tacit approval!

Overjoyed, he seized this rare opportunity and summoned the Dao-Protecting Divine Weapon, the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree!

Taishang, Yuanshi, and Nuwa glanced sideways, while Jieyin acted as though he saw nothing.

Zhunti's shamelessness was truly astonishing!

As a Saint wielding the Authority of the Heavenly Dao against someone who was not a Saint, he had even brought out a Dao-Protecting Divine Weapon. It was utterly shameless!

Precious light appeared on Zhunti's face as he adopted a solemn and dignified expression. He declared, "Tongtian, the Saints have reached a common decision. You must be punished! If you are willing to beg for mercy, you may yet suffer less!"

Tongtian gave him a sidelong glance and calmly spat out two words. "You can't."

Zhunti froze, scarcely believing his ears. "What did you say?"

The Saints were stunned as well.

Tongtian's words had been perfectly clear!

He was merely a Hunyuan, yet he dared look down on a Saint so openly?

He had even mocked him publicly, without the slightest attempt to conceal it!

What gave him such audacity?!

Hongjun suddenly opened his eyes and stared at Tongtian, a flash of surprise passing through his gaze.

How had Tongtian reached the Ninth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm?!

He was certain Tongtian had encountered some great opportunity!

Otherwise, why would he abolish his own Saint position and disband the Interception Sect?

Moreover, Tongtian's cultivation had only recently been at the Sixth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm, comparable to Taishang and Yuanshi.

Yet in such a short time, he had improved so drastically!

What exactly had happened?

Hongjun was unbearably curious and dearly wished to uncover the secret behind it!

He was eager to improve his cultivation, yet had no way forward.

How could he not be tempted upon seeing Tongtian undergo such a transformation?

But would Tongtian reveal the truth? That would be difficult.

Tongtian glanced at Zhunti again. "You are not qualified!"

The Saints erupted in uproar!

Zhunti's face flushed crimson as rage overwhelmed him. "We Saints uphold the will of the Heavenly Dao, regulate Yin-Yang, enlighten the Primordial Era, and govern the heavens!"

"How can we permit a mere Hunyuan to question us!"

"Saints are supreme. Beneath Saints, all are ants!"

"Tongtian, accept your punishment!"

The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree in Zhunti's hand burst forth with seven-colored radiance, while immortal music drifted through Zixiao Palace.

His face twisted fiercely as he swept it forward!

The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree was the supreme treasure of the Western Teachings. It could sweep away all things, seal heaven and lock earth, as if nothing could escape its control.

Taishang, Yuanshi, and Nuwa all nodded. The Western treasure truly could not be underestimated.

Even Saints had to respond cautiously when facing it, lest they make fools of themselves.

Taishang and Yuanshi secretly laughed. Even they would have to go all out against Zhunti's strike.

Much less Tongtian, who was now merely a Hunyuan!

Letting him suffer a little would help him understand the preciousness of a Saint position!

The Saints fixed their burning gazes on Tongtian.

Tongtian merely glanced at Zhunti again and said leisurely, "The treasure is indeed a fine treasure."

"As for the person?" He shook his head. "You are unworthy of it!"

Zhunti was enraged beyond measure. "Tongtian, die!"

Tongtian raised a hand. The Qingping Sword at his waist was already in his grasp, and he casually swung it.

Lightning suddenly flashed within Zixiao Palace!

In an instant, the lightning collided with the seven-colored precious light.

Boom!

Thunderous roars shook the palace, deafening everyone present.

"What?!" the Saints cried out in unison.

Zhunti had come with great momentum, but he retreated even faster!

He had actually been defeated in a single move by Tongtian!

Tongtian casually put away the Qingping Sword and sneered. "Your cultivation is so far beneath mine. Where did you get the nerve to teach me a lesson?"

Zhunti's face turned livid. Putting away the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, he solemnly said, "This poor Daoist merely sought justice for the Dao Ancestor."

Tongtian smiled without smiling. "None among the Saints are fools, and neither are Hunyuans!"

"Do you know why I disbanded the Interception Sect?"

Zhunti's heart skipped a beat as a sense of foreboding suddenly arose.

Tongtian sighed. "Without carefully examining Karma, you dared accept all the disciples I expelled. Though the Heavenly Dao exerted pressure, there was no need for you to be so hasty, was there?"

Zhunti was abruptly stunned. "What guidance do you have, Dao Brother?"

He had thought Tongtian had gone mad, which was why he had abolished his Saint position and disbanded the Interception Sect.

But now, Tongtian appeared perfectly clear-headed!

He had clearly seen secrets the Saints had failed to notice!

Tongtian mocked, "I already made it perfectly clear!"

"This poor Daoist did not cultivate virtue, opened his gates wide, and accepted countless disciples burdened with sin."

"Of the vast Interception Sect, half its disciples carried monstrous karmic debts of slaughter!"

"Such a sect was destined for destruction! Rather than let it be destroyed by your hands, I would rather disband it myself!"

Tongtian rose, bowed to the Saints, and drifted away.

Behind him, the Saints stood dumbfounded.

What Saint was a fool?

Anyone who regarded Saints as fools was the greatest fool of all!

Taishang and Yuanshi exchanged looks, their doubts multiplying. Could there truly be another hidden truth?

Only a sharp gleam flashed through Hongjun's eyes before vanishing at once.

Tongtian had actually seen through Karma from subtle details, sensed the danger, and cut off his arm to save himself by abolishing his Saint position and disbanding the Interception Sect!

It seemed as though he had destroyed his own foundation, but in truth, he had preserved its essence and kept the lineage intact!

The Western Teachings, on the other hand, were in serious trouble!

This was unfavorable to Hongjun's plans!

He stared deeply at Tongtian's departing figure. "Tongtian falling to Hunyuan and the destruction of the Interception Sect may be the general trend of the Primordial Era... but the timing is wrong!"

There were still several thousand years until the Investiture of the Gods Calamity he had planned.

"A variable has emerged!" Hongjun furrowed his brows. "How should the Investiture of the Gods Calamity be arranged now? What a nuisance!"

Tongtian stepped out of Zixiao Palace, his palms damp with sweat.

He had clearly sensed that Hongjun had truly intended to act just now, though for some reason, he had forcibly restrained himself.

He did not return to Jin'ao Island in the East Sea. A chill kept rising in his heart, as though someone were plotting against him in secret.

He headed straight for Penglai Immortal Island to seek an audience with Senior Lin Dong.

"Senior, will the drastic changes in the Interception Sect shake the general trend of the Heavenly Dao?"

Lin Dong gently shook his head. "No!"

Tongtian's eyes widened. "How could that be?"

Should the general trend of the Heavenly Dao not have been the four Saints conspiring against the Interception Sect?

Now that he had abolished his Saint position and the Interception Sect had been disbanded, how could the general trend remain unchanged?

Senior Lin Dong could not possibly be wrong!

Then where was the problem?

Lin Dong smiled and asked, "Young friend Lingbao, you are an outstanding disciple of the Mystic Gate. Do you know who decides the general trend of the Heavenly Dao?"

Tongtian froze and fell into deep thought.

Was the general trend of the Heavenly Dao not determined by the Heavenly Dao?

Could someone else be controlling it from behind the scenes?

Lin Dong said calmly, "I attained the Dao at the beginning of creation and lived through the Desolate Beasts Opening Heaven, the Dragon-Han Calamity, the Dao-Devil War, and the Witch-Demon Calamity."

"Though limited by my cultivation and not daring to sweep the Primordial Era with my divine sense, through the art of gleaning clues, I still know most of its developments."

Tongtian forcibly maintained his composure and did not reveal his astonishment.

Fortunately, Senior Lin Dong had secluded himself on Penglai Immortal Island and never entered the world.

With cultivation so close to the Dao, who could rival him?

The Saints? They were inferior even to Tongtian now!

Hongjun? He might not be able to defeat him either!

Who else was there? The Heavenly Dao?

Tongtian secretly shook his head.

If Senior Lin Dong governed the Primordial Era, the world's structure would surely be vastly different from what it was now!

"The Desolate Beasts Opening Heaven Calamity arose because the Desolate Beasts lacked intelligence, destroyed recklessly, and enraged the Three Dragon-Han Clans."

"The Dragon-Han Calamity arose because Luohu, in order to prove his Dao, incited the three clans to fight."

"The Dao-Devil War was even more straightforward. Luohu wanted to slaughter all cultivators, and the cultivators resisted, triggering a great battle."

Lin Dong smiled and asked Tongtian, "Have you seen the key point?"

Tongtian frowned. "The Karma is clear!"

Lin Dong nodded with a satisfied smile. "Correct!"

The Karma of the first three calamities had been simple, without the slightest complication.

The Primordial Era did not concern itself with reasons, only Karma.

In the first three immeasurable calamities, the protagonists of heaven and earth acted recklessly, incurred heaven's wrath and people's resentment, and drew the siege of countless cultivators.

They could be called dynastic changes!

The victors inherited the position of protagonists of heaven and earth. This was the greatest Karma.

Lin Dong chuckled. "Young friend, can you explain the Karma of the Witch-Demon Calamity?"

Tongtian blurted out, "The Demon Clan governed the heavens, the Witch Clan governed the earth, and the two clans fought until both perished!"

He asked doubtfully, "Senior, what is wrong with that?"

Lin Dong spoke meaningfully. "Young friend, you personally lived through the Witch-Demon Calamity. Even if you did not witness it firsthand, your teachers should have mentioned it."

"Think carefully. Was it truly like that?"

Tongtian frowned slightly.

He was a Saint who had personally lived through the Witch-Demon Calamity.

At that time, the Witch and Demon Clans had been incomparably brilliant. Even the Three Pure Ones, who had not yet become Saints, had once been awed by their splendor.

There had originally been no Demon Clan in the world. Di Jun and Taiyi emerged suddenly and proposed the term "demon."

With the support of innate deities such as Fuxi, Kunpeng, Bai Ze, Bi Fang, and Ying Zhao, their momentum had been immense!

At the height of its power, the Demon Clan had dozens of Quasi-Saints and nearly a thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals!

They campaigned east and west, subduing loose immortals throughout the Primordial Era, yet the Witch Clan alone refused to submit.

The Witch Clan worshipped only Pangu, did not respect Hongjun, and revered proving the Dao through strength.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches each possessed Supernatural Powers. Combined with the Great Dao of Strength, even ordinary Quasi-Saints were no match for them.

They were known as Pangu's Twelve Ancestral Witches.

More extraordinarily, the Twelve Ancestral Witches could form the Twelve Capital Gods and Demons Great Array and summon the Pangu True Body!

Had Hongjun not exposed it with a single finger, they likely would have already...

Tongtian suddenly raised his head. "Dao Ancestor Hongjun?!"

Lin Dong smiled. "Have you understood?"

Tongtian's face paled slightly, and he slowly nodded.

By the pattern of the first three great calamities, the Demon Clan should have been wiped out long ago!

In the Primordial Era, the strong ultimately ruled.

Yet the result had been mutual destruction, which was utterly unreasonable!

Who among those who cultivated to the Quasi-Saint realm was a fool?

Even if one Ancestral Witch made a mistake, would all Twelve Ancestral Witches make the same mistake?

They had a chance to win, yet let the Demon Court grow stronger?

Impossible!

But just as the Witch Clan was about to prevail, Hongjun suddenly appeared!

With a single finger, the Dao Ancestor shattered the Twelve Capital Gods and Demons Great Array, decreeing that demons governed the heavens and witches governed the earth. The two races ruled separately before their final battle, where both ultimately perished.

Behind it all was Hongjun's scheme!

Using heaven and earth as a chessboard, creation as the board's pathways, and all living beings as chess pieces, he sat quietly within Zixiao Palace and controlled the rise and fall of eras!

The Dao Ancestor rarely acted, but whenever he did, his opponents had no power to resist!

Their fates had long since been decided!

Lin Dong smiled. "Little Friend Lingbao, have you noticed that the Witch-Demon Calamity was rather unusual?"

Tongtian shook his head. He had never given it much thought.

Who would idly analyze the great calamities of the past?

Lin Dong said calmly, "This was the final great calamity of the innate divine beings."

Tongtian froze.

Upon further thought, the Desolate Beasts, the Three Dragon-Han Clans, the four Daoist ancestors, and Demon Ancestor Luohu had all been innate divine beings!

The main forces in the Witch-Demon Calamity had likewise been innate divine beings!

"Every great calamity afterward would be a calamity of acquired beings."

"The Witch-Demon Calamity was the dividing line."

Tongtian nodded in agreement.

"It was also the first great calamity after the birth of the Sages."

"From then on, Sages would inevitably participate in the Immeasurable Calamity."

"Hongjun set a terrible precedent by personally entering the fray!"

"In later calamities, it would be nearly impossible for Sages not to act."

"Hongjun gave them an extremely bad excuse!"

Tongtian cried out, "Senior, are you saying that after the Witch-Demon Calamity would come the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, and if the Interception Sect had not disbanded, the four Sages would personally enter the fray?"

Lin Dong asked with a smile, "What else?"

Tongtian understood at once.

Remember the past, and it would teach the future!

Yet he was still confused. "Senior, why do you say that even if the Interception Sect disbanded, the greater trend of the Heavenly Dao would remain unchanged?"

Lin Dong sighed. "Little Friend Lingbao, you need to use your brain!"

"Didn't I make it clear just now?"

Tongtian looked bewildered.

Had they not been discussing the pattern of the four great calamities?

When had he mentioned the reason?

He truly did not understand!

Lin Dong shook his head. "Cultivators of the Shangqing lineage are straightforward by nature. Your wisdom is not lacking, but you refuse to use it."

Tongtian blushed, deeply ashamed.

The Shangqing lineage believed in "understanding the principles of heaven and earth, seizing a thread of life."

When faced with calamities, they were accustomed to meeting challenges head-on and seeking a chance at life amidst nine deaths and one survival.

That was the Shangqing style!

Over time, scheming over people's hearts had become foreign to the Shangqing lineage.

The root of it lay with Tongtian himself, and he knew he was at fault!

Lin Dong said, "Have you ever considered why Hongjun plotted against the Witch and Demon Clans?"

"Why he slaughtered innate divine beings on such a massive scale?"

Tongtian was startled. "The Dao Ancestor slaughtered innate divine beings?"

What did that mean?

Lin Dong said seriously, "In the Desolate Beast Calamity, the Desolate Beasts fell, and the Three Dragon-Han Clans rose."

"In the Dragon-Han Calamity, the three clans fell, and the witches and demons rose."

"In the Witch-Demon Calamity, the witches and demons fell, and the Human Race rose!"

"Other than the Human Race, every protagonist of heaven and earth had been an innate divine being!"

Tongtian could not help nodding.

Lin Dong reminded him, "Do not forget that while the East underwent its great calamity, the West was also experiencing one!"

"The Dao-Demon conflict!" Tongtian replied with a frown.

The Dragon-Han Calamity and the Dao-Demon conflict had occurred in the same era.

Luohu had incited the three clans, causing the Dragon-Han Calamity; the four Daoist ancestors attacked the Western Demon Sect, triggering the Dao-Demon conflict.

Tongtian suddenly said, "The karma of the Dao-Demon conflict has not been settled!"

Lin Dong smiled. "Correct, it was never resolved."

"Though the Dao-Demon conflict had a victor and a loser, Luohu died, and Hongjun refined his corpse into the Immortal Slaying Sword Array Diagram."

"The four Daoist ancestors gained nothing either. Yin-Yang and Qian-Kun self-destructed, Yang Mei was severely wounded and fled into the chaos, while only Hongjun benefited immensely and attained the Dao to become a Sage."

"But who noticed what had become of the Western World?"

Mockery rose at the corner of Lin Dong's lips. "Apart from the palm-sized land of Mount Sumeru, it was all Demon Kingdom!"

"It remains so to this day!"

"The Primordial Era cares not for reasons, only karma!"

"Could Sages escape karma? Wishful thinking!"

Tongtian drew a sharp breath and understood in an instant.

In the Dao-Demon conflict, Hongjun owed the West immense karma!

He had joined forces with four great powers and nearly destroyed the Western World.

Could a Sage avoid repaying karma? Absolutely impossible!

When Jieyin and Zhunti sought to attain the Dao, they lacked sufficient Merit. They followed Luohu's example and made the Forty-Eight Great Vows, borrowing Merit from the Heavenly Dao before they could become Sages.

Now, they desperately schemed for Merit only to repay their karmic debt to the Heavenly Dao as soon as possible.

How could Hongjun be an exception?

Tongtian abruptly said, "Could the contest for seats at Zixiao Palace back then have also been directed by the Dao Ancestor?"

Lin Dong laughed heartily. "The place where they fought for seats was Zixiao Palace! Without Hongjun's tacit approval, who would dare act recklessly?"

Tongtian nodded fiercely.

No wonder!

The Two Sages of the West attaining the Dao had merely been one part of Hongjun's compensation to the West.

Think about it: if only the land around Buzhou Mountain remained in the East, would the Mystic Gate still possess its current prestige?

Tongtian thought, So the Two Sages of the West were merely extras!

No wonder Hongjun called the Western Teachings an offshoot of the Mystic Gate, a heterodox side path!

Lin Dong smiled. "The Primordial Era cares not for right or wrong, only karma."

"Hongjun owed karma to the West, and he was more anxious than anyone."

"Once karma was determined, no matter how the greater trend of the Heavenly Dao changed, it would ultimately serve the Rise of the West!"

Tongtian was suddenly enlightened.

If the Interception Sect had not disbanded, the Sages would have besieged it, and its disciples would most likely have been taken by the Western Teachings. That too would serve the Rise of the West!

Had the greater trend of the Heavenly Dao changed?

It had not!

Even if the Interception Sect had perished early, the remnants of the witches and demons would still have needed to be purged.

This was the karma of the Witch-Demon Calamity and had to be resolved!

Those burdened with grave sins would vanish into nothingness; those with lighter sins would be converted by the Western Teachings.

Thus, the Western Teachings would greatly increase in strength and naturally rise to prominence!

Tongtian drew a sharp breath.

Heaven and earth were the chessboard, creation the board's pathways, all living beings the chess pieces. Hongjun sat within Zixiao Palace and controlled the rise and fall of eras!

Respect welled up within him, along with immense relief.

Fortunately, he had encountered Senior Lin Dong and heard his guidance.

Otherwise, with Hongjun's schemes, even ten Tongtians would not have been enough!

He murmured, "In several thousand years, another Immeasurable Calamity will arrive. Its targets will be the Over Nine Thousand Disciples expelled from my sect?"

Lin Dong nodded. "Precisely!"

Tongtian could no longer sit still. Rising, he bowed in thanks. "Senior, this disciple is concerned for his fellow sect members and must return quickly to discuss this with them!"

Lin Dong waved a hand, signaling that he could do as he pleased.

Tongtian flashed away, disappearing in an instant.

Lin Dong smiled meaningfully. "Little Friend Lingbao seems not to have noticed why Hongjun insists on slaughtering innate divine beings."

"No rush. He will understand sooner or later."

He was rather looking forward to a different Investiture of the Gods Calamity.

Only two thousand years remained. It was close at hand!

Tongtian returned to Biyou Palace and urgently summoned his disciples. He said sternly, "In several thousand years, an Immeasurable Calamity will arrive. None of you are to be softhearted or associate with the expelled disciples!"

The immortals of the Interception Sect turned solemn and answered in unison.

Only then did Tongtian nod in satisfaction.

At the thought of the coming great calamity, his heart felt heavy.

Within Biyou Palace, there was a grim, deathly silence, like the calm before a storm.

More than two hundred immortals had been intimidated by Tongtian's actions.

Duobao swept his gaze across the immortals, then stepped forward to ask, "Master, this disciple does not understand. Why did you abolish your Sage position and disband the Interception Sect?"

Tongtian's gaze fell upon Duobao.

Duobao immediately felt pressure as immense as a mountain. The might of Hunyuan—merely a glance—made it difficult for him, a peak Daluo, to endure!

Yet as the chief disciple, he gritted his teeth and asked again, "Master, why are you in such a hurry after returning from outside?"

The immortals all stepped forward. "We beg Master to resolve our confusion!"

Tongtian nodded. "Very well. Since you wish to know, I shall tell you!"

Had it been the Human Sect, Taishang would only concern himself with teaching the Dao. Whether his disciples learned it or not was none of his business.

Had it been Chan Jiao, Yuanshi was stern and imposing. If his disciples failed to learn, they were simply seeking their own expulsion.

Only the Interception Sect was different. Its doctrine was "interception": understand heaven and earth, and seize a chance at life.

Therefore, disciples dared to ask questions, but they had to have substance. Otherwise, they might be expelled from Biyou Palace.

Tongtian slowly said, "We cultivators must act in accordance with Heaven's will to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"To act against Heaven invites futility at best and utter annihilation at worst."

"Remember this well!"

The immortals bowed. "We obey Master's decree!"

Tongtian said calmly, "A great power whose cultivation exceeds mine by ten thousand times told me that the Primordial Era cares not for right or wrong, only karma."

"One must act in accordance with Heaven's will and settle karma clearly in order to seize a thread of life amid the greater trend of the Heavenly Dao!"

The immortals' expressions changed!

Someone whose cultivation exceeded Tongtian's by ten thousand times?

Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun would not dare say such a thing!

Instinctively, they felt that it could not be true.

But would Tongtian lie? Absolutely not!

Yet someone ten thousand times stronger than Tongtian—was that not the Dao itself?

Those who remained by Tongtian's side were all virtuous and intelligent, but they rarely used their wisdom.

They were accustomed to convincing others through cultivation and Supernatural Powers. Over time, they found it difficult to break free of that pattern.

Tongtian had received Lin Dong's guidance and still needed long contemplation to understand it. What of his disciples?

How powerful was a Sage's influence through teaching!

Xuandu of the Human Sect was like a replica of Taishang; the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chan Jiao spoke of the Heavenly Dao in every sentence; the disciples of the Western Teachings were either smiling pleasantly or radiating solemn treasure light—all were influenced by the Sages.

Above the Primordial Era, Sages were supreme!

Tongtian stared at the immortals. "Being fond of courage and combat may let you fight your way out of an encirclement, but it is still exceedingly dangerous. It is the inferior strategy."

"The superior strategy is to follow the Heavenly Dao, settle karma, and eliminate danger beforehand!"

He gave a self-mocking smile. "Do you truly think that abolishing my Sage position and disbanding the Interception Sect was what I wanted?"

The hall fell silent.

Upon reflection, how could it be?

The Sage fruit of attainment was supreme beneath the Heavenly Dao. Possessing authority, one would remain free of worry even through immeasurable calamities.

Though Hunyuan was unfettered, it still had to undergo calamities. Who dared claim they would surely survive?

Tongtian said calmly, "Do you remember the reason I gave when I expelled them?"

The immortals nodded.

Chang'er Dingguang Xian and the other five were the first to be expelled, for they had played both sides and been disloyal to the sect.

After that, the other immortals—whether steeped in evil or guilty of monstrous crimes—were all expelled.

Of the Ten Thousand Immortals who had come to pay homage, only a little over two hundred remained. It was a shocking sight!

Tongtian pointed at his head. "Think. If these sinners remained in the sect when the great calamity arrived, what would happen?"

The immortals shuddered!

Why did the immeasurable great calamity arise?

To cleanse the Karma of Heaven and Earth!

As cultivators' Karma accumulated, murderous aura spread and disrupted the workings of the Heavenly Dao. Thus, Heaven and Earth stirred up warfare, and the great calamity arose!

When calamity descended, those burdened with the gravest sins were the first to be executed!

Of the Interception Sect's original six thousand-plus members, half were people the Heavenly Dao was bound to eliminate!

Would the great calamity only execute those few thousand people?

Within the same sect, Karma became intertwined. Tainted by their sins, none could escape the Heavenly Dao's punishment!

Tongtian looked coldly at the immortals. "The Great Dao is merciless. If I do not expel the sinners, relinquish my Sage status, and disband the Interception Sect..."

"How many of you would survive the great calamity?"

The immortals fell to their knees and kowtowed in unison. "Thank you, Master, for protecting us!"

Tongtian's voice was calm, as though he were merely recounting some trivial matter. "To seize a thread of life, one must understand the principles of Heaven and follow the great tide of the Heavenly Dao."

"There are over nine thousand sinners in the Interception Sect. Its destruction is inevitable!"

"They have been in the sect for ten thousand years, yet their sins have not faded. The responsibility lies with me!"

"But I cannot let you all be implicated by my sins!"

"Relinquishing my Sage status is my punishment to myself."

"Disbanding the Interception Sect is to protect you all!"

His voice turned stern. "I will say this only once! If you fail to discern the greater tide of the Heavenly Dao and still associate with those expelled disciples..."

"If you perish in the great calamity, do not regret it!"

The immortals kowtowed. "We shall obey Master's decree!"

A surge of emotion rose from the depths of their hearts, and the immortals felt the weight of his intentions all the more keenly.

Tongtian called it self-punishment, but who did not know that he only needed to expel the sinful disciples? There was no need for him to relinquish his Sage status or disband the Interception Sect!

That was the Saint's Dao Fruit!

Yet he had resolutely abandoned it, all to sever the Karma of the great calamity and protect those who truly pursued the Dao.

This was what it meant to "seize a thread of life"!

Tongtian had set an example with his own actions, cutting off the root of the danger!

If they still stubbornly refused to awaken and involved themselves in Karma, then they would reap what they had sown and have no one to blame!

Tongtian nodded. Their awakening pleased him. "You may meditate within Biyou Palace and observe the greater currents of the Primordial Era."

"My teachings are not merely about fighting and killing!"

The immortals were utterly convinced.

Tongtian finally exhaled a breath of stale air, as though a burden of a thousand pounds had been lifted from his shoulders.

The hidden dangers within Biyou Palace had thus been swept away in a single stroke.

If any disciples remained obstinate and dared rashly involve themselves in the great calamity, then hmph, they would be seeking death!

He would not even need anyone else to act. He would personally reduce them to dust!

Having set down the burden in his heart, Tongtian solemnly instructed, "Duobao, lead your junior brothers and sisters in diligently studying the Dao."

"The great calamity is about to strike. You may as well carefully observe how the Sages of the Primordial Era respond."

"Do not investigate hidden secrets. That is not something you should be doing."

"Through the Sages' public actions, put yourselves in their positions, ponder their thoughts, and deduce their stances."

"Temper your ability to see the bigger picture. That is what you most need to improve right now."

"This shall be the foremost assignment I set for you."

Upon hearing this, the immortals' hearts surged with excitement.

Master's plan was brilliant!

If they could overlook the greater tide of the Heavenly Dao from a Sage's perspective,

they would surely forge a magnificent bearing of their own.

Yet Tongtian secretly shook his head.

Gathering intelligence on the Sages alone and vainly attempting to judge the Heavenly Secret?

How could that possibly foster a true grasp of the greater tide?

The disciples of Biyou Palace had yet to understand the state of mind of a Sage and could only think within the limits of their own perspectives.

As such, they would inevitably see only a small part and fail to behold the whole.

Even so, cultivating their broader perspective would still be greatly beneficial.

Tongtian said in a deep voice, "I will go listen to teachings from a great expert. Study diligently, and when I return, I will inspect your results."

"Those who perform exceptionally well may accompany me next time to hear a senior expound the Dao."

What?!

The immortals of the Interception Sect were instantly shaken.

The great expert Master had mentioned—the one whose cultivation exceeded his by ten thousand times—actually existed?

A cultivation level ten thousand times greater than Tongtian's...

The immortals of Biyou Palace felt their horizons broaden, and they were overwhelmed with shock.

However, Tongtian had already vanished without a trace.

The immortals in the palace looked at one another, marveling in astonishment.

Zhao Gongming could not help asking Duobao, "Senior Brother, is this true?"

"How could it be false?" Duobao said firmly. "Since Master said it, it must be true."

As Biyou Palace's eldest senior brother, he naturally had to uphold Master's prestige.

But deep down, Duobao was actually half-convinced and half-doubtful.

Could someone whose cultivation surpassed Tongtian's by ten thousand times truly exist?

That was probably absolutely impossible!

Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun likely could not reach such a realm.

Yet Tongtian was Hunyuan and their master,

so even though the immortals harbored doubts, they did not dare question him to his face.

Had Master not said so?

Those with outstanding achievements would have a chance to witness that peerless great expert's splendor.

At that thought, the immortals of Biyou Palace burned with anticipation, eager to try.

Duobao immediately assigned tasks, and everyone threw themselves into cultivation.

Though Tongtian had already left Biyou Palace, it was his Daoist temple,

and every movement within the palace remained within his perception.