Seize a Thread of Life!

Zhunti suddenly stood up, pointing at Tongtian and shouting, "Good one, Tongtian! As a direct disciple of the Dao Ancestor, you dare to deceive with falsehoods!"

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

The assembled Saints were stunned, exchanging glances.

When had Tongtian ever deceived the Dao Ancestor?

His words about not cultivating morality and willingly abdicating were perfectly justifiable!

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

Unexpectedly, Zhunti directly slapped him with a false accusation, pressing aggressively!

Nuwa secretly shook her head, the Western Saints truly lacked decorum in their actions.

Taishang and Yuanshi exchanged a look and nodded slightly.

They understood Zhunti's intentions perfectly.

He wanted to seize the opportunity while Tongtian was without his Saint position to humiliate him severely, thereby crushing the prestige of the Three Pure Ones!

Although they were unwilling to see Tongtian humiliated by the West, upon further thought, letting him suffer a little was not entirely unacceptable.

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

Even if Tongtian voluntarily abandoned his Saint position, once the opportune moment arrived, the Saint position would still be unavoidable!

Therefore, Taishang and Yuanshi remained silent, observing Zhunti's move.

Seeing that two of the Three Pure Ones were silent, Nuwa naturally wouldn't speak up.

Hongjun's expression was impassive, as if he hadn't witnessed the scene before him.

Zhunti was incredibly astute. Seeing Hongjun's silence, he knew it was tacit approval!

His heart rejoiced. This was a rare opportunity, and he brought out his Dao-protecting supreme treasure, the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree!

Taishang, Yuanshi, and Nuwa glanced sideways, but Jieyin pretended not to see.

Zhunti's thick skin was truly admirable!

To use his status as a Saint, wielding the authority of the Heavenly Dao, against someone who was not a Saint, and even employing a divine weapon to protect his Dao, was utterly shameless!

Zhunti's face glowed with a divine light, solemn and reverent. He declared loudly, "Tongtian, the Saints have convened, and you are to be punished! If you beg for mercy, you may suffer less!"

Tongtian glanced at him askance and calmly uttered two words: "You, are not enough!"

Zhunti froze, almost unable to believe his ears. "What did you say?"

The Saints were also stunned.

Tongtian's words were crystal clear!

He, merely a Hunyuan, dared to look down on Saints with such disdain?

And openly mocked them, without any pretense!

On what grounds was he so bold?!

Hongjun's eyes snapped open, fixing on Tongtian, a flash of surprise in his eyes before it vanished.

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

He was certain Tongtian must have had an incredible encounter!

Otherwise, why would he have abandoned his Saint position and disbanded Jiejiao?

What's more, Tongtian's cultivation had only been at the Sixth Heaven of the Heavenly Dao Realm not long ago, similar to Taishang and Yuanshi.

In such a short period, he had improved so much!

What exactly was going on?

Hongjun's heart itched with curiosity, he truly wanted to uncover the secret!

He was eager to advance his cultivation but had no path to do so.

Seeing Tongtian's drastic change, how could he not be tempted?

But would Tongtian reveal the truth? It was unlikely!

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

The Saints erupted in an uproar!

Zhunti's face turned crimson, he was furious: "We Saints embody the will of the Heavenly Dao, we regulate Yin-Yang, educate the Primordial Era, and rule all heavens!"

"How can a mere Hunyuan like you question us!"

"Saints are supreme, all below Saints are ants!"

"Tongtian, receive your punishment!"

The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree in Zhunti's hand bloomed with seven-colored light, and immortal music wafted through Zixiao Palace.

His face contorted in ferocity as he swept it out!

The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree was a supreme treasure of the Western Teachings, capable of brushing away all things, sealing heavens and locking the earth, as if nothing could escape its grasp.

Taishang, Yuanshi, and Nuwa all nodded. The supreme treasure of the West was indeed not to be underestimated.

Even saints would have to deal with it carefully, otherwise, they would inevitably make a fool of themselves.

Taishang and Yuanshi chuckled inwardly. Zhunti's attack would require even them to go all out.

Let alone Tongtian, who was now only at the Hunyuan realm!

Letting him suffer a bit would also help him understand the preciousness of a saint's position!

The gazes of all the saints were burning as they watched Tongtian.

Tongtian, however, glanced at Zhunti again and said leisurely, "The magic treasure is indeed a good magic treasure."

"As for the person?" he shook his head, "He is not worthy of this treasure!"

Zhunti was furious: "Tongtian, die!"

Tongtian raised his hand, and the Qingping Sword at his waist was already in his palm. He casually swung it.

Lightning flashed in Zixiao Palace!

In an instant, the lightning and the seven-colored treasure light intertwined and collided.

Rumble!

The palace resounded like thunder, deafening.

"What?!" all the saints exclaimed in unison.

Zhunti, who had been advancing aggressively, retreated even faster!

He was actually defeated by Tongtian in one move!

Tongtian casually put away the Qingping Sword and sneered, "Your cultivation is so far behind mine, where did you get the nerve to lecture me?"

Zhunti's face turned ashen. He put away the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and said solemnly, "This humble one was merely seeking justice for the Dao Ancestor."

Tongtian said with a half-smile, "None of the saints are fools, and neither is a Hunyuan!"

"Do you know why I disbanded Jiejiao?"

Zhunti's heart skipped a beat, and a sudden ominous premonition arose.

Tongtian sighed, "You didn't investigate the Karma thoroughly, yet you dared to accept all the disciples I expelled. While there was pressure from the Heavenly Dao, it shouldn't have been so hasty, right?"

Zhunti was stunned: "Brother Dao, do you have any advice?"

He had originally thought that Tongtian had gone mad to abolish his own saintly position and disband Jiejiao.

But at this moment, Tongtian was very clear-headed!

He clearly saw the secrets that the other Saints had not noticed!

Tongtian sneered, "I already made it clear!"

"This humble Daoist does not cultivate morality, but widely opens his doors and accepts countless sinful disciples."

"In the vast Jiejiao, more than half of the disciples carry monstrous killing karma!"

"Such a sect is destined to be unable to escape destruction! Rather than be destroyed by your hands, I will disband it myself!"

Tongtian stood up, bowed to the Saints, and floated away.

Behind him, the Saints were dumbfounded.

Who among those who could prove Sainthood was dull-witted?

Whoever viewed a Saint as an idiot would be the biggest idiot himself!

Taishang and Yuanshi looked at each other, filled with doubt. Could there be another hidden reason?

Only Hongjun's eyes flashed with sharp light, which then vanished.

Tongtian had seen through the karma from the subtle details, sensed the crisis, and like a strong man cutting off his own arm, he abandoned his Saintly position and disbanded Jiejiao!

It seemed like self-destruction of his foundation, but in reality, he preserved the essence and the complete inheritance of the Daoist tradition!

Conversely, the Western Teachings were in big trouble!

This was not beneficial to Hongjun's plan!

He looked deeply at the departing Tongtian, "Tongtian becoming a Hunyuan, and Jiejiao's destruction, although it is the general trend of the Primordial Era... but the timing is wrong!"

There were still thousands of years until the Investiture of the Gods Calamity he had preset.

"A variable has arisen!" Hongjun frowned, "How should I plan for the Investiture of the Gods Calamity? What a bother!"

Tongtian stepped out of Zixiao Palace, his palms slightly sweaty.

He clearly felt that Hongjun had the intention to make a move just now, but for some reason, he forcibly suppressed it.

He did not return to Jin'ao Island in the East Sea, feeling a chill all over his heart, as if someone was 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 Jiejiao shake the general trend of the Heavenly Dao?"

Lin Dong lightly shook his head, "No!"

Tongtian's eyes snapped open: "How could this be?"

The grand trend of the Heavenly Dao, shouldn't it be the four saints conspiring to intercept the teachings? Now that he has abolished his own saint position, and Jiejiao has disbanded, how could the grand trend not change? Senior Lin Dong is absolutely not wrong! Where is the problem then?

Lin Dong smiled and asked: "Little friend Lingbao, you are a high disciple of the Xuanmen, do you know who decides the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao?" Tongtian was stunned and fell into thought. The grand trend of the Heavenly Dao is not decided by the Heavenly Dao? Could there be someone else manipulating it?

Lin Dong said calmly: "I attained the Dao from the beginning of creation, experienced the Desolate Beasts opening the heavens, the Dragon-Han Calamity, the Dao-Demon conflict, and the Witch-Demon Calamity." "Although my cultivation is limited, and I dare not scan the Primordial Era with my divine sense, I know more than half of the movements in the Primordial Era through observation." Tongtian forced himself to calm down, showing no change in his expression. Fortunately, Senior Lin Dong lives in seclusion on Penglai Immortal Island and has not emerged. With his cultivation that is close to the Dao, who can match him? The saints? Not as good as the current Tongtian! Hongjun? He might also struggle to resist! Who else? The Heavenly Dao? Tongtian shook his head inwardly. If Senior Lin Dong were to rule the Primordial Era, the pattern of heaven and earth would be vastly different from now!

"The Desolate Beast Calamity was caused by the Desolate Beasts' lack of intelligence and their wanton destruction, which angered the three tribes of Dragon, Han, and Phoenix." "The Dragon-Han Calamity was caused by Luohu using oaths to provoke the three tribes into conflict." "The Dao-Demon conflict was more straightforward. Luohu wanted to slaughter all cultivators, and the cultivators resisted, triggering a great war."

Lin Dong smiled and asked Tongtian: "Do you see the key point?" Tongtian frowned: "The karma is clear and obvious!" Lin Dong nodded, smiling with satisfaction: "Indeed!"

The first three great tribulations had simple karma, with no complexities.

The Primordial Era cared not for reasons, only for karma.

The first three immeasurable tribulations were all caused by the main protagonists of heaven and earth acting recklessly, incurring heavenly wrath and public resentment, leading to a siege by the assembled cultivators.

It was a change of dynasties!

The victor inherited the position of the main protagonist of heaven and earth; this was the greatest karma.

Lin Dong chuckled, "Little fellow Daoist, can you tell me about the karma of the Witch-Demon Calamity?"

Tongtian blurted out, "The Demons governed the heavens, the Witches governed the earth. The two races fought, and both perished!"

He looked confused, "Senior, what is wrong with this?"

Lin Dong said meaningfully, "Little fellow Daoist, you personally experienced the Witch-Demon Calamity. Even if you didn't witness it, you should have heard of it from your sect."

"Thinking carefully, is it really like this?"

Tongtian frowned slightly.

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

The Witch and Demon races were astonishingly brilliant at the time. Even the Three Pure Ones, who had not yet become Saints, were awed by their splendor.

In the beginning, there were no Demon Race. Di Jun and Taiyi appeared out of nowhere and proposed the term "Demon."

With the support of innate deities like Fuxi, Kunpeng, Bai Ze, Bi Fang, and Ying Zhao, their momentum was immense!

At the peak of the Demon Race's power, they had dozens of Quasi-Saints and nearly a thousand Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals!

They campaigned east and west, subjugating the scattered immortals of the Primordial Era, but only the Witch Clan refused to submit.

The Witch Clan only worshipped Pangu, did not obey Hongjun, and advocated for proving the Dao through strength.

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

They called themselves the Twelve Ancestral Witches of Pangu.

What was even more astonishing was that the Twelve Ancestral Witches set up the Twelve Capital Gods and Demons Great Array, which could summon the Pangu True Body!

If Dao Ancestor Hongjun had not pointed it out, they would have already...

Tongtian suddenly looked up, "Dao Ancestor Hongjun?!"

Lin Dong smiled, "Have you figured it out?"

Tongtian's face turned slightly pale, and he slowly nodded.

According to the pattern of the previous three great calamities, the Demon Race should have been extinct long ago!

The Primordial Era ultimately belongs to the strong.

But the result was mutual destruction, which was extremely unreasonable!

Which of 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 let go of a winning opportunity and allowed the Demon Court to grow stronger?

Absolutely impossible!

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

With a finger from the Dao Ancestor, the Twelve Capital Gods and Demons Great Array was broken. He decreed that the demons would govern the heavens and the witches would govern the earth, leading to the division between the Witches and Demons. In the final battle, both races perished.

Behind this, it was Hongjun's scheme!

Using heaven and earth as a chessboard, creation as the path, and all living beings as pieces, he sat in Zixiao Palace, controlling the rise and fall of epochs!

The Dao Ancestor rarely made a move, but once he did, his opponents had no power to resist!

Their fate was already sealed!

Lin Dong smiled, "Little Daoist Lingbao, have you noticed that the Witch-Demon Calamity was quite special?"

Tongtian shook his head, not having thought about it deeply.

Who would idly analyze past great calamities?

Lin Dong said calmly, "This was the last great calamity of the innate gods."

Tongtian was stunned.

Thinking carefully, the Desolate Beasts, the three tribes of the Dragon-Han, the four ancestors of Daoism, and the Devil Ancestor Luohu were all innate gods!

The main forces of the Witch-Demon Calamity were also innate gods!

"All great calamities after this will be calamities of the acquired."

"The Witch-Demon Calamity was the watershed."

Tongtian nodded in agreement.

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

"From then on, Saints would inevitably participate in immeasurable calamities."

"Hongjun set a bad precedent, personally entering the fray!"

"In subsequent calamities, it's almost impossible for Saints not to intervene."

"Hongjun gave them a terrible excuse!"

Tongtian exclaimed, "Senior, you mean after the Witch-Demon Calamity came the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, and if Jiejiao hadn't disbanded, the Four Saints would have personally intervened?"

Lin Dong asked with a smile, "Otherwise?"

Tongtian instantly understood.

Past events are lessons for the future!

But he still didn't understand, "Senior, why do you say that even if Jiejiao disbanded, the general trend of the Heavenly Dao would remain unchanged?"

Lin Dong sighed, "My friend Lingbao, you need to use your brain!"

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

Tongtian was bewildered.

Hadn't we just been discussing the pattern of the four great calamities?

When did I mention the reason?

He truly didn't understand!

Lin Dong shook his head, "The cultivators of the Shangqing lineage are straightforward. Their wisdom is not inferior, but they are unwilling to use it."

Tongtian blushed, feeling quite ashamed.

The Shangqing lineage believed in "perceiving the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, and seizing a sliver of life."

When facing tribulations, they were accustomed to confronting challenges head-on, seeking survival amidst near-death experiences.

This was the Shangqing way!

Over time, scheming against people had nothing to do with Shangqing.

The root cause was Tongtian, he knew he was at fault!

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

"Why did he slaughter the innate deities on such a large scale?"

Tongtian was shocked, "Dao Ancestor slaughtered innate deities?"

What did that mean?

Lin Dong said earnestly, "The Desolate Beast Calamity, the Desolate Beasts fell, and the Three Clans of Dragon-Han rose to power."

"The Dragon-Han Calamity, the Three Clans fell, and the Witch and Demon clans rose to power."

"The Witch-Demon Calamity, the Witch and Demon clans fell, and the Human Clan rose to power!"

"Aside from the Human Clan, the protagonists of heaven and earth were all innate deities!"

Tongtian couldn't help but nod.

Lin Dong pointed out, "Don't forget, during the Eastern Calamity, the West was also experiencing a great calamity!"

"The conflict between Dao and Demon!" Tongtian frowned in response.

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

Luohu instigated the Three Clans, triggering the Dragon-Han Calamity; the Four Patriarchs of Daoism attacked the Western Demon Sect, erupting the conflict between Dao and Demon.

Tongtian suddenly said, "The karma of the conflict between Dao and Demon is not yet resolved!"

Lin Dong smiled, "That's right, it hasn't been settled."

"Although the conflict between Dao and Demon had a victor, Luohu died, and his corpse was refined by Hongjun into the Immortal Slaying Sword Array diagram."

"The Four Patriarchs of Daoism also gained no benefit. Yin-Yang and Qian-Kun self-destructed, Yang Mei was severely injured and fled into chaos. Only Hongjun greatly benefited, proving his Dao and becoming a Saint."

"But who paid attention to what the Western World became?"

A mocking smile appeared on Lin Dong's lips, "Except for a palm-sized area around Mount Sumeru, it was all demon lands!"

"It hasn't disappeared to this day!"

"The Primordial Era doesn't care about reasons, only karma!"

"Can Saints avoid karma? A fool's dream!"

Tongtian gasped, and instantly understood.

During the conflict between Dao and Demon, Hongjun owed a great karmic debt to the West!

He and the four great powers had joined forces to destroy most of the Western World.

Could a Saint avoid repaying karma? Absolutely impossible!

Jieyin and Zhunti lacked merit when they proved their Dao. They, like Luohu, made forty-eight great vows and borrowed merit from the Heavenly Dao to become Saints.

Now, they were desperately accumulating merit, only to repay their karmic debt to the Heavenly Dao as soon as possible.

How could Hongjun be an exception?

Tongtian suddenly said, "Back then, during the Zixiao Palace seat dispute, was it also orchestrated by the Dao Ancestor?"

Lin Dong laughed heartily, "The place of the seat dispute was Zixiao Palace! If Hongjun hadn't tacitly agreed, who would have dared to be so presumptuous?"

Tongtian nodded fiercely.

No wonder!

The fact that the Two Sages of the West could attain enlightenment was merely one of Hongjun's compensations to the West.

Imagine, if only Buzhou Mountain remained in the East, could the Xuanmen still possess its current prestige?

Tongtian thought to himself, "So the Two Sages of the West were just an afterthought!"

No wonder Hongjun called the Western Teachings a branch of the Xuanmen, a side path!

Lin Dong smiled and said, "The Primordial Era doesn't distinguish between right and wrong, only karma."

"Hongjun owes karma to the West, more urgently than anyone."

"Once karma is set, the great trend of the Heavenly Dao will change and shift, ultimately serving the great prosperity of the West!"

Tongtian suddenly saw the light.

If Jiejiao hadn't disbanded, and the Saints had attacked, most of his disciples would have been taken by the Western Teachings, still serving the great prosperity of the West!

Had the great trend of the Heavenly Dao changed?

No!

Even if Jiejiao perished early, the remnants of the Witch and Demon tribes still needed to be purged.

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

Those with heavy sins would vanish into smoke; those with lighter sins would be converted by the Western Teachings.

Thus, the Western Teachings' strength would surge, and their great prosperity would be a natural consequence!

Tongtian gasped.

Heaven and Earth were the chessboard, creation the path of the game, all living beings the pieces, and Hongjun, seated in Zixiao Palace, controlled the rise and fall of epochs!

He felt admiration, and immense relief.

Fortunately, he had met Senior Lin Dong and heard his teachings.

Otherwise, with Hongjun's schemes, ten Tongtians wouldn't be enough!

He murmured, "Thousands of years from now, another Immeasurable Calamity will arrive, targeting the Over Nine Thousand Disciples that my sect has purged?"

Lin Dong nodded: "Exactly!"

Tongtian couldn't sit still any longer. He rose and bowed in thanks: "Senior, my disciples are concerned about our fellow sect members, and I must return quickly to discuss with them!"

Lin Dong waved his hand, signaling him to do as he pleased.

Tongtian flickered and vanished in an instant.

Lin Dong smiled playfully: "Little friend Lingbao doesn't seem to have noticed. Why did Hongjun slaughter all the innate gods?"

"No rush, he'll understand sooner or later."

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

Only two thousand years, and it was just around the corner!

Tongtian returned to Biyou Palace and urgently summoned his disciples. He said sternly: "Thousands of years from now, the Immeasurable Calamity will arrive. You must not be soft-hearted and interact with the abandoned disciples!"

The Immortals of Jiejiao were awestruck and responded in unison.

Only then did Tongtian nod with satisfaction.

The thought of the impending calamity weighed heavily on his heart.

Within Biyou Palace, a silent killing intent pervaded, like the calm before a storm.

The more than two hundred Immortals were shocked by Tongtian's actions.

Duobao surveyed the Immortals and stepped forward to ask: "Master, this disciple does not understand. Why did you abolish your Saint position and disband Jiejiao?"

Tongtian's gaze swept over Duobao.

Duobao immediately felt immense pressure. The might of a Hunyuan expert, with just a glance, was unbearable for him, a top Da Luo!

But as the head disciple, he gritted his teeth and asked again: "Master, why were you so urgent upon returning from outside?"

All the Immortals stepped forward: "We implore Master to enlighten us!"

Tongtian nodded: "Very well, since you wish to know, your Master will tell you!"

In the Human Sect, Taishang simply preached the Dao. Whether one learned or not was none of his concern.

In Chan Jiao, Yuanshi was majestic. If disciples did not learn well, they would be expelled.

Only Jiejiao was different. Its doctrine was "Jie" (截), to perceive the workings of heaven and earth and intercept life force.

Therefore, disciples dared to ask questions, but they had to be substantive, otherwise, they risked being expelled from Biyou Palace.

Tongtian slowly said: "For us to cultivate the Dao, acting in accordance with the will of heaven will yield twice the result with half the effort."

"Acting against heaven, at best it's futile, at worst it's annihilation."

"You all remember this!"

The assembled immortals bowed: "We obey Master's decree!"

Tongtian said calmly: "A mighty being whose cultivation is ten thousand times greater than mine told me that the Primordial Era doesn't care about right or wrong, only karma."

"To act, one must follow heaven's will, clarify karma, and only then can one seize a sliver of life within the grand momentum of the Heavenly Dao!"

The immortals' expressions changed!

A cultivation ten thousand times greater than Tongtian's?

Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun wouldn't dare say such a thing!

They instinctively felt this statement was untrue.

But could Tongtian lie? Absolutely impossible!

Then, could one ten thousand times greater than Tongtian be "Dao" itself?

Those who remained by Tongtian's side were all virtuous scholars, not lacking in wisdom, but they rarely used it.

They were accustomed to convincing others with cultivation and supernatural powers, and over time, they found it hard to break free from their old ways.

Tongtian, after being enlightened by Lin Dong, still needed time to ponder before understanding. How much more so for his disciples?

The teaching power of a Saint was immense!

The Human Sect's Xuandu was like a copy of Taishang; the Chan Jiao's Twelve Golden Immortals spoke of following the Heavenly Dao at every turn; the Western Teachings' disciples, with their smiles or solemn auras, were all influenced by their Saints.

In the Primordial Era, Saints reigned supreme!

Tongtian gazed at the assembled immortals: "Being brave and fierce, even if you can break through encirclement, it will be extremely perilous and is the inferior strategy."

"The superior strategy is to follow the Heavenly Dao, clarify karma, and eliminate crises in advance!"

He gave a self-deprecating smile: "Do you all truly believe that I willingly abandoned my Saintly position and disbanded the Jiejiao?"

The great hall fell silent.

Upon reflection, how could that be!

The Saintly position was the highest under the Heavenly Dao, carrying authority, and free from worry for immeasurable kalpas.

Though one could be carefree in the Hunyuan realm, one still needed to undergo tribulations. Who could guarantee their survival?

Tongtian said calmly: "Do you remember the reasons I expelled them?"

The Immortals nodded.

The first to be expelled were Chang'er Dingguang Xian and four others, for being indecisive and disloyal to the Great Teachings.

Subsequently, other Immortals, either their evil deeds were full, or their sins were monstrous, were all expelled.

Ten thousand Immortals came to pay homage, only over two hundred remained, a shocking sight!

Tongtian pointed to his head: "Think, if these sinful disciples remained in the Teachings, what would happen when the Great Tribulation arrives?"

The Immortals trembled!

Why did the Immeasurable Great Tribulation arise?

To clear the Karma of heaven and earth!

The Karma accumulated by cultivators, the killing intent permeated, disturbing the operation of the Heavenly Dao, thus heaven and earth raised weapons, and the Great Tribulation began!

When the Tribulation arises, the first to be executed are those with monstrous sins!

Of the original over six thousand disciples of Jiejiao, half were destined to be eliminated by the Heavenly Dao!

Would the Great Tribulation only eliminate these thousands of people?

Under the same Teachings, Karma is intertwined, and if one is stained by their sins, it is difficult to escape the blow of the Heavenly Dao!

Tongtian coldly looked at the Immortals: "The Great Dao is heartless. If the sinful disciples are not expelled, if you do not abolish your Saintly positions, if Jiejiao is not disbanded..."

"How many of you can survive the Great Tribulation?"

The Immortals prostrated themselves, kowtowing and saying in unison: "Thank you, Master, for your protection!"

Tongtian's voice was calm, as if recounting a trivial matter: "To intercept the chance of survival, one must understand the Heavenly Principles and follow the general trend of the Heavenly Dao to obtain it."

"Jiejiao has over nine thousand sinful disciples, and their destruction is inevitable!"

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

"But I cannot let my sins implicate you all!"

"Abolishing the Saintly positions is self-punishment."

"Disbanding Jiejiao is to protect you all!"

His voice turned stern: "What I say today, I will only say once! If you do not discern the general trend of the Heavenly Dao and still associate with the expelled disciples..."

"If you perish in the Great Tribulation, do not regret it!"

The Immortals kowtowed: "We respectfully obey Master's decree!"

A surge of emotion rose from the depths of their hearts, and the assembled immortals felt immense pressure.

Tongtian claimed it was self-punishment, but who didn't know that he could have simply expelled the sinful disciples and didn't need to abolish his Saintly position and disband Jiejiao!

That was a Saint's Dao Fruit!

He resolutely abandoned it, all to sever the Karma of the great tribulation and protect those who truly sought the Dao.

This was "intercepting a sliver of hope for survival"!

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

If they remained stubborn and entangled themselves in Karma, they would get what they wished for, and no one could be blamed!

Tongtian nodded, his heart filled with relief at the immortals' awakening: "You may all meditate in Biyou Palace and observe the grand trends of the Primordial Era."

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

The immortals were sincerely convinced.

Tongtian finally exhaled a breath of turbid air, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted.

The hidden dangers within Biyou Palace were thus swept away in one fell swoop.

If any disciple remained obstinate and dared to rashly involve themselves in the great tribulation, hmph, they would be seeking their own demise!

He wouldn't even need anyone else to act; he would personally turn them into dust!

Relieving the weight on his heart, Tongtian solemnly instructed: "Duobao, lead your junior brothers and sisters in diligently studying the Dao."

"The great tribulation is imminent, so observe the countermeasures of the various Saints in the Primordial Era."

"Do not attempt to pry into secrets; that is not your place."

"Through the public actions of the Saints, put yourselves in their shoes and deduce their stances."

"Honing your overall perspective is what you need to improve most right now."

"This is the primary lesson I have set for you."

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

Master's plan is brilliant!

If they could observe the grand trends of the Heavenly Dao from a Saint's perspective, they would surely forge their own magnificent spirit.

Tongtian, however, secretly shook his head.

Relying solely on gathering intelligence on the Sages to judge the heavenly secrets?

How can this approach foster a true understanding of the grand trends?

The disciples of Biyou Palace have not yet grasped the mindset of the Sages and can only think within their own limitations.

In this way, it's inevitable to see only a sliver of the whole picture, like looking at a leopard through a tube.

Even so, cultivating their broad perspective is still highly beneficial.

Tongtian said in a deep voice, "I will go to listen to the teachings of a great being. You all study diligently, and I will check your progress upon my return."

"If any of you perform exceptionally, you will accompany me next time to hear the senior's exposition of the Dao."

What?!

The Immortals of Jiejiao were suddenly shocked.

Did their Master speak of a great being whose Cultivation was ten thousand times higher than his, and does such a person truly exist?

A Cultivation ten thousand times higher than Tongtian...

The Immortals of Biyou Palace felt their horizons broaden, filled with indescribable shock.

However, Tongtian had already vanished without a trace.

The Immortals in the palace looked at each other, marveling.

Zhao Gongming couldn't help but ask Duobao, "Senior Brother, is this true or false?"

"How could it be false!" Duobao said decisively, "Since Master said it, it must be true."

As the eldest disciple of Biyou Palace, he naturally had to uphold his Master's authority.

But deep down, Duobao was actually skeptical.

Could a being whose Cultivation was ten thousand times higher than Tongtian possibly exist?

It was probably impossible!

Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun might struggle to reach such a realm.

However, Tongtian was a Hunyuan, and their Master.

Even if the Immortals harbored doubts, they dared not question him openly.

Didn't Master say?

If they achieved outstanding results, they would have the chance to witness the demeanor of that peerless great being.

Thinking of this, the Immortals of Biyou Palace felt their hearts burn with passion, eager to try.

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

Although Tongtian had left Biyou Palace, this was his dojo.

Every movement within the palace escaped his perception.