Sect of Interception's Response! Relinquishing the Qingping Sword!

Biyou Palace.

Kong Xuan's expression was grim, killing intent raging in his eyes.

Ling Xiao had not hesitated to wield Heavenly Dao authority to suppress the Golden-Winged Great Peng, effectively branding him a wicked demon. This had invisibly affected the Phoenix Clan's luck, and even Kong Xuan had been implicated.

"Though the Golden-Winged Great Peng may have committed countless wrongs, it is not Ling Xiao's place, that traitorous disciple, to punish him. Now, Senior Brother Gongming and the Golden-Winged Great Peng are suppressed beneath the Thunder Pool, while Senior Brother Dingguang Immortal has fallen into peril. How should we handle this?"

Kong Xuan spoke in a deep voice as he looked toward Duobao, Our Lady of Wudang, and the others.

Tongtian was in seclusion, meditating and sorting through the Sect of Interception's luck. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not show himself; otherwise, a Saint's dignity would be utterly lost.

At present, all affairs of the Sect of Interception were handled by Duobao, the eldest senior brother, with the other direct disciples assisting him.

Holy Mother Turtle Spirit's face was frosty as she echoed, "Ling Xiao possesses the God-Slaying Spear and the World-Ending Black Lotus. He has already fallen onto the demonic path and will become a devil who brings calamity upon all living beings. Only by joining forces against him can we suppress him."

"However, the Lunar Goddess Wangshu guards Penglai Immortal Island, and that mid-stage Golden Immortal of Hunyuan is no easy opponent. So long as we harm Ling Xiao, she will strike without hesitation."

"Even more troublesome, if Master acts against Ling Xiao, we will also face threats from Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun. Our Sect of Interception has truly fallen into a mire now!"

Anger, frustration, regret!

Holy Mother Turtle Spirit had never expected that before the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation even began, the Sect of Interception would lose three top cultivators, along with several hundred inner and outer disciples.

And the culprit was actually a traitorous disciple of the Sect of Interception!

At that moment, a thought rose in Holy Mother Turtle Spirit's heart. What would things have been like if Ling Xiao were still in the Sect of Interception?

"Could it be that our Sect of Interception truly has to use the Qingping Sword to compensate Ling Xiao?"

Yun Xiao questioned everyone in a cold voice.

Lu Ya, Zhao Gongming, and the others had acted on their own initiative to trouble Ling Xiao. This was an open secret among the Sect of Interception's disciples, and even Tongtian had tacitly allowed it under the pretext of seclusion.

But the result had been far from satisfactory!

Now the entire Sect of Interception had been thrown into a passive position!

"The Qingping Sword is one of Master's natal treasures. How can that petty villain Ling Xiao possess it? I shall head to the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation at once to seek an audience with Master!"

Duobao was furious, then headed toward the depths of Biyou Palace!

At this moment!

Within the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, sword intent surged to the heavens as bloody light suddenly appeared.

Tongtian sat cross-legged upon the Cloud Terrace. Across from him sat the graceful and noble Nuwa. Though both appeared calm on the surface, fury smoldered within their hearts.

All because of Ling Xiao!

Parting her red lips slightly, Nuwa said blandly, "Ling Xiao disrespects Saints and scorns heavenly might. Before the masses, he openly declared that he would kill me. Senior Brother Tongtian, you truly raised quite the traitorous disciple!"

"Originally, I had no interest in involving myself in the affairs of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. But Ling Xiao's ambitions are immense, so I am willing to join hands with you, Senior Brother, to deal with the aggressively pressing Ling Xiao and the Heavenly Court."

Among the Saints of the Primordial Wilderness, the Three Pure Ones stood supreme. Nuwa and Jieyin were evenly matched, while Zhunti ranked last!

After the Lich Tribulation ended, the Heavenly Dao Luck controlled by the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court steadily declined. Nuwa's cultivation speed and Heavenly Dao authority were both leaving her.

Now that Ling Xiao had also offended her, she naturally wished to scheme against him!

Hearing this, Tongtian said with a livid expression, "Ling Xiao has chosen the path of death. Were it not for Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun protecting him, I would have ground his bones to dust and upheld the might of the Sect of Interception."

"Unfortunately, the Dao Ancestor bestowed upon him the Investiture of the Gods List and the God-Slaying Whip, and even conferred upon him the title of Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance. This makes it difficult for us to interfere in the Heavenly Court's affairs again. We can only seek luck within this Investiture of the Gods Tribulation."

"I have only one question now: can the remnants of the Demon Clan support a Demon Court?"

When a Saint grew enraged, heaven and earth trembled.

Ling Xiao had forcefully slain Dingguang Immortal and suppressed his primordial spirit and True Spirit within the Investiture of the Gods List. Furthermore, Zhao Gongming and the Golden-Winged Great Peng were still in his hands, so Tongtian did not dare act rashly.

Ever since Ling Xiao's departure, Karmic Slaughter had continuously tainted the Sect of Interception's luck. Even with Tongtian cleansing it through Great Dao merit, he could only barely slow the rate at which it gathered.

It was better to guide than to block!

If Lu Ya established a Demon Court, they could divert this Karmic Slaughter onto the Demon Court's luck. Then Tongtian could lessen some of his pressure while making Nuwa his most steadfast ally.

Tongtian knew that this junior sister's ambition was no less than his own!

"As for Ancestor Kunpeng, I need only employ both threats and inducements, and he will obediently join the Demon Court! Four of the Ten Demon Marshals have fled deep into the starry skies. Once the Demon Court is reestablished, they will come to pledge allegiance."

"Xihe and Changxi are no ordinary figures. With them suppressing the starry skies, the Heavenly Court will not be able to cause any waves!"

"What I care about more is the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Kong Xuan. Behind them stands the Phoenix Clan, whose inheritance dates back to the Fierce Beast Tribulation. If they could become the backbone of the Demon Court..."

Dao sounds echoed, profound Dao charm flowing through the air.

With only a few words, Nuwa revealed the Demon Clan's foundation and her plans to Tongtian.

A Heavenly Dao Saint could not be humiliated!

Under Zhen Yuanzi's pressure, Nuwa had suffered a loss of face and returned defeated!

Nuwa did not wish for all these causes, effects, and grudges to become her Heart Demon. Thus, only by plotting Ling Xiao's death and overturning the Heavenly Court could her Dao heart be at ease.

"Disciple Duobao requests an audience with Master!"

Duobao's voice suddenly rang out beyond the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation.

"Enter!"

Tongtian spoke a single word in a deep voice. Soon, Duobao stepped through the void and appeared at the center of the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. A ripple passed through his eyes, but he swiftly suppressed his shock.

"Greetings, Master. Greetings, Martial Aunt Nuwa!"

After clasping his hands and bowing, Duobao slowly said, "That traitor Ling Xiao has insulted Saints, harmed disciples of our Sect of Interception, and coveted Master's Qingping Sword. I ask Master to instruct me on how this matter should be handled!"

His words struck with force, filled with hatred.

Duobao deeply regretted allowing that villain Ling Xiao to leave Lun Kun Mountain when Ling Xiao severed his karma with the Sect of Interception.

Had Ling Xiao been strangled in the cradle, the Sect of Interception would not be facing so many troubles now.

"Ling Xiao has Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun protecting him. I believe we cannot act recklessly and blindly, or Zhen Yuanzi will once again threaten us with the Primordial Earth Veins!"

"I ask Senior Brother Tongtian to relinquish a spiritual treasure and exchange the Qingping Sword for the Golden-Winged Great Peng, Zhao Gongming, and Dingguang Immortal. Ling Xiao must also promise that he will no longer rely on Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun to commit evil deeds!"

"To be safe, you and I should make a trip to Wuzhuang Temple and have a proper talk with those two Dao Friends!"

Better a dead Dao Friend than a dead poor Daoist!

Nuwa still had her eyes on the Phoenix Clan behind the Golden-Winged Great Peng. She was unwilling to watch him remain suppressed by Ling Xiao, so Tongtian could only bear the pain of parting with his treasure.

One Qingping Sword in exchange for three disciples, the Six Soul Banner, the Twelve Fixed Sea Pearls, and the Yin Yang Two Qi Bottle—and Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun would no longer interfere in Ling Xiao's affairs.

What was not to like?

"That traitorous disciple's Foundation is the Pure World White Lotus. He covets my Qingping Sword surely to strengthen his origin, temper his foundation, and improve his Foundation. Are we to raise a tiger only to invite disaster?"

Tongtian's teeth ached. He truly found it difficult to part with it.

"Senior Brother controls the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation and numerous Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasures. How can you ruin the grand plan over a single Qingping Sword? Kong Xuan is devoted to cultivation and surely does not wish to involve himself in Demon Clan affairs, so only the Golden-Winged Great Peng can be used by us."

"Exchanging the Qingping Sword for the Phoenix Clan's support—what is not to like?"

Nuwa stared intently at Tongtian as she spoke.

Waves churned in Duobao's heart. He had never expected Nuwa and Tongtian's plan to run so deep, even involving the Phoenix Clan.

But at the thought of the Qingping Sword falling into Ling Xiao's hands, Duobao's heart ached so badly that it felt as though his liver and guts were tearing apart!

"Fine!"

Tongtian hardened his heart and directly severed his connection with the Qingping Sword.

Then, he began giving instructions to Duobao!

"This disciple will obey Master's command and will certainly bring back the three junior brothers!"

Duobao put away the Qingping Sword and headed outside the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation!

Tongtian and Nuwa's figures gradually faded.

The two headed for Wuzhuang Temple...