Hiss—
At the sight of this, Li Xuan could not help but suck in a sharp breath.
Although this had been Sect Master Tongtian's own choice, witnessing it still left one feeling uneasy, even gripped by an intense, bone-deep terror.
After all, anyone who was not an idiot could see that this was by no means a simple matter. Some of the implications it carried were downright fatal.
At that thought, Li Xuan's expression changed several times.
Yet he did not stop or interrupt anything, because he knew perfectly well that this was a personal choice—and the only choice.
Under such circumstances, time flew by.
At last, Sect Master Tongtian's screams came to an abrupt stop.
It was clear to see that the Shangqing Origin unique to his body had been completely stripped away.
This caused Sect Master Tongtian's aura to wither. Although his cultivation had not fallen below the Half-Step Dao Ancestor realm, he had weakened severalfold, and his entire condition looked exceedingly dire.
"Phew, phew..."
Panting heavily, Sect Master Tongtian revealed a smile.
For no other reason than that he could sense his own condition and knew that the worst outcome had not occurred.
Judging by this trend, he had at least preserved his status and position, and even retained his foundation.
With that thought, Sect Master Tongtian immediately said, "Luckily, my cultivation did not fall."
"Though I no longer have the Shangqing Origin, my cultivation has remained stable at the Half-Step Dao Ancestor level."
As soon as those words fell, Li Xuan's mouth twitched.
He understood what Sect Master Tongtian meant, and he understood the implications behind those words.
But he also knew very clearly that the information contained within was hardly good news.
To put it bluntly, Sect Master Tongtian had still paid an enormous price.