The Sun Star's Essence

"If he had returned sooner, how could I have fallen from the Golden Immortal realm? How could I have been forced to advance to the early stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal and be reduced to this!"

Duobao was like a madman, his eyes bloodshot.

Tai Cang had obtained the Sun Moon Essence for him, yet he took it for granted, stubbornly believing that Tai Cang had delayed his best chance for recovery by trying to curry favor with the Golden Crow Prince.

"Senior Brother, you actually..."

Zhao Gongming and the others were dumbfounded.

They never expected Duobao to have such unreasonable logic.

Even more ironically, his recovery and even breakthrough to Grand Unity Golden Immortal were entirely due to Tai Cang's efforts. Tai Cang was clearly his savior, yet he repaid kindness with enmity, pushing all the blame onto Tai Cang. It was simply preposterous.

"Duobao!"

Tai Cang stepped out of the ruined wooden house, his expression as dark as water.

Fortunately, he hadn't been condensing the Supreme Water Qi, or he might have been disturbed by Duobao, which could have damaged the foundation of his Five Qi. Even so, the rage in his chest was hard to quell.

He had heard the conversation between Zhao Gongming and Duobao clearly just now. Because of this, his anger grew even stronger.

If he hadn't intervened, Zhao Gongming and the others would have been no match for Lu Ya. Even if Sect Master Tongtian eventually obtained the Sun Moon Essence, it would have taken much longer. Now, Duobao was blaming him for everything, showing the depth of his resentment.

Even stranger, how did Duobao know the details of their presence on the Sun Star?

There was only one possibility—someone had been secretly instigating.

This person was not only malicious but also distorted Tai Cang's interactions with the Golden Crow Prince into fawning and flattery. Clearly, this person was cunning and harbored great hostility towards Tai Cang.

"This person must be found!"

A cold glint flashed in Tai Cang's eyes.

Since this hidden danger was within the Intercepting Sect, it had to be eliminated. This person, capable of becoming hateful out of jealousy and instigating Duobao, would surely cause more trouble in the future.

"Tai Cang!"

Duobao hovered in the air, forming a hand seal with his left hand. Upper Clarity Divine Thunder gathered in his palm, and he shouted coldly, "Fight me! If you win, this matter is dropped; if you lose, get out of the Intercepting Sect!"

His aura was violent, and his hatred was evident.

"Overestimating yourself."

Tai Cang sneered.

Even now, Duobao still put on a condescending attitude. Little did he know that the personal disciples of the Intercepting Sect had already discerned right from wrong and would not be easily swayed by him again.

As his thoughts raced, Tai Cang formed a Primordial Clarity hand seal. Instantly, dark clouds gathered overhead, and destructive lightning locked onto Duobao.

As long as the other party made a move, he would retaliate with the force of thunder.

Whether Duobao was being used or was deliberately acting despite knowing he was being provoked, Tai Cang would no longer tolerate it.

So what if he was expelled from the Intercepting Sect?

The Ren Sect and the Heavenly Origin Sect would eagerly recruit him.

The situation had reached this point. He had long regarded Duobao as a key figure in reclaiming Pangu's Destiny. How could he give up so easily?

The atmosphere in the arena instantly became tense.

Zhao Gongming and the others in the distance wanted to intervene but dared not step forward rashly.

They could all see the conflict between Tai Cang and Duobao, and they knew that today's events would likely not end well.

"Stop!"

"Senior Brother Duobao, Senior Brother Tai Cang, please stop!"

Suddenly, hurried shouts came from afar.

The Water-Fire Boy arrived hastily, riding the clouds.

Seeing that the two had not yet truly engaged, the Water-Fire Boy breathed a sigh of relief and said to Duobao and Tai Cang, "Senior Brother Duobao! Senior Brother Tai Cang! The Master has ordered you to go to the Upper Clarity Palace immediately."

He then turned to Zhao Gongming and the others, "All Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, the Master also invites you to go together."

"As you command."

Zhao Gongming and the others were relieved.

It was the best outcome that Sect Master Tongtian had intervened. If Tai Cang and Duobao had actually fought, internal strife within the Intercepting Sect would have been unavoidable, and one of them would have been expelled.

In their view, the one expelled was likely to be Tai Cang.

Tongtian's attitude over the years had been clear: he had taught Duobao wholeheartedly, while remaining indifferent to Tai Cang.

Duobao compromised first.

He felt the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder manipulated by Tai Cang posing a threat to him.

Compared to eight hundred years ago, Tai Cang's progress was incredible. Even Duobao, who had already broken through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal, did not have a sure chance of winning.

Tai Cang immediately dispersed the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder in his hand.

Duobao had stopped, so it wasn't appropriate for him to continue.

However, this matter couldn't be dropped. Duobao, as a personal disciple, was difficult to shake in the short term, but those who had been secretly instigating trouble had to be eliminated.

Tai Cang looked at Duobao, thinking to himself: Duobao, after the Investiture of the Gods, I will definitely kill you on the spot.

According to records:

After the Investiture of the Gods, Duobao would betray the sect and become the Buddha of the Western Paradise.

That would be the best time to take his life.

He originally didn't care about the Intercepting Sect and had even considered leaving, but Duobao's actions had completely enraged him.

Want to control the Intercepting Sect?

You'll have to ask me, Tai Cang, if I agree first.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

Zhao Gongming, San Xiao, and others came to Tai Cang's side.

"Senior Brother, Senior Sister."

Seeing the four of them, a sharp glint flashed in Tai Cang's eyes.

Since I've decided to establish myself in the Intercepting Sect, I must strengthen my power as soon as possible. Winning over the personal disciples is key.

Tongtian has twelve personal disciples under him.

Zhao Gongming and San Xiao occupy four seats. If I can win them over, I'll be able to gain a firm foothold, and then gradually win over the other personal disciples.

Once the majority of personal disciples are loyal, Duobao, as the Eldest Senior Brother, will be a mere figurehead. With his greedy nature, he will surely make one mistake after another, even...

"Junior Brother."

Zhao Gongming spoke, "Senior Brother Duobao has gone too far."

"You defeated the Golden Crow Prince for him and retrieved the Sun Moon Essence, yet instead of being grateful, he acts like this. It's truly disheartening."

"Don't worry, Junior Brother. When we get to the Upper Clarity Palace, we will testify for you and ensure Duobao doesn't have his way."

Tai Cang looked at Zhao Gongming in surprise.

Tai Cang was puzzled. Although he had previously guided Zhao Gongming and the other three in the essentials of the Upper Clarity Tongtian Art, given Zhao Gongming's temperament, he shouldn't have been so impulsive. Was he really going to oppose Duobao completely for his sake? Or did Zhao Gongming have other plans?

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Suppressing his thoughts, Tai Cang cupped his hands. "Since that's the case, I'll trouble Senior Brother and the three Senior Sisters."

"Let's go to the Upper Clarity Palace."

"Alright!"

The five wasted no more time, riding clouds and heading straight for the Upper Clarity Palace.

Inside the Upper Clarity Palace, Duobao and the other personal disciples were already standing quietly. The inner disciples and registered disciples were also gathered there. However, to Tai Cang's surprise, Duobao's expression was calm, showing no sign of unease from the previous attack.

"Strange..." Tai Cang mused, "Could something have happened in these past few hundred years?"

Entering the great hall, the five bowed to Tongtian in unison. "Greetings, Master!"

"Hmm." Tongtian's gaze swept over everyone. "Take your positions. I've summoned you all here today for the Three Sects Competition."

The Three Sects Competition?!

Tai Cang's pupils contracted. Zhao Gongming and the other personal disciples also showed surprise. Tai Cang's previous conflict with Duobao had already angered Tongtian, leading to severe punishment. Yet now, Duobao had deliberately provoked him, and Tongtian seemed to ignore it?

"Master!" Zhao Gongming couldn't help but step forward. "Senior Brother Duobao, he—"

"Silence!" Tongtian interrupted with a wave of his sleeve. "Duobao, as the chief disciple of the Intercepting Sect, testing his junior brother's cultivation is his duty, and this authority was granted by me."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent. Zhao Gongming retreated speechlessly, and the others looked at Duobao with increased wariness. Tongtian's words undoubtedly declared that Duobao would truly wield the authority of the Intercepting Sect. Even as personal disciples, no one dared to confront this Eldest Senior Brother head-on.

"So that's how it is..." Tai Cang's eyes sharpened. "Duobao, this is your backing!"

He suddenly understood—the difference in status was the key. If he had been a personal disciple, Duobao would have had to be more considerate; but as an inner disciple, Duobao dared to attack brazenly, even if he knew he was being instigated.

With Tongtian's tacit approval, Duobao's actions not only deterred the disciples but also announced to everyone in the Intercepting Sect: no matter how strong Tai Cang was, he could never surpass the rank of a personal disciple. The disciples in the hall looked at Duobao with increasing reverence, and quietly distanced themselves from Tai Cang. This included the personal disciples.

"Tongtian... what exactly are you trying to do?" Tai Cang glanced at Tongtian from the corner of his eye, lowered his head, and replied, "This disciple obeys."

Tai Cang said no more and turned to walk towards the area where the inner disciples were located.

The surrounding inner disciples retreated, deliberately keeping their distance from him, as if to draw a clear line. Tai Cang paid no attention to this; he only wanted to understand Tongtian's intentions. As for the others, he disdained them.

Zhao Gongming and San Xiao returned to their group, their expressions complex and their hearts heavy.

"Alright!" The voice of Sect Master Tongtian came from the main seat. "The Three Sects Competition is about to begin. As disciples of the Intercepting Sect, you should bring glory to the sect." With a wave of his hand, jade talismans flew into the hands of Tai Cang and the others.

"The Three Sects Competition is extremely perilous. Participation is entirely voluntary. If you do not wish to participate, put down the jade talisman; if you wish to participate, inject your mana into it."

"Master, I am willing to go!" Daoist Duobao was the first to step forward and express his willingness, injecting his mana into the jade talisman without hesitation. The jade talisman immediately shone brightly and emitted a buzzing sound, flying back to Tongtian's side.

"I am also willing to participate!"

"Master, count me in!"

The personal disciples responded one after another, and glowing jade talismans flew towards Tongtian continuously. Afterward, some inner disciples and registered disciples at the Golden Immortal realm also injected their mana.

In the blink of an eye, jade talismans flew around the great hall, piling up like a mountain beside Tongtian.

How should I choose? Tai Cang's brow was tightly furrowed. If it were in the past, he would have participated without hesitation, as the System's quest required him to win the championship of the Three Sects. But today's events made him hesitate.

Tongtian's favoritism towards Duobao chilled him to the bone. Several times, he felt Tongtian intended to promote him to a personal disciple, only to back out in the end. More crucially, Tongtian tacitly allowed Duobao to suppress him.

If he could bring glory to the Intercepting Sect in this discussion of the Dao, or even win the championship, perhaps he could be promoted to a personal disciple. Then he could implement his plan, win allies, isolate Duobao, and wash away the shame.

But at this moment, Tai Cang wavered. Tongtian's attitude had disappointed him. With the System, why should he still bow and scrape to this Sage?

Crack!

A crisp shattering sound broke the silence of the great hall. Everyone turned their eyes, only to see Tai Cang slowly open his palm. The jade talisman had turned to dust and scattered with the wind.

"This..."

Everyone was stunned. The jade talisman was broken! Tai Cang actually refused to participate in the Three Sects' discussion of the Dao?

"Junior Brother Tai Cang..." Yunxiao wanted to speak but stopped.

Zhao Gongming pulled on her sleeve and gently shook his head. Yunxiao looked at Tai Cang, then at her brother, and finally sighed, silently returning to her original position.

Yunxiao ultimately chose to advance and retreat with Zhao Gongming. Even Bixiao and Qiongxiao stood by his side. Faced with Tai Cang's actions, a glint flashed in Duobao's eyes as he sternly questioned, "This jade talisman was bestowed by our master. How dare you destroy it? Do you still have our master in your eyes?"

These words were like a huge stone dropped into water, stirring up a thousand waves. Many people began to voice their accusations: "Senior Brother Tai Cang, as a member of the Intercepting Sect, how can you disregard the sect's reputation! How can you be so disrespectful of an item bestowed by our master?"

The personal disciples also spoke one after another: "Junior Brother is too impulsive. This concerns the Intercepting Sect's honor. How can you act on impulse? Earlier, Senior Brother Duobao was merely testing your cultivation. Why dwell on it?"

Listening to everyone's accusations, Tai Cang's gaze grew colder. He had seen it clearly: the so-called camaraderie among fellow disciples was nothing but an illusion. Even the Three Pure Ones would split up, let alone these fellow disciples with no blood ties? In the face of benefits, nothing else mattered.

This kind of Intercepting Sect deserves to be destroyed! Tai Cang took a deep breath and stepped forward to bow to Tongtian: "Master, I have gained some insights after sparring with Duobao and have decided to enter seclusion for cultivation and withdraw from the Three Sects Competition. I believe my fellow disciples will surely win. I shall take my leave now." With that, he turned and left.