Originally, Guangchengzi had been feeling quite pleased with himself.
The Interception Sect had refused the Heavenly Court's decree. This was the height of disrespect.
Their Chan Sect followed the will of Heaven and carried out Heaven's punishments. Their cause was entirely righteous!
Today, they would make Golden Ao Island run with blood and show those damp-born, egg-laying creatures what Heavenly might and orthodoxy truly meant!
However.
He saw a glaringly bright red banner stretching a thousand zhang across the sky.
[Warmly welcoming the direct disciples under Uncle-Master Yuanshi of the Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain to Golden Ao Island for inspection and guidance!]
Every word had been empowered by magic, gleaming with golden light as though afraid someone might miss it.
The entire group was immediately dumbfounded.
What was going on?
They had come to demand an explanation!
They had come to carry out Heaven's punishment!
Inspection and guidance?
Had the people of the Interception Sect gone mad?!
"Senior Disciple Brother, this..."
Even Chi Jingzi, the most hot-tempered among them, was bewildered. He did not even know whether he should raise the Yin Yang Mirror in his hand.
Guangchengzi said nothing.
His face alternated between green and white. The towering rage that had built to its peak in his chest felt as though it had charged into a field of cotton. He had strength but nowhere to use it, and the frustration nearly made him cough up blood.
Just as the twelve of them hovered in the air, caught between advancing and retreating,
the gates of Golden Ao Island slowly opened.
Melodious immortal music and a rich fragrance drifted out from within.
Daoist Duobao, the Senior Disciple Brother of the Interception Sect, emerged side by side with Zhao Gongming. Both wore genial smiles, their faces brimming with warmth.
Behind them, hundreds of Interception Sect disciples poured out in a vast crowd. Each wore a brand-new Welcoming Daoist Robe and carried fruit platters and immortal brew, their faces glowing with hospitable smiles.
The other powerful direct disciples of the Interception Sect—Holy Mother Jin Ling, Holy Mother Gui Ling, San Xiao, and the rest—had not even shown themselves.
Was this confidence, or did they simply not take them seriously?
"Ah! Distinguished guests at our door, and we failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive us, please forgive us!"
From a distance, Daoist Duobao cupped his hands in greeting. His voice was loud, and his enthusiasm made it seem as though he had met long-lost blood brothers.
Zhao Gongming also laughed heartily.
"Senior brothers, you have come from afar and must have had a tiring journey! Please, quickly enter the island and have some tea!"
This sight left the Twelve Golden Immortals completely stunned.
They had imagined countless possibilities.
The Interception Sect disciples might resist to the bitter end.
Sect Leader Tongtian might personally step in.
Golden Ao Island might even seal itself off and refuse battle.
But they had never imagined this possibility.
The other side... seemed to be preparing for a grand banquet.
Guangchengzi took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the utterly absurd feeling in his heart. Channeling his magic power, he spoke with a voice like rolling thunder that resounded across the East Sea.
"Duobao! Zhao Gongming!"
"Your Interception Sect has defied the laws of Heaven and refused the Jade Emperor's decree. Do you admit your guilt?!"
His expression was stern and his voice severe, as he tried to drag the bizarre atmosphere back onto the proper track of a "judgment."
Yet Daoist Duobao seemed not to hear the accusation in his words. The smile on his face instead grew even brighter.
"Senior Brother Guangchengzi, you jest."
"The Heavenly Court's 'Mission Request Form' has already been accepted by our Calamity Aversion Department."
He took a Jade Slip from his sleeve and waved it toward Guangchengzi.
"Look, this is the <Preliminary Risk Assessment Report on the East Sea Conflict Incident> that we just completed. We were preparing to send someone to deliver it to the Heavenly Court and Jade Void Palace, to report to Uncle-Master and the Jade Emperor. Who would have thought that you senior brothers would come in person? This truly is... exactly what we needed!"
"Come, come, senior brothers. The wind is strong outside. Let's go inside and talk, inside and talk!"
Daoist Duobao enthusiastically stepped forward, actually intending to take Guangchengzi's hand and lead him into the island.
Guangchengzi instinctively took half a step back and avoided his hand, goosebumps rising all over his body.
What on earth was the Interception Sect up to?
At that moment, he suddenly sensed that something was wrong.
The Island Protection Array of Golden Ao Island had actually changed.
The Ten Ultimate Arrays, once filled with lethal intent at every turn, no longer carried the slightest trace of Killing Intent.
The Golden Light Array had transformed into countless rays of rosy light and streams of auspicious radiance, like a celebration.
What drifted from the Blood Dissolving Array was no longer soul-scouring, bone-eroding black sand, but a soothing sandalwood fragrance that refreshed the mind.
Even the Red Water Array, viewed from afar, had truly become a steaming hot spring. Artificial hills and strange stones dotted its banks, while immortal mist curled through the air.
A chill that seeped into his bones suddenly rose from the depths of Guangchengzi's heart.
This frightened him even more than directly laying out their arrays and fighting a real battle.
The Interception Sect was no longer the Interception Sect he knew.
"Senior Disciple Brother, there is no need for further words!"
Chi Jingzi finally could not restrain himself. He stepped forward and shouted sharply.
"We have come today to carry out Heaven's punishment, not to drink tea and discuss the Dao with you! Hand over the culprit at once and return with us to Jade Void Palace to receive punishment!"
The moment his words fell,
an Outer Sect Disciple with a pleasant smile approached while carrying a jade tray.
"Senior brother, you have been talking all the way here. You must be thirsty, right?"
"Come, have a taste of Golden Ao Island's specialty, Hundred Flower Immortal Brew. It will soothe your throat."
Chi Jingzi: "..."
His raised hand froze once more.
Seeing that he would not take it, the disciple enthusiastically offered him another item from the tray.
It was an exquisitely crafted Jade Slip.
"If you are not thirsty, senior brother, you may first take a look at our <Golden Ao Island Visitor Guidebook and Introduction to Interception Sect Procedures>. It details our sect's latest reform achievements, as well as... the reception Process for outside visitors."
Looking at the disciple's utterly sincere smile, Chi Jingzi felt a breath lodge in his chest, unable to rise or fall.
How was he supposed to fight?
Was he supposed to strike someone who was smilingly serving him tea and refreshments?
If word got out, would the Chan Sect Golden Immortals have any dignity left?
Guangchengzi finally understood.
The Interception Sect was using a method he had never seen, and had never even imagined, to dissolve their anger and break apart their will to fight.
A strike at the heart!
This was an open scheme!
He stared fixedly at Daoist Duobao and said, word by word,
"Duobao, put away this farce of yours!"
"If you do not give us an explanation today, do not blame me for showing no mercy!"
As he spoke, the Heaven-Turning Seal in his hand had already begun to radiate destructive light.
The smile on Daoist Duobao's face finally faded somewhat.
He sighed, his expression turning serious.
"Senior Brother Guangchengzi, it seems you still have some misunderstandings about our sect's reforms."
He turned slightly, revealing a massive stone monument that had recently been erected behind the gates.
Four large characters were carved upon it in sweeping strokes.
[Follow the Rules]
"Senior brother, look."
Daoist Duobao pointed at the stone monument and spoke with a serious expression.
"Ever since our sect's Dao Protector established the rules, all matters on Golden Ao Island have had procedures to follow and regulations to observe."
"You have come today in the name of 'carrying out punishment,' but in truth, you are here for an 'inspection.' We welcome you. However, please also comply with Golden Ao Island's 'Visitor Management Regulations.'"
As he spoke, he took a purple sandalwood folder and a jade pen carved from ten-thousand-year black jade from a disciple standing nearby.
Under the ghost-struck stares of the Chan Sect Twelve Golden Immortals,
Daoist Duobao opened the folder, revealing a fresh sheet of paper within, still carrying the scent of ink.
At the very top of the paper was a bold line of text.
[Golden Ao Island Visitor Registration Form]
Daoist Duobao respectfully presented the registration form and jade pen to Guangchengzi.
Wearing an impeccable, businesslike smile, he slowly said in a gentle yet unquestionable tone,
"Senior Brother Guangchengzi, according to procedure."
"Please... sign in here first, and state the purpose of your visit."
Before you continue