Guangchengzi's hand holding the Heaven-Turning Seal froze in midair.
That supreme treasure, capable of crushing mountains and rivers, now seemed impossibly heavy in his hand, yet as light as a feather. He could neither raise it nor lower it.
The expressions of the Chan Sect immortals behind him became extraordinarily vivid.
Shock, absurdity, disbelief—at last, all of it turned into the embarrassed fury of being toyed with.
"Presumptuous!"
Chi Jingzi was the first to lose his patience. His furious roar sent the sea churning.
The Yin Yang Mirror in his hand blazed with radiant light as he pointed it at Daoist Duobao.
"We act under our master's orders, carrying out Heaven's punishment! Yet you dare toy with us like this! Do you truly think the Chan Sect's immortal swords are not sharp enough?!"
Yet Daoist Duobao merely held the registration form a little farther forward.
The smile on his face was flawless, and his tone so sincere that no fault could be found with it.
"Senior Brother Chi Jingzi, please calm your anger."
"This is not mockery. It is simply the rules."
He shifted aside and pointed to the enormous stone stele behind him bearing the words [Conduct Affairs According to Regulations], his expression solemn.
"Ever since our sect's Dao Protector established the new regulations, Golden Ao Island has enforced an ironclad rule. Any outside visitor entering the island, regardless of status or purpose, must register for inspection purposes."
Daoist Duobao paused, his voice carrying an air of utter naturalness.
"This is both for Golden Ao Island's safety and for yours, senior brothers. What if... I mean, what if one of you were to accidentally fall on our island and get bruised or injured? We would at least have a record, making matters easier to handle afterward, wouldn't we?"
"Pfft—"
An Interception Sect disciple could not hold it in and nearly burst out laughing. The person beside him swiftly covered his mouth, leaving his face flushed red from suppressing it.
Chi Jingzi's face had already turned the color of liver.
Fall down?
Get bruised or injured?
He was a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, one of the Chan Sect Twelve Golden Immortals. Would he fall over on flat ground?
What humiliation!
"You..."
He trembled with rage and was about to unleash his treasure regardless of the consequences.
"Junior Brother, be patient."
Guangchengzi finally spoke, his voice as cold as the winds of the Nine Netherworlds.
He stopped the impulsive Chi Jingzi. His gaze, like two sharp swords, nailed itself to Daoist Duobao's face, as though he wished to find even the slightest flaw in that smiling expression.
But he failed.
Daoist Duobao's eyes were so sincere, so... businesslike.
It was as though, in his eyes, their group of twelve Grand Unity Golden Immortals was no different from the ordinary mortals at the foot of the mountain seeking the Dao. They were merely "visitors" who needed to follow the Process.
"What a fine way of conducting affairs according to regulations."
Guangchengzi forced the words out through clenched teeth.
After the initial suffocating frustration, the towering fury in his heart strangely settled instead.
He realized that this matter could not possibly have been Daoist Duobao's doing alone.
Behind him, Uncle-Master Tongtian—and perhaps even that mysterious "Dao Protector"—had to be directing it all.
The Interception Sect was declaring war on the Chan Sect in an entirely new way, one he had never seen before.
This was not a contest of cultivation. It was a contest of rules, a contest of orthodoxy!
If they made a move here, then regardless of victory or defeat, they would be at a disadvantage.
Because they would have broken the other side's "rules."
If word spread, it would become the Chan Sect bullying others with its power and acting unreasonably.
But if they followed the other side's "rules"...
That would be an even greater humiliation!
Countless thoughts flashed through Guangchengzi's mind. At last, he slowly extended his hand and accepted the Sandalwood Folder and jade brush from Daoist Duobao.
He wanted to see for himself!
He wanted to see just what medicine the Interception Sect was selling from its gourd!
"Senior Brother!"
Chi Jingzi and the others were all horrified at the sight.
Guangchengzi ignored them. His gaze merely settled upon the so-called [Golden Ao Island Visitor Registration Form].
After just one glance, his pupils suddenly contracted.
The veins on the hand gripping the jade brush bulged one after another.
The first field on the registration form read:
[Reason for Visit (please mark √ beside the appropriate option)] [A. Friendly Exchange] [B. Business Discussion] [C. Causing Trouble] [D. Other: ____]
Guangchengzi's breathing abruptly stopped.
He felt as though an invisible sledgehammer had slammed violently into his chest.
Causing trouble?
He was the Chan Sect's foremost disciple, acting under his master's orders to carry out Heaven's punishment, yet upon arriving here, he had become someone "causing trouble"?!
He forcibly suppressed the urge to crush the form into dust and continued reading.
[Expected Duration of Stay: ____ hours] [Are you carrying dangerous items? (Note: all magic treasures of the High-grade Houtian Spiritual Treasure rank or above fall into this category.) A. Yes B. No. If yes, please list the treasure's name, rank, and primary function below in detail, then submit it to Golden Ao Island's Reception Department for temporary safekeeping.]
Upon seeing this clause, Guangchengzi instinctively glanced at the Heaven-Turning Seal in his hand.
He could practically see himself writing down the Heaven-Turning Seal's name and function, then respectfully handing it over to an Interception Sect Outer Sect Disciple.
A rush of blood surged straight to his head.
Yet it was not over.
At the bottom of the form was another line of tiny cinnabar writing.
[Liability Statement: During your visit, please consciously comply with all island rules and regulations. Anyone who causes damage to the island's public property, formation facilities, flowers, plants, trees, or even personnel for personal reasons must provide compensation at the assessed value. The Calamity Aversion Department of our sect reserves final interpretation rights.] [Visitor Signature: ________]
At that moment, Guangchengzi understood completely.
What registration form was this?
It was clearly an unequal treaty!
A shackle placed around his neck!
Signing it meant acknowledging that he had come to "visit," that he carried "dangerous items," that he had to obey the Interception Sect's "rules," and that he would even be liable for any possible damages!
The lofty righteousness of their mission to "carry out Heaven's punishment" had been completely dissolved by this form, reduced to a private visit requiring advance notice and personal responsibility for the consequences!
Crack—
A crisp sound rang out.
The jade brush, carved from ten-thousand-year black jade, was actually crushed by Guangchengzi until a crack appeared on it.
A terrifying aura spread from his body, causing the seawater that had only recently settled to churn violently once more.
The Twelve Golden Immortals behind him all wore grim expressions. Their power surged as well, and they were clearly on the verge of erupting.
The air before Golden Ao Island's mountain gate froze to the extreme.
A great battle seemed ready to break out at any moment.
Yet at that very moment of drawn swords and taut bows—
A somewhat frail voice, carrying a trace of gentle amusement, slowly sounded from the crowd behind Daoist Duobao.
"Senior Brother Guangchengzi."
Everyone turned toward the voice.
They saw a young Daoist with a somewhat pale face and an unsteady aura, as though a gust of wind could knock him over. Supported by two disciples, he slowly walked out.
It was Chen Changsheng.
He gave Guangchengzi a distant bow, apology written across his face.
"Senior Brother, please calm your anger."
"Senior Brother Duobao and the others must have handled matters poorly and failed to explain things clearly to you."
He coughed twice before continuing.
"This standard registration form is indeed rather cumbersome. It is mainly intended to standardize management and prevent rogue cultivators and monster spirits from coming here to cause trouble."
"For honored guests from Kunlun like you, Senior Brother, we naturally have a dedicated reception Process."
Upon hearing this, Guangchengzi's expression eased slightly.
So there was another Process.
It seemed the Interception Sect still did not dare take matters too far.
He snorted inwardly and was about to speak when Chen Changsheng's next words drifted over unhurriedly.
"According to Article Three, Clause Seven of the Golden Ao Island VIP Reception Management Measures."
"Personal disciples of Sages from allied sects may forgo the standard registration form and enter directly through the VIP Passage."
Chen Changsheng paused, the smile on his face becoming even gentler.
"However... the VIP Passage requires an advance reservation."
"Senior Brother, do you have one?"
Before you continue