The Battle Draws to a Close

Inside Tongtian's sword formation.

Tongtian effortlessly caught the Apricot Yellow Flag. With this, he only needed to collect two more flags to complete the set of five.

"I was planning to teach you a proper lesson, but seeing how readily you handed it over, I'll let it slide this time!"

Tongtian looked at Yuanshi and spoke with undisguised contempt.

At those words, Yuanshi's aura immediately surged. Fire seemed to blaze from his eyes, and he was just short of striking outright.

Yet before he could erupt, Tongtian directly aimed both the God-Slaying Spear and the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation at him.

Tongtian stared at Yuanshi with eyes full of anticipation, wishing with all his heart that Yuanshi would attack him.

He had been worrying over finding an excuse to deal with Yuanshi. How wonderful it would be if Yuanshi delivered himself right to his doorstep.

Come on, attack!

The moment he makes a move, I can give him a proper beating.

Yuanshi alone was no match for Tongtian at all. If he fought Tongtian now, he would only be hung up and beaten.

The Two Western Saints could not care less what Yuanshi intended to do.

If not for Yuanshi, the two of them would not have ended up trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to bait it. Instead, they could have watched a fine show unfold.

There was no need to say it—the flag they had handed over was impossible to retrieve.

They had already provoked Tongtian, and now they did not dare provoke Yuanshi as well. Otherwise, they would not dare take even a single step out of their door in the future.

Seeing Yuanshi hand over his flag without the slightest hesitation or heartache, all they could do was look on with envy.

After all, he had so many treasures. This was not his only defensive treasure.

At this moment.

Yuanshi also realized that he was being watched like a hawk. The raging fire in his heart could not be quenched even with the waters of the Yellow River.

Though furious, he was no fool and did not dare fight Tongtian.

Setting aside the God-Slaying Spear and the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, the divine ability Tongtian had used on Jieyin alone was enough to make him drink a bitter cup.

If he was on his own, then no matter what, he would not make another move.

With immense reluctance, Yuanshi slowly withdrew his aura.

I'll let him off for now!

Yuanshi thought shamelessly.

If he had not been trapped within the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation right now, there would be nothing to fear from Tongtian!

Even if I can't beat him, can't I still run?

No matter what, I still have the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud, a supreme defensive treasure, that I haven't brought out yet. The mere Four Immortal Slaying Swords could never break through my defenses!

Yuanshi felt utterly miserable. Trapped within the sword formation, he could not break it no matter what he did.

Tongtian had already obtained the flag, so he did not continue pressing them.

Especially those two paupers from the Western Teachings—they did not have anything good at all.

As for Yuanshi, although he possessed many Magic Treasures, Tongtian could not truly do anything to him for the time being.

"Scram!"

Tongtian recalled the sword formation, turning it back into four swords. The God-Slaying Spear was likewise summoned back.

Outrageous!

Tongtian actually dared to humiliate them like this?

Yuanshi's face was so dark it seemed as though water could drip from it, but he truly had no face left to remain here. In an instant, he tore open space and stepped inside.

Jieyin and Zhunti did not dare linger either, leaving in an instant.

Thus ended the farce of three great Saints joining forces to pressure Golden Ao Island.

Once the three Saints had departed, all the great powers of the Primordial World who had been watching in secret withdrew their gazes.

This was simply incredible. Even three Saints could not defeat Tongtian—how could they, who were not Saints, dare provoke him?

Within a certain stretch of space.

Taishang's expression was no better.

Even three Saints had failed to force Tongtian to sign the Investiture of the Gods. The days ahead would likely be difficult.

"This has become troublesome indeed. Sigh!"

Taishang muttered with a sigh before vanishing outright.

Within another stretch of space.

Nuwa also departed without a sound.

The spaces opened up by the two Saints were gradually filled back in before long.

For a time, Golden Ao Island was incomparably tranquil.

Tongtian's feat of defeating three Saints single-handedly shook the primordial world.

Watching them leave one after another, Tongtian descended back onto Golden Ao Island.

His disciples immediately crowded around him.

"Master! It was my incompetence that I failed to protect Golden Ao Island!"

Duobao said, filled with guilt.

His master had repeatedly instructed him to guard Golden Ao Island well, yet he had nearly gotten himself killed.

He felt that he had fallen short of his master's high expectations.

"What's there to feel guilty about? Facing three hypocrites, you already did very well."

Tongtian softly comforted Duobao.

The demonic beasts that had come charging in at the start had definitely been the work of one of those three Saints. Even if Duobao had not gone out at first, the three Saints would have found other ways to cause trouble.

Duobao was not a Saint. To return alive after facing three Saints—wasn't that impressive enough?

"Master, you've reclaimed your Saint's position, haven't you?"

Wudang asked Tongtian, her eyes full of hope.

At Wudang's question, the Interception Sect disciples all looked at Tongtian with eager anticipation.

Seeing the looks in his disciples' eyes, Tongtian answered directly, "That's right. I've broken through to become a Great Dao Saint!"

At last, the great stone weighing on the Interception Sect disciples' hearts fell away.

Their master had reclaimed his Saint's position. In the face of the Great Calamity, they now had even greater confidence.

"Master has attained Dao as a Great Dao Saint. His strength must be even more terrifying than before!"

Great Immortal Wuyun said joyfully.

At those words, every Interception Sect disciple nodded.

Master is here! The Great Calamity is upon us! We fear nothing!

Feeling his disciples' trust in him, Tongtian glanced above his head, a glint of determination flashing through his eyes!

A few days later, Tongtian set up a new Mountain Protection Formation.

"Master, the Great Calamity is about to arrive. What do you need us disciples to do?"

Great Immortal Wuyun respectfully asked Tongtian.

"You need not worry about the Great Calamity. Just cultivate in peace!"

"Leave everything to me!"

Tongtian told Wuyun.

Everyone else feared this Great Calamity, but Tongtian did not. He had ample confidence that he could protect the Interception Sect!

"The Great Calamity cannot be avoided. Only by taking the initiative can we seize that sliver of life!"

Tongtian spoke bluntly.

Hearing this, the Interception Sect disciples wore varied expressions.

Tongtian directly bestowed treasures upon his disciples and said, "Strength is the best method for dealing with calamities!"

"Cultivate well!"

The Interception Sect disciples nodded in acknowledgment.

"It has been a long time since I last guided your cultivation."

"Today, having attained Dao once more, I will properly explain the meaning of the Great Dao to you."

With that, Tongtian sat down directly on the ground.

The Interception Sect disciples hurriedly found places to sit as well, afraid they might miss anything.

The Dao Tongtian expounded was incomparably profound and wondrous. He began with the shallow teachings before moving into the deeper ones, and by the end, almost no one could understand what he was saying.

Yet they still listened with utmost seriousness, for this would be of tremendous help to their futures.

Time flowed on, and several months passed in the blink of an eye.

Seeing that they were all still immersed in comprehension, Tongtian smiled faintly. In the next instant, his figure had already appeared within Biyou Palace.

Although he had broken through to become a Great Dao Saint, his realm had not yet fully recovered.

Tongtian turned his gaze toward the treasure within his Purple Mansion.

At that moment, the Nine-Patterned Peach floated quietly within his Purple Mansion, radiating a dazzling purple glow.

After refining this peach, would he be able to raise his cultivation to the third realm?