Golden Ao Island had returned to peace.
After watching Yuanshi and Taishang leave, Tongtian sent his voice across the island: "Zhao Gongming, Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, Shi Ji, San Xiao, come and see me!"
A short while later.
Those whom Tongtian had called all arrived at Biyou Palace.
San Xiao, Zhao Gongming, Shi Ji, and Turtle Spirit Holy Mother were all disciples who had originally been destined to enter the Investiture of the Gods.
Shi Ji had been killed by the overbearing Taiyi Zhenren for stepping in to teach Nezha a lesson.
Although Zhao Gongming possessed powerful treasures, he was still ambushed and killed by the people of the Chan Sect.
San Xiao had suffered the worst fate of all. Their souls had been destroyed inside the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, leaving them unable even to enter the Investiture of the Gods.
Of these four disciples, only Shi Ji held a relatively low position.
Zhao Gongming, San Xiao, and Turtle Spirit Holy Mother were Tongtian's most favored disciples. They were the main forces in the Investiture calamity.
Yet all of them had ultimately died.
"Master!"
The four disciples spoke respectfully.
Tongtian swept his gaze over them and slowly said, "The great calamity is coming. You must seize the time to cultivate diligently and strengthen yourselves!"
"Also, do not leave Golden Ao Island!"
"I still have some treasures here. Use them to protect yourselves properly."
With that, nine Innate Spiritual Treasures appeared in the air before the four disciples.
Tongtian had obtained this batch of Innate Spiritual Treasures from Treasure Distribution Rock. By giving them to his disciples, he hoped to increase their strength.
"Thank you for bestowing these treasures upon us, Master!"
Although they did not know why he forbade them from leaving the island, they understood that everything he did was for their sake.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Each disciple received an Innate Spiritual Treasure, and they were all overjoyed.
Cultivators never complained about having too many treasures.
"All right. Remember my words, then go out and cultivate!"
Tongtian smiled at the disciples.
Although traces of confusion appeared on their faces, they still obediently took their treasures and went to cultivate.
Tongtian's primary purpose in giving the Innate Spiritual Treasures to his disciples was to increase their chances of surviving the great calamity. After all, he could not protect them every moment.
After his disciples had left, Tongtian began considering how to make his arrangements.
The solution was obvious.
Once the Investiture of the Gods was filled with disciples of the Western Teachings and the Chan Sect, they would secretly harm his Interception Sect as well.
"If that is the case, then let us see who is plotting against whom!"
Tongtian's eyes were resolute.
"This time, I will protect my Interception Sect at all costs! The tragedy will not happen again!"
Inside Zixiao Palace.
Purple light flickered in Hongjun's eyes, and his face was filled with shock.
The heavenly secrets had become exceptionally chaotic!
With the heavenly secrets in such disarray, even a Saint could no longer perform any deductions!
Hongjun was bewildered. He muttered to himself, "That is not right. The great calamity should still be a long way off."
"Could it be... that the great calamity has arrived early?"
Although Hongjun's strength was extraordinary, he was helpless before the laws of the Heavenly Dao.
In the immortal-aura-filled Wa Huang Palace.
Nuwa had also discovered the problem with the chaotic heavenly secrets. No matter how she tried to calculate them, everything remained a blur.
"The heavenly secrets are in chaos. It seems the great calamity has arrived!"
Nuwa's clear voice slowly emerged from her lips.
On Kunlun Mountain.
Yuanshi raised his head toward the void, his eyes seeming capable of seeing through the endless universe.
It seemed he had to deal with the Interception Sect immediately!
Once the great calamity descended, it would be useless to make plans afterward.
In the Western world, atop Spirit Mountain.
Jieyin and Zhunti wore solemn expressions.
"We cannot wait any longer!"
"If the Western Teachings do nothing under the great calamity, they may cease to exist."
"For the sake of the Western Teachings, Tongtian, we have no choice but to deal with you!"
The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination!
At that moment, the two Saints were still brimming with confidence. The main battlefield of this calamity would certainly not fall upon the Western Teachings.
Tongtian had already crippled his own Saint position. Perhaps even if the two of them did not act, someone else would take their place and make a move!
Zhunti and Jieyin were already imagining the fate of Tongtian's Interception Sect...
Golden Ao Island was calm and peaceful.
A pair of eyes filled with sword-light slowly opened.
After thinking it over repeatedly, Tongtian realized that the destruction of the Interception Sect was caused not only by external troubles but also by internal ones!
Some of the unprincipled people within the Interception Sect had decisively defected to the Western Teachings after the sect lost its power. They had then turned around and attacked their fellow disciples, chilling the heart!
"Disciple requests an audience with Master!"
At that moment, Duobao also came to seek an audience with Tongtian.
"Enter!"
The passage opened.
A moment later, Duobao arrived before Tongtian and bowed.
"Master, your two senior uncles may not give up so easily."
Duobao spoke with deep concern.
"Indeed."
Tongtian answered in a deep voice.
"Could this killing calamity truly be unavoidable?"
Seeing Tongtian slowly nod, Duobao said resolutely, "As your disciple and a fellow member of the sect, I will do everything in my power to protect them!"
Could even a Saint be unable to resist this Investiture killing calamity?
Tongtian looked at Duobao.
"Sigh..."
Duobao's temperament was simply too kind. That was why he would later be tempted by Laozi, transformed from Hu into Buddha, and become the Western Duobao Tathagata.
Was his purpose not to protect those poor Interception Sect disciples who had been converted and taken to the West?
Tongtian sighed and shook his head before explaining, "If Saints do not enter the calamity, how can they interfere with it?"
"Master, have you already attained the Primordial Dao once more?"
Duobao asked hopefully.
"No."
"I merely used some special methods."
Tongtian slowly replied.
Upon hearing this, Duobao's brows drew tightly together.
No wonder Master had secluded himself for so long. Wasn't his true purpose to attain the Primordial Dao once more?
Without a Saint, the Interception Sect was merely a piece of fat waiting to be carved up, possessing nothing but the empty reputation of receiving myriad immortals in homage.
In a world where Saints stood supreme, only Saints were fundamental.
Duobao did not know when Tongtian would be able to attain the Primordial Dao once more, so he looked at him with hope and asked, "Master, may I ask when you will be able to attain the Primordial Dao once more?"
Looking at Duobao, whose heart was full of hope, Tongtian replied, "It will happen soon!"
"For now, your task is to protect the Interception Sect properly and remain cautious!"
Tongtian looked toward the void and spoke slowly.
"I understand!"
Duobao answered firmly.
At present, the Interception Sect's situation was turbulent and dangerous, and the hearts of its people were difficult to fathom. Many changes might occur.
"As the Interception Sect's senior disciple, you bear a heavy burden. You must make ample preparations!"
Tongtian stared into Duobao's eyes and spoke in a solemn tone.
The Investiture killing calamity was stirring the winds and clouds. Everyone was in danger, and death was common!
If one was even slightly careless, one's soul would be scattered!
There would be no way to save them!
"As a member of the Interception Sect, I must protect it properly. I will not hesitate even if it costs me my life!"
"Duobao has made ample preparations!"
"No matter what the outcome is, I will have no regrets!"
Before you continue