All expression vanished from Hongjun's face, returning to its original indifference.
He examined himself and discovered that everything he had done in this calamity had been utterly countered by his three disciples.
No matter what he wished to do, they had a response prepared—sometimes even one step ahead.
Though that one step was truly a minute gap.
Yet a gap was still a gap.
And in the end, it had led to the present outcome.
Heavenly Dao Hongjun discreetly glanced at the Heaven-Suppressing Coffin of his second disciple.
"Three Pure Ones, you have won. From this day onward, you will no longer be disciples of the Mystic Gate, and Daoism may also separate from the Mystic Gate."
Heavenly Dao Hongjun had personally made the promise.
The Three Pure Ones had thus completely broken away from the Mystic Gate.
Though all the Saints knew that this had been the outcome agreed upon before the two sides clashed, hearing Heavenly Dao Hongjun say it aloud still left them dazed.
"For the time ahead, I will return to Purple Cloud Palace and enter seclusion."
What seclusion? He was clearly returning to Purple Cloud Palace to nurse his wounds. Boss Hongjun probably did not want to remain in that shattered state forever.
Lies did not hurt people. The truth was the sharpest blade.
If Heavenly Dao Hongjun could hear his disciple's inner thoughts, this "seclusion" might well have been abandoned in favor of fighting to the bitter end.
Just as the Three Pure Ones all entertained such thoughts, Heavenly Dao Hongjun suddenly spoke.
"Do not think that defeating me this time means you have changed the greater tide."
"With your current strength, you are not enough. In the end, you will be nothing more than a single wave in the vast sea."
"When the