To avoid suspicion, Cao Xianzhi had voluntarily gone into seclusion, claiming that he was consolidating his cultivation. In truth, he was also avoiding a situation where neither side would appreciate him.
On the Immortal Traces side, he had refused to cooperate.
On the family side, he had also refused to reveal the details.
He had clearly wanted to maintain harmony between both sides as much as possible, yet in reality, he had lost standing with both.
But this was Cao Xianzhi's nature, so he did not regret it.
Yet even while in seclusion, protected by the barrier he had set up to block outside disturbances—
When the Great Dao Tree, carrying the fifth form of the Heaven Severing Seven Swords, broke through the forbidden ground's barrier from within—
Even though Cao Xianzhi was quite far from Earth Immortal Lake, with both the family's grand formation and his Chamber of Secrets barrier between them—
He still felt that powerful surge.
"What's going on? Such a huge disturbance?"
Cao Xianzhi had never expected things to escalate so drastically.
After all, Xu Yue and the others had invited him themselves, and he had assumed they intended to cooperate or infiltrate the place.
But now, they were clearly launching a frontal assault!
Could the Celestial Venerable have joined them as well?
But even with the Celestial Venerable involved, two Earth Immortal Remains, plus divine weapons and a grand formation, were not something that could be easily overcome.
Moreover, because the Earth Immortal Remains were difficult to control, the aftermath and destruction could very well spiral out of control.
Cao Xianzhi's heart was filled with worry. One side was his companions, the other his family. No matter who was hurt, he would feel terrible about it.
Just as he hesitated, unsure what to do—
A