Return to Jin'ao Island, Where the Winds Shift and Undercurrents Surge

Sovereign of the Heavens rode the Azure Rainbow Bridge, leading his disciples through the boundless chaos and back to the primordial world. The moment they set foot in the East Sea, everyone felt the atmosphere grow heavy. The sky remained clear, yet a faint aura of killing intent hung in the air. The waters of the four seas were calm, but beneath them, it seemed that powerful undercurrents were surging. The peaceful, auspicious air of the Immortal realm had taken on the oppressive feel of a storm about to break.

The bridge landed before Biyou Palace on Jin'ao Island. When the disciples on guard saw their master return, they bowed in greeting. Their expressions were respectful, yet tinged with a nervousness and worry they had never shown before. The Immortal Cranes folded their wings, the Spirit Beasts crouched low, and even the exotic flowers and plants covering the island seemed less vibrant and more subdued.

Sovereign of the Heavens swept his gaze across the island, his eyes bright as lightning. He seemed to have glimpsed some of the changes in the heavenly secrets, but said nothing of them. "Return to your places and quietly contemplate what you learned from this sermon." With that, his figure vanished into Shangqing Hall.

As head of sect affairs, Daoist Duobao immediately showed his capable side. He instructed the disciples who had accompanied them, "Return to your abodes and consolidate your cultivation. Junior Disciple Brother Wuyun, Junior Disciple Sister Shiji, come with me to the hall to discuss matters. Junior Disciple Brother Xuanyuanzi..." He turned to Lin Xuan, his tone solemn. "You distinguished yourself on this trip to Zixiao Palace and rendered meritorious service to our sect. Settle in for now. We'll discuss some important matters later."

Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi) bowed and replied, "I'll follow your instructions, Senior Disciple Brother."

He keenly noticed that Daoist Duobao had changed how he addressed him, from "researcher" to the more familiar "Junior Disciple Brother." Duobao had also explicitly praised him for "rendering meritorious service to the sect." This was undoubtedly recognition of how he had answered Guangchengzi's doubts in Zixiao Palace and won Empress Nuwa's favor. It meant his position in the Interception Sect's inner circle had grown more secure. Yet behind this newfound security seemed to lie greater responsibilities and trouble on the way.

Lin Xuan returned to his quarters in a side hall of Biyou Palace. Before he could even sit down, he sensed that the atmosphere on the island was unusual. At this time of day, he would normally hear disciples sparring and discussing the Dao, or feel the spiritual energy surging from artifact refining and alchemy. Now, all was silent. Only the wind brushed past his ears, carrying the faint sound of distant tides. Even those seemed heavier than before.

He sat quietly for a while, then extended his divine sense and carefully assessed his surroundings. He sensed that the protective grand formation around Jin'ao Island had quietly shifted to a higher level. Hidden Formation Patterns flickered through the void, drawing on the spiritual energy of the Earth Vein and radiating an aura that warned others to keep their distance. Guards had been reinforced at key locations like the Scripture Pavilion, Artifact Refining Hall, and alchemy chambers, with powerful elders stationed there as well.

So the news of the treasure distribution in Zixiao Palace has already spread. The primordial world... is about to be rocked by upheaval. Lin Xuan brooded. The Dao Ancestor's distribution of treasures seemed to grant people opportunities, but in truth it had scattered countless karmic entanglements and tribulation energy throughout the primordial world. The flashes of light from the Innate Spiritual Treasures were the fuses for one deadly calamity after another. The Interception Sect was known as Myriad Immortals Paying Homage; its sheer size made it a target. It was bound to be at the heart of this upheaval.

Just as he was pondering this, a streak of light descended outside the window, revealing Holy Mother of Fire Spirit. He seemed less carefree than usual and more grave. He hurried inside and said quietly, "Senior Disciple Brother Xuanyuanzi, you're back! Have you noticed what's happening on the island?"

Lin Xuan invited him to sit and nodded. "I've sensed something. The atmosphere is definitely different from before."

Holy Mother of Fire Spirit leaned closer, lowering his voice further. "There's something you should know, Senior Disciple Brother. While you were away in Zixiao Palace, the primordial world underwent a massive upheaval! Tensions between the Witch and Demon Clans have grown increasingly fierce. The other day, they clashed on the northwestern wasteland. They say a Demon God fell and a Great Witch was injured! All the various factions are restless. More importantly..."

He paused, a trace of worry flashing through his eyes. "I heard that the Dao Ancestor's distribution of treasures didn't settle the matter of the Primordial Violet Qi. The heavenly secrets are in chaos. Rumors are spreading in secret that whoever obtains the Violet Qi may become a Sage. Countless reclusive experts and ancient clans have gone wild with envy! Our sect made quite a splash on this trip to Zixiao Palace, and we've also earned the regard of several Sages, including Grand Master Tai Shang, Master, and Junior Aunt Nuwa. I'm afraid we've become a target for everyone!"

Lin Xuan's heart tightened at his words. He knew how the general course of events would unfold, but hadn't expected things to change so quickly and so drastically. The conflict between the Witches and Demons was escalating, and undercurrents stirred over the Primordial Violet Qi. The Interception Sect was caught in the middle of the maelstrom, with a storm already gathering.

"Besides," Holy Mother of Fire Spirit said in a hushed voice, glancing around, "things aren't entirely peaceful within the sect either. Some elders think our reforms have been too rapid lately. In particular, the 'standardization' and 'Daoist Scripture Spirit Net' you introduced have threatened the interests of certain people. On top of that, your cultivation is still shallow, yet Master and Senior Disciple Brother hold you in such high regard. That's already stirred some criticism. With trouble coming from outside, I'm afraid those voices will grow louder."

Lin Xuan fell silent. He had expected as much. Reform was bound to threaten entrenched interests, and an "outsider" like him, suddenly risen to a high position, was all the more likely to invite jealousy and resentment. In ordinary times, Master's support and his own achievements were enough to keep it in check. But now that pressure from outside was mounting, those internal undercurrents had fertile ground in which to grow.

"Thank you for telling me, Junior Disciple Brother Huo Ling," Lin Xuan said gravely. "With a storm approaching, the only way forward is to remain calm and meet it head-on. Improving my own strength is the foundation of everything."

After seeing Holy Mother of Fire Spirit off, Lin Xuan sat alone in the quiet room and gazed out the window. Clouds rolled and shifted above Jin'ao Island, changing without pause. In the distance, where sea met sky, a patch of darkness silently spread.

He knew that the peaceful days spent listening to the Dao in Zixiao Palace were over. Returning to Jin'ao Island didn't mean reaching a safe harbor; it meant entering a far more complicated and dangerous game. Outside loomed the shadow of the Witch-Demon War, the undercurrents of the Sages' rivalries, and countless perilous eyes coveting the Primordial Violet Qi. Within the sect, there were conflicts born of reform and rivalries stirred by his new position.

The winds had shifted, and undercurrents surged. Could this little boat, seemingly sheltered by a Sage, not only keep itself afloat amid the towering waves to come, but also ride the wind and press on, spreading the principles of Scientific Cultivation?

The test had only just begun.