Lu Changsheng's face was icy as he stared coldly at Dingguang Xian.
What brotherhood?
When Dingguang Xian had used the Hunyuan Hammer and Six Souls Banner against him, a Mysterious Immortal, why hadn't he remembered they were fellow disciples?
Lu Changsheng knew full well that there was no chance of reconciliation between him and Dingguang Xian.
If circumstances allowed, he would have killed Dingguang Xian outright.
That would have removed a major threat to the Interception Sect ahead of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.
Since he couldn't kill Dingguang Xian, he would make the most of his value.
Lu Changsheng's icy gaze and indifferent words extinguished Dingguang Xian's last glimmer of hope.
"Very well. From now on, Dingguang Xian's Cultivation Resources will go directly to you."
Tongtian agreed to Lu Changsheng's request, then sealed Dingguang Xian inside his cave.
In an instant, another agonized scream rang out.
The Jie Sect Disciples shuddered at the sound.
This time, Dingguang Xian was truly finished.
Even if he could regain his place among the Suishi Qixian after a hundred thousand years, he could never make up for those hundred thousand wasted years.
Not to mention, he would no longer receive any Cultivation Resources.
Complicated looks fell upon Lu Changsheng.
After this battle, his name would quickly spread throughout the Interception Sect.
And though Lu Changsheng had only reached the Mysterious Immortal Realm, he would receive the Cultivation Resources of Dingguang Xian, a Golden Immortal.
It was safe to say that reaching the Golden Immortal Realm was only a matter of time for him.
At that moment, Tongtian spoke again.
"As you cultivate the Dao, conflict is inevitable."
"But remember this: you must not recklessly kill your fellow disciples."
"Anyone who harms a fellow disciple will be expelled from the Interception Sect and severely punished!"
Tongtian used Dingguang Xian's case to warn the others.
He did not want the Jie Sect Disciples to turn on each other and fight to the death.
"We will remember, Sect Leader!"
The Jie Sect Disciples answered in unison.
Tongtian then looked at them.
Under his gaze, the disciples felt as though he could see right through them, leaving them no secrets.
As many wondered what Tongtian was about to do, he spoke.
"Qin Wan, Zhao Jiang, Dong Quan..."
The five men he named had yet to understand what was happening when Tongtian raised his hand and pointed at them.
Five Spiritual Lights entered their foreheads at once.
After a brief daze, delight shone in their eyes one after another.
"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Leader!"
The five men spoke almost in unison.
"You've made tremendous progress over the past hundred years. Keep it up."
The other disciples watched with envy.
Tongtian had said before that those who advanced rapidly in cultivation could receive his personal guidance.
But seeing it happen before their eyes still left everyone astonished.
Whatever those Five Spiritual Lights contained, receiving guidance from a Saint—even a single sentence—was enough to benefit them for the rest of their lives.
"Two hundred years remain until the Jie Chan Discuss Dao."
"I've decided to take twelve of you to Kunlun Mountain when the time comes."
Tongtian continued.
Since the Chan Sect had the Jade Void Twelve Immortals, he would likewise bring twelve Jie Sect Disciples to the discussion.
Those words immediately drew everyone's attention to the Jie Chan Discuss Dao.
There were only Twelve Spots?
Given the number of Jie Sect Disciples, those Twelve Spots would be far more difficult to win than one in a hundred or even one in a thousand.
"To ensure fairness, none of the Twelve Spots will be assigned in advance."
"A hundred years from now, I'll set up twelve arenas on Golden Ao Island."
"Anyone confident in their strength may take the stage and defend it."
"Whoever remains standing on each arena will be able to attend the Jie Chan Discuss Dao two hundred years from now."
Those words caused an uproar across Golden Ao Island.
The Jie Sect Disciples' gazes grew even more fervent.
They saw limitless possibilities in Tongtian's announcement.
The arena format was undoubtedly favorable to challengers.
"Additionally, after the Dao Discussion Quota winners are decided a hundred years from now, I'll choose one of them to become my Personal Disciple."
His words landed like a bombshell on Golden Ao Island.
A Personal Disciple!
Even among Saint Disciples, there were distinctions in status.
Generally speaking, only Personal Disciples could receive a Saint's direct instruction and guidance.
The Interception Sect was famed as the Myriad Immortals Paying Homage, yet Tongtian had only four Personal Disciples in name: Duobao Daoren, Jinling Shengmu, Wudang Shengmu, and Guiling Shengmu.
Below the Personal Disciples were the Outer Disciples.
Generally, they weren't qualified to receive a Saint's personal instruction. They could only listen in when the Saint lectured on the Dao.
Sanxiao and Zhao Gongming were among the finest of the Outer Disciples.
But the Interception Sect had so many disciples that many who joined later didn't even get the chance to hear Tongtian lecture on the Dao.
And now, they had a chance to become Tongtian's Personal Disciple!
That was even more enticing than attending the Jie Chan Discuss Dao.
Seeing the fervent excitement in the Jie Sect Disciples' eyes, Tongtian felt a stir within him.
In truth, he had only just thought of offering a Personal Disciple position.
The Jie Chan Discuss Dao was a chance for the Interception Sect to prove itself, but it was also an opportunity for the Chan Sect.
Especially after Huanglong Zhenren had just lost to Xuan Jun.
Furious, Yuanshi would never allow the same thing to happen again.
It was easy to imagine that, over the next two hundred years, Yuanshi would do everything he could to improve the strength of the Jade Void Twelve Immortals.
The Interception Sect could not afford to fall behind.
The lure of becoming a Personal Disciple would surely spur the Jie Sect Disciples to work harder.
Tongtian also looked forward to seeing a disciple emerge who could truly impress him.
"You may all return to your cultivation."
"Lu Changsheng, come with me to Biyou Palace."
As he spoke, Tongtian headed back to Biyou Palace.
Lu Changsheng put away Ling Yun Jian and started toward Biyou Palace.
But after taking a single step, he suddenly remembered something and beckoned toward a corner of Golden Ao Island with his right hand.
The next moment, a flash of dark light flew into Lu Changsheng's hand.
It was the Hunyuan Hammer!
"Wait!"
A hurried shout rang out.
Lu Changsheng looked toward the voice and saw a burly, black-bearded Daoist standing there.
He quickly recalled who the man was.
Qiu Shou Xian, one of the Suishi Qixian.
"What, are you going to avenge Dingguang Xian?"
Qiu Shou Xian hurriedly shook his head.
Don't be ridiculous. Avenge Dingguang Xian?
Dingguang Xian hadn't been able to defeat Lu Changsheng. What made him think he could?
Besides, he could feel that the moment he called out to Lu Changsheng, a cold gaze had fixed on him.
Yunxiao!
That prickling sensation of being watched from behind made him deeply uneasy.
Qiu Shou Xian had no doubt that if he dared to make a move, Yunxiao would attack him at once.
"Dingguang Xian brought this upon himself. He has no one else to blame."
"I only wanted to say that the Hunyuan Hammer belongs to Wuyunxian. Please return it."
That was Qiu Shou Xian's real purpose.
Lu Changsheng raised the Hunyuan Hammer in his hand.
"What if I don't?"
Before you continue