The Dragon Palace's Secret Council Sets Its Strategy; A Sudden Disturbance-Calamity Clouds Gather

Inside a cave in the Ancient Battlefield, Tongtian slowly calmed the surging blood and qi caused by forcibly communicating with the Investiture of the Gods. The fury and grief in his eyes gradually gave way to cold reason. Zhao Gongming's resolve to damage his own true spirit to shield him was like a thorn buried deep in his heart, strengthening his determination to rescue every disciple on the list as soon as possible.

However, he couldn't rush this. The Investiture of the Gods was a treasured artifact of the Heavenly Dao, personally controlled by Haotian Shangdi and watched over, however discreetly, by the Saints. Trying to seize it by force would be no different from courting death. He had to plan before acting, and come up with a foolproof strategy—or wait for an opportunity that might vanish in an instant.

The top priority now is to increase my strength, build up my forces, and learn as much as possible about the movements of every faction—especially the weaknesses of that Otherworld and the Investiture of the Gods. Tongtian quickly settled on a strategy. Though he had reached the Late Quasi-Saint stage, he remained insignificant before a Saint. The road to the Primordial Dao was long, and he needed more resources and insights.

He thought of Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea. The Dragon Clan was fabulously wealthy and possessed deep reserves. It also had old ties with the Interception Sect, and had recently fallen out with the Western Teachings and the Chan Sect over the matter of the Underworld. They were his most reliable ally and source of information right now.

"Wudang," Tongtian called.

Saint Mother Wudang, who was guarding the cave entrance, immediately stepped inside. "Master."

"Take this talisman and go secretly to the Dragon Palace of the East Sea to meet Ao Guang." Tongtian took out a black jade talisman forged with Chaos Netherworld Magic Power. Runes flickered across it, and it contained a unique aura that only Primordial Dao techniques could discern, making it difficult for outsiders to divine or investigate. "Tell him I've safely returned to the Primordial World, and arrange to meet at our usual place. Remember, conceal your tracks and don't alert anyone."

"Understood, Master!" Saint Mother Wudang solemnly accepted the talisman. Knowing how important this matter was, she blurred into a faint trace of water vapor and silently vanished into the baleful aura outside.

Tongtian closed his eyes again. He continued consolidating his cultivation and studying the Otherworld's newly acquired power of destruction. At the same time, he sent out a wisp of divine sense, using his link to Empress Pingxin through reincarnation, along with the Chaos Dao Fruit's vague perception of the secrets of heaven, to remotely sense the flow of Auspicious Qi and subtle changes across the Primordial World.

Several days later, Saint Mother Wudang returned safely.

"Master, His Majesty Ao Guang has received the message. He said he'll make preparations right away and wait for you in three days at the 'Nirvana Vortex,' deep within the East Sea's ocean eye." Wudang reported back, her expression grave. "Also, on my way back, I sensed that the atmosphere in the East Sea was unusually tense. The number of Aquatic Race troops on patrol had increased several times over, as if they were on strict alert for something. There was also an extremely faint but unsettling sense of foreboding in the air."

Tongtian opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them. "Oh? A sense of foreboding?" His powerful divine sense immediately spread out as he carefully searched for its source.

Sure enough, a faint yet unmistakable oppression seemed to hang over the vast East Sea and even the entire Primordial World. It was neither baleful aura nor Calamity Qi, but an indescribable restlessness—and fear—rooted more deeply in the world itself. It was as if the entire Primordial World were trembling instinctively.

[Warning: Unknown disturbance detected at the level of the Primordial World's source... Energy fluctuation frequency is 17.3% similar to that of an Otherworld Fragment... Disturbance source located in the direction of the East Sea's Guixu; fluctuations are slowly intensifying]

"Guixu..." Tongtian's gaze sharpened. It was the end of the Primordial World, where all things returned to stillness. Along with the Chaos Sea, it was shrouded in mystery. Could the approaching Otherworld already be affecting the Primordial World itself?

Three days later, at the East Sea's ocean eye, the Nirvana Vortex.

This was a forbidden zone for life, even more terrifying than the Netherworld's Cold Pool. The colossal whirlpool of seawater seemed to connect to the deepest hell, devouring all light and life. Its dreadful pressure could crush the body of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, and it was filled with chaotic, shattered Law Fragments.

A stream of dark gray light ignored the vortex's destructive pull and plunged straight into its depths like a sword, arriving in a strange, relatively calm space of darkness.

The Dragon King of the East Sea, Ao Guang, had been waiting there for some time. He had not come in person, but sent a Water Element Clone condensed from his Natal Dragon Pearl, showing just how cautious he was. When he saw Tongtian appear, he hurried forward, excitement and reverence on his face. "Sect Master! You've finally returned! When I heard what happened in the Underworld, I was truly... truly worried sick about you!"

He carefully sensed the unfathomable aura surrounding Tongtian, which seemed to resonate faintly with the destructive environment around them, and was even more astonished. It had been such a short time since they last met, yet Tongtian's strength had undergone a complete transformation! The aura of deep, deathly stillness in particular made even him, the Dragon King, feel a chill.

"Thank you for your concern." Tongtian nodded slightly. "Dragon King, I'll be brief. What's the situation in the Primordial World? What are the Western Teachings and the Chan Sect doing? Has the Dragon Clan noticed anything unusual in heaven and earth lately?"

Ao Guang's expression turned serious, and he promptly replied, "Sect Master, the situation is dire! After what happened in the Underworld, the Western Teachings and the Chan Alliance reacted with extreme hostility. The Western Teachings declared you a 'reincarnated fiend, bringing chaos to the Primordial World.' They've joined forces with many subordinate factions and issued a 'Demon Slaying Order,' searching everywhere for you. The bounty is high enough to tempt even a Quasi-Saint! The Chan Sect hasn't issued an order openly, but Guangchengzi and the others have been very active, coordinating with the Western Teachings to suppress every force connected to the Interception Sect."

He paused, his tone growing even more grave. "As for the disturbance in heaven and earth, you've sensed it too, Sect Master? In the past few days, the East Sea—and indeed the entire Primordial World—has been gripped by an indescribable oppression. There are often muffled, heart-stopping booms from the direction of Guixu, as if some colossal being were pounding against the world's barrier! Several ancient dragons of our clan, who had been in slumber, were awakened. They called it an 'ominous portent' and said an 'Outer Realm Fiend' seemed to be drawing near! The waters of all Four Seas have grown restless as a result, and tsunamis have become frequent."

Tongtian's gaze darkened. Just as he'd thought! The Otherworld was approaching faster than he'd expected. Even the source of the Primordial World was beginning to react.

"Dragon King, do the Dragon Clan's ancient records mention this 'Outer Realm Fiend'? How have the Western Teachings responded?"

Ao Guang gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "The ancient texts contain only a few scattered references, all vague and unclear. They say only that it's a terrifying entity from the Chaos Sea, driven by an instinct to devour worlds. As for the Western Teachings... their reaction is strange. On the surface, they act as if facing an imminent disaster, proclaiming the 'Calamity of the End of Dharma' everywhere and urging all living beings to take refuge in Buddhism for protection. But in secret, according to spies I stationed near the Spirit Mountain, there's been unusual activity at the Spirit Mountain Treasury lately. It seems... it seems they're rushing to forge some kind of massive magical artifact, and powerful Buddha Light has frequently been sent secretly in the direction of Guixu... Their behavior is mysterious, not like a simple defensive measure."

Tongtian sneered inwardly. Just as he'd expected! The Western Teachings were spreading panic while pressing ahead with their mad plan to "convert the Demon God." They might even be hoping to make contact with the Otherworld on their own terms!

"I also heard something else," Ao Guang said in a lowered voice. "Apparently, the Heavenly Court is taking the recent disturbances in heaven and earth very seriously. Haotian Shangdi intends to send envoys, and might even lead an expedition in person to investigate Guixu! If that happens, the Heavenly Court's defenses will inevitably be thin..."

A glint flashed in Tongtian's eyes! That was unexpected news. If Haotian left the Heavenly Court, it would indeed be a once-in-a-millennium opportunity!

"Is the information reliable?"

"About eighty percent. It came from a commander in the Heavenly River Navy, who let it slip while drunk," Ao Guang confirmed.

Tongtian pondered for a moment, quickly weighing his options. If Haotian led an expedition to Guixu, leaving the Heavenly Court exposed, it would be an excellent opportunity to make contact with—or even rescue—the disciples on the list. But the risks were considerable. No one knew what measures Haotian might leave behind, and the Western Teachings and the Chan Sect would certainly be keeping a close eye on the Heavenly Court.

"Dragon King, I've taken note of this. The Dragon Clan must remain on guard in the days ahead, especially in the direction of Guixu. If anything happens, inform me immediately using this talisman." Tongtian handed Ao Guang another specially made jade talisman. "Also, I'll have to trouble the Dragon Clan to keep helping me gather several materials."

He named several extremely rare divine materials, some of which existed only in legend. They were needed to further refine the Chaos Bead and to craft a special set of formation flags that could better shield against the secrets of heaven and aid communication with the Investiture of the Gods.

Ao Guang looked troubled when he heard this, but his expression soon became resolute. "Rest assured, Sect Master! Even if I have to exhaust the Dragon Palace's secret stores, I'll find these materials for you!" He was now completely committed to Tongtian. The stronger Tongtian became, the greater the Dragon Clan's chances of survival.

"Good. I'll remember the Dragon Clan's kindness." Tongtian cupped his hands and said no more. His figure slowly blended into the darkness, vanishing into the Nirvana Vortex.

After leaving the ocean eye, Tongtian didn't immediately return to the Ancient Battlefield. Instead, he concealed his presence and gazed toward Guixu.

At the edge of the world, where the Chaos Sea met the Primordial World, the sky that had always been misty gray now seemed tinged with an unsettling dark red. Vast Spatial Rifts, like wounds in the world, appeared and vanished intermittently. The aura pouring out of them made the Otherworld Fragment within him grow faintly hot!

Calamity clouds were gathering.

At that moment, his keen divine sense picked up several extremely concealed yet immensely powerful streaks of light. They were cutting quietly across the sky from various parts of the Primordial World—including the Spirit Mountain and Kunlun—and heading straight for Guixu!

Clearly, the Heavenly Court was far from the only force that had noticed the changes in heaven and earth and taken action.

The curtain on the great calamity seemed to be rising with a speed beyond anyone's expectations.

Tongtian stood above the churning sea, his robes snapping in the wind, his gaze deep as a star-filled ocean.

The turmoil was here, and opportunity and danger went hand in hand.

He had to make every preparation as soon as possible, and carve out a path to survival for himself and the Interception Sect amid this surging Calamity Wave!

The next moment, he turned and shot away in a streak of light toward the Ancient Battlefield.

Time was growing ever more pressing.