A thousand miles away, deep beneath the ley lines of another, more secluded Overseas Desert Island, a Chaos Restriction formed an invisible cocoon, completely cutting off the aura within from the outside world.
At the center of the restriction, Wen Zhong had changed into clean robes. With Tongtian's help, using the Chaos Origin, his injuries had stabilized. He was not fully healed, but was no longer in danger. He did not hurry to meditate and recover. Instead, he knelt respectfully before Tongtian. This Old Grand Tutor, who had served three dynasties, risen to the highest rank among officials, and chosen death over surrender, now looked like a lost child who had finally found his way home. Tears welled in his tiger-like eyes as he choked out the Interception Sect's grim fate after the War of Investiture of the Gods.
"Master! This disciple has failed! I could not protect our Dao Lineage, and countless immortals perished. Our sect's teachings were nearly wiped out!" Wen Zhong pressed his forehead to the ground, his grief unrelenting.
Tongtian sat at the head of the gathering, his expression calm, but the fist he had clenched slightly beneath his sleeve betrayed his inner turmoil. Wudang and Sanxiao stood at either side, their faces sorrowful as well. They knew the Interception Sect had fallen, but the details Wen Zhong recounted still cut into their hearts like knives.
"After the Myriad Immortals Formation fell, our Senior Brother Duobao was captured by Uncle-Master Laozi, and his whereabouts are unknown. Some say he was taken to the West," Wen Zhong rasped. "Of the Seven Attendants, Zhunti lured Wuyun Xian to the West with the Six Roots Pure Bamboo. Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Cihang took Qiushou Xian, Lingya Xian, and Jinguang Xian as mounts, subjecting them to endless humiliation. And that traitor,