Mortal Ying Zheng, Welcome My Lord's Arrival!

This sense of powerlessness, this loss of control, nearly shattered the Dao heart of this supreme Saint.

"Tongtian... Zhao Gongming..."

His voice was hoarse and dry, no longer a roar, but a murmur akin to a sleep talker's whisper.

"No... that's not right..."

He suddenly raised his head, his blood-red eyes sweeping over the disciples below, who were already frozen in fear.

"It's not them... Someone else must be behind this!"

"Who? Who exactly is plotting against my Sect of Explanation!!"

He abruptly stood up, the Saint's pressure erupting from him without reservation!

But this time, it was no longer a violent impact, but a distorted, chaotic force tinged with madness.

The laws of the entire Jade Void Palace wailed under this power, and cracks began to appear in space.

"Master!"

"Master, please calm your anger!"

The remaining nine Golden Immortals, struck by this aura, all spat out a mouthful of blood and knelt down in terror.

They felt that their Master was going mad!

"Enough!"

Just then, a clear, cold, and majestic voice came from outside the Jade Void Palace, instantly smoothing the chaotic laws.

A figure, stepping on golden lotuses and holding a flat staff, slowly walked in.

The person who arrived was none other than the Grand Supreme Elder Laozi, the Taiqing Saint!

"Senior Brother?" Venerable Yuanshi's frantic gaze finally regained a trace of clarity upon seeing the visitor.

"Yuanshi, you've gone too far," Grand Supreme Elder Laozi said calmly, looking at him. "When a Saint rages, heaven and earth change color. What kind of decorum is this, losing your composure like this?"

"Senior Brother!" Venerable Yuanshi seemed to have found his anchor, or perhaps like a child who had suffered immense grievance, his voice took on a hint of a sob. "Look! Look at my disciples! Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, Taiyi! They're all dead! Killed by those beasts from Jiejiao!"

"I can't figure it out! I can't figure anything out! This Calamity is not right! It's completely out of control!"

Grand Supreme Elder Laozi frowned slightly at his loss of composure, then sighed.

He performed a divination, his brow furrowed as well.

"The Heavenly Secrets... are indeed completely obscured. This power is not below yours or mine, perhaps... even above our junior brother Tongtian."

His words made Venerable Yuanshi's heart sink completely.

If even his Senior Brother, who was detached and serene and most skilled in deducing Heavenly Secrets, said so, then the severity of the situation was beyond his imagination.

"Then... what should we do?" Venerable Yuanshi asked blankly.

Grand Supreme Elder Laozi remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Observe the situation. Since we cannot deduce it, do not send any more disciples down the mountain. Gather your disciples, close your cave dwellings, and quietly chant the Yellow Court. Wait for this mist to dissipate on its own."

"No!" Venerable Yuanshi refused without thinking. "Are we not going to avenge my disciples? Is the prestige of my Sect of Explanation to be lost just like that? I cannot do it!"

"Then what do you want? To personally enter the fray and fight Tongtian to the death, dragging the entire Primordial Era down with you?" Grand Supreme Elder Laozi's voice turned cold.

Venerable Yuanshi was immediately speechless.

Just then, Daoist Randeng, who had been kneeling by the side "loyally," had a fleeting glint in his eyes.

He knew his chance to shine had come again.

He spoke with great "sorrow," "Master, Taiqing Saint speaks wisely! At this moment, it is indeed not advisable for us to act rashly. However... the death of Junior Nephew Taiyi has left a huge hidden danger!"

"What hidden danger?" Venerable Yuanshi immediately asked.

"Nezha!" Randeng said in a deep voice. "Junior Nephew Taiyi's disciple, the reincarnation of Lingzhuzi, is currently in the home of Chen Tang Pass's Grand General Li Jing, about to be born! This child is one of the key figures for my Sect of Explanation in this Calamity! Originally, Junior Nephew Taiyi was supposed to personally go and enlighten and accept him as a disciple. But now... Junior Nephew Taiyi has already met his doom. If no one goes to guide him, this child might end up wandering, or worse... be snatched away by Jiejiao!"

Randeng's words struck Venerable Yuanshi's heart like a heavy hammer.

That's right!

Nezha!

He had almost forgotten this most crucial pawn!

He had already lost three Golden Immortals, and he absolutely could not lose Nezha, this vanguard general!

"Someone must be sent! Immediately!" Venerable Yuanshi said urgently.

But who should be sent?

He looked at the nine disciples below, who were as silent as cicadas in winter, and felt a wave of sadness.

He no longer dared to send any of his direct disciples down the mountain.

As he hesitated, Shen Zhaochi, within the Investiture of the Gods Space, revealed a "kind" smile.

"Trying to snatch Nezha? Too late."

His gaze turned towards the distant Chen Tang Pass.

Above the mansion of Li Jing, auspicious energy gathered, and the phantom image of a finely carved child was slowly condensing.

"Three years and six months. The fruit is ripe, it's time for it to come out."

Shen Zhaochi's consciousness stirred slightly.

"Waaah--"

A loud cry echoed from Li Jing's backyard, reverberating throughout Chen Tang Pass.

However, this cry did not come from the birthing room.

Instead, it came from a perfectly round, treasure-gleaming meatball that was spinning erratically.

Chaos erupted within the General's mansion.

Li Jing stared at the "monster" his wife, Lady Yin, had given birth to, his face ashen with shock and fury.

"Demon! It's a demon!"

He drew the sword at his waist, killing intent blazing in his eyes.

"I, Li Jing, guard Chen Tang Pass and have slain countless demons! How can I allow a demon like you to be born into my home and bring ruin upon my family!"

He raised his long sword and brought it down fiercely upon the meatball still rolling on the ground!