Boom!
Boom!!
Boom!!!
As nine thunderous drumbeats rang out across the sky, all the Interception Sect disciples within a thousand miles of Golden Turtle Island were stunned.
"What's going on?!"
"Is someone attacking us?"
"Quick, move!"
"The sect has issued an urgent summons! Whatever you're doing, get back here right now!"
"..."
Once they came to their senses, the Interception Sect disciples abandoned their cultivation and fights, dropped everything they were doing, and raced back to Golden Turtle Island at full speed.
This sight immediately alarmed the Golden Immortals of Chanjiao.
"Master! Master, we have trouble!!"
Taiyi Zhenren, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chanjiao, hurried all the way to Jade Void Palace, shouting as he went. He found Yuanshi Tianzun still meditating.
"What has you so panicked?!"
Yuanshi Tianzun was already in a foul mood after failing to gain the upper hand at Zixiao Palace. Seeing his disciple act as though the sky were falling, he immediately scolded him irritably:
"I've told you all to cultivate diligently, but every one of you only knows how to slack off. Then, the moment something happens, you panic like this?"
"M-Master, we have every reason to panic!"
Taiyi Zhenren wore a woeful expression. "The Interception Sect suddenly recalled every disciple who was outside the sect. What do you think they're planning?"
"What?!"
Yuanshi Tianzun's heart gave a thump. He asked again, uncertainly, "You're saying they recalled all their disciples?"
"That's right!"
Taiyi Zhenren nodded firmly. "The bell on Golden Turtle Island rang nine times, and those Interception Sect disciples went crazy. They all rushed home as fast as they could, abandoning even the spoils they'd already claimed!"
At that, Taiyi Zhenren paused and looked hesitantly at his master.
"M-Master, what do you think? Should we recall our disciples too?"
"What would be the point of recalling them?"
Yuanshi Tianzun came to his senses. Instead of panicking, he gave a cold smile. "Not only should you not call them back, you should send them word to wander around near Golden Turtle Island whenever they have nothing to do."
"I'd like to see who dares lay a hand on them!"
"..."
Taiyi Zhenren's lips twitched. "Master, this... doesn't seem right. Our disciples' lives matter too!"
"What do you know?!"
Yuanshi Tianzun's aged face tightened with displeasure. He glared at the man. "Do you think Tongtian is as foolish as you?"
"Just rest easy!"
"Even if I gave him a hundred times the nerve, he wouldn't dare touch my disciples!"
"Understood..."
Seeing Yuanshi Tianzun grow angry, Taiyi Zhenren had no choice but to go and deliver the order, however reluctant he was.
Meanwhile,
on Golden Turtle Island,
Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao, two of San Xiao, held Sect Leader Tongtian's decree and called out the names of the gathered Interception Sect disciples one by one.
The Four Great Personal Disciples, the Seven Attendant Immortals, the Ten Heavenly Lords of Golden Turtle Island...
In short, every disciple at the Great Encompassment Golden Immortal level or above was called. The rest were strictly forbidden from leaving the island!
"This..."
Daoist Duobao, the Interception Sect's Senior Brother, watched Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao read the decree from the platform, and felt an inexplicable irritation.
What was going on?
He was his master's most favored eldest disciple, and the foremost of the Interception Sect's Four Great Personal Disciples. Normally, wasn't he the first to hear about anything happening in the sect?
But what now?
He hadn't heard a thing, while people like San Xiao—who usually kept to themselves—had suddenly taken charge?
This was outrageous!
The more Daoist Duobao thought about it, the more upset he became. At last, he couldn't hold back and asked, "Junior Sister, can you explain what's going on? Why hasn't our master come in person?"
"Oh?"
Bi Xiao already had a rock-bottom opinion of this Senior Brother, who would betray the sect in the future. She rolled her eyes and retorted, emphasizing every word:
"Senior Brother, Master's decree is right here. What are you questioning? Or is there something guilty in your heart?"
"???"
Duobao was completely baffled. What did she mean, something guilty in his heart? What could he possibly be guilty of?
He was utterly loyal to the Interception Sect. What could he possibly be hiding?
Unfortunately, Bi Xiao gave him no chance to argue. Once she had finished reading Sect Leader Tongtian's decree, she led everyone straight to Biyou Palace.
The whole way there, Daoist Duobao was miserable.
So the moment he saw Sect Leader Tongtian, he began to complain, aggrieved. "Master, you must see justice done for your disciple..."
"Silence!"
Sect Leader Tongtian's expression was cold. He didn't even bother to respond. Instead, he raised a hand and placed restrictions on those few traitors.
"From now on, you will obey orders without question. I don't want to hear a single objection. Understood?"
"Yes!!"
At his icy tone, everyone present trembled and hurriedly agreed.
Only then did Sect Leader Tongtian smile with satisfaction. He beckoned to someone behind him.
"Let me introduce someone to you. Xuanming, come here!"
"Grandmaster!"
Xuanming hurried forward from the back, first bowing to Sect Leader Tongtian, then greeting everyone present.
"Xuanming pays his respects to all his senior and junior uncles!"
"..."
The people present looked at one another. Whether or not they knew Xuanming, a question rose in every mind.
Why was their master making such a grand announcement to introduce a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to them?
Did he want them to take him on as a disciple?
That couldn't be right, could it?
A Grand Unity Golden Immortal might not be all that powerful, but he was still a notable figure in the Interception Sect. He was qualified to take disciples of his own!
While they were still wondering, Sect Leader Tongtian calmly announced, "From today on, Xuanming is the Deputy Sect Leader of the Interception Sect."
"To see him is to see me!"
"When I'm not here, Xuanming will be the sect leader of the Interception Sect. None of you may disobey his orders!"
"Is that clear?!"
"???"
After Sect Leader Tongtian finished speaking, everyone present fell silent for a full three seconds. Then an uncontrollable uproar broke out.
Even Daoist Duobao, who was still reeling from being rebuked, couldn't help himself.
"M-Master, you can't be serious, can you? You're making him Deputy Sect Leader... pfft!"
Before Daoist Duobao could finish, Sect Leader Tongtian impatiently raised a hand and sent him flying dozens of miles away.
"Duobao, I'll settle your affairs with you later. For now, get out of my sight and stay put!"
Then Sect Leader Tongtian turned and looked around at the bewildered crowd.
"I'll ask once more. Is that clear?!"
"Understood!!"
Meeting the faint killing intent in Sect Leader Tongtian's gaze, everyone present nodded obediently, no matter how many questions or objections they had.
"Then move out!"
Sect Leader Tongtian didn't care whether they truly understood or were only pretending. Once Journey to the West Tongtian and Nuwa had finished setting up the formation around Biyou Palace, he swept his hand and brought everyone into the Chaos.
Destination: the Journey to the West world!
Objective: destroy Buddhism!
Before you continue