Duobao's Defeat

After speaking frankly with Fang Yang, Sect Master Tongtian did not let him leave.

The Jie Sect Immortals, led by Daoist Duobao, had arrived below Purple Ganoderma Cliff. They were in neat formation, high-spirited, and with firm resolve, prepared to seek an audience with Sect Master Tongtian.

Originally, Outer Disciples were not allowed to enter Golden Ao Island without permission. However, with Daoist Duobao calling at the gate, anyone could enter Golden Ao Island at any time.

Sect Master Tongtian reached out and swept through the void, and a light screen appeared, displaying those faces filled with righteousness reaching the heavens.

His gaze was deep, fixed on Daoist Duobao. No one knew what he was thinking.

Fang Yang did not speak. He had long foreseen this day, but he had never cared.

Some things, he would have to face sooner or later.

The destruction of the Jie Sect was the result of both internal and external factors.

Outside the Jie Sect, he had enemies to deal with. Within the Jie Sect, he also had enemies.

External demons were demons, and internal demons were also demons. Fang Yang had long been prepared to eliminate demons and uphold righteousness.

"Do you think your Senior Brother is a demonic evil?"

Sect Master Tongtian looked at his most favored disciple and suddenly asked, without turning his head to look at Fang Yang.

This question, Fang Yang found difficult to answer.

If Lü Yue and the others were Evil Forces, then Daoist Duobao was the umbrella protecting the Evil Forces.

What else could the umbrella protecting the Evil Forces be, if not a demonic evil?

However, he couldn't say it like that. After all, Daoist Duobao was Sect Master Tongtian's most favored disciple.

"Senior Brother is unfathomably profound. He has a broad mind, is unconcerned with trivial matters, possesses a compassionate heart, and wields a gentleman's sword. He is a role model for our generation."

Fang Yang organized his thoughts slightly before replying.

These few sentences came from the bottom of his heart, so his gaze was exceptionally sincere, making it clear he was not lying.

Sect Master Tongtian gently shook his head. No matter how heartfelt Fang Yang's words were, they did not align with Daoist Duobao's character.

"Your Senior Brother was not like this before. When I first saw him, he was still a Treasure Mouse fighting valiantly against a demon snake to protect his kin. I will never forget the fearless look in his eyes."

Sect Master Tongtian's tone was deep as he recounted Daoist Duobao's past to Fang Yang.

"His background was not high, but he possessed extraordinary perseverance. After he achieved immortality, he told me that he wanted to help all beings cross the Immeasurable Tribulation with me and reach the Other Shore of the Great Dao. His expression at the time was incredibly resolute."

"After this sect was established, he fulfilled his duties as Senior Brother exceptionally well. He was filial to me and extremely protective of his Junior Brothers and Sisters."

"But, I don't know when it started, he changed. He became blinded by the lust for power. These were not major issues in themselves. He is the Senior Brother of this sect; without power, how could he govern it?"

"Unfortunately, in order to win people's hearts, he indulged his fellow disciples in evil deeds. This move not only dragged himself into the abyss of destruction but also caused our sect's fortune to weaken further."

"He has completely changed. He is no longer the intelligent and brave Treasure Mouse from back then."

Sect Master Tongtian's words were filled with melancholy, with the helplessness of "things have changed, and the original intention is hard to regain."

In the light screen, Daoist Duobao bowed towards Biyou Palace, his voice shaking the heavens, full of impassioned pleas for his fellow disciples.

"Fang Yang, like all sentient beings, you see everything clearly and dare to speak your mind. But how long can you persist?"

Sect Master Tongtian finally turned to look at Fang Yang, his gaze carrying a hint of inquiry.

Fang Yang found Sect Master Tongtian increasingly inscrutable. He felt that what Sect Master Tongtian intended to do was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Sect Master Tongtian's failure to discipline the Jie Sect was likely not due to favoritism, but rather a part of some grand scheme.

Fang Yang could not fathom the Mysterious Wonders of a Saint's Scheme.

However, when Sect Master Tongtian sought his counsel, he could see himself clearly.

He would not change, because the Jie Sect was his Foundation in the Great Desolation.

"Master, this disciple will not merely persist, because this disciple will grow. This disciple hopes to become someone who can stand on his own in the future. This disciple's eyes are only on the Great Dao, and nothing else messy."

Power and beauty were fleeting illusions in Fang Yang's eyes. These things could betray and harm him at any moment.

Only strength was something truly his own.

Sect Master Tongtian offered no comment on this answer.

He had seen many existences like Fang Yang in the river of time, but in the end, none of them had managed to persevere.

Ancestor Dragon, East Prince, Di Jun... How spirited and ambitious they were when they first ascended to power, but after enduring the long years, they all changed.

Fang Yang was still young and tender now, his Dao Heart was still intact, but when Fang Yang's Pure Heart disappeared, could he still persist as he did now?

Sect Master Tongtian had been disappointed many times. This time, he did not want to hold out too much hope.

Seeing Sect Master Tongtian's lack of enthusiasm, Fang Yang did not want to spout empty words or grand pronouncements.

A career was built, not spoken. Moreover, he acted for himself, not to prove anything to those around him.

Fang Yang's quick return to silence and his unperturbed state of mind brought Sect Master Tongtian a measure of peace.

Fang Yang's Dao Heart was the strongest he had ever seen. Compared to Fang Yang, Daoist Duobao's Dao Heart was completely inadequate.

Daoist Duobao often hid himself and deceived himself, but Fang Yang could face his true heart directly and then repair the flaws within it.

This kind of Dao Heart, though not yet perfect, would one day achieve perfection.

"This core disciple, I chose correctly. Perhaps, the future of this sect will truly be placed in his hands."

"Forget it, Duobao has his own opportunities in the future. If he truly has no fate with this sect, then let him go!"

Sect Master Tongtian took a step back and felt the vastness of the sea and sky. The worries and troubles that had once shrouded his heart vanished completely, never to return.

Perhaps, he was too persistent.

His master-disciple bond with Duobao was indeed important, but not so important that it would cost the future of the Jie Sect.

Fang Yang, who cleaned up scum from within and made powerful allies from without, planning Merits for Ten Thousand Generations for the Jie Sect, such a disciple was the most ideal inheritor.

He, Tongtian, also had to consider the Jie Sect and the future of the Great Desolation. He could not place all opportunities on one person.

Daoist Duobao and his group prepared to kowtow three times and ascend Purple Ganoderma Cliff, using a plan of self-harm to gain Sect Master Tongtian's mercy.

However, as they knelt halfway up the mountain, they ran into Water Fire Boy.

"Esteemed Martial Uncles, Master is discussing important sect matters with Junior Uncle-Master. Please return!"

Water Fire Boy waved his whisk expressionlessly, initiating the 'chase away' mode.

Daoist Duobao was completely stunned. What did he just hear? Sect Master Tongtian actually refused his request to see him?!