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 already arrived below Purple Ganoderma Cliff. They stood in orderly ranks, full of fighting spirit and firm resolve, ready to seek an audience with Sect Master Tongtian.

Outer Disciples were not normally allowed to enter Golden Ao Island without permission. But with Daoist Duobao leading the way, anyone could enter Golden Ao Island at any time.

Sect Master Tongtian reached out and swept his hand across the air. A screen of light appeared, displaying the faces of those righteous and upright disciples.

His gaze was deep as it settled on Daoist Duobao. No one knew what he was thinking.

Fang Yang said nothing. He had long expected this day; he had simply never cared.

Some things were bound to confront him sooner or later.

The Interception Sect's downfall was the result of both internal and external troubles.

Outside the Interception Sect, he had enemies to deal with. Within it, he had enemies too.

External demons were demons, and so were internal ones. Fang Yang had long been prepared to purge evil and defend the Way.

"Do you think your senior brother is a demonic evil?"

Sect Master Tongtian looked at his most prized disciple. Without turning to look at Fang Yang, he suddenly asked the question.

That was a difficult question for Fang Yang to answer.

If Lü Yue and the others were a gang of wicked criminals, then Daoist Duobao was their protector.

And what was a protector of wicked criminals, if not a demonic evil?

But he could not put it that way. After all, Daoist Duobao was Sect Master Tongtian's most prized disciple.

"Senior Brother is unfathomably deep. He is broad-minded and magnanimous, with a compassionate heart and the bearing of a true gentleman. He is a model for us all."

Fang Yang took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.

Every word he said came from the heart, and his gaze was especially sincere. It was obvious he was not lying.

Sect Master Tongtian shook his head gently. No matter how sincere Fang Yang was, his words did not fit Daoist Duobao's character.

"Your senior brother wasn't always like this. When I first met him, he was still a Treasure Mouse, fighting desperately against a demon serpent to protect his kin. I will never forget the fearless look in his eyes."

Sect Master Tongtian spoke gravely, telling Fang Yang about Daoist Duobao's past.

"He was of humble birth, but exceptionally determined. After he became immortal, he told me he wanted to help all living beings survive the Immeasurable Tribulation and reach the Other Shore of the Great Dao alongside me. His resolve was unmistakable."

"After this sect was established, he fulfilled his duties as senior brother very well. He was deeply filial toward me and cared greatly for his junior brothers and sisters."

"But at some point, he changed. His eyes were dazzled by power and desire. Those things alone weren't major problems. As the senior brother of this sect, he needed authority to manage it."

"Unfortunately, to win people over, he let his fellow disciples run wild and commit misdeeds. That not only dragged him toward the abyss of destruction, but also caused this sect's fortune to decline more and more."

"He changed completely. He is no longer the clever and courageous Treasure Mouse he once was."

Sect Master Tongtian's words were full of melancholy, and with it, the helplessness of seeing things remain while people changed, and of watching an old resolve fade away.

On the screen of light, Daoist Duobao bowed toward Biyou Palace, his voice carrying up to the heavens as he passionately pleaded for his fellow disciples.

"Fang Yang, like everyone else, you can see through everything, and you dare to speak your mind. But how long will you be able to hold on?"

Sect Master Tongtian finally turned to Fang Yang, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze.

Fang Yang found Sect Master Tongtian increasingly difficult to read. He felt that what the man intended to do was not as simple as it seemed.

Perhaps Sect Master Tongtian was not reforming the Interception Sect because he was playing favorites, but because he was carrying out some kind of plan.

Fang Yang could not begin to fathom the mysteries behind a Saint's Scheme.

Yet when Sect Master Tongtian asked him a question, Fang Yang could see himself clearly.

He would not change, because the Interception Sect was the foundation that let him establish himself in the Primordial Wilderness.

"Master, I won't need to hold on, because I will grow. I hope to become someone who can stand on his own in the future. My eyes are set only on the Great Dao, not on all those other distractions."

Power and beauty were fleeting clouds to Fang Yang. Such things could betray and hurt him at any moment.

Only strength truly belonged to him.

Sect Master Tongtian gave no sign of whether he approved of the answer.

He had seen too many people like Fang Yang in the river of time, but in the end, none of them had managed to hold on.

Ancestor Dragon, East Prince, Di Jun... When they first rose to power, how spirited they had been, how ambitious and talented. But after enduring the long years, they had all changed.

Fang Yang was still young and inexperienced. His Dao Heart remained intact, but when his Pure Heart was gone, would he still be able to persevere as he did now?

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

Seeing that Sect Master Tongtian seemed uninterested, Fang Yang was also unwilling to spout a bunch of empty words and grand promises.

A great undertaking was accomplished through action, not talk. Besides, he worked for himself, not to prove anything to those around him.

Fang Yang had fallen silent so quickly, and his state of mind had remained completely undisturbed. This gave Sect Master Tongtian a little peace of mind.

Fang Yang's Dao Heart was the strongest he had ever seen. Daoist Duobao's could not compare.

Daoist Duobao often hid his true self and deceived himself. Fang Yang, on the other hand, could face his own heart directly, then mend its flaws.

This Dao Heart might not yet be perfect, but one day it would be.

"I chose the right Core Disciple. Perhaps the future of this sect really should be placed in his hands."

"Forget it. Duobao has his own opportunities ahead of him. If he truly has no fate with this sect, then I'll let him go."

Sect Master Tongtian took a step back and suddenly felt the world open up before him. The worries and troubles that had weighed on his heart vanished without a trace.

Perhaps he had been too attached.

The bond between him and Duobao as master and disciple was indeed important, but not so important that the Interception Sect's future should be sacrificed for it.

A disciple who purged the sect's scoundrels from within, forged ties with powerful allies from without, and planned to earn merits for ten thousand generations on behalf of the Interception Sect—that was the ideal heir to his legacy.

He, Tongtian, had to consider the Interception Sect and the future of the Primordial Wilderness. He could not stake every opportunity on one person.

Daoist Duobao and the others had planned to kowtow three times at every step as they climbed Purple Ganoderma Cliff, using a self-sacrificing plea to win Sect Master Tongtian's mercy.

But halfway up the mountain, they ran into Water Fire Boy.

"Uncles-Master, the Master is discussing an important matter concerning the sect with Junior Uncle. Please return."

Water Fire Boy waved his horsetail whisk expressionlessly, ushering them away.

Daoist Duobao was dumbfounded. What had he just heard? Sect Master Tongtian had actually refused to see him?!