Heavenly Origin Sect Seeks Trouble

Zhao Gongming suppressed all traces of his aura, appearing like the most ordinary rogue cultivator as he traveled between mountains and rivers.

He sank his divine sense into his body, constantly feeling the pulse of the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls.

After his breakthrough, Zhao Gongming's connection with this Innate Spirit Treasure grew even closer. He could even sense that within each pearl, there seemed to be a small world, though it was currently in a state of primordial Chaos.

"If I could completely refine these twenty-four pearls and evolve them into twenty-four heavens, I wonder what kind of power that would be..." he thought with anticipation. His reliance on the Primordial Deduction System had transformed into a desire to become stronger himself.

One day, Zhao Gongming arrived at a range of continuous mountains. The terrain here was treacherous, with strange rocks and rugged peaks. Sha Qi often rose from the mountains, giving off a subtle ominous sign. In front of the mountains stood an ancient stele, inscribed with three blood-red characters: Fallen Immortal Ridge.

Legend had it that this place was the site where an ancient mighty being from the Dragon-Phoenix Era had fallen. Resentment and Sha Qi intertwined, and over time, it became a perilous location that ordinary immortals would never dare to tread lightly.

Zhao Gongming gazed at the three characters, his eyes flickering slightly. The more dangerous a place, the greater the opportunities it often held. His superior skills and bold heart, coupled with the protection of his Chaos Divine Art, meant he had no fear.

Just as he was preparing to venture deeper to investigate, two beams of immortal light streaked across the distant sky and landed not far in front of him.

As the light dissipated, two young Daoists appeared. Both wore apricot-yellow Daoist robes and jade crowns, their faces displaying arrogance. They exuded the cultivation aura of an Early Golden Immortal, their Immortal Method pure and clear, carrying a trace of the Jade Purity Dao charm.

Disciples of the Heavenly Origin Sect!

Zhao Gongming's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, and a sense of vigilance immediately arose in his heart. He did not reveal his identity immediately, merely standing aside, intending to let the other party go first.

Of the two Heavenly Origin Sect disciples, one was slightly taller, with a hint of red radiance appearing between his brows. He was Chi Xiazi, an Outer Sect Disciple of the Heavenly Origin Sect, rumored to have attained Dao through Innate Red Radiance Qi, with a pure foundation. The other was shorter, with a face like white jade and golden light in his eyes, named Mingguang Daoist. He was a spirit born from Innate Jade Stone, also a naturally occurring spiritual entity.

Both considered themselves to have extraordinary foundations and had always been arrogant.

Chi Xiazi glanced at Zhao Gongming, seeing that he wore the blue Daoist robe of an Outer Sect Disciple of the Intercepting Sect and that his cultivation seemed to be only at the Early Golden Immortal stage. A look of undisguised contempt flashed in his eyes.

"Heh, I was wondering who it was. So it's a disciple of the Intercepting Sect," Chi Xiazi sneered. His voice was not loud, but it was clear enough for Zhao Gongming to hear.

Mingguang Daoist chimed in, "Senior Brother, why bother with these people? Master often says that the Intercepting Sect accepts all, and their disciples are mostly beasts with fur and horns, or those born from wetness and eggs, incapable of great achievements. We are under orders from our Master to descend the mountain for training, so we should focus on our tasks and not dirty our eyes with such individuals."

The two spoke with utter disregard, as if Zhao Gongming didn't exist. The contempt and sense of superiority in their words were extremely grating.

Zhao Gongming had no desire to escalate the conflict with the Heavenly Origin Sect prematurely before the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods. He took a deep breath, suppressing the rising anger in his heart, knowing that this was the root of the future conflict between the two sects—a clash of ideologies and sectarian prejudice.

He turned to leave, unwilling to get entangled further with such arrogant individuals.

"Stop!" Chi Xiazi, however, was relentless. He flickered his body and blocked Zhao Gongming's path, sneering, "What? Did we hit a nerve, so you want to tuck your tail and run? Someone with a shallow foundation like you, is even worthy of walking the Primordial World? You're simply polluting the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy!"

As these words were spoken, Zhao Gongming's suppressed rage could no longer be contained!

He could tolerate being looked down upon, but he absolutely could not tolerate them insulting the entire Intercepting Sect! Insulting his Master, Sect Master Tongtian's Great Dao of "accepting all"!

"Fellow Daoist, that is too much," Zhao Gongming slowly turned around. His eyes, which had been as calm as a still pond, were now filled with icy coldness, as if Chaos was churning within them. "The state of my Intercepting Sect is not for you Heavenly Origin Sect disciples to gossip about!"

"Insolent!" Mingguang Daoist was furious. "A mere Outer Sect Disciple dares to talk back to us? Today, let me, on behalf of Uncle-Master Tongtian, teach you, a brat who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, a lesson!"

Before his words had even fallen, he attacked! He formed a hand seal, chanted incantations, and a celestial sword radiating Jade Purity immortal light appeared out of thin air. Its sword Qi was sharp and menacing, carrying a fierce intent to slay demons and banish evil, thrusting directly at Zhao Gongming's chest! This sword was named the Splitting Light Sword, refined by Mingguang Daoist from Innate Golden Stone, specifically designed to break protective spiritual light.

"Junior Brother is right, you deserve a beating!" Chi Xiazi also sneered. He flicked his finger, and a golden talisman flew out, transforming into a golden net in mid-air. It descended upon Zhao Gongming, intending to trap him on the spot.

This net was called the Spirit Binding Golden Net, imbued with Innate Red Radiance Qi, specifically designed to bind Magical Power and Primordial Spirit.

The two cooperated seamlessly, clearly not doing this for the first time. Their attack was a killing move, with no intention of holding back.

They were confident in their pure origins and profound Immortal Methods, believing that dealing with an Intercepting Sect disciple they considered "shallow in foundation" would be effortless.

However, the person they were facing was no longer the Zhao Gongming who needed to endure!

"Good!"

Zhao Gongming advanced instead of retreating. Facing the sharp sword light and the descending golden net, he didn't even summon his magical treasures!

"Nine Revolutions Chaos Divine Art!"

He let out a low roar in his heart. The Chaos Magical Power within his body surged, and a layer of ancient and profound Dao charm instantly flowed over his skin. At this moment, his physical body seemed to transform into a divine iron born from Chaos, indestructible!

Clang!

The Splitting Light Sword, capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, struck Zhao Gongming's chest, emitting a loud clang like metal hitting metal, sending sparks flying!

The celestial sword let out a mournful cry, and with an irresistible force, it was repelled and sent flying back, its brilliance dimming slightly.

Simultaneously, the Spirit Binding Golden Net descended, falling upon Zhao Gongming. However, it couldn't restrain him in the slightest. Instead, with a surge of his domineering and unparalleled Chaos Qi, it shattered into countless specks of light!

"What?!"

"He blocked a magical treasure with his physical body?!"

The arrogance and contempt on Chi Xiazi and Mingguang Daoist's faces froze instantly, replaced by endless shock and disbelief!

Was this still a cultivator at the Early Golden Immortal stage? Even a Great Witch of the Wu Clan who specialized in body cultivation wouldn't dare to be so reckless against someone of the same level!

Just as their minds were shaken, Zhao Gongming launched his counterattack!

A killing intent flashed in his eyes, but he did not deliver a fatal blow. He merely snorted coldly and moved his mind.

Hum—

Twenty-four azure Divine Pearls flew out from his sleeve, like twenty-four stars falling from beyond the heavens, instantly filling the space. A vast, heavy, terrifying pressure, as if it could crush the ancient heavens, descended abruptly!

Chi Xiazi and Mingguang Daoist felt their bodies sink, as if suppressed by mountains weighing billions of tons. The flow of Magical Power within their bodies became incredibly difficult, and even their breathing seemed to halt!

"Sea-Calming Divine Pearls?! You're Zhao Gongming?!" Chi Xiazi finally recognized this notorious Spirit Treasure, his voice filled with terror and despair.

However, it was too late!

Zhao Gongming flicked his finger.

Two of the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls merely trembled slightly, transforming into two streaks of blue light. They ignored the distance of space, striking from behind, and smashed fiercely into the chests of the two.