A Bold Plan, The System's Clever Use!

Xuandu quickly calmed down after his initial elation.

There was still a key issue that needed to be resolved.

The vast, star-sea-like Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak pressure radiating from him receded like a tide, vanishing without a trace in an instant.

He once again resumed that ordinary Heavenly Immortal Realm appearance, as if the terrifying pressure that had just suppressed Kong Xuan until he could barely breathe was merely an illusion.

Kong Xuan immediately felt his body lighten as that pressure abruptly disappeared.

He subconsciously took a deep breath, his gaze at Xuandu filled with an indescribable complexity.

Doubt, and deep curiosity.

The other party's control over power had already reached a state of effortless mastery, returning to simplicity.

"Since Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan has agreed, you and I are now fellow disciples."

Xuandu spoke with a gentle smile, his tone calm, as if it had not been him who had just overwhelmed with force.

"However, before we return to Golden Ao Island and meet the Master, there is one matter I must clarify with you, Fellow Daoist."

Kong Xuan's mind sharpened, he set aside stray thoughts, and cupped his hands:

"Please speak."

His demeanor had lowered considerably; in the Great Wilderness where strength reigned supreme, Xuandu had earned his recognition with absolute power.

Xuandu's gaze swept across the surroundings, and he said slowly:

"My cultivation level is not yet convenient for outsiders to know."

"Even when we return to Golden Ao Island and meet the Master and all fellow disciples, I ask that you keep it concealed, simply treating me as still a Heavenly Immortal cultivator."

As soon as these words were spoken, a flicker of surprise flashed in Kong Xuan's eyes.

Conceal his cultivation?

And conceal a cultivation as astonishing as Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak at that?

Could it even be hidden from a Sage Master?

Doubts surged in his heart, and he couldn't help but ask:

"Why is this? With your ability, why must you..."

Xuandu raised a hand, cutting him off, his gaze deep and meaningful:

"The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind."

"The Witch-Demon Tribulation is not yet over; some trump cards are far more useful hidden in the shadows than placed in plain sight."

He paused, looking at Kong Xuan, his tone carrying a barely perceptible depth:

"Moreover, revealing one's strength too early is not a good thing."

"When the time is right, I will have my own plans."

Kong Xuan thought back to that terrifying pressure and assumed Xuandu simply did not want to expose his power.

He nodded and said solemnly:

"I understand."

"On this matter, I, Kong Xuan, will keep my lips sealed."

Hearing this, Xuandu gave a slight nod.

He indeed had this intention.

The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.

Revealing his Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak cultivation too early would certainly earn him immediate respect and status, but it would also inevitably attract countless scrutiny and suspicion.

What would Laozi think?

How would Primordial Heavenly Venerate view him?

And what about the Western Two Sages, the Witch-Demon Two Clans...

Trouble would only come one after another.

It was better to lie low for now.

Wait until he used the system to absorb the origins of the Myriad Immortals and break through to the Hunyuan Golden Immortal Realm in one fell swoop!

By then, strength would be the true foundation.

Hunyuan Golden Immortal, transcending the Heavenly Dao, self-forming laws.

Even a Sage would regard him highly.

His position in the Jie Sect would be completely different.

No longer would he need to tread carefully.

Instead, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with core direct disciples like Duobao and Jin Ling, and even be more valued for his Primordial Dao Fruit!

After all, aside from the Dragon-Han Tribulation, when Ancestral Dragon, Primordial Phoenix, and Beginning Qilin walked the Hunyuan Dao, no living being had taken the Hunyuan path.

Only then could he truly do some of the things he wanted.

For instance... shelter the human race.

At this thought, a cold glint flashed deep within Xuandu's eyes.

The Demon Race slaughtering the human race to forge the Witch-Slaying Sword.

This was a tragedy destined to occur, an inevitable calamity for the human race under the operation of the Heavenly Dao.

In the original trajectory, Grand Pure One Laozi established the Human Sect and became a Sage, yet he advocated governing by non-action, nearly indifferent to the rise and fall of the human race.

Though Xuandu was his sole disciple, he too was influenced by this, embracing purity and non-action, and did not interfere much in human affairs.

But now, he was no longer that Xuandu!

He came from a later age, with the identity of the human race and the Seven Emotions and Six Desires deeply branded into his soul.

He could not stand by and watch the Myriad Human Race be slaughtered and forged into swords without being moved!

He had to fight!

For this weak yet tenacious human race, to fight for that glimmer of hope!

Moreover...

Xuandu's mind raced, and a bold plan gradually took shape in his mind.

Though the human race was frail now, how vast was their number?

They could be called the foremost in the Great Wilderness!

If he could bring a large number of humans into the Jie Sect, even if only as the most ordinary outer disciples, or even registered disciples...

With the [Total Sum System], what terrifying cultivation and Root Sum Feedback would that bring?

It was simply unimaginable!

At that point, let alone a Golden Immortal of the Origin, even the Vague and Ethereal realm of a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin might not be beyond reach!

Add to that the cultivation of the original Jie Sect disciples, and breaking through to Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin would be a sure thing.

Of course, Xuandu also understood that having Sect Leader Tongtian personally accept the Myriad Human Race was absolutely impossible.

The Jie Sect taught without discrimination, that was true, but it was not a sect that accepted just anyone.

Moreover, the human race's roots were generally shallow, unworthy of a Sage's notice.

But...

A sharp light flashed in Xuandu's eyes.

If Sect Leader Tongtian wouldn't accept them, he could!

Once his status was high enough and his cultivation sufficient, as a Jie Sect follower, he could widely take on disciples, bringing the human race into the Jie Sect system, perfectly justified!

Those he took as disciples would naturally count as Jie Sect disciples, and the system would surely include them in the total!

This way, he could both shelter the human race and use their vast numbers to crazily boost his strength.

Killing two birds with one stone!

Thinking of this, Xuandu felt his mind suddenly clear, and the path ahead shone brightly.

The realm of the Origin, the vitality of the human race—both hinged on this.

He looked at Kong Xuan, saw that the other had already agreed to keep the secret, and the last shred of worry in his heart dissipated.

"Then I shall trouble Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan."

Xuandu clasped his hands, his tone gaining a hint of sincerity.

Kong Xuan quickly returned the gesture, saying:

"It is my duty."

Though he was proud, he was not ungrateful.

The strength and potential Xuandu had displayed had already earned his basic respect, especially now that they belonged to the same sect.

"Let us not delay. We shall return to Golden Ao Island at once, meet with our master, and complete your initiation ceremony."

Xuandu said.

Only when Kong Xuan formally joined the Jie Sect would his system mission be complete, and the Root Sum Feedback be unlocked.

Kong Xuan naturally had no objection.

He had been cultivating here in seclusion for a long time and wished to witness the grand scene of the Myriad Immortals Coming to Court at the Jie Sect, and even more so, to hope for a Sage's guidance to perfect his Great Dao of Five Elements.

The two wasted no more time.

Xuandu still appeared as a Heavenly Immortal, his aura calm and peaceful.

Kong Xuan also restrained his aura, following behind Xuandu.

Xuandu's sleeve robe swept out, not using his full power, but only the ordinary escape speed of a Golden Immortal, turning himself and Kong Xuan into a streak of light, heading toward Golden Ao Island in the East Sea.

This was a good opportunity to exchange a few words with Kong Xuan.

Along the way, Xuandu casually inquired about the scenery of the Undying Volcano and old tales of the Phoenix Clan, but in truth, he was quietly probing the current situation of the Great Wilderness, especially the movements of the Witch-Demon Two Clans.

Though Kong Xuan had long resided in the south, as the Phoenix Clan Crown Prince, he had his own channels of information.

At the very least, he knew more than Xuandu did.

He mentioned that the Demon Race had been acting frequently lately, seemingly gathering on a large scale with an unclear target, but Sha Qi was already faintly spreading toward Buzhou Mountain.

The Witch Clan, meanwhile, remained entrenched on the earth, the auras of the Twelve Ancestral Witches linked together, subtly confronting the Heavenly Court.

A storm was brewing, with wind filling the tower.

Xuandu listened silently, understanding in his heart.

The aura of the Witch-Demon Final Battle had already begun to brew.

The time left for the Human Race, for him, was running short.

He must improve his strength as quickly as possible!