Jade Void Palace.
The Yuanshi Tianzun sat cross-legged, his body Jade Purity Immortal Light that cascaded down like a waterfall, manifesting endless illusory images of the Heavenly Dao Laws.
His eyes were slightly closed, his mind merging with the Heavenly Dao, deducing the various possibilities of the Witch-Demon War three days later.
They were deducing the possible location and timing of Xuandu's appearance.
He was further speculating... how to ensure the success of the trap he had laid.
At that very moment.
"Buzz!"
A sharp, domineering Sword Intent, brimming with undisguised Killing Aura intent, roared from the direction of the East Sea!
The Sword Intent was so strong that it pierced through layers of Heavenly Secret barriers and directly penetrated the depths of his mind!
" The Immortal-Slaying Sword Intent?"
Yuanshi suddenly opened his eyes!
His eyes shone with Jade Purity Immortal Light that illuminated the entire Jade Void Palace, yet it could not conceal the fleeting look of surprise and doubt on his face!
He suddenly looked up and gazed towards the East Sea.
The gaze pierced through the palace's many restrictions, landing on the Above Golden Ao Island.
That Heavenly Domain was completely enveloped by four soaring Sword Light!
Immortal-Slaying, Immortal-Execution, Trapping Immortal, Absolute Immortal!
Four swords hovered in the air, their Sword Intent intertwined into a net, evolving into endless killing phenomena. Furthermore, they were empowered by Tongtian will, completely isolating the entire Golden Ao Island within!
" The Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation... fully activated?"
Yuanshi's pupils contracted sharply, and his face darkened.
Tongtian... why did he suddenly unleash the full power of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation?
A great calamity is about to begin, and the secrets of Heavenly Secret are in chaos. All the Saints are secretly making arrangements and deducing Karma.
Logically, the safest course of action at this moment would be to conceal one's strength, observe the situation, and then launch a swift and decisive attack once the decisive battle begins.
However, Tongtian did the opposite, not only fully activating the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, but also enveloping all the Jie Sect Myriad Immortals within it, assuming a posture of being ready to fight at any time!
This doesn't make sense.
unless...
"Does he know about my plot against Xuandu?"
Yuanshi Beginning's thoughts raced, the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi in his sleeve hummed and vibrated, Jade Purity Dao Patterns flowed wildly, attempting to deduce the Heavenly Secret within.
However.
After a moment, he slowly shook his head.
"Impossible."
His voice was deep, yet carried an undeniable certainty.
During the great calamity, the Heavenly Secret were completely in chaos, and Karma Entanglement in a tangled mess.
Even Heavenly Dao Sage like him, wielding the Yuqing Immortal Method and resonating with the Heavenly Dao, could hardly deduce a complete and clear trajectory.
Although Tongtian was powerful, he was ultimately ranked among the Sage, with a similar level of attainment.
How could he possibly deduce that he was secretly plotting to eliminate Xuandu during the Great Tribulation?
not to mention...
Yuanshi's gaze was deep and unfathomable as he swept his eyes Western Mount Sumeru, Shouyang Mountain, and the direction of Wa Huang Palace Outside Thirty-Three Heavens.
This plan was not devised by one person alone.
Jieyin Zhunti and Zhunti, coveting the fortunes of the East and wanting to seize the opportunity amidst the chaos of a great calamity, had already secretly agreed.
Having fallen from her saintly position and suffered damage to her Dao Foundation, Nuwa harbors a deep-seated hatred for Xuandu. How could she possibly let go of such an opportunity for revenge?
Although Laozi has faded into obscurity, the abolition of the Human Sect and the sharp decline in his spiritual realm mean he will not forget such grudges.
The Five Saints United, each with their own agenda, but all shared the same goal.
That means eliminating Xuandu as a variable!
This kind of deadly trap is the most secretive thing in the great calamity, completely obscuring Karma and completely concealing the secrets of Heavenly Secret.
There's absolutely no way Tongtian could have known in advance!
"So what is his intention in doing this?"
Yuanshi frowned slightly, Jade Purity Immortal Light in his eyes shone even brighter.
He slowly rose, stood with his hands behind his back atop the Jade Void Palace, his gaze piercing through billions of miles of void, fixed on the soaring Sword Intent in the direction of Golden Ao Island.
His Sword Intent was domineering, his Killing Aura soared to the sky, and he also carried an undisguised... fierce protectiveness!
Yes.
Protecting one's own!
The fact that Tongtian protects his own is known throughout the Great Wilderness.
To protect his disciples, he dared to set up the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation and become an enemy of the Four Sages.
In this great calamity, Xuandu, as the Jie Sect Vice Sect Master and Tongtian's most prized disciple, Centennial Attainment of Hunyuan Zenith Heaven, his fortune soaring to the heavens and shaking the Great Wilderness.
With such a disciple, how could Tongtian not protect him?
"By unleashing the full power of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, he was declaring to the Great Wilderness that the Interception Sect was ready and at any moment to fight."
"It is also a warning to me... and even to Saints, that if you dare to touch Xuandu, you must first pass the test of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation!"
Yuanshi muttered to himself, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
What a powerful Tongtian!
What a protective and self-serving Sage of the Interception Sect!
This move may seem reckless, but in reality... it's a strategy of offense over defense!
With the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation fully activated, the Jie Sect Myriad Immortals of the Golden Ao Island was transformed into an impenetrable fortress.
Such an attitude would make even Saints think twice.
after all...
The Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation cannot be broken by anyone other than the Four Sages!
Even if the Five Saints United, they would have to pay a price to break this formation.
In the midst of countless eons, Karma Entanglement, and the Calamity Qi pervades. Even Sage must be cautious, for they would not wish to be easily injured or have their Dao Cultivation diminished.
"Pity..."
A cold smile slowly curved the corners of Yuanshi's lips.
" Tongtian, you can protect him for a while, but not forever."
"At the final battle of the great calamity, the secrets of Heavenly Secret are most chaotic, and the Calamity Qi is most intense. Even the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation... has flaws that can be found."
"When Xuandu appears on the Witch-Demon Battlefield, I, along with Jieyin, Zhunti, Nuwa, and Laozi, will join Jieyin Zhunti, the Five Saints will appear together, and strike with thunderous force..."
"Even if you Tongtian... how many people can you protect?"
The shout wasn't loud, but it carried an unwavering killing intent!
He stopped looking in the direction of Golden Ao Island, flicked his sleeves, and turned back to the Nine Dragons Agarwood Carriage.
"Buzz."
The Three Treasures Jade Ruyi flew out from his sleeve and hung in front of him.
On the Ruyi, the Jade Purity Dao Patterns flowed, evolving into a Star Chart covering the heavens.
Yuanshi's gaze swept across the Star Chart, finally settling on the void between Buzhou Mountain and Golden Ao Island.
There, Karma Entanglement, and the Calamity Qi permeates the air; it is precisely the place where Xuandu is most likely to appear three days from now!
" Jieyin, Zhunti."
Yuanshi a slight thought, Spiritual Sense transformed into invisible threads, spreading towards Western Mount Sumeru.
Just a moment later.
"Buzz..."
Two golden rays of light emanated from the direction of Mount Sumeru and disappeared into the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi.
Above the Ruyi, the Star Chart trembled slightly, and two dazzling golden rays lit up in the western direction, faintly resonating with the Jade Purity Immortal Light of Kunlun Mountain.
The Jieyin Zhunti are all in place!
" Nuwa."
Yuanshi turned his gaze to the Thirty-Three Heavens Outside.
His Spiritual Sense pierced through layers of Heavenly Domain and landed on the dimly lit Wa Huang Palace.
Deep within the palace, Nuwa sat slumped on her cloud bed, her face deathly pale, holy blood still wet at the corner of her mouth, and the resentment in her eyes almost tangible.
Sensing the arrival of the Yuanshi Spiritual Sense, she suddenly looked up, her eyes swirling with seven-colored light, which eventually transformed into a subtle yet sharp Spiritual Sense, flowing back along the threads of Spiritual Sense.
In the direction of the Wa Huang Palace, a faint Seven-Colored Light Spots appeared on the Star Chart.
Nuwa... is also in position!
" Elder Brother..."
Yuanshi looked towards Shouyang Mountain one last time.
The purple aura in the Eight Sceneries Palace was thin, the fire in the alchemy furnace was dim, Laozi sat cross-legged in front of the furnace, his face ashen and his breath weak.
Sensing the Yuanshi Spiritual Sense, Laozi slowly opened his eyes.
A purple aura swirled in his eyes, but the Pure and Non-Action of the past were gone, replaced by a bottomless weariness and... hatred.
He remained silent for a moment, then slightly flicked his sleeves.
A faint Purple Purity Dao Light returned along the threads of Spiritual Sense.
In the direction of Shouyang Mountain, on the Star Chart, a dim purple light slowly began to glow...
Laozi... in the end, still chose to join forces!
That concludes the discussion.
On the Star Chart, Kunlun Mountain, Western Mount Sumeru, the Wa Huang Palace, Shouyang Mountain...
In all four directions, four beams of light from the Sage have been lit!
It resonated faintly with the Jade Purity Immortal Light of the Central Jade Void Palace, transforming into an invisible net that enveloped the entire Great Wilderness!
The Five Saints United; the deadly trap... is complete!