Chang Er Ding Guang Xian froze where he stood.
He watched helplessly as the Azure Figure took a step out of the void and landed silently before him.
A vast, majestic aura spread forth.
Xuandu.
Just a few days ago, he had been an ant Chang Er Ding Guang Xian could disdain at will, someone he could not even be bothered to teach the most basic cultivation techniques.
A Human Race Kid who had luckily caught a Sage's eye, yet did not know his place and dreamed of ascending to the heavens in a single step.
But now...
Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak!
Chaos God Demon Pedigree!
Personal Disciple!
Why?
Why had such an immense opportunity, such a fortune that could move even a Sage, fallen upon a Human Race member with shallow roots?
Chang Er Ding Guang Xian had cultivated for countless years, worked diligently, and only with great difficulty joined the Jie Sect. As one of the Seven Attendant Immortals, he was considered somebody even within the Jie Sect, where Myriad Immortals Come to Court.
Yet compared to Xuandu, who had ascended to the heavens in a single step, his countless years of arduous cultivation were simply a joke!
A Personal Disciple!
His status was exalted, second only to the Sage, on equal footing with Senior Brother Duobao and the others!
The resources he enjoyed and the authority he possessed were far beyond what a mere attendant like Chang Er Ding Guang Xian could compare to.
What did Xuandu deserve this for? Just because of that opportunity?
He recalled how he had treated Xuandu before.
Cold sweat instantly soaked the Dao robe on his back.
Xuandu merely looked at him quietly without speaking.
He did not release any pressure or question him sternly.
Yet the more silent he was, the more suffocated Chang Er Ding Guang Xian felt.
Even the air around him seemed to grow heavy, pressing down until he could barely breathe.
He wanted to force out a fawning smile and say a few flattering words.
But that smile looked even uglier than crying.
"Xu... Xuandu... Senior Brother..."
He finally squeezed out those few words through clenched teeth, his voice trembling.
He had no choice but to call him Senior Brother.
Xuandu was now at the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak and had personally been named a Personal Disciple by their master. His status was far above Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's.
Xuandu still said nothing, merely watching him calmly.
Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's heart sank completely.
"Before... before, this Junior Brother had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai... I neglected Senior Brother..."
He forced himself to try to salvage the situation, his voice growing lower and lower, filled with obvious panic.
"I hope... I hope Senior Brother Xuandu will not lower himself to my level..."
He bent at the waist, lowering his posture to the extreme, nearly burying his head in his chest.
Where was even a trace of the arrogance he had displayed when pointing fingers and looking down on Xuandu?
Xuandu looked at his ugly display of arrogance before humility after and sneered inwardly.
A traitor was still a traitor.
Deep down, he was the sort who bullied the weak and feared the strong.
Now he knew fear?
Too late.
Xuandu still did not speak. He merely raised a hand slightly.
Chang Er Ding Guang Xian shuddered in fright and nearly dropped to his knees.
Yet Xuandu merely adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, which had fluttered slightly during his earlier passage through the void.
Such a tiny movement made Chang Er Ding Guang Xian break out in cold sweat.
"Junior Brother Chang Er."
Xuandu finally spoke.
His voice was calm, betraying neither joy nor anger, yet it carried an undeniable majesty.
"I wouldn't dare! What instructions does Senior Brother have?"
Chang Er Ding Guang Xian immediately replied, bending even lower.
"When I first entered the Jie Sect, I will always remember Junior Brother's care."
Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's face instantly turned as pale as paper.
It was over!
Xuandu really held a grudge!
"Senior Brother, forgive me! Senior Brother, forgive me!"
He no longer cared about saving face. He repeatedly cupped his hands in salute, his voice nearly breaking into sobs.
"This Junior Brother was blinded by greed and neglected Senior Brother!"
Xuandu's indifferent gaze swept across Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's pale face.
If not for the Sect Rules, this traitor would have already turned into ashes, his soul utterly annihilated.
However, though he could be spared from death, he could not escape punishment.
Some lessons had to be carved into one's bones.
"Hmph!"
Xuandu let out an extremely soft cold snort.
Yet to Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's ears, it sounded like Nine Heavens' Thunderclap exploding!
Boom!!!
A vast and terrifying pressure crashed down!
"Urgh!"
Before Chang Er Ding Guang Xian could even entertain a thought of resistance, he was instantly forced to his knees.
Thud!
He spat out a mouthful of blood containing his life essence.
The immortal light around his body instantly dimmed, and his aura withered at a visible rate.
The difference between the late stage Taiyi Golden Immortal realm and the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal Peak was as vast as the clouds and mud!
Merely a trace of pressure, not even killing intent deliberately directed at him, had heavily injured him and left fine cracks in his Dao Foundation!
Xuandu did not spare another glance at Chang Er Ding Guang Xian, who lay limp on the ground.
If not for the Sect Rules, that fickle rabbit would have long since died and had his Dao extinguished.
Now that he had administered a slight punishment and made him understand the difference between superior and inferior, it was enough.
After all, with Sect Leader Tongtian present, he could not directly kill Chang Er without cause.
With a cold snort, he flicked his sleeve robe and turned to leave.
Chang Er Ding Guang Xian struggled to raise his head. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, while his face was filled with terror and pleading.
"This Junior Brother knows his mistake... I truly know my mistake..."
Xuandu did not stop walking, as though he had not heard him.
His figure turned into a streak of Pure and Bright Immortal Light and vanished from the spot in an instant, flying toward Biyou Palace.
Only Chang Er Ding Guang Xian remained sprawled on the cold ground, his face ashen.
Pain wracked his entire body, and his Dao Foundation had been damaged.
His heart was filled with endless regret and fear.
He knew that he had thoroughly offended this newly promoted Personal Disciple senior brother.
His future days in the Jie Sect would likely be difficult.
Xuandu traveled through the core area of Golden Ao Island.
He saw beautiful peaks rising in rivalry, with spiritual energy flowing like dragons.
Among flying waterfalls and flowing springs, jade palaces and jeweled towers could faintly be seen.
Immortal cranes gathered while spirit beasts wandered freely, creating a magnificent immortal landscape.
It was unknown how much better this was than his desolate dwelling at the island's edge.
He spread out his Spiritual Sense and carefully sensed his surroundings.
Outside Biyou Palace, there were still several Blessed Lands where Personal Disciples could establish cave dwellings.
Each was rich in spiritual energy and Naturally Formed Dao Charm.
He was weighing and comparing them, intending to choose the place most suited to his own Dao Charm.
Suddenly.
Dong!
A long, profound drumbeat rang out from deep within Biyou Palace.
It was faint at first, yet it instantly spread across all of Golden Ao Island, clearly echoing within the hearts and minds of every Jie Sect disciple!
Wherever the drumbeat passed, spiritual energy froze and all sounds fell silent.
It was as though heaven and earth themselves held their breath at that moment.
It was unmistakably the sound of the Fishing Drum used to summon Jie Sect disciples.
Immediately afterward, a calm voice containing supreme majesty resounded across Golden Ao Island:
"Three days later, I shall expound the Supreme Clarity Great Dao Before Biyou Palace."
"All fated disciples may come and listen."
The voice was indifferent, carrying not the slightest trace of worldly air.
Yet it seemed to contain the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, the root cause of all laws.
Words Follow Law. Above Golden Ao Island, auspicious clouds immediately gathered while golden lotuses sprang from the earth.
Endless Dao Charm descended like something tangible, blanketing the entire island.
"It is Master!"
"A Sage Preaches!"
"An opportunity! A heaven-sent opportunity!"
After a brief silence, all of Golden Ao Island instantly erupted!
Countless streaks of immortal light shot into the sky from cave dwellings, forests, and waters in various places.
Powerful and weak auras alike were filled with uncontrollable excitement and ecstasy as they converged toward Biyou Palace!
A Sage Preaches only once in a million years!
Every sermon was a grand occasion for the Jie Sect!
Who knew how many disciples had gained enlightenment after hearing the Sage's Great Dao, breaking through bottlenecks and greatly advancing their cultivation!
This was supreme fortune!
Upon hearing it, Xuandu was first stunned, then overwhelmed with joy.
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