The doors of Biyou Palace opened.
The sound was not loud.
Yet in that instant, all of Golden Turtle Island fell silent.
The Yuqing Great Hand still pressed down over the East Sea.
Its five fingers loomed like mountains, immortal light streaming from its palm as it prepared to sweep aside the battered spirit treasures before Duobao and pluck the Antarctic Immortal away from the Three Steles.
Daoist Duobao stood beside Zhao Xuan, blood at the corner of his mouth, treasure light still shining within his sleeves.
One corner of the Golden Bell had cracked.
Half of the Treasure Pagoda's first tier was missing.
The Bronze Mirror's surface was covered in cracks.
The Black Seal still bore down on the Antarctic Immortal's head.
Half the Antarctic Immortal's body was buried in shattered bluestone, and the white light of the Yuqing Dharma Seal in his palm trembled wildly.
He looked up at the Yuqing Great Hand in the sky, his chest heaving.
So close.
As soon as that hand descended, he could escape from the outskirts of Golden Turtle Island.
Just then, Master Tongtian walked out of Biyou Palace.
He wore a dark robe.
He carried the Green Duckweed Sword.
His gaze fell directly upon the Yuqing Great Hand in the heavens.
His sword had yet to leave its sheath.
Already, a piercing sword cry rang out over the East Sea.
Yuanshi Tianzun's voice descended from beyond the heavens.
"Tongtian."
"Have Duobao release him."
Master Tongtian did not stop walking.
His first step took him out of Biyou Palace.
With his second, he reached the Mountain Gate of Golden Turtle Island.
With his third, he stood above the Three Steles.
Zhao Xuan, Duobao, Jin Ling, Gui Ling, Wudang, Zhao Gongming, and the Three Xiao Sisters bowed together.
"Master."
Master Tongtian raised