The Three Pure Ones Part Ways! Reestablish the Demon Race Heavenly Court!

Kunlun Mountain, Jade Void Palace.

Swords were drawn, and the atmosphere was taut with tension.

Primordial Celestial Worthy's words left Lord Tongtian furious, so enraged that he could not speak for a long while. The Interception Sect disciples below were likewise filled with righteous indignation.

Suppressing his fury, Lord Tongtian said, "Taiyi and Samantabhadra took the initiative to provoke this conflict. Lu Ya merely lost his sanity, which was why he nearly caused such a catastrophe."

"I know full well that the root of it all is the conflict between the founding principles of the Clarifying Sect and the Interception Sect. That is why you have racked your brains to suppress me, hoping to drive all my disciples out."

"You want an explanation? I refuse to give you one!"

His fury surged, and the resonance of the Dao thundered.

Lord Tongtian pointed at Primordial Celestial Worthy's nose and launched into a torrent of curses. The Green Duckweed Sword at his side rang sharply, while killing intent raged deep within the Azure Roaming Palace. The Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation could emerge at any moment.

Grand Pure One Laozi turned a deaf ear, looking utterly tranquil and detached.

Hearing this, Primordial Celestial Worthy sneered. "Now you know how to protect your own! Lingxiao devoted himself heart and soul to the Interception Sect, only to end up with his origin utterly ruined. Yet you forced him to sever karma of his own accord. Why did you do nothing then?"

"The remnants of the Demon Race have become prized treasures here. You, the Supreme Pure Lingbao Celestial Worthy, a Heavenly Dao Saint, truly do have lofty standards! In this matter, I admit I am inferior to you."

"But remember this well! Your cold and heartless nature has long been laid bare. One day, the Interception Sect will be reduced to ashes because of you..."

As he spoke!

Primordial Celestial Worthy flicked his jade sleeve, and the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger flew out from Daoist Randeng's body. It transformed into a streak of light, pierced through Lu Ya's chest, and forcibly severed the Five Qi in his chest.

"Repaying a man in his own coin—what do you think?"

This scene stunned everyone.

None of the Interception Sect disciples had expected Primordial Celestial Worthy to disregard his standing and personally attack Lu Ya. Even the Twelve Golden Immortals and the others in the center of the hall could not muster a smile.

Humiliation, helplessness, fury!

"The Interception Sect has gone too far!"

"Martial Uncle Tongtian expelled Lingxiao from the Interception Sect in order to stir up the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. The Interception Sect's wolfish ambitions are plain for all to see! We Clarifying Sect disciples follow Heaven and accord with the Dao; we absolutely cannot allow these demons and fiends to run rampant!"

"We beg Martial Uncle Grand Pure for a sacred ruling!"

Guangchengzi knelt on the ground, looking stubbornly toward Grand Pure One Laozi.

Whenever Primordial Celestial Worthy and Lord Tongtian clashed in the past, Grand Pure One Laozi would always make the final judgment. Yet now he neither spoke nor intervened, which made Guangchengzi uneasy.

After all!

Guangchengzi was simple and honest by nature. He did not understand the twists and turns behind today's events, still believing that Primordial Celestial Worthy and Lord Tongtian could calm this turmoil as quickly as they had in the past.

"Alas!"

Watching this scene, Daoist Randeng sighed softly to himself.

Guangchengzi had failed to grasp Primordial Celestial Worthy's intentions. To think he actually hoped to persuade the two to reconcile—it was truly a wild fantasy.

"Teach without discrimination, taking disciples without teaching them!"

"When you, Tongtian, drove Lingxiao away and allowed Duobao to abolish the Interception Sect Heavenly Rules, the Interception Sect had already strayed onto the wrong path. I do not wish to meddle in your dispute today!"

Grand Pure One Laozi looked at his nose with his eyes, and his heart with his nose, speaking indifferently.

Yet his words still pointed out Lord Tongtian's faults!

However!

As a Heavenly Dao Saint, Lord Tongtian was supremely proud. How could he possibly admit to such an error?

"Fine, fine!"

"You are lofty and magnificent, joining hands to bully me! You simply want to drive me and the Interception Sect disciples out of Kunlun Mountain, don't you? If I do not comply with your wishes, would that not make me seem utterly petty?"

"From this day onward, there will be no more orthodox Three Pure Ones, nor any brotherly affection! Two senior brothers, take care of yourselves!"

Lord Tongtian raised the Green Duckweed Sword and slashed it across his Daoist robe.

As laws and rules scattered away, he no longer acknowledged his brotherhood with Grand Pure One Laozi and Primordial Celestial Worthy. Riding upon a cloud platform with the Interception Sect disciples, he flicked his sleeve and left the Jade Void Palace.

In an instant, the Azure Roaming Palace vanished from sight.

The Interception Sect disciples mounted the clouds and headed toward Golden Turtle Island in the Eastern Sea.

"Get lost, get lost!"

"During the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, the Clarifying Sect and the Interception Sect will fight to the death, slaughtering until heaven grows dim and earth turns dark, until sun and moon lose their light..."

Primordial Celestial Worthy had long known the outcome, yet he still could not restrain his fury.

Mountains collapsed and the earth split; heaven and earth darkened.

The might of a Saint swept across countless billions of miles. Wherever it passed, living beings trembled and prostrated themselves on the ground.

"Second Brother, it is time for me to leave as well!"

Grand Pure One Laozi was neither sorrowful nor joyful, ever unfathomable and utterly unruffled. He looked deeply at Primordial Celestial Worthy, then shifted his gaze to Daoist Randeng.

As the foremost of the Three Pure Ones and the foremost of all Heavenly Dao Saints, how could he fail to perceive Heaven's secrets?

But it was precisely because he did that he felt powerless.

The great tide could not be defied!

"Farewell, Elder Brother!"

Primordial Celestial Worthy sighed. He could only watch Grand Pure One Laozi leave.

After a long while!

Primordial Celestial Worthy said in a deep voice, "The Three Pure Ones parting ways is the great tide. If Lingxiao had not mediated between us, this conflict would have erupted as early as the Witch-Demon Calamity."

"Ran Deng, Twelve Golden Immortals, do not let today's events affect your Dao hearts. Cultivate in peace and await the opening of the Investiture of the Gods Calamity!"

As his words fell.

Primordial Celestial Worthy vanished from the Jade Void Palace, and the others swiftly scattered as well!

For the first time in countless ages, Kunlun Mountain became quiet and tranquil...

Golden Turtle Island!

The Azure Roaming Palace stood at the center of the island. The Interception Sect disciples each chose palaces and cave dwellings to settle in. For a time, this immortal blessed land—once brimming with life, immortal herbs, and spirit flowers swaying in the breeze—was now tainted by much turbid qi.

Most Interception Sect disciples were acquired-life beings.

The majority were descendants of the Demon Race. The demonic qi clinging to them, along with the slaughter karma they had incurred, could not be cleansed away even as their cultivation advanced. Now, it all erupted at once.

Seeing this, the Three Xiao Sisters could only shake their heads and sigh.

The other Interception Sect disciples, however, began entertaining crooked thoughts.

Immortal Dingguang, Lu Ya, the Golden-Winged Great Roc, and Zhao Gongming gathered together. Their faces bore grief and indignation, while killing intent flickered in their eyes.

"Our Interception Sect once had ten thousand immortals coming to pay homage, yet we were driven from Kunlun Mountain with our tails tucked between our legs. If we do not avenge this humiliation, how are we to keep our footing between Heaven and Earth?"

"Golden Turtle Island may be vast, but our Interception Sect has too many disciples! Penglai Immortal Island, billions of miles away, is also an immortal blessed land. It is now in Lingxiao's hands—why don't we seize it for ourselves?"

Lu Ya swept his gaze over the group before asking.

Excitement was tightly suppressed in his heart.

Once Penglai Immortal Island was theirs, he could openly bring some Demon Race beings there and scheme to reestablish the Demon Court. So long as the matter was settled, even Lord Tongtian would be unable to change it.

Lu Ya had originally intended to proceed gradually, but the Three Xiao Sisters had ruined everything and failed to renew their former bond with Lingxiao. Thus, he could only take a gamble.

As his words fell, Zhao Gongming was the first to agree. "Lingxiao dared lay a vicious hand upon Junior Sister Qiongxiao and disrespect Junior Sister Yunxiao. He is truly arrogant beyond measure. This poor Daoist will vent the anger of my two junior sisters."

"Immortal blessed lands, supreme treasures, and fortuitous opportunities have always belonged to those with virtue!"

Very soon!

The four settled the matter.

Leading nearly a thousand inner and outer disciples of the Interception Sect, Lu Ya and the others set off in a grand procession toward Penglai Immortal Island.

Within the Azure Roaming Palace!

Lord Tongtian sat cross-legged atop a cloud platform. The Green Duckweed Sword gave off waves of sword hums, while behind him, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation evolved into a universe of its own, and the fate of the Interception Sect surged without end.

"Slaughter karma and cause and effect are difficult to purge!"

"Now, there is only one path: smash the cauldrons and sink the boats, using the strength of the Interception Sect to resist every force in the Primordial World—even that lofty Heavenly Court."

"Lu Ya wishes to reestablish the Demon Race Heavenly Court. Perhaps this is an opportunity to break the deadlock!"

Lord Tongtian's expression was solemn as he muttered to himself.

The foundation upon which the Interception Sect had been established was those born from moisture and eggs, those clad in fur and bearing horns. If he stopped Lu Ya, it would surely shake the very foundation of the Interception Sect.

Conversely, if Lord Tongtian allowed matters to run their course, he could win over those reclusive great powers of the Demon Race for the Interception Sect—such as Xihe, Changxi, and those Demon Sages who had survived by clinging to life.

"The Great Dao has fifty; Heaven's evolution holds forty-nine, with one escaping!"

"The Interception Sect seizes that single thread of heavenly opportunity. I will not suffer a complete defeat..."

Lord Tongtian hesitated no longer and made up his mind.

Afterward!

Lord Tongtian entered seclusion to cultivate. News that he was suppressing the fate of the Interception Sect spread throughout Golden Turtle Island.

At the same time.

Beyond the heavens, within the chaos, Purple Cloud Palace.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun manifested from the golden wheel of the Heavenly Dao, the Jade Disc of Creation suspended above his head.

"Tongtian... are you truly going to defy me?"

His voice was aged and indifferent, yet tinged with anger.

The great tide remained unchanged, while lesser currents were unpredictable.

Lord Tongtian's conduct in particular filled Dao Ancestor Hongjun with disappointment.

No one knew how much time passed!

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's voice rang out once more.

"Lingxiao, Qinghua Emperor of the Eastern Pole, what secret are you hiding?"

"If you can truly follow Heaven and accord with the Dao, then I shall issue a decree to grant you a marriage and permit Zhenyuanzi to become a Saint..."