Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation Stirs! The Clown Was Actually the Interception Sect!

Longevity Mountain, Five Estate Temple.

Lingxiao followed Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun here, descending into the sacred grounds.

"Greetings, Masters. Greetings, Senior Brother Lingxiao."

The two Daoist attendants, Breeze and Bright Moon, clasped their hands in salute to Lingxiao.

Red lips, white teeth, transcendent auras—the Dao resonance around them was extraordinarily refined. Both had long since reached the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, merely lacking the attainment of the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.

"Breeze, Bright Moon, young friend Lingxiao will be cultivating peacefully at Five Estate Temple. You must not neglect him."

"Go pick some ginseng fruits now, and bring the spiritual wine I brewed as well."

Zhenyuanzi invited Lingxiao to sit upon a meditation cushion, then instructed the two Daoist attendants.

Very soon!

The fragrance of ginseng fruits drifted through the air, while the spiritual wine in the jade cups gleamed with amber radiance.

"This junior has caused you both much trouble. I hope you can forgive me!"

Lingxiao said slowly with a smile.

Though he had forged good ties with these two mighty Quasi-Sages, the proper courtesies could not be neglected.

Seeing this, Daoist Hongyun said helplessly, "Young friend, you are simply too kind! You risked life and limb for the Interception Sect, only to end up like this. Fortunately, the path has turned from danger to safety, and all that lies ahead is open road."

"Come to think of it, your experiences and mine share some similarities..."

As his words fell.

A cold gleam surfaced in Zhenyuanzi's eyes, and killing intent continuously spilled forth.

This killing intent was directed at Zhunti and Jieyin, the two Sages far away in the Western World.

During the Witch-Demon Calamity, Daoist Hongyun had suffered an unforeseen disaster. On the surface, it appeared that the Demon Race, Patriarch Styx, and others had been behind it, but in truth, the Two Sages of the West had been the ones secretly fanning the flames.

Unable to repay the karmic debt of giving up a seat, they would simply eliminate Daoist Hongyun, the creditor!

The Two Sages of the West had truly worked their little abacus until it clattered.

"One is the Primordial World's perennial nice guy, the other the Interception Sect's perennial nice guy. This humble Daoist will not forget these two karmic debts. The day I defy Heaven and become a Sage will be the day those debts are settled."

"Young friend Lingxiao, do not be so polite with the two of us. If not for your profound fortune, which has elevated your innate foundation to stand shoulder to shoulder with the foremost innate divine spirits, we truly would have wanted to take you as a disciple."

"Once the Investiture of the Gods Calamity erupts, the laws of Heaven and Earth will fall into disorder. At that time, I will find an opportunity to become a Sage. After all, over countless ages, I have already accumulated enough Heavenly Dao Merit."

Zhenyuanzi changed the subject, his expression returning to gentleness.

His regard and expectations for Lingxiao practically overflowed from his words.

There were countless living beings in the Primordial World, yet Lingxiao alone suited both Zhenyuanzi's and Daoist Hongyun's tastes.

"You two seniors have treated this junior so well. I am endlessly grateful."

"However, becoming a Sage must be pursued steadily; one must not act with undue haste. According to my deductions, the Interception Sect will have to face the Human Sect, the Clarifying Sect, and the Western Sect all at once. Once the overall situation has been decided, it will not be too late for Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi to become a Sage."

"Besides, that one from the Interception Sect is plotting far more than you appear to realize..."

Lingxiao rose to his feet and bowed deeply to the two of them.

Since the Witch-Demon Calamity, the Interception Sect's power and foundation had grown stronger by the day. It held more than half of the positions as teachers to the Human Emperors, and the ambitions of the entire Interception Sect had swelled accordingly.

Lord Tongtian commanded the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation. Together with treasures such as the human race's supreme treasure, the Kongtong Seal, and the Green Duckweed Sword, he possessed the confidence to suppress the other Sages.

That was why he had pushed for the descent of the Investiture of the Gods Calamity, rather than heed Lingxiao's suggestion to send some of the weaker Interception Sect disciples onto the Investiture of the Gods.

"Rest assured, young friend. This humble Daoist can restrain himself!"

"Come, drink!"

Very soon!

Within Five Estate Temple, the atmosphere was cheerful.

Lingxiao drank with the two mighty figures, Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun, discussing the many affairs of the Primordial World. The two Quasi-Sage experts also imparted to Lingxiao many profound truths of the Great Dao.

At the same time.

Deep within Azure Roaming Palace on Kunlun Mountain.

The Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation erupted with resounding sword cries, its violent aura raging outward.

Holy Mother Wudang and Holy Mother Golden Spirit suddenly opened their eyes.

"How is this possible?"

Their red lips parted slightly. They could not conceal the shock and fear on their faces, and they were somewhat at a loss.

"Did Lingxiao not enter the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation and clear away all the karmic debts of slaughter incurred by his fellow disciples? Why has the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation become restless now, while the Interception Sect's providence teeters on the brink of collapse?"

"Could it be that during those hundred thousand years, Lingxiao left behind some hidden danger within the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation?"

Holy Mother Golden Spirit frowned tightly, dissatisfaction coloring her voice.

In her view, the unrest in the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation was Lingxiao's scheme.

After all!

Lingxiao had failed to appreciate kindness, severed his karmic ties with the Interception Sect, and betrayed Xuanmen.

"The Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation is trembling, and the Interception Sect's providence is entangled with karmic sins of slaughter. We can no longer cultivate here with the help of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, or the killing intent will invade our Dao hearts and leave us suffering from cultivation deviation."

"Junior Sister is right. Perhaps today's events are inseparable from Lingxiao. Perhaps he suffered many grievances within the Interception Sect, but setting the facts aside, was he truly without fault?"

"Defying his master's sect and showing no respect for a Saint—becoming a cripple was already letting him off lightly."

Holy Mother Wudang shook her head and joined in condemning Lingxiao.

A hundred thousand years ago, before Lingxiao had sorted through the karmic sins of slaughter, she had held some respect for him and had even secretly admired him.

But after Lingxiao became a cripple, Holy Mother Wudang's favorable impression of him vanished completely.

In the Primordial World, strength was supreme.

A cripple whose foundation was ruined and who possessed no cultivation whatsoever was unqualified to be a personal disciple, much less worthy of receiving her favor.

Even though Holy Mother Wudang had once benefited from Lingxiao's kindness.

Hearing this, Holy Mother Golden Spirit nodded and said, "Lingxiao brought this upon himself. There is nothing to regret. In any case, ten thousand immortals pay homage to our Interception Sect. Without him, our Interception Sect remains the foremost sect of the Primordial World."

"Senior Sister Wudang, let us report the disturbance in the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation to Master!"

After Lord Tongtian established the Interception Sect, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation had stood deep within Azure Roaming Palace, suppressing the Interception Sect's providence. Yet this supreme treasure of slaughter contained the true essence of the Sword Dao, and thus became a whetstone for the Interception Sect's disciples to temper their own Dao.

Before Lingxiao became Lord Tongtian's disciple, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation had erupted several times. But ever since he began sorting through the karmic sins of slaughter every few days, the formation had never stirred again.

He had even secluded himself within the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation for a hundred thousand years, purifying all the obscure aura and karmic sins of slaughter within the Interception Sect's providence, helping the sect erase this hidden danger.

Yet neither Holy Mother Wudang nor Holy Mother Golden Spirit could understand why the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation and the Interception Sect's providence were now showing disturbances once more.

A moment later.

The two stepped into the grand hall of Azure Roaming Palace.

Before their eyes were Lord Tongtian, Daoist Duobao, the Three Xiao Sisters, and the other disciples of the Interception Sect.

But why was the atmosphere within the hall so strange?

Lord Tongtian's face was ashen, while the Interception Sect disciples below the cloud platform looked at one another. All manner of emotions surfaced in their exchanged glances, not least of them cold killing intent.

"Just who has made Master and all our fellow disciples act as though facing a formidable enemy?"

Holy Mother Golden Spirit was utterly baffled, but she still calmly walked to the center of the hall and reported the abnormality of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation to Lord Tongtian.

Her expression turning solemn, Holy Mother Golden Spirit cupped her hands in salute. "Reporting to Master, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation has stirred. The karmic sins of slaughter have returned, and our Interception Sect's providence will be affected."

At once.

Within Azure Roaming Palace, all the Interception Sect disciples scarcely dared breathe.

Upon hearing this, Lord Tongtian sent his divine sense toward the depths of Azure Roaming Palace. The Primordial Spirit imprint carved into the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation relayed a message to him.

His already ashen face immediately turned blacker than the bottom of a pot.

When the roof leaks, rain pours through all night!

He had only just received news concerning Lingxiao, and now this disastrous report arrived as well. Even with Lord Tongtian's steadfast Dao heart, he now found the matter somewhat thorny.

Lingxiao had only just left, yet the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation and the Interception Sect's providence had both begun to stir. Even though Lord Tongtian perceived that this matter had nothing to do with Lingxiao, the resentment in his heart toward the latter only grew more intense.

"Rebellious disciple! Rebellious disciple!"

Lord Tongtian slammed a palm onto the cloud platform, his voice rumbling like thunder.

Seeing this, the Interception Sect disciples present were terrified. Holy Mother Wudang and Holy Mother Golden Spirit misunderstood even more deeply, believing that Lingxiao's schemes had caused everything now unfolding.

Thus.

Holy Mother Wudang stepped forward and said indignantly, "Lingxiao is heartless, so do not blame our Interception Sect for being merciless. Since he dares scheme against our Interception Sect's providence, this disciple is willing to capture him and subject him to the harshest punishment, to make an example for others."

"A mere cripple cannot stir up any great waves!"

Her voice fell into the silent hall, each word striking the ground like a hammer blow.

In an instant, it drew everyone's attention.

After several breaths, Zhao Gongming said with an ugly expression, "A cripple? That rebellious disciple has already reforged his foundations, even taking them to a higher level. He has also gained the esteem of Great Immortal Zhenyuan and Daoist Hongyun."

"That traitor of the Interception Sect severed karmic ties. Everything he has done now has turned our Interception Sect into a complete and utter laughingstock..."