Forgive Lingxiao? The Six Imperial Sovereign Seats!

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"His origin has withered away, his Primordial Spirit is shattered, his meridians are utterly destroyed, and Dao wounds cover his body! Unless Dao Ancestor Hongjun bestows a stroke of fortune, even a Saint would be unable to help him recover from his injuries and reforge his foundation."

"And Lingxiao is merely a cripple with no cultivation. How could he possibly win the favor of Great Immortal Zhenyuan and Daoist Hongyun? Senior Brother Gongming, do not spout nonsense here!"

Holy Mother Golden Spirit gritted her teeth, disbelief written all over her face.

Lingxiao had entered the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation to sort out the karmic sins of slaughter. After sustaining such grievous injuries, even Grand Pure One Laozi had personally treated him, yet there had been no improvement whatsoever.

Grand Pure One Laozi's mastery of alchemy could reverse yin and yang, yet even he could not heal Lingxiao.

Reforge his foundation? What right did that trash Lingxiao have?

"Junior Sister Golden Spirit, accept reality."

"Master deduced the heavenly secrets and discovered that the traitor Lingxiao's fortune had suddenly surged. Moreover, when he recovered his cultivation and reforged his foundation, he made no effort to conceal it. Great powers from every corner already know of this matter."

"Great Immortal Zhenyuan even personally sent a Dao voice, taking the opportunity to mock and humiliate our Interception Sect."

Daoist Duobao shook his head and let out a long sigh toward Holy Mother Golden Spirit.

Boundless resentment welled up in his heart.

They had exhausted every means to drive Lingxiao out of the Interception Sect, yet he had been reborn anew. This had caused both the Interception Sect and Lord Tongtian to lose all face.

"Since that traitor's injuries have healed, why not order him to return and acknowledge Master once more? We can temporarily overlook his previous mad and rebellious actions and simply grant him the status of an inner disciple."

"After all, only that traitor can now sort out the karmic calamity qi of slaughter tainting the Interception Sect's fortune. Otherwise, once that calamity qi of slaughter erupts completely, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation will suffer a devastating blow."

"Most importantly, ten thousand immortals have gathered under the Interception Sect. The Investiture of the Gods Calamity is not far off, and our fortune cannot be affected."

Once Holy Mother Wudang understood the full story, she was briefly stunned. But she soon came up with a solution.

The moment those words fell, waves stirred within the Azure Roaming Palace, and the disciples began discussing among themselves.

The brows of the Three Xiao Sisters, Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, and the others alternately relaxed and furrowed. They seemed to be weighing Holy Mother Wudang's proposal, while Lord Tongtian himself was also moved.

Severing karma and betraying the Interception Sect.

If Lingxiao admitted his mistake, he could be allowed to return to the Interception Sect.

Lord Tongtian still felt a trace of regret over this disciple. If Lingxiao were there to devise strategies for him, the Clarifying Sect, Western Sect, and Human Sect would all be trampled beneath the Interception Sect's feet.

At that moment, a broad, powerfully built Daoist wreathed in surging Sha Qi stepped out from the crowd.

In a low voice, he slowly said, "Senior Brother Lingxiao was forced to sever his karma with Master. Whether he relied on immense fortune to reforge his foundation or gained the appreciation of Great Immortal Zhenyuan and Daoist Hongyun, he no longer has any connection to the Interception Sect."

"When Senior Brother Lingxiao left Kunlun Mountain, only Daoist Jade Cauldron went to see him off. From that moment onward, he had already become thoroughly disheartened with our Interception Sect."

"Now that you see he has returned to cultivation and can sort out the karmic power of slaughter, you want to welcome him back to Kunlun Mountain? Where in the world is there such a good deal?"

Righteous indignation filled him as he suppressed his fury.

Xingtian had long been disgusted by Holy Mother Golden Spirit, Holy Mother Wudang, and the rest.

Because of Lingxiao, great Witch Race powers such as Xingtian and Feng Bo had also joined the Interception Sect. It was only that they had not been at Kunlun Mountain when Lingxiao left the sect.

Otherwise, how could they have stood by and watched Lingxiao suffer scornful looks and be forced to swear a Heavenly Dao oath?

"Fellow Daoist Xingtian is right!"

"Whether ten thousand immortals gather beneath the Interception Sect or it falls apart and scatters to the four winds, it has nothing to do with Senior Brother Lingxiao anymore. If you insist on doing something so shameless, then step over my corpse first!"

The Black Tortoise of the Northern Sea spoke coldly, his eyes brimming with disappointment.

When Nuwa mended the heavens, she had intended to kill him and refine his four limbs into pillars to prop up the sky. It was Lingxiao who had planned ahead, having him swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao, thereby preserving the origin of his physical body and his true spirit before finally allowing him to enter reincarnation.

After reincarnating and cultivating anew, the Black Tortoise of the Northern Sea had joined the Interception Sect in order to repay Lingxiao's kindness.

Xingtian, Feng Bo, the Black Tortoise of the Northern Sea, and the others had originally been qualified to become Lord Tongtian's personal disciples, but they had ultimately chosen to join the Interception Sect's outer sect.

"Disciples of the Interception Sect should place the sect's fortune and interests above all else. The traitor Lingxiao has betrayed the sect—will you follow in his footsteps as well?"

Immortal Dingguang glared with eyes wide open, blood-red light flickering in their depths.

As his words fell.

Killing intent surged wildly through the Azure Roaming Palace. Xingtian and the others wished they could grind Immortal Dingguang to dust.

Lord Tongtian, who had taken in everything, finally spoke.

"As a Heavenly Dao Saint, I possess the power to reach the heavens and penetrate the earth. I will use Great Dao merit to wear away the karmic power of slaughter upon the Interception Sect's fortune, maintaining the stability of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation."

"Before the Investiture of the Gods Calamity descends, you must not commit acts of slaughter. Otherwise, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation will no longer be able to suppress the Interception Sect's fortune."

"As for that traitor Lingxiao, who is willing to make a trip to Five Estate Temple?"

Great Dao merit was the Great Dao's blessing bestowed upon Pangu when he opened heaven and earth.

This was Lord Tongtian's foundation and reliance. Naturally, he could not use all of it to eliminate the karmic power of slaughter, or even his cultivation would be affected.

Thus, Lord Tongtian could only place his hopes on Lingxiao.

That easygoing fellow of the Interception Sect, his most obedient disciple, should return.

"Thick-skinned and shameless. Heh heh..."

Having seen Lord Tongtian's hypocritical side, Xingtian sneered inwardly.

At the side, the Northern Sea Black Tortoise hesitated as if he wanted to speak, then gently shook his head, a trace of cold indifference in his eyes.

He understood that once Lord Tongtian had spoken, there was no point in continuing the argument.

"Reporting to Master, this disciple is willing to go!"

Qiongxiao's voice was cool and clear. Ignoring Yunxiao's attempt to stop her, she stepped forward directly.

Her pale-blue jade sleeves flicked lightly, and an aloof chill flashed across her pretty face.

"This disciple will admonish Lingxiao and have him return with me to admit his fault before Master. If he willingly sorts out his karmic sins and murderous karma, I can forgive his offense and teach him what it means to honor one's master and respect the Dao."

"Since he is a disciple of the Interception Sect, he must give everything for the sect—including his life!"

Qiongxiao bowed to Lord Tongtian. Seeing that he raised no objection, she immediately stepped onto an auspicious cloud, transformed into a streak of light, and vanished.

Leaving only the people in the hall staring at one another, each harboring their own schemes.

Heavenly Court.

High Heaven Palace.

Auspicious omens unfolded, thousands of radiant hues streamed forth, and immortal qi drifted through the air.

Haotian sat high upon the Heavenly Emperor's throne, while the dignified and noble Queen Mother Yaochi sat upon a jade seat beside him.

"The myriad immortals of the Interception Sect have come to court, intending to unleash the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. The foundations of our Heavenly Court are weak. Aside from Taibai Jinxing, who is fit for great use, we have no mighty expert worth displaying."

"Now that Lingxiao has reforged his innate foundation and befriended Immortal Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun, if we offer help in his hour of need and forge a good bond with him, perhaps we can win the support of those two mighty experts."

Yaochi parted her red lips and spoke to Haotian.

Zhenyuanzi bore the title of Ancestor of Earth Immortals, and it was no empty name.

If Zhenyuanzi supported the Heavenly Court, countless cultivators and living beings would willingly ascend to Heaven and become the backbone of the Heavenly Court. Its august authority could then be displayed as well.

Otherwise, with no one capable beneath Haotian and Yaochi, the Heavenly Court would be a name without substance.

Hearing this, Haotian nodded. "Lingxiao exhausted himself for the Interception Sect, yet Lord Tongtian killed the hen to get the eggs. This has stirred dissatisfaction among mighty experts from every side; even some disciples of the Interception Sect have voiced considerable grievances."

"Moreover, the spark that caused Lingxiao to sever all ties of gratitude with the Interception Sect was his support for the sect's disciples entering the Investiture of the Gods. We cannot let his heart grow cold either."

"With the World-Purifying White Lotus as his innate foundation, he will surely become a quasi-saint in the future. Junior Sister, I intend to grant Lingxiao one of the Six Imperial Thrones!"

The Six Imperial Thrones!

In terms of the destiny of Heaven and Earth and the authority of the Heavenly Dao, they stood second only to the Three Pure Ones Saints.

The ruler of the Heavenly Court was the Jade Emperor among the Six Imperial Thrones, governing the myriad worlds of the Primordial World, carrying out the way of Heaven, commanding all living beings, and standing as the common lord of the Three Realms.

The other five Imperial Thrones assisted the Jade Emperor in handling the affairs of the Primordial World.

In status and nobility, the Six Imperial Thrones were equal!

Upon hearing Haotian's words, a flicker of shock rose in Yaochi's beautiful eyes. Yet she quickly understood everything and nodded at him.

"As for Lingxiao's Six Imperial Thrones position, Senior Brother should go to the Purple Cloud Palace and discuss it with Master. This palace will first send the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden with gifts to the Five Estate Temple to visit Lingxiao and meet Immortal Zhenyuanzi and Daoist Hongyun."

"If Lingxiao is willing to accept the honored position of one of the Six Imperial Thrones, our Heavenly Court will reap immense benefits. Even the matter of the Investiture of the Gods may perhaps be entrusted to him as well..."