The 37th Chapter

Lu Tian's explosive power—defeating Zhao Gongming and Duobao consecutively, and even holding his ground in the Immortal-Slaying Sword formation until Duobao was exhausted and defeated—was astonishing, with the battle's twists and turns leaving everyone in awe!

Many Great Powers had already declared:

A peak expert was about to emerge from the Western Teachings!

If he breaks through to the Quasi-Saint realm and cultivates diligently for a million years, he will surely be on par with Styx, Zhenyuanzi, and others!

The disciples of the Intercepting Sect also shocked the Primordial World.

Duobao, Wu Dang, Jin Ling, Gui Ling, Zhao Gongming, Sanxiao—

These eight disciples all displayed top-tier combat prowess!

Even setting Lu Tian aside, the Intercepting Sect remained the undisputed foremost sect in the Primordial World.

In contrast, the Heavenly Origin Sect...

The situation was dire.

After clashing with the Western Teachings, the Intercepting Sect turned its attention to the Heavenly Origin Sect.

The outcome exceeded everyone's expectations—

The disciples of the Intercepting Sect crushed the Heavenly Origin Sect with an overwhelming advantage!

With the exception of True Person Huang Long, the eleven Golden Immortals took turns fighting the remaining disciples of the Intercepting Sect: Wu Dang, Jin Ling, Gui Ling, Yunxiao, and Qiongxiao, and only managed to secure two victories.

Guangchengzi, as the foremost disciple of a Sage, saved face, and Taiyi Zhenren narrowly won a match due to years of arduous cultivation.

All other Golden Immortals were defeated!

The Intercepting Sect's status as the foremost sect was no longer in dispute.

Tongtian relaxed his brows, the pent-up anger of a long time finally dissipating.

Yuanshi, however, looked crestfallen.

The three-month fierce battle concluded.

The Intercepting Sect shone brightly, achieving victory after victory.

Yet, the Great Powers felt a sense of anticlimax—

After witnessing Lu Tian's world-shattering performance, the victories of the Intercepting Sect's disciples seemed to lack a certain brilliance.

The Great Powers temporarily remained on Kunlun, agreeing to discuss the Great Dao together in a hundred years.

This grand gathering, which had lasted for many days, finally dispersed, with the Great Powers from all sides opening temporary Cave Mansions.

Kunlun Mountain thus became the most prosperous sacred land in the Primordial World.

The Great Powers engaged in discussions and exchanges, or chatted about the heavens and earth, creating a lively atmosphere.

Only the Three Pure Ones... their words left unfinished.

Inside the Eight Sceneries Palace, the chill grew.

On this day, Tongtian and Yuanshi were arguing incessantly in the hall.

"Look at the disciples you've taught! Causing trouble outside again! How dare they injure Zhenyuanzi's attendant, forcing him to come knocking on our door, bringing shame upon us Three Pure Ones!" Yuanshi's face was like frost as he berated Tongtian.

Despite being the elder brother, Tongtian did not back down: "Who told that Daoist child to pick herbs on Kunlun Mountain without permission? He only sustained some injuries; they'll heal. Instead of worrying about my disciples, Brother, why not think more about how to improve your own disciples' cultivation!"

Yuanshi slammed the table in anger and stood up abruptly.

The performance of the Heavenly Origin Sect disciples at the Mystic Gate Grand Ceremony was indeed disappointing.

The Western Teachings produced Lu Tian, earning the admiration of all immortals.

The disciples of the Intercepting Sect were also outstanding.

Only his meticulously chosen disciples from the Heavenly Origin Sect paled in comparison—for someone like him who valued his disciples' aptitude, this was an utter disgrace.

"How my disciples cultivate is my own business; I don't need your concern! It's your unruly disciples who need proper discipline! I've advised you to restrain them strictly long ago. Isn't losing face at the Mystic Gate Grand Ceremony enough?"

Tongtian also slammed the table upon hearing this.

He knew what Yuanshi was referring to—Lu Tian's public act of revenge at the grand gathering, which had caused him to lose face. The Three Pure Ones were originally one entity, and this incident had embarrassed both Yuanshi and Dao De Tianzun. They had always avoided discussing it. Now, in his rage, Yuanshi had brought it up again.

As the tension escalated, their auras clashed.

They had held the Mystic Gate Grand Ceremony to compete due to their differing philosophies, but who knew the Western Teachings would emerge halfway. Now, the victor was decided, yet neither was happy.

"Since we can't reason with each other, why don't I have a match with Brother!" Tongtian's body erupted with sword energy, "Let's save our breath arguing here!"

"Nonsense!"

Before Yuanshi could respond, Dao De Tianzun slammed the table in anger and stopped them.

"If you want to fight, get out and fight! Let all the immortals of the Primordial World see how brotherly and respectful the Three Pure Ones are!"

Under the elder brother's authority, the two finally restrained themselves.

However, when they looked at each other, their eyes were still filled with resentment.

"Farewell." Tongtian turned away coldly.

Tongtian flicked his sleeve and headed straight back to Biyou Palace.

He first went to the side hall to visit Duobao. With the aid of a ten-thousand-fold time flow acceleration, Duobao had recuperated for a thousand years and his injuries were ninety percent healed.

"Master has arrived, I am unable to welcome you from afar..."

Sensing Tongtian's presence, Duobao immediately ceased his cultivation and stood up. Tongtian waved his hand, signaling for him to dispense with formalities. As his immortal power flowed, he had already assessed Duobao's condition.

"You've recovered well."

Duobao showed a look of shame. "I have failed Master's trust and was defeated by Lu Tian. I am willing to accept punishment."

Tongtian sighed softly and patted his beloved disciple's shoulder.

"There is still a long way to go."

"Even if you are defeated again, it matters not. I will be your advocate."

"If you were both in the Grand Unity Realm, you would surely defeat him with the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation. It was indeed difficult for you to activate this formation while in the Taiyi Realm."

Duobao's heart warmed, and he lowered his head further. "The next time we meet, I will surely wash away this shame!"

After comforting him, Tongtian returned to the main hall and gazed in the direction of the Jade Void Palace, lost in thought.

Meanwhile.

Lu Tian awoke from his thousand-year recuperation. With the aid of the Power of Creation and the Three Lights Divine Water, he had recovered completely in just five hundred years, using the remaining time to refine the mysterious placenta.

This time, he refined another forty percent, bringing his total progress to half, one step closer to the foundation of a Chaos Demon God.

The improvement in his foundation brought about a comprehensive transformation: his Sky-Piercing Heart cultivation efficiency doubled to a hundredfold, the total amount of the Power of Creation doubled, and the maximum combat power increase from his Annihilation divine ability rose to fifteen times.

After tidying up, he stepped out of the spatial-temporal barrier.

He saw the Daoist Zhunti waiting.

"You've recovered?"

"Seeing that your foundation has progressed further, I presume this is the opportunity you spoke of."

Zhunti had sensed Lu Tian's appearance the moment he emerged and turned his head, offering him a gentle smile.

Lu Tian's eyes immediately showed joy.

"Precisely. Only by burning one's life force to exhaustion can one break free from the shackles of origin and ascend to a higher level upon revival."

Zhunti nodded thoughtfully.

"The Primordial World is vast and boundless, and the cycle of karma has its own destiny."

"Lu Tian's breaking and then standing this time can be considered a blessing in disguise."

As the two conversed, Jieyin's divine sense quietly descended.

"Your foundation has been reshaped quite well."

He first praised, then said sternly, "But do not use this as an excuse to deliberately seek out fights to exhaust your life force."

"If you truly have such intentions, come find me. I can split off a dharma form to spar with you and help you break through."

So, they came to advise him on this matter.

Jieyin was ultimately worried that Lu Tian would become reckless and adventurous in the future after tasting the sweetness of this method.

Lu Tian quickly responded, "Master's teachings, I will keep them firmly in mind."

"If it weren't for the protection of you two Masters this time, I would not have dared to act this way."

He knew very well that it was precisely because Jieyin and Zhunti were watching over him that he dared to go all out!

Whether it was burning his life force or consuming the placenta to compensate for the loss of his origin, it was all under the care of his two Masters, making it foolproof.

If he were in a perilous situation alone, Lu Tian would never rashly take such a dangerous gamble.

He would definitely form seals and chant incantations, respectfully inviting his Master's dharma form to descend.

Therefore, in a different situation, it would be difficult to encounter a desperate situation that required him to stake everything, and naturally, he would not discover such an opportunity.

In the final analysis, Lu Tian had always placed his safety first.

To have a powerful backer but not know how to leverage it was truly foolish!

As for the so-called breakthrough through life and death?

It was nothing more than a fool's dream!

If one slacked off in their usual cultivation and expected to break through during a battle, what was that if not wishful thinking?

It was not impossible, but the probability was extremely low.

Why would a wise person place their hope on such a slim chance?

Diligent cultivation every day, comprehending the profound principles of the Heavenly Dao, and waiting for it to happen naturally is the right way!

Have you not seen the Great Powers of the Primordial World? How many of them have not been in seclusion for tens of thousands of years, rarely making a move?

Battles and duels were merely to verify the results of their daily cultivation.

When he was cultivating in the Blood Sea, Lu Tian first deduced thousands of scenarios in his dreams. After he had a thorough understanding, he then sparred with the Asura Race to verify his findings.

"I'm truly ashamed that this has troubled both my Masters."

Lu Tian apologized again, his voice filled with remorse.

"This matter was indeed a bit reckless."

He had almost completely fallen out with the Intercepting Sect, relying on his overwhelming strength and showing them no respect.

The relationship between the two sects was already strained. They had only maintained a superficial peace out of consideration for the faces of their respective Sages, and because one was in the east and the other in the west.

Now, it had plummeted to freezing point!

A war between the two sects was naturally impossible, but if their disciples met, it would inevitably lead to confrontation and "sparring."

If Lu Tian had been slightly more tactful in his words, the situation wouldn't have deteriorated to this extent.

But he refused to back down even half an inch on such matters!

If Jieyin and Zhunti hadn't backed him, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a smile.

"There's no need to say such things."

"We know your heart is troubled, and it's good that you've let it out this time."

"Since you've chosen this path, we will support you wholeheartedly."

Jieyin's smile was gentle, but his words carried a sharp edge.

"Don't let it happen again. Just remember, we will always stand behind you."

"The competition for your generation has only just begun."

"It's different from our time—we were born from innate transformations, and our cultivation relied entirely on exploration. Before the Dao Ancestor's sermons, we were all self-taught."

"You have a lineage and patrons, so you are destined to be hundreds of times stronger than other beings!"

"The probability of producing powerful individuals is also far greater than in the past."

"But because of this, the Heavenly Origin Sect has become too complacent, and their disciples' strength has actually declined."

"Although the Intercepting Sect has many flaws, their internal competition is fierce, and their overall strength is superior."

At this point, Jieyin sighed lightly.

"Our Western Teachings are inherently disadvantaged. If you hadn't appeared, we would have been suppressed by the other two sects for many years."

"Because of your sudden emergence, whether it's the complacent faction of the Heavenly Origin Sect or the competitive faction of the Intercepting Sect, they will all cultivate desperately to surpass you."

"Lu Tian, I want you to always be one step ahead of them!"

"With the will of a diamond, you should make your own decisions and crush all who defy you!"

"With an invincible posture, become the strongest of this generation and forever stand at the peak—do you have confidence?"

Make your own decisions, crush all who defy you!

Jieyin's words were calm, yet they ignited a fire in Lu Tian's heart!

Having already astonished the Great Powers of the Primordial World atop Kunlun Mountain and enjoyed all the glory, how could he be willing to return to mediocrity?

"I understand, please don't worry, Master."

"No matter how the Intercepting Sect or the Heavenly Origin Sect try to catch up, I will always be victorious."

Jieyin nodded with a smile, then changed the subject:

"The Demon Race has sent an envoy to request an audience. Would you be willing to meet them?"

The Demon Race?

Why would they seek me out?

With my current cultivation, I'm only slightly superior among Taiyi Golden Immortals. How could I catch the eye of the Demon Race?

Lu Tian pondered inwardly, but he still agreed to the meeting.

He followed Jieyin and Zhunti into the main hall and saw two graceful female cultivators sitting opposite Jieyin, drinking tea—they were the twin empresses of the Demon Race, Changxi and Xihe.

Lu Tian performed the proper etiquette: "Junior pays his respects to both seniors."

Changxi observed him with a smile, then showed surprise: "Oh? Compared to the last time we met, your cultivation has improved again?"

She casually flipped her hand and produced an ink painting scroll, handing it over: "Long ago, this Empress and your Master listened to the Dao together in Purple Heaven Palace. Please accept this as a token of our meeting."

This sudden gift startled Lu Tian.