Bestowing the Green Duckweed Sword, Execute First and Report Later

"Reporting to Master, this disciple's actions in purging the sect this time were merely part of my duty. I do not seek any reward."

Xuan Liu remained composed as he answered calmly, "This disciple has been nourished by the Interception Sect's fortune and received the great karmic grace of Master's teachings."

"Naturally, I must consider the Interception Sect in all matters. Long-Eared Fixed-Light Immortal acted against all reason, attempting to collude with the Western Sect and sever the future foundations of our Interception Sect. Such a traitor who fed at our table while betraying us deserves to be slain by all."

"This disciple asks for nothing else. I only wish for the Interception Sect's rules to be strict and for the myriad immortals to stand united. That alone would be this disciple's greatest reward!"

His own master had already bestowed upon him favors as weighty as mountains!

A dignified Heavenly Dao Saint had even been willing to charge alone up Mount Sumeru for his sake and begin a war between Saints.

Had Ancestor Hongjun not appeared in time, the Western Sect would certainly have suffered even greater losses.

Where else could one find a master who protected his own to such an extent?!

Fortunately, after weighing his choices, he had chosen to join the Interception Sect.

Looking back now, that decision had truly been the right one!

"Good! How splendid—only wishing that our Interception Sect's rules be strict and its myriad immortals united!!!"

Tongtian Cult Master's expression abruptly stirred as he said in high spirits, "Hahaha! As expected of Tongtian's youngest personal disciple!"

"Such breadth of vision, such steadiness of Dao heart—he should serve as a model for the disciples of all Three Sects!!"

Upon hearing this,

the gloom Tongtian Cult Master had felt over Long-Eared Fixed-Light Immortal's betrayal completely vanished, turning into boundless gratification and indulgent affection.

Good!

What a fine lad!

He had uncovered Long-Eared Fixed-Light Immortal, such a great traitor, yet sought no reward.

A disciple like this was truly too rare!

Most importantly, he was Tongtian Cult Master's fifth personal disciple.

"Disciple Xuan Liu, you are selfless and do not take pride in your merits. But as the one who governs the Interception Sect, how could I reward merit with nothing?"

"Since what you seek is strict sect rules and united immortals, then today, I shall fulfill your supreme wish!"

Before their eyes,

Tongtian Cult Master reached his right hand behind him, and the Green Duckweed Sword that had rested upon his back day and night, its entire body wreathed in dark azure Dao rhythms,

began to hum without being struck, erupting with peerless sharpness that illuminated countless great worlds.

The moment the Green Duckweed Sword left its sheath, endless pure Shangqing intent transformed into a vast ocean and hovered above Xuan Liu's head, blanketing heaven and earth.

"Disciple Xuan Liu, from this day onward, I grant you my personal supreme treasure, the Green Duckweed Sword, to wield!"

Tongtian Cult Master's expression hardened as he declared with imposing authority, "Xuan Liu, receive the sword! From today onward, you shall wield this sword and enforce the laws of the Interception Sect in my stead. To see the Green Duckweed is to see the Saint himself!"

"From personal disciples down to outer disciples and registered disciples, any within the Interception Sect who commit wicked deeds, bully the weak with their strength, or tarnish the name of our Shangqing lineage—you may slay them all with this sword!"

"Beneath this sword, I grant you the authority to execute first and report later!!!"

"Rumble!!!"

As Tongtian Cult Master's words fell, they immediately stirred an earthshaking uproar throughout the Interception Sect, voices rising one after another.

"What?! Master actually entrusted Fifth Senior Brother with the immense authority to mete out punishment in his stead—to execute first and report later?!"

"That is the Green Duckweed Sword! It is Master's supreme treasure of attaining the Dao! To see the Green Duckweed is to see the Saint himself—Fifth Senior Brother's authority is now far too great!"

"Hiss... With the authority to execute first and report later, those heartless scum within the sect who relied on a bit of cultivation to do whatever they pleased will probably have to tuck their tails between their legs from now on!"

"That's right, that's right! Master truly dared to think and act—he directly handed the Green Duckweed Sword to Fifth Senior Brother!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk! Those who refuse to cultivate properly and know only how to commit evil and utterly lose their conscience are likely in for some suffering now!"

At this moment, the countless Interception Sect immortals watching from the sidelines were completely swept into an absolute tidal frenzy, like rivers and seas churning upside down.

Duobao Daoist stood at the front, an odd expression appearing on his plump face.

Yet having held the position of Eldest Senior Brother through countless ages, he was naturally not one to envy the worthy or resent the capable.

He glanced at Xuan Liu, then at Tongtian Cult Master's resolute expression.

The fleeting trace of bitterness in his heart was instantly smoothed away.

Duobao Daoist understood that Master intended to use Xuan Liu's hand

to carry out a world-overturning purge within the Interception Sect!

"Master... this..."

Xuan Liu's expression tightened, and he was flattered beyond measure.

He was genuinely a little dumbfounded.

Originally, he had only wanted to use the traitor Long-Eared Fixed-Light Immortal to conduct a purge.

But who could have imagined that his Saintly master's protectiveness and boldness would reach such heights!

Not only had he shaved Mount Sumeru flat and taken the Empowering Divine Pestle,

he was now even stuffing the Green Duckweed Sword—the treasure by which he had attained the Dao—into Xuan Liu's hands.

He was making him the highest arbiter within the gates of the Interception Sect!

To see the Green Duckweed Sword was to see the Saint!

The authority to execute first and report later!

What immense esteem was this!

"Silly child, take it! If I say you can bear it, then you can bear it!!"

Tongtian Cult Master would not allow Xuan Liu even the slightest hesitation or refusal.

Having spoken, he flicked his sleeve.

An irresistible force of Saintly might instantly swept up the Green Duckweed Sword and pressed it into Xuan Liu's broad palm.

"Duobao, Jinling, Zhao Gongming, Yunxiao... heed my command!"

Tongtian Cult Master's Dharma eyes swept over his many disciples as he sternly said, "From today onward, Xuan Liu shall wield the Green Duckweed Sword to enforce the law. You must all give him your full cooperation, without the slightest evasion."

"Should any defy this command, show disrespect, or secretly obstruct him, they shall be treated as those who deceive their master and annihilate their ancestors. Beneath the Green Duckweed Sword, there shall be no mercy either! Have you heard clearly?!"

"This disciple, Duobao, respectfully obeys Master's decree! I shall certainly do my utmost to assist Fifth Junior Brother!"

With Duobao Daoist taking the lead, the major disciples accepted the command in unison without the slightest hesitation, their voices echoing for a long while.

"This disciple, Jinling, respectfully obeys Master's decree! I shall certainly do my utmost to assist Fifth Junior Brother!"

"This disciple, Zhao Gongming, respectfully obeys Master's decree! I shall certainly do my utmost to assist Fifth Senior Brother!"

"This disciple, Yunxiao, respectfully obeys Master's decree! I shall certainly do my utmost to assist Fifth Senior Brother!"

"This disciple, Qiongxiao, respectfully obeys Master's decree! I shall certainly do my utmost to assist Fifth Senior Brother!"

Holding the Green Duckweed Sword, Xuan Liu lowered his head and looked at the faint, undying immortal radiance flowing across its blade.

He felt the gazes of the many Interception Sect disciples, mingled with awe and fear.

Countless thoughts surged through his heart.

In the end, the utmost heroic spirit appeared upon his face.

"This disciple, Xuan Liu, accepts Master's sacred decree and shall not fail Master's expectations!!"

Xuan Liu suddenly tightened his grip on the Green Duckweed Sword and bowed. "Since Master trusts me so deeply, then today, this disciple shall accept this supreme authority."

"Those black sheep whose bodies are entangled in karmic sin shall be cleanly cut down by this Green Duckweed Sword in my hand!"

Long-Eared Fixed-Light Immortal was nothing more than a beginning!

He would use the Green Duckweed Sword to slay every black sheep within the Interception Sect.

So long as all these black sheep were eradicated,

the Interception Sect would have a few more possibilities during the future Investiture of the Gods calamity.