Total Rectification, Prestige at Its Peak

Golden Turtle Island, Immortal-Slaying Platform.

This platform was not an imitation of those four killing swords, but a natural stone dais formed from the Sword Qi left behind when Master Tongtian had expounded the Dao here in his early years.

Its entire surface was dark red, with the faint echo of clashing gold and iron lingering within it. It carried an innate air of stern slaughter and judgment.

Since Jiejiao had been founded, this place had rarely been used. Once it was opened, it was inevitably to punish those guilty of betraying the sect and crimes whose karmic burden towered to the heavens.

Today, the surroundings of the Immortal-Slaying Platform were packed black with Jiejiao disciples. From outer disciples to inner disciples, from registered disciples to true disciples, almost no one was absent.

The atmosphere was so heavy it seemed ready to drip water. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed upon the stone platform.

Upon the platform, Xuan Chuan stood solemnly in purple robes, Purple Lightning Hammer in hand—deliberately brought out today to display his authority and legitimacy.

To his left, Zhao Gongming stood by with one hand on his sword, his tiger eyes brimming with majesty. To his right, Yunxiao held the phantom image of the Primordial Golden Dipper, her expression cool and detached.

Duobao Daoist, Golden Spirit Holy Mother, Wudang Holy Mother, Tortoise Spirit Holy Mother, and the other core disciples were all seated at the front beneath the platform, silently observing the proceedings.

At the center of the platform, four figures knelt, bound by chains of restrictive arts. Their cultivation had been sealed, and they looked wretched.

The leader was none other than Qiu Shou Immortal. His face was ashen, his eyes hollow, and not a trace remained of the dignity he had once possessed as an attendant immortal lord.

Behind him was Lingya Immortal, still holding his neck stiffly high, his fangs clenched tight. Yet he could not conceal the fear in his eyes.

The remaining two were inner disciples whom Xuan Chuan had uncovered through a secret investigation, following the vine to find the melon.

They had been closely allied with Qiu Shou Immortal and Lingya Immortal, paying lip service to the new rules while defying them in secret. They had even covertly passed information about the sect to outsiders—though not to the Western Teachings, it was betrayal all the same.

Xuan Chuan's gaze flashed like lightning as it swept over the myriad fellow disciples below. His clear and imposing voice spread across the entire island with the aid of his magic power.

"Today, gathered here in accordance with Jiejiao's sect rules, we shall publicly try these traitors to the sect!"

"Attendant Immortal Lord Qiu Shou Immortal was beguiled by the Western Teachings and harbored treacherous ambitions. He secretly formed Buddhist ties and, last night, infiltrated this seat's abode."

"He stole important formation diagrams from the sect, intending to flee to the Western Teachings with them. He was caught red-handed! His deeds betrayed his master and sect; his heart deserves execution!"

"Attendant Immortal Lord Lingya Immortal colluded with Qiu Shou, incited fellow disciples to resist sect rules, spread rumors, and slandered the chief disciple. He intended to split the sect apart—his motives were unfathomable!"

"Disciple XX and Disciple XX joined Qiu Shou and Lingya in the same filthy stream. They leaked sect affairs and colluded with external enemies. The evidence of their crimes is irrefutable!"

With every charge read aloud, suppressed unrest and low cries rose from below the platform.

Especially upon hearing that Qiu Shou Immortal had actually intended to steal the formation diagram of the newly devised "Myriad Immortals Joint Defense Formation" and defect to the Western Teachings.

Countless disciples sucked in cold breaths, their gazes toward Qiu Shou Immortal filled with contempt and lingering fear. That formation was one of their hopes for surviving the coming tribulation!

"These four criminals have betrayed their master's grace and harmed the sect. Their crimes warrant death!"

Xuan Chuan's voice turned harsh. "However, Heaven cherishes life, and Jiejiao is not a place devoid of feeling or compassion. In accordance with sect rules, the following sentences shall be imposed—"

He paused, and his voice shook the four directions. "Lingya Immortal: cultivation abolished, Dao foundation destroyed, cast into the East Sea Sea Eye, and imprisoned for a thousand years, as a warning to others!"

"Disciple XX and Disciple XX: cultivation abolished, expelled from Golden Turtle Island, never again to enter Jiejiao's gates for all eternity!"

Finally, his gaze fell upon Qiu Shou Immortal, who had completely collapsed and no longer possessed even the strength to struggle. A cold gleam flashed through his eyes.

"Qiu Shou Immortal, occupying the position of attendant immortal lord, did not think to repay his master's grace. Instead, you allowed an outside teaching to beguile you and committed this great treason of betraying the sect and stealing its secrets! Your crimes are compounded!"

"Sentence—your cultivation shall be abolished, your Dao foundation destroyed, and your soul extracted. You shall be suppressed in the depths of Golden Turtle Island's earth veins, suffering the torment of earthfire. Your Primordial Spirit shall be made into a lamp wick that burns eternally, feeding the island-protecting formation with fuel and flame until your soul is utterly extinguished, thus atoning for your crimes!"

The instant this judgment was pronounced, deathly silence descended below the platform. Even the sound of breathing was almost inaudible.

Having one's cultivation abolished and Dao foundation destroyed was already the ultimate punishment. Having one's soul extracted to light a lamp, then being scorched by earthfire until one's soul scattered and vanished, was even crueler than the destruction of body and spirit!

They were going to squeeze out the last shred of Qiu Shou Immortal's worth, making him pay the most thorough price for his betrayal! It was also the sternest warning to all who harbored ill intent!

Golden Light Immortal sat in the front row beneath the platform, his face white as paper. His body trembled faintly as he lowered his head, not daring to look again.

Beside him, several disciples who had once been close to Qiu Shou and Lingya, or who had wavered in their hearts, were likewise drenched in cold sweat. The last traces of their luck-seeking hopes and resentment were utterly crushed by this merciless judgment.

"Carry out the sentence!" Xuan Chuan spoke no further and raised a hand in indication.

Zhao Gongming stepped forward and acted personally, combining the power of the Sea-Calming Pearl with Jiejiao's secret arts.

He first abolished the cultivation and Dao foundations of Lingya Immortal and the two disciples. Lingya Immortal let out a miserable howl and fainted, whereupon law-enforcement disciples dragged him away toward the East Sea Sea Eye.

The two abolished disciples turned pale as earth and were expelled from the island in a daze, as though their souls had left them.

At last, it was Qiu Shou Immortal's turn.

Xuan Chuan acted personally. He first used the Purple Lightning Hammer to draw down a thread of heavenly lightning, scattering the remaining Buddhist nature and foreign magic power within Qiu Shou Immortal's body and shattering his foundation.

Then, with two fingers joined like a sword, he drove the Fate-Cutting Sword Intent into Qiu Shou Immortal's body, forcibly peeling his soul from its shell!

Qiu Shou Immortal released an inhuman, shrill scream that rang across the Immortal-Slaying Platform, sending chills down the spines of all who heard it.

That faintly struggling ball of soul-light was sealed by Xuan Chuan with a secret art, transformed into a bean-sized flame, and cast into an ancient bronze lamp that had long been prepared and connected to Golden Turtle Island's earth veins.

The flame was dark red. Within it, Qiu Shou Immortal's twisted and agonized face could faintly be seen, screaming soundlessly.

The ancient lamp slowly sank into the entrance to the earth veins beneath the Immortal-Slaying Platform. It would endure the burning of earthfire forever, supplying the island-protecting formation with a trace of minute yet enduring energy.

Qiu Shou Immortal's body rapidly shriveled and weathered away, becoming a cloud of dust that scattered upon the wind, as though he had never existed.

The entire execution was clean, ruthless, and beyond question.

When the final speck of dust had dispersed, and only Xuan Chuan's solitary figure remained upon the Immortal-Slaying Platform, the entire gathering was still silent as cicadas in winter.

Only the sea wind howled, carrying the salty stench of the deep sea and a faint, indescribable... chill after cleansing.

After a long while, Xuan Chuan put away the Purple Lightning Hammer and swept his gaze across those below once more.

This time, countless gazes met his. There was no longer any doubt, dissatisfaction, or veiled hostility within them. In their place were awe, conviction, and even fervent support!

"The traitors have been executed, and the internal threat has temporarily been cleared." Xuan Chuan's voice rang out again, restored to calm.

"From this day onward, I hope all fellow disciples will take this as a warning. Observe the sect rules, diligently cultivate merit, cleanse karmic burden, unite in heart and purpose, and together protect Jiejiao's orthodoxy!"

"The new rules shall be carried out without the slightest compromise. Registration and recordkeeping, sorting through karma, drilling formations, and accumulating merit—these are the foundations upon which we shall settle ourselves and survive the future waves of tribulation!"

"Xuan Chuan swears here that I will stand shoulder to shoulder with all of you, and fight for that sliver of life for Jiejiao!"

"We shall obey Eldest Senior Brother's command!"

No one knew who was the first to shout from below the platform. Then, a thunderous roar of agreement erupted like mountains calling and seas surging, shooting straight into the heavens!

Whether they were outer disciples who had long supported Xuan Chuan, inner disciples who had originally stood by and watched, or even senior members who had once held doubts, all were now sincerely convinced and bowed in assent!

Amid the waves of sound, Xuan Chuan could clearly sense that the vast yet scattered cloud of fortune hanging over Jiejiao, mixed with crimson karmic burden, was undergoing subtle changes.

The chaotic currents of fortune began to gather in orderly fashion. The crimson karmic burden was like dirt washed by clear water; though it had not vanished completely, it had visibly thinned.

Even the spiritual energy across Golden Turtle Island seemed to have become purer and more vibrant.

Jiejiao's fortune had stabilized! The reforms had begun to bear fruit!

At this moment, his prestige reached its peak. He had truly become Jiejiao's second person, inferior only to Master Tongtian!

Duobao Daoist looked at the exceptionally radiant Xuan Chuan atop the platform. A trace of complexity flashed through his eyes before it ultimately turned into relief and acknowledgment, and he nodded lightly.

Golden Spirit, Wudang, and Tortoise Spirit, the three Holy Mothers, also revealed pleased expressions.

Zhao Gongming exchanged glances with the Three Xiao Sisters, their eyes filled with pride and determination.

Yet at this very moment, when everyone's hearts had returned as one and the sect's fortune had stabilized, Xuan Chuan, standing upon the platform, felt his heart suddenly pound without warning!

The One That Escaped within his sea of consciousness began spinning wildly, purple radiance blazing forth!

A cold, murderous, terrifying aura of tribulation—as if it encompassed heaven and earth and could grind all things to dust—pierced through the fog-like heavenly secrets and stabbed into his perception like the tip of a needle!

The vastness, profundity, and danger of this tribulation aura far surpassed any sensation he had felt before!

It was not directed at any individual. It shrouded the entire Primordial World, like slowly closing millstones that sought to drag everything into their midst and grind it into powder!

The Investiture of the Gods Tribulation... its true curtain was about to rise!

An even greater external calamity was advancing step by step with an irresistible force!

The pleased expression on Xuan Chuan's face instantly froze, turning into icy gravity.

He raised his head toward the Kunlun Mountains, then seemed to see through endless void to the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao, high above the nine heavens, coldly turning onward.

The true test was only beginning now.