Two Plot in Secret, The Character Test Officially Begins

"Can't find them? Then we can just take them. Yuanshi's Chan Sect has several treasures to suppress luck."

Tongtian's brow furrowed slightly.

"Wudao, you're not thinking of snatching the Pangu Banner from Yuanshi, are you?"

"If you actually took that thing, he'd probably fight you to the death, and he might even go after the Human Race out of spite."

"If he retaliates against the Human Race, I have plenty of ways to torment him, but I don't want to move against him yet. After all, he's your prey—if I snatched him away, that wouldn't feel quite right."

"If you won't touch Yuanshi, then how do we get our hands on a treasure to suppress luck?"

Ling Wudao grinned slyly at Tongtian. "We don't go after Yuanshi, but we can take Ran Deng's treasure. He has a Cosmos Ruler in his possession—that treasure is no ordinary thing. Its true name is the Primordial Chaos Measuring Ruler."

"This treasure was forged from one-tenth of the Heaven-Opening Merit and the Primordial Chaos Profound Yellow Qi when Pangu split the heavens. That waste Ran Deng just hasn't discovered it yet!"

"We can seize this treasure."

"But compared to the Primordial Chaos Measuring Ruler, I think the All Heavens Celebration Cloud suits you better. That treasure can also suppress luck, and it's a defensive treasure besides. What you lack most right now is a defensive artifact."

Hearing this, Tongtian realized he was indeed most lacking in defensive treasures, but getting the All Heavens Celebration Cloud was no simple matter. Yuanshi would never hand it over easily. If they tried to take it by force, the Conferred God Tribulation hadn't even arrived yet, and the two sects would already be openly at war.

Starting a war between the two sects at this time was a terrible omen. The conflict between the Demon Race and the Witch Race wasn't over yet. Adding a sect war on top of that would lead to consequences beyond imagination.

"Wudao, going after Yuanshi's All Heavens Celebration Cloud could trigger a premature war between the sects. If we're going to seize Yuanshi's treasure, you'll have to be the one to do it. Otherwise, with the Witch and Demon Tribulation still ongoing, a sect war would bring consequences none of us can predict."

Ling Wudao was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly. "Fine, leave this matter to me. It just so happens I have a reason to go find trouble with Yuanshi."

The last time Yuanshi and Taiqing came to the Human Race to stir up trouble, that matter hadn't been fully settled yet. This was the perfect chance to swindle the All Heavens Celebration Cloud out of him. Tongtian, oh Tongtian, once I help you snatch the All Heavens Celebration Cloud, you won't have any grounds to say a word when I later make off with Yunxiao. Heh heh!

"Since we've agreed on this, I'll go find that bastard Yuanshi and cause him some trouble."

Tongtian immediately spoke up. "There's no rush. This Seat intends to form an alliance with the Human Race. What do you think?"

"An alliance with my Human Race is acceptable. It just so happens that the Human Race has no internal sects yet. If your Intercepting Sect enters the Human Race to spread its Dao lineage, it can strengthen the Intercepting Sect's luck, and the Human Race will gain no small benefit as well. At the very least, the Intercepting Sect can offer the Human Race good protection. That way, I can walk the Great Desolation with some peace of mind."

"So you agree?"

"Naturally, I agree. This brings no harm to the Human Race."

Of course I agree with both hands. The stronger the Human Race grows, the more powerful my awakening of the Human Dao will be. Now that the Power of Human Dao within me is gradually strengthening, once we ally with the Intercepting Sect and bring a few more powerful races into the Human Race, I can begin to awaken the Human Dao.

"Good. Since you agree, let's go out together and debate the Dao. It just so happens that my disciples have all returned to Golden Turtle Island. This is a good chance for the Intercepting Sect disciples to get to know you."

"By the way, we just killed Dingguang Xian. That bastard was bought off by the Two Sages of the West. This Seat plans to pay a visit to the Western World after the Dao debate ends."

Ling Wudao raised an eyebrow, then grinned slyly. "Tongtian, you're quite the schemer. That trip to the West probably isn't about finding trouble with the Two Sages of the West—you're planning to swindle some treasures out of them, aren't you!"

"Hahaha!"

"You know This Seat well. That is indeed what I'm thinking. Killing them would be useless, and it would only invite obstruction from the Heavenly Dao. Better to squeeze some benefits out of them instead."

"After the Dao debate ends, shall we go to the Western World together?"

"Fine, I'll go with you!"

Tongtian burst into laughter at that. "With you coming along, I'm sure they'll behave much more honestly. After all, your methods are harsher than mine."

"Let's go!"

"It's time for us to go out and debate the Dao."

With that, Tongtian stood up and walked out of Biyou Palace. Ling Wudao followed suit, rising and trailing behind Tongtian out of the palace.

When the two arrived at the elevated platform in the square, they saw countless Intercepting Sect disciples murmuring among themselves.

Seeing this, Tongtian immediately spoke. "Silence! I have gathered you all back to Golden Turtle Island today to announce something."

"Listen well. From this day forward, the Intercepting Sect formally allies with the Human Race. When walking the Great Desolation, you must not harm any human. If your master learns that anyone has dared to harm a human, that person will be expelled from the Intercepting Sect."

"Furthermore, your master will establish a trial today. Anyone with an unstable will or improper conduct will be expelled from the Intercepting Sect. I do not wish for any more betrayals to occur. No matter your current cultivation level, if you cannot pass my trial, then leave Golden Turtle Island on your own and never claim the identity of an Intercepting Sect disciple again."

As his words fell, Tongtian raised his hand and waved, and two spatial teleportation gates appeared in the middle of the square.

"These are two great formations I have set up. If you can pass through both, you may formally enter the Intercepting Sect. If you cannot pass the trial of the formations, then leave Golden Turtle Island on your own."

"Duo Bao, you are the first disciple I accepted. You will lead the way."

Duo Bao, who was below, immediately replied, "Yes, Master!"

Then, Duo Bao walked to the center of the square and slowly stepped into one of the teleportation gates.

After a short time, Duo Bao slowly emerged from the teleportation gate, then entered the other gate. Not long after, he came out of that gate as well.

But this time, when he emerged, Duo Bao was not as composed as when he left the first gate. Instead, he was drenched in sweat from head to toe.

At that moment, Duo Bao thought to himself: What a terrifying illusion formation. The first formation was manageable—as long as one's mind was firm, one could walk out calmly. But the second formation was extremely difficult to pass. If one fell for the various temptations within the formation, it was all over.

Just now, he had faced a ground full of magical treasures and spiritual roots, along with all kinds of seductive whispers. If not for his firm resolve and steadfast Dao, he would have been utterly lost in the formation's illusions.

At this point, the gathered disciples saw Duo Bao drenched in sweat and all drew in a sharp breath. They knew Duo Bao was the highest in cultivation among them. If even he struggled so much against the formations, one could imagine how terrifying those two formations truly were.