Seeing Duo Bao pass the test, Tongtian pondered to himself: Since Duo Bao had passed the test, it showed that he had a strong sense of belonging to the Intercepting Sect. But why would he later defect to the Two Sages of the West? Could it be that the Two Sages of the West had controlled Duo Bao through some despicable means?
If that was the case, then Duo Bao could not be blamed. He only needed to be wary of the Two Sages of the West in the future.
With that in mind, Tongtian said, "Duo Bao, since you have passed the test, stand to one side and oversee the formation. Anyone who fails the formation test is to leave Golden Turtle Island."
Upon hearing this, Duo Bao wiped away his sweat and replied to Tongtian, "Yes, Master!"
Duo Bao then began overseeing the Intercepting Sect disciples as they entered the grand formation for assessment. In the blink of an eye, ten years passed. With Wu Dang and the others assisting him, Duo Bao finally finished testing all the Intercepting Sect disciples.
From the high platform, Tongtian looked at those disciples who had failed the test and could not help shaking his head inwardly.
Though the Intercepting Sect boasted that ten thousand immortals came to pay homage, those who truly felt a sense of belonging to it were few indeed. After this test, half had failed.
Tongtian looked at the disciples who had failed. "You have not passed the test. Leave Golden Turtle Island today. From this day forth, you may no longer call yourselves Intercepting Sect disciples. If I learn that any of you dare use the identity of an Intercepting Sect disciple again, I will personally kill you."
As his words fell, immense Saintly Might descended upon the disciples who had failed the test, crushing them so severely that they could scarcely breathe.
Only then did they understand that Tongtian was not joking. This was a genuine warning. If they dared call themselves Intercepting Sect disciples after leaving, Tongtian truly would kill them.
Seeing Tongtian warn them so sternly, they understood that they could no longer use the identity of Intercepting Sect disciples to reap benefits everywhere. Thus, the disciples who had failed all said, "Saint Tongtian, we will never again call ourselves Intercepting Sect disciples. Please allow us to leave."
Tongtian's expression was cold. Then, with a wave of his hand, a force of Saint Power enveloped the disciples who had failed the test.
Whoosh!
In an instant, all the disciples who had failed the test were sent out of Golden Turtle Island.
"All Intercepting Sect disciples, heed my command. The one standing beside me is the Human Emperor of the human race. Henceforth, when you see him, treat him with the same respect you show me. Anyone who dares offend the Human Emperor will be severely punished."
Led by Duo Bao, the Intercepting Sect disciples all knelt and said, "We respectfully obey Master's Imperial Decree!"
"Enough. Rise, all of you!"
"Today, the Human Emperor and I will each expound the Dao for a hundred years. How much you comprehend will depend on your own fortune."
When the Intercepting Sect disciples heard Tongtian's words, joy appeared on all their faces.
However, before long, one disciple voiced a doubt. Wuyun Xian said, "Master, it would naturally be wonderful for you to expound the Dao to us, but the Human Emperor is only at the Qi Refining Stage Late Phase. How can he expound the Dao to us?"
"After all, the Qi Refining Stage is merely the beginning of a cultivator's path. We disciples have all reached the Golden Immortal realm or even the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. How can the Human Emperor expound the Dao to us?"
At those words, Tongtian raised a brow.
"Wuyun Xian, though the Human Emperor is only at the Qi Refining Stage Late Phase, he is more than ten times stronger than I am. Cultivators must not assume that a low realm means low strength."
The Intercepting Sect disciples all revealed looks of utter disbelief.
A cultivator at the Qi Refining Stage Late Phase was actually stronger than a Saint? Who would believe that if it were said aloud?
Yet these words had come from their master, so they had no choice but to take them seriously. Their master had never deceived them. Still, asking them to believe that someone at the Qi Refining Stage Late Phase was stronger than a Saint was simply too hard to accept.
Seeing the disciples' incredulous expressions, Tongtian helplessly shook his head. After all, he too had never expected a cultivator at the Qi Refining Stage Late Phase to be stronger than a Saint—and not just slightly stronger. It was an absolute instant defeat.
Thinking of Taiqing's Saint First Heaven cultivation, and how miserably he had fared before Ling Wudao—his Dharma treasure taken and his body blown to pieces—Tongtian could see just how formidable Ling Wudao's Mythical Great Luo cultivation method was.
"I know you do not believe it, but I am telling you plainly: Wudao is stronger than I am."
Upon hearing Tongtian's words, Wuyun Xian wore an expression that plainly said he found it impossible.
"Master, do not belittle yourself merely to elevate the Human Emperor. If the Human Emperor is truly so powerful, this disciple wishes to spar with him. If I lose, then I will admit that the Human Emperor is stronger than a Saint."
"Please grant this disciple's request!"
At those words, Tongtian went numb. If he truly agreed to Wuyun Xian's request, this fellow might very well die here. Wudao had always struck without mercy. Thinking of Taiqing's fate, Tongtian did not want Wuyun Xian to be blown apart without even a trace remaining.
"Wuyun Xian, do not be so foolish. The Human Emperor is not someone you can challenge."
At that moment, Ling Wudao thought to himself: Sure enough, in the Great Desolation, only strength earns one the right to speak. If I do not teach them a lesson today, getting along with them later will be difficult.
With that thought, Ling Wudao said to Wuyun Xian, "Since you wish to spar with me, I will grant your wish."
The moment Tongtian heard this, he hurriedly said, "Wudao, Wuyun Xian is straightforward by nature. Do not take his words to heart."
"You are afraid I will kill him, aren't you?"
"Do not worry. He is your disciple. I will not strike to kill."
Ling Wudao looked at Wuyun Xian. "Are you sure you wish to spar with me?"
"Please bestow your guid—!"
Before he could finish, boundless Primal Chaos Might descended upon Wuyun Xian and every Intercepting Sect disciple present like Mount Tai crushing an egg. The pressure was so terrifying that they could not even stand upright. The Intercepting Sect disciples all buckled to their knees, desperately resisting the dreadful Primal Chaos Might.
Ling Wudao slowly rose from the prayer mat and said, "Some of you were unconvinced just now. I will give you an opportunity. Only if you can break free from this trace of my pressure will you be qualified to challenge me."
As Ling Wudao's words fell, the Primal Chaos Might intensified further. Under that immense pressure, the Intercepting Sect disciples below felt like tiny boats upon a vast sea of stars, liable to be swallowed by monstrous waves at any moment.
Only then did Wuyun Xian, kneeling on the ground, understand that everything his master had said was true. The Human Emperor before him was genuinely stronger than a Saint.
Yet he still could not understand how a cultivator at the Qi Refining Stage Late Phase could possess such terrifying strength.
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