"No wonder Second Senior Brother recommended Haotian and Yaochi, and Eldest Senior Brother even spared no expense in having his Good Corpse Incarnation take residence in the Thirty-Three Heavens.
"So it turned out that the two senior brothers had seen through Master's intentions and made such a choice at the very last moment."
Master Tongtian finally understood completely. After all this, he had been a clueless fool.
Hong Ze, standing nearby, understood as well. Master Tongtian had most likely shown Haotian and Yaochi absolutely no courtesy.
"Master, did Grandmaster ask you to send disciples to the Heavenly Court, only for you to politely decline?"
Master Tongtian nodded, and a strange look appeared in his eyes as he looked at Hong Ze.
"How did you know everything that happened in Zixiao Palace? Could it be that you were able to perceive it?"
Only then did Hong Ze realize he had said too much, and he hurriedly shook his head.
"Master, you flatter your disciple. I am merely a minor Heavenly Immortal. How could I possibly possess such an ability?
"I was only able to understand what happened in Zixiao Palace by deducing it from Master's expressions and words."
Master Tongtian did not quite believe Hong Ze's explanation. He pointed at the Carp Playing with Lotus Picture on the table.
"A Heavenly Immortal can paint an Innate Spiritual Treasure like this. What would happen if you became a Great Luo Golden Immortal, or even a quasi-saint?"
Hong Ze could not understand it. The painting he had made could indeed be called exquisitely lifelike, a masterpiece among paintings, but it was still only a painting.
Why was his master so certain that the Carp Playing with Lotus Picture he had painted was an Innate Spiritual Treasure comparable to the Mountain and Rivers State Diagram?
Just as Hong Ze did not know how to answer Master Tongtian, Yun Xiao, who had been in enlightenment nearby, finally stirred.
Her motionless hands suddenly began plucking the strings, and a melodious zither melody instantly rang out.
Hong Ze merely felt that Yun Xiao had improved, but he did not sense anything unusual within the music.
Master Tongtian, however, did. "The music carries a rhythm that calms the heart and settles the mind. Even a violent ancient ferocious beast would probably listen peacefully as little Yun Xiao played the zither. Little Yun Xiao has found her Dao."
As soon as Master Tongtian finished speaking, endless changes appeared around Yun Xiao.
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged in from every direction, entering her body through her hands.
Then, the Three Flowers blossomed above Yun Xiao's head, and the Five Qi Revolved to the Origin within her abdomen. She had actually attained the Great Luo Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.
Master Tongtian was naturally overjoyed and had just been about to praise Yun Xiao for her exceptional aptitude.
Then Qiong Xiao stirred as well. Her body and hands slowly stretched open, as though she had merged with the surrounding scenery.
Without using the Dharma Eye to look, one could not even sense Qiong Xiao's existence.
Master Tongtian was once again astonished. "Little Qiong Xiao can actually merge with all things. It seems she has found her Dao as well."
As an irrepressible smile appeared on Master Tongtian's face, the Three Flowers gathered atop Qiong Xiao's head, while the Five Qi within her also Revolved to the Origin.
Another Great Luo Golden Immortal. In the blink of an eye, the Interception Sect had gained two more Great Luo Golden Immortals. How could Master Tongtian not be delighted?
Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao, having awakened from enlightenment and successfully attained the Grand Luo Dao Fruit, had been about to thank Hong Ze when they saw that Master Tongtian was also present.
They immediately fell to their knees and performed a grand kowtow to Master Tongtian, addressing him as Master.
Master Tongtian nodded in satisfaction and raised a hand, helping Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao to their feet.
"You two girls are quite impressive. I originally thought that your Senior Brother Duo Bao and three senior sisters would attain the Grand Luo Dao Fruit first, and only then would it be your turn.
"It seems I underestimated your aptitude. I did not expect you to attain the Grand Luo Dao Fruit ahead of them."
Hearing Master Tongtian praise the two sisters so highly, Yun Xiao hurriedly spoke.
"Master, you praise us too highly. Before this disciple, Senior Sister Gui Ling had already attained the Great Luo Dao.
"Afterward, Senior Sisters Jin Ling and Wu Dang attained the Great Luo Dao one after another.
"Even this disciple's elder brother, Zhao Gongming, had already attained the Great Luo Golden Immortal Dao Fruit before my sister and I did."
Master Tongtian had not expected that in the mere few thousand years since he had left Golden Turtle Island, six Great Luo Golden Immortals had emerged within the Interception Sect.
This instantly elevated the Interception Sect's overall strength. It could even be said that they now completely surpassed the Human Sect, the Elucidation Sect, and even the Western Sect.
At the same time, Master Tongtian realized that the attainment of Great Luo Golden Immortal by these disciples of his must be inseparably connected to his eldest disciple, Hong Ze.
Otherwise, Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao could not possibly have made their breakthroughs here with Hong Ze.
However, Master Tongtian did not expose the matter and merely rejoiced inwardly.
Still, Master Tongtian could not understand how a Heavenly Immortal had helped those disciples attain Great Luo.
Master Tongtian was a saint, after all. Nothing beneath sainthood could be concealed from him.
Thus, standing before Hong Ze was equivalent to seeing through Hong Ze completely.
Unfortunately, Master Tongtian did not know that Hong Ze possessed nine Great Dao Saint Positions, which were not something a saint like him could see through.
Therefore, before Master Tongtian, Hong Ze still appeared to be nothing more than a Heavenly Immortal cultivator, without the slightest hint of anything unusual.
While Master Tongtian was still baffled, Yun Xiao spoke to Hong Ze.
"Eldest Senior Brother, could you give this ancient zither to your junior sister?"
Hong Ze had used this ancient zither for a long time. If he truly gave it to Yun Xiao, he would indeed be somewhat reluctant to part with it.
He immediately said to Yun Xiao, "This zither has accompanied me for several thousand years, so I truly find it difficult to part with it so suddenly.
"However, Junior Sister need not worry. I will immediately forge a Yun Xiao Qin specifically for you, then give it to you, Junior Sister Yun Xiao."
Yun Xiao nodded after hearing this and once again bowed to Hong Ze. "Then many thanks, Eldest Senior Brother."
"Eldest Senior Brother, is this painting meant for me?" Qiong Xiao pointed at the Carp Playing with Lotus Picture and asked Hong Ze.
Hong Ze nodded. "Naturally. After all, I originally painted it for you."
He then turned to Master Tongtian and said, "Master, please wait a moment. I will go find some materials and make a Yun Xiao Qin for Junior Sister Yun Xiao."
Master Tongtian waved his hand. "There is no need. Just tell me what materials you need. I should have them here."
Hearing that Master Tongtian was willing to provide the materials, Hong Ze naturally could not have wished for more.
He immediately listed every item he needed, and their grades had even been raised.
Moon Laurel Wood, True Dragon Tendon, Essence of Metal, Splendor of Wood, Soul of Water, Spirit of Fire, Source of Earth...
Master Tongtian produced every single item Hong Ze named without missing one.
"Is there anything else? If there is, say it quickly. Opportunities like this do not come every day."
Hong Ze chuckled. "Master, I also need to borrow your Qingping Sword."
Before you continue