Still, Hongjun knew that the Elder of Chaos now had the strength and confidence to make such a claim.
After all, the present Zhunti had been manifested after Jieyin proved the Dao of limitless primordial unity.
In a certain sense, his strength exceeded that of a Sage like Tongtian.
Since he had so effortlessly neutralized Zhunti's full-powered strike in Zixiao Palace earlier, leaving Zhunti no time even to react, suppressing Tongtian would likewise be no trouble.
Hongjun had already weighed this in his mind.
He thought no further and merely said calmly:
"Proceed with caution..."
Those few words fell lightly, yet carried a heavy weight.
What he truly meant was: beware of Gu Changqing.
The Elder of Chaos nodded at this, saying nothing more.
He slowly rose from his meditation cushion, Chaos Qi swirling around him like a thin veil that shrouded his figure.
Then he took a step forward.
Boom...
The void trembled faintly, and the Elder of Chaos vanished from Zixiao Palace as though he had never been there.
Only Hongjun remained, seated upon the raised dais, his deep, distant gaze piercing layer upon layer of void to settle in the direction of Golden Ao Island.
"Gu Changqing..."
He murmured the name so softly that his voice seemed liable to scatter at the slightest breeze.
"Will you still be able to smile this time?"
No one answered within Zixiao Palace.
Only the Heavenly Dao Laws flowed slowly, emitting a low hum like a sigh from the Great Dao.
Golden Ao Island.
Within Biyou Palace.
Immortal mist drifted ethereally, and auspicious radiance streamed in a thousand strands.
Sect Master Tongtian sat upon the Cloud Bed, toying with the Little Sword in his hand. His aura was tranquil and profound, like the earth itself. A faint smile now graced