The vast Golden Ao Island sank once more into an eerie, deathly silence.
The Three Pure Ones stood facing one another, their expressions cold and severe, without uttering a word.
The disciples of the Three Teachings glared at one another.
The only difference was that the Interception Sect disciples wore smug smiles.
The disciples of the Human and Chan Sects, meanwhile, were overcome with shame, hatred, and fury.
Only after a long while did Tongtian finally speak.
"You two, surely this so-called contest should end here?!"
"If there is nothing else, I will not keep you here on my Golden Ao Island."
Tongtian had never wanted today's events to unfold this way.
Thus, he saw no need for courtesy and directly ordered his guests to leave.
Nevertheless, for Laozi and Yuanshi, this offered a rare chance to step down gracefully.
They could take the opportunity to extricate themselves.
Even so, Yuanshi refused to concede in spirit despite having lost, and wanted to leave a few threatening words.
"Hmph, I will remember what happened today!"
"In the future..."
Yuanshi began.
But before he could finish speaking...
Suddenly, an unexpected change swept through the scene.
"Ah..."
"Ah..."
Guangchengzi and the others abruptly cried out in alarm.
Looking toward the cries, everyone saw all the disciples Laozi and Yuanshi had brought tumbling through the air, involuntarily rising off the ground.
In the blink of an eye, they landed atop the Heavenly River of fine wine suspended high above Golden Ao Island.
This sudden turn caught everyone completely off guard.
Laozi, Yuanshi, and even the countless onlookers all blanched, alarmed and bewildered.
Yuanshi hurriedly acted, trying to rescue his disciples.
However, a heavenly sound rang out, and patterns rippled through the void.
Only then did everyone discover that, at some unknown point, a formation