Early morning.
The sun had just risen into a cloudless sky.
Layers of formation rituals now encircled Huazhen Hall. Pale golden light rose from the ground, illuminating the clear sky, while the Great Dao Sect cultivators held their respective formation eyes, braced for battle.
A lavish, spacious platform had already been erected outside Huazhen Hall.
Huang Miao of the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect and Chen Xiao, Grand Elder of the Heavenly Derivation Sect, had arrived early. Each had brought a fellow Tribulation Transcendence cultivator, and they now sat beside the seat of honor.
In addition, three Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from the Great Dao Sect had returned to hold the fort.
Altogether, seven Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from the three sects were now present at Huazhen Hall.
Their numbers did seem rather lacking compared to the Buddhist Sect.
But if they were mundane Buddhas elevated through secret arts, then in the eyes of these genuine Tribulation Transcendence cultivators of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, who had painstakingly cultivated their way up, those Tribulation Transcendence Stage mundane Buddhas could only count as-upgraded, evolved versions of Mahayana cultivators.
They could not count as true Tribulation Transcendence cultivators. Only those karma Buddhas suited their tastes.
If a real fight broke out, with the formation's support, they might not necessarily fall at a disadvantage.
"Sorry for the trouble, seniors." Chu Xingchen flew onto the platform and cupped his hands toward the Tribulation Transcendence Grand Elders already seated there.
Xie Lingyu followed beside Chu Xingchen. Without speaking, Xie Lingyu also cupped hands in greeting alongside him.
Chen Xiao was a Grand Elder of the Heavenly Derivation Sect. Though he had spent quite a long time in seclusion, he still recognized Xie Lingyu, and he had once received kindness from Bai Xuanling.
Before setting out, he had also learned