Before Biyou Palace, ten thousand immortals stood in formation.
The crowd stretched from the palace gates to the shores of Golden Turtle Island, sleeves brushing sleeves. The radiance of their treasures had been withdrawn completely, and even the faint sound of the sea breeze passing the eaves could be heard clearly.
Every gaze turned toward the highest jade steps.
Sect Master Tongtian stood there with his hands behind his back.
He had not released the majesty of a Sage, yet Golden Turtle Island's spiritual tides sank of their own accord. The mountains and rocks were silent, and even the sea stilled its waves.
Duobao, Jin Ling, Wudang, and Gui Ling, his four personal disciples, attended him from behind, drawing even their breathing deep into their lungs.
Since their master had emerged from seclusion, he had been different.
Coldness seeped from his Dao bones. His aura of slaughter had instead withdrawn completely, leaving only a detachment that stood beyond the laws of heaven and earth.
Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao stood at the front of the crowd.
At Yunxiao's brow, the Beginningless Bell Mark flickered.
She vaguely sensed that her master's Dao Resonance now bore a slight resemblance to that Dao Venerable at Guanjiangkou.
Beyond worldly things.
Untouched by karma.
Bixiao could not help turning her face aside, letting her voice slip between her teeth.
"Why has Master summoned us?"
Qiongxiao shook her head, her fingers clasping the edge of the Jade Pendant inside her sleeve, the awe in her eyes impossible to hide.
Scattered murmurs had barely risen below before the mountain wind swept them away.
Sect Master Tongtian raised his eyes and gazed into the void.
In his vision, the entire Primordial World shed the forms of its mountains and rivers, leaving only an endlessly surging River of