Before Jiepai Pass, the Immortal Slaying Formation stretched between heaven and earth.
Gray-white Chaos Sword Qi swept across a million li, swallowing mountains, rivers, sun, and moon, leaving only a lifeless forbidden domain.
Heavy killing intent pressed against the nine heavens, staining even the cloudlight Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens blood-red.
Across the eastern horizon, violet qi spread for thirty thousand li.
A green ox came treading over the clouds. Auspicious clouds unfurled silently beneath its hooves, while non-action Dao resonance smoothed away the surging killing intent along its path, inch by inch.
Upon the ox's back sat an old man holding a horsetail whisk. His robes remained still, yet the Clear Qi around him already spanned the sky.
The Taiqing Saint, Taishang Laojun, had arrived.
The southern void split open immediately afterward.
Endless golden light poured from the rift. Nine Yuqing Divine Dragons drew a Jade Carriage, their scales reflecting the heavens. Wherever its wheels passed, the void collapsed inch by inch.
Upon the carriage, the Daoist held the Pangu Banner in his hand. With a slight stir of its fabric, its Heaven-Opening and Earth-Splitting edge forced heaven and earth to give a low, mournful groan.
The Yuqing Saint, Yuanshi Tianzun, had arrived.
Buddha light also illuminated the western sky.
Buddhist chants rippled over from afar in successive waves. The Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit floated through the air, and the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree shed treasure radiance, driving back the gloom for ten thousand li.
Upon the Golden Lotus, Daoist Jieyin wore a bitter expression, his broad sleeves hanging at his sides, as though he bore every tribulation for all living beings.
Beneath the treasured tree, Daoist Zhunti smiled, his fingertips brushing its seven-treasure branches and leaves, yet the clatter of calculations in the depths of his eyes rang