The Four Immortal-Slaying Swords Soared Skyward, Golden Turtle's Fortune Severed the Mystic Gate!

On Golden Turtle Island, the Immortal Slaying Sword's intent suddenly awakened.

Inside Biyou Palace, the Ten Thousand Immortals fell silent at once.

The next instant, Sect Master Tongtian appeared upon the Nine Heavens Cloud Bed.

There was no thunder.

No holy light paved his way.

Yet the moment he took his seat, the fortune of the entire Golden Turtle Island sank abruptly, as though pinned down by an invisible sword.

"Welcome back to the palace, Master!"

The Seven Attendant Immortals were the first to kneel.

Then Duobao, Jin Ling, Wudang, Gui Ling, Zhao Gongming, the Three Xiaos, and countless Jie Sect Disciples inside and outside the hall bowed their heads together.

Their voices rolled across the East Sea.

Tongtian sat upon the cloud bed, his gaze sweeping over his disciples.

Duobao was solid and steady.

Jin Ling was keen as a blade.

Wudang was calm.

Gui Ling was lively.

Zhao Gongming's heroic spirit remained undimmed.

A trace of worry hid in Yunxiao's eyes, while Qiongxiao and Bixiao could no longer resist raising their heads to look at him.

These people were all his disciples.

They were also names that others would scheme, one by one, onto the Investiture of the Gods List.

Duobao would be taken away by Taishang.

Jin Ling's true spirit would enter the list.

Gui Ling would be devoured by a hidden calamity.

Wudang would guard the dying embers alone.

Zhao Gongming would perish, and the Three Xiaos would be trapped.

Those scenes of a future yet to unfold still weighed deep within Tongtian's Dao heart.

But now.

Golden Turtle Island still stood.

The Ten Thousand Immortals were still here.

And his swords were still here, too.

"Rise, all of you."

Tongtian spoke.

His voice was not loud, yet it overpowered the tides of the entire East Sea.

"We obey your decree, Master!"

The Ten Thousand Immortals rose.

Everyone sensed that something was different.

This time, their master had returned with an aura deeper than before.

His sword intent held less carefree ease and more cold severity.

As though he had severed something.

And as though he had finally seen something clearly.

Tongtian did not issue a decree immediately.

He closed his eyes, and deep within his saint soul, the scroll of the Mythic Great Luo Technique unfurled once more.

Lines of Dao script flowed through his mind.

Myth was the pinnacle of legend, the beginning of existential rank.

Battle achievements could forge a name.

Legends could become a foundation.

Every undying mark in the hearts of living beings could become the root of one's own Dao.

At the utmost heights of cultivation, one could replace heaven's heart with one's own, and determine all laws through one's own Dao.

Without borrowing from the Heavenly Dao.

Without seeking investiture.

Without surrendering one's true spirit to any list or register.

The more Tongtian comprehended, the clearer his mind became.

The Mystic Gate's path of immortal cultivation ultimately could not bypass the authority of the Heavenly Dao.

Immortals studied laws; Saints wielded authority.

The higher their realm, the deeper their entanglement with the Heavenly Dao.

However mighty that authority might be, it remained tethered to the workings of the Heavenly Dao, making it difficult to truly step beyond the chessboard.

But the Mythic Great Luo Technique was different.

What it cultivated was one's own existential rank.

What it sought was to make one's own Dao an ineradicable legend.

The Interception Sect taught all without distinction.

It seized a single thread of hope for survival.

This path actually accorded with the Interception Sect's Dao to the utmost degree.

Tongtian opened his eyes.

Two streaks of sword light flashed through them.

The hearts of the Ten Thousand Immortals in the hall shuddered at once.

"Duobao."

"Your disciple is here."

Daoist Duobao immediately stepped forward.

Tongtian looked at his eldest disciple, his gaze steady yet carrying an unprecedented solemnity.

"From this day onward, the Interception Sect will redefine its guiding principles."

The moment those words fell, Biyou Palace became utterly silent.

Duobao's heart tightened.

Redefine our guiding principles?

Ever since its founding, the Interception Sect's foundation has been teaching all without distinction and seizing a single thread of hope for survival.

Why would Master suddenly say this?

He bowed. "Master, the Interception Sect stands within the Mystic Gate and is bound to the fortune of the Three Pure Ones. If we change our principles today, Purple Heaven Palace and your two elder brothers will likely sense it."

Tongtian said evenly, "They will sense it."

Duobao abruptly raised his head.

Many disciples in the hall also paled.

Yet Tongtian did not grow angry.

He merely raised his hand, and a wisp of Shangqing sword intent descended into the center of the hall.

Within that sword intent lay a trace of profound Dao resonance they had never seen before.

That resonance belonged neither to Yuqing.

Nor to Taiqing.

Even the traces of the Primordial World's Heavenly Dao within it were exceedingly faint.

"In the past, my Interception Sect seized a single thread of hope for survival."

"Today, I want you to refine that thread into your own myth."

Boom!

The Dao hearts of the Ten Thousand Immortals shook in unison.

Zhao Gongming was the first to lose patience. He stepped forward and asked, "Master, what is our own myth?"

Tongtian glanced at him.

"Battle achievements are its name, unwavering convictions its bones, cultivation its blood, and the praises of living beings its fire."

"When your name no longer depends upon the Heavenly Dao's investiture, when your Dao Fruit is no longer bound by any list, when the Three Realms speak of you and know you cannot be replaced."

"That is your mythic rank."

Zhao Gongming drew a heavy breath.

The Three Xiaos exchanged glances, and understanding flashed in Yunxiao's eyes.

The Golden Spirit Holy Mother's fingertips tightened slightly, and stellar killing intent faintly emerged around her.

Tongtian continued, "The killing tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods has begun. Every sect wants to fill the list with Jie Sect Disciples and turn Golden Turtle Island's Ten Thousand Immortals into achievements for others."

"From this day onward, Jie Sect Disciples shall not take the Investiture of the Gods List as their final destination."

"Nor shall they take investiture by the Heavenly Dao as their ultimate goal."

"I want you to leave your names in the killing tribulation, establish your Dao throughout the Three Realms, and forge an undying rank within the hearts of living beings."

The Ten Thousand Immortals in the hall erupted.

They did not understand every subtlety, but they understood the most crucial words.

They would not enter the list.

They would not become sacrifices.

They would fight their way through the killing tribulation and carve out the Interception Sect's own path!

Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, clasped his fists, and shouted, "Your disciple is willing to open the way for the Interception Sect!"

The Golden Spirit Holy Mother stepped forward, her voice icy. "Your disciple is willing to defend our Interception Sect with the killing power of the stars."

Qiongxiao and Bixiao stepped forward together as well.

"We are willing to follow Master and fight for our lives!"

Inside and outside the hall, countless disciples cried out in unison.

"We are willing to follow Master and fight for our lives!"

Their voices surged straight across the East Sea.

At that moment, the fortune of the entire Golden Turtle Island began to churn.

Yet Tongtian did not let their fighting spirit sway him.

He raised a hand and pressed down.

The Ten Thousand Immortals immediately quieted.

"Having the will to fight is a good thing."

"But a will to fight without discipline will only send you onto the Investiture of the Gods List."

Those words were like a cold sword piercing their hearts.

Many disciples' expressions shifted slightly.

Tongtian swept his gaze over them, his voice abruptly deepening.

"Let my decree be proclaimed."

"Starting today, Golden Turtle Island will be sealed for three days."

"All inner and outer disciples must register their karmic ties, the methods they cultivate, and their outside connections."

"Without my Sword Talisman, no one may leave the mountain without permission."

The disciples were startled.

Zhao Gongming was about to speak when Yunxiao caught his arm first.

Daoist Duobao's heart shook.

He finally understood. This time, their master did not intend to send the Jie Sect Disciples into a reckless melee, but to restore order on Golden Turtle Island.

Tongtian looked at Duobao, Jin Ling, and Wudang.

"Duobao, investigate all karmic ties within the inner sect."

"Jin Ling, take charge of the Discipline Sword Command."

"Wudang, review the outer sect's register."

All three bowed their heads together.

"We accept your decree, Master!"

Tongtian then turned to Gui Ling and the Three Xiaos.

"Gui Ling, guard Biyou Palace's hidden entrance."

"Three Xiaos, inspect all incoming talisman decrees, invitations, and messages."

Yunxiao's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Master, do you suspect that covert agents from other sects have infiltrated our Interception Sect?"

Tongtian did not answer.

But his silence had already said everything.

The atmosphere in the hall abruptly chilled.

Many disciples instinctively looked around them.

The Interception Sect's Ten Thousand Immortals gathered to pay homage, its fortune vast and surging.

But the more people there were, the more tangled their karmic ties became.

In the past, they had seen only a magnificent spectacle.

Only now, after hearing their master's words, did they realize how many vulnerabilities lay hidden beneath that splendor.

Tongtian's voice continued to ring out.

"I hereby reestablish the four precepts of the Interception Sect."

"First, you must not indiscriminately harm innocent humans."

"Second, you must not oppress your fellow disciples."

"Third, you must not privately accept invitations from other sects."

"Fourth, should anyone tempt you into the tribulation through loyalty, grudges, or opportunities, report to Biyou Palace first before deciding whether to go or stay."

"Those who violate these precepts shall be expelled from the Interception Sect."

"Those who betray the sect and collude with the enemy shall have no true spirit left beneath the Immortal Slaying Sword."

As those final words fell,

a sudden chill swept through Biyou Palace.

Every disciple's mind and spirit shook violently.

This time, their master meant business.

The Tongtian of old had fiercely protected his own and cherished his bonds, unable to bear seeing his disciples wronged.

But today's Tongtian laid down precepts before speaking of battle.

Such composure inspired more awe than anger alone.

Duobao drew a deep breath and bowed solemnly.

"This disciple understands. Before the Interception Sect can fight for its survival, it must first cleanse its own ranks."

Tongtian nodded.

"Correct."

"The deadly tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods can take lives, but it can also forge reputations."

"Those whose hearts are unsteady shall remain on the island and cultivate in seclusion."

"Only those with courage, the Dao, and discipline may enter the tribulation and fight to forge a legend."

"Should you encounter disciples of the Chan Sect using the List to oppress others, or the strong bullying the weak, you need not yield."

"Defeat them, and use their names to forge your own renown."

"If you lose, then lose in a way that all the Three Realms will know."

"This battle is not for heaven's ordained course, nor for the Investiture of the Gods."

Tongtian slowly rose.

His azure Daoist robe billowed without a breeze.

"I want you to fight until the name of the Interception Sect becomes a legend that even the Investiture of the Gods List cannot swallow!"

Boom!

The Four Immortal-Slaying Swords shot skyward from behind him.

The Immortal Slaying Sword.

The Immortal-Killing Sword.

The Immortal-Trapping Sword.

The Immortal-Severing Sword.

Four streaks of sword light pierced the heavens above the East Sea.

Boundless killing aura swept across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.

On Golden Turtle Island, the Ten Thousand Immortals fell to their knees as one.

"We vow to follow our master and forge the legend of the Interception Sect!"

"We vow to follow our master and forge the legend of the Interception Sect!"

Their voices shook the East Sea.

At that moment, many mighty beings across the Primordial World raised their heads at once.

On Kunlun Mountain, within Jade Void Palace,

Yuanshi Tianzun opened his eyes, his expression abruptly darkening.

Within the Eight Sceneries Palace,

the horsetail whisk in Taishang Laojun's hand paused slightly.

On Western Spirit Mountain,

Zhunti and Jieyin looked east at the same time.

They saw a thread of unprecedented sharpness suddenly emerge from the depths of the Interception Sect's fortune.

That sharpness had yet to break free of the Mystic Gate completely, but it was no longer wholly guided by the Mystic Gate's ordained fate.

It was like a sword freshly drawn from its sheath.

Where its edge pointed, even the karma upon the Investiture of the Gods List began to tremble.

Within Biyou Palace,

Tongtian stood before the cloud couch with his hands behind his back, his gaze settling upon the Ten Thousand Immortals in the hall.

At last, it stopped deep within the crowd.

Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal had his head lowered, his expression as respectful as everyone else's.

Yet that thread of golden light from the Western Religion within his sleeve suddenly quivered.

Sword intent flashed in the depths of Tongtian's eyes.

"Long-Eared Immortal."

The softly spoken name fell.

In an instant, all of Biyou Palace went deathly silent.