The main hall of the Divine Profound Sect.
The atmosphere inside the hall was heavy, a far cry from its usual peacefulness.
Sect Master Xuanweizi, his usual serene demeanor gone, was now solemn, his eyes revealing a complex emotion he could not conceal.
True Person Tianyu and the Taishang elders all wore solemn expressions.
Standing opposite them was a young man dressed in a dark blue Daoist robe.
He stood with his hands behind his back, a smile on his face. He exuded a powerful aura, yet there was an eerie feeling that sent chills down one's spine.
This person was none other than the Supreme Elder of the Divine Profound Sect Taishang, Venerable Daoyin.
"It's been many years, everyone. I hope you're all well... The sect's prosperity seems to be growing ever stronger."
Venerable Daoyin's voice was calm, but a sharp light gleamed deep within his eyes.
"Elder Daoyin!"
Xuanweizi suppressed the turmoil in his heart, bowed respectfully, and his voice carried a hint of surprise.
"The elder traveled overseas years ago and was never heard from again. Everyone in the sect missed him dearly."
Your safe return today is truly a great blessing for the sect!
That being said...
But alarm bells were ringing in his mind.
When this Venerable Daoyin left, his cultivation level was Early Tribulation Transcendence.
Now that he has returned, his unfathomable aura... is far beyond that of an ordinary Tribulation Transcendence Realm, and even True Person Tianyu cannot see through it.
Moreover, this aura subtly exudes an indescribable chill and domineering power, definitely not Cultivation Method of the Divine Profound Sect.
True Person Tianyu frowned and asked directly:
" Daoyin, your aura upon your return... seems quite different from before."
I wonder where you have been all these years, senior brother?
Venerable Daoyin smiled slightly, a smile as gentle as a spring breeze, yet it made Xuanweizi and True Person Tianyu feel even colder.
"In recent years, I have indeed had some rather unusual experiences."
His gaze swept over the two of them, with a condescending scrutiny.
"Now, I have joined the Heaven-Devouring Holy Sect, and thanks to the Heaven-Devouring Patriarch's kindness in bestowing upon me unparalleled Immortal Method, I have been able to glimpse the true path to the Great Dao!"
"Devouring Heaven... Holy Sect?"
Xuanweizi, True Person Tianyu, and the others' expressions changed drastically.
They had already learned of this name from Li Taiqing and others; it referred to an extremely terrifying being.
"Good."
Seeing that the crowd seemed to have heard of his name, Venerable Daoyin's smile widened, but his tone carried a hint of arrogance.
" The Heaven-Devouring Holy Sect is the ruler of the Linyuan Continent. Its divine might is far superior to that of the so-called holy lands of the Nine Provinces."
The ancestor's skills were so profound that he had reached the realm of immortals.
This time, our ancestor intends to incorporate the Nine Provinces into the Holy Sect Sect's territory, and this is precisely a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for our Divine Profound Sect to rise to power!
He took a step forward, and an invisible pressure descended like a mountain.
The air in the entire hall instantly froze, and the heavy pressure made Xuanweizi, True Person Tianyu, and the others gasp for breath.
"Gentlemen, those who understand the times are wise!"
If the Divine Profound Sect can be the first to submit and become the vanguard of the Holy Sect, when the Ancestor reigns over the Nine Provinces, our Divine Profound Sect will be credited with leading the way!
At that time, resources, Cultivation Method, and status will be readily available!
Far better than merely eking out a living in this corner of Eastern Cang Province!
The voice of the Venerable Daoyin possessed a bewitching power, yet it also contained a hint of threat.
"If you do not comply... hehe, the might of the Holy Sect is something the Nine Provinces Continent cannot withstand."
"By then, I'm afraid I'll also be able to preserve the sect's foundation."
"Therefore, the reason I've come here is to have everyone join me in the Heaven-Devouring Holy Sect."
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was heavy, and some elders with lower cultivation levels even found it difficult to breathe.
Cold sweat beaded on Xuanweizi's forehead. Venerable Daoyin's cultivation was already close to the Immortal Ascension Realm, and under this terrifying pressure, his body trembled involuntarily.
But he quickly took a deep breath, abruptly raised his head, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes:
Elder Daoyin!
Forgive my bluntness, but the Heaven-Devouring Holy Sect treats all living beings like dirt and uses cultivators as sustenance.
Such demonic behavior is by no means the righteous path, and joining them is not a wise move.
Furthermore, our sect's ancestral precept is to slay demons and protect all living beings. How could we aid and abet evil, and invite wolves into our home?
True Person Tianyu boldly broke through the opponent's oppressive aura, and said sternly:
" Daoyin, you have betrayed the sect by joining the Demonic Sect!"
"Now you want to drag the entire Divine Profound Sect down with you?"
"Hmph, stubborn as a mule!"
The smile on Venerable Daoyin's face vanished instantly, replaced by an icy chill.
His eyes flashed with a sinister light, and an even colder, more sinister aura, seemingly capable of devouring everything, suddenly erupted.
He was clearly doing it for the good of the sect, but instead of being grateful, he treated him this way.
In reality, he understood that the so-called Holy Sect was all a demonic path, but his cultivation was also growing rapidly. This path seemed ruthless and vicious, but his cultivation was genuine, and the power belonged to him!
He is now only one step away from the Immortal Ascension Realm to immortality.
This was something he never dared to imagine before.
Thinking of this, Venerable Daoyin felt even more certain that he was right, and he said:
"Righteousness? The common people? Before absolute power, they are all illusions!"
The voice was terrifyingly deep, startling everyone.
Do you really think that the Central Province Holy Land can protect the Divine Profound Sect?
Can a single Immortal Ascension cultivator from a sect contend with the Heaven-Devouring Holy Sect?
ridiculous!
" The Heaven-Devouring Patriarch could crush him with just one finger!"
"Even without the patriarch lifting a finger, the elders of the Holy Sect could be easily killed."
"Joining the Heaven-Devouring Holy Sect is for your own good. Otherwise, the entire continent, except for the Holy Lands, will suffer. Do you really think the Holy Lands will come to your rescue?"
Don't be naive!
The terrifying demonic energy spread out as if it were a tangible substance, dimming the light inside the hall.
Upon seeing this, many people quickly stepped back, startled.
broken.
They've really let a wolf into their house.
The aura of the Venerable Daoyin surpassed that of anyone else present.
However, faced with this almost suffocating pressure, a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of Xuanweizi's mouth, but his eyes blazed with an unprecedentedly resolute light.
He straightened his back with difficulty, speaking each word with unwavering resolve:
"What goes around comes around. The strength of the Divine Profound Sect is not as simple as you imagine!"
Xuanweizi realized something was wrong and had just informed Han Xuanji.
Therefore, he did have the confidence to back it up.
He suspected that Han Xuanji was probably hiding somewhere watching them.
True Person Tianyu's eyes were equally sharp as swords as he shouted:
" Daoyin, you have betrayed your sect and joined the demonic path, which makes you a traitor to the sect."
Today, even if I, Tianyu, perish and my cultivation vanishes, I will never allow you to wreak havoc on the sect!
"Okay, okay!"
Venerable Daoyin, enraged, laughed instead, his demonic energy surging like a boiling sea of ink.
"Since you remain so stubborn, then I will show you what true power is!"
"In time, you will understand my good intentions."
"I want to see if the Devil-Slaying Sword Immortal will come to your rescue."
He slowly raised his palm, and in the center of his palm, a tiny, pitch-black vortex, radiating endless devouring power, slowly took shape.
The entire space of the hall began to distort, as if it were about to be swallowed by the vortex.
Everyone's pupils contracted sharply, especially True Person Tianyu was at the forefront and immediately felt a deadly threat.
But he did not back down. He frantically circulated his Spiritual Qi, preparing to fight to the death.
At this critical moment...
The terrifying devouring vortex in Venerable Daoyin's palm dissipated instantly.
"Who?"
The sneer on his face froze instantly, and for the first time, a look of surprise and uncertainty appeared in his eyes.
He wasn't stupid; his Heaven-Devouring Earth-Consuming Palm was not something an ordinary person could neutralize.
Clearly, a master strategist has intervened in secret.
He turned his head sharply, his gaze like lightning, shooting out of the main hall.
Outside the palace, the rain had stopped sometime earlier.
A figure appeared silently, seemingly out of nowhere.
His posture was upright, his aura was restrained and deep, yet he exuded an aura of invincibility.