Clang! Clang! Clang!
The golden chime rang three times, its sound echoing across Golden Ao Island.
Cultivators who had been taking it easy rushed toward Biyou Palace.
After a while, when no one else entered, Tongtian spoke.
"Duobao, is everyone here?"
"Master, all the disciples are here except those away on assignments."
Duobao answered only after looking around. Behind him, Jin Ling, the Three Xiao, and the other disciples looked puzzled, but none of them said anything.
"Then come with me!"
Tongtian offered no explanation. With a sweep of his sleeve, everyone found themselves unable to move. A blinding light flashed, forcing them to shut their eyes. When they opened them again, all they could see was...
An immense stone pillar that reached the heavens!
It filled their entire field of vision. Cracks covered its surface, and it looked ready to collapse at any moment.
Sharp intakes of breath rippled through the Jie Sect Disciples.
"Th-this can't be possible!"
"Isn't that Buzhou Mountain? How did it end up like this?"
"Is Buzhou Mountain about to break?"
Everyone spoke at once, but the terror in their eyes was the same.
"It's too dangerous. We should hurry and run—"
The disciple stopped before he could finish. He swallowed and stole a glance at Tongtian, afraid he had angered him.
Tongtian saw what everyone was thinking and did not blame them. The sight was horrifying. If he had been an ordinary cultivator, he would have fled at once too.
Tongtian casually smashed an oncoming piece of fine stone to fragments, then gave his orders.
"Jie Sect Disciples, heed my command! Duobao will lead you in intercepting these stones before they damage Hong Huang. Whatever you collect is yours to keep!"
With that, Tongtian turned his attention back to sending his power into the