Why Have You Not Come to Pay Your Respects to Me?

Black Mountain True Person sat atop the Demon Mountain, his deathly gaze falling upon it. The oppressive aura emanating from him was like billions of tons of leaden clouds mixed with the essence of shattered mountains, transforming into a substantial, viscous dark tide that crashed down!

There were no other colors in the world, only endless darkness and oppression.

Every grain of sand on the wasteland instantly turned to dust, and the deeper ley lines groaned as if they were about to break apart.

The ancient phantoms of Gods and Devils, bearing the Demon Mountain on their backs, stood silently. Their very existence was like the walls of countless invisible prisons, completely locking and solidifying this world.

This is not merely the oppression of Law Power, but a crushing defeat at the level of the Great Dao!

If an ordinary Foundation Establishment True Person were to be placed here, let alone resist, their Dao Foundation would likely be crushed and their Divine Soul destroyed in an instant, and even their true spirit would not escape being devoured.

Yet, even in the face of this overwhelming demonic power that could change the very fabric of the world, Qi Yun still stood with his hands behind his back.

No dazzling phenomena erupted around him; his deep blue Daoist robe remained perfectly still amidst the raging, oppressive winds, like a pillar stabilizing the sea, with only the hem fluttering slightly in a strange rhythm.

"Hiss hiss hiss--!!!"

There was no loud noise, only countless extremely subtle yet sharp and piercing sounds of Dao intent rubbing together, filling the world. Visibly, beneath that dark sky, the location where Qi Yun stood seemed to be a Pure Land of its own.

Darkness and oppression crashed against the rocks like raging waves, yet the rocks remained unmoved.

A barely perceptible ripple finally flickered across the lifeless depths of Black Mountain True Person's eyes.

Wrong!

He clearly sensed that Qi Yun's aura and realm had not broken through the Foundation Establishment stage, and there was no fundamental leap compared to when he left many years ago.

No matter how he activated the phantom of the Demon Mountain, how he stacked the pressure of the "Mountain Prison," or even secretly drew upon the deathly Sha Qi deep within the earth's veins to help strangle him, his opponent remained as unyielding as an abyss.

Seemingly calm and still, yet unfathomably deep, it effortlessly dissipates all impacts!

The space surrounding that deep blue figure was terrifyingly stable!

It was as if there was a boundless and majestic mountain providing him with endless support.

"No wonder—he dared to return to his clan so arrogantly!"

The Black Mountain True Person's lifeless gaze grew even colder and deeper.

"So they had something to rely on!"

He no longer tries to subdue his opponent simply through intimidation.

This stalemate was a disgrace in itself for him.

"No matter how cleverly you borrow external forces or how many tricks you employ, it is all in vain before absolute power and status!"

Without further hesitation, Black Mountain True Person leaned forward slightly from his seated position.

He slowly raised his right hand. His palm was broad and thick, and within it, black light surged. A magic talisman, which was neither gold nor jade, neither stone nor wood, flowed with a dark radiance and was engraved with extremely complex and twisted Dao patterns, quietly appeared.

The moment this talisman appeared, it did not emit any world-destroying power; instead, it possessed a strange "restraint."

But it was precisely this restraint that caused the surrounding surging demonic power and phantom images of Gods and Devils to pause slightly, as if paying homage to a king.

The talisman contained a chilling, deathly stillness, a supreme meaning that seemed capable of ending all laws and reducing all things to Return to Nothingness!

The Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord bestowed this magical talisman upon me!

This talisman contains a trace of the Dao power of that Sect-Presiding True Lord.

Although it is not at full strength, it represents the authority and Principle of True Lord level!

In this realm, all beings below the True Lord are but ants!

This symbol is proof of the insurmountable chasm between ants and giant elephants!

"To be able to receive this talisman, my nephew Qi, you should be proud—"

Black Mountain True Person's voice was deep, carrying absolute confidence and a hint of cruel condescension.

"But the game is over."

He pressed his palm down!

"Buzz!!!"

The dark rune suddenly shone brightly!

A faint, yet extremely refined, gray-black stream of energy rose from the talisman. Initially as thin as a hair, it instantly transformed into a desolate torrent that pierced through heaven and earth!

Wherever this torrent passed, even the demonic mountain phantom and the dark tide that evolved from Black Mountain True Person himself retreated in terror as if they had encountered their nemesis!

Space wasn't torn apart; rather, it vanished like a pen mark erased by an eraser, leaving behind a terrifying trail of pure nothingness, devoid even of chaos!

This is a manifestation of the true power of a True Lord!

Although it was only a wisp, it had already transcended the scope of all Divine Ability, Law Treasure, and Formation Art of the Foundation Establishment Realm. It slowly, yet irresistibly, crashed down towards Qi Yun's head!

No matter how many tricks you have, or how many schemes you employ!

They can't escape the power of the True Lord!!!

Black Mountain True Person spoke calmly, his words mingling with the silent roar of the devastating torrent crushing the void, proclaiming the end.

Behind Qi Yun, Qianxin True Person Qingli faced the aftershocks of this power. Their faces were ashen, their Divine Soul were on the verge of breaking, and their thoughts were almost frozen, leaving only boundless despair.

Standing directly beneath this desolate torrent, Qi Yun, seemingly about to be completely wiped off the face of existence at any moment, still maintained that chilling calm.

He even raised his head slightly.

His gaze remained calm as he watched the power of the True Lord, representing end and nothingness, press down on him like the collapsing sky.

A very faint smile even appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Just as that gray-black, desolate torrent was about to touch even a fraction of the tip of his hair, "Infinite Light" appeared.

A gentle, peaceful voice rang out, as if it had existed since the beginning of time.

That wasn't Qi Yun's voice.

The instant the sound rang out, "BOOM!!!!"

An indescribable light erupted from behind Qi Yun, without warning and with overwhelming force!

It is a more primordial, purer light that can dispel all darkness, stabilize all chaos, and dominate the present Great Sun!

Like the source of all light, the origin of all illumination!

Ten thousand rays of light surged upwards like a reversed celestial river, soaring into the sky!

In an instant, it enveloped, soaked, and dissolved the crushing, gray-black torrent of annihilation!

Like the blazing sun shining through ancient ice, or like pure flames burning away the filthy mud!

That annihilating torrent, representing a trace of the power of the True Lord Wudao, vibrated continuously within this Infinite Light, while the Dao of "Return to Nothingness" contained within it was forcibly reversed, filled, and illuminated!

The gray-black color quickly faded, disintegrated, and vanished into endless light.

Along with the dark magic talisman in Black Mountain True Person's palm, under this bright light, the Dao patterns on its surface rapidly dimmed and shattered, finally turning into a wisp of green smoke with a soft "poof" sound and completely disappearing!

The light dimmed slightly.

Behind Qi Yun, a figure slowly walked out from the void.

The man was dressed in an extremely simple white Daoist robe and was barefoot. With each step he took, a pure and flawless white lotus, shimmering with a faint glassy luster, would naturally bloom in the air.

His face was gentle and compassionate, and his brows held a wisdom that understood the ways of the world and a serene tranquility that transcended worldly concerns.

There was no bun at the back of his head; his dark hair hung down gently, and he exuded no imposing aura.

There is only one kind of perfect, free, and harmonious Daoist rhythm, as if breathing and sharing the same fate as the light of heaven and earth.

It is indeed— the Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord!

The entire world fell into a deathly silence.

Only that warm yet supreme light flowed quietly, illuminating the collapsed wasteland and the figure atop the Demon Mountain, who suddenly stiffened like iron.

"Call-!!!"

A violent and chaotic airflow swept past, causing the black mountain-patterned Daoist robe worn by the Black Mountain Black Mountain True Person to flutter wildly, like countless struggling black flags!

His wildly flowing black hair was now even more disheveled, lashing against his face and body, making him look utterly wretched.

His body involuntarily lowered and he knelt down.

But he couldn't care less about any of that anymore.

He stared intently, intently, at the gentle figure behind Qi Yun, barefoot on a lotus, bathed in Infinite Light.

Black Mountain True Person's pupils contracted to their maximum.

For the first time, his lifeless eyes were completely filled with boundless horror, disbelief, and a chilling cold that penetrated to the bone!

That is not a Dharma form, nor a projection of Divine Ability.

The Daoist aura flowing around him, perfectly integrated with the luminous Dao of Heaven and Earth, even subtly causing the very Dao he had painstakingly cultivated to tremble and feel suppressed—that absolute control that could annihilate the power of True Lord's talisman with a wave of his hand—

A thought that made his soul tremble exploded like a thunderbolt in his almost blank mind.

This is...

His dry lips moved slightly, and a hoarse murmur, almost inaudible even to himself, escaped his throat, as if he had used all his strength to utter that title that carried the weight of the stars. "True Lord —the True One?!"

Black Mountain True Person struggled to lift his head, his body trembling slightly under the combined influence of the bright Great Sun and the invisible pressure.

In the field of vision, Qi Yun's deep blue figure stood beneath the Infinite Light.

Against the backdrop of the True Lord's original form, barefoot on a lotus, exuding both compassion and majesty, it appeared infinitely taller.

Those calm, unwavering eyes lowered, revealing only a bottomless abyss, as if gazing down upon a speck of dust, an old hill about to be swallowed by the long river of history.

That gaze sent a chill down Black Mountain True Person, making him feel a bone-chilling cold, more so than any sharp murderous intent.

The next moment.

In the deathly still air, where only light flowed, Qi Yun.

He walked slowly forward, step by step, until he reached the Black Mountain True Person, whose body was stiff and suppressed under the afterimage of the Demon Mountain.

They were so close that Black Mountain True Person could see every subtle expression on Qi Yun's face.

His face showed neither the arrogance of a victor nor the triumph of a vengeful one, only a calm and serene composure.

Qi Yun slowly extended his right hand toward Black Mountain True Person, seemingly wanting to help him up from his kneeling position.

At the same time, a gentle yet clear voice, like a babbling brook, flowed into the ears of Black Mountain True Person: "Martial Uncle Black Mountain,"

"In the past, within the sect, due to differing stances or ideologies, there were indeed some misunderstandings and disagreements between us, and even between this junior and Black Baleful Intent Brother Heisha."

"However, we all come from the same school, seeking the Way. The Dao Path is long and arduous; why cling to past grievances, only to add to our inner demons and hinder our progress?"

"Why don't we shake hands here and turn hostility into friendship?"

"A senior master is still a senior master, and a junior is still a junior. Let us study the Great Dao together and revitalize the Holy Sect. Isn't that wonderful?"

The voice was not loud, but it carried a strange comfort and a sincere rhythm; every word seemed to speak to the pain in the Black Mountain True Person's bewildered heart at this moment.

Black Mountain True Person trembled violently!

The fierceness, gloom, and resentment on his face began to melt away, like ice and snow meeting the warm sun.

Qi Yun's peaceful face, sincere words, and outstretched hand—

At this moment, he appeared so tolerant, so touching!

In an instant, everything from the past became somewhat blurry.

A strange sense of guilt grew wildly in his heart like weeds.

"Nephew Qi—I—"

Black Mountain True Person's lips trembled, his eyes quivered violently, revealing genuine struggle and a hint of softening shame.

He instinctively wanted to raise his heavy, leaden arm to grasp the outstretched, gentle hand.

Just as his fingertips were about to touch Qi Yun's palm, at the moment when his mind was most relaxed and his guilt was at its peak!

A cool, pale hand suddenly rested on his left shoulder.

It felt slightly cool to the touch, yet it was like ancient ice, instantly piercing through the skin and flesh, reaching straight to the Purple Mansion Divine Soul!

"Buzz-!!!"

It felt as if a great bell had been struck in Black Mountain True Person's mind!

All the churning guilt, regret, and weak emotions of longing for peace dissipated suddenly, like smoke swept away by a gale!

Instead, a sudden surge of shock and anger returned, bringing clarity to his mind.

He suddenly looked up, and the confusion and shame in his eyes vanished without a trace.

All that remained were the raging flames of shock and rage, fixedly staring at Qi Yun, who was so close at hand!

At this moment, the gentleness and sincerity on Qi Yun's face had completely vanished.

Instead, there was an undisguised sense of regret, as if lamenting that a fish about to be caught in the net had escaped the bait at the last moment.

"You dare to convert me?!"

Black Mountain True Person forced out a hoarse roar through clenched teeth, his voice distorted by extreme anger and lingering fear!

A misstep!

Seeing this, Qi Yun knew that the situation was hopeless. The regret on his face quickly disappeared. He pursed his lips, and his figure swayed slightly like a phantom, disappearing from the sight of Black Mountain True Person. In an instant, he returned to the light beside Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord, standing shoulder to shoulder with him, as if he had never left.

The Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord attained enlightenment by refining the [World-Honored One's Handwritten Scripture], and although he has already converted from Buddhism to Daoism.

However, this method of salvation has not been lost.

As for the Dao Lineage Dharma Body that Qi Yun severed with the great Divine Ability of the "Primordial True Body", the two are fundamentally connected.

Qi Yun could naturally borrow this mysterious technique to silently try to shake his opponent's Dao heart.

"Disgraceful thing."

A cold, indifferent, and emotionless voice rang out softly.

As he spoke, the hand that had been resting on Black Mountain True Person's shoulder was casually tossed aside.

The movement was light and casual, like brushing dust off one's shoulder.

"Bang-!!!!"

Black Mountain True Person felt as if he had been struck head-on by an entire, vast, surging ancient glacier!

He was like a tattered sack thrown by tremendous force, powerless to resist, turning into a blurry afterimage as he flew away!

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

He crashed straight into the belly of a still intact, majestic stone mountain several miles away!

With a deafening roar, the mountain shook violently, splitting open a huge, bottomless, human-shaped hole. Debris rained down, completely burying his figure. His breath weakened instantly, and his fate remained unknown.

Only then did the owner of that hand fully reveal himself.

He still wore that simple black robe, still had that face as cold and hard as ancient iron, and still had those eyes that seemed to freeze everything.

The Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord.

His gaze calmly passed over the vast, collapsed wasteland and the billowing dust, landing on the Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord opposite him, who stood barefoot on a lotus and surrounded by light.

He didn't move his lips or tongue.

But a majestic and majestic sound from the sky suddenly resounded throughout the world, and every word hit everyone's Daoist heart. "Fellow Daoist is here,"

"Such power, it has harmed my disciples—"

"But you must join my Wuji Sacred Sect."

"Start a war?"

The voice wasn't impassioned, but it carried a resolute tone that severed cause and effect, leaving no room for doubt.

Faced with this pointed and coldly forceful question, the Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord, bathed in Infinite Light, merely smiled slightly.

That warm and gentle smile instantly dispelled the almost palpable tension in the air.

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me."

His voice was equally calm, possessing a power that shone brightly and soothed restlessness.

"Having traveled here, I find this young friend to be of simple and honest character, with a steadfast and pure faith in the Dao, yet it seems—he has encountered many hardships within your sect."

"I took an instant liking to him and felt a sense of appreciation for his talent."

I have long heard that the Wuji Sacred Sect is the origin of the demonic path in the Northwest, a place where the source of the Dao converges, welcoming heroes from all directions, teaching without discrimination, and possessing a magnificent spirit. I have long admired it.

"I have come today to pay my respects," said the Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord, his smile growing even wider as he bowed respectfully to the Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord from afar.

"I have no other intention than to ask that you, fellow Daoist, do me a favor and allow me to find a place to settle down and cultivate in this blessed land of the Holy Sect, so that I may discuss the profound mysteries of the Great Dao with you all. Is that possible?"

Upon hearing this, the oppressive atmosphere in the world suddenly froze.

The icy eyes of the Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord flickered almost imperceptibly.

The unchanging indifference and majesty on his face, like thin ice under the spring sun, vanished in an instant, replaced by a peaceful and even slightly warm smile. The speed of his change of expression was astonishing.

"I see!"

The voice of the Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord also became gentle.

"Indeed, I was too hasty and misunderstood you, fellow Daoist."

Our Holy Sect has always prioritized benevolence and righteousness, opening its gates wide to welcome fellow Daoists from all over the world who aspire to the Great Dao; this is a well-known fact.

He raised his hand in a gesture of welcome. "It is an honor for our Holy Sect that you would deign to grace us with your presence, fellow Daoist! It brings glory to our sect!"

Our clan naturally extends a warm welcome and wishes you all the best!

"Excellent! Excellent!" The Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord clapped his hands and laughed, his light leaping with joy. "Fellow Daoist is truly magnanimous!"

"But."

He changed the subject, his smile unchanged, but his tone became more serious.

"There is one more matter concerning my young friend. I wonder if you could do me another favor?"

"Oh?"

The Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Fellow Daoist, please speak freely. As long as it is reasonable, this humble Daoist will do his best."

The Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord pointed to Qi Yun beside him and said with a smile, "My young friend here is honest and kind, unambitious, and single-mindedly devoted to the Great Dao."

But for some reason, I seemed to have been quite ostracized and suppressed within your sect, even forced to leave and wander far away, suffering a great deal of hardship.

He looked at the Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord with sincere eyes. "Since I have a connection with him and have been accepted by your sect, I would like to ask for a safe haven for him."

I wonder if you could, out of consideration for me, find him a suitable position within the sect, and offer him some support and protection?

This way, the child can settle down and focus on his cultivation, and perhaps become a pillar of your clan in the future. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Is he honest and kind?

To live without strife?

Fellow Daoist, when did you go blind?

Shaking his head slightly, Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord a thought. Although he knew there was something unusual about this matter, he still agreed.

"Fellow Daoist, there is naturally no problem with your request."

He looked at the Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord and asked, "But I wonder, fellow Daoist, what position do you think would be most suitable?"

The Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord chuckled, waved his hand, and spoke casually, as if discussing a trivial matter. "No need for too much trouble, just give him any position as a deputy sect leader."

"Vice Sect Leader?"

Upon hearing this, the Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord raised his brow almost imperceptibly.

He swept his gaze across the light, taking in the silent, serene, deep blue figure standing there, and then looked at the Great Sun Purple Ultimate True Lord before him.

The silence lasted only a brief moment.

Immediately, the smile on the face of the Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord remained unchanged, and even widened slightly. He nodded decisively. "Good!"

Once a word is uttered, its law follows!

The next instant!

A magnificent voice, imbued with the will of True Lord and like a divine decree, suddenly resounded throughout the entire territory of the Wuji Sacred Sect without warning.

The message, crystal clear, reached the ears and minds of every elder, True Disciple, inner sect disciple, outer sect disciple, and even the menial servants. "Holy Sect disciples, heed my command!"

Effective immediately!

"Disciple of the Holy Sect - Qi Yun!"

"Promoted to the position of Deputy Headmaster!"

"Those within the sect, upon seeing him, are as if they were seeing the very Lord himself!"

"But those who disrespect, disobey, outwardly comply but inwardly defy, or deliberately neglect and frame others—"

The imperial edict paused slightly, then a chilling killing intent, like a tangible wind, swept through the Divine Soul of all who heard it. "Slay—!"

At this moment, the entire Wuji Sacred Sect fell into a deathly silence.

Aura fluctuations emanated from countless cave abode, and countless divine thoughts intertwined in shock in the shadows, yet no one dared to utter a word of doubt.

And on the edge of that desolate wasteland, which had just experienced a great battle and whose rebellion had not yet fully subsided.

Several miles away, the majestic stone mountain that had just been blasted open by the body of the Black Mountain True Person was now cascading down with loose rocks.

"Splash----"

A pile of rubble was pushed aside with difficulty.

A figure, covered in blood, with a tattered Daoist robe, extremely weak and disheveled, staggered out of the ruins inside the mountain.

It was none other than the Black Mountain True Person who had just been casually flung away by the Wudao Extreme Dharma True Lord.

He heard the last few sentences of the imperial edict clearly, without missing a single word.

"Qi Yun —Vice Headmaster—"

"Puff-!!!"

His body trembled violently, as if struck by a tremendous force!

Holy Sect Rules - Only one Vice Sect Leader may be appointed!

Qi Yun has now become the vice headmaster, which means that he----

His already turbulent Qi and Blood could no longer be suppressed, and a mouthful of blood gushed out uncontrollably like a fountain!

Blood stained the rubble beneath his feet, and splashed across the desolate land, creating a shocking dark red stain.

He raised his head and looked towards the light-shrouded area in the distance, his eyes filled with nothing but resentment!

The mountain wind howled, stirring up blood and dust.

At this moment, Qi Yun, who stood with his hands behind his back on the cloud, turned his gaze down.

The two looked at each other.

A calm voice suddenly rang in Black Mountain True Person's ear. "Black Mountain, why haven't you come to pay your respects to this sect leader?"