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When Tongtian saw Jieyin and Zhuntian arrive early from the Zhuxian Sword Formation, his expression changed drastically. He didn't care about anything else and started calculating with his fingers.

Jieyin and Zhunti flew straight to the thatched hut of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Laozi and Yuanshi rose to greet them. Jieyin and Zhunti sang a greeting and said, "Jieyin (Zhunti) greets my two senior brothers!"

The two men were already familiar with the story of the Three Pure Ones' struggle. Although they had made an agreement with Yuanshi, Laozi, the head of the Three Pure Ones Taoism, had not spoken, so they did not dare to go rashly. Now that Laozi had given his consent, the two men were naturally happy to come.

After everyone had exchanged greetings, they each took their seats.

Yuanshi said, "With my two junior brothers here, the Heaven-Reaching Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation can be broken!"

The four of them then walked out of the thatched hut and watched the Zhuxian Sword Formation from afar.

Tongtian now understood the whole story, but he was too proud and arrogant to admit defeat! He looked up at the sky and laughed, "I, Tongtian, and the four of you were all listening to the teachings of our teacher in Zixiao Palace. Today, it is the four of you who have joined forces to deal with me alone. Do you know what shame is?"

Upon hearing Tongtian's words, the four sages were all disheartened. They thought to themselves that regardless of the outcome of today's battle, Tongtian had already earned enough to dominate the primordial world and leave his mark on history.

Yuanshi said, "Tongtian, you are facing great calamity, yet you still force a smile. There will come a time when you will no longer be able to smile!"

Tongtian said angrily, "Yuanshi, the doctrines of my Jie Sect and your Chan Sect are completely incompatible. We will inevitably have a war sooner or later. It's one thing for you to win over Laozi, after all, we are both from the same lineage of Pangu and our teacher Hongjun's Taoism. But today you have aired your family affairs in public, and you will surely be remembered with infamy for all time!"

It turns out that Tongtian, being caught up in the situation and due to the time constraints, naturally couldn't foresee the defeat and demise of the Jie Sect in the Investiture of the Gods. However, with Tongtian's abilities, how could he not know that the arrival of the two Western Saints today, regardless of their success or failure, would give the Western Sect an excuse to interfere in Eastern affairs in the future? That's why Tongtian said this.

The two Western Saints would not allow Tongtian to continue emphasizing the Three Pure Ones' Taoist doctrine. Zhunti said, "Brother Tongtian, you are mistaken. We are also people who listened to the Tao in Zixiao Palace and were taken in by our teacher, the Taoist Ancestor Hongjun. We are also of the Taoist Ancestor's lineage!" He emphasized the Taoist Ancestor and downplayed Taoism.

Tongtian snorted coldly, said nothing, and retreated towards the Zhuxian Sword Formation.

There's no point in saying more now that things have come to this.

The four saints exchanged glances and each displayed their supernatural powers. Laozi and Yuanshizi were no different from the beginning, Zhunti revealed the Bodhi Golden Body, while Jieyin presented a completely different scene. The innate spiritual treasure twelve-petaled lotus platform emitted a dazzling light and slowly rose from under Jieyin's feet. Jieyin sat on it, and seven-colored rays of light appeared above his head, supporting three relics.

Laozi and Yuanshi exchanged a glance and couldn't help but marvel. The two Westerners had found their own way and each had achieved such a powerful and unique method, whose power was no less than that of the Three Pure Ones of Taoism. They had always underestimated the two Western saints.

The four saints each occupied a position: Laozi dealt with the Immortal Slaughtering Sword, Yuanshi dealt with the Immortal Trapping Sword, Jieyin dealt with the Immortal Slaughtering Sword, and Zhunti dealt with the Immortal Severing Sword. The four of them entered the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation together and used their supernatural powers to freeze the swords they were dealing with.

Tongtian had already thoroughly mastered the Zhuxian Sword Formation, so how could he be defeated so easily? With a loud shout, he summoned Shangqing Divine Thunder with his Qingping Sword, which struck the four Zhuxian Swords one after another. With each strike of Shangqing Divine Thunder, the dark light of the four swords increased.

How could the Four Saints be so easily dealt with? Laozi simply flicked the Taiji Diagram in his hand into the air, and the Taiji Diagram instantly transformed into a golden bridge, standing between the four Immortal Slaughtering Swords. With the Four Saints standing on the golden bridge, the pressure was greatly reduced. It turned out that Laozi's Taiji Diagram could stabilize earth, water, wind, and fire. Now that Laozi was fully in control, the killing intent of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation was difficult to invade.

Jieyin and Zhunti, being outsiders, were hesitant to go all out. They used their magic weapons to immobilize the "Lu" and "Jue" swords, waiting for Laozi and Yuanshi to break the "Zhu" and "Xian" swords. Tongtian would then be unable to fight them.

However, Yuanshi had no such concerns. He simply stood on the golden bridge, waved the Pangu Banner, and instantly the chaotic sword energy shot towards Tongtian like ice shards.

It was already difficult for Tongtian to control the Zhuxian Sword Formation, so how could he possibly dodge the full force of a Primordial Innate Treasure? He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood. Although saints are immortal, such a heavy blow still seriously injured Tongtian.

Tongtian knew that defeat was inevitable today, so he did not hesitate. He let out a long roar, suddenly thrust the Qingping Sword downwards, and pounded his fists towards the sky.

Two bolts of divine lightning, several meters thick, descended from the sky alongside Tongtian's fists, crashing down with a deafening roar onto the protective array erected by the assembled saints. The array was instantly shattered.

Tongtian spat out a mouthful of blood, which flew straight into the void. The four swords of Zhuxian, having been struck by this attack, also perished along with Tongtian.

The Sage Tongtian possessed the ability to understand all laws, and even when instructing his eldest disciple Duobao, he himself gained some insights. Today, Tongtian used the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation to fight against the Four Sages, but the great formation protected him, preventing his magical power from leaking out and slowing down the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation's absorption of primordial elements.

When Tongtian was struck by the Primordial Pangu Banner, his mind was stirred. He thought to himself that since he was going to lose anyway, he should lose spectacularly. So he didn't care about anything else, smashed through the defenses, and prepared to use the power of the universe and stars to fight the Four Saints.

The four saints were now caught up in the thrill of the fight, so how could they be afraid? They had previously had many concerns, fearing that they might harm the people of the prehistoric world and damage their merits. Now that Tongtian was taking the lead, it suited their tastes perfectly. So the four of them followed Tongtian without hesitation.

What a sight it was when the Five Saints fought with all their might in the void! All that could be seen was that the stars in the sky flew wildly, and the primordial chaos spun and twisted, forming a huge black hole with the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation at its center. All the Yin-Yang and Five Elements power in the universe flew towards that black hole and disappeared.

Without any further hesitation, Yuanshi unleashed the Pangu Banner, sending countless chaotic sword energies towards the Immortal Trapping Sword, immobilizing it; Jieyin, however, emitted golden light from the three relics on his head, immobilizing the Immortal Slaughtering Sword; Zhunti's golden body also shone brightly, his eighteen hands wielding eighteen treasures to block the Immortal Slaughtering Sword; Laozi was even more formidable, using the Taiji Diagram to directly envelop the Immortal Slaughtering Sword.

Just as the four were about to reach for the four swords of Zhuxian, Laozi shouted again, and the Taiqing Daoist, who had not been injured in the last battle, flew out from his body. The Taiqing Daoist, holding Laozi's flat cane, blindly smashed it towards Tongtian.

Tongtian was already struggling to hold on, how could he possibly withstand it? He was struck squarely by Taiqing Daoist's flat cane and knocked directly down from the void.

After defeating Tongtian, Taiqing Daoist did not fly back. Instead, he quickly flew around and took the four swords of Zhuxian in his hands. Caught off guard, Yuanshi and the other two naturally allowed Taiqing Daoist to succeed.

After Tongtian's defeat, the Four Swords of Zhuxian could no longer be returned to him. How powerful are innate treasures? Everyone desires them, but in the current situation, each of the four sages could obtain one. Laozi did not want these treasures to fall into the hands of the two Western sages, hence this action.

Although the two Western Saints coveted the Four Swords of Zhuxian, they knew that they could not afford to turn against Laozi under the current circumstances. So, they pretended not to know anything and descended to the mortal realm with Laozi and Yuanshi.

Tongtian, having been knocked down from the void and lost the Four Swords of Zhuxian, was naturally seething with hatred. He was unwilling to let the matter rest, and said to the four, "Don't be so smug about bullying the few with your numbers. Ten days from now, the Jie Sect will set up the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation here, ensuring you never return!" With that, he vanished in a flash, heading towards Biyou Palace on Jin'ao Island. Behind him, the tens of thousands of Jie Sect members remained silent, and led by Duobao and the other four disciples, they vanished in an instant.

It is said that Tongtian made a promise that day, and that he would set up the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation and fight against the Four Saints and the Three Teachings again in ten days.

After returning to Biyou Palace on Jin'ao Island, Tongtian took out a "Six Soul Banner" and handed it to his eldest disciple, Duobao, to preside over the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation.

This "Six Soul Banner" is no ordinary object. Tongtian, fearing the difficulty of managing his numerous disciples, gathered the essence of the five elements of heaven and earth and combined the power of yin and yang to forge this banner. Each disciple who joined the Jie Sect would leave a trace of their spiritual power on this banner. Furthermore, the Jie Sect was proficient in formations, so Tongtian used this "Six Soul Banner" as the core of the formation to create the Myriad Immortals Formation.

The combined power of all the disciples of the Jie Sect would be astonishing. That is why Tongtian dared to boast after the Four Swords of Zhuxian, the supreme innate treasures, were taken away.

At the same time, Shen Gongbao, a disciple of the Chan Sect, came to join Tongtian.

It turns out that Shen Gongbao was dissatisfied with Yuanshi's bias towards Jiang Shang and opposed the Chan Sect at every turn. Naturally, he was not tolerated by the Chan Sect. Today, apart from the capital Chaoge, the rest of the Shang Dynasty has fallen into the hands of the Western Zhou (Chan Sect). Shen Gongbao had nowhere to go, so he came to the Jie Sect to seek refuge in order to save his life.

Tongtian was taken aback upon hearing this. After a quick calculation, he ordered Duobao to take Shen Gongbao in and practice the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation together.

Tongtian sat serenely in Biyou Palace, watching the disciples of the Jie Sect outside, under Duobao's command, methodically operating the grand formation. He felt immense satisfaction. He reflected on how his Jie Sect, since its founding, had been divided into inner and outer sects…

Suddenly, Tongtian felt a chill run down his spine, his expression turned serious, and he quickly began to calculate with his fingers.

Nine days had passed since Tongtian calculated this. Tongtian looked haggard, his face was pale, and he seemed to have aged a lot.

How could a sage, who is immortal, be in such a state? Tongtian could only murmur and sigh to the heavens, "Teacher, the Tongtian Jie Sect is ultimately your direct lineage, yet it is so unacceptable to the world?"

It turns out that after Tongtian comprehended the Zhuxian Sword Formation, he fought against the saints in the formation twice, winning once and losing once. His cultivation and magical power had greatly improved. In addition, the Investiture of the Gods War was nearing its end, and many heavenly secrets that were not clear before became clear at this moment.

Before Tongtian could even begin his calculations, he suddenly realized that his Jie Sect's inner and outer sects had always been equally renowned, each with its own strengths. However, today, almost all the disciples in the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation were inner sect disciples, while the outer sect disciples, except for Yunxiao, had been almost entirely wiped out in the Investiture of the Gods war.

However, Tongtian seemed completely unaware of this. Now that he thought about it, how could Tongtian not be alarmed? With this opportunity at hand, how could Tongtian not understand?

Although these events seem unrelated, they are connected by a common thread: the Western Sect participated in the Investiture of the Gods from the very beginning, colluding with Laozi and Yuanshitian to obscure the secrets of heaven. They not only plotted against the Tongtian Jie Sect, but also schemed against Nuwa.

The sages, by so obscuring the secrets of Heaven and engaging in such scheming, naturally foresaw the future of the Jie Sect. Finally, they glimpsed a sliver of this supreme secret: the Investiture of the Gods destined the Jie Sect to perish, while the Western Sect would flourish.

The teachings of the Jie Sect are to seize the secrets of heaven and destroy and then establish. However, most of its disciples are beasts, insects and fish, which are completely incompatible with the Dao Ancestor's teachings and the teachings of the human race. How can the Dao tolerate them?

The Jie Sect was established by Tongtian himself, and Tongtian's life's blood and emotions were all contained in it. Even with Tongtian's composure, how could he withstand such a blow?

To do something knowing it's impossible is faith; to do something knowing it's impossible but having no choice but to do it is suffering.

At this moment, a white egret boy came to report that Duobao, the eldest disciple of the Jie Sect, had come to inform Tongtian that the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation was now complete and that tomorrow would be the day to challenge the Three Religions and Four Sages.

Tongtian sighed and instructed his attendant to summon all second-generation disciples of the Jie Sect to come and pay homage!

At that moment, Daoist Duobao led dozens of second-generation disciples of the Jie Sect, including Holy Mother Jinling, Holy Mother Wudang, Holy Mother Guiling, Immortal Jinguang, Immortal Wuyun, Immortal Pilu, Immortal Lingya, Immortal Qiushou, Immortal Jingu, and Immortal Changer Dingguang, into Biyou Palace. These second-generation disciples had followed Tongtian for a long time and now all had the cultivation of Taiyi Golden Immortal. They all knelt down before Tongtian and said, "Disciple Duobao (Jinling...) greets Master."

Tongtian nodded slightly and said, "Rise, no need for formalities!"

The crowd lined up on both sides, waiting for Tongtian to give instructions on the matters of tomorrow's battle. However, Tongtian remained silent, looking at his disciples one by one with deep affection.

Finally, Tongtian sighed softly and said, "I used to be so focused on cultivating the Dao that I paid too little attention to you all!"

Everyone was startled, and they all bowed in unison, saying, "We have received your great kindness for thousands of years, and we will never forget it!" Although most of the disciples of the Jie Sect were transformed from beasts, insects, and fish, they were all loyal and righteous people!

Tongtian said, "Duobao, Jinling, Wudang, and Guiling, stay here. The rest of you, go out and prepare for tomorrow's battle!"

Duobao and the other three were known as the four inner disciples of the Jie Sect. Having followed Tongtian for a long time, they were naturally loyal to him. After the others left, Tongtian did not hide anything from the four of them, but sighed and said, "Get up. After today, I'm afraid our Jie Sect will never be as glorious as it used to be!"

The four were all greatly alarmed. Wudang immediately stepped forward and said to Tongtian, "Master, as long as we live, we can fight again. How about our Jie Sect will not participate in tomorrow's great battle?"

Tongtian gave a bitter laugh and said, "Back then, Dao Ancestor Hongjun personally decided on the conferment of the gods in Zixiao Palace. Now that the number of gods is not yet full, do you think the Three Teachings and Four Sages will let our Jie Sect go?"

Everyone remained silent. Now that the four sects had formed such a deep karmic bond, the other three sects feared that the Jie Sect would retaliate in the future. They would definitely take this opportunity to settle scores with the Jie Sect to the death. It was feared that even if the Jie Sect offered to send its disciples to complete the Investiture of the Gods today, it would be impossible for them to do so.

The four men thought it through, and knelt down together, weeping and bowing, saying, "We have followed our teacher for thousands of years, but we have never had the chance to repay his great kindness. Please accept our bow!" After saying this, the four men performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony before Tongtian!

After the four people finished their prayers, Tongtian's eyes were also bloodshot. He simply got up and helped each of them up.

Tongtian suddenly looked up to the sky and roared, "I, Tongtian, have always considered myself higher than the heavens. Since the Jie Sect has seized the secrets of heaven and is determined to destroy before rebuilding, how can I surrender and accept my fate today!"

Duobao and the other three bowed and said, "We are willing to follow your instructions, Master!"

Tongtian looked at Wudang and Guiling and said, "Wudang and Guiling, you two will stay in Biyou Palace tomorrow and not participate in the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation."

After saying that, Tongtian took out a sword and a drum and handed them to the two of them, saying, "Wudang, you are my senior sister. In the future, you will be the leader of the remaining lineage of the Jie Sect. I entrust the Qingping Sword to you for safekeeping! Guiling, this is the Yugu, a treasure of the acquired world. It is the first drum in the world. Take it and help Wudang in the future. My Jie Sect will surely be revived one day!"

The two kowtowed and accepted the magical treasure, but Wudang asked, "Master, what direction should our Jie Sect take in the future? Please enlighten us!"

Tongtian did not answer, but looked into the distance. After a long time, he turned around and looked at Jinling Shengmu, but did not speak.

Jin Ling's gaze was resolute. He bowed to Tongtian and said, "Jin Ling was born a member of the Jie Sect, and will die a ghost of the Jie Sect!"

Tongtian sighed, "It's truly unfair to you. Alas, if none of my four disciples from the Jie Sect make the list, those others will have an excuse!" After a pause, Tongtian said to Wudang and Guiling, "You two should thank Jinling on behalf of your master and the Jie Sect!"

After the others finished their greetings, Tongtian seemed quite tired and simply waved for Jinling, Wudang, and Guiling to leave. Only Tongtian and Duobao remained in the vast Biyou Palace.

Duobao bowed to Tongtian and said, "Master, for the sake of the Jie Sect, Duobao is willing to go through fire and water, and even turn to ashes!"

Tongtiandao said, "Our Jie Sect has dominated the prehistoric world. Our doctrine is to seize the Heavenly Dao, destroy it, and then establish a new one. Over the millennia, countless elites have followed us, but only you have achieved the quasi-saint status. This is because you have deeply inherited the true teachings of our Jie Sect."

After a pause, Tongtian said, "Good fortune may be a harbinger of misfortune, and misfortune may be a harbinger of good fortune. The Investiture of the Gods was a calamity for the others in the Jie Sect, but it was an opportunity for you!"

Tongtian continued, “You are the first disciple of my Jie Sect, yet I have never bestowed any treasure upon you. Although you possess many treasures yourself, I still feel guilty. Today, I will bestow this ‘Six Soul Banner’ upon you, and you will understand its wondrous uses in the future!”

Although Duobao was a man of iron, and his Dao heart had been cultivated over tens of millions of years to be as still as an ancient well, undisturbed, how could he hold back at this moment? He could only kneel on the ground and choke back tears, saying, "Teacher..."

Tongtian closed his eyes, sighed deeply, and said, "Go! After tomorrow, you will no longer be my disciple!"

In the distant Zixiao Palace, the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who had already transformed into the Heavenly Dao, also let out a long sigh.

Ling Chi looked at Hong Jun and chuckled, "Owl tears."

Hongjun glared at him, then calmed himself down and said, "The Investiture of the Gods calamity is coming to an end. What are your plans, fellow Daoist?"

"Let's just sit back and watch the storm unfold." Ling Chi smiled slightly and said, "After the Investiture of the Gods, I will probably leave for a while. It's too much of a glitch for the sages to interfere in the affairs of the prehistoric world. It's better to let them go to the Thirty-Three Heavens to cultivate in seclusion."

Hongjun nodded: "After the Investiture of the Gods, there will be no more great calamities in the prehistoric world, so it is time for the sages to retire into seclusion."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Where are you going, fellow Daoist?"

"Me?" Ling Chi smiled slightly, his figure disappeared from the spot, traversing the river of time and space, and arriving in the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, after more than two hundred years of development, the Ming Dynasty had become a super empire spanning Eurasia and occupying the Australian and North American continents. As the immortal queen of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Fei was processing memorials in the palace.

A gentle breeze blew by, and Zhu Fei seemed to sense something. She looked up and saw a young man with an ordinary appearance, tall and thin, dressed in white and wearing a tall hat walking towards her with a smile.

Zhu Fei's pen fell to the table, her eyes reddened, and her voice trembled slightly: "Brother Chi..."

Ling Chi smiled slightly: "Sister Hong, would you like to come home with me to meet my future in-laws and sister-in-law?"

(End of the book)