Chapter 601: Return

The Primordial Dome, Shenxiao Mountain.

Wei Jianyi, an elder of the Patriarch Hall of the Shenxiao Sect, led a group of menial disciples to push open the doors of the Patriarch Hall at the usual hour of five quarters past Mao (6:00 AM). Just as he was about to issue orders for the disciples to begin sweeping the hall and replace the lamp oil, his pupils suddenly contracted. He saw, before the numerous ancestral tablets and portraits, a figure standing tall and spirited, clad in strange attire.

"Who are you?"

Wei Jianyi had already summoned his flying sword, which hovered at his side. Considering the other's strength, he did not attack directly but secretly released a message using a secret technique, alerting all cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage on the mountain and below.

He was self-aware: since the other could infiltrate the most core and vital area of the Shenxiao Sect silently, his cultivation must be heaven-defying.

Behind him, the many menial disciples also drew their swords warily. Though they were menials with low cultivation, they calmly formed a sword formation.

But the person in the hall turned around at that moment, looking over with a faint smile. He was a youth of about seventeen, with a high nose bridge and slightly sunken eyes, unusual in appearance.

"Are you Jianyi? It's been less than ten years, and you don't recognize me?"

Then a hint of surprise showed in his eyes: "In the past, among my three masters and five swords, you ranked first among all second-generation disciples in both strength and talent. How did you end up like this? Serving in the Patriarch Hall—and what happened to your hand?"

Wei Jianyi did not answer. He paused, staring at the youth before him with a puzzled expression: "May I ask who you are, sir?"

The other's face, though unfamiliar, gave him a sense of familiarity, as if it were someone he knew intimately, yet Wei Jianyi could not be certain.

As they spoke, fellow disciples of the Shenxiao Sect arrived one after another. Some, impulsive in nature, attacked the youth directly upon seeing him.

"What demon dares to run wild in our Patriarch Hall!"

Instantly, three or five sword beams shot toward the youth. Others cast immortal arts, attempting to forcibly pull him out of the hall using void techniques, wary of damaging the ancestral tablets and portraits. Still others activated the immortal formation of the Patriarch Hall to suppress and seal the youth.

But it was all useless. The youth merely flicked his sleeve, and the flying swords were seized by a powerful force, immobilized at his side. His body was like a bell or a weight; the immortal arts and formation had no effect on him. These Nascent Soul experts, the pillars of the sect, could not even complete a single hand seal before him, and the immortal formation of the Patriarch Hall, just activated, dissipated all its spiritual energy and fell silent.

"I have been away for nearly ten years. There are some impressive juniors in the sect, but fewer people have come than I expected. Has something happened in recent years?"

At this moment, the youth's side seemed like a giant magnet, drawing in all the swords and artifacts of the arriving Shenxiao Sect disciples, without exception.

Until a man of about thirty, but with white hair and beard, arrived.

"Impressive cultivation, sir! But you go too far. Do you think the Shenxiao Sect has no one?"

His sword split into countless beams, not only breaking free from the magnetic force but also dividing into millions in an instant, raining down on the youth like a storm. Yet none of the sword shadows harmed him. A white light barrier formed three zhang before him, and the sword rain poured down like a waterfall but could not cross that threshold.

But the white-haired man was unfazed. He appeared behind the youth without warning, holding a vermilion seal, striking at the back of the youth's head. At the same time, Wei Jianyi appeared at the youth's side, sword in left hand, thrusting toward his right ear. The momentum was fierce and determined.

—At that moment, both accomplished cultivators of the Shenxiao Sect abandoned their flying swords, artifacts, and immortal arts, opting for close-quarters combat, coordinating seamlessly.

"Not bad! Both at the Out-of-Body stage, with impressive fist and sword intent. It seems you two haven't fallen behind in your progress."

The youth's expression was calm, with a hint of appreciation in his eyes. Then he merely flicked his sleeve, and Wei Jianyi and the white-haired man swapped positions. In a daze, they found themselves fifty zhang away.

Wei Jianyi's face showed understanding and joy. The latter, however, refused to give up. Veins rose on his skin, swelling and contracting, and his aura rapidly expanded and climbed.

Seeing this, the youth shook his head slightly: "Admirable spirit, but there's no need for that!"

His divine sense suddenly spread, sweeping across the entire scene. The white-haired middle-aged man, under the irresistible spiritual pressure, knelt on one knee. He could not activate the 'Withering Glory Art' to unleash his potential, and even maintaining consciousness was difficult.

The same fate befell over a dozen other disciples who intended to use life-risking techniques.

Wei Jianyi also felt the vastness of this spiritual pressure. He looked up, his eyes deeply shocked, yet also filled with hope and doubt as he gazed at the other.

If his own primordial spirit were a drop of water, then the youth's divine sense was an endless ocean. But the other's control was excellent; he did not press that ocean onto Wei Jianyi. Even the kneeling fellow disciple 'Li Daoheng' bore only a tiny fraction of that ocean, or his primordial spirit would have been crushed.

But could this really be the person he guessed? In less than ten years, how had his strength risen to such a level? And why had his appearance changed so drastically?

"May I ask which eminent personage has come to our Shenxiao Sect—"

Just as Wei Jianyi's thoughts were racing, a female cultivator in purple robes descended with three streaks of light, landing outside the Patriarch Hall.

But as she arrived, her words cut off abruptly. She immediately knelt: "Disciple Jingyu pays respects to Master!"

"Master?"

All the Shenxiao Sect disciples present were astonished, murmuring in confusion. Even the three elders who accompanied the purple-robed woman were equally stunned.

"It's no wonder you're puzzled."

Li Mochen smiled faintly, then reached out and beckoned. Instantly, a grand sword light from the peak of Shenxiao Mountain flew through the air, descended, and hovered at his side, trembling continuously.

Wei Jianyi recognized it as the sect's supreme sword, 'Zhenxiao,' one of the top artifacts of the age. It had been nurtured in the 'Shenxiao Demon-Suppressing Sword Formation' for eighteen hundred years and refined daily by successive sect masters with their true essence. Its power could instantly slay an Out-of-Body cultivator within three hundred li of Shenxiao Mountain.

But this sword could only be wielded by a sect master who had served for over ten years. Their current master, having taken office less than seven years ago, had yet to resonate with the 'Zhenxiao' sword.

Seeing this, everyone had no more doubts and knelt in submission.

"We pay respects to the Supreme Sect Master!"

"Rise! You should know that I dislike empty formalities."

Li Mochen raised his hand, and everyone, including the half-kneeling Li Daoheng, stood up simultaneously. Willingly or not, they all rose.

Li Mochen did not use true essence to compel them, but the divine authority called 'Decree' made everyone do so, consciously or unconsciously.

"Jianyi, you still haven't answered me. How did you end up like this? Your 'Mysterious Aperture' severely injured, your qi channels so broken?"

Wei Jianyi's face flushed red, his eyes full of shame.

It was the female immortal named 'Jingyu' who answered: "Reporting to Master, seven years ago, Senior Brother Wei went alone to the Thousand Pillar Sea to slay demons, but was ambushed and returned severely injured. He has yet to recover."

"Celibacy? A plot?"

Li Mochen glanced at him: "I suppose it was due to underestimating the enemy and carelessness?"

He knew his disciple's temperament all too well. Then, as expected, he saw Wei Jianyi bow deeply with shame: "Jianyi has failed to live up to your teachings, Master!"

"Just as I thought! But this is not entirely a bad thing."

Li Mochen let out a soft laugh, and as he walked past Wei Jianyi, he gently patted him on the shoulder. In the blink of an eye, a muscular arm appeared inside the formerly empty right sleeve.

"I hope that after this setback, you will remember this lesson well, and never again rely on your skills to look down on others."

Wei Jianyi was momentarily stunned, then his eyes reddened, and he was overcome with emotion.

His master had not only restored his arm but also fully healed his severely damaged 'mysterious acupoints' and spirit. This meant that the path he had thought was cut off was now once again a broad road!

If he did not know that his master truly disliked formalities, he would have immediately knelt and kowtowed three times to express his gratitude for the master's gift of rebirth.

"So, Jingyu, you are now the current sect leader of the Shenxiao Sect, correct?"

Li Mochen had already walked before the purple-robed female cultivator, looking at his disciple, whose secular name was 'Situ Yurou,' with some emotion: "This truly surprises me, Master. Your talent is no less than Jianyi's, but your temperament is lazy and lax. Among the Three Masters and Five Swords, I originally thought you would be the least accomplished."

Situ Jingyu's face flushed slightly: "In the past, Jingyu was young and ignorant, always causing you worry, Master."

She still remembered the day she entered the sect, when her master Tao Wenjian bestowed upon her the Dharma name 'Jingyu' and spoke those words. The master believed her nature was as light and unsettled as a feather, hence he gave her the name 'Jingyu' to constantly remind herself to be quiet, calm, solemn, pure, and composed, so that she could truly reach the pinnacle of the Dao.

"However, the reason the disciple was able to succeed as sect leader is not because Jingyu's virtue and ability are sufficient, but because in recent years crises have arisen within the sect, and the pillars of the sect have withered and changed one after another. Jingyu had no choice but to exert herself."

"Crises have arisen?"

Li Mochen's eyes revealed a sharp and obscure light, then he pointed into the distance again, returning the sword taken from Li Daoheng to its owner's side.

"The Dao attainment of Jian Yi is lost in dispersion. Like me, he wants too much, but ends up mediocre in everything. As for you, Daoheng, you are lost in specialization, lost in bias; your foundational technique is too domineering and rigid. However, the path of cultivation lies in harmonizing yin and yang, in the unity of heaven and man. If you continue like this, both your primordial spirit and physical body will suffer in time, even cutting off your future path."

Li Daoheng's expression was equally agitated, but he could suppress his emotions and bowed with the sword: "Daoheng humbly remembers the uncle-master's instruction!"

"You always say you remember, but your actions always run counter to my teachings. Enough! I suspect you won't listen, nor do you care to. If you, Daoheng, can awaken in the future, then in the Sutra Library there is a copy of the 'Taiyi Xuanyi Sutra' I left behind, which may resolve your future troubles."

After Li Mochen sighed, he swept his gaze over the three people behind Situ Jingyu: "Not bad, your paths haven't gone astray, but your killing aura is somewhat heavy, likely due to your experiences and environment. However, Xidao, do you still not reflect on yourself? You are nearly falling into demonhood. Starting tomorrow, go into seclusion. Don't come out until you have sorted out your primordial spirit."

The one he referred to as 'Xidao' immediately trembled, then solemnly bowed: "Xidao thanks the uncle-master for the reminder!"

Li Mochen then pointed out the deficiencies in everyone's cultivation one by one, and all present listened intently with expressions of respect.

Finally, Li Mochen gazed into the distance, looking beyond the Shenxiao Mountain.

"Tell me, what is the situation now? Those great army encampments four hundred li outside the mountain surely are not here to guard Shenxiao? And why are Zhuang Shenxiu and Fang Weili not here?"

These two were among the 'Three Masters', renowned 'Dharma Grandmasters' of the Yuanqiong Realm, and the most outstanding among the second-generation disciples. They had entered the sect before his Wenjian Taoran, but their seniority was lower than his.

"The great army below the mountain is the combined forces of the Langya Celestial Dynasty's Dao soldiers and various major sects. Only because they fear our sect's 'Divine Thunder Demon-Subduing Sword Formation' have they set up a linked camp and surrounded us from four hundred li away. To this day, they have been locked in fierce battle with our sect for seven years."

Sikong Jingyu answered in a clear, cold voice: "Senior Brother Weilü is now commanding an elite Dao army of the sect, conducting guerrilla warfare outside Divine Thunder Mountain. As for Senior Brother Shenxiu, he, along with many disciples of our Divine Thunder Sect, sacrificed their lives in a great upheaval within the sect seven years ago."

Li Mochen's sword-like brows lifted slightly: "Great upheaval? Was it Fa Mengwu?"

"Exactly! Master sees through everything with keen insight."

"Keen insight? If I truly had such ability, how could I have let him become the vice seat of the Pivot Array Hall?"

Li Mochen's words carried self-mockery and a sense of shame. It was only after killing Dugu Tianyi and dispelling the heavenly mechanism obscured by this 'Nine Desires Demon' that he became alarmed at this person's abnormality.

"Jingyu, continue. Tell me the whole story from beginning to end."

Sikong Jingyu answered with clear articulation: "After Master left to pursue Dugu Tianyi, the Yuanqiong Realm remained calm for two years. It wasn't until the fourth day of July in the thirty-fourth year of the Tai Ru era, seven years ago, that many Nascent Soul cultivators from our Divine Thunder Sect who were traveling abroad, including Senior Brother Jian Yi, were ambushed at the same time. On that very day, twelve people, including Uncle-Master Zunfa, fell. Then, within less than seven days after that, the Langya Celestial Dynasty raised three hundred and twenty thousand Dao soldiers and joined hands with sects like the Heavenly Dao Sect to attack the mountain. With the vice seat of the Pivot Array Hall as an internal ally, they broke through four layers of mountain gates in a single day—"

"Stop!"

Li Mochen looked puzzled: "Where did the Langya Celestial Dynasty get these three hundred and twenty thousand Dao soldiers?"

Before he left, the Langya Celestial Dynasty's Dao army had already disintegrated in the demonic calamity. The total number of Dao soldiers in the entire Langya Celestial Dynasty was less than seventy thousand, and most of them were under the control of Divine Thunder Sect disciples.

"The details of this matter, we have not been able to ascertain to this day."

Sikong Jingyu's eyes showed shame: "After that great battle, the world was at peace, and we all became lax. The Tai Ru Emperor was submissive and obedient to our sect, and he also indulged in women, confusing our sect's eyes and ears. So until the incident occurred, we did not know where these Dao soldiers came from. Only afterward did we learn that they likely used some demonic techniques. Besides that, the Tai Ru Emperor's own strength suddenly surged, almost rivaling Dugu Tianyi of old. Senior Brother Shenxiu died that day after single-handedly blocking the Tai Ru Emperor, fighting for three quarters of an hour until his qi and blood were exhausted. Fortunately, the disciples of the sect, from top to bottom, sacrificed themselves fearlessly and fought to the death against the Langya Celestial Dynasty's Dao army. They finally repaired the 'Divine Thunder Demon-Subduing Sword Formation' and forced the Tai Ru Emperor to retreat."

"Tai Ru—"

Instead of getting angry, Li Mochen smiled, his gaze cold. Then he pointed toward the south.

"So that's why there are so few disciples inside the mountain, right?"

He had sensed earlier that the number of disciples inside the mountain was less than seventy thousand, less than half of when he left. The only thing that comforted him was that the vast majority of them had strength above the Xiantian realm. Many young disciples had also entered the Golden Core realm. The overall success rate far exceeded when he was in charge of the sect.

"Yes!" Sikong Jingyu smiled bitterly: "They have sealed off the inside and outside. Our sect has been unable to recruit disciples for seven years, nor have we received any supplies from outside the mountain."

"Then what about this fellow Daoist Haiyunzi? What's his story?"

In that direction, a streak of light was flying through the air. This person had set out from the camp over there and reached a hundred li outside Divine Thunder Mountain in less than half an hour.

"He's here to persuade us to surrender."

Sikong Jingyu glanced at that streak of light and explained with sarcasm: "When the Langya Celestial Dynasty attacked the mountain, six of the world's so-called top-tier sects—the three gates, four schools, and seven factions—joined hands with them. Later, among the remaining sects, except for the Tianyi Sect and the Divine Phase School, the rest gradually joined in. Over the past five years, the Tai Ru Emperor has sent a 'Great Vehicle Realm' grandmaster every day to persuade us to surrender. Today it's this Haiyunzi from the Tianluo Sect. They are bullying us because we have not yet mastered the Zhenxiao Sword—"

Before she finished speaking, another female figure appeared. This girl was about sixteen years old, dressed in a white skirt, with a temperament like an orchid, a face like a hibiscus, skin like congealed fat, and eyes red as blood.

"Master?"

The girl first stared at Li Mochen, her eyes showing confusion. But after carefully sniffing, her face turned to surprise and delight.

"It's this scent, really it's the master! I thought you didn't want me anymore, coo coo (they say rabbits make this sound)—"

She actually pounced on Li Mochen, not only hugging him tightly but also rubbing her face against his shoulder and cheek.

The girl's intimate posture and subtle touch made Li Mochen slightly embarrassed, while Situ Jingyu, accustomed to such things, chuckled softly: "Seven years ago, it was Moon Attendant who was most instrumental in turning our sect's crisis around."

Her tone and demeanor were very relaxed, knowing that with her master's return, all the difficulties facing the Divine Thunder Sect were no longer problems. She only felt some shame that the entire sect had failed to carry on her master's legacy.

In just two years after her master left, they had withered to such a state. And the great disaster of the thirty-fourth year of Tai Ru—if not for the master's lifebound spirit pet 'Moon Rabbit,' they could never have stopped that Tai Ru Emperor.

At this moment, behind Li Mochen, the Netherfire Dragon 'Dragon Pulse' poked its head out from the void, glaring at the girl with ill intent. The latter narrowed her eyes and returned a provocative look: "Who is it?"

It was entirely a stance of 'come fight if you disagree.' Her sharp gaze burst forth in an instant, and the powerful demonic essence containing twelve divine powers made even Dragon Pulse's aura falter slightly.

It sensed that although it had stepped into the divine domain under its master's nurturing, if it truly fought this girl, it would likely lose.

"My new spirit pet, also your junior brother."

Before Li Mochen finished speaking, the girl's face showed shock and loss, an expression of 'you really don't want me anymore,' which instantly gave him a strange sense of guilt—like being caught by a wife after taking a mistress.

"Dragon Pulse, no rudeness! This is your senior sister."

Li Mochen first patted Little Dragon Pulse's head, then tapped the girl's head: "This time I'm back, I plan to take you with me. But if you, Moon Rabbit, are unwilling, you can stay here in the Primordial Vault Realm."

These words indeed changed the girl's attitude drastically: "Take me away? Really?"

Li Mochen ignored her for now, because the 'Hai Yunzi' of the Heavenly Luo Sect had already arrived outside the mountain. Holding a bright yellow scroll that looked like an imperial edict, he first coldly scanned the mountain and then announced loudly: "I, Hai Yunzi of the Heavenly Luo Sect, by order of His Majesty, proclaim to you! You Daoist rebels of the Divine Thunder Sect have plagued the world, disrupted the court, caused disasters to arise since the early years of Tai Ru, shattered mountains and rivers, and brought death to billions of people—yet His Majesty, in his benevolence, grants you a chance to reform. If you recognize the times and understand righteousness, you may open the mountain and surrender early. Thus, though punishment may be unavoidable, death may be spared. But if you remain obstinate and resist, then when the imperial army breaks the mountain, we will slaughter the entire Divine Thunder Sect, leaving not a blade of grass!"

His voice was high-pitched, infused with true essence, spreading in all directions, unable to be completely blocked even by the Divine Thunder Sect's formation.

But there was no response from within the mountain, and Hai Yunzi, unsurprised, shifted his tone.

"His Majesty has another decree, to make known to all in the Divine Thunder Sect. The sage emperor, virtuous and benevolent, knows that many of you are innocent, so he wishes to show leniency. All who entered the Divine Thunder Sect less than ten years ago may be pardoned. Furthermore, all Golden Core disciples of the Divine Thunder Sect—"

Li Mochen listened with a cold expression until this point, growing impatient. He guessed the man's next words would be nothing but the usual divide-and-conquer tactics. He directly turned to Situ Jingyu: "Let that friend Hai Yunzi in. I have questions for him."

Situ Jingyu did not hesitate. She formed a hand seal, and immediately a huge opening appeared in the mountain-protecting formation, like a illusory great road extending directly to the feet of Hai Yunzi outside. This left the latter stunned, his expression suspicious, unsure of the intent.

But he absolutely dared not walk in. So after a moment's thought, he remained where he was and asked aloud: "May I ask if Sect Master Situ is present? Are you willing to surrender?"

Li Mochen couldn't help but laugh: "Friend Hai Yunzi, please come in for a talk. We haven't seen each other in ten years. I have something to say to you."

Hai Yunzi was puzzled at first, but then he realized something and immediately transformed into light to flee far away. Yet as soon as he moved, the void around him began to twist violently. His mind went into a daze, and he found himself in a different location.

He recognized the place as the Ancestral Hall of the Divine Thunder Sect. He had been here twice before with many fellow cultivators for alliances. Now he saw the new sect master Situ Jingyu and many Divine Thunder Sect disciples, either sneering coldly or staring at him with murderous intent.

"Everyone?"

At this moment, Hai Yunzi's heart sank to the bottom. He knew that the person he feared and worried about most had returned.

To be able to capture him here without any resistance—even the former Dugu Tianyi could not do that.

When his gaze locked onto one person, his body trembled slightly, and his face grew bitter: "Could it be friend Wenjian? Nearly ten years unseen, you have changed greatly; I almost couldn't recognize you."

These words resonated deeply with everyone present, including Situ Jingyu. They were all curious but dared not ask.

"I had special encounters outside the realm. Now I am like me, not me, yet still me."

Li Mochen smiled slightly: "You just said that if our Divine Thunder Sect recognizes the times and understands righteousness, we should open the mountain and surrender early. Then I ask you, friend Hai Yunzi, do you recognize the times and understand righteousness?"

Hai Yunzi's face turned deathly pale, and he was in agony. He felt Li Mochen's divine sense pressing down on him, like a thousand pure blades slowly cutting into the depths of his primordial spirit. The pain was like death by a thousand cuts, unbearable.

"I naturally recognize the times and understand righteousness."

"But back then, when your Heavenly Luo Sect encountered a demonic calamity and sought help from us, your senior brother Fayunzi swore to heaven that he would never forget the aid of our Divine Thunder Sect."

Li Mochen looked at him with a smile: "Your sect master's words are still in my ears. But now? In less than ten years, you repay kindness with enmity. Is this your understanding of righteousness?"

Situ Jingyu watched Hai Yunzi's panicked, speechless expression with immense satisfaction and relief: "Let me inform you, Master, Fayunzi stepped down as sect master six years ago. They also overthrew the entire Elder Council, claiming that Fayunzi and the elders made private alliances without the sect's permission. Then they pushed Hai Yunzi up, and openly and legitimately turned against our sect. And Fayunzi is no good either; after five years in seclusion, he is now their Heavenly Luo Sect's Supreme Elder, receiving patronage from the Tai Ru Emperor in the opposing camp."

"I see. That was my oversight. I didn't know there was such a way to circumvent the oath."

Li Mochen laughed, but the light in his eyes grew even colder and more chilling.

Actually, he knew about this method, but he hadn't expected that the Heavenly Luo Sect, a great sect, would actually do something so shameless.

"Alright, I won't waste words with you. Go back and tell that Tai Ru Emperor to prepare. Tonight, at 12 o'clock sharp—no, at the end of the fourth quarter of the Zi hour—I will seek justice from him for all the disturbances of these seven years."

Hai Yunzi's expression relaxed slightly. He felt Li Mochen withdraw his vast and mighty divine sense, like the boundless void. But just as he tremblingly rose to fly away, Li Mochen said calmly: "Also, although I distinguish clearly between kindness and enmity, I also have a love for life. After you convey this to the Tai Ru Emperor, if you, your senior brother Fayunzi, and the accompanying elders are willing to atone by suicide, then I can allow the continuation of your Heavenly Luo Sect's lineage."

These words completely broke Hai Yunzi's composure, and he nearly fell from midair.

All the Divine Thunder Sect disciples present felt vindicated and proud. Their Supreme Sect Master, the 'Divine Thunder Wuji Purple Void Immortal King,' had always been so imposing and domineering.

Li Mochen couldn't be bothered to look at Hai Yunzi again: "Go to the Star Observation Hall. Summon all disciples above the Golden Core stage. I have something to say and some things to leave behind."

This time, his secondary body had brought many good things from the Bright World. Various mythological materials not found in this world, mystical techniques and methods unheard of here, high-purity demon stones that could open a path for this world's Mahayana cultivators, and even the mechanical technology of that world, along with ten demigod-level biological armors.

However, most of these were not suitable for public disclosure.

Even among today's attendees, he would conduct another screening to see if there were any hidden spies or traitors within the sect.

...

"At the end of the fourth quarter of the Zi hour, he wants to seek justice from me? Did he really say that?"

Inside a spacious, luxuriously decorated golden tent, the Tai Ru Emperor spoke while idly playing with his braid.

The Tai Ru Emperor had ascended the throne at sixty-seven and was now over a hundred years old, but his face remained as handsome as a youth's. Coupled with his purple-golden robe and peculiar makeup, his temperament was exceptionally contradictory, blending frivolity, grandeur, majesty, and allure into one.

"But are you sure it's him, Hai Yunzi? Don't mistake him."

"I am absolutely certain!"

Hai Yunzi's face was ashen, his voice weak: "Although his appearance has changed—likely due to experiences in the outer realm—that Tao Immortal King, I would recognize him even if he turned to ashes."

"That's truly frightening. A fellow we thought dead has run back from the boundless void."

But the Tai Ru Emperor's eyes showed no fear; instead, they held joy, pleasure, excitement, and anticipation.

"But Hai Yunzi, why are you so dejected? Do you think he can really get justice from me?"

Hai Yunzi looked up, carefully studied the Tai Ru Emperor, and recalled Wenjian Taoran's abyss-like primordial spirit. Without hesitation, he said: "In my humble opinion, Your Majesty is most likely no match for Tao Immortal King—"

The Tai Ru Emperor's face darkened: "Hai Yunzi! I revoked his immortal title by decree seven years ago!"

"Then it's Wenjian Taoran. I believe his strength far exceeds Your Majesty's, so this battle is not optimistic."

Hai Yunzi was unconcerned and earnestly advised: "If Your Majesty wishes to survive this calamity, the best course is to flee now, find a place to hide, or even follow Dugu Tianyi's example and go to the outer realm. Alternatively, gather all your generals and the various sects to set up the 'Six Harmonies Imperial Immortal Formation' for defense, which might give you a slim chance."

But in his heart, he thought that the feeling these two gave him was like a firefly compared to the sun—utterly incomparable.

That Tao Immortal King had encountered some fortune in the outer realm, and his magical power was so vast it made him despair. At that moment, he felt like an ant looking up at a giant.

So his first sentence was sincere, a well-intentioned reminder. The latter sentence was for his own sake and the continuation of the Heavenly Luo Sect.

But the Tai Ru Emperor's aura grew colder and colder, his eyes unfriendly, containing a fierce light: "Hai Yunzi, I want to know, in what way am I inferior—"

At that moment, however, the Tai Ru Emperor's speech and aura came to a halt. The eunuch at his side instantly flashed to Hai Yunzi's side, checked his breath and pulse.

In an instant, the eunuch's face showed a series of incredulous expressions: "Your Majesty, Hai Yunzi has stopped breathing. He has severed his own heart meridian and extinguished his primordial spirit."

The Tai Ru Emperor was stunned. He looked at Hai Yunzi for a long time, then actually laughed: "How interesting! This fellow makes me curious. What did he see at Divine Thunder Mountain that scared him so much?"

"Then let it be as he wished. Summon the generals, the six divisions of Dao soldiers, and all the immortal sects. Immediately begin setting up the 'Six Harmonies Imperial Immortal Formation' to prepare for battle. I want to see how this 'Divine Thunder Wuji Purple Void Immortal King,' who scared a Mahayana cultivator to death, will seek justice from me!"

But at this moment, even his most trusted subordinates failed to notice the terror in his pupils.