The battle raged at Spirit Mountain while a great immortal fell at Kunlun.

The Enlightenment Sect immortals stared in disbelief, wondering about the source of this grievance.

Zhao Gongming lay weakened in the clouds, his life force seemingly fading toward the western mountains, truly frightening half of the Enlightenment Sect immortals.

While others might not understand Zhao Gongming’s tactics, how could Guangcheng Zi not know better?

Immediately, Guangcheng Zi sent forth Tai Yi True Lord. Tai Yi walked casually around Zhao Gongming with his hands behind his back, first muttering:

“Oh my, such severe injuries, far too severe.”

“This won’t heal for several eons.”

“We shouldn’t waste the blood of a Great Luo Immortal—it could be useful for refining pills.”

“Sniff… tsk, this is the scent of one who has severed both their virtuous and evil corpses.”

Then he spoke formally:

“On behalf of the Enlightenment Sect, this poor Daoist expresses sincere concern for Fellow Daoists. If we later confirm your injuries were caused by our disturbance, our sect will take responsibility and make every effort to aid in your recovery.”

A question mark slowly appeared above Zhao Gongming’s forehead.

This… the script seemed a bit off…

Zhao Gongming barely opened his eyes, catching Tai Yi True Lord’s squinting, smiling expression.

Moments later, at the location sealed by the Ocean Calming Zhenzhu.

Zhao Gongming found himself surrounded by three figures—Yellow Dragon, Tai Yi, and Yu Ding, all True Lords of the Enlightenment Sect.

Indeed, fighting alone against many had its limitations. Though he had delayed the Enlightenment Sect considerably, their response was swift. Tai Yi True Lord took the initiative to keep Yu Ding and Yellow Dragon behind while the other Enlightenment immortals quickly began taking a detour.

Zhao Gongming had planned to feign losing control of the Ocean Calming Zhenzhu to temporarily trap the Enlightenment immortals, but Yu Ding True Lord transmitted an apology before his eyes burst with a green light, disrupting Zhao Gongming’s connection to the Zhenzhu.

The opportunity vanished in an instant as the Enlightenment group swiftly flew away.

Zhao Gongming could only “faint” while secretly crushing a message jade.

Tai Yi True Lord chuckled and simply sat cross-legged beside Zhao Gongming, beckoning Yu Ding True Lord and Yellow Dragon to join him.

After the Enlightenment immortals had flown beyond the Central Divine Continent’s borders, Tai Yi said softly:

“You can stop pretending now, we all know each other too well. Having all hung around with Changsheng, none of us is purely righteous. Aren’t you effectively just keeping us a few occupied? They won’t be able to fight now that they’ve gone ahead. The Western Sect will have few disciples left this time—the Severing Sect has already secured victory.”

“Cough! Cough!”

Zhao Gongming coughed weakly, using immortal light to prop himself up into a sitting position, and said feebly: “This poor Daoist has temporarily suppressed the injuries, fortunately avoiding complete disaster. That was truly dangerous.”

Yu Ding True Lord sat to the side, gazing skyward.

Yellow Dragon True Lord asked quietly: “Junior Fellow Daoist Gongming, are you truly injured?”

“Of course,” Zhao Gongming answered seriously, continuing to cough out a few trembling sounds.

There was no point rushing to Spirit Mountain now. The Enlightenment Sect was only going to mediate, and his roadblock here was something they all understood well.

This showed the tacit understanding between all parties.

Yellow Dragon True Lord pulled out a bottle of pills from his sleeve, hesitated slightly, then offered it to Zhao Gongming with both hands.

“These pills…”

The corner of Zhao Gongming’s mouth twitched slightly.

He withdrew his previous assessment about their mutual understanding.

“Alas,” Yu Ding True Lord sighed deeply, “Who knows if we too shall meet in battle one day. The Investiture’s killing tribulation makes everything unpredictable. Looking back, this primordial world is already full of scars.”

Zhao Gongming transmitted weakly: “With Junior Fellow Daoist Changsheng present, cough, cough cough, there should be some turning point.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Tai Yi True Lord smiled, “With Changsheng around, what can the Heavenly Dao and Great Tribulation do to anyone?”

“Don’t speak nonsense,” Yellow Dragon True Lord earnestly cautioned, “Changsheng works for the Heavenly Dao, not against it. If the Ancestral Master heard this and misunderstood Junior Fellow Daoist Changsheng, what then?”

Yu Ding True Lord said: “Let’s not speak more of such matters. The human realm’s common wisdom is that things are in mortal hands—there’s always a third path.”

Zhao Gongming sighed softly, feeling completely secure despite being surrounded by three Enlightenment True Lords.

He said “weakly”: “If the day comes when our two sects truly oppose each other, let’s all show mercy.”

Yu Ding True Lord nodded slowly, while Tai Yi True Lord seemed somewhat doubtful but, sensing someone probing the area, refrained from speaking further.

Zhao Gongming seemed to notice as well and said quietly: “Cough, cough cough, this poor Daoist’s injuries still need recuperation.”

With that, he closed his eyes to meditate, his weak aura constantly trembling.

The three True Lords—Yellow Dragon, Tai Yi, and Yu Ding—exchanged glances before sitting cross-legged around Zhao Gongming.

It was hard to tell whether Zhao Gongming was delaying them or they were watching over him.

Thanks to Li Changsheng’s previous efforts to deepen relationships between some immortals of both sects, they were all quite familiar with each other, making this moment peaceful and harmonious.

However, at Spirit Mountain not long after, the confronting immortals from both sects presented quite a different scene.

Though Zhao Gongming couldn’t stop the Enlightenment immortals, the Severing Sect members, having received the Golden Spirit Supreme Mother’s orders, unleashed all their techniques and divine abilities.

Take Lu Yue, who relied on “accumulated” deadly pills in battle…

He turned the entire area green!

The Western Sect had already retreated repeatedly, losing one formation after another. By the time the Enlightenment immortals reached Spirit Mountain, it had been completely leveled, leaving only half a bare mountain standing on the cracked earth.

The Sacred Ground was a devastating sight.

Spirit Mountain’s main hall floated in the air, containing only dozens of wounded elderly Daoists desperately powering a formation to resist the endless attacks around them.

This formation bore dense Heavenly Dao power, becoming the only obstacle to the Severing Sect’s complete conquest of Spirit Mountain.

At the formation’s eye, Earth Store’s figure appeared somewhat faint.

He sat cross-legged, eyes closed in concentration, his eyelids constantly trembling as if enduring great suffering, yet his expression remained determined.

Earth Store, already a deity in the Heavenly Dao’s hierarchy, should not have participated in sectarian conflicts under the Great Tribulation.

Yet he had returned, riding on Discerning Sound. Though surrounded and attacked by the Severing Sect upon arrival, he had charged into the hall under Heaven’s protection, carrying Discerning Sound, to save the Western Sect’s last “bloodline.”

Earth Store knew that man would likely target him severely later;

But he was ultimately a Spirit Mountain disciple who couldn’t bear to see his birthplace simply evaporate.

Looking at Spirit Mountain.

Green blood stained the earth—what a brutal yet magnificent scene!

Of the Western Sect’s direct disciples under the Sage, equal in status to Earth Store, only nine remained, all wounded. Six had suffered irreversible dao injuries from forcefully burning their primordial spirits.

Seven-tenths of the experts recalled from the Three Thousand Worlds had died in battle, while another two-tenths had fled in the chaos.

Half of Spirit Mountain’s ordinary Sage disciples, who originally served as window dressing, were dead or wounded. Of the last few dozen fierce beasts and demon beasts, more than half were casualties, with half of the survivors now hiding in the Western Sea under Wen Jing Daoist’s leadership.

The Enlightenment immortals charged in, silently taking positions on Spirit Mountain’s eastern territory.

Guangcheng Zi called out: “Fellow Daoists of the Severing Sect, please show mercy! As fellow Great Sage sects, why not leave them some incense smoke!”

The Severing Sect immortals looked to Golden Spirit, their highest-ranking member present. Golden Spirit Supreme Mother raised her delicate hand, causing streams of light to withdraw from around the great hall and arrange themselves before and behind, above and below her.

Thousands of experts unleashed their might, making even the Enlightenment side somewhat uncomfortable.

Just as Golden Spirit was about to speak in the challenge, she received a transmitted message.

It was Li Changsheng instructing her on how to conclude this matter.

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother’s expression softened slightly. She first withdrew her divine form and cupped her hands to Guangcheng Zi, then said:

“Senior Fellow Daoist Guangcheng, has the Enlightenment Sect come today to join our Human and Severing Sects in shared hatred to destroy Spirit Mountain? Within this hall remain Spirit Mountain’s last remnants, including half their great disciples. We’ll gladly give this merit to the Enlightenment Sect. We’re all Dao sects, one family since ancient times—no need for such courtesy.”

Guangcheng Zi: …

The Enlightenment immortals showed various expressions, half looking embarrassed, half lowering their heads in silence.

Guangcheng Zi said calmly: “Fellow Daoist’s words hide barbs within cotton, truly making this poor Daoist somewhat uncomfortable.”

Immortal Qiong Xiao let out a snort of laughter: “Sister, listen to this—you call him Senior Fellow Daoist, but he calls you merely Fellow Daoist. You see the Enlightenment Sect as family, but they don’t see us the same way.”

At these words, the murderous Severing Sect immortals immediately glared with raised brows, nearly charging to attack Guangcheng Zi.

Just then!

A light rebuke came from beside Qiong Xiao, and the Severing Sect crowd immediately halted, standing obediently in place.

“Stop this nonsense.”

Qiong Xiao quickly lowered her head with a wronged expression, her small mouth pouting.

It was Yun Xiao, worried that Qiong Xiao’s single comment might lead to direct warfare between the sects, who had stepped forward to scold her third sister.

The effect was indeed excellent.

On Yun Xiao’s shoulder, that small bug had already vanished, surely hiding in some conceivable place.

Since Immortal Yun Xiao had spoken, she could only step forward and address Guangcheng Zi:

“Now that fellow Daoists have arrived, what is your purpose?

Are you here to protect these Westerners, or to stand together with our Severing Sect? Please, Elder Fellow Daoist Guangcheng, give us an explanation.”

Guangcheng Zi pondered for a moment. Beside him, Chi Jing Zi wanted to speak but was stopped by Guangcheng Zi’s raised hand.

Who didn’t know?

His Enlightenment Sect’s attempt to prevent the Severing Sect from destroying the Western Sect now was motivated by the desire to ally with the Western Sect’s Sages against the Severing Sect.

When word of today’s events spread, he, as the Enlightenment Sect’s Senior Brother, would surely be ridiculed by cultivation practitioners across the world.

But if there were another path, why would he choose this one?

The Great Tribulation didn’t offer multiple choices.

Someone had to play the villain, and better he alone than the entire Enlightenment Sect.

He shouldn’t have left those fellow disciples who were close to Junior Fellow Daoist Changsheng with Zhao Gongming earlier.

If Tai Yi had been here when he spoke his next words, he could have made some sarcastic remarks.

Perhaps then the blame their Enlightenment Sect would bear might have been somewhat less.

Guangcheng Zi sighed softly, his eyes flickering before showing a faint smile as he said gently:

“This poor Daoist came today to plead mercy for the Western Sect.

Leave some room when taking action, don’t go too far. The Western Sect has already suffered near-total casualties today. We surely cannot end the lineage of Senior Fellow Masters Jieyin and Zhunti.”

Many Severing Sect immortals grew furious at these words, speaking out in succession:

“What do you mean, Guangcheng Zi? You call us Fellow Daoists but refer to Western Sages as Senior Fellow Masters?!”

“If the Enlightenment Sect wishes to stand with the Western Sect, let us battle here today!”

“Absurd! Truly absurd!”

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother raised her delicate hand, immediately suppressing the clamor.

Golden Spirit said: “Fellow Daoist’s words are rather grating. Today our Severing Sect has already formed a blood feud with the Western Sect. If we cannot destroy them, endless troubles will follow.”

“Fellow Daoist Golden Spirit, consider this,” Guangcheng Zi said, “Does the Severing Sect truly care about these remaining Western Sect disciples? They number only dozens—they’ll likely not even survive the Great Tribulation.

The Western Sect’s two Sages are what the Severing Sect should truly worry about.

If the Sages disregard everything to slaughter Severing Sect immortals, how can they resist?

But if these Western Sect disciples are spared, the Severing Sect will hold leverage over the Western Sages. Should the Western Sages act, you’ll have means to counteract them.

The logic is quite simple.”

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother’s fine brows furrowed slightly.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t argue with Guangcheng Zi or refute him, but rather that…

His words made quite a bit of sense.

If the Western Sages became like ‘barefoot men with nothing to lose,’ it would indeed be quite troublesome.

Seeing this, Immortal Yun Xiao understood Golden Spirit’s thoughts and was about to step forward to reason with Guangcheng Zi and discuss the situation.

But just as she moved to step forward, a transmitted message reached her:

“Let me handle this. You shouldn’t draw too much attention during the Great Tribulation.”

Yun Xiao couldn’t help but pursed her lips slightly, a warmth flowing through her heart. Though her beloved had been somewhat nagging today and was being a bit domineering now, every word showed his care, every sentence revealed his concern.

Screech—

A golden line streaked across the high sky as the Golden Peng’s cry echoed throughout the Western Ox Continent, spreading a mysterious, pure, and balanced dao rhythm.

Guangcheng Zi relaxed slightly;

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother pursed her lips lightly but said nothing more.

The Golden Peng spiraled down swiftly. Li Changsheng stood on its back, wearing the elderly immortal facade of Tai Bai Jin Xing, holding a duster in hand, his expression quite solemn.

He arrived in the air, perfectly positioned between the Severing and Enlightenment camps, directly above Spirit Mountain’s great hall.

The Golden Peng circled once before transforming into a Heavenly Court Golden Armored General, standing guard behind the elderly immortal, showing both pride and intimidation.

As the saying goes:

Eastern Tai Bai named Jin Xing,

Supporting the Heavenly Court to gain renown.

Understanding the true nature of maintaining balance,

At Supreme Clarity’s seat to comprehend dao nature.

After actively appearing, Li Changsheng first made a Daoist salute to Guangcheng Zi, then to the Golden Spirit Supreme Mother, speaking slowly:

“Senior Fellow Daoists, may this minor deity interject and handle some small matters?”

Guangcheng Zi smiled: “Why so formal, Junior Fellow? If today’s matter can be mediated by you, it can surely reach a perfect conclusion.”

Li Changsheng smiled slightly, his eyes half-open, and said:

“Senior Fellow Daoist Guangcheng is mistaken.

Today my Senior Fellow Daoist Great Law Master has already acted, representing our Human Sect’s support of the Severing Sect in opposing the Western Sect.

This minor deity comes here for Heavenly Court business, having no connection to the conflicts between the Enlightenment, Severing, and Western Sects.

Under the Great Tribulation, this minor deity is ordered to oversee this tribulation and should not easily express any opinions.”

Pausing briefly, Li Changsheng looked toward Spirit Mountain’s great hall floating in the air;

Earth Store, who had been meditating inside, suddenly realized something and his expression changed as he immediately opened his eyes.

But Li Changsheng had already flicked his duster and coldly rebuked:

“Earth Store King, Master of the Samsara Tower, you abandoned the underworld, neglecting matters of reincarnation, harboring personal feelings, and violating your past promise to the Heavenly Dao. Do you know your sin?”

Earth Store immediately stood up, looking through the hall’s ceiling to stare at Li Changsheng.

Li Changsheng opened his left hand, and dense Heavenly Dao power surged from all directions, transforming into clouds and mist, then into a great hand that reached directly downward, tearing apart the formation that had relied on Heavenly Dao power and grabbed Earth Store.

Li Changsheng’s sleeves fluttered as Earth Store transformed into a stream of light and entered his sleeve, unable to move further.

At this moment, heaven and earth were quite silent.

This silence wasn’t because the Western Sect’s last line of defense had been easily broken, but purely because of Earth Store’s reaction.

The moment that great hand grabbed him, just as divine light was about to surge around Earth Store, it was suppressed by some force, and he seemed to offer no resistance as Li Changsheng subdued him effortlessly.

The suppressive power of the Heavenly Dao hierarchy.

The mortal principle that a higher rank crushes those below was displayed thoroughly and completely in this primordial world.

This was the Heavenly Dao’s rule!

It was also the rule that those immortals and deities who would be sealed in the Investiture List during the Great Tribulation must follow.

After capturing Earth Store, Li Changsheng didn’t even look at the Western Sect’s last small group of disciples, saying with a smile: “There’s nothing more here, this minor deity will return to the Heavenly Court now.”

With these words he turned to leave, seeming unwilling to waste a moment here.

“Junior Fellow Changsheng!” Guangcheng Zi called out loudly: “If official business is complete, please stay to discuss today’s matters as the Second Disciple of the Great Senior Uncle!”

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother also said: “Junior Fellow Changsheng, can you stay to make a decision—should our Severing Sect eliminate them or what?”

Li Changsheng halted his steps, showing a troubled expression, and after humming briefly, said:

“Since that’s the case, I’ll speak some fair words.”

Most Severing Sect immortals smiled with narrowed eyes, while the Enlightenment Sect immortals all showed expressions of ‘there’s a good show to watch.’

Li Changsheng returned, descending with the Golden Peng between the two sects’ camps, level with where the thousands of Severing Sect and hundreds of Enlightenment Sect immortals stood.

He looked down at the half-remaining Spirit Mountain, then toward the Western Sect’s only remaining asset—the great hall.

“Why are there so many unfamiliar faces?” Li Changsheng asked puzzledly: “Could it be they aren’t Western Sect core disciples?”

The Western Sect crowd almost instantly despaired.

Golden Spirit Supreme Mother snorted: “Junior Fellow, you don’t know how calculating the Western Sect truly is.

They hid their real Senior Disciples of the Sage away to cultivate while sending converted disciples to commit evil everywhere, plunder wealth and methods, and bear the karmic burden.”

“I see.”

Li Changsheng stared intently at Spirit Mountain’s great hall for a while, then smiled and nodded: “Mm, I’ve noted them all down. We’ll all be familiar with each other from now on.”

Guangcheng Zi said: “What does Junior Fellow think should be done about today’s matter?

Our Enlightenment Sect came to persuade for peace—enemies should be reconciled rather than perpetuated.”

Li Changsheng said seriously:

“At this point, reconciliation seems impossible; however, you make one good point—it’s time to stop.

Since ancient times, the Western Sect has forcefully converted wandering immortals and strengthened those without destiny, committing many crimes for their rise. They deserve today’s tribulation.

But the Western Sect is still Sage’s great sect, and Sages are the foundation of the primordial world—this is a rule of heaven and earth we must follow.

To the Heavenly Dao, good and evil have no fixed measure.

Today the Western Sect has repaid their karmic debt to the Dao Sects, spitting out these years’ accounts with interest. Their loss is not small, and ending here would be appropriate.

However…”

Li Changsheng paused, looking toward Kasyapa and other Western Sect experts in the hall, showing a warm smile.

“Now that karma has been settled, grudges should fade with the wind.

Fellow Daoists of the Western Sect, why not make a Heavenly Dao oath that from today forward, you’ll never oppose the Dao Sects, focusing solely on rebuilding Spirit Mountain and cultivating virtue? Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

“Li Changsheng! Don’t push your luck!” an elderly Western Sect Daoist jumped up and cursed: “How can the hatred in our hearts be calmed? If you have the ability, then kill this poor—”

Whoosh—

Buzz!

Lightning flashed and immortal light churned.

Before the old Daoist could finish saying “poor,” a stream of light pierced directly through his neck. Experts on both sides tried to block it but were completely too late.

The Soul-Piercing Lock pulled out the old Daoist’s primordial spirit and destroyed it with a gentle twist.

Li Changsheng’s right hand moved slightly, the Soul-Piercing Lock vanishing into thin air as he pursed his lips and muttered:

“Ah, this is the first time in a thousand years of cultivation that I’ve heard such a request.

The Western Sect’s style is indeed unique.”

All the assembled immortals shuddered.