In the Zhou army’s main tent, Zhou Kingdom successor Ji Fa sat in the principal position, with Martial King Huang Feihu and Zhou Kingdom Grand Preceptor Jiang Shang seated to his left and right. The dozens of chairs arranged in two rows below were filled.

The right row was headed by Ji Dan, mostly occupied by members of the ‘Ji Chang Hundred Sons Group,’ representing Zhou Kingdom’s nobility.

The left side was even more impressive, with Guangcheng Zi, Chijing Zi, True Lord Yellow Dragon the bondage enthusiast, True Lord Tayi, True Lord Yuding, plus the soon-to-defect trio of Manjusri, Samantabhadra, and Cihang, followed by the ‘forgettable trio’ of Dao Xing, Spiritual Treasure Grand Master, and Qingxu.

Only Julusun was absent from such an important gathering.

At this time, Julusun was still suffering disaster in his cave dwelling, with his only recourse being to discipline his previously accepted disaster-blocking disciple Tulongsun.

Besides the Twelve Golden Immortals, powerful Merit Golden Immortals like Cloud Center Zi wouldn’t miss this either, with all their permissible disciples standing behind them.

After all, this Ten Absolute Formation had become a mountain pressing down on their heads.

And not just one mountain—but ten!

Not breaking the formation would mean losing this battle.

Losing face was a minor issue, but if they let the Severing Sect start accumulating momentum while the Enlightenment Sect fell into decline, it could affect the course of the great catastrophe.

The current situation had the catastrophe slightly favoring the Enlightenment Sect, with catastrophic fate entangling the Severing Sect.

Manjusri sighed: “Why is this grand formation so difficult to deal with?

This poor Daoist has calculated for a hundred days without finding any way to break it. It seems we can only break through with brute force.”

True Lord Yuding said: “Life gates overlap with death gates, ten formations interconnecting—breaking it is no simple matter.”

“What’s the rush?” True Lord Tayi smiled. “They set up a formation and we must charge in? Why not just pretend we don’t see it?”

“That’s not proper,” Chijing Zi said. “In magical combat and formation battles, this is how it goes. When the opponent draws the line, we must accept the challenge. Not accepting would invite mockery from cultivators across the Three Realms.”

True Lord Tayi said leisurely: “Since ancient times, people only laugh at the losers. Any method that leads to victory is good.

This is an army versus army situation, not just us immortals dueling.”

Guangcheng Zi frowned as he looked over, and True Lord Tayi shrugged, obediently keeping his mouth shut.

The assembled immortals then spoke one after another, offering strategies and discussing ways to break the formation.

True Lord Tayi couldn’t help but speak again: “Why don’t we just set up our own Twelve Golden Immortals Formation and let them try to break through? Don’t forget, we’re the defending side.”

The immortals frowned slightly, each falling silent in contemplation.

They hadn’t prepared for this beforehand—it would be quite rushed to attempt suddenly.

Little Nezha, riding his Wind Fire Wheels and accompanied by his Universe Ring, used the butt of his Fire-Tipped Spear to poke Tayi, transmitting:

“Master, you’ll have trouble making friends this way. My father says we should be kind to others and do more while talking less.”

True Lord Tayi silently shifted his immortal buttocks closer to True Lord Yuding, his eyes full of dismissiveness.

With the Ding present, what was there to fear?

Daoist Cihang, in a blue-green long dress, sighed lightly and said:

“The Ten Heavenly Lords’ magical powers aren’t particularly strong. In one-on-one combat, they wouldn’t be our match. Such a grand formation must have had guidance from a master…

It’s truly unprecedented and unseen.”

Guangcheng Zi smiled bitterly: “This poor Daoist finally understands why junior brother Changgeng hasn’t shown himself lately; he must have known early on that we would face such a difficult problem.”

True Lord Yellow Dragon said: “Senior brother, we shouldn’t say that. This Chain Formation isn’t necessarily taught by Changgeng.”

Just as the old dragon’s words fell, a great shout came from outside the military camp—it was Zhao Jiang of the Ten Heavenly Lords, challenging them from within the Ten Absolute Formation:

“The hundred days are up! If you don’t come to break the formation now, we’re coming over! Hahahahaha!

Our Ten Absolute Chain Formation is inherently unsolvable. Even if you invited junior brother Changgeng who taught us this method, he would have no solution!

Hahahahaha!

This formation is flawless!”

The Enlightenment Sect immortals: …

True Lord Yellow Dragon felt quite embarrassed and said softly: “How about this poor Daoist goes to request junior brother Changgeng to bestow a method to break the formation? Otherwise, it’s too unfair.”

True Lord Tayi snickered, strongly resisting the urge to speak.

Guangcheng Zi looked toward Ji Fa in the main seat, who immediately understood and brought out the lines he’d been saying for half a year, crying out with tears:

“Honored immortals, please save our Zhou Kingdom!

That Emperor Xin is tyrannical and cruel, killed my grandfather, imprisoned my father, tortured the loyal and good, and harmed his teachers. Now he has angered both heaven and man, provoking fury from both humans and gods!

Please, immortals, understand how difficult it was to establish our Zhou Kingdom, and protect our Zhou citizens from Emperor Xin’s slaughter!”

These words, Ji Fa had spoken countless times;

But each time they were spoken, they served their purpose.

This gave the Enlightenment Sect legitimate cause, allowing them to claim moral righteousness—they were merely responding to a request for aid, not intentionally interfering in mortal affairs.

“Good,” Guangcheng Zi said slowly. “Since that’s the case, we should discuss countermeasures today, break this Ten Absolute Formation, and make the Shang army collapse like a mountain.”

Ji Fa stood up and bowed, then sat back in his position without further words.

Though Martial King Huang Feihu had a variant ‘Five-Colored Divine Bull’ as his mount, he had no magical powers himself—he was just a mortal military commander skilled in strategy and warfare, so it wasn’t appropriate for him to speak now.

Jiang Shang stroked his beard and hummed in thought, then offered his unique insights:

“Though this Ten Absolute Chain Formation is difficult to deal with, it’s not truly unsolvable.

The way of immortal formations all have principles of formation-based transformation. Though the Chain Formation is strong, it still has many formation bases as its foundation.

If we can discover how the spiritual power operates within and blocks the Heaven Severing Formation’s spiritual energy support to the other nine formations, the Chain Formation will naturally weaken by thirty percent.

However… this would require ten experts to attempt, with not even thirty percent certainty of success—it’s far too dangerous.”

“I’ll go try exploring the formation again,” Yang Jian said in a deep voice.

“What’s the point of wandering around!”

True Lord Tayi turned his head to glare at Yang Jian, saying quietly: “You’re just a third-generation disciple, don’t try to show off.”

Yang Jian lowered his head and cupped his fists, saying nothing more.

Manjusri said: “Should we invite a few more experts to come?”

“Who else can we invite?” True Lord Yellow Dragon smiled bitterly. “We can’t possibly ask Master to come out of seclusion, right? But with this Ten Absolute Formation, who below the Sage level could break it?

Ten formations connected—it’s truly too domineering.”

“Could we lure them out?” Cloud Center Zi stroked his beard and mused lightly. “If we can’t enter the formation, make them leave it.”

“These ten friends aren’t all like Zhao Jiang,” Chijing Zi said. “This poor Daoist has met Qin Wan—he’s meticulous and not easily deceived.

With the grand formation as their backing, why would they come out to compete with us?”

True Lord Tayi said calmly: “That’s not necessarily true… Don’t look at this poor Daoist, I’ve already contributed to our Enlightenment Sect by taking the lead before. Surely you won’t make me play the villain again today?”

Guangcheng Zi sighed: “Junior brother speaks wrongly. This matter concerns our sect’s fate—how can you speak of villains?”

True Lord Tayi shook his head without speaking, and Guangcheng Zi couldn’t say much more.

Thus, the Zhou army camp was again filled with gloom, only able to hang their non-combat signs higher, their morale extremely low.

At the front of the Shang army camp, within the Ten Absolute Formation.

Zhao Jiang had called out challenges several times, each more provocative than the last, but the Enlightenment Sect side remained unmoved.

Big brother Qin Wan called everyone together, and the Ten Heavenly Lords gathered in the Heaven Severing Formation to discuss their next move. Zhao Jiang, whose challenges had gone unanswered, had grown somewhat angry.

Zhao Jiang said: “Didn’t we agree before coming?

If we defeat the Zhou army’s commanders, we’ll bear the karmic burden if we must!

At worst we can hide in the Chaos Sea—won’t their Enlightenment Sect’s calculations come to nothing then!”

“That’s incorrect.”

Qin Wan said seriously: “Shang has eight hundred feudal lords—what use is destroying just the Zhou family? Their Enlightenment Sect will just choose another family to support, claim the Shang ruler is tyrannical, and in a few years, there will be another Zhou Kingdom.

Moreover, slaughtering mortals is fundamentally wrong. In military matters, letting the two armies fight to determine victory is sufficient.

We currently hold the initiative—if we forcefully kill mortals, we’ll give them grounds for criticism, and our initiative will become passive.”

“Then what should we do?” Zhao Jiang anxiously stamped his feet.

Holy Mother Golden Light looked at her brothers and said seriously:

“If they won’t enter the formation, should we just wait here?

The army behind us is consuming provisions too, and we’re supposed to be the attacking side.”

“No matter,” Qin Wan sighed. “I’ve already sent word to nephew Wenzhong, telling him to quickly spread news claiming the Enlightenment Sect immortals were utterly defeated in our Ten Absolute Formation.

This way, we can try to force them to come to break the formation—best if we can capture their Twelve Golden Immortals.”

Red Water Formation Master Wang Bianding said firmly: “Big brother, just kill them outright! Why be polite with them!”

“The Twelve Golden Immortals are Second Uncle’s disciples and the Enlightenment Sect’s core. If we kill them directly, we risk provoking Second Uncle’s wrath, and possibly triggering a battle between Sages.

The Enlightenment Sect has the Western Religion’s support—Master doesn’t have the advantage.”

Qin Wan said in a deep voice: “We’ve only gained a temporary advantage through our formation—we can’t be blindly arrogant.

If we capture the Twelve Golden Immortals and take them back to Azure Lotus Palace, what face will the Enlightenment Sect have to compete with us? This way, the great catastrophe can find some registered disciples from both sects to enter the Investiture Platform.”

However, Holy Mother Golden Light said: “We shouldn’t harbor such thoughts now. Only by killing several of the Twelve Golden Immortals can we truly hurt the Enlightenment Sect!”

Raging Flame Formation Master Bai Li said: “How about this—we just destroy their cultivation but spare their lives? That way we leave some room for reconciliation.”

“That works too,” Qin Wan nodded slowly. “Fellow brothers and sisters should guard your formations. If anyone tries to break through, wound them first then destroy their cultivation—always leave some leeway.”

“Very well.”

“Fine.”

“We’ll follow Big Brother’s lead.”

Holy Mother Golden Light and the other nine immortals rose and made Daoist salutes, each transforming into streams of light and flying back to their positions in the Ten Absolute Formation.

Qin Wan sighed softly, his eyes revealing traces of worry as he silently pondered, growing even more melancholic.

He truly hadn’t expected…

That their Ten Absolute Chain Formation would have such a high upper limit, directly stopping the Twelve Golden Immortals.

It wasn’t just Qin Wan who hadn’t anticipated this—the Severing Sect’s side hadn’t prepared themselves mentally for this either.

The mighty Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment Sect, who matched the Severing Sect’s Eight Great Disciples in power, were now pinned down at Mount Qi by the Ten Heavenly Lords, who weren’t even considered core disciples of the Severing Sect.

During these three months, Daoist Duobao wore a constant smile, occasionally drinking with Zhao Gongming while discussing matters in private.

Unfortunately, just as the Severing Sect immortals collectively requested permission to reinforce the Ten Heavenly Lords and watch the Enlightenment Sect’s predicament, Ancestral Master Tongtian sent down another decree.

The decree stated: Do not move rashly.

Despite having the advantage, they were ordered to stay defensive. The Severing Sect immortals naturally found this hard to understand.

Though Daoist Duobao vaguely sensed the pressure his master was under, he still led several junior brothers and sisters to seek an audience with Ancestral Master Tongtian behind Azure Lotus Palace.

When they saw their master’s figure sitting quietly in the bamboo grove, all their dao hearts trembled simultaneously.

There, the Sage Lord’s temples showed two streaks of white hair, his eyes filled with deep worry.

The divination board before Ancestral Master Tongtian had several divination stones in slight disarray, as if deliberately disturbed.

“Master…”

Daoist Duobao called softly.

“What is it?”

Ancestral Master Tongtian asked without turning around.

Duobao said quietly: “Junior brother Qin Wan and the others have stumped the Enlightenment Sect. With the Ten Absolute Chain Formation deployed, the Enlightenment Sect is at a loss. Shouldn’t we fully support junior brother Qin Wan and the others?

This way, our chances of defeating the Enlightenment Sect…”

Ancestral Master Tongtian’s fingers trembled slightly, but he fell silent.

After a while, Ancestral Master Tongtian said: “They left against your master’s orders—why should you go support them?”

Duobao hurriedly signaled to the Holy Mother Turtle Spirit with his eyes. She quickly moved forward, kneeling beside Ancestral Master Tongtian, and said softly:

“Master~ Don’t be angry.

We can win against the Enlightenment Sect. Everyone wants to compete with them—perhaps if we defeat them thoroughly, the great catastrophe will resolve itself.”

Ancestral Master Tongtian’s stern expression finally broke as he looked at the Holy Mother Turtle Spirit somewhat helplessly.

Ancestral Master Tongtian said: “You truly are young and fearless. Your master isn’t being forbearing—I simply don’t want to send you to your deaths.”

Zhao Gongming asked: “Master, are you not confident in facing the Western Religion’s Two Sages and Second Uncle?

If we work together, we can hold off those two Western Sages for a while—we’re not completely without hope of victory.”

“You underestimate your Second Uncle too much.”

Ancestral Master Tongtian sighed slowly:

“Among the Three Friends of the Dao, your Big Uncle naturally has the strongest dao realm, but your Big Uncle has already expressed his stance on the Investiture catastrophe through Changgeng—he’s letting your master and Second Uncle handle it ourselves.

Bao should know how much your Second Uncle wants to sweep you all out the door and drag your master back to that small courtyard in Mount Kunlun to lecture for several kalpas.

Don’t harbor any illusions—when your Second Uncle strikes to kill you, he won’t show the slightest mercy.

When the Pangu Banner emerges, how can your master protect you?

Unless your master could borrow your Big Uncle’s Taiji Diagram, there would be no way to resist, and the Chaos Bell refuses to stay by your master’s side.”

Daoist Duobao asked quietly: “Can’t the Four Swords block it?”

Ancestral Master Tongtian said: “The Creation Axe’s blade is stained with the blood of countless Chaos Divine Demons. The reason it transformed into a banner is that if it took the form of any weapon, heaven and earth couldn’t withstand it.

Do you know why the catastrophic fate of the great catastrophe is now mostly entangled with our Severing Sect?

Having too many disciples is one reason, while the Master not wanting to oppose your Second Uncle is another reason.

Though the Green Pine Sword and Four Swords are sharp, heaven and earth can still bear them, and most of the Four Swords’ power lies in that formation diagram.”

Speaking to this point, Ancestral Master Tongtian sighed slowly.

“You’ve always thought that Joining Ridges and Holding Up Earth from the Western Religion allied with your Second Uncle against our Severing Sect because we had too many disciples, and only by working together could they offset this pressure.

Naturally, your master said the same, intending to get your Big Uncle to uphold justice and favor our side.

In reality, Joining Ridges and Holding Up Earth just want to curry favor with your Second Uncle—they’ve been currying favor since ancient times.

Let me show you.”

Ancestral Master Tongtian pushed forward with his left hand, quickly condensing a ring of smoke that revealed a scene within.

[The spiritual energy swirling everywhere made the scene slightly blurry, with gods and demons battling chaotically across the sky, seemingly fighting over some treasure.

In the center of the scene, a middle-aged Daoist was surrounded by dozens of Primordial Mighty Ones. He snorted coldly and grabbed a long banner.

The middle-aged Daoist’s arm shook, and waves of gray sword energy surged;

As the banner fluttered, dozens of Primordial Mighty Ones were beheaded, their mighty primordial spirits transforming into chaos energy before rapidly breaking down into pure spiritual energy.

Then, this middle-aged Daoist descended to where the fighting was fiercest. Expressionlessly waving the banner, streams of sword energy cut through the battle formation. Groups of Primordial Mighty Ones fell in swathes, while the rest who witnessed this immediately fled.

Only a few figures could barely block such sword energy, yet didn’t dare advance at all.

Finally, the middle-aged Daoist stopped.

He stood before a gourd vine, put away the seemingly ordinary ancient banner in his hand, and made a Daoist salute to the side:

‘Elder Brother, please go first.’

The swirling energy rippled slightly as an old Daoist sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion slowly appeared, reaching out to pick a purple-gold gourd.

The middle-aged Daoist revealed a gentle smile and said:

‘Junior Brother, please go next.’

To the side, a young Daoist carrying a sword came forward smiling and picked the gourd that looked most appealing to him.

Then the middle-aged Daoist took another one, leaving four gourds behind. Without even glancing at the figures wanting to rush over and snatch the treasures, he turned and walked away leisurely.

—’A True Account of the Three Pure Ones Picking Gourds’]

As the scene dissipated, Ancestral Master Tongtian sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion supporting his forehead, saying softly:

“Still, send down the order that no one is to move rashly or leave the immortal islands carelessly.

If you leave the immortal islands and become catastrophe ash, you’ll bear the consequences yourselves.

Your master believes I can match your Second Uncle, but cannot protect you from his hands.

In the most extreme scenario, if your master and Second Uncle both strike to kill each other’s disciples, you would be the first to fall.

This is just the most extreme hypothesis—though your Second Uncle is fierce, he wouldn’t go on an indiscriminate killing spree.”

Ancestral Master Tongtian’s eyes showed some peace as he said gently:

“Your master isn’t afraid to fight—I just can’t bear to lose you. You might remember: do not provoke your Second Uncle.

Gongming, how has Jinling been these days?”

“Still resting in Luofu Cave. The disciple has completely sealed the cave,” Zhao Gongming said. “Disciple fears she might cause trouble if she comes, so it’s better not to let her know about these matters.”

“Watch over Jinling well—she has the most impatient temperament. Let her focus on nurturing the pregnancy.”

Ancestral Master Tongtian waved his hand. The disciples, not knowing how to advise or strategize, could only lower their heads, make Daoist salutes, and withdraw.

That middle-aged Daoist had truly given them too much pressure.

Suddenly, Duobao, Zhao Gongming, Turtle Spirit, and Wudang all felt immense pressure.

Just one Second Uncle already left them almost unable to breathe, and now it was confirmed that the Western Religion’s two Sages would assist Second Uncle.

Zhao Gongming’s eyelid suddenly twitched.

He said: “I’ll go back first to check on Jinling’s condition.”

Duobao asked: “Do you need an elder brother to send you?”

“No need,” Zhao Gongming smiled and took out a paper figure, shaking it gently. “Changgeng made me several paper avatars, and I placed three by Jinling’s side.

I just need to find a place to meditate, and my consciousness can transfer over.”

Duobao: …

Suddenly found the next item for his treasure vault!

…

Meanwhile.

Thousands of li west of Mount Qi, atop a high peak, an old Daoist holding [Seven Treasure Wondrous Tree – Young Branch Version] slightly curled his lip.

“Ten Absolute Formation, mere Ten Heavenly Lords, hmph!”

His eyes showed slight disdain, mixed with some impatience.

Then he transformed, becoming a white-haired Daoist holding an ancient lamp, stroking his white beard as he rode a cloud toward the Zhou camp.

Before landing, the old Daoist immediately recited a poem:

“Born in pure lotus platform’s pristine light,

Untroubled and carefree, a transcendent sight.

As great doom descends, all beings grow still,

Bodhi in heart returns to truth’s height.

Now from the West come teachings profound,

Tomorrow in seclusion, grace is yet to abound.

Heaven and earth’s boundless transformations wind,

My way and dharma are eternally sound.

Hehe.

This poor Daoist brings a lamp to assist fellow Enlightenment Sect friends in discussing how to break the Ten Absolute Chain Formation of Heaven’s Killing Array!”

The Enlightenment Sect immortals were stunned—during his recitation, their immortal awareness only just detected his presence. This point alone proved he must be a master.

At this moment, the Enlightenment Sect immortals’ intelligence levels received a direct response.

True Lord Tayi’s mouth twitched slightly as he moved closer to True Lord Yuding, saying impatiently:

“Where did this wild Daoist come from, barging in anywhere he pleases?”

Though he wanted to directly say ‘get lost,’ he ultimately followed his heart.

Even so, the smiling old Daoist’s expression changed instantly.

“Show some respect!”

Guangcheng Zi immediately stood up, glaring at Tayi as he hurried toward the tent’s exit. “This is a master I invited to help us. Fellow junior brothers and sisters, don’t be discourteous—quickly follow elder brother to welcome him.”

The ‘Lamp-Bearing’ old Daoist’s expression finally softened slightly as he gave meaningful looks toward True Lord Tayi and True Lord Yuding, who remained seated without moving.

Yellow Dragon, already feeling somewhat depressed, couldn’t help muttering:

“What master? Could he be greater than the Three Teachings’ Big Brother? This poor Daoist has never heard of him.

‘Way eternal, dharma enduring’—such grand words, acting like he’s an immortal, undying Sage Lord.

Hmph, we’ll see who loses face in the end.”

True Lord Yuding felt somewhat helpless and had to add:

“My master, Original Heavenly Lord.”