Primordial Era: Cultivation level equals the sum of the Jie Sect's total; the Three Pure Ones a

Upon seeing Laozi's figure appear, Xuandu was greatly alarmed.

Good guy!

Before he transmigrated, his predecessor knelt and worshipped at the foot of Shouyang Mountain for several years, enduring wind and rain, but never saw this Taiqing Sage appear.

He had just arrived at Jin'ao Island using a teleportation talisman and hadn't even settled down when he was followed closely behind?

What's going on here?

They didn't come earlier or later, but they appeared precisely at the crucial moment when I was preparing to switch allegiance and join the Jie Sect.

Xuandu felt a chill run up his spine and straight to the top of his head.

Are the supernatural powers of a sage truly so terrifying?

Even with the power of the system, which allowed him to traverse the endless wilderness in an instant, he was still unable to escape.

Or perhaps... this sage Laozi had already foreseen everything, but simply chose not to pay attention before?

Now that he sees he's about to run away, he can't sit still anymore?

Countless thoughts flashed through Xuan Du's mind in a flash, and cold sweat had already seeped out on his back.

He stood frozen in place, not daring to move.

The figure in front of him was simple and ordinary.

Yet it seemed to be the center of the entire world.

No words are needed, no actions are needed.

The mere existence of the object caused Xuandu to catch his breath and tremble with fear.

That is an insurmountable gap on a spiritual level.

It is the insignificance and powerlessness of ants facing the vast sky.

Just as Xuandu's mind raced with anxiety and fear,

A completely different aura suddenly erupted from the depths of Jin'ao Island!

Sharp, resolute, carrying the supreme sword intent to cut through all constraints and seize a sliver of life!

In an instant, the indifferent pressure that had enveloped all directions was dispelled.

The sky seemed to be torn apart by invisible sword energy.

The stagnant wind began to flow again, and the suppressed waves surged once more.

A streak of azure light, like a startled swan or a bolt of lightning, flashed from the core of Jin'ao Island.

The light faded, revealing a Taoist priest in green robes.

With an upright posture, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, his body exuded a natural flow of sword energy that seemed to cleave through the void.

He had a slight smile on his face, and his eyes were fixed on Lao Tzu.

The Master of Heaven bowed respectfully and asked in confusion:

"Brother."

"What wind blew you from Shouyang Mountain to my Jin'ao Island?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the trembling human youth beside Laozi.

Xuan Du was completely devoid of pure energy, his bloodline was mortal, and he was clearly a mortal body that had never cultivated.

How could an ordinary human possibly alarm my elder brother and have him personally come to the East Sea?

He was surprised, but his smile remained unchanged. He hid his doubts in his eyes and waited for Laozi to speak.

Xuandu felt as if his soul had been cleansed by the sword light after being swept over by Tongtian's gaze. Although there was no pressure, all his thoughts seemed to be exposed.

He saw a hint of doubt flash in Tongtian's eyes, and then he saw Laozi standing silently, his aura as deep as the sea, and his heart tightened.

not good!

If I wait for Laozi to speak first and confirm the master-disciple relationship, then I would be going against the dignity of the sage if I wanted to switch sides. That would be absolutely impossible!

Now or never!

We must seize the initiative!

Life or death, success or failure, hinges on this one battle!

Xuandu gritted his teeth, suppressed his instinctive fear of the sage, and took a step forward.

This step required all the courage he had as a mortal.

He bowed deeply in the direction of the Tongtian Sect Leader, cupping his hands in a salute, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness:

"This junior, Xuandu of the human race, pays respects to the Sage Tongtian!"

"Now the demon race is rampant, slaughtering all living beings. Our human race is weak, like ants and weeds, living for only a day or two!"

"Though Xuandu's power is weak, he is willing to fight for the lives of the human race and seize that sliver of hope!"

"I humbly beseech the Sage to have mercy and accept me into the Jie Sect so that I may learn the supreme Dharma and protect my human race!"

Each word was powerful and resonant, like metal or stone falling to the ground.

In this desolate world, it appeared exceptionally clear.

As soon as he finished speaking, the air seemed to freeze completely.

Upon hearing this, the Tongtian Sect Leader raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of genuine surprise flashing in his eyes.

He looked at Xuandu, then at Laozi whose face remained calm and composed, and suddenly understood.

It turned out to be the case.

This kid actually came here to join his Jie Sect?

And the eldest brother... came for this very child.

Interesting, really interesting.

How could a human with no background attract the personal attention of the Taiqing Sage and lead him to Jin'ao Island?

There must be something fishy about this child.

What impressed him even more was Xuandu's courage and decisiveness.

How dare a mere mortal speak first in front of two sages and frankly express his thoughts?

"To seize a glimmer of hope for humanity?"

These words are in line with his teachings of the Jie Sect and directly point to the core of the Jie Sect.

This boy is just what he wants!

The smile on the Tongtian Sect Leader's lips became more genuine, and his gaze toward Xuandu held a newfound scrutiny and interest.

However, before he could speak, a voice that was extremely calm, yet seemed to contain the rules of the heavens, slowly rang out.

"This child is destined to be with me."

Lao Tzu finally spoke.

His gaze did not fall on Xuandu, but remained fixed on Tongtian, his tone indifferent and devoid of any warmth.

"I have already calculated that he will join the Human Religion and inherit my lineage."

These two simple sentences seem to state a given fact.

The rules of heaven and earth that had just been dispersed by the Heaven-Reaching Sword Intent converged towards Laozi once again.

Xuan Du's heart trembled violently. He felt as if an invisible shackle had fallen from the sky, trying to lock him firmly in place and forcibly reverse the trajectory of his fate.

His face turned pale, and he almost lost his balance.

"Oh?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader laughed out loud, and his sharp sword intent suddenly erupted, quietly slicing open the invisible rules that bound him.

"Brother, you are mistaken."

"Fate and Dharma are intertwined; even with affinity, there must be Dharma."

"This child's heart is with the Jie Sect, and he is willing to defy Heaven's will. This is his own method and his own wish."

"My elder brother established the teachings of humanity, emphasizing non-action and purity."

"This child, however, is obsessed with fighting for humanity. His nature and will are more in line with the ideals of our Jie Sect."

His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Laozi, his words unyielding:

"A forced relationship will not be sweet. Since you advocate non-action, why force a disciple whose heart is not in it?"

"It would be better to grant his wish and also fulfill this karmic connection between our Jie Sect and him."

The two sages spoke plainly, yet the beginnings of a debate on the Dao were already evident.

One speaks of predetermined fate, the other of predestination.

Invisible ripples of the Great Dao collided in the void.

The world lost its color, the East Sea churned, and the clouds dispersed, revealing a clear blue sky. But beneath that blue sky, the rules had become disordered.

On Jin'ao Island, all the immortals were alarmed.

Powerful divine senses cautiously probed out, touching the terrifying ripples of the Great Dao outside the island, only to retreat in horror.

Daoist Duobao, Holy Mother Jinling, Holy Mother Wudang, Holy Mother Guiling...

One by one, the direct disciples appeared, gazing out of the island with solemn expressions.

Zhao Gongming stood on a cloud, his brows furrowed; the Three Immortal Maidens of Sanxiao gathered together, their beautiful eyes filled with astonishment and doubt.

They all felt their master's soaring sword intent, and even more so, they felt another vast, indifferent, and ruthless holy might, like the Dao of Heaven.

"It is the Sage Taiqing..."

"Duobao Daoist said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with disbelief."

Why did the Sage of Taiqing personally come?

They are still in a standoff with their master?

All because of that... mortal?

Countless gazes instantly focused on that tiny, dust-like figure on the shore.

Xuan Du was at the eye of the storm and felt it most intensely.

On one hand, there is the principle of non-action, where all things are fixed.

On one hand, there is the path of cutting through the heavens, and everything has a chance of change.