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

Tongtian gazed at the vast emptiness and nodded slightly:

"Fellow Daoist's sword strike has indeed benefited me greatly."

"The bottleneck that had held for hundreds of millions of dollars has been broken so easily today."

"I owe you a favor, fellow Daoist."

Taixu shook his head, the movement was very light:

You don't owe me anything.

"You accumulated your billions on your own; I just happened to be standing in front of you at that moment."

"Without that accumulation, even if I stand in front of you for ten thousand years, you will not be able to break through."

Tongtian didn't stand on ceremony any further.

He stood with his hands behind his back at the edge of the primordial wilderness, gazing at the gray figure and sensing the sword intent flowing around it, before slowly speaking:

"I have already witnessed your sword strike just now, fellow Daoist."

"Fellow Daoist's sword is indeed incomparably sharp, but it is also indeed troubled by obsession."

"If you are willing to let go of your obsession and use your pure sword heart to refine that sword intent, the threshold of Hunyuan Taiji may not be that far away."

Taixu looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded:

That's why I came to find you.

"Xuandu said that your sword heart is pure and has never wavered for countless eons."

"Now that I've seen it, it's indeed so."

"Your swordsmanship is far more complete than mine."

"I intend to stay here for a while and have a serious discussion with you."

Upon hearing this, Tongtian's smile deepened.

"it is good."

"Fellow Daoist, you may stay as long as you wish."

"There is still vacant space in Biyou Palace."

Taixu did not answer, but simply nodded slightly, which was taken as an agreement.

Two figures walked slowly towards Jin'ao Island, one after the other.

The sharp sword intent gradually subsided with Taixu's steps, no longer being released without reservation as before.

At the edge of the primordial wilderness, the surging chaotic energy finally returned to calm.

The aftershocks of this sword duel have yet to dissipate.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, Haotian slowly sat back on the dragon throne.

He sensed the sharp sword intent at the edge of the primordial world slowly receding, and felt that the aura around Tongtian had stabilized at a new level. The taut string in his heart finally relaxed a little.

"Seventh Heaven of Sainthood..."

He muttered to himself, his voice carrying an indescribable complexity.

"The Tongtian Sect Leader has actually broken through."

"A hundred million yuan would be stuck in the fifth level, but now that it has broken through, it will reach the seventh level."

"This foundation is indeed terrifyingly profound."

He gazed at the Investiture of the Gods, at the five silent true spirits on the list, and his apprehension deepened.

The foundation of the Jie Sect is becoming increasingly solid.

First, the man in blue robes from Xuandu, who was known for his unparalleled strategic planning, traveled far into the depths of chaos with his cultivation at the peak of the half-step Hunyuan Taiji realm.

Then the Tongtian Sect Leader also broke through to the seventh level of the Saint Realm, returning to the top level of the Heavenly Dao Saint.

Now, another being at the peak of the half-step Hunyuan Taiji realm has arrived, sitting and discussing swordsmanship with Tongtian in Biyou Palace.

The three layers of foundation of the Jie Sect are deeper and more terrifying than the last.

Haotian closed his eyes slightly, leaned back on the dragon throne, and remained silent for a long time.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, a hint of determination in his gaze:

"It seems that I need to lower my stance on the Jie Sect even further."

"No, not just a fraction, but the whole thing."

"From this day forward, in all matters of the Heavenly Court, those related to the Jie Sect shall be prioritized."

"If there is a conflict, take the initiative to avoid it."

"We will fully cooperate if needed."

"We can't hesitate any longer."

"With Tongtian breaking through the seventh level of the Heavenly Realm and that terrifying sword intent guarding the Jie Sect, the Heavenly Court has absolutely no right to be on equal footing with the Jie Sect."

"While there is still some lingering goodwill, taking the initiative to show goodwill is the way to ensure a lasting relationship."

He raised his hand and summoned the celestial official standing to the side:

"Issue my decree."

"From this day forward, the Heavenly Court will send 30% of the Chaos Stones to the Jie Sect in the East Sea as support for the cultivation of the Jie Sect fellow practitioners."

"Furthermore, I will personally write a letter and send it to Jin'ao Island to congratulate the Tongtian Sect Leader on his breakthrough."

Upon hearing this, the celestial official was greatly shocked.

Three-tenths of the Chaos Stone?

That's 30% of the Heavenly Court's annual income, meaning the Heavenly Court only keeps 70% for its own operation.

Your Majesty is going to use all the power of Heaven to befriend the Jie Sect.

But he didn't ask any further questions, he simply kowtowed and replied:

"I obey your decree."

Haotian watched the departing figure of the celestial official and closed his eyes slightly.

He knew in his heart that these thirty percent of the Chaos Stones were not a gift, but a pledge of loyalty.

It was an attitude shown to the Jie Sect, a sincerity shown to Tongtian, and a stance shown to that terrifying sword intent.

Although the Investiture of the Gods was in his hands, he never forgot that it was given to him by Xuandu.

If Xuandu hadn't let go, Haotian would probably still be struggling in that nominal position of Jade Emperor.

He accepted this favor, and therefore he had to repay it.

The best way to repay this kindness is to show the Jie Sect his respect.

Meanwhile, in the Biyou Palace on Jin'ao Island, Tongtian and Taixu sat facing each other.

Purple clouds swirled, and jade carpeted the ground. The sharp sword intent flowed slowly through the palace, yet it did not extend outwards in the slightest, like a sword beast returning to its sheath, having concealed all its sharpness.

Taixu gazed at Tongtian, his sharp eyes flashing with an uncertain light:

"Tongtian, you just said that there is a crack in my sword heart."

"How can I repair that crack?"

Tongtian looked at him and thought for a moment:

"The way to repair the crack is very simple."

"Let go of your obsessions and return to your true self."

"When you pick up the sword, don't think about breaking through the threshold of Hunyuan Taiji, just think about the sword itself."

"Where the sword tip points is the enemy, the path, and the purest will in your heart."

"When you stop thinking about that threshold, it will appear in front of you instead."

Taixu remained silent.

He slowly closed his eyes, and the sword intent flowed gently through his body.

He didn't speak again, but just sat there, as if digesting Tongtian's words, or as if re-examining his path in the billion-dollar club.

Tongtian said no more and sat down opposite Taixu with his eyes closed.

Inside Biyou Palace, two sword intents intertwined silently, like two ceaseless rivers flowing into the same sea.

This duel is far from over.

And on the shore of the East China Sea, beneath the Martial Arts Heavenly Stele.

Yu has returned.

He stood before the Heavenly Stele, his martial arts laws surging endlessly around him, and his resolute face still carried a trace of undiminished passion.

The martial arts practitioners behind him gathered around, their eyes filled with anticipation.

"Senior brother, how is it?"

"Just who is the owner of that aura?"

"Has the Tongtian Sect Leader really broken through?"

Yu took a deep breath, looked at everyone, and said, word by word:

"The owner of that aura is named Taixu."

"He comes from the Xuanji Heaven Domain and is a sword cultivator at the peak of the half-step Hunyuan Taiji realm."

"It was Master who invited him."

"He came to the prehistoric world to debate swordsmanship with the Tongtian Sect Leader."

"Under the surge of his sword intent, Master Tongtian broke through to the seventh level of the Saint Realm in one fell swoop."

As the sound faded, silence fell abruptly beneath the Heavenly Stele.

The martial arts practitioners looked at each other in disbelief and shock.

"A half-step peak of Hunyuan Taiji?"

"Even stronger than the Dao Ancestor Hongjun back then?"

"Master actually invited such a being to the Primordial World?"