Primordial Era: Starting by overwhelming the Sages, Hongjun was stunned!

Chaos surged.

Jin'ao Island floats in the void.

Three thousand disciples stood in formation before the Hall of the Intercepting Sect.

The Holy Mother of Golden Spirit stood at the forefront, holding a sword in her hand, her eyes flashing like lightning.

The Holy Mother of Wudang stands on the right, her whisk gently waving, her face serene.

Wu Yunxian, holding the Hunyuan Hammer, stood on the left, exuding a murderous aura.

Zhao Gongming, the Three Immortals of Sanxiao, and the Ten Heavenly Lords stood in order.

Three thousand travelers in the mortal world, a dark mass, their momentum like a rainbow.

Tongtian sat on the high platform, looking down at his disciples.

A feeling I had never experienced before welled up inside me.

That wasn't hatred, resentment, or bitterness.

Is hope.

It is the hope for the Jie Sect to rise from the dead and be reborn from the ashes.

He spoke, his voice resounding throughout the hall:

"From this day forward, the Jie Sect will be rebuilt."

"From this day forward, you are no longer servants of the Heavenly Court, nor prisoners on the Investiture of the Gods."

"You are disciples of the Jie Sect, and my disciples, Tongtian."

"No one can bully you anymore."

The disciples shouted in unison:

"May the Jie Sect live ten thousand years! May its leader live ten thousand years!"

The sound shook the chaos and resounded throughout the three realms.

Kong Xuan stood beside the palace gate, watching this scene unfold.

The small white flower on the lapel swayed gently.

He thought of the monk and the monkey.

I remembered the road that didn't require me to kneel.

The Jie Sect must also take this path.

I will not kneel to the Heavenly Court, nor to Mount Ling, nor to anyone else.

I only kneel to heaven and earth, only kneel to my master, and only kneel to my own heart.

Tongtian looked towards Kong Xuan:

"Fellow Daoist, what should we do next?"

Kong Xuan said calmly:

Three things.

"First, stabilize the temple."

"Second, recall the old troops."

Third, establish rules.

Tongtian nodded:

"How to make it stable?"

Kong Xuan looked out at the chaos beyond the island:

"Although Jin'ao Island was the sect leader's training ground, it was abandoned for too long after the Investiture of the Gods."

"The restrictions need to be rearranged, and the island's protective array needs to be rebuilt."

"Leave this to me."

Tongtian was taken aback: "Fellow Daoist, you're personally taking action?"

Kong Xuan nodded:

"It saves me time and effort to take action."

"Moreover, this formation cannot be an ordinary formation."

"Even if a sage were to come, he wouldn't get any benefit."

The disciples in the hall all gasped in shock.

A formation that even saints cannot benefit from?

The vice leader is defying the heavens!

Kong Xuan did not explain.

He simply turned and walked off the island.

Standing amidst chaos, hands behind his back.

Raise your hand.

Five fingers lightly raised.

A wisp of chaotic light drifted out from the fingertip.

Its radiance was gentle and warm like water, yet it possessed an indescribable mystery.

It drifted around Jin'ao Island and disappeared into the chaos.

next moment.

"Buzz!"

A soft chime.

The entire Jin'ao Island trembled violently.

Outside the island, chaos reigned, surging like a turbulent tide.

Golden lines spread out from the island base.

Like tree roots, like blood vessels, like veins.

Densely packed, layer upon layer.

It completely enveloped the entire island.

A faint, chaotic light flowed over the patterns.

It exudes a chilling, oppressive aura.

Kong Xuan withdrew his hand.

He turned around and walked back into the hall.

"alright."

The disciples were dumbfounded.

alright?

Is that all?

With a wave of his hand, a protective array for the island was set up?

The Golden Spirit Mother asked softly, "Vice Sect Leader, what level is this formation?"

Kong Xuan said calmly, "No one below the Primordial Chaos Limitless Golden Immortal level can break this barrier."

There was a dead silence in the hall.

Below the level of Hunyuan Wuji Jiluo Jinxian, no one can break through it.

What does that mean?

That means that, apart from the Vice Leader himself, no one in the world can breach Jin'ao Island.

Even if the Dao Ancestor Hongjun came, he would have to stand outside.

Tongtian stared at Kong Xuan, his eyes filled with shock.

He knew Kong Xuanqiang, but he didn't expect him to be this strong.

With a single gesture, he unleashed a formation that even he couldn't break.

What an incredible, heaven-defying method!

Kong Xuan didn't care about the gazes of the crowd.

He simply walked to the side of the palace gate and stood still again.

"The first thing is done."

"The second thing is to recall the old subordinates."

How many people on the list haven't returned yet?

The Holy Mother of Golden Spirits took out the bamboo slips and unfolded them:

"Reporting to the Vice Leader, the list contains a total of 3,650 people."

"Three thousand people have returned."

"There are still 650 people scattered throughout the Three Realms, their whereabouts unknown."

Kong Xuan nodded:

"These people must be found one by one."

"Bring it back alive."

"Remember the dead."

Jin Ling nodded: "This disciple understands."

Kong Xuan looked towards Tongtian:

"Master, the third thing is to establish rules."

"The reconstruction of the Jie Sect cannot be without rules."

"The reason why the Jie Sect was destroyed was partly because it had too many disciples, and the quality of them was uneven."

"Some bully others by taking advantage of their power, while others commit crimes."

"These mistakes must not be repeated."

Tongtian remained silent.

He knew Kong Xuan was right.

Back then, when the Jie Sect had ten thousand immortals paying homage, there were indeed quite a few wicked people among its disciples.

It was these very people who brought disaster upon the Jie Sect.

Tongtian nodded:

"Fellow Daoist is right."

"From this day forward, the Jie Sect establishes new rules."

He stood up and looked at his disciples:

"First, one must not bully others by abusing one's power."

"Second, the killing of innocent people must not be carried out indiscriminately."

"Third, fellow disciples must not kill each other."

Fourth, they must not collude with foreign enemies.

Fifth, one must not betray the Jie Sect.

"Those who violate this rule will be expelled from the Jie Sect and never to rejoin."

The disciples shouted in unison, "We obey the Master's decree!"

Tongtian sat down again and looked at Kong Xuan:

"Fellow Daoist, what do you think?"

Kong Xuan nodded: "That's enough."

"It's not about having many rules, but about being able to follow them."

"Only by holding on can the Jie Sect endure."

Tongtian nodded slightly.

The hall returned to calm.

But beneath that calm, something indescribable was stirring.

That is hope.

That was a new beginning.

That was the Jie Sect's true determination to stand up.

Kong Xuan stood beside the palace gate, gazing at the churning chaos outside.

The small white flower on her lapel swayed gently in the wind.

He remembered the monk.

Even monks have rules.

Do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not lie, and do not drink alcohol.

That monk remained faithful for ten lifetimes.

Even if you are plotted against, hunted down, or used as a pawn.

He has never broken the rules.

Such a person is a true spiritual practitioner.

Kong Xuan's lips curled slightly.

There are quite a few interesting people in this world.

In the distance, amidst chaos.

Two figures slowly approached.

Duobao walked in front, and Tathagata followed behind.

One in front of the other, three steps apart.

Not far, not near.

It feels like being separated by endless years, yet also like being separated by only a thin sheet of paper.

Kong Xuan gazed at the two figures and said calmly:

"Master, they're back."

The sky is high.

Looking at the two figures outside the hall, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

Duobao stepped into the hall and knelt down to pay his respects:

"Master, your disciple has returned."

Tongtian nodded: "Get up."

Duobao stood up and stood aside.

The Buddha stood outside the temple gate and did not enter.

He gazed into the hall, at the figure in green robes on the high platform.

My feet felt like they were nailed to the ground.

I can't move.

Tongtian looked at him without urging him.

He simply said, "Come in."

The Buddha took a deep breath and stepped forward.

step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

They walked to the center of the hall and stopped.

He looked up at the towering peak and opened his mouth.

But I don't know what to call it.

Call me Master?

He is the Tathagata, the ancestor of all Buddhas.

He's called the Tongtian Sect Master?

He is Duobao's junior brother and a disciple of the Jie Sect.

Tongtian looked at him but did not press him.

He simply said, "Sit down."

The Buddha sat down.

Duobao also sat down.

The three disciples were separated by thousands of years of grudges and by the chasm between Buddhism and the Jie Sect.

They sat facing each other.

No one spoke in the hall.

silence.

A long silence followed.

The disciples in the hall watched this scene, but none of them dared to utter a sound.

Kong Xuan stood to the side of the palace gate without saying a word.

This is a matter between the master and apprentice; outsiders shouldn't interfere.

Finally, Tongtian spoke:

"Duobao, have you made up your mind?"

Duobao nodded: "It's decided."

"This disciple will not return."

"But your disciple will always be a member of the Jie Sect."

"I will always be my master's disciple."

Tongtian nodded: "Okay."

He looked at the Buddha: "And you?"

The Buddha remained silent for a long time.

He spoke slowly, "Neither will my disciple return."

"But this disciple will remember who he is."

"Where do we come from, and where are we going?"

"I won't forget."

Tongtian looked at him, his eyes slightly red:

"it is good."

"If I don't come back, I won't come back."

"But you must remember, the gates of the Jie Sect are always open to you."

"Come back whenever you want."

The two knelt down together: "Thank you, Master."

He kowtowed three times.

"Thump. Thump. Thump."

His forehead struck the stone slab with heavy thuds.

There was no obstacle to reaching the heavens.

He simply gazed at his two disciples.

My heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Duobao stood up, walked to Kong Xuan, and bowed deeply:

"Vice Leader, thank you."

Kong Xuan looked at him and asked, "What are you thanking me for?"

Duobao said, "Thank you, Vice Master, for saving my master and the Jie Sect."

"Vice Master Xie has given this disciple a chance to come back and visit."

Kong Xuan shook his head: "No need to thank me."

"It's my duty."

Duobao looked at him and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, yet it conveyed a sense of relief.

He turned and walked out of the hall.

Tathagata also rose, bowed deeply to Tongtian, and turned to leave.

Two figures, one in front of the other, walked out of the Jiejiao Hall.

Leaving Jin'ao Island, they disappeared into chaos.

One returned to Mount Ling and became his Buddha.

One returned to Buddhism and became his disciple, Duobao.

But they know.

From this day forward, things will be different.

I have roots in my heart, I have a place to belong.

No matter where you go, you will never get lost again.

Tongtian stared at the two disappearing figures, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long silence, he said softly:

"Fellow Daoist, do you think they will come back?"

Kong Xuan didn't turn around: "I don't know."

"But they still have the Jie Sect in their hearts, and they have you as their master."

That's enough.

Tongtian nodded: "That's enough."

He got up and walked out of the hall.

Standing on the edge of the island, watching the chaos churn.

Her robes fluttered in the wind, and her long hair flew in the air.

At this moment, he was no longer the prisoner who had been imprisoned for endless years.

Not the loser kneeling in the Purple Cloud Palace.

He is the Master of the Heavenly Realm.

He is the leader of the Jie Sect.

He is the sage of Shangqing.

Kong Xuan walked to his side and stood with his hands behind his back.

The two stood side by side, gazing at the chaos.

a long time.

Kong Xuan spoke:

"Master, it's time to do something big."

Tongtian turned his head: "What important matter?"

Kong Xuan gazed into the distance, at that vast, ancient land:

"Let the Three Realms know that the Jie Sect has returned."

"It's not just the Heavenly Court, it's not just Mount Ling."

"It's every corner, every living being."

"Let them know that the Jie Sect is not dead."

"Tongtian is still here."

Tongtian looked at him, his eyes gleaming.

"it is good."

"Then let the Three Realms know."

"The Jie Sect has returned."

......

Three days later.

Amidst the chaos, a cloud boat slowly sailed in.

On the boat, the Jade Emperor wore a plain robe and crown, his face pale.

Behind him, the four Celestial Masters stood with their heads bowed.

There were no ceremonial guards, no drums or music, only silence.

The cloud boat landed outside Jin'ao Island.

The Jade Emperor stepped off the cloud boat, his steps unsteady.

He gazed at the island, at the Jiejiao Temple, and at the three thousand disciples before it.

A bitter feeling welled up in my heart.

Back then, the disciples of the Jie Sect were listed one by one on the Investiture of the Gods.

He sat in the Lingxiao Palace, looking at those names, his heart filled with joy.

They were delighted that the Heavenly Court had more servants, and that their dragon throne was now more secure.

He never imagined that one day he would be standing here.

Standing on Jin'ao Island.

Standing in front of the Jie Sect.

Standing before those whom he had enslaved for countless years.

apologize.

apologize.

Kneel down.

The Jade Emperor took a deep breath and stepped forward.

He stopped in front of the Jiejiao Hall.

Looking at the figure in green robes on the high platform in the hall, and at the figure in black robes beside the hall door.

He slowly knelt down.

"Thump."

The knees hit the ground with a dull thud.

Behind him, all the celestial beings of Heaven knelt down.

The Jade Emperor spoke, his voice hoarse:

"Master Tongtian, I... am guilty."

The three words were uttered, and the area in front of the hall fell into a deathly silence.

The Jade Emperor continued:

"During the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, the Heavenly Court aided and abetted the tyranny of King Zhou, imprisoning the disciples of the Jie Sect for countless years."

"I know my crime, I confess my crime."

"Today, I, along with all the immortals of Heaven, apologize to the Jie Sect."

"Please forgive me, Master."

As soon as he finished speaking, he kowtowed.

His forehead touched the ground, and he remained motionless.

Three thousand disciples watched this scene unfold before the hall.

Some had tears in their eyes, some clenched their fists, and some trembled all over.

Zhao Gongming stared intently at the Jade Emperor, his eyes filled with hatred.

He wanted to rush up and smash the skull with one punch.

But he didn't move.

Because the master did not move.

On the high platform, Tongtian sat regally.

He looked at the Jade Emperor kneeling on the ground, at this once high and mighty ruler of the Heavenly Court.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me.

There was hatred, resentment, and a trace of indescribable weariness.

But more than anything, it's a sense of relief.

Imprisonment for endless years, suffering for endless years, waiting for endless years.

Finally, this day has come.

He spoke, his voice calm:

Get up.

The Jade Emperor looked up and was stunned.

Tongtian looked at him:

"Your sins, I... no, I have remembered them."

"But I won't kill you."

"Because killing you won't bring back the lives of my disciples."

"Remember this: from this day forward, the Heavenly Court and the Jie Sect will keep to themselves."

"If he/she does it again..."

He paused, his eyes turning icy cold:

"It's not something that can be solved by kneeling down and kowtowing."

The Jade Emperor kowtowed:

"Thank you, Master."

He stood up, his steps unsteady.

Behind him, the celestial beings of Heaven also rose to their feet.

The Jade Emperor turned around, about to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Kong Xuan spoke.

The Jade Emperor froze, then slowly turned around.

Kong Xuan looked at him and said calmly:

"What about compensation?"

The Jade Emperor's expression changed, and he quickly took out a storage bag from his sleeve, presenting it with both hands:

"Tens of millions of spirit stones and hundreds of magical treasures are all contained within."

Kong Xuan took it and casually tossed it to Jin Ling.

Jin Ling opened it, took a look, and nodded:

"Vice Leader, the number is correct."

Kong Xuan nodded slightly and looked at the Jade Emperor:

"You can leave now."

The Jade Emperor felt as if he had been granted a pardon and turned to leave.

The celestial beings of Heaven followed closely behind, looking utterly disheveled.

The cloud boat sailed away and disappeared into the chaos.

In front of the Jiejiao Hall, three thousand disciples watched the departing cloud boat.

Some laughed, some cried, and some remained silent.

Zhao Gongming slowly loosened his clenched fist.

He gazed in the direction where the Jade Emperor had disappeared, and murmured:

"He got off too easily."

Yunxiao said softly:

"Senior brother, that's enough."

"He knelt down, apologized, and offered compensation."

"It is known throughout the Three Realms that the Jie Sect has returned."

That's enough.

Zhao Gongming remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

On the high platform, Tongtian rose up.

He looked at his disciples and spoke, word by word:

"From this day forward, the debt between the Jie Sect and the Heavenly Court is wiped clean."

"Anyone who mentions this again will be expelled from the Jie Sect."

The disciples said in unison:

"As the Lord commands!"