My little sect, which disappeared a thousand years ago, has become a sacred site!

At the same time, at the top of the First Pavilion, within the dark purple causal domain.

Just as Tu Shan Youyao was adjusting the threads of cause and effect, a sudden change occurred.

The thread that was originally judged to be "familiar and gentle" suddenly changed the moment he touched it.

An unimaginably massive and violent force of causal backlash, like an enraged ancient beast, roared and surged back along the causal threads controlled by Tu Shan Youyao.

The strength and ferocity of this force far exceeded Tu Shan Youyao's expectations, and even surpassed the backlash that the "life-and-death calamity" itself could cause.

It carries a supreme majesty that disregards everything and crushes all things, as if it has offended an absolute being that even a fairyland must give way to.

"puff--!"

Tu Shan Youyao's main body, along with her six avatars, were struck as if by lightning, and she suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood containing fragments of soul power.

The dark purple causal domain trembled violently, its light flickering erratically, and it was on the verge of collapsing on the spot.

The aura of the seven instantly weakened to the extreme, their demon cores trembled violently, their souls felt as if they were being pierced by thousands of steel needles, their vision went black, and their consciousness began to blur.

It's over! Tu Shan Youyao felt a chill run through her heart.

The backlash was terrifying; following the causal link, it completely tore apart her main body along with the demon cores and souls of her five avatars.

At that critical moment, when destruction was imminent—

"Um?"

A soft hum, tinged with a hint of doubt yet seemingly resounding directly through the very core of her soul and transcending the barriers of endless time and space, exploded simultaneously within her and her five Dharma bodies' seas of consciousness, which were on the verge of collapse.

The moment that sound rang out, time seemed to stand still.

The terrifying causal backlash that roared forth, capable of annihilating everything, suddenly halted.

Not only that, Tu Shan Youyao was shocked to find that not only had the sudden and fatal backlash disappeared.

Including all the fatigue accumulated deep within the soul and demon core from the continuous use of "Nine Nether Tribulation Cause" over the previous three days, and even the remnants of karmic backlash,

And after that sound, everything was completely wiped away and calmed down.

Instead, a gentle yet indescribably vast nourishing power slowly permeated her soul and demon core, making her condition even better than before.

Tu Shan Youyao sat there in a daze, her beautiful face filled with extreme shock and disbelief, her eyes wide open and her pupils slightly contracted.

That sound...that sound...

So familiar!

It was so familiar that it sent shivers down her spine; so familiar that it instantly reminded her of the voice that had pulled her from the brink of death and despair a thousand years ago, by the cold pool on the outskirts of Qingqiu.

It was so familiar that it reminded her of the countless days and nights she spent listening to teachings and receiving guidance during the early years of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, when the unique tone of voice always carried three parts casualness and seven parts seriousness.

It's Master!

Although it was only a brief "Hmm?", she would never mistake that voice!

But... hasn't Master been missing for a thousand years?

Could it be... some kind of backup plan left behind by Master back then?

Some kind of talisman or protective mechanism sealed deep within the souls of these disciples was triggered and activated when they encountered an irresistible, fatal crisis involving cause and effect.

This thought stirred up a complex mix of emotions within her, a mixture of bitterness and sorrow.

The familiar "Hmm?" brought a pang of sorrow, further stirring up her endless longing and worry for her master.

Master, you saved me once again, but where are you now?

......

The Sacred Land of Heaven and Man, the Eighth Peak, Yaoguang Peak, its summit

Yun Tianhe stood with his hands behind his back at the highest point of the peak, his deep gaze looking down at the shimmering light and the scattered cultivation caves among the mountains below.

Beside him, Ning Heling stood obediently, her figure slender, her pale blue flowing dress making her skin appear even whiter.

She seemed a little restless, leaning forward slightly, almost touching Yun Tianhe's arm, looking up at her master's profile with concern in her clear eyes.

He and his tenth junior brother Han Feng, who was on guard, already knew about the news from the Heavenly Demon Pavilion through special channels that their eldest sister, fourth sister, and junior sister Luo had encountered a "death calamity" in the outer realm.

Fifth Senior Brother Xiao Yi was in deep meditation while refining his sacred bones in seclusion, so he had not yet been disturbed.

However, neither he nor Han Feng set off immediately.

The reason is simple: Master Gu Changyuan had already set off for the Outer Realm several days ago.

Given Master's speed, even if they tried their best, they would never be able to catch up. Besides, with Master around, why would they need to do anything extra?

"Master, are you worried about your aunts and uncles?"

Ning Heling asked softly.

Upon hearing this, Yun Tianhe's brows relaxed slightly. He withdrew his gaze from the distance and looked at the pretty and charming disciple beside him:

"Yes, I am a little worried. But... with Master here, I believe Senior Sister and the others will be alright."

Based on Master's own estimation of speed and the time it took to leave, they should have already arrived deep within the Outer Realm.

A faint smile even appeared at the corner of his mouth, tinged with a mixture of emotion and pride:

"With Master's unfathomable strength, let alone the eight half-immortal city lords of the Outer Boundary City, even all the unknown dangers in the entire Outer Boundary Domain combined wouldn't be enough for him... well, perhaps he could handle them with one hand?"

This metaphor is somewhat exaggerated, but after witnessing his master casually take out the sacred bone and the aura that was as deep as the abyss, Yun Tianhe felt that it might not be an exaggeration.

Since receiving the sacred bone from his master, Yun Tianhe has come to a complete understanding that his master's current level is beyond the comprehension and imagination of disciples like them who are struggling in the "half-immortal" realm.

He had personally ventured into the perilous outer realms for training and knew firsthand how terrifying it was and how precious its resources were.

As for the sacred bone that his master casually gave him, he dared to assert that, looking across the entire Outer Realm, there was probably no other like it.

Simply releasing its aura would probably be enough to scare away most of the more perceptive extraterrestrial beasts.

Ning Heling nodded vigorously. She put her hands behind her back and leaned forward, almost touching Yun Tianhe's chest.

A playful look appeared on her upturned face. She blinked and asked in a low voice:

"By the way, Master, about our affair... do you think if our Grandmaster finds out one day, he might... 'disinfect' us?"

As she spoke, she made a throat-slitting gesture, but there was no real fear in her eyes; instead, there was a hint of mischief.

Her relationship with Yun Tianhe had long surpassed that of an ordinary master and disciple; they had become Daoist partners.

This matter was known not only to Gu Changyuan's other nine founding disciples, but also to the vast majority of Taiyin elders within the Holy Land.

However, everyone is open-minded and offers their blessings. After all, although the cultivation world emphasizes seniority and etiquette, it is acceptable for cultivators who are truly in love and whose relationship does not violate fundamental ethics to unite.

Especially among top experts, there are no absolute prohibitions. Although there are few examples of masters and disciples becoming Daoist partners in history, they are not non-existent.

However, Yun Tianhe still felt a little uneasy.

He didn't know what his master, Gu Changyuan, would think about this matter.

Although Master had always disliked those cumbersome formalities and rigid rules, he often taught them that "cultivating the Tao begins with cultivating the mind; rules are dead, but people are alive."

But when it comes to the rather special relationship of his own disciple and his grand-disciple becoming Daoist partners, would the master feel that it violates some of his bottom lines?

Yun Tianhe raised his hand and tapped Ning Heling's smooth forehead lightly, saying helplessly:

"Master... he should be quite open-minded, right? I've never seen him really care about those trivial things before. So... he shouldn't be really angry."

Looking at Ning Heling's playful eyes that seemed to say, "Really? I don't believe it," Yun Tianhe felt a little uncertain himself.

It should be true. Master shouldn't be angry. Even if he is, he should spare my life.

Correct.