Hearing this, True King Gu Yan sneered. "Even Grand Dao Lord Taiyi didn't dare claim he could protect all disciples of the Taiyi sect and was forced to release them into the mortal realm to enter the tribulation. Xu Ying is merely Taiyi's disciple. How dare he oppose the calamitous destiny?"
To dispel calamitous destiny, slaughter was inevitable.
If you wished to protect your followers and keep them from perishing, then more of my followers would have to die.
Therefore, whether for the sake of their own disciples or to clear away the calamitous destiny, someone would surely kill disciples of the Taiyi Dao Sect. Even though Xu Ying had declared that offenders would be killed on sight, someone would certainly dare to defy him!
Grand Dao Lord Shenmo gazed at the Taiyi disciples hurrying along in the distance and said faintly, "Back then, I sent my disciples to the Three Realms to conquer them and escape the calamitous destiny. In the end, only one managed to survive; all the others died. How could avoiding calamitous destiny ever be so easy?"
True King Gu Yan said, "There are far too many in this world who refuse to submit to Grand Dao Lord Taiyi, let alone Xu Ying. Plenty of people will take this opportunity to strike and deflate the arrogance of Xu Ying and the Taiyi Dao Sect. If even a single member of the Taiyi Dao Sect is slain, all his face will be utterly lost."
An expectant look appeared on his face.
Grand Dao Lord Shenmo was quite looking forward to it as well.
Although he knew Xu Ying was terrifyingly formidable—even Grand Dao Lord Shengsi had perished by his hand—the other shore was simply vast beyond measure. If an incident occurred too far from Tianjue City, Xu Ying would surely be out of reach!
If a Taiyi Dao Sect disciple was killed, Xu Ying would naturally suffer a massive loss of face.
Just as this thought crossed their minds, the heaven-and-earth origin energy suddenly convulsed violently. The sky fractured, and the power of the Great Dao of Samsara distorted space and time, unifying the very space-time where those Taiyi Dao Sect disciples had been walking into a magnificent wheel of light!
The enormous wheel of samsara even rotated smoothly past right in front of these two exalted beings, accompanied by a deafening, resonant Dao voice.
The expressions of both Grand Dao Lord Shenmo and True King Gu Yan abruptly changed.
They saw an Immortal of the other shore trapped within that stream of samsara!
"True King Daoyi!" True King Gu Yan cried out in shock.
That True King Daoyi had likely intended to slay those Taiyi sect members to humiliate Xu Ying, only for the disciples to invoke Xu Ying's true name.
"It's the Great Dao of Karma!"
Grand Dao Lord Shenmo shivered and said, "Xu Ying's Great Dao of Karma is already the foremost in the world!"
Only the Great Dao of Karma could possess such razor-sharp sensitivity, responding the instant a name was uttered. Yet how Xu Ying's divine power could arrive here with such blinding speed remained an absolute mystery to Grand Dao Lord Shenmo.
The radiant ring of samsara was immeasurably vast. Caught within it, True King Daoyi felt all his Dao power disintegrate. His Great Dao dissolved, and he was not even given the chance for his primordial spirit to flee to another universe. With a wretched shriek, he was reduced to ashes!
Seeing this, True King Gu Yan could not help but shudder.
Daoyi's strength was not inferior to his own in the slightest, yet he had died so miserably. If Gu Yan had been the one to step forth, his fate would likely have been identical.
A being like Grand Dao Lord Shenmo certainly possessed the power to slaughter these Taiyi disciples, but doing so would mean entering an endless, irreconcilable vendetta against Xu Ying. Unable to defeat Xu Ying, he had no choice but to drop the idea.
Even so, the mortal realm of the other shore was vast, and experts emerged in endless waves. There were always reckless individuals who dared to challenge Xu Ying.
Over the following months, news gradually trickled in from various parts of the other shore. One day, disciples of the Taiyi Dao Sect reached the Five Prisons and encountered danger. They called upon Xu Ying's name, and lightning and fire descended from the heavens, burying all their enemies in an inferno.
On another day, Dao Lord Wang Chen grew presumptuous and ambushed Taiyi Dao Sect disciples at Mount Tianyou. The disciples invoked Xu Ying's name, and Wang Chen suffered sudden death on the spot.
On yet another day, True King Bian Fu intercepted Taiyi Dao Sect disciples at the Origin Sea, only to be slain by a single ray of sword light.
On yet another day, Dao Lord Yulong ambushed Taiyi Dao Sect disciples in Dayou City and dropped dead in the middle of a bustling market; not a single bystander was harmed, yet Dao Lord Yulong met a gruesome end alone.
...
Rumors spread with ever-increasing speed and grew more and more bizarre. Yet the Immortals, True Kings, and Dao Lords mentioned in the tales were real individuals, and they had indeed perished!
This terrified everyone.
For a time, the experts of the other shore no longer dared to intercept members of the Taiyi sect, allowing them to proceed toward Tianjue City unimpeded.
Outside Tianjue City, two figures were likewise observing the Taiyi sect members hurrying toward the city, strange expressions on their faces.
"Xu Ying is far too arrogant."
One was a handsome young man who had previously clashed with Xu Ying—none other than Ling Xuzi of Tianjing. He had once been a Dao Master, and now, having resumed his cultivation on the other shore, his strength was far greater than when he had fought Xu Ying.
Eager to test himself, Ling Xuzi chuckled. "In all these years, the other shore hasn't produced a single expert capable of rivaling him. How disappointing. With an other shore like this, how can it hope to contend with Tianjing? I'll go take him down a peg!"
"Ling Xuzi, do not act rashly."
The other was draped in shimmering rainbow robes with trailing sleeves, exuding an air of transcendent immortal grace. Calling out to stop him, he said, "The Three Realms and Tianjing have forged an alliance, and Xu Ying is the Dao Ancestor of the Three Realms. If you offend him, the Dao Venerable will make you answer for it!"
Ling Xuzi was thoroughly unconvinced. "Dongxuan, what do the Three Realms amount to? What right do they have to ally with our Tianjing? Why would our Tianjing ever need allies?"
Daoist Dongxuan replied, "Allying with the Three Realms to oppose the other shore is a strategy set forth by the Dao Venerable. You are not to question it."
Ling Xuzi snorted. "Naturally, I wouldn't dare challenge the Dao Venerable's strategy. But the Dao Venerable is not omnipotent. If he truly were so formidable, how could our Tianjing have suffered that great catastrophe, being thoroughly massacred by the other shore?"
Dongxuan frowned slightly.
Back when Tianjing had run aground, it coincided with the receding tide of the Great Dao. The Dao Venerable had made the decision to instruct those people of the other shore who arrived in Tianjing in Dao methods. Many Dao Masters had harbored doubts, but out of trust in the Dao Venerable, they still taught the other shore genuine methods.
Yet their benevolent act was repaid with a bloody massacre by the other shore. Tianjing had suffered genocide as a result, and even Dao Masters like them had met untimely deaths!
"The Dao Venerable has never been wrong in what he does," Dongxuan said. "In acting thus, the venerable elder has his reasons, which are beyond our ability to fathom. Recently, the other shore has been reviving Dao Masters, and the number of resurrections is steadily climbing. They cannot be underestimated."
Ling Xuzi chuckled. "The other shore's Dao Masters? Nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs. In a moment, if that Grand Dao Lord Taiyi truly shows up, you handle him, and I'll deal with Xu Ying!"
The two had come specifically for Grand Dao Lord Taiyi.
Lately, Grand Dao Lord Taiyi had been reviving the Great Daos of deceased Dao Masters to bring them back to life, placing immense pressure upon Tianjing.
Hence, they were even more eager to eliminate Grand Dao Lord Taiyi than Dao Master Luo was.
"This time, Xu Ying issued a proclamation to the entire realm. Grand Dao Lord Taiyi will certainly have heard of it. The Taiyi Dao Sect is his orthodox lineage; he will definitely appear to meet Xu Ying,"
Dongxuan said in a deep voice. "As a fellow practitioner of the Taiyi Great Dao, I would very much like to cross paths with him. As for Xu Ying, do not let your temper get the better of you with him. There are plenty of people in this world hoping to see Xu Ying make a fool of himself. Someone will surely make a move against the Taiyi Dao Sect disciples near Tianjue City to shatter Xu Ying's prestige. For the Taiyi Dao Sect to break free from the calamitous destiny relying on Xu Ying alone will be arduous beyond measure. Let us simply watch the show."
Just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside Tianjue City—someone had launched a lethal strike against the disciples of the Taiyi Dao Sect!
This spot was already extremely close to Tianjue City. If one could kill a Taiyi Dao Sect disciple here, it would not only strike a blow against the sect's momentum and deflate Xu Ying's face, but also make one's name resound throughout the realm!
Just as that person struck, a beam of golden light suddenly arrived like a soaring rainbow. A golden ape swooped down, swinging a staff that smashed the Immortal's head open, splattering brain matter all around!
Having bludgeoned the Immortal to death, the golden ape tossed the golden staff into the air. It shrank and flew into his ear to hide. Tucking his hands into his sleeves, his wide robes billowing, the golden ape strolled directly toward Tianjue City. Everywhere he passed, disciples of the Taiyi Dao Sect bowed one after another, calling out, "Senior Brother Wukong!"
After the golden ape passed, someone on the south side of Tianjue City attempted to kill another Taiyi disciple. That disciple was a fair and delicate youth, yet he erupted with the combat prowess of a Dao Lord and summarily executed the unfortunate assailant!
Meanwhile, in the distance, a thousand-armed stone man brandished a thousand magical treasures, unleashing a slaughter.
And to the north of Tianjue City, a Taiyi Cave Abyss rose slowly, vast and magnificent, carrying the breathtaking weight of ten thousand Daos united as one!
"So many exceptional figures in the Taiyi Dao Sect!"
Dongxuan marveled in astonishment. "Could this person be Jiu Zeng?"
Just as the thought crossed his mind, he saw the person approach—a blue-robed Daoist, delicate and handsome in appearance, yet thoroughly lazy in demeanor.
"Not Jiu Zeng?" Dongxuan was slightly taken aback.
At that moment, several more powerful auras hurried over and entered Tianjue City.
Dongxuan sighed in praise. "The Taiyi Dao Sect truly has far too many geniuses! The one with the most immense cultivation just now was likely Jiu Zeng. Now that the disciples of the Taiyi Dao Sect are all gathered here, Taiyi will certainly come!"
Ling Xuzi asked, "Brother Dongxuan, what if Taiyi doesn't come?"
Dongxuan's eyes glinted. "The members of the Taiyi Dao Sect watch out for one another and offer mutual support. That shows Taiyi is the same kind of person. If he truly values loyalty and affection, he will definitely sneak over to visit these disciples and see them."
Ling Xuzi looked all around, finding nothing, and asked, "What if Taiyi doesn't show himself and only watches from afar?"
Dongxuan replied, "Then I will have no choice but to force him to reveal himself. Seeing the Taiyi Dao Sect on the brink of extermination, he will surely appear."
Inside Tianjue City, Xu Ying sat motionless. Behind him, his primordial spirit loomed vast and immense, beneath which emerged the Ginseng Fruit Tree, the spirit seated serenely under its branches.
His Great Daos connected into the void, manifesting as thick pillars of Dao light: Chaos and Primordial Origin, Wuji and Taiyi, Samsara and Calamitous Destiny, Slaughter and Nirvana. These eight Great Daos were governed by the Golden Wheel of Karma.
Under karmic resonance, whenever a disciple of the Taiyi Dao Sect chanted Xu Ying's name, a karmic thread immediately sprouted from the Golden Wheel of Karma, connecting to the chanter.
In the next instant, one of Xu Ying's eight Great Daos would be chosen, piercing through the void to descend beside the person invoking him and obliterate the enemy!
Xu Ying was adept in this art, which was why he had been able to forge the Taiyi Dao Sect's formidable prestige in such a short time.
Daoist Wukong, the Holy Venerable, Shi Tianyang, Qingxuan, Jiu Zeng, and the others arrived one after another. Xu Ying rose to receive them, while his primordial spirit stationed in the void remained seated and motionless, guarding the other shore and protecting the safety of the Taiyi Dao Sect disciples.
Everyone exchanged greetings, and Jiu Zeng inquired, "Junior Brother Xu, did Master truly become a rebel? I heard that when Master rebelled, you were also present?"
Qingxuan, the Holy Venerable, and the others turned their gazes toward him, their eyes burning with anticipation.
"I was present. Senior brothers and junior brothers, Taiyi has indeed rebelled and defected from the Taiyi Dao Sect,"
Xu Ying said. "Although he didn't personally kill those tens of thousands of Seventh and Eighth Dao practitioners and Immortals, he indeed sacrificed them. He resurrected Tian Chengzi, offending three Dao Masters. Then he revived many deceased Dao Masters along the way, plotting to overthrow the four great Dao Masters: Hua, Lin, Luo, and Tong. Today, Taiyi no longer walks the same path as us. Calling him a rebel is by no means unjust."
Jiu Zeng wore a look of worry.
Shi Tianyang chuckled. "Why do I feel he's even closer to us now? Grand Dao Lord Taiyi truly lives up to the title of Grand Dao Lord; he's far better than those three Dao Masters."
Xu Ying shook his head, saying solemnly, "That is incorrect. The old villain Taiyi claims the three Dao Masters are corrupt, seeking only to shift the other shore's calamitous destiny onto others, though in truth it is a futile effort. That is why he wants to overthrow the three great Dao Masters. If he succeeds, overthrows them, and leads the other shore past the calamitous destiny, the other shore is bound to become even more powerful! The old villain harbors wild ambitions—he is a genuine rebel!"
Jiu Zeng glared at him furiously and barked, "Junior Brother Xu, you don't want the other shore to grow strong again? Are you the one trying to rebel?"
Xu Ying smiled. "Senior Brother, I am loyal and devoted to the other shore. Why would I rebel?"
Jiu Zeng shouted, "Master said you're a rebel bone with a human body grown around it! I think you're the one who wants to rebel!"
Xu Ying's face darkened, and he snapped, "Senior Brother, I am the sect master of Taiyi now! If I rebel, the entire Taiyi Dao Sect rebels! You would be a rebel too!"
Jiu Zeng was struck dumb. After a moment, he asked, "You say you're the sect master. Who appointed you?"
Xu Ying smiled. "Dao Master Luo appointed me. Why? Do you refuse to acknowledge Dao Master Luo, Senior Brother? Do you plan to follow the old villain Taiyi in rebellion and drag our sect into dishonor?"
Jiu Zeng hesitated repeatedly before asking, "If I lead my fellow brothers to visit other sects to exchange pointers on Dao methods and divine powers, will you interfere?"
Xu Ying replied, "I won't."
Jiu Zeng asked, "If I cause trouble outside and can't beat someone, will you come save me?"
Xu Ying replied, "I will."
Jiu Zeng pondered for a moment and said, "Then I'm staying in the sect."
Xu Ying burst into hearty laughter, and everyone was thoroughly delighted.
Right at that moment, Grand Dao Lord Taiyi's voice drifted over with a laugh. "With disciples such as this, what more could a master ask for?"
"Master?"
Surprised and overjoyed, Jiu Zeng and the others hurriedly looked in the direction of the voice. They saw Grand Dao Lord Taiyi standing in the shadow of a wall, having arrived without anyone noticing, looking at them with a smile.
Everyone rushed forward to pay their respects.
Only Xu Ying kept his back turned to Taiyi, refusing to face him directly. He had sworn an oath to Dao Master Luo that when facing Grand Dao Lord Taiyi, he would strike him down in righteous loyalty over personal kinship.
Now that Taiyi had arrived, if he faced him directly, wouldn't that violate his oath?
Thus, he could only keep his back turned.
Jiu Zeng choked up and asked, "Master, how did you end up rebelling?"
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi raised a hand. "Rise. Many eyes are fixed here, waiting for me to show myself, so I cannot reveal my presence openly. As for rebelling, I am merely rebelling against the three great Dao Masters. My heart remains loyal to the other shore, and that will never change."
His gaze fell upon Xu Ying. "Xu Ying, if I overthrow the three great Dao Masters in the future and cross the other shore's calamitous destiny, the other shore can accommodate the Three Realms. There will no longer be any need for the Three Realms to be enemies with the other shore."
Xu Ying still did not turn around. Smiling faintly, he said, "Master, let future matters wait for the future. I have now attained the Immortal realm. When may I contest against you, Master?"
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi said leisurely, "I am already prepared, but you are not yet ready. Xu Ying, when you are ready, I will naturally come to see you."
Xu Ying inquired, "How will I know when I am ready?"
"I shall demonstrate for you. Watch closely."
Grand Dao Lord Taiyi suddenly leapt into the air, arriving outside Tianjue City, and bowed courteously. "Master Dongxuan, long time no see."
Daoist Dongxuan stepped forward slowly, directly facing the man who had once addressed him as his revered master.
Back when the Dao Venerable taught the Dao, it was to answer the queries of the other shore's cultivators. Beyond the Dao Venerable himself, many people of the other shore had taken different figures of Tianjing as their masters.
Among them, Daoist Dongxuan's disciple was none other than Taiyi.
Chapter 833