Shenxuan Sect, Sect Master's Main Hall.
The atmosphere in the hall was heavy, no longer peaceful as in days past.
Sect Master Xuan Weizi, at this moment, had lost his usual serene demeanor; his expression was solemn, and deep within his eyes lay a hint of complex emotion that was difficult to conceal.
Heaven Jade Perfected Person, along with a group of Grand Elders, wore grave expressions.
Standing opposite them was a young man dressed in a dark green Daoist robe.
He stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face, his Aura powerful, yet subtly emanating a disturbing sense of eeriness.
This person was none other than the Shenxuan Sect's Grand Elder, Dao Yin Venerable.
"It's been many years, how are you all doing? The Sect's presence seems to be flourishing even more."
Dao Yin Venerable's voice was calm, and a sharp gleam flickered deep within his eyes.
"Elder Dao Yin!"
Xuan Weizi suppressed the turmoil in his heart, bowed respectfully, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Elder, you traveled far overseas years ago, and all communication ceased; everyone in the Sect was worried.
Your safe return today is truly a great fortune for the Sect!"
Though he said this.
Alarm bells were ringing in his heart.
When this Dao Yin Venerable left years ago, his Cultivation was merely at the Early Stage of the Tribulation Transcendence Realm.
Now that he had returned, that unfathomable Aura… it was clearly far beyond a normal Tribulation Transcendence Realm Cultivator; Heaven Jade Perfected Person couldn't see through him at all.
Moreover, this Aura subtly carried an indescribable chill and domineering presence, definitely not from the Shenxuan Sect's Cultivation Technique.
Heaven Jade Perfected Person frowned deeply and asked directly:
"Dao Yin, your Aura upon your return… seems vastly different from before.
Senior Brother, where have you been all these years?"
Dao Yin Venerable smiled faintly, his smile like a spring breeze, yet it sent a deeper chill through Xuan Weizi and Heaven Jade Perfected Person's hearts.
"This Dominator has indeed had another fortuitous encounter these past years."
His gaze swept over the two, carrying a condescending scrutiny,
"Now, this Dominator has joined the Swallowing Heaven Saint Sect, and through the Swallowing Heaven Old Ancestor's grace, I have been bestowed with supreme Immortal Arts, allowing me to glimpse the true grand Dao!"
"Swallowing Heaven… Saint Sect?"
Xuan Weizi, Heaven Jade Perfected Person, and the others' expressions suddenly changed.
They had already heard this name from Li Taiqing and others; it was an extremely terrifying existence.
"Precisely."
Seeing that everyone seemed to have heard of its name, Dao Yin Venerable's smile grew wider, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance,
"The Swallowing Heaven Saint Sect is the Dominator of the Lin Yuan Continent, its might renowned, far beyond what these so-called Holy Lands in Kyushu can compare to.
The Old Ancestor's Cultivation has reached the realm of an Immortal.
This time, the Old Ancestor intends to incorporate Kyushu into the Saint Sect's territory, and this is precisely a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity for our Shenxuan Sect to rise!"
He took a step forward, and an invisible pressure descended like a mountain.
The air in the entire hall instantly solidified, and the heavy pressure made it difficult for Xuan Weizi and Heaven Jade Perfected Person to breathe.
"Everyone, a wise man submits to circumstances!
If the Shenxuan Sect can be the first to surrender and serve as the Saint Sect's vanguard, when the Old Ancestor descends upon Kyushu, our Shenxuan Sect will be credited with the greatest achievement!
At that time, resources, Cultivation Techniques, and status will be within reach!
Far better than lingering in this corner of the Eastern Cang Province!"
Dao Yin Venerable's voice carried a demonic charm that could bewitch people, yet also contained a hint of threat,
"If you don't comply… Hehe, the Saint Sect's might is something the Kyushu Continent absolutely cannot resist."
"At that time, I'm afraid I won't even be able to preserve the Sect's foundation."
"Therefore, my purpose in coming here is to prepare for all of you to join the Swallowing Heaven Saint Sect with me."
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was heavy, and some Elders with lower Cultivation found it difficult even to breathe.
Cold sweat beaded on Xuan Weizi's forehead; Dao Yin Venerable's Cultivation was already close to the Ascension Realm, and under this terrifying pressure, his body trembled uncontrollably.
However, he soon took a deep breath, suddenly raised his head, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes:
"Elder Dao Yin!
Forgive my bluntness, but this Swallowing Heaven Saint Sect treats all living beings as mere grass, using Cultivators as resources.
Such Demonic Path behavior is absolutely not of the Righteous Path; joining them is not a wise move.
Furthermore, our Sect's ancestral teachings are to slay demons and monsters, and protect all living beings; how can we assist tyranny and invite a wolf into our home?"
Heaven Jade Perfected Person even brazenly struck out, breaking the opponent's pressure, and sternly said:
"Dao Yin, you have defected to a Demonic Sect and betrayed the Sect!
Now you even want to drag the entire Shenxuan Sect down with you?"
"Hmph, stubborn fools!"
The smile on Dao Yin Venerable's face vanished instantly, replaced by icy coldness.
His eyes glowed with a dark light, and an even colder, seemingly all-consuming, eerie Aura erupted.
He was clearly doing it for the Sect's good, yet not only did they not appreciate it, they even treated him like this.
In reality, he also understood that the so-called Saint Sect's actions were all of the Demonic Path, but his Cultivation was also rapidly increasing; this path seemed ruthless and malicious, but his Cultivation was real, and the power belonged to him!
He was now only one step away from the Ascension Realm.
Thinking of this, Dao Yin Venerable increasingly felt that he was right, and he spoke:
"Righteous Path? Living beings? Before absolute power, all are illusions!"
His voice was terrifyingly low, startling everyone.
"Do you think the Holy Lands of Central Province can protect the Shenxuan Sect?
Can one Ascended Immortal Cultivator of the Sect contend with the Swallowing Heaven Saint Sect?
Ridiculous!
The Old Ancestor only needs one finger to crush him!"
"In fact, there's no need for the Old Ancestor to act; a few Elders of the Saint Sect can easily annihilate them."
Terrifying Devilish Qi spread like a tangible substance, and the light in the main hall dimmed by several shades.
Seeing this scene, many people immediately retreated, their hearts startled.
It's bad.
They had truly invited a wolf into their home.
Dao Yin Venerable's Qi was superior to anyone present.
However, facing this almost suffocating pressure, a trace of blood spilled from Xuan Weizi's lips, but his eyes erupted with an unprecedented light of determination.
He struggled to straighten his back, enunciating each word, resolute and firm:
"People are acting, Heaven is watching; the Shenxuan Sect's strength is not as simple as you imagine!"
Heaven Jade Perfected Person's eyes were equally sharp as swords, and he roared:
"Dao Yin, you betrayed the Sect and defected to the Demonic Path; you are already a traitor to the Sect.
Today, even if I, Tianyu, perish, I will never let you bring disaster to the Sect!"
"Good, good, good!"
Dao Yin Venerable laughed in extreme anger, his body surging with Devilish Qi, like a boiling sea of ink,
"Since you are so stubborn, then this Dominator will show you what true power is!"
"At that time, you will naturally understand my painstaking efforts."
He slowly raised his palm, and in its center, a tiny, pitch-black vortex radiating endless devouring power slowly formed.
The space of the entire main hall began to twist, as if about to be swallowed by the vortex.
Everyone's pupils constricted, especially Heaven Jade Perfected Person, who was directly in the line of fire, immediately feeling a fatal threat.
But he did not flinch; the Spiritual Qi in his body circulated frantically, preparing for a desperate struggle.
Just at this critical moment.
Buzz!
A clear and melodious Sword Intent resounded distinctly in everyone's ears.
A powerful Sword Intent rose.
The terrifying devouring vortex in Dao Yin Venerable's palm dissipated instantly the moment the Sword Intent sounded.
The sinister smile on his face instantly froze, and for the first time, a look of uncertainty appeared in his eyes.
He suddenly turned his head, his gaze like lightning, shooting towards the outside of the main hall.
Outside the hall, the rain had stopped at some point.
A figure had appeared silently at some unknown time.
His posture was tall and straight, his Aura as deep as an abyss, yet he exuded an invincible presence.
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Thanks guys for the power stones.