Chapter 127: The Decisive Battle of Spirit Revelation (Part I)

East Sea, Golden Tortoise Island.

“Hmph, all these saints dare to bully us like this? Let us teach them a lesson!” Daobao Daoist, having read the message passed by Xuandaozi, was filled with rage.

“Enough. Let’s have our disciples prepare; I want to meet these Five Saints!” Tongtian’s face was stern and heroic, devoid of any trace of anger.

“Hmm? How could he have come?” Tongtian suddenly felt a chill in his heart, as if sensing something amiss.

“Master, Senior Uncle is here to visit!” Shuihuo Tongzi hurriedly ran in from outside the hall.

“Do not panic, do not panic,” Tongtian said calmly.

He glanced at Daobao Daoist and then stepped outside to greet the Supreme Lord Laozi.

“Senior Brother, what brings you to visit my humble abode today?” Tongtian welcomed Laozi into the main hall.

“Nothing much, just came to see my junior brother. After all these years since we parted ways, I have never visited your residence. That is my failing,” Supreme Lord Laozi said with a hint of guilt.

“No worries, no worries. It means a lot that Senior Brother cares. Thank you,” Tongtian replied, though he was well aware that Laozi’s visit to Golden Tortoise Island was not without ulterior motives. Still, maintaining face was necessary.

“Master, Lady Nuwa, the Western Guide Venerable, and Venerable Zhunti have arrived to pay a visit,” Shuihuo Tongzi burst into the Jade Pavilion, breathless and unable to control his excitement.

“What!?” Tongtian exclaimed in shock.

So that was it—the Five Saints had conspired to unite against him. Tongtian had been prepared for a confrontation, but never imagined the Five Saints would act so swiftly, with the Western Zhou accelerating their advance at such a pace.

According to later chronicles, the Western Zhou was first besieged by the Yin Shang, and then heroes like Yuyuan fell in battle, their souls returning to the Investiture Platform. Zhao Gongming and the Three Fairies died under Shen Gongbao’s persuasion, and only then did the Jie Sect unleash their might against the assembled saints.

But none of this aligned with the current reality. The Western Zhou’s rise was beyond Tongtian’s expectations. Their forces had already marched to Muye, merely seventy li from Chaoge!

Had he missed something?

This realization struck deep: Tongtian had indeed committed a grave error.

He had long assumed they were still in the Primordial Wilds, where cultivators were the supreme force, wielding the power to overturn heaven and earth. Yet, he had overlooked the intrinsic strength of humanity itself.

The Western Zhou had painstakingly schemed to overthrow Yin Shang, employing every stratagem to curry favor with the Yin Shang generals. Though some commanders resisted, the Western Zhou managed to elevate their own men to power—never forgetting the role of Wei Zi Qi within Yin Shang.

As the saints settled and tea was served, Tongtian spoke calmly, “I wonder what brings you all to my humble abode?”

Knowing their ploy to restrain him, Tongtian was determined to show that he was still Tongtian.

He sent a subtle warning glance to Daobao Daoist, who immediately mobilized all forces on Golden Tortoise Island.

The Four Saints, however, disregarded Daobao’s arrangements. No matter what he did, they were no match for these Perfected Golden Immortals.

“I wonder what benefits my Second Senior Brother has given you that you treat our Ling Sect so?” Tongtian’s eyes darkened with a chilling fury.

“Hmph! The Ling Sect defies heaven; the rise of the Great Zhou is inevitable. The fall of Yin Shang is the great tide that cannot be resisted!” Supreme Lord Laozi snorted angrily.

“What rise of Yin Shang? All because of those ten simple charges? Did Ji Chang not have a hundred children, while Di Xin only two? And the allegations of indulgence and neglect of state affairs—tell me, which denizen in the southeast region of Yin Shang is not proud to be a Yin Shang person?” Tongtian’s voice rose in anger as he rebuked Laozi.

Laozi fell silent.

“The Western Zhou and Yin Shang are sworn enemies. Do you not see that the previous generation—Western Earl Ji Chang and Crown Prince Ji Boyikao—were both killed by King Zhou?” Lady Nuwa spoke, meeting Tongtian’s gaze as Laozi remained silent.

Tongtian glanced at Lady Nuwa, who shrank back. A sly smile curled on Tongtian’s lips. “Let us look at how the Western Earl Ji Chang and Boyikao died!”

With a flick of his robe, a vision appeared in the air, depicting Ji Chang and Boyikao’s final moments. They ate a bowl of rice, then wailed in agony before dying.

Soon after, a figure appeared—Wei Zi Qi—laughing heartily: “My lord will finally destroy Di Xin. Haha.”

“Everyone understands now, the right and wrong is clear. If Ji Fa is unrighteous, why do you still support him? Why continue to fight King Zhou?” Tongtian’s expression was fierce.

“Now, regardless of the grudges between Western Zhou and Yin Shang, the rise of Western Zhou is decreed by the heavenly way; no one can alter it,” the Guide Venerable said coldly.

“Since you all bully the Ling Sect so, the Ling Sect will not be so easily slaughtered!” Tongtian’s voice was hoarse.

“Third Junior Brother, what are you doing?” Supreme Lord Laozi could hardly believe Tongtian would go this far for his disciple.

“All I do is for the beings of the Primordial Wilds. Even if it costs my life, I am willing!” Tongtian had gone mad, shouting fiercely.

Millennia of master-disciple bond are not easily severed. Human hearts are flesh and blood; who is without feeling?

The scene shifted. Tongtian and company had moved beyond the outer heavens.

“Since you bully the Ling Sect so, don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Tongtian drew the Sword of Immortal Slaying Formation. From it emerged four Dao spirits: the Eastern Azure Dragon, Western White Tiger Rohe, Southern Vermilion Bird, Northern Black Tortoise Great Ao, and the Central Qilin.

“Junior Brother, think twice!” Supreme Lord Laozi now wore a stern expression.

“Think twice, my foot!” Tongtian retorted, anger boiling over.

For today’s duel, Tongtian had spared no effort: not only releasing Rohe, who was still suppressed on Mount Ling, but also gathering the Five Spirits here, with Rohe presiding over the grand formation.

“After so many years in hiding, I did not expect such a formidable opponent,” murmured Zulong, his face darkening.

“Heh, old ghost, don’t you yet realize that the Primordial Wilds are now controlled by these saints? Whatever their reasons, this lad once helped us. Today, let us sever all ties,” said the Qilin Ancestor.

“Yes, yes, after today, we have nothing to do with you,” Rohe said, holding the Immortal Slaying Formation diagram.

Rohe had not merged the formation diagram into himself; it had become an independent entity. No longer needing it, he stored it away, personally directing the grand array.

“Friends, this is the karmic bond between us and Tongtian. Will you make way for us?” Supreme Lord Laozi stepped forward, seeking a final plea.

“Fight if you must; no need for idle words!” shouted the fiery-tempered Phoenix Ancestor.

“Phoenix, you’re still so hot-headed after all these years,” Zulong chuckled lightly.

The Phoenix Ancestor snorted in anger and fell silent.

“Then let us see what your true strength is!” the Guide Venerable launched the first attack.

A relic bead shone in boundless darkness, enveloping the Guide Venerable’s entire body. Beneath his feet blossomed a twelve-petaled golden lotus, his aura reaching its peak.

The Azure Lotus Treasure Banner emitted a brilliant light, shooting directly toward Rohe!