Chapter 643: The Dao War at Spirit Mountain

The Turtle Spirit's words stirred up the Western household, as clouds and mist heralded the arrival of a saint.

Originally, the Western Religion had repelled the first attack from the Interception Teachings according to their prior strategy. The Golden Immortal they killed was not a true disciple of the Western Religion, thus giving the Interception Teachings no opportunity for interrogation.

At this point, the initiative had slightly shifted to the Western Religion, with Duo Bao about to appear, followed by using divine powers to force out the opposing saint. However, Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, armed with her special script, fully leveraged her external advantages and simply asked a few straightforward questions...

From the Western Religion's perspective, she spoke a few "fair words," thereby positioning herself as their representative. She then smoothly admitted on their behalf the sin of intending to destroy the Dao School for their own rise, thereby fanning the flames and plunging the Western Religion into complete passivity. Pretending to suddenly realize the darkness of the Western Religion, she turned around and nailed them to the pillar of shame.

"Oh, they are truly so despicable."

This was purely a strategy devised by Li Changshou, and Turtle Spirit didn't quite understand it, but it seemed to be working exceptionally well.

The Western Religion fell into a comprehensive disadvantage, and the elders and immortals on the mountain were on high alert, with a few pessimistic Daoists already preparing to hold out superficially before being "dispersed" as a matter of course.

The Interception Teachings experts advanced in unison, while the Western Religion's experts immediately activated layer upon layer of formations, their faces etched with grave seriousness.

Just then, the aura of a saint suddenly became evident, making the advancing Interception Teachings experts wary for a moment.

When a saint appears, all immortals retreat!

The pinnacle of living beings, the order of the Great Wilderness!

In that instant, not only did the Interception Teachings immortals around Ling Shan grow incredibly solemn, but even Shi, Kong Xuan, and Li Changshou, sitting in front of the pill room on Little Qiong Peak, all stood up.

Shi furrowed his brow and whispered, "Why? The first to appear is him?"

Kong Xuan smiled and said, "It's not a bad move after all."

Li Changshou remained quite calm, gazing at the scene in the bronze mirror.

The image of the saint within was somewhat blurred, showing a slightly burly old Daoist with a dignified appearance, a golden halo shimmering behind his head, and his broad robes concealing a form that seemed ethereal and insubstantial.

His Dao resonated with meanings of emptiness, clarity, renunciation, exhaustion, and cessation.

His aura stretched endlessly, like the great river of heaven surging forth and returning, encompassing both subtlety and vastness, nurturing infinite vitality and destructive stillness in one.

Careful contemplation revealed endless wonders, while a casual glance detected its boundless power.

There is a poem in praise:

The Dao arises from primal chaos, illuminating Zen principles,Great vows achieve sainthood, merits descend.The West struggles to prosper in vain,The chest holds the universe, all in futile delay.Encounters with me lead all into the net,Forcibly claiming karmic ties with bold theft.Causes set, today bears fruit,Ten thousand years of empty toil, impossible to evade.

The Interception Teachings side never expected that the first of the Western Religion's two saints to appear would be Jie Yin Saint.

This simple move rendered most of the Interception Teachings' plans ineffective, making the situation today murky once more.

Why was that?

It came down to the two saints of this religion and the insurmountable gulf between saints and ordinary great powers in the Great Wilderness.

The script the Interception Teachings hoped for was Zhun Ti Saint appearing first, only to be suppressed by their own teacher without disrupting the Great Wilderness, forcing Jie Yin to intervene.

Tong Tian Teacher Lord certainly had the strength for this, merely replicating their previous battle in the Chaos Sea against the two Western saints.

The Interception Teachings' confidence in facing the Western Religion stemmed from this "logic."

But could the saints of the Western Religion be so easily dealt with?

With this simple change, Jie Yin Saint stepped out to handle matters, while Zhun Ti Saint remained hidden. Even with the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and the Zhu Xian Sword Formation diagram, Tong Tian Teacher Lord could not suppress Jie Yin, whose Dao realm was on par.

Next, Jie Yin only needed to lure Tong Tian Teacher Lord away to the heavens, with Zhun Ti Saint guarding Ling Shan and the Western Religion's experts recalled earlier...

The siege of Ling Shan could be largely resolved.

The Interception Teachings side had considered this scenario, but Duo Bao Daoist and the senior disciples couldn't come up with any solid countermeasures. They decided to give it a try—worst case, they'd return empty-handed.

It was all about luck!

Seizing that fleeting opportunity!

So, they came, resolute and indignant, and now faced with this situation, they showed no intention of retreating.

In front of the Little Qiong Peak pill room, Li Changshou couldn't help but twitch his mouth slightly.

He didn't know if the Interception Teachings truly had such a style or if their scheming had reached such a profound level, factoring in all the ways he might help the Interception Teachings.

In this situation, Li Changshou had his own ways to respond; otherwise, why would he have asked his senior brother and sister-in-law to return?

Then, from the bronze mirror came the ethereal voice of Jie Yin Saint:

"Daoist friend, are you truly intent on destroying my Ling Shan lineage today?"

No one dared to respond to these words.

A light laugh followed, and rays of multicolored light appeared in the clouds. A figure materialized out of thin air, just beyond Ling Shan, in front of all the disciples!

Holding the Qing Ping Sword and wearing a blue-green Daoist robe, with long hair swaying in the wind, his handsome face showed a faint smile.

The Upper Clarity Saint, Tong Tian Teacher Lord.

"Daoist friend, we both know what your Ling Shan lineage has done. Now, with the great calamity upon us, it's time to settle the old scores."

Jie Yin fell silent, seemingly acquiescing to Tong Tian Teacher Lord's accusation.

At this level of existence, schemes and depths of strategy were mere trifles; everything boiled down to strength.

Ling Shan grew quiet everywhere, from the old Daoists to the Interception Teachings immortals, their moods inexplicably turning somber.

Jie Yin Saint sighed softly, "Everything has changed from ancient times."

Tong Tian Teacher Lord chuckled, drawing the Qing Ping Sword halfway from its sheath.

"A battle beyond the heavens?"

"I shall accompany you."

Buzz—

The Great Dao thundered, and the universe shook. In the blink of an eye, the two saints, one standing and one seated in the air, vanished without a trace.

The auspicious clouds beneath Jie Yin collapsed, while Tong Tian Teacher Lord left only a faint shadow.

Two brilliant streaks of light shot into the sky like meteors, disappearing in an instant, leaving only the lingering echoes of their clashing auras to spread across the heavens and earth, dispersing clouds for miles around.

Saints, battling beyond the heavens!

"Changshou, does Uncle Tong Tian have any backup plan?"

Shi frowned and asked, his eyes filled with doubt, "He's so carefree, leaving all his teaching's disciples here at Ling Shan."

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and thought of some possibilities.

Kong Xuan said gently, "Perhaps there's an array like the Zhou Tian Star Great Array to counter saints. The Interception Teachings' number of experts likely surpasses that of the ancient demon court."

Ling E muttered softly, "Is it possible that Uncle Saint thinks my senior brother is the Interception Teachings' backup plan?"

The three great figures of the Human Teachings were momentarily stunned, then each let out a light laugh.

Li Changshou said, "Another possibility is that Uncle Tong Tian entrusted a supreme treasure to Duo Bao."

"Ah, no matter what, we can't just stand by."

A glint flashed in Shi's eyes, and his entire demeanor shifted from its usual comfort and laziness to a sharp edge.

"Today isn't just the Interception Teachings against the Western Religion; it's ultimately the Dao School against the Western Religion.

Changshou, help your brother think of a good excuse. If things go south later, I'll go and desperately block the saint."

Li Changshou murmured, "The Sixth Saint probably won't leave Ling Shan easily."

"If not, we can ask the teacher to intervene secretly."

"Is that... appropriate?"

"It's fine. The teacher did this often in ancient times! Do you really think your brother could have fought the Demon Emperor in his first battle, against Dong Huang Tai Yi wielding the Chaos Bell?"

Shi narrowed his eyes with a smile, his gaze full of reminiscence.

Li Changshou...

It seemed Shi and Kong sister-in-law's relationship was indeed solid; he said such words that diminished his heroic image without any burden.

In the bronze mirror, the aura of a third saint had already manifested.

'Teacher left so confidently.'

In the void earth cave, Duo Bao Daoist was full of conflict, scratching his head and pacing, even entertaining a few bold ideas in his heart.

Maybe they should call it off today?

Before Teacher went to battle Jie Yin in the heavens, what did that voice transmission mean?

'With this object, it's up to you to hold back Zhun Ti, Bao.'

Still calling me Bao?

Don't "Bao" it up!

Why did Teacher have this misconception, thinking he could match a saint by activating the renowned Chaos Bell?

He wasn't like the "mad cultivator" of the Human Teachings, Xuan Du Senior Brother, who cultivated until he nearly became the Great Dao itself!

He just had a lot of treasures, a bit more strength, and had severed his three corpses early...

What to do, what to do!

Ding-a-ling—

A sudden rush of bell rings came from above, and that small bronze bell trembled repeatedly, sending a spiritual sense to Duo Bao Daoist's heart.

"What's the holdup? Why aren't you going out? Your junior brothers and sisters are about to charge again!

Really, as the senior brother of the Interception Teachings, with your Dao realm so advanced, you were boldly discussing with your teacher how today is the perfect chance to destroy Ling Shan. How come when it matters, you're hesitating?"

"Ah... That's the theory, but the mindset is something else."

Duo Bao Daoist shook his head, stood up, bowed to the Chaos Bell, and gripped the bell in his palm.

"Very well, since it's come to this, we must see it through!"

He then chuckled softly and muttered, "Senior, please protect me later. I have some Chaos essence here, a treasure used to nurture the thirty-six-grade Chaos Green Lotus. I'll offer it to you after the battle."

"Tch."

The spiritual sense from the Chaos Bell was full of disdain.

"This bell has been in the Chaos Sea for so many years—what haven't I encountered, what haven't I tasted? Do you think I'd care about your little trifle?

Remember to wrap it up. Your teacher promised me that if we win this battle, he'll grant me freedom."

Duo Bao was startled again, but knowing the temperament of such supreme treasures, he couldn't force it and just smiled obsequiously. Gripping the Chaos Bell, he stepped out of the void cave and appeared directly in the sky above Ling Shan.

His slightly plump figure exuded a faint aura of authority, instantly boosting the morale of the Interception Teachings immortals who had been ready to fight to the death.

Right at that moment!

Layers of clouds surged from all over Ling Shan, forming the figure of a hundred-zhang-tall old Daoist, with the saint's aura reaching its peak.

Zhun Ti Saint had finally appeared again, and upon doing so, he exerted immense pressure on the Interception Teachings immortals present.

Jie Yin was being held by Tong Tian Teacher Lord.

This Zhun Ti would have to face them in battle.

It was impossible not to feel tense, but half of the Interception Teachings immortals felt a surge of desire and excitement in their Dao hearts!

A desire that even saints could not belittle the Interception Teachings!

A spirit to fight for a slim chance of victory against a saint!

Zhun Ti spoke, "If any from the Interception Teachings dare to set foot on Ling Shan, do not blame me for bullying the juniors."

Qiong Xiao laughed instead of growing angry and scolded directly, "If the Western Religion's saint insists on fighting us juniors today, then do not blame us for committing the greater offense!"

A golden light flashed in Zhun Ti's Dharma body's eyes, and suddenly, a golden star shimmered at his side, from which came a faint laugh.

"The Interception Teachings fairy is truly arrogant.

Do you speak to your own teacher this way in Green Tour Palace?"

As the words fell, a tall figure emerged from the golden star, floating beside Zhun Ti's Dharma body—a young Daoist.

This youth's origins were unknown, his background unclear; he seemed to have never appeared in the Great Wilderness before, yet now, under Zhun Ti's aura, he revealed his own Dao.

He smiled while holding a flower, his eyes showing a hint of indifference.

Jie Yin's disciple, Jiaye.

Another light laugh followed, and from the second golden star on Zhun Ti's other side, an old man in wide robes emerged from deep within Ling Shan.

He chanted, "What is folly, what is wisdom? Vainly sighing over greed, for the aspiration of equality."

As his aura circulated, he proved to be a great power and expert hard to find in the Great Wilderness.

The third golden star flickered immediately!

One after another, disciples of Jie Yin and Zhun Ti who had never appeared before emerged—high-level figures who had not participated in Western Religion affairs, merely waiting for its great rise.

In the blink of an eye, fourteen of them appeared!

These were the true senior brothers and juniors, like Di Zang, Mi Le, and Xu Pu Ti!

They appeared one by one, positioning themselves beside Zhun Ti, elevating the Ling Shan side's momentum to its peak.

Those old Daoists of Ling Shan, who were once just for show, now held their heads high and flew into the hundred-zhang-high sky, surrounding Zhun Ti Saint.

How could a great religion of saints be underestimated!

The word "foundation" was displayed by Ling Shan to its fullest.

Dong—

Suddenly, a bell rang, and the heavens and earth erupted in noise.

Duo Bao Daoist held a three-foot-tall ancient bell, slowly descending from the air, its sound creating ripples across the universe.

Zhun Ti's Dharma body narrowed his gaze, while Duo Bao Daoist stood tall, one hand behind his back.

The Interception Teachings immortals no longer suppressed themselves, their auras interconnecting like a great wall standing on all sides of Ling Shan.

The sky turned colorless, the earth traceless!

The Interception Teachings immortals' energies linked together, forming a massive barrier around Ling Shan.

War was on the verge of breaking out!

The Interception Teachings disciples were prepared to face the saint head-on!

At that very moment, the only absent senior disciple of the Interception Teachings, Zhao Gongming, was near Jade Void Palace, frowning as he watched its movements.

The Exposition Teachings showed no response.

Indeed, they had no need to act.

With Zhun Ti Saint plus the Ling Shan disciples, they could withstand the Interception Teachings' assault, and both sides would suffer heavy expert losses.

They merely needed to watch the tigers fight from the mountain.

Gazes from across the heavens focused on the darkened Ling Shan, from the Dragon Palace to the Heavenly Palace, from Wuzhuang View to Fire Cloud Cave.

The emaciated old Daoist high above the nine heavens slowly opened his eyes, and the Jade Emperor in the Lingxiao Hall furrowed his brow in thought.

In the world, no one knew whose faint smile emerged, nor which being's gaze was so greedy and eager for the battle in Ling Shan's darkness to erupt...

At Ling Shan, between the Interception Teachings and the Western Religion, it was only a matter of one streak of light flying forth before thousands would shoot out!

Only a single order to kill before an unknown number of experts would fall in the Western Ox He Continent!

Even experts like Duo Bao and Jin Ling Holy Mother had their nerves stretched to the breaking point.

Right at that moment!

"The Dao has its profound wonders; where does one speak of nature?"

A light laugh came from the high sky. In this darkness that seemed to swallow all, a faint white light appeared—it was the shadow of a Tai Ji Diagram, with its "black fish" merged into the darkness.

From the Tai Ji Diagram, a Daoist with an ordinary-looking face stepped out, the Xuan Huang Pagoda on his head, the Qiankun Ruler in his hand, the innate treasure Tai Ji Diagram gently circling behind him, and a Lihuo Banner turning into a fiery dragon coiling around his body.

It was Xuan Du Master!

As soon as Shi appeared, the Western Religion's side wiped away all smiles.

Zhun Ti Saint spoke directly, "Does the Human Teachings also come to bully?"

"Uncle, you speak too gravely," Shi chuckled lightly, but instead of bowing to Zhun Ti, he said, "We of the Dao School, how could we bully Western saints?

It's merely that we feel unjust and wish to come here for justice.

The Western Religion's karma owed to the Dao School should be repaid today."

Zhun Ti fell silent, and the Western Religion's great disciples were on full alert.

What they dreaded was the strongest saint in the Great Wilderness, and Shi was that saint's only other spokesperson.

Shi calmly stepped forward, and the Interception Teachings immortals' eyes lit up.

When Shi reached Yun Xiao Fairy's side and gestured for her to step back, he said warmly,

"Chang Geng said to let you avoid danger. Just use those little toys he gave you to break the Ling Shan formation first.

I'll protect you."

Yun Xiao nodded gently, without hesitation. With a flip of her hand, she held up a jade statue of herself and tossed it behind her. As she drew out seals with one hand, the statue rapidly expanded.

Three feet, three zhang, thirty zhang, three hundred zhang!

Both the Interception Teachings immortals and Ling Shan immortals were stunned, having never seen such a spectacle.

It was like a Dharma heaven and earth, but actually a mustard seed treasure?

As Zhun Ti was about to strike, he saw Shi with the Tai Ji Diagram on his back and Duo Bao with the Chaos Bell, one on each side, guarding Yun Xiao and the jade statue.

Behind the jade statue, streaks of vibrant spiritual energy rivers appeared, and eighty-one vortices formed on its back, nearly instantly draining the spiritual energy from the area!

It even triggered a violent surge of spiritual energy in the Western Ox He Continent, rushing toward Ling Shan like collapsing mountains and tsunamis.

Those spiritual energy rivers were like a pair of colorful wings on the jade statue, their Dao rhythms profoundly mysterious!

At that moment, Yun Xiao's eyes were full of coldness, unfazed by the fact that the statue bore her likeness. The Hun Yuan Jin Dou circled around her, and her figure floated in front of the jade statue, their movements nearly synchronized!

She raised her hand, and the palms of both faced the Ling Shan formation!

But in the jade statue's palm, a black hole appeared.

Yun Xiao's long hair drifted lightly, her face coldly beautiful, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes, but ultimately only coldness remained.

She was a disciple of the Interception Teachings.

She bore the rise and fall of the Interception Teachings.

Today, borrowing this weapon for slaughter, she would also bear the consequences of the killing.

If this body could survive the Investiture of the Gods calamity, she would stay by his side with body and soul, inseparable, sharing hardships without abandonment.

Tracing Origin: Hundredfold Spiritual Energy Crossbow!

"Break."