txolops Chapter 204 The Dilemma of the Jie Sect
Chapter 204 The Dilemma of the Jie Sect
Since he couldn't figure it out, Taibai simply stopped investigating, bid farewell to Taiqing, and sped off towards Jin'ao Island.
When he flew over Jin'ao Island, the scene before him surprised him.
The once bustling and prosperous Jin'ao Island, where countless immortals once flocked to pay homage, is now eerily quiet.
Only cranes and other mythical birds leisurely linger among the clouds and islands.
The disciples of the Jie Sect, who should have been everywhere, were nowhere to be found.
In my memory, on the island's cliffs, in front of caves, and on cloud platforms, there were always disciples exchanging Taoist teachings and discussing the Tao. Amidst the hustle and bustle, there was a vibrant atmosphere of a great ancient religion.
Now, all of this seems to have been erased from the sky, leaving only the faint sound of the wind rustling through the treetops, making the entire fairy island even more silent.
Where have all the people gone?
As Taibai descended from the clouds, his doubts deepened.
He quietly spread his divine sense, like invisible ripples gently sweeping across the island's mountains, rivers, and caves.
Upon further investigation, they were even more astonished.
The Jie Sect, once known as the sect where ten thousand immortals paid homage, had at least three thousand disciples residing on Jin'ao Island. Now, within the reach of divine sense, only a few hundred traces of their aura remain, scattered in various corners of the vast island, appearing sparse and scattered.
Even among the seven immortal attendants under his master, he could only vaguely sense the aura of Wuyun Xian; the other six were not in his cave.
"Could it be... that they've all gathered at Biyou Palace?"
Of all the places on Jin'ao Island, only Biyou Palace was a forbidden area that he dared not explore with his divine sense.
That is the sacred site of the Sage Tongtian Jiaozhu; any disrespectful intrusion could lead to unpredictable consequences.
Suppressing his various speculations, Taibai flew down to the gate of Biyou Palace, straightened his clothes, and then asked to announce his name and request an audience.
However, before he could speak, faint voices came from inside the palace, penetrating the heavy palace gates and restrictions, and clearly reaching his ears.
"Biyou Palace is a sacred place, impervious to all magic and unapproachable to all evil. How could it not block sound?"
Taibai stopped abruptly and listened intently.
The voices coming from the palace were those of Qiu Shou Xian, Chang Er Ding Guang Xian, and other disciples of the Jie Sect, their words filled with grief, indignation, and excitement.
"Master, Junior Sister Shiji was unjustly killed by True Man Taiyi. This is a blatant provocation against our Jie Sect. We disciples are filled with grief and indignation. We earnestly beg you, Master, to uphold justice for Junior Sister Shiji and avenge this great humiliation!"
This was the voice of the wiry-headed immortal. In the end, he banged his head on the ground, making a thumping sound.
"Teacher, Senior Brother Taibai has now entered the Great Tribulation, and he has always been strict with his fellow disciples who bear karmic burdens. Perhaps he was the one who instigated this!"
"Teacher, our Jie Sect is renowned for its 'ten thousand immortals paying homage,' and its power shakes the primordial world. How can we allow others to humiliate us like this? If this matter is left unresolved and spreads, how will the beings of the primordial world view our Jie Sect?"
For a time, the sounds of pleading and weeping rose and fell throughout Biyou Palace.
Many disciples were clearly emotional, with tears streaming down their faces, and some even kept kowtowing, their foreheads already showing bloodstains.
Taibai understood clearly that the people gathered there had different thoughts:
Some were genuinely grieved and indignant over the tragic deaths of their fellow disciples; others were misled into coming to cheer and shout; and still others harbored ulterior motives, eager to drag the entire Jie Sect into the muddy waters.
Just as the commotion reached its peak, the voice of the Long-Eared Immortal Dingguang rang out:
"Master, I know how difficult it is for you to consider the bigger picture, but the grievances against our fellow disciples, the blood feud, cannot go unpunished."
This is a petition signed in blood by over 2,300 of my disciples, all of whom are willing to join their master in seeking justice and defending the dignity of my sect!
After he finished speaking, something seemed to be respectfully pushed out.
"Buzz!"
At that very instant, a divine might erupted.
Even through the heavy doors, Taibai outside felt a sudden tightness in his heart, and his magical power faltered.
Inside the palace gates, a terrifying holy might swept through, and without exception, all the disciples were pushed backward and tumbled back.
The jade slip that Chang'er Dingguangxian had just presented was instantly reduced to dust and vanished without a trace under the sweep of this holy power.
The entire Biyou Palace fell into a deathly silence, with only the holy aura still permeating the air.
"Long-eared Dingguang Immortal, and all of you... are you forcing me?"
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"This disciple wouldn't dare! Master, please calm your anger!"
The immortals, who had been so excited just moments before, were now terrified and struggled to kneel down again, burying their heads deeply.
Taibai, standing outside the door, heard everything clearly.
At this moment, he understood everything: all the commotion in the palace was deliberately arranged for him to know by Tongtian.
Many previously unclear connections suddenly became clear in that instant.
Although the Tongtian Sect Leader was the supreme Heavenly Saint, and possessed the Four Immortal Slaughtering Swords, which were supreme weapons of slaughter, the Jie Sect's doctrine emphasized teaching without discrimination. His disciples came from diverse backgrounds, some good and some bad, and were entangled in countless karmas with the prehistoric world.
Such a large sect, with its magnificent yet complex and turbulent fortune, could not be completely suppressed and stabilized by the teacher alone with his saintly status.
This grand spectacle of ten thousand immortals paying homage is itself part of the Jie Sect's destiny, and at the same time, it also plays a role in suppressing and stabilizing the overall destiny.
And he himself has undoubtedly become a huge variable.
Since the last establishment of the disciplinary team and the swift and decisive handling of some fellow disciples, it seems to have rectified the atmosphere, but it has also indeed caused dissatisfaction among some disciples, and even alienation.
If disciples become disloyal, the fate of the Jie Sect will be shaken.
If the fortune declines, then the effect of Wanxian's suppression of fortune will also be greatly reduced.
As a result, the teacher would need to expend far more mental energy and saintly power than before to forcibly stabilize and suppress the sect's fortune, which was beginning to become unstable.
This process did not unfold gradually, but rather occurred abruptly after the picket line took action.
Unless Tongtianzhen can make a very strong decision to completely sever all ties with the Jiejiao Sect.
However, this would be almost impossible during the Great Tribulation, otherwise the prehistoric cultivators would only think that he had abandoned his disciples.
That is why Tongtian would indirectly reveal his own predicament through the words of these disciples.
Although he now approves of Taibai's approach, he still hopes that the methods could be more moderate to avoid unnecessary complications.
"No wonder Master Taiqing said that Master Tongtian needs me... But in my opinion, what Master actually needs is the Eastern Emperor Bell."
Taibai whispered something outside the palace gate, then walked straight into the palace without announcing himself and came to Tongtian's side.
"Disciple greets Master!"
"No need for formalities. What brings you here?"
Taibai smiled slightly at Tongtian, then took out the Eastern Emperor Bell.
His Highness's disciples had just been reprimanded by Tongtian, and now they all lowered their heads and remained silent, only glancing at Taibai with sidelong glances, their eyes revealing similar resentment.
Upon seeing Donghuang Zhong, Tongtian's eyes widened instantly, and he flashed in front of Taibai.
Taibai then handed the Eastern Emperor Bell to Tongtian.
Tongtian examined the bell closely, and then probed it with his divine sense. He was overjoyed and laughed heartily several times.
"Disciple, where did you obtain such a priceless treasure?"
"Respectfully informing you, Master, this was bestowed upon me by Master Taiqing."
"Hmph! I knew all along that this bell was destined for my elder brother, yet he still refuses to admit it!"
Tongtian snorted coldly, then handed the Eastern Emperor Bell back to Taibai:
"This treasure combines offense and defense; wielding it will make you invincible. My disciple, you must make good use of it."
Taibai shook his head and pushed the spirit treasure back.
He had clearly seen that Tongtian coveted this treasure, and if it hadn't already been claimed, this teacher would probably have already tried to snatch it.
"Master, I already have the Five Innate Banners protecting me, so the Eastern Emperor Bell is not necessary for me. This treasure can help you suppress the fortune of the Intercepting Sect."
"Please accept this, Master; otherwise, I will kneel here forever!"
Having said that, Taibai bowed deeply, held the Eastern Emperor Bell in his hands, and presented it forward once more.
"Sigh... Fine. Since that's the case, I'll accept it. Do you have any requests?"
"This disciple has no other request but that when Master is attacking the Yin Shang in Xiqi, he may send disciples of the Jie Sect to assist him."
When His Highness's disciples heard that Taibai wanted them to help Xiqi, they were all taken aback.
Although they lived on Jin'ao Island, some of them were well-informed and knew that Taibai was now serving as an official in the Yin Shang dynasty.