Bonus chapter
....
At the same time.
Zhao Yong, standing outside the Donglin Sect, also noticed the unusual movement within. His evil eyes shifted toward the back mountain, and the corner of his mouth curled into a mocking smile.
"Trying to fool me with a dying old thing?"
A wisp of sinister aura spread from his body, tinting the air a strange crimson. Behind him, a terrifying phantom slowly took shape, a monstrous Taowu, baring its fangs and radiating ferocity.
"Hm?"
The head of the Nangong clan also looked toward the back mountain. The commotion caused by Elder Wang's forced recovery was impossible to ignore. Though surprised, he soon relaxed and said, "It seems Donglin Sect has truly been driven to desperation. Even the one guarding the forbidden area has revived and is about to step out."
The Shenxing Sect master sighed softly. "What a pity. Donglin Sect, one of the Six Holy Lands and the oldest among them, will likely fall from the Eastern Region. If word spreads that yet another saint has perished within the sect, they may even be expelled outright."
Zhao Yong had forced them to this state; the weakness was obvious. And even if Elder Wang managed to block Zhao Yong temporarily, suppressing the forbidden area afterward would be an even greater problem.
Shaking his head, he sighed inwardly.
No one could have imagined that the oldest force would face such calamity.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, the Shenxing Sect master, the Zhenwu Sect master, and even Zhao Yong himself froze.
Their gazes locked onto an unassuming, ordinary-looking old man.
Placed among mortals, no one would ever think he was a cultivator.
His aura was completely restrained, gentle, calm, unhurried. Even with the sect facing catastrophe, his expression did not change as he walked steadily through the void.
In terms of temperament,
The difference between the two sides was more than a single level.
Those with discerning eyes could see it clearly.
The Xiandao Sect master inhaled deeply, eyes filled with shock. Chu Xun in this state unsettled him even more. Calm without arrogance, steady without impatience, his state of mind had clearly undergone a tremendous breakthrough. Given enough time, his cultivation would surge rapidly; even stepping into the Saint Realm would not be surprising.
Unfortunately,
He had encountered catastrophe too soon.
Lu Nantian's pupils shrank slightly as well. Watching Chu Xun, only one thought surfaced in his mind:
Late bloomer. Deeply accumulated. Once he blooms, it will be dazzling beyond measure.
What a pity.
It was too late.
No one would give him more time.
Lu Nantian silently glanced toward the Xiandao Sect's direction, feeling a trace of grim satisfaction. If not for Zhao Huangchao causing trouble, they would never have realized how far Chu Xun had grown. Left unchecked, he might soon have dominated the Eastern Region.
Chu Xun's appearance stirred varied emotions among the top Human Emperors, shock at first, followed by relief. Even Chu Yaoyao of the Goddess Sect was no exception. Once the surprise faded, calm acceptance followed.
She could accept Chu Xun's fall.
And this suppression.
Jiang Zhenshan, head of the Jiang family, could no longer remain seated. Anxiety flooded his face. He had never expected Elder Chu to step out personally.
In his view, even if this disaster damaged Donglin Sect's reputation and pushed them into a low period, as long as Chu Xun remained and cultivated quietly for a few years, stepping into the Saint Realm, the sect would inevitably rise again.
But now,
Elder Chu had come out.
Completely beyond expectation.
The Chu Xun he knew was calm, steady, wise, someone who would not be shaken even by the destruction of the sect.
Yet today, he had stepped forward.
Impatient.
Intent on stopping Zhao Yong himself.
The Xiandao Sect master smiled faintly. "I heard that the Jiang family's eldest son caused quite a stir when he took a master a few days ago. Could it be this one?"
In an instant, the Zhenwu Sect master and the Tianji Sect master looked over.
The Nangong clan head shifted his position silently.
If Jiang Zhenshan tried to intervene, they would stop him immediately.
They had already witnessed Chu Xun's mentality and talent. Such an existence could not be allowed to grow in the Eastern Region. The moment Chu Xun walked out of the Scripture Pavilion today, he sealed his fate.
He would not be given any chance to survive.
"This old fox…" Jiang Zhenshan cursed inwardly.
Not only the Nangong clan head, but the other top Human Emperors subtly adjusted their positions, hemming him in and leaving no opening for assistance.
Below.
The cultivators from secular dynasties and small forces finally relaxed. Earlier, they had been confused about the old man's identity, but now clarity dawned.
They might not know the name Chu Xun,
But they knew the Jiang family's eldest son had made waves with his apprenticeship just days ago.
A young girl's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I heard the Jiang family's eldest son has astonishing talent and entered the Venerable Realm at a young age. His master must be very powerful, right?"
"Of course!"
"Jiang Chen is incredibly gifted!"
"How could his teacher be weak?"
Many young women who had witnessed Jiang Chen's elegance showed open admiration, their curiosity toward Chu Xun growing stronger.
Chu Xun walked out of the Scripture Pavilion at an unhurried pace. Seeing the massive gathering and Zhao Yong's overwhelming momentum, he felt slightly helpless.
He had come to fight,
Not to put on a spectacle.
Was all this really necessary?
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
As he stepped forward, several streaks of light descended behind him.
Xiao Rongyu.
Wang He.
Elder Jiang.
And Elder Wang, guardian of the forbidden area.
None of them suppressed their aura. Their arrival was fierce and overwhelming, like ancient immortals descending upon the world, no weaker than the great emperors who had arrived the previous night.
The watching young geniuses were instantly enthralled.
"So cool!"
"They said Donglin Sect was dying, the weakest of the Six Holy Lands?"
"That's nonsense!"
"Five Human Emperors at once, this is insane!"
However.
The Human Emperors of Donglin Sect were anything but relaxed.
Chu Xun represented their future, their confidence. How could they allow him to risk himself?
Elder Wang shouted angrily, "Nonsense! Elder Chu, return to the sect immediately!"
As long as he entered the sect, nothing outside would affect him. Unless a Saint appeared, no one could break Donglin Sect's grand formation.
They would be safe.
"Haha."
Chu Xun smiled gently and looked at them. "Why are you all here? This matter began because of me, and it should end with me."
He paused, eyes calm.
"I've been holding back in the Scripture Pavilion for quite some time. Today… I want to see what it's like outside."
Cold sweat broke out on Elder Jiang's forehead. He wanted to dissuade him, but seeing Chu Xun's serene expression, an inexplicable sense of trust arose in his heart.
Maybe,
It really would be fine.
The thought startled him.
How could Elder Chu act so casually?
"Elder Chu!"
"It's fine," Chu Xun said calmly, turning his back to them. "I'll test the waters first. Hold the formation for me. If I truly can't hold on, then you can step in."
That was his plan.
If he wasn't Zhao Yong's match, he wouldn't force it. If the sky fell, there were taller ones to hold it up, it wouldn't be his turn.
Elder Wang sighed softly. "Very well… since Elder Chu insists, I'll hold the line."
Thinking of how Chu Xun had crushed Zhao Huangchao with a single palm, and the terrifying River Sword Intent he possessed, Elder Wang believed that even if Chu Xun lost, he could still fight Zhao Yong for several exchanges.
That was enough.
Xiao Rongyu's delicate face was pale with tension, her hands clenched tightly. If not for Elder Wang's agreement, she would never have allowed this.
Now,
She could only watch from behind.
Ready to assist at any moment.