"Holy!"
"A Saint!"
"It's the Saint's Dharma Paper of the Immortal Dao Sect!"
Far away from Donglin Sect, countless cultivators looked up in horror. Below the sect lay a city where Donglin disciples traded and even settled their families. At this moment, the Immortal Dao Sect's Human Emperor stood beside the Saint's Dharma Paper, making his identity unmistakable.
Even the city lord below revealed fear and respect. Donglin Sect had been openly clashing with the Immortal Dao Sect recently—this was no secret. His heart trembled violently.
Is the Saint of the Immortal Dao Sect here to destroy Donglin Sect?
"Whoosh!"
From the sect master's cultivation ground, a powerful aura soared into the sky. In the next breath, a stunning woman in red robes appeared in midair, standing tall and proud. Her cold, beautiful eyes fixed on the Human Emperor as she said icily:
"The Immortal Dao Sect comes bearing a Saint's Dharma Paper the moment it arrives. Are you planning to wipe out my Donglin Sect?"
Facing her sharp sarcasm, the Human Emperor of the Immortal Dao Sect remained calm. He shook his head and replied,
"Sect Master Xiao misunderstands. The Saint of the Immortal Dao Sect merely wishes to speak personally with Donglin Sect."
"Buzz!"
Within the flawless golden Dharma Paper, a hazy figure gradually appeared, seated cross-legged inside. His entire body was shrouded in holy aura. Sacred radiance spilled in all directions, and anyone who sensed it felt an uncontrollable urge to tremble and kneel.
In the city below Donglin Sect, countless people were already kneeling on the ground.
Elder Wang He.
Elder Jiang.
The two elders who had been about to rise into the air suddenly felt an indescribable pressure, as if a massive mountain had crashed down upon their shoulders. Their ability to fly vanished instantly.
Shock filled their faces.
This is only a Saint's Dharma Paper—not even the Saint's true body.
If the Saint himself descended, what kind of terrifying scene would that be?
The Saint within the paper glanced at Xiao Rongyu, his gaze lowering slightly.
The Immortal Dao Sect's Human Emperor smiled faintly.
"Sect Master Xiao, my Saint wishes to see the Saint of Donglin Sect and discuss an important matter with him."
"Hmph!"
The faces of the Donglin cultivators darkened.
Their sect master had personally come out to receive the Saint's Dharma Paper—yet the other side still looked down on her? Worse still, that despicable Human Emperor was demanding that Donglin Sect's Saint come out personally.
"A mere Dharma Paper is not worthy of disturbing my Saint's seclusion," Xiao Rongyu replied coldly, matching arrogance with arrogance. "If you say I'm unqualified, then how could a piece of paper be worthy of standing before my Saint?"
"A sharp-tongued little girl," the Saint within the Dharma Paper finally spoke.
His voice was soft, yet unsettling. Even the Donglin cultivators grew tense. It seemed Xiao Rongyu's words had angered the Saint, and many feared she might be forced to apologize to quell his wrath.
"Dirty bones," Elder Wang He cursed inwardly.
He felt a surge of shame and anger. Just moments ago, even he had briefly thought of backing down. The Saint of the Immortal Dao Sect clearly harbored ill intent, trying to suppress Donglin Sect with nothing more than a piece of paper—yet such a humiliating thought had crossed his mind.
He felt unworthy of his own cultivation.
Elder Jiang's expression was equally stiff. Having experienced the same pressure, he sighed bitterly.
"It's no wonder. The Saint's pressure is simply too terrifying—it makes people afraid to resist."
Saints stood above the Eastern Region.
Every force with a Saint was honored as a Holy Land. Sect masters were common—but Saints were not. Each time a Saint appeared, it stirred the entire region, inspiring fear and reverence alike.
Xiao Rongyu stared coldly ahead.
That single posture alone convinced the two elders. Regardless of cultivation, her state of mind far surpassed theirs.
They sighed inwardly.
Choosing Xiao Rongyu as sect master back then was our greatest fortune.
Now, aside from Elder Chu, only Sect Master Xiao possesses such resolve.
"Brother Xia Yang."
The Saint within the Dharma Paper slowly raised his eyelids. His voice was light, yet when it fell upon the ears, it boomed like a great bell, reverberating endlessly.
"Puff!"
"Pfft—!"
Several Donglin cultivators were in seclusion, unaware of what was happening outside. The voice pierced straight into their ears, disrupting their cultivation. Blood spilled from their mouths as they groaned in pain, eyes filled with shock and confusion.
Whose voice is this?
Why does it feel like the voice of heaven itself?
"Shua!"
Xiao Rongyu's expression changed.
The Saints of Donglin Sect had limited lifespans. If they were disturbed by nothing more than a Dharma Paper and lost life essence prematurely, it would be an irreparable loss.
Cold intent surged around her as she said angrily,
"Is Saint Ji trying to provoke a war between our two sects?"
"Buzz!"
At the critical moment, Donglin Sect's grand formation lit up.
The sound was isolated.
The Saint within the Dharma Paper frowned slightly. He glanced at the formation but did not press further. This trip had merely been a test. If he could disturb Donglin Sect's Saint, all the better; if not, it hardly mattered.
His deep gaze remained calm.
"Since Brother Xia Yang is still in seclusion, I will not disturb him further."
Then his eyes sharpened.
"Where is Chu Xun?"
"Let him receive the decree."
At this moment, the Human Emperor of the Immortal Dao Sect spoke again, pride evident in his expression.
"How arrogant!" Xiao Rongyu laughed coldly. "Why should someone from Donglin Sect accept an order from the Immortal Dao Sect? Do you think a single piece of paper grants you face?"
The figure within the Dharma Paper slowly opened his eyes, his voice turning icy.
"The Green Bull Demon Lord is wreaking havoc across the Eastern Region, spreading demonic power and giving rise to countless demons. The other five Holy Lands have already dispatched Ninth-Realm Human Emperors to guard various regions and suppress the Demon Sect."
"Previously, Donglin Sect had no Ninth-Realm Human Emperor—so it was excusable."
"But now that you do, you should contribute your share."
Xiao Rongyu frowned.
Elder Jiang.
Elder Wang He.
The cultivators of Donglin Sect all fell silent.
This was indeed the prevailing consensus of the Eastern Region.
As one of the Six Holy Lands, Donglin Sect could not truly stand apart.
"The eastern coast of the Eastern Region," the Immortal Dao Sect's Human Emperor continued calmly, "will be the area Chu Xun is responsible for suppressing."
With the Saint's Dharma Paper backing him, he showed no concern for resistance.
"And what if I refuse?" Xiao Rongyu said coldly.
"You may," the Saint within the Dharma Paper replied instantly.
His eyes snapped open, pupils icy.
"Donglin Sect possesses the treasure Taihao Ding. Lend it to Zhao Xuan, and he will take charge of Donglin Sect."
The moment those words fell—
Not only Xiao Rongyu, but even ordinary Donglin disciples were enraged.
The Taihao Ding was Donglin Sect's foundation treasure, obtained by the first ancestor and used to suppress the sect's fate. To "borrow" it?
That was no different from outright robbery.
"Impossible!"
"You can't do this!"
Suddenly, blinding holy light burst forth from the Dharma Paper, illuminating heaven and earth. Under that pressure, Donglin City descended into panic. Even Donglin Sect's cultivators felt as though they were facing a great enemy, staring upward in horror.
And then—
From within that Dharma Paper—
A figure actually…
stepped out.