Chapter 577: Yuan Shi Tianzun Has Fallen Prey to Indecision

Getting back to the point, when they learned that they would soon be fighting the Chan sect disciples, millions of Jie sect disciples became excited. They all jumped up, looking toward Senior Sister Golden Spirit Holy Mother, eagerly volunteering to go into battle.

"Golden Spirit Senior Sister, let me go!"

"Golden Spirit Senior Sister..."

Jie sect disciples began another round of enthusiastic volunteering for battle. Having previously seen Senior Master Duobao Daoist showing off in various ways, they could no longer restrain their inner urge. Now that such an opportunity arose, who wouldn't want to stand out and become the focus of everyone's attention?

Golden Spirit Holy Mother's brows furrowed slightly; just as she was about to speak, a voice transmission from the Tongtian Sect Leader arrived: "This time, our Jie sect will dispatch ten disciples of the Ten Heavenly Lords to do battle."

"Our Jie sect will this time send these ten outstanding disciples of the Ten Heavenly Lords to meet the enemy!" The Tongtian Sect Leader's voice blossomed like a lotus, his ethereal Dao tones echoing throughout the vast heavens and earth.

Within Golden Ao Island, millions of Jie sect disciples, hearing this, showed disappointment on their faces, their gazes unconsciously focusing on the Ten Heavenly Lords, filled with envy and longing.

The Ten Heavenly Lords, upon hearing the Tongtian Sect Leader's summons, were first startled, then overjoyed. Wan Qin Heavenly Lord laughed: "Haha, fellow sect members, it's our turn to take the stage!" Zhao Jiang Heavenly Lord also exclaimed excitedly: "Finally we've gotten our chance!" Dong Quan Heavenly Lord sighed: "Indeed, the performance of Senior Brother Wuyun Xian and Junior Brother Moli Qing really makes one envious." Yuan Jue Heavenly Lord echoed: "That's right, we've been waiting so long we're almost dying of impatience!" Golden Light Holy Mother then proposed: "This is the perfect occasion to use Chan sect disciples to test Ye Qin Senior Brother's improved Ten Absolute Formation."

Sun Liang Heavenly Lord said: "Good idea, just worried those Chan sect disciples won't stand a fight." Bai Li Heavenly Lord proposed: "Then let's follow the senior brothers and do a 'pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger.'" Yao Bin Heavenly Lord asked: "Then what cultivation level should we suppress ourselves to?" Wang Bian Heavenly Lord suggested: "I think the Mystic Immortal Realm would be just right—it could confuse that Yuan Shi fellow, making them think Jie sect disciples are still the same old, while also allowing us to entrap and enforce the law, luring more Chan sect disciples into the formation." Zhao Shao Heavenly Lord praised: "This plan is excellent!"

The Ten Heavenly Lords whispered among themselves, full of delight, causing the surrounding Jie sect disciples to envy them even more.

Golden Spirit Holy Mother glanced at the Ten Heavenly Lords with resentment, saying: "You're really lucky—being personally named by the Master to go into battle, why don't you hurry up and prepare?" She had originally intended to personally go into battle like Duobao Daoist, to contribute to the Jie sect, but she hadn't expected the Ten Heavenly Lords to beat her to it.

The Ten Heavenly Lords gave an embarrassed smile, then summoned their mounts and flew out of the island under the envious gazes of the Jie sect disciples. The nine male Heavenly Lords rode immortal deer, while Golden Light Holy Mother rode a divine swift mare of radiant light.

Outside Golden Ao Island, Yuan Shi Tianzun and the others, upon hearing that the Tongtian Sect Leader had dispatched ten Jie sect disciples at once, slightly changed expression. They secretly wondered: How strong are these ten Jie sect disciples? Who in the Chan sect could match them? Could it be that Tongtian has seen through their scheme and intends to weaken the Chan sect's strength this way?

Yuan Shi Tianzun's eyes filled with killing intent; he hated to immediately eradicate the Jie sect. He said coldly: "Hmph, do you think you can get your way so easily? I can just casually send ten ordinary Chan sect disciples to fight. Disciples, don't blame me for being heartless—this is for the greater good."

Laozi and the others shared a similar view to Yuan Shi Tianzun, only without such strong resentment. Weakening the Chan sect disciples' strength would actually be a good thing for them.

However, the Chan sect disciples at this moment were panicked, their eyes full of fear. They hadn't expected the Jie sect to send out ten disciples, which meant that ten of them would have to go into battle. To them, going into battle almost equaled death. They had personally witnessed the crushing defeats of predecessors like Yun Zhongzi, the Southern Pole Immortal, and Ran Deng, and thus knew well the strength of the Jie sect disciples.

At this moment, the Chan sect disciples' morale was low, their fighting spirit gone. They secretly prayed, hoping dearly not to be selected for battle.

Not long after, within Golden Ao Island, ten Daoists rode their mounts into the void, chatting and laughing as if they didn't take this confrontation to heart at all. The Chan sect disciples were astonished to discover that these Ten Heavenly Lords' cultivation level was only early Mystic Immortal Realm! They couldn't help but wonder: Could these Ten Heavenly Lords also be concealing their cultivation?

The Chan sect disciples' minds simultaneously harbored this suspicion. Having previously suffered three losses from trusting the Jie sect disciples' cultivation claims, they naturally became especially cautious now.

Likewise surprised were Yuan Shi Tianzun and the other four Heavenly Dao Saints. They discovered that the Golden Ao Island Ten Heavenly Lords, whose status in the Jie sect is second only to the Seven Attendant Immortals, actually all had only early Mystic Immortal Realm cultivation.

Yuan Shi Tianzun immediately released his divine sense, repeatedly probing the Ten Heavenly Lords' condition, but the result was the same. Whether it was primordial spirit fluctuations or magical aura, everything indicated they were merely early Mystic Immortal Realm, with no trace of concealed cultivation.

This plunged Yuan Shi Tianzun into a dilemma. He dared not readily believe that the Ten Heavenly Lords' cultivation really was that low, after all the lesson of Ran Deng Daoist was still fresh in his mind. But if the Ten Heavenly Lords truly were only early Mystic Immortal Realm, then sending the Chan sect's core strength could very well wipe them out in one blow, thereby damaging Jie sect morale and laying the foundation for the upcoming calamity war.

Unable to decide, Yuan Shi Tianzun began to consult the other saints via voice transmission, asking: "Fellow Daoists, what do you think? Are the Golden Ao Island Ten Heavenly Lords truly just early Mystic Immortal Realm?"

The Zhunti Saint frowned, thought for a moment, then transmitted: "This is hard to say. Jie sect disciples are always mysterious and unfathomable; we cannot be careless."

Yuan Shi Tianzun was somewhat dissatisfied with this ambiguous answer, but he did not show it.

The Jieyu Saint transmitted with a solemn expression: "I think the Ten Heavenly Lords very likely concealed their cultivation, deliberately luring you, Brother Yuan Shi, to send out outstanding disciples to fight, then they would suddenly erupt and slaughter the Chan sect disciples. After all, even the Jie sect's Wuyun Xian possesses early Golden Immortal of the Great Luo cultivation, and his combat power can defeat the mid-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal Southern Pole Immortal. How could the Golden Ao Island Ten Heavenly Lords possibly be only early Mystic Immortal Realm? Moreover, Duobao just recently concealed a cultivation realm once, showing that the Jie sect has divine abilities unknown to us for hiding cultivation."

Yuan Shi Tianzun nodded; Jieyu's words were exactly what he worried about. He could not allow the Chan sect to lose any more outstanding disciples.

However, the Zhunti Saint offered a different view: "Although Jieyu Brother's reasoning makes sense, it's also possible that Moli Qing, Wuyun Xian, and Duobao gained their great strength from special opportunities and fortuitous encounters. The other Jie sect disciples, including these Ten Heavenly Lords, might still be the mediocre figures we remember. If they truly are only early Mystic Immortal Realm, then aren't we missing a great chance to annihilate them?"

Then Zhunti elaborated on his reasons, including the Tongtian Sect Leader's strategy of dispatching disciples, the situation of the Seven Attendant Immortals going into battle, and the Jie sect disciples' reluctance to take the initiative to leave the island. His words were logically clear, seeming sound in every sentence.

After hearing Zhunti's words, Yuan Shi Tianzun again fell into hesitation. He faced two choices: one, to risk sending out outstanding disciples to meet the enemy, possibly annihilating the Jie sect's Ten Heavenly Lords but also possibly suffering heavy losses; two, to choose conservatism, sending ordinary disciples to die, which would again cause a loss of face.

"These Jie sect disciples are really a headache," Yuan Shi Tianzun cursed inwardly. However, no matter how angry he became, he could not change the fact that a decision had to be made.

At that moment, Laozi Saint spoke. He gently stroked his long white beard, his eyes icy cold as he transmitted: "Yuan Shi, there's no need to overthink. The great battle is about to erupt; I can let Xuan Du go into battle. I will hand him the supreme treasures—this battle is certain to be victorious."

Laozi's words made Yuan Shi Tianzun's eyes light up, as if he saw a glimmer of hope.

Upon hearing Laozi's proposal, a gleam flashed in Yuan Shi Tianzun's eyes. This plan is indeed clever! Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master, as Laozi's sole disciple, not only possesses cultivation up to late-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal—one realm higher than the Southern Pole Immortal—but also carries numerous supreme treasures. With him taking action, even if the Golden Ao Island Ten Heavenly Lords truly concealed their cultivation, they would absolutely not be his match.

Yuan Shi Tianzun's worries vanished instantly. He did not believe the Golden Ao Island Ten Heavenly Lords' cultivation could exceed the early-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal shown by Wuyun Xian, let alone the quasi-saint realm. If that were true, the Investiture of the Gods calamity would be unnecessary—one could simply let the Jie sect rule the world outright.

After a brief consideration, Yuan Shi Tianzun transmitted: "This plan is excellent! However, to be absolutely safe, I will still first send ten ordinary Chan sect disciples into the formation. Elder Brother, please also ask Xuan Du to look after them a bit more. Chan sect disciples are few; each is priceless."

Laozi replied briefly and forcefully with a single 'Shan' character.

Yuan Shi Tianzun then turned toward the Tongtian Sect Leader, saying solemnly: "Tongtian, since you're letting the Ten Heavenly Lords come to die, I'll grant you that!" He then instructed Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master, Jiang Ziya, Shen Gongbao…: "You ten, go into battle!"

Those named were without exception the weaker cultivators among the Chan sect disciples.

Meanwhile, upon seeing the Chan sect's lineup, the Golden Ao Island Ten Heavenly Lords couldn't help but frown slightly. Their thoughts were in unison, and they began to communicate secretly.

"Senior Brother, that old fellow Yuan Shi isn't taking the bait—what should we do?" Zhao Jiang Heavenly Lord said anxiously.

"It's all your fault for insisting on concealing cultivation—now Yuan Shi Tianzun thinks we're all hiding our strength, so he's sent out some insignificant disciples." Dong Quan Heavenly Lord complained.

"Alas, for now we can only deal with Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master first." Yuan Jue Heavenly Lord sighed.

At this moment, Golden Light Holy Mother proposed a strategy: "Why not turn the tables? Old Yuan Shi thinks he's seen through our cultivation—let's really conceal our cultivation for him to see!"

She explained the plan in detail: first, do not set up formations against the Chan sect disciples, but instead engage in a melee, feigning injury from Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master's strike, then erupt with cultivation to barely resist, while seeking opportunities to eliminate other Chan sect disciples. Finally, pretend the formation is broken, narrowly lose to Xuan Du's hand, then request a reformation and renewed challenge, continuing to trap and kill Chan sect disciples.

This strategy made the Ten Heavenly Lords' eyes light up; they all praised it as wonderfully ingenious.

After the agreement, the Golden Ao Island Ten Heavenly Lords dismounted their mounts and stood far off, facing Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master and the others.

Yuan Shi Tianzun saw that the Ten Heavenly Lords, even when facing Xuan Du, showed no fear, further convincing him that they were concealing their cultivation. He secretly rejoiced that he had not listened to Zhunti's advice; otherwise, the Chan sect would lose another ten outstanding disciples, and he might truly fall out with Zhunti.

Zhunti was no fool either; he naturally noticed the Ten Heavenly Lords' oddity, but he merely gave an embarrassed smile and said nothing more.

Just then, Wan Qin Heavenly Lord suddenly shouted loudly, taking the lead in attacking the Chan sect disciples; the other nine Heavenly Lords quickly followed.

The battle between the two sides was about to break out.

Upon first contact, Wan Qin was lightly flicked away by Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master, retreating several hundred zhang, his face turning deathly pale. He appeared completely no match for Xuan Du.

Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master's brows rose slightly; he felt some doubt. He had merely casually released a wisp of late-stage Mystic Immortal power to test Wan Qin, not expecting to actually repel him. This made him begin to suspect whether the Golden Ao Island Ten Heavenly Lords truly had no concealed cultivation.

If they truly had no concealed cultivation, where would they get the confidence to oppose him? Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy.

However, he quickly steadied himself, giving a cold snort: "Regardless of whether you conceal your cultivation, today I will slay you all on the spot!"

Speaking, he unleashed the terrifying aura of mid-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal to its full extent. With a big hand he reached out, drawing a thread of heavenly-earth law power and shooting it toward Wan Qin, intending to pierce him through in one strike.

Boom! A brilliant golden light, containing the power of heavenly-earth law, like a racing lightning bolt, shot straight toward Wan Qin Heavenly Lord. The golden light was surrounded by endless purple lightning, which collided in the void, rumbling nonstop, carrying an aura of annihilation. Wherever it passed, the void seemed ignited by the fervent heat of law-power, emitting crackling bursts and scattering sparks.

"Oh no!" Not far away, Golden Light Holy Mother's face changed drastically; she hurriedly shouted to Wan Qin Heavenly Lord, "Wan Qin Senior Brother, be careful!"

Zhao Jiang Heavenly Lord stared agape at that golden light, unable to believe it, muttering: "This…… how could it possibly be so powerful?!"

Dong Quan Heavenly Lord, meanwhile, roared: "Xuan Du, you've got a lot of nerve, daring to injure Wan Qin Senior Brother! Take this!" Having said that, he swung a palm at the trying-to-intercept Shen Gongbao, sending him flying. If Shen Gongbao did not have the law-power protection of Xuan Du Grand Dharma Master, that palm would have been enough to scatter his soul and spirit.

"Senior Brother Qin Wan, I'll help you!" Sun Liang Tianjun rushed after him, shouting loudly.

"Me too!" Bai Li Tianjun quickly joined.

In an instant, the five Tianjun charged toward Tianjun Qin Wan, ready to team up against the Great Adept Xuandu. The remaining four Tianjun took charge of subduing the nine weaker disciples of the Chan sect.

However, even with the six Tianjun working together, their current early-stage Mystic Immortal cultivation was still nowhere near enough to oppose the Great Adept Xuandu.

Zhao Jiang Tianjun said solemnly, "Fellow senior brothers, stop holding back! Xuandu is immensely powerful; if we keep hiding our strength, we could be doomed!"

"Good!" Qin Wan Tianjun and the others replied in unison.

With a hum, the next moment they dropped all pretense, releasing a mighty pressure from their entire beings. As their thoughts stirred, terrifying auras burst forth, shaking the void and roiling the sea. This alone summoned the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, whipped up fierce winds, and raised colossal waves.

Meanwhile, each of the ten Tianjun of Golden Ao Island manifested three radiant golden lotuses above their heads, with five qi swirling around their chests—clearly signifying the mid-stage cultivation of a Da Luo Golden Immortal.