The commanding voice that had frozen both combatants in their tracks belonged to a figure of such ethereal beauty and transcendent presence that even the turbulent spiritual energies around Jin'ao Island seemed to calm in her vicinity. Descending from the clouds on a platform of pure white light came a female immortal whose very appearance embodied the highest ideals of celestial cultivation.
Her robes were pristine white silk that seemed to capture and reflect moonlight even in broad daylight, flowing around her form with movements that suggested the garment was woven from clouds themselves. Her features possessed the kind of perfect symmetry that spoke of eons spent refining both body and spirit, while her eyes held depths of wisdom that came only from witnessing the rise and fall of countless mortal dynasties.
This was Yunxiao, eldest and most respected of the Three Xiaos, whose reputation for both power and wisdom extended far beyond the boundaries of Jin'ao Island.
"Elder Sister!" Bixiao called out with obvious relief, immediately lowering her Golden Dragon Shears in acknowledgment of the superior authority that had arrived.
Yunxiao had been enjoying a pleasant visit with Zhao Gongming, the senior-most outer disciple of the Jiejiao, when she suddenly sensed the distinctive spiritual signature of her personal treasure being activated in combat. A quick investigation of her quarters confirmed what she already suspected—the Golden Dragon Shears had once again been "borrowed" by her impulsive younger sister.
Given Bixiao's temperament, the activation of such a powerful weapon could only mean she was engaged in serious combat with someone. Yunxiao had immediately excused herself from Zhao Gongming's hospitality and set out to locate her wayward sibling before the situation could escalate beyond control.
The tremendous spiritual explosion she had sensed during her journey—the collision between the Golden Dragon Shears and some unknown treasure of comparable power—had spurred her to even greater speed. Arriving just as Bixiao prepared to launch a second attack, Yunxiao had intervened with the kind of absolute authority that came from being both elder sister and senior disciple.
"Little sister," Yunxiao said with the patient but firm tone of someone who had dealt with countless similar situations, "why are you wielding the Golden Dragon Shears so close to Jin'ao Island? Are you not concerned about disturbing Master's cultivation?"
The implied rebuke carried significant weight. Lingbao Tianzun's meditation sessions were legendary for their duration and importance, and disrupting such periods with unnecessary conflict was considered a serious breach of proper conduct.
"Elder Sister, it wasn't my fault!" Bixiao protested, her sense of righteousness overriding her usual deference. "This arrogant boy chased poor little lion all the way to our island's borders! How could I stand by and allow such disrespect to our sect?"
Her voice carried the frustrated tone of someone who genuinely believed she had been defending the honor of their organization, making her sister's criticism feel particularly unfair.
After hearing this explanation, Yunxiao turned her penetrating gaze toward Yang Jian, studying him with the kind of careful assessment that missed nothing. For the first time since Bixiao's impulsive attack had begun, Yang Jian finally had an opportunity to speak and defend himself.
"This humble Qingyuan of Renjiao respectfully greets fellow disciples of the Jiejiao," Yang Jian said formally, executing a perfect bow while making his sectarian affiliation absolutely clear.
The effect of this declaration on Bixiao was immediate and explosive.
"You lying brat!" she snarled, her earlier restraint evaporating entirely. "How dare you claim to be a disciple of Daode Tianzun! Do you think I'm some ignorant fool who doesn't know that Renjiao has only one second-generation disciple—Master Xuandu himself?"
Her accusation carried the weight of apparent logic. Renjiao was famous for its exclusive nature, with Daode Tianzun accepting very few direct disciples throughout the ages. The idea that some unknown young cultivator could claim such prestigious lineage seemed absurd on its face.
"Little sister, control your tongue!" Yunxiao's rebuke was sharp enough to make Bixiao flinch visibly.
Then, to Yang Jian's surprise, the elder sister performed a respectful bow that acknowledged his superior sectarian status.
"Yunxiao respectfully greets Senior Brother Qingyuan," she said with formal politeness that carried genuine respect.
"Elder Sister?!" Bixiao stared at Yunxiao in complete bewilderment, unable to process what she was witnessing.
Unlike her impulsive younger sister, Yunxiao possessed both a perfect memory and a keen awareness of important developments throughout the cultivation world. Some time ago, Lingbao Tianzun had informed his disciples that their uncle, Daode Tianzun, had accepted a new direct disciple whose Taoist name would be Qingyuan.
The young man before them claimed to be a disciple of Renjiao named Qingyuan, and he carried what appeared to be a replica of the Tai Chi Diagram—one of Daode Tianzun's personal treasures. Combined with his evident cultivation level and bearing, his identity seemed beyond reasonable doubt.
More importantly, as a direct disciple of Daode Tianzun, Yang Jian held superior sectarian rank to all but the four direct disciples of the Jiejiao. Even accomplished outer disciples like Yunxiao herself were required to show proper deference to such elevated status.
The implications were significant. While the three-sect shared common origins in the teachings of the Three Pure Ones, the relationships between their respective sects could be complex and sometimes tense. The Jiejiao and Chanjiao had particular friction due to their different philosophies regarding disciple selection and cultivation methods. However, both maintained respectful relations with Renjiao, which was seen as the elder and most prestigious of the three branches.
"Bixiao," Yunxiao's voice carried unmistakable command, "apologize to Senior Brother Qingyuan immediately."
Seeing her elder sister's serious expression and recognizing that she had committed a genuine error in judgment, Bixiao swallowed her pride and bowed stiffly.
"Senior Brother Qingyuan, Bixiao acted rashly without proper understanding. I offer my sincere apologies for any offense."
The words came out with obvious reluctance, but they were properly respectful according to sectarian protocol.
"It was merely a misunderstanding," Yang Jian replied graciously, recognizing that pressing the matter further would be both petty and politically unwise. "No lasting harm was done."
As this exchange continued, Shi Shang had been growing increasingly pale as he realized the full implications of what was happening. While it was true that he held legitimate third-generation disciple status within the Jiejiao, Yang Jian was a second-generation direct disciple of a sister sect—and moreover, one who had caught him in an act that violated fundamental principles shared by all orthodox cultivation organizations.
His earlier confidence in sectarian protection was rapidly evaporating as he recognized that his crimes might be too serious for even the Jiejiao's influence to shield him from consequences.
"I must ask, Senior Brother Qingyuan," Yunxiao said with careful diplomacy, "what circumstances led you to pursue our sect's disciple all the way to Jin'ao Island's borders? Such determination suggests serious provocation."
Her tone remained neutral, but the implication was clear—if Yang Jian could provide justification for his actions, she would ensure the matter was handled appropriately. If not, she would be obligated to defend her sect-brother regardless of her personal opinions.
"Junior Sister Yunxiao," Yang Jian's voice grew heavy with barely controlled fury as he recounted the events, "seven days ago, while traveling the East China Sea coast, I observed a massive black cloud of resentment rising to the heavens. Investigation revealed a city of several hundred thousand inhabitants had been completely slaughtered, with the perpetrator being this demon!"
The memory of that apocalyptic scene—the bodies scattered like broken toys, the rivers of blood, the psychic residue of unimaginable terror—brought Yang Jian's righteous anger blazing back to the surface.
Yunxiao's expression grew grave as she turned to study Shi Shang with the kind of spiritual perception that could detect traces of past actions. Despite the passage of seven days, the demon still carried the distinctive aura of human resentment and spilled blood that would cling to mass murderers for months or even years after their crimes.
Yang Jian's accusation was clearly not fabricated.
The implications struck Yunxiao immediately. Renjiao derived much of its legitimacy and power from its connection to the human race— Daode Tianzun had achieved sainthood partly through the merit of establishing religious practices among mortals. For a Jiejiao member to slaughter hundreds of thousands of humans and then be caught by a direct disciple of Renjiao was a diplomatic disaster of the first magnitude.
"Shi Shang," Bixiao's voice carried a dangerous edge as she rounded on the cowering demon, "did you really massacre hundreds of thousands of humans?"
If her sect-brother had committed such atrocities while wearing Jiejiao robes, the consequences would extend far beyond his individual punishment. The entire sect's reputation would suffer, and relations with both Renjiao and mortal authorities would be severely damaged.
"I... I..." Shi Shang stammered, his earlier arrogance completely abandoned in the face of undeniable evidence and mounting pressure from his own sect-siblings.
"Lion, speak the truth!" Yunxiao's command carried the full weight of her authority and spiritual power, making further deception impossible.
"Shi Shang did massacre a human city," the demon confessed in a broken voice, "and consumed the inhabitants within it."
The admission hit the assembled immortals like a physical blow. Even by the standards of the cultivation world, where violence and conflict were commonplace, the deliberate slaughter of hundreds of thousands of innocent mortals represented a level of evil that could not be overlooked or excused.
Shi Shang collapsed to his knees, all strength leaving his body as he realized that his confession had sealed his fate. There would be no escape from this situation, no sectarian protection that could shield him from the consequences of his actions.
Bixiao stared at him with a mixture of fury and disgust, feeling both betrayed by his crimes and humiliated by her earlier defense of him. This bastard had committed unspeakable atrocities and then involved her in the fallout when Yang Jian came seeking justice.
"Senior Brother Qingyuan," Yunxiao said with formal gravity, "please accompany us to Jin'ao Island. Master is currently in residence at Biyou Palace, and this matter requires his personal attention."
The situation had escalated far beyond what could be handled by outer disciples, no matter how senior. A confirmed mass murder by a sect member, an attack on a direct disciple of a sister religion, and the broader implications for inter-sectarian relations all demanded the wisdom and authority of Lingbao Tianzun himself.
"Qingyuan would be honored to pay respects to Uncle Master," Yang Jian replied appropriately, recognizing both the necessity of the meeting and the proper forms of address for his relationship to the Lingbao Tianzun.
And so their party was formed: Yunxiao leading the way with dignity befitting her senior status, Yang Jian following as the honored guest whose grievance required resolution, Bixiao trailing behind with the shame of someone whose impulsive actions had complicated an already serious situation, and Taoist Shi Shang being dragged along like a condemned criminal—which, in all practical respects, he now was.
As they made their way deeper into Jin'ao Island, their passage drew considerable attention from the various disciples who populated the sacred mountain. The sight of one of their own being hauled along in obvious disgrace while accompanied by an unknown cultivator of apparent importance sparked whispered conversations throughout the sect.
"Isn't that Shi Shang?" one third-generation disciple murmured to his companion. "What could he have done to anger Aunt Bixiao so severely?"
"Look at how they're treating him—like a criminal being brought to judgment," another observed. "And who is that young man with them? His bearing suggests significant status."
The speculation would undoubtedly continue and grow throughout the island, but such matters were beyond the immediate concerns of their small procession.
Their journey brought them to the residence of Zhao Gongming, who emerged to greet them with his characteristic hearty laughter—until he noticed the grim expressions and the obvious distress of Shi Shang.
"Junior Sister," he called to Yunxiao with genuine concern, "you departed so suddenly without explanation. I hope I didn't offend you in some way during your visit?"
"Senior Brother, the situation is more serious than social courtesy," Yunxiao replied gravely. "I just used the Golden Dragon Shears to attack Senior Brother Qingyuan of Renjiao without proper cause. We must see Master immediately to address this matter."
"You attacked a Senior Brother of Renjiao with the Golden Dragon Shears?" Zhao Gongming's jovial expression vanished entirely, replaced by the kind of shock that came from recognizing a potentially catastrophic situation.
He knew his junior sister could be impulsive, but to launch such a serious attack against a direct disciple of their uncle's sect represented a level of recklessness that could have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.
Hearing her actions described so bluntly in front of Senior Brother Zhao made Bixiao shrink into herself like a scolded child. The full magnitude of her error was becoming increasingly clear, and the shame was almost unbearable.
"Senior Brother, I will accompany you to see Master," Zhao Gongming declared immediately. His presence might provide additional perspective on the situation, and perhaps his senior status could help mitigate whatever punishment awaited Bixiao.
"That would be appreciated," Yunxiao agreed, recognizing that they would need all the wisdom and support available for the coming confrontation.
Their expanded party of five made their way to the heart of Jin'ao Island, where the magnificent Biyou Palace rose like a crystalline mountain from the surrounding landscape. As they approached the sacred structure, protocol demanded they abandon their cloud-riding and proceed on foot as a show of proper respect.
The palace itself was a masterwork of celestial architecture, its walls carved from single pieces of jade that seemed to glow with inner light, its roofs tiled with materials that captured and reflected the spiritual energy flowing throughout the island. This was the earthly seat of one of the Three Pure Ones, and every element of its construction reflected that awesome dignity.
Standing in the courtyard before the main hall, Yunxiao composed herself and called out in the formal manner required for audiences with their Master.
"Master, disciples Yunxiao, Gongming, and Bixiao respectfully request an audience, accompanied by Senior Brother Qingyuan of Renjiao."
The silence that followed seemed to stretch for an eternity before a voice of profound depth and infinite authority responded from within the palace.
"Enter."
The massive doors to Biyou Palace's main hall swung open without any visible mechanism, revealing the sacred space beyond. Under the guidance of Yunxiao and her companions, Yang Jian followed them across the threshold into the presence of one of the most powerful beings in existence.
Behind them, Shi Shang remained kneeling in the courtyard, deemed unworthy to enter the sacred hall where his fate would be decided.
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