Primordial Era: Starting by overwhelming the Sages, Hongjun was stunned!

Seeing everyone's silence, Tongtian understood.

They were afraid.

They feared he would take the opportunity to retaliate, that he would secretly plot against them, and that he would destroy the very foundation upon which they had built their path.

He can understand all of that.

After all, the soul is the foundation of a cultivator, the basis of their Dao. Even he wouldn't dare to trust people so easily.

But when his gaze swept across the front of the crowd and landed on those two familiar figures...

Tongtian's gaze suddenly sharpened.

Lao Tzu stood with his head bowed, his face hidden in shadow as the Daoist spirit of non-action flowed through him, his expression obscured.

Yuanshi stood to the side, while Yuqing Immortal Light flickered, his eyes gleaming as if he were pondering or weighing his options.

They hesitated.

Tongtian laughed.

The smile was so faint that it was almost imperceptible.

But within that smile lay a chilling undercurrent.

Brother.

Second brother.

Are you afraid too?

Are you afraid I'll harm you?

Are you afraid I'll ruin your path?

We originated from Pangu, are one family, have accompanied each other for countless years, and depend on each other for survival.

From the very beginning of creation, we hid together in Kunlun, comprehending the Great Dao together, and facing the primordial storms together.

When have I, Tongtian, ever wronged you in the slightest?

But today.

You don't even trust me?

Tongtian took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness surging in his heart.

He suddenly remembered the figure in black robes who had sat silently for three thousand years in the Zixiao Palace, without uttering a word.

At that time, he didn't understand why his senior was so silent.

Now he understands.

Because some things don't need to be said.

Because some people are not worth talking about.

"good."

Tongtian spoke, his voice calm, yet carrying an unprecedented sense of detachment:

"very good."

Lao Tzu was jolted awake and suddenly looked up.

The Daoist aura of non-action fluctuated violently, and a trace of panic flashed across his aged face:

"Third brother, I am not..."

Tongtian raised his hand, interrupting him.

"Elder brother, there's no need to explain."

His gaze was calm, falling on Laozi, then slowly moving towards Yuanshi:

"Second brother, there's no need."

"I see."

"I really understand."

The light of the Primordial Jade Purity Immortal flickered, and a hint of barely concealed urgency flashed across his cold and stern face.

"Third brother! We are brothers, how could I not trust you? But this matter is of utmost importance, and I must..."

What do you need?

Tongtian interrupted him, his voice suddenly turning cold:

"Do we need to weigh the pros and cons? Do we need to consider the gains and losses? Do we need to see if my third brother is still trustworthy?"

The words of the Primordial Beginning paused.

Tongtian looked at him, at his second brother who was always proud and never bowed his head.

Looking into those flickering eyes and that hesitant expression.

The last trace of warmth in my heart has completely cooled.

"That's enough."

It was a whisper that reached the heavens, its voice hoarse.

He slowly turned around, his black robe fluttering slightly.

Behind him, the illusory images of the Four Swords of Zhuxian quietly receded and were absorbed into his body.

"Since none of you believe me..."

"Then I will say no more."

The words fell.

He took a single step towards the heavens.

"Third brother!!"

Laozi gave a low shout, and the Daoist principle of non-action erupted suddenly, reaching out to grab it.

All that could be grasped was a wisp of a vanishing shadow.

"Third brother!!"

The primordial Jade Purity Immortal Light surged, and its form transformed into a stream of light as it sped away.

But after chasing for only ten zhang, he was forced back by an invisible sword intent.

He staggered to the ground, his face deathly pale.

Tongtian... he's really gone.

At the summit of Mount Buzhou.

Dead silence.

It was even more deathly silent than when Kong Xuan had left.

Everyone stood frozen in place, staring at the empty void and the direction in which the black-robed figure had disappeared.

My mind went completely blank.

Lao Tzu slowly lowered his head, looking at his empty palms.

The palm still retained the warmth of the lingering afterimage from when it grabbed Tongtian.

But she's gone.

"Brother..."

Yuan Shi staggered forward, his voice hoarse:

"My third brother..."

Lao Tzu did not answer.

He just stared intently at that void, his aged face filled with complex emotions.

I feel guilty, heartbroken, and remorseful.

There was also a hint of... indescribable bewilderment.

Are they wrong?

maybe.

But in that situation just now, who wouldn't have thought things through?

How can one easily believe in matters of the spirit and soul?

Even if they are brothers...

Lao Tzu suddenly closed his eyes.

He didn't want to think about it anymore.

a long time.

The deathly silence was finally broken by a voice.

"Oh."

A soft laugh, tinged with mockery and coldness.

Everyone turned to look.

Di Jun.

He had somehow gotten up from the rubble, and the true fire of the sun had reignited around him. Although his face was still pale, there was an eerie light flashing in his eyes.

"The Three Pure Ones, the true descendants of Pangu."

Di Jun chuckled, his gaze sweeping over Laozi and Yuanshi, a meaningful smile curving his lips:

"Today... has truly broadened our horizons."

Laozi frowned slightly, and as the Daoist aura of non-action flowed, he raised his eyes to look at Di Jun:

"Di Jun, what do you mean by that?"

Di Jun's smile deepened.

He stepped forward slowly, his body enveloped in the true fire of the sun, and waves of scorching heat swept outwards.

Although he had just been injured and in a sorry state by the overwhelming pressure, at this moment, there was an indescribable... exhilaration in that sorry state.

What do you mean?

Di Jun stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed directly on Laozi:

Why ask a question you already know the answer to, fellow Daoist?

"Tongtian received the true teachings of his predecessors and mastered the method to sever shackles."

"This should be a good thing, a tremendous opportunity."

"What a pity..."

He paused, his gaze shifting to Yuanshi, his voice leisurely:

"Some people are clearly his own brothers, clearly his own siblings, and have been his companions for countless years."

"But when it really matters, I can't even trust him."

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

Di Jun shook his head and sighed softly. That sigh was like the sharpest knife, piercing the hearts of Laozi and Yuanshi.

"If he can't even trust his own brothers, who else can he trust?"

"Tongtian's departure... was the right one, the brilliant one, the most..."

His smile deepened:

"This is truly gratifying."

Laozi's expression changed drastically.

His Daoist aura fluctuated violently, his aura surged like a tide, and his aged face was filled with rage:

"Di Jun! You..."

"What about me?"

Di Jun interrupted him, showing no fear whatsoever:

Am I wrong?

"Don't you Three Pure Ones always consider yourselves one and the same? Don't you always look down on us demons?"

"What's wrong?"

"When it comes to the crucial moment, you 'compatriots' are nothing more than this."

Lao Tzu paused in his speech.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Because what Di Jun said is true.

He did hesitate just now.

He didn't immediately step forward and say that he believed his third brother.

He just now...

It truly broke Tongtian's heart.

The primordial Jade Purity Immortal Light surged, its expression cold and stern as if covered in frost:

"Di Jun! Don't make false accusations!"

"We were just... just..."

"Just what?"

Donghuang Taiyi staggered forward, his face pale and his breath weak, but the fierce light in his eyes grew even more intense.

He looked at Yuanshi, a mocking smile playing on his lips:

"Is it just a matter of weighing the pros and cons? Is it just a matter of considering the gains and losses?"

"Brother Yuanshi, we all heard what you just said to Tongtian."

"What's wrong?"

"Now you're denying it?"