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

Tongtian's voice was hoarse:

"Are we just going to stand by and watch them walk down a dead end?"

Kong Xuan did not answer.

He simply gazed silently at Tongtian.

His gaze was calm as still water, yet it seemed to see through everything.

Tongtian felt a chill run down his spine from his gaze:

"senior?"

Kong Xuan slowly opened his mouth:

"You just said they weren't worth saving."

Why are you wavering now?

Tongtian was taken aback.

Yes, why did you waver again?

Those people questioned him, pressured him, and hurt him deeply.

His two elder brothers weighed the pros and cons and hesitated, which made him lose heart.

He had clearly figured it out.

They're not worth saving.

It is our right not to rescue.

But why, upon hearing that Hongjun had passed down a method to a dead end, did his first reaction still want to tell them?

Kong Xuan looked at him, her gaze deep:

"Because you have a soft heart."

"Because you value relationships."

"Because deep down, you're still that third brother who would feel heartbroken if his two older brothers questioned you."

Even if they hurt you a thousand times, you still can't bear to see them go down a dead end.

Tongtian shuddered.

He looked at Kong Xuan, at those all-seeing eyes.

Suddenly I felt like I had nowhere to hide.

"Senior...I..."

Kong Xuan raised his hand, interrupting him:

No explanation needed.

"Being soft-hearted is not a mistake."

Being sentimental is not a mistake.

"The mistake was that you used your soft heart and affection on people who didn't deserve it."

Tongtian remained silent.

Kong Xuan continued:

"Those three thousand Zixiao guests are currently on the summit of Buzhou Mountain, discussing how to get you to help them break their shackles."

"Your two elder brothers are currently in Kunlun, trying to figure out how to win you back and make you change your mind."

"They're after the solution you have."

"It's not you."

"What they seek is liberation."

"It's not about your safety."

Do you understand?

Tongtian closed his eyes.

Of course he understands.

On the summit of Mount Buzhou, he could clearly see the longing and greed in the eyes of those people.

On Kunlun Mountain, he could clearly see the weighing and hesitation in the eyes of his two elder brothers.

What they cared about was never his connections to the highest levels.

Rather, it was the solution he possessed.

It is their own path.

Tongtian slowly opened his eyes.

The chaotic sword light in his eyes had already subsided, leaving only a bottomless calm.

He looked at Kong Xuan, at this senior who saw through everything yet always remained detached.

Suddenly I understood.

He understood why his senior wanted him to see all of this clearly.

It's not to make him hate me.

It wasn't so that he could save her.

It was so that he could choose.

"senior."

Tongtian spoke, his voice hoarse, yet carrying an unprecedented clarity:

"Disciple understands."

"What did you understand?"

Kong Xuan looked at him, her gaze calm.

Tongtian took a deep breath:

"I understand what this disciple should choose."

"I understand what I should do."

Kong Xuan nodded slightly:

Tell me about it.

Tongtian rose, his black robe billowing, his sword intent subtly concealed.

He gazed out of the palace at the surging, chaotic sea, and at the distant, primordial land.

"I will not save those three thousand Zixiao guests."

"My two elder brothers, I will not save you."

"It's not that I'm heartless, it's just that it's not worth it."

He paused, his voice growing increasingly serious:

"But I will tell you the truth about the Quasi-Saint's Method."

"I won't tell those three thousand people, and I won't tell my two elder brothers."

"Speak this to those who have not yet heard the word or entered the game."

"Tell this to those who truly need to know the truth."

Kong Xuan's eyes flickered slightly:

"for example?"

Tongtian turned around and looked at Kong Xuan:

"For example, the disciples of the Jie Sect."

"For example, those who are destined to be disciples but have not yet been bound by the shackles of the Heavenly Dao."

"The senior taught his disciple the method to break the cycle, not to save those who were already caught in the trap."

"Instead, let the disciples protect those who haven't yet entered the game."

"Let them know the truth, let them choose for themselves."

"Choose to believe in the will of Heaven, or to believe in yourself."

"Choose between a dead end and a way to survive."

Kong Xuan smiled.

This time, the smile was more genuine:

"You were able to think of this, so it was worth it for me to pass on that wisp of chaotic light to you."

Tongtian bowed deeply:

"This disciple is dull-witted and relies entirely on the guidance of the senior."

Kong Xuan waved his hand:

Get up.

"Now that you've figured it out, go and do it."

"Jin'ao Island will be your future training ground."

"The Jie Sect took root here."

Tongtian shuddered.

The Intercepting Sect.

This was the first time he had heard this name.

But when those two words reached his ears, they stirred an unprecedented feeling of excitement within him.

It was as if this name was meant for him.

The path that should have belonged to him was rightfully his.

"senior."

Tongtian's voice was hoarse:

"This title..."

"It's yours."

Kong Xuan interrupted him, his gaze deep:

"The Intercepting Sect means seizing a sliver of hope."

"What you just said, isn't it about giving those who haven't entered the game a chance to survive?"

Tongtian was stunned.

Seize a sliver of hope.

Yes, isn't that what he just said?

Let those who are not yet bound by the shackles of Heaven's will know the truth.

Let them choose for themselves.

Choose that seemingly slim, yet real, glimmer of hope.

Instead of the seemingly bright but actually dead-end path of Heaven.

"disciple..."

Tongtian knelt on one knee, his voice choked with emotion:

"What virtue or ability do I possess to be entrusted with such a great responsibility?"

Kong Xuan looked at him:

"Because you have a soft heart."

"Because you value relationships."

"Because even when you're deeply hurt, you still can't bear to see innocent people driven to despair."

"Only someone like this is qualified to lead the Jie Sect."

Only then are they qualified to seize that glimmer of hope for all living beings.

Tongtian trembled all over.

He looked at Kong Xuan, at those eyes that saw through everything yet remained gentle.

Suddenly I realized something.

The senior made him see the true colors of those people, not to make him feel disheartened.

It's not about letting him know who is worth saving and who isn't.

The elders passed on the solution to him, not to make him a pushover.

Instead, it empowers him to protect those who deserve it.

The elder bestowed upon him Jin'ao Island and gave him the name of the Jie Sect.

It's because he knows that only he, Tongtian, can walk this path.

Only he has connections to the heavens and can walk.

"senior."

Tongtian raised his head, his gaze sharp as a sword:

"This disciple will certainly not fail the trust placed in me by my senior!"

Kong Xuan nodded slightly:

"Go."

"Jin'ao Island will henceforth be the training ground for the Jie Sect."

Everything on the island is for your use.

"As for those three thousand Purple Cloud Guests, and those two elder brothers..."

He paused, his gaze turning slightly cold:

"Let them choose for themselves."

"Should I believe in you, or in Hongjun?"

"Choose the path to survival, or the path to ruin."

"Once you've made your choice, you'll have to bear the consequences."

Tongtian nodded emphatically.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Kong Xuan:

"This disciple takes his leave."

The words fell.

He turned around and strode towards the outside of the hall.

His black robes fluttered in the wind, and his sword intent soared to the heavens.

He paused as he approached the palace gate.

He turned around and looked at the figure in the black robe.

"senior."

Kong Xuan raised his eyes:

"Is there anything else?"

Tongtian took a deep breath:

"This disciple dares to inquire about your name, senior?"

"When the Jie Sect is established in the future, its disciples shall erect a longevity tablet for their predecessors and offer worship for generations to come!"