Primordial Era: A brick knocks Hongyun unconscious, and he seizes the throne at the start.

The four saints surrounded and captured him, imprisoning him both in heaven and earth!

The Primordial One's Three Treasures Jade Ruyi sealed off space and time; the Amitabha Buddha's light illuminated and imprisoned the soul; the Cundi Seven Treasures Tree swept away all laws; and Laozi's Taiqing Immortal Light stabilized earth, water, fire, and wind. The four sages joined forces to exert pressure, and even though they were only attacking from a distance, their power was enough to make any Primordial Realm cultivator's scalp tingle and the heavens and earth change color.

Those four remnants of chaotic sword energy, which had merged with the intent of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword, were like maggots clinging to his bones, relentlessly locking onto Lu Chen and frantically eroding his protective divine light and chaotic bricks.

"Damn it! We've been tricked!" Lu Chen knew perfectly well that someone had tampered with the Four Swords of Zhuxian beforehand, deliberately detonating it the moment the Four Saints relaxed their guard while breaking the formation, shifting the blame and the pursuit onto him! The only ones capable of such a thing were either those two cunning bastards from the Western Sect, or…

He didn't have time to think it through; in this life-or-death moment, all his potential was unleashed!

"The ultimate power can break all laws!"

With his peak Hunyuan cultivation now unreserved, the purest and most powerful Dao of Power roared within him, resonating wildly with the essence of the Chaos Brick. The chaotic patterns on the brick's surface seemed to come alive, spreading and reforming wildly, unleashing a primal power akin to the creation of the world!

boom--!

The Chaos Brick suddenly expanded, no longer in its simple treasure form, but transformed into a hazy chaotic phantom, like a small prototype of a chaotic world, enveloping Lu Chen entirely!

The spatial-temporal blockade of the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, the soul-imprisonment of the Buddha's light, the myriad laws of the Seven Treasures Tree, and the solidification of heaven and earth by the Taiqing Immortal Light, all landed on the chaotic phantom, but it was like a mud ox entering the sea, being worn down and slowed down layer by layer by the chaotic power that constantly creates and destroys and evolves all things!

The four sword energies of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword were actively devoured, absorbed, and assimilated by the chaotic phantom! The sword intent of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword was indeed fierce and unparalleled, but chaos is the origin of all things and can also contain and evolve all things! The sword energy was swept into the chaotic vortex, and although it stirred the phantom to shake incessantly, it was also being rapidly decomposed and transformed into the most primitive chaotic energy!

"Huh?!" The four saints simultaneously showed surprise. Although they did not go all out, their combined suppression was actually resisted by the opponent with an unprecedented "prototype of a chaotic world", and was even devouring the sword intent of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword!

"This child has already shown his potential and must not be allowed to live!" Yuanshi's eyes blazed with murderous intent, and the phantom of the Pangu Banner appeared in the auspicious clouds, ready to unleash his true killing move.

At this critical moment—

"clang--!"

A clear, resonant sound, like a bell ringing from the end of time, echoed between heaven and earth without warning!

Morning bell!

Lu Chen's symbiotic treasure, which he had been nurturing within his body, the Morning Bell, which had gone through the chaotic trials with him and devoured part of the Chaos Bell's origin, revived on its own at this critical moment of life and death, emitting the strongest temporal rhythm!

Wherever the bell tolled, everything froze! It wasn't a stillness in space, but a slowing down of time! Even the divine senses and supernatural powers of a sage, and even the illusory image of the Pangu Banner about to fall, were forcibly slowed down by a fraction of a millisecond!

One ten-thousandth of a second is meaningless to mortals, but for a cultivator of Lu Chen's level, especially one who is fully activating the Chaos Brick Escape Technique, it is enough to accomplish a great deal!

The chaotic phantom suddenly contracted inward, transforming into a fine, condensed chaotic line. Ignoring all the slow blockades, it slipped out at the last possible moment through the weakest point of the four sacred divine powers intertwined—the tiny gap where the light of the Buddhas of Jieyin and Zhunti met!

"Where do you think you're going!" Jieyin and Zhunti were both shocked and furious. Their Buddha-light surged as they tried to mend the gap.

But the chaotic thread was too fast, and the slowing effect of the morning bell had not completely disappeared. In a flash, the thread vanished into the vast depths of chaos, leaving not even a trace behind.

The divine senses of the four sages swept across the primordial world, even probing into the edge of chaos, yet they could no longer detect any trace of Lu Chen.

"Hmph! He escaped quickly!" Yuanshi retracted the illusory image of the Pangu Banner with a gloomy expression. Chasing after a peak Hunyuan cultivator who was proficient in escape techniques and seemed to be able to evolve the chaotic world would require even a saint to expend considerable effort, and there was no guarantee of success.

"This child has become a great threat," Lao Tzu said slowly. "His mastery of the Great Dao is nearing perfection, and he is protected by a supreme treasure of chaos. Given time, he may have the opportunity to prove the Dao through force."

"Proving the Dao through force?" Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, both seeing the apprehension in each other's eyes. Pangu proved the Dao through force; though he perished, his power was undeniable. If Lu Chen were truly allowed to traverse this path…

"The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods is not yet over, and it is not advisable to create further complications." Yuanshi suppressed his anger. "The most urgent task is to completely eliminate the Jie Sect and complete the Investiture of the Gods. Although Tongtian has retired, the myriad immortals of the Jie Sect are still alive, and we must resolve this once and for all."

The four sages turned their gaze towards Jin'ao Island. Breaking the Immortal Slaughtering Formation was only the first step. The Jie Sect still had a foundation, and they must take advantage of its low morale and Tongtian's injury and seclusion to completely crush it!

……

In the depths of chaos, in an unknown place.

A chaotic light flashed, and Lu Chen's figure appeared, staggering. His face was as pale as paper, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He had withstood the attack from the four saints from afar, and had also forcibly activated the Chaos Brick to evolve the prototype of the world and stimulate the limit of the Morning Bell. Even though he was already at the peak of the Primordial Chaos realm, he had suffered serious injuries, and his origin was shaken.

"That was close... I almost died." He was still shaken. He quickly swallowed a few healing pills and sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing. The Chaos Brick floated above his head, sending down streams of chaotic energy to nourish him.

"Who exactly tricked me?" Lu Chen pondered as he healed his injuries. Anyone capable of tampering with the four swords of Zhuxian and deceiving Tongtian and the Four Sages was no ordinary person. The Western Sect was the prime suspect; they had every motive to stir up trouble and use someone else to do their dirty work. But Yuanshi… might also have used this opportunity to eliminate him, this destabilizing factor.

"This score will be settled sooner or later!" Lu Chen's eyes flashed with cold light. This time he suffered a huge loss, almost being beaten to death by a group of saints.

After several days of recuperation and stabilization of his injuries, he sensed the direction of the Primordial World. His clone, Lu Xiao, sent a message: After the Immortal Slaughtering Formation was broken, the myriad immortals of the Intercepting Sect were filled with grief and indignation. Under the organization of Daoist Duobao, Holy Mother Jinling, and others, they actually set up the last and largest trump card of the Intercepting Sect outside Jin'ao Island—the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation! They vowed to fight to the death with the Chan Sect and the Western Sect!

After a brief discussion, the four saints decided to make a final effort and went to the outside of Jin'ao Island to break the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation and completely shatter the fortune of the Jie Sect!

"The Ten Thousand Immortals Formation..." Lu Chen's expression was complex. This formation was formed by the condensation of the fortune and Daoist techniques of the Ten Thousand Immortals of the Jie Sect, possessing immense power, but it was also the Jie Sect's last glory and tragic song. According to the "plot," once this formation was broken, the Jie Sect would exist in name only.

He recalled the days he listened to the teachings in Biyou Palace, the forthright Zhao Gongming, the aloof yet affectionate Sanxiao, and his fellow disciples of the Jie Sect, who, though of varying quality, were mostly straightforward... A ripple of emotion stirred within him.

"So be it, there's still some lingering affection between us." Lu Chen sighed. Although he was quite calculating, he wasn't a heartless person. Besides, if the Jie Sect were to be completely defeated, the Yuanshi and Western Sects would become even more arrogant, which wouldn't be good for him either.

He decided to go back and see, at least... save a few people who shouldn't have died.

He activated his Brick Escape technique and quietly returned to the primordial world, sneaking to the outskirts of Jin'ao Island.

Between heaven and earth, malevolent energy permeated the air, celestial light mingled with demonic aura, and the myriad immortals of the Jie Sect were arranged in formation, their imposing presence tinged with tragedy. At the core of the Myriad Immortals Formation, Daoist Duobao, Holy Mother Jinling, Holy Mother Wudang, and Holy Mother Guiling each guarded a region, their faces resolute.

Opposite them, the Four Saints soared into the air, while the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect (not all were present at this time, but the main force was still there), and the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats of the Western Sect formed a solemn array.

A great war is about to break out!

Lu Chen remained hidden in the shadows, his gaze sweeping across the Myriad Immortals Formation, then suddenly fixed on a spot—near the formation gate guarded by the Holy Mother Turtle Spirit!

He remembered that in the original timeline, after the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation was broken, the Holy Mother of the Tortoise Spirit was captured by Ju Liusun of the Western Sect with the Immortal Binding Rope. He intended to take her back to the West, but on the way, she was drained of her blood, flesh and soul by the Mosquito Taoist and tragically perished!

At this moment, he clearly saw that Ju Liusun was hiding in the Western Sect camp, his eyes gleaming, and golden light was faintly flowing in his hand—it was the Immortal Binding Rope! And further away, in the direction of the Blood Sea, an extremely subtle, greedy, and ferocious aura was quietly approaching the battlefield… Mosquito Daoist!

"Now!" Lu Chen's eyes narrowed. The Holy Mother of the Tortoise Spirit was known for her fiery and straightforward nature, and had a good reputation within the Jie Sect. She had also interacted with him (Lu Xiao) before. He was determined to save her!

Just as the Four Sages gave the order, the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation was activated, and the great battle broke out in a chaotic moment!

Ju Liusun seized the opportunity to strike, and the Immortal Binding Rope transformed into golden light, silently entangling the Holy Mother Guiling who was engaged in a fierce battle with Manjushri Guangfa Tianzun!

Caught off guard, the Holy Mother of the Tortoise cried out in alarm as she was bound by the Immortal Binding Rope, her magic power sealed, revealing her true form—a giant black tortoise!

Ju Liusun was overjoyed and wanted to put it away.

"Fellow Daoist, this item is destined for me!"

A strange laugh rang out, and blood flashed. A black shadow with six wings on its back and a ferocious mouthpart (Mosquito Taoist) pounced on the bound Xuan Turtle with incredible speed, its mouthparts piercing straight into the gaps in its carapace!

"You're asking for death!" This was the moment Lu Chen had been waiting for!

He had been waiting for this moment, and the instant the Mosquito Taoist appeared, the Chaos Brick flew out of his hand, not to smash the Mosquito Taoist, but to smash the ground beneath the Turtle Spirit Mother!

"Earth's veins shifting!"

Boom! The ground cracked open, and a powerful force of earth veins was drawn by the Chaos Brick, transforming into a beam of earthy yellow light that swept up the bound Xuan Turtle and dragged it deep into the earth, where it disappeared! Only a bewildered Ju Liusun and a Mosquito Daoist who had missed his target and was screaming angrily were left behind!

"Who?! Who dares to ruin my plans?!" Mosquito Daoist was so angry that his six wings flapped wildly, and his blood-red eyes scanned the surroundings.

Lu Chen had already retrieved the Chaos Brick and fled into the distance, concealing his achievements and fame. At the same time, he transmitted his voice to the Turtle Spirit Mother, who had just escaped danger and was still in a daze (through a hidden mark left during their previous discussion): "Senior Sister Turtle Spirit, quickly use the earth's veins to escape and seek the protection of the Underworld's Goddess Pingxin. Do not look back!"

Deep underground, gratitude and determination flashed in the eyes of the Xuan Turtle. Without further hesitation, it fled rapidly towards the Netherworld along the earth's veins.

Before the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, the great battle was in full swing, and this little episode was quickly drowned out by the earth-shaking shouts and clashes of supernatural powers.

Lu Chen stood in the distant clouds, watching the fierce battle below. Disciples of the Jie Sect fell one after another, their souls either guided by the Investiture of the Gods, converted by the Western Sect, or simply vanished into nothingness. His heart was filled with complex emotions.

He could save one Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, but he couldn't save ten thousand immortals.

"The Jie Sect... has finally come to an end."

He shook his head, turned around, and vanished using the brick-遁 (a type of teleportation technique).

The climax of the Investiture of the Gods is about to pass, but the aftershocks of this great calamity and the struggle between the saints are far from over. He needs to recover from his injuries as soon as possible and digest what he has gained (including the portion of the Immortal Execution Sword Intent he absorbed) in order to prepare for even greater storms in the future.

The Primordial Beginning, the Western Religion... and that mysterious mastermind behind his schemes...

"We'll see."