"Randeng, how dare you!"

"Randeng, stop!"

Two stern shouts resounded almost simultaneously from above the plaza.

Immediately thereafter, Sect Hierarch Tongtian and Yuanshi Tianzun gestured simultaneously, and instantaneously two beams of golden light each enveloped Duobao and Randeng, whisking them away from that breaking world.

Saint Zhunti gently pointed, and in the blink of an eye, that world evolved into a golden lotus, which then gradually faded and disappeared into the air.

Under normal circumstances, such a scene would undoubtedly attract many astonished gazes.

However, at the moment, everyone's gaze on the plaza was almost entirely fixed on the Xuanhuang Chaos-colored banner that Randeng Taoist was holding in his hand.

Even though, in the next instant, that banner vanished into thin air, many people had already clearly seen what this banner looked like.

Curiosity was inevitable.

Although the banner only flashed by briefly, it already destroyed a vast and boundless world.

A world that not even a Daluo Golden Immortal could easily shake, yet it could not withstand a moment under this banner.

Regardless of whether the people in the plaza had heard of this banner before, the instant they saw it, its true name automatically emerged in their hearts—

Pangu Banner!

It is said that when the Great God Pangu wielded his axe to create the heavens, the Heavenly Opening Divine Axe transformed into three Innate Treasures.

The blade of the axe became the Pangu Banner; the back of the axe became the Chaos Bell; the handle of the axe became the Tai Chi Diagram.

Among these Heavenly Opening Treasures, the Chaos Bell is versatile in attack and defense, governing the grand Dao of time and space; the Tai Chi Diagram is primarily for defense, impervious to all methods, governing the Yin Yang Five Elements; and the Pangu Banner is primarily for offense, unmatched in power, possessing the capability of Creation of Heaven and Earth!

In terms of sheer offensive power, the Pangu Banner ranks first among the Innate Treasures!

A poem praises thus:

From chaos sprung creation's mighty feat, true dominion in chaos affirmed.

As heavens split and earth formed, Pangu's holy might dazzles like a rainbow.

Even for Duobao Taoist, whose Dao cultivation is profound, facing the might of this Pangu Banner, how could he possibly withstand?

Right now, this foremost disciple of Jie Sect, enveloped in golden light, lay horizontally in the air, eyes tightly closed, having closed off his Primordial Spirit, and passed out unconscious.

"Master!"

"Elder brother!"

Huo Ling'er, Qiu Shou Immortal, and others looked anxious and worried, rushing forward to check on him, but they were blocked by beams of golden light.

At this moment, Sect Hierarch Tongtian withdrew his gaze from Duobao, and his stern expression softened slightly as he spoke softly to Huo Ling'er, "Your master is fine, do not worry."

After saying this, he summoned the Water-Fire Boy to send Duobao back to his Taoist temple for quiet cultivation.

After all this was done, he turned back, looking at Yuanshi Tianzun and spoke coldly, "It was merely a sparring between disciples of the two sects, was there a need to bring out the Pangu Banner?

Did my second brother wish to doom my disciple?"

Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head slightly but did not open his mouth to explain, instead he spoke indifferently, "What do you mean by this, third brother?"

"Second brother, with your cunning intelligence, do you still need me to spell it out?"

Sect Hierarch Tongtian's eyes blazed with rage, genuinely furious at this point.

"The Pangu Banner is second brother's treasure; how could it have ended up in Randeng's hands, being used against my disciple without your instruction?"

Yuanshi Tianzun's eyebrows furrowed, his expression cooling down.

"Are you questioning me?"

"Correct!" Tongtian Sect Hierarch shouted angrily, "If second brother still holds any fraternal affection, give me an explanation today, otherwise..."

"Otherwise, what will you do?" Yuanshi Tianzun spoke in a displeased tone, his expression becoming more severe.

Below, on the plaza, all the disciples of Jie Sect suddenly stood up, glaring fiercely at Randeng Taoist; while the disciples of Chan Sect hastily got up and guarded in front of Randeng Taoist.

Sensing the tense atmosphere of the scene, the disciples of Western Sect also stood up one after another, hastily walking to the corners to avoid being affected in case a great battle ensued.

But Master Xuan Du from Human Sect remained quietly seated on his mat, head bowed, immobile, occasionally even a faint snore could be heard.

Then, an old voice rang out.

"If there's something to discuss, why create a ruckus and disturb someone's dreams?"

Yu Yuan glanced up, and it was Taiching Saint, who had been "out of the loop" since the discussion of the Three Sects began, now awakened, frowning at Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Sect Hierarch, "Did you not understand?"

Yuanshi Tianzun nodded lightly, speaking indifferently: "When the elder speaks, naturally I shall comply."

After speaking, he turned his head to look down at Randeng Taoist, and shouted coldly, "Explain the wrong you have committed yourself!"

"Yes!"

Randeng Taoist replied softly, then bowed deeply to Sect Hierarch Tongtian, saying solemnly, "Previously this poor Daoist went to Netherworld Blood Sea to investigate a matter, to prevent Minghe Ancestor from making things difficult for this poor Daoist, thus I requested the sect leader to lend the Pangu Banner and the central Yellow Flag to aid this poor Daoist.

Caught in a formation, facing a threat to my life, I forgot at the moment that this was merely a spar between two sects, only thinking of self-preservation, thus I deployed the Pangu Banner…

Unwittingly causing injury to Daoist Duobao!

This crime, this poor Daoist does not dare to shirk, I respectfully request Upper Pure Saint to impose a punishment!"

What a desire for self-preservation!

Seeing this skinny old daoist of unremarkable appearance, Yu Yuan couldn't help but scoff inwardly, not believing a word of his.

Need the Pangu Banner to go to the Blood Sea?

Are you going there to slay Minghe Ancestor, or to evaporate the Blood Sea?!

All these talks of self-defense, accidental injury… All just excuses!

This is clearly a premeditated killing move!

Of course, under normal circumstances, possessing the central Yellow Flag already puts one in an unbeatable position.

The Pangu Banner is the ultimate weapon to be used only as a last resort.

Perhaps they never anticipated being pushed to such a desperate situation that they would actually need to use the Pangu Banner to prevail!

However, this thought deepens Yu Yuan's sense of dread towards the Yuqing Saint!

It should be noted that the contest was proposed by Saint Zhunti on the spot, and unless Saint Zhunti had already conspired with the Yuqing Saint, it would be impossible for him to foresee such a contest.

Either he had pre-arranged everything to develop according to his wishes, or he had made thorough preparations for any situation that might arise.

These three possibilities, each one is deeply terrifying!

No wonder this Yuqing Saint is known for his resourcefulness.

His face always calm and emotionless, neither joy nor sorrow shows, yet behind the scenes he secretly controls everything and holds the overall situation!

At this moment, hearing Daoist Randeng's acknowledgment of his mistake, even though Tongtian, the Sect Hierarch, still wears a cold expression, a hint of hesitation appears on his face.

Obviously, he is still half-doubtful of Randeng's words, but this explanation has already made it acceptable to him.

After a slight ponder, he turns to look at Yuanshi Tianzun and coldly says, "Since Randeng is the Vice Sect Hierarch of your Chan Sect, it would seem inappropriate for me to severely punish him. Let the punishment come from you, elder brother!"

"Very well."

Yuanshi Tianzun nods slightly, his eyes glancing towards Daoist Randeng, and speaks indifferently, "You recklessly used a holy artifact during the contest, causing injury to your fellow Xuanmen disciple, Duobao, and violated the major rules of the sect. Your crime is unpardonable, and now I hereby strip you of your position as Vice Sect Hierarch, and demote you to a common disciple!

Once we return to Kunlun, I will suppress you beneath Qilin Cliff, where you will endure the sufferings of a Hundred Swords Piercing the Heart every day. When you repent and reform, then you may be released… Do you understand?"

Daoist Randeng bows respectfully, "It is my fault, and I am willing to accept the punishment!"

Yuanshi Tianzun then looks towards the Sect Hierarch Tongtian and calmly asks, "Are you satisfied with this punishment?"

Tongtian hesitates slightly but eventually shakes his head.

"Let it be so, then."

With that, he waves his hand, indicating for all the Jie Sect disciples to take their seats.

Seeing this, Yu Yuan sighs quietly to himself.

The punishment sounds severe, stripping him of the Vice Hierarch position and suppressing him under Qilin Cliff, to endure the sufferings of a Hundred Swords Piercing the Heart!

But how will it really be carried out?

Once Daoist Randeng returns to Kunlun, who will see him?

At most, he'll be suppressed for just three to five days before he is released.

As for the position of Vice Hierarch…

The Chan Sect only has so many people, and since Daoist Randeng is the most profound practitioner below the Saints, who would truly regard him as a common disciple just because he lost the title of Vice Hierarch?

Most importantly, if he can think of this, wouldn't the Saint-like Sect Hierarch Tongtian think of it too?

But still, he did not object.

After all, he still does not want to completely fall out with Yuanshi Tianzun.

Or perhaps he just does not want to believe that Yuanshi, his elder brother, would scheme against him!

At this moment, Saint Zhunti looks towards Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Hierarch Tongtian, smiling and asks, "Now, which side has won this contest?"

Yuanshi Tianzun responds indifferently, "The contest was overseen by the two junior brothers; it's naturally up to you to decide the winner."

Sect Hierarch Tongtian frowns slightly, expressing displeasure, "Randeng acted without permission using an Innate Treasure, that contest obviously cannot count… Thus, this contest should be considered a slight victory for my Jie Sect."

Before he finishes speaking, Yuanshi Tianzun interjects lightly, "There was no rule against using Innate Treasures before the contest."

Sect Hierarch Tongtian's expression changes slightly, his gaze turning towards Saint Zhunti.

The latter nods slightly, seemingly conflicted, and says, "Brother, please don't blame me, there really were no rules set for this contest.

In that contest, Disciple Duobao had his Primordial Spirit sealed and lost the power to resist, naturally losing…

Therefore, in this contest between the Chan and Jie Sects, it should be considered a slight victory for the Chan Sect."

The expression on Sect Hierarch Tongtian's face turns unsightly.

Below, all the Jie Sect disciples show anger.

On the other hand, the Chan Sect disciples are overjoyed, as if relieved.

Winning this contest, the Investiture of the Gods remains in their control!

"That's not right! How can my Jie Sect be defeated…"

Among the Jie Sect disciples, the green-faced and bearded Qiu Shou Immortal stands up first, bows to the saints, about to speak when a loud voice interrupts.

"I have a question for the saints!"

Yu Yuan stands up, stepping forward, and looks towards Saint Zhunti seated high on the cloud platform, pausing between every word, "According to the rules previously set by Yuqing Saint, each of the Chan and Jie Sects would send three contestants from their second and third generation disciples.

Taking turns battling until one sides' contestants are completely defeated, then the successful side is declared the victor… Is that correct?"

Saint Zhunti's eyes twinkle, understanding his implication.

Not only him, everyone present including several saints all look towards Yu Yuan, their eyes filled with amazement.

"That's right, exactly."

Saint Zhunti nods slightly, smiling at Yu Yuan, "Are you saying you haven't been defeated yet?"

"Indeed!"

Yu Yuan nods, raising his voice, "I am a third generation disciple of the Jie Sect, commanded by my Sect Hierarch to contest in three battles against the Chan Sect disciples, and won all three battles!

I dare to ask the saint, why talk of the Chan Sect's victory when I haven't yet lost?"

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